Video of Ara Mina's Interviewed with Mo Twister

Alrighty then! How many of you had the privilege of watching the now-famous Video of Ara Mina during Mo Twister's interview with her on January 12, 2010?

Well, folks, it's about time you watch it, especially for you who are voters of the 2nd District of Quezon City.

Here's the link, if you please. INTERVIEW OF ARA MINA at MO TWISTER'S SHOW


One of the best parts was when Ara Mina disclosed that she is actually against Pornography.

Nice.

Aquino And Villar: Tie on Latest Pulse Asia Presidential Survey

It is statistically a tie-up for Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar for first place on the latest Pulse Asia Survey for presidential preference.

The result shows that Aquino got 37% voting preference while Villar got 35%. Conducted last January 22 to 26, 2010, the survey has a margin of error of +/- 2.

Erap Estrada is at far third with 12%, while Gibo Teodoro and Bro. Eddie Villanueva came in next at 5% and 2%, respectively.

Meanwhile, Senator Mar Roxas is the clear leader for the Vice Presidential race. Roxas got 47% voting preference. Senator Loren Legarda follows at 28%, while Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay came in at third with 13%.


For more specific results and data, please visit the Pulse Asia website.

Why Not Gibo?

Surely we've heard the arguments a hundred and one times before. People are explicitly saying that they wouldn't vote in favor of Gibo Teodoro because he is an administration candidate (in other words, closely associated with president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo).

But the man stood his ground. And though the surveys have continually put him on the bottom end among Noynoy Aquino, Manny Villar, and Erap Estrada, the Presidential Forums conducted by various organizations and media networks have introduced unto us a man who have clear visions and a man who knows the details of proper governance.

(famous Filipino author and National Artist F. Sionil Jose has a comprehensive interview of the man)

And so my question is: Why Not Gibo?


We go back to the old argument, that we do not want him because he is associated with Gloria.

Then my follow up question is: Why then, despite the fact that he would want to become the Admin's standard-bearer, do we like Bayani Fernando?


----------

I want to see a Philippines that is peaceful, has strong institutions of governance, has modern infrastructure, has food security, is technologically and educationally advanced, with a people who have the capacity to make rational decisions for themselves, true freedom of thought and of expression, a power in Southeast Asia and perhaps the Asia-Pacific, ecologically rich and diverse, in short a country where our people would want to remain. - Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro

Aquino Tops October 2009 Pulse Asia Survey

If elections were held today, 44% of Filipinos would elect Liberal Party's Standard Bearer Noynoy Aquino III as president of the Philippines. This is according to Pulse Asia's most recent poll on Presidential Preference. The nationwide survey was conducted on October 22 to 30, 2009.

Far second is Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party (19%). Third is Chiz Escodero (13%), and at fourth is Erap Estrada who got 11%.

Aquino, who, in the previous surveys was not included among the choices, suddenly rose to "stardom" after her mother, former president Cory Aquino, died of colon cancer. After what seems to be a sympathetic gesture coming from the people, Noynoy Aquino became an instant contender for the presidency.

Meanwhile, despite Chiz Escudero's risky resignation from the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) on October 2009, his rankings in the survey did not improve much.

Administration candidate Gibo Teodoro, however, maintained his standing at far below the list, with only 2%.

Edu Manzano Is Lakas VP Bet

It is time to dance The Papaya!

----------

DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno announced today that the Lakas-CMD-Kampi is fielding Actor Edu Manzano as its Vice Presidential Candidate for the 2010 National Elections. He is running alongside (Defense Secretary) Gilbert 'Gibo' Teodoro who is gunning for President.

Manzano, a former actor, has previously held public office as Vice Mayor of Makati City, and as Optical Media Board (OMB) Chairman. Aside from acting, he is also the host of the popular ABS-CBN network game show, Game KNB?, where the song and dance 'Papaya' has become a very big hit.

As of today, expected tandems for the coming elections will be:

Gibo Teodoro & Edu Manzano for Lakas-CMD-Kampi

Noynoy Aquino & Mar Roxas for Liberal Party

Erap Estrada & Jejomar Binay for PMP

Manny Villar (from the NP) is reportedly persuading NPC member Loren Legarda as his Vice Presidential candidate.

Manolo Quezon For Senator

The title will, of course, directly tell you what I am trying to say to anyone. I should have liked to entitle this as "A Few Good Men", however, I think it is more fitting these days to say directly what you mean to say.

Yes, I am one of those Filipinos who are urging Manolo Quezon III to run for Senator in the coming 2010 elections.


For those who are not in the know, Manolo actually comes from the lineage of the Philippine former president Manuel L. Quezon.

I got to know about Manolo whenever, as a child, our parents would turn on the TV and watch the news. By and by, Manolo Quezon would be a resource person as an analyst on Political and electoral issues.

Today, I am a regular visitor of his blog, The Long View, because that is where I gain exhaustive insights about Politics and Current Issues. But, perhaps one of the things that cut him above the others is how he puts his thoughts and analysis into action.

I am witness as to how he spearheaded a lot of efforts to help the victims of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. His twitter account provides a blow-by-blow account on how every single Filipino can do his share to help the victims of the calamity.

