The Stories of Kokong

Oplan Pansit Grand Buffet

2012-02-07T14:31:00.033+08:00

Last February 5, Sunday, my band together with Wiz, Paid, Poetry of Water, and Utopia had this "mini tour" at Indahag for the Oplan Pansit Grand Buffet. It was our first time in Indahag. Our main agenda there as performers were to entertain the Sendong survivors through our music. The place is one of the many Tent Cities (relocation sites) scattered around the far-flung areas of Cagayan de Oro. Indahag, located in the mountainous part of the city, is only, more or less, a 20-minute ride from downtown CDO. But boy oh boy, the place is akin to Malaybalay City as it is very chilly especially at sundown. The scenery while descending was also a sight to behold. The bright lights of the city were in full display. Since it was a buffet, of course, there were food. But what caught me by surprise was, when the Oplan Pansit folks said it was going to be a "grand" buffet, they weren't kidding at all. Food were aplenty that all the people there, including us, can still reload our plates up until round 3 haha. Smorgasbord! Apart from the viand, medicines and water were also handed out to the survivors. Here are some photos courtesy of Jedi Dela Cruz:

Tatum of Wiz and The Superflirts - on our way to Indahag

Venue

2nd generation musicians

The Superflirts laugh trip!

Poetry of Water - enjoying a bottle of Fighter Wine

Wiz boys

Setting up

Paid

Utopia

Poetry of Water

Wiz

The Superflirts

crowd going crazy

The gathering was a huge success! Kudos to Oplan Pansit, ONE CDO, JCI, Rock Ed Philippines, and to all the beautiful and handsome volunteers for organizing such a wonderful event. More so, thank you to the survivors and the Indahag community for accepting all of us warmly. May God continue to uplift you all. Next stop, ska night this Saturday, February 11 at Punchbowl! Let's go! =)

Update: As if it will interest you

2012-02-02T12:54:00.022+08:00

It's been ages since I've posted anything on this blog. I even forgot that I owned such a blog hahaha. To put it in perspective, I was kinda preoccupied with so many things. Since then, many have changed. So here's a little peak on the things that I have been doing in the past months.

To start things off, would you believe that I've actually started playing competitive football (soccer)? I was so prepped up that I even joined several tournaments. We actually formed a team, which I am one of the founders, called Kural United Football Club. Our team is composed, more or less, of local musicians who happen to find joy in the beautiful sport of football. If you know your music history in CDO, you will already have an idea why the name Kural.

Apart from being sporty, me and two of my cohorts have opened a new business. The name of our business is Cake Junkies Unlimited. From the name itself, we sell mouth-watering cakes and pastries at reasonable prices. We do not have a physical store YET. We do our business online for the meantime. Even if we're still new in the trade, surprisingly, we've managed to bring about a slew of loyal patrons. Two of our bestsellers are the Junkie Cream Puffs and the ever delectable Red Velvet Cake. One piece of advise, use your Facebook page wisely in dealing with would-be costumers. You'll be surprised of the outcome.

I was also hooked up with work. I was a Korean language instructor at Happy Land International School. It's a school run by Koreans. Right now, I'm currently off as I am awaiting the next batch of Korean students that I'll be teaching. The good thing with this school is that it's only a short walk from where I live. No pressure indeed for me. But at the end of this month though, I'm contemplating on trying my luck at Concentrix. The coming weeks will be vital in my decision making.

Lastly, I've finally rejoined my brainchild, South Culture Radio. Due to internal problems in the past, couple it with heavy pressure, I decided to quit my post as a DJ. But now, I'm back at my regular spot. All izz well. And what a way to kick start my comeback with a new show to boot called The Weekenders which airs live every Friday night from 8pm to 10pm. Me (Kokong Ska), Pancho (Mr. Panda), and RQ (RQ-D2) are the wacky hosts of the said show. What more can I say, it's good to be back!

So yeah, I think that's it for me. And o, The Superflirts has been active once again. We've been doing a string of shows and from the looks of it, we'd prolly record a new track or two. Can't wait for it. See you around! Love, love, kiss, kiss! =)

The Superflirts temporarily signing off

2011-04-30T23:44:00.004+08:00

"The last time we played was January 8, 2011 and since then all our gigs were canceled due to our busy individual schedules. With that, we have decided to take a hiatus from the scene. It may take days, months, or even years before we get back together and play but rest assured we are not breaking up. We will surely miss all of you. Until we all see you again, THE SUPERFLIRTS TEMPORARILY SIGNING OFF..." - The Superflirts

When two angels cross paths

2010-07-08T19:10:00.006+08:00

By Karen Pastor, Carmela Quidoles, and Isadora Romeral
From http://www.scribd.com/doc/31762320/When-two-angels-cross-paths

It was on May of 2006 that the tragedy happened. While breastfeeding her youngest child, a mother was brutally stabbed to death by a man who had come to collect payment for the husband’s debts. Php500 was the amount that cost the lives of two and the separation of a family.

On a quiet evening in Zamboanga Del Sur, while the father was out leaving his wife and their three kids, the suspect stabbed the mother and one of the older children to death. Neighbors say that the other child, a son, managed to escape.

The true miracle of this story is what the then one-month old daughter experienced. While being protected by her mother, the knife hit the child on the wrist, striking a main artery.

The little girl was brought to the nearest surgical ward. There, she first encountered PO3 Edgardo Figuracion who was a nurse/police non-commission officer (PNCO). Originally a nursing graduate from Manila, Figuracion was assigned in the Police Provincial Health Service Office of Zamboanga Del Sur.

The father had come to the hospital but he claimed that he could no longer support the kid, especially with her medical needs. He gave consent for his daughter to be taken in by a more suitable family.

Many had intended on fostering the kid. But when they realized the expenses and work involved in taking care of her, they all backed out leading to Figuracion eventually uttering a joke on taking the child himself.

Four years have passed. Having just turned four years old last April 4, little Ezzeah now lives with her new-found daddy, mommy,ate, and little brother. Her once limp, dangling right hand is back in its proper form.

The orthopedic team of Philippine General Hospital has restored the sensation. She now has the ability to use the little finger on her right hand to use a spoon.

Hopes are high that little Ezzeah’s healing will progress smoothly and for her right hand to be fully functional.

Figuracion wishes to thank Mrs. Carla Ochotorena (wife of Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Director P/Ssupt. Ramon Ochotorena), PNP Chief Jesus Versoza and his wife Mrs. Cynthia Versoza, RD 9 Angelo Sunglao and his wife Mrs. Rose Sunglao, Chief Supt. Nick Bartolome, people from the media and press, and the anonymous donors who continue to help Ezzeah.

Figuracion says that he will not hide the tragic story from his daughter. He will tell it when she is of age and would let her meet her surviving kin if she chooses.

Loyalty, faithfulness and unconditional love - a must read!

2010-04-17T07:06:00.004+08:00

Hachikō (November 10, 1923–March 8, 1935), known in Japanese as chūken Hachikō, "faithful dog Hachikō" ('hachi' meaning 'eight', a number referring to the position within the nest the dog came from, and 'kō' being a Japanese familiar suffix). Hachikō was an Akita dog born on a farm near the city of Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, remembered for his loyalty to his owner, even many years after his owner's death.

In 1924, Hachikō was brought to Tokyo by his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. During his owner's life Hachikō saw him out from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered a heart attack at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend was waiting. Hachikō was loyal and every day for the next nine years he waited sitting there amongst the towns folk

Hachikō was given away after his master's death, but he routinely escaped, showing up again and again at his old home. Eventually, Hachikō apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So he went to look for his master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, Hachikō waited for Professor Ueno to return. And each day he did not see his friend among the commuters at the station.

The permanent fixture at the train station that was Hachikō attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen Hachikō and Professor Ueno together each day. They brought Hachikō treats and food to nourish him during his wait.

This continued for nine years with Hachikō appearing precisely when the train was due at the station.

Hachikō died on the steps that he waited for his master outside the station on March 8, 1935. His stuffed and mounted remains are kept at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo.

In April 1934, a bronze statue in his likeness was erected at Shibuya Station, and Hachikō himself was present at its unveiling. The statue was recycled for the war effort during World War II. In 1948 The Society for Recreating the Hachikō Statue commissioned Takeshi Ando, son of the original artist who had since died, to make a second statue. The new statue, which was erected in August 1948, still stands and is an extremely popular meeting spot. The station entrance near this statue is named "Hachikō-guchi," meaning "The Hachikō Exit,"and is one of Shibuya Station's five exits.

The Japan Times played a practical joke on readers by reporting that the bronze statue was stolen a little before 2AM on April 1, 2007, by "suspected metal thieves." The false story told a very detailed account of an elaborate theft by men wearing khaki workers' uniforms who secured the area with orange safety cones and obscured the theft with blue vinyl tarps. The "crime" was allegedly recorded on security cameras.

A similar statue stands in Hachikō's hometown, in front of Ōdate Station. In 2004, a new statue of Hachikō was erected on the original stone pedestal from Shibuya in front of the Akita Dog Museum in Odate.

Each year on April 8, Hachikō's devotion is honored with a solemn ceremony of remembrance at Tokyo's Shibuya railroad station. Hundreds of dog lovers often turn out to honor his memory and loyalty.

The Bridge

2010-04-13T14:01:00.002+08:00

The Bridge
by Francis Alex E. Tahud

The old man Sam has a bridge,
Sturdy and magnificent;
Superiority its edge,
It towers the whole pavement.

Welcoming all passersby
With its imposing grandeur;
Is it some sort of a lie
Not to praise this huge structure?

Indeed, it's metaphoric
To describe such a beauty;
A man's work that's terrific,
Leaving us in vanity.

But you who dare walk this bridge,
Do you know the casualties
That died before they could pledge
To finish all crudities?

Did it even crossed your mind
The workers buried alive
In making this bridge look kind
To soothe the government's jive?

Would it even bother you
How this bridge was very mean
To the many hands in tew?
As you walk, enjoy the scene.

The Fields that Opened My Eyes

2010-04-02T22:47:00.004+08:00

The Fields that Opened My Eyes
by Francis Alex E. Tahud

I was walking in the countryside
Together with the peasants' strides.
To my left were the picturesque ricefields
With big mountain ranges barricading as shields.
Intricately playing the landscape
Were lush vegetations kept secret like a lady's nape.
Then slowly inching its way
Was the sun's vibrant rays,
Making the scene more inviting,
Leaving me less initiating.
To my right were the clangors of big machines
Owned by capitalist sharks with dignified chins.
Big trucks travel to and fro
Diligently maneuvering its way through different windrows.
Farmers religiously gather the grains not for themselves
But for their landlords' shelves,
Making the scene more initiating,
Leaving me less inviting.
I paused and continued to walk.

Telenovelas and the 2010 elections

2010-03-11T19:05:00.003+08:00

Telenovelas and the 2010 elections
by Francis Alex E. Tahud

With the controversial and long awaited 2010 Philippine presidential elections slowly slithering its way into the national limelight, the Filipino people are then forced to compromise to the many annoying antics these political bandwagons have brought along. This is the case come election time when would-be politicians from here and there ridiculously sell themselves, whatever it takes, at the expense of the public’s comfort.

As early as summer of last year, even if the campaigning period has not officially started, many of these candidates have bombarded our TV viewings and other forms of media with their quasi-political ads that showed their being good public servants or just greeting us with nonsensical things. Imagine: while watching your favorite telenovelas with top caliber drama written all over it and a political ad suddenly butts in, wouldn’t you get pissed with it? And now that the campaigning period is a green go, how many more political ads do we have to endure?

In Xavier University alone, I noticed in the past couple of weeks the rise of several makeshift booths bearing the names of their presidential bets. There is really nothing wrong with it. In fact, it’s even a brilliant idea that they brought their candidates closer to the students. What agitates many students of the university though is that these booths are inappropriately situated on the benches where they find shelter under the big trees in this hot and humid weather we are experiencing now. With no choice, the students, including this writer, are forced to find someplace else. What’s even worse is that their color coded leaflets are littered all over the campus. Talk about being environmentally friendly.

These are the few uncomfortable scenes we have to go through while the elections is fast approaching. There are still many and it is utterly useless to enumerate all because it would take a full-length novel to do so. Not to mention the political killings that the Philippines has been infamously known through recent years.

As candidates, they should see to it first that in every move they make, it should always be beneficial to the general public, not for an individual or a specific group. Because at the end of the day, it is the public who will have the final say. As the adage goes: “first impression lasts,” it is what these candidates have done prior to the elections that will leave a lasting impression to the voters, not after. And with it, the possibility that will propel them to the seat they are aiming for.

Whoever wins this 2010 must make sure they are in their places because they want to serve the people, not the other way around. All of us must also see to it that the results of the coming elections truly reflect the public’s view. And just like your favorite telenovelas, the 2010 presidential elections will be full of dramatic scenes. So sit back, relax, and prepare those handkerchiefs for some teary eyes.

PROUD MEN by Francis Alex E. Tahud

2010-03-09T17:43:00.001+08:00

PROUD MEN
(Francis Alex E. Tahud)

They came not
To liberate
But for the Black Gold
They salivate.
Clothe in dashing
Patriotic smiles,
They stood proudly
In this deadman's land.
Bringing with them
Not food, shelter
Or even education,
Instead, guns, tanks
And ammunitions.
They offered
Not love, peace
And unity,
But hatred, chaos
And segregation.
They came to conquer
And conquer did they,
These proud gentlemen
Clad in uniforms of brutality.
One day, one day,
Those flags
Of stars and stripes
Will rightfully, rightfully,
Burn.

Domingong Bistida

2010-02-14T21:52:00.002+08:00

Domingong Bistida
(Francis Alex E. Tahud)

Ang pamaagi sa imong pahiyom ang gapugdaw sa akong kasingkasing
Imong naggilaw nga mga mata maoy ga hatag ug kaharuhay kanako
Imong mabihagon nga nawong susama sa alampat
Nga gipintalan sa malipayong Mamumulit
Sa dihang kita nag lingkod niining mga silya sa simbahan
Bisan sa kalay-on, ikaw gihapon akong gakakit-an
Niining lugar puy-anan sa pagdayeg
Akong gi-aswat kining mga kamot sa pagdasig
Dakong pagpasalamat sa Iyang gasa nga kaambong
Matam-is nga Manulunda susama kanimo
Ang tanan naa sa mahinay nga burdahi
Sa dihang ikaw naglakaw, ako walay makita nga alop
Ug diay akong gilatad kining kasingkasing sa pagdiskanso
Sa damgo nga ikaw ug ako nga walay pagminos
Naglaom nga usa ka adlaw, akong makab-ot ang kinamaayohan
Og bahin kanimo, dakong kasadya
Pasaylo-a kung dili ako ang kinapinohan
Gwapa ka sa imong pang Domingong bistida

Top 10 Boxing Fights that should happen this 2010!

2010-01-28T09:49:00.006+08:00

It has been some time now since I posted anything new on this blog. But before I continue, allow me first to greet everyone of you a very belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and at the same time, Kong Hei Fat Choi! So yeah, moving on, with 2010 being a ruckus year as the elections is already peeping in the horizon, I will shift my attention first on the fun side which is not politics but sports, specifically boxing.

As what pundits claimed, 2010 will be the last hurrah for boxing as MMA is making giant strides in claiming the top spot in the world of combat sports. And as we all know, the one fight that will help boxing stand again is that of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., which, as of the moment, is unlikely to happen because of mutual differences. But I personally think there are other possibilities boxing can explore other than the Pacman-Pretty Boy duel that can also deliver the goods and fireworks. Below are my top 10 fights that should happen this year.

10 Chris John 43-0-2 (22 KO) vs Celestino Caballero 33-2 (23 KO)

The common denominator between these two fighters is that both of them wants a piece of Juan Manuel Lopez. But before they go on to fight Juanma, I think they should first face each other. The two are WBC titleholders and are hungry for big time fights. This will be an interesting fight as both fighters have contrasting style. Would John's great defense and counter punching mean victory over Caballero's reach advantage and stinging jabs, or will it be the other way around? This will be a great fight to watch.

9 Amir Khan 21-1 (16 KO) vs Ricky Hatton 45-2 (32 KO)

This fight would simply be the biggest fight this year that will happen in UK soil once everything will be hammered out. Forget Hatton's beating over Pacquiao because he still has it. Both boxers have cult followings in their homeland and would surely generate big money. This will also be a passing of the torch, so to speak, as Hatton is on the twilight of his storied career and Khan has his best days still ahead.

8 Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. 41-0-1 (30 KO) vs Kermit Cintron 32-2-1 (28 KO)

Enough with JC Chaves facing mediocre opponents, it's just disgusting. For me, he's the worst undefeated boxer in the world. Sure, he has the pedigree but it doesn't show because all he fights are fighters way below his standard. It's about time he fights a real tough boxer and that would be Kermit Cintron. Of course, my money's on KC via TKO over JC before round 5.

7 Nonito Donaire, Jr. 22-1 (14 KO) vs Vic Darchinyan 33-2-1 (27 KO)

This rematch should happen this year. Simply put it this way, Donaire can prove once and for all that his first fight TKO victory was no fluke and that he deserves to be included in the P4P list. As for the badmouth Darchinyan, he will have a chance to avenge his embarrassing loss and prove once and for all that he still has what it takes to be a big time fighter. Intriguing, isn't it?

6 Arthur Abraham 31-0 (25 KO) vs Chad Dawson 29-0-0-1 (17 KO)

Speaking of intriguing, the match up between both will be of that proportion. The two fighters could probably meet up in the super middleweight division. Abraham is the harder puncher and the more aggressive but can also be reckless sometimes. On the other hand, Dawson is not a huge banger but is a crisp puncher that can easily overwhelm opponents. He is also a defense oriented fighter a la Floyd Mayweather, Jr. One thing's for sure if this bout will happen, somebody's 0 has got to go!

5 Miguel Cotto 34-2 (27 KO) vs Antonio Margarito 37-6 (27 KO)

When Pacquiao brutally defeated Cotto, many observers said Cotto was already a damaged good before their fight was even planned. This was due to his shocking TKO loss to Antonio Margarito. But in a sudden twist, Margarito's win over him became very suspicious as Margarito was caught using illegal handwraps in his title defense against Shane Mosley. This fight, if it will ever happen, would do wonders for Cotto. This will be his springboard to finally redeem himself. After this fight, I would love to see him face Pacquiao again or Mayweather.

4 Juan Manuel Lopez 28-0 (25 KO) vs Yuriorkis Gamboa 17-0 (15 KO)

The two pugilists are superstars in the making and, given time, would be boxing's next faces. Both are fast, skilled, and can fire hard punches at will. I would rather see them face each other than waste their time fighting low-caliber opponents like what Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. is fond of doing. Expect fireworks when this fight unfolds.

3 Edwin Valero 26-0 (26 KO) vs Michael Katsidis 26-2 (21 KO)

Valero is a tested KO artist with all his victories coming by way of knockouts. Katsidis, the warrior himself, is a boxing machine that only knows one thing: attack, attack, attack. For sure, this will be an action-packed fight that will not go the distance. It makes my mouth watery just thinking of this superb fight. Now folks, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

2 Kelly Pavlik 36-1 (32 KO) vs Paul Williams 38-1 (27 KO)

With the Pacquiao-Mayweather proposed fight still up in the air, this is probably the next best thing to it. This fight will certainly belong to the all time greats as it will pit two of the most talented and explosive boxers of today. Pavlik is a relentless power puncher that loves to fight face to face with the intention of ending the fight early. His defense is also good and his jabs are very effective. Williams, at 6'2, is a freak of nature. He does not only punch with power and move with speed, he is also tall and long. If both fighters finally agree, they should also sign for a rematch as this would be an epic battle.

1 David Haye 23-1 (21 KO) vs Vitali Klitschko 39-2 (37 KO) or Wladimir Klitschko 53-3 (47 KO)

I only want one thing in this fight, for Haye to brutally KO either of the boring Klitschkos. Period.

'Til next time people! Chow!

Resist Arroyo's martial law and brazen attempts to remain in power

2009-12-08T18:54:00.001+08:00

The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today called on the people to resist Gloria Arroyo's proclamation of martial law in Maguindanao as well as her brazen attempts to remain in power. "Gloria Arroyo's martial law in Maguindanao is an attack on the people, not serving justice on the Ampatuan clan, and thus must be confronted with a strong movement of the people," said Fr. Santiago Salas, NDF-EV spokesperson. "It is in line with Arroyo's avowal to remain in power, through running for congress and other opportunist acts in her favor. The people must thus do their utmost and fight Arroyo and martial law today and in the coming months. The people must raise the clamor for Arroyo's ouster the more she remains intransigent."

Fr. Salas averred that the martial law proclamation was a ploy in Arroyo's favor. "Declaring martial law will not render justice to the victims of the massacre or make the election better in Maguindanao, where many believed the Ampatuans and Arroyo connived in 2004 and 2007 for their mutual interests. It is instead an act of the superior taking charge over the messy affairs of the subordinate to ensure the survival of their common interests, especially keeping Arroyo in power.

"The Ampatuan clan accused of responsibility for the massacre of over 50 people is closely allied with the Arroyo government. The mass killing is attributed to the clan's private army, largely composed of state-sponsored paramilitaries. Confiscating a staggering amount of guns and ammunition from the Ampatuans in fact has the marks of a charade: the government just taking back what it had given in the first place. It is also a grim message to the people that the real lethal armed force is not that of the Ampatuans, but of Arroyo and her military."

The NDF-EV spokesperson said that the martial law proclamation boded ill for the people. "With Arroyo's record of lies and underhandedness, today, it is Maguindanao, tomorrow it could be the whole country. Martial law gives Arroyo the undue advantage, if not in totally imposing a dictatorship, then in greatly manipulating the election that she wants to be a launchpad for prime ministership. Thus the people must not only actively prepare to cast their ballots, but even more actively take to the streets and other protest actions to register their strong resistance. As an expression of support, the New People's Army will also continue to step up tactical offensives to prevent Arroyo from focusing the military on coercing the people, and to pave the way for the overthrow of the reactionary ruling system so the people themselves can seize political power."#

Reference:
Roy Santos
NDF-EV Media Liaison Officer
Cellphone No. +639196199369
E-mail: ndfevis@gmail.com

Gigs, audition, good friends, pictorial, and fever equals absent

2009-12-01T14:44:00.008+08:00

This past weekend my two bands, The Superflirts and First Protest, which I am fronting did a couple of shows at the annual Manresa Days festivities. We were invited there to play in front of a predominantly warm Aggie crowd. On the first night (Friday), the bands that played were Dulceptikon, First Protest, Sophisticated Meat Machine, God of Whine, Poetry of Water, Alimuwan, Leave Me A Note, and The Superflirts. Incidentally, I was also the one responsible for gathering these talented artists since I was given the "unofficial" task to handpick the bands, although I am not the organizer whatsoever. The gig went well as each music group dished their signature style to the crowd. However, it was a major letdown in the part of the organizers for not fulfilling their full obligations to us the performers. But as musicians, we did not allow it to hamper the fun night, so we proceeded. The free beers and cigarettes the organizers provided also in a way calmed us down (take note: I do not smoke). After the show, we, The Superflirts, Alimuwan, and Poetry of Water, were asked to do an encore again the following night. At first we had second thoughts, but eventually we obliged. Probably because we were not sober anymore. Hehehehe.

The following night (Saturday), we arrived at Manresa just in time for the Miss Rodeo Pageant. Since it was the culminating night, the ambiance was more festive and the crowd was more significant in numbers. Me and the boys of The Superflirts were treated to hot rodeo chicks dancing and grinding and pumping. The faces of ma' boys were too evident for me to not notice. Of course I am a good boy, so I decided to just admire the beauty of nature as it is. Hahahaha! As intermission for the pageant, the first band that played was Little School House, my fellow alumni of Corpus Christi School. It was my second time to see them play and bouy, were they good! They're one tight bunch. No wonder why they won a certain band contest. After the pageant drew to a conclusion, it was Alimuwan's turn on stage. For your information, especially to the budding musicians in Cagayan de Oro City, Alimuwan's frontman, Pio Pataganao, only happens to be in the same league as Joey Ayala, Cynthia Alexander, Grace Nono, Noel Cabangon, Waway Saway, Popong Landero, et al. Well, if you don't know these guys, you should not call yourself a musician. He also has this artist bar called Kauyagan (meaing: way of life) situated in the heart of CDO. I then found out that Poetry of Water backed out, good for them. More on this later. While Alimuwan was tuning their gears, the crowd in Manresa were treated to a spectacular fireworks display which I think lasted for more than 15 minutes. After the fireworks and the music of Alimuwan, it was then my band's turn to scintillate the stage and the crowd. 'Nuff said. Again, just like the previous night, the organizers failed to comply their responsibilities to us. Probably this was the reason why Poetry of Water had to beg off during the last minute. I won't enumerate the reasons but I hope this will not happen again. Anyway, on my side, the consolation part was seeing my DevCom crush a la Maui Taylor look alike. Wooohooo! She made my night complete. I then arrived home intoxicated again at 3am. Okay, it was sleeping time. ZzZzZzZzZzZz...

