Cheap Talks

The Hidden Issue in the Hayden e-Show

2009-06-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

By Maugan P. Mosaid, Ph.D.

Someone says, "The issue, really, in the Hayden Kho sex scandal is about the consent to take the video; there was no mutual consent."

Really? Is this what it was all about? Consent? And privacy? All these questions and issues are just glib mis-directions. Is it just privacy and consent at stake here? Or is it the act itself that is condemnable and detestable?

Then another one questions the intention of the Senate in dipping its power of inquiry into this whole mess. As always, it is being done "in aid of legislation." And exactly what law they may have in mind right now is not clear to most of us. However, if they are thinking that we don't have good privacy laws, then there may be room for a more detailed privacy law.

Then the third one asks, "Is sex still viewed as sacred these days?"

My view is that sex is so sacred that it should not be indulged in for sheer fun without the blessings of the sacrament of matrimony.

Still, others say "if nothing was taken on video, nothing could have been distributed." This is just like saying promiscuous sex is alright for as long as it is not captured on cam.

The point is (and this is the real issue) there should be no justification for illicit and immoral sex.

If there was another interesting thing that this sex scandal brought about, it was how media and the moral psyche of the Filipino people were unearthed by the incident. Obviously, there was much criticism of the recording and distribution of the immoral act more than condemning the act itself. If this is the way our moral psyche goes as a people, then we are moving fast towards unlearning our moral values and norms.

Another danger is that our moral psyche as a people may be dragged into accepting the seemingly moral statement used again by Dr. Kho here: that society should "condemn the sin, not the sinner.." This is idiocy in the highest order. How can you separate the sin from the sinner?!! Shabu can flood the market but if there are no users, it can do no harm and wrong.

Frankly, my real fear is, when the society no longer abhors promiscuous sex and take it as moral for as long as it is done in utmost secrecy and in our most secluded privacy. Is this one clear symptom of a decaying moral order? Lord of the Heavens! Please come down and enlighten us once more.

What the Hayden Kho Idiocy Brought About

2009-05-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

I have reserved comments on Hayden Kho’s reported sex videos until I had seen it myself – all three video clips involving three celebrity women.

I won’t speak much on Hayden Kho’s intentions or why he did it. So much have already been spoken and written about it and they all pointed out to the vile and detestable character that this member of the medical profession exhibits. The mere fact that they were pre-meditated already speaks about a sick mind that Hayden Kho has. He does not only deserve to lose his license; he should be humiliated and ostracized three times more than those three unsuspecting women who only knew that they will do everything in the name of love.

Aside from anything else that we can imagine, what else did this senseless act bring about?

Because of the popularity of the women involved (including Kho himself) in this sex videos, it aroused the curiosity of everyone to have even a peep at the ‘act’ to prove once and for all that it was indeed Kho and the women involved who did it.

I was appalled to know that no less than the female members of my neighbor’s household bought a copy of the video and invited me (a male head of my household) to join them in watching the ‘show’. What I would imagine to be teenage girls who still have an iota of conservativeness, considering their tender age and the place (a rural community) we are in, have now gone out of their way (or mind) to come together and watch an obscene act is something quite alarming. To me, this is the real worst consequence of the Kho scandal. I am afraid that is has also scandalized the cultural and moral psyche of the youth. This is its worst victim or consequence.

The trauma and nostalgia being experienced by Kho’s victims may be irreparable but the degradation it has brought to the psyche of the youth is far more damaging or injurious to the society.

May the rotten mind of Hayden Kho decomposes his whole body as well.

Faltered Fearless Forecast

2009-05-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, for the 2nd time around I faltered in my fearless forecast. The first was the Pacquiao-Dela Hoya Fight; then this Pacquiao-Hatton bout. I thought I could enroll as a boxing analyst with Ring Magazine, but with two misses, there's just no place for me there.

I really thought that Hatton was the most formidable foe that Pacquiao has ever faced in the ring in his entire boxing career. For the 2nd time, Pacquiao defied the tale of the tapes, so-to-speak. It turned out that Hatton was meaner than Dela Hoya.

You know what I overlooked in my analysis? Most boxers, if not all (except Pacquiao), would train to tone up and shape up. This is where pacquiao has been very different. He trains to acquire new skills and tactics plus all of the above. That's why we always see a different and better pacquiao everytime he fights.

Now, for the third time, I won't make any guess for the Pacquiao match with anyone of these guys: Mayweather Jr. or Marquez (depending on who wins between them this July), Miguel Cotto or Shane Mosley. If Pacquiao conctinues to be the better fighter everytime he surfaces in the ring, no forecast is necessary. He will beat anyone within the 136-146 lb weight class for now. And that won't be difficult for him at all.

Pacquiao vs. Hatton: Who’s gonna win this fight?

2009-04-30T17:03:00.000-07:00

By: Maugan P. Mosaid, Ph.D.

Among modern day boxing bouts, the Pacquiao-Hatton fight, I think, is one of the most difficult to predict. Reason: both fighters are equally good, they are both brawlers in the ring, they have big guns to unleash on fight night (May 2 - Saturday; May 3 - Sunday in Manila) and both are knockout artists. In this fight, it is not enough that we use only the “tale of the tapes” so-to-speak, to predict the outcome of the fight.

Before we come to the “tale of the tape”, let us examine more closely the two fighters.

A hero in his native Philippines, the 30-year-old Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) is regarded by most boxing observers as the sport's pound-for-pound king. Demonstrating knockout power in five weight classes, his recent victory over his boxing idol, ring legend Oscar de la Hoya, was cause for national celebration. Amid growing worldwide popularity, he returns to the 140-pound division to take on the hard-hitting Hatton.

On the other hand, Ricky Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), who hails from the streets of Manchester, England, has a tenacious fighting style and a heavy puncher too. The 30-year-old suffered his only professional loss in December 2007 when he battled now Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. as a welterweight. Now back in the junior welterweight ranks, he wants to prove himself the most formidable fighter in that division.

Both fighters (Pacquiao and Hatton) brought to shameful defeat the "Goden Boy" Oscar dela Hoya. Hatton defeated Dela Hoya about two years ago when he was presumably still in the prime of his boxing career. Pacquiao defeated Dela Hoya more than five months ago and Ricky Hatton says that that win was a fluke as Dela Hoya was already diminishingly slow. Assuming that Dela Hoya had in fact been diminished in his usual fighting prowess a little bit but he still showed potentially deadly punches especially if given an opponent a little less than Manny Pacquiao’s caliber. It just happened that Manny Pacquiao was too much for him that he looked like he was no longer the usual ‘golden boy’ that he used to be.

Both fighters are thirty years old, though Hatton is slightly over an inch taller than Pacquiao. But observers say that Pacquiao uses his speed better when faced with opponents who are a bit taller than him. With respect to knockouts, Pacquiao had 75% of his fights in knockouts while Hatton had 71% batting average but Pacquiao lost thrice and Hatton suffered only one defeat in his boxing career.

But more than anything else, Pacquiao’s big heart is his most potent weapon. As he says, his hand will do more of the talking than his mouth when he faces Ricky Hatton on their fight night.

Hatton could be heavier on fight night, but weight advantage is one thing and hitting is another. On fight night Dela Hoya was four kilograms heavier than Pacquiao but we never saw that advantage in Dela Hoya. Hatton, is of course, a little bit different than Dela Hoya which Manny acknowledged himself. That is why he says that speed and skill are his best weapons against Hatton.

This is the only Pacquiao fight, to me, that is truly unpredictable. We can only be very sure about one thing and that this is going to be a very explosive fight from beginning to end with both fighters out to prove something. The win for any of them is a win like no other.

And so given all of the above, what do I have in my score card before the fight? Well, I think (and my fearless forecast, so-to-speak), the fight shall last until the 12th full round with both men battered but still standing up to the last round. Being, I guess, a closely contested fight, the winner shall be declared by a split decision. In such case, nobody is real winner and loser. That will be good for both of them in their boxing career and the re-match shall then be more exciting than this first one.

First Couple to be?

2009-04-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

Yes. It seems that is where this romantic episode leads to.

Two of the country’s most eligible bachelors, Sen. Mar Roxas and TV anchor Korina Sanchez admitted on national television (at the noontime show “Wowowee”) that they are engaged and are very much in love with each other. And how could that be better said and proven when the man asked, “Honey, will you marry me?” And the woman replied, “ I am yours yesterday, today and tomorrow.”

Roxas popped up the classic love question while they were together on a secluded beach resort in Bacolod sometime in the first week of this month (April 2009) and Sanchez said she could not say no to the man of her dreams and her “prince charming.” She did not expect the marriage proposal, though, to come that soon, but she never doubted the sincerity of her man.

During the show, Roxas stopped short of declaring his presidential bid for 2010, but vowed to fight poverty and provide opportunity for all should he become the country's 15th chief executive on June 30, 2010.

At one point, Revillame asked Roxas to comment on insinuations that Sanchez would be the one running the country if he ran and won the presidency. “I love Korina. I really, really love her. She’s irreplaceable, but I will be the one making decisions. My dream is just like your dream, our dream -- that we can have a country that will provide equal opportunity to ordinary Filipinos. Equality for all,” said Roxas.

As to when the couple will be tying the knot, there was no mention about it, but there are speculations that it will be held in October of this year. Was it designed to be barely a month before the filing of candidacy to give a big bang for a Roxas presidential campaign? Maybe yes, but whatever that is, I just love talking about people who sincerely love and value each other for life.

I join Willie Revillame in saying “Mabuhay” to the first couple-to-be.

A Striking Similarity

2009-04-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

Look more closely at Ms. Mary Jean Lacaba at left, the latest kidnap victim of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf, and Ms. Judy Lardizabal at right, the latest lady topnotcher of the Philippine Bar Exam. Now, you will confirm with me the striking similarity between the two faces both exuding calmness, inner confidence, and above all, COURAGE, i.e. the Filipina of today.

Both had been peppered with the anxiety of waiting - one from 75 days of captivity and the other from 175 days of suspended animation since taking the bar exam in September 2008.

Ms. Lacaba told us all the hardships that they went through in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf such as suffering from diarrhea for lack of potable water, poor food ration, constantly moving from one place to another even in the middle of the night to elude pursuing government troops, hogtied sometimes, and worst of all - the threat of being beheaded anytime. That was simply horrible, but what raw courage was there that we saw from the two other kidnap victims and Ms. Lacaba.

Ms. Lardizabal, on the other hand, told us about the anxiety of waiting for the result of the bar exam. But that was not simple case of waiting for a result. Consider the pressure that she went through becasue her classmates and professors did not just expect her to pass but to top the bar exam. There were earlier indications when she used to top her class examinations by getting perfect or almost perfect scores in all of her exams since her third year at the San Sebastian College of Law. For simple Judy, she was just praying to pass the bar exam. Then, the result came and she even refused to watch TV or read the news for fear that she might have failed and frustrated a lot of people. But alas, her classmates' and professors' expectations came. She did not only pass the bar exam but came out to the top among more than 6,000 examinees from more than 100 law schools in the country.

The nature of pain and anxiety experienced by both women may not be the same but they give us some clear lessons and insights: 1) the Filipina has gone far way ahead outside of just being the mother at home (both have families of their own, by the way); 2) it showed that the empowered Filipina can rise to our expectations and prove their worth when given equal opportunity with their male counterparts; 3) Prayer and unwavering faith in God spell the difference.

Mary Jean and Judy: your stories may be retold several times and regardless of how they will be portrayed in the angle and preferrence of the writer, they will serve to inspire us no end. I know you will reach far greater heights of achievement, and maybe fame too, but I still wish you good luck, God bless you.

A Bad April Fool's Day Joke

2009-03-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

How bad can an April Fool’s day joke go? When it threats your computer online security, it is very bad. This is what I’ve read at a CNN report about a virus that is set to wreck havoc on April 1. As of the moment a cat and mouse chase is ongoing on net, with experts trying to track down a worm called Conficker C and prevent it from damaging millions of computers on April Fool’s Day.

These computer experts turned bounty hunters are not just after the bounty money offered by Microsoft to the tune of $250,000, but the satisfaction and fulfillment of tracking down of what seems to be the biggest online chase thus far.

Alvin Estevez, CEO of Enigma Software Group, which is one of the many companies trying to crack Conficker said “we love catching bad guys. We’re like former hackers who like to catch other hackers. To us, we get almost a feather in our cap to be able to knock out that worm. We slap each other five when we’re killing those infections.”

Presently, it is thought that the worm have already infected 5 to 10 million computers worldwide. Although it hasn’t manifested any symptoms yet, it is expected that on April 1, a master computer will gaining control of these infected computers and turn them into zombie machines that would follow every order of the master computer. That is how Don DeBolt, director of threat research for CA, a New York-based IT and software company, reports it.

In reality though, nobody can still guess what will happen on April Fool’s day. Lots of theories surfaced – deleting all files on a person’s computer, shut down web sites, monitor a person’s keyboard strokes to collect private information, or a DeBolt said, it may try to get computer users to buy fake software or spend money on other phony products.

Of course, some refer to the April Fool’s day virus as a, well… April Fool’s day joke – a hoax. But DeBolt said, they have already found recently a piece of code in Conficker C that says the worm will become active on April 1. Previous versions of the malicious software launched on specific dates noted in the program code, so the April Fool’s day launch date is not likely to be a trick, he said.

“The best minds in the industry are working on this to protect customers,” he said. “We’re trying to reduce the impact of the April 1 date as best we can. But we know … this malware will continue to evolve.”

More Filipinas hold executive positions

2009-03-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

Is it true that more and more Filipinas hold executive positions in the country and even abroad? The answer is a resounding YES. If this is any indication about the state of women empowerment in the country, then I am personally happy about it. I am a self-proclaimed advocate for women empowerment, you know. In fact, my post-graduate thesis is a study about Muslim women's participation in organizational decision-making which ventured to look into the factors that enable such a situation for women to be accorded the highest honor of 'calling the shots' so-to-speak.

March is the Women’s Month, and what a better way to emphasize this celebration than with the result of the research study conducted by Grant Thornton International, because in the report, Filipinas are showing the world that what men can do they can do also, and in some ways better.

The Grant Thornton research showed that women hold 47 percent of senior management positions in the Philippines, comparing the statistics worldwide, they are leading by as much as 23 percentage points. “Women in the Philippines have really broken the proverbial glass ceiling, not only in the corporate world but also in the government,” said Lily Linsangan, Punongbayan & Araullo audit partner and business risk services group head.

From the data gathered from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), women have steadily taken over their male counterpart in the executive positions in the past several years. The year 2002 saw the ratio at 1.86 million females to 1.4 million males in the supervisory and executive positions. In 2006, this ratio has grown to 2.257 million women to 1.629 million men. This even grew to 2.281 million females to 1.677 million males in 2007.

Indeed, women are really making a big contribution in the corporate world as they occupy more managerial and executive positions.

Unfortunately, the rest of the world is not enjoying the opportunities that Filipino women are getting. There is still a large part of the world where women are having a difficult time climbing the corporate ladder. There are about a third or 34 percent of privately held businesses worldwide who do not have any women in senior management.

Some of the countries that are still not open to the idea of providing equal opportunities to women, much more give them senior management positions included Japan, Belgium, Denmark, India, and Netherlands.

Our country too, despite the data presented above, still have some sectors where discrimination among women is still prevalent. That’s why we take off our hats to those who have reached such positions because they succeeded in spite of the existence of discrimination, whether implied or expressed.

Go, go Filipina. You can. You are trailblazers soon.

Some Facts About Friday the 13th

2009-03-13T02:52:00.000-07:00

Today is Friday, the 13th. If Friday the 13th is unlucky, then 2009 is an unusually unlucky year. This week's Friday the 13th is one of three to endure this year. The first came last month. The next is in November. Such a rare triple-threat occurs only once every 11 years.

The origin of the link between bad luck and Friday the 13th is murky. The whole thing might date to Biblical times (the 13th guest at the Last Supper betrayed Jesus). By the Middle Ages, both Friday and 13 were considered bearers of bad fortune. In modern times, the superstition permeates society and still lingers on.

But how did these superstitions about Friday the 13th came about? Here are some facts about it:

1. Fear of Friday the 13th - one of the most popular myths in science - is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.

2. Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor and some airline terminals omit Gate 13.

3. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13.

4. Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. A friend warned him not to go. "It was bad luck," Twain later told the friend. "They only had food for 12." Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.

5. The number 13 suffers from its position after 12, according to numerologists who consider the latter to be a complete number - 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 days of Christmas and 12 eggs in a dozen.

Pythagorean legacy

Meanwhile the belief that numbers are connected to life and physical things - called numerology - has a long history.

This can be traced all the way from the followers of Pythagoras, whose maxim to describe the universe was 'all is number("The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved"; Simon & Schuster, 2005). Thinkers who studied under the famous Greek mathematician combined numbers in different ways to explain everything about the universe..

In modern times, numerology has become a type of para-science, much like the meaningless predictions of astrology.

"People are subconsciously drawn towards specific numbers because they know that they need the experiences, attributes or lessons associated with them, that are contained within their potential," says professional numerologist Sonia Ducie. "Numerology can 'make sense' of an individual's life (health, career, relationships, situations and issues) by recognizing which number cycle they are in, and by giving them clarity."

However, mathematicians dismiss numerology because it lacks any scientific merit.

The Modern Filipina

2009-02-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

Today, there is no longer an excuse in not looking good. The modern Filipina has far become more confident than they were years ago. She is now a picture of confidence that is ready to face the world and find her place in the sun, so-to-speak.

And because of this confidence, her beauty is even more magnified because it comes from within. Part of that confidence comes in knowing how to wear the proper clothes. The modern Filipina can carry any attire with confidence that immediately makes her presence very visible the moment she enters the room.

That confidence will be even more highlighted when she wears the Filipina modest clothing. But whether she is in a corporate environment, a casual get-together with friends or in an anything-goes sort of party, she can definitely stand out in the crowd.

In a tropical country like ours, superfine clothing materials will definitely bring her comfort, aside from the fashion statement that she can deliver. Form and function in one fashionable dress that will definitely bring her twice the confidence that she needs. But, give the Filipina anything to wear and she will carry it still with the poise and style that makes her a stand-out figure in any occasion.

The clothing style and the poise and confidence that the Filipina exudes are not the only measure of the Filipina today. She is the empowered woman that society respects and edify. The empowered Filipina, in fact, is all over the ladder of society - from the home she is still very good at, to the corporate world and the political arena.

The Philippines has greatly improved its world image in the matter of being women-friendly country. It ranks no. 6 in the latest survey beating even the US which figured in at rank no. 23. The top five countries in terms of being women-friendly are: Belgium, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden and New Zealand.

Simple yet memorable ways to express LOVE on V-day

2009-02-07T17:56:00.000-08:00

There are usually three types of people when it comes to Valentine's Day. Those who don't celebrate it for many reasons, those who celebrate it by buying typical commercial gifts and those who relish the idea of finding great ways to express their love on Valentine's day with personal, meaningful and great memorable ways.

If you are looking for Valentine's ideas that go beyond, roses, chocolates and stuffed bears, the following testimonies from those who actually did it may give you fresh innovative ideas. Here they are:

CARVED CANDLES
One valentine’s day, I made up my mind and decided to ask her to be my Valentine. So, I went looking for a gift. After about an hour or two could have been three, it seemed to like a very long time. I found this candle that was shaped like a heart and really big. I took it home set it on the table and set down to write a poem to put with it. Half way through the poem, I thought the candle was missing something.

I stopped writing and stared at the candle for about ten minutes. I got up went to the garage and got my rotary tool. I hooked everything up and then went to work. A few hours later I stood back and was amazed at what I have done. I carved roses, stems and the leaves into the sides of the candle. On top I carved, “Lisa you are the most angelic woman I have ever met or seen! I would cherish the moment for all eternity if, you would grace me with your presences and be mine for Valentine’s! Respectfully Yours, Michael”

Valentine’s morning it snowed, I went to her house and knocked on the door. I asked if, she would take a short walk with me down to the park for a moment. There was a spot where Mother Nature created a work of art with the snow covered tress and rocks at a small park down from her house. It was like; it was made just for this reason.