And so now, without any apprehension, I am calling, together with the others, for Manolo Quezon to run for Senator.

We have a Few Good Men who can spearhead change and improvement in the system.

Manolo Quezon, I daresay, is one of them.

Noynoy Aquino's Statement on September 9, 2009

I received an info today that Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III will be issuing his long-awaited Official Statement tomorrow at the Kalayaan Hall of Club Filipino at around 7:30 in the morning, September 9, 2009.

Noynoy is being asked by various groups to run for President in the 2010 elections. His name became popular right after her mother Cory's death earlier this August 2009.

Let's wait and see until tomorrow if he is up to the challenge.

Erap Leads SWS Latest Presidential Survey

Former President Joseph 'Erap' Estrada is back in the game.

After his ouster from office in 2001 due to allegations of plunder and corruption (see history here), the Filipino people must have forgotten the sins at all, and may have forgiven Erap, as he is now on top of the presidential surveys conducted by the Social Weather Station last June 2009.

Erap Estrada, who gathered about 21% of the approval ratings, is closely followed by Senator Manny Villar (19%), Senator Chiz Escudero (18%), and Vice President Noli De Castro (15%).

However, the Erap Camp must still have to wait for the final decision on whether he is still eligible to run on 2010.

++++++++++

Meanwhile, as Former President Estrada continues to increase his popularity, President Gloria Arroyo finds herself at the center of yet another series of controversies on her alleged dinner overspending in New York alongside her state visit with President Barack Obama in Washington.

OBAMAstruck

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's wish has finally come true. She is now in the US and have actually met US President Barack Obama.



Meanwhile, Senator Lito Lapid has self-confessed that he had personally asked President GMA to take him along for the meeting with President Obama at the White House.


“I hope I’d be lucky enough to be chosen among the five that would be allowed to accompany the President when she meets Obama"


“Kahit makunan lang ng litrato (Even just for a photograph),”







Senator Lapid's wish, however, did not come true, as the President has already named her official delegation which includes Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Speaker Prospero Nograles, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy Gaa and staffers Patricia Paez and Mei Ann Austria.

Passing The Torch on Tinig.Com

My V short story, Passing the Torch, is on Tinig.Com.


(first posted on over a cup of cofee)


Enjoy reading and gear up for the coming elections!


Reporter: Mayor, how do you answer the question raised by your constituents why you chose your son to be the head of the City Development Council?
(interpretation: Mayor, ano po ang masasabi ninyo sa tanong ng mga nasasakupan nyo kung bakit ang anak nyo na hindi naman government official ang pinili ninyong mamuno sa City Development Council?)

Mayor: You know, my son is very much capable to do the job. I believe in what he can do for the development of our beloved city.
(interpretation: Tinatanong pa ba yan? Last term ko na. Kailangan ngayon pa lang eh makilala na si Dyunyor at mabigyan nang mas maraming exposure. Tingin nyo ba aalis ako ng ganun-ganon na lang sa City Hall? Ano, bale?)

The Nicole-Smith Story

How should we put a headline to it?

The Love-Hate-Love Story
Laban o Bawi?
Oh, Ang Babae, Pag Umaayaw

Three (3) years after battling it out in court, controversial Subic rape victim 'Nicole' recants her testimony and now states that she doubts if Lance Corporal Daniel Smith really raped her on November 1, 2005.

In her latest statement, 'Nicole' states:

"With the amount of alcoholic mixed drinks I took, my low tolerance level for alcohol and with only a slice of pizza all night, it dawned upon me that I may have possibly lost my inhibitions, became so intimate with Daniel Smith and did more than just dancing and talking with him like everyone else on the dance floor,"

"My conscience continues to bother me realizing that I may have in fact been so friendly and intimate with Daniel Smith at the Neptune Club that he was led to believe that I was amenable to having sex or that we simply just got carried away,"


As expected, this latest development drew various reactions:

One lawyer who refused to be named, told ABS CBN news that this latest development in the rape case has all the indications that a deal has been reached between Smith and the victim and that the recantation could eventually lead to the dismissal of the case and Smith's acquittal.

Judge Benjamin Pozon, of the Makati Regional Trial Court, who issued the guilty verdict over Smith, stated that the recantation will not necessarily lead to Smith's acquittal.

Gabriela partylist Representative Liza Maza meanwhile says, "My sense is ‘Nicole’ is being made a scapegoat for the VFA".

'Nicole's mother stressed out that no one pressured and influenced 'Nicole's decision, but rather it was the decision of the family.

++++++++++
Whatever that is, we have once again seen a telenovela unfold in our very eyes.

Pulse Asia's Survey on the 2010 Elections

Pulse Asia releases its February 2009 Ulat ng Bayan survey for the 2010 elections.

To summarize, the survey states that if the elections were done on February, the following Presidentiables will make it to the top:

"Kabayan" Noli De Castro (19%)
"Chiz" Senator Francis Escudero (17%)
"Erap" Former President Joseph Estrada (16%)
"Mr. Sipag at Tiyaga" Senator Manny Villar (15%)

For the Senatoriables, the survey's top 5 are:

Jinggoy Estrada
Pia Cayetano
Mar Roxas
Miriam Santiago
Frank Drilon

While those who belong to the top 5 are old-timers in the senate, the survey also include "newcomers" in the list of can-be-senatoriables, including Edu Manzano, Korina Sanchez, Joe De Venecia, and Willie Revillame (yes, you've read it right. Willie is on rank 17-23).