The next morning upon waking up at around 9am, I found 35 unread text messages and 12 missed calls on my cellphone. The text messages and missed calls were all from my bandmates at First Protest and my 3rd year English Major buddies. I hurriedly picked myself up because of the band auditions I forgot. I arrived at the music studio with all my bandmates already there -- Marion, Reino, and Wahab -- very late. Jifri was still in Manila so he was not able to join us. As a result for being late, I paid the compulsory payment for each band for the studio rental. Thanks a lot guys! Luckily, we were still able to join the auditions. During our auditions, I really had a hard time singing as my voice did not cooperate well but again, luckily, we pulled it off. I then went home immediately to get some quick snooze from the hangover. At around 4pm, my English Major buddies then met up at PNB fronting Xavier University. We were all headed to our good friend Eden's birthday party at Bugo. Joining the pack were Jerone, Hanna, Presicilla, Melissa, Ellie, Nur, Lou, Marion, Noelle, and yours truly. We boarded a Bugo liner and in no time, we arrived at Eden's beautiful house. Marlone "Horny Aquino" Juezan, another English Major buddy, joined us shortly at Eden's. Of course, the birthday gyal was extremely gorgeous as she welcomed us to her place. Her parents were also very accommodating (thank you ma'am, sir!). We then settled ourselves in their beautifully landscaped lawn. After the small tete-a-tete, it was eating time... I said it was eating time... my mouth's full. Hahaha! We then proceeded back to the lawn for some photo op, fun conversations, and a couple of beers. With all the conversations we had with my buds, I found out that they were all RACISTS!!! (inside joke) Hahahaha! We left Eden's at around 8pm and headed back to the city (thank you Den and happy birthday!). With the girls still wanting more, we all decided to go to Pab's KTV (I'm not sure with the name) courtesy of Melissa. Marion and Marlone did not join us as they went home. Melissa's better half, James, joined us shortly after. After an hour of singing our hearts out and another round of Red Horse, we then decide to call it a night. So, off we went to our houses. As for me, this was my third straight night of drinking and body abuse. But it was all good because I had a superb time with my superb English buddies.

Then, Monday came. I was again awaken with my cellphone ringing as Wahab called me that we were one of the chosen bands to play in the Xavier University Festival Days Batong Bitoon concert. With that, we were all asked to join the meeting that Soundtable had organized the same day for the pictorials and other details about the said concert. I arrived late because I was already a bit under the weather. Marion was not able to join because of other important priorities and Jifri was still on his way to CDO. So, it was only the three of us Reino, Wahab, and I. Upon arriving, I was so shocked to find out the large number of people that joined the meeting. It was like a battalion. It just goes to show that the music scene is really alive inside the confines of Xavier University. I just hope that these bands will be given the sufficient exposure to push their music forward. And most importantly, these bands will go for their own original music and not be contented as a cover band. There is potential in these kids, I can see it.

And so it is, as of this writing, I am here at home suffering from a fever. As a result, I was not able to attend my classes today. Good job, Kokong! Hahaha! So guys, I hope to see you come Xavier University Days. The Superflirts will be playing this Thursday (December 3, 2009, 9pm) and First Protest will be playing this Friday (December 4, 2009, 2pm). As for The Superflirts, this will be our sixth straight appearance in the Xavier University Festival Days which we were first given the chance to play back in 2004. Sugod mga kapatid!

MAGUINDANAO CARNAGE (read this to see the truth)

2009-11-27T11:57:00.004+08:00

from Small Time Only Promotions:

WE CALL ON THE ARROYO GOVERNMENT TO DO THIS NOW!!!!! NOW!! NOW!!

The only way for the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre to attain justice is for the authorities to torture Andal Ampatuan Jr. and his henchmen. Then, they will all be publicly beheaded in front of the whole Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao!!!!

Hoy Arroyo! We are very tired of all these crap happening here in Mindanao!! Show us your iron fist and do what we want you to do, EXECUTE THE PERPETRATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bayan condemns Maguindanao massacre

2009-11-25T20:31:00.001+08:00

Below is the statement issued yesterday by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan, New Patriotic Alliance on the Maguindanao massacre:

Bayan condemns in the strongest terms the recent election-related violence in Maguindanao province which claimed the lives of 36 people, including members of the Mangundadatu family, their supporters and staff, two lawyers and several journalists. The abduction and killings were so brazen that it has shocked everyone, even those in Malacañang. The massacre was indiscriminate and was carried out with utter disregard for the law by apparently powerful and influential forces. We condemn in particular the killing of women, lawyers and journalists.

A swift and impartial probe must now be conducted and the perpetrators of this heinous crime must be brought to justice. The full force of the law must be made to bear on the killers.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo must not let her political association with the Ampatuan family stand in the way of a speedy and impartial investigation into the incident. The national government must step in and enforce the law since the local police is not likely capable of conducting an impartial probe or may be vulnerable to pressure by the powerful political families in the province.

We support the call for the disarmament and dismantling of private militias in the area which have long existed but have been seemingly tolerated by the government. The national government can no longer turn a blind eye to the long-standing problem of warlordism and violence in the province.

Those public officials being linked to the killings must now be relieved or must take a leave of absence in order to give way to an impartial probe. The Philippine National Police leadership in the province should also be relieved.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner was quoted as saying the 100 men who staged the abduction were allegedly led by Mayor Datu Unsay Ampatuan and one Police Senior Inspector Dicay of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Shariff Aguak. This serious allegation involving local government and police officials should also be looked into.

A salute to Peñaflorida; a curse to Mrs. Arroyo.

2009-11-23T20:39:00.010+08:00

In a time where we regard some boxer, without a clear direction if I may add, as a modern Filipino hero, it is a heap of fresh air to see a "true" Filipino hero rise from the ashes of hopelessness. Efren Peñaflorida, the fist-ever awardee of the CNN Hero of the Year award, impressed the whole world with his "Kariton Klassroom" campaign by bringing education out in the streets to cater the poor and unprivileged kids hungry for "free quality education." More so, it is a complete reversal to what Mrs. Arroyo has done for our country through her reign, making us unimpressed big time.

Peñaflorida toured the busy streets with his pushcart school under the sweltering heat of the sun to reach street kids and teach them how to read, write, and count. All for the sake of sincere service, he had gain no monetary riches but instead the immense wealth of experience being with the poor kids and their families. On the other side of the fence, Mrs. Arroyo also did her fare share of touring. She toured the world and gained personal monetary riches, and at the same time, giving more burden to Filipinos by bloating our foreign debt for many generations to come.

Peñaflorida shared his knowledge under the aegis of his campaign by giving free education to the unprivileged. He touched lives by inspiring the kids he taught that there will be a brighter future ahead through education. On the other side of the fence, Mrs. Arroyo shared nothing but problems with her anti-poor campaigns and policies. She destroyed lives by extinguishing the last remaining candle of hope upon the darkness of greed she has concocted.

Peñaflorida freely gave his self away in the name of being a concerned Filipino. Seeing that uneducated Filipino kids were (and are still up to this day) very rampant, through his initiative, he and his colleagues started to teach street kids for free. On the other side of the fence, Mrs. Arroyo and her colleagues, in the name of being concerned leaders, did nothing to the improve the current state of our dying educational system. Which, in her reign, has extremely degenerated.

Peñaflorida's actions endeared him to his students, and the people around him alike. On the other side of the fence, Mrs. Arroyo's actions made her the most hated Philippine president of all-time. Some would even say she's worst than the former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Evidence of this is the tens of millions of Filipinos clamoring for her to step down.

With this, Peñaflorida shamefully exposed what the Arroyo regime has failed to deliver: Supplying good education for the poor. This should be a slap on the face to Mrs. Arroyo's government. But I doubt if she'll really feel this rude awakening because of all the callus she and her minions have grown accustomed to.

The initiative of Kuya Efren, as he is called, is a clear example that even the littlest of things, done humbly and sincerely to help others, can really go a long, long, long way. So, to you Kuya Efren, I salute you. And to you Mrs. Arroyo, your days are numbered.

Orange is the new Evil

2009-11-09T19:56:00.001+08:00

With the impending filing of candidacy just flirting around the bend, would-be politicians from here and there are now already in a frenzy broadcasting their names and ridiculous faces to the populace in every medium they can grab hold at.

And so... the Philippine political freak show begins. But before we start pinpointing each and everyone of these very annoying traditional politicians, we must first take a glance at the most annoying son of a gun of them all. And my friends, that would be secret Billionaire Manny "Orange/Boy Tondo" Villar.

This dude, as early as summer, was already hastily raiding every possible medium that showed his exploits of being a very helpful public servant to the poor because he himself came from the lower sector of the society. Not satisfied with his "Sipag at Tiyaga," he then came up with more different versions of his "heroic deeds" to further his "pogi points" to the Filipino people. From helping OFWs get home using his own moneeey, to mingling with the poor people of Tondo, and even using a corny song from a corny OPM band to get the attention of the corny youth that believes in him, he has done that all.

My gosh (eww I sound so gay), it's not even campaigning period and look at how money he has shed in his early electioneering ads. Come to think of it, his accounts payable through all his early gimmickry can restore the whole city of Baguio that was recently devastated by typhoon Pepeng. What more when the official campaigning period kicks in, huh!

But, that's not the real agenda there. In simple terms, I ask you, what one significant thing has Villar done for the betterment of our country and the Filipino people, aside from organizing events with the über intelligent and handsome Willie Revillame, that we should even consider him as a potential presidentiable? I am just a moron writing this, can you supply me the answer?

If you happen to find yourself loving the orange polo shirt more and more, you must immediately take it off and wear the Vote for Pedro shirt to cleanse yourself from this act of Devilish deception.

For goodness' sake, think first before you vote this dude if you still love the Philippines!

PBA 35th Season Fearless Forecast

2009-10-11T14:15:00.007+08:00

Roughly five hours as of this writing, the 2009-10 PBA Philippine Cup opens for yet another epic battle to the finish. Even though, admittedly, I suck big time when it comes to predicting like what I did last year, I will still give my forecasting because this is my blog and not yours! Hahahaha! Without further adieu... read on.

At 11th spot: Smart-Gilas RP Team

Reason: Even with their domination over an unprepared and hastily-assembled PBA Powerade-RP Team, it will still be very difficult for this collegiate idols to compete in a pro level. One game, even with a blowout, doesn't entirely mean that they will steamroll over the rest of the pack. They will probably win some games but they won't really be as successful as what other pundits expect. Come one, Chris Tiu over James Yap, Rabeh Al-Hussaini over Asi Taulava, Mark Barroca over Mark Caguioa, JV Casio over Willie Miller? Are you sarcastically joking me!

At 10th spot: Barako Bull Energy Boosters

Reason: Similar to the team's 2008-09 lineup, I still couldn't find any improvements at all. They still lack reliable manpower in certain positions, no wait, in all positions, rather. I can see this lineup winning the championship in the PBL and Liga Pilipinas, not in the PBA, brotha. But even so, I am still very happy that they are still continuing their campaign even with all the financial hassles they have. And, as we all know, they are a wounded team with the passing of their affable team manager Tony Chua during the height of the bastard typhoon Ondoy. They could probably use this as a driving force and play inspired basketball. We'll see.

At 9th spot: Burger King Whoppers

Reason: With the Japeth Aguilar hullabaloo finally settled (he was beginning to annoy me as if he was some sort of a NCCA superstar in the USA), the Whoppers can now focus on their campaign. They have a good balanced team headed by Gary David and Wynne Arboleda. But the big question is how will they make Japeth happy? If this troika of David, Arboleda, and Aguilar will work together and the team will make Japeth feel at ease, I can see them going deep into the playoffs and possibly the finals. It's also very intersting to see how will Japeth play against the Smart-Gilas RP Team.

At 8th spot: Sta. Lucia Realtors

Reason: After being away for almost half of the Fiesta Cup due to a rare blood disorder, machine gun Kelly Williams will make his return. Same also goes to Ryan Reyes who missed his chances to play for the RP Team because of a hamstring injury. But, what remains to be very suspicious is that if both of them can finish the season without being on the injured list. They also released Denok Miranda and reliable team captain Dennis Espino. With the two major starters gone, the abuse their starting five will get is enough for me to believe that they will not enter the playoffs.

At 7th spot: Barangay Ginebra Kings

Reason: The long awaited return of probably the Philippines' most flamboyant player will finally happen. Mark Caguioa, after missing an entire season due to an injury, is set to make his comeback. This will really boost the chances of the Kings for another epic run. But with many new faces inserted to their lineup this season and key players released, team chemistry will remain a big question. The thought though of seeing Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand, Ronald Tubid, and Cyrus Baguio playing together makes me drool. All eyes will be on the Kings.

At 6th spot: Coca-Cola Tigers

Reason: Of all the teams, they were probably the most active during the offseason as they radically shuffled their lineup. The team's one-two punch, Asi Taulava and Alex Cabagnot, will lead this team of new faces that I think is much more better than their previous roster last season. The entry of Dennis Espino will also stabilize their frontline that also boasts of new comers Ken Bono and Larry Rodriguez. This year's third overall pick, Chris Ross, will also add depth to their guard position. I like the composite of this team because it's a mixture of veterans and youthful players. Now, let's see and wait if they can get those Ws.

At 5th spot: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

Reason: The biggest surprise last season, this team will still continue to do so this time around. I like it because they addressed their lack of height by getting Mark Telan, Mike Hrabak, and adding rookie Jervy Cruz into the fold. They also added role players like Marcy Arellano and Jam Alfad to balance their team. And of course, the old reliables are still there in Jay-R Reyes, Ryan Araña, TY Tang, and the Fire and Ice tandem of Gabe Norwood and Solomon Mercado.

At 4th spot: Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants

Reason: It really helps when your team is filthy rich. Purefoods have shored up their lineup, especially their frontline, of players which they really need. They got the services again of Marc Pingris and Paul Artadi which helped them win the Philippine Cup in 2006. They also added height with Rafi Reavis and 2009 second overall pick Rico Maierhofer. What remains to be unseen though is that how will the team's dynamic duo of Kerby Raymundo and James Yap blend with the new faces. But I think Purefoods will be the team to beat this season.

At 3rd spot: Alaska Aces

Reason: If Coke was the most active during the offseason, then Alaska was the most nonchalant. Don't get me wrong here, what I mean is that the team gave more emphasis to chemistry and familiarity over solidifying their roster with new additions. The team is very much intact with only one new face in this year's fifth overall pick Mike Burtscher. And they proved it when they doused cold water over the Smart-Gilas youngsters in a preseason game. I am very sure that they will improve significantly than what they did last season. Period.

At 2nd spot: Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters

Reason: If you happen to be one of the richest team in the PBA, you will really get a bundle of perks. That's what the defending champs TNT got when they traveled across Europe, Australia, USA, and Asia during the offseason for their training. They also did a little retooling to their quasi All-Star team by getting Nick Belasco and Mark Isip. The major thing they did was getting rid of players they didn't need in exchange for first rounder picks next year. Remember the perks I said awhile ago?

At 1st spot: San Miguel Beermen

Reason: Wow, money is really powerful! As if they were not bull-strong enough, the Philippine National Basketball Team.. errrrr the San Miguel Beermen I mean, is still not satisfied with what they have. So unsatisfied that they added Arwind Santos, Denok Miranda, Mike Holper, and rookie James Sena to their fold. Their third stringers could even toy around the rest of the Barako Bull team. Does the PBA even impose a check and balance? Knock, knock.

And so it is. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! The 35th PBA season is under way.

First Protest Iligan City Tour!

2009-10-03T03:16:00.003+08:00

The day before Iligan's fiesta (September 28), my new band, First Protest, was invited to play in a concert. With limited budget, limited practice time, and limited exposure, we bravely accepted the invitation and trooped over the industrial city. The funny thing was, it was our first ever gig together as a band, and it was an out-of-town gig. Since it was a bit short notice, we had to scramble ourselves in preparation for our departure. Money was then the biggest factor. But because of our willingness, plus the motivation (MY BANDMATES) of having to see all the beautiful gals Iligan has to offer, we were able to come up with a solution.

I met up with ma boys Wahab, Marion, and Jifri at the Bulua Bus Terminal. A friend-slash-tour guide-slash-manager-slash-supporter of ours, Adnan, also accompanied us. As usual, I arrived last. I then immediately noticed the long line of passengers going to Iligan. This was expected though because it was the day before the fiesta in Iligan City. After all the hustle and bustle we had to go through in the terminal, we then found ourselves boarding a bus. We traveled for almost 2 hours in a very comfortable air conditioned bus where Dolphy and Vic Sotto's Dobol Trobol was on view. And the best part of it was the fare only cost us 50 bucks. In no time, we arrived to our destination.

Adnan then took us to the concert place, the Iligan City National High School. Ashley, a girl friend (note: girl friend and not girlfriend) of ours was already there waiting for us. We then met up with her. Upon entering the premises of the school, we were immediately accommodated by the organizers. They led us to our place and gave us dinner. One of the organizers then approached me and said: "Bai, naa kay dala jutes?" ("Dude, did you bring with you marijuana?") I was for a moment bummed by the question. I then politely answered that I do not have. Sheeeeesh ignorant people from the Stone Age! Just because I'm sporting a dreadlocks doesn't mean I smoke marijuana. I then laughed and so did my bandmates with what occurred.

While we were still eating, the band playing on stage featured a very attractive front woman. Listening to her voice and watching her moves hypnotized us, diba Mar? It was probably one of the highlights in our tour.

Then it was our time to play. Truthfully, I was very scared of how our performance would come out. Given the fact that we were not able to practice for more than a week, I already expected our set to be dirty. Surprisingly, we pulled it of. Props to my bandmates for doing so. Plus what's more amazing, of all the bands that played before us, we were the only band to get the applaud of the audience. How cool is that! I don't know why. Maybe it was because of our gung-ho performance or we were just too handsome compared to the other bands. Hahahaha!

After our set, we immediately left the venue and went downtown Iligan. There, we saw what Iligan was like, a very vibrant city. When our short tour of the city ended, we then settled ourselves back to the Iligan City Bus Terminal. After some casual talks, the last bus arrived at around 12 midnight. We were then forced to board the bus because the people in the terminal said that the next trip will not be until 3 am. So in we went. The bus had many passengers standing, including us, because all the seats were already occupied. But it didn't take long before we found our seats. Our bus peacefully drove amidst the eerie night. We arrived in CDO at around 2 am and went to our own cribs.

All in all, the trip was very fun and easy-going. Yes there was pressure but it was amicable. I also think we represented Cagayan de Oro very well. There's more protest to come with First Protest!

My Humble Prayer for the Victims of Ondoy

2009-09-27T15:04:00.001+08:00

Almighty Father, I humble myself to You.
I give all the praises unto Thee.
You are magnificent and worthy is Your name.
In this time of need, I pray to You upon Your steadfast love that You spare all those who are currently experiencing the havoc of typhoon Ondoy.
I ask You to cover them with Your most precious blood.
Comfort them, Lord, with Your loving arms.
The brave and courageous rescuers, I ask You Lord to shield them as they help those in distress.
Same also, Lord, to the good souls that have done their share in helping others, shield them away from danger.
The generous companies, groups, and individuals that have donated their products and/or cash for the victims' sake, I ask You Lord to pour on the blessings upon them.
Families, Lord, that are still searching for their lost loved-ones, I pray, Lord, that You comfort them, Lord.
And those families that tragically loss their loved-ones because of the flood, I humbly ask You Lord to please, please, please mend their hearts.
Please, O mighty God, please.
If there are still survivors clinging to dear life not found, I beg You Lord that You give them hope to live.
Make them live, O God.
Make the rains stop pouring, Lord, and let Your sunshine appear from the skies.
Make the flood subside fast, dear God, so that all the dead bodies will be recovered.
But Lord, I ask You Lord to lower the dead body count and increase the survivor count.
Right now Lord, at this very moment, Lord, all I want, Lord, is for You, Lord, to ease the pain of the victims.
It crushes my heart, Lord, every time TV networks show videos of the flood victims, Lord.
One video footage, Lord, that really impaled my heart was the San Mateo Bridge flood scene.
A group of people on a bundle of debris were carried by the strong currents of the river.
Upon approaching the San Mateo Bridge, the bundle of debris they were on suddenly scattered causing them to also scatter.
The people atop the bridge tried their very best to save the people on the debris but to no avail.
Lord, it really pains me.
I take back everything I said that it's the people's fault why this never-before seen flood happened to them.
I'm very sorry, Lord.
Please, Lord, put a stop to it.
I give everything back to You Lord.
I lay everything unto You Lord.
Thank you for Your miracles.

Amen.

Political Instability in the Philippines

2009-09-22T23:54:00.002+08:00

Political instability is nothing but a norm here in the Philippines. Through many years, the Philippines has become famous, or should I say infamous, of being a nation with a very weak political structure. Time and time again, the Filipino populace have struggled to find the perfect remedy to this ailment but have subsequently deteriorated. Many administrations came but failed miserably, with the incumbent making the biggest damage of them all. It is probably safe to say this time that the Filipinos are really, really, really tired of how the country is being run by hungry crocodiles.

Since time immemorial, the Philippines have fought for her freedom against outside and inside oppressors. The Spaniards came in first and forced-fed us their culture to the point that many natives were killed while refusing to obey them. Then, after the Spanish Tunas, the Japs came along with their guns and bombs and looted and raped and killed and I don't know what else every Filipinos. Last but not the least, Uncle Sam's bombastic backstabbers pretended to help us liberate ourselves from the sushi-eating troops, but history tells us it was not the case. Instead, they grabbed us in our throats and made us eat dirt. My point is, for more than 400 years we have been suppressed from our freedom. Fast forward to 1965. We were again oppressed, but this time it was a Filipino calling the shots. Yes, he was Ferdinand Marcos, and yes, his head statue somewhere in Baguio City is now in ruins. Now that sovereignty, which has evaded us for a gazillion years, is within our hands, we at least deserve a good stable government. But what's happening? Every year we keep on plunging. We're among the cellar dwellers in... Southeast Asia my gosh! Our economy, even with the "fake" statistics that show we are improving, in reality it doesn't show. Try going to the Zayas Landfill, Macabalan, and even Lapasan and you'll know what I'm taking about. I am no political genius and it does not take a rocket scientist to see that corruption is the cancer that is killing the Philippines rapidly. Because of it, the one that suffers badly are the ordinary citizens. I then remember that old adage, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. No justice indeed. Human rights violation is also very rampant because the powerful feel that they are above the law. Knock, knock GMA! It's only a matter of time when another EDSA Revolution will arise.

With everything I said, I think it all boils down to one thing. I only borrowed this thought from a friend and I adhere to this one. Let's imagine the Philippines as a car and the people as the engine. For a car to move, it needs the engine to be fueled. And as for the Philippines to move forward, the fuel the people need is food. It's as simple as that. If we are assured that we can at least eat three times a day, I am confident that every Filipino will do his/her part in making our country better. The Philippines is an agricultural land, and I hope our leaders will put emphasis to it. This will probably make political instability in the Philippines a history, I pray so.

My Candelaria, Sweet to Taste (by Francis Tahud)

2009-09-17T00:52:00.005+08:00

It was some time on a Sunday
When morning dews were all to see,
And birds chirping with no dismay
So blissfully for being free.
The sight was splendid, I agree.

Then, when the cool wind came gushing,
A fair lady calmly appeared.
Candelaria, her name being
Of whom this heart of mine endeared,
And is for me highly revered.

She then came running up the hill
Of cogon grass where I stood. In
Awe of such a beautiful feel,
Her body pressed against my skin.
With only nature to be seen,

We were all alone, me and her
In a magnificent landscape,
Where trees almost vividly purr
And the clouds over us, our drape
Clothing us in this sweet escape.

She clutched my hands and so did I,
We laid down together in love.
So humble, our lips then met nigh
They then osculate. She’s above
As both our bodies interwove.

Magic was written everywhere,
Upon the blowing of our dreams,
To the high skies for us to smear,
This moment will forever freeze,
And time will never ever cease.

“I love you, hun,” said I to her.
She replied, “I love you more, hun.”
I breathed deeply and grasped for air
Then kissed her while grabbing a gun
In my pocket. Under the sun,

Scattered brightness is our witness
Of what we have for each other.
Even with impending sadness
Let this pure love of ours gather
The pieces, we will move further.

