It began with three women kicking a black-and-white puppy around a room. The dog whimpered but they kept on kicking. Soon they crushed the puppy to death.
The video that caught the puppy’s gruesome death made rounds online Wednesday, drawing the ire of netizens and eventually of animal rights groups. “I condemn this! I really love cats and dogs! It tears my heart seeing this video…” Facebook user weary heart said in the comments section of a repost of the video. John Paul Andaya also said on Facebook, “I feel sorry for the puppy who got killed and tortured by this three b***es. If you guys think doing those kinds of stupidities makes you cool? Hell no…” “Kung ano ang ginawan ninyo sa tuta ganyan din ang mangayayari sa inyo (What you did to the puppy will also happen to you),” Tina Vergara meanwhile commented. “Kasumpa sumapa kayong tatlo. Diyos na ang bahala sa inyo. Mga walang puso (You are deplorable. God will punish you. You are heartless),” she added. The filmed torture and killing is a pornographic material called a “crush video,” the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said in a statement released Thursday. The advocacy group lamented how some Filipinos seemed to have resorted to the production of such videos, which it presumed to have been for a “moneymaking scheme.” “We are, as with everybody who has seen the post, enraged that this is happening in our own country—and that it is happening at all,” PAWS noted. The women in the video remain unidentified, however, with some netizens claiming they are Thais and not Filipinas. PAWS and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are also determining whether the video is old or new. PETA has earlier filed criminal cases against producers of crush videos in the Philippines, PAWS noted. In 2011, a couple was arrested over charges violation of child abuse and animal welfare laws for producing videos that show kids as young as 12 stomping on live animals. Others included dogs burned with a clothes iron, a monkey hit in the eye with a stiletto heel and puppies “crushed until they vomited their own internal organs.” The new crush video involving three women and a puppy, PAWS said, may have been the subject of earlier PETA complaints and “may have just resurfaced in social media.” PAWS nonetheless urged the person who first posed the video to step forward and provide an affidavit needed to file criminal charges against the women in the video. Absent an affidavit, PAWS said “this will be another horrifying instance of animal cruelty which will not see its day in court--and this is not something that anyone wants forgotten.”
MANILA, Philippines - The parents of actress Heart Evangelista have expressed strong objection to her relationship with Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero, detailing instances when they had felt "disrespected" by the lawmaker whom they accused of being "arrogant" and an "alcoholic."
On Tuesday, Cecile and Rey Ongpauco, the parents of the actress whose real name is Love Marie Ongpauco, held a press conference to formally appeal to their daughter and Escudero to reconsider their relationship.
The move of the Ongpaucos came after Escudero's statement in February that he intends to marry Evangelista in 5 years.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News' Mario Dumaual, Cecile expressed her concern about the future of her daughter, "She has not thought about this sufficiently or properly. We think she should think about this for a longer period of time. Nag-aalala lang kami sa anak namin," she said.
Cecile went on to enumerate their reasons for opposing their daughter's relationship with the lawmaker.
Among them is the prospect that Evangelista and Escudero may not be able to marry as Catholics. Referring to the annulment of Escudero's marriage with his former wife Christine Flores last year, Cecile said: "He was married with two children and he got an annulment in court, but not in the Catholic church. That means he can only marry our daughter outside the Catholic church. Our family, including Heart is Catholic, so we do not wish for Heart not to marry in the Catholic church," she said.
Cecile also cited the age difference between her 28-year-old daughter and the 42-year-old Escudero, and Evangelista's supposed lack of prepareness for a domestic life. "Natatakot lang kami para kay Heart, dahil para sa amin hindi pa siya handa maging isang asawa ng isang politician na napakatanda sa kanya nang 16 years," she said. "Parati naman naming sinusuportahan si Heart. Hindi naman sanay si Heart sa gawaing bahay, o pagpapatakbo ng bahay, kasi masyado namin na-baby 'yan, overprotected, na-sheltered masyado," she said.
The third reason for their objection, Cecile said, is Escudero's alleged "fondness" for alcohol. Recalling their first meeting with the senator, both Ongpaucos said they felt disrespected by Escudero, whom Rey referred to as lasinggero. "Sa aming experience kay Mr. Escudero," Cecile said, "parang nakikita namin na mahilig siyang uminom. Noong unang pagkakataon na nagpakilala siya sa amin dahil hiniling niya kay Heart na ipakilala siya... dumating siya, nakainom. Amoy ng alak. nakasalampak doon sa sala namin, parang ganoon. Noong ikalawang beses na pumunta siya sa bahay namin, ganoon ulit, nakainom, nang-aalok pa ng bote ng alak."
Rey added, "Wala akong nakitang maganda eh. Puro arogante siya, bastos. Makakita ka namang pinakilala sa akin, nakahilata sa upuan, lasing. Una kaming nag-meet, 'yun na agad nakita ko sa kanya. Tuwing nakikita ko, naka-inom. Kawawa naman 'yung anak mo, hindi natin masabi, balang araw... siyempre concerned kami eh, natatakot kami para sa anak namin, baka may mangyari," he said.
Referring to their first meetings with Escudero, Cecile said her family feels that the lawmaker has never rendered them any form of respect. "Feeling namin itong Mr. Escudero na 'to, never nagpakita ng respeto sa aming pamilya. Pupunta siya sa bahay namin, nakainom, nakaupo, nakasalampak sa upuan, nakabukaka roon. "Minsan lumabas anak ko kasama niya, nagkita sila nung isa naming kamag-anak, binati 'yung anak ko. Tapos itong si Mr. Escudero ni hindi man in-acknowledge, ni hindi man pinansin na may kamag-anak kami na dumating. Sa aming pamilya, ang tingin namin doon, ang aming pakiramdam doon, wala siyang respeto, 'di ba," Cecile said.
The Ongpauco matriarch also recalled an incident when Escudero allegedly ignored her when she visited Evangelista's film set. "Ito lang nakaraan, bumisita lang ako, sinorpresa ko ang anak ko sa isang location taping. Pag dating ko roon, pati 'yung direktor, lahat tumatayo, abalang-abala sila, pinapaupo ako lahat. Pero itong si Mr. Escudero nakasalampak lang doon ulit sa upuan. "Nakita na niya na binibigyan akong respeto, pero para bang... hindi ko maintindihan kung sinasadya, kung anuman 'yon. I felt humiliated, I felt embarrassed," she said.
In detailing their fifth reason for disapproving of the relationship, Cecile cited "reliable sources" in saying that "Escudero has certain strange habits hidden from the public view. We are very concerned that this kind of news might be based on truth. Siyempre nag-aalala kami para sa aming anak," she said.
For their sixth reason, both Rey and Cecile said that they hoped Escudero would have been more "traditional" in forming a relationship with their daughter. "Mr. Escudero has never given us the courtesy of formally asking my daughter's hand, or even asking our permission to court her, so that he could tell us about himself about his family. This behavior is not accpetable in our Philippine culture," Cecile said.
