Category Archives: Philippine Regions

Men In Red

Jaywalking is habitual and usual activities of people crossing the streets anywhere in the world but it is also the most cause of vehicular accident in the streets which a normal stationary or immobile traffic signs cannot mobilize or done.

And this jaywalking related incident is high in number in the Philippines, particularly on or within Metro Manila areas where most population of the Philippines has large contributions. Thus, the traffic management system within the Metropolitan areas made a plan to decrease the number of accidents related to jaywalking or jaywalking accidents.

This traffic management system of Metro Manila or this traffic management system that supervise the traffic system within Metro Manila areas has or have done many traffic plans and traffic control system schemes, now they have created on invented a new way or new scheme to control those people who jaywalk.

Last Tuesday or June 5,2012,the The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) deployed its Anti-Jaywalking Unit or so-called “Men in Red” to enforce and strictly implement their campaign against jaywalking within Metro Manila particularly on the following areas : EDSA-Ortigas, EDSA-Balintawak, Pasay-Taft, Monumento in Caloocan City and Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City.

The Anti-Jaywalking Unit Team are men dressed on red polo shirt and cap and with holding placards written, “Bawal Tumawid” and “No Jaywalking”

“..At least 97 men clad in red polo shirt and cap with signages “Bawal Tumawid” and “No Jaywalking” were deployed in the following areas: EDSA-Ortigas, EDSA-Balintawak, Pasay-Taft, Monumento in Caloocan City and Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City…”

Those anyone caught by these Men in Red will be fine with P200 pesos, as of its enforcement there are already number of Jaywalkers caught by the Men in Red.

“..As of 10 a.m., the MMDA’s Men in Red already caught 52 jaywalkers in EDSA-Ortigas and in Litex, Barangay Commonwealth. Jaywalkers will pay P200 fine…the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday apprehended 64 jaywalkers, bringing to 228 the number of violators nabbed in the first two days of the campaign against jaywalking.

According to the MMDA, 13 jaywalkers were rounded up and given pedestrian violation receipts (PVRs) along Ortigas Avenue; 17 in Taft Avenue, Manila; seven in Litex Road, in Quezon City; nine near the Manila Central University in Caloocan City; and five at the Balintawak area….”

“…At least 114 jaywalkers in Metro Manila were accosted in the first few hours of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s anti-jaywalking drive….”

However, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA),the children and elderly, as well as those who are physically infirm or have physical and mental disabilities are exempted to this Anti-Jaywalking Unit Team or exempted to be fine but not on caught because if Men in Red or Anti-Jaywalking Unit Team let them pass of course they will be hit by running vehicles on the road.

“..But Tolentino also said that while persons with disabilities, the elderly and minors will not be fined, they will not be exempt from “lectures” against jaywalking….”

“’Yung menor de edad at persons with disabilities at senior citizens, hindi natin sila pagmumultahin. May batas na exempted sila sa liability. Pero bawal sila tumawid; lelecture-an sila. Ang ‘di makabayad may disaster training,”

“…The report said the MMDA “Men in Red” also reminded the elderly pedestrians to seek MMDA personnel’s assistance to cross the footbridge….”

“…But the report said the MMDA was relatively lenient on senior citizens who did not want to use the footbridges.

Earlier, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the elderly and people with disabilities will not be fined but will be subject to a lecture against jaywalking…”

Those who are caught Jaywalking or caught violating the Anti-Jaywalking campaign or Anti-Jaywalking drive of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) who cannot pay the fine of P200 pesos will be put to 15-minute lecture about disaster preparedness.

“…Those who cannot pay the fine will get an on-the-spot 15-minute lecture on disaster preparedness….”

The area that is mostly accident prone is the EDSA-Ortigas area.
“…Most of the 114 who were accosted at the EDSA-Ortigas area alone chose to attend a disaster management seminar instead of pay a P200 fine, radio dzBB’s Glen Juego reported.

