Primeclass-Traders

Proud to be Pinoy

2011-03-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

Stafahne proud to be Pinoy

Philippines, the pearl of the Orient

Coco Lee & Julio Iglesias - When You Tell Me That You Love M

2011-03-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

Philippines, the pearl of the Orient
for someone special

David Pomeranz

2010-08-07T03:34:00.000-07:00

Philippines, the pearl of the Orient

David Pomeranz sings, "Born for you", for a very special lady.

The cocoon

2010-03-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

A MAN FOUND A COCOON OF A BUTTERFLY

"A MAN FOUND A COCOON OF A BUTTERFLY AND ONE DAY A SMALL OPENING APPEARED"

He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little opening.

Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly, he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.

The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small shrivelled wings

The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened!!

In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shrivelled wings- it was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening was natures way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggling is exactly what we need in our life. If nature allows us to go through life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could be.

What did you learn from the above story.. I learnt two things:-

That I must develop and grow through adversity

That in my FM Group Network marketing business I must allow my down-line to develop and evolve in the same way I have. I cannot do the work for them. If they are to grow into beautiful butterflies, they must do it for themselves… WITH SUPPORT FROM THEIR TEAM MEMBERS.

Remember the words of Calvin Coolidge

Nothing can take the place of PERSISTANCE

TALENT will not-nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent

GENIUS will not-unrewarded genius is almost a proverb

EDUCATION will not-the world is full of educated derelicts

PERSISTANCE and DETERMINATION alone are OMNIPOTENT

IN ORDER TO SUCCEED.. YOU MUST

KNOW.. What you are doing

LIKE What you are doing

BELIEVE In what you are doing

Thank you for reading..

STEVE

Before I Fall in Love by Coco Lee (with Lyrics)

2010-01-05T14:44:00.001-08:00

Brings back sweet memories..someone that always holds my heart

Philippines Climate Change in Coastal Areas

2010-01-05T13:07:00.001-08:00

Interesting to watch.. even better if you understand Tagalog.. but the message is very clear

Solo Classical Guitar- Young Master =)

2009-12-26T05:39:00.001-08:00

wow... this boy can really play

"Does anybody care if Bangladesh drowns?"

2009-12-19T13:37:00.001-08:00

This is from 2007, around 30% of Bangladesh are only one meter above sea level...that 30% of Bangladesh is their agricultural land... have you tried to grow rice in salty water? can you drink it, wash in it?...
Bangladesh now, U.S.A. it will happen too you too.. think!!!

Tuvalu at Copenhagen: 'The Fate Of My Country Rests In Your Hands'

2009-12-19T13:31:00.001-08:00

As christians God gives us two commandments, one is to Love God with all our hearts and souls, the other is too love our neighbour as our selfs.............island are disapearing, people are dying,forget politics and religion.. these are our neighbours

Kumi Naidoo's Speech at the COPenhagen Global Day of Action

2009-12-19T13:26:00.001-08:00

2009-06-28T01:37:00.000-07:00

We are advertising just one pair of earrings, beautifully made in the USA, they are 10k gold, with diamonds and real emeralds with some growth pattern, valued at over $1,800 they are a bargain, at £499, we will ship anywhere.We are certain you will be delighted with these beautiful earrings, but if for any reason you are not please return for a full refund.. remember its only one pair when they are sold they are sold.Brand new and never worn.. 10% Of the purchase price will be donated to Animals Asia Foundation.

Philippines, the pearl of the Orient

dont quit

2009-06-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the roads your trudging seems all up hill.
When the funds are low, and the debts are high.
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but do not quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns around,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Dont give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you hardest hit,

Its when things seem worse,
that YOU must not quit

Philippines, the pearl of the Orient

7,107 Islands, that will hook you for life

2009-05-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

PHILIPPINES

An archipelago of more than 7,100 islands strewn across a great streach of tropical sea. Add just about the worlds most diverse ecosystems. Throw in hundreds of ancient cultures and one modern one. Steep it in a rich history at the crossroads of Southeast Asia. Ontop of which we place soaring mountains, beautiful white sand beaches, clear waters, and rememorable sunsets... and voila, you have got the PHILIPPINES.

Long bypassed by most travellers to Southeast Asia because of its location on the opposite side of the South China sea, the Philippines is a well kept secret among those that have travelled there. These coral fringed islands are home to wonders enough to stagger even the most jaded traveller: extraordinary rice terraces, tropical rainforests, underground rivers, soaring limestone towers, unihabited islands, cascading waterfalls, white sand beaches and wonderful sunsets... and thats just above the oceans surface! Below, you have the reefs and walls, offering memorable diving and snorkelling, and in Palawan the wreck diving is perhaps the BEST IN THE WORLD. But its more than just the stunning natural scenery, its the people of the Philippines that most visitors find unforgettable. From isolated hill tribes, to the intellectual urban dwellers, Filipinos form a mosaic that reflects the islands rich and varied nature.

For those who are willing to adapt to the challenges of travel here, there will be plenty of rewards, so relax, slow down your in a different world, set your clock to Philippines time, keep your eyes open, somewhere among those 7,107 islands there is a great adventure waiting to happen... one visit and:

"YOU WILL BE HOOKED FOR LIFE".

Barrio Fiesta London 2009.. Lampton Park

2009-04-26T04:02:00.000-07:00

137 FILIPINOS STRANDED IN DUBAI

2009-04-13T06:14:00.000-07:00

137 Filipino bus drivers have been left stranded in Dubai.

The report from the Blas F. Ople Policy Center coincides with the visait of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the United Arab Emirates which was moved forward the other day after protesters forced the cancellation of the ASEAN Summit in Pattaya, Thailand.

The accompanying pictures were sent to this writer by Dubai-based Filipino journalist Ares Gutierrez.

Here’s the full report from the Blas F. Ople Policy Center which is headed by former labor undersecretary Susan Ople:

Filipino Dubai Community Aids Stranded Drivers;
Ople Center Urges Action VS Recruitment Agency

In keeping with the spirit of Lent, the “bayanihan” spirit was alive and well in Dubai as Filipinos shared canned goods, water, toiletries, and other food items to help 137 bus drivers stranded and looking for jobs after being deployed there by a licensed recruitment agency.
The stranded drivers were overwhelmed by the show of hospitality and generosity by Filipino community leaders who traveled in a convoy on Good Friday and Black Saturday. According to Ares Gutierrez, sub-editor of XPRESS, the Dubai-based paper that broke the story about the stranded bus drivers, most of the victims were confused as to what they should do next.
One of the drivers, Claro Oliver of Rizal province, contacted the Blas F. Ople Policy Center yesterday for help in pursuing justice against their recruiter, CYM International Services, a licensed recruitment agency. The agency promised the Filipino drivers good-paying jobs at Dubai’s government transport agency known as Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Some of the drivers, some of who quit their local jobs despite years of service, have been waiting to be hired by RTA since January of this year. Desperate for food and cash, the stranded drives have resorted to scavenging a dumpsite for scrap food.
Former labor undersecretary Susan Ople, who heads the Blas F. Ople Center, urged the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to immediately investigate and if possible, suspend the said agency and its counterpart in Dubai, Al Toomoh Technical Services. “The sheer number of victims involved constitutes an act of economic sabotage by this licensed agency. We urge immediate action and for the owners of the agency to be barred from leaving the country.”
The bus drivers, nearly half of who hail from the province of Bulacan, complained to the Ople Center that their passports were being held by the foreign counterpart of their local agency in Dubai. This prevents them from applying for new jobs. Majority of the victims are professional drivers who have worked for years in reputable transport companies such as Baliuag Transit. The Center said the Philippine Consulate should intervene and obtain the passports of the stranded workers.
The plight of the 137 bus drivers were first exposed by Filipino journalists Jay Hilotin and Ares Gutierrez of Xpress publications based on a tip from a fellow Filipino working at Gulf News. Word quickly spread through e-mail and soon, an assembly time and place were designated to enable Filipinos to join an aid convoy leading to the camp where the bus drivers were staying. A Filipino association of Airsoft aficionados whose game was suspended last Friday, pitched in by giving cash donations.
Aside from lack of food, the drivers were sharing living quarters near the Ajman garbage dumpsite. Their building’s electric power is sourced from a generator, giving them only 3 to 4 hours of electricity. The building also has inadequate water supply.
According to the drivers, they paid as much as P150,000 to CYM International Services in exchange for jobs at RTA. Some of the drivers have been staying in Dubai waiting for the promised jobs to come into fruition since January.
Based on interviews with XPRESS, driver Max Sumulong, 34, one of the victims, said last year CYM had offered him a job as a driver for Dh5,200 a month and he had given the agency 10,000 pesos (Dh1,000) as “processing fee”.
“The agency had asked each one of us to take out a 150,000-peso (Dh11,418) loan from a lending agency recommended by them and made us sign undated cheques worth 405,000 pesos (about Dh40,000) addressed to a bank and the lending agency, payable in 15 months,” he said.
Eliseo Maximo, who has worked for 11 years as a bus driver in Manila, said: “We’ve been collecting aluminium cans, selling them at Dh4 per kg in Ajman, just to have something to eat.”
The stranded bus drivers are hoping that the Philippine Consulate can help them look for jobs in Dubai rather than be sent home. “Their biggest worry is on how they can repay the lending agency. If they come home, whatever they earn as bus drivers won’t be enough to pay off their loans and still sustain the needs of their families,” Ople explained.
Ople said she is awaiting documents from the bus drivers that would help speed up the POEA’s investigation into the alleged illegal recruitment practices of CYM International Services and its counterpart in Dubai. The Filipino community has lent the drivers a photocopy machine so they could consolidate and reproduce all the documents needed to bolster their case.
The former labor undersecretary also hoped that the 137 drivers would be able to meet President Arroyo, Vice-President Noli de Castro and other high-ranking officials in their visit to Dubai

Philippines, the pearl of the Orient

Brown Asbestos Dumped, Mankayan Benguet

2009-04-12T06:26:00.000-07:00

by Artemio A. Dumlao

Mankayan, Benguet — Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company has dumped a cancer-causing substance in its landfill here, reason why residents including town officials are raising hell over their safety.

“They dug our mountains for gold and pay their taxes in Makati then they dump six truckloads of cancer-causing not from the mine waste but transported from their Makati main office,” Mankayan town Mayor Manalo B. Galuten said.

Galuten fears Lepanto, one of the biggest gold producer of the country, has put the lives and future of villagers in danger for dumping cancer causing hazardous substance – asbestos—in barangay Sapid.

Galuten is now holding a laboratory analysis from New Zealand which confirms that suspected asbestos containing material dumped in sitio Sapid, Mankayan has ten percent Amosite content.

Amosite variety of asbestos according to the US Environmental Protection Agency was used primarily as a fire retardant in thermal insulation products in old structures like in ceiling tiles. The material however is now banned in most countries especially because this form of asbestos is highly friable.

Friable means it crumbles easily when damaged, therefore releasing airborne fibers which can then be inhaled by those in the vicinity of the material causing a cancer form called mesothelioma — a rare type of cancer that most often occur in the thin membrane lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen and heart.

Residents reported around six dump trucks surreptitiously unloading what appears to be construction debris from ceiling panels and electrical insulations.

LCMC has conceded it has dumped materials but bely them as hazardous.

Mayor Galuten insists, “I want the company to totally clean up their garbage and be responsible for whatever health effect it may have in the future.”

Lamenting “they (LCMC) got our gold and replaced it with toxic waste,” Mayor Galuten though admitted that the mining firm gave employment and improved the local economy, but it should not justify the dumping of hazardous wastes.

The mayor also claimed that what is worst, ‘the waste did not even come from mining operations but imported from other LCMC operational areas.’

“I want the company to totally clean their dump and be ready to accept responsibility to whatever sickness the asbestos might cause to exposed residents in the future,” the mayor said.

Galuten vows that they will file a case “to set an example for large companies not to violate local laws or belittle their host communities.” They will ask the DENR to do their job and file appropriate criminal or administrative sanctions against the mining firm.

In April 2008, residents first noticed the dumping when around six ten wheeler trucks dumped what appeared to be construction debris in upper tram, Sapid, Mankayan.

The local police who probed the incidents reported by villagers confirmed the dumping of dirty white substances in black cellophane bags that are immediately covered with soil by a pay loader.

Sapid barangay council in a meeting confirmed the wastes were dumped by Shipside Trucking, an LCMC subsidiary, on April 10 and in 2007 in Sitio Tagumbao, Upper Tram in Barangay Sapid.

Sapid villager leaders via Barangay Resolution No. 34-2008 on April 12, requested LCMCo to “cease unloading or dumping of the waste (asbestos)” in their barangay and to relocate the said wastes to other sites.

“Responsibility”

The mine firm’s resident manager Engr. Magellan Bagayao has admitted responsibility.

LCMC admitted before the municipal council that the wastes which are pads and cushions came from the company’s Makati City office that was renovated.

Bagayao in his letter to Mankayan Vice Mayor Paterno Dacanay dated May 7, 2008, said that in the past 70 years, “the company is committed in the protection of the environment…the incident in Sapid will not be repeated.”

The mining firm then employed the services of Servo-Treat Phils., a DENR Region I accredited company to conduct repacking, transport, treatment and disposal of the suspected and presumed Asbestos containing materials at their treatment facility in Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

Local officials agreed with the treatment plan of Lepanto provided they will witness the hauling and transport.

Unfortunately, municipal and barangay officials were not informed of the hauling except for two who accidentally learned about the hauling. Councilor Mendoza and brgy Councilman Calapen were told that hauling will resume but the whole area was already back filled with soil.

Sapid residents and officials later learned that only about one and a half load of dirt was hauled out from the landfill as compared to at least six dump trucks that unloaded the construction debris.

Servo-treat President and CEO Dr. Eva F. Vertucio reported to have hauled 8.785 metric tons of soil and construction debris last October 14, 2008 and these were accordingly treated on October 19, 2008. The report also mentioned that the materials are “non-friable asbestos containing materials.”

Because of the increasing concern of residents, DENR-Cordillera officials initiated a joint meeting whereby parallel sampling was agreed to be taken by the local government and Lepanto.

Ironically, government agencies employed a private laboratory while the private mining company employed a government laboratory.

The DENR’s Regional Environment Management Bureau together with the local government brought samples to the Saint Louis University laboratory in Baguio city and was shown a 50 percent asbestos.

Meanwhile, the LCMC brought their sample to the Department of Labor and Employment’s Occupational Safety and Health Center in Manila .

A certification from DOLE-OSHC Exec. Director Dr. Dulce P. Estrella-Gust in her February 4, 2009 letter said all the samples analyzed do not contain any type of asbestos based on their laboratory method using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.

Because of conflicting laboratory results, DENR representatives agreed with Mayor Galuten to invite a third party preferably from an international laboratory licensed by the National Credentialing Agency (NCA) to undertake another test.

Thus, the hauling out of the presumed asbestos containing debris was put on hold while awaiting the laboratory result from an internationally accredited company.

Globecare. DENR-Registered Hazardous Waste Service Provider was commissioned to take samples. The firm’s representative Danilo Javier took samples last February 20, 2009.

On February 27, GlobeCare Managing Director Joseph Gregory How released to Mayor Galuten the test result analyzed at an NCA laboratory confirming a ten percent Amosite content. The 10% Amosite (brown asbestos) is considered a hazardous waste, the result said.

Philippines, the pearl of the Orient

Child Pornography.. lets help stamp it out

2009-02-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

join over 2.8 million people and:-

Light a candle for the victims of child pornography

MANILA, Philippines - It was a police operation that rescued sixteen-year old Marina (not her real name) and at least a dozen other girls from a suspected “cyber sex den" in Bacoor, Cavite, a few months ago. Weighed down by mixed feelings of relief, guilt and shame, Marina bowed her head and covered her face with her long hair as she broke into tears.

She felt relieved that after a couple of months, she would no longer have to oblige herself to perform sexual acts in front of the camera for customers abroad. But she felt guilty and ashamed, blaming herself for letting it happen in exchange for a few thousands pesos that she sent to her family in the province.

“Di ko maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko (I can’t understand what I’m feeling)," she said as she narrated how she fell victim to what the police call child pornography.

Marina said she was recruited in her home province as a waitress only to find out later that there was no eatery or restaurant waiting for her. With no one to run to and no resources at hand to make a getaway, she was forced to stay and work at the sex joint.

Adding insult to injury, some media reports referred to Marina and the other girls not as "rescued victims," but as "arrested suspects."

Marina is just one of many Filipino children who are pushed into child pornography, a malady that has been exploiting girls and boys as young as five years old for some time now.

The Center for Integrative and Development Studies of the University of the Philippines (UP CIDS) says the child pornography industry in the Philippines is widespread and systematic than imagined.

For lack of local legal material to define child pornography, UP CIDS adopts the definition set by the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act of Ireland in 1997. The definition is comprehensive, clear-cut and leaves little room for misinterpretation.

The Act states that child pornography refers to any audio visual or audio representation that shows a person who is or is depicted as being a child and who is engaged in or is depicted as being engaged in explicit sexual activity, or whose dominant characteristic is the depiction, for a sexual purpose, of the genital or anal region of a child.

The Center says it is clear from this definition that images of adults who pretend to be children are considered child pornography. The definition is not also limited to a particular technology that produces the forms of child pornography.

“This is important in that technology such as the Internet, computers, and other digital technologies are playing big roles in the production and dissemination of child pornography," it says in its 2004 report commissioned by the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Out of control

With new technologies, which include mobile phones, becoming affordable and accessible, the production, storage, and dissemination of child pornographic images are faster and more efficient.

The Optical Media Board (OMB) believes that child pornography is now “out of control" in the Philippines where digital technologies have long extended its arms to the streets where pirated copies of DVDs and CDs showing pornographic images are openly sold.

The Optical Media Board, tasked to ensure the protection and promotion of intellectual property rights, reveal that the inventory of pirated DVDs and CDs it has confiscated shows that 25 to 30 percent of these are pornographic, and that up to 40 percent of these pornographic videos involve children. Most of the children are Asians and brown-skinned, and by physiological features are likely Filipinos.

Edu Manzano, OMB chairman, says the campaign against child pornography does not fall within the ambit of the OMB’s charter, but pornographic images of children are too “offensive, wicked and nauseating" to ignore, and are “indescribably worse" than that of adult pornography.

The materials don’t only depict children being in a state of undress or engaged in erotic poses. Manzano says there are images portraying sexual activities between a child and another child. There are also those with an adult and children, and there are even those with children and animals.

“Some are extreme sexual activities that even adult couples won’t normally want to engage in," Manzano says.

From the children’s facial expression, he says, a viewer can easily surmise the kind of suffering and pain they go through as they are filmed.

“I have made it my personal advocacy to actively lobby against child pornography," says Manzano who has been an active partner of religious groups and child and women advocates in the campaign versus child pornography.

Multibillion-dollar industry

Child pornography is a multibillion-dollar industry, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the United States. It is also considered one of the fastest growing criminal segments on the Internet where approximately one-fifth of all pornography is child pornography.

The Philippines may have been among the biggest sources of online child pornography.

It has become a “booming" industry in the country, says Chief Supt. Yolanda Tanigue, director of the Women and Children’s Concern Division of the Philippine National Police.

She says the rising levels of poverty have propelled the growth of online child pornography in the country, making it very easy for syndicates to set up a cyber-sex den and to entice poor parents to bring their kids as porn “talents."

With a capital of only 50,000 pesos (about US$1,000) and an Internet connection, any businessman can set up a cyber sex den in a small condominium. This is too effortless for an operator who can earn at least US$100,000 dollars a day.

It doesn’t take much to produce a full-length child porn film. All it takes is about 500,000 pesos (US$10,200) to do it here. Parents are already happy with the 40,000 pesos they get for their children's job.

These suspected cyber sex joints are spread out in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao City and Angeles City in Pampanga. Most of these are run by foreigners and some by Filipinos themselves.

While credit card companies have helped Irish police crack open child porn syndicates in Ireland, the Philippine police see it as a real challenge here, claiming that they have not received the same support from Philippine Internet service providers and credit card firms.

The Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP), however, argues that even if it wanted to, it cannot do anything to clamp down credit card users who avail themselves of child pornography.

Beth Legarda, CCAP executive director, claims that people who patronize and purchase pornographic materials via the Internet are not cardholders of local credit card companies.

“They are foreigners who use international credit cards. We cannot locate their connectivity in our systems."

She assures that based on records of local credit card companies, none of their cardholders are found to be either merchants or buyers of child pornography materials sourced from the Internet.

“But if there would be police investigations, we couldn’t help but require legal documents like a court order from the police before we allow them to look into the transactions of our cardholder who is being investigated. It’s an issue of privacy that we have to consider," Legarda says.

Philippines, the pearl of the Orient

Big Brother, Big Sister.. Outreach 2009

2009-02-20T07:02:00.000-08:00

DONT WAIT FOR THE KNOCK............OPEN YOUR HEART NOW!!

Last year.. wow a whole year already gone by.. we placed on this blog details of a great programme that helps with the education of children in out of the reach places.This is this years appeal:-

For only THREE HUNDRED PHILIPPINE PESOS (Php300.00), you will be able to sponsor one student’s school set which contains the following items: 1 knapsack, 7 notebooks, 4 ball-point pens, 4 pencils, writing pads, crayons, sharpener and ruler.

It's a joy to watch children running around and playing in the streets. However, for many children in the Philippines who are in the streets, it is not a school holiday, but a harsh reality - their parents can not afford to buy them enough school supplies to send them to school.

The Big Brother Big Sister (BBBS) Community Outreach Program, conceived in the year 2005, is here to fill that need for these children, especially those who live in remote mountain areas. Each year, sponsors and volunteers carry the school supplies and trek through mountain trails to give them to the children in person. On May 16-17 this year, BBBS will visit the communities of Mt. Asog in Buhi, Camarines Sur to distribute school packs to the children.

For only THREE HUNDRED PHILIPPINE PESOS (P 300.00) or approximately SEVEN U.S. DOLLARS (USD 7.00), a big brother or sister may sponsor one student's school supplies for one year.

FIVE HUNDRED children need big brothers and big sisters like YOU!

Here's how you can be a big brother or sister:

Send in your pledges for as many children as you can sponsor

Email to helpbbbs@gmail.com

Contact Joanne Del Mindo +639163444404 or Marilet de Guzman +639285032075

Come and meet the kids yourself, sign up as a BBBS volunteer

Sharon Ponio: sharon.ponio@gmail.com or +639178010033

Angel Constantino: angelamc23@gmail.com or +639175375276

Medi Nazar: meds511@yahoo.com

Send this message to your friends, relatives or colleagues who might wish to help

For more information on the project, you may visit the BBBS website:http://www.bbbsoutreach.com and Multiply site: http://bbbs2005.multiply.com.

Don't wait for the knock … open your heart now!

Philippines, the pearl of the Orient

Philippines lay claim to the "Spratly islands"

2009-02-18T11:40:00.000-08:00

MANILA -- Philippines lawmakers Tuesday passed a bill laying claim to part of the disputed Spratly islands in the South China Sea, claimed in whole or in part by a host of Asian nations.

The legislation passed by the Senate marks out the southeast Asian nation's maritime boundaries but acknowledges rival claims.

Included within those boundaries are the Scarborough Shoal, also claimed by China, and part of the Spratly chain, claimed in whole or in part by the Philippines, Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Beijing and Hanoi have gone to war once over the strategic Spratlys, which straddle vital sea lanes and are reputed to hold vast undersea oil deposits.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the compromise bill agreed upon by the House and the Senate contained the specific phrase “regime of islands under the Republic of the Philippines.”

This phrase refers to areas over which the Philippines exercises “sovereignty and jurisdiction” and includes the Kalayaan Islands and theScarborough Shoal, he added.

The Kalayaan Islands are a group of seven islands in the Spratly chain that are specifically claimed or garrisoned by Manila.

Senate majority leader Miguel Zubiri said the wording signals that Manila would be open for arbitration on territorial questions.

The House of Representatives was also expected to pass the measure, which legislators said President Gloria Arroyo is expected to sign into law next month.

I AM FILIPINO

2009-01-04T02:13:00.000-08:00

I am Filipino

I am Filipino
By Alexander L. Lacson
Philippine Daily Inquirer
01/02/2009

One of the most important things we need today as a people is a beautiful way of looking at ourselves as Filipinos, a positive and healthy image of ourselves, a wonderful definition of ourselves as a people. Our children especially need to believe that there is greatness and beauty in us as a people and as a race.

So much beauty and greatness can spring from a beautiful mind and a faithful heart.
But loving ourselves as Filipinos is not only patriotism or nationalism. There is a reason higher than that. It is primarily about stewardship. It is loving what God has given us. God gave to each one of us the Filipino and the Philippines, for us to love and care for. But how is the Filipino in our hands today? How is the Philippines, the land God gave to us as a people, in our hands today?

