Only in the Philippines!

Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 Video 1!

2009-11-02T15:31:00.003+08:00

More Filipinos rate themselves poor!

2009-10-30T09:22:00.000+08:00

Seven out of 10 Filipinos consider themselves poor, an increase of more than four percent from the last survey, according to the October poll conducted by research organization Ibon Foundation that was released on Thursday.

Malacañang, for its part, downplayed the survey results and said the poll was conducted shortly after two devastating storms that left many people despondent. Ibon said the survey was conducted to find out the people’s perception of the economy, their livelihood and income, government performance, and other pressing issues.

The nationwide survey conducted last October 2 to 8 among 1,496 respondents showed that 71.4 percent of Filipinos rate themselves as poor. The figure is higher than the 67 percent who said they were poor in the preceding survey conducted in July.

Correspondingly, the number of Filipinos who do not consider themselves poor slightly declined to 21.52 percent from 22.01 percent last July.

Almost six percent of Filipinos are unsure of their status.

According to Ibon, the results are “not surprising” since 57 percent of the respondents also said their family’s income is not enough to meet their needs, an increase from 53 percent in July.

About 1.20 percent of Filipinos said they have more than enough to satisfy their needs, while 57.02 percent said their income is not enough for their daily needs.

Likewise, 47.3 percent of the respondents said there is not enough jobs/livelihood in their area, higher than the 39.2 percent in the last survey round.

Meanwhile, 47.26 percent of Filipinos believe there are available jobs but not enough for the unemployed individuals.

Some 27.14 percent said there are no job opportunities in there area.

Ibon noted that the increase in the number of poor Filipinos nationwide could be attributed to the increase in the number of poor respondents in the National Capital Region (NCR).

A total of 62.4 percent of respondents in the NCR rated themselves as poor in the October survey, up from 49.5 percent in July.

The Ibon survey has a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.

Malacañang for its part downplayed the latest Ibon survey.

Presidential economic spokesperson Gary Olivar and Deputy presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said the research group conducted the survey after the onslaught of typhoons that are reflected in the poll results.

“While we are not questioning their technical capability, they have known political sympathies,” Olivar said.

Fajardo also explained that given the circumstances, the survey yielded such outcome. (With a report from Charissa M. Luci)

Source: ELLALYN B. DE VERA, http://mb.com.ph

Mar, Korina exchange 'I do's' today!

2009-10-27T15:35:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - After five years together, a two-day postponement (from Oct. 25 to 27), two-life altering events (a political decision and a super typhoon), Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas and broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez walk down the aisle of the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City today before some 2,000 guests in what has long been touted as the “Wedding of the Year.”

Undated photos show Sen. Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez as toddlers: ‘Whatever happens in the future, it is Korina who is with me and we’ll go through it together.

The Roxas-Sanchez nuptials unite high society with the working middle class, politics and show business, the newsmaker and the news reporter. And despite bets (mostly from women) that it wouldn’t push through, tales of disapproval and political strategizing (mostly from men), the wedding unfolds in what the groom describes as the beginning of “a great adventure.”

Roxas says no one knows what the future will bring, “what and where every twist and turn will be, what the peaks and troughs are, what the surprises will be.”

“The only certainty is magkasama naming haharapin ang lahat na ito (we will face all this together),” Roxas, 52, who has a 15-year-old son Paolo Gerardo, told The STAR. Paolo will be his father’s best man.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s like starting off on a great adventure with a traveling companion, someone I want to be with,” Roxas added. “The adventure is not in what we’ll see or encounter but that whatever it is, it is Korina who is with me and we’ll go through it together.”

The “adventure” will begin with an eight-day honeymoon in Japan after the wedding.

Sanchez, 45, who will wear a Pepito Albert wedding gown of embroidered piña that she will accent with antique tambourine brooches belonging to her late mother Celia, told The STAR that for Roxas, she is ready to say goodbye to her 25-year career in broadcast journalism.

“As I have agreed to marry, I am even closer to saying goodbye to my 25-year career in news. I will continue doing Rated K but hard-core journalism may have to wait a while before I can get back to it. This is a very serious matter for me and a difficult decision to have made. Mar knows how much I love him,” she said.

Roxas gave up his presidential bid just over a month ago to give way to Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, one of today’s principal sponsors. They are running under the Liberal Party, to which their late fathers, Senators Gerardo Roxas and Benigno Aquino Jr., respectively, belonged.

Aside from Aquino, the sponsors are Chief Justice Reynato Puno, former Senate president Jovito Salonga, ABS-CBN president Eugenio Lopez III, Jorge Araneta, Red Cross governor Rosa Rosal, broadcast journalist Cheche Lazaro, Ruby Roxas, Baby Fores and Helen Costales.

Aside from her mother’s brooches, Sanchez will wear one of her late father Ramon’s cufflinks “somewhere on my body.” She says she will miss her parents, “who came from families of meager means but worked hard and well to afford the good life they gave us, their children.”

“My parents will be part of this ceremony, no matter what,” Sanchez vowed.

Sanchez admitted that having been an independent-minded journalist and commentator, adjusting to the role of political wife would not be easy. “I’ve never liked politics, I like it even less now that I am so close to it. So marrying into politics is not a prospect I particularly savor.”

But she is entering into the marriage with eyes wide open, saying, “I am aware of whom I said yes to marrying. I think he also is aware of who he has asked to marry him.”

Due to the devastation wrought on the country a month ago by tropical storm “Ondoy,” the couple has decided to forgo a reception at the Araneta Coliseum and instead donate the money earmarked for the reception to rehabilitation efforts.

In a daze

Roxas, who had withdrawn from the presidential race to give way to Aquino, has always said that matters of the heart were separate from politics when speculations floated that his wedding might also be called off.

“Ask me tomorrow about how I feel,” Roxas said as he admitted he was in a daze.

Yesterday afternoon, Roxas and Aquino swore in to the LP local executives from Cavite led by Gov. Erineo “Ayong” Malicsi, who were previously allied with the administration and the LP group led by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza.

The Filipiniana-themed wedding at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City at 3 p.m. is expected to gather the who’s who in politics and show business as well as representatives from various political organizations, non-government organizations and communities.

“We can sacrifice our dream wedding. What’s important is that we’re finally getting married,” said Sanchez, whose matron of honor will be Dang Cecilio-Palanca.