I dusted off one of the large rocks and she sat down, looking up at me smiling. Without saying anything, I reached into the bag and pulled the candle out. Her eyes got big and a quit, “oh my” came from her mouth. She looked at the sides and then the top. She then looked at me and got up and kissed me ever so gently on the lips, and then she whispered in my ear, “Yes”

CHAINSAW ROMANCE
He made me a heart-shaped box out of cedar wood with a matching fitting lid. (Apparently shaping wood is really hard to do, and he did it with a chainsaw.) On the top of the box it has a heart carved into it with the words Mitch loves Calli. It was so romantic!

Now I keep little treasures from him and from things we do together in the box. I have it on my dresser to remind me every day how much he loves me.

DOG-FIGHTING
My husband has always wanted to be a fighter pilot since he was just a little boy, but decided against it because he did not want to travel as much as was required. In making the decision to be a family man, he gave up some of the excitement and adrenalin he had hoped for in a career. For Valentines Day in 2001, I flew my husband to Las Vegas (where he had never been!), and we spent four days there exploring the city. He tried Krispy Kreme for the first time, and we purchased all the items needed for an at home massage.

On the second day there, I took him to Air Combat USA, which is a company that allows civilians to be pilots in a fighter plane for a day. He spent the day there, taking lessons and learning basic skills for flying the plane. In the morning, he had a brief flight that allowed him to get the feel of the aircraft. In the afternoon, he was taken up and allowed not only to fly the plane, but "dogfight" with another pilot, complete with smoke and flashing lights. They videotaped the whole thing, and he was very proud of himself for not throwing up! When he landed that evening, we went out for a romantic dinner where I presented him with a flight suit commemorating his time as a pilot. We then went back to our hotel, where I used the massage items to rub the soreness of being at 4G's out of his shoulders and back.

He was very surprised, and was able to fulfill a dream that Valentines Day! Ever since then, our Valentines Days have been less about chocolates and roses and more about helping our partner find creative ways to reach their goals.

SAY IT IN A SONG
The most wonderful Valentine's Day present I ever received from my fiancé, was not a card, flowers, or chocolate. It was a CD. Now I know these days personal CD's are becoming a normal way to show someone you care, but this was just the perfect way for him to show me that he really loved me.
This CD contained love songs and, in the pamphlet, he wrote about a page per song telling me what each song meant to him and how much he loved me.

Every year he gives me another Valentine's CD with different love songs and his special personal messages. The best Valentine's Day present I ever received was last year, Chris gave me the CD and when I opened it there was an extra note on the back of the CD that explained how much he loved me and asked me to marry him. Then he kneeled down and handed me a ring and asked me again.

Its coming up on a year and we are still together and happy. I can't wait to get my valentine's Day CD this year, though nothing will ever beat last years present.

FISHING FOR FLOWERS
For valentine's day I got a bouquet of roses for my wife. I chopped off the buds and made "flowers" using cheap lures and hooked it on the stem. She loved it! And I filled up the bathtub with warm water and placed the cut off roses on top. "That was our most romantic valentine and I will never forget that," she said very affectionately.

ADORABLE DOZEN
our waitress came over with a dozen roses and set them on our table and told me it was from a secret admirer. I was extremely embarrassed but also thought it was unbelievably romantic. He told me to look closely at the roses. Each flower had an envelope attached to it. Each envelope was as follows:

1. The first day I met you I could tell by you're eyes I would fall in love with you
2. Every tear you cry rips out a piece of my heart
3. Whenever we kiss I can't seem to concentrate for at least 10 minutes afterward
4. Your smile is amazing, It lights up the world
5. When I touch any part of your body I am filled with more passion than I could ever imagine
6. Only you can cheer me up on a bad day
7. You are so beautiful, I feel on top of the world whenever people see us together
8. You are so considerate and selfless. It is unbelievable to see how big of a heart you have
9. If I were lucky enough to spend the rest of my life with you, I wouldn't need anything else
10. I can't believe someone like you actually wants to be with me
11. I can't keep my mind off of you for a second
12. I love you, and I always will... You are my reason to wake up in the morning

Two years and a marriage later, I can't believe I ever was unsure of his love for me.

SANDWICH AND ROSES
The most memorable Valentine gift I ever received was a sandwich.
I usually brought the same sandwich to work every day (when I didn't get fast food) - ham and cheese on white bread.

My beloved had to work the night shift on Valentines' Day, so since we couldn't be together, he left a note for me in the fridge with a red rose. There were also a couple of bread types, some different deli meats and cheeses. The note said that he wanted me to have something different for lunch the next day, and to pick one of the breads and toast it, and select whatever combination I wanted of the deli meats and cheeses. It was just so thoughtful!

I didn't realize how much of a rut I had gotten into with the sameness of a lunch, and he wanted to show me that I could have some variety that would taste good, too. It touched me because it was so thoughtful and original, and it didn't cost an arm and a leg!

THE ULTIMATE GIFT - PRAYER
I thought of writing a special prayer to read to him on Valentine's Day as one of my "gifts" to him. But as I thought about it, I've decided to carry it one step further. Yes, I still plan to share a special prayer with him, but I don't want to stop there.

The traditional gift for the first year anniversary is "paper" -- a few days ago I purchased a journal with lined pages and I plan to continue to note my prayers in the journal and then present him with it on our first anniversary. I often tell him that I pray for him a lot, and I do -- but wouldn't it be a blessing to actually see/hear the prayers coming from your partner's heart and soul asking for your own safety, health, endurance and strength?

If a picture paints a thousand words..

2009-01-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

If this line from a famous 'Bread' song says it correctly here, then Jimmy Paule is in real trouble. Mr. Paule was believed to be the real connection to the Joc-joc Bolante Fertilizer fund cam. If Bolante is the 'mastermind', then Paule is the 'manipulator' who provides the key to most of the facts being held off by Bolante himself. But Bolante and Paule seem to have mastered the art of evading truth: Bolante by sporting a sober face, and Paule by denying knowledge of the key players in the alleged scam even if they had posed for 'posterity' in this picture below.

The witness, Leonicia Llarena (the birthday celebrant here), identified them as —(from left) Redentor Antolin, Jimmy Paule, Leonicia Marco-Llarena, Paule’s wife and daughter, Marilyn Araos and Julie Gregorio.

Paule, a businessman tagged as the fund “manipulator,” also suggested that his image was superimposed in the photo introduced at the resumption of the inquiry into what Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile summed up as a “grand conspiracy to defraud the government.”

“The picture speaks for itself, the picture paints a thousand words,” Gordon said of the photograph showing Paule attending the 50th birthday party on Aug. 23, 2004, of Leonicia Llarena, alleged financier of the so-called “farm inputs/farm implements” under the fertilizer scheme.

Amid these difficult times, the Filipino people is treated with yet another 'big show' in the Senate. I call it as such (short of 'moro-moro' or circus) until some real big fishes in the thick of fund scams (qualifying as plunders) are jailed. Except for Estrada, who earned his liberty too soon, we have yet to see some big plunderers of this country's wealth land in jail for the longest time ever.

The real challenge for the government is to confiscate the plundered wealth and return them to where they once belong and punish the plunderers. But sad to say that some people in government are too afraid to act for fear that the next 'show' will be theirs.

Obama steps into history

2009-01-20T15:53:00.000-08:00

Stepping into history, Barack Hussein Obama grasps the reins of power as America’s first black president in a high-noon inauguration amid grave economic worries and high expectations.

Braving icy temperatures and possible snow flurries, hundreds of thousands of people descended on the heavily guarded capital city yesterday for the first change of administration since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

But what does he bring with him? High hopes and expectations, and vision for change as he rallied around people and called on more actions than celebrations. The economic crisis and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are the tallest orders for Pres. Obama.

As has been often said, no President can deliver alone, but if the membership of his economic and policy advisory team is an indication, then Pres. Obama is in for a good start. Let's have our fingers crossed as Pres. Obama fulfills his vision of a "better world in our time".

Donald Trump and Apprentice Celebrity Edition 2

2009-01-16T17:39:00.000-08:00

The first celebrity edition of The Apprentice was such a great success, that is why Donald Trump will be doing it again in March this year. And what a line he got for the second installment of celebrity apprentice!

To be honest, Trump does not really need celebrities to pump the show’s ratings or earnings, it is doing well by using ordinary people to compete for the opportunity of being his apprentice. But being the brilliant businessman that he is, Trump knows that with celebrities as prospective apprentice, he could make a killing.

Although in the first season, the celebrities were working to raise funds for their favorite charities, and not really for Trump. But that is just for the apprentice’s part, as for the ratings of the show and its benefit – it still Trump’s.

The second season also will see the apprentice raising funds for charity. So you see, it is after for a good cause.

Two things working for the show here, one of course is the celebrity factor. People love watching celebrities. The second factor being curiosity – does these celebrity people really have some business sense in them? How would they fare when they enter the world of Donald Trump? Would their status matter to Trump?

Too many questions, which can only unfold as the show progresses.

We all know that in reality shows, there are either one or two contestants who seemed to take the villains role. You know to spice things up. And of course, Trump realizes that. That is in the second season of celebrity edition of The Apprentice, he puts it lots of potential villains, and I mean lots of them, who might not only stir the show, but even give it a great shake-up.

Let us first see the line up of this year’s celebrity apprentice:

• Clint Black – Country Singer
• Andrew Dice Clay – A famous 80’s comedian
• Annie Duke – Professional Poker player
• Tom Green – A Canadian actor/comedian and former MTV host
• Natalie Gulbis – Professional golfer
• Scott Hamilton – Former ice skater
• Jesse James – Custom bike builder who was also a former host of a reality show
• Claudia Jordan – She is the holder of the No. 1 suitcase in “Deal or No Deal,” which a press release say is “indicative of her rise in the business”
• Khloe Kardashian – youngest of the Kardashian sisters who also has their own reality show
• Brian McKnight – R&B singer
• Joan Rivers – Comedienne
• Melissa Rivers – Television host and Joan’s daughter
• Brande Roderick – Former Playmate of the Year, also co-starred in Snoop Dog’s “Hood of Horror”
• Dennis Rodman – Former basketball player and winner in “Celebrity Wrestling Challenge.”
• Herschel Walker – Former football player
• Tionne Watkins – member of TLC, more popularly known as T-Boz

Indeed, such an interesting line up. While most seems to be unheard of, at least on our part of the globe, some surely rings a bell like the singer Brian McKnight, and who doesn’t know Rodman?

Personally, I am curious how Rodman, also known as “The Worm,” would do his stuffs in the show or what will happen when he comes face to face with Donald Trump. And would the poker player in Annie Duke bluff her way to avoid being fired? Would Joan Rivers impose her motherly authority on Melissa Rivers when it is required in the boardroom or even during implementation of the tasks? Hands down though, I’m sure many people would be rooting for Brian McKnight.

Those who have seen the first season of the celebrity edition, will definitely look forward to this second edition of the show. Honestly, I haven’t seen that first season because I missed the buzz. I just followed it through YouTube. But definitely, I won’t miss this one. Or if I will, for some reasons unknown for now, then, I can always depend on YouTube.

Dates to Remember (Holidays) for 2009

2009-01-10T12:52:00.000-08:00

In December last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1669 declaring the official list of regular and special non-working holidays for 2009. This list was released recently by Malacañang to provide guidance to business and institution in their planning for the year.

As per Proclamation no. 1669, the list for this year’s holidays is as follows:

Regular Holidays:
April 9 – Maundy Thursday
April 10 – Good Friday
April 6 – (Monday nearest April 9) Araw ng Kagitingan (or Day of Valor)
May 1 – Labor Day
June 12 – Independence Day
August 31 – National Heroes Day
November 30 – Bonifacio Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 30 – Rizal Day

Special non-working days:
August 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day
November 1 – All Saints Day
November 2 (additional special non-working day)
December 24 (additional special non-working)
December 31 (additional special non-working day)

A separate proclamation declaring a national holiday for the observance of the Muslim feast Eid’l Fitr will be issued on a later date after the approximate date of the Islamic holiday has been determined in accordance with the lunar calendar. Other region-specific Muslim holidays will be observed as proclaimed by the Office on Muslim Affairs or the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Palace officials however said that the schedule could still be amended, which could mean more “holiday economics” announcements from the administration. Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza said that the President can still declare additional holidays whenever necessary.

Mrs. Arroyo, for her part, has justified the moving of holidays as an economic stimulus. Declaring December 24 and November 2 as holidays would greatly strengthen Filipino families and in effect would boost domestic tourism.

Donald G. Dee, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Emeritus welcomed the holiday list. When asked about the possibility that the President may declare additional holidays, Mr. Dee said “I have the confidence that the President will not exercise her authority irresponsibly.”

Meanwhile, Makati Business Club Executive Director Alberto A. Lim believes that long weekends can benefit the economy but said Malacañang should stick to its list. “What business does not like is the sudden declaration of holidays,” he added.

In 2007, Mrs. Arroyo signed Republic Act 9492, a law which allows for the movement of holidays and traditional non-working holidays as much as practical and necessary.

Of Shopping Malls and Pinoys

2009-01-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

Who are the personalities behind these malls?

One trait that cannot be taken away from the lifestyle of the Filipinos is being a “shoppaholic” and they are really impulsive shoppers too - meaning they care less for what's there left for tomorrow as long as they can take all that they want for the day. In fact, if one's basis is the number of people who mill around and shop at malls, one would say - there is no room for the financial crisis in the Philippines.

Shopping Malls are in the system of Pinoys. Whether they have to buy something important, watch movie, have lunch or just to have coffee, the shopping mall usually is the first thing that pops-up in the minds of the Filipinos. But wait, did you ever care to know who are the people behind these giant establishments that we Pinoys can't do without?

Let’s get to know who are the people behind these malls in the Philippines. Let’s also see who was able to make it to the top and who weren’t able to give justice to their business.

The successful ones are:

1.THE AYALA’S

The Ayalas caters all the side of the economy. From the richest people to the masses. Ayala Land for example, offers a variety of real estates available for all the sectors of the economy. From condominiums to subdivisions (Avida Land) to the lowest form of Real Estates, Shopping Malls.

Ayalas shopping malls does not only caters the richest of the nation, but also those from the economy side. Ayala Malls showcase diverse shops, some are even brands from other countries. This is shown in the place where it is said, that the Ayalas transformed into business district, Makati City.

2.HENRY SY

Unlike the Ayalas, Henry Sy appeals and focus to one sector of the economy, the masses. If Ayala Malls are in the range of As, most of the time, in terms of customers, Henry Sy are in the Bs.

We are all witness how SM Malls boomed the country. In just 50 years in existence, SM became the mall for everyone.

The SM Investment Companies now are involved into many subsidiaries already, to name some, we have China Bank, and now with arrangement with ABS-CBN.

3.JOHN GOKONGWEI, JR.

He started selling soaps, candles, and other goods in an early age of 15. And at the age of 19, he is already involved in importing products from the United States. His retail business now reached the total revenues of P3.4 billion. Which also includes some of his ventures like, Cebu Pacific Air, Robinsons Savings Bank and Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (more popularly known as Sun Cellular)

4.GAISANO’S

The South is always regarded as something that is a little primitive, but the Gaisanos changed that view of the people. The family, which is most of the time coined as the “Ayalas of the South” started venturing out businesses in the south part of the country. DSG Sons Group, Inc. now operates biggest malls in Mindanao and Visayas.

And the not so successful ones:

Unfortunately, there are also some who wasn’t able to enjoy and reap a not-so-good fruits from their hardships. We have Jose Go and Jimmy Gow.

Jose Go, caters the masses from the masses. Probably can be described as those belonging in the classes D and C.

Ever Emporium was opened on C.M. Recto. Most of the customers are students since during the 1970s that place is considered to be the University Belt. The mall was a success that made Go opened another 4 malls.

Like Henry Sy and the Ayala, Go also ventured on real estate and formed Gotesco Land in 1996. However, the Asian Crisis of 1997 hit his business, leaving him a multi-billion debt.

Jimmy Gow like Jose Go, decided to focus his markets to the classes D and C. The low-income market of Gow and Go made them yield a low-income revenue as well. Uniwide Sales, the mall owned by Jimmy Gow, now reached an amount of P11 billion in debts and considered to be the biggest bankruptcy in the Philippines.

2009 is not what tellers of fortune say..

2009-01-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

If we are to believe the foretune-tellers, 2009 is somewhat gloomy in terms of the economy especially on the first quarter, so they say. But I say 2009 is not what these tellers of foretune (or rather, prophet of doom?)say or guess about. For one, the first quarter of the year is merely a drag-on effect of the last quarter of 2008. And what did we have in that part of the year? The prices of crude oil slowly but gradually went down and inflation stood still. That was really good enough.

Now assuming and upturn in the prices of crude oil, and say even inflation, is indeed the trend in the first quarter of 2009 - these would not be too drastic as to create a chaotic situation in the early part of 2009. It will behave the same way. As it went down slowly and gradually it will go up the same way. At the same time we don't discount the efforts of our economic managers in the government to try to cushion the effect of such an increase in prices if it happens. Overall, there is really nothing to worry within the first quarter of the year.

An event to watch would be how the Obama administration can effectively handle the US economic recession. Whatever happens in that corner of the world is important for us as we are not exempted from its effect on the global economy. But having prepared for that situation quite extensively before he even assumes the Presidency, Pres. Obama is likely to succeed in handling the US financial crisis. What is not certain is how fast the US economy would be able to recover from such situation.

Nevertheless, with right attitude, optimism and the right economic prescriptions, the Obama administration is expected to bail out the US economy from further recession. In the Philippines, let's hope that for one last time the Arroyo administration (with all her economic background, minus her attitude) shall go for a sound legacy to leave before she steps down in 2010.

Muslim Faithfuls Gather for Eidel Adha Prayer at Pikit Plaza

2008-12-28T14:11:00.000-08:00

I can still recall that Cat, BME and I had mentioned about posting this event in Cat's blog 'Padayon Pikiteno' sometime mid-December, or at least days before that tragic news about her brother (Toto) came about. And so, in deference and respect to the 'mourning at the Payag', this posting was delayed on purpose; nevertheless it is hoped that its significance does not fade out as it was allowed to be overtaken by some events.

And so, here is that part of Pikit, Nort Cotabato in that Eidel Adha congregational prayer on December 28, 2008..

Facing west, towards the tennis court (as Muslims, in prayer, face towards the Holy Kaaba in Mecca), below is the left portion of the congregation..

the center portion..

and the right portion..

The event was doubly significant as Eidel Adha coincided with the feast of the Immaculate Conception - which also meant that these two major Faiths of the world (Islam and Christianity) have good reasons for the celebration and magnitude of the merry-making that was in Pikit last Dec. 8.

In my own terms, I tried to figure out what could have enticed Cat and BME (and other friends from the Payag too) to see a group of Muslim faithfuls gather in such multitude at the Pikit Municipal Plaza (which I estimated to be between 4 to 5 thousand). I surmised that the reasons for such could be the following: 1) some kind of longing to see the place; 2) seeing a multitude of Pikitenyos portrays the festive mood; 3) in such a multitude of Pikitenyos, it's good to imagine that you are one of them. 4) the people and the background, as well, give a complete sense of feeling like you are one with the people and the place, and 5) people have not gathered at the Plaza in such big number in the recent past (3 or 4 yrs. ago and beyond).

We hope it will always be like this one, or see more of this kind in the future. Well, they say that it is always better said than not at all, and so, no matter how belated it is, I say: "Happy Eidel Adha and Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception to all."

Blogging: Is it already being threatened?

2008-12-26T14:49:00.000-08:00

As we all know, there are four basic freedoms guaranteed by the United Nations and subscribed upon by the free world countries and societies. These are: 1. Freedom of speech or expression; 2. Freedom of religion; 3. Freedom from want or hunger; and 4. Freedom from fear. The Four Freedoms are goals famously articulated by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the State of the Union Address he delivered to the United States Congress. In an address also known as the Four Freedoms speech, FDR proposed the four points above as fundamental freedoms humans "everywhere in the world" ought to enjoy.

I was toying over a foolish idea, after I read some restrictions on blogging in some countries by some governments, that blogging should be the fifth freedom that every citizen of the world should have access to or use at will for purposes of expressing oneself. I know this would fall under the first freedom and I also know that every freedom entails some kind of responsibility. As it has been said, your freedom ends where the freedom of others begins. You are free to swing your arms as wide as you can for as long as it does not hit the other peron's face.