Evangelista's mother said they believe "Mr. Escudero is manipulating our daughter against us. He is feeding her with arguments to use in order that she will become estranged, and now is almost hostile to us, her family."
Rey said they no longer had communication with their daughter since she allegedly moved out of her condominium unit in the same building as her parents. "Hindi na ako nakakausap eh. Wala na eh. umalis na nga sa condo bigla eh. Sa amin, para ka naman sinampal noon eh, angt agal mong inano eh... biglang mawawala. Anong dahilan? Eh 'di may dahilan," he said.
Cecile added, "Alalang-alala na kami sa anak namin, and up to this time, Mr. Escudero has not even bothered and refuses to explain himself to us."
Evangelista's mom also pointed at Escudero for allegedly causing the rift among their family. She likewise appealed to senator to "cool off" with the actress to give her time to reconsider their relationship. "Sinasabi ni Mr. Escudero na naiipit lang daw siya sa kalagitnaan nitong away-pamilya. Kasinungalingan ho iyon. Siya ang talagang puno't dulo, ang pinanggagalingan ng problema naming pamilya ngayon. Umaapela ngayon kami kay Mr. Escudero, kung maaari lang naman, pabayaan niya nalang muna 'yung anak namin para medyo magpalamig nang kaunti, makapag-isip-isip," she said.
In an interview with the newscast "24 Oras" aired on Tuesday, Escudero said he prefers to distance himself from the supposed tiff between Evangelista and her parents. "Hindi ako showbiz. Hiwalay ang pulitika sa personal na buhay. Ayaw kong manghimasok sa hindi pagkakaunawaan sa pagitan ng anak at ng kanyang mga magulang," he said.
And todays another bad dream...when will i wake up.
Both Rey and Cecile maintained, however, that they "have no problems" with their daughter, and are merely calling on Esudero to leave their daughter and straighten out himself. "Wala kaming problema kay Heart," Cecile said. "Ang problema namin itong si Mr. Escudero. Parang kakaiba siya, nakakatakot siya para sa isang magulang. Nakakatakot na tao."
"Akala namin nung umpisa, 'Wow, mukhang matalino naman, magaling magsalita,' eh sa personal palang buhay... so as a parent, nakakatakot," she said.
Rey echoed Cecile's sentiments: "Ang masasabi ko, sana pag-isipan niya 'yung ginagawa niya. I-ayos niya naman. Hindi 'yung maganda siya sa publiko, pero ang katotohanan ibang tao siya."
"Huwag naman ganoon. Kung marami siyang pamilyang ginaganoon, 'wag naman kami. Pati 'yung anak namin na-involve tuloy... Kaya it's about time na magsalita na ako. Ayoko ng mga ganito eh, kaya lang kailangan malaman nila kung ano siya," he said.
Stressing that they merely want the best for their daughter, Rey said they are not meddling with her relationship. He said they only hope that she think things through regarding her supposed plans to settle down with the senator.
Asked for his message to Evangelista, Rey said, "Ang masasabi ko sa anak ko, Heart, sana makapag-isip-isip ka rin. Unahin mo muna ang magulang mo bago ibang tao. Pag-isipan mo 'yan. Darating ang araw, baka ibalik sayo 'yang, magka-anak ka, 'yung anak mo bastusin ka rin. Hindi maganda 'yan."
"At sana mag-isip ka rin na huwag naman kaagad 'yan, kung anuman ang naiisip mo, nabibigla ka. It takes time. Bigyan mo ng time ang sarili, bigyan mo ng panahon. May career ka pang dapat tapusin. Huwag kang pabigla-bigla, mag-isip ka muna... Hindi kami nakiki-alam sa'yo, concerned lang kami sa'yo," he said.
Evangelista, meanwhile, on Monday took to micro-blogging site Twitter to openly express her love for Esudero. She has also appealed to her parents to let her be with the senator, saying she has found happiness.
“It happened to me a long time with Jericho and at that time, I was very young kaya nagparaya ako and I thought it would make my parents happy. I understand that you know, they want the best for me and they are very protective,” she said in an interview with "24 Oras" aired Tuesday.
“Nahihiya lang ako of course kay Chiz and sa family niya kasi wala naman silang ipinakitang masama sa akin. Napakabait nila tapos nagkaroon pa ng mga kasinungalingan, ng mga paninira,” Evangelista said.
“Nahanap ko na ‘yung taong para sa akin, huwag na nila ilayo ang taong mahal ko. Masaya na ako and everybody deserves to be happy,” she said.
During the press conference on Tuesday, the Ongpaucos also emphasized that their going public with their tiff with Escudero has anything to with politics. Escudero is seeking re-election in the May polls.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday stopped for 120 days the implementation of the controversial reproductive health law, whose constitutionality is being challenged before the court.
SC Public Information Office chief Theodore Te said the magistrates voted 10-5 in issuing a status quo ante (Latin for "the way things were before") order against Republic Act 10354, which was enacted by President Benigno Aquino III in December 2012. "SC en banc issued a 120-day Status quo Ante order in the consolidated cases involving the RH law. Vote was 10-5," Te said.
The status quo ante order directs the parties to observe the status or situation before the implementation of the RH law. Those who dissented were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Mariano del Castillo, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Marvic Leonen. Sereno, Perlas-Bernabe, and Leonen are Aquino appointees to the high court. The magistrates sitting en banc also set the oral arguments on the consolidated cases against the law on June 18.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, principal author of the RH law, meanwhile downplayed the high court's decision and expressed confidence that it will still uphold the constitutionality of the legislation after the oral arguments.
"The status quo ante order issued by the Supreme Court is only a temporary delay in the implementation of the Reproductive Health law to enable the High Court to fully assess the merits and demerits of the pending petitions challenging the constitutionality of the RH law. I firmly believe that eventually the constitutionality of the RH law will be sustained," Lagman said in a statement.
The lawmaker maintained that the RH law did not "defile" the right to life enshrined in the Constitution. "The RH law does not legalize abortion. In fact, it acknowledges that abortion is illegal and punishable and is not a family planning option or method," he said, adding the law "upholds" religious freedom and allows the government to support parents rear their children.
"The accusation that the RH law is offensive to religious freedom is a patent aberration. The act is replete with provisions upholding the freedom of religion and respecting religious convictions. The guarantee of freedom of informed choice is an assurance that no one would be compelled to violate the tenets of his religion or defy his religious convictions against his free will and own discernment of his faith," Lagman said.
Women's rights advocate EnGendeRights said it is unfortunate the SC stopped the implementation of the RH Law.