The ring bearer will be actress Kris Aquino’s son, James Yap Jr., while Miguel Sanchez and Matthew Garcia will be the coin and Bible bearers, respectively.

Aquino quipped during the program for the swearing in of Cavite leaders that he was at first reluctant to be the godfather of Roxas and Sanchez because “I would like to be married too” someday.

He said there was a traditional Filipino belief that single men who become sponsors at a wedding would remain bachelors. Roxas said it was not true because he stood as sponsor in many weddings before he himself decided to marry.

Aquino told reporters he could not say no to his friends Roxas and Sanchez and agreed to stand as sponsor in place of his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino.

Aquino, an ex-boyfriend of Sanchez, said he had not yet prepared a gift for his godchildren and that he was happy for them.

He said there would probably be no need for him to give any advice as godfather because “the two are not having any problems.”

Aquino said he would like to have his own family too but at the moment his engagement was to the people and marriage would have to wait.

Meanwhile, Malacañang wished Roxas and Sanchez good luck in their new life as a married couple. – With Aurea Calica, Paolo Romero

By Joanne Rae Ramirez
The Philippine Star

Joseph Estrada rdeclares his intntion to run as President: "This is my last performance"!

2009-10-22T21:30:00.001+08:00

2 analysts say 'Erap magic' won't work again

MANILA - Dismissing a Palace warning that he is barred from running again in May 2010, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Wednesday declared to thousands of his supporters gathered in Tondo in Manila that he will again run for the presidency.

“Kaya po tinatanggap ko ang hamon at hiling ng ating mga kababayan upang ibalik ang dangal ng mga api, ng mga masang Pilipino, upang ibalik ang pag-asa sa mga mahihirap, upang ibalik ang tinig ng masang Pilipino. Kaya't ako, sumusumpa ako, na ako si Joseph Ejercito Estrada, ay lalahok sa susunod na halalan upang muling maglingkod sa masang Pilipino bilang Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas,” said Estrada in a rally at Plaza Hernandez in Tondo.

Estrada, who is also an actor, won the presidency in 1998, but was ousted in a military-backed civilian revolt in January 2001, leading to the assumption of President Arroyo.

“This is the last performance of my life. And I will not fail you. Ito pong laban na ito ang magiging huling laban sa pelikula ng aking buhay. Nguni't ang magiging bida dito ay hindi ako kung hindi ang masang Pilipino,” said Estrada.

Estrada also announced his running mate will be Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay.

“Ikinagagalak ko ring ipaalam na ang aming napiling maging susunod na bise presidente ay ang natatanging alkalde na kinikilalang isa sa pinakamagaling sa ating bansa,” Estrada told his supporters, citing Binay’s records and achievements as chief executive of the country’s premiere financial district.

Political party, Senatorial ticket

The former president also announced that he will run under the banner of the United Opposition (UNO) coalition of his political party, Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino and Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban or PDP-Laban.

He said that those who will be included in the senatorial lineup would be Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, his reelectionist son Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, NBN-ZTE whistleblower Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Makati City 1st district Rep. Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Aquillino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Estrada said Pimentel was included in the lineup even though he has yet to decide if he would run due to a pending protest against Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri in the 2007 elections.

He also said the guest candidates who would be adopted are Agusan Del Sur Rep. Rodolfo 'Ompong' Plaza and Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago.

In a 40-minute speech, Estrada laid out his political and economic platform and defended his record as president. He also criticized the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and promised to continue programs to help the poor.

Estrada told Reuters in an interview last month he would run in the May 2010 election to clear his name and leave a legacy as "the man who championed the cause of the masses."

In an interview after his announcement on Wednesday, Estrada also said he was overwhelmed by the number of people who attended his rally. Manila police estimated the crowd to be 10,000.

2 analysts doubt 'Erap magic' will work again

Two political experts, meanwhile, doubt former President Joseph Estrada can still work the so-called "Erap magic" that gave him close to 11 million votes when he ran for president in 1998.

Political Science Prof. Edwin Tayao of the University of Sto. Tomas doubts Estrada's ratings in recent surveys, particularly since Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party announced his intention to run for president, would still peak.

"Whether we like it or not, we've already had a taste of Erap. So that will be part of the choice of the people. Whether that will translate to the same popularity is another question," Tayao told ANC on Wednesday.

Atty. Edwin Lacierda, constitutional law professor of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and Eastern University Institute of Law agreed.

"For the longest time, nagsu-survey, laging kasama sya. Whether he declared or not, alam ng tao tatakbo siya. Hanggang doon na lang numbers niya. Tapos pumasok si Noynoy, biglang bagsak numbers niya. What does it say? It says that kinain na ni Noynoy iyong preference for Erap. (Estrada was always included in surveys. The people knew he was going to run whether he declared or not. His numbers will stay the same. Then Noynoy came in, his numbers suddenly went down. Preference for Erap has transferred to Noynoy.)," Lacierda said.

Lacierda called Noynoy the "game-changer."

"The entry of Noynoy really changed the whole scenario. (Nacionalista Party’s Sen. Manuel ) Villar was doing well. Look at his numbers right now. It seemed it has peaked," he explained.

Tayao and Lacierda added that it would be hard for Estrada to shake off the perception that he was corrupt while he was in Malacañang.

"So talagang kahit sabihin niyang gusto kong ituloy campaign ko para sa mahihirap, nakita nating kung ano'ng klase ang Cabinet niya (Even if he says he wants to continue his campaign for the poor, we've already seen the kind of Cabinet he had.)," Lacierda said.

Barred due to Arroyo pardon?

A Palace official said on Wednesday that President Arroyo's grant of pardon to Joseph Estrada in 2007 contains a pre-condition that bars the former president from running again in May 2010.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told Palace reporters the pardon has a provision which says: "Whereas Joseph Ejercito Estrada has publicly committed to no longer seek any elective position or office."

Ermita believes that since this is a "whereas" clause, Estrada is prevented from running again for the presidency or from any public post.

Estrada agreed to the pardon after he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for plunder or large-scale corruption in 2007 following a six-year trial. He was charged with taking bribes from gambling lords and stealing from state coffers.

However, the grant of pardon also restores Estrada's civil and political rights, which means he can vote and seek an elective post.