I pointed the gun on her head.
She smiled back at me with no pain,
She kissed me even more and said,
“I will be seeing you again.”
I pulled the trigger, no refrain.

Bang! Blood was all over her face,
Her lifeless body on the ground.
My Candelaria, sweet to taste
Here I am, to you I am bound.
But suddenly it came around,
Porphyria, a love I confound.

En route to vegetarianism

2009-09-14T22:06:00.006+08:00

In a couple of days, I will be embracing a lacto-ovo vegetarianism lifestyle for 30 straight sunlights and sunsets. I am not doing this for PETA, but mainly for the health benefits I will get. Plus, this is also may way of giving other living creatures a break. I do not intend though of becoming a vegetarian for a long time, rather I'll be doing this to detoxify my body from time to time. I'll probably do this once every year if the situation permits me.

Since this is my first time, I will do this gradually so that my body can adjust. In this diet, eggs, milk, and other selected dairy products will be included. Lacto-ovo means milk and egg. Meat, fish, or any animal for that matter will be strictly scrapped out. Bet you didn't know that one, huh? Duh me! Hehehe.

I do not know how will my body react, since I also have this illness called Hyperthyroidism, but I am very positive that this will really be good for me. Like my mom, I am a fruit/veggie-loving individual. I'll take it a notch higher by becoming a full-pledged viiiiiiigetarian.

I'll update y'all in my next following posts through my vegetarian nirvana journey.

Anyone who's vegetarian here? Can you help me? Suggestions? Tips?

Meet my friends

2009-09-12T13:21:00.003+08:00

Presenting..... The Magnificent Karaoke Boys!

Marion and Kokong (early morning Divisoria)

Kokong, Jezrel, and Marion (early morning Divisoria)

Kokong and Sleepy Marion (early morning Divisoria)

Jezrel and Kokong (early morning Divisoria)

From a radical's point of view (An attempt to satire by Gardo Machete Versoza aka Francis Tahud)

2009-08-27T20:46:00.015+08:00

One day, a police officer comes barging in your door and pins you down hard. He puts his Browning 9x19mm Hi-Power handgun in front of your face, will you then say "officer, I am not resisting you!" He then strikes you and say "I am the law, shut up and eat my waste!"

Police brutality is the abuse of power by a police officer through physical force, intimidation, and verbal assaults against another individual. People who come from the lower half of the society are the ones susceptible to this act of inequality.

It is very alarming to hear and/or witness different instances of police violence towards the innocent common people, be it racism, sexual abuse, false arrest, and repression. Because they have a gun and a badge, these uniformed personnel feel that they are above the law.

On the other side of the fence, it is so sad, and probably very annoying, for the hoi polloi to be defenseless in this unethical behavior of the authorities. Some, if not many, who experienced this kind of abuse have gone insane or have given rise to psychological problems.

I believe that in order to stop this, we civilians should also treat these bastards with iron fists, not with respect. We should fight fire with fire, not with water.

The suggestions I see that will really be effective are:

Firstly, all police officers found to have abused their powers should be stripped naked and then tied to a tree. Honey or anything sweet will be put all over his/her body especially the sex organ. Then, big red ants will be poured all over his/her entire body especially the sex organ. It will be an enjoyable scene for the kids to see.

Secondly, every arrogant officer will be thrown to a pit of thorny cactus. If possible, the most poisonous cactus ever to grace the face of the earth.

Thirdly, every cop who brings oppression to the powerless will be mandated to cut all the grass of a 50-hectare land under the sizzling heat of the sun using only a small scissor. If he/she fails to do so, he/she will then be submerged into a water full of piranhas. But if a miracle of epic proportion unfolds and he/she finishes cutting all the grass in time, his/her life will be spared. As a token of appreciation, all his/her limbs will be amputated, both his/her ears cut, and his/her left eye be plucked out using only bare hands and a rusty old knife.

Lastly, if he/she dies, his/her carcass will then be fed to hungry swines. Part of the body, those fresh, will be cooked and turned into delicious chicharon. That way, alcohol drinkers will have an eat-all-you-can pulutan fiesta. Pulutan problem solved.

These actions, if done properly, will then lead officers to act ethically over the public. If some stubborn cops persist in doing their old ways, then go back to my suggestions.

But before you do anything stupid and try this at home, I tell you that these are only my ways of inspiring you to fight for your rights against police brutality. We were created by the Creator equally, and no one, I repeat, no one is more superior than the other. No one has the right, even Gloria Monkey Arroyo, to harm others physically, mentally, or whatever.

Daghang salamat, Tita Cory!

2009-08-02T16:58:00.000+08:00

1933-2009

you JUANA CHANGE? yes i JUANA CHANGE!

2009-07-24T08:45:00.003+08:00

Our 22-year old Constitution, admittedly, has many flaws, and I strongly believe that it is due time we amend it. But, it should be done after the 2010 elections when GMA steps down from her pedestal. We, the people, should be vigilant in safeguarding this transition and prevent personal political greed from devouring it. Raise fist brothers and sisters!

We are not invisible. We oppose the bio–ethanol plant

2009-07-21T13:37:00.000+08:00

By Ellen Red

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Beth Pua Villamor, a resident of barangay Bayanga in this city, writing as a "citizen journalist" belies the local newspaper report that residents in barangays Bayanga and Mambuaya in this city are in unison in expressing unequivocal support to the proposed Alson Corporation's bio–ethanol plant.

"I am writing as a 'citizen journalist' to raise the injustice done to me and to thousands of residents in barangays Bayanga and Mambuaya who are opposed to the bio–ethanol processing plant to be built by Alsons Corporation," Ms. Villamor said in a letter to the local newspaper.

She said it is not true that residents in Bayanga and Mambuaya are united in supporting the proposed Alson Corporation's bio–ethanol plant as many are opposed to the plan due to environmental hazards.

During the public consultation held in January 2009 on the proposed Alson Corporation's bio–ethanol plant, Ms. Villamor reported that 450 residents of barangay Bayanga, through a petition, expressed their opposition to the proposed plant. Copy of the opposition petition, she said, was given to the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Some residents again expressed their opposition during the Alson's "tell the public" forum sponsored by the Archdiocese last April 2009, Ms. Villamor reported.

The local newspaper GoldStar Daily reported that "residents in Bayanga and Mambuaya were in unison in expressing unequivocal support to Alson's bio–ethanol plant."

Alson Corporation proposed to operate a P200–million bio–ethanol plant within a 17–hectare area in the adjoining barangays of Bayanga and Mambuaya.

Maybe you should read this

2009-07-20T23:15:00.003+08:00

Greetings earthlings! It's been a woah time since I've put any rantings here, or checked this page for that matter. I have been very busy these past few weeks, busy as in capital B-U-S-Y. School is kinda demanding because I'm forced to digest tons and tons of essays, stories, and other readings every week. I'm slowly morphing into a bookworm, a bookworm with dreadlocks hehehe. And speaking of dreadlocks, my locks is already two-months old. I am now very comfortable that they are starting to get soft and squishy, yippie!

On the skanky side, The Superflirts is currently on a much-needed hiatus. We, the band, decided to take it slowly this time and evaluate everything we did and will do. This also gives us the perfect opportunity to tend to our personal priorities which were temporarily set aside during our run as a band. We hope that you all will still be there upon our return, ayt? :)

On the fun side, the first Superflirts baby was born, Simon Isidore, handsome son of Kring-Kring and our Bimbo Swerte Boy. Soon, he'll boot me out and will be the new vocalist of the band. Poor me. Hahaha! God bless him. I am also planning to form a new side project with my friends. This band will prolly have the elements of reggae and hip-hop intertwining.

As of this writing, school's not until Monday because of the A(H1N1) flu virusssss. Might as well sleep.

Banzai!!!!!!!!

Act now! The Philippine Congress is about to vote on this

2009-05-16T21:27:00.001+08:00

www.greenpeace.org.ph/nukes

Last December, we welcomed the long-awaited enactment of the Renewable Energy (RE) Law, signaling that the Philippines is on track towards ensuring a sustainable future powered by renewable energy.

Unfortunately, a dangerous specter is hanging over the successful deployment of renewable energy in the country - the nuclear energy industry and its false claims, has swayed some of our congressmen who have begun talking of waking up a demon from the past, the Bataan Nuclear power plant (BNPP).

Nuclear energy is as dangerous and as expensive as it was two decades ago. The Bataan site is as vulnerable to seismic shifts as it was two decades ago. And no, Nuclear energy does not in any way address the issue of climate change or energy security.

But despite mounting opposition (again!) from people and cautionary notices from experts, these 'nuclear' congressmen are pushing the Congress to vote on the revival of the BNPP, before it closes in the first week of June.

We need to act now!

On the 23rd and 24th of May, Greenpeace is staging a bicycle rally that will start in Morong, Bataan, the site of the mothballed BNPP and collect messages of opposition of opposition to BNPP to deliver to Congress on May 25th.

We need as many voices as possible to remind the Philippine Congress that they are accountable to us. That is why we need you to sign NOW and support this important message!

We don't want nuclear power! We want renewable energy!

visit http://www.greenpeace.org.ph/bnpp

After signing up please forward this message to all your friends as well

Amnesty International Says Arroyo Gov’t Condones Rights Abuses

2009-05-12T18:52:00.001+08:00

The world is worried about the progress of the Philippine government’s compliance on human rights. This, despite President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s offer to raise P25 million as reward for witnesses to testify in order to solve the 1,013 cases of extrajudicial killings under her administration.

BY RITCHE T. SALGADO
Contributor
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Bulatlat

CEBU CITY– The world is worried about the progress of the Philippine government’s compliance on human rights, this, despite President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s offer to raise P25 million $529,100 at the May 9, 2009 exchange rate of $1=P47.25) as reward for witnesses to testify in order to solve the 1,013 cases of extrajudicial killings under her administration.

Dr. Gary W. King, a founding member of Amnesty International (AI) in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, said in an interview with Bulatlat, that with the government’s record of “protecting” potential witnesses it would be unlikely for people to come forward.

King cited the case of Siche Bustamante-Gandinao, 59, who, in 2007 was gunned down after testifying before United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions Phillip Alston on the killing of her father-in-law, Dalmacio Gandinao, a former coordinator of Bayan Muna (People First). Bustamante-Gandinao, ironically, took over her late father-in-law’s responsibility in Bayan Muna when she was shot.

King, who has been studying the spate of human rights abuses in the Philippines since the early 1980s, said that the international community is angry that instead of condemning the epidemic of human rights abuses in the country, the Arroyo administration is instead showing signs that it is condoning these.

Investigate Palparan

King expressed his dismay on the government’s inaction on the findings and recommendations of several international human rights missions including that of Professor Alston’s, asking for the government to work to achieve convictions “in a significant number of extrajudicial executions.”

“What really concerns us is not only the lack of investigation but that fact that infamous people like (Major) General Jovito Palparan would get promoted, would get medals, and now he has even made it into your government as a partylist congressman,” King lamented.

“Nowhere does there seem to be a chance to bring into light of day some of his acts of gross human rights violations,” he said.

King said that reports by AI, Human Rights Watch, and other independent groups have underlined that wherever Palparan was assigned, cases of extrajudicial killings are bound to rise. “All of these people are saying, ‘Where is the investigation of Jovito Palparan?’” King said.

“We are not happy at all with this treatment by the government. He should be investigated potentially for gross human rights violations,” King added.

Alston in his findings pointed out that “the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) remains in a state of almost total denial of its need to respond effectively and authentically to the significant number of killings which have been convincingly attributed to them.”

It continued, “When the Chief of the AFP contents himself with telephoning Major-General Palparan three times in order to satisfy himself that the persistent and extensive allegations against the General were entirely unfounded, rather than launching a thorough internal investigation, it is clear that there is still a very long way to go.”

“This bothers us all tremendously, that (the killing) goes on with no signs of investigation,” said King. “We don’t see trials; we don’t see demotions… so we fear that the government condones this climate of fear and impunity.”

Trumped-up cases

King said that just recently he came upon the case of Dr. Oliver Gimenez, “a medical doctor, human rights activist and development worker in Cebu City.”

King said that AI has expressed its fear for the life of Dr. Gimenez following the subpoena he received to appear in the Sta. Catalina Police Station for preliminary investigation early this year on the alleged murder of Pfc. Reynaldo Ramos in an alleged ambush on Sept. 8, 2008.

King pointed out that this is the usual modus operandi in the killings, mentioning the case of Ronald Sendrijas who was once imprisoned in Cebu City but later was transferred to Bohol where military personnel insisted on putting him under their custody. “Later he was bailed out of jail…and then someone came up and shot him in the head,” he said.

“We have to take this (case) seriously, because in the past when they get harassed and threatened, they often end up dead,” King said.

In a letter to Commissioner Leila M. De Lima of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) dated Jan.19, 2009, Madhu Malhotra, deputy program manager of the Asia-Pacific Program of Amnesty International, said that the organization has a reason to believe that Dr. Gimenez is in “imminent danger of being killed or abducted after being labeled by the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG) as a suspected high-ranking member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).”

“Further, this (the complaint against Dr. Gimenez) could be part of a systematic attack by the Philippine government against NGOs (non-government organizations) through a series of criminal cases brought against activists, political dissidents and other conscientious objectors in the country, on what appears to be spurious grounds,” the statement continued.

“We’re going to observe this and we are deeply concerned. And if it goes adversely, where he and others are accused of these crimes, which we don’t see any proof, then Amnesty will take stronger action,” said King.

“Amnesty does not understand why you cannot give these people trials. This is what you’re supposed to do. They (the accused) are entitled to due process unless they are shooting at you. You are supposed to arrest them, and charge them and give them due process and let them defend themselves in court,” he added.

“The system here is not working very well with regards to extrajudicial killings, but there is room for improvement,” King concluded. (Bulatlat.com)

Not too many congressmen but too many Arroyos in Congress – Kabataan Party-list

2009-04-27T10:11:00.000+08:00

Kabataan Party-list Rep.-elect Raymond “Mong” Palatino today said if there should be a crisis in the House of Representatives, it is “not because there is an overabundance of congressmen but the addition of another spawn from the Arroyo clan in the Lower House.”

This was Palatino’s reaction to statements by House Speaker Prospero Nograles and other like-minded solons who are “inventing trivial concerns over the SC ruling granting 32 more seats to party-list representatives by over-emphasizing the alleged crisis the additional seats would cause Congress.”

“The real and present crisis is that we now have too many Arroyos in power. We cannot have too much congressmen, especially if they genuinely represent the marginalized sectors of society. What is terribly bothersome is that these Arroyos are landlords and compradors. Do they really represent who they claim to represent? That is the one questionable thing in this whole matter,” Palatino said.

There will be four Arroyos in the House of Representatives once the SC ruling takes effect. The fourth addition, Ma. Lourdes Arroyo, is the younger sister of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and claims to represent small entrepreneurs as the primary nominee of Kasangga party-list.

Palatino, who likewise awaits official proclamation by the Comelec today, said, “We condemn the Arroyos and Malacanang for once again making a mockery of the party-list system, first by fielding human rights violator Ret. Gen. Jovito Palparan and now by defending the installation of a fourth Arroyo in the House. Their election into post cannot be hailed as democratic, their mandate questionable because they are clearly detached from the sectors they claim to represent, if they even truly embody them at all.”

“We are not happy to share our victory with them. We cringe at having to share a common chamber with their ilk. We vow to immediately join moves by the progressive party-list bloc to have them disqualified from their posts,” said Palatino.

Kabataan Party-list is among the party-lists to secure a seat in the House of Representatives per SC GR No. 179271.

Once proclaimed, the 29-year-old Palatino will be the first youth sectoral party-list congressman to assume office in the House of Representatives. ###

Kokong's 2009 NBA Playoffs Predictions!

2009-04-17T22:59:00.007+08:00

This weekend marks the start of the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the days where true champions are separated from wannabe champions. 16 of the best teams in the league will face each other in a live-or-die showdown where the best in the West meets the best in the East in the penultimate winner-take-all final dance. But before the playoffs gets rolling, I'll take you first on my predictions.

Here they are:

Western Conference

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Utah Jazz

Season Series: Los Angeles leads 2-1

Result: For me, this will be the most interesting series in all the First Round matches. Why? Both these teams have the right weapons to match-up pretty well against each other. Be it offensively or defensively, they got it all covered. If the Jazz can contain Pau, its already a given that Kobe will score mercilessly during the playoffs, they will have a good chance upsetting the Lakers. For L.A., they should keep Boozer and Okur busy by defending them well. Fisher and Farmar will also have their hands full in containing Deron Williams. I believe that this will be a nail-biting series where the Lakers will win in 6 games.

(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (7) New Orleans Hornets

Season Series: 2-2

Result: This series will be all about Melo vs. CP3. Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul are among the elite players in the NBA today. In this series, both these players will prove what I'm talking about. I expect a double-double performance from them. The Nuggets should try to put a little muster in defending New Orleans' pick and roll offense where they thrive at. The Hornets on the other hand should stop Melo at all cause, I repeat, at all cause. If Melo plays well and scores well, it's a sure win for his team. They should also be on a lookout to the emerging JR Smith. But With Paul's uncanny ability to take over games, I see this as a dogfight with the Hornets winning in 7 games. Another First Round bust for the Nuggets on hand.

(3) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Dallas Mavericks

Season Series: 2-2

Result: During the regular season, Tony Parker had probably his best scoring output ever. This time though, I see Tim Duncan carrying his team behind his back. He will put up sterling numbers because it's always Duncan Time come playoffs. For the Mavericks, they will still rely heavily on Nowitzki's scoring and Kidd's orchestrating. The aging Kidd still has it but he's just too slow for the young Parker. Manu Ginobili will surely be missed due to injury but with two proven champions in Parker and Duncan at the helm, I see the Spurs winning in 5 games.

(4) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (5) Houston Rockets

Season Series: Houston leads 2-1

Result: This current lineup of Portland is, hands down, the strongest since the Rasheed Wallace-Scottie Pippen-Arvydas Sabonis-Damon Stoudamire-Steve Smith days. They are young, fast, and very talented with Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and the promising Greg Oden leading the charge. Houston, bannered by Yao Ming and Ron Artest, will go into the playoffs without main gunner Tracy McGrady to injury. The Blazers should keep the game up tempo and make Yao earn his points. While the Rockets, they should keep Roy at bay and clog down on defense to prevent the fast breaks of the Blazers. My hunch says the Blazers winning in 6 games.

Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Detroit Pistons

Season Series: Cleveland leads 3-1

Result: The best team after the regular season against a team that struggled during the regular season. The Cavaliers, with the best record in the league, will have full home court advantage throughout the playoffs, but can they capitalize on it? Sure, Cleveland owns the best record and Mo Williams' entry made the team a lot stronger. But without Lebron, the Cavaliers are sure bottom-dwellers, and that's a sure fact. For Cleveland to be successful, 6 words: Pass the ball to Lebron always. Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, and Rip Hamilton needs to play big, that's capital B-I-G, in order for the Pistons to have a fighting chance. For Detroit to be successful, 5 words: Stop James whatever it takes. I'm sure many will argue with me, but agree or disagree, I see a very big upset in the making here. Pistons will win in 7 grueling games.

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Chicago Bulls

Season Series: Boston leads 2-1

Result: There is a very big possibility that Kevin Garnett, the team's heart and soul, will miss the entire playoffs because of injury. If that happens, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen should play at their very best and carry the scoring cudgels for the team. Kendrick Perkins and the other bigs of the team should also step up big time in order to fill the huge void that Garnett will possibly leave. For the Bulls, they should use their youthfulness by running the floor as often as possible. They should also capitalize on Garnett's loss with Brad Miller imposing his presence inside the paint. The Celtics will dispose the Bulls in 6 games.

(3) Orlando Magic vs. (6) Philadelphia 76ers

Season Series: Orlando leads 3-0

Result: This will be a Dwight Howard show for sure. If only Elton Brand was not injured, this series would have been more interesting with Brand going toe-to-toe with Howard. The only thing that the Magic should do is to not get too complacent. The Sixers will have a nightmare stopping Howard, and when he will be doubled or even tripled, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis will be in the wings for kick outs. The two Andre's, Miller and Iguodala, will not be enough to stop Orlando. I see the Magic winning the series easily via a sweep.

(4) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Miami Heat

Season Series: Atlanta leads 3-1

Result: Dwayne Wade ended the regular season as the scoring champion with MVP-like stats, and almost single-handedly brought his team to the playoffs. On the other side, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, with the help of Marvin Williams, Al Horford, and Mike Bibby, brought their team to the playoffs. Both teams are in the playoffs but with different routes. For Atlanta, they should continue their running game and make Wade earn his points. If Wade will be contained, the Hawks will easy pound the Heat. And for Miami, they should help Wade in scoring and stop the running game of Atlanta by deliberately playing half court. Jermaine O'Neal, Michael Beasley, and Udonis Haslem should get, SHOULD GET, their acts together in helping Wade. DW could easily score 50 but he cannot do it alone. This will be a hard-earned victory for the Hawks in 7 games.

Indigenous Peoples Want Global Moratorium on Mining, Other Extractive Projects

2009-04-08T00:22:00.001+08:00

Original post from www.bulatlat.com

BY JO VILLANUEVA
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S WATCH
Northern Dispatch

The united voice of the indigenous peoples swept from continent to continent in 37 countries calling their respective governments to stop large-scale mining and other extractive activities (oil and gas projects) in their indigenous lands until effective measures to safeguard their rights and the environment are in place.

The call for a global moratorium on extractive projects for oil, gold, gas and other mineral resources also include a demand that the World Bank must stop funding transnational mining companies in their effort to exploit the world’s natural resources.

This is among their collective calls contained in the final Declaration that is set to be submitted to the United Nations, multilateral banks and government officials attending the International Expert Workshop on Indigenous Peoples Rights, Corporate Accountability and Extractive Industry held March 26-27 at the Legend Villas in Mandaluyong City.

Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), said that following the growing and alarming reports by indigenous peoples against extractive industries, a recommendation was adopted during the 7th Session UNPFII, which authorized a three-day international expert group workshop on indigenous peoples’ rights, corporate accountability and the extractive industries.

The UNPFII is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council, with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.

Corpuz, a Kankana-ey from Besao, Mt. Province, Cordillera, said the results of the meeting will be part of reports that will be submitted to the Permanent Forum on its 8th Session, on 18-29 May 2009.

“We call for a moratorium on extractive industry projects that may affect us, until structures and processes are in place that will ensure respect for our human rights. The determination of when this can be realized and can only be made by those communities whose lives, livelihoods and environment are affected by extractive activities,” they said.

Further, they called for stronger mechanisms that should be enforced to fight the indiscriminate practices of extractive industries, which they said are often ignored or intentionally allowed by their respective governments.

They also want the World Bank to immediately stop financing transnational mining companies and commence phasing out its funding, promotion and support for fossil fuel- related projects, including large-scale mining projects.

“The World Bank must provide a timeline to end such funding,” the declaration said.

One provision in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples — the free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) — poses serious disagreement with the World Bank, as the latter has not accepted such and instead coined and followed its own words to read: “free, prior and informed consultation.”

This, the IPs said, has been used by the World Bank and the transnational mining companies to skirt the law and push through with the extractive activities. They said that “consent and consultation” are two different words and each has distinct meaning.

“We want to request that UN to establish procedures which provide indigenous communities with the opportunity to request the relevant UN agencies to assist them in the monitoring and provision of independent information on FPIC processes,” they said.

In the Philippines,” free, prior and informed consent” is also embodied in the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.

They added that World Bank group must update its operational directives and safeguard policies with regard to indigenous peoples and adopt the UNDRIP provision of free, prior and informed consent in all the WB assisted mining projects.

Indigenous lands around the world are facing massive threats from the influx of extractive industries, which the indigenous delegates to this second international conference claimed have appalling records of environmental destruction and widespread violation of the human rights of indigenous peoples.

The 85 delegates from 37 countries said they demand compensation for damages inflicted upon their lands and lives, and the rehabilitation of their degraded environment caused by extractive industries.

The delegates also proposed the creation of an international indigenous criminal court that would address the ill effects of extractive industries on the lives of indigenous peoples, including the loss of lives as a result of indiscriminate mining committed by transnational mining firms. The court, they said, must issue decisions based on the indigenous peoples’ customary laws.

Signs of impunity and desperation

2009-03-29T22:15:00.001+08:00

Human rights organization Karapatan has raised the alarm over the surge in extrajudicial killings during the first quarter of 2009. A total of 16 extrajudicial killings have been recorded so far, the latest victim was urban poor leader Sabina Ariola, 51, who was shot at during rush hour at 8:25 a.m. when she was about to speak on a public address system on board a truck in busy Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The most shocking case of extrajudicial killing during the first quarter of 2009 was that of Rebelyn Pitao. Who could forget how young teacher Rebelyn Pitao, 21, was violated then brutally murdered just because she was the daughter of New People’s Army (NPA) leader Leoncio Pitao a.k.a Commander Parago?