The report said the EDSA-Ortigas area had been one of the most accident-prone areas for jaywalkers…”

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) created the Anti-Jaywalking campaign or the Anti-Jaywalking Drive so as to lead the people walking on the streets into safety or save them from accident or being hit by vehicles on their jaywalking and let them walk on footbridges instead rather than risk the jaywalking.

However,some people still stubborn or reluctant to walk on footbridges but rather risk to cross the road though there is already an imminent risk of being hit by the vehicles crossing the road.

“…Many jaywalkers continued to shun the footbridges along parts of Commonwealth Avenue when they saw no one was around to reprimand them before 6 a.m., radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus reported.

For Monday, the MMDA’s “Men in Red” were ordered to catch jaywalkers and give them a reprimand and reminder on the anti-jaywalking drive…. The MMDA had cited the safety of pedestrians in enforcing the anti-jaywalking policy, noting some had been hit by passing vehicles when they cross the road….”

According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chief or Chairman Francis Tolentino, they are just concern about the welfare of the people crossing the streets but some people just stubborn and don’t love their lives.

For according to him, last year there “… was a daily average of 14 pedestrian-related traffic accidents…” which alarms the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority or MMDA, thus they implement the Anti-Jaywalking drive or campaign to stop or avert the increasing number of pedestrian related accidents, especially jaywalking.

“Last year, there was a daily average of 14 pedestrian-related traffic accidents. This is an alarming figure,”

“We should highlight to the public the dangers of jaywalking. This is one way to discourage them from crossing just about anywhere,…”

Moreover, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino, they will do a drive to crack down vendors on footbridges and on roads so as to not to hamper the flow of people crossing the footbridges and the streets.

“…Tolentino also hinted the MMDA will soon crack down on vendors occupying the footbridges and hampering the flow of people using such facilities..”

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will also embarked on extensive repair or repainting and installations of new pedestrian lanes or has done repainting and installation of more pedestrian lanes. There are already 1,300 pedestrian lanes that are repainted and some of these pedestrian lanes were pedestrian lanes from San Juan City, Manila, Pateros, Makati, and Mandaluyong cities; Eight pedestrian lanes from San Juan City, eight in Manila, four in Pateros, one in Makati city, and one in Mandaluyong cities.

“..Eight pedestrian lanes were already repainted in San Juan City, eight in Manila, four in Pateros, and one each in Makati and Mandaluyong cities….”

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is an agency in the Philippines that supervises, plans, monitors, the traffic system within Metro Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, Pasay, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Valenzuela, Malabon, Taguig, Navotas and San Juan and the municipality of Pateros.

“…The MMDA performs planning, monitoring and coordinative functions, and in the process exercise regulatory and supervisory authority over the delivery of metro-wide services within Metro Manila without diminution of the autonomy of the local government units concerning purely local matters.

The agency is headed by a Chairman, who is appointed by the President and continues to hold office at the discretion of the appointing authority. He is vested with the rank, rights, privileges, disqualifications, and prohibitions of a cabinet member…”

No Conservation For Heritage

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How many are the heritage infrastructure in Metro Manila that Heritage Conservationists wanted to preserved yet was ordered to demolish?

According to reports there are at least Four Manila’s heritage structures or Four Binondo Houses that are doom to destruction or demolishment which heritage conservationists wanted to stop wherein they send letter to Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim for the stoppage of the demolition of the Four Binondo Houses or heritage structures or the Four Ancestral Manila heritage Binondo Houses. Moreover, the Heritage Conservation Society or HCS have not only received reports about the ongoing demolition of the four ancestral Binondo houses which they will try to halt but have also received that the old GSIS building or the GSIS Headquarters right next to Manila City Hall is planned to be demolish as was in the first quarter of the year there are already two significant Manila heritage structures that has been demolished, that is the Meralco Building and Laperal Apartments.