The pardon says: "In view hereof and pursuant to the authority conferred upon me by the Constitution, I hereby grant executive clemency to Joseph Ejercito Estrada, convicted of plunder and imposed a penalty of reclusion perpetua. He is hereby restored his civil and political rights."

Ermita said it will be up to the courts to settle this legal issue.

But Estrada, in an interview, reiterated his civil and political rights were restored in the "dispositive portion" of the pardon. “If I can vote, I can be voted upon,” he said.

Constitutional ban?

There is also the question of whether Estrada is eligible to run again because of a constitutional ban on a president seeking a second term. Estrada is convinced he is not covered by the ban because he did not complete his term.

His bid will almost certainly be challenged in court once he formally registers in November.

An Estrada ally, former Ambassador Ernesto Maceda, said the former president is eligible.

"Kaya nga sa Constitution, ‘The President’ at hindi ‘A President’, meaning the president ay iyong incumbent o nakaupong presidente. Iyon ang hindi puwedeng tumakbo muli para hindi magamit ang vast resources ng gubyerno," said Maceda.

Maceda also said Estrada’s second run would not also be considered a re-election.

"A re-election ay tuloy-tuloy na pagkandidato ng isang nakaupong presidente seeking another term.... Erap is running again after so many years.... Therefore he is not seeking re-election but running again," said Estrada’s close adviser.

This view was however contradicted by Professor Carlos Medina of the Ateneo Law School.

".. Pero sinasabi naman sa Saligang Batas ay ‘any re-election’, samakatuwid.... lahat ng klase ng pagtakbong muli bilang presidente ng isang dating presdiente, bawal,” Medina told ABS-CBN News Channel.

Binay is running mate

Binay, meanwhile, formally accepted Estrada's offer to be his running mate in the 210 polls.

Binay said he has an edge over the other vice-presidential aspirants due to his track record in making Makati a prosperous city, after serving as its chief local executive for nearly 20 years.

He added he will campaign for empowerment of local governments, which, he believes, is the key to a progressive nation. He will also focus on the problems of poverty, lack of jobs, and fighting corruption.

Although he will be up against popular senators like Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II of the Liberal Party, and possibly Loren Legarda of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), Binay said he has the advantage when it comes to experience in governance.

He said the Senate is basically a debating club, while local officials like him are involved in enforcement of laws and implementation of projects.

Strong support from poor

Estrada still commands a sizeable following among the poor and those living in the countryside, who see in him the romantic folk hero of his box office successes, battling the rich and the corrupt. His nickname is Erap, a play on the word Pare, or buddy.

But Estrada remains a thorn in the side of the powerful church and of business leaders, who have worried about fiscal profligacy during his term in office and tales of a "midnight cabinet" of drinking and gambling buddies who influenced policy.

Traders have warned that prospects of an Estrada victory closer to the elections could spook financial markets.

"We want to have a new leader, not the old one, especially with a tainted record," said Astro del Castillo, managing director of the First Grade Holdings brokerage. "Investors will shy away if there is a candidate who has a poor track record and is not trusted by business."

Estrada has said the three main problems of the country that must be addressed are: ending insurgencies by Muslim and left-wing rebels, controlling the population increase, and removing corruption in government.

He has aged since his term in office. He said he smokes a pack a day, and enjoys French wine. Renowned for having a string of mistresses, Estrada has fathered 12 children.

Asked with how many women, he told Reuters last month: "That's private property, no trespassing." But he added: "I have borne children out of wedlock. My wife is not complaining, so you don't have to complain.

Winning next year's election would be a vindication, he said.

"One more chance and that's it. It's really the last performance of my life. I have no more ambition in life except that when I exit, I be remembered as the man who championed the cause of the masses." -- reports from Willard Cheng, Sheryll Mundo, ABS-CBN News; Ayen Karingal, ANC; and, Reuters

SPED Seminars this November 2009!

2009-10-20T13:29:00.000+08:00

Patricia Muñoz, a fully credentialed special education teacher in California will conduct a seminar on Preparing an Effective Individualized Education Plan (IEP), a Vital Tool in the SPED Program on Oct. 25.

Other seminars are Utilizing Effective Strategies to Serve the Needs of Special Children on Nov. 8; Implementing an Effective Inclusion Program for Special Needs Students in an Inclusion Program, Nov. 15; and Utilizing Instructional and Curricular Modifications for Special Needs Students in an Inclusion Program, Nov. 29.

All seminars will be held at Protégé SPED Center, Unit 1A Rexxon’s Arcade, 36 Xavierville Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City (with tel. nos. 0918-3588855, 436-2620 or 434-6064). Seminar hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration starts 8 a.m. Classes on SPED strategies, IEP Writing and Inclusion Program are held regularly.

Basic Sign Language classes will be held on Oct. 25 and Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Muñoz offers consultancy on setting up special education schools and programs.

For details, e-mail at patmunoz2001@yahoo.com.

Another Priest Kidnapped

2009-10-13T11:43:00.004+08:00

Fr. Michael Sinnott, 78, Irish, was reportedly walking inside the mission compound in Pagadian Cityafter dinner and when three of the convent’s employees were about to close the gate, a man pushed the gate and said he wanted to talk to the priest.

Witnesses said three or four other men immediately entered and took the missionary to a vehicle. The vehicle was later found torched in the city’s coastal area by local authorities.

As of the press time there was no ransom demanded yet, but this is another kidnap for ransom case, just like any kidnapping that involving a foreigner.

“Father Sinnott is a good man. We don’t know why he was kidnapped. He lived almost all his life in Mindanao.

He is weak and old, but still active in many interfaith forums,” said one of the priest's friends who declined to be identified.

“They cannot do anything because the men were armed. They pleaded, but the men still took Father Michael. We are praying for his safety,” she said.

The motive for the kidnapping remained unknown and no group has claimed responsibility.

Sinnott, of the Missionary Society of St. Columban, was ordained in 1954 and following studies in Rome was assigned to Mindanao in 1957.

He served in Mindanao until 1966 and was then assigned to the theology staff in Dalgan Park, Navan in Ireland. He returned to Philippines in 1976 where he has served in a variety of pastoral and administrative roles.

Since 1998 he has been involved with “The Center and School for Special Children” which he established.

Philippine Peso strengthens to P46-$1!

2009-10-07T14:10:00.000+08:00

The peso strengthened to its strongest level in nine months, breaking the P47-$1 level again and closing at its high of P46.70 against the dollar yesterday.