It rocks the senses when you read that countries like Montenegro, a former Yugoslav republic, banned the Facebook and Youtube from being accessed and Vietnam restricts her citizens from blogging about the government or state affairs. If they are simple regulations to restrict public and private workers from accessing the internet during official time or while at work, then there is nothing to worry about. The State, as well as private firms, have the right to do that to optimize productivity of the workers.

Vietnam has tightened curbs on bloggers to ban views seen as opposing the state or undermining national security, according to a new edict which asks online service providers to provide data on users.

The Internet has given Vietnamese people a forum to express themselves that cannot be found in the traditional media, which are closely controlled by the communist authorities. It has produced a flourishing blogosphere, but the government said earlier this month it wanted closer regulation.

Paris-based media watchdog 'Reporters Without Borders' lists Vietnam as among the "enemies of the Internet" with censorship practices "almost as thorough as those of its Chinese big sister."

Vietnam courts have already jailed a number of cyber-dissidents and earlier this month upheld a prison sentence of two and a half years on a high-profile blogger.

In the face of these looming threats to the 'Fifth Freedom' we bloggers so loved, it is high time to unite in solidarity. Certainly we cannot sit idly on the wayward and watch this kind of restrictions spread across some continents. I have already joined a group that calls itself "Care2 Causes". This is an advocay group that entice people to join and express whatever critical universal issues one can post on its petition site (www.care2.com/causes). But I think that is not enough. Maybe we need a more focused group whose only concern is to stand on guard against violations or looming violations of our 'Fifth Freedom' and share information among members from across the five continents.

I am contemplating on a one-site blog or website that member-bloggers (with signed-in passwords) can report or share information of this kind. Then a local-based bloggers group, serving as country advocacy group, can lobby upon their respective governments to dramatize the issue and hope that in the short run the issue may reach the level of the UN-based human rights organizations and take appropriate actions.

I am no technical savvy yet, and so maybe someone with the skill of putting up this one blogsite or website, can initiate the building of that technical infrastructure that shall serve as our home-base. I know this is technically feasible.

We shall await for your reactions. Anyone please!

Pricelss gifts that don't cost a cent

2008-12-24T13:12:00.000-08:00

Been pondering on what gift to give this yuletide season? Or you don't have much to spend on presents this Christmas season? These ideas cost next to nothing, but offer priceless memories, yet more often than not, they are the most forgotten ones. Now let's try them, not only because they cost nothing except little efforts, but because they are wonderful and significant.

Smile! Take a wonderful photo of your recipient's child or pet. Make a paper frame or enclose it in a pretty card.

Important tips. Volunteer the gift of a skill: Show a friend or relative how to knit, swim or use a digital camera best.

Babysitters' Club. Offer the couple down the street a free evening of looking after the kids. Or you can promise them some pet-sitting while they're on vacation.

Something from your Garden.If your garden is in season, give flowers, fruits or vegetables.

Make a Bookmarker. For the constant reader, use holiday or other cards to make bookmarks. Cut the cards into strips that show complete scenes (Santa coming down the chimney, for example). Punch a hole at the top of every strip and pull a ribbon through it.

Website Map. Give your recipient a list of off-the-beaten-path Web sites related to her interests (gardening, antiquing, computers, mobile phones, knitting, etc.). Add a brief comment for each site. For a striking holiday background to your list, download free color pages from activityvillage.co.uk. (Click on the Seasonal Pages link on the left side of the main page.)

Words of Love. Send an audio letter to a faraway relative. If you have young relatives who don't live near you, record yourself reading a children's book so you seem that much closer.

Write It Down. If you like to write, compose a poem or a very short story for your recipient. Include references to events in her life and jokes that just the two of you share.

Memorable photo. Share a copy of the most memorable phot you had with the recipient. Write a brief note about the picture and paste it at the back. You can put the picture in a transparent photo frame.

Now you see it, now you believe. There are many wonderful things that we can give this Christmas and they don't cost anything but little efforts and extra thoughtfulness. May your Christmas be merry and bright. And may the new year brings new and better opportunites for us.

Dubious Dubai's First Refrigerated Beach?

2008-12-16T11:50:00.000-08:00

The tallest building in the world is now in Dubai - Burj Building with 160 stories and soaring up more than a half kilometer (508 meters); the highest tennis court (atop a hotel) is in Dubai; now, the first refrigerated beach in the world, if ever, is being contemplated in dubious Dubai. Is it the ultimate in construction vanity in Dubai? Maybe not, but one hotel just wants to make rest and recreation real enjoyable for the rich in Dubai.

It's hot in Dubai, averaging 40C (104F) and often hitting 50C (122F) in summer. Perhaps tourists visiting this desert locale don't check this out before they book their junket (or the rules about what you can do on the beach Green bikinis are okay, right?). Or perhaps if you can afford to stay at the new Palazzo Versace you expect nature to be bent to your will. You expect cool sand. That is what Soheil Abedian, founder of the hotel, thinks:

“We will suck the heat out of the sand to keep it cool enough to lie on,” he said. “This is the kind of luxury that top people want.”

According to Times Online, Abedian is seriously planning ways to cool the sand to try and keep visitors from burning their feet: The beach will have a network of pipes beneath the sand containing a coolant that will absorb heat from the surface.

The swimming pool will be refrigerated and there are also proposals to install giant blowers to waft a gentle breeze over the beach.

The scheme is likely to infuriate environmentalists, but nothing really surprises environmentalists about Dubai any more. As Rachel Noble of Tourism Concern, a UK group that promotes sustainable tourism, told the Times: “Dubai is like a bubble world where the things that are worrying the rest of the world, like climate change, are simply ignored so that rich people can continue their extravagant lifestyles.”

I won't be surprised the next time around I hear a skating rink in Dubai in the middle of the burning desert.

Tonight's Full Moon is Largest and Brightest of 2008

2008-12-13T03:58:00.000-08:00

If tonight's full moon appears larger and more luminous than usual, it's not because you're loony or due for a new pair of glasses. The moon, you see, orbits Earth in an ellipse with one end closer to Earth than the other; tonight's full moon corresponds closely with the orbit's perigee, the closer end of that ellipse. (The more distant end of the ellipse is known as apogee.) What's more, tonight's perigee will bring the moon and Earth closer together than they have been at full moon since 1993. (Left photo courtesy of NASA).

That means that tonight's moon will appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than the usual full moons this year. While the size of the moon can be difficult to gauge in the middle of the night sky, its luminosity should be more readily apparent: the nearby moon should light up the outdoors tonight "like a cosmic floodlamp,".

I have my own shot of tonight's heavenly wonder courtesy of my mobile phone's camera(picture at right). I waited patiently for the moon to appear at its largest and brightest which was said to be at around 7:45 p.m. (Manila time zone), Saturday night, the 13th of December 2008.

A lot of stories, both fact and fiction, have been associated with full moons. The full moon has been linked to crime, suicide, mental illness, disasters, accidents, birthrates, fertility, and werewolves, among other things. Some people even buy and sell stocks according to phases of the moon, a method proven to be quite successful according to some who practice this one.

Numerous studies have tried to find lunar effects on the many aspects of human life and behavior. So far, the studies have failed to establish much of interest. Lunar effects that have been found have little or nothing to do with human behavior, e.g., the discovery of a slight effect of the moon on global temperature which in turn might have an effect on the growth of plants. Of course, there have been studies here and there that have tried to establish correlations between various phases of the moon and this or that phenomenon, but nothing significant has been replicated sufficiently to warrant claiming a probable causal relationship.

For now, we can only believe those that were proven through scientific investigations. And for the more fascinating stories link to full moons, some of them may be proven in time by science.

Hello and goodnight, full moon.

SM Mall of Asia: Largest in Southeast Asia, 7th Largest in the World

2008-12-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

From a department store in Quiapo, Manila, SM has come to define the country's biggest and best malls. As early as the 1970's they built their branch in Makati which was then a sizable one. In 1997, they built SM Megamall, the biggest mall of that time. Cut to May 2006, and they've done it again by building the largest mall now.

The SM Mall of Asia is the largest shopping mall in the Philippines and the 7th largest shopping mall in the world. In terms of gross floor size, it is next to the South Dongguan Mall, Golden Resources Mall, Central World Plaza, Seacon Square, Runwal Arcade - Mumbai.

The name SM Mall of Asia has captured the imagination not just of Filipinos but also of tourists from around the world. The sheer size and uniqeness of it is enough to draw the day tripper's curiosity.

The numbers can be mind boggling: 600 shops, 150 restaurants, 5,000 parking spaces and an Olympic size skating rink which is described as the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Two elevated walkways from the second level of the mall that extend across an avenue towards the Manila bay. The result is a clear and wide ranging view of the most spectacular sunset in the world.

One of the mall's main attractions is the first ever IMAX theater in the country, along with a Director's Club Theater for intimate screenings, a Premiere Cinema, and the CenterStage Cinema which can used for live musical concerts and theatrical performances.

The Mall of Asia is far from just being a mall, it's an extension of the Filipino home for the rest of the world to see and visit.

Post-Mortem on Pacquiao-Hoya Bout: My Faltered Forecast

2008-12-06T22:16:00.001-08:00

Now the outcome of the Pacquiao-dela Hoya bout turned my fearless forecast into a faltered one. (Please read below).

But I had never doubted Pacman’s big heart. More than anything else, that has been his most potent weapon. On the other hand, I just thought that dela Hoya was such a formidable foe for him considering all the tales of the tape. Matter of fact, I was not alone. Many, if not all fans and followers of Pacquiao, were also as arbitrary as anyone. Proof was the betting odds (100:165) which never changed until the last minute. Manny was the underdog all the way.

Then the actual fight was a bit different. From the first to the eight round Manny was slightly ahead of dela Hoya on points (10-9 per round). Though on the last few minutes of the first round dela Hoya unleashed some few combinations which Manny skillfully evaded, though he was hit a couple of times. As expected Manny came in the aggressive fighter landing 169 punches on the first 6 rounds as against dela Hoya’s 69. Dela Hoya was trying to conserve energy by dancing around and giving occasional shots while Manny was relentlessly coming into his face and body until on the fifth round he caught up with dela Hoya on the left eye.

By the seventh round, dela Hoya had an obviously swollen face. Manny took advantage of this and continued to unleash a barrage of punches on the eight round hitting dela Hoya all over. This time, dela Hoya’s left eye seems to be badly swollen.

Then came the buzzer for the ninth round. Surprisingly, the handlers of dela Hoya threw in the towel signaling the end of the fight. They must have sensed that with a badly swollen left eye and the way Manny is attacking dela Hoya, it was safer to give up the fight that early rather than suffer humiliation by seeing their protégée fell down to the canvass. That was still a technical knockout (TKO).

This fight affirmed more than ever that the big-hearted Manny Pacquiao is the greatest Filipino fighter today and of the recent past.

Mabuhay ka Manny! Mabuhay ang Pilipino!

The Pacquiao-Dela Hoya Caper: My Fearless Forecast

2008-12-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

Much has been said and written about the Pacquiao – Dela Hoya encounter on Sunday, December 7, 2008 (Manila time zone). And there is almost no more room for another analysis much more a fearless forecast, so-to-speak. But even then, I feel that I still have the right to assert mine, and me - never been an authority in boxing – notwithstanding.

In terms of height dela Hoya is 5-inch taller (5’11”) than Pacquiao (5”6”) but this gap shall be made even by Manny’s speed and agility.

In terms of reach dela Hoya has 6-inch advantage (73”) over Pacquiao (67”) but this will be overcome by Manny’s ability to dive in with his punches and pull away at the blink of an eye. This time, he should do a Muhammad Ali: “sting like a bee and dance like a butterfly”; and one more thing: he should heed Tyson’s unsolicited advice: “never approach dela Hoya head first, rather ride on a barrage of punches..”. Fine.

In terms of experience dela Hoya held the champ belts in six divisions while Pacquiao is king in four divisions but Pacquiao had 49-3-1 record compared to dela Hoya’s 38-5-2. By number of fights, Pacquiao had more.

Pacquiao’s only edge are his youth (7 yrs younger than dela Hoya), his speed and agility, and probably his punch power too. But we have yet to see the effect of added pounds on Pacquiao’s punch power and agility since he is climbing up a heavier weight class. To some boxers this was an advantage, but to some it turned out to be a jinx.

Dela Hoya says, they can box, counter-punch or brawl and this is the kind of fight that's gonna end in a knock-out. Pacquiao says, this is the most important fight in his boxing career.

I say that this fight is gonna end like this:

The fight shall go the distance with both men still standing up to the last round and the winner shall be declared by a split decision. In such case, nobody is real winner and loser. That will be good for both of them in their boxing career and the re-match will certainly be more exciting than this first one.

Ros-Lehtinen hangs up on Obama. Twice!

2008-12-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

Is Ileana Ros-Lehtinen a little paranoid?

Maybe.

On Wednesday, the Republican congresswoman got a call from President-elect Barack Obama, didn't believe it was him, and hung up on him. Twice.

According to Ros-Lehtinen's flack Alex Cruz, the congresswoman received the call on her cell phone from a Chicago-based number and an aide informed her that Obama wanted to speak to her. When Obama introduced himself, Ros-Lehtinen cut him off and said, "I'm sorry but I think this is a joke from one of the South Florida radio stations known for these pranks." Then she hung up.

Moments later, Obama tried again, this time through his soon-to-be chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel.

"Ileana, I cannot believe you hung up on the President-Elect," Emanuel said. And then--yes, you know what's coming--she hung up on Emanuel saying she "didn't believe the call was legitimate."

A short time later, Ros-Lehtinen received an urgent call from Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who informed her that she indeed hung up on Obama.

So, Obama tried again and this time he was successful. (Phew!)

"It is very funny that you have twice hung up on me," Obama said. Ros Lehtinen responded by telling Obama that radio stations in South Florida always make these sorts of jokes. Obama said similar pranksters reside in Chi-town.

"You are either very gracious to reach out in such a bipartisan manner or had run out of folks to call if you are truly calling me and Saturday Night Live could use a good Obama impersonator like you," Ros-Lehtinen joked with the president-elect.

Ros-Lehtinen then congratulated Obama on his victory and pledged to work together on behalf of all Americans. She also asked Obama to call Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Albio Sire (D-NJ) to discuss Cuba policy.

Here's hoping they don't hang up on him.

Pres. Obama's Economic Recovery Plan

2008-11-24T13:22:00.000-08:00

With the economy in crisis, President-elect Barack Obama urged the new Congress to pass a quick economic stimulus bill, pledged help for the troubled auto industry and bless the Bush administration's bailout of the financial industry.

Even so, he conceded, "The economy is likely to get worse before it gets better," a downbeat forecast, delivered 57 days before he takes the oath of office and as Americans headed into the year-end holiday season.

Barring swift action, "most experts now believe that we could lose millions of jobs next year," he said, urging the newly elected Congress to act quickly on his plans after opening its session on Jan. 6.

At a news conference, Obama was critical of the Big Three automakers, saying he was surprised they did not have a better-thought-out plan for their future before asking Congress to approve $25 billion in emergency loans.

He said once he sees a plan, he expects "we're going to be able to shape a rescue."

Obama declined to say how large a stimulus package he wants from Congress. Democratic lawmakers speculated over the weekend that the price tag could reach $700 billion over two years as the nation struggles to emerge from a recession compounded by a credit crunch. "It's going to be costly," the president-elect said.

The stock market had been climbing before Obama spoke but then slipped during his news conference, reducing its gain from 300 points to 200. It rose higher again later. Analysts said investors were looking for more specifics of an economic stimulus plan, and also wanted Obama to state that he would set aside a plan to raise taxes on the richest Americans.

Obama made his comments as he unveiled the top members of his economic team, beginning with New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner to be his treasury secretary. Geithner, 47, is a veteran of financial crises at home and overseas and has worked closely with the Bush administration in recent months.

Obama chose Lawrence Summers as director of his National Economic Council. Summers was treasury secretary under former President Bill Clinton.

Obama said his newly minted economic team offered "sound judgment and fresh thinking" at a time of economic peril.

He expressed confidence the nation would weather the crisis "because we've done it before."

Obama also announced two other members of his economic team in the making. He named Christina Romer as chair of his Council of Economic Advisers, and Melody Barnes as director of his White House Domestic Policy Council.

Obama's principal theme was urgency.

"We do not have a minute to waste," he said, citing the turmoil in the financial markets as well as the deterioration of the broader economy.

He also said he would "honor the commitments made by the current administration" to deal with the problems, signaling approval of the Bush administration's latest effort to rescue Citigroup as well as the broader $700 billion bailout designed to shore up the financial markets.

Bush said earlier in the day that the government's dramatic rescue of Citigroup was necessary to "safeguard the financial system" and help the economy recover, and he said there could be more such moves if other institutions need help.

"We have made these kind of decisions in the past. We made one last night. And if need be we will make these kind of decisions to safeguard our financial system in the future," Bush said.

As a candidate, Obama was a supporter of the $700 billion bailout measure.

Any stimulus plan would greatly exceed the $175 billion price tag Obama had suggested as a candidate.

At the news conference, he said he wanted to create 2.5 million jobs by the end of 2010. He also said he wants the legislation to incorporate his campaign ideas for new jobs in environmentally friendly technologies — the "green economy." He added that deficit concerns would have to take a back seat to the goal of reinvigorating the economy.

As a candidate, Obama called for cutting taxes for the middle class and said he wanted to eliminate Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy. In his news conference, he reaffirmed support for reducing the burden on the middle class but was equivocal on how quickly he would act on taxes affecting those who are better off. Many economists caution that raising taxes can make a recession worse, and the president-elect said he would await a recommendation from his advisers on whether to follow through on his earlier pledge.

His call for quick congressional action was welcomed by Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "With the cooperation of our Republican colleagues, we intend to send a plan to the White House as soon as possible following President-elect Obama's inauguration," Reid said.

Obama spoke one day after a senior adviser, David Axelrod said, "We want to hit the ground running on Jan. 20."

Echoing that, the second-ranking House Democrat, Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, said, "We expect to have during the first couple of weeks of January a package for the president's consideration when he takes office."

While Obama and his team are focused on the work of the new Congress, they also weighed in on work pending before the current one.

Axelrod warned automakers seeking billions in government help to devise a plan to retool and restructure that they can present to Congress next month. Otherwise, he said, "there is very little taxpayers can do to help them."

The emphasis on the economy began Saturday when Obama outlined the framework to save or create 2.5 million jobs by the end of 2010.

But there were no plans to balance the tax cuts with an immediate tax increase on the wealthy. During the campaign, Obama said he would pay for increased tax relief by raising taxes on people making more than $250,000.

"There won't be any tax increases in the January package," said one Obama aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details of the Obama package have not been fleshed out.

Obama could delay any tax increase to 2011, when current Bush administration tax cuts expire.

House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio urged Obama to make that explicit. "Why wouldn't we have the president-elect say, `I am not going to raise taxes on any American in my first two years in office?'"

Some economists have endorsed spending up to $600 billion to revive the economy. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and former labor Secretary Robert Reich, a member of Obama's economic advisory board, both suggested $500 billion to $700 billion.

Pres. Obama's first job: putting the financial turmoil in order

2008-11-22T14:52:00.000-08:00

We all know that Barack Obama is the newly elected president. Now, that the US has a new president does it mean that he can alleviate the financial turmoil of his country?

Obama’s first job out of college was in 1983 at the corporate consulting firm Business International Corp. located in Manhattan. He started as a researcher that turns quickly to the position of financial writer. He sometimes imagine himself as a “captain of industry, barking out orders, closing the deal,” when he caught his image in the shiny elevator doors.

Though, the inconvenient twists of history are about to force President Obama into becoming that man he saw in the elevator image. He developed earnest position papers on tax policy, health-care reform and clean energy.

After being elected President of the United States and realize that his imagination is turning into reality, Obama begin his job as President to help his country and its people. He pursues to open tax breaks for small businesses and create new jobs for the big companies. He is in the position to shape the future of a fragile housing industry and its related financial markets.