"Every day 11 mothers die from pregnancy and childbirth complications. It's unfortunate that the SC issued a 120-day status quo ante order against the Reproductive Health Law. We badly need the law to reduce unintended pregnancies and maternal mortalities... In our interviews with poor women in Manila City last November, we found that 65 percent of the women were candidates for ligation, meaning they have way surpassed their desired number of children," Atty. Clara Rita Padilla, executive director of EnGendeRights, said. 'I'm confident RH legality will prevail'
Sen. Pia Cayetano, a co-sponsor of the RH Bill in the Senate, said in a statement Tuesday that the high court's order is just part of the judicial process. "It does not in any way say anything against the validity of the RH Law. It will simply allow the petitioners/opposers to air their concerns," she said. "But what bothers me is the 90-day period before the June 18 oral arguments. How many lives will be lost during this period? How many more mothers will die of birth complications? How many infants will get sick and die, and how many abortions will take place? I would like to think that it is not the intention of our Supreme Court to deprive the poor of RH services from the government. But while we wait, sadly it is the poor who will suffer. "In the end, I'm confident that the legality and constitutionality of the RH law will prevail and our people will start to benefit from it."
On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Tito Sotto, who opposed the bill during its deliberation in Congress, welcomed the Supreme Court's decision.
A statement released by his office said Sotto "consistently maintained that the RH law is against our pro-life Constitution."
"Sotto said the Supreme Court knows what is best for our country and that he has full trust and confidence in their collective wisdom," the statement added.
While some are beating their breasts or pointing fingers over Kristel's death, or talking of clearer and more pro-poor policies on UP enrollment, my concern is not for what is perceived to be the immediate cause of her suicide, but its roots.
Indeed, suicide is a complex issue, and only one thing appears to be clear. There is an increase of reported suicides among the young, due to reasons that would not normally drive them to kill themselves: lost love, poor grades, a bad interview, and in Kristel's case, an LOA that would have enabled her to re-enroll next semester.
It happens. UP students don't have money, they drop out, they come back. They fail, they get an LOA, they come back. Some get kicked out, get some really nice work experience in the field, and come back. Or not. But they don't kill themselves. They get another life, and often succeed with or without UP. At least that was how it was when life was harder, when we had to wait a long, long line to make a phone call, when we had to actually PHYSICALLY search for and read books and journals to write a term paper, when we had to wait for a week or two to get a (love) letter through the mail, now known as snail mail, from a loved one who had to travel home for 2 days by sea because he couldn't afford airfare.
Life was hard then. When people were poor, like I was made to believe I was, they had apples or cheese once a year if they could get any at all, and they got their allowances in coins, not bills. They had to survive on rice and sabaw, or rice and free sauce if they got lucky when the coins ran out. They walked, didn't ride -- sayang ang P0.25.
Back then, a wrong political move could send one missing, only to be found wounded, in jail, or worse, dead. No, we didn't commit suicide then. Life was hard but precious. We were harder. We would prevail.
Yet the experience may have driven many of us to do everything so things would be easy for our children. We love them dearly and don't want them to suffer the pains we had.
We have made material things, manipulatively put within our reach by quickly developing technology that obsolesces as fast, easily accessible to our children who might have little experience with postponing gratification. We have protected them heavily, because of our justified fear of their getting hurt by an increasingly cruel world, without a transition to independence that would have strengthened their will and capacity to survive the downs of life. We cave so fast even to trivial demands, so they wouldn't hold their breath while crying a ruckus and die (they can't do that). We have made things easy for our children. Probably too easy.
Quite possibly, there's the rub. Cesar Montano once remarked in a speech that he had such a difficult childhood yet believed that such difficulty made him successful later in life. Now that he was rich, he was worried for his children who had a comfortable life. He said "kung pwede ko lang bilhin ang kahirapan para magkaroon ng pagkakataon na tumibay ang mga anak ko". He didn't know then the speech would be prophetic of his son's suicide.
I read somewhere about someone who saw a butterfly struggling to emerge from a pupa. It was displaying much difficulty and valiant effort in the process of breaking the constrictive covering. That person was moved with pity and so "helped" the butterfly by taking off small pieces of the covering. The butterfly did emerge, but fell and died later. The vessels of its wings did not fill with enough blood to nourish the wings and make them strong. That, apparently, was the whole point of having to struggle to come out of the pupa.
Which brings me to my question: Are we helping our children too much that they are not developing the emotional strength needed to face life's challenges? Are we unwittingly putting some of them on the path that Kristel took? What do we do? What don't we?
Let UP restudy its admission and tuition fee policy. Let the faculty and students express their outrage. Let the politicians rant if they wish. But let us, parents, take a long look at how we are raising our children. How do we stand by and watch them struggle because like the butterfly, the struggle will make them stronger? How do we prevent another Kristel?
MANILA, Philippines - The retailer behind the Indonesian foray of Penshoppe is also eyeing to franchise Filipino clothing brands Bayo, Bench, and Plains and Prints, the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc (PhilExport) said in a statement over the weekend.
PhilExport quoted Alma F. Argayoso, commercial attaché at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Jakarta, as saying that Indonesia’s leading lifestyle retail group PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (MAP) has expressed interest to introduce more Filipino brands after launching Penshoppe last year. MAP operates almost 1,400 stores, mostly upscale American and European concepts, across the Indonesian archipelago.
Penshoppe is being managed in Indonesia by PT Prima Mode Indonesia, a subsidiary of MAP. Two Penshoppe stores were opened in Indonesia last year, with 10 more slated for opening this year, according to Indonesian media reports.
“PT Prima Mode Indonesia president and director Agus Gozali plans to open at least 150 Penshoppe stores all over Indonesia within the next 10 years,” Argayoso said.
Penshoppe is geared towards Indonesia’s young, middle-class market, which may also be served by fashion-wear brands such as Bayo, Bench, and Plains and Prints. "We are arranging a meeting between Bench and Mr. Gozali sometime in March or April 2013," Argayoso said.
Gozali was also interested in other Filipino lifestyle concepts such as fashion designer Rajo Laurel’s kiddie couture line Rajito, Carolina’s Lace Shoppe bridal accessories, and Regalong Pambahay home handicrafts, Argayoso said.
Since MAP is also engaged in the food and beverage business—it operates Burger King, Domino’s Pizza and Starbucks in Indonesia—Filipino food exporters may soon also tap the huge Indonesian population.
“Gozali promised to link Philippine exporters and franchisors to the manager of The FoodHall, one of Indonesia’s leading gourmet supermarkets,” Argayoso said. The FoodHall is MAP’s supermarket arm.
“Interested retailers, franchisors and exporters in the Philippines are advised to coordinate with us to propose/offer business opportunities to the MAP group," she said.
Penshoppe was MAP's first Asian fashion-wear brand. MAP holds licenses to about 115 fashion and food and beverage brands, according to reports.
Miguel and I went to Megamall this morning to have my Dad's papers re-authenticated. DFA Macapagal is just too crowded and we decide to try the satellite office.
I was the second "client" of the day and the woman before me looked like someone's Mom, processing her child's papers too. The DFA representative behind the glass was asking her to bring something else from the school, and I guess the woman misunderstood, saying "Galing na sa school ito Ma'am" The DFA rep said "Alam ko, natural galing school yan, school papers nga yan eh, ang kailangan namin stub. Naintindihan mo?"
