22 November 2011

A love lost that was found

Seventy-three year old Aurelia Matias has been roaming around the city for almost two weeks to find her 78-year-old husband, Luis Matias.

She pinned posters on the front and back of her dress containing her contact details. "'Yun ang paraan ko para mapakita sa tao na nawawala ang asawa ko... Malayo na ang nararating ko, lakad ako nang lakad, dala ko ang mga larawan niya," Aurelia was reported saying to dzMM, the flagship AM station of the ABS–CBN Corporation in the Philippines.

"Hindi ko po namalayan na bumaba sa bahay nung umaga na 'yun. Pinag-almusal ko siya. Pagkatapos kumain, pinunasan ko at binihisan. Tapos pababa ako ng bahay, bumili ako ng pagkain kong kamoteng kahoy na nilaga sa kabilang pasilyo. Eh pagbalik ko, di muna ako kumain, naglaba muna ako ng mga damit ko, damit niya.”

"Pagkatapos kong maglaba, umakyat ako, kumuha ng hanger, nalaman ko wala na pala siya dun. Tumakbo ako, nagtanong ako sa mga anak ko kung napansin ba nila ang Papa nila na bumaba, hindi raw. Sabi noong manang, kanina pa dumaan dito 'yung asawa mo palabas. Sabi ko, 'Hay nako, bakit di niyo man lang pinigilan? Alam niyo namang sinusundan ko 'yun 'pag nalabas."

"Pagkatapos sumakay na ako ng jeep. Kalsa-kalsada pinupuntahan ko. Pero wala talaga. Lumabas na kami hanggang Rotonda, sa EDSA, San Juan, Baclaran. Wala talaga."

Fortunately, Jerome Sajise, a freelance photographer, had noticed the old woman and took a photo of her sitting at a corner of Buendia and Roxas Boulevard. He posted it on Facebook where several subscribers learned of the situation.

Luis Matias was eventually found at the Quirino LRT station in Taft Avenue, Manila the same day his wife’s search for him was aired at an evening newscast.

A testament

What Aurelia Matias did for her husband is worthy to be a lead story for an international publication.

Several authorities had agreed that love is unlikely to last forever. Emotions evolve and human beings lack reciprocity. Only unless the partner ‘has evolved in the same direction’ and the parties involved still ‘have the same feelings of appreciation and value’ towards each other would love have a chance to last.

Science, though, believed otherwise. Love can last forever. The proof is an experiment of a team from Stony Brook University who scanned the brains of couples that have been together for 20 years. About one in 10 couples exhibited the same chemical reactions new lovers have, making them conclude that one’s cognitive and emotional state of intense romantic desire for another person could mature, enabling couples to love even after some time.

References

21 November 2011

The network wars

With more than 4,000 delegates brushing elbows within the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex, the 22nd Philippine Advertising Congress convened the top executives of the television networks in the Philippines to speak about its theme, “Changing the Game.”

According to Eugenio Lopez III, ‘technology only follows where the human spirit wants to go.’ There could be a ‘media revolution caused by technologies that are not even viable today’ but the ABS-CBN would remain true to its pact: in the service of the Filipino.

“The future of media may appear to be technological, but at its core, it will remain emotional. Technology will change everything, except the human nature to crave for recognition, affirmation, connection and inspiration to be the best that they can be for self-fulfillment, for family and for community,” he said.

In lieu of this, the ABS-CBN will have more digital offerings. The GMA Network, on its part, also noted how ‘digital technology has given consumers more opportunity to control their lives.’

“Content made for television can now be seen in at least three streaming—the television itself, the computer and the mobile devices. It has also broken new ground in social networking, so that digital citizens of the world can traverse all media seamlessly… The viewers now have a say when and where to watch the shows that matter to them,” observed Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, the chairman and chief executive officer of the company.

The TV5 will also be a ‘dynamic digital leader,’ focusing on the ‘market today and of the future.’

"Indeed the Internet has become a true medium for the masses, an important tool for democratizing because of its openness, its publicness, and ease and speed of communication. Sometimes it tests and stretches the limits of such concepts as free speech and strikes fear amongst the ruling elite, just as Egypt's Hosni,” he said.

Pilipina Ako hopes that everything the three men had said would take shape.

References

20 November 2011

Saudi's plan to cap remittances

About 1.2 million overseas Filipino workers in Saudi could be disillusioned once the plan of that kingdom to cap remittances of its overseas workers pushes through.

About the same number of Filipinos, too, could be affected since those OFWs since were able to send $1.5 billion back home last year.

About nine out of 10 workers in that kingdom are foreigners—6 million of which are employed in the private sector. “This has led to millions of riyals being transferred back to their home countries, harming the local economy," Adel Fakih, the Saudi Arabian labour minister was reported saying.

That’s not just the problem. About 150,000 OFWs could be displaced there also, Rep. Arnel Ty of the LPG Marketers Association (LPGMA) found out, due to the the Saudization scheme or the Nitaqat program.

Under the new labor law, companies have to allot job positions to Saudi citizens. “In phase 3 of Nitaqat, employees of companies in noncompliant or those in the so-called 'red' category would have to transfer to ‘green’ or compliant companies,” Susan Ople, head of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, related.

This isn’t the first time the KSA had the Philippines worried. It had refused, too, to pay a minimum of $400 monthly wage for Filipino domestic workers.

But Carlos Cao Jr., chief of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), is confident that the Saudi labor will not be implemented “drastically" and “on a full scale." Nevertheless, he suggested OFWs to look for jobs in Guam, Australia, and Canada instead.

Also, ‘Saudis prefer handling positions in office environments,’ Ernesto Herrera, former senator and secretary-general of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) divulged. The OFWs usually take on skilled jobs "that Saudi citizens themselves do not want, or could not provide."

Last year, Saudi Arabia hired 8,513 professional nurses and 258 nursing personnel—a very far figure from the hiring done by the United States, which employed only 83 Pinoy nurses.

Ang nurses ay kailangan sa Saudi kaya hindi puwede nilang basta bastang sabihing matatanggal 'yan because of Saudization. Sila din ang tatamaan no'n,” Josefino Torres, deputy administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), said.

"Because of OFWs, 10 million Filipinos have jobs. Because of OFWs, malls are enjoying brisk sales and banks are posting double-digit revenue and profit growth. Because of OFWs, and together with the business process outsourcing industry, the Philippines is experiencing what may be its longest real estate boom.” ~ Senator Manny B. Villar

References

13 November 2011

Rep. GMA's 'flight'

Both the legal community and the religious sector in Cebu say it’s her constitutional right. That even though her reason is not based on a medical condition, she is facing no legal case so she can travel whenever and wherever to this day.

What about the Filipinos’ right for justice then? And why is PNoy anywhere else?

Rep. GMA in the name of health

At least 500 orthopedic surgeons and 100 specialists on metabolic diseases can treat Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) governor and an orthopedic surgeon Dr. Leo Olarte maintained.

She herself attested to this. She penned an executive order in October 2004 creating a private-public initiative—the Philippine Medical Tourism (PMTP) program—to promote health tourism and provide $2 billion to the country’s coffers annually.

She was right. The year after, about 1.26% of the total GDP (P68.5 billion) came from the PMTP program. Medical tourism had generated about .73% jobs in the Philippines.

But how else could it succeed if the former president insists to be treated abroad? How else would people believe that the Philippines has improved its healthcare competence and clinical labor force?

During the opening of the St. Luke's Medical Center Global City at The Fort in Taguig City, Rep. Macapagal-Arroyo complimented its ‘quantum leap in medical care.’ The P6.95-billion hospital built on 1.6-hectares with 629 patients' rooms and 400 doctors' clinics is three times bigger than its branch in Quezon City.

“If St. Luke's QC was ‘better than 95 percent of hospitals in America,’ the new facility is ‘better than 99 percent of the hospitals,’ then-President GMA was quoted saying. She had also claimed that ‘patients like her and her husband could now look forward to a treatment that is at par with, if not better than, the best hospitals in the world.’

Was that just a praise release?

Last year, worldwide medical tourism reaped $40 billion. This brought about Dennis Arroyo, the director of the National Economic Development Authority during GMA’s tenure, to conclude that ‘even the next administration will continue to gain from the growing medical tourism industry, which is expected to become a $3-billion industry by 2015.’

The central region of the country has 44 accredited hospitals by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Tourism (DOT). Three of these were also approved by the Joint Commission International (JCI), an international organization providing accreditation for hospitals and other healthcare facilities worldwide.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has also been sending practicing physicians in their country to train here. Unsurprisingly, for the Philippines ranked 60th in delivering healthcare.

Still, the Pampanga representative believes ‘foreign specialists are the only ones who can treat her’ till today. The world-class hospital had admitted that the bone biopsy procedure she needed can only be done abroad.

(Read the other side of my argument.)