“It has come to our attention that four heritage houses in Binondo (three of them beside each other at 529 Elcano Street; and one at the corner of Jaboneros and Camba Streets) are being demolished. Aside from being built during the Spanish colonial period and surviving the Second World War, the details of the said houses may be architecturally significant. This adds to the long list of demolitions in the City of Manila just in the first half of the year, most significant of which are the Meralco Building and Laperal Apartments, and the news of the planned demolition of the GSIS Headquarters right next to Manila City Hall…” – Letter of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) to Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

However, in the reports in the Philippine Daily Inquirer the letter of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) is dated May 8,2012 but on the letter posted by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) on their facebook like page, it is dated May 18,2012.

“..In a May 8 letter to Lim, the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) said the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 10066) states that the modification or demolition of properties aged 50 years old and above needs the consent of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)…” Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) reports.

According to Republic Act No.10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009,before these Four Binondo Manila heritage houses and structure(old GSIS building, as well the like buildings of Meralco Building and Laperal Building) could be demolish or modified it should be consented first to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts(NCCA) as well as to Heritage Conservation Society if ever Four Binondo Manila heritage house and structures should be demolish or not; it should have the approval and evaluation first of the latter commission and society. Not only these Four Binondo Manila heritage houses which was doom to be demolish without the consent of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and with the Heritage Conservation Society but also the rest of all the considered heritage sites not only in or within Metro Manila but also within the entire Philippines should be consented to National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) before they could be touched for modification or demolition.

“ We would like to remind your good office of Republic Act No. 10066 – National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. Section 5 states that modification or demolition of properties at least 50 years and older need the consent of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). That means that this year, buildings built in 1962 or earlier are protected by law and that the NCCA needs to evaluate its significance first before a permit (to demolish) is granted, if ever it is granted,” stated by Heritage Conservation Society vice president Ivan Henares which is also a travel writer and tourism consultant.

In concurrences to the vice president of Heritage Conservation Society Ivan Henares, the Heritage Conservation Society president Gemina Cruz Araneta which is a former tourism secretary wherein Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim appointed as cultural adviser, is of course also against the demolition of not only the old GSIS building as well as also any heritage sites and structures in the Philippines.
The campaign to save the Four Binondo Manila Heritage houses and the old GSIS building or the GSIS Headquarters right next to Manila City Hall has said to be gone online through e-mail and facebook by a Philippine Daily Inquirer contributor or writer.

“…The campaign to save the structure has also gone online through an e-mail drive and a Facebook page…” But to my research there is none campaign on facebook concerning such campaign to stop the demolition of these Four Binondo Manila heritage houses as well as the old Government Service Insurance System(GSIS) building on the Aroceros Street, Ermita Manila as well as to the “..four heritage houses in Binondo (three of them beside each other at 529 Elcano Street; and one at the corner of Jaboneros and Camba Streets)..” which the Philippine Daily Inquirer writer erroneously reports to be three houses.

“In its letter to Lim, the HCS also said it had received word that old structures in Binondo, particularly a house on 529 Elcano St., and another on Jaboneros corner Camba streets, were also being demolished…‘Aside from being built during the Spanish colonial period and surviving the Second World War, the details of these houses may be architecturally significant,’” stated by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS)”..PDI reports

However, it is just a mere “like” page of fan page on facebook with post links on the articles like the article on the Philippine Daily Inquirer and their letter to Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim as well as link to Republic Act No. 10066 – National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 have just 1,211 likes which of smaller quantity or volume to hold a campaign drive whatsoever the writer on the Philippine Daily Inquirer claim to be which these likes can only be on the past and not in concurrence to the current complaint received by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) regarding the ongoing demolition activities of the four heritage Binondo houses in Manila.

