Bababa Ka Ba, Gloria?

"At the end of this speech I shall step down from this stage, but not from the Presidency. My term does not end until next year. Until then, I will fight for the ordinary Filipino. The nation comes first. There is much to do as head of state – to the very last day."

-PGMA's State of the Nation Address, July 2009 at the Batasan Complex.


Sabi ng mga oposisyon, "Gloria will cling to power until the end. She will do everything and anything possible para mapalawig ang kanyang termino beyond 2010".

In fairness, may point sila doon.


Sabi naman ng administrasyon, "It is clear in her statement (SONA). She will step down. The problem with the opposition is that they only hear what is convenient to their ears".

May point din sila doon.

Kaya ang tanong ng bayan na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nasasagot:

BABABA KA BA, GLORIA?

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Lighter Side:

Congratulations sa mga bagong board passers natin. Para sa Board Exam Results, i-click ang mga sumusunod (source: Inquirer):

Architect 2009 Board Exam Results

Physical Therapist Board Exam Results

Occupational Therapist Board Exam Results


Mabuhay kayo!

SONA, Twitter, and Pia's Response

This is an update on my previous post about our lawmakers and politicians using Twitter to update the people yesterday about what is happening inside the Batasang Pambansa whereing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is delivering her 9th State of the Nation Address.

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Pia's Response


It seems the good Senator Pia Cayetano was able to access my blog that's why she responded with another twitter post concerning the spelling and grammatical errors. :)

So I responded to her para di ako makulong and told her that it's ok. :)

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One good thing about this twitter is we get to interact with "big" people like them. They let us know their thoughts, and we, also, are given the chance to tell them what we think.

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I am not able to watch the whole of the SONA so I just waited for the late night news Saksi to catch a glimpse of the SONA highlights.

One quotable quote from the SONA would be GMA's tirade against Senator and Presidential wannabe Mar Roxas:

"To those who want to be President, this advice: .....don’t say bad words in public"

She was speaking, of course, of the incident in one rally in Ayala, Makati wherein Mar Roxas cursed in front of the many people at the rally. Roxas later received a lot of negative comments about his misbehaving in public.

For those who missed the SONA, you may read the full text here.

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Etc. Etc. Etc.

• Saksi, the late night GMA News program featured our politicians who resorted to using Twitter during the SONA. Pia and Chiz's Twitter accounts, which I followed during the event, were even featured.

Inquirer.net also has a news bit about this here.

• Manny Pacquiao was present during the SONA, and he was also acknowledged by Madam GMA during her speech, I wonder, though if he was able to enjoy the whole of the speech .

• The controversial announcement the people has been waiting for didn't arrive. We didn't hear about PGMA's plans after 2010.

• The militant groups, as expected, staged their own SONA con rally outside the Batasan Complex. They, however, were drenched with the heavy rains yesterday at the area.

Twit Twit Twitter on SONA

I haven't got any access on TV right now, and I'm a little interested on what's happening at the Batasan Complex where President Gloria Arroyo is currently delivering her 8th (and last?) State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The news are a little late on updating the event, so I resorted to checking what our lawmakers are twitting about on Twitter.

I see Senator Chiz Escudero is giving a blow-by-blow account, but I'm not sure if he's there at the Batasan. Anyway, he mentioned that the SONA is about to start at 4pm.

Senator Pia Cayetano's post,however, got my attention.

Gumana ang pagka-OC ko. :D

Please see the picture below:

Anyway, I think Twitter has given us a good benefit, because it keeps us informed on what is happening in the country, and letting us experience knowing the professional and personal whereabouts of our celebrities (politicians, actors, etc.).

Will look for more updates on the SONA, so twit you around!

Nursing Board Exam Results

The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) announced on Saturday the results of the June 2009 Nursing Board Examination.

32,617 out of 77,901 examinees passed the test conducted by the Board of Nursing.

Golda Manto Yap, a graduate of the Felipe R. Verallo Memorial Foundation, topped the exams, getting an average score of 86.80 percent.

For a the complete list of the results, click the link from Inquirer.net below:

NURSING BOARD EXAM RESULTS JULY 2009.

'Cory Is Dead' Is A Hoax

'Not True'.

A staff member of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has denied the rumors that former president Corazon "Cory" Aquino has died.

The staff clarified that the former president is still in critical condition and the rumor of his death, circulating via text messages is not true.

Cory is battling stage 4 Colon Cancer.