Relative to this survey, I have previously posted a blog to give emphasis on the importance of funds, in other words, money, for the upcoming 2010 elections. As pointed out, since the Presidential Race seems tight and we don't expect a runaway winner, money and machinery will definitely play a big role for the winner.

Columnist Manolo Quezon, in his blog entry, In This Corner, provides a comprehensive analysis on this Pulse Asia February 2009 Survey. Manolo points out that while the Administration candidates are doing badly in the survey, the local allies will still play a big role in the final stretch. Which is true! So the Opposition could not yet stage a sound of victory at this moment. They have got to take care of their local allies.

To conclude, I would like to copy on The Professional Heckler's take on the Pulse Asia Survey:


"Vice President Noli De Castro topped the latest Pulse Asia survey with a 19 percent preference rating. He was followed by Sen. Francis Escudero, 17 percent, Joseph Estrada, 16 percent, Sen. Manuel Villar, 15 percent, Sen. Loren Legarda, 12 percent, Sen. Manuel Roxas II, 7 percent, and Sen. Panfilo Lacson, 6 percent. Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay got 2 percent while MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando got only one percent. The First Gentleman was luckier. He got five percent."


Heckler, you rock!

Pera At Pulitika

Napag-usapan na rin lang ang pera, umani ng batikos si Senator (and aspiring 2010 Presidential candidate) Manny Villar sa isang komento na binanggit niya sa isang interview. Sabi ni Villar:

"If you can't raise P1 billion, why even run?"

Reaksiyon naman ng ibang pulitiko (at aspiring presidentiables din):

Mar Roxas: people would elect the next president for the candidate’s platform of government and track record.

Chiz Escudero: it’s the people, and not money, that will elect a president.

Dick Gordon: "arrogant" statement.

In reality, tao pa rin ang pipili ng kanilang iboboto subalit kung iisipin, totoo namang malaking factor ang pera sa kandidatura. Sa nakaraang BARANGAY elections (emphasis sa salitang BARANGAY), may kilala akong nanalong kapitan na balitang gumastos ng humigit sa P500,000 para manalo. Kung sa isang maliit na yunit ng pamahalaan ay may mga taong handang gumastos ng ganoon kalaking halaga, hindi malayong kakailanganin nga talaga ng P1 bilyong piso para sa isang National campaign. In fact, sa airing time pa lang ng political campaign sa TV, gagastos ka na panigurado ng daang libong piso.

Ayon sa isang editoryal ng BusinessMirror,

While Villar’s remark may sound controversial, the reality is that finances will determine in large measure the outcome of next year’s election. In fact, Villar’s figure is the minimum amount required for a decent nationwide campaign, which is P2 billion to P3 billion, per Reuters’ estimate.

Those billions would go to building a nationwide political machinery up to the barangay level. Then the candidates would have to cover all the regions once the official campaign period starts next year. Campaign paraphernalia, such as streamers and handbills, as well as the all-important TV and radio ads, will substantially jack up the cost of running for the highest public office even more. And we’re not even talking of the money involved in surreptitious dagdag-bawas operations à la “Hello, Garci,” which the Commission on Elections (Comelec) swear will be a thing of the past—a situation fervently hoped for, but not necessarily believed.

Sa pinakahuling survey report na inilabas ng Pulse Asia, lumalabas na dikitan ang magiging labanan ng Presidential elections sa darating na 2010. Nangunguna sa survey si Noli De Castro (19%) at pumapangalawa naman si Chiz Escudero (17%). Muling lumitaw ang pangalan ni Erap Estrada (16%) sa pangatlong spot, habang pumang-apat naman si Manny Villar (15%). Kasunod naman sina Loren Legarda, Mar Roxas, Panfilo Lacson, Jejomar Binay at Bayani Fernando.

At dahil nga dikitan ang labanan, sinabi ng ilang political analysts na pinakamalaking magiging factor ang pera at ang pagkakaroon ng "wide and loyal" network.

Sa karanasan ng pulitikang pinoy, malayo pa ang lalakarin bago natin makita ang isang mas malinaw na scenario sa gaganaping halalan sa 2010. Marami pang pangalan ang magsusulputan, paniguradong mayroon pang magba back-out at tatakbo na lamang ng bise presidente o senador, magkakaroon pa ng lipatan portion/balimbingan portion sa mga partido, at makakakita pa tayo ng iba't ibang drama tungkol sa ating mga pulitiko.

Hindi maikakaila na malaki ang papel na gagampanan ng pera sa kandidatura ng mga pulitiko. Ngunit sa huli, ang boto pa rin ng taumbayan ang dapat na manaig. Sa gabay ng Panginoon, nawa ay mapili na nga natin ang tamang lider ng bansa.

In The News

1 pang talunang kandidato sa 2007 polls nabigyan ng pwesto


Tessie Aquino-Oreta becomes head of the Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCD).


Ngayon lang? Matagal nang hinihintay itong appointment na ito ah?