It was 10 in the morning. The elder woman, looking tired and defeated walked away.
Came my turn. I had with me my father's TOR and Diploma that was "red-ribboned" or Authenticated in Manila in 2010, stamped and authenticated in ABu Dhabi in 2013. I had to have it stamped by DFA Manila as per UAE embassy requirements. Two seconds into holding the papers, the woman said, "Bat ganito, may red ribbon na dito mayron pa sa Abu Dhabi, di puede ito" To which I replied "Miss pakitignan mo muna mabuti, lahat yan Philippine Embassy" In an irritating authoritative voice she said " Nakikita ko, di kame natanggap ng ganito, kung tatanggalin mo itong Abudhabi papers falsification ng documents to"
Trying my best to stay calm I asked "Ano ba dapat gawin ko para ma-authenticate ito" The woman said "Kailangan mo ibalik to sa Abu Dhabi Philippine Embassy or kumuha ka ng bagong papers sa school, sa dep ed at ched"
Her verdict was so ridiculous, I honestly let out a genuine laughter. 4 years of call center experience and a similar incident with an immigration officer at the airport came rushing back to me. "You're telling me I had to spend money to send these all back so the Consul from another country can remove this red ribbon, or spend money and time going to my father's University, CHED, DEP ED, and start all over again to authenticate something you have approved 3 years ago, and approved again not a month long ago? Do you realize what you're saying? Do you even have an idea of what you're asking me to do? Do you have the slightest idea of what you are doing?" I said all these without breathing, Miguel looking at me like "WTF, are you rapping?"
Maybe the woman realized I am not the least bit daunted by her being behind the glass, pretended to look at the papers again, by this time the queue has swollen to about 40 people craning their necks to see what was going on.
I turned around, addressed the entire room "I'm sorry po, I am holding up the line, pasensya na po kayo dahil walang kasense sense and sinasabi ng taong ito" (There was only one booth open for the Authentication room)
Some people from the line said "Okay lang po, sige ma'am ganyan yang mga yan eh, hanggang mapapabalik balik tayo"
The woman kept tutting, and I said "I want to talk somebody higher than you"
"Di nga din po tatanggapin ito, hahaba lang"
"I said, I want to talk to somebody higher than you, ngayon na"
She walked away, slightly smirking.
Out came a guy in barong. Within 5 seconds of looking at my father's paper, the man asked me "Ma'am okay na, pick it up tomorrow"
And then he addressed the woman; "DFA din ito, Abu Dhabi lang."
After the man left, the woman would not meet my eye. I just pointedly addressed her "Wag ka magpower trip, di dahil may DFA lanyard ka at ikaw ang nakaupo sa loob, kaya mo lahat, pumatas ka"
10:16, Miguel took my hand and we walked away.
Seriously, what if it was someone na kaya niya i-bully like the woman before me? Or what if it was your parent's or sister's or brother's papers you are processing, and you know it would cost your dear one's job because some power tripping government employee's having her period and is unleashing her venom?
Much as I hate Willie, I would need to borrow his infamous line from a few weeks back "You don't do that to me.. beyotch!"
Tulungan nio po ako hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko! Nasagasaan ang aking nanay n si Violeta C. Francisco, 61 yrs old, nung October 29 ng sasakyan ng army, Plate No. SKH-854, Philippine Army assigned at CMO Batallon CMOG Philippine Army, Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Abot-abot ang pakiusap ko sa sarhento na tulungan na lang kami sa gastos sa hospital ngunit para akong namamalimos ng awa kaya ngdesisyon ako na ituloy ang demanda. Nakasuhan po siya ng RECKLESS IMPRUDENCE RESULTING IN PHYSICAL INJURY at siya po ay nakapag piyansa kahapon. Tumaas daw po ang kaso sa serious injury.
Kahapon po ay pinuntahan kami ng mga kasamahan niya upang kausapin. Pinakausap ako sa commander ng batallon s cellphone nila at ang gusto nilang mangyari bibigyan kami ng Php 70,000 pero iurong ko daw po ang kaso. Nahabag ako sa sitwasyon ko at naluha. MGA HUKBONG SANDATAHAN sinagasaan ang aking nanay at NABALI ANG BUTO SA KALIWANG BINTI, NAGKAHIWALAY ANG TUHOD.. GUSTO NILA IURONG KO ANG KASO BAGO AKO TULUNGAN.
Ngayon ALAS DOS ay bumalik na naman sila sa hospital at nagtanong kung natanggap ko daw ba ang text ng sarhento. Sa totoo lang, natanggap ko at ang gusto iurong ko ngayon at bukas magbibigay siya ng 35taw. nakiusap ako sa kanila na wag na muna kaming mag-usap at wag munang pumunta ng pumunta sa hospital dahil nag aalala ako sa kalagayan ng nanay ko kasi po OOPERAHAN PO SIYA MAMAYANG 6PM AT LALAGYAN N NG BAKAL ANG BINTI NIYA, pupunta daw po sila mamaya at sabi ng sarhento kailangan ko daw pumirma at pagkatapos ay bibigyan ako pera, tulungan niyo ko.
Gipit kami pero hindi pa tapos ang gamutan ng nanay ko at ooperahan pa lang gusto nila iurong ko kaso, gusto ko pong ituloy ang laban na to dahil sa isang idlap huminto ang buhay ng nanay ko. Pagkatapos ng sampung araw kong pakikibaka sa OUR LADY OF LOURDES HOSPITAL para magamot ang nanay ko dumating sila at tutulong pero bakit ganon ang kapalit. Sa mga bumabasa ikalat niyo po ang post ko hanggang makarating sa kinauukulan. parang awa niyo na.. mag out na po ako at babalik n s hospital para sa paghahanda sa operasyon ng nanay ko mamayang 6pm. Maraming salamat po!!!!
There is a touch of irony in the fighting in Sabah where Malaysian forces, using eight fighter jets, laser-guided bombs, artillery and hundreds of troops, have failed to subdue a handful of Filipino Muslims from Sulu.
When the Moro National Liberation Front was formed to fight the Philippine government years ago, it was Malaysia who trained, in Sabah, MNLF fighters in guerrilla warfare. Now it is veteran MNLF fighters who are leading the Sulu force in fighting the Malaysians. Obviously, they learned their lessons well. In spite of the overwhelming advantage in men and ordnance, the Malaysians could not find the “cornered” followers of the Sultanate of Sulu in the jungles of Sabah which, as one veteran said, they know “like the back of their hands.”
There is one way the Philippine and Malaysian governments can persuade the Filipino Muslims to “go home.” That is for Malaysia to either agree to take the Sultanate of Sulu’s claim to Sabah to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or to negotiate with the Philippine government and the sultanate, with a definite date for the talks to start.