Cory, of course, will always be remembered for her historice toppling down of the strongman Ferdinand Marcos during the 1986 EDSA People Power.

Battle of the Gods

We are in exciting times, aren't we?

By the looks of it, it seems the gods are taking an active part in the Pinoys' favorite subject, which is, the coming 2010 elections.

For those who have followed the course of nation's history, it is to be noticed that the religious sects have always been taking active participation in the way we choose our leaders, and in the way our leaders govern us. Perhaps it is safe to say that at least, in the Philippines, leaders rise and fall on religion.

It is the voice of Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, heard over the radio, that summoned the countless people to stage the historic EDSA Revolution in 1986.

While the Christian group of Eddie Villanueva endorsed Jose De Venecia's presidential bid in 1998, Joseph Estrada amassed the votes of the Iglesia ni Cristo and the El Shaddai group and made his way to the Palace in one of the biggest vote margin difference in the history of Philippine Presidential elections.

Some years after, however, these same religious groups were calling their members to once again proceed to EDSA and ask Joseph Estrada to step down to power.

As we approach the 2010 elections, the people expect that religion once again will play an important role in the outcome of the voting.

As early as March 2009, Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus Is Lord Movement who takes pride of his strong 5 million populace, has announced his intention to run again for President (he ran and lost to Gloria Arroyo in 2004). Believing that he has received a clear mandate from God, Bro. Eddie said that he is stepping down from his post as a church pastor in order to fulfill his call to lead our nation. Thus, he claims to have received his blessing from "priestly anointing" to "kingly anointing".

This July, Catholic priest turned Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio has also announced that he'll be running for President. Panlilio said that after much prayer and discernment, he is sure that 'God called him to run for the presidency'.

Nobody, of course, will ever believe that the influential Muslim group, Iglesia Ni Cristo and El Shaddai will support any among Panlilio and Villanueva. Thus, people expect that they will be supporting the rest of either Mar Roxas, Manny Villar, Noli De Castro, etc.

With four months to go before the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy in November, and with eight months before the May elections next year, the Filipino is once again at the front of choosing his next president. Not withstanding which sect we belong to, let us all pray that the real God will appoint the best and the proper person to become our President.

Levi's Jeans

Galing ako sa isang 5th class municipality, sa Licab, kung saan masasabing hindi naman ganoon ka progresibo ang buhay.

Pagka-graduate ng elementary, medyo nagkaroon ako ng culture shock nang tumira at mag-aral ako sa University Science High School sa Muñoz. Mas sosyal ang mga tao.

Mas maangas.

Tanda ko pa nung 1st day ng klase, merong isang maangas na lalakeng alam kong inaasar asar ako, siguro dahil ika nga eh, mukhang promdi . Hindi ko masyadong marinig yung pinagbubulungan nila, pero alam kong ako ang pinagtatawanan nila kasi tingin sila ng tingin sa akin.

Ni hindi ko man lang naisip na yung lalakeng maangas na iyon ang magiging best buddy ko apat na taong inilagi ko sa Science High.

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Friday ang schedule ng PE. Sabi nung prof., dapat naka PE uniform kami at syempre, naka Rubber Shoes pagdating ng alas-kwatro.

Alas-kwatro, sinabihan na kaming lumabas sa school grounds para s a1st PE activity- Long Jump.

Ang problema, ayokong lumabas ng classroom dahil hiyang-hiya ako sa suot kong Mighty Kid na sapatos. Kung bakit ba naman kasi nauso pa ang Nike, Converse at Reebok na suot-suot ng mga kaklase ko.

Kaya noong nagkaroon ako ng Airmax na 2nd hand galing sa pinsan kong tiga-US, eh tuwang tuwa talaga ako. Parang gusto ko, araw-araw, PE.

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Naulit ang problema ko pagdating ng 3rd year- PMT o yung Preparatory Military Training. Dapat kasi, pag sinabing Type C uniform, ang suot ng mga kadete eh White T-shirt na naka tuck-in sa Maong Pants.

Noon naman, usung-uso na sa aming mga high school ang mga branded na maong pants. Jag para sa mga sosyal. Levi's para sa mga mas sosyal. Live's para sa iba.

Kabilang ako doon sa iba.

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May mga nabibiling immitation brands na maong sa palengke ng Licab. Mayroon pa ngang talagang parehong-pareho ng Jag. Ang kaso mo, ipinagpipilitan sa akin nung tinderang hanggang ngayon eh hindi ko makalimutan ang mukha, na ang bilhin ko eh iyong Jag na pang babae ang burda. Dahil iyon daw ang orig at mas bago.