Karapatan has been raising the alarm since the last quarter of the year because of the surge in extrajudicial killings especially in Southern Mindanao. Now it seems to be spreading across the nation again.

Karapatan believes that the Arroyo government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are intensifying the commission of extrajudicial killings since the last quarter of 2008 in a frantic effort to pursue its impossible dream: the decimation of the NPA by 2010. Impunity is rearing its ugly head again. However, the AFP’s policy of targeting civilians - including a young teacher whose only fault is being the daughter of an NPA leader - reflects not only the impunity of this administration, it also shows its desperation, an ugly one at that.

Meanwhile, despite Malacañang’s repeated denials that it is not involved in the moves at the Lower House to force through the Charter Change (Cha Cha) resolution even without the concurrence of the Senate, the actions of Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, son of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo prove otherwise. Mikey Arroyo is so desperate that he risked approaching former Arroyo ally Jose de Venecia who was ousted from the House Speakership through the maneuverings of the Arroyo brothers, to solicit his support in mustering enough signatures to ram through the Cha Cha resolution. . What is so urgent with the Cha Cha resolution that they are moving heaven and earth to have it passed now? Why can they not wait till after the 2010 elections as advised by some sectors? Why is there a need for it in the first place? But why would De Venecia make up such a story from out of the blue and then retract it afterwards? The impudence of the Arroyo family in pushing for self-serving measures shows that they think they could operate with impunity. It also shows their desperation.

The 2010 elections are drawing near and when the Arroyo government is out of power, the Filipino people would surely demand that it be held accountable for its long list of sins: the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, the corruption scandals, the attacks on civil liberties, the twisting of the justice system for political ends, and the debasement of all institutions of government. The next administration, most probably, would come from the opposition - unless there would be rampant cheating - because of the extreme unpopularity of the Arroyo government. An opposition administration might give in to the people’s clamor for justice. They have been victimized by the demolition jobs the Arroyo government has launched against them, and they might just return the favor.

Last week the Ombudsman, after weeks of being in the center of criticism for not doing its job of investigating corruption scandals - which are numerous under the Arroyo administration - and for, instead, doing a good job at protecting the Arroyo family, finally announced the results of its investigation regarding the corruption in the bidding and awarding of road construction projects, which was revealed in a World Bank report. The Ombudsman recommended the filing of charges against former and current officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways but stopped short of knocking at the doors of Malacañang. The participation of President Arroyo’s husband Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo in the corruption-ridden deals was mentioned by witnesses in the World Bank report, but the Ombudsman chose to ignore it. Mike Arroyo even had the effrontery to declare that he would “clear” his name. This shows that the impunity in corruption still exists and what the Ombudsman has been trying to do is to pin the blame on underlings while desperately shielding Malacañang.

Impunity and desperation in a murderous, corrupt, and undemocratic regime is a dangerous combination. It brings back memories of Martial Law. It would then not be surprising that if the Arroyo government fails in its Cha Cha bid, it would resort to massive cheating during the 2010 elections. Worse, it could declare Martial rule before or after the elections. The only thing that could prevent it from doing so is the militant action of the Filipino people. Bulatlat.com

Youth groups join anti-nuke revival movement

2009-03-20T20:31:00.000+08:00

BAYOMBONG, Philippines – Activist groups opposed to the planned reopening of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) have gained more supporters in the youth sector with the launching of Youth and Students Opposed to BNPP Revival (Youth Stop BNPP Revival!).

Students from organizations at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City, have banded together during an environmental forum last week to voice their opposition to the government’s plan to revive the mothballed nuclear plant.

Besides being an environmental risk, reopening the nuclear plant would make the youth suffer the most, Marjorie Pamintuan, Youth Stop BNPP Revival! spokesperson and vice chairperson of Agham Youth, said in a statement.

"Running the plant effectively takes away our chances of having a good future by worsening the economic burdens of our families through imposed taxes and threatening our well being because of its environmental and health effects," Pamintuan said.

Jemimah Garcia, chairperson of Anakbayan UP Diliman and Youth Stop BNPP Revival! co-convenor, said the BNPP revival "endangers the youth’s right to education."

“The nuclear plant exposes the government’s abandonment of its responsibility to provide the youth with affordable or free quality education by choosing to invest $1 billion on a dangerous nuclear power plant instead of using it to build new schools, improve public school facilities and sponsor scholarships to poor and deserving students" Garcia said.

Ram Hernandez of the League of Filipino Students and members of UP’s Club EcoTour, led by Jonaleen Kris-Ann Argel, joined the youth’s call for the stoppage of the plant’s revival with a statement claiming that “the BNPP puts the Philippine environment in great danger in the event of a nuclear accident."

UP students from Bataan have memorialized their parents’ fight against the BNPP, when the plant was first constructed during the era of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

“Our parents and those who came before us fought against the operation of the nuclear power plant in the 1980s because they knew it will rob their children and grandchildren of a good future. It is by that reason that we youth and students from Bataan will continue the fight that was already won, but disrespected by the proponents of the revival," said student John Paul Gelomina.

The plant’s reopening has spawned numerous issues and debates among its proponent, Rep. Mark Cojuangco and his allies in Congress, against environmental activist groups NO to BNPP!, Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment, scientist group Agham and other anti-BNPP revival alliances.

The alliance has repeatedly claimed that aside from it being anomalous, defective and corrupt, the project will only be another milking cow of big-time politicians and wealthy families in the country at the expense of the Filipino people.

The accusations were, however, downplayed by Cojuangco who made a statement in Congress that the planned re-opening of BNPP, which is expected to provide cheap energy, will undergo rigid scientific studies to ensure safety and reliability once the project is approved.

Congress has recently authorized P100 million to finance the proposed studies.

Proponents to the plant’s reopening said the concept of a cheaper power source came in the wake of a looming worldwide energy crisis. - Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV

Sinong Magsasabi?

2009-03-14T13:14:00.004+08:00

Sinong Magsasabi

Tilamsik ng diwa
Dilang humihiwa matalas
Ang pagbigkas ngunit ito'y naantala
Kasama sa kilusang makabayan lumaban
Sumabak sa kilos protesta ngayon gustongng rumesbak
Nabatuta ng parak mga bugbog sarado
Putok ang mga nguso mga alsado
Ito ang estado ng may sakit na republika
Isisiwalat ko sa 'king musika

Lahat ng paraan ay nagawa na
Ang nakaraan isisiwaIat
Tayo na naman ang magbabayad
Talo na naman ano pa nga ba

Sinong magsasabi (paano sasabihin kung walang nakikinig?)
Sinong naghahari (may sariling mundo at may sariling daigdig)
Sinong ang lalapit (paano ka lalapit kung hindi mo malapitan)
Sinong magsasabi (ewan)

Silakbo ng damdamin
Kumalat na sa lahat
Nag alsa masa manggagawang mahihirap
Talamak ang lahat ng nakapwesto
Sa kaliwa ba ang daan, sa kanan o diretso
Andaming red tape puro ka nalang debate
Andaming red light hindi naman Malate
Ito ang istorya ng masikip na republika
Isisiwalat ko sa 'king musika

Ayan ka na naman tumitirada
Diyan ka naman pumaparada
Lahat ng nandiyan ay nakapiIa
Saan ka na naman mahahagilap

Lahat ng paraan ay nagawa na
Ang nakaraan isisiwaIat
Tayo na naman ang magbabayad
&!$*@# naman ano pa nga ba

Sinong magsasabi (paano sasabihin kung walang nakikinig?)
Sinong naghahari (may sariling mundo at may sariling daigdig)
Sinong ang lalapit (paano ka lalapit kung hindi mo malapitan)
Sinong magsasabi (ewan)

www.magalona.com

First single of what was to be the last album of Francis M dubbed as F Word before his untimely death on March 6, 2009.

"I wrote this song with a peg in mind. The peg was THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES. This is my take on the powers that be in this country. Many of them are surrounded by YES men. Base sa istorya ng isang hari na walang sawang pinupuri ng kanyang mga alagad dahil sa gara at ganda ng kanyang pananamit. E kaso wala naman syang suot e. Isang araw pinuna ng isang bata ang hari at tinanong kung baket wala syang suot. That was when the king realized the truth."

Francis Magalona (1964-2009)
3 Stars and a Sun

At last, a breather! Time to skank!

2009-03-11T21:13:00.021+08:00

The long awaited summa break is finally here! Woohoo! Aside from the fact that it is already very very very warm (I'm like sweating a bucket full, or let me rephrase that again, I'm like sweating a gallon full), no thanks to Global Warming, school is also about to end. These are just some signs signaling that summer is already swingin' its way. Beach, SLEEPING ALL DAY (for the lazy beings which includes I), Halo-halo, air conditioner, dirrrty ice cream, hiking, biking, and others have also added flavor to this season.

Earlier, I finished all my remaining final examinations with Sociology 01.1 as the penultimate (Ma'am, Sir, kamo na bahala sa akong grado. Hahaha!). At last, a breather! I can now start enjoying this break as I have already set my plans for this summer. It includes gigging back again with my brothers in The Superflirts, going to the beach more often, get a student's permit driving license at LTO, gain weight, and be more active in our church. In addition to that, sleep all day long! Hehehe.

All these plans of mine though will go along side with my summer classes. Yes, I will be enrolling for summer classes to catch up on my remaining subjects. But it's okay because I think I can handle it since the maximum allowable subjects for summer is only three (nine units). Meaning, I will have more time to frolic! Hahaha!

My first agenda is The Superflirts. I am really itching to go back on the stage again with my brothers since it has been a long three months of absence for us in the music scene. Well maybe save for the February 13 Friday the 13th Show. That was the only show we had so far this year. We are planning to write some new songs this summer and prolly release another new single from our EP album. Expect more gigs and new songs from us this summer. I hope to see you all in the moshpit skanking.

And oh, I will also be embarking on an ambitious plan this summer. During my free time, I will be compiling pictures from a number of houses found here in Cagayan de Oro City. This compilation will feature Heritage Houses that still stand to this day. I will also include the history of these houses and interviews from its current owners. In the coming years, God-willing, I hope to make a book out of it so that many will really appreciate the beautiful Heritage Houses rising majestically not just here in CDO but in the entire Philippines. Well if you're wondering why I'm doing this, I am very passionate when it comes to Heritage Houses because of its rich history.

Anyway, as I wait for everything to be set in place, I am enjoying every second as I write this post because I'm alive and well. Life, as they say, is short. How blessed we are to be here standing. I hope and pray that all of you reading this will be blessed this summer. God bless you and thank you for taking the time to read this. I leave you with an excerpt from the late Master Rapper Francis Magalona's song entitled Cold Summer Nights:

"it's been cold summer nights since we drifted apart,
cold summer nights since you walked out that door,
cold summer nights here on my own,
I miss you babe, but I need you here."

Peace!

NEWS RELEASE 7 March 2009 (STOP THE KILLINGS!)

2009-03-10T18:17:00.003+08:00

For Reference: REP. LUZ C. ILAGAN 0920-9213221
Lorrie Ann Cascar (Legislative Officer) 0908-9237212

REBELYN PITAO'S DEATH IS AFP'S GIFT TO INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - GABRIELA PARTY-LIST

Gabriela solon Luzviminda Ilagan today "condemned in the strongest possible terms the abduction, torture and extra-judicial killing of Rebelyn Pitao.”

“Rebelyn was an innocent victim of Arroyo's anti-insurgency program. She was obviously used as a bait for the capitulation of her father who is an NPA commander,” Ilagan, herself a retired teacher, said.

“Let us consider Rebelyn not just as additional statistic to the increasing number of victims of extra-judicial killings perpetrated by this terrorist government. Instead, let's look at Rebelyn as a symbol of the entire Filipino women who are suffering from the deliberate undermining of women's equal footing in society with men by the Arroyo regime.” Ilagan said.

The motive of the abduction and killing of Rebelyn, who was a teacher of Saint Peter's College in Toril, Davao City, has been investigated, but apparently according to Rep Ilagan “her death is a brutal gift of the AFP to International Women's Day on March 8.”

“Rebelyn's death inevitably inspires more women to participate in the protest actions on March 8,” the militant solon said.

“Aside from being a woman, she is a teacher.” This solon is more outraged by the fact that Rebelyn as young as 20, dedicated her life to teaching – a profession that Gloria Arroyo has taken for granted over the years, became one of the victims of the administration's
fascist rule.

R.I.P. KATUKAYO!

2009-03-06T19:26:00.009+08:00

"Multi-awarded Filipino rap icon Francis Magalona has passed away at the Medical City in Mandaluyong around noon today (March 6, 2009). He was 44.

According to TV reports, this was announced by actor Vic Sotto in the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga, where Magalona used to be one of the hosts.

Magalona, considered as a major pillar of rap music in the country, was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2008. He is survived by his wife Pia Arroyo and children Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Elmo, Arkin, Clara, and actresses Maxene and Saab." - Yahoo! Philippines

I was in our school's library studying for my final exams. My mood was well as I covered topics after topics until I received an alarming text message from a friend that read: "Yatap na francis m. gaw. tsk" or in other words, "Patay na si Francis M., gaw. Tsk!"

Suddenly, my mood went down drastically because of that message. I was very uncomfortable while I continued studying as the sad news lingered. Deep down in me, I wanted to cry but I chose not.

I clearly remember back then when I was in kindergarten, I sang proudly Mga Kababayan in front of my classmates and teacher in school. I was not forced to sing but it was my own will, and his song was my personal choice. I grew up with an ambition that someday I will be just like him. Even with his death, that ambition is still very much alive in me.

This is a sad day indeed as a good lad left the world. And o, my real name is Francis Alex. Curious where my name Francis came from? Go figure it out.

You may be gone, but you will be remembered forever. For the last time, R.I.P. my model, my idol, my inspiration, my katukayo, Francis 'Kiko' Durango Magalona (October 4, 1964 - March 6, 2009).

Revenge of the Unheards, UpBeat's compilation disc, and more good stuff...

2009-03-03T00:43:00.004+08:00

Hello Ma'ams and Sirs,

I have some good news for those music-loving INDIEviduals out there who continue to support the local musicians in Cagayan de Oro and the entire island of Mindanao.

The first good news: Corridor Music Group will officially release their most anticipated compilation disc entitled Revenge of the Unheards this March 2009 which contains a truck load of Kagay-anon artists. Budit told me about the release date and I am very excited about it.

The second good news: Another music outfit based in Davao which promotes Mindanao music, specifically ska and reggae, will also launch their own compilation disc featuring artists in Mindanao. If you're into ska and reggae, this CD is a must-have. I still don't know the details about it but the disc will surely be out before June this year.

The third good news: You know what's the best thing about those two discs above? My band is included! Hahaha! Our politically-driven song called TRAPO is among the tracks of those two compilation CDs. I hope you will support those discs when they come out.

The fourth good news: I am very happy to tell everyone that TRAPO has been staying atop the KillerBee Indie Top 20 Countdown for more than a month already! In behalf of my bandmates, I want to thank you all for supporting us diligently through the years. It is really a humbling experience with all of you! Let's make it two months at number one this time! hehehe..

Here's how to vote:
VOTE TRAPO by THE SUPERFLIRTS and send it to 09234093882
You can also reqeust for our other song:
REQUEST RUN AND DANCE by THE SUPERFLIRTS and send it to 09234093882

Tune in to KillerBee 89.3 FM every Monday at 9pm for the countdown.

The last good news: It's exam week. Wait, is that a good news? hehehe.. Anyway, God bless to each and everyone of us!

With all that being said, it's time for me to retreat and go to bed for a good night sleep. ZzZzZzZzZz...

The Ateneo Incident (the real score)

2009-03-01T10:01:00.007+08:00

A tragic event took place last February 26, 2009 inside the confines of the Ateneo campus in Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. A 4th Grader Atenean and his nanny were struck by a freak van causing the death of the former and serious physical injuries to the latter.

Julian Carlo Miguel 'Amiel' Alcantara, 10, was declared dead on arrival at the New Era Hospital due to fatal head injuries. While his nanny, Tata Suarez, 65, sustained body injuries.

Because of this doleful incident, many, including non-family members, quickly sympathized and were mournful for the loss of such a young and promising life. The concern was overflowing, to say the least. Even the media got into a frenzy by broadcasting the accident earnestly nationwide. And justice, I believe, will easily be served to the family because they have the money and the resources, plus the media attention.

Questions then came popping inside my mind: What if the accident happened to a poor Grade 4 pupil of some public school in Manila or in the provinces? Will the sympathy and media frenzy be the same as in the case of Amiel Alcantara? Will there be any concern? Will justice be served easily?

Definitely not. The society won't give a damn about it. The media will not even waste their time and money broadcasting it. And justice, well, justice delayed is justice denied. Why is that so? Because in this society we are in, there is no place for the poor. Whether we admit it or not, it is really an alarming reality.

This is what we call social inequity. Just because some people live in poverty, it doesn't mean that they should be treated differently from those people who live in wealth and extravagance. We even have this mentality that the bad elements belong to the marginalized poor, while those well-to-do will never be the home to criminals. That is just so stupid!

We all came to life the same with our mothers conceiving us and, still the same, we will all die come our time. How hard is that to understand that we are all the same? Poor or rich, black or white, powerful or powerless, we are all equal in the eyes of our Creator.

Don't get me wrong here, I really feel sorry for the Alcantara family. I'm sure it was God's plan, and His plans are always good.

I just hope that we do away the treating of others basing on their social status, but rather, we treat them with high regard and the utmost respect disregarding their place in society for they would do the same to us. Remember the old adage "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" my friends? By doing so, there will no longer be such "first class" and "second class" citizens. Wouldn't that be so fulfilling? A harmonious and equal society.

And I really have to include this, who cares if the incident happened in Ateneo?! What's the big deal about it that the media are so into it? I myself is an Atenean, but I hate it when others give so much attention to it. To tell you honesty, I really abhor my school because it's the breeding ground of arrogant egocentric bastards. Blah blah blah Ateneo blah blah blah. Kayo na lang maging Atenista, huwag ninyo akong isali! Ateneo my fist, bouy!!

God bless the Alcantara family and may Amiel rest in peace with the Almighty!

NO TO BNPP!

2009-02-25T23:38:00.001+08:00

Seven Reasons Against the Revival of BNPP

1. The BNPP Bill lacks feasibility study.
2. The BNPP is structurally defective and unsafe.
3. The BNPP Site has an unacceptably high risk of serious damage from earthquakes, volcanism, or both.
4. The BNPP is an unnecessary response to faulty power shortage projections.
5. The BNPP would be costly to operate and accompanied by enormous hidden costs.
6. The BNPP is a glaring testimony to the government’s continuing wasteful debt policy at the expense of the peoples’ welfare.
7. The BNPP is not an answer to Climate Crisis, nor an alternative to Renewable Energy.

TAKE ACTION! Urge your district representative to withdraw their endorsement of the House Bill proposing to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

The Link Between Human Rights and Culture

2009-02-19T11:08:00.005+08:00

Press Release from www.stopthekillings.org

A Philippine HR Situationer

The human rights situation in the Philippines is nothing less than dreadful. Because of the worsening economic and political conditions in the country, the Filipino people have been deprived of their basic right to life and dignity. Through the systematic propagation of the culture of repression, state terror, and impunity, by the US-backed Arroyo government and its armed forces, unarmed civilians including human rights advocates, journalists, church people, and cultural workers, have been wrongfully arrested, tortured, killed, and abducted.

80% of Filipinos live on $2 or less per day

And conditions are getting even worse... It is no wonder that progressive organizations and activists continue to struggle for the democratic rights and welfare of the Filipino people. But they are met with intensifying repression and state terrorism, while those who commit human rights violations go unpunished.

Culture of Repression: By the numbers...

* 800+ victims of extrajudicial killings
* 100+ victims of enforced disappearances
* 232 political prisoners
* 1,010 victims of torture
* 1,464 victims of illegal arrest

Culture of State Terror: By the numbers...

* 3 human rights advocates killed per week
* 1 journalist killed per week
* 2 the country's rank as the most dangerous place for journalists, next only to Iraq

Facts:

Victims of extrajudicial killings include:

- human rights advocates
- media workers
- church people
- ordinary citizens

Remember the victims of enforced disappearances:

* Jonas Joseph Burgos (son of press freedom fighter, Joe Burgos)
* Karen Empeno (Student, University of the Philippines)
* Sherlyn Cadapan (Student, University of the Philippines)

Remember the victims of these killings:

* Fr.
William Tadena (Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Tarlac)
* Rev.
Edison Lapuz (Conference Minister, United Churches of Christ in the Philippines)
* Bp.
Alberto Ramento (Iglesia Filipina Independiente)
* Eden Marcellana (KARAPATAN-Southern Tagalog)

⊗ The US-Arroyo regime enacted the Human Security Act (RA9372) patterned after the United State's Patriot Act, under the pretext of alleged "counter-terrorism".

⊗ Urban centers and campuses are highly militarized.

Culture of Impunity

“The AFP remains in a state of almost total denial of its need to respond effectively and authentically to the significant number of killings which have been convincingly attributed to them. The action or lack of action of the Arroyo regime on this issue leads to a culture of impunity that facilitates, instead of hampers, the increase in human rights violations. As Commander-in-Chief of the AFP, for example, Pres. Arroyo is abetting human rights violations not only by ignoring the issue but also by promoting military officials with notorious human rights records.”

UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston

Nothing, not even the UN Special Rapporteur, has put a stop to the killings and abuses. Up to now, none of the perpetrators have been made liable for their crimes.

What Can We Do?

We, as progressive artists and peoples, should unite against these abuses by developing a culture of militancy and a culture for the respect of human rights. Through art, we can educate the community about the human rights situation in the Philippines, and support the struggle of the Filipino people for genuine democracy and peace based on justice.

In the art exhibit/silent auction fundraiser activity, "Get Up, Stand Up!", we can use the visual arts to get our message across.
The late Lino Brocka, an internationally-acclaimed Filipino filmmaker couldn’t have said it better:

“...the artist is a committed person, ... he will always take the side of any human being who is violated, abused, oppressed, dehumanized, whatever his instrument--the pen, the brush or the camera.”

The Arroyo Empire

2009-02-17T11:09:00.003+08:00

The Arroyo Empire is at it again. They have been very consistent in showing their arrogance. Recently, headlines have pointed out the First Gentleman, the patriarch of the most-hated family in Philippine soil, as the main culprit to yet another dirty secret of greediness exposed to the Filipino people.

Evidences show that Mr. Arroyo received P70 million in cash from a contractor Eduardo de Luna, owner of E.C. de Luna Construction Corporation that was among the blacklisted firms by the World Bank, for facilitating a government road construction deal. The FG also vehemently denied a meeting with Tomatu Suzuka, a Japanese contractor, to discuss bribe money.

From 2001 to 2009, FG Arroyo became the subject of investigations regarding corruption allegations. Never has been any better half of Philippine Presidents in the history implicated with as many scandalous allegations, well save for former First Lady Imelda Marcos but that's another story, than Mr. Mike Arroyo.

In 2001, the FG was hounded with allegations for using PCSO funds in the campaign of certain senatorial candidates he supported and for bribing the media worth P20.5 million to air extensive pro-administration commentaries.

2003 saw the rise of the "Jose Pidal" scandal. Senator Panfilo Lacson accused Mike Arroyo of maintaining secret bank accounts to launder money from the campaign distributions of the 1998 vice presidential elections where his wife ran for office. Of course, FG Arroyo denied the accusations. His brother Ignacio Arroyo or Iggy then came to the rescue as he claimed to be "Jose Pidal" before invoking his right to privacy during the Senate investigation.

During the 2005 Pacquiao-Morales showdown in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, the First Gentleman was criticized for staying in a luxury suite which costs $20,000 a night. Arroyo then stated that the accommodation was a complimentary and not paid for public funds. Ahhh ok!

During the same year, witnesses at the Senate hearings claimed that Mr. Arroyo received "protection money" from Jueteng, an illegal numbers game in the Philippines.

And still in 2005, when the infamous "Hello Garci" scandal came about. Brigadier General Francisco Gudani cited information from an unnamed source that FG Arroyo flew to Mindanao twice in a private chopper days before the 2004 elections to deliver P500 million in boxes. The money was used for massive vote-buying and bribery in the entire island.

2006 saw then-Representative Alan Peter Cayetano claiming that a member of the Arroyo Empire maintained a secret bank account in Germany amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. Gosh! The FG then disapproved Cayentano's claim and sought for Cayetano's expulsion in the Senate.