It is for this reason that I wrote the poem below. I give this poem as my humble gift to all of you, my fellow Filipinos. You are the brothers and sisters, the family of people, God gave to me.

It is my hope that this poem will help develop in us and in our children a healthy sense of faith and love in the Filipino, in ourselves as a people. For truly, our Creator wants us to have faith in and love for the Filipino.

Here it is:

I am Filipino. I am a child of the One God who is the Creator of all that is in our world and the universe. I am as perfect and as beautiful as my Creator planned me to be, for God created me in His image, out of His perfect love.

I am a beloved child of God, like everyone else in our world, no less than the stars above or anyone else below. As such, I have equal right and claim to all the beauty and bounty that God provided in my country and in the world.

I am an equal part of the family of humanity. I am therefore a sibling to all the men and women of our world, brethren to all Christians, to all Muslims, to all Jews, to all Buddhists, and all other peoples whose faiths lie somewhere else.

I am Filipino. My Creator planted me on a specific spot on earth, where the sun always shines, in an archipelago of 7,107 wonderful islands, which the whole world calls the "Pearl of the Orient." Pilipinas is the country God gave to me and my people. It is the birthplace of my race. It is the home of the Filipino.

The beauty and richness of my country lured many mighty powers of the world to invade our shores. So today, my blood is a mixture of the best and the finest of the West and the East. My mind is an heir to all the great thoughts of the West, and the great virtues of the East. My heart beats with the romanticism of the West and the passion of the East.

I am Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Juan Luna, Ninoy Aquino and all those who fought for our land to become a nation of free people. I am the grandeur of Banaue, the enchantment of Boracay, the serenity of Manila Bay, and the depth and breadth of Tubbataha Reef.

I am Filipino. My Creator's plan is for me to live my life as a Filipino and therefore, in my heart and in my mind, I shall always be a Filipino wherever I may be in the world. God wants me to belong to the Filipino family and as such, I am a "kapatid" [brother] to anyone and everyone who is Filipino, wherever he or she may be on earth.

You will know me by the word "po" in my sentences. You will know my children by their "mano po." You will know me by the smile on my face and the warmth of my hospitality. Most important of all, you will know me by my loving and caring heart when you are in need of help, even if you are a stranger.

As a child of God, my Creator has a beautiful story for me and my people. And the story we see today is but a fleeting portion of that beautiful story that has yet to fully unfold before the eyes of the world.

I am Filipino. I am who I am today because of the role God wants me to play.
I am born to succeed. God has equipped me, within me and around me, with all the essentials I need to succeed in this world. God truly wants the highest, the best, and the most beautiful for me, because I am His child.

I am destined to be great. God planted seeds of beauty and greatness in me. He truly wants me to be great and beautiful, for God truly wants me to add more beauty and greatest to our world.

I am Filipino. I am born of freedom, in a free country. As such, I dedicate my freedom to ensuring that my people and country shall always remain free. I shall use my freedom to help other peoples, in my country or in other parts of the world, gain their own freedom.
I am born of love, out of God's immeasurable love, in a country and in a world that can only be made beautiful by love. Love is the reason why God made me. It is what He wants me to bring into this world, so love shall be who I am.

I am born as part of the whole, as part of the answer to the question, as part of the solution to the problem, as part of the hope to our people. I am born to help the Filipino become great not only in the eyes of the world but, more so, in the eyes of our Lord.
I am Filipino. I am a faithful child of God. I shall live my life to do God's work on earth, to help build a beautiful country for my Filipino family, and a better world for all humanity. And soon the world shall see the full measure of the greatness of Filipino, for truly the world has yet to see what God can do to and through a child, like the Filipino, who is faithful to the Lord.

I am Filipino.

Alexander Lacson is author of the Book "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country.

"So you want to grow rice"

2008-12-19T16:27:00.000-08:00

In the Philippines there is a serious lack of organic matter, good topsoil should contain 5% organic matter. Test results in Luzon, Negros, Mindanao on typical rice, sugar and coconut land shows an adverage of around 1%

To grow at all rice, sugar and other plants require six essential nutrients, these are

1.
NITROGEN-(N)
2.
PHOSPHEROS-(P)
3.
POTASSIUM-(K)
4.
CALCIUM
5.
SULPHUR
6.
MAGNESIUM

Of the other 52 micro-elements, 5 or 6 are necessary to have anything like a decent yield. For a good crop 20 of them should be available in the soil.

25 years of monoculture and chemicals has taken its toll on the soil of the Philippines, if everyone starts to work together, testing their soil, and adding the required nutrients (and not chemicals) in a few years the trend would start to reverse… the alternative would be eventual FAMINE, and possible death, something that is not worth contemplating

Start to work with your soil NOW!! we still have time

2008-11-04T16:15:00.000-08:00

World Travel Market

2008-11-02T04:56:00.000-08:00

Philippines All Set for WTM 2008

The Philippines’ participation in this year’s World Travel Market is expected to draw huge crowds as it has done in the past. For one, it will have a bigger space, all of 145 square meters creatively laid out to feature many of the country’s diverse attractions in terms of natural wonders and recently developed world-class holiday accommodations. Double-page spreads on Philippine tourism will be featured in the ABTA magazine as well as the ABTA World Travel Market daily newspapers. A big delegation of leading agencies from the Philippines will attend this year’s WTM, headed by no less than Secretary of Tourism Joseph “Ace” Durano, with twenty of these entities participating as co-exhibitors. Part of the tourism investment campaign will also feature properties in Cebu, Negros Oriental and Zamboanga.

The Philippines’ tourism office in London is also launching “Birdwatching in the Philippines” as its latest promotional campaign to attract the growing numbers of eco-tourists to the islands.

The campaign will be launched on November 11 at the Marriot on Grosvenor Square, as an added activity hosted by the Department of Tourism during the World Travel Market which takes place from November 10 to 13 in London.

I will be attending this event and boy am i getting exited, i have my pass,and will be making a bee line for stand AS 2000:-
Exibitor is sharing with

Annset Holidays Inc

Asia AT- Philippines

Baron Travel Corporation

Bayan Ko Tours & Travel

Benthel Resorts and Hotels Corporation

Blue Horizons Travel & Tours, Inc

Dos Palmas Island Resort & Spa

El Nido Resorts

Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa

Expedition Fleet/Bahura Resort & Spa

Hermes Agencia de Viajes, Inc.

Hyatt Hotel & Casino

Intas Destination Management

LAS FLORES RESORT

Philippine Airlines

Rajah Tours Philippines, Inc

Shroff International Travel Care, Inc.

T.R.I.P.S Travel

The Ananyana Beach Resort & Spa

wow.. the Philippines.. a paradise on earth... for me next year i am off to Palawan..near Roxas

Iglesia Ni Cristo,s King Maker Role

2008-10-22T03:04:00.000-07:00

Behind the Iglesia Ni Cristo's King Maker Role: A Chain of Crimes and Mythical Numbers

Phillip Garcia

Manila, Philippines – Unlike Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s long, heated rivalry in the 2008 US presidential campaign, there are politicians in other countries who choose to take the short cut to political power by wooing the kingmaker. Instead of patiently reaching out to the electorate, these politicians seek the person or group of people who has the capacity to influence the conclusion of a political run, a method that assures the former’s promise of the future in exchange for the latter’s favor.

On a different perspective, however, a kingmaker isn’t a kingmaker for nothing. Take for example Kakuei Tanaka, the most prominent political kingmaker in Japan. He served as Japan’s Prime Minister during 1972-74. But even after his term, he remained dominant and influential. Even though he got involved in political scandals, he was able to choke the Prime Minister at will without holding a position in the cabinet.

Monetary, arms, and politics are common players in a kingmaker scenario. More often than not, these factors entail negative effects to the government. In the Philippines, however, there is another player: religion. And the effect of this kingmaker, as far as records are concerned, is unexpectedly catastrophic. It is a chain of crimes and power - behind mythical numbers yet.

Detailed here by prominent newspapers, the Supreme Court and a television station are random reports of the criminal and related activities of one such religious group, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church of Christ, considered to be the kingmaker in the Philippine political arena. It spans contemporary times but leads back to 1954 where the founder, Felix Manalo, is featured as a rapist. Finally, it ends with Eraño Manalo’s own words about the nature of their mythical membership. Eraño, now in his early 80s, is the son of Felix Manalo.

read on please

Tarsiers comment:- The bible tells us that Gods true followers will be no part of this world.. have no part in the worlds politics.. why because they have already voted for Gods kingdom and are already part of this kingdom, the kingdom we pray for each day in the Lords prayer:-
Our father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name (think about his name do you even know it)
Thy kingdom come, they will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
We pray for gods kingdom to come on earth.. that if you like is a true christians politics.. Gods Kingdom.. The bible also tells us that tithing was also abolished, so we do not as Christians need to give a percentage of our wage to any so called church
God loves a cheerful giver, we give out of love and from our hearts because we WANT TO, not because we have too.

Mocha....go on go vote for them!!

2008-10-20T04:44:00.000-07:00

Their website is at:-.."MOCHA"

Hotel for sale

2008-10-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

This is a link that will take you to our flicker stream, the hotel is for sale, due to ill health of the present owner, it is a wonderful opportunity to obtain a very nice hotel in one of the Philippines prime tourism locations
Sports Hotel and restaurant

More details are on our Bahay.com website.. this is just a photostream of the hotel.. just to give you a flavour, it is in a beautiful area, and a visit is recommended.

IRS Genie

2008-10-12T05:40:00.000-07:00

The IRS Genie...

A modern day cowboy has spent many days crossing the desert without water.

His horse has already died of thirst. He's crawling through the sand, certain that he has breathed his last breath, when all of a sudden, he sees an object sticking out of the sand several yards ahead of him.

He crawls to the object, pulls it out of the sand, and discovers what looks to be an old brief case. He opens it and out pops a genie.

But this is no ordinary genie. She is wearing an Internal Revenue Service ID badge and a dull gray dress.. There's a calculator in her pocketbook.

She has a pencil tucked behind one ear. "Well, cowboy," says the genie... "You know how I work. You have three wishes."

"I'm not falling for this." Says the man. "I'm not going to trust an IRS auditor genie."

"What do you have to lose? You've got no transportation, and it looks like you're a goner anyway!"

The man thinks about this for a minute, and decides that the genie is right. "OK, I wish I were in a lush oasis with plenty of food and drink."

********POOF******

The cowboy finds himself in the most beautiful oasis he has ever seen and he is surrounded with jugs of wine and platters of delicacies.

"OK, cowpoke, what's your second wish." "My second wish is that I were rich beyond my wildest dreams.

*******POOF*******

The man finds himself surrounded by treasure chests filled with rare gold coins and precious gems. OK, cowpuncher, you have just one more wish. Better make it a good one!"

After thinking for a few minutes, the man says.. "I wish that no matter where I go, beautiful women will want and need me."

******POOF******

He is turned into a tampon.

The moral of the story: If the IRS offers you anything, there's going to be a string attached.

The IRS is the same as the BIR in the Philippines, the dreaded tax man!!!

Milk products safe to use, free from Melamine

2008-10-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

Milk products deemed safe to drink in the Philippines as off 10/03/2008

* Anchor Lite Milk
* Anlene High Calcium Low Fat Milk U.H.T.
* Bear Brand Instant
* Chichok Milk Chocolate
* Farmland Skim Milk
* Jinwei Drink
* Jolly Cow Pure Fresh Milk
* Kiddie Soya Milk Egg Delight
* Lactogen 1 DHA Infant Formula
* M&M’s Milk Chocolate Candies
* M&M’s Peanut Chocolate Candies
* Milk Boy
* Nestogen 2 DHA Follow-up Formula
* Nestogen 3 DHA Follow-up Formula
* Nido 3+ Prebio with DHA
* Nido Full Cream Milk Powder
* Nido Junior
* No-Sugar Chocolate of Isomaltooligosaccharide (Cocoa Butter Substitute)
* Nutri-Express Milk Drink
* PURA UHT Fresh Milk
* Snickers Fresh Roasted in Caramel & Soft Nougat in Thick Milk Chocolate
* Vitasoy Soya Bean Milk
* Wahaha Orange
* Wahaha Yellow
* Want-Want Milk Drink (Red Can)
* Windmill Skim Milk Powder
* Yinlu Milk Peanut
* Yogee Yoghurt Flavor Milk Drink

These products are safe to drink and contained no Melamine. two products did contain Melamine and have been removed from shelfs in Philippines stores...

2008-10-03T15:24:00.000-07:00

Political leaders: Can they be hope dealers?
IN A NUTSHELL By Samantha King
The Philippine Star
Friday, October 3, 2008

Ah, the things we're compelled to do when inspiration hits. Ideally, I should be attempting to finish the overdue term paper that has been haunting my waking hours for weeks — rather than be attempting to start a witty, zany and entertaining column about a forum on good governance and ethical leadership. Unfortunately, I have yet to figure out how an article on governance can be witty, zany and entertaining when most people become dyslexic from simply looking at the word. Indeed, Filipinos look at the government and start praying for the country. It can't be helped; we have an uncanny ability for producing political leaders just waiting to get a face-full of rotten tomatoes. However, there's always an exception to every rule — and these exceptional (dare I use the word?) politicians prove it.

Admittedly, it was not out of some deeply rooted sense of nationalism that I deigned to attend this forum. Under the pretense of seriously wanting to listen to government officials (heaven forbid!), I, along with my other classmates, joined forces in convincing our professor to substitute her lesson with this. And so, it was in the air-conditioned heaven of UP's NISMED Auditorium where I found myself sitting at exactly 9:20 a.m., cooling off from the abnormally hot Tuesday morning of Sept. 23. I now vaguely remember our prof telling us beforehand to sit at the back if we were to leave early. For some unfathomable reason that escapes me, I found myself strategically seated near the front, almost dead center, with about 50 chairs between me and the nearest exit. Apparently, this was a sign. Sleeping through the forum? Not an option. In any case, even if the speakers weren't brilliant I wouldn't have been able to fall asleep anyway. The forum's moderator was too hilarious. And by hilarious, I mean totally inept, tactless and completely oblivious to her own nitwitted-ness. But that's just me. As the five speakers stepped out onto the stage, it was with shame that I realized that I had absolutely no idea who any of them were. Except maybe for Gov. Ed Panlilio — though that's beside the point.

These five officials, along with Mr. Harvey Keh from the Ateneo School of Government, are members of a movement called Kaya Natin! who campaign for Genuine Change and Ethical Leadership. In our country? Talk about biting off more than you can chew. And yet chewing was what they did anyway.

After a careless introduction by the moderator — calling him an Igorot (the politically-correct term is "Ifugao") — Gov. Teodoro Baguilat took the mic as the forum's first speaker. I found Baguilat to be the coolest of the lot. Maybe it was because he graduated from UP… or because he sported a mullet hairdo. The fact that he left the big city as a teen to "trace back his roots" in Ifugao, was so "I-thought-this-only-happened-in-movies" that it was actually cool. But it was the way Baguilat spoke of Philippine culture — of his passion to preserve and promote it, of how we had our very own UNESCO-proclaimed oral masterpiece in the Ifugao "Hudhud Chants," of how we didn't have to "look to the West" to experience great works — that made him infinitely cool in my book.

Next up was polio-survivor Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela, whose diminutive size was clearly meant to fool listeners into thinking she had a diminutive voice. I found the talk she gave so candid, wholehearted and open; for a second I almost forgot she was a politician. How can you not be fascinated by an official who, straight-faced, talks about the millions she can siphon off taxpayers with a single signature? Who discloses to listeners the full amount of her salary? Padaca spoke about prioritizing, and it was clear from her eloquent speech where her own priorities lay: in the service of the people that put her into office.

It was funny how the moderator turned into a giddy schoolgirl as she introduced Gov. Ed Panlilio. Who knew that a priest-turned-politician had that much appeal? Okay, I'm kidding — apparently, our moderator was from Pampanga as well. In any case, my curiosity was piqued due to Panlilio's status as an ex-priest. He certainly didn't look the part (the man is huge; reminded me of those biker-gang types), although his voice was a dead giveaway. Priests or ex-priests, they will forever have that soft-spoken, homily-ready undertone to their voice. But again, that's just me. What really struck a chord was Panlilio's narration of how he came to leave his comfort zone. Twenty-seven years of priesthood and the appeal of an early retirement… all given up for the sake of fellow Kapampangans who needed him to serve in a different way. Amen.

Last but not the least, we have the two mayors: Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija; and Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City, Camarines Sur. Lorenzo was, hands down, the most serious of the speakers. She reminded me of Prof. McGonagall from Harry P: no-nonsense, severe, quietly intimidating… you get the point. With the video presentation of citizen-empowerment programs she had established in San Isidro, Lorenzo drove home the point that she was leader of a fourth-class town that could.

Finally, it was Robredo's turn to speak. I guess it's only through multi-awarded mayors like him that one can witness articulate speeches delivered in a span of five minutes. He made two very simple, yet powerful points: with great power comes great responsibility; and not all politicians are the useless, blood-sucking ingrates we think they are — though not in so many words.

I believe that the effectiveness of a forum is measured by the number of people that step up to the mike to ask questions. Unlike other forums I've attended where a whole venue could seem empty (or simply asleep), this one actually had people racing to the mic. Imagine that. These five officials are solid proof that leadership should go beyond position, since, in the end, it's all about action. And as a budding sociologist, I come to the conclusion that Philippine society could evolve into a surprisingly better place if we put more people like them into office… and start acting instead of merely reacting.
* * *

(The title was inspired from a quote by Napoleon Bonaparte: "Leaders are dealers in hope.")

Kaya Natin! is a national movement that aims to support and elect effective and ethical government leaders. To join and support Kaya Natin, you can contact Kai Pastores at (02) 426-5657 or send an email to kayanatin@yahoo.com

Primeclass Traders Widget

2008-09-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Check out the new videos and songs

2008-09-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

Well its getting close to Christmas so we are advertising just one pair of earrings, beautifully made in the USA, they are 10k gold, with diamonds and real emeralds with some growth pattern, valued at over $1,600 they are a bargain, at £350, we will ship anywhere.We are certain you will be delighted with these beautiful earrings, but if for any reason you are not please return for a full refund.. remember its only one pair when they are sold they are sold.Brand new and never worn

Tubbataha Reef of the Philippines

2008-08-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND NATIONAL PARK.. Saint Paul subterranean River

2008-08-29T16:07:00.000-07:00

Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement

2008-08-25T06:54:00.000-07:00

Maximum Understanding, Sobriety & Tolerance (MUST): Our Call

In the midst of fear, suffering and hysteria generated by the abortive signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA AD) between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM) appeals to the GRP and the MILF and all sectors for maximum understanding, sobriety and tolerance and calls on all to contribute to the enlightenment of everyone on the issues surrounding the MOA AD.

The Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM) is a grassroots tri-people multi-sectoral peace alliance/network/ coalition of human rights and peace groups, non-government and peoples’ organizations, schools, churches, civic groups as well as professionals and businesspeople in Mindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan (MinSuBaTaPa) . Since MPPM’s founding in June 2000, we have committed to the search for a genuine and lasting peace in MinSuBaTaPa. Our search has led us to conclude that unless the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro people is effectively addressed, no agreement will ever be fully realized.

We believe that the MOA AD contains the basic ingredients for addressing the root cause of the Mindanao conflict. However, its timing especially in light of the attempts of the incumbent President to amend the Constitution for purposes other than simply accommodating the provisions of the MOA AD has beclouded the peoples’ appreciation of the MOA AD.

We therefore appeal to the GRP and MILF to respect the existing Ceasefire Agreement, for both parties to go back to their respective barracks, and cease and desist from making provocative acts that could lead to another armed confrontation;

Re-impose and recognize ceasefire mechanisms so that the civilian populations who are now displaced from their homes will be able to go home without fear and anxiety that another attack will happen;

We condemn the atrocities committed not only in the siege in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte but as well as in North Cotabato and other areas like the killing and mutilation of the bodies of innocent civilians- women, men and children, and the burning of their houses and livelihood. Again, the civilians have become the collateral damage to this resurgence of armed conflict in Mindanao ;

We demand that an impartial investigation be conducted on the above-mentioned atrocities and that justice should be done to whoever will be found guilty;

We also call upon the national government and the local government officials to stop and not encourage the arming of the civilian populations. These weapons can and will be used indiscriminately and irresponsibly by unscrupulous sectors and groups to further create chaos, insecurity and division in the communities. The duty to protect its citizens lies primarily upon the State and its instrumentalities like the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP);

In view of the above appeals, MPPM would like to reiterate the grassroots peacebuilding framework that it continuously advances and adheres to.

Peacebuilding is a complex process and not merely a list of disconnected activities like disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants; it is a long term process and over a long term, there must be a mechanism to ensure that the peace building process is supported with coherent policies to address the sustainability gap on the ground.

What is happening right now is just repeating history. History tells us that because of unaddressed root causes of conflict, the recurrence of armed conflict and violence is inevitable. Ever since, the Philippine government applied the military-victory, pacification and demobilization approaches in its dealing with the liberationist forces in Mindanao and so-called insurgents, it has only displaced thousands of the civilian population and the greatest affected are the women, children, and the elderly; subjecting them to severe insecurity.

If all stake holders, especially the government, are serious about preventing the recurrence of armed conflict, peace-building should be institutionalized to facilitate the consolidation of genuine democratic participation of the constituency, social and economic reforms, gender and equity, and equal participation of the national minority in all aspects and levels of the society. Thus, while the MoA-AD is the ultimate expression of the Bangsamoro people’s aspiration for their Right to Self-Determination and freedom, it should have also ensured and clearly defined the Indigenous Peoples’ Right to self-determination and claims over their ancestral territory with equal rights as the Bangsamoro even within the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) framework;

In doing this, the basic framework should be the transparency of our intention and process of which peace building is initiated. The strategic objective of the above is to attain human security and promote human development.

Alvaro O. Senturias, Jr. Amabella L. Carumba Habbas S. Camendan

Chairperson Secretary General Council Chair for Bangsamoro

Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM)

Cotabato City , Mindanao , Philippines

August 25, 2008

Tarsiers comment:- From my understanding and of course i could be wrong, there are many people , even muslims that do not want to be included inside of the extended ARMM, just about everyone in Palawan for an example. What about their rights?....nothing is simple, nothing is easy, the MOA, in itself seems to be all the people of ARMM, would want to aspire too, but it does not comply with the present Philippines constitution, an example would be Comelec is the only body that can run elections...so GMA wants charter change, so that the MOA, can be implemented, this would make it possible for her to stay in office past 2010, does everyone /anyone want that??

Better to keep peace till 2010 elections, then after the people have all spoken at an election where hopefully there is no rigging of votes , thats a very big hope, and fair election results are obtained that give the peoples correct choice of government. Maybe thats just a dream!!

How many years have the bangsamoro and the indigenous peoples of Mindanao already waited, would another 18 months or so be too much, take this time to reflect

Coco Loco island Roxas Palawan

2008-08-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

Please remember we have two properties for sale in the Roxas area, just go check them out at our Bahay.ph website

KAYA NATIN

2008-08-16T00:06:00.000-07:00

KAYA NATIN! Stand on Charter Change:

Focus on Alleviating Poverty not on Charter Change

We, the founding members of Kaya Natin! A Movement for Genuine Change and Ethical Leadership strongly oppose any moves to amend our present constitution or charter change before the 2010 National Elections. We believe that amending the constitution now will only serve to promote the self-interests of a few of our political leaders who are bent at staying in power and extending their present terms. Although we believe that there are certain provisions within the constitution that may need to be amended, we believe that any move to push for charter change now will only cause further divisions within our country. We believe that the 2010 National Elections should continue as scheduled because postponing it will deprive the Filipino people of its mandated right to choose the right leaders that it can trust and will further weaken our democratic institutions. Finally, we believe that the form of government system whether we shift to a Parliamentary or Federalist form of government will not matter if we will continue to have leaders who will only promote their self-interests and continue to corrupt the Filipino people.

Instead of pushing for charter change now, we call on our national leaders, our congressmen and senators to open their eyes to the plight of the millions of Filipino families who are living in poverty. We call on them to focus on developing and implementing policies and programs that would improve the quality of life of every Filipino and promote genuine and lasting development for our country.

We call on our President and her cabinet members to focus their efforts on curbing the rampant graft and corruption present in our government, improving the quality of basic education, generating jobs especially for the poor and providing access to quality healthcare for every Filipino.

We call on our congressmen and senators to create sound economic policies that would help stabilize the prices of basic commodities and make it affordable for every Filipino family to eat at least three square meals a day. Moreover, we call on our legislative leaders to focus their efforts in working for genuine land reform in our country by passing the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law.