It is because of decades of being ignored by the Malaysian government and neglected by the Philippine government—including the “loss” of letters from the Sultan of Sulu to President Aquino on the Sabah claim—that the sultan was forced to take the drastic step. He wanted to force the issue. He hoped that when fighting erupts and lives are lost, international agencies like the United Nations may intervene and force Malaysia to negotiate or go to the ICJ. The lives of some of his followers lost in the fighting are a sacrifice to regain their homeland.
Why is Malaysia afraid to do either? Because historical and documentary evidence clearly prove that Sabah belongs to the Sultanate of Sulu. Malaysia is holding on to it by sheer force of arms, just like Hitler did in annexing neighboring European countries and Tojo did in annexing neighboring Southeast Asian countries during World War II.
Sabah is not important to Malaysia. In fact, it is being neglected by Kuala Lumpur because of the distance. But it is very important to the Filipinos of Sulu, to which it is very close. They need it for trade (there is now a shortage of food in Tawi-Tawi because of the fighting in Sabah) and for jobs and living space.
Not only because it is the homeland of Sulu Muslims, Malaysia should return it to its rightful owners for humanitarian reasons. The UN should intervene before more lives are lost.
The Jews waged decades of war, including terrorism, to regain their homeland, Israel, and succeeded. The Filipino Muslims hope they will be able to achieve the same feat. Years from now, the struggle of the Filipino Muslims will make good material for stories and movies, just like the struggle of the American Indians and the blacks exploited by the white immigrants from Europe.
A spokesperson for self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Friday belied reports that the clashes in Sabah had left 52 of the sultan's followers dead. Abraham Idjirani, Kiram III's spokesman, citing information from crown prince Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, said 10 royal army soldiers have so far died since armed clashes began last week.
Idjirani said the 10 soldiers died during a firefight last Friday in Lahad Datu. He said the Friday clash was the only instance where the sultan's followers exchanged fire with Malaysian security forces. "Isang beses lang nagkaroon ng bakbakan ang royal security forces at Malaysian police commando kung saan nangyari ho yun ng March 1st, at tinagurian nating 'March 1 Massacre,'" Idjirani told dzMM. Idjirani said according to Raja Muda Kiram, the 235 royal army soldiers have all been accounted for, with 10 fatalities, 10 arrested and 4 injured.
After the Lahad Datu clash on Friday, Malaysia reported that the violence had spilled the following day to the town of Semporna, where an additional 18 Filipino militants allegedly died. Malaysia then launched a bigger offensive on Tuesday, sending fighter jets and dropping bombs to the intruded areas. Malaysian troops said they shot and killed 32 followers of the sultan during the latest assault. That brought the total dead to 60, including 52 militants. Eight Malaysian policemen were killed in skirmishes last weekend.
Idjirani said the crown prince considers the report on the fatalities as propaganda by the Malaysian forces. He believes that innocent civilians were included in the fatalities. He claimed no more royal army soldiers died in the succeeding attacks as they have become more careful. "Kahit may nagbo-bomba, kami ay nag-iingat at aming tinatantsa kung saan kami pupunta bago magkaroon ng bomba sa area na kinaroroonan namin," said Idjirani, quoting Raja Muda Kiram.
Meanwhile, Princess Jacel Kiram, daughter of the Sultan, challenged the Malaysian government to give foreign media access to the affected areas. "Para malaman natin ang totoo, I am challenging the Malaysian government na i-allow nila ang pagpasok ng foreign media para hindi tayo nagbibigayan ng numero lamang at walang naniniwala sa isa't isa," the princess said in a separate dzMM interview. "Alam natin na lahat ng ipa-publish nila at lahat ng report na ilalabas nila ay may pahintulot ng Malaysian government. Hindi po nila pinapayagan ang mga ibang media na mag-cover, pili lang po."
Idjirani said another reason for their call for an immediate end to the violence in Sabah was the alleged killing of innocent civilians by the Malaysian forces. The sultan's group earlier said its decision to call for a unilateral ceasefire was triggered by an appeal from United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to involved parties to end the violence and hold talks. "Ang Malaysian police and military ay nagkalat na ng violence sapagkat ang kanilang tinutumbok na ngayon ay mga civilian Filipinos na nandoon sa Sabah," Idjirani said. "Kaya iyun ang desisyon at nagkataon din na mayroong panawagan ang United Nations."
The Malaysian government immediately rejected the group's ceasefire request and said it would continue to press the offensive. Nevertheless, Idjirani said they are still hoping that the Malaysian government would change its mind and finally hold talks with them. "Ang mahalaga ay naipakita natin sa buong mundo na ang Sultanate of Sulu ay marunong tumupad sa usapan at panawagan ng United Nations para maresolba ang issue ng payapa," he said. "Kahit ni-reject ng Malaysia, ang fundamental concern natin ay 'yung pag-reciprocate sa panawagan ng UN. Iyun pa ring ang intensyon natin para matigil ang violence at atrocities na ginagawa ng Malaysian authorities sa inosenteng Filipino civilians sa Sabah."
MAG INGAT PO SA TRAFFIC ENFORCER SA MAY C5 LIBIS FLYOVER GOING TO CRAME (left) at RIVERBANKS (right)
Ang scenario: habang dumadaan ako sa C5 going to Riverbanks nakita ko iyong L300 na pinara ng dalawang enforcer. Iyong isa, naka itim na motor na red plate may dalawang saddle box, iyong isa naka mio na violet. Nilagpasan ko ng ilang metro at nagmasid ako. Pero napansin ako ng isa (T/E Joves ng Sector 3) kaya nilapitan ako...
T/E Joves: Bakit ka huminto diyan at tinitingnan mo kami? Kasama mo ba iyong naka van?
Joshua: Ahh sir hindi po, napatigil lang ako at na curious, ano po ba violation nung van?
T/E Joves: Swerving.
Joshua: Sir kailan pa po naging violation ang swerving.
T/E Joves: Kasi malayo pa lang siya nasa left lane siya, tapos kumanan siya malapit dito sa flyover para sa ilalim. Kaya swerving yun.
Joshua: Eh sir ayon po kasi mismo kay MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino SWERVING IS NOT A VIOLATION.
T/E Joves: Saka patong patong kaso niyan nagse cellphone pa habang nagdadrive.
(Habang nag uusap kami ay kinakausap din ng isang enforcer ang driver ng L300 van sa bandang likod di kalayuan sa aking motor)
Nagulat na lang ako ng umabante na ang van at napadaan sa amin. Kaya mega tanong ulit ako.
Joshua: Sir akala ko may violation bakit hindi niyo tinikitan?
T/E Joves: Ahh pinagbigyan na lang nung kasama ko marunong namang makiusap.
Joshua: Pinagbigyan sir o PINAGBIGAY?