References

REFERENCE LIST

22 November 2011
A love lost that was found
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/11/22/11/old-woman-goes-great-lengths-find-husband
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-campaign-reunites-elderly-couple-20111125-1ny8m.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-True-Love-Last-Forever?&id=587753. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,475905,00.html, http://www.enotalone.com/article/19423.html
http://www.helium.com/users/63465
http://www.stonybrook.edu/

21 November 2011
The network wars
http://www.pep.ph/news/32006/ABS-CBNs-Eugenio-Lopez-III:-For-me,-and-for-the-people-at-our-network,-working-at-ABS-CBN-is-not-a-job,-it-is-a-calling
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/238836/business/gma-network-chairman-ceo-felipe-gozon-to-speak-at-ad-congress
http://entertainment.inquirer.net/21405/ad-congress-told-tvs-big-3-not-a-crowd
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/238932/business/atty-gozon-gma-network-stays-in-tune-with-the-beat-of-technology-drum
http://www.pep.ph/news/31987/manny-pangilinan-sees-tv5-at-the-helm-of-digital-media-revolution-in-the-philippines
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=Broadcasters-need-to-keep-up-with-the-changing-times&id=41879

20 November 2011
Saudi’s plan to cap remittances
http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/saudi-cap-on-remittances-a-deterrent-for-expats
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/16723/clear-up-remittance-cap-issue-with-saudis-gov%E2%80%99t-urged
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2011/november/2/nation1.isx&d=2011/november/2
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/228166/pinoyabroad/solon-phl-could-lose-1-5-b-ofw-remittances-over-saudization
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item-1566/POEA--Saudization-Will-Be-Implemented-Gradually--No-Impact-Yet-on-OFWs.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ofw-guide-ofw-news+%28OFW+News+from+OFWGuide.com%29
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/11/02/11/ph-urged-bolster-ties-saudi
http://www.filipinosabroad.com/ofw-news/ofw-remittances-total-1-715-july-2nd-highest-2011-%E2%80%93-bsp.html
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/342245/the-50million-ofw-community
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/05/21/11/saudi-ph-impass%C3%A9-over-maids-pay-hike
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/233620/pinoyabroad/saudi-arabia-most-aggressive-recruiter-of-pinoy-nurses-tucp

13 November 2011
Rep. GMA in the name of health
http://www.medicaltourexperts.com/news/show/medical-tourism-economic-report
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100116-247682/Arroyo-hails-new-hospital
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:4CUWfMgVIC0J:www.healthcore.com.ph/pdf/Philippine%2520Medical%2520Tourism%2520Compedium%25202011.pdf+medical+tourism+philippines+gloria+macapagal-arroyo&cd=9&hl=en&ct=clnk&client=firefox-a
http://www.tourismandaviation.com/709-the-philippines-medical-tourism-a-3b-industry-by-2015.html
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=747086&publicationSubCategoryId=63
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/top-stories/11061-pma-we-have-many-doctors-to-treat-her
http://www.rxpinoy.com/medicaltourismphilippines/v2/show-stage.php?ac=none
http://www.rxpinoy.com/medicaltourismphilippines/v2/show-stage.php?pti=2&ac=none
http://www.rxpinoy.com/medicaltourismphilippines/v2/show-stage.php?ac=none
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-people/member-groups-sections/international-medical-graduates/imgs-in-united-states/imgs-country-origin.page
http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html
http://www.keywordspeak.com/2011/11/gloria-arroyo-travel-ban.html
http://cdn.ph/news_details.php?id=11721

12 November 2011
Agriculture vs. Modernity
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/component/content/article/53-agri-commodities/19313-agricultures-share-to-total-employment-declining

31 October 2011

Finally, a motorcycle lane!

Last year, the Metro Manila Development Authority noted 16, 208 road accidents and 177 fatalities in the region.

It had just been 13,561 road accidents and 105 fatalities in 2009—an increase from the recorded 12,656 accidents and 104 fatalities in 2008.

So MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino came up with a measure ‘aimed at instilling discipline among motorists.’ The policy would be on a trial period that would last for one to two months that he himself would oversee.

The motorcycle lane would not be exclusive to motorcycles. Other vehicles may use it if the other lanes are full but motorcycles are not allowed to leave their designated area.

The Commonwealth Avenue was dubbed the ‘killer highway’ for the lethal accidents that happened on the 12.4-kilometer stretch. It is likewise ‘murderously fearsome’ to motorcycle riders, if you ask Rogelio Singson, Public Works Secretary. Concrete barriers along thoroughfares had made it 90% unsafe for motorcycle riders—20% riskier for motorists in cars and other four-wheeled vehicles.

But the Motorcycle Rights Association (headed by Jobert Christian Bolanos) thinks the traffic scheme would endanger them even more. It is also “unconstitutional” because a city council could have no jurisdiction over a national road. So it filed a temporary restraining order and a writ of preliminary injunction against Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, QC Department of Public Order and Safety, QC Police District, Land Transportation Office and MMDA.

“Petitioner submits that no matter how compelling the reason is and acute the traffic problem might be [on] Commonwealth Avenue as to reach a strangulation point, the solution does not lie in limiting and restricting the access of motorcycle riders to the fourth lane of Commonwealth Avenue which only creates and brings undue and greater risk,” the MRA was reported saying.

Plipina Ako has never driven a motorcycle and couldn’t see how the special lane could be “unreasonable, arbitrary and discriminatory.” But it has been a week after the dry run and there had been no reported mishaps. Can’t the MRA finally appreciate that?

“Like other vehicles, they are not exempted from the 60-kilometer per hour speed limit. The motorcycle lane is created for them not to stray on other lanes used by public utility and private vehicles.” ~ MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino

References

27 October 2011

Separating Mindanao

It’s probably the lightest argument one could utter when deliberating on the sovereignty of the Philippines and the clamor of its third region. “What will happen to the three stars in our flag?” a family friend had asked.

When the flag was first displayed in a battle in May 28, 1898, it already had three stars. When the Philippines declared independence in June 12, 1898, the design was retained. When President Manuel L. Quezon issued Executive Order No. 23, the angle of the three stars was even codified.

When the color signifying peace in our flag was announced to be royal blue, Republic Act 8491 passed in February 12, 1998 also specified the inclusion of the three five-pointed stars in the country’s flag.

The three stars signified Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. There’s no unselfish reason to change that.

References

REFERENCE LIST

31 October 2011
Finally, a motorcycle lane!
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/top-stories/780-death-lurks-on-commonwealth-avenue
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/columnist1/9570-traffic-violators-15-minutes-of-fame
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/82997/dpwh-chief-supports-mmda%E2%80%99s-motorcycle-lanes
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/82951/mmda-chair-welcomes-suit-vs-motorcycle-lanes
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/82227/halt-to-motorcycle-lanes-rule-sought
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/338847/motorcycle-lane-challenged-court
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/236370/nation/mmda-nearly-500-violators-caught-in-1st-hours-of-motorcycle-lane-implementation
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/206542/nation/phl-observes-day-remembering-road-accident-victims
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/10/23/strict-implementation-bike-lanes-starts-monday-186672
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=738789
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/10/16/11/mmda-chief-injured-own-bike
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/76859/bike-lanes-dry-run-starts-tomorrow
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/339144/qc-mulls-truck-tricycle-lanes

27 Oct 2011
Separating Mindanao
http://flagspot.net/flags/ph-hist.html
http://www.gov.ph/1998/02/12/republic-act-no-8491/
http://www.nhi.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=649&Itemid=5

23 August 2011

Manila Bus Siege

Columnists opined that it was the president’s first challenge as head of the country. Some eight Hong Kong nationals died this day last year during their trip onboard the Hong Thai Travel Services tour bus supposedly only around Manila.

Truthfully, the 22 Chinese and three Filipino tour guides did not get beyond Manila. They just reached the Quirino Grandstand when Rolando Mendoza, 55, announced a bus siege to scare the government until the latter give him his job back.

Mendoza was a former police officer. He was also recognized as one of the top 10 policemen in the country 24 years ago. He joined the police force in 1981, and became senior inspector in 2005.

But he was dismissed in February 2010 because the Office of the Ombudsman found him guilty of extortion. He allegedly asked for P20,000 ($443) from a drug suspect in 2008.

Early on the day-long siege, Mendoza was negotiating calmly with the police, organizing food and fuel for the air-conditioning of his hostages. He was even coaxed to free nine people.

Tensions grew, however, when Mendoza saw on TV that the Manila Police District (MPD) SWAT team were creeping on the bus. He also saw his brother being ‘treated like a pig.’

Furious, Mendoza shot two hostages and told the Radio Mindanao Network that he will kill the rest of the passengers if his brother would not be released.

The cops pumped the bus’ tires with bullets, broke the windows with sledgehammers, rip the doors off with a rope and forced the rear emergency exit open. At last, they thought of firing tear gas inside the bus, and a sniper managed to shoot Mendoza in the head.

Seven Chinese were already killed and eight Chinese were rushed in a hospital.

Tragic and deadly

Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim labeled the incident as ‘the deadliest attack on visitors in Philippine history.’ “It was the mishandling of the situation that caused this to happen. It is really tragic for the country as a whole,” Lim said in Bloomberg Television.

Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang criticized the handling of the standoff, too. How come the large group of police was just able to surround the vehicle for nearly half an hour?

It was "badly prepared and risky," according to Frederic Gallois, former commander of the elite hostage rescue unit of France. The police operation "visibly lacked adequate equipment and tactical competence."

“It’s not a terrorist act, but it will show how incompetent our police force is,” Toto Hilado, treasurer at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation-Manila, was reported saying. It “was just diabolical,” Ian Bryson, a Singapore-based analyst for Southeast Asia and the Pacific at Control Risks, added.

A police officer was injured

Manila police commander Leocadio Santiago admitted that they had blundered amidst the dozens of bullets fired into the bus.

Police superintendent Nelson Yabut also claimed the tourists were being used as "human shields." An officer was shot and injured, too, causing his men to retreat.

"We did everything to negotiate and end this peacefully, but [Mendoza] gave us no choice."

Consequences

The deaths cast a shadow on the government’s plan to double the size of the tourism industry, President Benigno Aquino realized. “One of our avenues for job generation is tourism. We intend to double the tourism figures from 3 million to 6 million. This obviously does not help.”

The Philippines had 3 million tourists last 2009. During the first four months of 2010, 107,708 tourists from Hong Kong and China arrived.

But because of the incident, the Hong Kong government advised its citizens to leave the country. It flew its flag at half-mast the next day, and its stock exchange observed a minute of silence at 9:50 a.m.

Questions

Why didn’t former ombudsman Merceditas Guitierrez listened first to the expelled police officer? Wasn’t saving 25 lives a valid reason enough for her office to grant Mendoza the benefit of the doubt and review his case?

Why didn’t authorities discuss what led Mendoza to risk the country’s tourism appeal until the next day? Was it the media’s fault that the rescue operation was criticized? Shouldn’t it be the police’s job to find out that there’s a television set in the bus? (Let alone an official regulation on how media should behave during hostage crises.)

How the police officials involved then were treated today? What should the country to improve on its rating with the Global Peace Index?

References

16 August 2011

The work of art in the CCP

Pilipina Ako believes there was a reason why Mideo Cruz chose to exhibit “Kulo” in the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Cruz had considered that the Philippines is the third largest nation in the world believing in Catholicism, as well as the only other country in Asia aside from East Timor that is predominantly Catholic. That’s why he featured his work in the CCP, ‘the premiere institution for culture and the arts, embodying the highest standards of excellence and the service responsive to the Filipino and the world.’