We call on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to do its best to prepare for the upcoming 2010 National Elections by ensuring the full automation of the elections.

We call on other Local Government leaders especially our fellow Mayors and Governors to listen to the true voices of our constituents and join us in opposing any attempts to amend the constitution before the 2010 National Elections.

Finally, we call on every Filipino to make your voices heard and join us in taking a stand against charter change by sending us an email with your complete name and address to kayanatin@yahoo.com.

(Sgd.) HON. EDDIE PANLILIO (Sgd.) HON. GRACE PADACA (Sgd.) HON. JESSE ROBREDO

Governor Governor Mayor

Pampanga Isabela Naga City

(Sgd.) HON. TEDDY BAGUILAT, JR. (Sgd.) HON. SONIA LORENZO

Governor Mayor

Ifugao San Isidro, Nueva Ecija

(Sgd.) HARVEY KEH (Sgd.) CRISTYL SENAJON (Sgd.) KARLA PASTORES

Director for Youth Leadership & Youth Leader Youth Leader

Social Entrepreneurship
Ateneo de Manila-School of Government

For more information on Kaya Natin! Please feel free to contact the Kaya Natin! Secretariat at (02) 426-5657 and look for Kai Pastores.

Tarsiers comment:- The MOA below has parts that are contrary to the Philippines constitution and therefore in its present state cannot be acceptable, it appears that by changing the constitution to a parliamentary or federal one that perhaps these obsticles can be overcome???. However it can also lead the way for certain politicians to run for the 2010 elections...it is far better to avoid these same politicians who are only there to serve there own interests, and concentrate on the 2010 elections running as they should with no attempt at charter change until afterwards.. to concentrate instead on the poor people, to make sure that they have three meals a day, creating jobs, education and basic healthcare

MOA on the Ancestral Domain Aspect (Full Text)

2008-08-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT ON THE ANCESTRAL DOMAIN ASPECT OF THE GRP-MILF TRIPOLI AGREEMENT ON PEACE OF 2001

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) herein referred to as the "Parties" to this Agreement,

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Agreement for General Cessation of Hostilities dated July 18, 1997 Between the GRP and the MILF, and its Implementing Administrative and Operational Guidelines;

The General Framework of Agreement of Intent Between the GRP and the MILF dated August 27, 1998;

The Agreement on the General Framework for the Resumption of Peace Talks Between the GRP and the MILF dated March 24, 2001;

The Tripoli Agreement on Peace Between the GRP and the MILF dated June 22, 2001;

The Tripoli Agreement Between the GRP and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) dated December 23, 1976 and the Final Agreement on the Implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement Between the GRP and the MNLF dated September 2, 1996;

Republic Act No. 6734, as amended by R.A. 9054, otherwise known as "An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)";

ILO Convention No. 169, in correlation to the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, and Republic Act No. 8371 otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, the UN Charter, the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and internationally recognized human rights instruments; and

Compact rights entrenchment emanating from the regime of dar-ul-mua'hada (or territory under compact) and dar-ul-sulh (or territory under peace agreement) that partakes the nature of a treaty device. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "treaty" is defined as any solemn agreement in writing that sets out understandings, obligations, and benefits for both parties which provides for a framework that elaborates the principles declared in the Agreement.

HAVE AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED AS FOLLOWS:

CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES

It is the birthright of all Moros and all Indigenous peoples of Mindanao to identify themselves and be accepted as "Bangsamoros" . The Bangsamoro people refers to those who are natives or original inhabitants of Mindanao and its adjacent islands including Palawan and the Sulu archipelago at the time of conquest or colonization and their descendants whether mixed or of full native blood. Spouses and their descendants are classified as Bangsamoro. The freedom of choice of the Indigenous people shall be respected.

It is essential to lay the foundation of the Bangsamoro homeland in order to address the Bangsamoro people's humanitarian and economic needs as well as their political aspirations. Such territorial jurisdictions and geographic areas being the natural wealth and patrimony represent the social, cultural and political identity and pride of all the Bangsamoro people. Ownership of the homeland is vested exclusively in them by virtue of their prior rights of occupation that had inhered in them as sizeable bodies of people, delimited by their ancestors since time immemorial, and being the first politically organized dominant occupants.

Both Parties acknowledge that ancestral domain does not form part of the public domain but encompasses ancestral, communal, and customary lands, maritime, fluvial and alluvial domains as well as all natural resources therein that have inured or vested ancestral rights on the basis of native title. Ancestral domain and ancestral land refer to those held under claim of ownership, occupied or possessed, by themselves or through the ancestors of the Bangsamoro people, communally or individually since time immemorial continuously to the present, except when prevented by war, civil disturbance, force majeure, or other forms of possible usurpation or displacement by force, deceit, stealth, or as a consequence of government project or any other voluntary dealings entered into by the government and private individuals, corporate entities or institutions.

Both Parties acknowledge that the right to self-governance of the Bangsamoro people is rooted on ancestral territoriality exercised originally under the suzerain authority of their sultanates and the Pat a Pangampong ku Ranaw. The Moro sultanates were states or karajaan/kadatuan resembling a body politic endowed with all the elements of nation-state in the modern sense. As a domestic community distinct from the rest of the national communities, they have a definite historic homeland. They are the "First Nation" with defined territory and with a system of government having entered into treaties of amity and commerce with foreign nations. The Parties concede that the ultimate objective of entrenching the Bangsamoro homeland as a territorial space is to secure their identity and posterity, to protect their property rights and resources as well as to establish a system of governance suitable and acceptable to them as a distinct dominant people.

Both Parties affirm their commitment to mutually respect the right to one's identity and the parity of esteem of everyone in the political community. The protection of civil rights and religious liberties of individuals underlie the basis of peace and justice of their totality of relationships.

Both Parties agree that the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) shall have the authority and jurisdiction over the Ancestral Domain and Ancestral lands, including both alienable and non-alienable lands encompassed within their homeland and ancestral territory, as well as the delineation of ancestral domain/lands of the Bangsamoro people located therein.

Vested property rights upon the entrenchment of the BJE shall be recognized and respected subject to paragraph 9 of the strand on Resources.

TERRITORY

The Bangsamoro homeland and historic territory refer to the land mass as well as the maritime, terrestrial, fluvial and alluvial domains, and the aerial domain, the atmospheric space above it, embracing the Mindanao-Sulu- Palawan geographic region. However, delimitations are contained in the agreed Schedules (Categories) .

Toward this end, the Parties enter into the following stipulations:

The GRP and MILF as the Parties to this Agreement commit themselves to the full and mutual implementation of this framework agreement on territory with the aim of resolving outstanding issues that emanate from the consensus points on Ancestral Domain.

The Parties confirm their understanding that the mutual goal of reaching an agreement on Bangsamoro territory specific to mapping the outlying borders and the boundaries affecting local government units will lead to consolidation of the agreed texts on the Ancestral Domain Strands.

The Parties affirm that the core of the BJE shall constitute the present geographic area of the ARMM, including the municipalities of Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal in the province of Lanao del Norte that voted for inclusion in the ARMM during the 2001 plebiscite.

Without derogating from the requirements of prior agreements, the Government stipulates to conduct and deliver, using all possible legal measures, within twelve (12) months following the signing of the MOA-AD, a plebiscite covering the areas as enumerated in the list and depicted in the map as Category A attached herein (the "Annex"). The Annex constitutes an integral part of this framework agreement. Toward this end, the Parties shall endeavour to complete the negotiations and resolve all outstanding issues on the Comprehensive Compact within fifteen (15) months from the signing of the MOA-AD.

The areas covered by Category B are reflected on a map and list attached herein as agreed to by the Parties. Category B (the "Special Intervention Areas") refers to conflict affected areas outside the BJE which shall be the subject of special socio-economic and cultural affirmative action implemented by the Central Government pending the conduct of a plebiscite not earlier than twenty-five (25) years from the signing of the Comprehensive Compact to determine the question of their accession to the BJE. The areas reflected are subject to further negotiations by the Parties. The Annex constitutes an integral part of this framework agreement.

Internal Waters:
The BJE shall have jurisdiction over the management, conservation, development, protection, utilization and disposition of all natural resources, living and non-living, within its internal waters extending fifteen (15) kilometers from the coastline of the BJE area.

Territorial Waters:
(1) The territorial waters of the BJE shall stretch beyond the BJE internal waters up to the Republic of the Philippines (RP) baselines south east and south west of mainland Mindanao. Beyond the fifteen (15) kilometers internal waters, the Central Government and the BJE shall exercise joint jurisdiction, authority and management over areas and all natural resources, living and non-living contained therein. The details of such management of the Territorial Waters shall be provided in an agreement to be entered into by the Parties.

(2) The boundaries of the territorial waters shall stretch beyond the 15-km. BJE internal waters up to the Central Government's baselines under existing laws. In the southern and eastern part of the BJE, it shall be demarcated by a line drawn from the Maguling Point, Palimbang, Province of Sultan Kudarat up to the straight baselines of the Philippines. On the northwestern part, it shall be demarcated by a line drawn from Little Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga City, up to Naris Point, Bataraza, Palawan. On the western part of Palawan, it shall be demarcated by a line drawn from the boundary of Bataraza and Rizal up to the straight baselines of the Philippines.

The final demarcation shall be determined by a joint technical body composed of duly-designated representatives of both Parties, in coordination with the appropriate Central Government agency in accordance with the above guidelines.

Sharing of Minerals on Territorial Waters:
Consistent with paragraphs 5 and 6 of the provisions on Resources, all potential sources of energy, petroleum in situ, hydrocarbon, natural gas and other minerals, including deposits or fields found within the territorial waters, shall be shared between the Central Government and the BJE in favor of the latter through production sharing agreement or economic cooperation agreement.

Activities Allowed on Territorial Waters:
(1) The Parties shall have authority to carry out the following activities within the territorial waters:
(a) Exploration and utilization of the natural resources, whether living or non-living, within the territorial waters;
(b) Establishment and use of artificial islands, installations and structures;
(c) Marine scientific research;
(d) Protection and the preservation of the marine environment;
(e) Conservation of living resources;
(f) Regulation of shipping and fishing activities;
(g) Enforcement of police and safety measures, including interdiction of the entry and use of the waters by criminal elements and hot pursuit of suspected criminal elements;
(h) Regulation and control of contraband and illegal entry of prohibited materials and substances, including smuggling; and
(i) Such other measures as the Parties may otherwise mutually agree.

(2) Activities relating to exploration and utilization of non-living resources, as well as paragraphs (c) and (d) of the Authorized Activities will be carried out on a joint basis agreed by the Parties which may be in the form of production sharing agreements or joint development pacts.

Establishment of a Joint Commission:
(1) The Parties shall establish a Joint Commission, which shall elaborate the modalities for the implementation and the carrying out of the Authorized Activities and the measures adopted in cases of allegation of breach, and carry out any other functions which may be assigned to it by the Parties for the purpose of implementing the joint management of resources.

(2) The Joint Commission shall consist of one representative from each Party, who are assisted by advisers as may be needed. The conclusions of the Joint Commission shall be adopted by consensus and shall only be recommendatory in nature. Only when the conclusions of the Joint Commission are adopted by the Parties do they become binding on the Parties.

Demarcation and Status of Territorial Waters:
The demarcation and status of the BJE territorial waters shall be finally determined together with the demarcation and final status of Category B territory of the BJE.

From and after entrenchment of compact rights over the Bangsamoro homeland and the territorial jurisdictions for associative governance shall likewise embrace those under proclamation for agricultural and human settlements intended for the Bangsamoro people, all alienable and disposable lands, pasture lands, timberlands together with all existing civil and military reservations, parks, old growth or natural forests declared as forest reserves, watersheds, mangroves, fishponds, wetlands, marshes, inland bodies of water; and all bays, straits and channels found within the BJE.

All territorial and geographic areas in Mindanao and its adjacent islands including Palawan, and the Sulu archipelago that have been declared recognized, and/or delineated as ancestral domain and ancestral land of the Bangsamoro people as their geographic areas, inclusive of settlements and reservations, may be formed or constituted into political subdivisions of the Bangsamoro territorial jurisdictions subject to the principles of equality of peoples and mutual respect and to the protection of civil, political, economic, and cultural rights in their respective jurisdictions.

For purposes of territorial delimitation, the Parties have agreed to the joint determination of geographic areas encompassed within the territorial borders of the Bangsamoro homeland and territory based on the technical maps and data submitted by both sides as provided above.

RESOURCES

The BJE is empowered with authority and responsibility for the land use, development, conservation and disposition of the natural resources within the homeland. Upon entrenchment of the BJE, the land tenure and use of such resources and wealth must reinforce their economic self-sufficiency. Among the purposes or measures to make progress more rapid are:

Entry into joint development, utilization, and exploitation of natural resources designed as commons or shared resources, which is tied up to the full setting of appropriate institution, particularly affecting strategic minerals;

Stimulation of local economy by a range of mechanism, in particular the need to address unemployment and improvement of living conditions for the population in the BJE;

Intensification of measures needed to uproot the cause of poverty in the BJE through responsible harnessing and development of its natural resources; and

Undertaking program review of public services, industrial or trade-related and agrarian-related issues in situations of different sectors of the society in the BJE, which acquire communal character deriving from the special nature of their industry.

The Bangsamoro People through their appropriate juridical entity shall, among others, exercise power or authority over the natural resources within its territorial jurisdiction:

To explore, exploit, use or utilize and develop their ancestral domain and ancestral lands within their territorial jurisdiction, inclusive of their right of occupation, possession, conservation, and exploitation of all natural resources found therein;

To conserve and protect the human and natural environment for their sustainable and beneficial enjoyment and their posterity;

To utilize, develop, and exploit its natural resources found in their ancestral domain or enter into a joint development, utilization, and exploitation of natural resources, specifically on strategic minerals, designed as commons or shared resources, which is tied up to the final setting of appropriate institution;

To revoke or grant forest concessions, timber license, contracts or agreements in the utilization and exploitation of natural resources designated as commons or shared resources, mechanisms for economic cooperation with respect to strategic minerals, falling within the territorial jurisdiction of the BJE;

To enact agrarian laws and programs suitable to the special circumstances of the Bangsamoro people prevailing in their ancestral lands within the established territorial boundaries of the Bangsamoro homeland and ancestral territory within the competence of the BJE; and

To use such natural resources and wealth to reinforce their economic self-sufficiency.

The BJE, and the Central Government agree on wealth-sharing based on a mutually agreed percentage ratio in favor of the BJE through an economic cooperation agreement or arrangement over the income and revenues that are derived from the exploration, exploitation, use and development of any resources for the benefit of the Bangsamoro people.

The BJE is free to enter into any economic cooperation and trade relations with foreign countries: provided, however, that such relationships and understandings do not include aggression against the Government of the Republic of the Philippines; provided, further that it shall remain the duty and obligation of the Central Government to take charge of external defense. Without prejudice to the right of the Bangsamoro juridical entity to enter into agreement and environmental cooperation with any friendly country affecting its jurisdiction, it shall include:

The option to establish and open Bangsamoro trade missions in foreign countries with which it has economic cooperation agreements; and

The elements bearing in mind the mutual benefits derived from Philippine archipelagic status and security.

And, in furtherance thereto, the Central Government shall take necessary steps to ensure the BJE's participation in international meetings and events, e.g. ASEAN meetings and other specialized agencies of the United Nations. This shall entitle the BJE's participation in Philippine official missions and delegations that are engaged in the negotiation of border agreements or protocols for environmental protection, equitable sharing of incomes and revenues, in the areas of sea, seabed and inland seas or bodies of water adjacent to or between islands forming part of the ancestral domain, in addition to those of fishing rights.

Jurisdiction and control over, and the right of exploring for, exploiting, producing and obtaining all potential sources of energy, petroleum, in situ, fossil fuel, mineral oil and natural gas, whether onshore or offshore, is vested in the BJE as the party having control within its territorial jurisdiction, provided that in times of national emergency, when public interest so requires, the Central Government may, during the emergency, for a fixed period and under reasonable terms as may be agreed by both Parties, temporarily assume or direct the operations of such strategic resources.

The BJE take or profit split from total production shall be shared with the Central Government on a percentage ratio of 75:25 in favor of the BJE. All royalties, bonuses, taxes, charges, custom duties or imposts on natural resources and mineral resources shall be shared by the Parties on a percentage ratio of 75:25 in favor of the BJE.

The legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people arising from any unjust dispossession of their territorial and proprietary rights, customary land tenures, or their marginalization shall be acknowledged. Whenever restoration is no longer possible, the GRP shall take effective measures or adequate reparation collectively beneficial to the Bangsamoro people, in such quality, quantity and status to be determined mutually by both Parties.

All proclamations, issuances, policies, rules and guidelines declaring old growth or natural forests and all watersheds within the BJE as forest reserves shall continue to remain in force until otherwise modified, revised or superseded by subsequent policies, rules and regulations issued by the competent authority under the BJE.

Forest concessions, timber licenses, contracts or agreements, mining concessions, Mineral Production and Sharing Agreements (MPSA), Industrial Forest Management Agreements (IFMA), and other land tenure instruments of any kind or nature whatsoever granted by the Philippine Government including those issued by the present ARMM shall continue to operate from the date of formal entrenchment of the BJE unless otherwise expired, reviewed, modified and/or cancelled by the latter.

The Parties recognize an immediate need to establish a five-member BJE economic-expert mission (the "Mission") bearing in mind that the functioning of the economy and the operation of institutions involve financial and other resource management as well as parallel or complementary means, by which the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) will manage and administer resources acquired for the above purposes, especially in coordinating strategies and programs for cooperation in all fields.

The Mission acts as a link in the conduct of BJE's associative parallel relationships and shall cooperate fully with all organizations involved in implementation of the peace settlement. It shall launch a plan and joint international appeal for the reparation and development of the conflict affected areas in Mindanao. Persons appointed thereto must be familiar with the specific economic, political and legal characteristics in the Mindanao-Sulu- Palawan region and must possess recognized competence, integrity, and high moral standing.

Cognizant that the Mission will benefit from international expertise, both the Central Government and the BJE hereby join the Third Party facilitator in inviting international funding institutions or equivalent entities for reconstruction and development to appoint two members and to designate one as the Chairman. The BJE shall designate one member as Co-Chairman. The remaining two members shall each be designated by the Central Government and the BJE.

GOVERNANCE

The recognition and peaceful resolution of the conflict must involve consultations with the Bangsamoro people free of any imposition in order to provide chances of success and open new formulas that permanently respond to the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

The ultimate objective of entrenching the Bangsamoro homeland as a territorial space is to secure their identity and posterity, to protect their property rights and resources as well as to establish a system of governance suitable and acceptable to them as a distinct dominant people. The Parties respect the freedom of choice of the indigenous peoples.

The Parties agree to invite a multinational third - party to observe and monitor the actual implementation of the comprehensive compact which will embody the details for the effective enforcement of this Agreement. The participation of the third – party shall not in any way affect the status of the relationship between the Central Government and the BJE.

The relationship between the Central Government and the BJE shall be associative characterized by shared authority and responsibility with a structure of governance based on executive, legislative, judicial and administrative institutions with defined powers and functions in the Comprehensive Compact. A period of transition shall be established in a Comprehensive Compact specifying the relationship between the Central Government and the BJE.

In the context of implementing prior and incremental agreements between the GRP and MILF, it is the joint understanding of the Parties that the term "entrenchment" means, for the purposes of giving effect to this transitory provision, the creation of a process of institution building to exercise shared authority over territory and defined functions of associative character.

The modalities for the governance intended to settle the outstanding negotiated political issues are deferred after the signing of the MOA-AD.

The establishment of institutions for governance in a Comprehensive Compact, together with its modalities during the transition period, shall be fully entrenched and established in the basic law of the BJE. The Parties shall faithfully comply with their commitment to the associative arrangements upon entry into force of the Comprehensive Compact.

The Parties agree that the mechanisms and modalities for the actual implementation of this MOA-AD shall be spelt out in the Comprehensive Compact to mutually take such steps to enable it to occur effectively.

Any provisions of the MOA-AD requiring amendments to the existing legal framework shall come into force upon signing of a Comprehensive Compact and upon effecting the necessary changes to the legal framework with due regard to non derogation of prior agreements and within the stipulated timeframe to be contained in the Comprehensive Compact.

The Parties agree that the BJE shall be empowered to build, develop and maintain its own institutions, inclusive of, civil service, electoral, financial and banking, education, legislation, legal, economic, and police and internal security force, judicial system and correctional institutions, necessary for developing a progressive Bangsamoro society, the details of which shall be discussed in the negotiation of the Comprehensive Compact.

The Parties further agree to undertake activities which will enhance the capacity of the government institutions during the transition through technical assistance, information- sharing and human resource development.

Matters concerning the details of the agreed consensus points on Governance not covered under this Agreement shall be deferred to, and discussed during, the negotiations of the Comprehensive Compact.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the representatives of the Parties hereby affix their signatures.

Done this 5th day of August, 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

FOR THE GRP:

(SGD) RODOLFO C. GARCIA
Chairman
GRP Peace Negotiating Panel

FOR THE MILF:

(SGD) MOHAGHER IQBAL
Chairman
MILF Peace Negotiating Panel

WITNESSED BY:

(SGD) DATUK OTHMAN BIN ABD RAZAK
Special Adviser to the Prime Minister

IN THE PRESENCE OF:

(SGD) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Republic of the Philippines

(SGD) DATO' SERI UTAMA DR. RAIS
BIN YATIM
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Malaysia

Initialed by:

Sec. Rodolfo Garcia
Mohagher Iqbal
Sec. Hermogenes Esperon

Witnessed by:

Datuk Othman bin Abd Razak
DATED 27TH JULY 2008
The controversial Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain which was not released by the Philippine government until, August 11, 2008. The agreement was initialed on July 27, 2008 and was scheduled to be signed on August 5, 2008 in Malaysia. However, on August 4, 2008, the Philippine Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order.

The Filipino

2008-08-10T06:48:00.000-07:00

Blooey P. Singson

The Philippines is a popular setting for mass market novels, such as Neal Stephenson’s "Cryptonomicon,’’ Alex Garland’s "The Beach,’’ Vendela Vida’s "And Now You Can Go,’’ Shohei Ooka’s "Fires on a Plain,’’ and even a chapter of Yann Martel’s "Life of Pi.’’

Quite often, Filipinos also make it to the printed page as random domestic helpers: Filipina househelps can be found in John Lanchester’s "Fragrant Harbor," Sophie Kinsella’s "The Undomestic Goddess," Margaret Atwood’s "Robber Bride," Plum Sykes’ "Bergdorf Blondes," Tom Wolfe’s "A Man In Full," Holly Petersen’s "The Manny," and Helen Fielding’s "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason." There is even a Filipino waiter during the company dinner scene in Kurt Vonnegut’s "Player Piano." However, there is also a wealth of Filipinos featured as protagonists, pivotal characters, or supporting roles in popular novels.

PIVOTAL CHARACTERS

In Mitch Albom’s novel "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," the final person that the protagonist Eddie meets in heaven is a Filipina girl named Tala, who died in the battleground in World War II when Eddie was assigned in the Philippines. Tala is only one of the many Filipinos that have made their way into popular novels, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven is only one of many novels that has references to the Philippines.

Hunt for Filipino cameos in the latest titles from your favorite authors available from over 100 exhibitors at the 29th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), the biggest and longest-running book fair in the Philippines, slated on Sept. 12-16, at the SMXConvention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

With the theme "Words without Borders," the MIBF celebrates the power of literature to cross the boundaries of time, place, and culture, showcasing the largest and most varied collection of literature, textbooks, educational supplements, general references, religious and inspirational titles, self-help books, management books, Filipiniana, coffee table books, popular novels, children’s books, art books, graphic novels, rare and hard-to-find titles, magazines, audio and e-books, multimedia, teaching supplies and services, publishers’ technology, and travel materials.

Robert Heinlein’s "Starship Troopers,’’ winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1960, is considered a sci-fi classic, adapted many times into games, films, and is a great influence for a host of other military science fiction novels. Few Filipinos know that the protagonist of the Starship Troopers novel is a young Filipino soldier named Juan "Johnnie" Rico, as the more popular 1997 adaptation blurred this fact and cast Casper Van Dien in the starring role.

"Starship Troopers’’ traces the story of Juan Rico and his exploits in the mobile infantry, a military unit of the future trained for combat in interstellar wars between humans and an alien species of giant arachnids known as "the Bugs." Juan Rico rises in the ranks in the military as the war progresses, while Heinlein explores war’s moral and philosophical aspects.