(hindi ko na hinintay ang paliwanag ng Traffic Enforcer; sinundan ko iyong L300 van at pinakiusapan na itabi ang sasakyan) Base sa pagtatanong ko, pinagbigay daw sila ng P500 para iwas abala dahil mga gamot ang laman ng Van at may deliver pa daw sila. Kaya iyon tumataginting na P500 KOTONG...Napansin ni T/E Joves na nakatigil kami at nag uusap kaya lumapit siya sa amin sakay ng kanyang motorsiklong itim na may pulang plaka.
Tinapatan niya iyong driver ng L300 van at ibinalik na pabato ang P500.
T/E Joves: O, yan yung pera mo babaliktarin mo pa kami, ikaw itong kusang nagbigay ng P500 tapos magsisinungaling ka kay Sir. Sir pasensya na sinungaling iyang taong yan.
L300: Eh sir kanina niyo pa hinihingi na umareglo na lang ako...
T/E Joves: ikaw kusang nag alok hindi kami.
Joshua: SIR KAHIT SILA KUSANG NAGBIGAY NIYAN KUNG WALA KAYONG INTERES HINDI NIYO KUKUNIN, SAKA BAKIT IBINABALIK MO NGAYON KOMO BA NAKITA MONG KINAKAUSAP KO (kinuha ko ang camera at aktong kukuhaan ko ng picture) pinasibat na ni T/E Joves ang kanyang motor.
Ako? Dumiretso ako sa Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) ng Quezon City. Nagsampa ako ng pormal na reklamo kaakibat ang litrato (ipagpaumanhin, hindi ko mai upload dito, pero nai submit ko na ang kopya as evidence).
Tinulungan po ako ng ating butihing at maaasahang kaibigan ng si MR. ENRIQUE MADURA (Hearing Officer). Sa tulong po ni Sir Enrique Madura, na beripika po namin na hindi Traffic Enforcer ng DPOS ang dalawa, sila po ay Deputized Baranggay Traffic Officer lang ng hindi pa batid na Baranggay sa Quezon City.
Ang formal complaint po na idinulog ko ay naka address mismo kay Gen. Elmo San Diego, ito po ay personal na inihatid ni Mr. Enrique Madura kay Gen. San Diego. At inabisuhan na magsasagawa ng back ground check if saang unit o baranggay sila nagre report upang ng sa ganon ay mapatawan ng kaukulang parusa.
MARAMING SALAMAT PO MR. ENRIQUE MADURA at GENERAL ELMO SAN DIEGO sa inyong walang sawang pakikinig at pag aksyon sa aming mga hinaing at reklamo ukol sa hindi patas na panghuhuli at hindi makataong pagtrato ng mga Traffic Enforcer at mga pulis sa aming mga motorista.
Kami po sa MRO (kasama ang libong volunteers), Arouser Elite Club, Sykes Riders Club, ARANGKADA at siyempre ang Team MCP ay umaasa sa mas mabilis na aksyon upang matanggal sa serbisyo ang dalawang kotong enforcers na ito.
MABUHAY PO KAYO AT NAWA'Y DUMAMI ANG KATULAD NIYONG MAY GININTUANG PUSO PARA SA AMING MGA MOTORISTA LALONG LALO NA SA RIDERS...MULI MARAMI PONG SALAMAT!!!
Kanina habang kumakain kami sa isang tapsilogan sa maynila may lumapit saming isang pulubi na na nanghihingi ng barya inabutan ko ng sampung piso nagulat nalang ako pag abot ko ng barya tumalikod sya sakin at biglang nag dasal, napag kamalan nga naming wala sya sa tamang pag-iisip. Sinubukan kong kausapin. Tinanong ko kung kumain na ba siya bigla syang napaluha hindi pa daw kasi siya kumakain buong araw at gutom na gutom na daw siya.
Pinaupo po namin sya sa lamesa namin at tinanong yung detalye kung bakit siya pagala gala sa maynila, siya daw si rowena na nakatira pa sa Iloilo, isa po siyang tomboy. May ka-relasyon siya dating babae at ayaw ng pamilya niya sa babaeng karelasyon niya. Nakipag sapalaran po sila ng babae dito sa Maynila. Dalawang taon po sila ng babae nag-sama dito sa Maynila sa kasamaang palad nakapag trabaho yung babae dito sa Maynila at iniwanan siya.
Mag pipitong taon na po siya dito sa Maynila palaboy laboy sa lansangan. Wala na po siyang kominikasyon sa pamilya niya, naisipan lang namin gawan ng video kasi baka sakaling hinahanap sya ng mga kamag-anak niya. Sana makarating sa kanila. at tanggapin siya ulit.
Nag abot lang kami ng onting tulong bago kami umalis na sa tingin namin sasapat na sa pag kain nya ng mga ilang araw.. sana matulungan natin siya..
TWG Tea, the finest luxury tea brand in the world, will open its first island boutique concept in the country at the Archaeology of the Power Plant Mall this March.
Cultivate your tea experience with the widest tea collection of the most celebrated fine harvest and exclusive blends in the world. Perfectly infused, pair your tea with TWG Tea's signature macaroons and tea pastries served with TWG Tea jelly with whip cream. This chic island tea salon & boutique is featuring new tea-infused savoury dishes such as Curry Lamb Stew and Tuna Miscuit that is exclusive to Power Plant Mall.
TWG (The Wellness Group) Tea was established in Singapore in 2007 that embodies this country's historical trade routes and the commerce of tea leaves, especially from theyear 1837. Today, the brand sources the finest selections of tea leaves from different countries and combines luxe flavors and tastes for the best tea drinking experience.Signature Design Gold Teapots, teacups and saucers, tea tin containers and other tea accessories used for proper tea preparation are also available at TWG Tea.
Relaxing, refreshing and lovely tea dining experiences await the mall-goers of the Power Plant Mall. You may call 898-1702 for more details.
A longtime Marvel Comics scribe for everything from Incredible Hulk to X-Treme X-Men, Greg Pak makes his DC Comics debut a memorable one with the DC's two most famous superheroes in the upcoming ongoing series Batman/Superman, debuting in June and teaming the writer with artist Jae Lee (Inhumans, The Dark Tower).
"Working in comics, almost every project you do for DC or Marvel deals with these amazing characters that are so much fun to work with," Pak tells USA Today. "But, wow, Superman and Batman? That kind of lifts your hat and spins it around in the air a bit. "It is a real thrill, and it's particularly a thrill because we're being given some real leeway to do some really important storytelling with these characters. It really defines some great things and to depict some really key moments for them."
While Justice League as well as various Batman and Superman comics showcase the superheroes in the present, Pak and Lee catch up with the world's finest in the past of DC's "New 52" relaunched continuity.
Bruce Wayne is new to putting on a cape and cowl and patrolling the streets of Gotham City, while Superman — when not in civilian mode as budding journalist Clark Kent — is a recently realized hero to the working class clad in jeans, cape and a spiffy, S-logo T-shirt.