From this description, the Filipino contemporary artist is in the right place. Cruz had only intended his installation to be ‘about the worship of relics and how idolatry evolves through history and modern culture,’ which was first seen in 2002 at the Loyola School of Theology in Ateneo de Manila University, then in the UP Vargas Museum, Kulay Diwa in Paranaque, and in a music video of Stonefree, a Filipino four-man band.

“I never go out of my way to offend; but I do like to provoke debates and critical thinking. Art is a way of expressing one’s views about the world, culture and history, and this is what I do in my work. The audience is free to make their own conclusions and interpretations about the images I create,” he had said.

Poleteismo, a part of Cruz’s exhibit, loosely translates into ‘many beliefs’ or ‘many deities.’ “Throughout history, humanity has grown to create new gods and these are not always religious figures but concepts and objects. Some have taken to worshipping money; some see politicians as godsend. People create idols and these idols whether or not they’re deserving of idolatry or worship affect our lives and how we function and see the world.”

Cruz ascribed the phallus as a symbol for patriarchy and power. “There are those who worship power, who put their faith in men who wield power even if the power is used against women, or against the whole of society. The fight for sexual and gender equality continues, doesn’t it? But the balance continues to be tipped in favor of the phallus. Is this good or bad? You decide.”

“Everything around us can be considered as symbols, some are actually only symbols more than anything else. How we understand these symbols, how we use them is what gives them power and meaning.”

“This is how I see the Filipino way of life—colorful, varied, full of conflicting beliefs and values. Can’t you just see these same images pasted on the walls of houses in the urban poor communities? And Filipino society, its racked with economic and political turmoil, and then there’s religion which frequently involves itself in the entire conglomeration of issues and developments.”

A former student of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Cruz had exhibited in Switzerland, Italy and in the United States. He had been recognized in the Ateneo Art Awards, too, in 2007, as well as in the institution spewing him now in 2003.

References

REFERENCE LIST

23 Aug 2011
Manila bus siege
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11055015
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1305605/2-British-tourists-escape-Manila-bus-siege-8-holidaymaker-hostages-killed.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11066656
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3107646/Manila-hostage-bus-siege-ends.html?OTC-RSS&ATTR=News
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-08-24/manila-bus-siege-mishandled-philippines-tourism-chief-says.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/08/23/us-philippines-hostage-idUSTRE67M0DJ20100823

16 Aug 2011
The work of art in the CCP
http://www.culturalcenter.gov.ph
http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/scph1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholicism_in_the_Philippines
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_the_Philippines
http://www.pinoyhalo.com/2011/08/11/mideo-cruz-artwork-poleteismo-at-ccp/
http://interaksyon.com/article/10524/who-is-mideo-cruz-and-why-are-people-baying-for-his-head

01 Aug 2011
Naming businesses with tourist spots
http://www.philippinesinsider.com/legal/applying-for-a-business-name-in-the-philippines/
http://www.philippinesinsider.com/legal/philippine-business-name-registration-requirements/
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/226622/lifestyle/boracay-hailed-as-4th-best-island-in-the-world

01 August 2011

Naming businesses with tourist spots

The Business Name Law in the Philippines (RA 3883) requires businesses in the country to register with the Department of Trade and Industry (in case of a sole proprietorship) or with the Securities and Exchange Commission (in case of a corporation or partnership) before starting operations. Owners just have to fill out a form, submit their tax identification number, and think of at least three business names before paying the corresponding fee.

Yes, foreigners can establish a business there. The Foreign Investment Act (R.A. 7042 and R.A. 8179) mandates and/or guarantees interested foreigners a 40% ownership in domestic corporations, and 100% in retail trade enterprises and export businesses.

In Dubai, however, its law requires its locals to have a hand on every business undertaking. Locals--a company or an individual--must hold the majority interest of the business and have the option to ‘control’ it even without an initial investment.

That and a knowledge of the region are the two things necessary to establish a business in the said emirate. Owners just have to register and prove to its ministry in commerce that they have about $10,000-$50,000 guarantee.

Given its regulations, there really is no problem if a certain night club name its establishment with the world’s fourth best island (Travel+Leisure Magazine) found in the Philippines. One of the island’s hotels, Discovery Shores, was also listed among the 10 best hotel spas worldwide.

But Boracay is a tourist spot. Whatever happens in the night club that bears its name could reflect to the original home of the Ati tribe, a Negrito ethnic group in Panay. Filipinos must be cautious in using its repute especially since they cannot control things.

References

26 July 2011

PNoy's Second SONA

When he assumed presidency, President Benigno Aquino 3rd blamed the past administration for failing to make the Filipino people at ease with the government.

Today, two years and two state of the nation addresses after, the Aquino administration has managed to lessen self-rated hunger from 20.5% last March 2010 to 15.1% this June 2011. Confidence of rating agencies and investors has increased, and there were already 31 human trafficking cases filed, deleting us from the Tier 2 Watchlist of the Trafficking in Persons Report.

Bills that would make the Philippines self-sustaining were turned into laws. Former Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales was proclaimed Ombudsman.

Some students can now avail scholarships through the Department of Science and Technology. The necessary jobs will also be studied so that these students can prefer to work here.

The country will build another power plant in Luzon in 2014. Government institutions such as the Bureau of Corrections, the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Electrification Administration, and the National Broadcasting Network will be strengthened.

His administration would also continue fighting for the Recto Bank, which was the Reed Bank in international circles renamed after the late senator and Filipino nationalist Claro M. Recto.

But…

For the second time, PNoy did not mention the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Does this means that he does not intend for the ‘trend’ of seeking fortune abroad go on in his administration or does it suggest the seemingly deliberate lack of attention of his administration to OFWs?

No public-private partnership project has also been bidden out yet. Nearly half of the new jobs created were in the agriculture sector, which are “low-paying, part-time and poorly productive,” and hardly the jobs the Filipinos will choose over going abroad.

The Libyan civil war still rages on. What would happened to those who were repatriated? What had happened to those who preferred to stay? There is unrest in Syria. There is economic crisis in Europe. There is the US dollar that continues to devalue.

What became clear, though, is his quest to combat corruption. Aquinomics, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima explained, ‘is about good governance.’ It has four pillars: fiscal sustainability and macro-economic stability, reduction of the infrastructure gap, reduction of the cost of doing businesst

This was why the government was proud that the total expenditure this year lessened (from 3.5 percent in 2010 to 3.0 percent of GDP this year). This was why he lauded Sec. Rogelio “Babes” Lazo Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways for eliminating patronage politics. This was why the doling out of P1,400 a month to poor Filipino families was a big deal.

Those seen in his inauguration as president were present during his second SONA except for Prospero Nograles, former Speaker of the House.


References

The Philippines as a singular noun

Several of our forefathers had fought against foreign invaders. A number of them were not even mentioned in our history books. Nevertheless, the succeeding generations were aware what they blessed us with: our country’s independence.

That independence involves our right to govern ourselves. We can vote our own leaders. We can decide on the system we prefer. We can choose what to do with our lives. We can love or die.

It is, therefore, a grievous offense for writers to regard the country as a plural noun. In a business article encouraging public and private sectors to work together, the word ‘Philippines’ assumed plurality.

Philippines urged to leverage key competencies

Instead of complaining about how the Philippines tend to rank low in various competitiveness surveys, both the public and private sectors should consider collaborating to capitalize on the country’s key competencies and address inadequacies.

If this was just simply a case of grammar overlook, the Philippine Daily Inquirer must enlighten the people that read it every day. The Philippines had started to actively fight for the Recto Bank. Why not stand against what must the country be addressed to as well?

References

24 July 2011

Son's and Daughter's Day

We honor mothers every second Sunday of May, and fathers every third Sunday of June. How about giving merit to sons and daughters as well?

Science had found that the human body is composed of cells consisting chromosomes that carry DNA containing genes. During copulation, 23 unpaired chromosomes (from the sperm cells of a man and the egg cells of a woman) mutate to form an embryo.

Besides, there cannot be mothers and fathers without sons and daughters. Why hasn’t anyone thought of that?

In celebration
What the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) did could be the start.

In its "Operation Roll Down, Baby," MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino asked to ‘roll down’ some 46 billboards along EDSA deemed violating the National Building Code.
Six operators complied.

Those who did not were issued with notices of violation. They were also given 15 days to correct what they failed to do.

The Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines commended the MMDA of their plan. The latter had already filed 10 criminal complaints against the violators who, some of them, have no building permits as well.

Pilipina Ako does not think it was wrong for Mayor Benhur Abalos to order a billboard showing men wearing nothing but underwear pulled down. It’s not being prudish. It’s just being responsible. Why has the quest for decency became a tough question for Art?

References

17 July 2011

China's investment in electric cars

Mark your calendars: China has chosen to gamble $1.5 billion (P64.95 billion) in its auto industry over the next 10 years, and see electric cars on its roads by 2015.

Talk about the biggest bet waged in the history of auto industry.

A bet because only the world's leading car makers can compete in a market accustomed to ‘learning’ from western technology. BMW, which is the world's most sustainable car company (Dow Jones Sustainability Index), already has some 300 engineers working on a technology (hydrogen-powered cars) that could supplant electric cars one day. It could also make cars—such as the 2012 BMW 1 Series—that saves more energy than fossil-fuel burning cars produced by its rival car makers.

Most Chinese cannot afford to buy a car of any kind, too. So the bet will depend whether the government will release the brakes on its economy or it will impose old-style communist regulations. Alpha Lujo, for instance, makes low-cost electric cars that cost $18,000. It would export to Australia sometime later in the year, meeting safety standards that could also pass in the United States and Europe.

So until a full scale demand for clean cars is more clearly established, the Chinese electronic-vehicle sector will remain a gamble, a choice between the Alpha Lujo and the BMW.

The Philippine connection

A little over three months ago, Ismael Aviso, 54, is known only through a couple of YouTube videos showing a stationary, skeletal-looking car with an engine fed with power from a box of capacitors and a thick, horizontal antenna.

Today, the mineral water businessman and electric car inventor from Navotas City is also featured in the Pure Energy Systems Wiki (PESWiki) who considered him as ‘the next big thing in green technology.’