Yesterday’s close was the strongest since Jan. 9, when the unit closed at P46.45.

A trader from a foreign bank said the government’s announcement of another bond issue this year also pushed the peso up, even as it took the market by surprise. The new bond issue was reported to help finance the rehabilitation spending in the wake of storm Ondoy.

The peso may also have been helped by improved fundamentals, with the government’s plan to sell assets this quarter helping to put the budget-deficit target “back on track,” Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said.

Philippines keeps its ranking!

2009-10-07T14:05:00.000+08:00

THE Philippines retained its 105th ranking among 182 countries in a development report released yesterday, placing it in the medium development bracket with a human development index of 0.751 based on 2007 data.

That was slightly higher than its index of 0.747 in a previous report, but below the average of 0.770 for East Asia and the Pacific, according to the Human Development Report 2009 prepared by the United Nations Development Program.

The human development index looks beyond the gross domestic product to a broader definition of well-being. It provides a composite measure of three dimensions of human development: living a long and healthy life (measured by life expectancy), being educated (measured by adult literacy and gross enrollment in education), and having a decent standard of living (measured by purchasing power or income).

Norway topped the list with an index value of 0.971, followed closely by Australia. Iceland, which topped the list in 2008, was relegated to third spot. An index value closer to 1.0 means better quality of human development.

At the bottom of the list was Niger, with an index value of only 0.340, followed by Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic and Mali.

“Between 1980 and 2007 the Philippines’ [index] rose by 0.53 percent annually from 0.652 to 0.751 today. [Index] scores in all regions have increased progressively over the years, although all have experienced periods of slower growth or even reversals,” the UNDP said.

“This year’s [index], which refers to 2007, highlights the very large gaps in well-being and life chances that continue to divide our increasingly interconnected world.”

The report says that despite progress in many areas over the past 25 years, the disparities in people’s well-being in rich and poor countries continue to be unacceptably wide.

“Migration can be a force for good, contributing significantly to human development,” UNDP administrator Helen Clark said.

“But to realize its benefits, there needs to be a supportive policy environment as this report suggests.”
Source:Roderick T. dela Cruz, MmanilaStandardToday.com

Super Typhoon Coming!

2009-10-02T08:42:00.001+08:00

After the onslaught of typhoon "Ondoy" that devastated many lives in the Metro Manila area, a new super typhoon is again coming this way in the Philippines. Most people who are affected by the last typhoon that submerged parts of Metro Manila has not yet recovered from their losses are now facing another super typhoon "Pepeng"(Parma)which is estimated to hit grounds tomorrow wich brings stron winds and hopefully not much rain as the previous typhoon.

Pepeng is the 16th weather disturbance that hit the Philippines this year. The country has not yet recovered from the devastation caused by tropical storm "Ondoy (Ketsana)," which claimed at least 277 lives and damaged close to P5 billion worth of infrastructure and agricultural crops.

A category 5, the highest tropical cyclone level, based on the Saffir-Simpson Scale that packs minimum sustained winds of 250 kph.

Meanwhile, Pagasa weather forecaster Mario Palafox said a tropical depression (international codename "Melor") which is following Pepeng is still outside Philippine territory and is unlikely to enhance the typhoon.

We just hope that this time it will not bring as much rain as the previous typhoon and people are more prepared for this one to arrive.

SPED Seminars this October!

2009-09-30T08:25:00.001+08:00

Patricia Muñoz, a fully credentialed special education teacher in California, will conduct the following SPED seminars: Utilizing Instructional and Curricular Modifications for Special Needs Students in an Inclusion Program on Oct. 11; How to Cope When Your Child or Student is Special, Oct. 18; Preparing an Effective Individualized Education Plan(IEP), a Vital Tool in the SPED Program, Oct. 25; and Utilizing Effective Strategies to Serve the Needs of Special Children, Nov. 8.

All seminars will be held at Protégé SPED Center, Unit 1A Rexxon’s Arcade, 36 Xavierville Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City (Tel. nos: 0918-3588855; 436-2620; 434-6064). Seminar hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration starts at 8 a.m.

Classes on SPED strategies, IEP Writing and Inclusion Program are conducted regularly. Basic Sign Language classes will be conducted on all Sundays of October, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Muñoz offers consultancy on setting up special education schools and programs. For details, call Protégé or e-mail patmunoz2001@yahoo.com.

Philippines tops mobile phone savvy user!

2009-09-21T15:42:00.002+08:00

A new report by global market research firm Synovate has found that Filipinos lead the way in the use of many mobile features among 11 countries covered by the survey.

Aside from being the world’s heaviest senders of SMS or text messages, Filipinos can now claim another title in the mobile space: Most savvy users of a mobile phone.

In the study, 87 percent of the local population use the phone’s alarm clock as against the global average of 67 percent. There were 8,000 total respondents.

Sixty-three percent of Filipinos also play games regularly, 48 percent listen to or download music, 44 percent watch video clips, and 13 percent even watch TV (versus an overall 5 percent).

Carole Sarthou, Synovate’s managing director for the Philippines, said in a statement that the high numbers of the country can be attributed to “cultural” and “circumstantial” factors.

“It’s part of the national psyche to love social connections, music and entertainment. How the Filipino love affair with the mobile is different compared to developing nations is that, in many cases, a mobile is all people have,” she said.

“It’s the only way they can listen to music, the only way they can play games and the only way they can communicate from afar. Many Filipinos use this instead of the Internet and computers and it’s not surprising that it has become such a multi-purpose, multi-tasking tool,” Sarthou added.

The survey also found that the Philippines was the closest market to being split on the issue when asked, “If lost, which would be harder to replace... your mobile phone or wallet/purse?”

Respondents from the Philippines said 47 percent of them said their mobile phone would be harder to replace while 52 percent chose the wallet/purse.

Synovate’s Sarthou said this result shows Filipinos would find the mobile difficult, or even impossible, to replace.

“The connection to other people stops when the phone is lost. It’s a storehouse for photos and videos, but most vital are contact details. Filipinos seek constant connection,” she said.