Another military science fiction novel in the tradition of Starship Troopers is Orson Scott Card’s "Ender’s Game,’’ where one of the military geniuses is a Filipino named Fly Molo. He is the protagonist Ender’s left-hand man in battle training, and is a recurring character in Card’s later books, where he ends up as the country’s main commander in taking over Taiwan.

Tom Robbins’ "Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas’’ is a comedy starring a half-Filipina half-Irish broker named Gwen Mati, whose life is turned around by a weekend trip filled with madcap incidents and wacky characters.

Caleb Carr’s "Angel of Darkness’’ features a series of murders of young children 19th century New York. El Niño, a mysterious Aeta is discovered as a loyal servant of a Spanish diplomat whose daughter has been abducted. He later on joins the team of investigators and kills an enemy with a poisoned dart.

A host of Filipino characters also add color to Michael Chabon’s detective story, "The Yiddish Policemen’s Union’’: the main character’s informant, Benito Taganes, an ex-boxer turned doughnut shop proprietor; a boy who delivers lumpia to the detective; a gossipy maid, a family driver, and even a couple of hired thugs.

In the bestselling novel "Kite Runner,’’ a Filipino was shopping at the flea market just before Baba, Amir’s father, had his seizures.

Find these books and more at the MIBF, which showcases the largest and most varied collection of literature, textbooks, educational supplements, general references, religious and inspirational titles, self-help books, management books, Filipiniana, coffee table books, popular novels, children’s books, art books, graphic novels, rare and hard-to-find titles, magazines, audio and e-books, multimedia, teaching supplies and services, publishers’ technology, and travel materials.

The 29th Manila International Book Fair is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Communicators, Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines. For details, e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com.

"Forest LOVE"

2008-07-31T16:19:00.000-07:00

This is cool...a video about trees (and love)..the video is a little bit naughty.. he he..if you get offended dont watch it... if you like it .. please ..please put it on your blog and or website..lets show our forests some love as opposed to cutting them down..it will make all the difference.tarsier

Show the forests some love

The European Commission has delayed a vital vote on protecting forests from illegal logging till September. We want to make sure the commissioners don't forget about it during their summer holiday. We need you to help us make an extra impression before the September vote.

We all love the forests, and we would like to showcase all that love to the EU (and we know for a fact that the EU doesn’t have anything against some loving). The forests already have made an effort themselves!

KAYA NATIN LAUNCES

2008-07-31T00:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (July 30,2008), on the eve of the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government formally launched Kaya Natin! A Movement for Genuine Change and Ethical Leadership at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezin City.

Kaya Natin's founding members include inspiring local government leaders of our country such as Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City, Governor Grace Padaca of Isabela, Governor Ed Panlilio of Pampanga and Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. To read more about Kaya Natin! Please refer to the links below from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star and the Manila Bulletin:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080731-151768/Islands-of-hope-to-go-on-campus-tour

http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080730143

http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN20080731131222.html

Kaya Natin! is currently looking for volunteers that will help in working and pushing for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership in our country. Kaya Natin! believes that there is much Hope in our country if Filipinos can work together and contribute in his or her own small way in building a better Philippines. To know more about or volunteer for Kaya Natin, please feel free to get in touch with Kai Pastores at (02) 426-5657 or you can send an email to kayanatin@yahoo.com .

Kaya Natin! will be going on a campus tour starting this August, among the schools that it will visit are Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, Philippine Normal University and Miriam College.

Help us bring Hope to every Filipino by sharing this with your friends.

SEVEN CURSES OF A PRESIDENT

2008-07-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

The 'seven curses' of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Source: www.pcij.org
Posted by Isa Lorenzo

EVEN before she could deliver her eighth state of the nation address (SONA) this coming Monday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already been weighed and found wanting by over 80 former senior government officials.

In their own take on the state of the nation after seven years of the Arroyo administration, the former officials, who served in the four post-Marcos governments and collectively called FSGO, castigated the President for being "the worst threat to the state of our nation."

"The person pretending to tell us about the dire state of our nation next Monday," FSGO said, "is the very same same person who has done the most to destroy the very foundation of our nation, sell its future to its exploiters and abusers, and consign the poor and middle class to deeper poverty and worse despair."

The group identified seven curses that it said Arroyo has wrought upon the nation.

1. The curse of a country unable to feed its own people

FSGO noted that rice self-sufficiency was a priority in Arroyo's first SONA in 2001 and that she reiterated the promise of food on every table in her 2003 address. "Yet, in every year throughout her administration thus far, the country was importing increasing quantities of rice every year, that this year the Philippines achieved an odd milestone in rice self-sufficiency: our becoming the world's largest rice importer."

The government has also failed to implement the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization program, says FSGO. It adds that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has never received P17 billion in incremental funds provided for by law. Worse, the President "let loose" people like Jocelyn 'Joc-Joc' Bolante in the DA. A former agriculture undersecretary, Bolante has been implicated in diverting P728 million in fertilizer funds allegedly for Arroyo's 2004 election campaign.

Furthermore, the agricultural trade deficit ballooned to over P1.5 billion in 2006.

"The high food prices pushing more people into hunger and poverty are a direct result of our government's neglect of agriculture," the group added.

2. The curse of worsening poverty and increasing disparity between the rich and poor

This, said FSGO, is due to "economic mismanagement that ignores the needs of the many to serve the interests of the few." It pointed out that the ranks of the unemployed number 2.9 million, while another seven million are looking for additional work to supplement their income.

Poverty incidence increased to 26.9 percent in 2006 from 24.4 percent in 2004. This means that there are 4.6 million poor families. Elementary school attendance fell to 83.2 percent in the school year of 2006-2007 compared to 90.3 percent just three years ago.

Again, the group said, the government is to blame. "Public education's ability to rescue poor families from the poverty trap has suffered due to severe underspending by the government."

The Estrada administration had a "more constrained" budget, but it spent P5,830 per student from 1998-2001 while the Arroyo government spent only P5,304 per student from 2001-2006. The country remains one of the lowest spenders on education in Southeast Asia, FSGO pointed out. Once a leader in education-for-all indicators during the 90s, the country now lags behind Indonesia, Mongolia and Vietnam.

3. The curse of deteriorating basic social services essential to the survival and welfare of the people

"Our current fiscal state was improved, not by sold revenue effort, but by deep cuts in social and economic spending," FSGO said, pointing to the government's allocation of resources for development expenditures which has been the lowest in the region. Worse, the group said, the allocation, management and use of public funds are "marked by such greed and disregard of the public good that can only be condemned as scandalous."

While much of Visayas was being devastated by Typhoon Frank last month, Arroyo and her entourage were on a "junket" to the U.S., said FSGO, estimating the cost of the Philippine delegation visit to be at least P300 million. "In contrast, how much did our government spend on relief for the typhoon victims?" asked the group. Of the eight million people affected by disasters from 2004 to 2006, it said, only half received assistance from the government and private sector.

Meanwhile, a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, already contracted and delivered in 1997, has yet to be implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communication.

4. The curse of the national government gripped by a metastatic cancer of corruption

The Philippines has made a dismal showing in global corruption rankings. In 2007, it was reported as the "most corrupt" among ten of East Asia's leading economies by the World Bank. In 2005, Transparency International ranked the Philippines in the category of countries perceived to suffer from severe corruption, the 117th most corrupt out of 159 countries.

"Corruption has become pervasive, persistent, prolific. And the President, instead of fighting it, has become its prime practitioner and protector," said FSGO, accusing Arroyo of corrupting "the already weak" electoral process, "the already diminished" civil service, and the "already politicized" public investment and fiscal programs.

5. The curse of wanton abuse of presidential prerogatives

FSGO said that the balance of power within the Arroyo administration between its "dark and bright sides" has tipped radically in favor of the dark side. "A new type of presidential appointee along the Joc-Joc Bolante brand dominates. The appointments of others already rejected by the electorate in 2007 will further darken the complexion of her Cabinet."

Social Security Services administrator Romulo Neri merits special mention. Neri, a former socioeconomic planning secretary and higher education chairman, "became one of the keepers of evil secrets, protected by the talisman of 'executive privilege' as long as he remains in a Cabinet position."

The government has also been packed with ineligible bureaucrats.

6. The curse of an illegitimate president

The president has consistently promised clean, computerized elections — in her 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006 SONAs. But the group said that after seven years, she has yet to take any sure steps toward this. Nor does her recent appointment of unknown commissioners to the Commission on Elections bode well for future elections.

"President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promised us a strong Republic. We have realized that she is running a stolen Republic. Thus far, we have seen her trying to keep only what was stolen."

7. The curse of a nation robbed of its dignity, unity and future

Aside from the country's "global reputation for pervasive corruption, " the Philippines has also been investigated by international organizations for extra-judiical killings. FSGO said that our national patrimony, from mineral resources to possible oil deposits have been peddled to foreign interests like ukay-ukay (used clothing). "The loss of our country's good international standing and credibility has been a sad victim of Arroyo's bad governance."

While the President cites the legions of overseas Filipino workers as an achievement of her administration, the group warned of the ills of a remittance-driven economy, including reduced competitiveness of manufacturing and tradeables from export and impot-competing sectors, and less demand on infrastructure, which has led to less necessary public investment.

FSGO described this type of economy as "limited and self-undermining because remittances cannot be expected to remain high and grow at an increasing rate."

In response to the FSGO statement, Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde told the Inquirer: "These people would know how difficult and how challenging governance is…this administration can stand on its record, and its record is better than how [they] managed their respective government positions during their time."

FSGO, however, disagreed. In an internal survey among its members, the former government officials rated the current administration a dismal 1.1 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest.

Despite its bleak assessment, however, FSGO remains hopeful. It plans to continue working with political institutions as "instruments for reform and justice, not parties to anomalies and scandals," and to continue the "search for a presidency that fights the enemies of social justice instead of serving its cronies."

"We can re-imagine the nation as something far better and more capable than the one that the President will paint in her SONA this Monday," the group said. "This administration may have stolen the Republic, but it will not rob us of our hopes."

__._,_.___

Two properties for sale in Palawan

2008-07-26T03:07:00.000-07:00

Two properties for sale in Roxas, Palawan, Philippines, both are farms, both have land with them, please click on the Bahay.com link above, to check them out yourself
Full details are on my Bahay. com website, i am very interested in the one in Malcampo.. so dont hesitate..photos in about one week

TARSIER

KAYA NATIN

2008-07-19T05:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Good morning!

Amidst all the problems our country is facing, there is still so much to be hopeful about especially with inspiring local government leaders like Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City, Gov. Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga and Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela. I'd like to share with you an article about the three of them which came out recently at Transit, a free weekly news magazine found at schools and coffee shops all over Metro Manila, please click on the link below to read the article:

http://transit.com.ph/

Mayor Jesse, Gov. Grace and Gov. Eddie are the founding members of Kaya Natin! A Movement for Genuine Change and Ethical Leadership. If you would like to join them in promoting genuine and lasting reforms in our country and espouse Ethical Leadership, please email Kaya Natin! at kayanatin@yahoo.com or you can reach Kaya Natin! at (02) 426-5657.

Thank you for your time and I hope you can help us in promoting Good Governance and Ethical Leadership in our country by sharing this email and article to your friends

Have a good day!

Sincerely,

Harvey S. Keh

Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship

Ateneo de Manila-School of Government

Kaya Natin means .. we can do this...Philippines youth stand up for your future
tarsier:-

Vote for your new 7 wonders of nature

2008-07-17T00:25:00.000-07:00

Tubbataha Reef

PHILIPPINES

Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea that belongs to the Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 kilometers wide. Over one thousand species, including many that are endangered, can be found at on the reef. These include manta rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks.

Current rank: 4

Live Ranking: see the Top 77 of today

Vote now for Tubbataha Reef

A paradise on earth

2008-07-15T18:01:00.000-07:00

Four RP wonders still in top 10 web campaign as Pinoy votes continue

Pinoys in Belgium are overwhelmed that four of the most beautiful places in the Philippines are still in the top 10 of the 77 nominees vying to be included in the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

As of this posting, Tubbataha Reef found in Sulu Sea is fourth, followed by Bohol's Chocolate Hills in fifth spot. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan remains strong at sixth while Mayon Volcano in Bicol is ninth.

Voting for the top 77 nominees will be up to end of December 2008. Of these nominees, Dr. Federico Mayor, former director of United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and other experts will choose and visit the 21 finalists. In mid-2010, the New 7 Wonders of Nature will be named.

GMA NEWS

2008-07-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

This page requires a higher version browser
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Mariannet Amper, commits suicide 12 years old

2008-07-13T04:48:00.000-07:00

By CLAIRE SY DELFIN11/10/2007 | 09:15 PM

She would have completed her elementary school, but the 12-year-old girl grew so dejected that she hanged herself, and her dreams of finishing school died with her.

Mariannet Amper’s suicide last week in Davao City hogged headlines and sparked off protest rallies against the government.

Poverty has been blamed on her decision to end her life.

Under her pillow was a letter she wrote addressed to television program, “Wish Ko Lang," which grants viewers’ wishes. On it, Mariannet wished for a new pair of shoes, a bag, a bicycle and better-paying jobs for her parents.

She also left a diary, narrating her family’s difficulties surviving a life penniless in a little hut that has neither electricity nor running water.

She also wrote that she had not attended school for a month for lack of transportation fare.

“I suspect she did it because of our situation," her father Isabelo, a carpenter, told reporters in the vernacular.

But psychiatrists disputes that poverty cannot be the only factor to push someone, especially a child, to commit suicide.

“It is unfair to simply look at suicide in that angle (poverty)," said psychiatrist Dr. Ma. Luz Casimiro-Querubin. After all, many poor Filipinos do not resort to killing themselves despite their hopeless condition. And there have been cases of children born to well-to-do families who have committed or attempted suicide.

Suicide is not an instant decision, she said. It is borne out of a suicidal tendency that the child develops within himself.

Suicidal tendency, in turn, is a psychosocial and multi-factorial behavior that is developed through time when the child faces long-standing problems within himself and in his immediate environment.

Soon, the child would manifest episodes of depression, hopelessness and low self-esteem.

Although poverty is a risk factor, it can hardly stand-alone. It is the lack or absence of support system that compounds the child’s problem, leading her to lose hope and meaning in life, and eventually commit suicide.

“The fact that Mariannet has six more siblings in a family with very limited resources indicates that some of them, including her, may be marginalized," Casimiro-Querubin says.

Hence, even if she was born to a rich family, but was wanting of proper attention from significant people around her, she is prone to develop suicidal tendencies.

Lack of data
Experts, however, find it difficult to conduct research on suicide for any age group in the country because the Philippines has no central registry for recording suicide and suicidal attempts. Data gathering is even made more difficult by religious and social biases.

The latest data available is from the World Health Organization, which was released in 1993. It says that suicide rates per hundred thousand population in the Philippines are 2.5 for males and 1.7 for females.

Casimiro-Querubin agrees that suicide is rare in the Philippines, but warns that it is happening and is increasing especially with the rising incidence of parents going abroad for employment, leaving behind children with distorted support system.

“It has a high psychosocial cost to children," she said.

Child psychiatrist Dr. Agnes Bueno said that in her practice, the youngest in her files of patients who attempted suicide seriously is an eight-year-old boy.

A child below five years, she says, has no concept of death as permanent and meaningful. “Therefore, he is incapable of actualizing suicide although accident-proneness could be an equivalent in their age group," Bueno said.

She shares in her article entitled, “When a Child Wants to Die,’ published in Medical Observer magazine in April 2001 a background inventory of attempted suicide among her patients. Her inventory shows the following:

- Ten out of 10 belong to Class A economic status
- Nine out of 10 are Catholics
- Eight out of 10 are males
- Eight out of 10 are due to relationships (family and romance)
- Two out of 10 are due to clinical depression
- Two out of 10 are in an incestuous relationship with their fathers
- Ten out of 10 occurred in the home
- Ten out of 10 are students
- Five out of 10 are positive for family history of alcoholism
- Two out of 10 are positive for family history of suicide
- Three out of 10 have friends who also attempted suicide

She advises parents to immediately detect sudden changes in the child’s behavior as such are symptomatic of a suicidal tendency.

Changes in the child’s academic performance, mood swings and instances when a child hurts another child or takes away things that do not belong to him are signs that parents should watch out for. If any of these happens, parents must open their lines of communication to the child and be more sensitive with his needs.

Suicide is instinct

Lora (not her real name) recounts occasions during her childhood when she would pound her head on a concrete wall each time she would feel sad. At one time, she attempted to hang herself.

To her recollection, her suicidal tendency started when she was nine or 10 years old. And this has remained until today that she is already in her late 20s, is married and has a child.

“It’s instinct. Suicide is always an option whenever I feel depressed," she says. “It’s just right there waiting to happen."

Lora says it doesn’t even need a major setback for her to entertain thoughts on suicide. A simple spat with her husband, or getting scolded by her mother when she was a child is enough.

She considers her suicidal tendencies a dilemma, especially since she can’t even identify its source. All she remembers is that she hated her father when she was a child. She refuses to elaborate.

Taking responsibility

But in the case of Mariannet, the real reason for her suicide seems shoved away as the government has already taken responsibility for it.

“We take responsibility for everything. Because we are leaders of the government, we need to ensure that services are there," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo immediately ordered the Department of Education (DepEd) to fast track the expansion of the alternative distance-learning program that allows a child to study and finish schooling without having to go to a formal school.

This way, Mariannet could have continued schooling without having to worry over transportation fare.

DepEd Undersecretary Vilma Labrador has also instructed teachers to check on their students and conduct home visits after a child has gone absent for three days without prior notice.

Fight vs poverty

Even prior to Mariannet’s death, the President has ordered the Department of Budget and Management to release one billion pesos to fund hunger mitigation programs.

She has also told a business forum that her economic efforts have started to bear fruit. “The common people are now feeling the benefits of a growing economy."

This was instantly met with protests by left-wing organizations and anti-poverty groups, insisting that the economic growth fails to trickle down to the poor.

A recent Social Weather Stations survey shows that about nine million Filipino families regarded themselves as poor. Many of them also said that they experienced “severe hunger" in the last three months.

Psychiatrists, however, claimed that while there is a need to uplift the financial capacity of 87 million Filipinos, doing so cannot and will not guarantee an end to childhood suicide.

They remind Filipinos that the core of problems in children takes its roots, not in their economic status, but in their family system.

Children and young people are so often forced to do things they do not want to do, just to earn enough money to feed themselves, there siblings and their parents... then i see newspapers in the United Kingdom talking about the oh! so sad footballers who are slaves , whilst they earn £120,000 per week......what a sad , sick world we live in... tarsiers comment

Child United

2008-07-13T04:01:00.001-07:00

In the west most of us can send our children to school, what if we had to make a choice.. food or education.. what would we do for our children

CHILD UNITED

A Matter of taste.. Matthew Sutherland

2008-07-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

The following is from a British journalist stationed in thePhilippines. His observations are so hilarious!!!! This was written in 1999.

MATTER OF TASTE by Matthew Sutherland

I have now been in this country for over six years, and consider myself in most respects well-assimilated. However, there is one key step on the road to full assimilation which I have yet to take, and that’s to eat BALUT. The day any of you sees me eating balut, please call immigration and ask them to issue me a Filipino passport. Because at that point there will be no turning back.BALUT, for those still blissfully ignorant non-Pinoys out there, is a fertilized duck egg. It is commonly sold with salt in a piece of newspaper, much like English fish and chips, by street vendors usually after dark, presumably so you can’t see how gross it is. It’s meant to be an aphrodisiac, although I can’t imagine anything more likely to dispel sexual desire than crunching on a partially-formed baby duck swimming in noxious fluid. The embryo in the egg comes in varying stages of development, but basically it is not considered macho to eat one without fully discernible feathers, beak, and claws. Some say these crunchy bits are the best. Others prefer just to drink the so-called ’soup’, the vile, pungent liquid that surrounds the aforementioned feathery fetus…excuse me, I have to go and throw up now. I’ll be back in a minute.

Food dominates the life of the Filipino. People here just love to eat. They eat at least eight times a day. These eight official meals are called, in order: breakfast, snacks, lunch, merienda, pica-pica, pulutan, dinner, and no-one-saw-me-take-that-cookie-from-the-fridge-so-it-doesn’t-count. The short gaps in between these mealtimes are spent eating Sky Flakes from the open packet that sits on every desktop. You’re never far from food in the Philippines. If you doubt this, next time you’re driving home from work, try this game. See how long you can drive without seeing food and I don’t mean a distant restaurant, or a picture of food. I mean a man on the sidewalk frying fish balls, or a man walking through the traffic selling nuts or candy. I bet it’s less than one minute.

Here are some other things I’ve noticed about food in the Philippines.Firstly, a meal is not a meal without rice - even breakfast. In the UK, I could go a whole year without eating rice. Second, it’s impossible to drink without eating. A bottle of San Miguel just isn’t the same without gambas or beef tapa. Third, no one ventures more than two paces from their house without baon and a container of something cold to drink.You might as well ask a Filipino to leave home without his pants on. And lastly, where I come from, you eat with a knife and fork. Here, you eat with a spoon and fork. You try eating rice swimming in fish sauce with a knife.

One really nice thing about Filipino food culture is that people always ask you to SHARE their food. In my office, if you catch anyone attacking their baon, they will always go, “Sir! KAIN TAYO!” (”Let’s eat!”). This confused me, until I realized that they didn’t actually expect me to sit down and start munching on their boneless bangus. In fact, the polite response is something like, “No thanks, I just ate.” But the principle is sound - if you have food on your plate, you are expected to share it, however hungry you are, with those who may be even hungrier. I think that’s great. In fact, this is frequently even taken one step further.Many Filipinos use “Have you eaten yet?” (”KUMAIN KA NA?”) as a general greeting, irrespective of time of day or location. Some foreigners think Filipino food is fairly dull compared to other Asian cuisines.Actually lots of it is very good: Spicy dishes like Bicol Express (strange, a dish named after a train); anything cooked with coconut milk; anything KINILAW; and anything ADOBO. And it’s hard to beat the sheer wanton, cholesterholic frenzy of a good old-fashioned LECHON de Leche feast. Dig a pit, light a fire, add 50 pounds of animal fat on a stick, and cook until crisp.Mmm, mmm… you can actually feel your arteries constricting with each successive mouthful.

I also share one key Pinoy trait —a sweet tooth. I am thus the only foreigner I know who does not complain about sweet bread, sweet burgers, sweet spaghetti, sweet banana ketchup, and so on. I am a man who likes to put jam on his pizza. Try it! It’s the weird food you want to avoid.

In addition to duck fetus in the half-shell, items to avoid in the Philippines Include pig’s blood soup (DINUGUAN); bull’s testicle soup, the strangely-named “SOUP NUMBER FIVE” (I dread to think what numbers one through four are); and the ubiquitous, stinky shrimp paste, BAGOONG, and it’s equally stinky sister, PATIS. Filipinos are so addicted to these latter items that they will even risk arrest or deportation trying to smuggle them into countries like Australia and the USA, which wisely ban the importation of items you can smell from more than 100 paces.

Then there’s the small matter of the blue ice cream. I have never been able to get my brain around eating blue food; the ubiquitous UBE leaves me cold. And lastly on the subject of weird food, beware: that KALDERETANG KAMBING (goat) could well be KALDERETANG ASO (dog)…The Filipino, of course, has a well-developed sense of food.

Here’s a typical Pinoy food joke: “I’m on a seafood diet. “What’s a seafood diet?” “When I see food, I eat it!” Filipinos also eat strange bits of animals — the feet, the head, the guts, etc., usually barbecued on a stick. These have been given witty names, like “ADIDAS” (chicken’s feet); “KURBATA” (either just chicken’s neck, or “neck and thigh” as in “neck-tie”); “WALKMAN” (pigs ears); “PAL” (chicken wings); “HELMET” (chicken head); “IUD” (chicken intestines), and BETAMAX” (video-cassette-like blocks of animal blood).Yum, yum. Bon appetit. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” — (Proverbs 22:1)

When I arrived in the Philippines from the UK six years ago, one of the first cultural differences to strike me was names. The subject has provided a continuing source of amazement and amusement ever since. The first unusual thing, from an English perspective, is that everyone here has a nickname. In the staid and boring United Kingdom, we have nicknames in kindergarten, but when we move into adulthood we tend, I am glad to say, to lose them.The second thing that struck me is that Philippine names for both girls and boys tend to be what we in the UK would regard as overbearingly cutesy for anyone over about five. Fifty-five-year-olds colleague put it. Where I come from, a boy with a nickname like Boy Blue or Honey Boy would be beaten to death at school by pre-adolescent bullies, and never make it to adulthood. So, probably, would girls with names like Babes, Lovely, Precious, Peachy or Apples. Yuk, ech ech. Here, however, no one bats an eyelid.

