Photo above courtesy of Ancel May Brillantes.

9AM. Just got up for the PACQUIAO-COTTO fight. The entire family stayed past midnight at the NINOY AQUINO STADIUM to cheer for CRAIG JOHN NENIEL, a family member who is the DRUMMER of the rock band EEVEE who bested 13 other national finalists as they rocked the stage with 14 famous local rock bands.

EEVEE made it as the LONE REPRESENTATIVE OF DAVAO and one of the three for the entire MINDANAO landing as the SOLE GRAND WINNER of NESCAFE 3in1 SOUNDSKOOL 2009! Simplicity, clarity, relevance of its music plus great talent made them winners! We’re so proud indeed! Para sa Davao! Astig!

Last night, I found myself suddenly back in my good old rock and roll days as I watched the performances of various rock bands both finalists and mentors. Pinoys got talent indeed!. Rock and roll will always be rock and roll!

Well, the EEVEE only got a few audience cheering last night because most finalists came from LUZON and VISAYAS bringing with them lots of supporters. Nonetheless, 5 heads plus Nico and a few others clapping and shouting for the EEVEE added a good recipe for SUCCESS! Congrats!

———————————————————————

I got this email from my mother just now and it contained 8 images full of 8 wisdoms that I thought of sharing in the hope that I may pass the same to you all.

In fairness, time has been so kind to me. I may have experienced everything and having been to all the extremes of life, I’m a survivor. A VP once asked me if I’m the type of guy that will swim when thrown in any body of water, I said yes although I’m not a good swimmer. Hahaha. Well, I can suit any situation. Indeed, no pain, no gain! I am thankful that life made me even more competent and stronger. God is good!

————————————————————-

Always believe in yourself and you will definitely make it no matter how hard the challenges can be! Do not be intimidated by the tides of darkness and failure because they are intended to make you more stronger to win your battles. Trust your capabilities. Know your weaknesses. Strive hard to improve and grow. Victory nears those who works hard to achieve one. Just my two cents!

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Forgetfulness. A gift of God bestowed upon debtors in compensation for their destitution of conscience. Well, Ambrose Bierce was right! I wonder if people will get to remember settling off their debts than hiding in the shadows of "intentional forgetting". Our folks taught us to always return whatever is borrowed. I wonder if some really grew up orphaned that they missed such teaching! Tsk. THE CREDIT COLLECTOR. Bow!

CONCLUSION

Manny Pacquiao won the fight at Round 12 but it was remarkable as well that Miguel Cotto survived and fought so well amidst the fact that he was less cheered as an UNDERDOG. He is a great fighter too far better than Pacman’s recent foes! Kudos to both fighters!

FYI. Z Gorres, a Filipino boxer as well won but he is now in a coma after his skull was opened due to injury after the fight. As we rejoice over the victory of Manny Pacquiao, let us put time to pray for Z GORRES. He is a Filipino Hero as well! He brought pride to the Philippines!

I have made a topic #ZGORRES at TWITTER where you can RT messages. You can check #PACQUIAO and #PACMANFTW. We are looking forward and praying hard for his immediate recovery as we celebrate the two victories for our two great fighters – GORRES and PACQUIAO! Kudos to all!

LINKS

http://sports.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20091114-236238/Z-The-Dream-Gorres-hospitalized-after-Vegas-win

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/sports/view/20091115-236375/Gorres-falls-into-coma-after-beating—Melendez

You may start casting your vote to add a little excitement to the upcoming boxing event of 2009 . You may also use the data below for your reference.

Links:
WHO WILL BE PACQUIAO’S NEXT FOE?
MANNY PACQUIAO VS FLOYD MAYWEATHER
MANNY PACQUIAO VS JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ
MANNY PACQUIAO VS MIGUEL COTTO
MANNY PACQUIAO VS RICKY HATTON

Source:
http://www.hbo.com/boxing/fighters/pacquiao_manny/bio.html
http://www.hbo.com/boxing/fighters/cotto_miguel/bio.html

Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo?

(A special report from a volunteer)

Oct 21st, 2009 by ella

Dear friends,

I’m asking your help to spread the word. Tulungan po ninyo akong ikalat ito. Beyond this, we should also demand action. I disabled a plugin so you can copy the photos of relief goods rotting in DSWD warehouses. You can link this post to your blogs, facebook, websites etc. You can also email the photos.

Philippine News (US based Philippine newspaper) will use this as its front page story this week. Every Filipino has the right to know where the tons of donations from the UN and other counties go. Kahit po nakakahiya sa mga nag-donate. Kung sa ganitong paraan, matutulungan natin ang mga nasalanta, then by all means, let’s do it.

For those who have the time, please try to volunteer sa DSWD warehouses. Getting in was not easy. A friend had to put in a word for us. Let’s see kung madali nang makapasok sa DSWD warehouse ang mga volunteers.

Please read on and good luck to us.

Ella

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(This post was last edited Oct 22, 12:30 pm)

Kahapon, tinanong ng Philippine News si DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral:

Editor of Philippine News: Why are the relief goods in DSWD warehouses not moving?

DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral: Wala kasing volunteers.

This short interview was done over the phone. Philippine News wanted to hear her side pero ayaw niyang makipag-usap sa press. After four tries, pinasabi na lang niya ang maikling sagot na ito sa secretary niya – “Walang volunteers”.

I don’t want to accuse her of corruption but at the very least she is showing signs of being totally incompetent. We are in a state of calamity where every second counts. May namamatay araw-araw dahil sa sakit.

In my opinion, these deaths could have been prevented if Secretary Cabral had tried a little harder to do her job.

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Deaths from Philippine storms nears 1,000

“Tropical Storm Ketsana left 420 dead and 37 missing when it flooded 80 percent of Manila on September 26, a disaster the government said affected 4.35 million people.

Some areas are still flooded three weeks later and 189,000 people remain in evacuation centres,

Typhoon Parma hit the northern Philippines on October 3 and lingered as a tropical storm for a week, triggering landslides that killed 438 people and leaving 51 missing mostly in mountain communities.

The government agency said Parma affected 4.16 million people, including more than 32,000 who remain at evacuation centres.”

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During the first week after the storm, lumabas ang “bayanihan spirit” ng mga Pinoy. “Makatulong lang kahi’t konti,” katwiran nila.

kung walang volunteers, ano ‘to, komiks?

From Stella Arnaldo’s blog:

“At the offices of many civic groups and private organizations, hundreds of people showed up to volunteer in packing relief goods.

At the Tulong Bayan center at the Expo Centro in Cubao, Most of the volunteers were adolescents as young as 10 years old, along with their kuya or ate in high school and college.

They came in huge numbers, many of them barkadas, classmates or siblings, dressed just in their tees and shorts, wearing their Havaianas. All were just enthusiastic to do their share!
Photos by Leah Navarro


Even grade school kids pitched in to help!


Youth volunteers repack detergents for distribution


Making beds from carton boxes

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GMA asked world for donations

Our government begged the world for more donations. Sumagot ang buong mundo sa ating panawagan. In less than three weeks, dumaong ang mga barko, ibinaba mula sa mga cargo planes, i-diniliver ng mga trak at container vans ang sandamakmak na relief goods. Cash donations were in the millions of dollars.

But these donations must be coursed through DSWD

Nagpalabas ng directive ang pangulo. Individuals, private companies and other nations were ENCOURAGED to send their donations to DSWD. I blogged about it here and the video of her announcement here.

This PGMA directive sounded suspicious to me then. Now I know why. Here’s the story.

A group of eight people, your ate Ella included, went to one of DSWD warehouses to help in repacking relief goods. We know they need volunteers pero hindi namin akalaing WALANG TAO TALAGA SA LOOB NG WAREHOUSE!

As in sa isang humongous warehouse (1000++ sq.m) NA PUNONG-PUNO NG RELIEF GOODS HANGGANG BUBONG, ISANG DSWD employee lang at ISANG SECURITY GUARD ang tao!!

Kailangang magpa-register at i-schedule ang volunteering

1) UNICEF Registration (as a volunteer)

The warehouse can only take as much as 50 volunteers at a time or per shift. Here you will find that there is a 4-hour shift, and an option for a 6-hour shift for the volunteers to indicate their availability.

What “volunteers”? Nasaan?

Aside from the 8 of us? Nope, there was nobody there. Bakit kailangan ang scheduling? Feeling hindi ba magkamayaw at nagu-unahan ang mga volunteers?

I know somebody who wanted to volunteer many times. She was always bumped off, laging nirere-schedule kasi “there were too many volunteers” daw. At tuwing Sunday lang daw puwede. What the hell is going on here?

Nakatambak ang donations ng UNICEF sa warehouse, local and international

Mga banig na dapat ay nahihigaan ng mga nasalanta. Mga imported camp beds na hindi na yata masisilayan ng mga biktima. Mga kumot na hindi naman nakabalot sa katawan nila. At mga pagkaing hindi sumasayad sa sikmura nila.

The relief goods are not going anywhere

We arrived at about 8 am and left by midafternoon and yes, you guessed it right. Kami pa rin ang tao bukod sa isang DSWD employee sa loob ng warehouse maghapon. Walang ibang dumating.

The relief goods are not moving. By the way things look, they are not going anywhere. Hindi maglalakad mag-isa ang mga donations na ito papunta sa mga evacuation centers.

LET THE PICTURES DO THE TALKING

Note: Pinagbawalan kaming kumuha ng pictures sa loob ng warehouse. I wonder why.

“Not a creature was moving, not even a mouse.”

Parang haunted warehouse ang dating. May multo na yata.

Kahit na daig pa ang tindahan sa Divisoria sa dami ng naka-stack na kaldero

At walang katapusang kaldero pa ulit

Kahit halos natakpan na ang mga bintana sa dami ng mga kahon

Kahit umabot na hanggang kisame ang stack ng mga kahon

(Close up ng Coleman camp beds sa previous photo) Hindi ito kasama sa ni-repack naming goods. Para sa mga “special victims” kaya ito? Ire-repack kaya ang mga “imported” camp pads na ito ever?

Sabagay, may BANIG naman para sa “ordinary victims”. Ito ang kasama sa inimpake namin. Sayang ‘yung imported.

Ano kaya ang laman nito? Hindi rin pinabuksan. Pang-special victim din kaya ito? (teka, dito nga pala galing ‘yung mga kumot)

Mahiwagang mga kahon from Japan Aid.

(close up ng mahiwagang kahon) Hindi rin ito kasali, of course. Hindi namin alam kung ano ang laman nito. “Imported” are not included, we have concluded.

Marami ito, mga laruang kasinlaki ng tao. Hindi nakunan ng pic kasi nasa tabi ng sikyo.

PORK AND BEANS? Yup, you’d think kasama ito sa relief bag. Pork and beans lang ‘to, puwede na sigurong ipamigay,

Naaah! “Imported” pork and beans from Spain po ito. Sorry, hindi pa rin included

Now let’s take a look at what a victim will get from DSWD

Look Ma, sampung lata ng sardinas! How generous! Kaldero ang unang ilalagay sa sako. Sabong panglaba (bar soap) at sampung sardinas sa ilalim. Siyam na sabon sa gilid ng kaldero. Local goods lahat syempre.

Tapos papatungan ng isang tuwalya at isang pack ng sanitary napkin.

Sisiksikan ng tatlong rolyo ng kumot(?) ang blue water jug tapos ipapatong sa kaldero sa loob ng sako.

Last but not the least, lalagyan ng dalawang banig.

Sabay tatahiin na ang sako. O di ba, parang asong tinapunan ng buto ang mga nasalanta? Eniwey, busog naman sila sa SAMPUNG lata ng Mega sardinas

Do not delay

YOU THINK?? WTF is the matter with these people? Mag-iisang buwan na mula nang masalanta ang mga kababayan natin. ISANG BUWAN!! Do you mean “do not delay ang dati nang delayed”?? Shet.

Anong ginagawa ng mga donations na ito sa warehouse?? APAT na warehouse ang nasa loob ng compound na ‘yon! APAT na warehouse na punong-puno ng inaalikabok na relief goods! Relief goods na ayaw yata ibigay sa mga nasalanta. Halatang-halata.

Marami pang pabubulukin

Wow! May bagong shipment na naman! At the rate DSWD is moving, next year na madi-discover kung ano ang laman ng mga kahong ito.

“The first of two of the largest high-energy food shipments from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) arrived in the country two days ago for victims of storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.”

The biscuits were fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for supplementary feeding to children, pregnant women and the elderly in evacuation camps. Another 100 tons of biscuits will arrive on Oct. 24, in a continuing effort to provide food assistance to flood victims.

Sige, ideretso ‘nyo ulit ‘yan sa DSWD warehouse. Para AMAG naman ang abutin ng biskwit… at sapot ng gagamba.

Conclusion

Sa maghapon namin sa warehouse,nakagawa kami ng 150 sacks of relief goods. 150 bags of relief goods lang ang lumabas sa warehouse na ‘yon that day. At nandoon pa rin sa loob ang mga imported relief goods, safe, sound and packed as the day they arrived.

Nakisakay kami palabas sa isang DSWD delivery van. Gusto sana kaming ihatid ng driver hanggang Makati pero wala raw siyang sobrang gasolina. Ibinaba na lang niya kami sa gitna ng EDSA. Millions of dollars in donations, walang extrang pang-gasolina.

Susulpot din siguro ang laman ng mga mahiwagang kahon at mapapasakamay din ng mga tao…sa ARAW NG ELEKSYON. O mabibili na nila ang mga imported goods na ‘yon sa mga puwesto sa Quiapo at Divisoria.

Suggestions lang po sa DSWD:

Alam ‘nyo palang walang mag-volunteer sa inyo, bakit hindi kayo mag-hire ng mga tao? Bayaran ‘nyo ng arawan para mag-repack. Ang daming walang trabaho, makakatulong pa kayo. Hindi naman malaking kabawasan ‘yon sa bilyong pisong donasyon na natanggap ninyo.

Isa pa, gaano ba karami ang mga sundalo natin? Hindi ba puwedeng ipagawa sa kanila ‘yan? Baka isang araw lang, tapos na ang problema ‘nyo

Bakit hindi ‘nyo ibigay ang trabaho sa mga NGO, churches, private charities, TV stations? I’m sure they are more than willing to help. Time is of the essence. Huwag kayong suwapang. Obvious ba, hindi ‘nyo naman kaya.

Kung talagang gugustuhin ninyong makarating agad sa mga kawawang biktima ang mga donasyong ‘yon, nagawa ‘nyo na ‘yan. Maraming paraan…kung talagang gusto ‘nyo lang.

You are the government. You have the power, the resources and the money. You just have to really care.

 

Dee-ess-dabalyoo-di

Oct 2nd, 2009 by ella

Parang sing-song ang Dee-ess-dabalyoo-di, grabe. Annoying na, irritating pa. Ang sakit sa tenga kainis

I don’t get this. Ibig ba sabihin nito gagawan pa ng pera ng gobyerno ang mga donasyon kapag hindi dumaan sa Dee-ess-dabalyoo-di (accent on deee and yoo)? Sorry po, ayoko nang magmura pero hindi ko matiis. Tangina.

Unawain nating mabuti ang gustong mangyari ng ating pangulo. Medyo hindi kanais-nais ang dating nito eh. Ang kulet masyado ni Gloria sa Dee-ess-dabalyoo-di.

“Donations done straight to private individuals are subject to donor’s tax, “BIR Commissioner Sixto Esquivias said. “Donations to government and charitable institutions are exempt.” Full report here

Parang may mali dito. Wala na bang patatawarin ang mga crocs na ‘to? Pati donasyon sa mga nasalanta ng baha, laman-tiyan din ng buwaya? Pakshet yata ah.

I know, I know, meron talagang donor’s tax sa ating batas pero joskonaman, hindi kaya dapat i-suspend o kaya i-waive muna ‘yon?

Alam ko rin na puwedeng abusuhin ng mga mapagsamantala ang exemption sa donor’s tax . Pero naman, sa pag-aarimuhan ng mga crocs sa makukupit na tax sa kanila, mas malaki ang mawawalang tulong sa mga biktima kapag ganyan. It’s not discouraging unscrupulous tax evaders. It’s discouraging donations to private individuals.

This is how I understand it. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Let’s say taga-Merika ako at saksakan ng yaman. I want to donate 1 million pesos sa alma mater ko dahil nasalanta siya ng baha at maraming nasira. Pero ayoko nang padaanin sa Deee-ess-dabalyoo-di. Gusto ko deretso sa alumni association para mabilis at wala ng red tape.

My one million peso donation will be subject to 2-15% donor’s tax dahil hindi ko pinadaan sa DSWD. Gawin na nating 15%. Let’s do the math, guys.

WTF!? Kukunin ng gobyerno ang P150,000 ko??? Nag-donate na nga ako ng isang milyon, kakaltasan pa ako ng buwis na 150 thousand? Tama ba ‘yon? Naku ha, di bale na lang. Thanks but no thanks. Hindi na lang ako magdo-donate.

Kung sigurado akong ipangbibili ng mga rubber boats at kung anu-ano pang rescue gear ang kinaltas na tax sa akin, ok lang. Tatlo’t kalahating piraso lang yata ang rubber boats ng Pilipinas eh. Pero syempre hindi ko na malalaman kung kaninong bulsa mapupunta ang tax na ‘yon. Baka ipangkakain lang ng CAVIAR pag nagpasyal ulit sa NY.

Conclusion

Gusto kong mag-donate pero wala akong karapatan kung kanino ko gustong ibigay ang donasyon ko. Dapat lahat ng cash donations deretso sa Dee-ess-dabalyoo-di. Kung hindi, tatagain ako sa buwis. Unfuckingbelievable.

Akshuli may choice ako kung hind ko type ang Dee-ess-dabalyoo-di . Pero kung hindi dadaan sa kamay ng gobyerno ang cash donations ko, donor’s tax ang parusa ko. Interesting…very interesting indeed. Ang lupet ng utak.

Sa totoo lang…

Mamili na lang tayo kung alin dito ang original name ng tax na kakaltasin sa mga cash donations para sa biktima ni Ondoy. Parang disguise lang ang “donor’s tax” sa sitwasyong ito eh.

Komisyon sa donasyon tax?

Magkano ang akin diyan tax?

Porsyento ko tax?

Kickback tax (kick the victims when they turn their backs)?

Kotong sa biktima tax?

My cut tax?

Caviar tax?

Beach house tax? (cute hehe)

Who gives a shit to the victims tax?

By the time you’re 30, your salary should be P120,000

- by Dan Magallanes

Philippine Daily Inquirer (October 7, 2007)

YES, you read it right. By the time you reach the age of 30, your salary level should be four times your age. If not, go and check what’s wrong with your career. See a career doctor. Don’t trust your self-assessment.

It is not a do-it-yourself thing. There was a time I was experiencing a severe stiffness in my neck and I was supposed to meet the CEO of a multinational company over dinner in Hong Kong. On my way to the airport I dropped in at Lourdes Hospital to see its director, Dr. Jose M. Pujalte, a world-class orthopedic surgeon. He prescribed a tiny tablet which cost me more than the price of an Emma Shapplin CD. But presto, upon reaching the check-in counter at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, I felt relieved and ready for the short flight and brain boggling meeting that very same day.

Lesson in life–don’t trust yourself in areas beyond your competencies. Farm it out. Hire a professional consultant. I am a consultant myself, but beyond my expertise, I hire only the best. I am prepared to pay the high price because quality for me is expensive. Career planning has being done in the first world a long time ago. In the Philippines, we don’t do it that’s why we still remain in the third world class. It becomes a dictate from home.

When the boom for nursing employment in the US and UK hits the country, everybody wants to become a "nurse." This is motivated by the dollar syndrome and the opportunity to bring the whole family to the land of milk and honey–a promise of comfortable and easy life. Even licensed doctors are burning their brows again to study nursing and swiftly get to the US. High school graduates are no longer given the chance to pursue a career where they will eventually become happier.

Of course, it is the responsibility of the parents to guide them on what course to take in relation to their capability and interest. But it is still the best move to hire a professional career consultant. Planning should start from the time you pursue a degree. But it is not too late for you now if you will only keep an open mind.

A group of friends of mine from abroad who are experienced professional career consultants pooled themselves together and established a career consulting office despite of my objection that it will not prosper in the Philippines at that time–or even now. Seven months later, they all decided to pack up and head to where they uprooted themselves. In my history as a headhunter for 17 years, I only got three appointments for career counseling. One was an executive of a mall, the second of a well-known television entertainer and the third, a very popular clothes designer in the ’80s.

