Philippines: Still Mourning for the Sea's Mischief

About 800 passengers of the MV Princess of the Stars died after the ship was faced down by the strong typhoon in Romblon. Only about 60 of them survived in the accident. The investigation and search retrieval is still going on . The wailing of many family and relatives of those who died was changed into angst after they haven't seen the dead body of their kin. Many of these bodies that were seen on the neighboring islands of Sibuyan were buried by residents without even taking examinations to identify them. The agencies who are tasked for the examination of the bodies advised the residents that if bodies are found they have to call NDCC or RedCross or any other affiliated agencies to check and retrieve the bodies, or cover the bodies with blankets or put the bodies in the plastic bags to delay the decomposition of bodies.

Philippines: MV Princess of the Star, 700 Missing Passengers

Morning of June 23, 2008, I was shocked by the news that a shipping vessel sank in Romblon leaving 700 missing passengers with only 4 survivors. The MV Princess of the Star, a Sulpicio Lines owned ship, sank after it suffered a tremendous fury from the typhoon Frank in Sibuyan Island. This typhoon was reportedly the worst typhoon ever visited the Philippines causing immense destruction of properties and lives. I must agree because Davao City was in flood.

An update of the ship reported another 28 survivors after they have jumped into a rubber boat. The survivors were very lucky to have seamen aboard the ship. Report said they were originally 30 in the rubber boat wearing life vests but the two took it off just before they arrived the shore. They went missing after they were slapped by big waves of which height was resembled to a mountain's.

The Bloggerwave Web

The information highway, that is the internet, had given so much convenience to the human world, giving so much opportunities as well. Blogging has never been so popular not until many advertisers had seen this as a tool of promoting their products. Bloggers became enthusiast in blogging then, earning money out of writing.

Bloggerwave is just one of the many hubs and webs of advertisers and bloggers. Blog about anything and you'll make money. If you want to earn while you write, sign up with Bloggerwave and you’ll be disclosed to many gleaming opportunities of blogging.

Water-motored Car in Japan: A Filipino Invention?

photo courtesy of BBC News

Hmmm... a recent water-motored car was released by Honda Motors in Japan. I remember this invention was introduced and offered by a Filipino inventor to the Philippine government some years ago but unfortunately it was turned down. I barely remember if it was Taiwan or Thailand who got the patent of that invention. Hear of Japan interested of that too. Maybe this was a Filipino invention. What do you think?

Philippines: UP Celebrates Centennial Foundation with an Oblation Run

It was again an interesting event for Filipinos, most especially students of UP and I mean WOMEN, to be gleamed with another group of guys running naked denoting freedom. This is an oblation run performed by Apha Phi Omega (APO) Fraternity, one of the prominent fraternities in UP. It is done annually to protest on current political and economic issues. This time, they do it to honor the Centennial Celebration of UP’s Foundation Day tagging this oblation run as the CENTENNIAL RUN.

Members of APO run naked in UP Diliman Campus with gold masks to hide their identity. Many spectators, especially women, screamed while taking pictures with their digital cameras and phones on the young men. Some of them handed roses to the women in the crowd. Some women were too shy to accept it while others are too game and even posed to have remembrance.

Reading the news today and seeing the photos of the APO members somehow made me wished I was there! It would be very interesting seeing a bunch of naked men running before my eyes then! hahaha. Does UP Mindanao hold such activity too? Coz if they do I think I will be one of their spectators! hehe

World Sports: Celtics Won the 2008 NBA Finals

June 17, 2008 marked victory for Boston Celtics as they rejoiced over its 17th Championship Title when they washed the LA Lakers in a score of 131-92 in the Celtics homecourt. I am not a fan of Celtics nor Lakers but with my officemates following/watching these games in the office, I can't help but join them too. I am a Spurs fan because Parker was there. Anyway, going back, Celtics won the Finals with a 4-2 game advantage. It was not easy for them to take the lead as Lakers' Kobe Bryant was always on guard in all games. Games 6 was a game for Celtics. It was their 17th after twenty-two (22) years when the team got the championship title in 1985-1986. That time, it was Larry Bird who was the MVP. This year's was Paul Pierce who garnered an average of 22 points in the finals. Ray Allen contributed a lot on Game 6 with his sure shots and Garnett too with his slam dunks and assists.

Philippines: The Controversy of Ces Drilon Kidnapping

Such a very controversial and political incident was the releasing of a veteran news anchor, Ces Drilon of ABS-CBN News Group, and other three, two of whom are her comrades and a professor serving as guide, from the outrageous arms of the Abu Sayyaf Group. It was almost 10 days that they were captives of this rebel armed group, from June 8 til June 17 before midnight.