“Nations all over the world are making a stake on electricity-powered cars. Pinoy e-car technology is better, cheaper and more efficient. We should not be left out; instead of importing this technology, we must employ this know-how to build our own e-cars and sell it to the world.”

Petroleum-guzzling vehicles can turn into electric through repackaging this fuel-less car invention into a conversion kit. But that is if ‘the Philippine government can help [Aviso] gain an easy way to get a huge loan from a bank’ to help him ‘focus on producing conversion kits.’

Another Filipino inventor, Gerry Caroro, built eight prototypes of “G Car,” which costs as little as P280,000, in his West Avenue workshop in QC.

The first kind runs on a 48-volt, deep cycle-type battery that could only consume about P40 worth of electricity when plugged to a 220-volt power source for eight hours. The car can then cover up to 80 km.

Another can ‘seat two persons in front and two more at the back’ and ‘could go for a maximum of 40 kph’—perfect for short rides.

There is also a model that can run on both battery and gasoline, and another one on solar energy that has solar panels installed on the vehicle’s roof.

Inspired by the Philippine Eagle, G Cars have front hoods in beak-shaped pattern and doors that swing open at an angle like wings.

Only support

Filipino inventions can get only P178,000 funding ‘given every November to celebrate National Inventors Week (NIW).’

“Obviously, this is not enough [that] is why a lot of my colleagues were forced to seek support from abroad,” Ronald Talion, spokesperson of the Filipino Inventors Society, lamented.

In collaboration with the Quezon City Parks Development Foundation Inc., the G Cars can be ridden inside the Quezon Memorial Circle for P30 per lap.

The future of electric cars, it seems, relies not only on whether their purchase and use will catch on, but also on how good the car batteries can become: how much power they can hold, and for how long, has long been the technology's main stumbling point. GM's plans to build a lithium-ion battery plant in Michigan to assemble battery packs could presage a new technology race among the big three and companies in nations like India and China to see who can first build the battery that will make affordable, long-driving electric cars a reality. ~http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1871282,00.html

References

11 July 2011

A Year After

Ronald Singson, 42, congressman of the First District of Ilocos Sur, was found to have with him 6.7 grams of cocaine* and two tablets of diazepam** at the Customs Arrival Hall of Chek Lap Kok International Airport this day and month last year.

His father, Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson of Ilocos Sur, insisted, though, that his son is not a drug user. "He uses pills. He's been hospitalized several times. When he has attacks he can't sleep, that's why he had 2 pills [of Valium]. Those pills were issued by his doctor. That's the only thing he uses."

The old Singson also claimed that his son was only framed by political enemies and business competitors.

His fellow lawmakers were less forgiving, however. Rep. Milagros Magsaysay of Zambales implied that ‘[Congressman Singson] should do the honorable thing of stepping down,’ which, Rep. Toby Tiangco of Navotas deemed as a sign of delicadeza (sense of propriety).

The current chairman of the house committee on justice, Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. of Iloilo, on the other hand, quoted the Constitution, which empowers the Lower House ‘to discipline its member.’

"Madadamay ang reputasyon ng Kamara. Masisira ang image ng House. It will not be a popular decision if this is just let go without doing anything. The institution will suffer," Former Muntinlupa congressman Ruffy Biazon said.

But the ‘case isn't finished yet,’ Gov. Singson countered. “Tapusin ang kaso saka tanggalin kung gusto nila [congressmen]". His son will just plead guilty to the charge of drug trafficking as a “legal strategy” their family lawyer, John Reading, thought of.

Ronald Singson is a concert promoter, and the owner of Channel V, a cable music station. He is the boyfriend Lovi Poe, an entertainment personality.

He spent his childhood in their province, but moved to Hillside Loop, Blueridge, Quezon City when he studied in the Ateneo de Manila University. He took Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Management at the De La Salle University in college.

He was referred to as “the little governor” of Ilocos Sur, keeping in mind his family’s mantra: to prevail in favor to what is moral even if this would mean bargaining their security at stake.

Before being senator, Ronald Singson headed the Satrap Construction Co. Inc., and managed the Superb Security and Investigation. He realized, though, that he could help more if he would not restrict himself ‘into the call of establishing competitive entrepreneurships.’ He served the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in Ilocos Sur for six years before running for the 2007 elections as representative in the first district of Ilocos Sur.

During the first year and seven months of his term, he focused on information revolution through upgraded technology, cyber education, e-commerce, water irrigation, agricultural, food security, and peace and order. He is the chairman of the Sub Committee on Oversight, and the vice chairman of the Committee on Public Works and Highways. Singson is also a member of the committees on appropriations, natural resources, national defense and security, ways and means, economic affairs, games and amusement, agriculture and food, and on aqua-culture and fisheries.

Click this link to see the bills and resolutions Ronald Singson passed

But then, it is simply wrong for human beings to harm themselves. It is also highly unjustifiable to compromise the country’s reputation and security. Just what could non-government Filipinos do that Ronald Singson could not given the resources he has? Our airport officials should look into this.

Last February 24, Ronald Singson was sentenced to imprisonment for one year and six months. His sentence was handed down by Judge Joseph Yau of the Wanchai District Court who himself did not believe that the congressman planned to sell the drugs.

He would be serving two years and four months in prison had he not pleaded guilty. Singson’s good behavior while in Hong Kong, his 40-day custody, and philanthropic efforts for his constituents lighten the sentence.

House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte ordered for his removal from the list of congressmen. He also asked the house committee on suffrage to form a resolution that would enable a special election in the former congressman’s district.

"Meron nagplano iyong pagkahuli niya, so it's either kung hindi politics, sa negosyo....Lumalabas na biktima siya." ~Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson

*figure according to the Hong Kong authorities; earlier reported to be 26.1 grams
**a depressant used mainly for treating anxiety


References

08 July 2011

A Mayor's Wrath

Just as when an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) resulting in a thunderstorm plagued Mindanao—particularly in Surigao, Agusan, and Davao—a court sheriff insisted on the demolition of houses in Barangay Soliman, Agdao, Davao.

This angered Mayor Sara Duterte. She hit Sheriff Abe Andres in his left eye, and punched him for three times more in his face.

Andres explained that he was just doing his job. Judge Emmanuel Carpio of the Regional Trial Court (Branch 16) had supported Jaime Uy of the Davao Enterprise Corporation. The lot in Barangay Soliman must be cleared.

The United Settlers Association appealed the court order. Its lawyer was not able to file the motion, though, until the day of the demolition itself.

So the demolition team advanced. The residents put up a fight. There was a court order. There were 217 families who would lose shelter in the midst of flash floods and rain.

Mayor Duterte asked the demolition team to suspend the execution of the court order for at least two more hours. As the officer-in-charge of Davao, she is duty-bound to control its executive and administrative functions; enforce its laws and ordinances; safeguard its property and rights; ensure collection of taxes; protect its interest; see that its other employees perform their duties; examine its records at least once a year; recommend measures; represent it; and deliberate over the appropriateness of a petition, complaint, or claim, among others. The demolition would just bring bloodshed.

Andres insisted on carrying out the notice of eviction to avoid suspension. Three years ago, he got suspended for ‘failing to live up to the standards required of his position’ in line with the Republic Act 3019.

Businessman Kenneth Hao had complained against him after Andres seized nine motor vehicles ‘accompanied by unidentified armed personnel on board a military vehicle’. He was finally charged negligent and careless in July 8, 2008.

Both then were just doing their job. Some might not agree with how Mayor Duterte protected her people; some might not agree with how Sheriff Andres performed his job. But the issue is more about the judicial process in the country, and how its people obey its laws.


References

04 July 2011

REFERENCE LIST

26 July 2011
The Philippines as a singular noun
http://business.inquirer.net/8671/philippines-urged-to-leverage-key-competencies
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/14685/name-game-ph-now-calls-spratly-isle-%E2%80%98recto-bank%E2%80%99
http://josecarilloforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=1622.0

25 July 2011
Pnoy’s Second SONA
http://visitpinas.com/inaugural-speech-of-president-benigno-noynoy-aquino-iii/
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/3003-no-mention-of-ofws
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/2862-wang-wang-mentality-and-pnoy
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/3701-cesar-purisima-explains-aquinomics2

24 July 2011
Son’s and Daughter’s Day
http://library.thinkquest.org/19037/heredity.html
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/health_basics/genes_genetic_disorders.html
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/220157/nation/mmda-intensifies-campaign-against-giant-billboards
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/221940/nation/mmda-names-50-billboard-violators-in-metro-manila
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/223523/nation/mmda-files-criminal-complaints-vs-10-billboard-operators
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/225776/nation/phl-volcanoes-react-to-dismantled-undies-billboards

17 July 2011
China’s investment in electric cars
http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/news-comment/eco-money-china-takes-big-risk-with-clean-car-upgrades
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/303968/pinoy-invention-causes-sensation-youtube
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1871282,00.html
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20071231-109739/Pinoy-made_electric_cars_top_draw_but_stuck_at_QC_Circle

11 July 2011
A Year After
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/36938-singson-stays-in-congress
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/296523/singson-defends-son-calls-plea-legal-strategy
http://ronaldsingson.com/profile.html
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/19/10/singson-out-bail-after-payment-hk2m
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/29/10/doj-mulls-replacing-bi-staff-naia-over-singson-slip
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/306201/ronald-singson-spend-18-months-prison-drug-charge
http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?id=singson-r&congress=14
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/306848/ronald-singson-resign-congress

04 July 2011
A Mayor's Wrath
http://www.halojin.com/2011/07/01/july-1-2011-philippine--update/
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=701652
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/20369/davao-mayor-punches-sheriff-over-demolition-of-shanties-2
http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno4354.html
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/325545/questions-raised-about-davao-sheriff

12 June 2011

Signing for independence

Far off the South China Sea is the contested islands of Paracel and Spratly. China used to sail around them 2,000 years ago, particularly during the Han dynasty (206-220 A.D.). China’s awareness of the islands grew, however, during the T'ang Dynasty (618-906 A.D), as it would frequent them in their navigation. Thus, China didn’t make any formal claim of sovereignty on the islands, thinking that their country is “the centre of a universal state,” anyway.