I have observed that most of our executives and professionals at any point in their career would rather buy a high-end mobile phone or an expensive designer bag than pay a career consultant for their stagnant or sagging career. They tend to forget that they have to live on a parallel lifestyle based on their position in the company and of course their take-home pay. If you are bent on having a good career, you have to focus on how you will attain it at a certain paradigm. It is not wanting but not doing anything.

On one occasion that I was invited to speak before a huge audience composed of young managers. I asked them to raise their hands if they want to become successful in their career. Everybody did. But when I asked if they have made a thorough check on where they were heading, no one braved the challenge.

I have interviewed hundreds and hundreds of executives and professionals in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA, Europe and even as far as Samoa and I have seen why only a few are successful. New graduates, forget about where you got your degree. I never look at the so-called "top universities." I claim to pioneer in promoting this attitude with my multinational client-companies.

Have you ever wondered why this 38-year-old guy who earned his degree from a not-so-known college in the southern part of the country got a job which offered a whooping basic salary of P500,000 per month plus dizzying perks? You read it right: half a million pesos on the 30th day of every month.

This executive bested nine other candidates who are mostly graduates of "top universities" in the Philippines fielded by other headhunters. The interview process was tedious. First interview was done in Manila; second in Bangkok; third in Singapore. Then there were only four shortlisted candidates. The fifth interview was done in Hong Kong. A week later, I got a call from the chair of the company in the US and was asked to send my candidate to the US on a first-class seat that very same week for a courtesy call with the big bosses. He got the job. He was given a signing bonus of $50,000.

The secret? MBA? No, he does not have one and does not aspire to have one. It was his attitude, the quality of his experiences and accomplishments, capped by the desire to make things "happen" now.

If you do not have at least 10 years of meaningful work experience occupying a manager’s position in your current employ, then you don’t need an MBA. Most of the top executives I placed do not carry graduate degrees. Being an honor graduate is likewise unimportant. I do not look at the transcript of records. I often wondered why most of the summa, magna and cum laude graduates do not make it to the top. My profession has shown me the reasons.

One: honor graduates tend to be perfectionist and idealistic.

Two: they have high career expectations within a short period of time because they know they are the best.

Three: they have little patience. Since they are intelligent, they want things done their way, within their time frame which is impossible in a corporate arena. People skills matter. Team work counts. You are not alone in your department.

I once plucked a 28-year-old guy who works as communications officer for an international NGO. Impressed with his impeccable oral communication skills, I again concluded this fellow is a graduate of a so-so college.

True enough–he obtained his bachelor’s degree from an up-town college in the south. He speaks with elan.

At a young age, he has already published a book on corporate social responsibility which is being used as the guide book of all the worldwide offices of the NGO where he worked with. He was asked by his employ to travel to different countries to speak about the topic he had written. I advised and moved him to a more responsible position with a blue-chip company for three times his present salary.

The company where I placed him was taken over by another giant. He called me up for advice. I coached him to move to another assignment. Other managers in his level decided to stay on. For three months, he could not find a job better or even parallel to his previous compensation, experience and qualifications. He started to get nervous. He dropped in my office one late afternoon and invited me for coffee. After a thorough analysis of everything in his career life, I told him to capitalize on his creative juices. Put on a new pair of shoes–be an entrepreneur. That was three months before Christmas.

On his first month, he already earned his salary for the first quarter of the following year. Capital? No. It is trusting the expert to do the thinking for him. His fellow managers who remained during the acquisition process were later advised on redundancy of their position. They lost their jobs.

It is true that career professionals move for better pay. But it should not be the monetary consideration all the time if you really want a high-flying career. Don’t move just because the work is near the place where you live. Don’t move because you just want to move. Pay an expert the way you pay for a nice-looking Louis Vuitton purse or a top-of-the-line mobile phone.

The best career is in the Philippines nowadays. Blue-chip companies are coming our way. This is the place to become successful. The most comfortable life is here. You leave the country because you feel you cannot make it here. If you cannot make it here, you cannot make it anywhere. Be a winner in your own country.

Remember, by the time you reach the age of 30, your salary should be four times your age.

(The author is CEO of Headhunter Manila, an executive search firm. He consults for blue-chip companies and lectures on moving your career up. He also coaches executives and professionals. Feedback at dan@headhuntermanila.com)

You may all monitor TYPHOON PEPENG via http://tinyurl.com/typhoonpepeng. Start saving lives now, by being prepared and aware.

Please see the SCREENSHOT below of this interactive and useful TOOL where you can actually see images of storms and typhoons!

Source: http://www.goes.noaa.gov/guam/guamloops/guamir.html

OFW ‘abused’ after mistaken Facebook post on Ondoy

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abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/29/2009 6:21 PM

A controversial statement allegedly made by a Filipina overseas worker in Dubai that mocked Filipino victims of tropical storm Ondoy sparked negative reactions among many Pinoys here and abroad.

Jacque Bermejo has been the target of hate threads from Filipinos after someone used her identity to post a very offensive statement against Pinoys affected by the onslaught of tropical storm Ondoy on social networking site, Facebook.

“buti n lng am hir in dubai! maybe so many sinners bak der! so yeah deserving wat hapend (sic),” the comment read.

The said statement generated more than 1,000 responses from Filipino Facebook users.

The comments included hate messages, accusations and threats from fellow Filipinos.

A user named “Ondoy” posted on September 28, 2009: “Hambalusin na yan!”

Anonymous said: “don’t worry dadalaw tayo sa burol ni jacq bermejo. titingnan natin kung talagang patay siya! (sic)”

Jay-ar said: “meron ba kaung pix ng taong yan? baka kasi makasalubong ko sya mabigyan lang ng mag asawang bitch slap! grrrr…!! (sic)"

Srub09 commented: “sana sya na lng ang inanud ng baha!!porke nakapunta na ng ibang bansa.kung sino na makapagsalita…sipain ko yang mukha mo! (sic)”

Pusa said: “naloka ako sa mga comments sa kanya sa multiply… kasi naman in times like this we should all unite and do our best to help and we don’t need negative thoughts. (sic)”

Alyssa stated: “she’s pathetic and lacks good moral. dummy.(sic)”

Several new accounts on Facebook were also created under her name by irate users.

‘A Victim Too’

However, in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau, the person behind the controversial name maintained her innocence.

Bermejo denied posting the insulting remarks on Facebook. The marketing executive is saddened by the comments she receives from fellow Filipinos for something she says she did not do.

“Pero naman kung ako siguro ang nakakita sa post na yun, mag iisip naman ako na, bakit naman niya gagawin iyan. Bakit niya ilalagay ang picture niya? Bakit niya ilalagay ang real identity niya? Parang bine-bait niya sarili niya na, ‘Ok, kill me’,” said Bermejo.

She explained that someone hacked her Facebook account and manipulated its contents two years ago. This prompted her to deactivate her account.

Furthermore, she brought the incident to the Dubai Police who advised her to just open another account.

She also revealed that accounts under her name in other social networking sites like Multiply and Friendster were not hers.

The hacker continued to manipulate the said sites often posting negative comments against her friends.

The last post that insulted people affected by the typhoon alarmed her. She said that after the post, many people started issuing threatening statements against her.

“Pero after this, itong post na ito, unang-unang ginawa ko kagabi umalis ako sa bahay ko. Doon ako natulog sa bahay ng mga kapatid ko kasi natatakot ako,” she said.

Her close friends could not help but feel sorry for what happened to her. They said their friend is clearly an innocent victim. They also appealed to fellow Filipinos to put an end to the issue.
“Gusto ko naman ma-clear yung (name) niya dahil hindi naman ganun si Jacque. And, kung sino ang gumawa nun, he is, something talaga is wrong sa kanya, dapat sana stop na yung mga ganung things eh,” said her friend “Mel”.

‘Official Statement’

A Facebook user posted Bermejo’s alleged official statement dated September 29, 2009 in the hopes of clearing her name.

She said that an unidentified source created the accounts using her name, her personal details, and pictures.

“Because of these incidents, I reported such abuses and sent my credentials to the administrators of such sites, particularly Facebook. I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as Facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc,” Bermejo’s statement said.

Her friends called her up and informed her about the cruel “shoutout” on the Facebook account and the numerous comments from other users.

“These malicious statement(s) which are posted under account names Jacque or Jackie are not of my doing. It is unfortunate that such statements were maliciously attributed to me and I do sympathize and understand the adverse and somehow verbally violent reaction that has been elicited by such insensitive statements or posts. Rest assured, I have taken every legal step that can be done in this regard,” the statement added

“I am devastated and shocked at the extent my character, my personal information and private space have been violated,” she stated.

Bermejo has taken legal steps to address the problem. She sought the help of the Philippine Consulate in Dubai and the National Bureau of Immigration to identify the motive and person behind the moves to discredit her.

Reports from Dindo Amparo, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau Chief, Dubai and abs-cbnNEWS.com

as of 09/29/2009 8:00 PM

NOTICE TO ALL READERS: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION AND CLARIFICATION

This article talks about the rude comments/tweets posted by TWEETER USERS @UGLYYUBIN and  @JEN_SHWA referencing FILIPINOS as THIRD WORLD MONKEYS that deserve to DIE in the flood because MONKEYS can’t swim.

Please read the TWEETER messages carefully. @CARMENTO has NOTHING TO DO with this. Her name was tagged in this story because the controversial hate message below was addressed to her my the POSER @UGLYYUBIN but she came to defend us.

Please observe caution as you read and post comments. We do not want to end up all barking at the wrong tree. But then again, the INDIVIDUALS behind these ALIASES are liable to the FILIPINO PEOPLE for their RACIST TWEETS! Please read on!

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The SCREENSHOT above shows some of the messages @UGLYYUBIN sent to various TWITTER USERS. Below is the partial transcript of messages or tweets sent by the said individual that stemmed the controversy.

Included as well below is a SCREENSHOT showing proof that the said TWEETER ACCOUNTS of @UGLYYUBIN and @JEN_SHWA were SUSPENDED by TWEETER due STRANGE ACTIVITIES and perhaps due to several reports by online people.

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• @carmento I hope it keeps raining and die in floods like those filipino monkeys about 19 hours ago from web in reply to carmento
• @jen_shwa 정말 사진 잘 나왔어요! ㅋㅋㅋㅋ!!!!! 좋아서 죽을 거 같아요!!!!6:40 PM Sep 27th from web

• @POOHNIDA 감사합니다!6:34 PM Sep 27th from web in reply to POOHNIDA

• @soapysuds Just give them your dinner. It should be enough to feed the whole country or 2 days ㅋㅋㅋ Or let them cook u, that will last 2 yrs!6:30 PM Sep 27th from web in reply to soapysuds

• @HelloMaiAzn Too bad I can’t understand ur bad English otherwise I would reply 2 u!Thanks 4 being fatter & uglier than me! I feel pretty now6:29 PM Sep 27th from web

• @WGyenny 야! 예은! 지금 한국에서! 지금 뭐해? I love watching those filipinos suffer and drowning in their 3rd world monkey island! Monkeys can’t swim! ㅋㅋ6:26 PM Sep 27th from web in reply to WGyenny

• @tangkwa I know u envy me because u told me ur a big fan of me. Thank u 8:43 AM Sep 27th from web in reply to tangkwa

• @KennyLovesWG Wat r u talking about? Thanks 4 being a fan of us 8:40 AM Sep 27th from web in reply to KennyLovesWG

• @MarryU5170 Hi! She messaged me 1st because she’s a big fan of me and WG! Thank u too 4 ur support ^^8:38 AM Sep 27th from web in reply to MarryU5170

• @yoobin_pig I’m not a pig! pigs r cute!1:13 AM Sep 27th from web in reply to yoobin_pig

• @MoLteaser Thanks 4 being a fan of me and WG! I will send u Spam if u cannot afford that fake meat in a can becoz I know u r 3rd world poor1:12 AM Sep 27th from web in reply to MoLteaser

• @wgchristine R u going to India to donate your fat body? It can feed half the poor country LOL or r u going to eat them cuz u like curry?LOL1:08 AM Sep 27th from web in reply to wgchristine

• @WGChristine Look at this girl http://www.myspace.com/hata… Fat, ugly & a Korean wannabe like you! :p LOL1:07 AM Sep 27th from web

• @HelloMaiAzn U r fucking stupid LOL If philippines isn’t a poor 3rd world monkey island, what is poor? If they’re not poor, what is poor?LOL1:06 AM Sep 27th from web in reply to HelloMaiAzn

• @jen_shwa Hey check this out! A 3rd world country full of monkeys are drowning and dying! ^^ http://bit.ly/17VjST1:05 AM Sep 27th from web

• @stupidsunye That’s y our English is bad. Coz we learn from our 3rd world fans who cant speak english either LOL Like Yenny said!10:48 PM Sep 26th from web in reply to stupidsunye

• @Kirakoda My birthday is coming up soon! October 4! I’m going to turn 21 soon! U should really learn how to spell "retarded" UR SO STUPID :p7:25 PM Sep 26th from web in reply to Kirakoda

• @alldanightlong Why do you think she’s so skinny? LOL You should try getting with her.7:22 PM Sep 26th from web in reply to alldanightlong

• @alldanightlong What about me? Am I too ugly 4 u? Don’t tell anyone this, but Sun Mi is the biggest slut of the group.7:21 PM Sep 26th from web in reply to alldanightlong

• @WGfollow Please don’t tell me not to come back 2 NYC becoz u found sum1 2 replace me coz I’m fat & ugly!10:26 AM Sep 26th from web

• @2PMKhun How many times did you have 2 suck JYP’s cock 2 get in2 that gay boyband? I see Jay couldn’t take the anal sex nemore & quit LOL!!!7:58 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to 2PMKhun

• @followjyp I need 2 get plastic surgery & go on a diet real fast b4 JYP makes up another lie I’m "sick" like what he did 2 현아 &kick me out!7:57 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to followjyp

• @WGyubin We need 2 get plastic surgery & go on a diet real fast b4 JYP makes up another lie we r "sick" like what he did 2 현아 &kick us out!7:55 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to WGyubin

• Good 2 be back in korea! I don’t have to be harassed by fat ugly white people or dirty smelly ugly southeast pacific islanders in America!11:59 PM Sep 25th from web

• @hirataiyume Just look up our religions in the wonder girls profile 11:56 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to hirataiyume

• I just made a filipino monkey maid and an Indonesian muslim whore cry LOL!!!!!11:47 PM Sep 25th from web

• @ImGAGAL thanks 4 being our fan 11:36 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to ImGAGAL

• @MoLteaser thanks 4 ur support! 11:35 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to MoLteaser

• @sesshylover17 U want spam short fat boy? LOL u can’t afford it? I’ll give u money since i luv my fans so much!11:29 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to sesshylover17

• @wgchristine thanks 4 being a fan and 4 ur support! u made me laugh a lot right now LOL!11:23 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to wgchristine

• @wgchristine sun mi doesn’t look 2 happy 2 have 2 stand next to ur ugly horse teeth fat ass LOL ur head is 2 times bigger than hers LOL11:23 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to wgchristine

• @ImGAGAL What kind of English is that? it doesn’t matter if u r stupid as long as we luv each other like yenny said. i live in korea.11:20 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to ImGAGAL

• @MoLteaser thank u 4 ur support! u need money 2 buy spam becoz u r 3rd world poor? ok i will give u money coz we love each other!11:18 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to MoLteaser

• @ImGAGAL my god! ur uglier than me! LOL nice improper english by the way stupid 3rd world peasant 11:16 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to ImGAGAL

• @wgchristine congratulations 4 showing ur fat ugly face. r u too stupid 2 c i put my face all over my profile? LOL11:14 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to wgchristine

• @funoo awww look who is crying now :p U shoudl of thought about that b4 ur ugly muslim monkey ass messaged me 1st LOL11:14 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to funoo

• @yoobin_is_fat Im yubin and im in korea rite now coz i need plastic surgery on my fucked up face10:40 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to yoobin_is_fat

• @funoo i told u since ur a fan of ours i will give u money so u can buy $2 Spam becoz u r too poor to afford that fake food LOL we luv all!10:35 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to funoo

• @funoo repeating the same world all the time? what? pretending as ugly yubin? LOL thanks 4 admitting yubin is ugly ;0)9:32 PM Sep 25th from web in reply to funoo

• @jen_shwa yeah it doesnt matter if we r stupid! as long as we love each other! like what 예은 said!9:20 PM Sep 25th from web

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AFTERMATH: TWITTER ACCOUNT SUSPENSION

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MORAL OF THE STORY: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS NEVER ABSOLUTE!

We all have the freedom to express be it in speech or in writing and even in other forms. This is something that cannot be deprived from us. Amidst this statement, we all needs to remember that this freedom is never absolute!

As how Spiderman’s Uncle Ben stated, WITH GREAT POWER COMES RESPONSIBILITY! We al need to be responsible enough to express this freedom without having to violate the rights and freedom of others. We need to be sensitive, cautious and accountable.

We need to learn from this much that we want to put an end to all these cases of IDENTITY THEFT, FRAUDULENT AND MALICIOUS ACTS just to GRAB ATTENTIONS and all these CARELESS WHISPERS or SHOUTS that offends people.

I know that many will get to share their reactions, feedbacks and comments. I cannot blame you all. I cannot impose the manner on how each of you can respond because I myself was shocked at the said TWEETS! So just keep cool and read on!

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Thank you!

‘GMA used P800-million emergency fund for foreign trips’

I’ve been wondering why of all the billions and billions of assistance we get from foreign countries and the trillions of budget we allocate annually, we barely have enough rubber boats and rescue equipments in our nation’s inventory when we know for a fact that we are prone to typhoons and calamities.

The Philippines can afford to send congressmen to the White House for a photo-ops while it cannot deploy a rescue team timely and armed with complete gears in Metro Manila! The government could have saved more lives and fulfill its mandate to protect the lives of Filipinos if only it had the resources and the political will to do so!

The President can afford to travel along with her colleagues around the globe spending P3.3 billion of people’s money plus a lavish $20,000 dinner but cannot buy rubber boats? I do not have a personal grundge on her but based on what I read and see on the news, I cannot help but feel disappointed as a diligent taxpayer!

So where is Rep. Martin Romualdez now who was said to have shouldered the $20,000 lavish dinner in New York? Is he willing as well to donate $20,000 to the poor victims of Typhoon Ondoy? Is Rep. Danilo Suarez who paid $15,000 for a separate meal in Washington DC ready as well to donate $15,000 to help rebuild lives of poor victims?

Anyway, below is a news article I got online from The Philippine Star that could explain perhaps in partial why the country can afford to plane people to a PACQUIAO match but cannot deploy team of rescuers in Marikina City or better buy enough RUBBER BOATS! I do hope that all these would lead to a POSITIVE CHANGE! Thank you!

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By Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star) Updated August 15, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo used up the government’s P800-million contingency fund for emergencies like calamities for her frequent foreign trips, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III revealed yesterday.

“She exhausted not only Malacañang’s travel

funds but also the P800-million appropriation for emergencies in the 2008 national budget,” he told radio station dzMM.

He said he based his revelation on a Commission on Audit (COA) report submitted to Speaker Prospero Nograles this week.

“I have a copy of the report. An assistant commissioner of COA even briefed us on their shocking findings,” he said.

Guingona said the COA findings show that the 2008 contingency fund was not enough for foreign travels and Mrs. Arroyo had to augment it by P120 million.

“The augmentation was also exhausted,” he added.

Guingona also said the President overspent for her foreign travels between 2003 and 2007 by P1.6 billion.

She has only P1.1 billion under the annual budgets but she spent P2.7 billion over that period, he said.

He said the House of Representatives should have discovered the excess spending during the budget hearings.

“But the House is dominated by the President’s allies, so they just turn a blind eye,” he said.

He accused the President of violating the annual budget law “because she could not augment what Congress had approved and authorized her to spend.”

He said he would demand during the forthcoming budget hearings details on how and when Malacañang’s travel funds and the appropriation for contingencies were used.

Mrs. Arroyo’s latest foreign travel was her weeklong working visit to the United States two weeks ago.

It has become controversial largely due to at least two expensive dinners the President and her entourage of more than 50 enjoyed in posh restaurants in Washington and New York City.

Sen. Francis Escudero has criticized Mrs. Arroyo’s frequent travels abroad, saying she has spent more than P3 billion in taxpayers’ money for them.

Before her latest US visit, she “circumnavigated” the globe by flying to Tokyo, then to Los Angeles, Colombia, Brazil, Dubai, and Hong Kong before returning to Manila, he said.

According to former Senate president Ernesto Maceda, Mrs. Arroyo has spent a total of P5.5 billion for more than 50 foreign trips she has made since 2001.

In a recent television interview, Maceda said appropriations in the annual budgets for the President’s trips totaled P3.3 billion.