Bandang huli, nag-settle kami ng Nanay ko sa Live's na immitation naman ng Levi's. Hindi naman halatang immitation, basta huwag mo lang lalapitan at bubusisiing mabuti yung nakasulat na LIVE'S sa etiketa.

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Malaking issue para sa mga high school students iyong salitang acceptance. Kailangan, in ka. Kailangan, belong ka. Kailangan meron kang barkada.

Ang nakakatuwa lang, hindi mo kailangang maging mayaman o magkaroon ng mga branded na gamit para maging in sa grupo.

Ang importante pa rin kasi, kahit sa mga kabataan, ay iyong ugali na ipinakikita mo sa ibang tao. Doon ka makakahanap ng totoong acceptance.

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Ngayon, masasabi kong nasa estado na rin naman ako ng buhay ko na pwede na akong bumili ng mga branded na gamit. Pwede na akong bumili ng Original na Levi's at ng Nike na sapatos.

Pero lagi ko pa ring binabalikan iyong mga ala-alang ganoon.

Ngayon kasi, kapag bumabalik ang mga pangyayaring iyon sa isipan ko, hindi na ako nakakaramdam ng hiya. Bagkus, naiisip ko na kahit hindi man kami napagkalooban ng mga mamahaling gamit noon eh ipinagpilitan naman ng mga magulang namin na mapag-aral kami ng maayos hanggang college. At hindi ko iyon ipagpapalit sa mga branded na gamit.

Siopao King

Mabait ako nung high school.

Pramis.

Wala man ako sa listahan ng mga A students sa Science High (CLSU), masasabi kong hindi rin naman ako kabilang doon sa lower list.

Average lang, kumbaga- pati sa kalokohan.

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Napabilib din ako sa sarili ko kahit pa'no kasi hindi ako natutong uminom noong high school. Tikim, oo. Pero yung sabihing lango, o yung talagang tatambay sa University Bleacher o kaya sa CLSU Marketing sa may pay rest room sa dulo, hindi ko talaga ginawa.

Plus factor rin siguro na hindi rin naman ganoon ka-liberal ang mga barkada ko noon. Hindi rin kasi sila mahilig sa inuman. Ang trip lang kasi namin noon eh tumambay sa harap ng Admin Bldg., sa bleachers, para magkuwentuhan at makinig ng jamming ng mga banda-tsaka kumain.

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Maliban ke Manang Nayds, paborito rin naming puntahan dati yung University Canteen sa likod ng Science High.

Dito namin nakita kung paanong dumekwat yung mga kaklase namin ng Siopao nang hindi nahuhuli ng mga staff ng canteen.

Nakakabilib, pero kaya nilang gawin iyon. Kumpul-kumpol silang pupunta sa may counter, at viola! makakakuha na sila ng siopao.

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May pera naman sila eh. Kung tutuusin, may kaya sila kung ikukumpara sa ilan sa amin na hindi dumedekwat ng siopao sa canteen. Pero ginagawa nila dahil trip-trip lang.

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Ganoon naman yata talaga ang mga kabataan talaga. Gustong gawin kung ano ang bawal, gustong tikman ang adventures, gustong-gusto iyong gagawa ng kalokohan at tuwang-tuwa kung paanong makakalusot dito- parang may gustong patunayan.

Pero nakakabilib nga, kasi kahit minsan, hindi sila na-principal's office dahil sa pagnanakaw ng Siopao.

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Matagal na akong hindi nakabalik sa Science High, at ni hindi ako nakaattend sa mga recent reunion ng batch namin. Pero panigurado akong tatawanan na lang namin ang mga ganitong kwento.

After all, hindi na kami mga bata.

Class Suspension

Maliban sa Holiday, at Recess, paborito rin ng mga estudyante na mag-abang ng balita ng Class Suspension dahil sa bagyo.

Maaga pa lang yan, nakatutok na kami sa transistor radio. Nakikinig kami sa pamosong boses nila Rey Langit at Joe Taruc sa DZRH. Hinihintay namin ang declaration ng PAGASA kung umabot na sa Signal Number 3 ang lugar namin.

Pag signal number 3 na kasi, paniguradong wala ng pasok.

Tuwang-tuwa na kami.