For if there is a online campaign drive to stop the demolition of these deem Manila heritage structures, how come on latest news these ancestral houses in Binondo are on the state of being demolish without the consent of Heritage Conservation Society and by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) or they are not considered or deem to be heritage structure or officially deem cultural heritage houses, even though the Heritage Conservation Society deem their designs both exterior and interior as to be considered of greater value to the culture heritage of the Philippines because they are being built during Spanish colonial period and has survived according to Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) Second World War or short they are not in protection of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) which the heritage society should protected all those deem by its society as National Heritage with guards on it, how come the demolition team could touch it anyway if they are already considered or deem National Heritage by the Heritage Conservation Society or HCS but yet they are on the haste to halt the demolition operation of the four houses for they send letter to Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim?

The Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) has personally admitted that the Binondo houses are already on the state of being demolish but the old Government Service Insurance System(GSIS) building which was build or rather design by famous Filipino architect Federico Ilustre who has designed not only the old Government Service Insurance System(GSIS) building but also some important or of great value infrastructures in the Philippines like the Manila International Airport, Philippine College of Commerce and Quezon Memorial Monument is not yet on the process demolition state without their consent for the Metro Manila Mayor Afredo Lim has issued a permit to demolish them.

“..Obviously, buildings built during the Spanish and American colonial periods are covered by this law. And it is bewildering how your local building official has been issuing these permits for prewar heritage without the written approval of the NCCA. As we all know, “Ignorance of the law excuses no one.” Or as the good mayor puts it, “The law applies to all, otherwise, none at all!” In Manila’s case, looks like it’s none at all.

There is a process that must be followed before a demolition permit is granted. This process is in place to help protect the last remaining significant heritage structures in our nation’s capital…”

Survivor Caramoan Islands

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Another season of the hit reality TV show “Survivor”, especially the US series at the Philippine islands particularly at the Caramoan Islands in Camarines Sur; wherein then there is also a “Survivor” international franchise which held their location on the Philippine archipelago, that is the France franchise: “Koh-Lanta” at Palawan Island which then the “Survivor USA” back out of their supposed “Survivor” location at Culion, Palawan Philippines due to some reasons.

However, now the “Survivor US” has come back into the Philippines to taped or film their latest survivor season at Caramoan Islands, season Twenty Five(25th season);wherein the French version, “Koh-Lanta”, held their location also during their eight season last 2008 from July 4 to September 20.

The Caramoan Island or the Caramoan Peninsula in the Philippines is a separated island from Camarines Sur with hilly-rocky partly terrain located near-east of Camarines Sur, Philippines.

The island have National Park that have caves, limestone formations, white sand beaches, a lake and a subterranean river where most tourist pay visit with. Moreover, since it is a famous tourist spot, it has some resorts like Gota Village Resort, Rex Tourist Inn and Roa Pension House.

Thus, it seems, the latest season of Survivor US is not far away from civilization but just on the civilization itself pretending to be cast always for the Caramoan Island or Caramoan Peninsula in Camarines Sur is a famous tourist spot in the Philippines. Moreover, that is why the Camarines or CamSur governor is delighted to have the Survivor team and contestants in the island because it will boost tourism revenues and some tourist will be curious and excited to see or take or peek the reality show though it may be restricted to take a peek; that is an added attraction of local and foreign tourists.

Caramoan Islands is the top pick destinations of the latest season of Survivor USA or Survivor US, as well as their 26th season because not only of its natural beauty and perfect forest location but also the French franchise has proven it to be perfect location for survivor stints so also other international survivor franchises that follows the French franchise during 2009;the Survivor franchise of Bulgaria “Survivor : Conquering Asia-Philippines : Season Four(4) that have shot from May to July 2009 and was aired at the fall of 2009; the Survivor franchise of Serbia “Survivor: Srbija : Philippines or Season Two(2) during the summer of 2009 created by Vision Team company and broadcast by Fox Televizija; the Survivor franchise of Sweden “Expedition Robinson”, season 2010.

Sweden’s Survivor franchise was renamed into “Expeditiu Robinson” so as to create their own and reflect their culture and alludes the “Robinson Crusoe” and The Swiss Family Robinson, which are the two stories featuring people marooned by shipwrecks; it has a female hosts not to other franchise or international version which has or have male hosts.