When the two run into each other, well, sparks fly. Some steely stares and maybe a few punches, too. "We've been given the incredible opportunity to show these two icons meeting for the first time at this very early and raw stage in their careers," Pak says. "Neither one of them has ever heard of the other guy."
While there's a threat to both men that will be revealed in time — "Folks are going to be very pleasantly excited when they find out about it," Pak teases — some conflict from the first Superman/Batman arc will come just from these two guys. Both are figuring out who they are as young men and as heroes but also have a lot of questions about each other.
"What would your reaction be if you saw a guy running around in a bat costume in the dead of night attacking people for the first time? And what would your reaction be if you met an alien who could crush steel in his bare hands for the first time?" the writer says. "These guys are going to have very different immediate impressions of each other than we're used to seeing with these characters. "There's an element of danger to the book that I think is very real and very exciting."
"It's a real privilege and I am real grateful to get my feet wet with them," Pak says. Batman/Superman is "a really exciting place to discover who these guys are, and the things we're going to discover particularly in this first story arc will have ramifications later on down the line," he adds. "We're going to start in the past but it'll reverberate through. It'll be big and crazy and tons of fun." The two characters have been a part of DC since the late 1930s.
Google just announced their newest laptop — the Chromebook Pixel — which brings together the best in hardware, software and design to inspire the next generation of Chromebooks. With the Pixel, Google sets out to rethink all elements of a computer in order to design the best laptop possible, especially for power users who have fully embraced the cloud. The philosophy of Chrome has always been to minimize the "chrome" of the browser. In much the same way, the goal of the Pixel is to make the pixels disappear, giving people the best web experience.
Let's start with the screen. This Chromebook has the highest pixel density (239 pixels per inch) of any laptop screen on the market today. Packed with 4.3 million pixels, the display offers sharp text, vivid colors and extra-wide viewing angles. With a screen this rich and engaging, you want to reach out and touch it—so we added touch for a more immersive experience. Touch makes it simple and intuitive to do things like organize tabs, swipe through apps and edit photos with the tip of your finger.
The Pixel has been engineered with the highest quality components to ensure it's comfortable to use all day long and meets the needs of demanding power users. The body of the Pixel is made from an anodized aluminum alloy to create a smooth and durable surface; vents are hidden, screws are invisible and the stereo speakers are seamlessly tucked away beneath the backlit keyboard. The touchpad is made from etched glass, analyzed and honed using a laser microscope to ensure precise navigation. The Pixel also has powerful, full-range speakers for crisp sound, a 720p webcam for clear video, and a total of three microphones designed to cancel out surrounding noise.
Other aspects of the Pixel include:
Speed: Speed has been a core tenet of Chrome and Chromebooks since the beginning. For Pixel, it's critical that the overall experience, everything from loading webpages to switching between apps, is near instant. Powered by an Intel® Core™ i5 Processor and a solid state Flash memory architecture, the Pixel performs remarkably fast.
Connectivity: The Pixel has an industry-leading WiFi range thanks to carefully positioned antennas and dual-band support. Long-term evolution (LTE) is engineered directly into the machine, delivering fast connectivity across Verizon's network, the largest, fastest 4G LTE network in the U.S. (LTE model optional). It also comes with 12 free GoGo® Inflight Internet passes for those times you need to connect while in the air.
Storage: Since this Chromebook is for people who live in the cloud, one terabyte of Google Drive cloud storage* is included with the Pixel. This enables you to save, access and share photos, videos, documents, and all of your stuff from all of your devices, from anywhere.
Finally, as you've come to expect from all Chromebooks, all of your favorite Google products like Search, Gmail, YouTube, Maps and Google+ Hangouts are integrated and just a click away. And since it's based on Chrome OS, the Pixel boots up in seconds and never slows down, requires almost zero setup or maintenance, and comes with built-in virus protection. Best of all, it stays up to date with automatic updates every few weeks.
If you want to be part of the next step in the Chromebook journey, the Pixel will be available for purchase starting today on Google Play in the U.S. and U.K., and soon on BestBuy.com. The WiFi version ($1,299 U.S. and £1,049 U.K.) will start shipping next week and the LTE version ($1,449) will ship in the U.S. in April. If you’re interested in a hands-on experience, you can visit select Best Buy (U.S.) and Currys PC World (U.K.) store locations.
Sony Corp. unveiled the PlayStation 4, its first video-game console in seven years, introducing new cloud and social-media features as Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai seeks to reignite sales.
Andrew House, CEO of Sony's PlayStation unit, announced the product today at an event in New York. Consumers will be able to stream some older titles online, see what friends are doing and take over games in progress from others. The company didn't disclose prices or say when the machine will go on sale.
The PlayStation 4 makes its debut amid an industry shift toward mobile play on smartphones and tablets, raising the question of whether gamers will shell out several hundred dollars for a new device. The console will allow self- publishing, mimicking the open architecture of smartphones that encourages smaller developers to create and sell titles to the growing ranks of casual players.
"It's unlikely that PS4 will boost Sony’s sales and profit in the long term, although in the short term its share price may go up," said Mitsushige Akino, chief fund officer at Ichiyoshi Asset Management Co., which oversees about $356 million. "Only core gamers buy game consoles like the PS4. Killer content that everyone wants to buy is essential."
Sony is working to combat mobile devices with hardware and software that will make games available to play or share at the press of a button on a console, PlayStation Vita portable or even a smartphone.
The new product will include social-gaming features that let players tag and share videos, and watch what others are doing at the same time, according to Mark Cerny, the lead architect, who demonstrated the new controller, the DualShock 4, that includes a touchpad and “share” button. "We've taken a deeply consumer focused and developer centric approach to the PlayStation 4," Cerny said from the stage.
Personalization will be a compelling feature, Cerny said. The system is designed to learn players' likes and dislikes. Based on those it will make recommendations, have potential purchases ready and let customers begin playing new titles before they are fully downloaded to the machine’s hard drive.
The PlayStation 4 service will offer both free games and episodic titles, the company said. Gamers will be able to broadcast their play to friends. "What we're creating is the fastest, most powerful network for gaming in the world," said David Perry, CEO of Sony’s Gaikai online game service.
Mobile games and those downloaded to computers are taking a bigger portion of sales at the expense of traditional gear. U.S. revenue from those titles rose 16 percent last year to $5.9 billion, according to Port Washington, N.Y.-based researcher NPD Group Inc. Sales of the $60 packaged titles for consoles fell 21 percent to $8.9 billion.
Nintendo, which released the Wii U late last year, cut its sales forecast for the console in January as it struggles to compete with Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. tablets. Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, plans to begin selling a new Xbox by the end of 2013 that includes more processing power and more home-entertainment features, people with knowledge of the situation said last year.
The PlayStation, once a profit center for Sony consumer electronics, lost its lead in the last generation of consoles, while remaining an important launchpad for Tokyo-based Sony’s new technologies and services, including DVD and Blu-ray players and its online video and music stores.