Then I noticed how many people have what I have come to call “door-bell names”. These are nicknames that sound like - well, door-bells. There are millions of them. Bing, Bong, Ding, and Dong are some of the more common. They can be, and frequently are, used in even more door-bell-like combinations such as Bing-Bong, Ding-Dong, Ting-Ting, and so on. Even our newly-appointed chief of police has a doorbell name Ping.

None of these door-bell names exist where I come from, and hence sound unusually amusing to my untutored foreign ear. Someone once told me that one of the Bings, when asked why he was called Bing, replied “because my brother is called Bong”. Faultless logic. Dong, of course, is a particularly funny one for me, as where I come from “dong” is a slang word for well, perhaps “talong” is the best Tagalog equivalent.

Repeating names was another novelty to me, having never before encountered people with names like Len-Len, Let-Let, Mai-Mai, or Ning-Ning. The secretary I inherited on my arrival had an unusual one: Leck-Leck. Such names are then frequently further refined by using the “squared” symbol, as in Len2 or Mai2.This had me very confused for a while. Then there is the trend for parents to stick to a theme when naming their children. This can be as simple as making them all begin with the same letter, as in Jun, Jimmy, Janice, and Joy.More imaginative parents shoot for more sophisticated forms of assonance or rhyme, as in Biboy, Boboy, Buboy, Baboy (notice the names get worse the more kids there are-best to be born early or you could end up being a Baboy). Even better, parents can create whole families of, say, desserts (Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, Honey Pie) or flowers (Rose, Daffodil, Tulip). The main advantage of such combinations is that they look great painted across your trunk if you’re a cab driver. That’s another thing I’d never seen before coming to Manila-taxis with the driver’s kids’ names on the trunk.

Another whole eye-opening field for the foreign visitor is the phenomenon of the “composite” name. This includes names like Jejomar (for Jesus, Joseph and Mary), and the remarkable Luzviminda (for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, believe it or not). That’s a bit like me being called something like Engscowani” (for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Between you and me, I’m glad I’m not. And how could I forget to mention the fabulous concept of the randomly inserted letter ‘h’. Quite what this device is supposed to achieve, I have not yet figured out, but I think it is designed to give a touch of class to an otherwise only averagely weird name. It results in creations like Jhun,Lhenn, Ghemma, and Jhimmy. Or how about Jhun-Jhun (Jhun2)?

How boring to come from a country like the UK full of people with names like John Smith. How wonderful to come from a country where imagination and exoticism rule the world of names. Even the towns here have weird names; my favorite is the unbelieveably-named town of Sexmoan (ironically close to Olongapo and Angeles).

Primeclass Traders

2008-07-06T06:41:00.001-07:00

No future for GMOs... say NO to GMOs

2008-06-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

Why Sustainable Agriculture?

1. Higher productivity and yields, especially in the Third World

Some 8.98 million farmers have adopted sustainable agriculture practices on 28.92 million hectares in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Reliable data from 89 projects show higher productivity and yields: 50-100% increase in yield for rainfed crops, and 5-10% for irrigated crops. Top successes include Burkina Faso, which turned a cereal deficit of 644 kg per year to an annual surplus of 153 kg; Ethiopia, where 12 500 households enjoyed 60% increase in crop yields; and Honduras and Guatemala, where 45 000 families increased yields from 400-600 kg/ha to 2 000-2 500 kg/ha.

Long-term studies in industrialised countries show yields for organic comparable to conventional agriculture, and sometimes higher.

2. Better soils

Sustainable agricultural practices tend to reduce soil erosion, as well as improve soil physical structure and water-holding capacity, which are crucial in averting crop failures during periods of drought.

Soil fertility is maintained or increased by various sustainable agriculture practices. Studies show that soil organic matter and nitrogen levels are higher in organic than in conventional fields.

Biological activity has also been found to be higher in organic soils. There are more earthworms, arthropods, mycorrhizal and other fungi, and micro-organisms, all of which are beneficial for nutrient recycling and suppression of disease.

3. Cleaner environment

There is little or no polluting chemical-input with sustainable agriculture. Moreover, research suggests that less nitrate and phosphorus are leached to groundwater from organic soils.

Better water infiltration rates are found in organic systems. Therefore, they are less prone to erosion and less likely to contribute to water pollution from surface runoff.

4. Reduced pesticides and no increase in pests

Organic farming prohibits routine pesticide application. Integrated pest management has cut the number of pesticide sprays in Vietnam from 3.4 to one per season, in Sri Lanka from 2.9 to 0.5 per season, and in Indonesia from 2.9 to 1.1 per season.

Research showed no increase in crop losses due to pest damage, despite the withdrawal of synthetic insecticides in Californian tomato production.

Pest control is achievable without pesticides, reversing crop losses, as for example, by using ‘trap crops’ to attract stem borer, a major pest in East Africa. Other benefits of avoiding pesticides arise from utilising the complex inter-relationships between species in an ecosystem.

5. Supporting biodiversity and using diversity

Sustainable agriculture promotes agricultural biodiversity, which is crucial for food security and rural livelihoods. Organic farming can also support much greater biodiversity, benefiting species that have significantly declined.

Biodiverse systems are more productive than monocultures. Integrated farming systems in Cuba are 1.45 to 2.82 times more productive than monocultures. Thousands of Chinese rice farmers have doubled yields and nearly eliminated the most devastating disease simply by mixed planting of two varieties.

Soil biodiversity is enhanced by organic practices, bringing beneficial effects such as recovery and rehabilitation of degraded soils, improved soil structure and water infiltration.

6. Environmentally and economically sustainable

Research on apple production systems ranked the organic system first in environmental and economic sustainability, the integrated system second and the conventional system last. Organic apples were most profitable due to price premiums, quicker investment return and fast recovery of costs.

A Europe-wide study showed that organic farming performs better than conventional farming in the majority of environmental indicators. A review by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concluded that well-managed organic agriculture leads to more favourable conditions at all environmental levels.

7. Ameliorating climate change by reducing direct & indirect energy use

Organic agriculture uses energy much more efficiently and greatly reduces CO2 emissions compared with conventional agriculture, both with respect to direct energy consumption in fuel and oil and indirect consumption in synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Sustainable agriculture restores soil organic matter content, increasing carbon sequestration below ground, thereby recovering an important carbon sink. Organic systems have shown significant ability to absorb and retain carbon, raising the possibility that sustainable agriculture practices can help reduce the impact of global warming.

Organic agriculture is likely to emit less nitrous dioxide (N2O), another important greenhouse gas and also a cause of stratospheric ozone depletion.

8. Efficient, profitable production

Any yield reduction in organic agriculture is more than offset by ecological and efficiency gains. Research has shown that the organic approach can be commercially viable in the long-term, producing more food per unit of energy or resources.

Data show that smaller farms produce far more per unit area than the larger farms characteristic of conventional farming. Though the yield per unit area of one crop may be lower on a small farm than on a large monoculture, the total output per unit area, often composed of more than a dozen crops and various animal products, can be far higher.

Production costs for organic farming are often lower than for conventional farming, bringing equivalent or higher net returns even without organic price premiums. When price premiums are factored in, organic systems are almost always more profitable.

9. Improved food security and benefits to local communities

A review of sustainable agriculture projects in developing countries showed that average food production per household increased by 1.71 tonnes per year (up 73%) for 4.42 million farmers on 3.58 million hectares, bringing food security and health benefits to local communities.

Increasing agricultural productivity has been shown to also increase food supplies and raise incomes, thereby reducing poverty, increasing access to food, reducing malnutrition and improving health and livelihoods.

Sustainable agricultural approaches draw extensively on traditional and indigenous knowledge, and place emphasis on the farmers’ experience and innovation. This thereby utilises appropriate, low-cost and readily available local resources as well as improves farmers’ status and autonomy, enhancing social and cultural relations within local communities.

Local means of sale and distribution can generate more money for the local economy. For every £1 spent at an organic box scheme from Cusgarne Organics (UK), £2.59 is generated for the local economy; but for every £1 spent at a supermarket, only £1.40 is generated for the local economy.

10. Better food quality for health

Organic food is safer, as organic farming prohibits routine pesticide and herbicide use, so harmful chemical residues are rarely found.

Organic production also bans the use of artificial food additives such as hydrogenated fats, phosphoric acid, aspartame and monosodium glutamate, which have been linked to health problems as diverse as heart disease, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity.

Studies have shown that, on average, organic food has higher vitamin C, higher mineral levels and higher plant phenolics – plant compounds that can fight cancer and heart disease, and combat age-related neurological dysfunctions – and significantly less nitrates, a toxic compound.

Sustainable agricultural practices have proven beneficial in all aspects relevant to health and the environment. In addition, they bring food security and social and cultural well-being to local communities everywhere. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive global shift to all forms of sustainable agriculture.

Tropical rainforests... stop cutting them down

2008-06-08T14:58:00.000-07:00

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.

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

Harrison Ford: Protect an Acre Video

2008-06-08T14:53:00.001-07:00

With all i am........" by Hillsong"

2008-06-03T15:37:00.000-07:00

The words are provided..turn up your speakers..open up your arms, let your voice go free and sing to the lord!

Another Cagayan video.. nice!

2008-06-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

Tai chi and qi gong

2008-06-01T02:22:00.000-07:00

Everybody knows that exercise improves both your physical and your mental well-being. So what makes tai chi and qi gong any better than other light-to-moderate exercise, such as walking? Although scientific studies have yet to support the compelling anecdotal information about the benefits of tai chi and qi gong (also spelled chi gong), they seem to have the additional benefit of soothing your mind and developing your spirit.

Practiced in China by millions of people since ancient times, both tai chi and qi gong are based on a Chinese system of health that nurtures "chi". The "chi" in tai chi and qi gong is translated as "vital energy" or "life force". Tai chi is a specific series of movements, often called a form. Qi gong movements are specific short exercises that work on different parts of the body. Both usually combine movement with breathing in a way that is specific to each motion. Both are done in a relaxed manner, and although physically challenging, benefits do not come if done with force or strain.

Meditation in Motion

Tai chi (also spelled taiji, t'ai chi, or tai chi chuan) is often called "meditation in motion". An ancient Chinese system designed to increase and maintain health and well-being, it looks like a graceful and gentle solo dance done in a series of slow, sequential movements. Although categorized as a martial art, tai chi bears little resemblance to fighting styles, such as karate. There are many different styles of tai chi, including yang, wu, and chen.

Healing Exercises

Qi gong (also spelled chi kung or chi gong) are specific exercises designed to increase health. Sometimes called "healing" exercises," each qi gong movement conditions or treats chi. In China, qi gong is often used to help with illnesses such as depression, gastrointestinal problems, and high blood pressure. There are two types of qi gong: internal and external. Internal qi gong is said to develop the practitioner's chi. External qi gong is said to transfer chi from one person to another, for the benefit of the recipient.

The Philosophy Behind Chi

In traditional Chinese medicine, the body has meridians, or "energy pathways". Sickness comes when the energy pathways get blocked. Both tai chi and qi gong are designed to keep the body's energy pathways flowing in a healthy manner. This concept can be hard for a westerner to understand, because we are raised to think of our bodies as being separate from our minds. In Chinese philosophy, there is no mind-body split. All is one. Practicing tai chi and qi gong, it is said, will bring you harmony.

The Western Approach

Western medicine is highly scientific in its approach to understanding health. While this kind of scientific system protects us from inadequately tested drugs and ensures that we only undergo surgery that is medically safe and necessary, the same scientific system cannot always be readily applied to other types of health systems, such as traditional Chinese medicine. However, western medicine is beginning to understand the importance of movement as a mechanism of recovery, as evidenced by the increasing emphasis on movement shortly after surgery.

Western medicine is making strides in understanding what it calls "complementary and alternative medicine." The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) established the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) to study health and healing that is outside the realm of traditional western medicine. These studies include traditional Chinese medicine, including tai chi and qi gong.

Numerous studies by the National Institute on Aging and others have concluded that tai chi can improve flexibility, strength, and balance control in older people. Tai chi and qi gong have also shown promise for promoting cardiorespiratory fitness and/or blood pressure fitness in some segments of the population. The effects of qi gong on post-CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) pain, healing, and outcomes are being studied at the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Center at the University of Michigan.

Focus on Breathing and Movement

Some instructors say that tai chi and qi gong work differently than other types of exercise, in part because they require a great deal of focus. When practicing tai chi or qi gong—although they look deceptively easy—one has to concentrate in a way that other forms of exercise don't require. We know how to walk so we don't have to concentrate on the specific physical movements to do it. Nor do we need to focus on how we breathe. Tai chi and qi gong, however, require the student to focus on the specific movement in conjunction with a specific breathing pattern that matches the movement.

Tai chi , emphasizes the combination of "intent, breathing, and movement". The three combined, "help to attain an improved state of health, both physical and mental".

While you can read about tai chi and qi gong, the only way to understand it is to do it. Enroll in a class, get a video, or see if your local radio station has run a program on tai chi and qi gong. Breathe deeply, move slowly, focus your mind and—spread your wings.

Cagayan de Oro.. part two

2008-05-31T02:12:00.000-07:00

Economy

Cagayan de Oro is the base to both local and multi-national companies such as Del Monte Philippines, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, and others. The city's economy is largely based on industry, trade, service and tourism. Link2Support and Arriba are among the few call centers that have recently opened their doors to the city. Cagayan de Oro is a young city compared to other highly urbanized cities in the Philippines. The city's annual income has reached a local record of 1.345 Billion Pesos as of the fiscal year, 2006. With the ongoing construction of the Laguindingan International Airport, business analysts predict the entry of more foreign and local investments and an increase in tourism activity in the region will make Cagayan de Oro as one of the chief cities in the southern part of the Philippines.

Infrastructure Education

Cagayan de Oro has 3 major universities namely: Capitol University, Liceo de Cagayan University, and Xavier University, and one state college Mindanao Polytechnic State College. These institutions specialize in various disciplines such as medicine, nursing, commerce, engineering, law, masteral and doctorate degrees. While AMA Computer University and Philippine Women's University are campus branches offering fewer courses.

Health Care

The city has a hospital bed to population ratio of 1:474 as of 2003. There are 12 major well-equipped private and government-run hospitals including 50 Barangay Health Centers and 20 Family Planning Centers. There are also modern diagnostic centers and laboratories operating in the city.

Northern Mindanao Medical Center (Provincial Hospital) and JR Borja Memorial Medical Hospital (City Hospital) are the two main government run hospitals in the city. The new Capitol University Medical City Hospital is one of the newer developments of the health services in city. In the recent years, private hospitals in the city have embarked on an aggressive expansion program. There has been a strong demand for medical facilities not only within the city but from nearby Mindanao provinces.

Transportation

Lumbia Airport caters to domestic flights to and from Manila and Cebu. From Manila, it is an hour and fifteen minutes away by plane and from Cebu it is forty-five minutes away. There is ongoing construction on the Laguindingan International Airport. When finished, the international airport will serve Northern Mindanao including its major cities; Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.

Cagayan de Oro Seaport in 2005 with two quay cranes

The Macabalan seaport serves regular trips to Manila, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Iligan, Jagna and Nasipit/Butuan. It is the busiest seaport in the region.

Cagayan de Oro Seaport is a modern international seaport situated near the estuary of Cagayan de Oro River, it has an anchorage depth of 18 meters and is around 400 meters from the shoreline. Cagayan de Oro Seaport has two authorized cargo handling operators.With the recent completion of the 250 Million Peso Rehabilitation Project, the Cagayan de Oro seaport is now the largest international and domestic seaport in Mindanao.General Milling and Del Monte Philippines also operates their own port facilities within Cagayan de Oro. The US $85 Million Mindanao Container Terminal located in Tagoloan, 17 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro serves the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate.

There are three bus and jeepney terminals in the city which offer regular land trips. The Agora Bus Terminal caters trips to and from Balingoan (port going to Camiguin), Gingoog, Davao, Butuan and Surigao in the Caraga Region, Valencia and Malaybalay in Bukidnon. While the Bulua-Westbound Bus Terminal caters trips to and from Iligan, Ozamiz, and western parts of Mindanao.

Utilities

There are four major land based phone companies (Philcom, Misortel, Cruztelco and Italtel) serving the city.

Mobile phone services are provided by Globe-Touch Mobile, Smart-Talk'n'Text-Addict Mobile, Sun Cellular and Extelcom.

There are several internet companies operating in the city offering dial up, broadband, Wi-Fi and cable services. The Pueblo de Oro IT Park located in Upper Carmen is the first PEZA-registered IT park in Mindanao. The IT Park currently houses one of Cagayan de Oro's call centers.

Water services is provided by the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD), it was the first water district established in the entire country.

Electricity is provided by the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company (CEPALCO), it covers 64 barangays and caters to more than 80,000 consumers. They are also operating a 1-megawatt photovoltaic-solar power plant in Indahag; it is the biggest solar power plant that is connected to the power grid in South East Asia

Harana..courtship Philippines style

2008-05-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

In the Philippines there is something called “HARANA” a little old fahioned now, but you go sit under your sweethearts bedroom window and you seranade her with a good voice and guitar(very romantic), just be sure its your sweethearts room and not that of her brother or even worse her mother (you may just get a bucket of water)
Here is a Visayan song for you too try- he,he,he

“Ushay”
Usahay magadamgo ako
nga ikaw ug ako nagkahigugmaay
nganong damguhon ko ikaw
damguhon sa kununay
sa akong kamingnaw

Usahay magamahay ako
nganong nabuhi paning, kalibutan…
nganong gitiaw-tiawan
ang gugma ko kanimo
kanimo da…

Ng ikaw ug ako nagkahigugmaay
damguhon sa kanunay
sa akong kamingnaw

Ushay magamahay ako
nganong nabuhi pa ning, kalibutan……
nganong gitiaw-tiawan
ang gugma ko kanimo
kanimo da…….

Nganong gitiaw-tiawan
ang gugma ko kanimo
kanimo da………………..

Let me know how your doing!!...

Electric Jeepney finally gets DOTC approval

2008-05-27T15:14:00.000-07:00

Manila, PHILIPPINES — The Electric Jeepney or E-Jeepney, a cleaner, safer, renewable alternative to fossil-fuel based public transport, has finally been given the green light to ply the country's public roads. GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power Producer) and Greenpeace today welcomed the go-signal from the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communication) finally classifying the said vehicle and allowing it to operate in major thoroughfares.

The E-Jeepneys were launched last July 4, 2007 in Makati City, as part of a larger initiative called the Climate Friendly Cities Project. The project demonstrates how cities can help mitigate the problem of climate change through implementing measures that would avoid the use of climate change-inducing fossil fuels. Through the project, a fleet of electric-powered jeepneys will derive energy from biodegradable wastes from the city’s wet markets, food establishments and households, thereby helping mitigate climate change even as it addresses urban problems such as air pollution and solid waste, while providing enhanced incomes to the jeepney drivers. The project is sponsored in part by the Dutch Doen Foundation and is currently supported by Makati, Baguio and Puerto Princesa Cities.

The go-signal comes after ten months of waiting and several delays at the DOTC Planning and Transport Division. The guidelines for the E-Jeepneys were signed and issued last April 30, 2008. The guidelines classify the E-Jeepney as "a utility vehicle for private or public use, for non-commercial or commercial purposes or be hired to transport goods and passengers, subject to all applicable rules and regulations governing public transport vehicles."

"GRIPP welcomes this much anticipated set of guidelines for electric vehicles as a major milestone in our implementation of the Climate Friendly Cities Project, especially at a time when skyrocketing diesel and fossil fuel prices have considerably decreased the income of jeepney drivers. The DOTC’s go-signal also means that we can now proceed with scaling up E-Jeepney fleets in various host cities, giving the Philippines the opportunity to leapfrog into climate-friendly sustainable transport," said GRIPP Chairperson Athena Ballesteros.

According to GRIPP, the next steps after the release of the guidelines are: 1) publication of the guidelines in major newspapers; 2) drafting and approval of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR); 3) Land Transportation Office (LTO) registration; and 4) LTFRB for granting of franchises. Project proponents are hopeful that the registration and issuance of plates for the E-Jeepneys will be fast-tracked. LTO Chief Alberto Suansing has committed his full support to GRIPP and will work with the GRIPP and its partners for the speedy registration of the units of the pilot fleet launched last year in Makati City and those about to be ordered by other cities now involved in the project.

Support on a national level, however, is crucial to ensure the successful replication of the project, as well as other renewable energy (RE) initiatives. GRIPP and Greenpeace called on the national government to help reduce tariffs for pioneering RE technologies including those for sustainable public transport, and to provide technical, financial and institutional support for renewable
energy-based power plants such as those that will power the E-Jeepneys.
Both organizations emphasized that the urgent need for concerted
global action to stop climate change means that there should be no delay
for the right policies to be in place.

"While Greenpeace welcomes this new set of guidelines, we lament the fact that it took the DOTC ten months to take action. This reflects the Philippine government's current response to climate change--slow and totally inadequate. Our vulnerability to the impacts of this disaster means we need to implement solutions now. Aside from supporting initiatives such as the Climate Friendly Cities Project, the national government should institute large-scale climate change solutions such as phasing out coal-fired power plants, and the immediate passage of a strong renewable energy legislation," said Greenpeace Southeast Asia Climate and Energy Campaigner Jasper Inventor.

Contact information

Jasper Inventor
Lea Guerrero, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Media Campaigner, +63 920 950 6877
Athena Ballesteros, GRIPP Chairperson, +63 917 813 1562, or +63 34 434 9269

GREENPEACE SOUTH EAST ASIA

2008-05-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

Ban terminator seeds, say no to anymore coal fired stations, ban all GMO,s,junk JPEPA, STOP CUTTING DOWN OUR FORESTS,

Gagayan de Oro.. City of Golden Friendship

2008-05-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

History

The area was first inhabited around 377 AD (the late Neolithic Period), island natives lived in a settlement then known as Himologan (now known as Huluga), eight kilometers from present day Cagayan de Oro. The natives were polytheistic animist and paid tributes to Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, the Sultan of Maguindanao. In 1622, two Spanish Augustinian Recollect missionaries came in contact with the natives of Himologan and in 1626, Fray Agustin de San Pedro persuaded the chief of Himologan, Datu Salangsang, to transfer his settlement down river, to the present day Gaston Park. Fray Agustin later fortified the new settlement against warriors who were sent by Sultan Kudarat.

On February 27, 1872, the Spanish Governor General Carlos Maria de la Torre issued a decree declaring Cagayan the permanent capital of Segundo Distrito de Misamis. During this era, the name of the town was known as Cagayan de Misamis. On January 10, 1899, Cagayan de Misamis joined the Philippine government of Emilio Aguinaldo and celebrated its independence from Spain. It was the second time the Aguinaldo government was declared and the new Philippine flag raised on the Mindanao island. By virtue of the 1898 Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States; this caused friction and resulted in the Philippine-American War. In March 31, 1900, the Americans occupied Cagayan de Misamis and on April 7, 1900, battle erupted in the town center led by General Nicolas Capistrano and Filipino resistance fighters. The Americans won the war, and about forty years later, gave the Philippines its independence July 4, 1946.

Through the efforts of Congressman Emmanuel Pelaez, the town of Cagayan de Misamis became a city on June 15, 1950 and its name changed to Cagayan de Oro. Congressman Pelaez appended "de Oro" to "Cagayan" in recognition of the gold mining activities in the area known to Spanish explorers.

Geography

Cagayan de Oro is located along the central coast of Northern Mindanao. To the south, the city is bordered by the Bukidnon Province and Iligan City. The Municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental borders the city on the west and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental to the east. To the north lies Macajalar Bay facing the Bohol Sea. Its total land area is 488.86 km² representing 13.9% of the entire Misamis Oriental Province. It includes 25 kilometers of coastline and a fine deep water harbor, Macajalar Bay. 44.7% of the surface of Cagayan de Oro is classified as agricultural land, and 38.4% is classified as open spaces.

Climate

Cagayan de Oro has a tropical climate. The average temperature whole year round is 28 °C (82 °F). The highest recorded temperature in the city was 36 °C (97 °F) on May 1998. Cagayan de Oro receives an even amount of rain through out the year. The driest month is April, while July is the wettest. Wet season in the city starts in June and ends in November. Drier season starts in December and ends in May. Cagayan de Oro is rarely visited by a typhoon since it is outside the Pacific typhoon belt.
More information tomorrow

Dengue fever.. Part three.. safer alternatives

2008-05-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

There are recent effective and affordable alternatives to RIDL in controlling mosquitoes that spread dengue fever and other diseases. Extracts from the paradise tree Melia azedarach showed promising larvicide and oviposition deterrent effects on the mosquito. Essential oil from mullila and zedoary plants also proved effective in treating mosquito larvae. Euphoriaceae extracts, particularly Euphorbia tirucalli can be applied as an ideal larvicide against Aedes aegypti.

