I actually had no idea what time did President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave her State of the Nation Address (SONA). To be honest, I had no interest of listening. It has been years all these presidents had the same thing said. They all spoke of their achievements in the government and how they helped in the economic stability of the nation. Well, what else would they say? Should they be telling unpleasant things and deeds in their administration? I have grown tired of all these facade and decided to just be passive and not be tied with the issues.
Showing posts with label Philippines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philippines. Show all posts
Monday, July 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
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.
Monday, June 23, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Water-motored Car in Japan: A Filipino Invention?
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
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.
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!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, June 09, 2008
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.
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.
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