“In addition to these, there are contingency funds that could be used for foreign travel. Mrs. Arroyo has realigned a total of P2.2 billion of these funds for her foreign trips,” he said.

He said he got his data from the Department of Budget and Management and the Senate finance committee, of which he was chairman for five years.

He added that Escudero’s P3-billion figure apparently did not include realignments from the contingency funds.

Meanwhile, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez confirmed yesterday that President Arroyo and her large entourage had another expensive dinner in New York City other than the controversial $20,000 meal at the posh Le Cirque French restaurant.

“Yes, there was a second dinner in New York. But I was not there. I had other engagements,” he said.

He could not say where it was exactly or how much the presidential entourage paid.

Text messages purportedly coming from a staff member of the Philippine embassy in Washington claim that Mrs. Arroyo’s party enjoyed two dinners at Le Cirque.

The embassy supposedly paid for the New York City dinners, including the controversial meal on Aug. 2, for which Press Secretary Cerge Remonde claimed Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez shelled out $20,000.

The messages also claim it was the embassy that paid for a $3,500-a-night suite for the President and 60 $950-a-night rooms for her congressional companions at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos used to stay.

Suarez and Rep. Romualdez are among Mrs. Arroyo’s favorite congressional companions whenever she travels abroad.

On Thursday, Suarez claimed that he was the one who paid $15,000 for steaks and lobsters at a Washington DC restaurant last July 30.

COA audit pushed

For a left-wing lawmaker, the Commission on Audit should form a special audit team to review the “lavish” spending of President Arroyo in her US trip.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño personally went to the office of COA chairman Reynaldo Villar, and handed him a two-page letter containing his request. He said he merely wanted the “whole truth about the controversies surrounding the US trip.”

He also invoked Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, which may have been violated by government officials who had partaken of the expensive meals in New York and Washington.

“Like most of our countrymen, I wonder, what other lavish expenses were made by the Philippine delegation?” he asked. Casiño finds the meal expenses “irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant or unconscionable even if bills were footed by a private entity.”

Casiño, fellow Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza filed House Resolution 1315 that seeks to direct the House committee on good government to conduct an inquiry on the matter.

Casiño said it is well “within the jurisdiction of COA to determine, through a special audit, if public funds were irregularly used and if laws and policies were violated.”

Anakpawis Rep. Joel Maglunsod said Malacañang must present to the public a detailed accounting of all expenses of the President’s state and working travels abroad, including her latest trip to the US.

“The people deserve to know how much the President spent for her foreign travels,” he said.

“The expensive dinner at Le Cirque and the meal at Bobby Van’s Steak House in Washington are just the tip of the iceberg. Mrs. Arroyo and her entourage are definitely spending more than what they should during their junkets,” Maglunsod added.

“Whether the meals were paid for by private individuals or government officials, Mrs. Arroyo has a lot of explaining to do about her expenses during her trips and her swelling wealth,” he said.

“It is evident that Mrs. Arroyo and other public officials joining working and state visits violated Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” Maglunsod said.

No excuse

“The report that the consulate in New York has been asked to foot the bill is disturbing, and if true, exposes the sham behind Malacañang’s claim that taxpayer’s money was not spent for the Le Cirque dinner,” Makati City Mayor and opposition leader Jejomar Binay said.

Source: Jess Diaz, Delon Porcalla, Christina Mendez, Jose Rodel Clapano

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=496123&publicationSubCategoryId=63

How to help ‘Ondoy’ victims

INQUIRER.net
First Posted 11:56:00 09/28/2009
Filed Under: Disasters (general), Weather

(As a service to our readers, INQUIRER.net has culled a list of private and business groups and institutions accepting donations for victims of “Ondoy.” It has also placed links to interactive maps that will give information on disaster areas.—Ed.)

MANILA, Philippines – Below is a consolidated report of the interactive maps, private groups and business organizations where you can find information on how to help the victims of tropical storm Ondoy, based on the sites of INQUIRER.net columnist Manuel Quezon III ( http://www.quezon.ph/2009/09/26/how-to-help/), bloggers Frannywanny ( http://www.frannywanny.com/2009/09/public-advisory-typhoon-ondoy-ketsana.html) and Jane ( http://herestolife.wordpress.com/) and Google map creators Serge Gregorio and Franklin Naval.

Rescue Operations

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) (+632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9115061, +632-9122665) Help hotlines: (+65 734-2118, 734-2120) ndcchelpdesk@gmail.com
Philippine Coast Guard (+632-5276136)
Air Force (+63908-1126976, +632-8535023)
Metro Manila Development Authority (136)
Marikina City Rescue (+632-6462436, +632-6462423, +632920-9072902) Pasig Rescue Emergency Number (+632-6310099)
Quezon City Rescue (161)
San Juan City Hall Command Post (+632-4681697)
Bureau of Fire Protection Region III (Central Luzon) Hotline: (+63245-9634376)
Senator Dick Gordon (+639178997898, +63938-444BOYS, +632-9342118, +632-4338528)
Senator Manny Villar (+639174226800. +639172414864, +639276751981)
Philippine National Red Cross (143, +632-5270000)
Philippine National Red Cross Rizal Chapter operations center hotline: (+632-6350922, +632-6347824)

Rubber boat and chopper requests

NCRPO (+632-8383203, +632-8383354)
Private citizens who would like to lend their motor boats for rescue please call emergency nos: +632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9122665, +632-9115061)
You can also text (+632917-4226800 or +632927-6751981) for rescue dump trucks.
For those who are able to lend 4×4 trucks for rescue: Please send truck to Greenhills Shopping Center Unimart Grocery to await deployment, Tel No. (+632920-9072902).
Petron & San Miguel Corporation are lending choppers for rescue operations, call/text: (+632917-8140655) ask for Lydia Ragasa

Power supply concerns

Meralco (+63917-5592824, 16211, +63920-9292824) If you want service cut off to your area to prevent fires and electrocution.

Donations of heavy duty flashlights needed for rescue operations in Cainta, Rizal area. Contact Cielo at (+632918-8824356)

E-Donations

SMS: text RED to 2899 (Globe) and 4483 (Smart)
G-Cash: text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882
TXTPOWER.org: Paypal, Smart Money (5577-5144-1866-7103), G-Cash (0917-9751092)

Cellphone services

FINDERSERVICE. For Smart, text wis to 386.
FINDERSERVICE. For Globe, text find to 7000.

Maps

A group composed of Serge Gregorio and Franklin Naval has put up an interactive rescue map to locate victims in Marikina, one of the hardest hit areas by Ondoy.

To post a message for you on the map, use this web form: http://bit.ly/ondoymapresponse or email segregorio@gmail.com and franklin.naval@gmail.com.

Additional Ondoy Rescue Maps can be found at http://bit.ly/ondoylocator

Malls and commercial outlets

Aranaz Stores (Rockwell & Greenbelt) – accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (all branches) – canned goods, water, clothes, blankets, towels, medicine, and emergency supplies (no cash)
Luca stores (Rockwell, Shangri-la, Eastwood, or GA Towers) – Send your old clothes & donations (no cash pls)
Moonshine boutique (Rockwell) – accepting relief goods to help Ondoy victims in Marikina and Cainta.
Papemelroti stores (91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall) – accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes – NO CASH pls.)
Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk, Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.

Government and relief agencies

Akbayan – taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.
Move for Chiz – asking for volunteers at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.
Worldvision Foundation – accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $ donations, BPI:USD acct #4254-0050-08
Philippine National Red Cross – visit their site HERE for various ways to donate.
Senator Francis Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at (+632917-8081247)

WITHIN METRO MANILA

Mandaluyong/San Juan
La Salle Greenhills – drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc) at Gate 2 on Monday, September 28, or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.

Xavier School – canned goods, bread, noodles. Please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC). Accepted till Monday, Sept. 28.

Manila

Caritas Manila Office (Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge) – call +632-5639298, +632-5639308

Ministop Ibarra (Espana cor. Blumentritt, Sampaloc Manila) – Food (non-perishable goods only) Clothing, Medicines, Beds, Pillows, Blankets, Emergency Supplies

Muntinlupa

Hillsborough Village Chapel – Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.

Parañaque

Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village – needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)

Playschool International (47 Ghana St., Better Living Subd., Paranaque) – open to receive donations (NO CASH, PLS) for relief goods. Please feel free to send your donations there. Teachers/staff will coordinate sending these to the centers.

Pasig

Miriam Quiambao – drop off point: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.

Relief Efforts for Pasig at Valle Verde 1 Village Park – contact +632916-4945000, +632917-5273616

Renaissance Fitness Center (2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue) – Donations can be brought starting Monday, September 28/9am – 7pm. Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com

Quezon City

ABS-CBN through Banco de Oro account number 56300-20111; account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation (NOTE: This account # needs verification because on the ABS-CBN Foundation website, the account # is 5630060113)

Ateneo de Manila University – cooked or ready-to-eat food, clothes, medicine, blankets, water. Donations may be dropped off at the MVP, University Dorm, or Cervini lobbies. Also needed: volunteers for relief operations today, Sept. 27. Bring boots, shovels, large vehicles or small watercraft. For donations/inquiries, please contact (0908) 887-7166.

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health is accepting donations of medicines. A center in Pasig has more than 1,000 evacuees, mostly kids suffering from colds and fever. Call Louie Montalbo: (0918) 936-2095.

Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC) – Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)

Erica Paredes (Katipunan), +63917-4741930 – they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.

Manor Superclub (Eastwood City) – will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday, September 27, at 10 am.

NoyMar Relief Operations – contact Clare Amador (+63928 520 5508) or Jana Vicente (+63928 520 5499). Drop-off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.

Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City) – call +632-4342397, +632-9290665

Philippine Army Gym (inside Fort Bonifacio) or GHQ Gym (Camp Aguinaldo) – now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.

Radio Veritas (Veritas Tower West Ave. cor EDSA) – call +632-9257931 to 40

Tulong Bayan, Cubao – needs clothes, salt and cooking oil in sachets: 0908-6579998, 0939-3633436, 9137122

Within the Philippines

Red Cross Load Donations – Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. To donate, text RED and send to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart). You can donate 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 300 pesos.

TxtPower – now accepts donations via SmartMoney 5577514418667103, GCash 09179751092 and Paypal.

Outside the Philippines
Worldvision Foundation – For $ donations, BPI:USD acct #4254-0050-08

Source: Anna Valmero

URL: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090928-227308/How-to-help-Ondoy-victims

Fake web posting on floods triggers tsunami of vitriol

NOTE: To ensure that we put justice to the story and provide a complete information to the issue presented, included in this blog entry are the following:

1. THE CONTROVERSIAL FACEBOOK SHOUT & VARIOUS READERS’ COMMENTS
2. WHO IS JACQUELINE BERMEJO?
3. THE BROTHER’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT
4. JACQUELINE BERMEJO’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT
5. THE LETTER TO HER DUBAI EMPLOYER
6. CASAPRESTIGE’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT
7. NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT THE DUBAI POLICE’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT
8. VARIOUS COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
9. THE BLOGGER’S CONCLUSION

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Just today, FACEBOOK users from all over the Philippines flooded with comments another user named JACQUELINE BERMEJO for what seem to be a very insensitive, irresponsible, offensive and careless statement she posted on the social network site’s wall. I found out about this via JULIUS BABAO’s re-tweet.

As of writing, there are 1,086 comments from users coming from various locations and all walks of life expressing their objections and feedbacks about her controversial statement and bad attitude towards the victims of the epic flooding in Manila that left thousands homeless and hundreds dead.

While both OFWs abroad and Filipinos here mourn over this great tragedy, this lady from DUBAI thought differently. As all of us unite to provide help and support, she herself took an unbelievable stand on the matter by tagging victims as sinners who deserves whatever happened to them.

Anyway, WHO IS JACQUE BERMEJO? Well, I got some information as well from various online sources and I am posting them here to perhaps put a better reference on the issue and on the person plus put justice to to the case. What happened is not a joke and so her statement is not a joke as well! It’s cruel and uncalled for!

IS SHE FOR REAL? Perhaps, this may be a case of IDENTITY THEFT that someone with deep hatred on her made up all these to get even. Thus, I have posted her BROTHER’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT below in blue and JACQUE BERMEJO’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT in red as obtained online to ensure that both sides are heard at least. We do not want to end up barking at the wrong tree anyway! If someone is indeed behind this, we need to get NBI act on this!

If for some reason that JACQUE BERMEJO is really for REAL and that she was the one responsible for all these mess then she has to speak out now officially! Some alleged official statements are being passed around and we cannot be sure if indeed she is behind all these. Whether if she was indeed not in a good mood when she posted her statement or that she was just making a joke not intended to offend, she has to come out in the open and tell us. 

I do hope that at the end of the day, she get to speak, explain and do a public apology in person to put an end to all these. At any rate, damage has been done already! We have cities that we need to rebuild and lives that we need to save and help cope up with the pains caused by the tragedy. We do not need more JACQUE BERMEJO to make things worse! Whoever is behind all these will surely pay. Karma is real!

HER LINKS:

WALL SHOUT:
http://www.facebook.com/i.am.filipino?v=feed&story_fbid=138485746938

FACEBOOK 1:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000136023166&ref=mf.

FACEBOOK 2:
http://www.facebook.com/starfishbuang?ref=search&sid=670637327.3254476159..1

MULTIPLY:
http://starfishbuang.multiply.com/

I am posting as well a screenshot of the FACEBOOK pager below that is the center now of what seem to be a FACEBOOK WAR against JACQUELINE BERMEJO. Whatever her reasons and views were as to why she posted such, I do hope that she gives her explanation and public apology soon so we can provide closure to this issue.

By the way, while reading almost 1,086 comments or rather statements of objections and protests against her, one user posted a short description of her below. A blog entitled BEYOND THE HORIZON also posted the same information to readers and so I thought of capturing and sharing the same here with no offense or malice. I hope that you get to learn something from this case. Thank you very much!

Jacqueline Bermejo – Marketing and PR Officer.

Jacqueline is an experienced PR associate who has been active in the Middle East for over four years. Currently working with a number of luxury property developers. she has extensive knowledge of the market, media and what makes an excellent success story….

Tel  : +971 4 4329633
Fax : +971 4 4329632
Mob : +971 50 3416640

 

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THE BROTHER’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT

ok! it all started sa Friendster last year 2008, my sister told me that her account was hacked by someone mad at her prolly inggit or may galit… she really doesn’t know or what’s the reason why she has been hacked, of corse she’s pissed off because this person keeps messing up her friendster profile. So, hinayaan lang ng sister ko yun, since wala nmn xang alam sa social networking or kung ano man, she’s a working woman na at wala xang panahon magfriendster.

Ngayon naman this issue has been spreading about her posting such harsh words:
“buti n lg am hir in dubai maybe so many sinners bak der!so year deerving wat happend!”

Ang ate ko hindi ganyan kung magenglish, edukada sister ko at nag graduate sa UP. We came from a PROVINCE and part of a political family. Hindi basta basta si ate jack magpopost na magsisira sa family name namin. Dumaan din kami sa hirap, at for your information binagyo din ang lugar namin, TATLONG BESES. Why in the world will my ate as a filipino disgrace our family and citizen, sana po wag muna kayo manghusga.

Hintayin lang po sana ung explaination, for she doesn’t have internet nor load right now, its around 3am-4am at dubai, and I have hard times contacting her myself.

Kung sino ka man gumagamit ng pangalan ng ate ko, mahahannap ka din ng mga bermejo.

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Just an update. One of the reader named YVETTE who posted a comment below gave me a copy of JACQUELINE BERMEJO’s OFFICIAL STATEMENT. I also got a YM message from my good friend MARK working in Eastwood City that her friend from Dubai attested that it was indeed a case of IDENTITY THEFT.

JACQUE BERMEJO is said to have been a victim of someone with so much hatred at her. Perhaps, jealousy, envy or a simple case of LOVE TRIANGLE. Thus, to put a balance on the story, I am posting it below. We need to have all sides heard! I hope that truth and justice be served! Thank you.

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JACQUELINE BERMEJO’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT

I am issuing this statement to clear my name in the current controversy in which I allegedly posted a highly insensitive and offensive message on the social networking website, Facebook, in relation to the victims of typhoon Ondoy that recently struck parts of the Philippines.

About two years ago, an anonymous source created these accounts using my identity, posting my personal details, my real pictures captioned roughly and attacking other people. Because of these incidents, I reported such abuses and sent my credentials to the administrators of such sites, particularly Facebook. I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as Facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc.

In the early stages, I was advised by close friends to ignore the situation, saying this would simply go away. Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Hence, I filed a complaint with the Dubai Police about eight months ago hoping they could help me with my problem. Should anyone wish to check my statement, my case is still under investigation with said authorities.

Time passed and these sites continued to generate malicious, obscene and cruel messages that are widely exposed and relayed to the public under my name.

Yesterday, September 27th 2009, I received phone calls from my close friends regarding very alarming posts in the above mentioned websites that directly offended flood victims as a result of typhoon Ondoy..

These malicious statement(s) which are posted under account names Jacque or Jackie are not of my doing. It is unfortunate that such statements were maliciously attributed to me and I do sympathize and understand the adverse and somehow verbally violent reaction that has been elicited by such insensitive statements or posts. Rest assured, I have taken every legal step that can be done in this regard.

I too, have become a victim as much as those who may have lost their lives and properties to such a devastating natural calamity. This recent controversy has greatly affected my reputation, my family, and my friends. I am devastated and shocked at the extent my character, my personal information and private space have been violated.

I have a deep respect and regard for my country. I am proud to be a Filipino and would never say or do anything to harm the interest of my country or countrymen. I have also had the privilege of participating in civic-oriented activities in Dubai, particularly in trying to help my fellow countrymen seek employment during the height of mass layoffs brought about by the ongoing global financial crisis, as well as those seeking employment for the first time. Making a mockery of any unfortunate incidents befalling any of my fellow Filipinos is simply contrary to my character. I condemn the person or persons behind these malicious acts to impute damage on my integrity and I hope that you can dig deep into your hearts and minds to truly find the truth in all these.

Jacqueline Bermejo. September 28 at 5:11pm.

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But wait! We got another UPDATE from this issue. Here is another LETTER made by CONCERNED FILIPINO CITIZENS and forwarded to JACQUE BERMEJO’s EMPLOYER to appeal for action in reference to the controversial statement she made. I got it from a blog – JUST SAY KNOW! Tsk.

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A LETTER IS BEING FORWARDED TO JACQUE BERMEJO’S DUBAI BOSS ABOUT HER “DISGRACEFUL PUBLIC CONDUCT“

Domino Cid (Ateneo de Manila University) wrote

Robeen R. Kobeen
Head of Design – Operational Partner
CasaPrestrige
robeen@casaprestige.ae

Dear Mr. Kobeen,

A group of concerned Filipino citizens would like to inform you about the disgraceful public conduct of one of your employees, Jacqueline Bermejo. While we are in no way directly associated or remotely acquainted with Jacqueline, a viral detestation of her character as a person has been made apparent to thousands of people around the world, ourselves included. This enmity has driven the public and the press to know who Jacqueline is—where she came from, where she lives, where she works—inevitably leading them to CasaPrestige.

The day the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Ketsana (local typhoon name Ondoy), resulting in massive flooding and the loss of human lives and thousands of homes, Jacqueline made an irreverent public remark on a Filipino FaceBook community page (screencap here), saying and we quote “buti n lng am hir in dubai! maybe so many sinners bak der! so yeah deserving wat hapend!”. Roughly translated and improved upon, it can be understood as, ‘It’s a good thing I’m here in Dubai. There might be a lot of sinners back there [Philippines]. So yeah, they deserved what happened”.

We are not requesting that any actions of dismissal or reprimand be done on your part, as this matter is strictly unassociated with your business or how Jacqueline conducts herself at work. But her gross and public slur, lack of sensitivity and propriety, and not to mention her blatant recklessness, are qualities unfitting of someone in her role and position as an officer; and although it is irrelevant to the purpose of this letter, her grasp of the English language as a public relations practitioner seems rather questionable. Also, we believe you have the right to know about the matter, as we fear her hate speech toward her own countrymen currently suffering from a calamity will undoubtedly create a negative impression on CasaPrestige and the values the company represents.

On behalf of all Filipinos and supporters and to those who have come to know CasaPrestige as Jacqueline Bermejo’s employer, we thank you for taking the time to read this letter and we hope that your company remains unaffected by this scandal.