A study in Thailand surveyed water-filled containers where Aedes mosquitoe pupae were found. Large water containers held 90 percent of pupae in rural areas and 60 percent in urban areas. Covering and treating such large containers should greatly reduce the mosquito population. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis VectoBac proved effective in treating water jars to combat dengue mosquitoes in Cambodia. In Cuba, studies on the social and environmental determinants of Aedes aegypti confirmed that the greatest risks were associated with failure to treat stored water, and water in flower vases for religious practices. Efforts to reduce infestation should therefore focus on preventive practices.

These low tech practices may prove much more effective than the expensive high technology solutions, which are also far from safe.

It is said prevention is better than cure,it should therfore be first in our minds to cover all sources of water, and also to treat the containers, and do ourselves a small favour by covering up in the evening,the mosquitos meal time,if we do not want to be on the menu, long sleeved shirts and long trousers will help

The bars of P.Burgos Street..MAKATI

2008-05-25T05:10:00.000-07:00

The quintessential Philippines girlie bar is a shopworn simulacrum of 1970 kitsch, with faux velvet seats, strings of fairy lights, spinning disco balls and a stage at one end where bored and listless dancers in bikinis go through their uninspiring routines to some of the most dreadful pop music ever inflicted on mankind.
The waitresses become more and more persistent as the evening wears on, asking time and time again, if you want another drink, whilst you still have half the remaining one not finished, be careful between your drunken mood and raging hormones its possible to spend a few hundred dollars.
The young woman employed here are called G.R.O.s- guest relation officers,they get no salary and depend on "ladies drinks", for their pay. These drinks, watery mango juice and iced tea are served in the smallest glass you will ever see, and cost around 300 peso (about £3.50).The girl gets 80 peso the bar takes the rest. In most bars, 10 "ladies drinks", give you the right to take the girl home...no-one uses the word prostitution, but it amounts to the same thing.
Most of the woman are uneducated and arrive from the far off provinces, with dreams of making it big in the big city, they come to pay for their education or that of their siblings, or to help their parents. In the darker parts of the bar other services get offered- for a charge of course!!
Most of these girls have a hard luck story to tell, and if you give them the chance, for obvious reasons they will tell you all about their problems, something the management frowns upon, as they want to create an atmosphere of carefree bacchanalia.
Most of the girls stay doing this work as they can earn more money than working in an office or as a secretary
Other places in P.Bugos street are the many money changers, if you visit here...try to stay a little sober.. its very easy to spend a lot of money, and always bring condoms.

MAKATI has a reputation as a yuppie ghetto frequented by office workers from nearby banks and corporate skyscrapers. Much of the nightlife is inside the malls which makes hanging out here a rather antiseptic experience. The best places, along Jupiter and Nicanor Garcia Streets, for instance, are enormously popular with the locals and expats. The Greenbelt mall has some very fashionable bars and restaurants on the upper floors.Try the:-
ICE VODKA BAR
Level 3,Greenbelt3,Makati Ave
Manila has a pathological obsession with glamour and beauty, come here on Wednesday nights, if you can prove your a famous nonentity, when models get unlimited vodkatinis and canapes for around 400 peso... you just have to prove your a model, how?.. in Manila as long as your tall have fair skin and can speak some of the gay patois..everyone will think you cant be anything else.

Only time understands "LOVE"

2008-05-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

LOVE

Once upon a time, there was an island where all feelings lived Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others including Love.

One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left. Love was the only one who stayed.

Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment. When the island was almost sinking, Love decided to ask for help. Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you." Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel.

"Vanity, please help me!" "I can't help you Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered. Sadness was close by so Love asked for help, "Sadness, let me Go with you." "Oh...Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!" Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her!

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come Love, I will take you." It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that he even forgot to ask the elder her name. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way.

Love realizing how much he owed the elder asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who helped me?" "It was Time," Knowledge answered.

"Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?"

Knowledge smiled with deep Wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is."

Trangenic Mosquitos and Dengue fever.. part two

2008-05-18T04:23:00.000-07:00

Genetic modification to produce RIDL

The RIDL trait was created using a transposon. Transposons are mobile genetic elements (‘jumping genes'). They are similar to viruses, but lack the ability to form viral coats. RIDL was created by the piggyBac transposon originally isolated from a culture of cells of the cabbage looper, and has been used extensively in insect genetic-engineering. The piggyBac vector is prevented from replicating independently of the chromosome bearing it (non-autonomous) by removing its transposase enzyme that enables it to multiply and move among the chromosomes of the cells that it infects (though this is by no means a safeguard, see below) .

The transgenic male mosquito to be released has incorporated a gene for a red fluorescent marker protein for easy identification, but the key gene that confers dominant lethal trait is tTAV , encoding a tetracycline repressible transcription activator protein, driven by the promoter tetO of a Drosophila heat shock protein gene. In the presence of tetracycline, tTAV binds tetracycline and the complex does not bind to tetO , so no further expression of tTAV takes place. In the absence of tetracycline, there is a positive feedback loop in which tTAV binds to tetO , driving more expression of tTAV. The over production of tTAV is toxic, and kills the insect. But it is uncertain why excessive tTAV is lethal. In summary, RIDL is a tetracycline-repressible lethal system. It has been suggested that the lethality of excessive transcription activator is due to transcriptional ‘squelching' or interference with ubiquitin-dependent breakdown of proteins. Mice modified with a gene for the tetracycline repressible transcription activator were not killed when the gene was activated by removing tetracycline.

Is this terminator insect safe?

The most glaring aspect of the proposed release is that the lethally acting transcription activator tTAV has a rather ill-defined action. The information presently available does not tell us what is killing the target animals. Even though a homologous tetracycline-repressed gene was not toxic to mice upon its activation, the killing toxin in the mosquito should certainly be identified before released to the environment is contemplated.

Another major hazard is horizontal gene transfer of the piggyBac insert. This issue has been thoroughly addressed in ISIS' submissions to the USDA with regard to the release of the pink bollworm in 2001. We provided evidence that the disabled vector carrying the transgene, even when stripped down to the bare minimum of the border repeats, was nevertheless able to replicate and spread, basically because the transposase function enabling the piggyBac inserts to move can be supplied by ‘helper' transposons. Such helper transposons are potentially present in all genomes, including that of the mosquito. The main reason for using transposons as vectors in insect control is precisely because they can spread the transgenes rapidly by ‘non-Mendelian' mean within a population, i.e., by replicating copies and jumping into genomes, including those of the mammalian hosts. Although each transposon has its own specific transposase enzyme that recognizes its terminal repeats, the enzyme can also interact with the terminal repeats of other transposons, and evidence suggest “extensive cross-talk among related but distinct transposon families” within a single eukaryotic genome.

It is disingenuous to claim that because only male mosquitoes are released that don't bite people or other mammals, the technique is “environmentally benign”. First of all, the transgenic mosquitoes, both males and females, have to be mass-produced in the laboratory. In order for transgenic females, also carrying the dominant lethal in double dose, to propagate the line, they have to take blood meals from laboratory animals such as mice or rabbits, not to mention the odd lab worker, which gives plenty of opportunity for horizontal gene transfer. Second, the transgenic males have to be sorted from the females, and this takes place at the pupae stage, when males are generally smaller than females, but this may not be 100 percent accurate. Third, the tetracycline-dependence of the transgenic lines is not absolute. In the absence of tetracycline, 3 to 4 percent of transgenic progeny actually survive to adulthood.

It is obvious that transgene escape can readily occur. As Ho commented: “ These artificial transposons are already aggressive genome invaders, and putting them into insects is to give them wings, as well as sharp mouthparts for efficient delivery to all plants and animals and their viruses.”

One cannot stress enough that horizontal gene transfer and recombination is the main highway to exotic disease agents.

The piggyBac inserts may also be mobilised by the transposase of piggyBac transposons already carried by Baculovirus (a common soil-borne insect virus) that infect insect cells, and this possibility has not been evaluated in the laboratory. Baculovirus not only carries piggyBac transposons, it has also been used in human gene therapy as it is capable of infecting human cells. It is indeed strange that the mobility and horizontal gene transfer of the piggyBac vector has not been thoroughly studied even though the activity of the vector is widely recognized.

The piggyBac transposon was discovered in cell cultures of the moth Trichopulsia , the cabbage looper, where it causes high mutation rates in the Baculovirus infecting the cells by jumping into its genes. The piggyBac itself is 2.5 kb long with 13 bp inverted terminal repeats. It has specificity for the base sequence TTAA (at which it inserts); the probability of this sequence occurring is (0.25) 4 or 0.4 percent in any stretch of DNA, where it can cause insertion mutations: disrupting and inactivating genes, or inappropriately activating genes. This transposon was later found to be active in a wide range of species, including the fruit fly Drosophila , the mosquito transmitting yellow fever A aegypti , the medfly Ceratitis capitata , and the original host, the cabbage looper. The piggyBac vector gave high frequencies of transpositions, much higher than other transposon vectors in use, such as the mariner and Hirmar. The piggyBac transposon is also active in human and mouse cells, and in the mouse germline; and a version with minimal terminal repeats exhibited greater transposition activity in human cells than another, well-characterised hyperactive Sleeping Beauty transposon system widely used for preclinical gene therapy studies.
Tomorrow ..A safer solution perhaps

Tropical storm lashes Northern Philippines

2008-05-18T04:11:00.000-07:00

TROPICAL storm Halong battered the northern Philippines today with powerful winds triggering floods and landslides and displacing about 6000 people, relief officials said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, but the civil defence office in Manila said huge waves known as storm surges destroyed 23 houses and 12 fishing boats while displacing 845 people in the towns of Iba and nearby Botolan, about 145km northwest of the capital.

The northwestern coast of the main Philippine island of Luzon as well as the northern mountain resort of Baguio were without electricity while the coastguard barred small ferries from taking to sea, it said in a report.

More than 5000 other people were displaced by flooding and landslides in the central island of Panay when the storm brushed past the region last week, the relief agency said.

The storm struck the country's north-west coast yesterday at wind speeds of 95km/h before weakening slightly to 85km/h as it raked northeast across the Cordillera mountain range, the weather bureau said.

Floods cut off key roads in Panay, the neighbouring island of Mindoro and northern Luzon, while landslides damaged a house and shut down roads to Baguio and nearby areas in the Cordillera, it said in an update.

The storm uprooted trees and even a school building in Iba, where a Philippine Army battalion of about 500 soldiers mounted a search and rescue operation for families displaced by the storm surges, it said.

In the town of San Jose, in the central Luzon plain east of Iba, residents laid sandbags to protect their village from rising floodwaters, the agency said.

The eye of the storm was tracked 30km east of the northern city of Tuguegarao at 10am (12pm AEST), the weather bureau said.

It was expected to cross the Sierra Madre mountain range and blow out into the sea off Luzon's northeast coast early tomorrow, it added.

The bureau warned residents of low-lying areas and near mountain slopes across Luzon to “take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides,” saying the storm was enhancing the rain-laden seasonal winds of the southwest monsoons.

Luzon's west coast and the islands on the western half of the central Philippines could be hit by big waves, it added.

One person is reported as being killed in the floods, also flooding has occured in Ilio Ilio, in the central Visayas.

Transgenic mosquitoes.. good or bad

2008-05-15T16:15:00.000-07:00

What is dengue?

Dengue fever is an illness caused by an RNA flavivirus spread by the bites of mosquitoes. The symptoms include fever, headache, rash, severe pains in the muscles and joints, and pain behind the eyes. Dengue fever is rarely fatal, while the related dengue haemorrhagic fever is a severe disease that leads to death in approximately 5 percent of cases. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is seen most often in children younger than 15 years old. It is also seen most often in individuals who were previously infected with simple dengue fever.

The dengue flavivirus occurs in four different serotypes, DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4. Contracting one form of dengue fever provides lifelong immunity from that serotype, but not from the other serotypes. Cases of dengue fever occur primarily in urban areas in the tropics. Humans contract dengue fever from bites of infected female mosquitoes of the genus Aedes . Aedes aegypti is the primary vector in most regions. When a female Aedes mosquito bites a person infected with dengue, the virus incubates in the insect body for 8-11 days, after which the mosquito can spread the disease to other humans for the remainder of its life span (15-65 days). Once the virus enters a human, it circulates in the bloodstream for two to seven days, during which time the virus can spread. Aedes albopictusis was originally the primary vector of dengue fever, and remains a major vector in Asia. The species has recently spread to Central America and the US, where it is a secondary vector of the disease . Aedes aegypti is primarily urban, and Aedes albopictusis rural, thereby increasing the ecological range of habitats in which people can become infected. Humans are the primary reservoir for the virus.

In recent years, dengue has spread extensively in North and South America. In Mexico the number of dengue cases increased 600 percent between 2001 and 2007. In 2007 alone, there was a 40 percent increase in dengue cases. The disease has also spread to Hawaii and along the border in Texas. Even though the impact of climate change on the increased incidence and spread of dengue is less obvious than is the increase of malaria, it is reasonable to assume that global warming will greatly extend the range of the virus disease, though this assumption has been contested.

The blueprint for exterminating mosquitoes

Exterminating the mosquito vector is the preferred approach to controlling dengue according to those promoting genetic modification of mosquitoes. The Stanford Business School proposed that releasing genetically modified (transgenic) male mosquitoes could eliminate dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases within a year in communities of up to a million people. Stanford Business School is promoting the work of researchers at Stanford's Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering, and Oxford University and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK. The technique employed is called “Released Insects with a Dominant Lethal” (RIDL), a variant of SIT. The dominant lethal male mosquitoes developed for RIDL are more sexually attractive to female mosquitoes than the dominant lethal males produced by X-irradiation , and they cause death of the progeny during the late larval stages, thereby allowing the transgenic larvae to compete with the normal insect larvae for food. The mathematical model analysing the control of mosquito-borne diseases by a RIDL predicts eradication of dengue disease in one year.

The mathematical model cannot be trusted to make reliable predictions, however, simply because the genetics and even more so, the ecology and host-parasite relationship of dengue disease are complex and poorly understood; in particular, there are silent as well as overt infections. More seriously, the optimistic mathematical model says nothing about the genetic modification involved in RIDL, and there lies the devil in the detail.

Millions of transgenic mosquitoes are to be released into the fishing village of Pulau Ketam off Selangor, Malaysia, as part of an international series of field trials to fight dengue fever. The Malaysian field trials will be undertaken by the Health Ministry's Institute of Medical Research (IMR) in collaboration with Oxitec Ltd., a spin-off biotech company from the University of Oxford in the UK. This follows the reported success of confined laboratory trials conducted under the supervision of the IMR over the past year.

The technique, which has won Oxitec the Technology Pioneers 2008 award at the World Economic Forum, involves releasing transgenic male Aedes mosquitoes carrying a ‘killer' gene to mate with wild female mosquitoes, which causes (nearly) all their progeny to die. This is a variant of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) that has been successfully used in wiping out other insect vectors in the past, though the sterile males were created by X-irradiation, and not by transgenesis.

The release of sterile males is considered “environmentally benign”, as only female mosquitoes bite and suck blood and transmit the disease-causing virus; not the male mosquitoes.

If the Pulau Ketam trials are successful, the transgenic killer mosquitoes will be released in bigger towns which have a high incidence of dengue. Dengue is reported to be the fastest growing vector-borne disease in the world, affecting 55 percent of the global population with an estimated 100 million cases in over 100 countries. Chikungunya, a disease similar to dengue fever and also spread by the Aedes mosquito, has become a major problem, at least in India, where there were 140 000 cases in 2007.

Oxitec has received regulatory and import permits for confined evaluation in the US, France and Malaysia, while still holding discussions with regulators of other endemic countries such as India.

Environmental groups fear that releasing the transgenic mosquitoes may affect the ecosystem and cause further damage. But there has been remarkably little informed reporting on the nature of the potential hazards involved.
Part two tomorrow

When i was small

2008-05-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

My Fellow Filipinos,

When I was small, the Philippine peso was P2 to the $dollar. The president was Diosdado Macapagal. Life was simple. Life was easy. My father was a farmer. My mother kept a small sari-sari store where our neighbors bought sang-perang asin, sang-perang bagoong, sang-perang suka, sang-perang toyo at pahingingi isang butil na bawang.. Our backyard had kamatis, kalabasa, talong, ampalaya, upo, batao, and okra. Our silong had chicken. We had a pig, dog & cat. And of course, we lived on the farm.

During rainy season, my father caught frogs at night which my mother made into batute (stuffed frog), or just plain fried. During the day, he caught hito and dalag from his rice paddies, which he would usually inihaw. During dry season, we relied on the chickens, vegetables, bangus, tuyo, and tinapa. Every now and then, there was pork and beef from the town market. Life was so peaceful, so quiet, no electricity, no TV. Just the radio for Tia Dely, Roman Rapido, Tawag ng Tanghalan and Tang-tarang- tang. And who can forget Leila Benitez on Darigold Jamboree? On weekends, I played with my neighbours (who were all my cousins).. Tumbang-preso, taguan, piko, luksong lubid, patintero, at iba pa. I don't know about you, but I miss those days.

These days, we face the TV, Internet, e-mail, newspaper, magazine, grocery catalog, or drive around. The peso is a staggering and incredible P40 to the $dollar. Most people can't have fun anymore. Life has become a battle. We live to work. Work to live. Life is not easy. I was in Saudi Arabia in 1983. It was lonely, difficult, & scary. It didn't matter if you were a man or a woman. You were a target for rape. The salary was cheap & the vacation far between. If the boss didn't want you to go on holiday, you didn't. They had your passport. Oh, and the agency charged you almost 4 months of your salary (which, if you had to borrow on a "20% per month arrangement" meant your first year's pay was all gone before you even earned it).

The Philippines used to be one of the most important countries in Asia . Before & during my college days, many students from neighboring Asian countries like Malaysia , Indonesia , Japan and China went to the Philippines to get their diplomas. Like Thailand , they went to study agricultures in UP Los Banos and earned their bachelors in the Philippines and now we import rice from them.

It's opposite now. Philippines used to be the exporter of any agriculture products but now it's different. We import because not much land (farms) they can cultivate due to private sectors that focused on developing houses, buildings, supermarkets, mall and others. What happened now? What's the government doing? Checking their own pocket, their own personal interest and pork barrels. Wow!

Until 1972, like President Macapagal, President Marcos was one of the most admired presidents of the world. The Peso had kept its value of P7 to the $dollar until I finished college. Today, the Philippines is famous as the "housemaid" capital of the world... It ranks very high as the "cheapest labor" capital of the world, too.. We have maids in Hong Kong, laborers in Saudi Arabia , dancers in Japan , migrants and TNTs in Australia and the US , and all sorts of other "tricky" jobs in other parts of the globe.

Quo Vadis, Pinoy? Is that a wonder or a worry? Are you proud to be a Filipino, or does it even matter anymore? When you see the Filipino flag and hear the Pambansang Awit, do you feel a sense of pride or a sense of defeat & uncertainty? If only things could change for the better...... Hang on for this is a job for Superman. Or whom do you call? Ghostbusters . Joke. Right?

This is one of our problems.

We say "I love the Philippines ... I am proud to be a Filipino."

When I send you a joke, you send it to everyone in your address book even if it kills the Internet. But when I send you a note on how to save our country & ask you to forward it, what do you do?

You chuck it in the bin.

I want to help the maids in Hong Kong ... I want to help the laborers in Saudi Arabia ... I want to help the dancers in Japan ... I want to help the TNTs in America and Australia ...

I want to save the people of the Philippines ... But I cannot do it alone. I need your help and everyone else's.

So please forward this e-mail to your friends. If you say you love the Philippines , prove it. And if you don't agree with me, say something anyway. Indifference is a crime on its own.

"Juan de la Cruz"

2008-05-09T02:58:00.000-07:00

Dove please stop using people that destroy our fragile earth, stop cutting down the rainforests for palm oil
Jakarta, Indonesia — Greenpeace today welcomed Unilever’s call for a moratorium on rainforest destruction in Indonesia, stressing that the company’s new position on the issue should push Indonesian authorities to take more aggressive action to reverse deforestation in the country starting with the institution of a moratorium on logging and forest conversion. In a speech delivered in London yesterday, Unilever CEO Patrick Cescau supported Greenpeace’s demand for a complete halt to the destruction of Indonesia’s rainforest and peatlands for palm oil. He also promised that all of Unilever’s palm oil would be sustainable by 2015. However, the environmental group warned that without a halt to deforestation, Unilever’s efforts to source sustainable palm oil would be doomed to fail.
This decision follows a new Greenpeace campaign exposing how Unilever’s suppliers are actively clearing Indonesia’s peatlands and rainforests, anddestroying orang-utan and wildlife habitats in the process. Destruction of Indonesia’s peatland rainforests contributes 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

“Unilever's suppliers such as Sinar Mas, ADM-Kuok-Wilmar and IOI must heed this strong signal from probably the world's largest corporate consumer of palm oil and stop destroying rainforests, peatlands and the climate for palm oil expansion. The writing is on the wall - the pressure from the market will only increase as companies join this call for a moratorium on deforestation," said Arief Wicaksono, Political Advisor for Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

Based on permits for conversion to plantations and other agricultural uses, Indonesia has destroyed over 28 million hectares of forest since 1990, plantations of either palm oil or pulp wood have been established on 9 million hectares.

Wicaksono continued: “Further destruction of forests for palm oil is clearly not needed based on these statistics. Greenpeace is not calling for an end to the palm oil sector but that it the stops destroying forests, peatlands and the climate for palm oil development. We call on the palm oil industry and the Government of Indonesia to immediately implement a moratorium on deforestation.”

Greenpeace also called upon other big corporate palm oil users and members of the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (including Procter & Gamble, Kraft, and Nestle) to join forces with Unilever and insist that palm oil suppliers immediately agree to stop ongoing forest destruction.
TARSIER:- Dove soap is actually the only soap i use, i find once i used it nothing else was as good, personally i am really happy with Unilever to make these first moves as i can continue to use it and will as long as there is positive action to save our rainforests, we need the trees and they need us.

JUNK..JPEPA...FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDRENS, CHILDRENS .. CHILDREN

2008-05-04T03:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues:

The coming two weeks will be the last big push to Junk JPEPA--that unpatriotic agreement sealed in secrecy by our president with Japan. It is now with the Senate for ratification as a treaty. Open the attachment for details.

The JPEPA is one big sellout of our sovereignty and our land! It is even worse than the ZTE-NBN deals. As Filipinos we must stop its passage! We must urge our senators to JUNK JPEPA.

Every little effort helps.The large JUNK JPEPA Coalition of NGOs representing various sectors of our society has done and is still doing all it can to convince the Senate NOT to ratify it as a treaty. But the total senate's stand so far is still unknown, hence worrisome.

Now I call on your individual efforts to defeat this evil agreement. I ask you to write our senators. Just one or two lines will do. Say you cannot approve selling our land and endangering the very life of our present and future generation of Filipinos, so JUNK JPEPA!

Even better: Make up your own message. Pick up your pen, or email your letter. Simply cut the email address list of senators (see below) , and paste it to your Add Bcc box.

Ask all those in your email directory to write that crucial one or two lines, and forward the message to the senators (you may send letters to senators by batch)

With thanks, and cheers,
Esther M Pacheco

Joker P. Arroyo<office_sen_jokerarroyo@yahoo.com>,Senator Rodolfo G.Biazon<pongbiazon@yahoo.com>,Senator Alan Peter "Compañero" S.Cayetano<alancayetano@yahoo.com>,Senator Pia S. Cayetano<pia@senatorpiacayetano.com>,Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago<miriam@miriam.com.ph>,<senmds@yahoo.com>,
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile<senator_enrile@senate.gov.ph>,
Senator Francis Joseph "Chiz" Guevara Escudero<sen.escudero@gmail.com>,<reachus@chizescudero.com>, <mediagroup@chizescudero.com>,Senator Richard "Dick Gordon"<rjgordon@senate.gov.ph>,Senator Gregorio Ballesteros Honasan II<gringo_chq@yahoo.com>,
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson<ospml@yahoo.com>,
Senator Loren B. Legarda<loren_b_legarda@yahoo.com>,
Senator M.A. Madrigal<mam@senate.gov.ph>,
Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla,Jr<senbongrevilla@senate.gov.ph>,
Senator Mar A. Roxas<mar@marroxas.com>,
Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV<senatortrillanes@gmail.com>,
Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri<senzubiri@yahoo.com.ph>

--
For from the least to the greatest of them,
everyone is greedy for unjust gain;
and from prophet to priest,
everyone deals falsely.
They have treated the wound of my people carelessly,
saying, "Peace, peace,"
when there is no peace.