Documents of the country’s presence since the 19th century were also consistent. There were tombstones and household utensils from Emperor Tongzhi (1862-75), as well as rice, trepang and tortoise shells from traders of Hainan.

In 1876, though, the Chinese ambassador to England wrote a formal act of a sovereignty claim over the Paracel Islands. The Chinese also expelled a German survey team circling the Spratly Islands in 1883. The French government then enforced a treaty allocating almost all of the Spratly Islands to China. It is arguing today that the treaty refers to the northern part of the South China Sea only.

China has renamed the entire Spratly Islands as the Nansha Islands. Its islets are referred to as Yung Shu Jiao, Huayang Jiao, Nanxun Jiao, Duolu Jiao, Chigua Jiao, Zhubi Jiao, Dongmen Jiao, Loaita Cay, Shuangzi Jiao, and Niue Jiao after the common labels Fiery Cross Reef , Cuarteron Reef, Gaven Reef, Johnson Reef, Subi Reef, Kerman Reef, Loaita Cay, North Danger Reefs, and Whitson Reef, respectively.


Taiwan has it simple. The Convention on the Continental Shelf, which was signed at the Geneva Conference on the Law of the Sea in 1958, awarded the Diaoyutai Islands (Pinnacle Islands) to it. Also, Taiwan has maintained a base on Itu Aba (Taiping Dao Island), the biggest island in Spratly, since 1956. This gives Taiwan sovereignty over it, as well as the exploitation of the area’s resources.

Taiwan and its Kuomintang government are the true China, its people assert. So whatever island conferred to China belong to it. Taiwan also worries that ownership of the Spratly Islands of China and/or Vietnam would give the latter monopoly on the South China Sea.

The Taiwanese also calls the Spratly Islands the Nansha Islands. It claims the Zhengping Reef, Haining Reef, Zengmu, and Tungsha, which are internationally labeled as Sterra Blanca, Herald, James Shoal, and Pratas, respectively.


If there is one advantage Vietnam has from the other countries claiming the Spratly Islands, it would be its detailed history. It was still named Dai Viet when its people thrived by the Biển Đông (South China Sea). It fought the Dutch there during the 17th century, and made voyages to where no state has claimed.

The Vietnamese feudal state, therefore, discovered Hoàng Sa (Paracel Islands), which the Kergariou-Locmaria expedition (1787–1788) described as composed of two different archipelagoes 500 km apart. Their Institute of National History contains information about Hoang Sa. It is mentioned in the Đại Nam nhất thống chí (Geography of the unified Dai Nam), the official book on geography of Vietnam.

Only when the Treaty of protectorate by France and Vietnam in 1884 had the latter met opposition on who owns Hoàng Sa. The French government even sent its navy to guard Hoàng Sa, referred it as one province, and renamed it Bà Rịa.

The 1954 Geneva Agreement ruled then that the the Democratic Republic of North Vietnam (DRVN) governs the northern zone, while the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) governs the south.


Because the Terumbu Layang (Swallow Reef), Terumbu Mantanani (Mariveles Reef) and Terumbu Ubi (Ardasier Reef) lies on the continental shelf of Malaysia, the three islands are theirs.

Malaysia began claiming Spratlys in 1979. Aware that its neighboring countries are still disputing about it, Malaysia went on to publish a map on its territorial waters and continental shelf boundaries. The Commodore Reef, Amboyna Cay, Southwest Shoal, Ardasier Breaker, Gloucestere Breakers, Mariveles Reef, Barque Canada Reef, Lizzie Weber Reef, Northeast Shoal, Glasgow Shoal and North Viper Shoal are well within its Exclusive Economic Zone.

Malaysia joined the Joint Development Programme, albeit reluctantly.


Brunei used to be silent on the ownership of the Spratly Islands. It only claims a part of the South China Sea since it is along its continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It changed its mind, though, in 1984, and claimed the Louisa Reef base on the Law of the Sea.


As early as 1933, the Philippines has shown interest in the Spratly Islands. A senator had protested its annexation by the French government. The country happened to be controlled by the United States then who did not take part in the parliamentary committee that studied the issue.

Vice President Elpidio Quirino, who was also the foreign affairs secretary under the Roxas administration, reclaimed it in 1946. It is the “New Southern Islands,” laid within "vital proximity" to the country.

And so, Filipino navigator and businessman Tomas Cloma issued then a "proclamation to the whole world" that the Spratly Islands is part of Philippine territory, It also demanded Taipei’s withdrawal from Itu Aba.. Law professor Haydee Yorac regarded this as the Philippine’s first assertion of title to the area after Japan backed out in 1951 and 1952.

The Spratly Islands was renamed the Kalayaan (Freedom) Island Group in 1978. The other countries that claim it does so because ‘of history; indispensable need, effective occupation and control established in accordance with international law.’ The Philippines, however, stands ‘on legal, historical, and equitable ground.’

The Philippines became the owner of the Spratly Islands when Japan renounced its sovereignty over the islands in the San Francisco Treaty in 1951 (thus, res nullius). Furthermore, the Spratly Islands lie within the country’s archipelagic baselines (12 nm according to the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). China and Vietnam, therefore, cannot claim the Spratly Islands.

Kalayaan is about 300 miles west of Puerto Princesa. It has one barangay—Pag-asa—with a a population of about 300, a 1.3-kilometer airstrip, a water-filtering plant, power generators, weather stations, a communication tower built by SMART Telecommunications, and its own elected mayor.

References

REFERENCE LIST

12 June 2011
Signing for Independence
http://www.paracelspratly.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=79
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2010/09/25/2003483709
http://www.todayonline.com/World/EDC110613-0000081/Taiwan-mulls-sending-missile-boats-to-Spratlys
http://www1.american.edu/ted/SPRATLY.htm
http://www.paracelspratly.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50&Itemid=79
http://www.spratlys.org/collection/claims/malaysia/malaysia1.htm
http://www.spratlys.org/collection/claims/malaysia/malaysia.htm
http://www.paracelspratly.com/home/index.php?Itemid=79&id=14&option=com_content&task=view
http://www.upiasia.com/Politics/2008/03/26/the_spratlys_and_the_philippine_claim/2587/
http://www.filipinojournal.com/v2/index.php?pagetype=read&article_num=04072009002113&latest_issue=V23-N07

25 April 2011

The 13-day theory

Thirteen days before Manny Pacquiao beat Antonio Margarito for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight championship, а Cebuano held his daughter hostage for about an hour. It turned out that the 32-year-old man has been suffering from a mental illness and was brought to the Cebu City Hospital right after.

Thirteen days before Manny Pacquiao succeeded to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title from Joshua Clottey, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile. It killed 122 people, twisted buildings, and sent tsunami waves.

Thirteen days before Manny Pacquiao reclaimed WBO welterweight championship from Miguel Cotto, the rest of the world commemorated the dead.

Thirteen days before Manny Pacquiao knocked Ricky Hatton twice, the Legacy Group of Companies collapsed. It affected more than 12,047 police and soldiers lost P317,556,356 million worth of pre-need plans.

Thirteen days before Manny Pacquiao embarrassed Oscar De La Hoya before a packed house at the MGM Grand, three Cagayenos drowned from the flood brought about by continuous rains in the province.

So in his bout against Shane Mosley, it is possible that Manny Pacquiao will take home his welterweight belt again. There had been a landslide in Pantukan, Compostela Valley yesterday. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) suffered a glitch, too, at the Libertad station in Pasay City, as well as the and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) in Mandaluyong.

"May problema tayo lately sa gate dahil naubusan tayo ng spare parts para maayos ang regular na maintenance. Ang ginawa natin ngayon hinuhulog nila sa box ang card para mabilis ang exit nila," Hernando Cabrera, LRT Administration spokesman, was reported saying.

(We have had problems with the stiles because we ran out of spare parts. For now we let the passengers drop their cards into a box and let them leave via a regular gate.)

Since medieval times, some people developed triskaidekaphobia (from Greek tris meaning "3", kai meaning "and", deka meaning "10" and phobia meaning "fear"). After all, there were 13 people present during the Last Supper. Witches' covens also have 13 members. Scandanavians already have 12 demigods when another one joined and cast evil. The number 13 signifies death in a Tarot deck, too.

But “The Great,” “The Destroyer,” “The People’s Champ,” “The Pacman,” has been winning, title after title, for every disaster happening 13 days before his bout. Currently, he holds the WBC Flyweight title (1998), the IBF Super Bantamweight title (2001), the WBC Super Featherweight title (2008), the WBC Lightweight title (2008), and the IBO Light Welterweight title (2009).

He also has the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Flyweight title (1997), the WBC International Super Bantamweight title (1999), the WBC Super Featherweight International title (2005), and the RING Super Featherweight title (2008).

References

22 April 2011

Pangarap ka na lang ba?

Talaga yatang walang pag-asa
Upang ako'y iyong ibigin pa
Pano mangyayari
Gayong ako'y di mo pansin
Pano mo malalaman
Sayo'y may pagtingin?

Lagi na lamang sa aking isipan
Sana ito'y iyong maramdaman
Masabi ko na sana na minamahal kita
Doon mo lang malalaman
Pag-ibig ko'y hanggang

Pangarap ka na lang ba
O magiging katotohanan pa
Bakit may mahal ka ng iba?
Ngunit di bale na kahit mahal mo sya
Mahal naman kita

Kung totoong lahat ng iyan
Sana ako'y nangangarap na lang
Masayang man iyan ay pangarap lamang
Di naman ako ganong masasaktan

Mary Jane C. Mendoza, popularly known as Jamie Rivera, sings about love and faith. "Love, for me, is God, that's the root. Love comes from God. Love should be selfless, because it should be shared with everybody."

The Diva for the Divine, Rivera promoted praying through singing. "You have to practice what you want to instill in your children. For example, if you put a knife on the table, in the past, I'll just let it be. Now that I'm a mother, I see a knife there and I'll put it aside or keep it. I know it can hurt my child. Just like faith. If you're more aware of your faith, if you want your children and other people to be influenced, you have to be careful and set an example not only to your family, but to everybody."