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Ang PAGASA, o ang Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, ang sangay ng gobyerno na namamahala sa pagbibigay ng anunsiyo tungkol sa lagay ng panahon. Nalala ko tuloy noong bata pa ako, uso na pala talaga ang Network War ng GMA at ABS-CBN. Si Amado Pineda na bossing ng PAGASA ang nagbabalita ng lagay ng panahon para sa GMA 7. Pero ABS-CBN naman ang may hawak kay Ka Ernie Baron na mas sikat kaysa kay Amado Pineda.

Ang sabi sa website ng PAGASA, isa sa mga pangunahing vision ng ahensiya ay: magkaroon ng "World-class capability in monitoring, analyses, forecasting and warning of tropical weather systems such as typhoons, monsoons, Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)".

Ang sarap pakinggan, ang sarap basahin. Pero dahil nga forecast lang, minsan (o madalas?), mali ang anunsiyo nila.

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Lagi nang napupulaan ang mga forecasts na ibinibigay ng PAGASA tungkol sa bagyo. Kapag sinabi raw kasi nilang aaraw, malaman eh uulan. Kapag sinabi naman nilang uulan, maya maya eh sisikat ng matindi ang araw. Kapag minsan din, nagrereklamo lalo na ang mga magulang dahil delayed sa pagde-declare ng Typhoon Storm Signal ang PAGASA. Malalaman lang na wala palang pasok ang mga estudyante kapag naroon na sila sa loob ng eskuwelahan at ayaw na silang papasukin ng mga Security Guards dahil wala ngang pasok.

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Gayunpaman, maraming dahilan kung bakit hindi naman dapat isisi sa PAGASA ang lahat ng reklamo.

• Kaya nga forecast, eh dahil hindi naman ganoon kadali ang pagkalkula sa magiging lagay ng panahon.

• Matindi na talaga ang epekto ng climate change ngayon. Kaya nga iyong mga gustong ang kasal nila eh garden wedding, hindi rin nakakasigurado kung hindi nga uulan kahit pa buwan iyon ng Marso o Abril.

• Sa pagkakaalam ko ay binigyan na rin ng kapangyarihan ang mga lokal na opisyal na pamahalaan ang pagsususpinde ng mga klase ng eskuwela. After all, sila ang mas nakakakita kung mabuti ba o hindi mabuti ang lagay ng panahon sa lugar na kanilang nasasakupan.

• Marami na ring nagsasabi na baka naman outdated na ang mga kagamitan ng PAGASA. Siguro ay nararapat lamang na maglaan naman ng mas malaking budget ang gobyerno para gawing mas moderno ang mga pasilidad ng ahensiya.

Overseas Absentee Voting

Do you want to cast your votes on the coming elections but you can't because you are working overseas?

Here's the good news!

You may now register thru the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) mechanism, a program that seeks to give opportunities for OFWs to vote for President, Vice President, Senators, and a Party List Group.

For more details, you may click the picture below. This will link you to the GMANews.TVs interactive primer for the Overseas Absentee Voting:



Let our voices be heard. Vote in 2010!

Sa Isang Buwan

"Congratulations!", magiliw kong sambit sa inyong dalawa matapos ninyong banggitin sa akin kanina na ikakasal na kayo sa isang buwan.

"Abay ka ha," sabi pa sa akin ni Girlie. "Wag ka nang mag-alala sa isusuot dahil kami naman ang sasagot. Basta magpapa-beauty ka lang at paparada sa araw ng kasal. Tsaka gwapo yung ipinareha namin sa'yo," kitang-kita sa mata ninyong dalawa ni Girlie ang excitement sa kasal ninyo.

Isang oras na kayong nakaalis. Isang oras na akong mag-isang nakaupo sa sulok ng coffee shop na ito. Isang oras ko nang binabalik-balikan ang nakaraan nating dalawa.

Madaling sabihing naka-move on na ako. Madaling ngumiti sa harap ninyong dalawa at batiin kayo ng Congratulations at Best Wishes. Pero nalaman kong hindi pala ganoon kadaling tanggapin na wala na talagang pag-asang magkabalikan pa tayo.

Pero oo, darating ako sa isang buwan, sa araw ng kasal. Magpapaganda ako, ngingiti ng ubod ng tamis na parang walang anumang sakit na nararamdaman sa puso ko.

After all, ganoon naman talaga minsan ang pag-ibig. Minsan ay kailangang magparaya kung alam mong iyon ang paraan upang lubos na lumigaya ang taong mahal mo. Kahit pa masakit, kahit pa mapait.