This morning, we heard the news that Sen. Loren Legarda has done a big part on the release of the group. PNP and all other military groups strongly sticked to a NON-RANSOM POLICY for few days now and they did too in all previous kidnapping incidents in the country. They have been telling this stories, I mean statements, many times and here it is again. Sen. Legarda backed this up by strongly saying they did not gave money as ransom for the release of the victims.

I am sorry to ask but do you think the explanation of those who helped in the release credible? Telling us that no ransom has been given in exchange for the victims' release? If there was none, why would the kidnappers who demanded 15 MILLION extended their deadline from the noontime of June 17 to a few hours after it? If it is not for money they extend, then for what? When Sen. Legarda was asked by witty Mike Enriquez, the first thing she did was laughed and said something like 'cguro po ang mga kidnapper ang tanungin niyo diyan'. Hmmm... sounds like something went on with something. Livelihood projects? Do we really think these are enough payments for terrorists who are willing to behead their victims? Why don't they just tell everyone that a ransom has been paid rather than fooling people that nothing really happened. After all, a negotiation is a negotiation and we can't do anything if it was done already. We just have to tell the truth and do something to stop it from happening again. I understand it is a slap on the face of the government but its true, right?

Of course all are glad to have seen the group released and free again but is this how everything ends? I mean after the negotiation, things like this will happen again. If we continue to let these terrorists do what they want, it will never end. It is a cycle. Unless the government will do something TRUE and WORTHY, we can combat it.

Kidnapping and all terroristic activities are businesses of weaponry and politics. We really just don't know the deep operations but all we know is that someone, somewhere, minds play this game. We do not know who they are but they are just there within the circles, looking down, turning the tables below them.

It is a GAME OF THE GENERALS, indeed!

Philippines: Personal Tax Exemption Approved!

Republic Act 9504 or the act amending several sections of RA 8424 otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 of the Philippines was approved last June 17, 2008 when Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the order.

It was a relieving order for fixed income earners like me to be benefiting from this order. Minimum wage earners are totally exempted to pay taxes to the government while personal tax exemption applies to all others. For a single earner like me, I am exempted to pay Php50,000 which is deductible from my annual income plus all other deductions from benefits like SSS, Philhealth, Pag-ibig, etc. Head of the family and those who are married have the same exemption as mine which is an increase from Php25,000 to Php50,000. To those who has dependents, the previous exemption of Php8,000 each will be increased to Php25,000.

Sometimes I wished I have a child so I will be Php75,000 exempted from tax. hehe. But well, this is all I got for now and thankful I am for this benefit.

Another earth's rants?

How many days have gone since an earthquake hit Japan? It was just two days ago, when six people died and now another ten in the new quake. Japan is usually stricken with this calamity injuring hundreds of their citizens. Philippines has been so blessed to be rarely visited, except for flood which floated lots of properties in the country.

6 Killed in Japan Earthquake, Power Plant at risk?

In an update of the calamity which happened last June 13, 2008, at least six were killed in a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Kurihara, Japan while nearing 100 were injured in the incident. The powerful shock caused a minor leak in the power plant but the government advised the public need not panic.

In July last year, a powerful earthquake in Niigata-ken caused fire and minor leak in the world's largest power plant Kashiwazaki-Kariwa which was also run by Tokyo Electric. It is still closed for inspection to ensure that the public health is not at risk. It caused major financial loss to the company.

One-third of the country's energy sources is nuclear since Asia has no natural energy sources making them the second in G8 countries next to France to be utilizing it.

Twenty percent of the world's earthquakes is suffered by Japan.

Philippine Nikkeijin Newsletter Soon to Release

The third newsletter of Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai is soon to be released late this month. The magazine-newsletter named Dentou no Hibiki, which means Trumpet of Heritage in English, is an annual publication of the association to update and inform their members on its developments. It aims to reverberate their Japanese ancestry's life in the Philippines and Japan. Furthermore, it aims to encourage members to remain active in the association activities and all of its undertakings.

I'll keep you posted with the newsletter's release. We wish to have positive response from you.

Celebrating 110 Years of Philippine Independence

Today, June 12, 2008, Philippines celebrated its 110th year of independence from different colonizers who invaded the country hundreds of years ago. The Spaniards ruled for more than 333 years who used Christianity to penetrate easily. For that span of time the Philippines had acquired Spanish characteristics and traditions but Filipinos grew tired of living under their powers. Americans came with education as tool for colonizing but the Japanese forces drew them out of the country and ruled. Americans returned in the Philippines to regain power. World War II broke out with Americans and Japaneses battling over pride in power. (that's what I think) Japanese surrendered and the Philippines was taken back by the Americans.