Many opportunities are in store for the American citizen if President Obama will do what he says on his platform. But critics say his Democratic Congress who push for card-check legislation will only lead to higher wages and a dangerous drag on job creation.

He convened a summit on the impending financial crisis that also included Robert Rubin, former Bush Treasury chief Paul O’Neill, J.P. Morgan Chase, CEO Jamie Dimon, Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, as well as top union leaders.

Most of the US Presidents are governors for the reason that they already experienced running a large, complex organization but in Obama’s case the only major organization he has ever run is his own campaign but it was an impressive enterprise.

Truly, Obama is breaking history and may he also do something new for the betterment of his country and the world as well.

Will it be McCain or Obama?

2008-10-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Understanding the US Election

Will it be Obama or McCain? Nothing is certain for now even as the poll surveys show John McCain is trailing behind Barack Obama. The conventional wisdom is that Barack Obama has a solid lead against John McCain. Today he's up by more than 7 points in the Real Clear Politics poll averages.

But just as some surveys were starting to write their landslide stories today, the next few days would show McCain behind by just one point. That might as well be a tie if you factor in the margin of error or then McCain could actually be a little bit ahead.

The weird thing is, these polls came out at the same time with other major polls showing Obama with a double-digit lead.

So, how do the candidates actually fare?

The short answer: The devil is in the details. This could be the most exciting presidential race in the recent history of the US. For the first time, the world is seeing a real Afro-American (or black American) up to become the first black American President. That nomer giving Bill Clinton the title of "first black American President" was just a silly metaphor. With what the polls are telling us, Obama is apparently a sure winner. But what the surveys don't tell us is how Americans could probably set aside racism and prove to the world that America is the bastion of world democracy and equality when it declared "all men are created equal". White Americans are a clear majority over the blacks. If Obama wins, it is because more Whites supported him.

Polling, of course, is not an exact science. Not even close. It's really an informed estimation game that leans on some speculation about who is showing up on Election Day. Pollsters can't ensure that they talk to a perfectly proportional representation of the people who will vote. So they weigh the responses they get to match the demographics of who they think will actually show up and pull the lever.

Since there is a week until we know who's showing up to vote, what are we poll-obsessed folks to do in the meantime? Well, the answer, as any voter in good faith would say, is to be patient and wait for Election Day.

With the U.S. Presidential election fateful day fast approaching, November 4 this year to be exact, the candidates are certainly jittery and anxious until the race will be over.

And not until all the votes are counted, tabulated and tallied, shall the winner be proclaimed. But, unlike in the Philippines, what we thought was a simple process of vote counting and tallying is not as simple at all. The U.S. presidential election is not won by the total number of votes of the population but by the total number of states that voted for a particular candidate.

Let’s make it simpler. Let’s say in California, once the total number of votes for that state has been tallied, the candidate with the most number of votes will be declared as the candidate which is voted upon or supported by California. Same procedure applies to the other states – New York, Mississippi, etc. until all the states have their own voted candidate, which are all then tallied to get the candidate with the most number of state votes.

However, not all of these different states have the same number of voting population, so it would be unfair for a state with more than five million population to have the same weight with that of a state with only more than a million population.

A good example would be California with more than 36 million people, as compared to Kansas with only over 3 million population. Ergo, California should have a bigger impact in the outcome of the votes because it has a bigger population. The question then would be how we put weights on the states so their influence on the election would be in relation to their population.

This is determined then by getting the number of districts in every state, the bigger the population, the more districts a state has. And the more districts the state has, the bigger is its influence on the election.

A state’s influence on the election is called the ‘electors’ which is the number of district in a state plus the number of senator from that state, which is always 2. Examples: North Carolina has 15 electors (13 districts + 2 senators) and California has 55 (53 + 2).

So when a candidate wins in a state, he wins the corresponding number of electors. This is how the candidate’s votes add up. By winning the election in a big population state, a candidate gets a bigger number of electors, which quantifies as his votes.

Adding up all the total number of electors from the different states, there are a total of 538 electors. Therefore to win a national election, the Presidential candidate must garner the majority of these electors or at least a total of 270. So by winning in more states (especially in big-population ones), a candidate who gets 270 electors or more wins the election.

Why the Philippines is not so badly hit by the global economic recession

2008-10-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

IT IS disheartening to hear and read about families losing homes in the U.S., companies being denied access to credit, and retirement funds losing in value.

But here in the Philippines, it is not so bad. In the shopping malls, people milled about, going in and out of stores and lugging shopping bags with them. Agents for credit cards were still handing out application forms. Several other malls in the Metropolitan areas were also on sale this past weekend and people trooped to shop at a discount there and at village bazaars.

As JP Morgan said, the Philippines may weather the financial crisis even if it has significant exposure to an emerging global recession. This is because of internal buffers built in the system. Indeed as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has assured the public, the banking system is adequately capitalized. The only enemy is when people get carried away by speculations and start to panic. There is absolutely no reason to do so.

Butch Mossesgeld, a certified securities representative for PCCI Securities Brokers Corp., believes God has a hand in it. “You know, I observed that God spared our country from this crisis because during the Asian Crisis that started in 1997 the financial and property sector were restructuring their portfolio and capital structure to stay afloat. Fortunately it was only two years ago that they were starting to recover so they didn’t have the opportunity to invest aggressively. That’s the reason I believe we were spared,” he says.

The Presdient also announced that the government is putting up a P100 Billion contingency fund especially for the infrastructure sector to serve as buffer in case people start losing jobs due to the global financial crisis triggered by the US recession. When the construction business keeps going there are easy and accessible jobs for all types of workers.

As we see it business confidence remains high and there are concrete reasons for being so. Our economic fundamentals are strong. We have survived the Asian financial speculative attacks in 1997, we will get through with this one pretty well.

Will the Philippines Stand to Benefit from the Global Financial Crisis?

2008-10-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

Trying to be optimistic, local business leaders say that the slowdown in the US economy would benefit the Philippines as it creates unique opportunity, our country being an attractive investment destination. This was according to Sergio Ortiz-Luis, chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ortiz-Luis also added that since labor and operating costs in the United States soars, most multinational companies are now looking for alternative business locations. He said, these multinational companies are now pulling out their investments on developed countries and are looking at setting up businesses in other countries in order to reduce costs. It could be possible but my guess is most of them will stay fighting it out to survive. Some of them will consider the significant cost of relocation, but for those who would find relocation as highly feasible or good option, they will do so.

Because of this, Ortiz-Luis advised people not to panic over the global economic turmoil. He said, developing countries like the Philippines are somewhat insulated and that developed nations are the one most likely to feel the impact.

Further, Ortiz-Luis stresses the importance that people with influence, like some politicians, to avoid making pronouncements regarding the economy which may cause undue panic. “This is a perception game. I call on politicians, if they have nothing good to say then they should keep it to themselves,” he said. Well, I really hope so that as the mudslinging game escalates between and among politicians our economy should be spared fromthe so-called 'dirty politics'.

Perception will dictate how the country will be affected by the economic crisis happening in the United States and other countries in Europe, according to Ortiz-Luis. He said the government and the private sector are already doing their part to manage the situation.

And with this beliefs, PCCI president Edgardo Lacson agreed with Ortiz-Luis, adding that it is important for people not to panic because it can lead to total collapse.

“If we panic and we do things that are hurtful to our economy then it is a self-fulfilling prophecy” Lacson said. Actions like withdrawing money from the bank even without any cause for alarm. And this mass withdrawals can cause collapse of even strong banks, as this could lead to bank run.

The bottom-line is, we should be aware but at the same time keep our optimism, if Ortiz-Luis’ analysis is correct, the Philippines stands to benefit from this crisis after all.

Henry Sy is RP's Richest Man in 2008

2008-10-20T14:29:00.000-07:00

Bill Gates is to the world, while Henry Sy is to the Philippines. He is the Richest Man in the Philippines for 2008. Yes, topping the lists in Forbes Magazine’s list of wealthiest Filipino this year is Henry Sy of the SM mall chains. And despite the global financial crisis, Henry Sy and his family were able to increase their wealth by $1.4 billion. This officially makes him this year’s richest Filipino. According to Forbes, the 83-year old Sy and his family are now worth $3.1 billion.

Spearheaded by their holding company SM Investments Corporation, Sy managed to rise from No. 2 position last year to No. 1 this year. Their own unibank, Banco de Oro is now the country’s second largest bank, and this of course is aside from their interest in a dozen more companies in the Philippines.

Henry Sy’s wealth, however, were not actually handed to him on a silver platter. In fact, his journey towards success is an inspiring one, and definitely one that every Filipino entrepreneur must try to emulate.

From a store that sells shoes back in 1958 which was known as Shoemart, Sy was able to develop this into a multibillion-dollar empire. And now, half a century later, that humble shoe store is recognized as the name attached to the most popular malls throughout the country. And this entrepreneurial success did not stop at the Philippine’s soil, for Sy also has malls in some parts of China, making him a global Filipino entrepreneur.

Making this success even sweeter is that fact that Sy topped tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan who came in second with a net worth of $1.5 billion, and Jaime Zobel de Ayala whose net worth is pegged at $1.2 billion. Last year, Ayala was at the top of the list as the richest Filipino.

This report, which includes popular names such as property kingpin Andrew Tan, senate president Manny Villar, John Gokongwei, and Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., are all featured in the October 29 issue of Forbes Asia magazine.

Henry Sy must be doing something right, that is why in spite of the global economic recession, and his peers suffering downfalls, his success continues. Or, he just happened to be in the right business and doing it right. In any way, Henry Sy should be emulated by every Filipino entrepreneur.

Christmas Gifts Ideas

2008-10-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

We know that the longest Christmas celebration has started at the instant the 'ber' months set in, although it officially starts on December 16 and ends on January 6 of next year. Most Filipinos already have the Christmas spirit as early as September. Yes, as soon as the first ‘ber’ month steps in people starts to have that Christmas feeling and some are already playing those Christmas carols.

Businesses are no exception to this early holiday preparations. It is a common practice for all businesses to give business holiday gifts on this festive season, that is why this early they are already starting to look for the perfect business gifts that will make the best representation for their businesses.

Corporate SNOBS.com offers unique items that would make a professional marketing promotions and collaterals. Their items are undoubtedly an excellent choice if you are looking for those personalized corporate give-aways this Christmas season.

Avoid the holiday rush, it’s never too early to scout around for the most ideal business gift ideas, and Corporate SNOBS.com can definitely help you. From bags, watches, desks and office accessories and even executive gifts for your sophisticated valued clients. They even have games and gizmos, as well as gifts for pets. Perfect for your clients who are into gadgets and stuffs, and what about that lady who loves her cat so much? Who would have thought that you will have a gift for her cat? Think about that. Sometimes, that's one way of winning her heart, mind you.

So if you are looking for the professional business gifts to best represent you, do remember Corporate SNOBS.com. Surely, you will never go wrong with them. And these should not be for the holiday seasons alone. You can contact them for product or company launching, a big marketing promotion that is being planned, or just to impress clients who are celebrating their birthdays or company anniversaries.

What about those who would want to impress upon their loved ones, close friends and siblings? Well, for those who can afford it, the latest craze in the techno world is still the best gift one can give so far. And as you know, the big names in the race for the best equipped mobile phones have come forth to suit your needs and lifestyles.

Apple's iPhone

Google's gPhone

Nokia's 5800

Consider Apples' iPhone and Google's gPhone. They were the first to come out with those impressive touchscreen phones with large display screens. But wait.. will Nokia stay idle and watch on the sideline? Definitely no. Nokia has come out with its music swashbuckling model, the Nokia 5800. All three has more or less the same features, but if you think weight matters, then Nokia 5800 at 3.6 ounces is the lightest; Apples' iPhone weighs 4.6 ounces and Google's gPhone is 5.2 ounces.

So what are you waiting for. In this rat race age, early gift shopping is always an advantage. You can do it either online or on the sideline. Whichever is more convenient for you, the thing is the earlier you do it, the better for you. Let's go gift-shopping now.

Texting and Blogging: Where do we (Filipinos) stand?

2008-09-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Philippines used to be tagged as the world’s texting capital, and still is. But given the high incidence of traffic accidents attributed to texting, how did we fare on this one?

Sending text messages from your mobile phone while driving is more dangerous than driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, a study by Britain's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) revealed.

The reaction times of people texting as they drove fell by 35 percent, while those who had consumed the legal limit of alcohol, or taken cannabis, fell by 21 percent and 12 percent respectively, according to the study. Drivers who are fond of texting were distracted by taking their hands off the wheel to use their phone by trying to read small text on the phone display and by thinking about how to write their message.

Surprisingly though, we are not number one on this folly. We are a poor third behind the U.S. and Britain. Could this be due to lack of incidence of this kind reported or documented? It could be so. It could also be due to the fact that we had learned our lessons faster than other countries. Still another probability is that the apprehending ‘authorities’ don’t really mind the cause of traffic accidents most of the time.

Well, the good thing is we (Filipinos) have graduated from one flair to another. From texting to the internet mania. But what about it? The internet offers a lot of buzz in friendster, facebook, myspace, hi5, blogging, etc. or the so-called ‘internetworking’ (short for internet social networking).

In Universal McCann’s study on social media, the Philippines had the highest penetration of social networking among Internet users at 83.1 percent, compared with the global average of 57.5 percent. This is quite high, which means that we are getting further into becoming the most internet savvy. Of course, being savvy is one thing and being the most number of users is another.

The Philippines also had the second highest incidence of blog-reading among Internet users at 90.3 percent. South Korea topped the blog readership list at 92.1 percent. The global average is 72.8 percent.

All over the world, including the Philippines and South Korea, personal blogs or diary blogs are the favorite reading fare.

About 65.8 percent of Filipino Internet users write blogs, compared with China which topped the survey at 70.3 percent. Globally, 44.8 percent of Internet users blog, mostly about themselves.

No country can possibly beat China in terms of number of internet users given its 2 billion plus population. And coming in next is amazing if not mind-boggling.

It must be noted, though, that Internet penetration in the Philippines was relatively low—around 15 percent—compared to cell phone penetration of more than 60 percent – which means there’s definitely a lot of room for growth in the internet business in the country.

Still, Universal McCann said its study indicated that blogs and social networks were becoming “mainstream” media and were a valid platform for spreading information.

The Pacquiao-De la Hoya Extravaganza!

2008-09-15T05:02:00.000-07:00

A “Manny-making” bout that is designed for the “Oscar Awards”?

Did we hear the news right? A $100-million Pacquiao-Dela Hoya bout this coming December? Is this the ultimate in boxing hype that is imagined to drown even the heydays of the Ali-Frazier thrilla in Manila? Maybe this is one big joke or, better yet, hoax of a fight. This can be a propaganda that is part of a “Manny-making” project with the “Oscar awards” in mind.

This movie-in-the-making will be acted out by its lead stars Manny Pacquiao and Oscar de la Hoya (with the referee and the judges in supporting roles) ably directed and scripted to the “draw” unless one of the two superstars would be willing to take the role of the “vanquished” at the end of the story—for a much, much bigger take of the purse, of course, plus other obese deals on the sideline.

If indeed the fight ends in a “draw”, there is absolute certainty that the boxing fans are doped into a big fight that’s actually crafted for the ‘movies’ – a make-believe super-bout that’s all intended for the crowd and money it can draw.

Anyway, whatever happens the sharing between the two boxing superstars is already pegged at 60-40 in favor of Dela Hoya. The ‘producer’ and ‘director’ of the show knew too well that a ‘draw’ is to the advantage of the boxing career of the two fighters. So no one would be tempted to retire after the fight.. And the real fight thus takes place in the rematch in 2009 - the year when both boxers are contemplating to retire on.

Let’s see what happens or till the outcome proves us right or wrong.

So, to the boxing fans all over the world: “See you at the movies!” And this one is certainly a “blockbuster”.

Is there relationship between a nation's IQ and wealth?

2008-09-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

Did it ever come to your mind to ponder whether a nation's level of intelligence (or Intelligence Quotient, IQ) tells us of the economic status of a certain country?

Or, in a more acadenic postulate, can the average national intelligence quotient (IQ) of a country correlate to its national or the per capita gross domestic product (GDP)?

This is what Dr. Richard Lynn and Dr. Tatu Vanhanen have been trying to prove in their controversial 2002 book IQ and the Wealth of Nations.

In the book, the authors state that IQ is an important factor contributing to differences in national wealth and rates of economic growth. The authors believe that average IQ differences between nations are due to both generic and economic factors. They also say that a low GDP can cause low IQ, and a low IQ can cause low GDP.

The authors included in the book their calculation of average IQ scores of 81 countries, based on their analysis of published reports. Their reported observation was that national IQ correlates with gross domestic product per capita 0.81 and with the rate of economic growth from 1950-1990 at 0.64

However, the authors data based it on what they believe to be the average IQs of the world nations. Because doing their own IQ studies, would be a massive and taxing project, they averaged and adjusted existing studies on these issues.

In countries where no studies are available, the authors used and estimated value by taking averages of the IQs of neighboring or comparable nations, such as the case of Guatemala and Colombia whose IQ average were based on those of El Salvador.

Different methods of obtaining figures were used for different countries. Sometimes based on different ethnic groups, sometimes on their neighboring countries and sometimes on countries that is not actually neighbors, but whose language are the same of the majority of the population of the country being studied..

The data, methodology and conclusions in the book have been criticized, but it was cited several times in the popular press, notably of the British conservative newspaper. And because Tatu Vanhanen is the father of Matti Vanhanen, the Finish Prime minister, his work has received wide publicity in Finland.

I find the study quite interesting, and really, if I can squeeze it into my routine I'd like to replicate this one on a regional scope.

(Dr. Richard Lynn is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland and Dr. Tatu Vanhanen is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.)

How TV networks maintain the ratings game

2008-09-11T15:26:00.000-07:00

TV shows have been resorting to cheap tricks, conscious inconsistent writing and other gimmickries to keep viewers glued to them. Mostly done because of the ratings game or to salvage a poor-performing program… and obviously, with total disrespect to the intelligence of the televeiwers.

Since the two TV sets in the house are glued to GMA and ABS-CBN, I can only cite examples from them.

The top 5 of these cheap tricks are:

No. 5 – Cliffhangers… Not!

Obviously to keep viewers excited in anticipation for the next episode. The program ends with a major character in tight fix… only to be seen in the following episode unscathed and untouched even, from the cliffhangers he was left-off in the previous episode. Ex. All action-thriller soap operas.

No. 4 – Habitual on-and-off couple relationships

To generate more interest and to instill romance in the show, two main characters would suddenly find themselves falling for each other. And to add appeal to emotion, you can be very sure that one of the couples is very rich and the other one very poor! Blissful romantic scenes follows, then something happens and they would part ways. Their separate lives however would find ways to bring them back together again… only to part ways again some other time… and be back together again. It all depends really on how long the show runs. Ex. Marimar, Dyesebel (GMA), My Girl (ABS-CBN)

No. 3 – Villains on Reality Shows

No matter how real they claim to be, reality shows follow certain script. Management needs to create interest in the show for the advertisements to pour in. That is why they decide who goes out or who stays in. Ever wonder why that character that seem to be out-of-control often, the one that nobody can easily get along with, stays longer in the show? Because, they can always stir the show and create conflicts and interests, much to the delight of the management. Again, ratings game. Ex. Pinoy Idol (GMA), Pinoy Dream Academy & Pinoy Big Brother (ABS-CBN)

No. 2 – Back from the dead

People who were supposed to be dead, suddenly come back in the show. And it’s not even Halloween yet. This plot that has been widely abused by writers is happening more often than we notice. A convincingly death scene, like a fire or an accident, involving a major character, is twisted with the character being shown again, alive. More often than not, without any clear explanation. They just want it at that. Ex. Codenamed: Asero (GMA),

No. 1 – “Next Week on… “ Teaser lies

“Come back tomorrow, I’ll tell you everything” This is what those Next Week teasers is trying to say to make televiewers come back for more. Showing what seems to be an interesting scene that appears to be a great impact on show, is shown on the next week teaser. Only to be frustrated because that scene actually has no impact on the program. Ex.Most afternoon soap operas in all networks.

