They Made the Difference

Two thumbs up for this local community in Pangasinan!!!

I came accross this article in the Phil. Daily Inquirer, and I believe I need to repost this one to as many sites possible so people who can read this will be encouraged as to how these local folks in Pangasinan made the difference and did a worthwhile project for the community.

+++++++++
Alaminos folk pool resources to raise ‘bright kids’
By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes

ALAMINOS CITY – It is said that it takes a community to raise a child. In the western Pangasinan city of Alaminos, the community, local government and the Department of Education have been pooling their resources to raise “bright children.”

The city launched the “Bright Child” program three years ago after local educators found out that the performance of the city’s elementary and high school students in the National Achievement Test (NAT) was, to say the least, dismal.

The scenario then: Students performed poorly in Mathematics, English and Science in the NAT; workbooks and reference materials in local schools were inadequate; there was lack of specialized instructional rooms; and the high dropout rate was a problem.There was also a high malnutrition rate among pre-school and elementary students, shortage of day care centers, lack of sports facilities and lack of in-depth knowledge on the city’s history and culture.

Renato Viray, city schools superintendent, says that in the 2004 Grade 6 NAT, the division placed last among 13 divisions in the Ilocos region and 185th among 188 divisions in the country. The dropout rate for both elementary and high schools was also high, he says.

“There was a big need for interventions for the children’s performance to improve,” Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza says.

This situation moved the community to implement the Bright Child program to address the needs of the children and to develop their potentials by providing them comfortable and quality education and better health and nutrition.

Braganza says DepEd on its own cannot develop a “bright child.”

“The support of the entire community, the local government and the parents will determine the future of a child,” he says.

Three years later, the joint efforts have started to show results.

During a recent education summit in the city, Viray reported that the division was “making strides in improving the achievement level of pupils.”

In the 2007 NAT, the division ranked 6th and 8th in the elementary and secondary levels, respectively, in the Ilocos region.
++++++++++

When most of the people have been cursing and showing off their grievances against the government, these people made the big difference.

Made for the Province (Or the City?)

Metro- A City of Gold and Opportunities

Again this is an issue of "City is where the gold is" mentality, where most of the people in the province are making out of their way just to be and live in the City.

It's always a wonder for me why the people in the province keep coming to the Metro to try their fate without any assurance of what life awaits them in the city.

Here, it is very common to see so many families living in as squatters in neglected government and even private lots, under the bridge, or along the highways. Most can also attest to the many children polishing our shoes with dirty rags inside the jeepneys, then ask for money.

Too bad that later on, the people who thought that the Metro is a City full of gold and opportunities find out that the living in the City is not always that good after all.





There are those who are made for the Province

We can feel the strong breeze of the wind as we trail to our cousin's ricefield on that one stormy day of May.

Now as i said earlier, PAGASA has detected a storm coming into the Philippines (and on the forecast, they are correct! wonder why later on, they have this forecast problem case with Sulpicio Lines on the sinking of MV Princess of the Stars).

We made a stop in front of that lonely house in the middle of the fields.

This is were the farmers are supposed to rest, eat, place their tools, and sleep if needed while they are taking care of the fields. - no television, no air conditioners, nothing of that high-tech equipments and gadgets that are supposed to bring ease to our lives.

Now, the harvest season has just gone by and so you wouldn't be seeing any riceplants in the fields.

Apparently, our companion informed us that they have just planted the "punla" or the seedlings and they are waiting for the time wherein they can transfer the seedlings in the ricefields.

The simplicity of life in the province. How people have become tired of this seemingly monotomous life and dare themselves migrate in the City where uncertainty of life awaits them.

As far as the eyes can see

"Look on as far as you can. Explore your eyes on the vast fields and as far as your eyes can see, they are mine"

The field averages to more than Xthousand cavans of palay in one harvest season. And with the price of rice going wild up over these past days, who wouldn't be ignoring the facts?

They started with little and with simple lifestyle. But they chose to stay in the Province and found what the others have failed to see- Success.

It is not where you are that determines your sucess in life. It is being to where God has destined you to be.

If God has designed you to be in the City or be in the Province-there you will succeed.

That is your destiny.

That is your inheritance.

Manny Pacquiao the Unstoppable

Pinoy Pride

Our very own Pinoy pride Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao made another history as he becomes the first Asian to hold four world titles in four weight classes on Sunday, June 29, 2008, after stopping David Diaz on the 9th round of their WBC Lightweight Title Match at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Not only that- he proved to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world-an honor well deserved by the Pacman.