Sincerely yours,
Concerned Filipino Citizens
concernedfilipinocitizens@gmail.com

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To balance the story further, here is what her alleged DUBAI EMPLOYER – CASAPRESTIGE has to say. I got the OFFICIAL STATEMENT from a comment given by a reader named CONCERNED CITIZEN below containing the link or URL – http://www.casaprestige.ae/key.html.

Upon clicking the “CASAPRESTIGE Official Statement regarding Ms. Jacqueline Bermejo”, a pop-up window will appear showing the said statement. Having read the said document, I decided to copy the contents for my blog as an update and as a means to make the story balanced. Please read on.

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CASAPRESTIGE’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT

In regards to rumors circulating around Ms. Jacqueline Bermejo.

We would like to firstly clarify that Ms. Bermejo is not officially connected to our organization but rather helped our brand development through the offering of marketing/media advice for a temporary period being a personal friend to some of the CASAPRESTIGE team.

Having said that CASAPRESTIGE can again on a personal and professional level vouch for Ms. Bermejo to a 101% – condemning all these disturbing and groundless allegations made against her, we know for a fact because we accompanied here to the cyber crime department a year ago and to the Philippine embassy this time around.

To the concerned Filipino communities and individuals around the globe we urge you to not believe everything you read especially if it’s from less than credible sources such these online communities.

Facebook is not where you should be getting your information.

We also would like to point out that the numbers 0503416640/044329633 are not connected to Ms. Bermejo but indeed CASAPRESTIGE business numbers that are unable to provide information beyond this statement.

For the real story kindly refer to Ms. Bermejo’s only official statement and actual newspaper articles. please do look into it, i think we all owe her that much – to hear her side of the story,

“Suppressio very expression falsi” – a suppression of truth is equivalent to an expression of falsehood as a wise person wrote in,

And finally to victims of the typhoon we extend our prayers.

Signed

Robeen R. Kobeen – Operational Partner

Antonio Lupi – Managing Directior

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While checking some comments, I came to read a message from DAVID B. with a link showing a news article from GULF NEWS along with the OFFICIAL STATEMENT of the DUBAI POLICE putting a conclusion to this JACQUELINE BERMEJO’S SCANDAL. Thus, am posting the news article along with the link so we can finally END THE ISSUE.

News Source: http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/09/10/01/10353684.html

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NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT THE DUBAIL POLICE’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT

By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
Published: September 30, 2009, 22:30

Dubai: The victim of an identity theft known to many as Jackie or Jacque talks of her devastating experience after a comment was posted in her name on the social networking site, facebook, saying that the severe typhoon that battered Manila is "deserved".

The 31-year-old marketing executive in Dubai was battered with thousands upon thousands of messages, e-mails, and phone calls about the comments that said: "It’s a good thing I’m here in Dubai. There might be a lot of sinners back there Philippines. So, yeah, they deserved what happened."

This has devastated the life of Jacqueline Bermejo, a Filipina, who has had several days of sleepless nights and is constantly scared of being in public due to frequent threats and calls she is receiving.

"I received messages threatening my life and my family’s. My reputation is completely affected and I constantly have nightmares. I just want it to end," she told Gulf News in a phone interview.

For about two years Jacqueline has been facing the unfortunate nightmare as somebody created these accounts using her identity, posting personal details, and pictures.

"I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc," she said while urging public to be aware of what they post online as it could be used against them.

Her facebook account was deactivated following repeated incidents but she was requested by the police to establish an authentic account to clarify her case among her friends.

On Sunday, she received a phone call from a friend regarding very alarming posts on the above websites that directly offended typhoon and flood victims.

Subsequent faceback groups have been made in response to the comment including threatening calls to her sister and letters to her employer.

"I too, have become a victim as much as those who may have lost their lives and properties to such a devastating natural calamity. I have a deep respect and regard for my country. I am proud to be a Filipino and would never say or do anything to harm the interests of my country or countrymen," she said in an emotional tone.

According to Major Saeed Al Hajiri, director of Dubai Police department combating cyber crimes, "It is definitely a case of identity theft. The victim reported the case in November of 2008 whereby accounts have been created on facebook under her name."

The matter is still under investigation by the police, he said while refusing to disclose whether they have information about the identities of the people behind this act.

"We are aware of her case and we are constantly in contact with the victim and we have seen the posts written in the accounts in her name. We are working on tracing the people behind this which could take time."

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THE BLOGGER’S CONCLUSION

We have put so much time reading, analyzing and giving our respective opinions on this “YET ANOTHER ONLINE SCANDAL” that I think it is but time that WE FOCUS NOW ON HELPING IN VARIOUS DRIVES TO REBUILD HOMES AND REBUILD LIVES. We all need to MOVE ON and MOVE FORWARD. We’ve said our piece!

I have presented all OFFICIAL STATEMENTS along with all your OPINIONS to make the STORY BALANCED. In doing so, we also need to put a CONCLUSION on this so we can all MOVE ON and MOVE FORWARD. We all hate RACISTS and I admire you all for defending our IDENTITY as FILIPINOS! Di nila tayo matatapakan!

JACQUELINE BERMEJO “may” or “may not be” the REAL CULPRIT in this SCANDAL. We can blame her for being too lax on securing her accounts. We can blame the social networks for allowing a window be opened for INDENTITY THEFTS. We can blame almost anyone including us as BLOGGERS and READERS for being emotional.

At the end of the day, WE HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING FROM THIS CASE! We need to always be sensitive and cautious on whatever we say and write be it on paper or online. We need to secure our online accounts including photos because we can be the next victim of such HEARTLESS SOUL! We need to be VIGILANT!

In the end, we can only have REGRETS and APOLOGIES. Amidst all, WHOEVER IS THE REAL CULPRIT WHO CREATED THIS GLOBAL MESS WILL HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE BIGTIME! I hope that in my next BLOG ENTRY be it soon or later, we can FEATURE this LOSER and POSER next and BEHIND BARS!

If you are reading this, you cannot escape your KARMA! You may have several victims more but soon you will be traced and jailed if not buried alive by the angry mobs! YOU CANNOT PUT THE FILIPINO PEOPLE DOWN! You need to start hiding now because SOONER OR LATER… WE WILL GET YOU!

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THAT’S ALL FOLKS!

Images & Links: Various Photographers from AP / REUTERS / GETTY IMAGES

http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2009/09/27/01003-20090927DIMWWW00088-inondations-meurtrieres-aux-philippines.php?yahoo=1

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/09/typhoon_ketsana_ondoy.html

1. RT PNRC NEEDS VOLUNTEERS. We are welcoming volunteers @PNRC Nat’l Headquarters in Anda Circle,Bonifacio Drive,Port Area Manila 1 minute ago from web

2. @iamsuperbianca Bianca! Can I use some details in ur blog entry for a post in my blog about contacts, stuffs needed, how to donate, etc? TY about 1 hour ago from web in reply to iamsuperbianca

3. If anyone needs help now, I am just in Ortigas Center. I can offer a lift or run some errands if really urgent. You can SMS 09228831025. TY about 1 hour ago from web

4. @yokoono TNX YOKO! yokoono: Typhoon victims in Philippines in dire need of food & clothing. Call the American Red Cross to help. 18004357669 about 1 hour ago from web in reply to yokoono

5. @saabmagalona I’m in Ortigas Center. I can try if you really need the prepaid cards. Otherwise, I’ll be sleeping for later’s volunteer work! about 1 hour ago from web in reply to saabmagalona

6. JACQUELINE BERMEJO is the HOTTEST and HATEST FACEBOOK USER as of now! I just hope it’s not her! Tsk. http://tinyurl.com/jacque-b… about 1 hour ago from web

7. Definitely shocking! Is she one of us? How can she say such things when all of us here are grieving? Tsk. http://tinyurl.com/anti-fil… about 4 hours ago from web

8. @miriamq MS. MIRIAM… Can we POST again BANK DETAILS and ROUTING CODES if ever for those who wish to DONATE. Be it ABS-CBN or GMA! TY. ryan about 4 hours ago from web in reply to miriamq

9. RT @TeamManila we need alot items for kids and babies affected. pls pass. thank you all for the donations. about 4 hours ago from web

10. @jiggycruz JIGGY! WE will be going! BLOGGERS, TWEEPS, MAFIA WARS & FARM TOWN ADDICTS and even DOTA GAMERS! We’re still doing SMS BRIGADE! TY about 4 hours ago from web in reply to jiggycruz

11. @bubblesparaiso MS. BUBBLES… Can we POST again BANK DETAILS and ROUTING CODE if ever to those who wish to DONATE. Be it ABS-CBN or GMA! TY about 4 hours ago from web in reply to bubblesparaiso

12. @juliusbabao When SOME politicians have nothing great to say, they either lie or make stupid comments. I BELIEVE SO SIR JULIUS! about 4 hours ago from web in reply to juliusbabao

13. @mrskutcher THANK YOU for supporting the FILIPINO PEOPLE! Please continue to do so as we rebuild our cities and our lives after this! Tnx! about 4 hours ago from web in reply to mrskutcher

14. @iamkrisaquino PARA SA BAYAN indeed! TOGETHER WE WILL STAND ONCE MORE regardless of politics, religion, status & broadcasting affiliation! about 4 hours ago from web in reply to iamkrisaquino

15. @joshgroban Thanks Josh! I do hope that you can ask people there as well to extend help whether material or through prayers. Thank you! about 5 hours ago from web in reply to joshgroban

16. RT Pls vote wisely in the 2010 elections! Open your eyes & vote for those DESERVING of our support! Hindi yung puro salita, walang ginagawa! about 5 hours ago from web

17. Ruffa, I share with your sentiments and opinions. Thanks to all our moderm day heroes and damn to those who were to numb to help! Cheers! about 10 hours ago from web

18. Manny Pacquiao! Sir, sharing few of your millions would do good at this time of need. I hope we can get to hear from you. Chavit as well! TY about 10 hours ago from web

19. @cristineAAreyes It’s good you are saved by your family and friends. I pity those who need to rely on the government rescue teams for hours! 11:50 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to cristineAAreyes

20. @bubblesparaiso Hayaan na lang natin sila. Alam naman natin yung intention ni Richard is to help dahil sa bagal ng mga Rescue Teams ng NDCC! 9:01 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to bubblesparaiso

21. @saabmagalona Howieseverino: RT @ageofbrillig: SM Mall of Asia refused 2 let employees stay overnite, employees forced 2 go out into d road. 8:44 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to saabmagalona

22. PLEASE PASS! the Ondoy Situation Map http://bit.ly/ondoysitmap #bagyo #manilaflood #ondoy 8:30 AM Sep 26th from web

23. @saabmagalona Hahaha. Nasaan na kaya si Wowoweelie at ang kanyang Mighty Yacht? I am sure he can help as well. Late talaga ang rescue! hmp! 8:24 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to saabmagalona

24. Help in any means be it via TWEETER, BLOGGING or FACEBOOK! You can save lives! Thank you. #stateofcalamityphilippines 8:21 AM Sep 26th from web

25. @saabmagalona I just hope that many r receivin r updates. It’s hard to sleep though I live safe in d 24th floor while others are in danger! 8:20 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to saabmagalona

26. @piamagalona PGMA should address that as well to MR. HENRY SY. As per HOWIE SEVERINO, pinagtabuyan daw mga empleyadong stranded ng MOA. Hmp! 8:16 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to piamagalona

27. @bubblesparaiso Bubbles! Hayaan mo na lang cla. Atleast sinubukan ni Richard at tayo din naman ay tumutulong habang walang paki ang iba! 8:14 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to bubblesparaiso

28. @piacayetano Sen. Pia! Siguro all these has to be investigated. Wrong info. Slow action. No equipment. Nasaan na yung pondo natin taon-taon? 8:12 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to piacayetano

29. The government should have asked the SHIPPING LINES to lend their rubber and rescue boats. Atleast madami naisalba. Palagi na lang sa huli! 8:10 AM Sep 26th from web

30. @maxenemagalona Well, kapag kasi normal ang situation, kinukurakot ang pondo. So now kulang daw sa rubber boats, etc. Hay. Pulitiko talaga! 8:09 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to maxenemagalona

31. @mondgutierrez I heard that NDCC Rescuers are there as well just at the entrance of Provident Village. Can they try to reach out? 8:01 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to mondgutierrez

32. Sa ating lahat! Salamat. Mapa-TWEETER or FACEBOOK, malaki ang naitulong nito para sa pagkalat ng impormasyon habang tulog ang mga pulitiko. 7:08 AM Sep 26th from web

33. @bubblesparaiso Mahirap umasa. Ang tunay na bayani ay ang mga ordinaryong tao. Lalo lang akong nawalan ng gana sa mga opisyal natin. Tsk! 6:46 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to bubblesparaiso

34. Cristine Reyes has been stranded since 1PM and still rescue takes more than 10 hours to arrive! We are paying taxes for nothing! NDCC sucks! 6:40 AM Sep 26th from web

35. @piacayetano Sen. Pia. I hope you can help us wake NDCC to issue an advisory at least. It seems help is too slow. It’s night time already! 2:28 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to piacayetano

36. @miriamq Search and Add HOWIESEVERINO. His link is http://bit.ly/bgnmh. I do hope we can help people even via NET. Thanks Miriam. 2:21 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to miriamq

37. To all nearby CITIES. Please do help MARIKINA, QUEZON CITY and other places heavily affected. RUBBER BOATS are coming from SBMA pa! Hmp!!! 2:08 AM Sep 26th from web

38. @miriamq Miriam… Let’s coordinate with HOWIE SEVERINO. Perhaps we can POST some HELP MESSAGE to the LINK he provided so help can be given! 2:06 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to miriamq

39. To SUPER FERRY! Now is the time for you to save lives! Lend Manila your rubber boats! To all SHIPPING LINES, please do the same! Now na! 1:55 AM Sep 26th from web

40. @Samledesma If you only saw the family atop their house floating along the Marikina river, you will feel more sorry. No rescue available! 1:52 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to Samledesma

41. @saabmagalona Saab! Use FB as well to pass UPDATES and CONTACT DETAILS so we too can help. We can’t wait for our caring politicians to act! 1:50 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to saabmagalona

42. For sure bukas, madami ang magbibilang ng bangkay tapos papabida mga pulitiko at presidentiables. Masdam mo mga mata nila. Maga sa tulog! 1:49 AM Sep 26th from web

43. Bureau of Fire Protection Region III (Central Luzon) Hotline: (045) 9634376 1:46 AM Sep 26th from web

44. Red Cross: 143, 527-0000Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA): 136 Philippine Coast Guard: 527-6136 1:46 AM Sep 26th from web

45. @Howieseverino National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) #912-5668, 911-1406, 912-2665, 911-5061, 734-2118, 734-2120. Please repost. 1:44 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to Howieseverino

46. Nawawala ang mga OFFICIAL RESCUE TEAMS ng NDCC. Puro tao lang ang sumasaklolo. Napuna na rin sa TV. Kumilos naman kayo! Masarap ba matulog? 1:42 AM Sep 26th from web

47. Will NDCC and the government be just good at retrieving bodies? It’s time! We need to act now! Calling THE PRESIDENTIABLES! It’s your time! 1:33 AM Sep 26th from web

48. Why not borrow RUBBER BOATS to all ships docked at the MANILA PORTS? Why not ask SUPER FERRY to lend us RUBBER BOATS to save lives? Right? 1:31 AM Sep 26th from web

49. @miriamq Calling NDCC to issue an ADVISORY! Where are the RUBBER BOATS? To AFP and NAVY people, please do help our people before night time. 1:30 AM Sep 26th from web in reply to miriamq

50. Nasaan na po ang MALACANANG? Bakit walang ADVISORY? Bakit walang action? Bakit tahimik kayo? Dahil ba masarap matulog kapag umuulan? Gising! 1:24 AM Sep 26th from web

51. We have been experiencing typhoons for ages. Is it right to say that we all are unprepared for this? It’s sad watching people die on TV! 1:18 AM Sep 26th from web

52. Perhaps we need to stop waiting for help and just resort ot self-preservation. It seems help will just arrive to retrieve bodies after! Tsk! 1:12 AM Sep 26th from web

53. Do we need to wait for night time to do rescue operations? Where are the rubber boats? Where are the rescuers? Where are the politicians? 1:07 AM Sep 26th from web

54. Nasaan na kaya ang mga PULITIKO at ang NDCC? Madami ang nananawagan. Madami ang VIDEO pero walang RESCUERS? Walang RUBBER BOATS! Amp! 1:05 AM Sep 26th from web

Patrick Swayze dead at 57: publicist

---

Agence France-Presse | 09/15/2009 8:43 AM

LOS ANGELES – Hollywood actor Patrick Swayze, best known for his roles in the hit films "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost," has died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, his publicist said Monday.

The 57-year-old heart-throb had died after suffering complications from the illness, Swayze’s publicist said.

Swayze was diagnosed with advanced stage-four pancreatic cancer in January 2008, leaving him with only a one-percent chance of surviving longer than five years, according to medical experts.

Swayze had bravely fought the disease in the public eye, continuing to work despite cancer treatment and significant weight loss.

In January he slammed tabloid reporting of his illness in an interview with ABC television’s Barbara Walters, where he bullishly declared that he was determined to beat his condition.

He told Walters he had tried to keep his illness secret but went public to protect family and friends after tabloids reported he was close to death.

"Hope is a very, very fragile thing in anyone’s life and the people I love do not need to have that hope robbed from them when it’s unjustified and it’s untrue," Swayze said.

In May, Swayze’s spokesperson condemned "reckless" reports that the star had died, saying he was alive and well and responding to treatment.

A lanky Texan with a dancer’s easy grace, Swayze — the son of a dance teacher and an engineering drafter — had a string of hit films in the 1980s and 1990s. He was named "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine in 1991.

As a young man, he moved to New York City in 1972 for more formal dance training at the prestigious Harkness Ballet and Joffrey ballet schools.

He scored a small-screen success in the 1985 television miniseries North and South, which was set in the American Civil War.

After years of roles on television and the silver screen Swayze shot to superstardom in 1987 with his film "Dirty Dancing," an international blockbuster in which he played a dancing teacher to a young wallflower who starts to bloom.

In "Ghost," Swayze starred opposite Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg in a film that won Goldberg an Oscar. In 1995, he took a turn in drag in "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar."

Swayze soldiered, on working through much of his illness, and spending time with wife Lisa Niemi, a dancer and actress.

While 2004’s "Dirty Dancing 2," in which he had a small role, was not a hit, he just recently acted for five months in a television series "The Beast," in which he played an FBI agent.

"You can bet that I’m going through hell," Swayze told Walters in January.

"I’m at the beginning of my battle. And I expect it to be a long hard battle, one that I’m gonna win according to certain rules — and the rules that the cancer isn’t going away," he added.

Swayze said he had met the diagnosis with defiance.

"I have the meanness and the passion to say, ‘To hell with you. Watch me! You watch what I pull off,’" he told Walters.

 

as of 09/15/2009 10:09 AM

Sources: Google for Images, ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

It was only recently that I happen to have watched a movie about this great game they call POKER and how it change life for some who made it more than a game but a way of living. I have watched a similar movie on my way to Europe but it was about black jack and the use of mathematics and some tricks to win the game.

Both the game uses practical wit more than mathematics or any analytical skills. One needs to be good in reading minds and blinding the perception of others in order to win. Bluffing is a primary skill set that is very vital for a victory with Poker. Each player projects to deceive and intimidate opponents. Thus, each becomes a POKER FACE!

Beyond such a game, every move used in Poker depicts something similar to life in reality. How some tends to use bluffing to gain their way towards success and how some outwit others to obtain and retain life’s glory to please the world. It is hard to know who they are but definitely, the world was made abundant of POKER FACES!

Is there anything else as sweet as having to succeed in life and enjoy all the fruits of one’s hard work and perseverance because you know that you truly deserve all the glory because you have invested time, resources and effort in reaching your goal? Perhaps some may prefer having to enjoy success less efforts and hard work! Hmp.

How I wish I can be rich enough without having to work for so many hours of my life and have all the luxuries of life less all the hardships. I can bluff people and oversell my profile. I can be who I am not and please people to level up my status. I can outwit everyone too. But then again… I rather be a simple geek than be a POKER FACE!

Mikey Arroyo fails to declare contributions–report

7 September 2009

By VERA Files*

Editor’s note: This story has been published on Vera Files and permission has been given to re-publish on this blog.

Copy of documents from Vera Files

Mikey said on national television Tuesday that campaign contributions and wedding gifts were partly the reason his declared net worth ballooned from P5.7 million in 2001 to P74.4 million in 2004 and then to P99.2 million last year. Mikey wed his second cousin Angela Arroyo Montenegro in 2002.