"I don't really go for very deep music and lyrics. I want to reach a lot of people. I want them to relate to whatever song I'm doing, whether for me, another artist or commercial jingles."

References

20 April 2011

On body

You know I still love you baby
and it will never change.

I want nobody but you
How can I be with another
I don't want any other
I want nobody nobody [else]

Why are you trying
To make me leave you
I know what you're thinking
Baby why aren't you listening
How can I just love someone else
And forget you completely
When I know you still love me

Telling me you're not good enough
My life with you is just too tough
You know it's not right so
Just stop and come back boy
How can this be
When we were meant to be

I want nobody but you
How can I be with another
I don't want any other
I want nobody [else]

Why can't we just,
Just be like this
Cause it's you that I need
And nothing else until the end
Who else can ever make me feel the way
I feel when I'm with you?
No one will ever do

Back to the days when we were so young
And wild and free
Nothing else matters other than you and me
So tell me why can't it be
Please let me live my life my way
Why do you push me away?
I don't want nobody but you

It’s a wonder why in this age of women empowerment that Nobody did not make it to the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

It was composed by Park Jin-young. Widely known as J.Y. Park, Park is the current CEO of JYP Entertainment, a record label of Asian pop music he himself founded.

Under his name, Park released seven albums: Blue City (1994), Tantara (1995), Summer Jingle Bell (1997), Even After 10 Years (1998), Game (2001), and Back To Stage (2007). He produced 31 charting singles and 25 albums for Rain, Wonder Girls, MC Mong, Min, J Lim, G-soul, Will Smith, Mase and Cassie.

His success in promoting Asian singers prompted the organizers of a music conference* to invite Park as a keynote speaker.

Park holds a B.A. in Geology from Yonsei University. He collaborated with Jackie Chan in May 2008 to form the I Love Asia Project and help earthquake victims in China.

He had been married to Yoon Jeong-seo in 1999. But they broke their vows last March 2009 since, Park claimed, they ‘slowly grew apart’ after 16 years. The couple didn’t have kids.

JYP Entertainment is developing a show in the US with Lawrence Bender showcasing the singers of this song.[5]

*Midem 2009 brought together about 9,000 professionals from over 90 countries.

References

19 April 2011

Leaving behind yesterday

Since you left me, I never really tried
To put my life to where it should belong
And I've always let the past gone by
I'm realizing that it could be wrong

But now I fin'lly knew
I had to let it go
To make way for a brighter tomorrow

So now I'm leavin' yesterday behind
And fin'lly I've made up my mind
So let the mem'ries stay away and think about today
I'm leavin' yesterday behind
'Cause now I'll try to live my life once more
The way I did before

Since I know that I never will forget
The memories that made my yesterday
I will try not to let it
Interfere the choices I will make along the way

'Cause I'm not livin' in a world of fantasy
I'm here now in the world of reality

Here is a person who managed to leave yesterday behind.

He wrote a book entitled A Song Across the Barriers of Time to discuss the powers of love. Albeit fictional, it is actually about the love story of Karen Carpenter (singer, The Carpenters) and Leo Adam Alba III (billionaire).

He is Leo Mark Bonaventura from East Chicago, Indiana. His father once thought that his second child would not succeed in life. Leo proved him wrong when he attended the Marquette University and the Indiana University School of Medicine to obtain an M.D. in 1970. He remained a dreamer, though, and in December 2007 collaborated with the characters of his book.

* * * *

It was unclear why the song was written. I only got information on Paul Harrison, the jazz pianist who arranged the notes of the song. He has his own group, Trianglehead, and is currently writing music for John Scofield and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

References

18 April 2011

In love lost

I realize the best part of love is the thinnest lace
And it don't count for much
But I'm not letting go
I believe there's still much to believe in

So lift your eyes if you feel you can
Reach for a star and I'll show you a plan
I figured it out
What I needed was someone to show me

You know you can't fool me
I've been loving you too long
It started so easy
You want to carry on

Lost in love and I don't know much
What I'm thinking about
Fell out of touch
But I'm back on my feet
Eager to be what you wanted

While unpopular in the rest of the world except in Australia, Graham Cyril Russell wrote this song (in 15 minutes only!), which title is the cover of their 1980 album. It became a hit shortly after their homegrown record label Big Time Records sold its distribution rights to Arista Records. Only did when Air Supply became known in the international music scene.

The song was also sung by Dickey Lee and Kathy Burdick later in the year, and Demis Roussos and Florence Warner on a duet. Nearly after two decades, a Kiwi pop group Deep Obsession turned it #1 in New Zealand. Grammy Award-winning producer Brian Rawling remixed it in 1999 under Deep Obsession's debut album Infinity.

The other ‘side’ of the soft rock duo, Russell Charles Hitchcock, is a family man with a son and a daughter. He met Russell during the musical production of Jesus Christ Superstar in May 1975.

They were supposed to be with Chrissie Hammond, Jeremy Paul, Adrian Scott, Jeff Browne, Mark McEntee, but only Russell and Hitchcock are left behind.

The Air Supply that we know today has Rex Goh on guitars, Frankie Marino on keyboards, Jonni Lightfoot on bass, and Russell Letizia and Mike Zerbe on drums. Frank Esler-Smith, David Moyse, David Green, Ralph Cooper and Jed Moss used to play for Air Supply but left to pursue solo careers.

Air Supply would release Mumbo Jumbo sometime this year.

"We have just arrived back from Australia and Hong Kong where we sold out every show and received the best reviews of our career. The shows in Australia were especially important to us as we began there so long ago and we are very proud to be an Australian act.” -from the official Air Supply web site

References

Get you over I'll never

I hear you're taking the town again
Havin' a good time with all your good time friends
I don't think that you think of me
You're on your own now, and I'm alone and free
I know that i should get on with my life
But a life lived without you could never be right

As long as the stars shine down from the heavens
Long as the rivers run to the sea
I'll never get over you gettin' over me

I try to smile so the hurt won't show
Tell everybody i was glad to see you go
But the tears just won't go away
Loneliness found me
Looks like it's here to stay
I know that I oughta find someone new
But all I find is myself always thinkin' of you

Oh, no matter what i do
Spending a lifetime to live through
I can't go on like this, I need your touch
You're the only one I've ever loved

First, this was sung by Exposé in 1992. Then by "The Queen of Tejano music" Selena Quintanilla-Pérez followed by the Irish pop group Bellefire. It arrived the Philippine shores, and this was sung by the MYMP (Make Your Momma Proud).

I wonder what made the avid fan Yolanda Saldívar kill Selena. From what I’ve read, "The Mexican Madonna" had been a big help to Saldivar. Selena’s death marked April 16 as "Selena Day" in Texas.

References

13 April 2011

Constant Change

We're on the road, we move from place to place
And oftentimes when I'm about to call it home, we'd have to move along
Life is a constant change...

The friends we know, we meet along the way
Too soon the times we share form part of yesterday
'Cause life's a constant change and nothing stays the same, oh no

Clouds that move across the skies are changing form before our very eyes

Why couldn't we keep time from movin' on?
Hold on to all the years before this moment's gone?
Why must we live the days at such a frightening pace?

Have we outgrown our Peter Pans and wings?
We've simply grown too old for tales of knights and kings
'Cause life's a constant change and nothing stays the same, oh no

Jose Mari Chan is timeless. The songs he sang in the 60s are still popular, even though his career spurn when the Beatles and the Beach Boys were the hits in the Philippine music industry. He has composed more than 20 soundtracks since 1970, but had a breakthrough 19 years after when his album carrying this song received Diamond Record.

Joe Mari wrote his first song at 13. But he refuses to be called a "composer" but a songwriter, reasoning that he is not trained and schooled to ‘compose’.

12 April 2011

Child sleeping

The Milky Way upon the heavens is twinkling just for you
And Mr. Moon he came by to say goodnight to you
I'll sing for you, I'll sing for mother, we're praying for the world
And for the people everywhere, gonna show them all we care

Oh my sleeping child the world's so wild, but you've build your own paradise
That's one reason why I'll cover you sleeping child

If all the people around the world [they] had a mind like yours
We'd have no fighting and no wars—there would be lasting peace on Earth
If all the kings and all the leaders could see you here this way
They would hold the Earth in their arms [and] they would learn to watch you play


The song is simple. Even the music video (a child is playing as the band sang). But it is with its simple message that chartered the album it belonged to #43 in Sweden.

Can't I just stop loving you

I just want to lay next to you for awhile
You look so beautiful tonight
Your eyes are so lovely; your mouth is so sweet
A lot of people misunderstand me
That's because they don't know me at all
I just want to touch you and hold you
I need you
God I need you, I love you so much

Each time the wind blows, I hear your voice so
I call your name . . .
Whispers at morning, our love is dawning
Heaven's glad you came . . .

You know how I feel, this thing can't go wrong
I'm so proud to say I love you
Your love's got me high, I long to get by
This time is forever, love is the answer

I hear your voice now, you are my choice now
The love you bring heaven in my heart
At your call, I hear harps and angels sing

You know how I feel, this thing can't go wrong
I can't live my life without you
I just can't hold on, I feel we belong
My life ain't worth living if I can't be with you

At night when the stars shine
I pray in you I'll find a love so true . . .
When morning awakes me, will you come and take me?
I'll wait for you

You know how I feel
I won't stop until I hear your voice saying "I Do"

I just can't stop loving you
We can change all the world tomorrow
We can sing songs of yesterday
I can say, hey . . . farewell to sorrow
This is my life and I want to see you for always


There is no published reason why Michael Jackson wrote and composed this song.

All Wikipedia says is that MJ had intended this song for a duet with Barbara Streisand, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin or Agnetha Fältskog of ABBA. But all were unable to record the song.

It was Siedah Garrett who sang with him. It became a chart-topper—the first of five consecutive number-one Billboard Hot 100 singles from Jackson's Bad album, and in the Billboard R&B and adult contemporary charts. Had he not died, he would be performing the song again with Judith Hill in his This Is It concert. Hill just went on to record a ‘sequel’ to the song, entitling it I Will Always Be Missing You.

In his autobiography though, MJ revealed that he had no one in particular when he wrote the song, though someone would disturb his thoughts whenever he sings it onstage. MJ had sung this in Spanish (Todo mi amor eres tu) and in French (Je ne veux pas la fin de nous).