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Happy 8th months' blogging kay monz avenue!

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A Few Good News

How's these for a treat? Here are a few good news for consumers:


Cellphone Loads

Beginning Sunday, July 19, 2009, the shelf life of cellphone load/credits will be increased, according to the National Telecommunications Commission. This resulted from the Senate Inquiry conducted when Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile complained about the "vanishing/missing loads" from cellular phones.

Additionally, beginning July 23, spam or advertisement sms messages sent by the telecommunication companies to their subscribers will be prohibited, unless consumers subscribes first from their promos.

The new shelf life of cellphone loads are as follows:

P10 - 50: 5 to 15 days
P51 - 100: 30 days
P101 - 250: 60 days
P251 - 300: 75 days




Rent Control Act of 2009

Republic Act 9653, or the Rent Control Act of 2009, signed by President Gloria Arroyo on July 14, specifies that there should be no rental increase for one year from the time the law has been signed and approved. Also, it puts a cap of not more than 7% increase of rental fees until 2013.

It also specifies the following conditions:


The law covers all residential units in Metro Manila with a monthly rent of P1 to P10,000 and all units in urban cities with a monthly rent of P1 to P5,000.

Violators face a fine of P25,000 to P50,000, or imprisonment of one month and a day up to six months, or both.

According to the law, when a unit becomes vacant, the owner may set the initial rent for the next renter. In the case of boarding houses, dormitories, rooms, and bed spaces, no increase will be imposed more than once a year.

It also says that rent will be paid in advance within the first five days of every month, or at the beginning of the lease agreement unless the contract of lease provides for a later date of payment.

It forbids the owner from demanding more than one-month advance rent and more than two-months deposit. Any interest in the deposit will be returned to the renter at the end of the lease agreement.

If the renter fails to pay rent or utility bills or destroys house property, the deposit and interest shall be forfeited in favor of the unit owner in the amount that would cover the arrears or damages.

The law prohibits the sub-leasing of the unit without the consent of the unit owner. This, together with the failure to pay rent for three months and the owner’s need to repossess the property or make necessary repairs to make it more safe and habitable, are grounds for judicial ejection.

The renter, however, cannot be ejected on grounds that the unit has been sold or mortgaged to a third person.

The unit owner may engage the renter in a rent-to-own agreement, which will be exempt from coverage of the law.



source: Inquirer.net

2010

"Sigurado ka bang tatakbo ka sa Mayo?", tanong ni Tiyo Berto sa kanya.

"Opo", marahan niyang tugon, "matagal kong pinag-isipan, at desidido na ako alang-alang sa mga kababayan nating humihimok sa akin para tumakbo".

"Eh, paano baga? Dalawang bigating pulitiko yang babanggain mo, at pareho pang naka-partido. Si Mayor Dizon eh, panigurado nang may mga hawak na tao yan. Si Atty. Baltazar, mayaman at maimpluwensiya. Paano ka sasabay sa kanila? Atsaka sinong partido ang kukupkop sa'yo?".

"Suporta ho ng mga tao ang pinanghahawakan ko", ani Juan Dela Cruz. "Alam kong kung sa yaman at impluwensiya eh wala akong pangtapat sa kanila. Pero sa tingin ko ho eh tama ang mga kababayan natin. Kailangan na ng pagbabago, kailangan nang may tumayo para subukang harapin ang mga dating lider na wala namang nagawa sa bayan. At hindi ko ho kailangan ng partido para gawin yan. Mag-i-indipendiente ho ako".

"Diyos ko, ikaw bata ka", alalang sabi ni Tiyo Berto, "eh yaman din lang at napagdesisyunan mo na eh, alangan namang hindi ka namin suportahan. Nandiyan na 'yan. Eh, sige, gawin natin ang magagawa natin".

At pumutok na ang balita sa buong bayan.

Tatlo ang maglalaban sa pagka-alkalde sa bayan ng San Felipe!

Malakas ang kumpiyansa ng kasalukuyang Mayor Arnulfo Dizon na siya pa rin ang iboboto ng taongbayan. Kung kailangang idaan sa dahas at pananakot ay gagawin niya, bagay na ginagawa na ng angkan niya, sa loob ng ilang taong paghahari sa bayan.

Tiwala naman si Atty. Ramon Baltazar na siya ngayon ang mananalo. Ilang taon ding sinikap niyang magkaroon ng kung sinu-sinong koneksiyon, kadalasa'y mga maimpluwensiyang taong nabigyan niya ng pabor sa mga kasong kinakaharap ng mga ito. At kung sa yaman at impluwensiya rin lamang, kaya niyang tapatan si Mayor Dizon.