The Denmark Survivor franchise Robinson Ekspeditionen or the Robinson Ekspeditionen 2011 or Robinson: All or Nothing which is the fourteenth season of the Danish version adopted from the Swedish version of the original US TV Reality Show “Survivor”,” Expedition Robinson”, was also film and shot at Caramoan Island or Caramoan Peninsula of the Philippine Islands or Philippine archipelago at Camarines Sur.

The Denmark version of the US Reality TV Show “Survivor” which held its fourteenth version at the Caramoan Islands of the Philippines during 2011 was also followed by another European version; that is the Norway version of the popular TV series.

The Norway version which is “Robinsonekspedisjonen” also adopted the Sweden and Denmark version, thus it has also a “Robinson Crusoe” format.

The eleventh season of the Norwegian version: Robinsonekspedisjonen 2011 – premier last September 4, 2011 and finish early December and was held at Caramoan Islands in the Philippines.

Then, after the Norwegian version which has a “Robinsoe Crusoe” format, the Belgium follows thru.

The Belgium version which is titled “Expeditie Robinson” or the Expeditie Robinson 2011,the thirteenth season of the Belgium version of the “Survivor” series was also film or shot at Caramoan Islands of the Philippines and was aired on September 1,2011 from the RTL5 and 2BE Reality television.

Then, an Asian version follow the same location; the Indian version: Survivor India – The Ultimate Battle, or Survivor India : Caramoan Island, the Indian version of the world hit TV series “Survivor” was also based on the European version, that is the “Expedition Robinson”
Survivor India: Caramoan Islands is India’s first season of the Survivor series which was filmed during the summer of 2011 and will be aired from January 6, 2012.

Therefore, from a lot of survivor series held mostly at Caramoan Islands of the Philippine archipelago; what more Camarines Sur could ask for in terms of Tourism revenue: Caramoan Islands will survive the tsunami of profits or tourism revenue.

Lost Of Pinas Taxes?

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Is it right that the Consolidated Mines Inc.(CMI) president blame the lost of national government taxes to illegal mining alone in the Zambales Philippines whereas the Aquino government boast a robust government taxes through thrifting? How is that, if the Aquino government never spent much?

According to the president of the Consolidated Mines, Inc. –one of the Mining company in the Philippines –Benicio Eusebio – “The national government has lost about P10 million in tax revenues, so far, because of the illegal hauling and shipping..” and he accused the Zambales governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. of abusing his authority by issuing permits to small-scale mining company and according to Eusebio it is only the Department of Environment and National Resources(DENR) could issue such permit, thus he accused the Zambales governor of allowing what he so-called “illegal mining in the Sitio Coto mineral reservation.

However, the Department of Environment and National Resource (DENR) just issued a cease and desist orders (CDOs) to several small-scale miners and never file a lawsuit to the small-scale miners which the Consolidated Miners, Inc. president Benicio Eusebio complain about even the Zamboanga governor was never touched by the National government?

How can that be that one small-scale miners mining activity has affected national government budget? Has the Pinas lost taxes then?

Ayala Bags First PPP Money

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Ayala Corporation recently declared that it has bag first the money allotted for PNoy’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program amounting 2 billion pesos for the project Daang Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road which is considered to be the very first project auctioned by the Aquino administration for its Public-Private Partnership(PPP) program; to be the winning bidder and were so very excited to bag more.

“We are delighted to have submitted a competitive proposal for the first project under the government’s public-private partnership program. This is a good initial foray in the transport infrastructure space and we believe this successful experience working within a public-private partnership framework would be helpful in pursuing future projects under the ppp program”, said by Ayala Corporation president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala.
They bag the fund last December 22,2011 hand over by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and were also expected to complete all the requirements for the right-of-way within six months upon signing the concession agreement.