References

10 April 2011

Be my baby always

Always be my baby chronicles a relationship that has ended with the singer still longing for her former lover. Its music video shows a tale of young love where a young boy and a young girl eloped in the middle of the night.

We were as one, baby, for a moment in time
and it seemed everlasting that you would always be mine
Now you want to be free so I'm letting you fly
‘Cause i know in my heart, baby, our love will never die!

You'll always be a part of me; I’m a part of you indefinitely
Boy don't you know you can't escape me cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on; Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're never gonna shake me cause you'll always be my baby

I ain't gonna cry and I won't beg you to stay
If you're determined to leave boy, I will not stand in your way
But inevitably you'll be back again
‘Cause you know in your heart babe, our love will never end

I know that you'll be back boy
when your days and your nights get a little bit colder
I know that you'll be right back
Believe me, it's only a matter of time

In the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1996, this pop/R&B song debut at #2 only. Two alpha male mixed this: Grammy Award-winning record producer and songwriter Manuel Seal Jr., and Jermaine Dupri Mauldin, an American record producer, rapper and songwriter better known as Jermaine Dupri or J.D.

Seal is just a staff songwriter and a producer at Dupri's So So Def Recordings. He co-produced You Make Me Wanna, Nice and Slow, With Me, My Boo, and We Belong Together.

It was easy for Dupri. He has his father’s connections so he was able to dance for Diana Ross when he was just 10 (during this time though, his parents separated). He was also able to tour with Whodini and Run-D.M.C. at 12, and produce the female rap trio Silk Tymes Leather (It Ain't Where Ya From, 1990) at 14.

He met Chris Kelly and Chris Smith at a local mall in 1991, and produced an album for them, Totally Krossed Out, which received multi-platinum recognition. Then he formed Xscape, a female R&B group he discovered in 1993 during a festival in Atlanta. Their album, Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha, went platinum.

Around that time, he met Shawntae “Da Brat” Harris, signed her to his label, and released Funkdafied. The album went and sold 1,000,000 units. Seizing the limelight, Dupri produced for TLC, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, MC Lyte, Bow Wow, Jagged Edge, Anthony Hamilton, and J-Won, making him a multi-millionaire at 24.

A Michael Jackson fan at heart, Dupri is currently working with Brandon Hines. He has collaborated with Snoop Doggy Dogg, OutKast, Slick Rick, Nas, and Master P to come up with his own debut solo album (Life in 1472) in July 1998. He had dropped his surname to create an identity apart from his father, favoring 2Pac, Snoop, Dr. Dre and Notorious B.I.G.

"Dupri's sound is down-home, basically bassy, and lusciously--marketably--bubblegum." –Vibe

References

09 April 2011

Back will love lead you

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing
But you never said that you’d stay forever.
So if you must go, darling I set you free,
But I know in time that well be together.

I wont try to stop you now from leaving
'cause in my heart I know

Love will lead you back,
Someday I just know that love will lead you back to my arms where you belong
I’m sure, sure as stars are shining [that] one day you will find me again
It wont be long [when] one of these days, our love will lead you back.

One of these nights, I’ll hear your voice again,
You’re gonna say how much you missed me.
You’ll walk out this door, but someday you’ll walk back in,
And darling I know, I know this will be.

Sometimes it takes sometime out on your own now
To find your way back home...

Diane Warren only ought the song to tell the story of a woman who set her lover free, hoping that he will eventually ‘find [your] way back home’ to her. Warren wrote it in a hotel in Russia, and had intended to offer it to Whitney Houston. However, Clive Davis, president of Arista Records, wanted Taylor Dayne to record the song.

Although chronicling a failed love affair, its black-and-white music video just shows Dayne singing with her band in a studio while holding a love letter. It was rendered again by Kyla, Nina, Yuri, Patti LaBelle and the Young Divas.

References

07 April 2011

Again

Araw – gabi, bakit naaalala ka't
‘Di ko malimot - limot ang sa atin ay nagdaan
Kung nagtatampo ka at kailangan bang ganyan
Dingging ang dahilan at ako ay pag - bigyan

Kailangan ko ang tunay na pag - ibig mo
Dahil tanging ikaw lang ang pintig ng puso ko
Hahayaan mo ba aa maging ganoon na lang?
Ang isa't – isa’y mayro'ng pagdaramdam

Bakit di pagbigyang muli ang ating pagmamahalan
Kung mawawala ay di bat sayang naman
Lumipas natin tila ba’t kailang lang

At kung nagkamali sayo, patawad ang pagsamo ko
Tayo na't ulitin ang pag - ibig natin
Muli ikaw lang at ako

Sung by a Filipino songwriter, Muli was rendered recently by another Filipino artist who won a singing competition.

Rodel Naval could have been more popular. But his talent scout died of heart attack when he was about to sign a contract with the Imperial Hotel in Las Vegas. He only goes out on performances and promotions. He began to feel sick just as he was turning to be an icon in the Philippine entertainment industry. He became a part of Miss Saigon only to die of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, an HIV-related disease, three months after his father passed away.

Jay "Bugoy" Drilon-Bogayan became known as "The Farmer's Son" in a televised singing competition, and favors listening to Guy Sebastian, Brian McKnight, and Boyz II Men.

He longed to finish his studies and perform onstage. But his father worships alcohol, so Bugoy has to work as a janitor to sustain himself. He continues to respect his father, though, even after winning 2nd place in a contest and earning P500,000, a Sony Bravia LCD TV, a Hi-Fi Kiks minicomponent, a VAIO laptop and a kitchen showcase from Whirlpool.

References

REFERENCE LIST

25 April 2011
The 13-day theory
http://boxing.about.com/od/records/a/pacquiao.htm
http://www.gmanews.tv/pbr/article/205934/pacquiao-batters-bigger-margarito-for-8th-world-title
http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&story_id=300697
http://www.philstar.com/thedeanscorner/columnscontent.aspx?articleId=559328&publicationSubCategoryId=69
http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/columns/story?columnist=watkins_calvin&id=4993939
http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&story_id=255767
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/boxing/pacquiao_bloodies_cotto_to_affirm_homXP1nu8GCkzWelOgmEqL
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4129461
http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&story_id=200215
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2008/12/06/2008-12-06_de_la_hoya_is_golden_boy_no_more-2.html
http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&story_id=173814
http://www.manilatimes.net/news/nation/15-survive-dozens-feared-dead-in-landslide/
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/218637/nation/glitches-stall-lrt-1-mrt-after-4-day-maintenance-work
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/583835/the_number_13_superstitions_and_rituals.html
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/104166/Manny-Pacquiaos-Boxing-Titles

22 April 2011
Pangarap ka na lang ba?
http://www.metrolyrics.com/pangarap-ka-na-lang-ba-lyrics-jamie-rivera.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Rivera
http://www.newsflash.org/2003/05/sb/sb003073.htm

21 April 2011
On body
http://www.elyrics.net/read/w/wonder-girls-lyrics/nobody-lyrics.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Jin-young
http://seoulfull.wordpress.com/2009/03/27/park-ji-young-ends-marriage-after-10-years/

20 April 2011
Leaving behind yesterday
http://www.lyricsdownload.com/keno-leaving-yesterday-behind-lyrics.html
http://www.leaveyesterdaybehind.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Harrison_%28musician%29, http://www.paulharrison.info/home.html

19 April 2011
In love lost
http://www.lyrics007.com/Air%20Supply%20Lyrics/Lost%20In%20Love%20Lyrics.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_in_Love_%28Air_Supply_song%29
http://www.nndb.com/people/407/000041284/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Supply
http://www.airsupplyheartandsoul.net/airsupplyhistory.html

18 April 2011
Get you over I'll never
http://www.lyricsdownload.com/selena-i-ll-never-get-over-you-getting-over-me-lyrics.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selena

13 April 2011
Child sleeping
http://music.yeucahat.com/song/English/507-Sleeping-Child~Michael-Learns-To-Rock.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeping_Child_%28Michael_Learns_to_Rock_song%29

12 April 2011
Can't I just stop loving you
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/michaeljackson/ijustcantstoplovingyou.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Just_Can%27t_Stop_Loving_You

10 April 2011
Be my baby always
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jermaine_Dupri
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Always_Be_My_Baby
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Seal,_Jr.
http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Dupri,_Jermaine/Biography/
http://www.answers.com/topic/jermaine-dupri

09 April 2011
Back will love lead you
http://www.lyricsdownload.com/taylor-dayne-love-will-lead-you-back-lyrics.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Will_Lead_You_Back

07 April 2011
Again
http://www.opmpinoy.com/opm-muli-lyrics-539.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodel_Nava, http://rodelnaval.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugoy_Drilon

19 March 2011

Sherine Abdel Wahhab: a fighter

Sherine Abdel Wahhab is an Egyptian singer and actress. The Arab world came to know her through her song, Ah Ya Leil, in 2002.

Sherine isn’t exactly poor. But she isn’t exactly rich either. She pursued singing at the Egyptian Music Institute, but dropped out to start her musical career.

It was then that she signed with the Free Music Productions and released a debut album with Tamer Hosny. It included Ah Ya Leil, a song founded from traditional Egyptian tarab voice techniques and Egyptian music instruments of the Shaabi genre.

She released another album—this time as a solo artist—entitled Garh Tany. It was accepted by the Egyptian and wider Middle Eastern music market.

But she developed a fallout with Nasr Mahrous, owner and manager of Free Music Productions. Her professional relationship with him did not falter though. Mahrous still produced and directed another single for her, the Lazim Aïsh. It was accompanied with a music video, centering on Sherine’s feet. The album became best selling.

In 2006, Sherine was chosen to perform Keteer Ben’sha, the theme song for the movie An el-Ish’ wel-Hawa. She also dedicated Lebnan Fel Alb to victims of the Israeli-Lebanese conflict.

A year after, she was commissioned to sing the theme song for Kashkool Likol Muatin, a TV series. Then she collaborated with Hany Shaker to record Qalbi Leek.

She sang Bahibik Ya Omi for Arab mothers in Mother’s Day 2009. She has turned a Rotana talent then.