Sa isang banda'y tila isang nuisance o panggulong kandidato lang si Juan Dela Cruz. Oo nga't nakatapos siya ng kursong agrikultural sa pampublikong unibersidad ngunit saan siya kukuha ng perang gagamitin sa pangangampanya, gayong ang tanging suweldong nakukuha niya sa pagtulong sa mga magsasaka ay pakilo-kilong aning palay lang?

Sa kanilang bayang San Felipe, mababa ang tsansang umunlad silang mga mahihirap dahil ang tanging yumayaman ay iyong dati nang mayayaman.

Ngunit dahil na rin sa udyok ng mga magsasakang nakakausap niya sa kanyang paglilibot sa mga bara-barangay, natagpuan ni Juan ang sarili na tumayo at maghangad ng pagbabago para sa bayan. Sa panahon na kailangan ng San Felipe ang isang mabuting lider, ipinasya niyang tanggapin ang hamon at sumabak sa larangang hindi siya bihasa.

Makulay, masaya ang kampanya.

Paroo't parito ang mga sasakyang nag-iingay sa kalsada, "Iboto si Mayor Dizon!!! Matapang na Lider!!!!

Samantalang ang mga poste at pader ay napuno ng bigotilyong mukha ni Atty. Baltazar, Hangad ang Kalayaan laban sa nakaupo!!!

Habang doon sa mga bukirin, sa mga barangay, at sa mga sitiong baku-bako ang kalsada ay tahimik na nagbabahay-bahay si Juan Dela Cruz gamit ang lumang bisikleta.

At dumating ang isa sa mga importanteng parte ng kampanya- ang paghaharap ng mga kandidato sa iisang entablado para sa pagpapahayag ng kanilang mga plataporma-de-gobyerno. Imbitado ang lahat na makinig at dumalo, alas siyete ng gabi sa liwasang-bayan ng San Felipe, saksi ang inaalikabok na rebulto ni Gat Jose Rizal.

Matapos ang pagsasayaw ng mga kabataang masiglang umindak sa saliw ng kantang Umbrella at Spaghetti Pababa, inumpisahan na ang talumpati.

Nagsimula ang tunggalian sa tanong ng host: "Sa anong bagay mo ihahalintulad ang iyong pamamahala kung ikaw ang magiging Mayor ng San Felipe?".

Bilang incumbent, ay naunang nagsalita si Mayor Dizon. Matapos ang pagpalakpak ng tatlumpung bodyguard na sinabayan pa ng pagsirit ng kuwitis sa kalangitan, sinimulan ni Mayor ang talumpati:

Katulad ng mahigit dalawampung taong paghahari, este, pamamalakad ng aming pamilya sa bayang ito, muli kong ipatutupad ang aking pamamalakad gamit ang Kamay na Bakal! Dahil alam kong kailangang maging matapang at matatag ang isang lider upang labanan ang mga taong gustong mag-aklas laban sa administrasyon ko!!!

At muling nagpalakpakan ang tatlumpung bodyguards habang nangakangisi.


Nagsimula ang talumpati ni Atty. Baltazar sa pagbanggit sa mga taong kakilala at kaibigan- si Dr. Ganito na nabigyan niya ng tulong, si Mr. Ganyan na natulungan niyang lumusot sa kaso, at kung sinu-sino pa, sabay baling sa host ng programa at sinabing,

"Ano nga ba ang tanong?"

Matapos maalala ang tanong ay sinimula na niya ang litanya.

Lalabanan ko ang kamay na bakal ng kasalukuyang administrasyon! Ang aking pamamahala ay ihahalintulad ko sa isang Puting Kalapati na malayang lumilipad sa kalawakan! Babawasan natin ang mga batas, bagkus ay hahayaan nating magkaroon ng kalayaan ang bawat tao na abutin ang kanyang mga naisin sa bayang ito!

At habang sinasabi niya ito ay naglalaro sa isip ni Atty. Baltazar ang mga yamang masasamsam mula sa mga mahihirap na magsasaka.

Sumunod na tumayo sa harap ng madla si Juan Dela Cruz, tangan ang isang Munting Saranggola.