Ratings will always be the name of the game. This is the basis of the advertisers in putting their money on the show. And the show producers know it all too well. For the viewers, they really don't care about it. What matters are the excitements they get from the show. This type of selling TV programs and products will stay for good. It has always been the same since time immemorial.

Thoughts and Acts for Peace

2008-09-10T04:23:00.000-07:00

This posting of the notes hereunder is one of the ways I can think of to help spread the message it brings forth which is so simple, yet so noble and significant. I came across with this message while I was reading the comments to a blog posting in one of my favorite blogites. The writer uses the monicker "deejay". You already had me among TAPs believers - Dr. Mosaid.

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“Peace has to start as an individual decision. By making a choice to focus even a small segment of my day on peace, I am taking that first step towards every rational person’s fantasy—saving the world.” —Ophelia Julien

Like Ophelia, a housewife and mother, each of us longs for a world at peace. For after all, we are by nature peaceful souls.

Like Ophelia, we want to get involved in our own simple way but oftentimes don’t know how. What can we do to create peace? Peace in Mindanao? Peace in the world?

We can “TAP” for peace. TAP is short for Thoughts and Acts of Peace.

In this connection, we are pleased to invite you to join Mothers for Peace, the Mindanao Commission on Women and other organizations all over the country in the campaign to create a Million TAPs for Peace.

The objective of the campaign is to give individuals a sense of participation in dealing with an issue that most people consider quite beyond their power to influence --- peace. The campaign will involve as many people as possible in giving minutes of peace through silence, prayer, or meditation and sharing peace by doing acts of peace. It allows people to take a break from their daily routines to think peaceful thoughts and do peaceful acts, thereby achieving inner peace and contributing to peace in Mindanao and in the rest of the world. Instead of the usual campaign for money, Million TAPS for Peace asks that individuals “donate” minutes of peace.

The nationwide campaign was launched the start of Peace Month on September 1, 2008 at "Talkback with Tina Palma" on ANC. It will culminate during the Mindanao Week of Peace on December 3.

If you agree to join the campaign, please forward this invitation to as many of your friends and family as you can. You may access the Campaign Kit from our website www.milliontapsforpeace.org.

Remember: A single thought has changed the world. How much more a million thoughts? A single act has changed the world. How much more a million acts?

Let us gather a million TAPs for peace!

What I want on the next President

2008-08-20T22:36:00.000-07:00

Most of us would tend to shun politics as a topic at this point in time on the ground that it is too early for 2010 presidential elections. For me, politics is always relevant at any given time. Whenever something goes wrong in the way this country is being run by the politicians, we always wish that the next President is somebody different and better.

Have you ever wished how our country should be run by the next President? We can only wish something can be done by the next President of this country to make a turn-around on the economy. For me, the best indicator that any President is running any country right is still the state of the economy. This is the best indicator that governance is doing well and politicians are doing their jobs right. All the other aspects of governance like politics, social and other macro-economic concerns are products and consequences of a strong and robust economy. Still one may argue that politics is not the only factor affecting any given economy. Right. But, politics - in terms of how the President behaves and responds to any given situation, is the most critical factor. And in most cases, the market responds correspondingly to major political decisions. When the President'a approval rating goes down, business confidence in terms of pouring in more investments goes the same way.

For this purpose, one might ask: can our country be really run like an economic enterprise? I can agree that we have presidentiables who are so ‘enterprising’, but the qualities of a social and economic entrepreneur being in them is another point. Besides, for an enterprise to succeed, sometimes it needs to sacrifice some department, make unpopular decisions, and run it on an iron hand if necessary.

The Philippines being the larger enterprise, so to speak, with a diverse sector of society each wanting to be given a fair share of the pie, will take a lot of political will to be able to run it like an enterprise. With the current crop of presidentiables and wannabe’s already starting to position themselves, political will is hardly a character displayed - a sorry deficit in most of them.

That for me is the main requirement for our next president. Anybody can have many credentials… and anyone can be an entrepreneur, yes even, a social entrepreneur. But not everybody can have enough courage to go against what is popular or is willing to forego personal status to implement what is necessary.

Doing what is necessary may be different from doing what is right on the basis of its being popular – and so, political will, more than a social entrepreneur, is the leadership quality I want on the next president. While economic know-how is a plus factor, the best quality of the next president is his/her character which is best exemplified in the so-called political will.

Let's start scrutinizing the personalities and track record of the presidentiables so we will know whom to vote for come 2010. For a guide, they are, in no particular order: Mar Roxas (LP), Manny Villar (NP), Noli de Castro (Lakas-KAMPI), Ping Lacson (Ind.), Jejomar Binay (?). I hope they are not the same birds trying to show different feathers; i hope they are not the same dogs trying to wear different collars!

A Class Picture in Grade V.. and 42 years hence..

2008-07-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

Mitzi sent this much-revered class picture to me by mail.. I had always wanted a copy as mine was lost/burnt sometime in the mid-1970s when we had to move (evacuate) so often, like the wandering Bedouins of Arabia, due to the trouble. Thank God that Mitzi was able to keep her own copy of the picture to its pristine original condition. I said, it is still crispy clear and had seemingly defied the wear and tear of time. According to Mitzi, she had it scanned in high resolution with the help of her son so I can have it like the original. That was very kind of her.

What's more significant was not the picture itself.. but the good old memories that was stuck with it.. attached with it.. and lingers with it, for as long as there are classmates left to tell the stories behind it and relate the happy, peaceful and joyful times we shared together and savored like no other.

Mitzi says.. more than 40 years of awesome memories is simply amazing.. I said, its wonderful and it gives some sense of relieving ecstasy to reminisce those rich memories of the past; when every experience was worth remembering and keeping because they are simply devoid of trouble, hatred, polarity and what bad sort of things you might say.. nothing else, but memories of peacful co-existence, harmonious relationships and sharing and caring. If I may say, that was the zenith of love and peaceful co-existence between and among Muslims and Christians in Pikit emulated to its best. I don't recall any happier times than that one.. our time, our past. The glory that once was and Pikit at its best when it truly asserted its rightful place as the pioneering town in the once empire province of Cotabato.

How I wish I have supernatural powers, so I would not only recall those happy times but bring them back to reality.. and forget about every unworthy experiences. I love to dream about it, I love to indulge in it, I wish it can happen again.. but when will that be?.. Only God knows.

From out of childish instincts and excitement, I tried to recall the faces and names of classmates one after another.. playing some kind of game of recall. There are 34 of us classmates in Grade V (18 boys and 16 girls) under the tutelage of our favorite teacher Mrs. Luz Aguilar. I was able to identify 20 (12 boys and 8 girls). Of course Bong and Mitzi supplied the rest and reminded me of some juggled first names and surnames. It was not easy recalling faces and names of 42 years ago!! Now, we are left with 10 (6 boys and 4 girls) whose faces we remember so well but whose names keep lingering at the back of our minds.

I told Mitzi and Bong that in due time we shall be able to name them all. It makes me wonder and ponder how others are so easy to recall while others are not. What could be the factors? .. something of psychology, sociology, economics? .. maybe yes, maybe no.. I just don't know.. being outstanding in class? yes.. I do recall at once all the bright ones.. must I forget myself?.. no, never.. hehehe..! But all of us are relatively bright; what are sections 1 for..?? Yes, during those days, it was not easy to belong to section 1, the creme of the crop, so-to-speak.

Back to the memories and the story behind the class picture.. Oh, i just can't tell them all in a day or two.. from Mitzi's daily routine of keeping the 'palmeras' green and healthy to my faithful and dedicated job of bringing them in and out of the classroom under Mitzi's strict supervision (a replica of Mrs. Aguilar?.. NO, but she's just as good, if not better).

If I can turn back the hands of time, I shall rewind it fast to mid-1960s (minus the gang of Datu Mantil, et al.. hahahahaha!) and keep it stuck just right in there.. never mind the future. I'd love to hear the the blazing sound of music emanating from the only moviehouse in town belting out songs of the Beatles, Gary Lewis and the Playboys and Simon and Garfunkel.

I shall reserve the rest of the story to Mitzi, Bong, Pangging and the others who might resurface in time to get in touch with the rest of the members of the family and tell their own stories.. of the class, of yesteryears escapades, or whatever good memories there may be. Yes, I love to imagine that.. that Grade V Class was and is my extended family. I love them all; I miss them all. Kudos dear classmates.. hasta la vista.. sayonara for now.. aregato gusaimas!

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Names of classmates we have identified:

Boys: Girls:

1. jose antonio yuson 1. rosenda bragais
2. dilambasen palaguyan 2. ruth tabada
3. maugan mosaid 3. ma. stella de sequera
4. mario lavarias 4. minda tecson
5. emiliano larubis 5. edith catherine santos
6. romeo manonsol 6. felma ong
7. ali sionga 7. sulaya pagadatan
8. edris modale 8. tessie dimaano
9. usop madaliday 9. evelyn ebisate
10. edward hernane 10. marlyn custodio
11. edgar sanz 11. wilma aninon
12. emmanuel ferenal 12. annie matalam

What they say about my new post..!

2008-07-11T01:38:00.000-07:00

When confronted with some hard decisions to make, I turn to two of my top confidantes (Cat and Mitzi), who always give me some words of wisdom.. “when I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me.. speaking words of wisdom .. let it be..” and so I had it that way.

I know the others are equally capable of giving same words of wisdom but I don’t have to bother them anymore.

When I told them about my acceptance of my new post (as Municipal Administrator of Pikit), there was mix feelings of anxiety and doubts on my part; anxiety, because after mapping out all the odds and challenges, the time has come for me to indulge into it, come what may.. and doubts, not because I can’t do the job, but because when people raise their hopes so high, they get frustrated at the slightest failure, other considerations notwithstanding.

And so, without much ado, here’s what I told them, and how they responded:
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For Gladys and Mitzi:

Thanks for the compliments and good wishes.

Indeed, it was a very hard decision to make on my part.. it has been a long standing offer from the Mayor and it took me 2 yrs and 2 mos. to decide on this one. Something's lost something's gain. Who lost, who gained, it doesn't matter to me.. I know that as you enter the golden era of your life, there are things much better than material considerations that you would opt for because they make you feel happier and more fulfilled.

A lot of people, on many instances, have thought of serving home, hometown and compatriots while maintaining some sense of financial security at the same time. My three children have graduated (two have good jobs), only one is studying.. my wife has a stable job. I have factored in all of these little blessings and came to the conclusion that I already have enough of what most people don't have. I am so lucky.. yet you can only say this when you wallow in humility.. man, by his nature is insatiable.. only those who see themselves as more blessed than the less fortunate majority will have time to think it's time to plough back the dividends in terms of public service with some sense of patriotism. Ultimately, this is what most people desire to be, but it is not possible all the time.. God made it that way.. that there are more people who should be on the receiving end to test the strength of values and virtues of the few He had chosen to give more so they are better situated to sow His love and peace. I feel fulfilled to even imagine that I am one of them.

People are expecting a lot from me, but I am not a superman; I have only the heart and mind and the sincere intention to make things happen. Rome was not built overnight. With a place like Pikit ravaged by war and a people whose psyche is influenced by fear, insecurity and polarity.. it makes tall order for anyone, even with the sincerest of intentions and highest of dedication and ideals, to make a difference too soon. But setting aside the odds, I would like to feel and believe that the little sacrifice is worth the challenge. (Mrs. Aguilar-trained yata ito.. hehehe..!)

I need people like you to rally behind these efforts. Supportive friends and positive thinking can also make the difference. Your prayers and good wishes will certainly inspire me.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mau

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From Gladys:

I am really happy when you announced your acceptance of the municipal administrator's post in Pikit. I have strong faith in your leadership and credibility. I like to fancy that I am a good judge of character and I am seeing a bright future for Pikit with you in that office. With you beside Mayor Sultan, Pikit is in good hands and heading towards the right path. You both have ties on both the people in power and the "taga sulod" so to speak. You are perfect for the post. I'm sorry about your financial loss that came with the decision to serve our town.. I know that was really a hard one considering the economy of the Philippines but it will pay off in some other ways, I really believe that. You have built yourself well with the expats through the blog and they have long been hopeful that Pikit will finally regain its rightful place and former glory.

Kabalo ba ka nga ang mga nakaila nimo diri sa U.S. especially your former classmates Boy Tordil and Mitzi are comparing you to the well respected S.K. Pendatun and Datu Udtog Matalam? They are always talking about the good old days in Pikit where the Muslims and Christians peacefully coexist under the leadership of these people. It takes a special human being to lead a highly volatile and extremely polarized town like our beloved Pikit. Every expat that I have met and talked with here in the US including Tita Igs of Sweden are very hopeful. I will pray that God will grant you the strength to lead our town out of the ditch where she's been stuck in the last four decades.

I know I'm rambling again and some of this unedited things that I'm saying won't make sense but hey, I'm just happy and excited. Weeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Balikan nato imong initial ugtas sa imong new position, ang kanang blow out. Mura ug mga automatic response kana sa mga tawo labi na sa gobyerno, hihihhihii, di gyud na mawala... You are not obliged to do it apan kanang mga kanahan mangluod ra ba na ug walay "blow out"!!

Ang akong suggestion, hala lutu-i ug dakong kumukunsi nga mura'g bitin nga anaconda kataas unya palinyaha matag empleyado sa munisipyo ug pagunita sa kumukunsi. Unya ug asa ka matunong didto lang ka pwede mu ingkib, tan awon tag di matagam, hehehehehe...(joke~~~)

I will continue to pray and support you. I believe you made the right decision for the sake of Pikit. You were offered a chance to make a difference and you accepted it, so thank you on behalf of the Pikitenos. It's going to be very challenging but there is no other person in that office more fit and deserving to run that Office. To him whom much is given, much is expected in return.

Sa tinuod lang no, before ka pa nag join sa blog, nakadungog na mi sa imong name diri. Dakkie imong klasmit mao man na sige ginasulti, lupig pa si John the Baptist sa pagka advance party para sa imong dramatic entrance, hehehehe. Ingon siya mura ug hayag hayag na daw ang future sa Pikit kay ang iya daw klasmit nga bright ug debater sa klase unya PhD pa gyud sa rural development ang administrator karun, charr~~~. Abi baya gyud namo ug dugay na kang municipal administrator diha!

I told your wife, my ka-friendster, nga naay mga klasmit nimo sa blog nga nangumusta sa imo like Rollie Altea, Bong Sanz, Boy Tordil, Terry Santos Nuesca, Mitzi De Sequera, Jowet Buendia, Joan Yuson, etc. That was the start of our "teamwork" which also helped bring out the Gemini in you as you acknowledge the Christines and Mae's buried deep within your subconscious, WAAAHHHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Perteng lipaya ni,

Gladys

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From Mitzi:

hi mau,

relax mau.....you are well liked and that's why people are happy that you will be joining the Pikit force...through you we have a voice.. we realize that you cannot do it alone....and your anxiety seems to reflect that... but you listen and you offer explanations behind the scenes which is a luxury for Pikitenos...i must say you have very good insights..and is realistic..tells me your mental health is ok..hahahaha..otherwise if you think you can do miracles for Pikit.. then i'll worry about your delusional mental status.....hehehehe..

here in hawaii..the locals speak broken english which they call " pidgin " and a common phrase they say when asked to do something is " if can..can........ if no can....no can". so mau, just try if "can". :) We are proud of you mau!

mitzi

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Conclusion: I under-reacted when the offer was made and over-reacted when it was time to accept it.

What Kids Must Realize.. the earlier, the better!

2008-06-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

Once in a father's lifetime, he would wish that someday somebody may recognize his humble efforts in making both ends meet for the family. And who would that somebody be other than your own kids. My wife? Well, I would not expect much of the same from her.. she already affirmed that when she said 'yes' to my proposal 28 years ago. Till then, we got four kids (3 boys and 1 girl; now aged 27, 25, 24 and 22 respectively).

When our kids were in their elementary days, I used to relate to them how lucky they were for being pitch to and from school by our family driver and sometimes accompanied by the maid to look at their personal grooming always and forever. Apparently, they would not understand or appreciate what I used to say as they would stare at me with blank eyes and probabaly.. blank minds also.

When I was about their age, I walk about three kms. every school day to be able to graduate from grade four. Yes, there was a primary graduation in the early 60s. And since the nearest elementary school was more or less 7 kms. away, my parents decided that I study in the poblacion. And so I enrolled at Pikit Central Elementary School and took on a harder option: that of being away from my parents at such tender age was more difficult than walking 3 kms. everyday.

I would cry silently in the middle of the night and wish that the following day is Friday so I could go home in the afternoon. It was always like that for the first few months, but as time went on, I got accustomed to it till I graduated in the elementary.

For my secondary education, I enrolled in a sectarian school. The first two years were not much a problem in terms of financial requirements. But in my third year and fourth year, when the trouble was starting to set in especially in the remote barrios, things have change quite abruptly. For moving from place to place (evacuation) my parents had to sell some working animals to make both ends meet, so-to-speak. Consequently, and not known to many, I had to resort to working while studying to be able to graduate from high school.

I would love to tell the kids this experience (or ordeal?) in the hope that it may inspire them to do better having been in a much better situation. One time, I had questioned one of the kids why he would need P100 allowance everyday when I would survive for ten pesos a week in my time. And he justified this by saying: "Well Dad, there is no point of comparison here; my father is a manager (I was then the project manager of a foreign-assisted project) while your father is just a poor subsistence farmer". Whoooaaaah huhuhu.. what a way to justify that and yet makes me dumb-founded as if my pants were falling down!!

Now in their 2os, the kids have gotten smarter, more mature and their outlook has broadened that I can comfortably talk to them and share thoughts with them on a lot of important issues. Now I fell that I don't have to make them understand, or wish that they understand, what I went through to build this family and keep it intact, and more importantly, make it safe and secure. The eldest and the second have each a child and they often tell me: "Now Dad, we understand how much you cared for us as we are beginning to step into your own shoes; how we wish that we would be as good a provider, lover and keeper as you have been and will always be.." I feel that there could not be any better complement than that.

When I was in my pre-teen and teenage days, I was exactly like my kids - I would not appreciate nor care to understand what my parents were doing to me. I thought that not having the toys I envy, especially the bicycle I was direly wishing to have, was a deprivation by choice of my parents or plain denial of what I was supposed to have. I would not take not having enough as reason for such 'deprivation'.

Thank God that I had the kind of parents, despite not having enough of resources and education, who never stopped striving to make me what I am now. It took me to have kids to understand the same.

Oh kids from anywhere and from whatever status in life: would it not be better if we realize this a little bit earlier??

My "Apo" Taught me new Shortcut on the Keyboard!

2008-06-03T22:11:00.000-07:00

For those who had not yet experienced having an 'apo' (grandchild), let me tell you that probably the 'apo' is most naughty (or naughtiest??) at age two. My 'apo' turned two last april 5.

What would best describe a two-year old at this point? "At this age," child psychologists say, "you can expect your child to put on clothing, brush her teeth with help, stack 4 to 6 blocks, combine words, know more than 50 words, use pronouns (I, me, you, mine), follow two-step commands, know her body parts, walk up steps, kick a ball, jump up, throw a ball overhead, and her speech should be half understandable."

All true. And maybe what they didn't include in here is that a two-year old at this stage is very inquisitive, quite daring and would tinker on anything within her reach. Example: my 'apo' would try to place her fingers into a rotating electric fan, slap me when I don't listen to what she says or don't understand what she wants, sits on my lap when I am infront of my laptop, asks money from me to buy something in the nearby sari-sari store, would tend to go with anyone who gets out of the house, repeats the last word she hears from you, etc.. etc.!

Her favorite, however, whenever I leave my laptop on and go somewhere else, is to press the restart button.. and there goes everything that I had left for the computer to do.. mostly downloading some important files from the net.

One time, as I was making some comments to a blog posting (Padayon Pikiteno), I left the laptop to give way to a personal necessity at the comfort room. She must have celebrated at the sight of being alone and absolutely free to do what she wants with the laptop.

When I went back to resume my unfinished work with the computer, I found out that it was logged out. "No problem," I said, "I can easily restart the computer and do a little fixing but no files would be affected; nothing to worry.."