The survey also showed the Philippines coming out on top in using text in conveying potentially bad news:

• 12 percent have broken up with someone via text, led by 23 percent of Filipinos and 22 percent of both Malaysians and Russians.
• 35 percent agreed that they have hidden behind text to say no or send a difficult message, led by 49 percent of Filipinos, 48 percent of Malaysians and 47 percent of Singaporeans. Least likely to hide behind SMS are Canadians (79 percent disagree) and Americans (71 percent).
• 31 percent agreed they have lied about why they were running late or where they are, led by 57 percent of Filipinos and 44 percent of Singaporeans.

Least likely to lie via text (or so they say) are the Dutch (84 percent disagree) and the Americans (79 percent).

Synovate’s global head of media, Steve Garton, said mobile phones have become so ubiquitous that by last year, more human beings owned one than did not.

“In the Philippines and Africa,” millions of dollars have been transacted via mobile. The telco has effectively become a bank, allowing even those in rural areas to send and receive mobile money.

This is just one of the huge benefits which are changing lives in developing nations,” he said.

Source: MELVIN G. CALIMAG, Manila Bulletin

Sen. Panfilo Lacson:"Who's lying now?"

2009-09-15T17:54:00.001+08:00

In response to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada's privilege speech, Sen. Panfilo Lacson denied he was an agent of the Arroyo administration, and denied he lied in his privilege speech.

"I will never be an administration ally. To aver that I am with the administration is just farthest from the truth," he said. "I never lied in my privilege speech."

Lacson also pointed out that three people have confirmed a number of the accusations in his privilege speech on Monday:

businessman Alfonso Yuchengco said he was pressured and harassed to sell his shares in PLDT;
former armed forces chief and now Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said there were policy differences between Lacson and then President Estrada over the illegal numbers game, jueteng;
former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Singson said Estrada was involved in protecting the illegal numbers game, jueteng.

Lacson also told Estrada's son that the Dacer family has filed an amended complaint, which also accuses the former President of ordering the hit on the late publicist in November 2000.

"It is not true that I'm the only one being complained of by the Dacer family," he said.

On Jinggoy's denial of Estrada's involvement in rice smuggling, Lacson said he received word from former police agent Glen Dumlao, co-accused in the Dacer-Corbito double murder, that he personally received an order from President Estrada to release a shipment of smuggled rice.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada defends father on his privilege speech!

2009-09-15T17:47:00.002+08:00

Sen. Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada today Tuesday, September 15 in his privilege speech accused Sen. Panfilo Lacson of fabricating lies against his father the former President Joseph Estrada and of being an agent of the Arroyo administration.

Dubbing Lacson's statements as based on "gutter talk, hearsay and fishwives' tales," Estrada said Lacson was using his parliamentary privilege to lie about the former president and absolve himself from the twin murders of publicist Salvador "Bubby Dacer and Emmanuel Corbito.

"The bottomline here is - Mr. Lacson in desperation is using the Senate floor to divert attention to president Estrada and away from himself in connection with the forthcoming non-bailable double murder charge that will be filed against him in the Dacer-Corbito murder case. To top it all, he is using his parliamentary privilege so he can lie through his teeth without being held to account to anyone," he said in a privilege speech at the Senate.

In his speech, Estrada said Lacson should have resigned as chief of the Philippine National Police if it was true that he uncovered massive corruption being perpetrated by then president Estrada.

He said that if the former president indeed profited from the illegal numbers game jueteng, he would not have pushed for the legalization of the game through Bingo 2-Ball.

"If ever President Estrada did not bear down on jueteng at that time, he was deeply concerned with those who depended on it for their livelihood. Anong trabaho ang ibibigay sa kanila? Hahayaan ba natin silang pumunta sa mas masamang mga gawain? President Estrada was concerned that those who depended on jueteng would be deprived of income and it was necessary to find an alternative for them," he said.

He said the former president was never in cahoots with smugglers who brought illegal rice and dressed chicken shipments into the country since he himself formed Task Force Aduana to go after smugglers.

He said Estrada later abolished the task force and placed the responsibility of going after smugglers to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, which was headed by Lacson.

"If President Estrada was indeed involved in smuggling, why did he not relieve PAOCTF and Mr. Lacson of the authority to act against smuggling and assigned this to another unit which will be more cooperative?" he asked.

He also denied Lacson's allegation that the former president used the PNP to harass tycoon Alfonso Yuchengco to sell his shares in Philippine Telecommunications Investment Corporation (PTIC) to Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).

Instead of answering the claim directly, Estrada questioned Yuchengco's integrity. "How can we trust the word of someone who was one of the first beneficiaries of GMA when the [Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation] floated the infamous PEACe bonds? How can we trust the word of someone like Mr. Yuchengco who has betrayed the trust of thousands of Pacific Plan holders?" he asked.

Sought endorsement 3 times

The younger Estrada revealed that Lacson approached his father three times to endorse his senatorial bids in 2001 and 2007, and his failed presidential bid in 2004.

"If president Estrada is the devious criminal that Mr. Lacson would now portray him to be, why did Mr. Lacson go to great lengths to seek his endorsement, not once, not twice, but three times in the elections of 2001, 2004 and 2007?" he said

Estrada said Lacson's insistence on running in 2004 was the reason why the opposition candidate with the best chance of winning against President Arroyo, Fernando Poe Jr., lost in his bid.

He added: "I send this warning to all presidentiables. Beware of those persons with wicked dispositions. Be wary of those who come to you and promise uncompromising allegiance and unwavering loyalty. They may last only while convenient and compatible with their own selfish interests and self-serving agenda."

Erap confirms jueteng allegatios are true!

2009-09-15T13:50:00.001+08:00

Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada said on Tuesday the only fact from Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s privilege speech at the Senate was his account of their policy differences over the illegal numbers game, jueteng.

“Isa lang ang totoo doon, iyong tungkol sa jueteng. Ang sabi ko sa kanya, unahin niya muna ang kidnapping, droga, carnapping. Iyong jueteng pinapa-legalize yan (There is only one thing true about his statement, the one about jueteng. I told him to first focus on kidnapping, drugs and carnapping because jueteng is in the process of being legalized),” Estrada said on ABS-CBN’s morning show Umagang Kay Ganda.

He said that during his term, studies were done which showed there were 163,000 families from regions 1 to 5 whose livelihood came from the jueteng.

“Kung aalisin mo yung jueteng, saan pupunta yung mga kubrador diyan? Paano nila susustentuhan ang pamilya nila (If you stop jueteng operations, where will the collectors go? How could they support their families),” he said, recalling his discussions with then police officer Lacson.