"Ang inyo po bang gustong sabihin ay ihahalintulad ninyo ang pamamahala ninyo sa isang laruang saranggola?", patawang sabi ng host ng programa, na sinundan ng mapanlibak na tawa ni Mayor Dizon, at ng matunog na halakhak ng mga bodyguards, at ang patuyang tingin ni Atty. Baltazar.

"Opo", marahan ngunit matatag na sabi ni Juan Dela Cruz na ikinatahimik ng buong madla.

Hindi po dahas ang kailangan ng bayan upang umunlad, sapagkat napatunayan na nating ang mariing pagsiil sa kapakanan ng mamamayan ay hindi kailanman naging susi upang kanilang maabot ang minimithing kaunlaran. Gayundin ay ang pagbibigay naman sa mga mamamayan ng maalwang kalayaan ay hindi rin naman makabubuti sapagkat maaari silang masadlak sa maling gawain.

Ihinahalintulad ko ang pamamahala ng bayan sa pagpapalipad ng saranggola sa kalangitan. Kailangan mong bigyan ng kaunting kalayaan ang katawan nito sa pamamagitan ng paglarga ng pisi upang patuloy itong tumaas at sumayaw-sayaw sa hangin. Ngunit kailangan mo ring ituon ang iyong isip sa paghawak sa natitirang pisi sa iyong kamay upang hindi ito tuluyang kumawala sa hangin. Kailangan ding gamitin ang iyong kamay upang gabayan ang saranggola kung saan ito tutungo upang maiwasang sumabit ito sa mga puno sa paligid.

Gayundin naman ang bayan at ang mga mamamayan. Bigyan sila ng kalayaang gawin at tuparin ang kanilang mga pangarap. Ibigay sa kanila ang yaman na dapat ay para sa kanila. Ngunit kaakibat nito ay itatag at ipatupad ang mga batas ng bayan upang maiwasan ang kaguluhan at mapanatili ang kaayusan ng komunidad.

Matapos ang talumpati ay tahimik ang madla. Hanggang sa isang miron ang sumigaw, "Mabuhay si Juan Dela Cruz!!!!"

Tapos na ang botohan, tapos na ang bilangan.

"Kailangan nating magdiwang dahil nanalo ka, nanalo ang taongbayan", masayang sabi ni Tiyo Berto, habang nakapalibot sa kanila ang ilang magsasakang tumulong sa kampanya. "Paano ba ang gusto mong selebrasyon?"

Masayang tumugon si Juan Dela Cruz, "Magsasalu-salo tayo sa gitnang bukid. Imbitado ang lahat, ipagdiriwang natin ang pagkapanalo ng bayan".

"At oo nga pala, magpapalipad tayo ng saranggola".


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Entry sa Saranggola Blog Awards ni Bernard Umali

Ako Mismo

Ako Mismo made waves since its controversial pilot advertisement at the height of the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton match on May 2, 2009.



The advertisement has become an instant hit, thanks to the famous celebrities endorsing the organization. With the likes of Ely Buendia, Angel Locsin, Luis Manzano, Chris Tiu and Arnel Padilla at the forefront of the advertisements, the audience can only speculate what this Ako Mismo organization is up to.

In fact, rumors surfaced that this could be a vehicle to launch ( PLDT and Smart Big Boss ) MVP's (Manny V. Pangilinan) launch to the Political Arena, since the advertisement is actually sponsored by Smart and PLDT.

The Ako Mismo website, however, denounced the speculations, saying that the organization's real advocacy is for the people to realize that change should start from each and everyone of us. We do not wait for the government or for the others to act. We should start and make change happen from within ourselves.


Come June of 2009, people who have added themselves as online members of the Ako Mismo organization, has received an important announcement:

On June 12, 2009, the AKO MISMO dog tags will be made available to the public for the very first time. The dog tags will be sold at P40 each; the proceeds of which will go to our beneficiary charity partners and to the socio-civic activities which we will be mounting nationwide.

It is such an important event for us that we declared it the AKO MISMO DOG TAG DAY which will be held at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field in Taguig City.


And yes, people actually flocked to the Bonifacio Global city on June 12 to participate in the event and of course, to get hold of the prized AKO MISMO DOG TAG.

Getting the Ako Mismo Dog Tag, however, does not come into handy. People who got their tags say you have to wait in long lines towards the selling booth. Before you are even allowed to purchase, you also have to state your own pledge of what you would do for the country, somewhat like: "Ako Mismo, tatawid sa tamang Tawiran", or, "Ako Mismo, maglilinis ng sariling bakuran".