The numbers say Mikey’s net worth grew by more than 1,600 percent in the seven years that he has been a public official. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s eldest son, a one-time movie actor, became vice governor of Pampanga in 2001, and was elected congressman of the province’s second district in 2004 and 2007.

“Siyempre unang una, kinasal tayo. Medyo nagkaroon tayo ng maraming regalo. Tapos pag kampanya, siyempre kahit paano maraming tumutulong sa atin (Of course, first I got married. We received a lot of gifts. Then during campaigns, somehow we get contributions),” Mikey told Solita Monsod and Arnold Clavio, hosts of the morning show “Unang Hirit.”

But his statements of contributions and expenses for the last two congressional elections show zero donations to his campaign, which he reported as having been funded from his own pocket. Mikey declared campaign expenses of P483,000 in 2004 and P552,876.15 in 2007. His 2007 spending included posters and leaflets, P246,740.10; gas and diesel, P88,332.80; meals, P148,560; rental of building, P40,000; and miscellaneous expenses, specifically financial assistance to indigents, P29,243.25.

The Omnibus Election Code requires candidates to file a “full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election” within 30 days after the election. This means the candidate is supposed to declare contributions in all forms and amounts made by all donors.

Election law expert Sixto Brillantes said Mikey could have committed perjury for failing to report the campaign contributions he received.

He added, “If he used that (campaign contributions) for personal purposes, then he should report that as an income, as a donation. If he did not report that, then he violated the Income Tax Law.” The Internal Revenue Code imposes a donor’s tax on donations.

Mikey’s appearance on Unang Hirit stemmed from a VERA Files report that said he failed to declare in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Network (SALN) for 2007 and 2008 a million-dollar beachfront house in Foster City, California, currently registered in his wife’s name.

VERA Files also reported that Mikey and his brother, Camarines Rep. Diosdado Ignacio “Dato” Arroyo, started buying houses in California and acquiring local business interests soon after they became congressmen.

Mikey said he and his family could well afford to buy houses in California, including the $1.32 million (P63.7 million) property at 1655 Beach Park Blvd in Foster City he bought and transferred to his wife’s name in August 2006.

He also insisted, “(The Foster City house) belongs to a company named Beach Way LLC. I’m not the sole owner. I’m part of the owners. I own about 20 to 30 percent, 40 something, like that…She (my wife) doesn’t own anything.”

The interspousal deed transfer recorded in August 2006 as Document No. 2006-126985 in the San Mateo County Assessor’s Office, however, shows “Juan Miguel Arroyo” granting the house in Foster City to his wife “Angela Arroyo Montenegro.”

Although Mikey listed Beach Way Park LLC in his 2007 and 2008 SALN, the San Mateo County Assessor’s Office has no record of Beach Way Park LLC (Limited Liability Company) owning the Foster City property. There is also no listing of a business entity named Beach Way Park in the county assessor’s office, California Secretary of State and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is also not registered with the Philippine SEC.

Instead, the most recent entry on the Arroyo’s Beach Way Park on the county assessor’s database is Document No. 2008-041550 recorded in April 2008 in which Indy Mac Bank (now OneWest Bank) “reconveyed” or returned the Foster City property to Angela “by reason of the payment of the indebtedness.” She had mortgaged the house for $858,000.

SALN filing guidelines require public officials to declare property owned by their spouses.

Mikey also told Unang Hirit that the Foster City house is not for sale.

VERA Files reported that the property was being sold after confirming that it was—and still is—advertised as for sale on the real estate Websites www.zillow.com and www.ewalk.com. The ewalk Website names the asking price: $1.38 million.

The San Mateo Tax Collector/Treasurer’s Office assessed the value of the Foster City property at $1.35 million in 2008 and $1.37 million this year. Data from this office also show the $14,511.48 property tax was paid last Jan. 16 and payment of the $14,869.62 property tax for 2009 falls due on April 10, 2010.

Mikey said on TV that the “residential house” in the U.S. he declared in his 2005 and 2006 SALNs are two different houses. “We sold the (2005) house after five or six months,” he said, and then bought another house.

Of the U.S. house declared in the 2006 SALN, Mikey said, “Nabenta rin ito (We also sold this). It’s not the Foster City residence.” This means he bought three houses from 2005 to 2006, but did not identify the other property.

Asked by Clavio about reports he had bought another property in the U.S., Mikey said, “Meron, pero hindi sa kin yun (There is, but it’s not mine).” He and Clavio then laughed.

Aside from the house in Foster City, the San Mateo County Assessor’s Office records the Arroyos’ purchase in September 2005 of their three-bedroom unit at the Manors Condominiums at 805 Mendocino Way in Redwood City for $900,000.

Like the Foster City house, Mikey had transferred the property to his wife. Angela sold the property in December 2006 for $880,000, four months after they bought the Foster City property.

Former Civil Service Commission Chair Karina David told another television program last week that the transfer of ownership to wives or husbands of properties that may have been acquired illegally has been a practice by government officials who cannot explain their wealth acquisition.

On the sudden increase in his assets, Mikey said, “(It’s not) ill-gotten, hindi naman kalakihan ’yan (It’s not too big).”

Under Republic Act 6758, a vice governor receives a monthly compensation equivalent to salary grade 28, with a pay ranging from P15,180 to P16,275. A congressman receives a basic salary of P35,000 a month or P420,000 a year, according to the Commission on Audit.

In the three years he served as vice governor, Mikey should have earned a gross income of P634,725, including 13th month pay. Despite having declared no real property or business interests while still vice governor, even after his marriage to Angela, save for P2.1 million of unspecified shares of stock in 2001 and 2002 and about P3 million in bank deposits, he managed to acquire by 2004 a house in Lubao, Pampanga, worth P4 million and a house in La Vista in Quezon City for P8 million. He did not report having borrowed money or incurred other liabilities before he was elected congressman.

In his first term as congressman, Mikey’s gross salary should have totaled P1.26 million.

Mikey declared acquisition of businesses in 2006: Mikey’s Horseman Bar and Grill Inc., Visualtoon Creations Inc. and LPG Auto Gas. Shortly after he got elected in 2007, he again declared new business interests: Los Manos Verdes Inc. and Beach Way Park but stopped declaring Visualtoon. In 2008, he declared his investment in U18 Properties Inc. and La Vista Investments and Holdings Inc.

Mikey also first declared in 2005 a “personal loan from relatives” of P27.1 million, an amount he continued to list among his liabilities until July 2007, indicating that the loan went unpaid. In December 2007, his “advances from relatives” climbed to P33.8 million. The same entry and amount appear in his December 2008 declarations.

He lists cash in bank and on bank (P51 million in 2008 and P46 million in 2007), and stock portfolios (P44 million in both years) as his most substantial assets.

Although Mikey said his wealth was not that big, the Foster City house and the Redwood City condo that he and his wife still owned in 2006 had a combined value of $2.22 million or about P108 million, an amount that could have bought 2.16 million textbooks for public school children.

Unable to explain the gaps in his SALN, Mikey said his lawyers “made a mistake” in filing the SALN and the law allows him to correct the errors in his annual declarations. “Hindi pa tayo sanay mag-file ng SAL (We were not yet used to filing SALs),” he said.

David said while the law allows corrections to the SALN, the mistake should not have been repeatedly committed.

“Pero kung taun-taon at mali at kinorek mo, ang question diyan ay hindi iyong ikaw ba ay nagsinungaling lamang kundi pati kung kaya mo bang panindigan na kumita ka ng ganun kalaking halaga para makakuha ng ganyang klase ng kayamanan (If the mistake was committed every year and you corrected it, the question here is not only whether you are lying but also whether you can explain how you were able to acquire that kind of wealth),” she said.

On Unang Hirit, Mikey challenged his detractors, “Why don’t you just sue me in court? Get it over with?”

The SALN Manual says, “The SALN is made under oath. Falsification of information or failure to file or report information required to be reported may subject you to disciplinary/criminal action. Knowing and willful falsification of information required to be reported may also subject you to criminal prosecution.”

Under Republic Act 6713 entitled “Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” the penalties for willful falsification of information ranges from imprisonment of five years or less, a fine of P5,000 or less, and dismissal from the service.

David said a government official caught lying in his SALN can be charged with perjury. Lying in the SALN can also be interpreted as having unexplained wealth, which can be a basis for a graft case, she said.—Ellen Tordesillas, Avigail Olarte, Yvonne Chua and Luz Rimban

*(VERA Files is the work of senior journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”)

Source: http://yseablog.com/blog/2009/09/07/mikey-arroyo-fails-to-declare-campaign-contributions-report/

 

 

 

The Chupacabra Caught?

by Mike Krumboltz

It really does exist! Maybe! The famed chupacabra has apparently been found, and it’s a Texan.

Or at least it was. The beast is now dead, but news of its capture near Blanco, Texas, inspired Bigfoot-sized searches. Lookups on "chupacabra" surged a whopping 571%, and related queries on "what does chupacabra mean" also roared. (For the record, its rough translation is "goat sucker.") The find also inspired renewed interest in the equally notorious Montauk Monster.

Jerry Ayer, owner of Blanco Taxidermy School, has possession of the mythical beast’s body. According to CNN, the animal was discovered by one of Ayer’s students. The student had "placed poison…to catch an unidentified animal that had gotten into a family member’s barn." Little did the student know the animal in question was (maybe) the chupacabra.

In the video from CNN (which is pretty gross, so beware), Ayer shows off some of the unusual features of the animal, including abnormally long legs and teeth. It looks a bit like the world’s ugliest (and meanest) dog.

Of course, this is hardly the first time someone has claimed to have captured the chupacabra. In years past, brave souls have spotted it in places ranging from Russia to Maine to the Philippines. Often the animal is spotted by folks who conveniently forget to snap a photo.

Not so this time. Ayer says he plans to preserve the animal and then donate it to a local museum so it can be enjoyed by others. As the taxidermist puts it, the beast is "a tremendous conversation piece." Sort of like the Mona Lisa or a really stellar collection of garden gnomes.

Just as I was cooking for our dinner, I decided to do my usual routine which is to watch the EVENING NEWS – TV PATROL. As of writing this, Mar Roxas is live on TV announcing his stepping down in his bid for presidency for Noynoy Aquino.

Today marks the start of UNITY! I do hope that the rest of opposition will truly UNITE this time and bring genuine change in the government. As stated, BAYAN MUNA BAGO ANG SARILI. Mar will always be remembered! Thank you Senator Mar Roxas!

For those who missed the news footage, you can view the video shared at YOUTUBE below for your awareness. So far, Mar Roxas has not yet declared his plans for the upcoming election whether he seeks reelection or run as Vice-President for Noynoy Aquino.

Iglesia Ni Cristo head dies

By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 09:59:00 09/01/2009

MANILA, Philippines— (UPDATE 5) Eraño Manalo, religious leader of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, passed away in his home Monday, an official of one of the country’s largest religious groups said Tuesday.

Manalo, INC executive minister, passed away at 3:53 p.m. of August 31, said INC spokesman Bienvenido Santiago in a statement aired over the INC-owned television network Net 25 Tuesday morning.

Manalo was 84.

“Ikinalulungkot naming ipabatid sa buong Iglesia at sa buong sambayanan na ang tagapamahalang pangkalahatan ng Iglesia ni Cristo, ang kapatid na Eraño G. Manalo, ay pinagpahinga na ng Diyos. Pumanaw siya sa kanyang tahanan sa ganap na 3:53 kahapon Agosto 31, 2009, sa gulang na 84 taon (We are sad to let the entire Church and the entire country that the overall administrator of the Church of Christ, Brother Eraño G. Manalo, has been called to rest by God. He died in his home at exactly 3:53 yesterday, August 31, 2009, at the age of 84),” Santiago said.

Quoting Manalo’s doctor Rey Melchor Santos, Santiago said the religious leader died of cardiopulmonary arrest.

“Hinihiling namin na patnubayan ang buong Iglesia sa panahon ng matinding dalamhati (We request that the entire Church be guided during this time of severe grief),” Santiago said in a brief statement on television.

The wake will be open to the public later this Tuesday.

The remains of Manalo will be interred at the Templo Sentral of the INC in Quezon City, Santiago said.

The Iglesia, which has ministries around the world, is a known political force, voting as a bloc during elections.

It celebrated its 95th founding anniversary last July.

Under Manalo, the INC became global.

Its first local congregation outside the Philippines was organized in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA on July 27, 1968.

INC has over 5,400 local congregations (roughly equivalent to parishes) in 90 countries and territories, with a membership composed of 102 nationalities.

Source: INQUIRER.net and YOUTUBE

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090901-222973/Iglesia-Ni-Cristo-head-dies

It’s 7:22AM and I just finished watching GMA 7’s UNANG HIRIT. It was on the segment ONE ON ONE WITH EGAN that I saw how a presidential son and a current congressman be grilled on a national TV for an alleged undeclared beach house in the US and for some unexplained surge in income and assets in his annual SALN or Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. Well, he came with no lawyer and he seem to have been unprepared… AS FAR AS I AM CONCERN (well, his statement usually starts with it).

Well, Cong. Juan Miguel Arroyo or publicly known as Mikey Arroyo indeed looked a little lousy explaining his side because he refused to name people who were his co-incorporators in the alleged corporation where that beach house belongs to. More so, he publicly stated that it is a known scheme for politicians to declare corporations and put ownership of assets in them to make filing easier. He as well explained that the surge in his net worth came from gifts when he married and when he ran for election.

Well, Mareng Winnie or Winnie Monsod was really good at grilling him but in fairness, it seems that the presidential son was not given enough time to answer each question because every time he opens his mouth to answer back, Mareng Winnie would fire another question and it seem a little funny. It is good that Pareng Egan or Arnold Clavio was able to equalize the interview session though it is quite visible how the congressman got a bit sarcastic. He should have brought a lawyer with him!

 

Mikey Arroyo got almost irritated. As a viewer, I saw in him a typical individual carelessly answering back to elders when caught red-handed with no more alibi. He was impatiently and sarcastically telling the hosts if it is okay now for him to answer the questions because every time he attempts to, he gets another question. Hahaha.

Well, I think that there are some anomalies indeed that we have to investigate but perhaps we also need to put things in the proper forum as educated people and not mere put justice in a trial by publicity. As for Mikey Arroyo, he should have went on air with a lawyer with him because what he did awhile ago was a media suicide. Instead oh clearing himself, he exposed himself more to scrutiny and doubts.

Well, he seems to have not practiced last night in answering such questions shelled by the hosts. He looked as if a student grilled in the Principal’s Office. As how Mikey stated his side, he has challenged the public that if they suspect any malice and fault in his SALN, then they better sue him so he can face them legally. Anyway. that is fine since I am sure that he has the entire government especially the administration to back him up. Besides, he is still his mother’s eldest son to protect!

 

But then again, this call is a little futile now because it will just end up being junked same as the other past scandals that we have seen filed against other known politicians of bad reputations and with the Presidential Family as well. It is sad but then we cannot blame the public if indeed we see that justice is blind especially when the crime is committed by the individuals in power.

Remember the NBN-ZTE scandal, HELLO GARCI scandal, the FERTILIZER scandal and the 1M DOLLAR DINNER issue that all were just forgotten after the government asked its unprepared troops to do a suicide mission in the lair of the ABU SAYYAF only to be massacred and end up shifting the public attention from the real issues? Thanks to the soldiers who risked their lives to make a new headline and save the administration.

Well, I am just sharing my opinion. I still have high hopes for the government though. I just wish that the MEDIA will somehow give a fair venue for everyone both GOOD and EVIL. This will make us all judge each issue fairly and with justice. I also pray that all GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS should as well serve the people well as per their mandate. By doing so, we can all focus on nation-building rather than going in circles from one scandal after another.

Besides, PUBLIC SERVANTS should SERVE THE PUBLIC and not the other way around. Right?

Arroyo sons acquire homes in California

Mikey fails to declare $1-M house

By Vera Files
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:20:00 08/31/2009

MANILA, Philippines—Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo has not declared in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) for the last two years a $1.32-million (P63.7-million) beachfront property in the San Francisco Bay area in California that he bought and then transferred to his wife Angela in 2006.

Mikey is the eldest of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s three children.

The house at 1655 Beach Park Blvd. in Foster City, San Mateo County, is now up for sale, but the property does not appear in Mikey’s 2007 and 2008 SALN.

Under the California Family Code, community ownership of a property acquired during marriage may be transferred or “transmuted” to one spouse by formal agreement.

But even if Mikey relinquished to his wife any right to the property, guidelines for the filing of SALNs in the Philippines require public officials to declare property owned by their spouses.

The SALNs of both Mikey and his brother, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Ignacio “Dato” Arroyo, show them both acquiring houses in the United States, not to mention local business interests, after winning seats in Congress.

Dato and his wife, Victoria Celina Manotok, purchased a P26.7-million property in San Francisco barely a year after he won his House seat in 2007. Unlike Mikey, though, Dato declared ownership of the property in his SALN for 2008.

Mikey did declare a “residential house” in the United States in his SALN for 2005 and 2006, during his first term as representative of Pampanga’s second district. But he did not report the location of his US property as required by filing guidelines.

The 2005 and 2006 disclosures do not say whether Mikey was referring to a single property or to two different houses. In 2005, he merely listed the acquisition value at P49.5 million in what he reported as an “installment sale.” A year later, the value of the unspecified property was pegged at P63.7 million.

Mikey did declare himself a “shareholder” in a company called Beach Way Park on “Beach Park Blvd California,” the same street where the Foster City property is located. Unlike his other business interests, he did not say when he acquired the shares in this company.

Mikey’s reaction

Mikey could not be reached despite repeated attempts by Vera Files to get his side by phone. He did not reply, either, to questions Vera Files texted several times to his two mobile phone numbers.

(Contacted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sunday, however, Mikey insisted that he had been transparent in filing his SALN since winning a seat in Congress in 2004. “I have declared everything I own in my SALN. It is self-explanatory,” he said in a text message.

(He suggested that those who have doubts contact his lawyer who prepared his SALN for him.

(“If they still have doubts, they can sue me. I don’t want to waste my time dealing with issues like this. There are far more important things to do, such as helping the government find ways to lessen the impact of the global financial crisis,” Mikey said.)

Beachfront house

The house at 1655 Beach Park Blvd. is a five-bedroom, three-bathroom, two-story house that sits on a 600-square meter lot facing the San Francisco Bay.

Data from the San Mateo County assessor’s office show that Mikey transferred the ownership of the house to his wife, Angela Arroyo Montenegro, and registered it under her name in August 2006 in what is called an “interfamily transfer.”

The Arroyos paid $1,452 in taxes when they bought the Foster City property in 2006. Last year, they paid $14,239 or P692,000 in property taxes.

Mikey, 40, wed Angela, his second cousin, on June 24, 2002. They have two daughters, Mikaela Gloria and Marie Angelique. Mikey’s father, First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, and Angela’s mother, Rosario Arroyo, are first cousins.

Angela’s father, Herman Montenegro, was president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and is chair and president of HM Group of Companies.

Shortly after Mikey and Angela were married, Montenegro became treasurer and chair of the ways and means committee of the President’s party, Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

Pictures on website

The Foster City house was built in 1969 and has a floor area of 250 square meters. Information about the property is publicly available on a number of websites, among them www.zillow.com and www.ewalk.com. But the websites do not list the owner of the property.

The ewalk website has pictures of the house, including the front view, backyard, living room, master bedroom, family room, office and kitchen and dining room in 360-degree scenes.

Data from Zillow, which provides real estate information, indicate that the property’s market value plunged to slightly more than $1 million in February amid the financial meltdown in the United States, before climbing to $1.26 million in recent months.

The beachfront property, with the legal description “Lot 710 Foster City Neighborhood No 3 Unit No2 RSM 62/43 50,” was bought from a certain George Skyllas. The transaction was recorded on Aug. 23, 2006, in the San Mateo County Assessor’s Office under Document ID 2006-126984.

Twice mortgaged

Data from the assessor’s office also show that Angela had twice mortgaged the Foster City property since the couple acquired it in 2006. She redeemed it in April last year.

Mikey bought the beachfront house apparently after he and his wife sold in September 2005 their 160-square meter three-bedroom, three-bathroom condominium unit at 805 Mendocino Way or the Manors Condominiums in Redwood City, also in San Mateo County. They got paid $900,000 for the property.

Information from the assessor’s office shows that Mikey also placed the deed to the Redwood City property in his wife’s name before selling it. The condo unit is registered with a legal description “Unit 805 The Manors Condominiums RSM 118/3-20.”

Mikey’s SALN for 2004 does not show him owning any property in the United States. It lists only a house and lot in Lubao, Pampanga, he reported acquiring for P4 million and a property at La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City with an P8-million acquisition cost.