(Music Select: We're All In This Together ng High School Musical sabay sasalitan ng You Are The Dancing Queen.......)






Kongresistang pabor sa ‘Cha-cha’ marami na - Rep. Mikey Arroyo

Eh........ naka-Magkano na?

(Music Select: Money money money..... All the things I could do If I had a little money It's a rich man's world.....)

Ramos hits Arroyo no-show at EDSA

Tinatablan pa ba?

(Music Select: Hit Me Baby, One More Time!)

Glory Days of EDSA

For three days, men, women and children filled the streets of EDSA holding on frail hope. For those brief moments, they feared for their security, their lives, their future.

Rumors were spreading all over that the forces from the loyalists were coming in from the north to silence the cry of the people through bullets and shells. The prayers grew louder; anxiety filled the air.

From above, the citizens of Manila resembled ants swarming on the entire stretch of EDSA. Most of the streets were blockaded and trees were cut down to serve as makeshift anti-tank barricades. Curious civilians climbed the 25-ft. light posts to have a glimpse over the crowd. Along the curbs, women attended to the thirsty, hungry and the weary. Men stood vigilant and served as perimeter guards just in case loyalist troops decided to attack. Priests and nuns prayed and comforted people as they made their way through the population with rosaries at hand.

Tanks were on the other edge of EDSA, and the people had no hesitation to meet them with bare hands and prayers. Soldiers aboard the vehicles climbed out and were ordered to shoot. Most either shot in the air or were simply shocked at the amount of sacrifice ordinary people are willing to gamble. Tears rolled down their eyes as they were greeted with food and comfort from the rebels.

As Marcos proclaimed his presidency atop the balcony of the Malacañang, little did the remaining supporters realize that their would-be president was already arranging his plans for Hawaii.

This is the EDSA revolution – the peaceful cry for freedom.

(Narration credits: The EDSA Revolution Website)

********************

Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo

Apo Hiking Society

'Di na 'ko papayag mawala ka muli.

'Di na 'ko papayag na muli mabawi,

Ating kalayaan kay tagal natin mithi.

'Di na papayagang mabawi muli.

Magkakapit-bisig libo-libong tao.

Kay sarap palang maging Pilipino.

Sama-sama iisa ang adhikain.

Kelan man 'di na paalipin.

Ref:

Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo,

Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.

Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan

Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.

Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat.

Masdan ang nagaganap sa aming bayan.

Nagkasama ng mahirap at mayaman.

Kapit-bisig madre, pari, at sundalo.

Naging Langit itong bahagi ng mundo.

Huwag muling payagang umiral ang dilim.

Tinig ng bawat tao'y bigyan ng pansin.

Magkakapatid lahat sa Panginoon.

Ito'y lagi nating tatandaan.

(repeat refrain two times)

Coda:

Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.

Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan.

Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.

Basta't magkaisa tayong lahat!

********************

On that glorious year of 1986 in EDSA, the world witnessed the triumph of the Filipino.

Fast-forward to the present year, though, the country remained in its old self.

Or is it even worse?

********************

EDSA People Power proved the reality of God's words in 2 Chronicles 7:14:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

We have, as a nation, humbled and prayed and searched for God's face. We have exposed corruption and evil in the society, and God heard from heaven. He forgave the sins of the nation. He removed the kings and rulers and have set up new ones. And He healed the pains and gave us a brand new beginning for the Nation.

But somewhere along the way, we lost-track and returned to our old-self.

Can we blame God? By no means! There is no way we can say, 'God! You didn't help us. God! you were wrong in choosing our new rulers!' No way, we can say that.

We have asked forgiveness and healing, and restoration in the land. But seems that we have not totally turned to God and asked Him to 'totally' rule among us. But rather, after seeing God do the changes, we have stopped and let the new leaders reign over us. Men and women who hunger for money, power, and still more power have started to penetrate the leadership of our nation. And since then, as a nation, we have never really returned to God.

As I see the situation today, I believe that there is so much hunger and thrist for change. Such was in the days of Marcos and Ninoy. The people are ready. And God is always ready and willing to give us another brand new start- but we've got to pray and ask Him to install the righteous rulers of this land.

Moral Ascendency: Righteous leaders who fear and obey the word of God. This is what the people clamor for. Again, the people are ready. And God's eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:9).


May He finally install the right rulers.
May He finally bring back the glory days of EDSA.
May He finally bring glory to the Philippines.

Circus Politics

Dahil 2009 na at 15 months na lang eh eleksiyon na, kabi-kabila na rin ang balita kung sinu-sino ang tatakbo sa ganito at ganireng posisyon.






Lapid is reported to run again for Governor of Pampanga, his previous position before becoming a Senator.


Yun ang nakakainis dito sa pulitika ng ating bansa.


Dating governor ng Pampanga, tapos last election eh kumandidato naman sa Makati (opposite Mayor Jojo Binay), tapos ngayon, babalik na naman sa Pampanga?









Grace Poe to run for Senator.

Grace who? Grace Poe. Anak ni Fernando Poe.

Nakoe, wag na poe. Sayang ka poe.

Fernando Poe is not Grace Poe.

May idadagdag pa ba akoe? Wala na poe.

Retired and Active men in uniform push Danny Lim for Senator.