Then everything was fixed and soon I was back to making comments on "Padayon Pikiteno". Then, I found out that almost half of the letters on the right side of the keyboard have malfunctioned, as in when you press the letter "M" a "0" would appear, letter "J" gives "1", Letter "K" gives "2", L for 3 and so on and so forth.

I had complained to her parents to inform them that their child had done something wrong with the computer.. and most of the letters on the right side of the keyboard had malfunctioned. The father asked me what could be done. I told him it is not easy to repair a laptop. I had talked to a 'technician' before and he told me that they were not quite familiar with opening or dis-assembling the kind of laptop I have. The best that could be done, I said, is to buy an external keyboard that can be connected to the USB port.

I left the computer with a bit of frutstration, though there is no way that I should get mad with my 'apo'. She could be the worst human being on earth but she will still be the best for me. That's how 'apos' get pampered by grandparents - something that woes most, if not all, apo's parents more often or all the time. When I was in their shoes I would murmur like "kaya nga hindi na naniniwala sa amin ang mga bata e dahil ini-spoil ninyo" (That is why the children would no longer respect us because you were spoiling them.. I would address these to my parents-in-law, though I could only do that silently in my mind when I was alone).

As ususal, my son, my apo's father, would try to do something to explore for himself how the problem might get fixed by himself, either maybe accidentally or through some kind of ingenuity or trial and error, whatever..! At last he had discovered that pressing the "function" and "numlock" keys at the same have fixed the problem. And then everything that had malfunctioned on the right side of the keyboard is now in order. As if nothing wrong had happened. OK, it was just that easy.

Back to my 'apo'.. I was trying hard to imagine how a two-year old might have happened to accidentally press together the two keys: the "function" key is located on the lower left portion of the keyboard and the "numlock" key is located near the upper right hand corner.

Now, I was acting like a police SOCO (scene of the crime operative) trying to figure out every detail of how everything could have possibly happened, as if I was ready to request for a DNA test if necessary.! .. aaahh, she might had placed her left hand on the lower left hand corner of the keyboard to balance herself somehow.. and then she must have missed the switch located near the upper right hand corner and instead pressed the "numlock" key.. OK, there.. I got it.

As I said, my 'apo' just taught me a new short-cut on the keyboard. Pressing the "function" and "numlock" keys simultaneously makes the adjacent letters on the right side of the keyboard function like a separate numeric keypad.. Hehehe.. thanks dear 'apo'.. your being naughty, or let me just call it 'adventurism' and 'inquisitiveness', taught me something new and very important today.

An Uncensored Chat with RG (Rene Great)

2008-05-26T01:44:00.000-07:00

(Maxim = Yours truly / Manlalaban = RG)

Maxim: Hello Brod! How are you doing?

Manlalaban: Very Fine! My heart is filled with happiness to see your poginess

Maxim: Hehehe.. the poginess that never fades just like yours.. It stays stronger and harder by the day..!

Manlalaban: I am very happy about our friendship, may it blossoms like a rose and be fruitful like the mangoes of Pikit.

Maxim: And stays sweeter than those mangoes and grows like corn.. the more mature it becomes, the harder are the kernels., hehehe!!

Manlalaban: I have read the article written by that idiot who used words... “Words are like leaves and where they most abound much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found"

Manlalaban: He just looked eloquent... but if you read it again you will see that he does not know how to use his figures... The first paragraph smacks of barbarisms...

Maxim: I'm afraid his analogy was also inappropriate.. more leaves make more fruit as photosynthesis is enhanced by more green leaves..

Manlalaban: Maybe his leaves are made of paper, incapable of photosynthesis? LOL.

Maxim: Hehehe

Manlalaban: Brod, I will let you go, even if all the time I am on and seem available... I am not really. But I am glad to see you. In the blog, I will be less aggressive in making sensible comments, I will simply keep it funny.

Maxim: Yeah, that's how I do it also in the blog.. I just ride on with what they have to say and share what I have to.. even if there were times I feel the biting blight of age gap.. in most cases I feel it’s a waste of time to just go funny without really considering if we are making sense or not .. but those young friends, as well as those who think they are still too young to be considered ‘old’, would love it that way.. so yebaaaa.. we go.. if only to keep things going on.. and forget about the age gap!!

Manlalaban: I now agree with Cat that the Psyche of the People of Pikit is deeply affected by insecurity and that they are allergic to visions and plans and sometimes sense... Pentikon ka dayon (you’re criticized outright) and they are non-respecters of sense and sensibility.

Maxim: as well as the wisdom that goes with age.. hehehe..! They forget that the older one gets, the wiser he becomes.. and until such time that wisdom is no longer distinguished from senility..hehehe..!!

Manlalaban: My frozen shoulder is better, so I have decided to go back to work for a while because now I see that retirement is boring, although I have been doing a lot of reading and writing.

Maxim: And worse, they have no respect for age gaps, i.e. between them on one hand, and the two of us on the other.. hehehe..!

Manlalaban: ako ra man ang medyo guang-guang dire.. (I’m relatively the oldest here)

Maxim: second-second ko sa imo.. hehe!!

Manlalaban: By the way, did I tell you that I am writing about the Moro Struggle?

Maxim: Seems like you had.. yeah, but you said you were just planning to write about it..

Manlalaban: I am thinking of writing more to the structure of Diwata and Bathala as inspirers of the Moro people. I will fictionize it, so no one can say it is not false aside from being a universal truth.

Maxim: Great!! the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were fictionalized, and yet, they were so powerful.

Manlalaban: These are the tentative titles: 1000 years of struggle

Maxim: You mean from the birth of Islam in the 13th century?

Manlalaban: How about: "Mau's Pinnacle of Greatness: An Autobiography." LOL

Maxim: Fine! I mean it’s a fitting tribute to a self-made man, who by any measure is destined for greatness.. hehehe.. But maybe No, not that way brod.. that title, I’m very sure will sell.. but it may be inconsistent with the content..!

Maxim: You mean you will reckon it from the time of the birth of Islam in the Philippines?

Manlalaban: Yes, and this is where you and I can work together .

Maxim: Hehehe.. you will end up writing a tele-novela.. remember my "The White Hankerchief"?

Manlalaban: Yeah, I do recall that great novel that you wrote.. and it has effectively made me childish.. why do I have to cry over an assemblage of words that were just carefully manipulated to polarize the senses and emotions into one set of melancholy and enormous desolation..

Maxim: hehehe.. I wrote it at a time that I was greatly affected by the untimely demise of my beloved sister.. it was a beautiful and creative amalgam of facts and fiction, I think.!

Manlalaban: We can trace it like a Great datu was advised by Bathala to cross the seas with his families and populated the Lanao Lake and the Liguasan Marsh of Cotabato.... given the gift of the fruits of the marshes.

Maxim: if you write about my life, it's not very exciting.. though i admit its colorful.. and awfully romantic.. hehehe.

Manlalaban: I see greatness of this fictional history that will catapult your name Mau or maybe Mauyag (life).... into the leader... handler of the mirror of greatness. like an amulet.

Maxim: and it would go like.. there emerged among them a brave and handsome prince who was only subtly known by the name MAU.. who epitomizes the great warriors of antiquity.. conqueror of great places and hearts of beautiful women..!

Manlalaban: Mauyag ka!! (Mabuhay!.. Long live)

Maxim: and who seem to have come from nowhere and instantly makes the beautiful women of the tribe spellbound by his demure poginess, gentle ways and creative tongue that exudes poetry as he speaks.. and though he bows before Kings and Mistresses, he makes them kneel down to their senses and awe.. as he displays his knightly wares and antics in an inimitable fashion..!

Manlalaban: The people of Pikit, though in the midst of the struggle do not really understand the reason for the unrest that has caused us to suffer so many lives lost ... long has our tears and blood shed for no apparent reason... but deep in our hearts we are really inheritors of a struggle that has destined us to become great once we resolve to have love and peace.. and work for a Maguindanaon President of the Republic of the Philippines. That is you..!

Maxim: Hehehe.. that would be the day, brod.. that would be the day..when we shall have to brandish our poginess, and whatever assets we have including POWER and AUTHORITY, in swashbuckling fashion to attract more investors and women.. hehehe..!

Manlalaban: Did you know that the early Filipino leadership was chosen according to who had the biggest p---- in the tribe?

Manlalaban: Lakan means malaki ang kanya (he has a big asset)

Maxim: I didn't know that! that's interesting, though, I would surely end up a loser if Presidents are selected that way.. hehehe.!

Manlalaban: so the great leader lives in the palace called Malacanyan. May lakan na nakatira dyan, malaki ang kanya.. (There’s a leader that stays there; his asset is big).

Maxim: but Lakandula has nothing of that sort and yet he was a great leader!

Manlalaban: how is that? He is already a LAKAN..!

Maxim: Yes, a LAKAN he is, but the authorities in the tribe made a mistake. They didn’t know he lost his LAKAN. DULA in Hiligaynon means.. nawala (lost).. hehehe.!

Manlalaban: is that so?? They should correct the history books then.!

Maxim: Yeah, they have to. I’m almost tempted to tell the National Historical Commission to start doing that.. you know, the Executive Director of the Commission lives a few blocks away from us.

Manlalaban: In the same way that your patience is similar to how long or how quickly you do sex.

Manlalaban: Your temper can also show according to how long you engage in foreplay.

Manlalaban: The sad part about is it that if your plans take so long, you might end up culminating it by self gratification.. hahaha!!

Maxim: Hehehe..you’re absolutely right.. sexual foreplay is a matter of patience. Younger people, ususally, do it fast and furious, so their patience runs out more quickly..

Manlalaban: Never let go of integrity, generousity and love, for these, coupled with energy, will lift you into the truly prosperous state of life and even in love making. So, you see life is like sex.. sometimes it is only a five-second wonder... sometimes it is life itself... a struggle to make your love happy... generousity makes you think that you cannot have love and sex alone... you must make other women happy too... and this defines generousity in its truest sense.

Manlalaban: Take all these lightly though... even if it is true.

Maxim: Now I know why good lovers make good leaders too! A few examples are: Kublai Khan for his Yang Kwei Fei, Mark Anthony for his Cleopatra, Pres. Clinton for his Monica Lewinsky, You and I for..er.. este.. we have yet to find some to become great leaders too, hehehe.!

Maxim: But wait, Erap, for having too many, did not finish his term as President.. and his jail term too!! He seems to be an exception to the rule.

Manlalaban: sure, he is.. Erap simply didn’t know how to make use of his extreme poginess; very much unlike us.!

Manlalaban: and.. energy is important.....even if fleeting and short.. life is beautiful... like sex..

Manlalaban: We have become praisers of truth... you and I because we are very much alike..

Maxim: that’s exactly how we sustain our greatness! We see things, events and life so differently.. with eyes so keen and discerning and way far off from the ordinary.. we see even ourselves and appreciate the paramount truth in us beyond the ordinary people’s eyes.. In fact, we are the enterprising individuals – who truly believe in ourselves, amazed by our own greatness and fantasize on the many great unbelievable feats that we are so capable of.. Oooh, I think this is humility exemplified to the best minimum.!

Manlalaban: Hahahahaha..!!

Maxim: so long brod.. I think this will do for now.. we have to take respite before we proceed to lose all the remaining sanity in us.. hehehe..!!

Manlalaban: Ok brod, you’re absolutely right.. I think we’ve gone too far that we have to recoup our senses right away..

Maxim: Right away brod.. right away.. I hope this is not one symptom of senility starting to set in.. NO, not yet please.. hehehe..! Hahahaha..!!

Why some are super-excited to go back to school??!!

2008-05-11T03:46:00.000-07:00

I happened to read one message from a teenager friendster of mine, whom I don't exactly remember how I happened to accept her or me accepted by her! As I said, I already had some kind of phobia opening my 'friendster' after I recieved several comments from some youngbloods that say: "You too are fond of or hooked to friendster?? We thought this is only for the young ones like us!".. GRRRRR.. as if they own the franchise to FRIENDSTER!!

But wonder of wonders, why of so many things I can do with the computer that day, there was this great urge to open my friendster and see what's happening over there by now. And I got what i expected. Nothing has changed. The friendster is still and indeed ruled by the youngbloods. Something irreversible I think. Thank God, this has made me look for other diversions that made me feel some kind of belongingness.. I found blogging as the next best thing after friendster or certainly the best for great people of my age trying to find out their two-dollar worth in this cyber-world.

Anyway, going back to that message from a teener, and she says she's fifteen years old.. And so, I guess she's in third year high school if she entered grade one at age 7 or fourth year high school this schoolyear if she was a Promil wonder kid! She says "I'm super-excited to go back to school.. I really miss school now.." OOooww realllyy?!.. as in you miss your subjects, assignments, research works, cutting grasses, cleaning the room, etc.?? Or, you're just missing your crushes in school as there is very little chance for you to go 'eyeball-to-eyeball' because you were not so free to leave the house while you're on vacation! Maybe true, maybe not! But maybe more true than otherwise.

This has instantly aroused my super-excitedness too, but not because my youngest daugther is not equally excited for the same reasons that this girl has, but because I was deeply pondering as to what would super-excite these young ones to have great longing for school life when so many had long wanted to get out of school or finish schooling as soon as possible! Speaking of my time, I had always wanted to cut short my stay in school and I was ready to take the shortest cut if there was such a thing.

Aahh wait.. I recalled what my daughter used to say.. hehehe! "Dad, I'd better be in school always..", she said. "But why do you wish so, my girl??", I asked. "At least, you'd always give me money and I have a million reason for asking more from you.. hehehe", she said quite with an emphatic joke. A joke that's kinda hurt if not for the reason that parents don't have choices when it comes to this kind of stuff. Yes, we parents are responsible for our children's education. So we just have to take everything hook, line and sinker if our children choose the long cut for their own kind of reasons! Waaaa.. huhuhu!

We can only tell them to strive to have good grades as some kind of consolation for the hard-earned pesos derived out of our blood, sweat and tears. And as if to oblige and show they had been the ideal children that we had wanted them to be.. they say "Oh yes Dad & Mom.. don't worry.. there are only two choices.. either to be magna or summa.. magna-nine years in college or summa-sampung taon." Waaaa.. huhuhu!

Indeed, we parents have no choice. "OK, my dear daughter: by all means.. earn a college degree.. whatever that is!!"

(Note: My youngest daughter is the only one left schooling after six years in college and in her fifth.. no, not year.. school.. yes, you heard it loud and clear.. her FIFTH SCHOOL! All her three elder brothers have graduated from college. She now brags about being the lone student that we support and having the luxury of time to choose when to graduate!)

The Question (or what a question!)

2008-05-05T06:16:00.000-07:00

(To appreciate this post better, please join me in imagining that I'm just 19 years old now. Yes, I had tried to imagine how my thoughts run at this time if I am only in my late teens.. hehehe -- Dr. Mosaid)

When I was a small kid my parents would ask me, “Son, what do you want to be when you grow up?” This seems to be the favorite question of most parents from the moment the child starts to talk. And they keep on repeating this even if they know that children, who barely remember what was said, do not give responsible answers yet.

As a child, I say what comes to my mind at the instant the question was asked. Or what I saw on TV few moments back. So at one time I’ll say, “I want to be a doctor..” The next time around I would say “I want to be a teacher, policeman, superman, batman or even wonderwoman..” Much worse, I would just want to be Chipmunks and be among the Sesame Street stars and fool around Big Bird and tell him “Ernie and Bert has some kinda relationship!”.. hehehe..!

Not once in my life did I plan what I would be in the future, near or distant. I was just a laid back guy, so I thought. That’s it. I felt that it’s hard to imagine things especially if they don’t really happen the way you wanted them to be. It could be very frustrating! Sometimes, I would just want to challenge myself to a duel in the dark.. me and myself fighting and hope that the best man wins.. or, hang myself at the back of the house using the thread that Mama used to patch up the peepholes in my short.

“Son, what do you want to be when you grow up?” Ooh, here goes this million dollar question again. I felt that if irritability can be measured, it is directly proportional to the number of times the question is asked! At one time, I just wished that I wouldn’t grow up so they would stop asking that question. But can I refuse to grow up or violate the laws of nature? At another time, I would asked, “When will science be able to make a ‘bonsai’ of man?”

Can you imagine It was imposed upon me to study multiplication, division, square root at the tender age of grade one?!! It was so annoyingly boring.. Grrrrrhh! And to think that I was not a Promil wonder kid. I was just fed Liberty condensed milk alternated with Alaska, for almost ten years and sometimes water mixed with sugar when they run out of money or when the suking tindahan (variety store) would deny them credit.

Sometimes, if not always, parents wouldn’t mind that you are forced into something you don’t want or enjoy doing. Is it because they want you to be good at what they were not before! Ok, they were the ones paying for my tuition but are they the one who would make use of what I had learned or have to learn?? Or worse, they would say: “Son, I want you to be like that son of our neighbor.. he’s the brightest in his class.. did you see him?” Sometimes, I got apprehensive that next time around they would ask me to be like Jose Rizal or Albert Einstein or Mahatma Gandhi.

Yeah, I had my chance to be counted among the honor pupils from the primary grades to high school. And so they thought that I can be what they wanted because I was doing fine in school. What they didn’t know was my high grades had been the product of my silent protests before. I hate to do errands. In short, I was lazy, and until now. So I would read and read my textbooks pretending to be studious. It was better to read and sit down idly than run errands for them. Good riddance, it was a creative way to cover up for laziness!

I do believe that life should not be planned at the very early stage. So many things happened that were not in the books, so many events unfold that were not planned. Changes and events go side by side with growing up and I would imagine that if one got the pluck, he can just lunge into the place for him amidst those running episodes of life and events. Just like the fish ‘tuna,’ their lives depended on the water currents and when they get somewhere near General Santos City, they would end up inside those tin cans with the appropriate labels. They taught us good values and how to love our neighbors, but not once did they taught us self defense when these neighbors make a fool out of us or when we get busted out of love!

“Son, what do you want to be when you grow up?” I don’t want to grow up anymore..! It’s so nice to just be a small child.. play in the neighborhood, go to the malls sometimes and eat at your favorite fastfood lane.. or go camping. That’s all.

Now, I am a man, a real grown-up man. Now, I know what I wanted to be. With a basketful of experiences and what I went through all my life, as my adam’s apple become more and more distinct, as my waist shapes up and muscles start to build up like small cysts, I know for sure that I just wanted one thing. If I had known what LIFE was all about when I was a small child, I would have readily given them just one consistent answer. And when they ask me that question again, I would tell them.. “I just want to be HAPPY when I grow up.”

And when they tell me I did not understand the question then, I will tell them now that they did not understand me and my life too.

Some words on Mother's Day!

2008-05-01T16:28:00.000-07:00

May 11 this year is Mother's Day. And how I wish my mother is still around so I can make up for lost times and opportunities. This notion cannot be more factual than now: "You learn to value something/someone more after you lost them". Now that she's in the other sphere of the cosmic world, I only have these words for her: "May her soul rest in peace; may she stays in the bossom of the Lord's care.."

On Mothers Day, thank your Mother. The best opportunity is when they are still around. There is simply no way we can ever really thank mother for all she has done for us. Consider these: She is the one who will be awake all night when we are sick. Praying to God to make us well and be ever ready to bear the pain that we may be experiencing. She is the one to wake up early in the morning to make the nicest tiffin and endure all our tantrums. Mothers are the ones who would forever complain that we are not eating enough or not eating right. They would cook all sorts of things so that we be strong and healthy.

I know very well how mothers feel. I have the best mother of my children in my wife. And this family wouldn't be a complete whole without her.

Mothers are everything for us when we are small...our lives revolve around her. For everything that we need we call mother. To protect us from all perceivable dangers we want her around us. To take us out we hold her arms. To kiss away our wounds we run to her. And for a warm hug and love we look for her. She is the focal point of our lives, the greatest human being in the world or should we say divinity on earth. On the special occasion of Mothers Day pay tribute to your mother - the greatest blessing of God on you.

Mothers love to be loved, remembered and pampered especially on a special ocassion like this. . For me, it's more than enough that we have each other everyday of the year and every mother's day.

Below, I endeavoured to put together words that express every meaning that symbolizes that special attachment, reverence and tribute that mothers deserve on Mother's Day. They are intentionally shortened, and in some cases paraphrased, so that they can be transmitted in SMS - the now considered state-of-the-art way to send messages in leiu of the letter written on specially decorated perfumed paper when the luxury of the mobile phone was so far out of touch yet.