- Jeremiah 6:13-14

A QUESTION FROM HARVEY S. KEH

2008-05-04T01:54:00.000-07:00

I am Change, Are You?

By: Harvey S. Keh

Last March, I was very fortunate enough to be invited to be the Commencement Speaker of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) in Zamboanga City, one of the biggest state universities in the Philippines. During my brief stay at WMSU, I was able to have a session with 30 of their student leaders who are leading their student council and other student organizations in their school. During this session, I started with a question, I asked them, Who among you here still believes and supports President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo? Around 10 of them raised their hands. Then, I asked again, Who among you here wants the President to resign and step down? Around 14 of them raised their hands. I pressed on and asked again, Who among you here is still undecided? 6 of them raised their hands. Finally, I asked again, Who among you here wants Change and Reforms in our Country and Government?

All of them raised their hands.

When I got back to Manila, I did the same activity with about 25 student leaders from Miriam College in Quezon City, one of the top schools here in Metro Manila. I got the same response from them, 7 were supporting President Arroyo, 12 wanted her to resign/step-down while 6 were undecided. When I asked them who wants change and reform in our Country and Government, all of them raised their hands as well.

What am I trying to say through these two stories and experiences with these Filipino Youth Leaders in our country?

a.) Yes, our country is divided right now in how we view President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. You have on one side, a group supporting President Arroyo despite all the anomalies, allegations of corruption and scandals that has rocked her administration. On the other side, you have groups and highly-influential leaders which have called for her immediate resignation and ouster from power. This then leaves us with a political stalemate since President Arroyo is not weak enough to fall while the Groups calling for her ouster and resignation are not strong enough to push her out.

b.) However, it seems that judging from my experiences in dealing with these student leaders, the people I talk to and the emails I get from Filipinos from here and abroad everyone wants to see Change and Reform in our Government. We are all united in wanting to see positive and lasting change and reforms in our Government.

That is why I think that if we want to be able to help in bringing our nation together towards a common vision which helps move our country forward then this unity should not be based on certain personalities like President Arroyo or our other Government Leaders. Rather, we need to join and work together towards working for concrete and lasting reforms in our Government Institutions that would eventually make it more responsive to the needs of the poor and powerless in our communities.We need to work together towards building, strengthening and transforming our democratic institutions. For example, Isn't it sad that we now have to face a growing Food Crisis when we were once one of the world's top Agricultural countries? This is an indirect effect of the 1 Billion Fertilizer Scam that was allegedly used to fund the election expenses of President Arroyo and her allies. If this 1 Billion Peso Fertilizer Fund together with other government funds was used properly and for the right purpose then we might not have to face this crisis now or if we do, the effect wouldn't be as big as we are facing now.

As such, I'd like to invite every Filipino based here and abroad to join us at Team RP as we try to develop a proactive and dynamic movement that is built and organized primarily by ordinary Filipinos like you and me whose only vested interests is to be able to contribute his time, skills, talents and resources towards pushing for Truth, Accountability and Reform in our Government. How? Allow me to share with you some of our concrete action plans:

For Truth: We hope to push for the passing of a Philippine Access to Information Law (PAIL) that would give every Filipino an opportunity to access government documents especially documents that would show how our hard-earned money is being spent by our government officials. Through this law, greater transparency can be achieved thus and more importantly, we are able to make our government leaders live by the saying that Public Office is a Public Trust.

For Accountability: We plan to file proper charges on Government Officials and Private Citizens who have taken part in Graft and Corruption practices and activities that have bankrupted our government coffers. If we do not do anything to hold these people accountable for their actions and curb corruption, then the cycle will just continue with new faces and sadly, with new techniques. Corruption has to stop because the 30 Billion Pesos that is lost to it every year can amount to provision of basic services that will ultimately uplift the lives of more than 20 Million Filipinos who continue to wallow in poverty.

For Reform: We plan to work and lobby for the extension and improvement of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law which expires this year. We believe that every Filipino should be provided with equal opportunities to be able to own his or her own land. In addition to this, we plan to pursue electoral reforms as early as now by developing projects and activities that will encourage and motivate First-time voters to register so they can exercise their right to choose our next President in 2010.

These are just among our concrete plans towards institutionalizing and working for genuine Change and Reform in our country. Since we are not a personality-based movement, Team RP will continue to push for these ideals and programs regardless of who becomes President, Vice-President, Senators, Congressmen, etc. We are doing this because we believe that many of our Government Leaders have Failed us and that its time for all of us to take control of our own future and work together for that genuine and lasting Change that we all want to see in our country. Let us all stop the all our excuses, iinaction, hopelessness, despair, indifference and complaining, these will all amount to nothing if we ourselves don't move ourselves to do anything for our country.

Change is now. Change starts with each one of us. Hope lies not in our country's leaders and those in power but it rests in every Filipino.

I am Change, are you? If Yes, then join us at Team RP by emailing us your complete name and contact information to team.rp.official@gmail.com . Help us as well by forwarding this email to your friends and posting it in your blogs so that many more Filipinos can join in our cause to take control of our own future.

We would also like to invite all of you to our upcoming Team RP General Assembly on April 26,2008 (Saturday), 1pm to 430pm at the Foyer of Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila. Please send us an email with your contact information at team.rp.official@gmail.com if you are joining us for this event.

Harvey S. Keh, 29, is the Chairperson of Team RP, a youth-led organization that is pushing for Truth, Accountability and Reform in our Government. He is also the Project Director of the Asia Society's Philippines 21 Young Leaders Program which annually selects 10 outstanding Filipino Young Leaders which will represent the Philippines to the Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit which gathers more than 200 Young Leaders from different countries in the Asia-Pacific Region. Aside from these, Harvey continues to help make our country a better place for every Filipino through his involvements with the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government and AHON Foundation. You can read his writings at his blog: http://www.filipinochangemaker.blogspot.com

The Calamian Islands

2008-05-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

The Calamian Islands

the Calamian Islands
Situated off the northern edge of mainland Palawan are the Calamian Islands, numbering a few hundred, this is a great area for island hopping, kayaking, diving and trekking the largest Island being Busuanga. The mysterious island of Coron lies just to the southeast with its magnificent limestone cliffs, Coron is undeveloped. It is when you get close to them in a banca that they reveal dozens of perfect little coves, hidden in the folds of the mountains. Tribes still live in the interior, and if you decide to take the steep but short climb to the islands volcanic Cayangan lake you will not only be meet with a beautiful place to swim, but also a great dive spot. You really could spend your whole life here and still not see every hot spring,hidden lake or special little cove.
South of Busuanga is a facinating large island called Culion this was the home of a former leper colony, the facinating part is the wonderful museum that is open to visitors
In August 1976 former President Ferdinand Marcos sat under a tree (you can sit under that self same tree, as it is still there) to sign Executive Order 1578, creating the wild life sanctuary that brought hundreds of African animals and dozens of rare Philippine species to the island of Calauit, this is situated north of Busuanga.

...Japanese shipwrecks in the Coron area are what most divers come for. There are over 20 wrecks but only 11 are divable or have been found, all sunk by U.S. aircraft on September 24, 1944. The IRAKO, still almost intact and home to turtles, groupers, moray eels and lion fish, with spines that can deliver a hefty dose of poison. The AKITSUSHIMA, which lies on her side at 34mts deep, you require a wreck diving certificate before going inside due to the sharp edges and pipes, you will see huge sholes of barracuda and giant batfish. The KOGYO MARU, a freighter, carring a concrete mixer and small bulldozer, 34mts deep. The MORAZAN MARU, another freighter but not so deep 28mts, giant batfish, puffer fish the size of footballs, and banana fish are a few you can expect too see, an easier dive suitable for beginners, easy to get into the holds. These are just a few of the dives that make this area the best wreck diving area in the Philippines, and one of the best in the world

Most visitors arrive at the small airport on Busuanga, or by ferry at Caron Town, which is the main settlement on the island. There are a few budget accommodations scattered around the town, and the more expensive in the resorts on the islands The waters around the Calamians are a feeding ground for the Dugong and trips can be arranged to go to try to see this mermaid of the sea, this very gentle creature that is seriously endangered
CORON TOWN Busuangas main town is a little fishing community, situated on the south west coast, there is no beach, but the close proximity to the Japanese wrecks in the nearby bays has inspired many scuba divers to make the journey here. If you wish a beach there are so many, on all the islands, just hire a banca and head of to the island of your choice
Seaair and Asian Spirit both have regular flights to Busuanga. There is a little grass airstrip with a small terminal building and few sari-sari stores around half an hour north of Caron (about 100 peso )by jeepney called YKR Airport
WG&A and Sulpicio ferries arrive at the pier east of Caron. WG&A ticket office TEL:- 0919/540 1695
Carons town centre is around the Bayside Divers Lodge pier, where you can charter bancas. Opposite is Sea Canoe, an eco minded firm that offers kayaking and camping trips around the islands. If you have come here for the diving, ABC divers is on the ground floor of Bayside, there are around five other dive establishments, mostly to the west of the market, there is Swagman Travel next door to the Western Union office and adjacent to Pascuel Video, which has internet access.There is only one bank in town, be warned it does not change money or travellers cheques and has no ATM

This article will be continued soon, when we will give information on Calauit, the endangered mermaids(Dugong), Culion and the Cuyo Islands, which are in the middle of nowhere and have no resorts, this is a new frontier for tourists, and has no tourist infrastructure.. what a wonderful place to go then..see you there

New route for Air Philippines Cebu-Ozamis

2008-05-03T04:35:00.000-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental -- Almost a year after starting flight between Ozamis and Manila, Air Philippines will start soon servicing the Ozamiz-Cebu route as well.

Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. said Air Philippines executives have targeted the Cebu flights to commence this June.

"As planned, an Air Philippines aircraft will leave Cebu for a 45-minute flight here around 5:30 a.m. with return flight at 6:30 a.m.," Parojinog said, adding the flights were expected to be daily.

Napoleon Bael, Air Transportation Office chief here, confirmed that the Air Philippines' Cebu flights "are in the offing."

Parojinog said the opening up of the new route was an indication of the increased economic activity here and would greatly help travelers and businessmen alike.

Currently, Cebu-bound passengers and cargoes are served by daily overnight boat trips only.

PUTO

2008-04-28T00:04:00.000-07:00

Puto
Ingredients
2
cups White rice
1.1/2
cups Water
1.1/2
cups Granulated sugar
3
tsps baking powder
1/2
tsp Salt

Preparation
Soak the rice for several hours, then grind and mash it until it resembles batter. Mix with sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Pour into large muffin molds until the are 3/4 full, place them in a steamer for 1/2 hour.

Turn the molds over, and garnish with coconut.
With thanks to Cecille Anne Lobregas Cosmetics

BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER

2008-04-26T16:05:00.000-07:00

Nice to give deserving child some help,this is great help to those less fortunate than ourselves..300Peso is around £3.00 or just over 7$..for the whole year.
bbbs outreach program

Philippines a busura, JUNK JPEPA

2008-04-26T02:10:00.000-07:00

With the impending vote by the Philippine Senate to ratify JPEPA, I am re-posting my article, "Brouhaha Over Basura," which was published two months after JPEPA was signed in Helsinki on September 9, 2006. I believe that the Senate should look into this trade agreement very seriously before deciding on its ratification. Once it's signed there is no turning back and any damage done to the Philippines would be irreversible.

Perry

November 10, 2006

PerryScope

Perry Diaz

Brouhaha Over Basura

On September 9, 2006, at the Asia-Europe People's Forum in Helsinki, Finland, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi signed the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). The comprehensive free trade agreement -- the first bilateral trade treaty since the parity agreement with the U.S. in 1946 -- would be a big boost to the Philippines' economy. Among the items agreed upon is the employment of nurses and caregivers in Japan. In return, however, the Philippines would allow the entry of toxic and hazardous waste to be dumped on Philippine soil.

Philippine environmentalists pointed out that one of the hazardous waste materials allowed is the highly toxic incinerator ash which is banned by the Basel Convention of which the Philippines and Japan are signatories. The Basel Convention does not allow the exportation of toxic materials to another country unless the government of that country approves it. However, both the Philippines and Japan have not ratified the more stringent Basel Ban amendment which banned trading of all hazardous waste including those that are labeled -- or mislabeled -- for "recycling."

Why the Philippine negotiators at the Helsinki confab allowed this to happen is beyond reason. It's either they're stupid or ignorant of Philippine law. Republic Act 6969, known as Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act, which was enacted in 1990, declares: "It is the policy of the State to regulate, restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures that present unreasonable risk and/or injury to health or the environment, to prohibit the entry, even in transit, of hazardous and nuclear wastes and their disposal into Philippine territorial limits for whatever purpose." Clearly, the yet-to-be-ratified JPEPA is a violation of Philippine law.

In 2000, four Filipinos representing a firm that imported tons of toxic waste from Japan were sued by the Philippine government. Sinsei Enterprises Inc., the Manila-based partner of a Japanese firm, Nisso Ltd., was suspected of shipping hazardous waste to the Philippines. According to the lawsuit, 122 containers arrived in Manila on July 22, 1999, and were declared to contain 80% "recyclable waste paper" and 20% plastic. The illegal shipment was cleared when it left Japan. However, an inspection of the cargo upon its arrival in Manila revealed hospital waste materials piled under adult diapers, candy wrappers, used sanitary napkins, aluminum foil and noodle cups. Customs inspectors and reporters present during the inspection said that the "smell was so bad that those present threw up and moved away from the containers." The containers were shipped back to Japan and the Japanese government paid for the expenses. The four accused Filipinos mysteriously disappeared and are still at large today.

Are we looking at the tip of a "stinking" iceberg here? How rampant is the smuggling of hazardous waste in the Philippines? Recently, an investigation by Greenpeace International revealed a massive flow of automobile lead-acid batteries from industrialized countries to Third World countries including the Philippines. Greenpeace reported that the end result of this free trade in toxic waste is the suffering of thousands of workers and children from lead blood poisoning, rivers and air loaded with lead emissions, and big profits for the lead battery brokers and manufacturers. Other toxic waste being dumped in the Philippines are waste oil from South Korea and electronic waste from various countries.

Compounding the illegal importation of toxic waste is the Philippines' inability -- the Philippines has no recycling industry -- to dispose or treat its own hazardous waste which is estimated at more than 2.5 million tons a year. Garbage dumps like Payatas in Quezon City are the repository of all kinds of waste including hazardous material. With the anticipated importation of toxic waste from Japan, the health of future generations of Filipinos would be compromised.

Under JPEPA, the Philippines is allowed to export its toxic waste to Japan. But who in Japan would buy them? Japanese society has for centuries branded and isolated waste-handlers, butchers, tanners, and executioners. They are called Burakumin -- the "untouchables." They lived in isolated villages called Buraku -- there are 4,000 such villages today. They are placed at the lowest social rank -- "Eta" (extreme filth) or "Hinin" (non-human). They are considered polluted and are not allowed to move out of their Buraku. Today, there are 1.17 million Burakumin. It is no wonder that Japan is eager to export its toxic waste -- handling waste is taboo in their society.

India's caste system has similarity to Japan. They, too, have "untouchables" -- the Harijan. People who work in unclean occupations -- similar to the Burakumin -- are looked upon as polluting people. In some regions, even a contact with their shadow was considered as polluting. If someone comes in contact with an "untouchable," that person is defiled and has to immerse or wash himself or herself with water to be purified. In 1949, the use of the term "untouchable" became illegal and discrimination against them became illegal as well. However, the social stigma against the more than 60 million "untouchables" remains. One "untouchable" -- K.R. Narayanan -- broke this social barrier and became the President of India in 1997.

With the brouhaha over toxic waste -- basura -- the Philippine Senate indicated that it would scrutinize the trade agreement with Japan. In reaction to the furor, the Japanese embassy in Manila reassured the Philippine government that they would export toxic waste only if the Philippine government approves it.

What was once a Paradise called the "Pearl of the Orient Seas," the Philippines is becoming to be the garbage dump of the world -- a Payatas on a global scale. Are we going to be the new "untouchables" of the world? There is still time to reverse this massive destruction of our environment. The government has to renegotiate the trade treaty with Japan and remove toxic and hazardous waste as exportable items. And it must also ratify the Basel Ban amendment. It's time that the government cleans up its act and enforce the Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act. As the saying goes, "Cleanliness is next to godliness."
tarsier...Perry as usual hits the nail on the head.
Both the Philippines and Japan have both signed the Basle-ban treaty, but neither has ratified it, it has been sitting ther gathering dust since 1995, the Philippines protection , just sitting there..WHY?..Far more important to ratify this than JPEPA, which must be junked.
Japan has officially 2,000 incinerators, Japan Greenpeace puts the total at closer to 20,000 incinerators.. who correct?.
The truth is that incinerators produce dioxins, the most deadly substance known to mankind, around 1,000 times more deadly than cyanide, no one in their right mind plays around with cyanide.. yet dioxins will be present in incinerated waste, it is also a persistent stayer in the atmosphere, if you live near an incinerator, your health could be at risk.
The Philippines has a tourist industry that is still trying to take off, imagine if just one tourist dies from dioxins, there would be such a back lash, and who would suffer?. It would be ironic if that tourist would be Japanese!! hoisted on their own petard

My World..My Responsibility

2008-04-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

MY WORLD MY RESPONSIBILITY

My world, with all its flowers, my world, with all its trees; every ray of light, and every shower, every gust of wind, belong to me.
My world, with all its seasons, its sunny warmth, its winter chill; every day i find another reason to respect my world, and so i will.
And, one day, a new generation will inherit the world i pass along.
And i hope they will share my joy of nature, and they will join me in singing this song:
My world, in all its beauty, my world, a place to love; to protect the earth is all our duty, precious resource to take care of.
My world, with all its flowers, my world with all its trees; every ray of light, and every shower, every gust of wind belong to me.

"MY WORLD, MY RESPONSIBILITY"

Foreign spouses of Filipinos/Filipinas can now work and live in the Philippines

2008-04-21T15:40:00.000-07:00

Foreign Spouses of Filipino Nationals Can Now Live and Work in the Philippines
The Philippine Embassy notes an increasing number of foreign nationals married to Filipinos wishing to take up permanent residency in the Philippines. Primary considerations include the relatively cheap cost of living in the Philippines, including education of children, and potential investment opportunities particularly in the provinces outside Metro Manila and other regions.

In response to numerous queries it regularly receives from British nationals married to Filipinos if they could permanently live and work in the Philippines, the Philippine Embassy confirms that foreign spouses of Filipinos nationals can now permanently live and work in the Philippines by applying for non-quota immigrant visa.

Ambassador Edgardo Espiritu explains that a foreign national married to a Filipino national may apply for the visa provided that he is able to prove that:

* He contracted a valid marriage with a Filipino citizen;
* The marriage is recognized under existing Philippine laws;
* There is no record of any derogatory information against the applicant from relevant law enforcement agencies;
* He/she is of good physical and mental health; and
* He/she has sufficient funds to support his/her family

"Former Filipino citizens married to foreign nationals first have to take an oath of allegiance before a consul at a Philippine Embassy/Consulate nearest to their place of residence to reacquire their Philippine citizenship before their foreign spouses could qualify for the non-quota immigrant visa," adds Ambassador Espiritu.

For further information on the non-quota immigrant visa and retention/reacquisition of Philippine citizenship, interested parties may contact the Consular Section of the Philippine Embassy at telephone numbers 020 7451 1814 and 020 7451 1815

Big Brother- Big Sister

2008-04-17T05:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a worthy project which you might want to forward to your friends who wish to help...

BBBS - BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER

POVERTY, like a thief in the night, is quietly stealing from the children … it is robbing them of the right to education. Reading and writing is an inherent right of each child, regardless of race, religion or social class. Sadly for many children in the Philippines, it is but a dream.

Yes, there are public schools, but for families who could not afford to provide their kids with school bags and supplies, parents would rather send the child to the streets to earn their food for the day. This stark reality is common in several areas of the country, especially in the remote areas where towns are only accessible by foot and school supplies are scarce.

BBBS - Big Brother Big Sister

-------------------------------------------

The BBBS - BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER outreach program was conceived by mountaineering groups in the Philippines in the year 2005, with the goal of addressing the needs of children in such remote areas. Through the BBBS, you have a chance to become a big brother or big sister to one of these children. For only THREE HUNDRED PHILIPPINE PESOS (P 300.00), you will be able to sponsor one student's school supplies for one year which contains the following items: 1 knapsack, 7 notebooks, 4 ball-point pens, 4 pencils, writing pads, crayons, sharpener and ruler.

Now on its fourth year, BBBS owes its success to donors and volunteers who earnestly heeded the call for big brothers and sisters. Through their generosity, BBBS brought hope to 295 children in Itogon, Benguet in the year 2005, 535 children in Lacub, Abra in 2006 and 500 kids in Tanudan, Kalinga last year. For this year's project, BBBS aims to benefit two remote mountain areas in Benguet: Taba-ao, Kapangan and Palina, Kibungan. Its initial goal for this year is 700 children, the biggest target of BBBS since its humble beginning in 2005.

Be a big brother or sister, send in your pledges for one or more children now… or simply send this message to your friends, relatives or colleagues who might wish to.

Meet the child you sponsor and hand the school set to him yourself. Join the volunteers to the mountains on May 17 - 18, 2008.

If you wish to sponsor or volunteer, you may email us at helpbbbs@gmail.com or you may visit our BBBS website: or our Multiply site:

These children dream of someday getting out of their destitute plight … and their ticket to get out is a proper education. Perhaps, your pledge is just what is needed to keep one child in school for one more year … one more year that means one more step to reaching a dream.

Look at your hands now … they hold the key to a dream. Would you want

to nurture that dream or to crush it?

BBBS - BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER

Big dreams begin with small steps!

300 peso is around £3.50 or $7..tarsier

Cecille Anne Lobregas Cosmetics

2008-04-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

View my page on Cecille Anne Lobregas Cosmetics

This young lady is just starting out in her first business,so i have decide to help her by joining her social website and by telling you a little about her.
Cecille Anne Lobregas, resides in Cagayan de Oro, and is at is moment studying, she tells me her studies are the most important thing in her life, and wishes to finish these.Cecille works hard to this end, and has the desire, the ability, and the heart to be a great success in business also. You can also help her by joining her social network, and later if you like what you see, by buying some of your cosmetics from her.

Find more music like this on Cecille Anne Lobregas Cosmetics

Cecille Ann Cosmetics social site has music, photos, blogs, events, a choice of widgets(in beta),you can up load from goggle, you tube and most other things you would come to expect from a social site... so come on over and get your feet wet..come say hello!!

Message from Jun Lozada

2008-04-16T03:34:00.000-07:00

Message from Jun Lozada to the Filipino people about the kidnapping incident at the NAIA...

I wish to thank all the participants for their prayers and support.

I am a witness and a victim of this Gov't attempts to stop the truth about corruption from reaching the people. They first tried to silence me forever last Feb. 5 and when they failed to kill me physically they are now trying to kill my name to stop the truth from being told.

The gov't is again doing what they have done on previous scandals and anomalies, bury it! bury it with more lies!

Until now they have not allowed the members of the PNP and PSG who took me from the airport last Feb.5 to come out and testify to answer the following questions:

1. Who ordered them to abduct me from the airport last feb 5?
2. If I was truly a VIP, why were they not identifying themselves when I was asking them who they were?
3. Why did they bring me to SLEX towards Cavite, then to Laguna when I was telling them to bring me home to Pasig?
4. Why was Gen. Razon, lying to the public that I and my sister has written a request for security when we did not? why did he change his story three times?
5. why did Usec. Gaite gave me P500,000 pesos and the palace to have three diff. stories to explain.
6. Why did Usec Gaite gave me a lawyer without my consent who wanted me to sign a false affidavit?

These are the questions the gov't do not want to be answered because it will lead straight to the people who doesn't want the truth about the NBN ZTE deal be known by the people, these are the people who wants to keep the Filipinos in the Dark because it there that they reign, it is there that they can continue to steal from the people their money and rob from the people including their hopes for themselves and their children's children.

I ask all of you, to please not allow this gov't to bury this abduction case with more lies and to let them get away with it once more. Because you will also let the truth about the NBN ZTE deal get away again, similar to how the truths about Hello garci, Joc Joc Bolante, Macapagal Highway, Marilyn Esperat, Northrail and a lot more have gotten away from you.

Thank you for giving me your time and attention.