Pag nagkataon, dalawang Senador na ang hindi pwedeng um-attend sa Senado.

Ano nga ba nagawa ni Trillanes? Sabagay, iba naman si Trillanes kay Lim.

Pero ganun pa rin, eh. Kalaboso pa rin.









Congressman Joc joc Bolante?

Bolante is being groomed to be a member of the House of Representa-thieves.




It's where you belong,
It's the place where you belong,
It's where you, you, you,
It's where you belong!

100

This is my 100th post.

So I will try to create a countdown- some sort of 100 things na sa palagay ko eh nangyayari sa Pilipinas, o sikat sa Pilipinas sa pangkasalukuyang panahon (parang iniisip ko tuloy ngayon, sana ginawa ko ito noong pang-sampung post ko pa lang):

1. Si GMA pa rin ang Presidente ng Pilipinas, habang si FG naman ay patuloy na nasasangkot sa kung anu-anong katiwalian sa gobyerno. Hindi pa rin namamatay ang isyung Charter Change dahil hindi pa rin bumababa sa pwesto si Gloria.

2. Talamak ang graft and corruption. Maririnig mo ito sa radyo, makikita sa tv, mababasa sa diyaryo. Sa katunayan, parang manhid na nga yata ang tainga ng pinoy kaya't hindi na sila nagugulat kapag may mga balitang tungkol dito.

3. Ckat na ckat ang txtng. Naging txting cptal of d world p nga ang pnas eh. Buhay na buhay ang companies ng Smart, Globe at Sun Cellular. Word of mouth ang unlitxt, unlimited, e-load, autoload, pasa load at all calls. Naglipat-bakod na rin mula sa Globe papunta sa Sun si Aga Muhlach.

4. GMA at ABS CBN pa rin ang top television networks. Pero hindi mo malaman kung sino talaga ang number one dahil pareho silang nagsasabing sila ang Number 1.

5. Bumalik na sa bansa si Jocjoc Bolante matapos ang ilang taong pamamalagi sa US. Kasalukuyang dinidinig ang kaso ng Fertilizer Scam habang tila natabunan na naman ang kaso ng NBN Deal (asan na si Jun Lozada?), Euro Generals (mababa na ang euro kaya tahimik na rin), at ang Road to Nowhere Scam (nowhere na, hindi na kasi Senate President si Villar).

6. Madalas magkasakit si FG Mike Arroyo; lalo na kapag pinatatawag siya ng Senado.

7. Naghiwalay na si Dingdong at si Karylle at ang itinuturong dahilan-si Marimar; ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Tadyang ni Fredo (Ayan, nagkagulu-gulo na).

8. Sikat na sikat ang balitang recession sa US. Pero mas sikat si Obama. Katunayan, balitang-balita kung paanong hinabol ni GMA si Obama sa lahat ng pagkakataon para lang makapagpa piktyur.

9. Laya na si Erap. Mahal na naman siya ng masa despite of his corruption and plunder charges. Erap for President in 2010?

10. Speaking of 2010, nag-umpisa na ang kampanyahan ng mga Pulitiko sa tv, sa radio, sa internet, at sa diyaryo.

11. Traffic sa may North Avenue hanggang sa Balintawak. Pero ok lang dahil improvement naman ito. Ginagawa na kasi yung extension ng MRT papunta sa LRT.

12. Grabe ang pila sa lotto nitong mga nagdaang araw. Paano, umabot yata sa more than 300 Million ang winnings sa 6/49. Hindi ako tumama. Hindi naman kasi ako tumataya.

13. Nararamdaman na ang effect nang recession sa US. May mga companies kasi na nag lay off at nagsara dito sa Pilipinas. Lay off ang Intel; Umalis na ang Fedex; balitang may mga susunod pa.

14. Nakabukas na ang SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway). Mabuting balita ito sa mga bumibyahe patungonng North Luzon dahil malaki ang natitipid na oras (at gasolina).

15. Speaking of Gas, bumaba na naman daw ng 1php ang presyo ng diesel. At kaninang umaga ay bumalik na sa 7php ang minimum fare sa jeepney.

16. Marami pa ring Pinoy ang pumupunta sa Dubai. Pero medyo malungkot dahil may epekto rin ang recession doon.

17. Nakakasawa na ang telenovela at koreanovela sa GMA at sa ABS CBN.

18. Patay na si Rustom Padilla. Nagbagong anyo at nagbagong pangalan na siya dahil siya na daw si Bebe Gandanghari.

19. Sikat na sikat si Pacquiao sa buong mundo. Natalo na kasi niya last year si Oscar Dela Hoya; at kasalukuyang pinaghahandaan ang laban nila ni Ricky Hatton sa May 2009.

20. Inumpisahan na ang Random Drug Testing sa mga Secondary at Tertiary Schools. Nahuli kasi ng PDEA ang Alabang Boys na gumagamit ng Drugs. "Social Users" lang daw sila. Wow, men!

21. Tumaas ang presyo ng LPG. Naisalang sa hotseat si Sec. Angie Reyes dahil dito. Pero wala rin yatang nangyari sa investigation.

22. Sumikat na naman ang Pinas sa buong mundo dahil sa nag-issue ang World Bank ng mga lists of Philippine Companies na banned sa kanila on issue of corruption.