Estrada denied his family benefited from jueteng.

He said he wanted to legalize jueteng because “kailangan matulungan ang ating mga mahihirap na kababayan na iyan lang ang kabuhayan (we have to help our poor countrymen whose livelihood depends on jueteng)."

Yuchenco confims Panfilo Lacson statement is true!

2009-09-15T13:34:00.001+08:00

Tycoon Alfonso Yuchengco on Tuesday confirmed that he was forced to sell his stake in a company that had shares in Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) after receiving threats allegedly from then president Joseph Estrada.

In a statement, Yuchengco confirmed Sen. Panfilo Lacson's statements that he was pressured to sign conveyance of his shares in Philippine Telecommunications Investment Corporation (PTIC) to Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).

"I confirm the statements made by Senator Panfilo Lacson in his privilege speech relating to my 7.75% PTIC holdings, equivalent to 2,017,650 PLDT common shares. These shares were taken from me in 1998 through sheer intimidation and serious threat to my businesses, myself and my family," he said in a statement.

Sen. Lacson, "God Save the Philippines from Joseph Estrada"!

2009-09-15T10:06:00.002+08:00

Sen. Panfilo Lacson delivers his privilege speech against former President Joseph Estrada, at the Senate yesterday, Sept. 14, 2009 which is titled "Ang dalawang mukha ng sining" (The two faces of art)."

Lacson, in his speech, narrated how Estrada enriched himself while in power from 1998 to 2001.

Lacson, the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the Estrada administration, said that the former President also:

• May have something to do with the December 2000 murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito.

• Intervened in the release of smuggled chicken and rice.

• Allowed “jueteng” operations to flourish and even accepted payola from Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson.

Lacson said “only the higher interest of nation and people, and the highest call of conscience” were impelling him to speak out.

Lacson accused Estrada of involvement in the illegal numbers game jueteng, extortion and intimidation of businessmen, and of ordering the release of big shipments of smuggled dressed chicken from the Bureau of Customs.

Behind Estrada's pro-poor posture was a man lusting for power and wealth, Lacson said.

Behind a pro-poor Joseph Estrada who is well-loved by the masses lie transactions fraught with abuses and achieved through the use of the power of the presidency to enrich himself, Lacson, the chief of the Philippine National Police during the Estrada administration, said in Filipino.

On Jueteng

Lacson said he had his first encounter with Estrada's greed for power when the latter tried to convince him to go easy on jueteng.

"Jueteng is just one illustrative insight into the character of Mr. Estrada as a government official, and as President of the country," Lacson said.

Sinister behaviour

"There were other sinister behavioral patterns that must be told to the Filipino people," he said.

Lacson first worked with Estrada in an anti-crime task force when he was still vice president.

In August 1998, Lacson said he learned that one of the country's prominent businessmen, Alfonso Yuchengco, was forced to sign conveyance of his 7.75 percent shares with Philippine Telecommunications Investment Corp. (PTIC), equivalent to 18,720 shares, to Metro Pacific under its president Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Lacson said the PTIC holdings corresponded to 2,017,650 common shares of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. of PLDT.

"Mr. Yuchengco, I also learned later, was pressed to sign a waiver of his right of first refusal over the PTIC shares of the Cojuangco-Meer group," Lacson said.

Years later, Lacson said he learned of Estrada's order for the police to harass Yuchengco's son Tito with threats of arrest on trumped up drug charges to force his father to sell his PTIC shares. Lacson said this shakedown happened while Estrada was barely two months in office.

"This harassment of the young man was accomplished through deliberate and obvious physical surveillance," he said. "I only learned that the Yuchengco family had long harbored this grudge against me because they thought that Estrada directed me to conduct this harassment to force them to sell their shares of stocks with PLDT," the senator added.

"The bigger and more important question remains: What was the deal in pesos and centavos between Mr. Estrada an Mr. Pangilinan, if any? Or should we rather ask, how much was involved?

Lacson also reminded Estrada how he helped him in his capacity as head of the defunct Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC) under then President Fidel Ramos to combat kidnapping in the country. Their paths crossed on Aug. 4, 1992 when he joined the PACC task force.

Lacson said he sensed something could be wrong with Estrada's character when he reneged on his campaign promise to appoint then Gen. Joselin Nazareno as Armed Forces of the Philippines chief.

Before his appointment as PNP chief, Lacson recalled meeting with Estrada a number of times during which the former president asked him to go easy on jueteng.

It was during his stint as commander of the defunct Task Force Habagat when he became close with Estrada, then chief of PACC.

Lacson said his unit's accomplishments against organized crime including then neutralization of the dreaded Red Scorpion Group on Feb. 17, 1993 that helped propel Estrada to the presidency in 1998.

"Modesty aside, but without mental reservation, I can dare say our performance helped chart Mr. Estrada's road to presidency," Lacson said.

He also said he helped Estrada in his presidential campaign by urging his colleagues at the Armed Forces and the PNP to "mount an organized strategic effort" to thwart possible election fraud.

Flawed logic

Lacson lamented Estrada's "flawed logic" for believing that no corruption is involved if it does not involve government funds.

"Following his flawed logic it is not corruption to accept bribes -- from jueteng and shady deals that involve using the power and influene of the presidency, he said.

"He has not heard of conflict of interest or taking advantage of one's position to amass wealth. He has not changed that loose definition of corruption," Lacson added.

"Now, he is presenting himself again to the Filipino people, for one more chance at the presidency," Lacson said.

"At this juncture of our history, after suffering eight years under the regime that succeeded the Estrada presidency, I would be remiss in my sworn duty as an elected member of the Senate, as a nationally elected official of the land, if I did not unburden myself of my insights into the character of Mr. Estrada," he added.

Dacer issue

Lacson also denied Estrada's claims that the senator was directly involved in the murders of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.

"In an effort to defend himself from accusations that he may have been involved in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case, he has consistently asserted that he never dealth with officials other than the heads of agencies," Lacson said.

Lacson said a "subordinate officer" took direct orders from Estrada from certain missions after he and the former president had a falling out.

"I did not bother to find out anymore if the officer complied or not with Mr. Estrada's order. I thought I should not interfere with a direct order from the President to a subordinate officer because in doing so, I felt that I would add insult to injury upon myself," Lacson said.