Dato’s condo

Dato’s SALN does not contain details of his San Francisco condominium, but Vera Files’ research found it to be a 70-square meter one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit (Unit No. 533) at the luxury high-rise, full-service Gramercy Towers at 1177 California St. in upscale downtown San Francisco.

The database of the San Francisco Assessor’s Office lists Dato and his wife, Maria Victoria Celina Manotok, as co-owners of the condominium unit. The couple were married on May 17, 2003, and have two children, Eva Victoria and Miguel Luis.

Dato’s wife bought the condo unit for $570,000 on Sept. 8 last year. In December, she declared her husband co-owner through a deed recorded as Document No. I69529200 at the assessor’s office.

Landmark of Nob Hill

The Gramercy website describes the three-tower complex located between Jones and Taylor, across from Grace Cathedral and adjacent to the Masonic center as “a landmark of Nob Hill since 1972.” Its slogan: “Living at the Top of Nob Hill.”

Nob Hill is one of San Francisco’s signature neighborhoods and is known for its landmarks and famous hotels.

The Gramercy website boasts that it has “a great athletic, spa and swimming facility,” with a rotating roof over the swimming pool that can open to show a spectacular view of the towers.

Dato, 34, and his wife pay a monthly association fee of $744 or P36,000, a source knowledgeable about the property said. Their unit is being managed by Prudential California Realty based in Burlingame, California.

In his SALN for 2008, Dato reported a P26.7-million loan from his father-in-law, Rufino Luis Manotok, senior managing director and chief financial officer of Ayala Corp. The amount matches the acquisition value he declared for his San Francisco property.
Net worth

Mikey placed his net worth at P99.2 million in his SALN for 2008, slightly up from the P96.7 million recorded the previous year. He reported P27 million in real property, P129 million in personal assets, and P56 million in liabilities.

His 2007 and 2008 statements reflected only two pieces of property: The Lubao house and lot, and the La Vista property.

In 2005, when Mikey first disclosed owning a “residential house” in the United States, he also reported a P27.1-million loan “from relatives” and an outstanding balance of P34.6 million for the purchase of his US property.

From zero in his first year in office, Mikey’s liabilities suddenly ballooned to a staggering P61.8 million in 2005.

Since then, he has been reporting multimillion-peso liabilities, ranging from P56.8 million to P78.4 million.

By omitting the US property starting in 2007, Mikey’s real property assets plunged from P90.7 million in 2006 to P27 million in 2007 and 2008.

Mikey’s Horseman Bar

All the business interests Mikey declared in his latest SALN were acquired when he was already congressman.

He became president of Mikey’s Horseman Bar and Grill in 2006, director of LPG Auto Gas and shareholder in Los Manos Verdes Inc. in 2007, and shareholder in U18 Properties Inc. and stockholder of La Vista Investments and Holdings Inc. in 2008.

He listed his wife as having been a director of her family-owned companies—Pacific Activated Carbon Co. Inc., Titan Megatiles Industrial Corp., Pacific Activated Carbon Co. Inc., HM Montenegro Co. Inc. and Titan Megabags Industrial Corp.—since the 1990s.

Like his brother, Dato had little property or business interests when he assumed office in June 2007. His only business involvement was a seat on the board of the family-owned LTA Inc., which he has held since October 2004.

Guesalar Trading Inc.

The rest of Dato and his wife’s financial interests were acquired in 2007. In August that year, he and Victoria became directors of Guesalar Trading Inc. In October, Dato became shareholder of Sanarrvill Corp.

Besides his San Francisco condo, Dato declared in his SALN for 2008 a property—location unspecified—that he acquired in 2001, a detail he failed to include in declarations for June and December 2007. He classified the lot as “shared property,” with an acquisition cost of P1.5 million.

He has another shared property in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, which he said he purchased for P7.9 million in 2005.

Dato also owns a shared property at La Vista Subdivision, where improvements added up to P17.1 million in 2007 and to P21.3 million in 2008.

His SALN for 2008 stated that he borrowed P7.5 million from his father and entered into an unspecified trust agreement worth P27 million with Pampanga (third district) Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., a party-mate.

A trust agreement could be in the form of a property, loan or special contract, the SALN guidelines state. A trust “is an arrangement where property is registered in the name of one person (legal owner) but is, in truth, owned by another person (beneficial owner). A trust may also be defined as an arrangement where a trustor (a person who establishes a trust) reposes confidence in a trustee as regards property for the benefit of the trustor or of another person (beneficiary).”

By 2008, like his brother, Dato became stockholder of La Vista Investments and Holdings Inc. His wife in 2008 was declared treasurer of Celina Premium Lighting and Trading Inc. and trustee of Aurelio Gonzales Jr. Dato describes his wife as an “investor” in his annual declarations.

Partly because of the purchase of the San Francisco property, Dato’s real property assets shot up by 262 percent, from P15.8 million in June 2007 to P57.5 million in December 2008.

His net worth in 2008 was P89 million, P5.2 million more than what he reported in 2007.

By Ellen Tordesillas, Avigail Olarte, Yvonne Chua and Luz Rimban.
——————————————
Vera Files is the work of senior journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”

Source: INQUIRER.net

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090831-222791/Arroyo-sons-acquire-homes-in-California

 

Imagine the convenience of having your computer anywhere with you without the extra weight? Imagine having to scrap the whole idea of bringing a memory stick and risking your sensitive documents and photos due to theft or accidental loss?

In the advent of advanced web computing, there are several web services that offers virtual computing where one just need to have an internet browser to login to his virtual computer anytime and anywhere as if he has his own computer with him.

 

I saw G.HO.ST months ago in a magazine featuring free and cool web services. I tried it but never got into it because the concept was new to me then. I thought it was just another social networking site or perhaps a look-alike of CITRIX.

G.HO.ST is a free virtual computing service pronounced as “ghost” that contains almost everything you would have in a computer – a desktop, a file storage and applications and all is hosted in a professional data center forming the concept of “cloud” computing.

Just this morning, I saw my brother-in-law use his G.HO.ST account and I thought of getting myself into the tool once again. Well, after hours of getting around with it, I have decided to take screenshots so I can share the good news to you all.

 

In the image above, you can see the login screen once you browse for HTTP://G.HO.ST and sign-up as how you would do with your email accounts. Note that you will need to provide an email account and access an activation email to proceed.

Once logged-in, you will see a virtual desktop much like your REAL COMPUTER. The interface is much like WINDOWS VISTA but it is as if you are using yet another LINUX DISTRO with tons of free applications and good features.

For productivity, it has some applications much like OFFICE TOOLS called ZOHO WRITER as an alternative for MS WORD, ZOHO SHEETS for MS EXCEL and ZOHO SHOW for MS POWERPOINT. Great thing about this is that you need not to spend for licenses!

Notice that there are tools as well for INSTANT MESSAGING and EMAIL. I have seen as well some MULTIMEDIA APPLICATIONS and other softwares useful for one’s daily tasks. Again, it is like having a virtual computer or rather your physical computer with you.

Well, for G.HO.ST to be cool, it has to have games! Indeed, after navigating with its menu, I saw this KONGREGATE GAMES with tons of games in it. There are even ONLINE GAMES much like ADVENTURE QUESTS and other MMORPG GAMES famous nowadays. 

Well, I won’t be as pleased with it if not for its INTERNET BROWSER called G.HO.ST browser  because now I can access FACEBOOK and play MAFIA WARS, FARM TOWN and even open up MMORPG games. Now, I just need to test if it would bypass the office firewall!!!

G.HO.ST is a good web service not just to individuals but to INTERNET CAFE BUSINESSES as well since MS OFFICE LICENSE is quite expensive if you have more than 10 computers. Thus, this would be a good and legit alternative for document processing.

I have yet to explore much of it but in the long run, I will have to publish more good news and reviews about it and about other good web offerings. So What are you waiting for? Get your own account now and start having your own virtual computer anytime, anywhere!

By the way, as you create your own account, please do not forget to include me as your REFEROR once you configure your account! You may use my G.HO.ST account ID for this once you are asked. Remember, my account is RYANERICSONGCANLAS@G.HO.ST! Cheers!

I just won 3 wars. I have been playing MAFIA WARS for 4 days now as a NEWBIE at Level 26 with 160-strong Mafia. The statistic is not so bad for someone who has been new to the game. MAFIA WARS is really addictive.

I cannot forget the very first time I clicked DECLARE WAR by mistake. I was into a war with my friend MIKE. I won. Hahaha. The 2nd time, I tried it once again with my brother-in-law RYAN. I won. Hahaha.

So yesterday, I tried initiating another war with a female classmate I had way back in high school and she’s RYA. Again, I won. Hahaha. Thanks to my supportive MAFIA FAMILY! Thus, I coined a new creedo – IN UNITY, THERE IS VICTORY!

Indeed, UNITY is the key to this game. Same as the PC game LEFT 4 DEAD where TEAM WORK is important for you to win a battle. With MAFIA WAR, your strength is the summation of all the capabilities of your friends under your MAFIA.

Way back in high school, the term – “IN UNITY, WE PASSED!” is often used after exams because the class would almost always unite in passing answers so everyone will get to pass an exam. In short, they all cheat to help one another. Hahaha.

In the real world of grown-ups, we all need to learn how to UNITE and HELP one another to achieve a common goal. Acting as one, whether you are strong and powerful will not warrant success. You need others to ensure that you will win.

Thus, MAFIA WARS is not only a game that entertains and robs time as well but it is a game that provides a venue for people to learn the concept of UNITY, TEAM WORK and CARE FOR FELLOW MAFIAS. Hehehe.

This explains why I am a little lame lately to write blog entries and post tweets. I found another diversion and I was too challenged to ladder up and win. Hahaha. Anyway, I will find time soon. After I reach Level 100. Hahaha. Cheers!

I have always been interested with conspiracy theories and all related events in our history. Just awhile ago, I saw some YOUTUBE videos indicating that MICHAEL JACKSON was indeed ALIVE. Thus, I do not know what to say.

Anyway, here are some of the videos shared at YOUTUBE for your viewing. Perhaps, in the days to come, we will be seeing some articles as well related to this issue. At any rate, it would be better for me to know that indeed MJ is ALIVE! Cheers!

 

Hi there! It’s almost 4AM and I am still up on my Day 3 of struggling to reach the high ranks among mobsters. Welcome to MAFIA WARS! This great game from Zynga accessible via Facebook is one of the hottest online games made available through a social network platform. One has to try it to appreciate it. It is a game that challenges your EGO less the graphic features. It makes adult people kids again. Hehehe.

I have been a fanatic of FARM TOWN so I usually rejected some invites before to play MAFIA WARS. Besides, without the animation, it seems to be a boring game for me… not until I tried playing it! I got so addicted that even at Level 11, I waged a war by accident with a friend who is already at Level 186 with almost twice the size of my Mafia. The result… I won! Hahaha. Thus, I got more addicted to it.

Being new to this, I usually chat with friends about the game and all the How To’s until I decided to just do my own reading. Thus, I read the HOW TO PLAY page and I have decided to capture the information so I can share it here in my blog. Nonetheless, ownership of such information is retained by Zynga and Facebook so due credit is given. Perhaps, by doing so, I could gain more members in my MAFIA! Hehehe.

Cheers!

MAFIA WARS – Fact Sheet

Crime Jobs

A mobster’s gotta work! Crime jobs are a great way to earn cash and experience, especially when you’re getting your start. Some jobs require certain items, properties, or mafia size to complete. New jobs become available as you progress through the game by completing jobs, earning cash and expanding your mafia size. Use that cash to buy the tools you need to perform bigger and better jobs for a bigger payoff.

Staying Alive, Stay Fighting, Stay On Top! 
In order to do anything from picking a job to picking a fight you need to maintain your health, energy and stamina. You need your health to stay alive in fights and to avoid getting knocked down from a sucker punch. You’ll need your energy to complete jobs and should you get nabbed by the cops – to break out of jail! You’ll need stamina to keep fighting. Earn cash and experience by performing jobs and picking fights! You need experience points to move up to the next level and become a more powerful criminal.

Hit List

Check here to find out who’s got a bounty on their head, and make sure you’re not one of them! A successful hit will earn you a nice cash reward. Keep in mind being a bounty hunter will earn you easy cash, but every other mafia will be able to view the same Marked Men – first come, first served. You can place a mark on most players in your same level range from their Mafia profile as long as you’ve got the stamina and the money to pay out for a bounty.

Properties

Real estate is a great way to earn quick, steady and reliable cash and street credit. Owning properties is where the real cash is at! Properties generate recurring income that can be used to finance your criminal activates. The more properties you own, the more money will continue to roll in.

The Bank

The streets are rough, and rival mafias are everywhere. You can safe guard your cash at the bank, but after laundering and the bank’s cut, you’ll lose about 10%. But better lose it to the bank than on the streets because during fights, you can’t lose money you have in the bank!

The Godfather

Any made man knows that when you need a little help, you go to The Godfather. He’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse. The Godfather can assist you by rise quickly through the ranks by giving you cash, energy or more members power up your mafia fast. You can help The Godfather out by donating or filling out offers. I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to return the favor…

IF YOU ARE MISSING REWARD POINTS:

• If you purchased reward points with your credit card or Paypal: Fill out a Support Ticket
• If you have completed offers with Super Rewards and you are missing the points have to send a request to them for help. In order to do this you will need to go to the Points page and click on "Missing Points". This will display a list of offers that you have clicked on. Find the offer that you believe you completed and click "Missing these reward points". In the form that comes up paste the confirmation email that you received for completing the offer. They will then process this request and award you the points if they find that you completed it.

The Hospital

Every now and then you’re bound to get caught up in a back alley beating or drive by shooting. When you’re feeling down and low on health, visit the Hospital to pay off the doctor to get patched up and back on the streets, and off the books.

Fight

There’s a war going on outside! Fight it out with other Mafia Families for honor and fame. It’s your family versus theirs: each member of your Mafia is armed with the best offensive and defensive weapons you’ve got and same deal for your opponent. You should try to have at least one offensive weapon, one defensive weapon, and one vehicle for each member of your family. Pick fights to win cash and bragging rights on the streets.

Inventory

Where you buy and sell items. Shows the items that are available and the quantity you own. More items become available as you progress through the game.

Your Mafia Members

In Mafia Wars, you’re only as strong as your family. Mafia members are essential for doing jobs and fighting other families. If your Mafia is low on members, you can recruit more.

Profile

When you gain enough experience to increase in level, you are awarded upgrade points that you can use to improve your character’s attributes.

 

Source: FACEBOOK & MAFIA WARS (http://apps.facebook.com/inthemafia/)

It’s been a year and until now, I really like viewing these 4 shots I took on a family vacation and tour in the islands of Palawan. I was in a hurry then because the tour was timed and my wife and son wanted to check other islands so I took a fancy camera I got from a recent trip and took 4 shots of the scenery as I head back to the boat.

It was only after we went back to Manila that among the hundreds of pictures that we took, the 4 shots above really impressed me. Unlike the good quality photos that I could have taken if I were using a DSLR, the shots above were simple yet contains so many thoughts about our trip and perhaps, about life.

Sometimes, in simplicity we miss some details because we got used to seeing things in a complex perspective. Same as in those photos, amidst the serene and calm environment stems a realization that indeed we have all that we need to reach our destination in this journey we called life.

The sky that provides an inspiration and an air to free one’s soul and the sea that calms the spirit seem so vibrant. The tree that gives comfort and life along the grass around signifies that we are alive indeed. Even in isolation, we were never left with no choice at all to break free whenever we want to.

Look at the log and even the two small boats. They offer the choices in life that we can take – either to push hard and fish lives or get a quick escape for leisure or for good. More so, even if we are to fail, there will always be a log floating around as our lifesaver. Life is full of simile and metaphor.

With all of these thoughts, the scene will never be complete without the beach sand that distinguishes the kind of battlefield one is into. In the end, all will settle down even in the midst of a stormy sea and strong tides because the sand will always make it to the shoreline no matter what. True indeed.

It’s almost 6:00AM. It’s Wednesday. I have not had any sleep yet because of my insomnia and my addiction to MAFIA WARS and FARM TOWN! Thanks to FACEBOOK! I had to be as old as 29 to be like my 9-year old son again – playful and childlike. Hahaha. Anyway, work has never been so easy lately because of technology. Imagine the facility for “work from home” and all the remote control tools enabling a consultant to manage multi-billion systems in Europe here in the Philippines while watching a DVD movie! Great!

I may be home for some of the days of the week and I may be out during weekends on business travels but still, the power of technology has given me the convenience to bridge all my priorities in life. Being an IT Professional is something I never dreamed of because I wanted to be a lawyer but still it is a blessing for showing me a lot of what people can do. Besides, I need not to be on court hearings each day far away from my family to earn a living. I can be at the office or at home and still I will earn enough to fulfill my dreams for them.

Anyway, I am the morning captain for today. I already got the marinated chicken out of the freezer for thawing and I have already cooked rice. Since our last house helper abandoned her work all because of love, my wife and I have decided to divide the work among us and this initiative includes our only son. We did not bother to hire a nanny anymore because the last one stole cash and belongings that cause a little trauma for us as employers. Thus, we had to try it this time on our own.

Few more minutes and our bedroom’s alarm clock will ring. Before that, I need to make sure that breakfast is ready and that the “baons” or lunch boxes are prepared as well. I had all the troubles at first but today, I have already leveled up as an expert with household chores. Besides, I grew up in a family where you cannot watch TV unless you are done with your tasks like dish washing or making sure that the floor is as shiny as the sun. Hahaha. I missed a lot of episodes of Daimos, Voltes V and Bioman because of this. Tsk.

Anyway, this blog entry is not meant to detail and point that I am beginning to be a certified “under-the-saya”. Hehehe. In a chauvinistic society, men who perform household chores regardless if they are senior managers or executives are almost always tagged as underdogs in their respective marriages because they rather give in and submit to their wives than act as the bosses. Well, this is concept that is not applicable nowadays and so I care less about it. Hehehe.

Besides, my father can cook better than my mom and he can even do the laundry fast and efficiently but he is the boss in our house. He has built enough houses and landmarks while being a contractor and has even drank truckloads of liquor already and attended enough “pordaboys” or clubbing so to speak that if I were to define the term “macho” in the Pinoy context, my dad would be the best example.

Anyway, it is quite weird that I do not feel tired at all though sleepless. Perhaps it is because I enjoy what I am doing. More than the businesses that I am into right now and some new project engagements I have both short-termed and long-term, I am happy. I have learned a lot from all my travels both local and abroad and the interactions I had with various clients of different nationalities. Thus, I now long to have more time with what matters most to me after having explored life as a career person and that is my family.

Sometimes we may fall too buried with work or in fulfilling our dreams as professionals that we seldom remember that there are more to life than promotions and career achievements. I may age someday and be weaker through the years but I will never ever be tired for my family because just like breathing and heartbeat, my family is what keeps me alive. I may feel sleepy in awhile after doing all my tasks as the morning captain for all the days to come, I will not tire and I will never be tired.

NOTE: The blog entry below entitled “CROSSROADS” was taken from my friend’s blog and I thought of sharing it here with him retaining ownership as copyright is observed.

He has published the said article in response to a comment I have posted for him via Friendster and an email I sent as well as an appreciation of our friendship way back.

I was addressed as “sonic” since this was derived from my second name – Ericson. More so, like the video game character Sonic The Hedgehog, I took life in a fast lane. .

The comment and email I wrote are in italics and in red. You will see below as well the only response I made at his blog entry last August 28, 2008 or a year ago in Blue.

CROSSROADS

The following is part of a comment I received on my Friendster account:

 “So when can we sit for a cup of coffee or two and perhaps talk about the good old days?” – 19  July 2008

The good old days… I wonder if we still have the same notion of what those days were.

The message was from a good friend of mine. He was a man I have always looked up to, even though he would always insist that we are but equals. We never did seem to agree on anything, he did things I will never do in this lifetime and I may never understand some of his philosophies but he is a person who has earned my trust and respect.

I last had a chance to talk to his mother when I needed something for a subject in college, her mom happened to be working in the government institution that I went to. It was then that I have learned that he has already tied the knot and living his own life.

Just the way he would have wanted.

In the years that followed high school, we lost touch of each other. The last time I saw him was in a class reunion some three years ago. He has aged, I mean all of us have, for he was already mature in the way he thinks way back then.

From an outside perspective, a stranger would easily mistake him as just another misguided youth ready to take on the world in his rebellious carefree attitude. But to those who were willing enough to listen and get to know him though, one would find out that he simply wanted to be his own man and do things his own way.