However, the Ayala Corporation is not alone on this project but in partnership with a Spanish Engineering company, Getinsa; that will help the Ayala conglomerate in their expertise in infrastructure projects the detailed design of the project is expected to be complete within four months.

The Link Road project is named “Daang Hari” because the road will start at the Daang Hari if one is in Imus cavite and desire to enter the south Luzon expressway near the Susana Heights Interchange and would enter Cavite.

Actually, this road project is a major arterial road that will connect the towns of Imus, Dasmarinas, and Bacoor Cavite to Metro Manila via South Luzon Expressway (SLEx).It is a Cavite bound road or a road that will provide strategic access to Cavite.

This road project handled by the Ayala Corporation under PNoy’s Public-private partnership program is expected to start its construction by February 2012(segment 1) and will end on September 2012(segment 2)

The expected starting toll rate once this project is finally running or open: P17 for class 1 vehicles,P34 for class 2 vehicles and P51 for class 3 vehicles; all the toll rates are valued-added tax(VAT) inclusive or have already value-added tax(VAT) included on each.
This road project is advantageous to Ayala Corporation because through this road, their real estate properties within Cavite can now be easily accessible to their estate owners and clients.

Another road in the Philippines that is mostly the few rich clans in the Philippines has more advantage of.

Disaster on Disaster Management Again

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Looks like the Aquino administration have hatch another zero or failed management again instead of gaining a star on regards to disaster management and its goal of “zero casualties” through poor preventive management of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and PNoy’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to prevent the disastrous effects of forthcoming effects of typhoon Sendong on the southern part of the Philippines, as it shows apparently on the news the havoc and casualties it has inflicted especially on Cagayan De Oro city Philippines and Iligan city Philippines which have repeated their poor and incompetent management on the previous large flooding on the Luzon or northern part of the Philippines due to typhoons Pedring and Quiel that has happened earlier this same year 2011.

But National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) undersecretary Benito Ramos have categorically denied they lack on informing the Mindanao people and preparing for the coming of typhoon Sendong but the Mindanao people themselves lacks the initiative to move and heed their early warning.

However, according to the first bulletin posted by National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), their warning post was just posted hours ago or less than 24 hours before typhoon Sendong attack northern Mindanao while the residents of Northern Mindanao are fast asleep without any “pre-emptive evacuation” or actual warning from the local government of Mindanao to their residents. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said they will not move unless they have a “cue” from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA),thus they pass the burden of blame on Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) if in any case the Filipino people will be enraged with the poor management and incompetency of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) just like their master from Malacanang who loves to play blame game rather be responsible and accountable for whatever happens in their sphere of management.

But Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) have transfer the blame to their own policy or they are just following their policy of raising a storm signals at least 36 hours before the storm hits the bull’s eye, though there are already warning from Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of the US Navy that they have tracked a super typhoon headed on the Mindanao part of the Philippines, five days or four days before Sendong hits Mindanao between December 16-17.

Yes, this Aquino administration can break any known legal proceedings just only to satiate its administration and its believer’s obsession and insanity to persecute and incarcerate former Philippine president and now Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo without any solid concrete evidence, but they cannot break their own policy just for the sake of the safety of the Mindanao people. What a “fucking” governance this Noynoy have! And instead of admitting their own mistake and incompetency, they resort of playing blame games which is indeed so annoying and could raise one’s blood pressure thinking that these incompetent government officials just waste taxpayer’s money by their incompetency and hypocrisy.

Will the Filipinos just bear the growing incompetency and blatant hypocrisy of Aquino administration upon knowing that Aquino and his officials were being paid by people’s money to serve the Filipino nation?

Even the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of US have forecasted nearly a week the course of Sendong before it hits the Philippines but the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is fast asleep in picking up this urgent information that could somehow save lives if they just heed the international forecast.

Sine Gapo(Olongapo Movie)

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If Metro Manila Philippines have annual film festival so called “Metro Manila Film Festival(MMFF)” during the Christmas period, likewise also, Olongapo city Philippines is planning to have its own too ,but not yet clear if it is during Christmas season or just part of the “fiesta” in Olongapo city via Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. collaboration.