And probably the most scandalous scandals of them all involving FG Arroyo was the ZTE Scandal that shocked the Filipino populace in 2008. Jose de Venecia III and Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada Jr. gave their testimonies during the Senate hearings linking Mr. Arroyo as the main proponent of the multimillion dollar controversy. JDV III claimed that FG Arroyo told him smack in his face to "back off" from the project, which eventually went to the Chinese firm ZTE Corporation. de Venecia III was a major shareholder of the NBN project. Lozada, on the other hand, claimed that then-Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos phoned the FG to discuss about the project proposals.

Lastly, the First Gentleman, as if not satisfied yet, is again bombarded with new allegations I mentioned earlier about the World Bank implicating him to bribery and financial irregularities.

Over the years, the Arroyo Empire has come out unscathed to every galvanizing allegations (which I believe are all true) thrown at them. With power and resources at their side, who can topple them down? The struggle continues for the Filipinos.

A Love Story from China worth reading!

2009-02-07T19:32:00.019+08:00

Since February is regarded by many as the "love" month, allow me to share a love story that could match those of Shakespeare's. A story so compelling that it has moved people around the world.

It is a story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half a century.

Over 50 years ago, Liu Guojiang, a 19 year-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu Chaoqin. At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman.

To avoid the market gossips and the scorn of their community, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing Municipality area.

In the beginning, life was harsh as they had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to lighten up their lives.

Xu felt that she had tied Liu down and repeatedly asked him, “Are you regretful?” Liu always replied, “As long as we are industrious, life will improve.”

Starting the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.

A half century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest, and surprisingly found the elderly couple and the over 6,000 stairs of hand-carved ladder.

“My parents loved each other so much, they have lived in seclusion for over 50 years and never been apart a single day.” Liu MingSheng, one of their seven children said, “He hand-carved more than 6,000 steps over the years for my mother’s convenience, although she doesn’t go down the mountain that much.”

The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years old, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms.

So in love with Xu, was Liu, that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife’s hand even after he had passed away.

“You promised me you’ll take care of me, you’ll always be with me until the day I died, now you left before me, how am I going to live without you?”

Xu spent days softly repeating this sentence and touching her husband’s black coffin with tears rolling down her cheeks.

In 2006, their story had become one of the top 10 love stories from China, collected by the Chinese Women Weekly. The local government has decided to preserve the “love ladder” and the place they lived as a museum, so their love story can live forever.

Hope it touched you in a way. Thanks to my Philosophy professor for telling us this one of a kind story. And in line with this, I have also updated my music box with a song from Joseph Abraham Gordon or more famously known as Lord Tanamo entitled "You Belong to My Heart." Enjoy! Spread the love, not the hate!

Link of the story: http://www.weirdasianews.com/2007/12/15/man-carves-wife-a-6000-stair-path-in-mountain/

A New Beginning (by Francis Alex E. Tahud)

2009-02-05T12:44:00.004+08:00

A New Beginning
(by Francis Alex E. Tahud)

A new beginning, I'll do it for you
I will start over again
So in the end, it will be us together
Let me make things right between us
I know it's hard, hard enough to make me quiver
But I'm willing to do it
Willing to change for you
Because you are worth changing for
Because you are worth longing for
Because you are worth waiting for
Breathe with me
Run with me
Dance with me
Dance with me forever
Forever in this vacant night
Night and day I will look for you
You have changed me
Me without you, I am nothing
Nothing will ever compare to you
I will change
I'll do it for you, a new beginning

IKAW NA NGA by The Superflirts is included in the indie film THANK YOU GIRLS!

2009-02-01T23:59:00.006+08:00

I know it's kinda late already but it's worth the telling. I am very ecstatic to tell everyone that my band's song IKAW NA NGA is included in the soundtrack of the indie film THANK YOU GIRLS! Even though the film finished its major screenings in certain locations around Mindanao and Manila, I hope that you would still continue to patronize it. For more details about the film, its future screenings, and its soundtrack, check the TYG's official website here.

Film teaser:

Complete TYG soundtrack:

Naroon by Michael Cruz and Holen
The Pill by Gasulina
Karma by Lizardchips
Starsick by Kampai
Kalibangon by Reggztheory
Lilipas by Sidecrash
Anywhere by The Roxymorrons
Rubberband by Lizardchip
Churvaloo by Haphazard
Exasperation by Cathy Sulit
Paghihintay by The Roxymorrons
Saliva by Reggztheory
Christmas R&R by The Roxymorrons
Ikaw na Nga by The Superflirts
Boom by The Roxymorrons
Come with Me by Pink Mustang
Crown me Queen by Chris Uy & Steve Marzke
Para Sa’yo by Happyest
With My Bestfriends by Chris Uy & Steve Marzke
Paalam by Lizardchips
Gunita by The Roxymorrons
Fueled by Gasulina

Kokong's Top 10 Greatest Chess Players of All Time

2009-01-26T19:39:00.043+08:00

As the title suggests, this post is all about MY top 10 greatest Chess players of all time who I believe are deserving of such accolades bestowed upon them. They didn't just played Chess, but stamped their legacy for eternity. You may not agree with my list since ranking a Chess player isn't done in a cinch, but rather in a very meticulous process. That's exactly the reason why there are a variety of lists concerning the greatest individuals who played the checkered board. If you really strongly disagree with my list, then I suggest you make your own. Hehehe.

Just to let you know why I'm doing this post, aside from music and basketball, the game of Chess is very close to my heart. Back in the not so distant 90s, during my childhood, I played Chess competitively. Not to sound very assuming, I am proud to say that I was among the top 10 in the Kiddies Division here in the entire city of Cagayan de Oro back then. Although I stopped playing Chess and decided not to continue with what I started, the game has been a major factor to what I am right now.

Well, enough about me and on with the legendary woodpushers. This list is just the tip of the iceberg. There are Chess players not included on the top 10 list that were/are very influential to the game. Players like Boris Spassky, Viswanathan Anand, Vladimir Kramnik, Victor Korchnoi, Paul Morphy, Harry Pillsbury, Vasily Smyslov, Veselin Topalov, and women's top gun Judit Polgar are worth mentioning. Anyway, on with the list...

10. Mikhail Tal (November 9, 1936 - June 28, 1992)
- Considered as the greatest attacking player of all time, Tal was atop the Chess world during his prime. His very imaginative brand of play have led pundits comparing him to Emanuel Lasker. He would not hesitate sacrificing any pieces in order to get a solid attack.

09. Tigran Petrosian (June 17, 1929 - August 13, 1984)
- Nicknamed "Iron Tigran" because of his game style of having a very solid defense. He was very strategical that he anticipated his opponent's every possible attacks, and based many of his games with less or no errors at all in fashioning easy victories.

08. Wilhelm Steinitz (May 17, 1836 - August 12, 1900)
- He was the first undisputed world chess champion from 1886 to 1894, and pioneered the present-day positional style of play. He was one of the most dominant players in the history of the sport.

07. Emanuel Lasker (December 24, 1868 - January 11, 1941)
- A very good friend of Albert Einstein, Lasker is often regarded as one of the strongest players ever. Known to have used a "psychological" method of play, he was ahead of his time and used a more flexible approach than his contemporaries which paved way for the innovation of opening attacks.

06. Anatoly Karpov (May 23, 1951)
- Karpov's playing style is solidly positional; no risks involved but mercilessly reacts to tiny errors made by his opponents like a Boa Constrictor. He is often compared to his idol, Jose Raul Capablanca.

05. Alexander Alekhine (October 31, 1892 - March 24, 1946)
- Kasparov's hero, Alexander Alekhine was one of the greatest attacking players in the history books, and can fire combinations at will until his opponents succumb. Several openings and opening variations are named after him.

04. Mikhail Botvinnik (August 17, 1911 - May 5, 1995)
- The only player to hold the world title on three separate occasions. Botvinnik was an endgame specialist extraordinaire. He studied strong opponents to discover their strengths and weaknesses in order for him to use it against them. He was also a coach to Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, and Vladimir Kramnik.

03. Garry Kasparov (April 13, 1963)
- Arguably the best chess player alive right now and probably the greatest tactician of all time. He was computer-like as he covered all positions, and owned the deepest opening in the history of the sport. He rose to prominence in 1985 after winning the World Chess Championship. And as they say it, the rest is history.

02. Jose Raul Capablanca (November 19, 1888 - March 8, 1942)
- If Mikhail Botvinnik's endgame prowess is superbly excellent, Capablanca's is of legendary proportions. He loved simple positions and endgames, and his judgment of position was so good, it was near perfect. Without a doubt, he was the greatest player in terms of natural talent.

01. Bobby Fischer (March 9, 1943 - January 17, 2008)
- Referred to as the "Chess Genius," he revolutionized the game with his own style of approach. He was tactically brilliant and strategically strong. Considered by many, even Chess powerhouses like Kasparov, Tal, Ljubojevic, and Anand, as the greatest player who ever lived.

That's it folks! Thank you for reading! Go out and play Chess!

Buot Ko Nga Masayod Ka (by Francis Alex E. Tahud)

2009-01-24T00:10:00.001+08:00

Buot Ko Nga Masayod Ka
(by Francis Alex E. Tahud)

Buot ko nga masayod ka,
Dili gayod matugkad akong kalipay,
Kalipay nga dili mabay'ran,
Nga ikaw akong kuyog
Niining pag dagan-dagan nato sa ulan.
Duyog nato ang hangin
Nga nag gakos sa atong mga pangandoy.
Dungan nato kalimtan ang kalibutan
Nga nalukop sa kasakit,
Sa problema,
Ug sa mga dili maayong buhat.
Kini'ng luna nga atong gitumban,
Saksi kini kung unsa ka sa ako.
Buot ko nga masayod ka,
Ikaw akong gihandum,
Ikaw akong pangandoy.
O ulan, ayaw intawon pag hunong.

TRAPO! TRAPO! TRAPO!

2009-01-20T23:30:00.006+08:00

Manny Villar

The jargon TRAPO is short for TRAditional POlitican. In Philippine colloquialism, it connotes to the most dirtiest politician. Someone who cares only for money and power.

Lately, if you noticed, there is an influx of pseudo-commercials where politicians are clearly visible infiltrating our TV sets. Garbage! Even though the Philippine Elections isn't until next year, these politicians are vying this early for the people's attention by annoying us with their quasi political ads. It is very clear that these vultures have already cemented their plans of running for office this 2010. Leading the pack is Manny Villar (the most annoying!). His TV ads make me vomit that when it airs, I quickly change channel. He is a clear-cut example of a TRAPO. And if you still don't know, he only happens to be the richest politician in the Philippines. Hmmm... something is rotten in the state of Denmark!

And speaking of TRAPO (hahaha what a segue), our song which is of the same title is currently playing around the 4th spot of the KillerBee Indie Top 20 Countdown (KB 89.3 FM) for the period January 18 to 24. We need your help to boost our position and conquer the top spot. If you could spare us a load, it would be the greatness! Please vote for our song by texting in VOTE TRAPO by THE SUPERFLIRTS and send it to 09234093882. Salamat!

Lastly, will Obama be another TRAPO? It remains to be unseen. Wanna know my bet? Secret! Hahaha! Abanagan ang susunod na kabanata!

The Redeemer (by Francis Alex E. Tahud)

2009-01-16T10:30:00.005+08:00

The Redeemer
(by Francis Alex E. Tahud)

Through pains and gains I will never depart
In Your arms, I humble all that I am
This I give, we will never be apart
O ever soothing, like that of balsam
And in this life's race You will be my guide
For in the field, I am that of a sheep
Needing a steward; You I will abide
Your promises are sure, they're mine to keep
Indeed, Your Words in me will never flee
I am of cheer for You have overcome
Everything in this world that my eyes see
And here I am, I say to You: Welcome
You have come to me as my Redeemer
You have saved me, I am a believer

God Bless Cagayan de Oro City

2009-01-14T08:34:00.002+08:00

From GMANews.TV

MANILA, Philippines - Severe flooding in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro has left at least five people dead and affected more than 40,000 families, disaster councils said Monday.

State weather agency Pagasa said the rains that inundated many areas in the region were caused by a cold front.

The victims drowned while battling through raging waters. State-run Philippine News Agency reported that three died in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro and two in Gingoog City.

The flooding submerged parts of the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog and 13 tows of Misamis Oriental, disaster councils said. Authorities said 186 houses were damaged, 96 of these were swept away by rampaging waters.

Hardest hit was Cagayan de Oro City. Authorities said at least 29,000 families were severely affected by flash floods in the city’s 32 barangays.

In Misamis Oriental and Gingoog City, at least 18,650 families in 13 towns were displaced by flooding.

The disaster also destroyed two bridges in Opol town in Misamis Oriental and another two in Agay-ay, Gingoog City.

State of calamity

Also Monday, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to declare a state of calamity in the provinces in Northern Mindanao that was affected by flooding.

"If she has not yet done so, the President should declare a state of calamity in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental and other parts of Northern Mindanao and move government aid to thousands displaced by the unusual flood," Pimentel said.

The senator, who hails from Cagayan de Oro City, said the declaration of a state of calamity in the areas in Northern Mindanao would help facilitate the release of government assistance to the victims.

He said almost 20 percent of Cagayan de Oro City was submerged in water when the nearby Kagay-an River swelled within minutes.

Local disaster officials blamed logging and river quarrying for the flood. They said the floodwaters came from the mountains of Lanao and Bukidnon.

Pimentel said since the forests in the mountains have been denuded, there are no more big trees to absorb the water during heavy rains, causing flooding in downstream areas.

He said that Cagayan de Oro City and other low-lying areas became the holding basin of water flowing from the upland areas. On the other hand, the almost unregulated quarrying in the Kagay-an River has caused siltation and destroyed the natural flow of water.

Pimentel expressed alarm that the people in many parts of Mindanao are now suffering from the disastrous consequences of the wanton destruction of the forests by illegal loggers that have been going on over the last several decades.

If I Die (Tanka by Francis Alex E. Tahud)

2009-01-13T13:03:00.004+08:00

If I Die
(Francis Alex E. Tahud)

If I die right now,
Let me be the wind someday,
And when you're alone,
Feel the wind for I am there;
My love is sempiternal.

Thy Business, Thy Killer!

2009-01-11T01:51:00.001+08:00

Because of some crappy business ideology, our gig (And So the Attack Begins...), which was really successful in terms of gate attendance, flunked! I was really pissed with how the business side of it treated us unfairly. Even with a very promising number of attendees, unfortunately, we didn't reached the management's perceived quota of their goods sold. Come on, we cannot force everyone to purchase their goods! I mean, from the very start, it was really made clear that our aim for Small Time Only Promotions isn't to profit but to give the people the music they want with a cheap cost. The management just can understand what PASSION is! Money talks for them! We really worked hard for the event with such short notice. And if I were to assess our work, our team really did a good job. Well it's really not the manager's fault. I cannot blame him for being so... I don't know what adjective to use. Basta he's sigurista! Yes, I know very well that at the end of the day, money will still decide the outcome of it, and that's what really annoys me deep down to the core. A clear example of business killing passion!

first time this year

2009-01-06T16:35:00.004+08:00

First and foremost, let me greet everyone a happy 2009! I hope you had fun from all those partying and eating, and that all your body parts are still intact especially your fingers (Hehehehe). But kidding aside, I really hope you had a fun and safe New Year's Eve celebration.

2009 ushered with me, yes me, celebrating my 22nd birthday yesterday (January 5). Belated greetings are very much welcomed, so greet me now! Hahaha! Tomorrow (January 7), on the other hand, is my younger sister's 21st birthday. I still don't know the plans but I'm very sure there's food involved. Hahaha!

Regarding our band, The Superflirts, we are all very busy right now with different priorities like school and day jobs. This means that you won't get to see us live often. But it's okay, we're still here. Our songs are still getting regular airplay on KillerBee 89.3 FM. You could still vote/request for it.

Other projects that keeps me busy as a bee are Noise On Canvas Magazine and Small Time Only Promotions. We are still in the process of completing our first issue for NOC. It's hard but we're getting headway. As for STOP, we are planning to literally stop all our operations for the meantime because of some unforeseen mishaps that occurred.

Me and my churchmates will also be busy preparing for our repeat performance of the skit called "Awesome God" come January 19-20 for the EQUIP Leadership Conference - Session 3. And oh before it slips my mind, it's our midterm exams next week. Can someone spell busy?

That's it for now. I hope all plans push through. Ciao!

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009

2008-12-31T22:41:00.002+08:00

As we turn to yet another page in life's unpredictable race, we bade 2008 goodbye and welcome 2009 with open arms. And as for me, 2008 will forever be a memorable year. Why? You may ask. Well, this is the year, to be specific March 1, 2008, 7am, that I have truly manifested my love to my Savior through water immersion or Baptism. Yes, after living 21 years of emptiness, I have finally given myself to Him in full. My life's journey is towards Him.

2008 has given me a box-full of memories. Well, I guess you too. Yeah, memories that are sad, happy, and sometimes preposterously funny. I won't elaborate on that anymore because it's way too personal. Hahaha! Anyhoo, the year has also opened my eyes to certain issues that has really moved me, and gave me a lesson or two that I will hold forever in my life. Poverty, injustice, war, poor education, etc., all those things made me realize that life isn't really pretty after all, but, because of God's undying love, He made life worth living for you and I.

And so as we leave 2008 and face 2009, I hope and pray that we will be strong in life and in faith. Basing on the news and on what I see personally, we should really brace ourselves this coming year for 2009 will not be a pretty sight. As the popular saying goes: "when the going gets tough, the tough gets going." But if I were to rephrase it, it should be: "when the going gets tough, the faithful overcomes." In the days of tribulation, this is when our faith gets tested, and I urge you, be faithful unto Him because He has promised us with goodness. We find strength to be faithful to God because God is faithful in dealing with us. I know we will overcome all the can of worms ahead with God, and God alone.

May we all have a blessed 2009 with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!

STOP THE WAR IN GAZA!

2008-12-30T13:16:00.011+08:00

Though shall not kill (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17)

The sixth commandment from The Ten Commandments authored by God which was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai.

It isn't the case in Gaza now.

As of this writing, the war in Gaza has already amassed more or less 320 Palestinian cadavers and counting. Israel launched an aerial offense against the Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement) in Gaza making the entire place desolated. With the constant bombardments and attacks by the Israeli military, the situation has reached emergency levels.

It is really saddening to see the war escalate when it could have been prevented in the first place. At the end of the day, when the smoke clears, the only victims here are the innocent civilians. It's kind of ironic come to think of it. They engage in war in order to achieve PEACE and ORDER. War will never be the answer. It's time to give peace a chance!

I am one in calling all Israeli leaders to STOP the siege in Gaza. And as for the Hamas, surrender if it's the only way, for the sake of your people!

IF YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GAZA RIGHT NOW, CLICK HERE MY DEAR FRIENDS FOR THE ONLINE PETITION AGAINST THE WAR.

and so it’s Christmas…

2008-12-24T22:12:00.001+08:00

It’s Christmas time once again! A time where we celebrate with jubilation the birth of the Messiah, Immanuel (which means, God with us).

Allow me to share to you some of the Bible verses about Christmas:

Luke 1:14
And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at His birth

Luke 1:35
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the Child to be born will be called Holy–the Son of God.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Let your heart be filled with His goodness and be thankful for His Grace upon you. Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Sleep (by Francis Alex E. Tahud)

2008-12-20T00:23:00.003+08:00

Sleep
(Francis Alex E. Tahud)

As we paint the sky red, run with me my sweet January
Let this cul-de-sac be the start our forever
You are my confidant, my sweet tenure whom I rest my soul with
Embrace me with your condescending eyes, cuddle me with your benign touch, and soothe me with your saccharine voice
O how I long to see you smile, just to see you smile
The warmth of your presence is my euphoria
You are the ultimate source of my existence
And as we engage ourselves in this surreal episode, I'll cover you from all the perils outside
I hear you breathing... I breathe slowly, slowly, slowly
I watch you to sleep... sleep now my love
For tomorrow I'll dream again that I am with you.

George Bush almost ate two flying shoes!

2008-12-15T20:50:00.003+08:00

Below is a video clip of a LOL moment when an Iraqi reporter hurled two shoes at Bush's face. Too bad the shoes didn't hit Bush. Good reflexes, Joe! hehehe

Lazy Sunday Evening

2008-12-14T23:33:00.003+08:00

It's a lazy Sunday evening... Just got home from the third service at church. Ate dinner then checked out pba.ph (the PBA website is very crappy, sorry) to see who won between my team, the Coca-Cola Tigers, and Sta. Lucia Realtors. The Realtors won over the undermanned Tigers via a 90-69 route. Bad!

Anyway, I'm currently reading this book by American historian and political commentator Walter Zeev Laqueur entitled No End to War: Terrorism in the Twenty-first Century. Hopefully and time-willing, I'd be able to finish this book before year 2008 pulls down its curtains.

That's it for now, I'm too lazy to type more. Hahahaha! Below is the book. Don't be lazy, read it for yourself... :)

Boxing Wishlist for 2k9

2008-12-13T18:48:00.005+08:00

One week after the wrecking ball Manny Pacquiao demolished Oscar De La Hoya to bits and pieces, I still can't get oowwver it! Three days after Manny's win, my professor in Philosophy 15 Mr. Arthur Tangara told us that boxing is a sport for barbaric people. Well, all I could say to that is: HAHAHAHA! In my own prerogative, 2008 has been a banging year for boxing. And this coming 2009, the 'boxing fan' side of me is staring to drool over the possible blockbuster match-ups coming our way.

Okey, with all that being said, here is my top 20 boxing DREAM MATCH for 2009...

1. Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
2. Manny Pacquaio vs. Ricky Hatton
3. Antonio Margarito vs. Miguel Cotto (Part 2)
4. Kelly Pavlik vs. Arthur Abraham
5. Paul Williams vs. Sergiy Dzinziruk
6. Joshua Clottey vs. Kermit Cintron
7. Andre Berto vs. Saul Alvarez
8. Joan Guzman vs. Edwin Valero
9. Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Nate Campbell
10. Joe Calzaghe vs. Chad Dawson
11. Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Robert Guerrero
12. Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Jerry Peñalosa
13. Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa
14. Nonito Donaire vs. Vic Darchinyan (Part 2)
15. Chris Arreola vs. David Haye
16. Mikkel Kessler vs. Lucian Bute
17. Breidis Prescott vs. Michael Katsidis
18. James Kirkland vs. Julio Cesar Chaves Jr.
19. Jorge Linares vs. Urbano Antillon
20. Amir Khan vs. Saddam Kietyongyuth

And now fight fans... Let's get ready to rummmmmmmmble!

Proud to be Pinoy!

2008-12-08T12:08:00.014+08:00

Before the fight between the Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya and Filipino boxing hero Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, most of the pundits predicted a mismatch, and boy, oh boy, were they ever so right. They were just wrong on who was mismatched.

The Golden Boy first burst into the boxing limelight as an amateur some time in 1992, and eventually winning a Gold medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games. He turned pro the same year and thus began his legendary ascend to superstardom by becoming the face of boxing.

He defeated seventeen world champions and won ten world titles in six different weight classes, and even reaching the coveted number one pound-for-pound spot in 1997. Along the way, he also became the most highest paid boxer in any weight classes. He generated more money than any other boxer in the history of the sport. Talk about money-making!

Oscar placed the sport of boxing to where it is now. Through his career, he electrified the audience with his great performances and epic battles. But in all his fights, even with his loss to Felix Trinidad, Sugar Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., has was never dominated.

Until a little guy, which many calls the Pacman, from the Philippine Islands demolished him.

Never did the Golden Boy experienced such a beating in his illustrious career as a priced-boxer that we was forced to quit during the opening of round 9. What's more amazing is he was not just only beaten, but annihilated by a smaller man.

Yeah, you may say that Oscar was too old for Manny, I don't think so. The Golden Boy still has it but it was Manny's relentlessness that gave him tremendous problems.

Coming to this fight, oddsmakers put Pacquiao as a 2-1 underdog. Well, I cannot blame them since the man he was facing was fighting exclusively at super welterweight or middleweight for the last seven years or so. Manny had only fought once at lightweight (versus David Diaz) and has never fought at 147 pounds before Saturday's Dream Match.

But Manny proved them wrong that with his big heart, plus the speed and power that comes along, he can achieve what many deemed unachievable. He was like David facing Goliath in De La Hoya. And as the Holy Bible tells us, David defeated Goliath.

From the opening bell up to round 8, Pacquiao thoroughly and completely dominated ODLH. The Golden Boy was no match with the speed and power of the Pacman. With the demolition job, it is safe to say now that Manny is indeed the number one p4p fighter in the world. The match was an upset of epic proportions and will be embedded in the consciousness of boxing fans forever.