Yet, on so many occasions, and I have personal knowledge on this, during his presidency, he was giving direct orders and instructions deep into the layers of the entire government bureaucracy, the PNP and the PAOCTF (Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission) included," Lacson added.

Lacson also slammed Mr. Estrada for accusing him of having a hand in the so-called Operation Delta, or the alleged plot to kill Dacer.

"Mabuti pa si Estrada, alam niyang may Oplan Delta. Ako sa mga pahayagan at kamakailan ko lamang narinig at nalaman na mayroon palang Oplan Delta (At least Mr. Estrada knew about Oplan Delta. I only learned about it recently in newspapers)," Lacson said.

Smuggling

Lacson also revealed that Estrada asked BOC officials to turn a blind eye on a big shipment of dressed chicken and rice from Vietnam, sayig his capabilities in this regard are unmatched.

He recalled that Estrada phoned him to ask him to go slow on the government's anti-smuggling campaign.

Lacson said the former president intervened in the release of 20 40-foot containers of dressed chickens sometime in 2000.

Lacson revealed that Estrada even gave direct orders to one of Lacson's subordinates for the release of a shipload of smuggled rice from Vietnam that was seized by the PAOCTF somewhere in the Cebu-Bohol area.

After he was appointed PNP chief in November 1999, Lacson realled another conversation with Estrada in Malacanang when he asked him again to reconsider his strong position against jueteng.

It was also during that conversation that he told Estrada about a P5 million a month payola (protection money) given by former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson to PNP chiefs as "standard operating procedure."

The senator said Estrada even asked Singson to remit to him the payola that Lacson refused to accept, three to four months after he was ppointed PNP chief.

Out of the loop

"Jueteng became the sour point between me and Mr. Estrada. I made it clear that I would stick to my 'no take policy' and I continued to issue stern warnings to my regional and provincial directors that if they tolerate operations in their areas of responsibility, they would be removed and subjected to harsh disciplinary action," Lacson said.

Lacson said his life became miserable when he maintained his no nonsense campaign against jueteng."

"The general public, even most of my distinguished colleagues in this hall, may not be aware of this, but it was common knowledge in Malacanang as well as in Camp Crame at that time, that for the most part of the second half of the year of 2000, I was not welcome in the Palace due to my differences with then President Estrada over the issue of jueteng," Lacson said.

Lacson noted that Estrada and Singson, who later turned state witness in the plunder charges against Estrada, had a falling out during the implementation of the Bingo 2-Ball, which competed with jueteng.

Lacson also claimed that Estrada had intervened in the release of smuggled shipments of dressed chicken parts from China and the United States as well as smuggled rice in Cebu.

He said Estrada had told him to pull out his men, who were staking out a shipment of dressed chicken parts coming from near the Manila Hotel, after telling him his men were harassing people there.

The shipment was eventually released. Lacson said he pointed this out to Estrada who in turn told him that he should have not pulled out his men.

He said he got dismayed by this because he realized that Estrada’s order for him to fight crime and corruption was just a “moro-moro” (just for show).

He said that in August 2000, he learned that Estrada had ordered a subordinate at PAOCTF to release a shipload of smuggled rice.

“God save the Philippines from Joseph Ejercito alias Joseph Estrada,” said Lacson as he ended his speech.

SWS Survey: Noynoy leads in Luzon as Presidentiable!

2009-09-14T12:59:00.001+08:00

ne out of every two voters in vote-rich areas of Luzon would have chosen Sen. Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III if presidential elections were held in early September 2009, according to a Special Survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The survey was commissioned by a number of private individuals including some members of the business community.

The survey was conducted September 5 to 6 in the National Capital Region (NCR), Pangasinan province, Region 3 (Central Luzon), and Region 4-A (portions of Southern Tagalog).

This two-day period was after presidential aspirant Sen. Manuel 'Mar' Roxas II withdrew from the race in favor of Aquino, his Liberal Party colleague, and just days before Aquino announced he would run for the presidency. Roxas backed out on September 1 while Aquino announced his bid on September 9.

The survey has a margin of error of plus/minus 3%.

In terms of which tandem was most preferred by respondents in the vote-rich areas of Luzon, Aquino-Mar Roxas got 51% voter preference based on a pre-selected list of five combinations:

Aquino-Roxas--51%
Estrada-Loren Legarda--12%
Villar-Kiko Pangilinan--11%
Escudero-Jejomar Binay--9%
De Castro-Ronnie Puno--4%.

The elections are still eight months away. There are still a lot of factor that will be considered and it is still to early to see which candidate will lead in the coming months.

Complete list of successful examinees in the MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST LICENSURE EXAMINATION held on SEPTEMBER 5 and 6, 2009!

2009-09-11T12:03:00.001+08:00

Complete list of successful examinees in the MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST LICENSURE EXAMINATION held on SEPTEMBER 5 and 6, 2009!

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 799 out of 1404 passed the Medical Technologist Licensure Examination given by the Board of Medical Technology in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Davao this September 2009.

Medical Technologist Licensure Exam Results September '09

The biggest Ensaymada in Bulacan!

2009-09-10T08:24:00.001+08:00

The yearly celebration of Bulacan's “Singkaban Fiesta,” held from Sept. 8 to 15, might have kicked off to a rainy start, but even that didn’t dampen the spirit of the festivities.

One of the highlights for the Sept. 9 celebration was the Fiesta Ensaymada (a Spanish pastry). Where the country’s largest Ensaymada was baked and displayed.

The ensaymada, which was on display at the Capitol Gymnasium in Malolos, is 40 feet in diameter, comsisting of 15,254 individual ensaymadas from seven different bake shops in Bulacan -- Barasoain Bake Shop, Eurobake, Enlin’s Bakeshop, Fernando’s Bakery, Heaven’s Delight, Mavi’s Bakeshop, and Pandelites Bakeshop Inc.

“Excited talaga ako sa Singkaban sion of classes in both elementary and high school levels in five villages, which included Dampalit, Niugan, Catmon, Tinajeros and Maysilo. The heavy rains flooded parts of Malabon.

For the dough alone, 5,500 eggs were used, along with 300 kilos of milk, 60 kilos of yeast, and 600 kilos of flour. For the toppings on the ensaymada, the seven bake shops made use of 5,400 grams of butter and sugar, plus 20 kilos of cheese.