23. Speaking of Corrupt companies, nagtatalak na naman sa Senado si Miriam Santiago. Siya kasi ang Head investigator sa issue.

24. Nagkaroon ng Cancer si Cory Aquino. Pero lumalabas pa rin siya paminsan-minsan lalo na kapag may rally ang opposition.

25. Sikat si Charisse, Si Arnel Padilla at yung chef sa White House na hindi ko alam ang pangalan. Kahit paano, may positibo pa ring impact ang Pinoy sa ibang bansa.

26. Uso ang blogging. Madaling medium kasi ito para maipahayag ang gusto mong sabihin (kahit na wala naman talagang bumabasa sa blog mo).

27. Talamak na rin ang iba't ibang social sites katulad ng Friendster, Multipy, etc.

28. Marami ring Franchise international shows ang sumisikat sa bansa. May local adoptation na tayo ng Survivor, Big Brother, Family Feud, 1 vs 100, Deal or No Deal, Philippine Idol, Kakasa ka ba sa Grade Five, etc. Pero nakakainis dahil pinapasukan ng text votes galing sa televiewers. Nakakainis, as in.

29. Mababa pa rin ang sweldo. Mataas pa rin ang tax.

30. Dumadami na naman ang government projects sa kalsada. Malapit na naman kasi ang eleksiyon.

31. Talamak ang drugs. At kung minsan, yung mga pulis na dapat nagsasawata sa users, sila ang nahuhuling bumabatak. IMBESTIGADOR!!! Hindi namin kayo tatantanannnnnnnnn!!!

32. Nagreunion ang Iskul Bukol. Napiyansahan si Richie D Horsie, (medyo) bastos pa rin daw si Joey, at Lalake na si Tonette Macho.

33. Bihira na ang pumapatok na Pelikulang Pinoy. Kung meron mang mga pinipilahang pelikula, malamang Hollywood-made.

34. Patok ang Twilight na libro na isinapelikula. Mas maganda raw ito sa Harry Potter dahil ang Twilight daw, 'May Kilig'.

35. Wala nang Magpakailanman si Mel Tianco. Pero surviving on air pa rin ang Maala ala Mo Kaya ni Charo Santos.

36. Nag-reunion ang Eraserheads pero di natapos dahil isinugod sa ospital si Ely.

37. Lilipat daw si Diether sa Siyete. Pero nag-stay sa Dos. Pero lilipat daw. Pero andun pa rin sa Dos......

38. Puro mukha nina Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Richard Guttierez at Angel Locsin ang makikita mo sa commercials.

39. Inirereklamo pa rin ang Globe at Smart dahil nababawasan ang Load mo nang hindi ka naman gumagamit ng telepono.

40. Marami kang makikitang kabataang may nakatakip na mahabang buhok sa mga mata. Emo!

41. Out na ang mga english-speaking DJs. Mas sikat ang mga balahurang magsalita at mahilig magpatawa. Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan?

42. Sikat pa rin si Bob Ong. Pero halatang mahirap na ang buhay dahil pinatos na rin niya ang pagtitinda ng mga t-shirts (Peace, bossing!).

43. Madalas pa rin ang rally sa may Quezon City Circle partikular sa may Department of Agriculture. Doon na nga yata nakatira ang mga rallyists.

44. Lahat nang telenovela at sitcom ay may cast na bakla o tomboy.

45. Kaaway pa rin ng MMDA ang mga Sidewalk Vendors. Kaaway pa rin ni BF si Binay. Pero gustong gusto naman siya ng mga text voters sa Celebrity Duet.

46. Nakabalik na sa posisyon sa gobyerno ang mga talunang Senador. Nakaupo na ulit sa pwesto si Pichay, si Recto, si Sotto.

47. Bukas na ang UP Ayala Technohub sa Commonwealth Avenue. Maraming kainan, maraming opisina, maraming may trabaho.

48. Sikat ang mga maliliit na motorsiklo katulad ng XRM. Pero araw-araw din ay kung ilang tao ang naaaksidente sa motor.

49. Marami na namang nadagdag na Board Passers na Nurse. Marami na namang gagradweyt nang nursing sa March/April. Marami na namang mag a abroad.

50. Tumataas ang matrikula. Magastos magpaaral nang anak. Katunayan, ang ibang pre-schools, hindi bumababa sa treinta mil ang tuition fee.

51. Ateneo-La Salle pa rin ang hot stuffs sa UAAP.

52. Boljak pa rin sa Gold Medal ang Pinas sa Olympics.

53. Kung mahaba ang pila sa lotto, wala yan sa haba ng pila sa DFA, NBI at SSS.

54. Tataas na naman daw ang presyo ng bigas. Wag naman sana.

55. Sikat sila Among Ed, Gov. Grace Padaca at Sonia Lorenzo. Magaling daw kasi sila; kaya baka raw tumakbo silang Senador.

56. Nakakatamad nang manood nang PBA. Puro Fil-am na kasi ang makikita mo. Di mo na malaman ang tunay na pinoy at tunay na peke.