I would always recall that one afternoon as we were walking home when he envisioned how our lives would be years later. He was a philosophical dreamer yes, and yet he was a visionary of sorts as well.

Of all the characters and personalities that he is: a rebel, an artist, a musician, a husband, a father…to me the most important of all was, a friend.

In one of those moments of sentimentality, I sent him an email and the following is part of his response:

Thanks for remembering. Life is too short for us to live it through the patterns set by others. It is by being who we really are that matters most and not by trying to be the person others wants us to be. At the end, this would make a huge difference in a world so corrupted by traditions of misjudgments and wrong beliefs.I take this opportunity to thank you. Of all my friends and batch mates, you were always there with me from our grade school days to the time when we were both making a name during high school, though I took the road less traveled later on.In almost 25 years of living a life less ordinary, I learned that real men don’t make wrong decisions nor take the wrong path because everything is justified. I want to let you know that I appreciate everything. I miss my old hobbies though. I miss painting and writing. I still write but not essays… I write codes for applications. I still paint but not with papers and inks. I paint GUI and application designs.

Here’s to you my friend. Remember that although we have taken different roads in our journey through life, maybe someday we’ll eventually meet each other again in one of life’s many crossroads.

(for sonic)

~ by inkblot on July 27, 2008.

Posted in thought speaks
Tags: testimonial

One Response to “crossroads” (from Ryan Ericson Canlas)

1. Thanks. Too little time indeed, so many precious moments to fill our bags in as we leave this world of dreams. I remember writing that message though. 3 years or 4 years ago perhaps but then again, you still have it in your bin. Great!

   I have been writing too but basically all remained unpublished as of the moment. I have some photoblogs though of my trips. I hope I can find time to write online too. The power of the pen will always be mightier. Well, I am still the same person after a decade or two of ageing, struggles and learnings. The REBEL in me is still very much active but then again, LIFE has taught me how to take it easy. Age? Nope. I just get tired easily now.

   I am happy. You have reached your goal now. Somehow. You may not have made it as a SCIENTIST and perhaps I may not have made it as a LAWYER or a POLITICIAN but then again we won in our quest to answer the toughest question of LIFE – Who am I?

   But there are other questions left unanswered and so the journey has to continue. Wanderer as we are but soon, we shall reap the fruit of this struggle – the knowledge that will make us all complete after all.

   We may or may not meet in any of those crossroads but then again, there can only be one destination. There for sure, we shall meet once more. Perhaps once day, we shall see each other launching our own books? Hehehe. Cheers to the GOOD OLD DAYS!

   - Sonic (Ryan Ericson Canlas) said this on August 26, 2008 at 12:41 pm

It’s been quite awhile indeed. I was checking some of my friends with my Facebook account when suddenly I came across a profile of someone who was once and still close to me as a friend. He is a doctor now and I must admit that I am so proud of him having to reach his goal at last.

We were once best buddies until competition came our way. We were rivals so to speak but each time that I am to lead the race, I take a different path. From CAT to editorship and even to other extra-curricular activities, our names would always cross-path. The process was purely academic and friendly though.

Years before that, we would walk home together embraced as we talk. We would cross the same old wooden bridge each day and stop at the acacia tree acting as jeepney stop. He would take a ride afterwards and soon I would take my walk home only after seeing him take his ride. I tried to be a big brother even without him knowing it then.

I just live near the school so it was a habit for me to wait for classmates after school so I have someone to walk along with. My friend and I were both dreamers but in a different perspective. He was a practical dreamer who would dream the feasible dream while I was the idealistic type who would dream the impossible dream like a nut!

Each day, we would talk about concepts and principles. Imagine grade school students talking about cryonics perhaps or even life after death and how the planets were really formed. The discussions were awesome. His logic is based on published facts being a wide-reader while I reason on my own.

At one point, we would talk about our dreams after college. He is so good with science. No wonder that our science teacher then almost walked out because he seem to know more about the topic then than our teacher does. Hehehe. On my part, I was the happy-go-lucky side of the story. Amidst my good scholastic standing, I was the naughtiest, noisiest, and most active bully in class.

It was through him that I first flipped the pages of the Funk & Wagnall’s Animal Encyclopedias. He mastered almost all scientific names of animals. Even up to now, whenever I hear that word “Felis Domesticus” and “Canis Familiaris”, I would remember him being the Walking Encyclopedia. He’s damn good.

On the other hand, rather than specializing, I decided to be a Jack of all Trade. Well, I was never a Master of None anyway. Hehehe. I took arts, music, acting, writing and even voicing out people’s concerns – I was like the Complaint Desk Officer of the class. Nonetheless, I got citations and awards as well same as my friend.

Being good with debates and arguments, I was dreaming way back of being a lawyer or a politician some day. I wanted to have the leverage to change things. Otherwise, I thought of just being a doctor which is a generic dream of kids before so I can cure the sick and dissect more frogs. Hehehe.

Anyway, I had so many dream jobs then. I wanted to be an astronaut to check if the moon indeed is made of cheese!. I wanted to be an engineer too so I can prevent floodings in our village. At one point, I wanted to be a soldier so I can just shoot my enemies down. Lastly, I wanted to be a priest so I can have a car of my own!

Well, Most priests then would have their own cars so I thought it was an easy way to have a car by being one. I was funny way back and actually I am still a clown now at the age of 29. Anyway, I just wanted to make a difference then. I wanted to dream of something that others usually don’t dream of. I was weird, right?

Well, both of us were candidate for the top post for the CAT and we were as well competing for the editorship of our school paper during our high school days. I was doing well with the military club and both of us were writing good articles since we were freshmen. I was into competitions then. Thus, I was optimistic in my goal until I change path.

I was a regular columnist likened to Max Soliven for having to speak my mind so well. It was idealism perhaps that led me to start using the pen as a tool for reforms and changes. I should have just played along to charm my teachers and perhaps accept the fact that practices are practices but I was radical way back… and even now.

Thus, I cannot forget the day that I was castigated both by the school, by the editorial board and by the military club for having to write something about blind loyalty and my strong position against hazing and all forms of violence and intimidation to instill discipline and obedience. That day changed my life forever.

On our incorporation day while under the military training, I was made to suffer most because of my column. I was forced to drop my bid for the top post and leave the club. My class adviser was never on my side and my editor distanced herself from me. I was alone in a fight.

Most classmates whom I have just voiced out their concerns turned their back on me. Perhaps because all of us were achievers then and being associated with such issue would somehow affect someone’s academic standing. It was hard but I took my stand firmly and I never retracted.

The only advice I got then was to learn how to accept things as they were because no one can ever change old practices and traditions. He who turns against the tides to change the flow of things will always find it hard to succeed because the world lives in a status quo. There are things we cannot change.

Well, I never took that advice. As a result, I became a man who had to challenge almost all aspects of life just to prove that even a single man can make a difference. It is true indeed. That decision somehow alienated me for awhile but I was still excelling in academics and other activities then that I was able to renew ties with people.

That was the year that I was baptized as a rebel of such a stereotypical society. I created my own stream rather than going with the flow. I could have won so easily but I never saw victory in a mere conformity and compliance without having to validate if indeed what is perceived as acceptable with the society is just and right.

Same as how I liked Andres Bonifacio as my friend would end up being a fan of Emilio Aguinaldo, I ended up fighting alone and having none but principles while he won the charms and all that we both have dreamed for. In the end, he took the road straight towards success as advised by elders and made his dream real.

It took almost a decade for us to explore ourselves. At some point, I may say that we both ended up as victors. He is now a doctor doing well with his field while I took the path of advocating knowledge and bridging the gap via Information Technology where I have made my own achievements so far plus the various advocacies.

The decision that led me to change the direction of the competition landed us both as winners in different competitions but almost in a similar category we call “life’s struggles”. I am now married with a 9-year old son who I see as a far better person than me. I may have been subtle now as a rebel of life due to maturity but I am still the same person that I always am.

As for my friend, he remains single and active in his quest to live his life full. We both do blogging as well. He is a metaphorical writer same as me except that I am more tactless. Hehehe. After all those years and all those memories of the good old days, I can happily say that we did well and we did fine.

We’re more than a decade older now but still… the friendship remains in our hearts… The story of the two young boys crossing an old wooden bridge from school each day embraced with their dreams to make it big one day will always be a good story to keep and a good tale to pass on about taking one’s path with no regrets.

THANKS TO YOU ILLARAM_A! ANYWAY, I STILL HAVE TIME TO BE A LAWYER FOR REAL AND I WILL BE GRABBING THAT OPPORTUNITY SOON! CHEERS!

Today is yet another proof that indeed there friends who would stick to the creedo of leaving no man behind. Thus, I write this short note just to journal my thoughts on this special day.

EXIGO has been a special word for our MAFIA GROUP. I have googled EXIGO and its meaning months ago just to understand it and perhaps put a good use to it and a certain online latin dictionary defined the said word as:

EXIGO – verb, means: to drive out| expel; finish; examine| weigh

The word is a little bit catchy if it were to be used as a company name but still for me, I get to be reminded of two words – EXIT and GO! As the title of this blog entry would say, when all else fails, exit and go!

True indeed. Life has proven that there are people who would rather find and exit and go once they feel that the struggle is not anymore worth it or if they feel that victory is not clearly defined. Thus, risk is abandoned for safety.

For people like me who are willing to go for the extremes just to fight for a cause or to test the limits of life and all its concepts, EXIGO is simply synonymous to QUITTING! Too bad but I am not and I will never be a QUITTER of life!

Just thinking…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Images and Videos source via Google Search. Ownership retained by original posters and photographers. Copyright protected and respected. 

Just as I was suspecting. Miss Venezuela wins the crown again. I was playing a joke this morning via Yahoo Messenger to my friends saying that perhaps it would be “Miss Venezuela or… Miss Caloocan”. Hahaha. Indeed, I was right.

Anyway, Miss Philippines gave a good performance anyway. Besides, what matters most is that we were able to show the beauty of Filipinas and our country through Pamela Bianca Manalo so in some sense, we won our goal.

I was not able to watch the footage in full because I had to take a nap. Anyway, below is the news article that I got from IINQUIRER.net.

———————————————————————————-

Venezuela wins Miss Universe 2009

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 3) Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez, won the Miss Universe 2009 beauty pageant held in Nassau, Bahamas.

Fernandez, 18, inherited the Miss Universe crown from another Venezuelan, Dayana Mendoza, who won the competition in 2008.

She bested young women from 83 countries (not 84 as earlier reported), including Bianca Manalo, the Philippines’ bet to the contest this year.

Of the 83 women, those who made it to the top five were the contestants from Dominican Republic, who is first runner-up, followed by Kosovo, Australia, and Puerto Rico.

The official decision was made at the Atlantis Resort by a 12-person judging panel that included Andre Leon Talley, the editor-at-large for American Vogue, actor Dean Cain, and supermodel Valeria Mazza.

The main event Sunday was hosted by Celebrity Apprentice star Claudia Jordan and Access Hollywood co-anchor Billy Bush, and included performances by rapper Flo Rida, singers David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, and reality star Heidi Montag.

Source: INQUIRER.net
First Posted 09:52:00 08/24/2009
Filed Under: Entertainment (general), Women

 

As written in my prior article “PHOTOS: JASMINE FIORE’S BODY – NO CRIMINAL IS WISER ENOUGH TO HIDE HIS CRIME FOREVER!”, karma will always finds its way to people who try to escape away from it. At the end of the day, we all have to pay.

Thus, Ryan Jenkins met his own karma to instantly deliver justice to the crime he committed in killing his wife Jasmine Fiore beastly. It is just too bad that he opted for the easy way out instead. He killed himself. Tsk. (See related news and video below.)

Reality Star Ryan Jenkins Found Dead

Murder suspect Ryan Alexander Jenkins was found dead Sunday in British Columbia, police tell "The Insider."

Jenkins, 32, was a fugitive suspect in the murder of his ex-wife and swimsuit-model Jasmine Fiore. The reality star was found dead of an apparent suicide at the Thunderbird Motel in Hope, British Columbia, a spokesperson for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office tells "The Insider."

A hotel employee found Jenkins hanged in the motel room and contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, according to the spokesperson. Canadian police will be investigating the death.

Jenkins was a contestant on VH1’s reality show "Megan Wants a Millionaire."

Source: The Insider  & Google Search.(http://www.theinsider.com/news/2756664_Reality_Star_Ryan_Jenkins_Found_Dead)

 

         

As they say, no one can keep a skeleton in his closet forever because sooner or later, the stinks and all the mess inside will find its own way out. No one can suppress the truth and no one can hide from his own wrongdoings and escape the penalty of his crime. Besides, karma will always finds its way. Right? It may not be today or perhaps tomorrow but even if it will take years or decades, everyone will have its own karma.

Just recently, I have heard this news about Jasmine Fiore whose mutilated body was trashed in a bin stuffed inside a suitcase as seen in the photo above courtesy of TMZ. The killer tried to outwit justice by removing the victim’s teeth and fingers obviously to keep the corpse identity hidden. Besides, without fingerprints and teeth to match clinical records plus the long period one has to wait for a DNA trace, the criminal has all the time to find his way out and escape while everyone remains clueless.

Unfortunately for the killer and fortunately for the investigators and the family of the victim, the body was identified through the serial number found at the silicone breast implants of the swimsuit model – Jasmine Fiore. Thus, the body found stuffed in a suitcase and placed in a dumpster in Orange County was identified as the model.

Now, the investigation can proceed with a clear path towards pinning down the real culprit who did such a barbaric act to such a helpless woman last August 15, 2009. The criminal must have felt dumb upon learning about the silicone breast implant and perhaps he must have been into too much regret of not removing his victim’s breasts as well. At any rate, the lesson here is very clear… CRIME DOES NOT PAY!!!

Note: Images source via Google Search. TMZ photo of dead Jasmine Fiore obtained from http://coverawards.com/2009/08/22/jasmine-fiore-dead-body-photo/. Image seem to have been taken from a video footage so the quality was poor enough to hide details.

Pamela Bianca Manalo

 

 

Pamela Bianca Manalo, a native of Manila, was crowned Binibining Pilipinas 2009 – Universe at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, on March 7, 2009.^[1] It was aired live over GMA channels nationwide with Paolo Bediones and Iza Calzado as hosts.

Pamela Bianca is the sister of Katherine Anne Manalo, Miss World 2002 Top 10 finalist and the niece of Nini Ramos, Miss International 1968 Top 15 semi-finalist. During the Bb. Pilipinas 2009 pageant she won awards including the Best in Swimsuit and some sponsors awards like Miss Natasha, Miss Philippine Airlines and Manila Bulletin Reader’s Choice Award. At the end of the night she was crowned the new Binibining Pilipinas 2009 – Universe and have the right to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2009. The other winners were Melody Gersbach and Marie-Ann Umali for Miss International 2009 and Miss World 2009 respectively.

References

1. ^ "Pamela Bianca Manalo". USA Today. March 2009. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?type=photo&photo_id=0anv8j6cMNe9d&pn=8&tid=000000000. Retrieved 2009-05-31.

Source: Article from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamela_Bianca_Manalo

Images from Google Search. Ownerships of various images are retained by respective photographers and entities. Copyright respected.

Just minutes ago, I got so disappointed at MCDO for a delayed order. Thus, I made a letter knowing that I will not let such a thing pass without lobbying a complaint and writing yet another novel out of it. Hmp! Anyway, this may be an isolated case but still, this has to be addressed before it becomes another usual bad practice.

Anyway, the point here is that we need to make companies big and small adhere to their promises be it just for marketing and sales strategy or something that they are indeed dedicated into fulfilling. We as consumers have the right to be assured of prompt service and quality products because we pay just and fair!

—————————————————————————

From: Ryan Ericson Canlas
Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2009 11:40 PM
To: writeus@ph.mcd.com
Subject: COMPLAINT: DELAYED DELIVERY WITHOUT NOTICE

To whom it may concern;

I would like to issue this complaint with regards to www.mcdelivery.com.ph and McDonald’s poor delivery services. Just this evening at 9:00PM, my 9-year old son requested us to order him his favorite QUARTER POUNDER along with SPAGHETTI, MCFLURRY, LARGE FRIES and ICY BLUE SPRITE online. He was not feeling well due to stomach ache and vomiting so he requested us to buy him something to eat.

We live within Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong City and within the area; there are 6 McDonald stores around – the one in Emerald Ave., another along Shell Station in Meralco, another one in Pearl Drive, one in Edsa Central and two more at Robinson’s Galleria and SM Megamall. Thus, we know that if there would be any delay or failure in availability of one store for delivery, there are other alternatives.

At 9:20PM, we have received a call from the customer care of McDonald for order confirmation. It was mentioned that the nearest store lack the burger patty for QUARTER POUNDER so we instead ordered CHEESEBURGER DELUXE, SPAGHETTI, HOT FUDGE and LARGE FRIES. I was then advised of the bill and was asked to synchronize my timer. The time was 9:25PM and I was informed of a 45 minutes waiting time. Thus, we were to expect the order at 10:10PM at max.

My son almost fell asleep. At around 10:45PM, we called again 8-MCDO and the call center agent informed us that the order is yet to be delivered due to lack of delivery personnel. I commented that we should have at least been informed prior so we could have just cancelled the order and did not waste time waiting. I was informed that I will receive a call from the Store Manager. Thus, I waited.

At 11:00PM, my son was vomiting. He was looking for his request. To no avail, we just cooked him something instead. No call as received so I opened the computer and decided to write this email. As my son was dining with my wife, the delivery boy suddenly knocked to our door handing over our order. It was 11:15PM and the order arrived 65minutes late. I was a little mad but I could not blame the delivery boy.

We were told that we rather call the store as he pointed the phone number at the official receipt. The store that catered our order was at EDSA Central. (McDonald’s EDSA IT) made by a crew with ID "69 perry" encoded 23/08/2009 22:45:10 with OR # 032701500043318. In the receipt, it is very much visible that if we did not call for follow-up at 10:45PM, perhaps they would not have even processed the order.

After paying the bill, my wife called 6342718 to complain to the store manager. On my part, I wrote this complaint letter. She explained the issue and in the end, my wife even apologized if indeed her tone was a little bit high because we were waiting since 9:20PM until 11:15PM or almost 2 hours and our order arrived almost 65 minutes late as per promise.

We are not after a total refund although that should be automatic especially when the store is at fault. Time is being wasted here and that is something that is more precious than money. More so, my son had to stay up late knowing that he has to be on school early tomorrow. He was not feeling well and it was MCDO almost always that would cheer him up. We have been a regular patron of MCDO and this incident today is not a good thing to reward customers.

The inaction on the part of the store manager at EDSA Central branch is something that is very unprofessional. Being into the service industry myself, I know that at a point of failure when it comes to service delivery, communication to client is very critical. At 11:18PM, my wife was promised that we will be given a refund but damage has already been done. We just watched a great movie "UP" and now my wife and son had to sleep with bad moods because of all these.

The P191.40 bill of my son’s meal may be small but the time we had to waste waiting and the frustrations we had plus the failure of the store manager to call us is very much disappointing. Thus, we ask that service delivery be improved. I have read the terms and conditions under your website and at some point, there is a need to notify customers if in case that orders are cancelled or cannot be delivered. This is to avoid such incident as what we have encountered.

At least, some PIZZA companies would offer an extra PIZZA to compensate for any delays. Some would even be generous and polite in apologizing. As for MCDO, we never received such treatment. It is sad but this has to be addressed.

Regards,

RYAN ERICSON CANLAS
A Father and a Customer

What Everyone But You Sees About Your Body

“When I was young I really struggled with my body and how it looked because I didn’t understand why my friends were so effortlessly skinny. As I got older I realized that everyone’s body is different and not everyone is skinny naturally–me included! I learned to love my body for how it is, every curve of it.”

- LIZZIE MILLER, MODEL

To read the full Glamour Magazine article, please click the article title with the link below. Thank you.

It is almost 5AM. I still cannot sleep because of all the heavy loads on my shoulders now in this time of uncertainty and hardship. I cannot even pass any of the burden because I only have myself though I have my family behind me. With the type of person that I am, I rather carry a boulder with me than distribute each as small stones to people that I care and love. Besides, I was raised to be a person with strong value for accountability, responsibility and for taking the lead be it something that is rewarding or something that is hard to bear. I was made to carry things way beyond the normal.

Anyway, I know that at some point we all are responsible for whatever we are put into. Destiny is not something that you get once you are born but rather it is something that you make as you live day by day. Whatever that results is something that accords to the law of cause and effect. To put it in a single word, I call that as karma. It is something that is a result of whatever you do today. It is a thing that you can never escape from nor try to prevent unless you try to ensure that you do things today that you will never regret tomorrow. In short, whatever you do now will dictate whatever will happen to you tomorrow and all the succeeding days afterwards.