For recently, the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. have invaded Olongapo city and held a film festival last November 26-30,this year 2011entitled “Cinemalaya Sa Gapo” at the Olongapo City Convention Center wherein the government officials of Olongapo city were inspired to have their own film festival which they will entitled “SineGapo Film Festival”, since according to them, the recent film festival brought by Cinemalaya to them have somewhat connection to their vision for Olongapo city and according to Olongapo city Mayor James “Bong’ Gordon jr., their city is a best place to build film production studios that is similar to Universal Studios in California for the city’s forest hubs, seaport, airport, bays and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone says it could be. Moreover, having a film festival will benefit more the city’s tourism industry. As Olongapo city councilor De los Reyes said:

“We see Cinemalaya as one of the more appropriate avenues to carry out our vision. We have begun our efforts in encouraging and exposing Olongapenos to the arts, particularly by sending a delegation during the opening of the recent Cinemalaya Film Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, “

But actually, it was the Olongapo councilor Bugsy De la Torre who brought or do the initiative to bring the Cinemalaya on their city as part of their fiesta events being him as the fiesta executive committee chairman. For the purpose why he brought the Cinemalaya on their city because according to him, he or the local government of Olongapo city wants to discover and support young filmmakers that could arise and could be in their city thus, he wants to have a collaboration of the city with Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. and will eventually create their annual film festival entitled “SineGapo Film Festival” similar to Metro Manila Film Festival but their own film festival is different compare to Metro Manila Film festival because theirs are from Cinemalaya rather than from the mainstream film studios.

As Olongapo city councilor Edic Piano says,being a vice chairman of the fiesta committee:

“We hope to screen Cinemalaya films yearly..The plan is to eventually make our own films and create what we would call a ‘SineGapo Film Festival’”

The Cinemalaya Foundation Inc, have no any hesitations regarding the plan collaboration since it is the aim of the foundation to bring their films on the regions of the Philippines. As Cinemalaya Festival Director Nestor O. Jardin says “

“The CCP and Cinemalaya Foundation have always worked together in the past to bring Cinemalaya to the regions. This is part of our outreach program aimed at promoting Philippine independent cinema to as many Filipinos as possible by showcasing films that speak of the unique Philippine culture, experience and values which one would not normally see in the mainstream cinema. We therefore look at this project as educational in thrust.”

Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit or according to them no-for-profit and non-government foundation that is dedicated and committed on the development and promotion of Philippine Independent Film that held annual film competition and festival by Filipino independent film makers which aims “…to encourage the creation of new cinematic works by Filipino filmmakers – works that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. It also aims to invigorate the Philippine filmmaking by developing a new breed of Filipino filmmakers….”

“Mega Epal” Cory?

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“Mega Epal” case is what Bayan Muna party list Representative Teddy Casino see at Bohol Representative Rene Relampagos’ propose bill to rename again the main circumferential road and highway of Manila that stretched from Balintawak in Quezon City to Pasay City which is originally known as 19 de Junio (June 19) and then as Highway 54 and then EDSA; from Epifanio de los Santos Avenue(EDSA) into Cory Aquino Avenue which violates the “Anti-Epal” Bill of not attaching the name of any Philippine politicians in any government infrastructure.
Aside from violating the “Anti-Epal” Bill, Bayan Muna party list Representative Teddy Casino, said that what happened on People Power on the grounds of EDSA is not about Corazon (Cory) Aquino but the uprising that took place on EDSA is about the people’s struggle against “tyranny” of Ferdinand Marcos, according to him. Thus, according to him, it is not right to rename EDSA into Cory Aquino Avenue.