So, what's in store for our Pacman? A fight with Ricky Hatton would be a blockbuster, a match against the former number one gun in the pound-for-pound list Floyd Mayweather Jr. would be the real Dream Match, and a rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez would be explosive. There are a gazillion of possibilities. But if Manny plans to stay at 147 pounds, I think he will be in deep shallow waters with Paul Williams, Miguel Cotto, Kermit Cintron, and Antonio Margarito lurking on the side. It would be better for him if he goes back to 140 or even 135 pounds. But then again, Manny is Manny. I'm sure he'll pick the right weight class for him where there is a REAL challenge.

It is evident that Manny Pacquaio is well-loved by the entire Filipino populace. Heck, he's even more popular than the President of the Philippines, but I'm afraid that all of this will drastically change come 2010 when he will re-enter politics. I hope he sees this before Election Day.

Well anyway, for the meantime, I'm one in savoring the glory that the Pacman has achieved. It's during these times that makes me proud of my roots as a Filipino!

Mabuhay ka Manny!

And oh, Chavit Singson, Lito Atienza, and Noli De Castro, I envy you! Hahahaha!

Impeachment Case Against Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

2008-12-03T20:44:00.002+08:00

Below is an excerpt of the impeachment case charged against GMA. Click this link from Bayan Muna's official website for further reading.

I. OPENING STATEMENT

Esteemed Members of the Committee on Justice, let us hearken to the complaint of the Filipino people charging respondent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of having committed three impeachable offenses – first, culpable violations of the Constitution; second, high crimes; and third, betrayal of public trust for being criminally, civilly, administratively, and publicly liable for the extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and other violations of the constitutional rights of hundreds of militant activists.

Respondent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is criminally, civilly, administratively, and publicly liable for the extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and other violations of the constitutional rights of the people hundreds of militant activists due to her following acts and omissions:

First, by approving extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, illegal arrests, and torture of activists in legal organizations members of organizations critical of, or opposing her government polices and programs as main components of her government’s counter-insurgency program – the Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) I and II, she is directly responsible, as principal, as a principal by inducement, for the deaths, kidnappings, and arbitrary arrests and detentions of hundreds of political dissenters, as well the violation of the victim’s other constitutional rights.

Second, by failing to prosecute, despite due and ample notice, the perpetrators of the human rights violators from the military and the police, specifically retired Major General Palparan who has been singled out in the Melo Commission report, and thereby allowing the impunity with which the systematic and gross violations of the constitutional rights of the victims have been violated, she is guilty of nonfeasance and dereliction of duty in the death of hundreds of activists. Both these actions are violations of or offenses under the Constitution and Philippine laws, and, therefore, not only proved the sufficiency of substance of the complaint for human rights violations, but also provides sufficient grounds to impeach Pres. Arroyo.

II. PRESENTATION OF THE ACTS CONSTITUTING THE IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES

Let me now present the people’s case before this Honorable Committee.

A. Distinguished colleagues, respondent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is directly responsible, as a principal by inducement, for the deaths, kidnappings, and arbitrary arrests and detentions of hundreds of political dissenters, as well the violation of the victims’ other constitutional rights because she has personally approved the government’s counter-insurgency program – the Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) I and II, which provides that to defeat the CPP-NPA-NDF rebellion, legal organizations that acted as its “fronts” must be destroyed and its leaders and members “neutralized”, that is killed or forcibly disappeared.

I urge you then to listen to the following facts:

1. Oplan Bantay Laya I (OBL I), the first counter-insurgency program of the Arroyo government, was approved by respondent in 2002, thus making its components a matter of state policy that must be followed. It was supposed to end in 2006. On March 1, 2007 Pres. Arroyo publicly ordered the implementation of OBL II because there were allegedly some areas that needed to be cleansed of CPP-NPA influence, and setting the target to defeat the movement by 2010.

One major component of OBL I and II is the stress on the need to conduct military operations not only against the guerilla forces in the countryside but also against progressive legal organizations that the government accuses as “CPP-NPA fronts”. In effect, even if OBL I and II have been disguised as counter-insurgency programs, they are in reality aimed at repressing legitimate dissent and suppressing political dissenters. The Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG) was added as part of the “legal offensive” component of OBL II.

3. Pursuant to the policy directive of OBL I, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) immediately embarked on a “Target Research Program” aimed at in building intelligence data and information, complete with quotas and timetables, on legal organizations and their leaders and members who were marked for “neutralization”.

4. Immediately thereafter, there was a marked increase in the number of leaders and members of militant people’s organizations who were extrajudicially killed, forceably disappeared, illegally arrested and tortured.

5. Most of those who were extrajudicially killed, forceably disappeared, illegally arrested and tortured were priority subjects of the said “target research”.

6. There is a clearly discernible factual pattern in the killings and disappearances:

a. Soldiers take a door-to-door census in a barangay in order to identify members of local people’s organizations.

b. A provisional Order of Battle (OB) of leaders of people’s organizations is drafted based on the census results. The draft OB is made known to the community.

c. Those on the order of battle are ordered to report to be interrogated for information. If they do not cooperate, they are tortured. Any names provided during such interrogations are added to the order of battle.

d. A “Know Your Enemies” seminar is held and “communist terrorist movement” front organizations are listed and their leaders vilified. Sometimes such meetings precede the census. Members from the “speakers bureau” tell those assembled about CPP lies, its true aims, and its use of fronts.

e. Individuals identified as leaders of people’s organizations are encouraged to “surrender”. If they refuse, posters or leaflets vilifying them personally as communist terrorists will be distributed. Then their houses are placed under surveillance.

f. Finally, such individuals are killed or abducted and eventually forcibly disappeared.

7. The foregoing facts are affirmed by Prof. Philip Alston, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, in his Final Report on his Mission to the Philippines.

8. To date, since respondent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved OBL I and II, 601 political dissenters have been extrajudicially killed, 176 have been forcibly disappeared, and in all probability tortured, while some 245 have been victims of torture.

9. The following are the more known of the hundreds of victims of extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances and torture committed under the Arroyo government, and whose relatives are with us here today:

a. The couple Expedito and Manuela Albarillo, both active leaders of Bayan Muna in San Teodoro, Mindoro Oriental, who were illegally arrested inside their abode and subsequently killed nearby by suspected military elements under the command of General Palparan on April 8, 2002;

b. Eden Marcellana, then KARAPATAN – Southern Tagalog Secretary General and Eddie Gumanoy, then KASAMA – TK Chair who were abducted and subsequently killed by suspected elements of the 204th Brigade of the Philippine Army, then under the command of General Jovito Palparan, on April 22, 2003 in Naujan, Mindoro Oriental;

c. Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo who were abducted on February 14, 2006 in Barangay Buhol na Mangga, San Ildefonso, Bulacan merely by military elements for a having a brother who is an alleged NPA rebel, and who were forcibly disappeared for more than a year before they were able to escape from their military captors on August 13, 2007;

d. Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno, both students of the University of the Philippines who were doing research on peasants, who were abducted by suspected military elements in Barangay San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan on June 26, 2006; and

e. Jonas Joseph Burgos, son of the late press icon Jose Burgos and a member of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB), who was abducted by suspected elements of the 56th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army on April 28, 2007 while he was eating lunch in Hapag Kainan Restaurant at Ever Gotesco, and now forcibly disappeared;

f. IALAG efforts that gave rise to the Batasan 6, Tagaytay 5, Southern Tagalog 72, more trumped up cases against this Representation, et cetera.

10. Decisions by independent judicial bodies point to the Arroyo government’s culpability in the rash of killings.

a. The Supreme Court, in its October 7, 2008 decision on the Petition for Prohibition, Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order [Manalo vs. Secretary of National Defense, et al.] granted all the reliefs prayed for by the brothers, and categorically affirmed the factual findings of the Court of Appeals that General Jovito Palparan and several junior officers and enlisted personnel under his command then were responsible for the abduction and subsequent enforced disappearances of the Manalo brothers; and by their attestation, UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno, before the two escaped from their military captors.

b. Just last week, the UN Human Rights Committee found the Philippine government guilty of violating primarily the right to life of slain human rights defenders Eden Marcellana and Eddie Gumanoy. In its 12-page communication tabbed as CCPR/C/94/1560/2007 dated 11 November 2008, the UN body stated that “the facts as found by the Committee reveal a violations by the Philippines of article 2, paragraph 3 (the right of violated persons to effective remedies and the State ensuring that such remedies are provided and enforced); article 6, paragraph 1 (the right to life of every person); and article 9, paragraph 1 (the right to liberty and security of persons) of the Covenant [that is, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]”. The UNHRC further declared that the Philippine government “is under an obligation to provide the authors with an effective remedy, including initiation and pursuit of criminal proceedings to establish responsibility for the kidnapping and death of the victims, and payment of appropriate compensation. The State party should also take measures to ensure that such violations do not recur in the future.”

Let me now go to her second act, or better still, omission.

B. Honorable members of this committee, respondent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is likewise personally liable, by nonfeasance and dereliction of her sublime oath, for the deaths, kidnappings, and arbitrary arrests and detentions of hundreds of political dissenters, as well as the violation of the victims’ other constitutional rights because she failed, or refused to prosecute, despite due and ample notice, the perpetrators of the human rights violators from the military and the police, specifically retired Major General Palparan who has been singled out in the Melo Commission report, and thereby allowing the impunity with which the systematic and gross violations of the constitutional rights of the victims have been perpetrated.

Again, I respectfully ask you, ladies and gentlemen, to lend me your ears.

1. This representation is a witness to Pres. Arroyo’s failure, or refusal, to prosecute, human rights violators in the military and the police despite knowledge of the ongoing carnage against militant activists. In at least two face-to-face meetings, I personally informed the respondent of the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances perpetrated by military elements against our ranks, and asked her to put a stop to them. The first was in November 2003 in Malacanang with Bayan Muna Rep. Siegfred Deduro and where Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita was present. And the second was in her home in La Vista in March 2004.

2. Despite my plea, the “festival of killings”, as one newspaper succinctly out it, continued, and is continuing to this day.

3. Respondent never made any public pronouncement condemning the perpetrators of this orgy of killings, abductions, and disappearances directed at our ranks. Instead, in her various public statements, she gave both tacit and overt approval and encouragement to the military campaigns under OBL I and II and the military officers behind them.

4. As a case in point, let us consider Mr. Jovito Palparan, the most vicious, ruthless, and outspoken proponent of the extrajudicial killings of activists whose case I personally presented to the respondent as early as 2003.

a. Instead of thoroughly investigating him and his subordinates for serious accusations of human rights violations, she rapidly promoted him from Colonel to Major General in a span of four years.

b. Respondent even publicly acclaimed Palparan’s “exploits” and “successes” as an effective military officer during her State of the Nation Address in 2006.

c. Respondent never heeded the recommendation of the Melo Commission to prosecute Mr. Palparan and his subordinates for having probably committed the human rights violations charges against him.

d. Yet, as pointed earlier, the Supreme Court itself has declared Mr. Palparan and several of his former subordinates of having committed the crime of abduction and enforced disappearance against Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo.

5. Respondent’s failure to prosecute human rights violators created a climate of impunity where, as already pointed out, 601 political dissenters have been extrajudicially killed, 176 have been forcibly disappeared, and in all probability tortured, while some 245 have been victims of torture, and where there is no end in sight of this utter madness.

6. Respondent has not acted on the recommendation of Prof. Alston that extrajudicial executions must be eliminated from counterinsurgency operations, and specifically for her to do the following acts:

a. To take concrete steps, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to put an end to those aspects of counterinsurgency operations which have led to the targeting and execution of many individuals working with civil society organizations;

b. To take necessary measures that will ensure that the principle of command responsibility, as it is understood in international law, is a basis for criminal liability within the domestic legal order;

c. To direct all military officers to cease making public statements linking political or other legal organizations to those engaged in armed insurgencies; and

d. To make transparent the “orders of battle”, “watch lists”, and similar list of individuals and organizations maintained by the AFP, PNP, and other elements of the national security system, and making public the said list, including their purposes, the criteria for inclusion, and the number of names on each.

e. To abolish the IALAG.

III. SUMMATION OF THE PRESENTATION

Distinguished colleagues, based on the facts and pieces of evidence presented, there can be no other conclusion except that the impeachment complaint against Pres. Arroyo for human rights violations is sufficient in substance. The allegations in the complaint, if proven true, constitutes an offense, which in turn are grounds for impeachment under the Constitution.
The complaint therefore is sufficient in substance.

More than being sufficient in substance, there is sufficient evidence to find probable cause or there can be no doubt that there is sufficient ground “to engender a well-founded belief that the crimes of extrajudicial killings, abductions, enforced disappearances, and torture have been probably committed by respondent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, crimes which are constitutive of three impeachable offenses provided under our Constitution”.

First, her act of approving OBL I and II and her omission in failing, or refusing to prosecute human rights violators, that led to the deaths, kidnappings, and arbitrary arrests and detentions of hundreds of political dissenters, as well the violation of the victims’ other constitutional rights constitute a willful and intentional violation of the Constitution, which among others, enjoin her, as President of the Republic to execute its laws, serve and protect the people, respect human rights, and do justice to every man.

Second, her act of approving OBL I and II and her omission in failing, or refusing to prosecute human rights violators that led to the deaths, kidnappings, and arbitrary arrests and detentions of hundreds of political dissenters, as well the violation of the victims’ other constitutional rights constitute high crimes, particularly as crimes against humanity, because they are offenses of enormous gravity that strike not just at the very life and orderly working of the government, but of the Philippine society in general.

Third, but not the least, her act of approving OBL I and II and her omission in failing, or refusing to prosecute human rights violators that led to the deaths, kidnappings, and arbitrary arrests and detentions of hundreds of political dissenters constitute a betrayal of public trust because by her said acts, where she betrayed public interest, tyrannically abused her power, inexcusably neglected her duty, and breached her official duty by nonfeasance to the prejudice of public interest and brought her office into disrepute, respondent Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo has been rendered unfit to continue in office.

To end, let me venture into the reason behind these seemingly endless killings of political dissenters.

Respondent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did all these crimes against the very people she is constitutionally mandated to protect because she wants to stifle the ever-growing dissent against her illegitimate and morally depraved government. In short, she wants to perpetuate herself in power, for eternity it seems.

Ladies and gentlemen, beware of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo!

Thank you.

Words from Francis Alex Ello Tahud

2008-12-01T00:40:00.007+08:00

Revolution (Anthem of the Hoi polloi)

Music: The Superflirts
Words: Kokong

We won't allow them hypocrites
To destroy us, my brethrens
We are not sacrificial pawns;
Equality is what we aim
As we stand one, we become tall
It's better to live one day as a lion
Than a thousand years as a lamb,
One day as a lion

This is a revolution, we got to fight for our rights
This is a revolution, a revolution

Open your eyes to their big lies;
The struggle is about to end
Emancipate thyself from fear,
Embrace the freedom of your mind
Upon the weak shall be the strong
It's better to live one day as a lion
Than a thousand years as a lamb,
One day as a lion

This is a revolution, we got to fight for what's right
This is a revolution, a revolution

Anthem of the Hoi polloi: "Justice, Purity!"
The righteous being crafted to shower the world

The Great Plebeian

2008-11-30T13:20:00.004+08:00

Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro (November 30, 1863 - May 10, 1897)

In memory of the Great Plebeian, as the former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon would call him, we also put to glory the Philippine Revolution. Bonifacio was the catalyst that provided hope for the oppressed Filipinos. He was the Revolution, and with the seed that he planted, it is today that we reap what was once only a dream, a dream we call liberty. We stand proud today of our race as Filipinos. A salute to one of the greatest revolutionary leaders that once walked the face of the Earth. Mabuhay ka, Gat Andrés!

Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, Philippines

Poverty and Wealth (Painting)

2008-11-27T21:30:00.003+08:00

Poverty and Wealth by William Powell Frith, RA. Signed and dated 1888 at lower left. Oil on canvas: 32 x 47 inches. Provenance: Christie's, 4th May, 1889, lot 139. Exhibited: The Royal Academy, 1888, no. 26

A humble critique:

In life, whether you like it or not, there is that palisade that separates the rich amongst the poor. And in this masterpiece of William Powell Frith, he perfectly captured the whole meaning of it. The painting, entitled Poverty and Wealth, depicts the sad reality that it is mere impossible for the two social class to mingle with each other. While the rich are busy getting richer, the poor on the other side are dying to survive. The fact alone stands that we humans have subconsciously divided the nations of Earth into three broad categories, which are the first world, capitalist and technologically advanced countries; second world, Communist states within the former Soviet Union’s sphere of influence; and third world, economically underdeveloped countries, is a concrete evidence that there is indeed a separation of sorts. Frith’s work exudes a mystical aura reminiscent to that of the Victorian era. Intelligently done and strikingly beautiful.

I am suffering from Anorexia

2008-11-24T19:16:00.008+08:00

I have been very busy lately. That explains why I haven't been active here in my blog the past weeks. Aside from the hectic gig schedule of The Superflirts, I have been devoting my time in school, and the rest of it in a local music/arts magazine (Noise On Canvas Magazine) which yours truly is one of the writers. I'm also heading this promotional outfit called Small Time Only Promotions or STOP. We had our first show last November 22, 2008 at Score Grill & Chill, where it featured bands like Teachers Stand Together, Skotchtape, The Superflirts, Porcelene, Pedro's Crew, and Spentas. Up next for STOP is the 3rd Mindanao Skafest this December 13, 2008. So, if you happen to be in Cagayan de Oro City, I encourage you, no wait, I URGE YOU to watch the show (it's a must-see).

Because of my (demanding) schedule, maybe this is the reason why my weight has dropped tremendously. I am getting the response often from friends that I have really slimmed down. They even joked that maybe I'm suffering from Anorexia nervosa. The last time I weighed myself, I was like 120 pounds. And now, I'm very sure that I'm much more lighter (in terms of weight) than 120 pounds. I think this is alarming. Don't you? Right now, I'm here at home suffering from common colds. I missed school earlier because of it. I really need to regain my weight back. I am promising myself to religiously eat right and to take plenty of rest. I won't abuse myself anymore because this won't do me any good. The next time you'll see me, I'll be in good shape. Chow!

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with this photo of an Anorexic to ponder on...

Byron “The Dragon” Lee passed away peacefully

2008-11-13T20:25:00.002+08:00

Byron Lee (June 27, 1935 - November 4, 2008)

This statement is from the official website of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires:

"Byron “The Dragon” Lee passed away peacefully on November 4, after a valiant battle with cancer. But the memory of his phenomenal presence in the music of Jamaica, the wider Caribbean and, indeed, the world to which he helped introduce Jamaican music – will live on through the dynamic band that he founded: Byron Lee and The Dragonaires. With mega hits, such as “Jamaica Ska”, “Tiney Winey” and “Dancehall Soca”, the band’s music has spanned and remained relevant and popular over its more than 50-year existence. The world-famous band will continue to entertain and to bring the music of Jamaica and the Caribbean to a worldwide audience.

The Dragon may be gone but he lives on through the Dragonaires !"

Thy Creator's Gift

2008-11-10T13:20:00.006+08:00

From the very start of our existence, we were already sinners. It has already been a part of our lives ever since. The Bible tells us that "the wages of our sin is death." Meaning, through our sins we earned death as payment. But God, having loved us beyond comprehension, gave His Only Begotten Son to the world to die for us and save us from sin. We all have sinned but Jesus Christ, being sinless, paid the price for our sins through His persecution. He took it upon Himself all the sin of the world and shed His own blood that we might be saved. And in return, He offered us the most beautiful gift -- the gift of salvation.

Aren't you humbled?

United States of Terrorism

2008-11-06T11:36:00.017+08:00

Okay, so Barack Obama won. What now for the rest of the world?

Let me clear things first, I am neither for Obama or McCain. Calling me a racist won't do you any good either 'cause that's the least thing I would be. I am for the truth.

It is a known fact that whoever holds the highest seat of the United States of Terrorism, errr America, I mean, he automatically becomes the world's most powerful man, and has the entire world on the palm of his hand. Tell that to Georgie, will you. And so here comes this African American, whose father was a Kenyan senior government economist and an anthropologist American mother, elected as the forty-fourth President of the Star-Spangled country from the west. He will be governing a nation that is well-loved by the Iraqis, Afghans, and other middle east countries. He will succeed a President that caught the world's affection for being the most pacific President of all-time. And oh, did I mention that he made history by becoming the first black American President? No more white boy this time, Joes.

Again, what now for the world?

Obama's presidency won't make the word a better place, believe me. Even us here in the Philippines, we'll still continue to suffer. Like their forefathers, they will still be a royal pain in the be-hind. Since time immemorial, these no-good Americans have been arrogant to the rest of the world. In our Philippine history, these Americans tricked us that they were there to help us gain our independence from Spain. Instead, after the Spanish governance fled the country, these westerners showed their true plans, that was really to colonize us. Have you ever wondered why there are many black Americans now? It was because back in the days, Africans were forcefully plucked out from their native lands and brought to America to be slaves. In 1945, during the end of World War II, America bombarded Nagasaki and Hiroshima with atomic bombs that resulted to almost 120,000 (mostly civilians) casualties. And of course, who can forget about the infamous 'War on Terror' they engaged in when the only terror are they themselves. These are only a few examples of America showing how supreme they are and that the world should bow to them. It is very 'American' of them, if I may say.

The first phase of Obama's presidency, as he will begin office in January 20, 2009, should be very critical. This will gauge on what will be his stand in terms of the different global events. Because as we all know, what USA does, the world follows. It is safe to say though that the world will be in a happy state knowing George Bush's term as the King of Terror will soon end. As of now, the rest of the world will be on the watch as all eyes will be on Obama.

And lastly, I strongly believe that regardless of who's running the show in American soil, they will still be doing the 'American' way of things, being a royal pain in the be-hind.

Philippine Boxing (Political Style) Part 2

2008-11-04T10:28:00.005+08:00

Your monthly dose of action-packed, melamine-free, fertilizer fund scam, ZTE scandal, hello garci, I'm-sorry-you-caught-me-cheating-on-the-election speech political boxing is back! oyeah! (that was some breather! woah!)

This is a continuation from my previous entry Philippine Boxing (Political Style) Part 1. Check the link out so you'll know what this is all about, shame on you. Hahahaha!

Before we get the fights rolling, let's take a look back on the previous matches. Who won and who went home crying to their 'pas and 'mas.

Match 1 - Manny Villar vs Ping Lacson; winner by K.O. in round 3 - Lacson
Match 2 - Joe de Venecia vs Prospero Nograles; winner by disqualification - Nograles
Match 3 - Lito Atienza vs Alfredo Lim; winner by split decision - Atienza
Match 4 - Jinggoy Estrada vs Chavit Singson; winner by 5th round stoppage - Estrada
Match 5 - Mike Arroyo vs Satur Ocampo; fight ruled as no-contest

After all that being said, as Bruce Buffer would say: Let's get ready to rumble!

Match 1
Bong Revilla vs Lito Lapid

Tale of the Tape
Revilla
*42 years old
*Senator of the Philippines
Lapid
*53 years old
*Senator of the Philippines

The fight:
Both are action movie stars turned useless politicians. With that, this match-up should be intriguing. The fight starts with both pugilists exchanging furious blows. Revilla dictates the pace of the match as he's the much younger fighter and has the wider frame. Lapid, on the other hand, counters all the punches thrown at him a la Leon Guerrero in the 1982 film entitled Alamat ni Leon Guerrero which, by the way, he starred. In round 5, Lapid begins to work at the body of Revilla, and sends his opponent backing down to the ropes. But Revilla, knowing that he has an agimat with him given by his father, tries to outmaneuver Lapid and lands a lucky punch at Lapid's jaw. Lapid kisses the canvas and was counted by the referee. He beats the count as the bell rang to signal the end of round 5. Rounds 6, 7, 8, 9 saw Lapid recovering well from the knockdown. The two fighters continue to bombard powerful punches at each other as they engaged themselves in a brawl. Round 10 went to Revilla and Round 11 was Lapid's. As the final round started, Lapid's punches are slowly getting inside Revilla's defense, and once again, a lucky punch lands on the chin. This time though, it was Lapid who connects and sends Revilla out cold. Lapid wins by K.O. in round 12.