57. Uso ang Pirated DVDs. Di hamak na mura kasi kaysa sa manonood ka sa sine. Malinaw naman, lalo na yung Blue Ray (Ooops, di pala ako bumibili noon. Ano ba yung Blue Ray?).

58. Lumilipat ang mga taga-dos sa Siyete. Lumilipat ang mga taga-siyete sa Dos. Habang yung ibang laos na ayaw lumipat, nagtitiyaga sa Channel 5 at Channel 11.

59. Sikat pa rin at may following pa rin sila Manalo, Villanueva, Quibuloy, at Velarde.

60. Maraming kabataan ngayon ang may English Accent at mga twang ang dila. Sila yung mga sikat na sikat na CSRs sa mga Call Centers.

61. Kung saan may Call Centers, malamang may Starbucks na malapit.

62. Speaking of Coffee Shops, parang kabuteng nagsusulputan ang Starbucks, Figaro, Seattle's Best, BO's Coffee, etc sa mga malls at sa mga Business Offices.

63. Traffic pa rin lalo na sa Umaga. At sa Tanghali. At sa Gabi. Masarap bumiyahe sa madaling araw para iwas traffic. Pero takaw-aksidente.

64. Hindi na mahirap mag-apply ng Credit Card. Kadalasan, sila pa ang nag o-offer sa'yo.

65. Nag-evolve na rin ang style ng mga sales agents sa mall. Yung mga tipong Family First? Sila yung mga maririnig mong nagsasabi nang 'Ma'am, may Credit Card?', o di kaya ay 'Uy! Color of the Day!' Sabay banggit sa kulay ng damit mo.

66. Lumalakas ang Sales ng Jollibee habang bumababa ang benta ng Mcdo.

67. Top hits pa rin sa Internet ang mga Sex Video Scandal ni ganito at ni ganoon. Meron ka na bang kopya nung kay Hayden at nung kay Katrina?

68. Lalong nagiging magkamukha si Igan at si Arn-arn. Pero tinalo sila ni Mike at Mang Enriquez.

69. Matapos masangkot sa Ultra Stampede, namayagpag na muli si Pappy Willie.

70. Kakandidato raw ulit si Manny Pacquiao?

71. Dumadami ang bilang ng mga kabataang nagyoyosi, nagda drugs, at nabubuntis.

72. Hindi pa nagpapahayag na tatakbo si Loren, si Chiz, si Noli, si Mar. Pero panay naman ang pangangampanya nila.

73. Hate nila dati si JDV. Pero ngayon love na nila. Ganoon lang naman talaga sa Pulitika.

74. Health conscious na ang mga Pinoy. Kaya nga nauso ang Vegetable Salad, Green Tea, Liveraide, Circulan, Arthro at Viagra. Hindi yata kasali yung huli.

75. PSP, Ipod, CP, Mac, Laptop, HP, Wii, mp3, mp4, 3G. Techie Generation ang mga bata ngayon. Pati matatanda.

76. Mahirap i-determine kung sino sa mga lider ang tapat na maglingkod at walang masamang intensiyon sa bansa.

77. Inamin na rin daw ni Iggy na siya at ang Alabang Boys ay iisa. Huh?

78. Alive and kicking with comments pa rin siraul gonsalez.

79. Si Ramos pa rin daw ang totoong presidente. Ha? What's that again?

80. Open for Business na ang NAIA Terminal 3. Sa Wakas!

81. Maraming corrupt. At yung mga kakaunting malinis, kadalasan, nagiging corrupt. Pero meron pa ring mga malilinis.

82. Kung uso ang lipat-bakod sa pulitika at sa showbiz, mapapansing kumokonti na rin ang bilang ng mga nasa 'tradisyunal na relihiyon'. Kaya nga nag-emerge na at common term na ang mga 'Christians, Fellowships, Bible Studies, Small Groups'. Hindi mo masisisi ang mga tao. Natural, maghahanap sila nang kongregasyon na may personal at malalim na relasyon sa Diyos. At kung hindi magbabago nang technique ang mga 'traditional groups', malamang maubusan sila ng miyembro.

83. Uso pa rin ang mga kantang may 'double meaning'. Pero nabawasan na rin ang mga tumatangkilik sa mga bold shows o mga palabas na may temang gusto lang magpakita ng kaloob-looban para kumita ang palabas.

84. Hit na hit ang mga Spa at mga Wellness Centers.

85. Wala ring tigil ang pagtatayo ng mga SM Malls. At kung may SM, malamang may katapat na Robinson's.

86. Bawal nang mag-advertise ang mga sigarilyo. Pero nakaaalarmang dumadami at pabata ng pabata ang gumagamit nito.

87. Kung anu-ano nang sakit ang nadiskubre. Kadalasan, sinisisi nila ang mga Instant Noodles at chichirya.

88. Marami pa ring napuputukan kapag Bagong Taon. Ang mas malungkot, kahit hindi bagong taon, may mga sumasabog na pabrika ng paputok.

89. Bati na si Kuya Germs at si Billy Joe.

90. Nalaman ng bayan na nagmumura pala si Mar Roxas. Malutong pa!

91. In addition to tukneneng, naka-balandra na rin sa bawat kanto ang mga nagtitinda ng calamares.

92. US-made ba ang damit mo? Baka naman UK? O Ukay?

93. Matatandaang sumikat si Miguel Zubiri noong 2008 dahil nag-agawan sila sa ika-huling pwesto ni Koko Pimentel. Pero ngayon, asan na nga pala si Zubiri? Teka. Sino nga pala si Zubiri?