Words are appreciated for their meanings, and when they are put together to form phrases, sentences, paragraphs, and so on.. they express a variety of feelings, emotions, infatuations, purpose, motives, and what have you. We may think words are nothing more than little simple assemblage of the alphabet, but they mean a lot to mothers when these words sincerely come from the loving hearts of children. They will be happier with words beautifully and creatively expressed than material things.

Again, I have gone quite far.. and forgot that this is 'cheap talk'. No.. Mothers are never cheap talk topics. It just happened that I have to post this here because this blogsite has relatively more visitors than my other blogsites.. hehehe!

Before, we bcome misty-eyed, here are some sample messages you can send to your mom on Mother's Day:

1. God's omnipresence is made more manifests when He created mothers. Happy Mother's Day!!

2. "M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold,
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be.

3. Once upon a memory. Someone wiped away a tear. Held me close and loved me. Thank you, Mother dear. Happy Mother's Day.

4. The Miracle of Life nurtured by a woman who gave us love and sacrifice...MOTHER. Happy Mother's Day!!

5. For the best mom who always had a smile for me, I know we may be far apart right now. So here's a great big hug and kiss. Happy Mother's Day.

6. When you feel you are alone in the crowd, when you think no one understands you, when your love is rejected by others, & when you hate your life, just close your eyes & see her face who loves you more than any 1 else, who cares for you in loneliness, & dies when you cry. Happy Mother's Day.

7. She is no 1, but your sweet loving mother. Love your mom first and always. I take this opportunity to thank you for your immeasurable contribution to my life. Thank you Mom! And wish you a Very Happy Mother's Day!

8. You've seen me laugh; You've seen me cry; And always you were there with me. I may not have always said it, but thanks and I love you very much. Happy Mother's Day.

OK guys? If you can't say it with flowers and cards, say it through text, or better still, buy her a brand new cellphone - the latest from her favorite brand.. hehehe! Isn't that the best way to pamper your Mom on Mother's Day??!!

'Cheat Talks' in a Birthday Party

2008-04-26T04:08:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday (April 25) was the birthday of my sister-in-law's apo (grand-daughter). Her name is Sittie Althea Lorraine Montera nicknamed 'kangkang' who met my apo Fatima Alyssa Marie Mosaid nicknamed Famfam. Ooh what did you notice? Well, aside from threesome names, or three names in one, repetitive nicknames are also a fad nowadays. See?

The ocassion was also an opportunity to meet some relatives and friends as it was also a reunion of some sort. Among others, I chanced upon a couple (husband and wife), one of them is my wife's first cousin. Both of them are Doctors of Medicine. The reason why I was most interested in them was obvious. I can talk to them about a lot of things, one of them is a consultation for free - hehehe!

Other relatives were curious at the fact that the couple had no 'ride' of their own which was quite amazing considering that the medical profession has been considered a lucrative profession. "Yeah, why indeed you still did not buy a car; any particular model from among the popular brands that you're waiting to come out?" I asked. "Not really", the husband replied. "We're just waiting for the right time, and that time is when we shall be able to buy a brand new one on cash basis." Good idea. You'll save more if you buy in cash.

Then I touched on the issue that most Doctors, if not all, do not declare their true income with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). "Like for example, I know one," I said. When I was admitted in a private hospital, I got curious with my attending physician - who was always on the run whenever he made the rounds to check on his patients. So, he has only two minutes at most to talk to me or interview me. Sometimes, less than a minute. "Doc, I wonder how many patients, on the average, do you attend to everyday?" I asked. "Not less than 30 in three hospitals", he answered. The time he saves for the day is spent in his clinic. So, if this doctor's fee each patient is P1,000 per day, he earns P30,000 per day or more than P1M a month including the earnings from his clinic.

After relating the story to the couple, I told them that they can also do the same. "But make sure you'll be honest enough in declaring your real income," I jokingly warned. "That is someting that we have to think about." the husband retorted. "Why do you say that Doc?" "Doesn't it sound more practical if we are the one pocketing our extra income rather than some crooks in the BIR?!!" the male doctor in the couple answered. He went further, "This is the reason why most of us in the medical profession are hesitant to declare our true income. We are sure that if things don't improve in the present situation we are just contributing to satisfy the greed of some crook officials in this government.."

"Sounds like there is some sense in it", I sighed to myself. On the other hand, my favorite by-line quikly came to my mind. "A wrong cannot be corrected by another wrong." A crook official in the government, or anybody for that matter, cannot be straightened by another crook act. As a law-abiding citizen, we just have to do our sovereign responsibility dutifully and honestly and God takes care of the rest. Of course, we don't do this praying only but acting or doing something after we had asked the Lord to intervene for the good of this country. Amen!

And as always, we start cleansing this country away of the crooks with ourselves. If charity begins at home, forming a mindset for some sort of a national socio-cultural values must start with the self. The more drastic one is the recommendation of one 'fool' who said that we can only make this country great again if we kill all the older generations of Filipinos and allow only the toddlers and the innocents to survive so they start forming a whole new generation free from the impurities of society and sins of antiquities!

Sounds like I've gone too far. Well, back to that birthday party. My bilas (the husband of my sister-in-law) asked me why are apos so distinctly special from our own children. I told him it's because in the apo, we see that we are given the second chance to correct our shortcomings for our own children, or do the things we should have done for them and avoid those that we should not have done for them. That's why we are so intimately attached, delicately caring and protective for our apos because we cannot afford another mistake this time around. This is also one of the reasons why we grandparents are dubbed as "spoilers" by the apos' parents. My bilas quickly seconded everything I said with affirmation.

Before I forget, I have to mention that the party was to be attended in 'costume' by the children who were invited to come. So, there were those who came in Batman costume, some in Wonder Woman, others in Angel, Spiderman, Catwoman, Superman, etc. My apo came in a ballerina costume which was the choice of my wife. My daughter, the favorite tita of my apo protested, "Maaaahh.. Famfam would look great in Tomb Raider costume because of her tomboyish look!" "Besides," I seconded, "Famfam doesn't look becoming as a ballerina because of her big tummy", hehehe! This has been the result of pampering the apo in the kitchen. "Yooow are not authorized to object!" my wife grinned. Everybody was silent.

Then, I realize that the best time to start off with a good looking body figure for your girl is while she is a little baby. I overheard some doctors say (or was it nutritionists) that fats that have accumulated over the years are harder to slim down in the child's late adolescense - one lesson that must be learned in pampering apos. Grandparents, more often than not, commit the mistake of showing love for the apo by tolerating everything that the child wants to eat, or more appropriately - can swallow, like there is no tomorrow! Second lesson: don't oblige children to attend in costume when the price of rice is rising. Parents who cannot afford to buy costume for their children won't come. This was what happened to some of those invited to this birthday party. And third, don't attempt to correct cheating by some crooks in government by another cheating.

Sometimes, cheap talks can touch on 'cheat talks'!

Hillary: My Personal Choice for Pres. of the U.S.A.

2008-04-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

PHILADELPHIA - Hillary Rodham Clinton ground out a gritty victory in the Pennsylvania primary Tuesday night, defeating Barack Obama and staving off elimination in their historic race for the Democratic presidential nomination.
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My choice of Hillary Clinton may not matter at all because I cannot vote for her anyway, and though this small and maybe unheard of blogsite is too remote to reach the attention of American voters, the topic itself is more than enough as a material for a cheap talk. Yes, remember, this is 'Cheap Talks'.

The United States of America is no doubt the strongest country in the world in terms of military arsenal. In fact, I would think that America won the 'cold war' primarily because Russia was greatly intimidated by the 'Star Wars' project of then President Ronald Reagan. Of course, the economic recession that hit Russia in the last two deacdes was another thing but that was secondary. Remember that Russia already attained the zenith of its military might before its economy went down. Most of the communist countries, who believed that a balance in military power is one of the ways to survive, would rather keep their millitary arsenal enhanced at the expense of the economy. But sensing that no matter what it does, Russia will not be able to catch up with America, it gave up the contest for military supremacy between the two countries.

And why would I advocate for a woman President of the USA? Simple. A male president, as has been the case hence, is too much for a country whose male leaders think that they can rule the world with iron hands. Countries, which are also relatively strong but once led by women leaders such as Canada, Great Britain, Australia and India, have moderated their ambitions to expand their military and political clout. This is why I advocate for a woman President for the United States and the best choice is Hillary Rodham Clinton, and the right time is now. If asked on the same issue, I would advocate the same for North Korea, China, Libya, Pakistan, Cuba and other countries which have not yet given up their expansionist tendencies.

I have seven more good reasons below for my choice of Hillary Clinton, not only for her being a woman, but also for what she is as a person and the politician that she has been and will be.

Here are some of those that they say about Hillary Clinton:

1. Rep. Jack Murtha:

“Senator Clinton is the candidate that will forge a consensus on health care, education, the economy, and the war in Iraq.”

2. Whoopi Goldberg:

"I want a substantive candidate for President and that is why I am switching from Obama to Hillary Clinton!"

3. The Democratic Daily:

"Hillary Clinton has, as she has said, taken this incoming fire for 15 years or more. She’s had her patriotism questioned, her sexuality questioned, been accused of being a murderer, been accused of much more and yet she’s still the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination. She’s tougher than boot leather while having a human side. Those are assets that our candidate needs. Hillary Clinton has developed thick skin and the ability to remain calm in campaign combat. Yet, she also knows how to listen to the American people."

4. DailyKos:

"Nope, nothing "BREAKING". And it can't be said to be a "surge" or "collapse" on either side. However, looking at today's national tracking polls from Rasmussen and Gallup, we might be seeing the beginning of a new trend to keep an eye on. "

5. My DD: 2.9 Million Nurses Endorse Hillary Clinton:

"One of the themes of the presidential race is the choice between flashy rhetoric we often hear from politicians and real work to make the lives of real Americans better. Today, Hillary Clinton received the endorsement of 2.9 million nurses who work everyday to improve the lives of real Americans, the American Nurses Association. "

6. Huffington Post:

"Why Hillary Clinton Will Restore America's Standing in the World? During the years that Hillary Clinton served as first lady, she became a symbol of America's human face and the values we cherish as a people. In an unprecedented role, she traveled to more than eighty countries to highlight the importance of investing in people. She gave voice to those living on the margins of society, particularly women and children, but also the poor. She put a spotlight on US development programs that offered solutions to pressing problems like infectious diseases, illiteracy, and economic marginalization. She advanced important causes -- from microcredit to global health initiatives -- with an array of foreign leaders, international organizations, and grass roots activists."

7. NYT: The Caucus

"In an indication of where Democratic Party leaders are leaning, the telephone survey of the party’s superdelegates found about one-third of them undecided, 25 percent favoring Mrs. Clinton and about 10 percent supporting Mr. Obama. In an earlier survey completed by The Times and CBS News in November, more of the party leaders were undecided, though they supported Mrs. Clinton over Mr. Obama then as well. "

And what more.. Barrack Obama will find it hard to put away Hillary Clinton due to the following:

1. RACE: The jury is still out on whether a black man can overcome America's original sin and be elected president.

About one in five Pennsylvania voters said the race of the candidates was among the top factors in deciding how to vote, according to exit polls, and white voters who cited race supported Clinton over Obama by a 3-to-1 margin.

Results from all the primaries suggest that whites who said race was important in picking their candidate have been about twice as likely to back Clinton as Obama.

An AP-Yahoo News poll found that about 8 percent of whites would be uncomfortable voting for a black president. The actual percentage is probably higher because voters are shy about admitting a racial prejudice to pollsters.

Both campaigns exploited the race issue. The Clinton camp maneuvered to cast Obama as a candidate whose appeal was limited to blacks. The Obama campaign seized every opportunity — at times overreaching — to accuse the Clinton campaign of playing the race card.

The issue was renewed when former President Clinton, asked in an interview broadcast Tuesday with Philadelphia radio station WHYY about comments he made before the South Carolina primary, said the Obama campaign "played the race card on me."

"And we now know, from memos from the campaign and everything, that they planned to do it all along," Bill Clinton said.

2. WORKING-CLASS VOTERS: Obama can't win the presidency unless he starts connecting better with blue-collar voters.

The New York senator easily won among Pennsylvania voters without college degrees and those from families earning less than $50,000 a year. Gun owners, rural voters and churchgoing Democrats also backed Clinton.

These are the folks who Obama said "cling to" guns and God, an inelegant attempt to explain to San Francisco liberals how GOP operatives exploit Democratic voters in anxious economic times. He bowled (poorly) and drank beer in a feeble attempt to show a blue-collar touch.

If Obama wins the nomination, he risks losing those voters to Republican John McCain. While 68 percent of Obama voters in Pennsylvania said they would vote for Clinton should she run against McCain, just 53 percent of Clinton voters said they would vote for Obama.

Race may be an issue here, too. For years, Republicans aimed affirmative action, school busing, welfare and other racially tinged wedge issues at white working-class voters.

3. FRIENDS IN TROUBLE: The longer the campaign goes, the more questions Obama faces about his friends and associates.

He was forced onto the defensive by incendiary comments by his pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Friend and fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko faces corruption charges. And McCain is raising questions about Obama's relationship with former 1960s radical William Ayers, who has been quoted in an interview as saying, "I don't regret setting bombs" decades ago.

4. INEXPERIENCE: It's true that Clinton has never run a government or a business, but many voters give her credit for proximity. They consider her experience as first lady preparation for the presidency.

By any measure, Obama is relatively inexperienced, having left the Illinois Legislature less than four years ago.

5. METTLE: Clinton's backers love the fact that she fought Republicans — not to mention the "right-wing conspiracy" — during her husband's presidency. Many Democrats wonder whether Obama is tough enough, a charge that he should be putting to rest in this brass-knuckle nominating contest. But he hasn't.

Headed into Pennsylvania, the cash-strapped Clinton had to defeat Obama by a wide enough margin to stay in the race, raise money and eventually persuade a majority of party regulars — the so-called superdelegates — to side against Obama.

Victory in hand, she must keep winning — Indiana, North Carolina, Oregon, Kentucky, West Virginia, Puerto Rico and beyond, all tall orders, and catch every break along the way.
"He broke every spending record in this state, trying to knock us out of the race," Clinton crowed in victory Tuesday night. "Well, the people of Pennsylvania had other ideas."

The question is whether superdelegates will get other ideas. Will they start wondering why can't Obama put her away?

Much Ado Over Jatropha Curcas!

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

In the other blogsite (Padayon Pikiteno) that we have, where I am one of the co-authors, I posted a topic re-emphasizing the great many uses of the moringa plant (malungay or kalamungay to others). From an ordinary add-on vegetable, that we had been so used to about it, (and I say add-on because it cannot stand alone from our traditional use of the plant, so, it's only good for all kinds of 'tinolas'), to an all-purpose herbal plant, to something more sophisticated like cosmetics, we tried to bring the plant back to life, so-to-speak. Yes, it might be so, because we had already long taken for granted the many uses of the moringa plant and I was a little bit afraid that this favorite 'utan' of the Cebuanos might be relegated back to oblivion if not a candidate for extinction. Thanks to the Cebuanos dire love for the plant, it can never be an endangered specie.

But wonder of all wonders! I thought that I should have elicited an exciting and long discussion about the 'malungay' plant, especially so that I would be discussing the matter with great people most of them are Cebuanos, or if not, some speak and act like Cebuanos for having had so intimate acquaintances with the Cebuanos of Pikit. I was one of them (a non-Cebuano) who acts and speaks almost like one real Cebuano all for love of the tribe. Anyway, what exactly happened was, instead of the 'malungay', what was discussed quite lengthily was the jatropha carcus! And mind you, not for what exciting details one can be so curious to know about jatropha carcus (tuba-tuba) but for the debate on whether or not there was such a processing plant that processes 'tuba-tuba' into bio-diesel fuel. Whoaaah..!

The usual thing that happens in that blogsite is, once a new topic has been posted, the discussions shift fast to the new topic and the old topic was left behind. Not in this case. Two topics were posted past the 'malungay' hulabaloo, yet, the tuba-tuba thing is still very much alive. I am amused at how the comments keep pouring in despite the two topics that superseded it.

I thought that when I promised to research on jatropha (excuse me not jetropha, a typho error!), things will start to cool off. But the heat refuses to cool off. Especially, that some anonies keep throwing fuel into the fire instead of dowsing it off with cold water.

Anyway, I promised to enhance my knowledge about the jatropha thing, and I said, I'm gonna post it on the same site but I decided not to for fear that I might be adding fuel to the fire. And so let's take a look at the jatropha and educate ourselves about it.

What is Jatropha curcas?

IT is an oil bearing plant indigenous to the Philippines.
An alternative source of fuel for lighting and cooking.
An alternative source of fuel for low RPM diesel combustion engines. A potential source of Bio-diesel for trucks and cars.

In the Philippines, Jatropha is known as
“Tubang-bakod” in Tagalog;
“Tawa-tawa” in Ilonggo;
“Kasla” or “Tuba-tuba” in Visayan; and
“Kabalitiayay” in Maguindanaon

Jatropha can grow almost anywhere in the Philippines. Jatropha curcas is a drought resistant perennial shrub or small tree that grows well even in marginal or poor soil. It is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and lives for 40-50 years. Its productive life is from 30 to 40 years. 2,200 trees can be planted per hectare.

In India, Jatropha starts bearing fruits in two years after planting but initial planting in Samal Island in Davao started yielding fruits in only 6 months after planting the cuttings. The hardy jatropha is resistant to drought and pests, and produces seeds containing up to 40% oil. When the seeds are crushed and processed, the resulting oil can be used in a standard diesel engine, while the residue can also be processed into biomass to power electricity plants.[2]
Goldman Sachs recently cited Jatropha curcas as one of the best candidates for future biodiesel production.[3] However, despite its abundance and use as an oil and reclamation plant, none of the Jatropha species have been properly domesticated and, as a result, its productivity is variable, and the long-term impact of its large-scale use on soil quality and the environment is unknown. [1]

What are the possible business opportunities with Jatropha curcas?

Produce seedlings
Produce cuttings
Produce ready-to-plant seedlings
Establish a plantation
Produce Oil
Crude oil
Ready-to-use Jatropha Biodiesel

Other uses of jatropha curcas:

31 to 37 % of oil is extracted from a Jatropha seed. Jatropha Curcas seed can be used as Bio diesel for any diesel engine without modification; Selling treated Jatropha seeds, and quality sapling;

Dark blue dye and wax can be produced from the bark of the Jatropha curcas plants; Jatropha plant Stem is used as a poor quality wood; Jatropha curcas leaves helps in dressing the wound; Jatropha roots help in making yellow dye; Juice of the flowers of Jatropha curcas and the Jatropha stem has very good medicinal properties; Pounded seeds are used in tanning; Press Cake : Jatropha becomes Organic fertilizer and soil improver; Jatropha curcas extracted oil are used as Bio-Diesel, Varnishes, Illuminants, Soap, Pest control and Medicinal for skin diseases, as purgative.

Email info@jatrophacurcas-biodiesel.com for more info..

Meeting My Grand-Daughter for the First Time!

2008-04-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

It was one of the longest waiting in my life!

Several thoughts had been playing in my mind as I eagerly (and patiently) wait for our eldest son's coming home from far away Cagayan Valley, Region 2, Northern Luzon.

First, when will I see him after being away for four years? Second, what does he have for us when he arrives home from far away Tuguegarao City? Is there anything that had changed in him after all these years?

My wife, Jasmine, was all set to attend the graduation of our eldest son in Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao (CCT). She was determined to go come what may, for she could no longer bear not see his favorite son. And so, she left Cotabato City for Manila on March 29, 2008.

The trip to Tuguegarao from Manila was not easy. First, you have to traverse long, winding mountainous road whether you go via (1) Bulacan-Pampanga-Cavite-Pangasinan-Nueva Ecija-Isabela route or (2) Bulacan-Pampanga-Cavite-Pangasinan-Benguet-Mt. Province route or (3) Bulacan-Pampanga-Cavite-Pangasinan-La Union-Ilocos Sur-Ilocos Norte route. Second, it was more difficult for all of them were first-timers on any of the three routes. For a non-tourist like my wife and the rest of the group, taking a map with them was not among the preparations. And so, they had to rely on my guidance straight from my room in Cotabato City as I guided them through the map of Northern Luzon.