Match 2
Koko Pimentel vs Miguel Zubiri

Tale of the Tape
Pimentel
*44 years old
*Senatorial Candidate of the Philippines
Zubiri
*39 years old
*Senator of the Philippines

The fight:
Since it was Zubiri that booted him out for the 12th and last spot in the Philippine Senate, Pimentel was aggressively attacking Zubiri in the opening round. Pimentel lands a handsome left to the chin of Zubiri that sends him crashing down to the floor. Zubiri composes himself and stands as he was able to beat the referees count. Pimentel was quick again to launch his fists at Zubiri. A powerful straight by Pimentel again lands at the chin of Zubiri as the latter was floored for the second time. The referee starts to count again but Zubiri was able to beat it. As Zubiri tries to elude the bombardment of Pimentel, he was caught again with a swooping left hook that sent him to the canvas again. This time though, he wasn't able to beat the count. The fight goes to Pimentel via a round 1 stoppage. And oh by the way, Pimentel is from Cagayan de Oro City. I'm also from CDO. You do the math on why he won the fight. Hahaha!

Match 3
Raul Gonzalez vs Teddy Casiño

Tale of the Tape
Gonzalez
*77 years old
*Secretary of Justice of the Philippines
Casiño
*40 years old
*partylist Representative of Bayan Muna

The fight:
Round 1 started as both men sized up each other. Casiño throws some rights and so is Gonzalez. In round 2, Casiño continues his assault at the much older Gonzalez with hard-hitting strikes at the body. By round 6, Gonzalez was now badly beaten in all departments by Casiño, and as for Casiño, he was scoring well from the three judges' scorecards. The defense of Gonzalez was eaten alive by Casiño's attack. Casiño lands a powerful hook at Gonzalez's chin that floors him in round 7. The referee didn't bother to count and stops the fight immediately to protect Gonzalez from further dismantlement. Casiño wins in round 7. After the fight, Gonzalez, thinking it was his only chance for retribution, filed a case against Casiño for physical injuries. And because he's the Secretary of Justice of the Philippines, Casiño was imprisoned. The last laugh belonged to Gonzalez after all. SI RAULO Gonzalez.

Match 4
Francis Pangilinan vs Ralph Recto

Tale of the Tape
Pangilinan
*45 years old
*Senator of the Philippines
Recto
*44 years old
*former Senator of the Philippines

The fight:
With their celebrated wives cheering them on at ringside, Pangilinan and Recto fought inspired boxing. Recto starts off with jabs and crosses at Pangilinan, while Pangilinan wards the punches of Recto and throws his own jabs and crosses. Rounds 1 to 8 saw both fighters in a nip-and-tuck battle with either pugs having a clear-cut advantage against the other. Round 9 saw the first knockdown of the match when Recto's jaw was caught with a swooping left from Pangilinan, to the enjoyment of Sharon Cuneta, Pangilinan's wife. Recto recovers and knocks Pangilinan down in round 10 with an uppercut. It was Vilma Santos', Recto's wife, time to jump for joy. Just like Recto, Pangilinan recovers well from the knockdown. As both fighters entered round 11, with the crowd pegging on Pangilinan, and booing Recto after the latter authored the Extended Value Added Tax Law that furthered drowned the Filipinos in poverty, Pangilinan connects a powerful bolo punch that sends Recto crashing down the canvas. Vilma Santos then threw in the towel that signaled Pangilinan's victory. Pangilinan wins in eleven. Recto vowed he'd author another law that would put the entire Filipino populace in jeopardy.

Match 5
Bayani Fernando vs Jejomar Binay

Tale of the Tape
Fernando
*62 years old
*current Secretary of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
Binay
*65 years old
*incumbent Mayor of the City of Makati

The fight:
Fernando entered the ring with a color pink trunks -- the trademark color of MMDA -- along with his MMDA Demolition Team entourage. Binay, not to be outdone, brought the Makati Business Club execs to cheer for him. As round 1 started, the two protagonists engaged themselves into a slugfest. Known to be in separate terms, both of them hated each other. Binay bobs and weaves as he counters Fernando with straights and uppercuts. Fernando, on the other hand, also connects one-two combos at Binay. In round 2, Fernando headbutts Binay prompting the referee to deduct points from Fernando. Binay, in retaliation, headbutts Fernando that also prompted the referee to deduct points from Binay. Rounds 3, 4, 5 were action-packed as both fighters gave their best punches at each other. Round 6 started with Binay connecting heavy blows at Fernando's wide frame. Binay continues his assault, and at the dying seconds of round 6, he connects a powerful body shot that floored Fernando. The referee counts out Fernando resulting to Binay's 6th round K.O.

Watch out for the 3rd part as it will be an all-women boxing extravaganza! Until then, fight fans!

buzzer beater

2008-11-02T01:20:00.004+08:00

Check out this very amazing 2:45 minute clip of a local kid basketball player, and be inspired. See video below.

some updates you wouldn't care to know anyway

2008-10-27T10:07:00.004+08:00

Howdy, mates!

How are you? Hope everything is fine with ya.

Any-hoo, my sembreak turned out to be busier than I expected. I thought I was just gonna be spending the rest of my time at home sleeping and eating, but it wasn't the case. Instead, I had to drag my butt outside and do the job that I was supposed to do. The Superflirts had a busy schedule that we had to play at least three times a week to accommodate our booked gigs and to promote our newest single entitled Trapo. I was also busy with Noise On Canvas Magazine as we are frantically preparing for the release of our first maiden issue this January of 2009. Not to mention the Production outfit me and some of my friends are planning to launch this November.

On the other hand, I felt quite guilty that I was forced to miss our youth fellowship at our church every Friday night because of my busy schedule. Even our church services on Sunday, I also missed attending. I can't wait for all of these to be over. I can't wait to see my 3rd Day Uth family again soon as I badly miss them, and I can't wait to go to church again to worship and sing praises to our Lord.

Well, the second semester is just around the block. School is about to start in a week. It's back to being a very busy man again, but this time though, I will plan my schedule ahead to avoid further hassles. Lesson learned.

Rock it steady!

JUNK JPEPA!

2008-10-14T22:53:00.007+08:00

With the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement or JPEPA ratified, a toxic future for the Filipinos is waiting on the horizon.

It is really tragical that these sixteen so-called Representatives betrayed the Filipinos by agreeing to sign the treaty despite the unclear provisions on how the interest of the Filipinos will be served. Evidently, these very good Representatives or ours were unaware of the consequences the treaty will bring to the lives of Filipinos.

The treaty now opens the door for toxic wastes from Japan to enter Philippine shore. The Japanese know what those toxic wastes could do, and in order to safeguard their country and citizens, they bribe the Philippines through JPEPA so that they could dump their unwanted and very dangerous wastes in our own backyards. It's as if we're saying that money is more important than the safety of Filipinos. Even if we like it or not, we'll be a sitting duck to a toxic grave in the making.

Malacañang should endorse the Basel Ban Amendment to the Senate to categorically prevent the toxics from entering our shores. Our environment and health must always be protected, and not when it is politically convenient!

R.I.P Alton Ellis

2008-10-12T00:53:00.007+08:00

Another prominent figure in the rich musical history of Jamaica died earlier this day. Alton Ellis, known as Mr. Soul of Jamaica, was pronounced dead on October 10, 2008 at Hammersmith Hospital, West London, after collapsing from one of his recent concerts in August of the same year. He was diagnosed of having the big C but he fought it and underwent treatment for his cancer of the lymph glands. Sadly though, he was not able to recover from it which resulted to his death. The world will be in great grief for the sorry loss of a great man. He was widely regarded as the 'Godfather of Rocksteady' (the precursor of Reggae) and as one of the forerunners in spreading Jamaican music to the world. He will be missed.

In line with this, I dedicate my music box to Mr. Ellis with the song Rock Steady. This song was one of his earlier hits, and was the one that further cemented his status as the Godfather of Rocksteady. For the last time, rock it steady Alton Ellis!

Alton Ellis
(1938-2008)

FINALLY!

2008-10-07T17:08:00.004+08:00

Finally, finally, finally, finally! After countless hours of studying for our Final Exams, it's all finally over. Finally, I will get a chance to sleep and eat all day! Hahaha! Sembreak has finally hit the season and what better way to celebrate it than have an outing with your friends. Right? Well, that's what I'm gonna be doing during the whole duration of my free time this semestral break. I'll be engaging on fun activities with my friends before the second semester kicks in. This is what you call stress coping my friend. Hehehe. Until then, more posts later. See yah! Finally! (never mind the excessive use of finally. Hehehe)

Kobe's manly love!

2008-10-06T00:09:00.007+08:00

As I was surfing through the net, I found some hilarious photos of Kobe Bryant featuring his manly love. Now I now why he gets so much attention from men! =)

PBA 34th Season Fearless Forecast

2008-10-04T10:44:00.020+08:00

With the much anticipated 34th PBA opening just hours away from now, let me take this opportune time to break in the ice first, so to speak. All the 10 teams of Asia's first pay-for-play league have made major and minor adjustments in the off-season to be more competitive this season. But before they take it at center court, here's the lowdown of what I perceive the result would end. Presenting to you my FEARLESS FORECAST...

At 10th spot: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

Reason: Surely the entry of Gabe Norwood, Solomon Mercado, TY Tang, Eddie Laure, Mark Andaya, and Gherome Ejercito would further bolster the team's chances this season, BUT, it's not going to be an overnight evolution (Boston Celtics is an exemption to this) in any way. They still lack a reliable force at the 5 and 4 spot to man the paint. Jay-R Reyes and Norwood will be the go-to-guys of the Elasto Painters but if one (or both) gets injured, you do the math, good luck to the team! This team is still a work in progress but very promising. Give them a year of two and they'll be perennial contenders for the title.

At 9th spot: Red Bull Barako

Reason: Red Bull has always been a feared team ever since. They have been consistent in their finishes the past years thanks to their cerebral coach Yeng Guiao. With the gift they gave to SMB in the mold of Mick Pennisi, the team lost their tallest player who can also shoot very well from the outside. Given that this team gave away all its main gunners to other teams (Enrico Villanueva, Kerby Raymundo, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela, Willie Miller, and the likes), they still managed to be competitive. And most of the times, even outplaying other superior teams. But this season, I really doubt it if they can still be as competitive as before. Cyrus Baguio, Mike Hrabak, and Celino Cruz would carry the cudgels for the team but with so-so players as their supporting cast, I don't think they'll survive. But then again, maybe coach Yeng has something big in his bag of tricks and prove me wrong for putting them at the 9th spot.

At 8th spot: Air21 Express

Reason: Even with the stellar performance they had last conference, I think they'll have a hard time competing against a tougher field this time around. Yes, their starting unit (Arwind Santos, Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo, Homer Se, and Winnie Arboleda) is very reliable, and is probably one of the PBA's best, but it ends there. Like Rain or Shine and Red Bull, they, too, have a shallow bench with limited height.

At 7th spot: San Miguel Beer Beermen

Reason: The strongest team on paper, but the big question is: Can they translate it to wins? Last season they were already deep, and with the addition of Jay Washington, Mick Pennisi, and rookie guard Bonbon Custodio this season, the team has become much deeper and taller. Even their second stringers could very well be a strong starting five for other teams. That's how strong this team is. But even with an All-Star cast, the team's chemistry is still a suspect. Remember the Portland Trail Blazers team during the time of Rasheed Wallace, Scottie Pippen, and Damon Stoudamire? Maybe the best thing the Beermen could do is to release some of their players to other teams that they really don't need. This way, the other teams (especially those with shallow benches) would further solidify their lineups, and in the process, tighten up the competition in the PBA. Sounds good?

At 6th spot: Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants

Reason: The Giants have become a well-balanced team this season. James Yap and Kerby Raymundo will have an easier time because of major additions like Beau Belga, Chad Alonzo, Jonathan Fernandez, and Topex Robinson, plus the old reliables like Enrico Villanueva, Jondan Salvador, Chico Lanete, and 2008 All-Star MVP Peter June Simon will still be there. So why put them at the 6th spot? The answer my friend is that most of the Giants, save for Yap, Raymundo, and Simon, haven't really proven yet that they could carry the team when their main gunners fail to deliver. Simple.

At 5th spot: Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters

Reason: Like SMB, this team is also very deep and strong. With the entry of Jared Dillinger, Jason Castro, Rob Reyes, and Pong Escobal, they have made Talk 'N Text a much younger, taller, and faster team. Jimmy Alapag will still be the heart and soul of the team, Mac Cardona and Renren Ritualo will still be their main gunners, and Ali Peek, Don Allado, Yancy de Ocampo, and Harvey Carey will still be very formidable in the paint. But the problem I see is, with all of this, will they be able to achieve as many Ws along the way? Will the limited playing time of these superstars create a big stir up? The answer lies in the hands of the Tropang Texters.

At 4th spot: Barangay Ginebra Kings

Reason: The crowd darlings of Philippine basketball. The Gin Kings proved that the never-say-die attitude can bring them to the promise land which they did last conference by winning the PBA championship. The combo of Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand is amongst the PBA's all-time elite. Eric Menk, Rafi Reavis, Alex Crisano, Billy Mamaril, and Mike Holper are big match-up problems for other teams at the 5 spot and especially at the 4 spot. The problem though is that this team has the tendency to use their players improperly. A big example of this is Sunday Salvacion and Holper. Both this players are key contributors but last conference they were displaced from the rotation and were benched many times. A big problem also for Ginebra this season is if they would remain healthy all the way. If so, then the other teams should brace themselves for another Ginebra run.

At 3rd spot: Sta. Lucia Realtors

Reason: Marlou Aquino, Dennis Espino, and Paolo Mendoza are the leaders of the team and will be vital cogs for another championship run, but Kelly Williams will be the machine that will keep the Realtors' engine romping and stomping. The team will still be relying heavily on their support crew in Nelbert Omolon, Ryan Reyes, Joseph Yeo, and Denok Miranda. The new addition of rookie Kelvin Gregorio will also add more ceiling and depth to the team. Even if they hadn't done much to improve their lineup, I still believe that this team has a very strong chance of bagging the crown this conference. As they say, never underestimate the heart of a champion.

At 2nd spot: Alaska Aces

Reason: The most improved team coming this season. With their pickups during the off-season -- Joe Devance, Ervin Sotto, Mark Borboran, and Kelvin Dela Peña -- the team has transformed into a championship contender. They're much taller and stronger now than before. Willie Miller, Sonny Thoss, Anthony Dela Cruz, and Jeffrey Cariaso will still deliver the goods for the team. The Aces aren't exactly a loaded team but all the spots from 1 to 5 are well covered. Miller and Devance will be a threat in scoring, Thoss will continue to improve and dominate the shaded lanes, and both Cariaso and Dela Cruz will play steady minutes. The only problem I see with the team is how will the rookies and the new comers adapt to the triangle. If they master it, then a second grandslam for Alaska isn't far.

At 1st spot: Coca-Cola Tigers

Reason: I don't know but I have this gut feel that this conference belongs to the Coca-Cola Tigers. When it comes to fire-power, the Tigers can go head to head with other teams. Perhaps the PBA's most dominant frontline trio, Asi Taulava, Mark Telan, and Nic Belasco will give the oppositions big headaches and will remain as the team's ticket to the final dance. Alex Cabagnot will continue to play big, Ronjay Buenafe, the big surprise last year, will continue to shine, and the resurgence of John Arigo will be a welcome development. They also added ceiling with the lanky Lawrence Bonus and a reliable back up point guard in Froilan Baguion. As coach Binky Favis said, the rebuilding of the team last season was really meant for this conference. Taulava and Belasco are nearing the end of their celebrated careers in the PBA, and what perfect careers it would be if they'll win another championship together.

The PBA phenomenon is baaaaaaaaack!

An Open Letter to the President

2008-10-03T11:58:00.002+08:00

3 October 2009

Gloria M. Arroyo, Ph.D.
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacañang Palace

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

Your Excellency,

I am Francis Alex E. Tahud, a 21 year old student from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. I am writing you this letter to let you know how the Filipino people abhors you very much. They are sick and tired of your promises that are, most of the times, meant to deceive the people in order for you to have a good rating on surveys regarding your duties as the President of the republic. Not only that, they do not trust you anymore. They regard you as the most disgraceful Philippine President of all time since former President Ferdinand Marcos. You've committed crimes after crimes to the Filipinos but still you get away with it, not to include the human rights violations you've compiled through the years.

I'm just an ordinary citizen of the country your heading, but I think everything has gone far too long. We cannot bear you anymore.

The 2010 Presidential Election is fast approaching and there are strong possibilities that you'd be extending your term largely because on the plans of embracing a Parliamentary Government. If it happens ma'am, it's going to be a sad day for the Filipino people who have deemed you as a curse. It would further fuel the animosity of the Filipinos against you and consequently wreck havoc. I know you don't want that to happen because you love the Filipinos, am I write ma'am?

Please give the people what they have longed for for nearly a decade already, that is, for you to step down. Clearly and evidently, they do not want you in power anymore. Those days when the they would shout your name in adoration are long gone. Sorry ma'am, but I'm sure those days won't happen again. You have failed the people terribly and the only glorious thing to do is to step down now. Maybe with that, you could salvage some dignity left. The fate of the Philippines lies on your hands. Your decision would shape the future of the Philippines. And respectfully speaking, you suck!

Sincerely yours,

Francis Alex E. Tahud

Got Milk?

2008-10-02T18:42:00.008+08:00

As part of my advocacy to educate readers about certain issues (yeah right!), in this post, I will give you the short list of milk products/brands that are being tested by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) for melamine content. This is due to the Melamine Scare that has hounded us for a couple of weeks now. This list is still partial, so expect more milk products/brands to be included soon.

milk products/brands you'll think twice before gulping in:

PICK YOUR POISON!

1. Anchor Lite Milk
2. Anchor Wam Frootmilk Drink Mango Magic
3. Anchor Wam Frootmilk Orange Chill
4. Anchor Wam Frootmilk Strawberry Spin
5. Anlene Milk
6. Anmum Materna 180g
7. Anmum Materna Chocolate
8. Dutch Lady Pure Milk
9. Farmland Skim Milk
10. Greenfood Yili Pure Milk
11. Jinwei Drink
12. Jollycow Pure Fresh Milk
13. Jollycow Slender Low Fat Milk
14. KLIM Instant Full Cream Milk Powder 1.8kg
15. M&M Chocolate Brown 40gm
16. Meiji Hokkaido Azuki (red bean ice cream)
17. Meiji Ujikintoki (red bean and green tea frozen confection)
18. Mengniu Original Drink Milk
19. Mengniu Pure Milk
20. Milk Chocolate Bars/China
21. Milk Chocolate Candies?China
22. Milkboy repacked
23. Monmilk Breakfast Milk Walnut Milk Beverage
24. Monmilk High Calcium Low Fat Milk
25. Monmilk High Calcium Milk
26. Monmilk Milk Deluxe Pure Milk
27. Monmilk Pure Milk
28. Monmilk Suan Suan Ru Sour Milk Beverage (Mango flavor)
29. Natural Choice Milk Ice Bar
30. Nespray
31. Nestle Carnation Calcium Plus Non Fat Milk Powder (1.6kg)
32. Nestle Chocolate Flavor Ice Cream Cone
33. Nestle Dairy Farm Pure Milk
34. Nestle Vanilla Flavor Ice Cream Cone
35. Nutri Express Milk
36. Nutri-Express 15 Nutritional Elements (blue, red and orange label and cap)
37. Nutri-Express Milk
38. Nutri-Express Milk Green Apple
39. Prime Roast Cereals 28gm
40. Pura Fresh Milk
41. Snickers Brown 59gm
42. Strawberry Sorbet
43. Trappist Dairy Low Fat Yogurt drink
44. Vita Fresh Milk
45. Wahaha Orange
46. Wahaha Yellow
47. Want Want Milk Drink
48. Yili High Calcium 250ml
49. Yili High Calcium Milk 1L
50. Yili High Calcium Low Fat Milk Beverage
51. Yili Low Fat Milk 1L
52. Yili Milk
53. Yili Puremilk 250ml
54. Yili Puremilk 1L
55. Yinlu Milk Peanut

Film Showing: Discovering and Re-Discovering the Philippines

2008-09-30T19:40:00.003+08:00

The Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of San Bernardino and The National Alliance of Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) in cooperation with KODAO Productions

present

Discovering and Re-Discovering the Philippines

a documentary film by The Naida Alex Castro Foundation for Philippine Solidarity and Development

Saturday, October 11, 2008, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Glendale Public Library
222 East Harvard Street
Glendale, CA 91205

**free admission but donations gladly accepted**

view the trailer here:

Sunday Dress (by Francis Alex E. Tahud)

2008-09-29T15:35:00.004+08:00

Sunday Dress
(Francis Alex E. Tahud)

The way you smile, it melts my heart;
Your gleaming eyes, they comfort me;
Your enchanting face is like art
Painted by the Painter in glee;
We sit upon church pews apart,
Yet the distance, it's you I see.

Upon this dwelling place of praise,
I lift my hands in awe to Him;
Thanking Him for His gift of grace,
A sweet angel like you of glim;
O, everything is in slow pace
As you walk, I could see no dim.

And so I lay me heart to rest,
A dream of you and I no less;
Hoping one day, I'd get the best
A part of you is happiness:
Sorry if I'm not the finest,
You look good on your Sunday dress.

Straight from the horse's mouth

2008-09-24T11:55:00.004+08:00

"Islam is a religion in which Allah demands you to send your son to die for Him; Christianity is the faith in which God sent His Son to die for you." - John Ashcroft (79th United States Attorney General)

With All I Am

2008-09-23T13:46:00.003+08:00

Into Your hands, I commit again
With all I am, for You, Lord
You hold my world in the palm of Your hand
And I am Yours forever

Jesus, I believe in You
Jesus, I belong to You
You're the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am

I'll walk with You wherever You go
Through tears and joy, I'll trust in You
And I will live in all of Your ways
Your promises forever

I will worship You forever

Cagayan de Oro 1952

2008-09-22T11:45:00.011+08:00

Have you ever wondered what Cagayan de Oro City was back in the late 50s? Well, you're in luck! Here are some photos of old Cagayan de Oro. Still recognize them? (click photos to get the larger view)

Northern Mindanao Training Hospital (now Northern Mindanao Medical Center)

old Divisoria Kiosk facing west

old Divisoria Kiosk (the Cagayan Construction Supply building is now Crown Paper)

old Macabalan Wharf

old Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol

old Xavier University Administrative Building

Philippine Boxing (Political Style) Part 1

2008-09-17T13:05:00.018+08:00

I'm in a boxing mood, can't you see? Never mind. hehehe

Anyway, have you ever wondered how it would be like to see your favorite politicians or personalities close to politics (sarcastic smile) suit up the boxing gloves? How would they be able to square off against their colleagues in the business (no pun intended. hehehe) atop the four-sided ring? Well well well, you're in luck folks! In this post, we will simulate them, as if they were still fit to fight, and tackle every inch of their match-ups. Brace yourselves!

Okay, before we start, Manny Pacquiao is excluded in this simulation because, I think all of us already know, he will be running for office in the 2010 elections. Blah! Mani Pakyaw.

Match 1
Manny Villar vs Ping Lacson

Tale of the Tape
Villar
*59 years old
*Senator of the Philippines

Lacson
*60 years old
*Senator of the Philippines

The fight:
Lacson studies the moves of Villar and continues to land straights at Villar during rounds 1 and 2. Villar on the other hand, tries to move away from the punches of Lacson. Villar's left eye starts to swell in round 2 from the continuous assault of Lacson. In round 3, after sizing Villar in the corner, Lacson lands a left uppercut, which he learned way back when he was still in the police department, to the jaw of Villar. It sent Villar straight to the floor. Lacson wins in 3 rounds via TKO.

Match 2
Joe de Venecia vs Prospero Nograles

Tale of the Tape
de Venecia
*71 years old
*former Speaker of the House of the Representatives of the Philippines
Nograles
*60 years old
*incumbent Speaker of the House of the Representatives of the Philippines

The fight:
This is a grudge match. As the bell rang, both fighters quickly slugged it out. Nograles lands powerful bombs to the body of JDV but JDV absorbs it well due to his wide frame. The punches that JDV throws were easily outmaneuvered by the more versatile Nograles. Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 went by like a breeze. The action in every round became more and more furious. Both men are now blooded with cuts on their faces. And in round 6, JDV, thinking this was the perfect time to avenge his displacement as the Speaker because of Nograles, low blows Nograles which sent his opponent down to the canvas. The referee signaled the fight over with JDV disqualified and Nograles winning the match.

Match 3
Lito Atienza vs Alfredo Lim

Tale of the Tape
Atienza
*67 years old
*former Mayor of the City of Manila
Lim
*78 years old
*incumbent Mayor of the City of Manila

The fight:
Atienza enters the ring wearing his flower-printed polo with his boxing adviser Manny Pacquiao, while Lim was accompanied by Manila policemen. After given the instruction by the referee, the two fighters quickly engaged themselves in a brawl. Lim weaved forward while throwing timely straights and jabs at Atienza. He dictated the match from the opening bell up to round 6 but couldn't knock Atienza down. During round 7, Atienza picked his tempo up and started to attack Lim with furious punches. Atienza's second wind started to kick in while Lim was slowly fading away. This was because of the organic tea he drank last night that kuya Kim (his son) gave to him while his son was on a jungle adventure somewhere in the Philippines. The match went all the way to round 12. The judges scored a split decision favoring Atienza. The score was very close that it could have gone either way. It was the flower-printed polo that gave Atienza the win because there was an added 1 point bonus to the best in costume.