"I didn't see it coming"



Manny Pacquiao is simply amazing as he outclassed David Diaz starting from Round 2 until Diaz is hurled down the canvass via Pacquiao's enormous hand speed on Round 9. As Diaz puts it, "I didn't see it coming".

One for the Flag

(Almost) zero crime rate during the fight.

An increased income for the Mall Owners who offered the fight via satellite.

High ratings for the media outfit/s who had telecast rights.

A happy Chavit in the pictures.

A hefty $3 Million Dollars for in the bag for Pacman.

Another $xxx more for him on Pay-per-view.

Above all, the Philippine Flag rose again in triumph at the sight of the Nation's pride Manny Pacquiao winning the crown.

Chicken and Coffee

Going Crazy (Loco) over Chicken?

For those who are out to find what Mexican chicken tastes like, El Pollo Loco is a must-try. The restaurant specializes with roasted chicken but the dine experience wouldn't be complete without having to taste the Pita (a round, flat, Middle Eastern bread that is often filled with meat, peppers, etc, to make a sandwich).

Instead of the usual gravy, they have this "tomato paste dip" that goes well with the Roasted Chicken.

Too bad I didn't have the time to take pictures at the other offers, well, anyway, I suppose with the two pictures above, one would not have the difficulty of imagining the meal-so-heavy.

BO's Coffee

Once in a while, we just have to get out of that "starbucks mentality" and try other options. Now, i find this a "better option". Why?

Well, it's for you to find out.....

Kaleidoscope World-Talk about Racial Discrimination

Came accross this poem sometime in 2007 via sms message from a friend

When I born, I black.

When I grow up, I black.

When I go in sun, I black.

When I cold, I black.

When I scared, I black.

When I sick, I black.

And when I die, I still black.

You white folks...

When you born, you pink.

When you grow up, you white.

When you go in sun, you red.

When you cold, you blue.

When you scared, you yellow.

When you sick, you green.

When you bruised, you purple.

And when you die, you gray.

And now you calling me COLORED?

An Other Side of Racial Discrimination

Well, I don't know. But sometimes we, Filipinos, are the ones who give very special preferential treatments to foreigners.

Be it in the stores, restaurants, etc., pinoy sellers/vendors tend to prefer talking and doing business to foreigners other than their "kapwa-pinoys".

Ewan lang kung bakit.

Baka dahil sa tip?

O baka naman kasi ang mga pinoy eh, barat?

Sabi naman ni Francis M sa kantang Kaleidoscope World:

So many faces, so many races

Different voices, different choices

Some are mad, while others laugh

Some live alone with no better half

Others grieve while others curse

And others mourn behind a big black hearse

Some are pure and some half-bred

Some are sober and some are wasted

Some are rich because of fate and

Some are poor with no food on their plate

Some stand out while others blend

Some are fat and stout while some are thin

Some are friends and some are foes

Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue

Is represented by me and you

Take a slide in the slope

Take a look in the kaleidoscope

Spinnin' round, make it twirl

In this kaleidoscope world

Some are great and some are few

Others lie while some tell the truth

Some say poems and some do sing

Others sing through their guitar strings

Some know it all while some act dumb

Let the bassline strum to the bang of the drum

Some can swim while some will sink

And some will find their minds and think

Others walk while others run

You can't talk peace and have a gun

Some are hurt and start to cry

Don't ask me how don't ask me why

Some are friends and some are foes

Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue

Is represented by me and you

Take a slide in the slope

Take a look in the kaleidoscope

Spinnin' round, make it twirl

In this kaleidoscope world

Tagubilin at Habilin ni Jose "Pete" Lacaba

Sa dami ng tulang nabasa, sa dami ng talatang napakinggan, hindi maiiwasang manghusga kapag makabasa ka at makakita nang bagong komposisyon.

Malimit, kinatatamaran nang mga katulad kong mapagmasid sa lalim ng pananalita ang magbasa ng mga komposisyong sobrang haba.

Hindi ko lubusang kilala si Pete Lacaba. Naririnig ko lang ang ganyang pangalan kapag napag uusapan ang EDSA at ang historyang bumabalat sa panahon ng Martial Law.

Hindi ko sya lubusang kilala. Subalit aaminin kong ang tulang ito ay nagbigay nang mga panibagong rebelasyon nang aking pagiging Pilipino.