She has solidified her growing influence on Arab music in July 2009 when she posed as the Greek goddess of wisdom for her album Habeat.

Sherine is an actress too. She took part in Medo Mashakel, where critics and Sherine herself did not approve of her acting skills. She admires Warda, Samira Saeed, Shadia, Fayza Ahmad, Najat Al-Sagheera, Om Kolthoum, Thekra and Asalah. She got married before she became popular in the music scene to Medhat Khamis, a music arranger. She remarried though in 2007 to Mohammad Mustafa, also a music arranger.

17 March 2011

Diane Warren: the composer

Diane Eve Warren, popularly known as Diane Warren, was born in Van Nuys, California on September 7, 1956.

Her career started upon collaborating with producer Jack White in 1983, giving birth to songs Solitaire and Hot Night, both of which were recorded by Laura Branigan. Her songs produced many Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. In the late 80s though, Warren separated ways with White and pursued her own publishing company, the Real Songs.

She wrote more than 1,000 songs totaling to about $20 million in royalties each year, 90 of which were US Billboard Top Ten hits, including 38 that have topped the charts.

Warren is superstitious. The room in the publishing house where she writes songs has not been cleaned since the 90s. She didn’t even clean her ‘secret world’ even after the big LA earthquake. The Cave only has two keyboards, 1980s posters of Cher and Michael Bolton, and cassettes in it.

She is the only female writer in history to be named ASCAP’s Writer of the Year three times and the first songwriter to have seven songs in the US Billboard Hot 100 sung by different artists simultaneously. For this, she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

If she comes up with a good song in a place where she can’t record it, she calls her home and sings the song to her answering machine. And when she writes a song, she does not contain herself with an artist in mind. She cannot read music, but she can finish writing a song in a week.

In the UK, she is regarded the 35th most successful songwriter in singles chart history as well as the 3rd most successful female.

She is a Jewish diagnosed with tone deafness at 5. She ran away when she was a teen but returned after missing her cat. She began writing music at 14 even though her mother wished only for a secretarial job for her. She wrote the song Because You Loved Me as a tribute to her father who had continued to be behind her despite.

Warren has never been married. She has never been in love and she does not enjoy dating.

The Diane Warren Foundation, in conjunction with the ASCAP Foundation and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, created a joint initiative, beginning in 2000, called Music in the Schools. The initiative provided sheet music, band arrangements, folios, and method books to each of the schools that are already recipients of musical instruments from the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

She released a compilation album of love songs in 2004, titled Diane Warren Presents Love Songs, remaining true to her being the “Queen of the Ballad”. She wrote the song Note to God, which was produced by David Foster and performed by Charice last May 18, 2009 on the The Oprah Winfrey Show.

“Songwriting is a skill and takes practice, patience, and perseverance. There is a lot of rejection in the songwriting business…” -Warren

SINGERS WHO HAVE COVERED HER SONGS
Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Patti Labelle, Barbra Streisand, Gloria Estefan, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Aerosmith, Aaron Neville, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Starship, Ricky Martin, Johnny Mathis, Mary J. Blige, N’Sync, Elton John, Roberta Flack, Roy Orbison, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Reba McEntire, Enrique Iglesias, LeAnn Rimes, Aswad, Ace of Base, Ginuwine, Aaliyah, The Cult, Sugarbabes, Roy Orbison, Daniel Bedingfield, Uncle Kracker, Gavin DeGraw, JoJo, American Idol, Macy Gray, Anita Baker, Jamelia, Il Divo Anthony Callea

CHARITIES
AIDS Project Los Angeles (Buddy For Life ), PETA (honorary committee member), Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance (key donor ), David S. Warren Weekly Entertainment Series (founder), Jewish Home for the Aging, Save the Music campaign, “Music of My Heart”/ASCAP Foundation, Music Education Project

SOME OF HER SONGS
FOR YOU I WILL This pop ballad is about a person pledging love and devotion to someone. It ranked #13 on Top Hot 100 Hits of 1997.
HOW DO I LIVE Intended to be a single for the 1997 action blockbuster Con Air, the song was sung by LeAnn Rimes with Faye and Real (F.I.R.) and Trisha Yearwood.
I DON’T WANT TO MISS A THING If it wasn’t for this song, Aerosmith could not claim a #1 single on the US Billboard Hot 100 after 28 years.
NOTHING’S GOING TO STOP US NOW Written with Albert Hammond, the song is actually about the latter’s love story with his 7-year girlfriend. “It’s almost like they’ve stopped me from marrying this woman for seven years, and they haven’t succeeded. They’re not gonna stop me doing it.”
RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT This is the song that made Dianne Warren popular in the music biz, and the biggest hit of the American R&B band DeBarge.
BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME This song is a tribute to David Warren, Dianne’s father, who had worked as an insurance salesman, writer and a painter. It was produced by David Foster and featured in the film Up Close & Personal.

References

15 March 2011

Michelle van Eimeren: the beauty queen who won a man’s heart

She is a beauty queen who came to the Philippines to win a crown but won a man’s heart instead.

Michelle van Eimeren is an Australian. She represented her country during the 1994 Miss Universe pageant, placing 11th among 77 other contestants.

But what should just have been a conquest for a beauty title turned to an entertainment career for her in the country. She also fell in love with a Filipino actor and singer, Ogie Alcasid, in 1996. It was ‘love conquering racial boundaries and even height differences’. Their romance brought forth two kids, Leila and Sarah.
Unfortunately, their relationship fell apart after 11 years. They separated legally last October 2007.

Van Eimeren re-married in November 2009 to Mark Murrow. His ex-husband’s girlfriend and Asia’s songbird, Regine Velasquez, sang ‘I Love You So’ in the reception.
The ceremony was held on 464-metre high Mt. Keira, Wollongong.

Van Eimeren now works as a wedding planner in Robertson, New South Wales. She wrote a children’s book before entitled “Butterfly” and used to pose for commercials and endorsements.

Her ex-husband claimed to be happy for her. They remained good parents and good friends. He already has another romantic relationship.

“At the end of the day, when you’re happy, if you’re okay, then you’re okay. It doesn’t matter what people say you have to do, what you have to do with your life. You’ve got to be true to yourself,” Michelle van Eimeren’s ex-husband

Arundhati Roy: a woman, a writer, a friend

Suzanna Arundhati Roy, more popularly known as Arundhati Roy, is an Indian writer. She advocates social justice and economic inequality issues. She has won the Booker Prize for her novel, The God of Small Things, in 1997.

Child of a Keralite Syrian Christian mother and a Bengali tea planter father, Roy first became an architect before being a writer. She got married to an architect himself, Gerard da Cunha, during her studies but remarried in 1984 to a filmmaker, Pradip Krishen.

She attracted media attention when she criticised Shekhar Kapur’s film Bandit Queen, saying the director has no right to ‘restage the rape of a living woman (Phoolan Devi) without her permission.’ She was catapulted to international fame upon the publication of her first novel, which is semi-autobiographical, distributed to 18 other countries.

Her work was not regarded positively in the United Kingdom, however. It was, for some, ‘execrable’ and ‘profoundly depressing.’ It was also criticized in her home country, and Roy was charged of obscenity by Chief Minister E. K. Nayanar.

It could be for that reason Roy worked as a screenplay writer again. She wrote The Banyan Tree, an anthropological serial that explored the evolution of the Indian people, their cultures and languages; and DAM/AGE: A Film with Arundhati Roy, a documentary against the Narmada dam project. She contributed to the book We Are One: A Celebration of Tribal Peoples, which explores the culture, diversity and threats to everyone in world.

She wrote again, but for nonfiction and political books only. She spoke against globalization, neo-imperialism, India’s industrialization, the Narmada dam project and even the United States’ global policies.

She encountered opposition from some political authorities in her country for her support for the independence of Kashmir from India. Only mainstream journalists backed her namely Vir Sanghvi, executive editor of the Hindustan Times; Jug Suraiya, editor of The Times of India; and Swaminathan Aiyar, a staff of The Times of India. She was put in contempt by the Indian Supreme Court for her allegations of corruptions in the Indian military, and sentenced her to one-day imprisonment with Rs2500 fine.

Environmental historian Ramachandra Guha also criticized Roy’s ‘tendency to exaggerate and simplify’. She was courageous and committed alright, but Guha still finds Roy ‘hyperbolic and self-indulgent, giving a bad name to environmental analysis.’

She sparked more controversies. She had fierce discussions with Gail Omvedt on the Narmada Dam project. She accused the US military invasion of Afghanistan as ‘another act of terror’ and recounted 19 underdeveloped countries it has bombed since WWII. She called President George W. Bush a ‘war criminal.’

She wrote The End of Imagination, a critique of the Indian government’s nuclear policies in 1998. She crusaded against hydroelectric dam projects in her country. She regarded the conflict between Israel and Lebanon a ‘war crime’, accusing Israel of ‘state terror.’

Among with 100 other artists and writers, she cried for an international boycott of Israeli political and cultural institutions. She called for a re-investigation on the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. She insisted a death sentence for Mohammad Afzal. She believed the November 2008 Mumbai attacks covers a wider issue that is poverty.

She remarked that the incident was spurred by the Muslims in India. She attacked the significance of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower as the country’s iconic symbol. She waved international attention on the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

For all of these, she only got $30,000 for her novel The God of Small Things, the National Film Award for Best Screenplay for In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones, the Lannan Foundation 2002 for her ‘struggle for freedom, justice and cultural diversity’, the Sydney Peace Prize 2004 for her social campaigns and non-violence advocacy, and the India Academy of Letters 2006* for her collection of essays on contemporary issues.

But recognition is not what Arundhati Roy rallies for. She is, after all, a woman, a writer, and a friend.

*She declined to accept the recognition in protest against the Indian government.

BOOKS
The God of Small Things
The End of Imagination
The Cost of Living
The Greater Common Good
The Algebra of Infinite Justice
Power Politics
War Talk
For Reasons of State (Foreword)
An Ordinary Person’s Guide To Empire
Public Power in the Age of Empire
The Checkbook and the Cruise Missile
The Strange Case of the Attack on the Indian Parliament (Introduction)
The Shape of the Beast
Listening to Grasshoppers: Field Notes on Democracy