Match 4
Jinggoy Estrada vs Chavit Singson

Tale of the Tape
Estrada
*45 years old
*Senator of the Philippines
Singson
*67 years old
*former Governor of the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines

The fight:
Estrada attacks Singson furiously in the opening round and throws powerful bombs at Singson. A left hook lands at the chin of Singson and dazes him but he recovers from the punch. Estrada continues to bombard Singson with lefts and rights in rounds 2 and 3. Round 4 saw a knockdown when Singson ate the uppercut of Estrada. Singson beats the count of the referee as the bell rang. When round 5 started, Estrada began to attack Singson again with his throws, a powerful straight lands again at the chin of Singson, he fell down, this time he was knocked out cold. Estrada wins via a 5th round stoppage. After the fight, Singson received 10 million US Dollar after winning the bet. He was betting that Estrada would beat him badly. Score!

Match 5
Mike Arroyo vs Satur Ocampo

Tale of the Tape
Arroyo
*62 years old
*First Gentleman of the Philippines
Ocampo
*69 years old
*partylist Representative of Bayan Muna

The fight:
As the two fighters positioned themselves on the ring, with ZTE officials cheering for the First Gentleman, FG Arroyo suddenly collapsed. He was rushed immediately to a near by hospital. It was later found out that FG Arroyo had an aortic aneurysm. The fight was ruled a no-contest. Boooooooo!

That's it for now, folks. Want more matches? Stay tuned! =)

The Legendary Francisco Guilledo a.k.a Pancho Villa

2008-09-16T19:50:00.016+08:00

Way before the rise of the Manny Pacquiaos, the Gerry Peñalosas, the Nonito Donaires, the Donnie Nieteses, the Rey Bautistas, the AJ Banals, or even the Luisito Espinosas, the Ceferino Garcias, and the Gabriel Elordes, there was a diminutive Filipino that caught the attention of Filipinos and American boxing aficionados back in the 1920s -- Pancho Villa, the alias used by the legendary Filipino flyweight boxer Francisco Guilledo.

Considered by many as the greatest Asian fighter in boxing history, this Ilog, Negros Occidental native, born in August 1, 1901, stood 5-feet-1 and weighed 114 pounds. He had 109 fights tuck under his belt with an amazing record of 92 wins (24 KOs), 8 losses, 4 draws, and 5 no-contests. Until his tragic death at age 24, Villa, who fought aggressively and owned an iron chin, never experienced tasting the canvas throughout his career and would sometimes go out of his class to fight featherweights and even lightweights.

He fought professionally in 1919 against Kid Castro and in two years, he easily claimed the Philippine flyweight title from Terrible Pondo. In May of 1922, Villa received an offer by Tex Rickard to fight in the United States. He then sailed to the U.S. with his managers Frank Churchill and Paquito Villa. Pancho Villa immediately made a name for himself after sterling victories over Abe Attel Goldstein (rematch), Frankie Mason, Young Montreal, and Johnny Buff. He captured the American Flyweight title with an upset win against Johnny Buff via an 11th round TKO. He then lost his crown the following year in a rematch against Frankie Genaro in a controversial decision.

By this time, Villa was already very popular amongst boxing fans in the United States. Because of his popularity, Jimmy Wilde, a hard-punching British-born boxer, was forced to come out of his early retirement to challenge the Filipino phenom. In June 18, 1923 (see video below), at the Polo Grounds in New York, with over 20,000 fans screaming "Villa! Villa", he knocked out the defending champion Jimmy Wilde in the 7th round with a single right that smashed Wilde's jaw to capture the World Flyweight title and caused the Welshman to retire permanently from boxing. The Filipino slugger successfully defended his belt several times until his untimely death two years later.

Upon Villa's return to the Philippines, he received a hero's welcome in Manila on September 1924. We has invited to Malacañang for a victory party and returned home to Negros and stayed there for a couple of months. Then on May 2, 1925 he defeated Clever Sencio in Manila soil for his final victory, and the second to the last fight of his life.

Pancho Villa returned to the United States for his non-title fight against Jimmy McLarnin that was scheduled for July 4, 1925 at Ewing Field in Oakland. Days before the fight, Villa's face became swollen due to an ulcerated tooth. Not wanting to disappoint his fans, he opted to continue the fight against McLarnin despite a badly swollen jaw. Because of these circumstances, Villa eventually lost. After the fight, an infection was discovered after he went to the dentist to have more of his teeth extracted. Villa ignored the dentist's instructions to rest and return for a check-up, and instead, went out with his friends and partied. The infection worsened, and on July 13, 1925, he was rushed to the hospital by his trainer Whitey Ekwert where it was found out that the infection had spread to his throat. He lapsed into a coma and died at the hospital of Ludwig's Angina the following day, July 14, 1925. In 1989 though, his widow -- then 84 years old -- insisted that a gambling syndicate, which was common during those times, was the cause of her husband's death. The death of the champion Pancho Villa was really planned after the big money loss in the Jimmy McLarnin non-title fight. Villa was heavily favored to win the fight and his defeat was a major upset. According to the accounts of Mrs. Villa, her husband was injected an overdose of anaesthetic resulting to his deathbed.

Villa was a gentleman on the ring. He was known during his time as being one of the cleanest fighters around, always showing concern for his opponents and always, after knocking a foe down, immediately turning away and walking to his corner (this was before rules requiring going to a neutral corner).

His untimely death at such a young age of 24 was mourned by a nation that loved him very well. He was revered as a national hero for being the very first Filipino world champion. And in 1961, it was only fitting, he was enshrined into the Ring Magazine boxing Hall of Fame. In 1994, he was also included in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the second Filipino to be honored after Gabriel Elorde. He opened the doors for many Filipino boxers (including the greats) in the international boxing circuit. Because of the great Francisco 'Pancho Villa' Guilledo, the world came to know what Philippine boxing is. And as they say it, the rest is history.

She's an Angel

2008-09-13T00:54:00.005+08:00

I really had no intentions of posting this entry here. To tell you the truth, this is very awkward for me because I am not accustomed to this. It is not my nature to talk about it, but I guess my emotions have won me over. I couldn't stop the love sensation gushing through every parts of my body now. Do I sound emo to you? Hahahaha! I'm no emo. I feel that this is the right time to write it here in my blog. Do I sound inspired to you? Yes, I am! Hehehehe. So, here I go. I'm gonna make this short and sweet (yeah, right!).

Call this infatuation or whatever but this thing that I am feeling right now is unexplainable, at least for me. I have never felt like this since my high school days, when back then I had the first hand experience of what really love is (yuck! I so sound emo! Blah!!) hehehehe. Not even when I entered college that I encountered this happy feeling, well, save for now. Yes, like the song 'Beating Hearts Baby' of Head Automatica, that's the status of my heart, it's beating again (yuck! yuck! yuck! emmmoooo!!!) hahahaha!

She's an angel while I'm only a commoner, she's a Princess while I'm only a servant, and she's Heaven while I'm only Earth. That's how far our worlds are. The first time my eyes laid on her picturesque stature, I was caught off-guard. Love at first sight? I guess. Hehehehe. I cherish every fleeting moment that I get a chance to catch a glimpse of her and if I get lucky, talk to her. Torpe kaayo ko no? Samoka ani oi! To top all, SHE'S A DEVOTED CHRISTIAN! Oh, Lord.. Give me the strength.. She's the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with. Now I'm emo.

The Soundtrack of My Life

2008-09-09T19:43:00.010+08:00

Ahoy mates! How are you?

In this post, I will share to you the soundtrack of my life, if I may say. These artists, in a way, managed to carve a big space in my musical sensibilities. Their music inspires me and have molded me to what I am now and the way I think. They may not be the best artists in the world musicality-wise, but their songs have transcended far beyond the horizon of just plain music. The sound and lyrics they create speaks for themselves. Honest music for humanity.

Here they are (in order)...

30. Propagandhi
29. Manafest
28. Tropical Depression
27. The English Beat
26. Grace Nono
25. Laurel Aitken
24. Culture
23. Joey Ayala
22. Philippine Violators
21. Unashamed
20. Junior Murvin
19. Cynthia Alexander
18. The Clash
17. Desmond Dekker
16. Sex Pistols
15. Betrayed
14. Desperation Band
13. Dead Ends
12. Don Moen
11. Prince Buster
10. Thursday
9. Yano
8. The Selecter
7. The Specials
6. At the Drive-In
5. Put3ska
4. Hillsong United
3. Bob Marley
2. Rage Against the Machine
1. The Skatalites

Until my next post, comrades! Be safe!

(if you are not familiar with some of the abovementioned artists, I urge you to listen to their music)

if a picture could talk

2008-09-03T13:54:00.002+08:00

Brothers and Sisters in Christ (3rd Day Uth family)

3rd Day Uth Sunday

2008-09-02T14:47:00.003+08:00

Mere words couldn't perfectly capture the euphoria I was in during the whole 3rd Day Uth Sunday last August 31, 2008. Webster Dictionary couldn't even supply a word that would describe how I felt.

The feeling I had when I was on the pulpit reading the Bible, singing praises to our Lord Jesus Christ, and performing my part in our 'Awesome God' skit was a dream come true. Not only that, I felt God was standing beside me the whole time.

I felt really blessed that I was able to deliver my part and I know for sure, because of God's work, many were also blessed with all the performances we did. Even though we had to squeeze every ounce of strength we had during our practices, not to speak that it was also time-demanding, it was all worth it. And I mean worth it with a capital W-O-R-T-H I-T. We owe it to You, Lord!

The experience was a roller coaster ride, from the practices up the final day itself. There were many ups and downs and if God wasn't there with us, we would have easily surrendered to the pressure. But God had planned everything ahead. He wanted us to finish what we started, and that's what we did. If ever I have to ride the roller coaster again, I would do it with you guys again and again, my 3DU family.

I couldn't name each and everyone of you but rest assured that in your little ways, you made a big positive impact in my life, and I thank you for that. I know this will sound corny and chessy but I couldn't care less, each one of you guys hold a special place in my heart. Thanks for welcoming me in the 3DU family and Glory to God!

Photos available at www.nluvwdjesus.multiply.com (Kitty's Multiply account)

The Philippines at the Olympics

2008-08-27T13:56:00.011+08:00

After the 2008 Beijing Olympics pulled the curtains down, as expected, the Philippine delegates came home empty handed with no medals to show. The 15-strong RP athletes, competing in eight different sporting events, were no match against the rest of the field. Not even one managed to enter the second round in their respective events. Mark Javier (Archery), Henry Dagmil and Marestella Torres (Athletics), Harry Tañamor (Boxing), Rexel Ryan Fabriga and Sheila Mae Perez (Diving), Eric Ang (Shooting), Miguel Molina, Daniel Coakley, Ryan Paolo Arabejo, James Walsh, and Christel Simms (Swimming), Tshomlee Go and Mary Antoinette Rivero (Taekwondo) and Hidilyn Diaz (Weightlifting) all succumbed to their opponents.

So what now? Remember the old saying it's back to the drawing board again? Well, whattayouknow, screw that saying! We DON'T NEED TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AGAIN for crying out loud! We did that a million times already and the result? You guessed it right my dear friend, a big fat egg and a rotten bacon. What we need to do in order to propagate Philippine sports in general is a change, a RADICAL CHANGE that is. Because if we keep on doing the same process in fostering and training our athletes and hoping that one day they'll turn out to be a la Michael Phelps, THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN! You see, we are lagging miles and miles behind in sports in the world stage.

We cannot blame our athletes, and they shouldn't be, for not competing well. Rest assured that they gave their 101 percent best in fighting for a medal chance. But as the song Just Once of James Ingarm goes, "I did my best, but I guess my best wasn't good enough," is the best way to describe the status of our athletes. It was very hard for them to compete against superior athletes from other nations, plus the pressure of giving the millions of Filipinos around the world the first Olympic gold medal. If there is to be blamed for our poor showing in the history of the Olympics, it is our government for the lack of support. They are the sole responsible why since the 1924 Olympics in Paris, France, we only managed to amass nine medals (two silver medals and seven bronze medals).

Let's put it this way, during the Spanish colonial time, many Filipinos revolted against the Spanish regime. There were many coup attempts done by Filipinos but, if not all, most of them failed. We were very good in combat but our bolos and spears were no match against their guns and ammunitions, and just like in sports, our athletes are also very good but the training and preparations they went through is a far cry from that of the athletes of other nations. I mean, the way other nations train their athletes is superb. They really put great emphasis to their athletes' training by giving them high standard facilities where they could train and prepare. Logically speaking, they should excel and dominate the field. Can we match them with the way we handle our athletes? I think not.

It is now due time that the Philippine government should make drastic moves if they want Filipino athletes to be competitive in the world stage. Please give Philippine sports a break this time! If you really have to steal, go steal somewhere else, but please don't jeopardize our athletes' training facilities. Give them the due support they badly need. And again, don't steal the funds that are intended for the development of Philippine sports, go steal somewhere else!

Mabuhay ang mga atletang Pinoy! Ibagsak ang mga buwaya sa gobyerno!

Another Skatalite passes on (Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore R.I.P)

2008-08-22T13:13:00.007+08:00

Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore (1938-2008)

Press Releases:

The Skatalites official website

"We deeply regret to inform you that on Aug 16, 2008, John Arlington Moore a.k.a. Dizzy Johnny passed away after a long battle with colon cancer. Johnny was a founding member and trumpeter of The Skatalites and had his own career before and after the Skatalites and was known for such reggae hits as "Rockfort Rock" and "Swing Easy", as well as touring with Bunny Wailer since the 80's and recently had also been touring with The Jamaican All Stars. Dizzy was the most featured soloist on Studio One label started by Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd in the late 50's. Examples of this work can be found on material of such icons as Bob Marley, Toots and The Maytals, Dawn Penn, and many more. He will be deeply missed by all of us, fans, friends, and family."

From JamaicaObsever.com

"Internationally recognized trumpeter 'Dizzy' Johnny Moore, a founding member of the Skatalites and ska innovator died yesterday afternoon at his home in Kingston. For the past seven months the 70-year-old Moore had been bravely battling colon cancer, but finally gave up the fight.

John Arlington Moore was born in Kingston on October 5, 1938 to a family that did not consider music a favourable or viable career. But when young Johnny noticed a neighborhood lad playing the drums, he asked, "Bwoy, where did you learn to do that?" "Alpha," said the lad. "Whoa, I got to go to that place," was Moore's response.

The problem with Johnny's desire was: only wayward youths were admitted to Alpha. To qualify, he purposely caused enough mischief for his mother to take him and enroll him there. As he put it, "I had to pull a couple of pranks so that they figured I was going haywire."

At Alpha, Johnny Moore studied alongside other future luminaries such as Don Drummond, Lester Sterling and Rico Rodriguez. Under the tutelage of the nuns, he exhibited a sound academic aptitude, and with bandmaster Ruben Delgado's guidance, young Moore discovered his musical voice in the trumpet. He also displayed a keen interest in the harmonic refinement of musical composition, studied printing and excelled at electronics, for which he won a prize as the school's outstanding technician. On graduation, Moore went on to join the Jamaica Military Band where he earned the nickname "Johnny Blow Blow" because of his insistent practice of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker's music, instead of Beethoven and Bach's, which was favoured by the military band. He was discharged after three years for "not [being] amenable to military discipline, though a good musician".

Moore next worked with the Mapletoft Poulle Orchestra, but was soon forced to quit because of his Rastafari beliefs. According to Dizzy, Poulle "was a lawyer and leader of one of society's top bands. I stayed with his band until my hair grew too long and he figured it was time for me to get a haircut". Away from the social scene, Dizzy grew his locks, adorned himself in burlap cloth and spent his time between the Dungle in West Kingston and Count Ossie's Camp on Wareika Hill in Rockfort.

Jazz sensibilities, Rastafari concepts and the drums of Count Ossie shaped Johnny Moore's mature musical personality and inspired bandleader and camp companion Tommy McCook to reason with him, encouraging him to cut his locks and join the Skatalites.

It was his dazzling solos that earned Johnny his moniker "Dizzy," and it was the Skatalites through which he established himself as the leading trumpeter of the idiom. Arguably the most recorded soloist of the era, among the hundreds of recordings on which "Dizzy" Johnny is featured are Something Special, Ringo, Man in the Street, Schooling the Duke, the Wailers' Love and Affection, Lonesome Feeling, and Nice Time.

Funeral arrangements will be announced.

He is survived by his mother, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren."

From Jamaica-Gleaner.com

"Moore succumbed to cancer at a friend's home, said musicologist.

Herbie Miller, who knew the musician for more than 30 years. Moore had been ailing for some time and was recently discharged from hospital.

Miller hailed Moore as the "most creative thinking musician of the ska period".

Moore is the sixth member of the legendary band to die. Trombonist Don Drummond, keyboardist Jackie Mittoo, saxophonists Tommy McCook and Roland Alphonso and Jerome 'Jah Jerry' Hinds predeceased him.

Kingston born

The band, which formed in 1964, still tours with three surviving members: bassist Lloyd Brevette, drummer Lloyd Knibbs and saxophonist Lester Sterling.

Moore was born in Kingston and got his musical training at the Alpha Boys School in St Andrew. Because of his choice of instrument, he was nicknamed 'Dizzy' after the great American trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie.

Like Moore, McCook, Drummond and Sterling attended Alpha. Along with Alphonso, they formed the classic Skatalites horn section that played on enduring songs like, Freedom Sounds, Guns of Navarone, Confucius and Eastern Standard Time.

The original band stayed together for just over one year, recording for various producers before splitting up. Moore went on to play at Studio One for producer Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd and at the rival Treasure Isle which was run by Arthur 'Duke' Reid.

The Skatalites reformed in 1982 and have toured the United States and Europe many times, winning new fans and earning two Grammy nominations for Best Reggae Album.

Moore never figured for long in the revived band, reportedly due to differences with McCook. He toured the US with Bunny Wailer and recorded with new roots-reggae acts, such as Yami Bolo.

In recent years, Moore became an in-demand source on early Jamaican pop music and life at Alpha during the 1940s. And in recent times received an OD for his contribution to the music industry.

Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore is survived by his mother, four children and grandchildren."

Peace in Mindanao

2008-08-18T22:57:00.005+08:00

Guns and ammunitions will never be the answer in healing the war-stricken Mindanao! We are all Filipinos regardless of the faith we follow! Please don't deprive us the peace that has evaded our land for decades!

Charter Change Once More!

2008-08-13T21:59:00.004+08:00

"I will not run in 2004", Arroyo's infamous declaration.

Now, she's at it again. The proposal to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution by embracing federalism just shows that Mrs. Arroyo is clearly determined to extend her residence at Malacañang. Her lips-sealed on the controversies that surround the ancestral domain issue and tension between military men and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao proves that she's just using it as a mechanism to push forward her real agenda, and that is charter change (cha-cha).

Shifting to federalism would give the government the power to remove important constitutional protections for the public good in the charter. And why would they do that? the answer my friend is to perpetuate Arroyo in power.

Her administration is banking on the possibility that escalating the tension in Mindanao, which they made, will open the door for charter change via federalism through the expense of the Moros and Christians in Mindanao.

It seems that the Arroyo regime is willing to use any source, by hook or by crook, in order for them to cling to the top and be in command. They are not wary anymore of what their actions will bring to the people of Mindanao and the Philippines in general. Horrifically, they are even determined to start a war in Mindanao to prove their point in opening the doors of charter change once again.

Why didn't I think of that?

2008-08-10T23:41:00.015+08:00

I was browsing through cyberspace when I came upon these interesting innovations from our Japanese brothers and sisters. I just have to post them here because it would be a crime if I let them rot without letting you see these ingenious works hehehehe. But kidding aside, they're really amusing and funny at the same time, am I right? What can you say? Here they are. Enjoi!

Sneezy? Use this in public and you'll be the laughing stock, guaranteed! hehehe

This isn't a bad idea actually. The only problem I see is if the person inside could breathe properly.

This one's a very good idea also. Convenient and easy to use.

At first it can be funny, but in the long run this idea is resourceful.

If a smoker like you uses this device, you'll end up 1 hour in lighting your cigarette.

Now why would I hassle myself with this if I could just simply tie my hair?

This is plain.... uhmmm... useless?

Brilliant idea! No spills 100% hehehe.

The Philippine Basketball National Team

2008-08-09T23:59:00.010+08:00

Midterm week is finally over! What a sigh of relief!

With that being said, it's time to go blogging once again.

I am a very passionate fan of basketball ever since. Even though I already stopped playing the game seriously (I was a varsity player in my elementary and high school years), the fervor still remains. I guess basketball will always be forever in my blood.

The XXIX Beijing Olympics already kick-started last August 8, 2008 at 8:08pm, and one of the events I am very keen on watching is... you guessed it right, it's basketball! Hehehe. Call me bitter or whatever, but I still think that it should be our national team playing the spot of Iran. We were very close of beating this team in the 2007 Asian Championships (served as the qualifying stage of the 2008 Olympics) and we let it slip through the tip of our fingers. Too bad but it was a lesson learned.

My hopes for Philippine basketball is still very high. I strongly believe that our goal is very achievable, that is to bring our national team on the big stage again. With this, here is my updated shortlist of 'possible' candidates that will form our national basketball team vying for a slot on the 2010 World Championships and the 2012 London Olympics.

Top 12:

Samigue Eman - 6'10" (Magnolia Beverage Masters)
Why him?
*Forget that old adage of height doesn't matter because in the game of basketball, height does really matter. He's the tallest pro player we have right now.

Asi Taulava - 6'9" (Coca-Cola Tigers)
Why him?
*He brings veteran leadership to the team plus he's the most dominating big man the Philippines has right now.

Mick Pennisi - 6'9" (Red Bull Barako)
Why him?
*A big man whose outside shooting is very good.

Yancy de Ocampo - 6'9" (Talk 'N Text Phone Pals)
Why him?
*Both him and Mick Pennisi can bring their game beyond the arc and shoot the lights out when we face taller and heftier opponents.

Rafi Reavis - 6'8" (Barangay Ginebra Kings)
Why him?
*Athletic and a good rebounder as well.

Kelly Williams - 6'7" (Sta. Lucia Realtors)
Why him?
*Perhaps the most explosive wingman we have to our name.

Danny Seigle - 6'7" (Magnolia Beverage Masters)
Why him?
*Even though injury-plagued, he's still dangerous and explosive. Along with Asi Taulava and Jimmy Alapag, they have the most experience when it comes to international tournaments.

Kerby Raymundo - 6'6" (Purefoods TJ Giants)
Why him?
*Very hard-working when it comes to rebounds and owns a good outside shot.

Gabe Norwood - 6'5" (insert PBA team here)
Why him?
*Soon to be the number 1 draft choice of "insert PBA team here" in the 2008 PBA Rookie Draft. An athletic all-around player who could create mismatches on the guard spot.

Mark Caguioa - 6'1" (Barangay Ginebra Kings)
Why him?
*Can burn the hoops at any given time. Period.

Jayjay Helterbrand - 5'11" (Barangay Ginebra Kings)
Why him?
*One of the best point guards the Philippines currently have.

Jimmy Alapag - 5'9" (Talk 'N Text Phone Pals)
Why him?
*The best point guard in the Philippines now. His veteran leadership would be a vital cog to the team's success.

Coah: Yeng Guiao (Red Bull Barako)
Why him?
*The most consistent coach in the PBA. He has turned Red Bull Barako as a perennial championship team contender after losing all their star players.

Reserves:

Jay Washington - 6'7" (Talk 'N Text Phone Pals)
Mike Hrabak - 6'7" (Red Bull Barako)
Dondon Hontiveros - 6'3" (Magnolia Beverage Masters)
James Yap - 6' 3" (Purefoods TJ Giants)

Good old days...

Mexico vs. Philippines (30-32) at the 1936 Olympics

1954 Philippine National Basketball Team

study now; post later

2008-08-07T20:18:00.005+08:00

It's been over a week since I last sat in front of the computer. Been very busy with school stuff (midterms) and with our youth group (3rd Day Uth) in church lately. Oh by the way, we'll be handling the church services this August 31, 2008 since it's the annual Youth Sunday. I'm very excited with this event. All for the glory of God!

More posts soon... Study now; post later! =)