At last they reached Tuguegarao City after that long exasperating trip! My wife was teary-eyed upon seeing our eldest son after four years of being away. I can imagine the feeling of relief that she had. Then the biggest surprise of her life came when she was presented with her 'apo' - a beautiful granddaughter, who is almost two years old. She was not only teary-eyed this time but she begun to sob for reasons probably known only to her. And I refuse to guess them or make any conjectures though I have my own feelings about it but they are best kept to myself only. What else could she do but accept everything as it is, as it has been, and as it will be.

They took the 1st route to Tuguegarao which took them 11 hours on the road, and went back to Manila via the 3rd route which lasted for 15 hours.

My wife's group reached back Manila on the 3rd of April 2008 at past 8:00 in the morning. I was expecting that they go by plane to Cotabato City on the 5th so we could celebrate the 2nd birthday of our 'apo' on the exact date that she was born. But things just didn't turn out as planned. All planes were fully-booked to Cotabato City till the 6th, and so they had no choice but to go back to Cotabato City by plane via Davao on the 6th which took another more than four hours on the road. Oh, what a trip! And it could had been so boring had it not been for the fact that our 'apo' was with them all the way from Tuguegarao.

And you know what "apo's" mean to grand-parents. I told Milyn, our son's fiancee, that she has nothing to worry about. I assured her that grand-parents are real spoilers of 'apos'. And I think she was comforted a bit. Had she not agreed that my wife take our 'apo' with her back home, I would not really force the issue. I fully understand how mothers feel for their children.

At last, our 'apo' arrived home in Cotabato City on the 6th at past 2:00 in the afternoon. As expected nobody could get hold of her, not even my wife who I had presumed had enough confidence-building time with our 'apo' from the time that they were together in Tuguegarao to the time that they had been stranded in Manila up till they arrived in Cotabato City.

A few minutes more and there were already some people gathered in the house as we are prepared to celebrate the second birthday of our'apo'. She seemed not quite exposed to people as she kept holding on to her Dad whereever he goes. The farthest that her Dad could get away from her is not more than one arm-length (our apo's arm).

I had my own strategy of how to win her confidence almost instantly. I found the chance when she was asking for water. I gave her water and made her drink. Then, asked her to make 'mano' which she did without an iota of hesitation. "Now I got you", I said. Minutes later, I was able to lift her in my arms and pose for some picture-taking infront of the house. (The picture that you see right here). Next, we went to the sari-sari store just across to buy some 'chicheria' or 'junk foods'. Till then, I am the next best person that can get hold of her, aside from her Dad.

Now, I believe, first impression is lasting. And the first acquaintance really matters. We love our dear 'apo'. All of us would only want the best for her. Nothing less! Ahlan wa sahlan dear 'apo'.

Wakakuy!!

2008-04-04T22:23:00.000-07:00

I hope the Cebuanos will forgive me because I'm going to coin in some Cebuano words for convenience. This is: Wa ka kuyapi!! (literaly means.. "Don't you collapse?"). It is actually an expression referring to something that was unbelievably said or something that should not have been said at all because it was so shameful to make that statement. So, instead of Wa ka kuyapi, I will use Wakakuy, for short.

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

Consider this headline from a daily national newspaper:

RP increasingly corruption-free!

Or, is it the other way around?

Wakakuy?

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

The President, in a speech in Hongkong to entice foreign investors, said:

“As an economist, I know that first and foremost, a strong economy is transparent and free from corruption. We are freeing ourselves from the shackles of corruption as evidenced by our growing economy – which is increasingly free of corruption and inefficiency.”

Nice to know that Ma'am.. We hope it happens very soon. The alleged violators are just within reach.

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

Here is another one..

The President told her audience that the “political noise” in Manila was created by “our very free press.”

So, she blames media for exposing the grossly overpriced ZTE-NBN deal? To her, friends and relatives accused of corruption were just victims of media’s irresponsible reporting?

Thank God that we have a very free press. Otherwise, only those allegedly involved in the scam would enjoy their own story.

April Fool's Day Prankster: "PGMA Resigned"

2008-04-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

By Hon. Rene Gutierrez
(Guest Author)

A breaking news from the National Inquirer reads: "Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo resigned after a text message circulated earlier was labeled a hoax.." This has prompted the Supreme Court of the Philippines and Congress to declare the position of President vacant.

The position was first offered to the Pope who declined because he had earlier relinquished his Filipino citizenship due to poor health. (Thank God, the Pope had good reason to turn down the offer! Otherwise, we will have a constitutional crisis.. Why? Can you imagine a President without a First Lady had the Pope accepted it?? Hehehe.. Mau)

Sources from the Holy See earlier announced that the position was later offered to three non-TRAPO residents of Pikit Cotabato (Where the action is!) namely: Mau Only, CAT Only and RG Only. These three personages are not related to each other even if they have the same surnames.

Mau is one of Pikit's tall, dark and handsome special adviser to Sultan Sumulong, one of the country's remaining sultanates. It is rumored that the Sultan is kept advised by Mau to keep the sultan's secret that he has 28 wives all of them with same names! (Is it true that the Sultan is also in a relationship with a pain killer named Ben Gay???).

Cat on the other hand, famous as the rightful princess and heir to the late Sultan Meliton of the Haunted House, is a plain and simple princess, dainty and demure, and traces her roots from the great, great family of feline origin.

Last but not the least, the position might as well be offered to a non-Sultan. RG, a panelist for the rebels which call themselves the MILF (Mindanao Insurgent Leftover Farts)."

More breaking news..... while I was typing this it was learned that Mau, who would have accepted the position, was declared disqualified due to extreme poginess! Because of his disqualification and by the doctrine of "persona non grata and res ipsa loquitor... and caveat emptor", RG considered himself also disqualified for the reason that he, too, is in the sorry state of extreme poginess.!

This would have left the position for Cat to grab. Howevver, it was rumored that CAT will accept the position if she finds 3,000 pairs of shoes of the same size as his father which is 14 EEE.

Time however is running out because this offer is good only until midnight tonight. Otherwise the Philippine President will be constrained to hold on to her position as president of this 8,000 islands (during low tide).

She is scheduled to address the UN Assembly tonight. Downey, the executive secretary of the resigning President is already in New York with 24 volumes of first edition of the Encyclopedia Filipiniana. The books will be laid at the base of the rostrum to help the President reach the microphone on the hall where the UN assembly will be in Session.

Mau was prompt to give his stand (though lying down) in not being able to grab the vacant position of President first offered to him. He wrote:

"It was almost a dream come true had I not slept into limbo and woke up at about 7:00 a.m. today. I had real regrets when I learned that the Presidential post was vacant until midnight only last night. If I can turn back the hands of time, I won't entertain second thoughts to acept the position. This could have been, you know, the shortest cut to our dream of becoming President someday."

"Ms. Arroyo should better not commit the mistake of making another offer for I would surely grab it. We can still amass great fortune in more or less two years that we are in power. What are Presidents for (esp. in the Phil.)"

Meantime, CAT, the famous feline princess, cannot be reached for comment. She was stuck in an area where her mobile phone was out of coverage area, and so, she cannot be reached or there is no way for her to become rich. Poor big girl!!

One Unforgettable Experience on the Road!

2008-04-01T04:24:00.000-07:00

Kabacan-Cotabato City route without Weena!

I had my first taste of crowding like sardines in a passenger van today. The Weena Bus Company had made good its promise to cut short its Davao-Cotabato route effective today to dramatize its protest over extortion, bomb threats, an appreciable number of passengers who refuse to pay, "kotong", etc. which have been plaguing the Company.

On the other hand, it seemed like fiesta for the passenger vans who took advantage of the situation. Some of these passenger vans operate without approved franchise as alleged by the Bus Company. Frankly, I hate to ride in these vans for these reasons: (1) unlike the bus, these vans do not have spacious leg rooms (2) most of these vans are old models, ergo, there is no guarantee as to their road fitness and safetiness, and (3) most of the drivers of these passenger vans are wreckless ones.

They drive as fast as they could to make more trips. This is exactly what happened to us today. On three instances, we almost met an accident. First, when we were leaving, our driver was forcing his way in the midst of motor tricycles lining up to pick up pasengers. We almost hit one of them. Second, we almost had a head-on collision with a ten-wheeler truck as our driver was competing for road space somewhere after Poblacion Aleosan where the road is under repair. And third, while our driver was reaching out for something from his back, we were getting off the concrete road track. At this instant I managed to grab the steering wheel to keep the van back on track and shouted at the driver afterwards to reprimand him. It was a good thing that I was seated beside the driver.

My co-passengers, I knew, had been struggling to control their nervousness. Matter of fact, upon reaching the town of Midsayap, 3 women passengers pulled out of the van and demanded a refund for certain portion of the amount they paid. An elderly woman retorted, "I don't wanna go on with this trip anymore; give me the remaining fare coz I'm transferring to another vehicle.." I almost did the same, but it seemed the male passengers want to show they got balls and so they can afford to stay.

At about the boundary of the towns of Midsayap and Libungan, our driver agreed to be replaced by a more responsible one, I would say. Immediately I saw some sigh of relief in the faces of the passengers. Me too! Thank God, we arrived safely in Cotabato City. This was one of the unforgettable experiences I had on the road.

Back to the Weena bus snag, I think, seriously, the bus company should reconsider its options. The company management can be sued for this action it has taken. Remember, the Company applied for a franchise to serve the Davao City - Cotabato City route. Serving this route only partially is a blatant violation of its approved franchise. The reasons for this action is really not justified especially that they are things of pure management-related issues and concerns.

The bus company has no right to punish the riding public for some shortcomings of its management. Otherwise, it must leave this route completely to other public conveyances.

Guesting in a Grade School Graduation!

2008-03-27T04:46:00.000-07:00

Those who knew me had asked: "What's PARO Maugan Mosaid, Ph.D. CEO-VI, doing in this grade school graduation?"

Well, for some good reasons, I did not turn down an invitation to act as guest speaker in a grade school graduation.

First, it was my alma mater in the barrio which is more than 4 kms. away from civilization. It is because we had to hike more than 4 kms. to reach the place. The road's condition was so bad that even single motorcycles find it hard to traverse this road.

The NIA has badly criss-crossed the old road (which was much better than what it is now) with its unfinished main canal. Ooww, reminds me again of that corrupt government agency. After it has forsaken the Malmar Irrigation project with unfinished civil works, unpaid right-of-way claims, some alleged double claims and payroll padding, etc.. it has only made the road condition worse. This was suppose to be part of NIA's obligation to improve the Batulawan-Gokotan provincial road because it is to be criss-crossed by the the main canal which was supposed to connect phase 1 of the project to phase 2 of the project in Pikit side.

Well, so much for my relentless ire with that corrupt goverment agency before it takes so much space of this blog page! (I mean NIA-Malmar, so I can't be accused of hasty generalization.. at least I have concrete proofs on how some of my relatives employed with NIA, or once connected to it, had conveniently but illegally enriched themselves out of the Malmar project funds.. in case someone is enticed to sue me for these statements!)

Second, my parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends had long wanted to see me after not having visited the place for almost 20 years!

Third, as the Teacher-in-Charge of the school puts it: "this is the only time that we have had a real good speaker, a Ph.D. at that!" (Well, that's his assumption since it was said before my speech).

Fourth, I had also longed to see the place, after almost 20 years leave of absence, to see for myself what happened to the face of the earth there. Sure enough, I would no longer recognize some of my favorite spots in the area after it was deface from the surface of the earth in the name of development. I would no longer recognize the many faces in the audience and some old folks would hug me but curse me afterwards for not having recognized them anymore. I'm sorry!

And fifth, I always imagine that teaching in the post graduate studies is much easier than teaching grade one in the barrio. In much the same way, communicating with a bunch of professionals in the graduate school is much easier than doing the same to a group of grade school pupils in terms of the sender-receiver communication relationship. And so, guesting as speaker in a grade school graduation is whole lotta challenging if not unthinkable for me.

My brother, the President of the Parents, Teachers and Community Association (PCTA), had called me up a day before and asked me to buy or donate some gold medals. He never told me that those gold medals were intended for his daughter (my niece) as she was the class valedictorian. Everything seems to have come to me as a pleasant surprise.

And now, the gist of my speech: I said a lot of things to impress upon the audience that the only Ph.D. todate from this barrio has surfaced to avenge a lot of things. Yahohoo.. here they are:

First, I told them how difficult it was for me to hike a distant of more or less 2 kms. every school days to finish my primary grades, and consider this, I was not of school age when I entered grade one because I couldn't reach my left ear with my right hand strethced across the topmost of my head. I had proven many years later that that technique of determining a child's schooling age was scientific after I tried the same technique, for curiousity's sake, to my children.

Second, I told them that, though my parents were not rich, they had the right attitude for me which was so important that time. Until early 1960s, there were still a lot of Muslim parents who are hesitant to send their children to school for fear of being Christianized. Most parents would rather have their children with them as helpers in the farm. Lucky me, my parents did not have all of those for me. They would rather see me get educated by all means. Thank you Lord, my parents attitude was more than enough for me to finish secondary education - and in a sectarian school.. Notre Dame of Pikit. I was never Christianized!

Third, I told them that poverty should not hinder anyone from pursuing higher education or going through the education ladder. And what else, my favorite example is always myself. This is not a case of self-centeredness but determination well exemplified.

Fourth, I told the grade school graduates to choose the right kind of group (or barkada) that they should belong to. In the face of all the temptations that surround us today in the modern world, the peer influence is very strong, next to, if not more than the parents' influence. This was after I realize the truth in the old adage: "Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are!"

And fifth, I told them to be relentless in their faith and piety. It is only when you have strong faith in God and uncompromising piety that you are able to fight evil and choose right over wrong, good over bad, and success over failure. I BELIEVE that success and failure - nowadays.. have become a matter of choice!!

Some Cool Ideas on Graduation!

2008-03-27T03:41:00.000-07:00

I had written below (see.. Graduation: Same Old Tradition) about innovations or just being a little bit creative to avoid a boring graduation ceremony. Now, I feel that I have to delve into the details to start the ball rolling for those who would like to innovate and make graduation a little bit more enjoyable. Here are some which you may start to ponder on:

* In the days leading up to graduation, have the soon-to-be graduates write a letter to their parents and ask that the parents also write a letter to their child. Ask them to exchange letters on graduation day.

* Make arrangements to record a video version of a PowerPoint presentation that includes pictures of the students throughout their lives. Sell the video at the graduation ceremony. The proceeds might be used to purchase a class gift for the school or to donate to the graduating class's local charity of choice.

* If you have a concession stand at the ceremony, proceeds might be used to purchase a school banner, books for the library, whiteboards for classrooms, bookcases, or other things the school needs.

* Prepare a special journal for each graduating student. Throughout the year, teachers, parents, community members, peers, and others might write messages to the students in those journals, which will be handed to the students at the graduation ceremony.

* Instead of presenting a journal to the students, have the students record in a journal their thoughts during the school year -- things they are thankful for -- and present that journal to their parents at the graduation ceremony.

* Teachers might divide up students' names and take responsibility for crafting a short but special introduction to each of those students. That introduction might include an anecdote, a few notes about the students' special strengths or the changes teachers have witnessed over the years, or other personal memories.

* At the end of the ceremony, have students walk down an aisle lined with students from the school they will be attending next. Those students will cheer, give high-fives, and otherwise congratulate the incoming underclass.

* As students come up to receive their graduation recognition, have the principal of the school shake their hand at one end of the stage. At the other end of the stage, the head of the school the students will next attend will shake their hand.

* As each student crosses the stage, hand the student a rose for the student to hand to his or her parents.

* Present special awards to students who have come a long way in spite of the odds that life has presented them. Don't forget awards in areas that might otherwise be overlooked -- in technology or music, for example.

* Some graduating students who play instruments in the school band or orchestra might perform solo or as part of combos at the graduation ceremony.

* A retiring teacher might give a brief speech.

* Teachers who have taught the graduating students might take turns calling out names as students come up to receive their certificates or diplomas.

* As each student is handed a diploma, he or she might turn and face the audience for a few moments so parents or others might take photographs.

* If students have been in your school for a number of years, call them up in the order in which they entered the school. This works especially well in elementaryand high schools. Those who have been in the school since kindergarten will be the first to be presented their certificates/diplomas. Those who have been in the school since first grade will follow...

Graduation Ceremonies.. still, the same old tradition!

2008-03-24T01:38:00.000-07:00

Just like other parents of graduating studes, I found time out to experience first hand gruelling five hours (7:30 am-12:30 pm) in a graduation ceremony with my son! Oh my, graduation ceremony is such a hapless bore you can't escape.

Why can't graduation ceremonies be a little bit interesting, a little bit shorter, and a little bit more creative than the traditional program roll that it has been since time immemorial. Let's take a look at a traditional program sequence in a graduation exercise and see what can be done about it. It usually goes in this order: the processional, the baccalaureate mass, the graduation ceremony proper, and finally the recessional. Usually, the mass celebrant talks as lengthily as the commencement speaker. And good, if they talk about important specific anecdotes that are relevant to the graduating class. In most cases, speakers in both baccalaureate and graduation events talk a lot about so much cliches, as in "spread your wings and learn to fly" and "be true to yourselves" kind of things.. whooaaaahh!!.. they add up to the boresome time-consuming affair.

I remember one tip in writing or making a good speech for graduation ceremonies. And it says "the best graduation speech is one that is interestingly exclusive for a given batch at a given time in a particular place," and therefore, it cannot be recycled. How'd ya find it? I think there's a lot of sense in it.

In big universities, with big number of graduating students, the baccalaureatte mass is held separately just like the parents' night and the graduation ball. Good for them, but still, it is a lot of activities which can all be shortened and combined in one or two settings only, not to mention the expenses that go with each and every activity!

For example, in a situation where some schools find the baccalaureate mass and the commencement exercise inseparable.. maybe it would be less boring to have one speaker only. In another situation where the parents' night is held separately from the graduation ball.. maybe both programs can be shortened and combined. After all, it's not bad to make the parents feel that they are part of the graduation ball..

Well, other students would argue that they don't enjoy to the max with the parents around. Isn't that too self-centered, at the least? Or, simply being indifferent to the old folks? Parents (I must admit as a parent), enjoy and love the company of their children. But I must admit too, that when I was a student, the presence of my parents in our party is a NO, NO and absolutely non-negotiable. Now that I am into their shoes, I just feel that was utterly unfair.

Can we do something about this? Let's think about it! The bottomline is that we can make graduation ceremonies less boring by introducing creative innovations where both the graduating students and the parents enjoy!

March: Graduation Month!

2008-03-22T03:54:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks of the month (of March) bring much excitment and euphora for the graduating students as they prepare for the big day, i.e. graduation day!

Weeks before this, it was rather much different. The excitement was more of: "will I really make it to graduation day or not?" This feeling doubles as senior students put finishing touches on their thesis/dissertation. And more so when the adviser, or any member of the panel, place a lot of corrections, as in EXPAND, IMPROVE, ENRICH, ETC.. side notes.

Good for thesis writers nowadays, when corrections can easily be made on the computer without affecting the rest of the pages of the manuscript. I can imagine the typewriters' era! Whenever corrections are made on one page, the rest of the pages of the manuscript are affected. Ergo, you have to adjust everything. Whaaaaaaa!!

Anyway, after all is certain, the euphora subsides as graduation day nears, but of course, not the excitement. It grows in intensity by the day until graduation day dawns and the parents and realtives are all alerted for the surefire graduation fun that punctuates it all.. the celebration, the party.. yeheeyy. Happy graduation dear graduating students.

You are so important, as one commencement speaker emphasizes it: "The generations before you are jaded and worn out. They may no longer be capable of creativity; their energies are spent. They are stuck with old templates – imposing old solutions to new problems. We need to break out of the mold. We need your youth, your imagination, and your energy to do this!"

The speaker was pointing to your role in the real world outside the academe. C'mon, you can do it or you should do it.

Good luck!