With much disappointment, I found out lately that fake Ako Mismo Dog Tags are now being sold in almost every Metro Manila streets. Thus, you can find these fake tags being sold in Tiangge, on various MMDA Footbridge, and alongside those selling pirated VCDs and DVDs in the streets.

It is as if other people are saying: "Ako Mismo, magbebenta ng pirated at fake Dog Tags", and, "Ako Mismo, bibili ng pirata".

Pfizer Made It?

Did they or did they not?

Reacting to the recent Senate Inquiry wherein Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile told that Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company bribed the government in order to stop the implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Law, Pfizer Philippines' Corporate Legal Counsel Millete Asuncion clarified that Enrile's accusations are not true.

This surfaced after Reiner Gloor, executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines, testified to the Senate and said that Pfizer Philippines reportedly made an offer to the Department of Health before the list of the maximum retail price (MRP) for essential medicines was released last month.

Pfizer allegedly offered the government five million discount cards with an estimated worth of P100 million.

As has been in previous controversies, the name of President Gloria Arroyo is once again being dragged into the issue. The Senate has summoned the President, after she has allegedly conducted a secret meeting with multinational pharmaceutical firms last week.

President Arroyo, Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Trade Secretary Peter Fabila, and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr., however, did not attend the inquiry.

Eugenio Vagni Rescued

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Volunteer Eugenio Vagni, who was abducted by Abu Sayyaf terrorist group early this year, has finally been released on Sunday, July 12, 2009.

Vagni was the last of the three ICRC victims to have been released. The other two who were previously rescued were Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, and Swiss volunteer Andreas Notter.

July 27 Not A Holiday Anymore

Malacañang changed its declaration Wednesday and clarified that July 27, 2009 (Iglesia Ni Cristo Day) is a Special Working Holiday.

source: Inquirer.net




Baka nanalangin si Soriano. :D



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siyetehan joins technorati: gju4davsfp

Grains of Thought- On INC Day

Concerning Iglesia Ni Cristo Day on July 27, 2009, declared as Non-Working Holiday by PGMA:


No offense meant for the Iglesia Ni Cristo members, however, shouldn't President Arroyo also declare a holiday to commemorate:

Born-again Day
Methodist Day
Seventh-day Adventist Day
Baptist Day
Aglipayan Day
and
Dating Daan Day?

July 27 Is A Non-Working Holiday

President Arroyo has signed Republic Act 9645 declaring July 27, 2009 as a Non-Working Holiday to commemorate the founding of Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Iglesia Ni Cristo is a church denomination known for its bloc-voting during elections. Thus, politicians usually seek their support during campaign periods.

Rumor: Arroyo Had A Surgery

Is the rumor true that President Gloria Arroyo underwent a surgery (re: bleeding breast implant) at the Asian Hospital in Alabang?

The palace, however, denied the news (see Inquirer.net):

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's political adviser on Friday expressed shock at reports that Ms Arroyo had a breast implant replacement at the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City.

"What? Silicon implants? That's the first time I heard about that,"
Secretary Gabriel Claudio said in a phone interview.

"No way; I just heard that from you. I thought you were joking."

Claudio said that he had "absolutely no information" about Ms Arroyo's breast implant replacement, adding he was not even aware that she had an implant
in the first place.

updates soon.... will need to gather additional info about this.

Transformers Review: Revenge of the Fallen

Finally got the chance to give a quick review of the 2nd installment of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.






If you like to be entertained and you are not merely particular on the plot of the story, then go and watch the movie.

You will definitely be delighted with the digital robots, especially if you are watching on an I-max/3D viewing. The whole story is, of course, packed with the highly anticipated robots-changing-to-vehicles scenes (which is why they are called Transformers, anyway). A lot of action scenes are also featured among the robots, however, one problem I encountered, was, it is very difficult who among the gigantic robots are Autobots, and who are Decepticons. With how fast the scenes are viewed, and with how gigantic the robots are, it is unclear which is on the good side, and which is on the other.

But of course, I was entertained.

The main problem, really is the lack of a good story. Makes me say that the plot is almost the same as the first installment-only, that the first is better.

Decepticons come to earth to find something that is hidden on the earth for ages. Autobots arrive to fight the Decepticons and save the human race.

But of course, I'll always like Transformers, being one of my childhood favorites, and am looking forward for the 3rd, if there is.



You might want to read these other reviews:

10 Most Confusing Things in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Reader Review
Review by: Rotten Tomatoes