With the same sentiments, House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said that that it is difficult to erase the name EDSA because according to him, that is already an institution that Filipinos should honor rather than discard it and that should not be tampered. Moreover, he even suggest that the Aquino administration that wants highway that can be name in his late mother should instead rename the road that leads to Hacienda Luisita (perhaps, Lagman refers to SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway))

Filipino netizens also disagree about the proposed bill and utterly say “No” to it and even scoff Cory because Cory was not really present during the People Power but some says she is in Cebu during those times, as well Bohol Representative Rene Relampagos who propose the bill was scoff and label as “sip-sip” on the Aquino clan.

But Bohol Representative Rene Relampagos said that he has an idea to rename EDSA into Cory Aquino Avenue because according to him that one cannot think of 1986 EDSA Revolution without thinking of Corazon C. Aquino, thus, according to him, it is only fitting to give her the tribute.

However, actually, this idea of renaming again the Highway 54 into a new name or from EDSA into Cory Aquino Avenue was not originally an idea of Bohol Representative Rene Relampagos but rather it was first an idea of former senator Mar Roxas who propose it days after when Cory died of colon cancer.

By the way, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) was constructed during the presidency of Manuel L.Quezon and was originally named after the birthday of the famous Filipino hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, thus the highway got its first name as 19 de Junio or June 19.And then was renamed into Highway 54 under Republic Act No. 2140 in 1959 and again was further renamed in honor of a noted Filipino historian, Epifanio de los Santos. Thus, EDSA or Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

Good Move

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So far, this city in the Philippines is the first to recognize gay rights within their city and create a rights desk for the gays, transgender, lesbians, and bisexuals city within their Anti-Discrimination Ordinance compare to other cities in the Philippines that still promotes discrimination among their gays transgender,lesbians and bisexual constituents – Angeles City, Pampanga.

Angeles city Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has ordered the creation of “Gay Rights Desk” that will link to Angeles City Multi-Sectoral Consultative Council (ACMCC) wherein the gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender will also have privileges to experience the services and promotions that promote their welfare and rights in the society like to those class of people that has been discriminated unjustly in the society. According to Mayor Pamintuan, he wants his city or he wants Angeles city to be a kind of city in the Philippines that is sensitive to equal rights and welfare of all types of people in the society and that values equality and human rights.

“I want Angeles City to be the most sensitive city and local government in the Philippines to gender equality and gay rights!…… Here in Angeles, one’s right is everyone’s right. Consider Angeles City as a hallowed ground insofar as respecting and advancing the rights and welfare of all citizens are concerned,” – he said.

Consequently, spokesperson of the Progressive Organization of Gays in the Philippines (ProGay), Goya Candelario commend and praised Mayor Pamintuan for his sensitivity among the LGBT community within his city and for recognizing the LGBT community as part of a society that contributes to the progress of a community or society.

“…our way of recognizing the role and potentials of the gay sector in the development and progress of our city.” –Mayor Pamintuan.

New World Wonder

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The Philippines’s bet for the new Seven Wonders of the World or New Seven Wonders of Nature, Puerto Princesa Underground River from Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines is now one of the new Seven Wonders of the World or New Seven Wonders of Nature but only at provisional state last November 11, 2011 or just temporarily as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World or New Seven Wonders of Nature. Among those nominees that make it on the provisional state are The Amazon Rainforest or Amazonia by Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela; Halong Bay by Vietnam, Iguazu Falls by Argentina, Brazil; Jeju Island by South Korea; Komodo by Indonesia; and Table Mountain by South Africa.
The vote for the real winners of the New Seven Wonders of Nature is still going on and will be officially announce at the first quarter of year 2012 on the official inauguration ceremonies for the Real New Seven Wonders of Nature which means the Philippines’ bet for the New Seven Wonders of Nature, Puerto Princesa Underground River is still in the brink of being eliminated from the top seven unless the Filipino people will continue to vote for it until the official inauguration of the real confirmed winners.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

So therefore, let’s hope the Philippines’s bet Puerto Princesa Underground River will be included on the final and official New Seven Wonder of Nature this coming year 2012; so vote now!