The whole endeavor was said to have cost about P350,000.

Philippine Post issued a collectible Cory stamps!

2009-09-10T08:08:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Post just released a stamp in honor of former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino which was launched September 8, coinciding with the birthday of Blessed Virgin Mary, at the historic EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City.

This one will become a collectors item in the future for this will only be available in a short period of time.

Noynoy Aquino III is running for President!

2009-09-09T08:40:00.000+08:00

Sen. Noynoy Aquino, III, just announced in a press conference at Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan City this morning that he indeed accepted the challenge to run for the highest office in the country for the coming election in 2010!

After going for a retreat into his mother's favorite monastery in Zamboanga City and some consultations with friends and party mates in the provinces at last he made an announcement which was also with the 40th day of the late President Aquino's death.

Club Filipino is the same place where Mrs. Aquino was sworn in as Philippine president after a bloodless people's revolt that ended decades of President Ferdinand Marcos' martial rule.

Marvin Sonsona the youngest WBO junior bantam weight tile holder!

2009-09-08T11:58:00.000+08:00

Marvin Sonsona claimed the WBO junior bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Jose Lopez last Sept. 04 in Canada. On the undercard, Canadian Steve Molitor defeated Dario Azuaga at the Casino Rama.

Nineteen year-old ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Sonsona (14-0, 12 KO’s) cemented his reputation as one of boxing’s best young fighters, emerging from 12 rounds of hellacious action with Jose ‘Carita’ Lopez (39-8-2, 32 KO’s) as the new WBO Jr. Bantamweight champion courtesy of a bruising unanimous decision win in the main event of Rumble at Rama IX.

Scores were 116-109, 115-110, 114-111 in favour of Sonsona.

“Lopez was such a tough fighter, and winning a decision against shows that I’m a real fighter, and a worthy champion,” Sonsona said moments after the official decision was announced.

Both fighters fought up to their well deserved reputations with the powerful Sonsona landing bombs throughout the fight, flooring Lopez with a huge left hook in the fourth, and wobbling the indomitable Puerto Rican numerous times.

For his part, Lopez gave as good has got, regularly returning fire, and scoring his own meaningful shots that stunned Sonsona.

In the end, it was Sonsona’s ability to adapt throughout the topsy-turvy twelve rounds that made him the youngest Filipino world champion in history.

“The Filipino people here were so great, and made me feel at home. That helped give me the strength to be a champion.”

In the co-main event, former IBF 122 lb. world champion “The Canadian Kid” Steve Molitor improved to 30-1, with 12 KO’s with an impressive fifth round knockout over a game, but thoroughly outclassed Dario Azuaga.

An aggressive Molitor marked his reunion with old trainer Chris Johnson by pressing the pace throughout the fight, landing with meaningful combinations before dropping Azuaga once in the fourth and ending matters with a punishing flurry to the body in the fifth.

“It was like old times,” Molitor said of working again with Johnson, who was chief second for in the Canadian’s corner for his title winning KO over Michael Hunter in November of 2006, and four subsequent successful title defenses.

“I was confident, throwing in combinations, and felt like the same dominant fighter I was before. It’s only a matter of time before I get my hands on that second world title.”

In other action from Rumble at Rama IX…

Canadian Heavyweight champion Greg Kielsa and hulking heavyweight Kevin Montiy had their ten round bout stopped in the second round after Montiy sustained a gash over his left eye as a result of a head butt. The fight was announced as a technical draw, but rules dictate that it in fact should have been a no-contest.

Stephan Boyd stopped Pedro De Melo in round two of their Super Middleweight showdown.

Felix Mercedes hammered debuting Dan Caron, stopping the Toronto resident in round one.

Justin fountain outlasted Freddie Abbiw scoring a four round unanimous decision.

Sperferry 9 sinks off the coast of Zamboanga!

2009-09-07T22:14:00.000+08:00

Another shipping disaster happened again yesterday September 6, 2009. There were five passengers confirmed dead, more than 60 remained missing, and about 900 were rescued after the SuperFerry 9 sank off the coast of Zamboanga.

Initial reports received by the Coast Guard claimed that the Superferry 9’s generator sputtered and conked out around 3 a.m., shortly before the 135-meter, roll-on, roll-off ferry started to list.

The Superferry 9 was carrying 856 passengers and 112 crew members when it started listing and issued a distress call at 3:30 a.m. before it sank at 10 a.m. while rescue operations were under way, said Coast Guard chief Alfredo Tamayo.

Two of the fatalities were identified as Star Cinema cameraman Fernando Estrada, 45, a two-year-old baby James Galero and three unidentified passengers as of the presstime.

The Superferry 9 reported having 968 people on board, below its legal capacity of 1,120 passengers and crew, according to the Coast Guard.

Would you vote for Somebody who is not sure if he will run asPresident!

2009-09-04T13:21:00.000+08:00

Senator Mar Roxas already decided not to run for President and endorses Noynoy Aquino as Presidential candidate for Liberal Party. Mar Roxas made a big decision to give way for Noynoy Aquino who is not even sure of himself if he wanted to run as President for the coming 2010 elections.

I think it is the culture of the Filipinos to give way to somebody who is popular so that they will surely win in the election. I should say that popularity is a big factort during the Marcos' Regime since there is no other candidate or name than can match the President then.

But since then times have change, I think we should think many times over who we are going to elect as our next President. Our Country is in dire need of a good leader who is not reluctant to lead and knows what he want and what he will do with our country.

Being a candidate for the highest office in land is not an artista search that who is more popular and have a name recall will get our vote.

This coming election is a big wakreup call for all of us. Let us look and think before we will select a President who will lead our country in the next six years, come 2010 Elections.

R.I.P. Eraño "Ka Erdy" Manalo, INC leader!

2009-09-01T12:50:00.002+08:00

Eraño "Ka Erdy" Manalo, the executive minister of the largest religious sect in the country, Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), died Monday. He was 84.

Manalo passed away at 3:53 p.m. in his home in San Juan. His body lies in state at the INC's central temple in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

He died of cardio-pulmunary arrest, he is reportedly suffering from prostate cancer.

Manalo took the over adminstration of the religious organization after the death of his father, Felix Manalo, in April 12, 1963.

He was instrumental in the expansion of the church interationally, which has millions of members nationwide and across the globe.