Mabuhay ka, Ka Pete, at Mabuhay ang Pinoy!

TAGUBILIN AT HABILIN
Ni Jose F. Lacaba

Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kongTagubilin at habilin:
Mabuhay ka!

Sa edad kong ito, marami akong maibibigay na payo.
Mayaman ako sa payo.

Maghugas ka ng kamay bago kumain.
Maghugas ka ng kamay pagkatapos kumain.
Pero huwag kang maghuhugas ng kamay para lang makaiwas sa sisi.
Huwag kang maghuhugas ng kamay kung may inaapi
Na kaya mong tulungan.

Paupuin sa bus ang matatanda at ang mga may kalong na sanggol.
Magpasalamat sa nagmamagandang-loob.
Matuto sa karanasan ng matatanda
Pero huwag magpatali sa kaisipang makaluma.

Huwag piliting matulog kung ayaw kang dalawin ng antok.
Huwag pag-aksayahan ng panahon ang walang utang na loob.
Huwag makipagtalo sa bobo at baka ka mapagkamalang bobo.
Huwag bubulong-bulong sa mga panahong kailangang sumigaw.

Huwag kang manalig sa bulung-bulungan.
Huwag kang papatay-patay sa ilalim ng pabitin.
Huwag kang tutulog-tulog sa pansitan.

Umawit ka kung nag-iisa sa banyo.
Umawit ka sa piling ng barkada.
Umawit ka kung nalulungkot.
Umawit ka kung masaya.

Ingat lang.

Huwag kang aawit ng “My Way” sa videoke bar at baka ka mabaril.
Huwag kang magsindi ng sigarilyo sa gasolinahan.
Dahan-dahan sa matatarik na landas.
Dahan-dahan sa malulubak na daan.

Higit sa lahat, inuulit ko:

Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kongTagubilin at habilin:
Mabuhay ka!

Maraming bagay sa mundo na nakakadismaya.
Mabuhay ka.
Maraming problema ang mundo na wala na yatang lunas.
Mabuhay ka.

Sa hirap ng panahon, sa harap ng kabiguan,
Kung minsan ay gusto mo nang mamatay.
Gusto mong maglaslas ng pulso kung sawi sa pag-ibig.
Gusto mong uminom ng lason kung wala nang makain.
Gusto mong magbigti kung napakabigat ng mga pasanin.
Gusto mong pasabugin ang bungo mo kung maraming gumugulo sa utak.

Huwag kang patatalo.

Huwag kang susuko.
Narinig mo ang sinasabi ng awitin:“Gising at magbangon sa pagkagupiling,
Sa pagkakatulog na lubhang mahimbing.”
Gumising ka kung hinaharana ka ng pag-ibig.
Bumangon ka kung nananawagan ang kapuspalad.

Ang sabi ng iba: “Ang matapang ay walang-takot lumaban.”
Ang sabi ko naman: Ang tunay na matapang ay lumalaban
Kahit natatakot.

Lumaban ka kung inginungodngod ang nguso mo sa putik.
Bumalikwas ka kung tinatapak-tapakan ka.
Buong-tapang mong ipaglaban ang iyong mga prinsipyo
Kahit hindi ka sigurado na agad-agad kang mananalo.

Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kongTagubilin at habilin:
Mabuhay ka!

Pinoy: Be Proud! Bee Happy!

"The bee is a symbol of diligence and teamwork," Tony Tan Caktiong, president and CEO of Jollibee Foods Corporation explains. "The bee buzzes around the beehive, working in perfect harmony with others in the colony."



He added "jolly" because he believes that people should enjoy what they are doing while they are working hard at it. Thus, Jollibee was born and Jollibee Foods Corporation was incorporated in 1978 with seven outlets



[The complete story: http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/archives/magazine/vol11-2004/11-9/cover.htm]

From Ice cream to Burger to Chicken and now... to the rest of the world. The "bee" story indeed should make all Filipinos proud of themselves.

Much have been said about how International player Mcdo went far second placer here in the Philippine Market. Now as analysts have started to view that Jollibee could not grow more in terms of putting up new stores, Jollibee Foods Corporation has started buying other companies, thereby, continuously gaining stronger hold of the Domestic Food Market. Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Delifrance are some of those already operated by Jollibee.

Now, with other companies acquired in other countries, Jollibee recently acquired 70 percent of Taiwanese restaurant chain Lao Dong for 61.1 million pesos.

Indeed, the Bee has reasons to bee happy!