Jun Lozada

LECHE FLAN...my recipe

2008-04-14T14:27:00.000-07:00

Recipe Title Leche Flan

One of my favourite Filipino foods, i can eat this all day, absolutly wonderful

Ingredients

1 Can Condensed milk
1 Can Evaporated Milk
6 Egg Yolks
2 Whole Eggs
1/4 Teaspoon of Grated Lemon Peel(Calamansi)

Sugar as required PROCEDURE:-
Caramalise sugar and pour into individual moulds, or one large one if prefered, set to one side.Take a bowl, and whisk all other ingredients together and strain into mould or moulds.Steam until well set, then let cool, then chill

kung alam mo lang kaya..with tagalog subtitles

2008-04-14T04:06:00.000-07:00

Put this here as i like the song, never worked out why the lady never said anything as her love walks away at the end.. maybe she is just too shocked?

Swine Fever in the palace,, where is the missing p900 million

2008-04-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines - A lawyer who sounded off irregularities on the government's swine program on Thursday said the buck on the missing funds stops at President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's doorstep.

Lawyer Harry Roque Jr noted that the Quedan Rural Credit and Guarantee Corp. (Quedancor) was attached to the Office of the President when a multibillion-

peso swine scam took place in 2004.

This, as Roque said those behind the scam may have skimmed off more than P300 million in "arranger's fees" for facilitating the loans for the swine program.

"Ang Quedancor galing sa DA. Hulaan ninyo saan na ang Quedancor since 2004? Nasa Office of the President (Quedancor was originally with the DA but guess where it was transferred in 2004? To the Office of the President)," Roque said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

"(So) the buck stops with the president," Roque said.

Roque was referring to Executive Order 322 dated July 2004, which ordered the transfer of Quedancor to the Office of the President. Quedancor was the agency involved in the swine scam.

Last Wednesday, Roque said government may have spent some P900 million out of its P2.46-billion swine program to fund the 2004 election campaign.

Roque also said the Commission on Audit (COA) confirmed some P700 million in unrecorded receivables in 2004, and a bigger amount in unrecorded receivables â P1.6 billion â in 2005.

On the other hand, Roque said another anomaly involving the swine program involved up to P300 million in questionable "arranger's fees" for the loans in the program.

He said this was unusual because the loan was between the Land Bank of the Philippines, a government bank, and Quedancor, a government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC).

Roque said documents from the Land Bank indicated P300 million in arranger's fees and P2 million in attorney's fees.

"Umabot hanggang P300 million ang arranger's fee dito. Bakit may arranger's fee? Ang arranger's fee kapag private bank ang nag-utang at packaged ng investment banker (The arranger's fee reached P300 million. But in the first place why have the arranger's fee? That is
only for loans between private banks, where investment bankers or arrangers package the loan)," Roque said.

In the interview, Roque twitted Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap for trying to wash his hands off the mess. He said Yap cannot escape liability because he was already a member of the firm's board of directors at the time of the swine scam.

"Di sapat na sinabi niyang pina-imbestiga niya. Katawa-tawa yan kasi kasama siya sa dapat imbestigahan (It is not enough that he ordered the irregularity investigated. For him to wash his hands on that basis is laughable. He should be among the ones being investigated),"
Roque said.

"Si Sec. Yap di pwede maghugas-kamay. Ang Quedancor under the Office of the President, lahat na kabulastugan inaprubahan ng Board... Kung nag-appoint siya ng representative, kasalanan niya yan (Yap cannot wash his hands off this mess. Quedancor is under the Office of the President and he is a member of its board. Even if he sent a representative to the board when it approved the swine scam, that's already his fault)," Roque added.

In a separate interview, Yap said he can no longer do anything if Roque insists that he was involved in the mess. Yap said he had done his part, bringing the case to the Ombudsman and to the National Bureau of Investigation.

"Kung ayaw niyang maniwala how can we go against clear evidence?... Di natin pwede pilitin maniwala (If he still does not want to believe, how can he refute the evidence that I had the case brought to the Ombudsman and NBI? But then again, I cannot force him to believe me)," Yap said in a separate interview on dwIZ.

Tarsier:- On the television it is stated that the money was put into another fund by error, wow, anyone actually believe that...as someone else said, and i quote

Our Pinoy trapos, are they in any remote way useful to Philippine society? Well, a Martian observer would i think consider them as a virulent assembly of viruses and cancer cells

Tabon-Tabon.. mayor Rusty Baderian..answer to the rice shortage

2008-04-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

Mayor Rusty Balderian

On my part as the local chief executive of our town, in order to cushion the oncoming rice shortage, I have issued an executive order to the residents to plant vegetables in their front and backyards. All vacant lots will be turned into a community garden. Initially we have given the seeds for free but on the second cycle they will be buying the seeds from our Municipal Agriculture Office. The organic fertilizer will be coming from our Municipal Zero Garbage Plant on credit. Except for the initial seeds, everything will be on credit. No dole outs to our people to cut off the mendicant psyche in our community.

To ensure the success of my program, I have organized a summer school-work program for our incoming first year and second year college scholars (215 students) from TabonTabon. Each one of them will be assigned to a home to supervise and monitor the community in their vegetable garden activities. They will be graded and will earn credit towards their college education. Since I am giving them scholarship in my school, ( www.csllfi.org ) they can not refuse to work.

I have assigned 2 barangays per department head in the Local Government Unit to oversee the work of the volunteer students. Parallel monitoring will be done by the Barangay Captains and their "Kagawads" (Barangay Councilors) to assure a 100% compliance.

Rusty Balderian is like a breath of fresh air, creating hope out of hopelessness, pride where there was none or very little and a determination to provide for every member of his town with enough food to eat......is it not great to see a mayor going 100% for his electorate. He is showing his love for the Filipino and the Philippines.. Tarsier

Archbishop of Palo, His Eminence Jose Palma. He was just our visitor last Sunday in TabonTabon between 7:30 am to 12 noon. He inducted our Parish Pastoral Council and celebrated his birthday with us. I was talking to him regarding our food production program and I showed him our model house made of cem-fiber board that we are producing for our low cost housing. He was amazed to know that we can construct a fire resistant, breathable but durable small house (10'X10') made of indigenous materials at a cost of 20 thousand pesos only.

From Scavanger to Organic Agriculture

2008-04-13T03:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleagues

Last year and the year before, we trained some of
the garbage scavengers in Payatas how to grow
organic vegetables. And we succeeded in getting them
to practice what they learned on a piece of land far
from the garbage dump site lent to them by a
foundation. One grandmother, Manang Remy, became so
expert at organic gardening that, in addition, she
also turned her 3-4 sq. meter yard at the dump site
into a garden covered by a "mosquito net" made from
"tagpi-tagping" netting which her grandchildren got
at the dump. The mosquito net was to keep flies
away.

But most in Payatas do not have so much as a sitting
or standing space in front of their homes. The
nearest neighbor is separated only by a footpath. If
they happen to have some small space for a pot or
two, the cloud of flies will destroy their plants.
So they could practice their organic skills only on
that borrowed piece of land. But that land has
recently been turned over to a school also serving the Payatas poor.
Economics militates against organic gardening in
Payatas. Transportation cost to/from Payatas to/from
Manila Seedling Bank totals PhP46. One packet of
Okra, among the cheapest seeds, costs at least
P49/packet containing 20-30 seeds. A good-sized
plastic planting bag costs about P4-5/piece. So,
assuming that the Payatas gardener has enough space
for 4 earth-filled plastic, the small "garden" will
cost a total of at least P111. Under normal
condition, okra starts giving harvest only after 40
days, while the P111 will buy 6 kilos of NFA rice
immediately. What will a Payatas garbage scavenger
do when face with such a choice?

Anyway, Manang Remy was undaunted because she earned
from her "mosquito-netted" garden. So she went to
Montalban to do gardening there. When I pressed her
why Montalban, she responded that there is a dumping
site there where she can scavenge to earn extra,
which she can then use to invest in her garden.

BAKIT GANITO ANG PILIPINAS? PUPUNTA KA SA BASURAHAN
TO GO INTO ORGANIC AGRICULTURE? Sa Thailand,
Farmers' Bank ang pupuntahan mo para tumulong sa yo
maghanap ng lupa, magpahiram ng kapital para sa
produksyon, at maghanap ng market kasama na ang
diplomatic and consular offices nila abroad.

BAKIT GANITO ANG PILIPINAS, IIWANAN ANG RURAL AREA
SA SAMAR, LEYTE, BICOL, ATBP. DAHIL WALANG PAG-ASA,
PARA PUPUNTA LAMANG SA BASURAHAN NG PAYATAS AT
MONTALBAN? GALING SAKAHAN PAPUNTANG BASURAHAN?
GALING BASURAHAN PAPUNTANG BASURAHAN?

Is this our idea of the dignity of the human person?
Is this our idea of a sovereign citizen?

In the height of the US Depression, more than 1/4 of
the total labor force was out of work and hitching
on trains to look for work. Is this different from
the exodus of people from the rural areas to the
urban centers here and abroad? Ten million are
working abroad supporting how many here? Our present
situation may even be worse than the US Depression.

Don't we need drastic new departures? Don't we need
to raise new issues? For example, how do we utilize
and maximize the OFW remittances? Korea rebuilt and
prospered from the remittances of their Korean
Overseas Workers. How do we utilize and maximize the
skills and knowledge of our OFWs who have been
exposed to some of the best technologies,
techniques, processes, and management systems all
over the world? Japan's modernized on the advice of
teams sent to study technologies and techniques
current at that time. Our OFWs can do better than
them because they are earning while learning. Their
own earnings can be invested in their own business.

What blocks our development? Our Trapos? Partly,
yes. The Trapos' Graft & Corruption that melt down
our resources? Also partly true.

Another reason is that the opposition to the Trapos
- that means us - have really no alternative, no
systematic program. We are in a Depression-like
situation needing a "New Deal" type of program that
captures the imagination, speak for new interests,
raise new issues, and create a new coalition of all
patriotic Filipinos here and abroad. In other words,
we need drastic new departures and new programs of
scope, diversity and number as those implemented in
the first 100 days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Think about it, especially those in the PPP, since
you intend to run for positions in the country. Do
PPP and all of its potential candidates have a
platform of government?

Roger Bantiles

"Jump" Philippines prisoner style

2008-04-12T04:13:00.000-07:00

This is a great way to rehabilitate prisoners in the Philippines...maybe they will come out as useful members of society.. and it looks like there having fun.

New Philippines passports useless as an I.D.

2008-04-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

THE PHILIPPINE MACHINE READABLE PASSPORT IS USELESS AS AN ID AT THE LAND BANK branch located in the Sugar Regulatory Commission compound in Quezon City.

It was only this morning that The Land Bank refused to recognize a passport as an ID BECAUSE IT DID NOT DISPLAY THE OWNERS SIGNATURE. True enough, when he scrutinized it, it did not display his signature.

What irony! A passport acceptable to other countries and issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs is not recognized by another branch of that same government, the Land Bank, which is under the Department of Finance, for lack of the holder's signature.

Calling the attention of the Senators who are in any of these loops! I hope the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations shall look into this and advise the Department of Foreign Affairs to re-issue and replace, at no cost to passport holders, new passports that display the passport holders' signatures.

FILIPINO ORIGINS OF LIFE

2008-04-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

Filipino Folk Tales: THE ORIGINS OF LIFE Bagobo (Mindanao) In the beginning there lived one man and one woman, Toglai and Toglibon. Their first children were a boy and a girl. When they were old enough, the boy and the girl went far away across the waters seeking a good place to live in. Nothing more was heard of them until their children, the Spaniards and Americans, came back. After the first boy and girl left, other children were born to the couple; but they all remained at Cibolan on Mount Apo with their parents, until Toglai and Toglibon died and became spirits. Soon after that there came a great drought which lasted for three years. All the waters dried up, so that there were no rivers, and no plants could live. "Surely," said the people, "Manama is punishing us, and we must go elsewhere to find food and a place to dwell in." So they started out. Two went in the direction of the sunset, carrying with them stones from Cibolan River. After a long journey they reached a place where were broad fields of cogon grass and an abundance of water, and there they made their home. Their children still live in that place and are called Magindanau, because of the stones which the couple carried when they left Cibolan. Two children of Toglai and Toglibon went to the south, seeking a home, and they carried with them women's baskets (baraan). When they found a good spot, they settled down. Their descendants, still dwelling at that place, are called Baraan or Bilaan, because of the women's baskets. So two by two the children of the first couple left the land of their birth. In the place where each settled a new people developed, and thus it came about that all the tribes in the world received their names from things that the people carried out of Cibolan, or from the places where they settled. All the children left Mount Apo save two (a boy and a girl), whom hunger and thirst had made too weak to travel. One day when they were about to die the boy crawled out to the field to see if there was one living thing, and to his surprise he found a stalk of sugarcane growing lustily. He eagerly cut it, and enough water came out to refresh him and his sister until the rains came. Because of this, their children are called Bagobo.

This story is from a long time ago....from a people with great imagination and a great perpensity for life....interesting

The picture is a Philippines eagle.. the largest eagle in the world

PAL to buy 9 Bombardier planes for inter island travel

2008-04-10T14:59:00.000-07:00

A statement released by the Philippine Airlines (PAL) said that it will buy up to nine turbo-propeller aircraft from Canada's Bombardier Aerospace to revive its inter island operations, Reuters reported.

PAL, the country's largest carrier by fleet size, said it is buying three Q300s and six Q400s for $150 million. Deliveries are expected within the next six months. The Q300s will be configured with 50 seats, while the Q400s will seat 76 passengers.

PAL said the low seat-mile costs offered by the turboprop fleet will reduce fares for inter island travel.

Walang makakatulong sa Pilipino kundi kapwa Pilipino rin.

2008-04-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

Why Gawad Kalinga May Not Be Enough
By: Harvey S. Keh

In one of my interviews with ABS-CBN, the news reporter asked me, despite all the scandals and corruption (Hello Garci, 1 Billion Peso Fertilizer Scam, Irrigation Scam and 6 Billion Peso NBN-ZTE Broadband Scam) that have hounded this present administration, why do you think do majority of young Filipinos choose not to do anything about it. She further added that there seems to be no uproar from the Filipino youth and young professionals from all over the country, does that mean that we are okay with all these scandals that are mushrooming almost on a weekly basis? I asked these same questions to my students and friends and here are their answers (summarized already):

Student A: Sir Harvey, Naiinis naman talaga kami sa nangyayari pero wala naman kaming magagawa eh, estudyante lang kami at kahit sino namang ilagay sa gobyerno natin, pareho pa rin silang lahat na magnanakaw. They will only protect their own self-interests.

Student B: Sir, I'm not happy with how our country is being led by our government leaders but I think the best way I can contribute to this country is by becoming a good student, study hard, find a good job and be a good citizen in our country.

Yuppie A: I don't want to get involved in politics masyadong magulo yan kaya I'd rather just stick to doing my job well and helping my own family besides I'm already helping this country by helping send my younger siblings to school.

Yuppie B: I was part of EDSA II and actually took helped organize the concerts at the EDSA Shrine but as much as I'm very frustrated with how this government is being run, I am no longer convinced that political engagement is the way to go for our country. I would rather focus my energies and resources to helping NGOs and Foundations like Gawad Kalinga and Pathways.

Reflecting upon these answers which I also often receive from the emails Filipinos here and abroad send me, I believe that their answers are all valid and I respect them although I don't totally agree with all of them. Allow me to share with you what I think on each of these answers:

Student A's answer is typical of a person who is disgruntled with what is happening to our country but who apparently feels helpless about the situation. When I receive this kind of an answer from people and my students, I tell them about what they can do and organizations they can join like Team RP but when they are invited to take part in activities that aim to promote good governance and greater transparency in our government, they fail to join and act. Sad but true, many Filipinos just love to criticize and point out what is wrong with our leaders but when they are given an opportunity to act about these pressing issues, they refuse to make time and move out of their comfort zone.

Student B's answer is for me a selfish answer, yes, I believe that a student's main and foremost responsibility is to study hard and finish education but what about our own responsibility as citizens of this country? In a utopian society, this answer would have been okay but in our present situation as a country in crisis where the gap between the rich and the poor continue to grow and where more than 20 Million Filipino Families grow hungry each day, this is no longer acceptable especially for students and young professionals who study at the top universities and who come from the middle to upper class of our society. This answer is an easy cop out and it's selfish because at the end of the day, just by confining yourself to you own life won't help our country as much as it will help you.

Yuppie A and B's answer is all well and good since I admire them for continuing to work hard to provide for their families while at the same time continue to get involved with volunteer work for Gawad Kalinga and Pathways to Higher Education. I admit that I was like Yuppie A and B who just confined myself to working towards helping poor but deserving students go to college and finish their education but I realized that this isn't enough. I realized that if we are able to reform our government institutions and leadership then there won't be a need for organizations like Gawad Kalinga and Pathways. We need to realize that in order for us to help uplift the lives of the poor we need to attack the problem at its roots and that is the inability of our government systems to provide these basic services to them. Isn't the National Housing Authority supposed to be the one to help provide adequate shelter to every Filipino family? Isn't it the Department of Education's job to assist every Filipino child gain access to quality education? A recent study by the World Bank has said that more than 30 Billion Pesos goes to Corruption every year. Imagine if we are able to work together and pressure government into being more transparent and accountable towards curbing corruption then we would have more resources to provide housing for every poor family, irrigation and fertilizers to farmers (which would help alleviate our growing food crisis), higher salaries for our public school teachers, enough textbooks for our students and access to quality healthcare for every Filipino. Working for and helping Gawad Kalinga, Pathways and other non-profit organizations are very much needed in our society today but let us also not forget that unless we work hard towards fighting for and institutionalizing credible and lasting reforms in our government and its leaders, then we will always have to do the fire-fighting because we have failed to solve the cause of the fire.

In summary, what I would like to share with all of you are the following:

a.) We deserve the country that we have. If we want a prosperous and just country, then we should all work hard towards it. If you look at the history of South Korea and Singapore, they were able to turn their country around in less than 30 years, I believe we can do it in less time and do it even better if every Filipino will just care enough to go out of his or her way to help push for reforms in our government. As the saying goes, Walang makakatulong sa Pilipino kundi kapwa Pilipino rin.

b.) Genuine Hope of this country does not lie on our government and church leaders and especially not in the ruling elite and oligarchs, it rests in each one of us. As I have always said, every Filipino whether you live here or abroad can complain about the rampant corruption and problems that is present in our government but after the complaining have you asked yourself, what will you do about it? Are you willing to sacrifice some of your time and resources to making yourself heard by our government leaders? If we want change in our country, we need to change ourselves, change starts with each one of us. We need to stop making excuses about why we cannot act and why we cannot take part in actions that will reform our present government systems.

c.) If our government and its leaders were doing their job effectively then there wouldn't be a need for a Gawad Kalinga or a Pathways. I support and firmly believe in Gawad Kalinga, Pathways and other non-profit organizations that are working hard to deliver basic services to the poorest of the poor in our country but don't you think it's also time that we start holding government accountable to these basic services that they have failed to provide our people? Of course it will be harder to do this and it may take a longer period of time but if we are able to institutionalize these reforms then we will be able to make our government more efficient and effective and in the end we will be able to help not just seven thousand but seven million Filipino families.

I am not calling for another People Power Revolution nor am I asking for our President's outright resignation. I'm not also saying that people should quit supporting and volunteering for Gawad Kalinga and Pathways, in fact, I believe that we should continue to support these very laudable and inspiring initiatives. All I'm saying is that these efforts can only yield lasting benefits for the poor and the powerless if all of us would be more involved in activities and movements that would push for greater Truth, Accountability and Reform in our government because in these times of crisis, despair and growing hopelessness in our country, the poor can't wait and Gawad Kalinga may not be enough.

If by some chance you were moved to act by this email and want to join us in pushing for genuine and lasting reforms in our government, please let me know by sending an email to harveykeh@gmail.com

Harvey S. Keh is Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government. Harvey as a Filipino social entrepreneur has co-founded Pathways to Higher Education-Philippines and AHON Foundation, both these organizations help in promoting access to quality education for every Filipino child. Aside from this, he is also Chairman of Team RP, a youth-led organization which is part of the BUSINA movement that promotes Truth, Accountability and Reform in our government.

Tarsiers comment:- Last year i had two polls running on another blog, one was JPEPA, and the other about child sex sites on the internet, and all we wanted was people to light a candle...which they did over 2,600,000..which goes to show the strength of feeling towards child sex sites on the internet.. However the Philippines one, well all of 1,250 people bothered to sign it, great display folks...both the Philippines and Japan signed the basle-ban treaty, neither has ratified it.. if toxic waste enters the Philippines it will be in the form of dioxins, which are 10,000 times more deadly than cyanide, in fact they are the most dangerous substances known to man.
You cant see them taste them, but they will be in the air you breath...why the apathy in the Philippines, your childrens, childrens children will live here, do you want them to die here also before they have lived.. get up of your backsides, become a little more walang hiya

How to stay together

2008-04-06T06:03:00.000-07:00

A committed relationship is not about trying to find the person you like the most, then closing your eyes and hoping the feeling lasts for the rest of your life, You can do that if you like, but you are setting yourself up for a fall, as its an impractical expectation.Sadly, its this it will be alright attitude that many of us seem to have that leads our relationships into choopy waters.

Be loyal to one another:- There is a whole world out there with the potential to be unkind. In your heart and your home you need to feel safe... so create a sanctuary for each other

Know each others likes and dislikes:-This will enable you to provide the positives and avoid the negatives when feasible.

Treat each other with respect:- Treat your partner with respect, Do unto others as you would have done to you. Once the habit of treating each other without respect sets in, it is very, very difficult to stop.

Dont willingly do things that you know will harm the relationship:- If you know that taking a certain action will damage your relationship, then dont do it, self sabotage is not a pretty sight.

Whenever you talk to couples who have been together for ever, the one thing they all say is that it takes work, but the end results are worth it. You do have to make an effort, if you do theres a good chance youll reap the rewards.

If you just sit there and think it will happen, then dont be surprised at the result. That would be like planting a seedling and never watering it, then complaining when it does not grow into a tree.

Trying to feel the way you felt in the first few months for the rest of your lifes is inpractical. That sense of euphoria is a primeval mating instinct we are born with, so we would be attracted to each other, procreate and move on. The next stage will have less fireworks but it should provide you with that incomparable feeling of being loved for what you are. Creating and maintaining attachment is the secret to a healthy relationship. And that deep sense of attachment often cause someone to stop and consider before playing away. They might get thrills and exitement with someone new- but that deep sense of attachment they only get from you.

When you talk to women about the state of their relationship, they will often cite the change in their partners behaviour as a cause for concern. With men, its often the state of their partners appearance, YES sometimes the behaviour or the appearance has changed, but quiet often, we have just stopped making the effort.

Women who just pull on a pair of tracksuit bottoms to do the school run, or when you come home from a hard day at the office, and us guys, leaving the loo seat up or commenting loudly on bodily functions.. well should that not be one of the benifits of settlement?... No really. there is no need for her to look like bagpuss s granny or for us men to act like Rab C Nesbitt on a bender.....make some effort, both partners need to do this.. you really will feel the better for it.

Give each other the freedom and time in which to maintain your individuality:-Two wholes make a better unit. The best couples are the ones that walk through life freely yet next to each other, not tied together at the ankle.

Know whatever makes each other happy or sad:-Know when your partner needs a shoulder to lean on and how to brighten their day when they are having a tough time.

Simple ways to keep your relationship strong

Touching.. touch your partner frequently, and not necessarily in a sexual way.. everyone needs and appreciates a good cuddle.

Listen to each other..people feel valued when they are listened to.

Make eye contact with each other..this sounds so simple. but you would be surprise with how often we have conversations while reading the paper, ironing , or just watching the telly.

Stop whatever your doing.. and great each other at the end of the day.

Hold hands..when your sleeping. This will create a sense of security and closeness

Get into the habit.. of doing new things together. New things lead to discoveries about each other.

Date each other..once a month.. more if the budget allows,go on a proper date, that means no kids, nice clothes and away from the house.

Have dreams and goals.. work towards them , even if its a very small dream, saving £50 for something you wish to do together...something that you dream together, plan together and work on together.

Compliment each other..nothing beats a compliment from someone you love.

Surprise each other..with little things. Tuck away her favourite chocolate bar into her handbag.. Book a test drive for him in his dream car...

"OR JUST SAY I LOVE YOU"

With you , I know quiet joy, I know what it is to feel safe, to be able to share the secret of my heart.With you, i can reveal my hurts, my fears, and my shortcomings.

With you, i can tell of my successes and know they will be received with joy

With you, i know i can disagree,and you will respect my point of view and i can be silly or serious, happy or sad, for i know i am accepted, totally for who i am.

I know commitment i can count on, comfort that soothes, and passion that celebrates a tender and caring relationship.

With you i know the beauty of LOVE

Posted by Cecille Anne Lobregas
of
Cecille Anne Lobregas Cosmetics