94. Nakakulong pa rin si Senador Trillanes. Pero sa isinumiteng summary of expenses, isa siya sa pinakamalaki ang nagastos sa Transportation. Eh paanong nakapagbiyahe kung nakakulong?

95. Regular na tanawin na ang rally. Kung naiintindihan nang lahat ng naroon ang pinaglalaban nila, yun ang hindi ko alam.

96. Namimigay din naman ng mga maliliit na tulong pinansiyal ang gobyerno. Murang bigas, mababang presyo nang ganoon, exemption sa ganito, subsidy sa ganyan. Pero nalulutas nga ba ang problema ng bansa?

97. Hanggang ngayon, isyu pa rin sa pagitan ng simbahan, gobyerno, civic groups ang paggamit ng contraceptives. Habang hindi ito inaayos, patuloy na lumalaki ang populasyon ng Pilipinas.

98. Kahit may mga operasyon ang pulisya laban sa prostitusyon, nakalulungkot malaman na marami pa ring tambay na babae sa mga footbridge ng mmda sa cubao, sa pasay, sa malate, sa quezon avenue.

99. Dagdag pa sa mga nabanggit sa itaas, tambak pa rin ang basura sa ilog at sa mga kanto. Maitim pa rin ang usok ng mga bus sa EDSA. Marami pa ring banggaan, insidente ng karahasan, kidnapping, carnapping, pamomolestiya sa mga menor de edad.

100. Pero sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, nananatiling nakatayo ang Pilipino. Hindi pa rin nawawalan ng pag-asa sapagkat alam niyang darating din ang tamang panahon kung saan muling ibabalik ng Diyos ang katarungan at moralidad sa bayang Pilipinas. May pag-asa pang naghihintay sa Pilipinas.

EDSA 1 2009 Holiday

Malacañang announced February 23, 2009 a holiday for STUDENTS (only) to celebrate EDSA 1.

This was made through Proclamation 1728 signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

Just wondering why the Proclamation limits the holiday only to students. When in fact, baka ang mga estudyante ngayon eh hindi pa nabubuhay noong panahon ng EDSA 1 (1986).

Anyway, I just thought that maybe History books should now include to teach students about EDSA 1, EDSA 2, EDSA 3. I'm just not sure if these are already included. But these should be. We do not want the young to neglect Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, however, they also need to know and learn from Marcos, Ninoy, even Cory, Erap, etc.

Good News, VERY Bad News

Good News, VERY Bad News

Good News!

The government is eyeing another 50 centavo fare reduction in public transport, particularly jeepneys and buses.

The complete story >>>here

Sana nga eh bumaba na ulit ang pamasahe at maging 7php na lang ang minimum.

Malaking tulong ito lalo na sa mga estudyante at sa mga manggagawa.

Kahit papaano, mababawasan ang budget na kailangan nilang i-allot para sa pamasahe. Kung may .50 cents na maibabawas sa isang minimum na pasahe, ibig sabihin, at least eh 1php ang matitipid kada araw. 5 php kada linggo.

Aba! Sabi nga nung ka-board mate ko dati, 'Eh kahit magtutuwad ka buong maghapon, mahihirapan kang makapulot ng limang piso!'

Thumbs up ako diyan para sa LTFRB.

VERY Bad News!

Despite his negative reputation in Metro Manila, former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante is being pushed to run for congressman in his home province in 2010.

The complete story >>>here

Aba'y naku naman. Jocjocjoc ba 'yan?!!!

Pinapataas ang alta-presyon ko. Baka mapasugod ako sa St. Luke's niyan. Ay, wag pala sa St. Luke's, baka andun si Jocjoc.

Bakit tatakbo? Para may immunity sa kaso? Atsaka naman, kapag nanalo yan, eh ano pa ba'ng ini-expect mong mangyayari sa Pork Barrel niyan?

VERY Thumbs Down ako sa kung sinuman ang nakaisip nitong ideya na ito.

Excuse Letter

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo has once again 'excused' himself from going to the Senate hearing concerning another controversy linking him to an 'anomalous' construction company, the E.C. de Luna Construction Corporation, blacklisted by the World Bank due to corruption charges.




Whether he is fit to testify in the senate on Thursday (Feb 12) will be determined by his doctors at the St. Luke's Medical Center where he is undergoing a regular check-up.





FG's spokesperson says FG Mike is physically stable and well enough to play golf; but the latest news on early Thursday morning states that he would not come to the Senate to testify but instead send his lawyer Ruy Rondain to represent him (dahil baka nga naman mapagod).

Pero malay naman natin, baka mamaya, gulatin tayo at biglang sumipot din si FG sa Senate Inquiry. We never know, sabi nga eh, life's full of surprises.

Or; bigla-bigla, baka ang mangyari eh, 'Oo, totoong me koneksiyon si E.C. de Luna, pero hindi si FG, kundi si Jose Pidal, este, si Iggy.

Lalo nang gumulo.