June 12 commemorates Emilio Aguinaldo, first president of the Philippines, waving the Philippine flag at his balcony in Kawit, Cavite which signifies freedom of the country. Every year this is celebrated by the Filipinos to remember how heroes fought by blood for freedom.

Our present President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the commemoration at the Luneta Park and delivered her speech calling for Filipinos to unite despite of the crisis the country is facing. Although I just saw it on tv, it is amazing how her speech moved me. It is unusual for me to be affected of somebody's speech coz it's something that is prepared and polished before it is said. I made lots of it. But hers was something worth be heard, pondered and felt. I hope Filipinos will put in their hearts and help each other to put Philippines back into a sound economic status.

Most Expensive Watermelon - Densuke

The most expensive watermelon to date, the black Densuke, auctioned in Japan at 650,000 yen. Whow! That's a whooping P273,000! I wonder why it was so expensive.

Well, you may visit this post for more reading LA Times and Foxnews.

Rafael Nadal Sweeps French Open 2008

Rafael Nadal swept another French Open in the recently concluded match with Roger Federer which awarded him the Coupe des Mousquetaires, a formality at Roland Garros in Paris. He now has a record of 28-0, zero loss in twenty-eight matches. Nadal, a Spaniard, won his Grand Slam for four consecutive years in the French Open tournament. The game happened last June 8, 2008 in a one-hour and 48-minute bout. Nadal and his Swiss opponent, Federer, played 17 matches in the tennis arena concluding in the fourth victory of Nadal who matched Bjorn Borg records, a Swedish champion who was seating in the president's box that time.

Nadal played effortlessly against Federer in a clay with a whooping score of 6-1 6-3 6-0. He was tagged as the King of Clay with his witty and deceiving attack in the court.

You may find significant readings about this news on the following links:
RolandGarros
Guardian
NYTimes

G8 Countries Moves for Energy Alternative

The increasing price of oil strikes not only in the Philippines but to the neighboring countries and the world as well. This phenomenon prompted the G8 countries which comprises of the United States, Russia, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Britain to meet and talked on diversifying their energy sources to stabilize energy production and consumption, control the rising demand for the energy and lessen the emission of greenhouse gases causing global warming. They will "launch 20 demonstration projects by 2010 on so-called carbon capture and storage, which would allow power plants to catch emissions and inject them into underground storage spaces." (gmanews.tv) These projects will be using, without exploiting, earths available alternative energy sources without polluting the environment.

Oil Price Hike in the Philippines Rises

It is disappointing to know that the oil price hike for unleaded gas and diesel in the Philippines continue to rise every week. This increase fears for an increase in food prices as well.

Just this Saturday, Chevron Philippines and Flying V increased by P1.50 per liter on diesel, gasoline and kerosene making P11 increase in oil since March 2008. The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said they are planning for a series of rallies if the government will not do anything to control the rise of price. Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is having difficulty of discouraging transport groups from asking increase in fare since the Department of Energy (DoE) is unable or failed to convince oil companies from controlling the increase or even made effort in delaying it.

Obama to Represent the Democrats

Senator Barack Obama win the victory over Hillary Clinton in the race for the presidential nomination of the democratic party. It has been six months these two politicians gone over debates and campaigns to win the heart of the Americans. Just this Tuesday, Obama finally got the nomination from the party making him the first black American bi-racial American nominee for the presidency. To win the poll, one must have a vote of 2,118 from the party delegates all over United States. Obama got 2,181 while Clinton has 1,919 votes.

Billionaire Bob Johnson plans to urge Obama thru the Congressional Black Caucus to offer Clinton the vice presidency slot but news have it that Obama named Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late John F. Kennedy, and former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to be in the vice presidency team. For now, we have to wait for more of the latest on this tight electoral race.

Reviving the sleeping blog...

Today, I am finally reviving my blog which launched June 2006. Its been two years since this blog was sleeping. I hope I can justify enlivening it. Ganbaru!

Woman in a Male Dominated World, Anne Lauvergeon

Such an interesting personality of ANNE LAUVERGEON, Chief Executive Officer of Areva, a nuclear giant company owned by the French government, to be dominating in a male world organization. The company has more than 65,000 employees in 4 continents all over the world. It is fascinating to know how this woman survived the environment and out-powered men in this business.

Anne Lauvergeon was tagged as the "Atomic Anne" or the "Queen of Nukes" by the press. She was a former CEO of another nuclear company Cogema in 1999 and by 2001 merged it with Framatome to create Areva. She is promoting nuclear energy as a way of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

She was included in the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the World by Forbes Magazine. In 2004 she placed #53, in 2006 #8 and topped 14 in 2008. She even won the 360Fashion vote for the sexiest shoes in a conference.

Truly an amazing woman in the 21st Century. Wave the flag Madam!