Perhaps, some may be laughing by now as they reap and enrich themselves todayfrom exploiting, defaming and destroying people’s lives but then again, all of them will have their own days to pay for all the miseries and wrongdoings that they have done to their fellowmen one or or the other. It may not be now but for sure, there will be a time for us to reap whatever we sow. Well, some may try to evade and escape but then again… would it not be rather painful if our karma is instead diverted to our immediate families or perhaps to our children? As I said, we cannot escape karma the same was as we cannot help but breath if we want to live still. It is a past of the cycle of life.

So as I read this and as I contemplate on my life and try to reflect on all the things I have done both past and present whether good or bad, I also pray that karma just like justice is served fairly and equitably. Perhaps, justice will remain a hard thing to attain in this world because only the powerful and the rich gets to be afforded such but then again, karma will always make justice accessible to all people especially to the less privileged in life – the poor and the weak. We may not be able to wage a battle against injustices and build an army as big as those from the enemy of morality and values but still I know that karma will give equal footing for us to win.

I have had my karma and I have paid as well for whatever wrong decisions or wrong actions I have done to myself and to others for almost less than 3 decades of my existence. Thus, time has taught me to be stronger and better as a person to lead the destiny that I have made for myself as I travelled the path I have take in this journey of life. I know that at some point, I have tried to be a good individual advocating what I believe is good for others amidst all the risks that I have to take just to voice for others. I fear nothing because I know that someday, all will be judged fairly and equally because karma will take care of whatever that needs to be taken cared of.   

I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through nonviolence.

I seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.

I am prepared for the worst, and have decided against the advice of my mother, my spiritual adviser, many of my tested friends and a few of my most valued political mentors.

A death sentence awaits me. Two more subversion charges, both calling for death penalties, have been filed since I left three years ago and are now pending with the courts.

I could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people especially in time of crisis.

I never sought nor have I been given assurances or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the end justice will emerge triumphant.

According to Gandhi, the WILLING sacrifice of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny that has yet been conceived by God and man.

Three years ago when I left for an emergency heart bypass operation, I hoped and prayed that the rights and freedoms of our people would soon be restored, that living conditions would improve and that blood-letting would stop.

Rather than move forward, we have moved backward. The killings have increased, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and the human rights situation has deteriorated.

During the martial law period, the Supreme Court heard petitions for Habeas Corpus. It is most ironic, after martial law has allegedly been lifted, that the Supreme Court last April ruled it can no longer entertain petitions for Habeas Corpus for persons detained under a Presidential Commitment Order, which covers all so-called national security cases and which under present circumstances can cover almost anything.

The country is far advanced in her times of trouble. Economic, social and political problems bedevil the Filipino. These problems may be surmounted if we are united. But we can be united only if all the rights and freedoms enjoyed before September 21, 1972 are fully restored.

The Filipino asks for nothing more, but will surely accept nothing less, than all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the 1935 Constitution — the most sacred legacies from the Founding Fathers.

Yes, the Filipino is patient, but there is a limit to his patience. Must we wait until that patience snaps?

The nation-wide rebellion is escalating and threatens to explode into a bloody revolution. There is a growing cadre of young Filipinos who have finally come to realize that freedom is never granted, it is taken. Must we relive the agonies and the blood-letting of the past that brought forth our Republic or can we sit down as brothers and sisters and discuss our differences with reason and goodwill?

I have often wondered how many disputes could have been settled easily had the disputants only dared to define their terms.

So as to leave no room for misunderstanding, I shall define my terms:

1. Six years ago, I was sentenced to die before a firing squad by a Military Tribunal whose jurisdiction I steadfastly refused to recognize. It is now time for the regime to decide. Order my IMMEDIATE EXECUTION OR SET ME FREE.

I was sentenced to die for allegedly being the leading communist leader. I am not a communist, never was and never will be.

2. National reconciliation and unity can be achieved but only with justice, including justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers. There can be no deal with a Dictator. No compromise with Dictatorship.

3. In a revolution there can really be no victors, only victims. We do not have to destroy in order to build.

4. Subversion stems from economic, social and political causes and will not be solved by purely military solutions; it can be curbed not with ever increasing repression but with a more equitable distribution of wealth, more democracy and more freedom, and

5. For the economy to get going once again, the workingman must be given his just and rightful share of his labor, and to the owners and managers must be restored the hope where there is so much uncertainty if not despair.

On one of the long corridors of Harvard University are carved in granite the words of Archibald Macleish:

“How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always, and in the final act, by determination and faith.”

I return from exile and to an uncertain future with only determination and faith to offer — faith in our people and faith in God.

Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.

As I was opening my Yahoo Messenger early today, I got a dialog box of latest news updates. One of the headlines came with a photo of US First Lady Michelle Obama and then follows an article about the lady wearing shorts and all the comments about such.

For me, that is not an issue for as long as she does not end up buying a $20,000 shorts from the taxpayer coffers and wearing it in a state visit. Besides, the lady and her daughter were on their way to the Grand Canyon for a family weekend!

We need not to vote whether she should wear shorts or what because as an individual, she also has the right to wear anything that is suitable for the weather, for her convenience and for the activity she engages in.

She need no permission from us nor even from her husband, President Barack Obama on what clothes to wear because as a woman with good reputation, she knows what to wear and when to wear such an apparel.

Besides, would you want the world to vote first on what you should wear before get to wear one?  Perhaps because we have not been used to seeing royalties in their informal attires but still we need to respect as well that royalties have rights too!

Just today, I got an SMS from a friend regarding a sad news he received yesterday. A floor manager of a known club along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City was stabbed to death for what the police rules as a robbery-holdup and homicide. It was even aired in a local TV news.

I know the victim way back as we use to see him around the club where we usually would hang around with friends before. At some point, we do chat with him while waiting for our regular floor manager or FM. He is a very refined person so to speak.

It is sad that someone who is just working for a living is killed this way. Everyday he would work all night long fighting off fatigue for his family and it is very much unfortunate that all his life’s hard labor would end up in such a heinous crime.

I share with the grief and sorrow of this person’s family, relatives and friends. I know that justice will be served soon. Whether this may have been related to his work or just a plain case of usual street crime, justice has to be served! No more. No less!

Farewell Mommy Kim!!!

 

News Vide Source:

http://abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/08/20/09/club-employee-stabbed-dead-near-home-qc

 

During the death of former President Cory Aquino, I have published a blog entry based from a news article at Inquirer.net announcing the sad news entitled – CORY AQUINO DIES AT 76. It was something that came as a surprise not just to us but to the world.

I got so many comments in my entry as well as with other posts that I have published related to the topic thereafter. A lot of readers expressed sadness for the loss of an Icon of Democracy and Asia’s First Lady President.

On the other hand, remarks for appreciation as well for all the good things that Tita Cory made to our country were received except for one comment I got from a reader known only as SUPERCHURVACHENES with an email address of superchurvachenes@gmail.com under the IP address of 58.69.72.73.

The person was speaking with so much hatred against Tita Cory and other known people as well like siblings Kris Aquino and Noy-Noy Aquino, the late Cardinal Sin and even all the priests. There was a criticism as well for Senator Enrile regarding his ad

That time I got so bothered that I tried to trace the IP address and its location and what surprised me was that the IP address registered CEBU as the location. Thus, I tried to reply back to SUPERCHURVACHENES for verification but to no avail.

At the same time, a reader named JOSHUA0011 with a blog at http://joshua0011.multiply.com shared the same objections that I have over the remarks of SUPERCHURVACHENES and attempted to refute and correct the comment posted. Thanks JOSHUA0011!

In the end, we have decided to stop the thread and refuse attention to the comment. From then on, I have not heard about SUPERCHURVACHENES nor have read any similar comment in other related blogs by other writers.

To this very same day, I still wonder who SUPERCHURVACHENES is and what was driving him or her then to cast such hate statements during the time that we all are mourning as a nation to the loss of a Great Defender of Democracy.

As I write this, I have tried locating the same IP address 58.69.72.73 under PLDT.NET but all I get was Sampaloc, Manila as the location. Perhaps, this is a common or dynamic IP assigned time and again to subscribers.

Anyway, I am making this blog entry to know more about SUPERCHURVACHENES through your help and perhaps answer some of the questions I have having read the comment he or she have made that almost ruined some of the readers’ day that time.

Why so much hatred SUPERCHURVACHENES?

Sometimes I want to believe that indeed there is no such thing as an END but only BEGINNINGS. After almost 3 decades of witnessing life’s phases and relevant moments, I know that this belief is true! Nothing ends today or tomorrow because the journey never ends. Cheers!

I was reading the news online awhile ago and I was amazed how lucky the government in terms of unfortunate but diversionary incidents and occurences since through them, the government is able to masks issues, intrigues and controversies. Just last week, we were into too much heat regarding the 2 lavish dinners that the administration officials had along with the president of the country in a foreign land when many of our countrymen are dying in hunger due to poverty. Just as an investigation is about to blow due to this, our poor soldiers were sent without air support to a critical mission only to have 23 of our brave men killed and hacked to death by the terrorist group in the south.

What if all these were just means of some corrupt government officials to hide the truth and use the situation as a diversion and a great escape from all these controversies? Same as how we all were mislead to all the issues such as the Fertilizer Scam, the Hello Garci Tape Scandal and all the other scandals that our government had without any conclusion of what really went wrong, what if we are just being played all along in this theatrical game of politics? It’s sad! It is indeed a sad reality for all the people who have been pawned as casualties of democracy and all the ill-effects of a freedom that we all fought for only to lose its very essence. What a waste!

I do not know why I had to ask myself these questions but as a citizen of this nation, I have the responsibility to ensure that my country along with my countrymen are well served by the very government that they have installed to serve and protect them.  In my own little ways, I know that I have to safeguard the freedom and democracy that our forefathers have fought with their lives for – I need to be vigilant and active. Thus, today, I blog not just for self-expression but to join the various advocacies that our fellow countrymen pushes for by promoting what is good and exposing what is bad. My voice may not be as strong as theirs but I know that it could make a difference… somewhere and somehow.

Top 10 Most Anticipated PC Games of 2009:

01. Gran Turismo 5
02. Red Faction: Guerilla
03. BioHazard 5
04. Skate 2
05. BioSchock 2: Sea of Dream
06. Diablo 3 
07. F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin
08. God of War 3
09. Halo Wars
10. KillZone 2 

Top 10 PC Games of 2008 (Personal List):

01. Fallout 3
02. Call of Duty: World At War
03. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
04. Red Alert 3
05. Sins of A Solar Empire
06. Pure
07. World of Goo
08. Dead Space
09. Audiosurf
10. Left 4 Dead

Top 10 PC Games of 2008:

01. GTA 4
02. Spore
03. Little Big Planet
04. Left 4 Dead
05. Far Cry 2
06. Gears or War 2 
07. Fallout 3
08. Metal Gear Solid 4
09. Bio Shock
10. Alan Wake 

I am listing down in alphabetical order some 30 PC games that I am sure you all would want to try out. Enjoy playing!

01. America’s Army 3
02. BioShock 2
03. Champions Online
04. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
05. DC Universe Online
06. Demigod
07. Diablo III
08. Doom 4
09. Dragon Age: Origins
10 Empire: Total War
11. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
12. Fallout 3
13. Far Cry 2
14. Guild Wars 2
15. Left 4 Dead
16. Mass Effect
17. Mirror’s Edge
18. Modern Warfare 2
19. Rage
20. Spore
21. STALKER Clear Sky
22. Star Wars: The Old Republic
23. Starcraft II
24. Team Fortress 2
25. The Agency
26. The Sims 3
27. Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War II
28. Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
29. World in Conflict: Soviet Assault
30. World of Warcraft

It’s past midnight already! I woke up today just before lunch or perhaps 12 hours ago just to do our past week’s laundry. It took me almost 12 hours to get everything done in 6 batches separating the white clothes comprising of my son’s school uniforms, the dark colored, light colored, undergarments, towels plus the heavy ones – blankets. I tried rushing out the task but I had in-between breaks because I had to do some harvesting with  FARM TOWN and had a short nap at around 6PM because of fatigue. Thus, I used my entire Saturday doing the laundy!

I used to do this every weekend or at some point, early Friday so I can get a pass to go out and hang out with friends on a Friday night. I just thought of volunteering since I have realized how hard it can be to sit all day inside the laundry room waiting for the washing machine to finish all the soaking before you get to use your muscles to wash and rinse them clean. Don’t forget the last effort to rinse using fabric softener. Thus, if I get to tire out with a 210lbs of body, what more with my wife!

Now, it is almost midnight. I missed all the shows I wanted to watch like Imbestigador and XXX but then again I am happy that for the entire day I was able to give my wife a time-off from all the household chores and play FARM TOWN the entire day along with my POKER PRO son who is getting so addicted now with POKER. Hahaha. At least, I was able to do something worthwhile today since I have sinned last night drinking late with my friends and going home past midnight drunk. Well, it’s TGIF!!!

Here I am, waiting for my wife to serve me a PANCIT CANTON as I blog and watch as well SPORTS UNLIMITED. You see, even in a small task as doing the laundry, you get to see some lessons worth noting. Every batch that I get to finish, I never look forward to ending the last. Instead, I look forward to having to rinse the last clothe for each batch to avoid exhausting my patience. Thus, I have learned once again that PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE. Hahaha.

More so, I have realized that INDEED IT IS HARD TO BE A WIFE! Just as I was doing all the laundry work while my son and wife plays online games, I felt all the guilt. Imagine the nights that we as husbands would party all night long just because it’s TGIF without thinking that our wives are home tending to our kids and doing all the chores. In their inferior physical properties compared to ours, they are able to achieve more while we are away from home.

Thus, as they were all laughing awhile ago and enjoying their games, I was taking my own KARMA with me washing more than a hundred clothes. Now, I know how it feels and I know that I have to do my own share as well of the sacrifices and hardships more than working at the office to pay the bills and driving them to school and to office daily. I need to do more.

To close, sometimes IT PAYS FOR HUSBANDS TO BE WIVES even for a day or two. Perhaps, that would bring some real changes and a genuine realization that we need to do more and make a difference as husbands and as fathers. I know some may say I am a HOUSEBAND in the making or an UNDERDOG to my wife but if that’s what it takes for me to show more love to my family… then so be it! 

If only our hands could do the talking, I am sure that they could be able to convey more than what the mouth can express.

Imagine all those dirty and calloused hands telling us all the truth behind the deeds of their masters both good and bad.

They may have been silenced for years having been limited to just issuing gestures and hand signals but indeed they know more than what the eyes and the ears can tell.

If only, they can talk as well…

As I was scanning over my Yahoo! Mail, I saw several spam messages that I thought of deleting. As I was doing so, I noticed one which I must have gotten a few years back that I thought of sharing in the hope that it could help, guide and perhaps save lives. I have already posted a similar article months back but I thought of posting it once again so please read on…

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For Taxi Riders in Manila

PLEASE BEWARE!

Just to give you a warning, avoid riding cabs with names like Wallis, Romcat & Lucky8. All these taxis are owned by just one family and most of its drivers are muggers, rapists or simply swindlers. According to the driver who is the source of this information, he used to work for the said company but lasted for only 2 days since he couldn’t bear the idea of “manggagantso” .

He said there is no single unit of this company that doesn’t cheat. Each and every car that they own has “batingting” that is used to manipulate the taxi meter.

Further, the driver also informed that the owners hire anyone even if the person has a criminal record. As a matter of fact, the owners are fully aware of their drivers’ misconduct yet they turn a blind-eye on it coz what matters most to them is the boundary of their drivers that’s to be given to them at the end of the day.

He also said that prior to leaving, he found out that one of his co-drivers mugged his passenger and even touched her private parts. When the passenger filed a legal complaint about it, naturally the driver got apprehended but was released because of bail.

Immediately the next day, the very same criminal was hired back by their company and was out driving his unit again.

He said you will be able to recognize the taxi units of this company even at night since their taxi logos on top of their roof have a unique lighting. Instead of the usual yellow light on the “taxi” sign, theirs are red.

Prior to writing this, there was a research about the taxi company and it was found out that they have been featured in one of the shows in GMA-7 (Imbestigador) . Indeed they have proven that the drivers of this company are swindlers and muggers.

If you care about your family, friends, co-workers, classmates And other people close to you, pass this information along. We can never tell who their next victim is.

 

Related Post: http://ryanericsongcanlas.wordpress.com/2009/04/03/a-friendly-warning-to-commuters/

Just today as I took a break from my day-long laundry work, I got this email from a friend working in a known IT company in Libis, Quezon City. As I open it, I was given an opening question that I wish to share with you less the bad faith and cruel intention…

WHO IS MORE SINCERE?

 

I do hope that the said images above would drive you all to put sincerity in your prayers. Cheers!

              

Images Source: http://failblog.org/

I do hope that our children’s children’s children would get to see still come their time the same beauty of nature that we have been blessed to witness and enjoy in this lifetime.

Image Source: Internet

I am a tough guy and since childhood, I have not feared of anyone in terms of expression and in terms of defending myself from people who intends to inflict harm and offenses especially when my position holds the truth and that it sides with what is right and good. I am a fighter since birth and I never back out in a fight.

I remember when I was in Grade 2 that I was being mocked by a batch mate who was twice my size in terms of built and height. I was cornered at the back of the gym with this fat kid along with his 2 classmates famous for being fearless bullies. They have bullied almost everyone but not me. So they took me as their next target.

The place was filled with stockpiles of old school chairs and old lumbers. I have nowhere to run as well because the place was then gated and the only way I could get out is being blocked by the bullies. I stood and waited for them. They tried making fun at me by curses and teasing. We were kids.

I asked why I am being bullied. They just laughed and laughed. Then the biggest kid started pushing me just as how kids would start a fight. I was almost swept away. I tried to balance myself and pushed back but with less effect because I was too small for his match. They laughed once again.

Although, I was thin and small then while he was too big for me, I stood still. I prepared myself. What came next after the pushing was punching. I was told repeatedly by my grandfather before that in a fight, the first strike should come from my foe no matter what. I held my fist and did nothing but wait.

In the real world, this is a little hard to accept for me as a kid then. I was thinking why I had to be punched first before I can punch back. Perhaps because I was being taught then that fighting should be a thing of last resort and it should only come as a defense. So I had to control myself and my wish of getting even by these bullies.

As a result, I was punched once in my shoulder really hard. Kids way back then were less violent. Almost it is rare that kids would punch their enemies in the head nor they would use any weapon to inflict fatal offenses because all of us are afraid then of wounding a fellow student and even leaving a black eye which can cause an instant dismissal from the school. So the chest, the back and even the arms were perfect spots then.

So as my arm muscles ached due to the strong punch I just received, I gathered my energy to punch back. It was my time to fight. I was almost crying when I got my fist ready and gave a strong blow in his arm where a scar from an immunization was visible that I used it as my target.

I gave him not one but series of jabs and punches mimicking my idol then – Fernando Poe, Jr. who punches like an automatic rifle. I was punching and at the same time looking at his face. He was motionless as I was making his arm a punching bag. His 2 classmates were in a state of shock as well as they never thought I would fight back.

After 10 to 20 punches in his arm, my tears fell but I was standing still and looking at him straight in his eyes. I was quiet. Suddenly, his eyes turned red and tears fell as well. Just before I was about to apologize, he cried like hell yelling and asking for his mother. He was threatening me that I will be reported to his teachers.

The 2 other boys fled the scene and soon ran to their teacher to report me assaulting their classmate. Soon, the teacher asked me to explain and in the end, I was vindicated from all the accusations. Besides, I was the one being bullied and cornered. I just acted to defend myself after being punched by a kid twice my size.

While at the Guidance Office, the fat boy could not look at me in the eye nor can he mock me afterwards. He thought I would fear him same as his other bully victims that I would not fight back but he was wrong because he found himself a match in me. I gave him an instant karma that day he thought of bullying me.

The news broke and soon I was being cheered by bully victims. I was lucky that day by making them realize that they have found their match in me because I stood strong and fearless not because I was tough but because I did not started the fight – I just defended myself fearless amidst their number and their size.

From that day on, I was never bullied. I sometimes played the bully but I was never bullied as a kid in school. Outside, I met some who were really evil bullies but still, I got the reputation of being a strong-willed and hard-to-beat person that defined who I am right now – a fighter.

For almost 21 years until now, I have taken that lesson in life that requires each and every one of us to successfully battle out the fear we have inside us. For as long as you know that you are right and that you know that what you intend to perform is something that is not violating someone’s rights, you need to proceed.

The real victory comes to those who try to triu