As with any gaming console, good hardware only tells half of the story. Sony also announced a stable of games that'll play a large role in determining the early success of the PlayStation 4, which is set for availability this holiday season.
Leading the charge will be biggies such as Killzone Shadow Fall, Bungie's next first-person shooter known as Destiny, Diablo III and a new installment of Final Fantasy. These games will be joined by creative efforts such as Knack, a game directed by the PlayStation 4's lead architect, Mark Cerny, Watch Dogs from Ubisoft, and Driveclub, which aims to bring team-based racing to new levels. PS4 owners can also expect exclusives such as InFamous: Second Son and The Witness. Rounding out the list -- for now, anyway -- is a game from Capcom with the working title of Deep Down, along with an unnamed entry from Media Molecule.
MANILA, Philippines - A mixture of high-end jobs and clerical jobs make up the list of top ten hot jobs in Metro Manila, the Department of Labor and Employment said. Based on data in 2011, the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics made available today (February 19, 2013) the top ten jobs that dominated the vacancy list.
As expected, call center agents were at number one, with at least 18,026 average vacancies per quarter. BLES said "demand for call center agents remained robust in 2011 on the back of the country’s global leadership in 'voice contact' business outsourcing."
Number two on the list are sales representatives, with an average 6,913 number of vacancies per quarter. "The need for sales representatives and salespersons cut across industries as their services are vital in improving the marketing of the products and services of enterprises."
BLES classified more than two-fifths of the total job vacancies per quarter to be "high-end jobs" or those comprised mainly of professional workers (19.6%); technicians and associate professionals (16%); and corporate executives, managers, proprietors and supervisors (6.7%). This is based on a total of 75,000 job openings in various types of occupations at the end of each quarter of the year.
Third on the top ten hot jobs in Metro Manila are the computer professionals, with an average vacancy of 5,779 per quarter. BLES said “demand for computer professionals particularly in the areas of programming and system analysis and designs increased, driven by diversification of BPO industries towards higher value chain products and adoption of modern technology in many industries.”
Fourth are the clerks, with 5,533 average vacancies per quarter.
Fifth are shop salespersons, with 3,528 average vacancies per quarter.
Sixth are protective services workers, with 2,565 average vacancies per quarter.
Engineers are on the seventh spot, with 2,140 average vacancies per quarter.
Cashiers and ticket clerks are on the eighth spot, with an average of 1,951 vacancies per quarter.
Accountants and auditors are ninth, with an average of 1,292 vacancies per quarter.
Tenth are the debt collectors, with an average of 1,111 vacancies per quarter.
What's happening in Sabah? A hundred fully armed Filipinos are holed up in a remote coastal town since last Wednesday in order to press the claim of the Sultanate of Sulu and Sabah that Sabah belongs to the family of Sultan Muhammad Fuad Abdulla Kiram, the 35th De Jure Reigning Sultan. The Sultan is also head of the Sultanate & head of Islam in the Royal Hashemite Sultanate of Sulu and of Sabah. So we ask, are these people crazy or are they trying to recover what the Sultan of Sulu legitimately owns?
I’m glad that the Aquino regime is very cautious regarding the disturbing moves happening in Sabah these days. After all, it recently signed a framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), but as we already wrote before because they apparently left out the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) because they just don’t like Nur Misuari.
But since we are talking peace with the MILF, we must do the same for the MNLF despite Nur Misuari who during the 2nd MNLF Peace Summit on May 24, 2008 in Davao City, he, before the presence of the Sultan of Sulu and Sabah, Muhammad Fuad A. Kiram I, held a sword and vowed to work for the return of Sabah to the Royal Sultanate of Sulu by peaceful means. So the question goes back to the hundred armed men in Sabah: are they trying to recover Malaysia through peaceful means? That they are armed to the teeth makes us suspicious of their moves.
But if there is anything that the Aquino regime should avoid at all cost it is opening two fronts that could trigger a war with one of our ASEAN neighbors. It’s bad enough that we are having territorial problems with China in Scarborough shoal, which they are claiming as theirs from their past history maps. Let’s just hope this issue in Sabah can be diffused peacefully. With that said, we must also go back to history on whether the claim of the Sultan of Sulu and of Sabah is legitimate or not.
Some history books tell us that pre-Spanish Philippines were mostly inhabited by Muslims. This maybe true to most of Mindanao, but not to Cebu. If you recall, when Ferdinand Magellan’s Armada de Moluccas anchored off to what is now downtown Cebu City in 1521, he was greeted by Rajah Humabon. Ask yourselves, what country uses Rajah or Maharajah? Muslim kings are called Datus… but it was a Rajah that greeted the Spaniards because Cebu and the Visayas was part of the Sri-Vishaya Empire, which means our Cebuano ancestors had a Hindu, not a Muslim past.
If at all we’ve never found any peace in Mindanao, it is due to the fact that there are just so many unresolved issues that no one dared or cared to fix. While the Spaniards colonized much of the Philippine Archipelago, they really didn’t do well in Southern Mindanao, except in Zamboanga City.
Back in Jan. 22, 1878, Sabah then under Sultan Jamalal Ahlam Kiram of Sulu and Sabah were leased to a British company represented by Gustavus Baron de Overbeck of Hong Kong and Alfred Dent, Esquire of London for a princely sum (at that time) of $5,000 annually. Today Sabah under Malaysia pumps nearly one million barrels of oil per day in Sabah, which is estimated at $75 million per day. This does not include the other things that Sabah produces like timber, forest and agriculture products.
According to reports I’ve read, Malaysia pays the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu an annual rent of $1,500, which is far lower than what they got from the British… and peanuts if you consider the income Malaysia gets from Sabah’s oil fields. No wonder, Sultan Kiram I minced no words when he insisted that “The continued occupation of Sabah by Malaysia is illegal and it must end.” So the big question we ought to ask is whether we should help Sultan Kiram I recover Sabah from Malaysia. If it is ours, then we must.
What’s more interesting for us in the Philippines is that, then Sultan Muhammad Esmail Kiram who ruled as Sultan of Sulu and Sabah in 1947-1973, wrote and signed on Jan. 22, 1958 an “Instrument of Cessation” declaring the lease to the British Company since Jan. 22, 1878 as “terminated”. There’s more! On April 24, 1962, Sultan Esmail Kiram signed an instrument recognizing, admitting and accepting the ultimate sovereignty, title and dominion of the Republic of the Philippines over their North Borneo Territory without prejudice to the proprietary rights of the heirs of the Sultan Kiram.
On Sept. 12, 1962, the Philippines, then under President Diosdado Macapagal with Vice-President Emmanuel Pelaez formally accepted this instrument giving Philippine sovereignty to Sabah. But on Aug. 31, 1963, Malaysia was granted Independence by the British. So for all intents and purposes… we got Sabah first before Malaysia could be independent. So why is the Philippines ignoring this fact? That Malaysia pays its annual “rent” to the Sultan is proof that the Sultan’s claim is legitimate. There’s more on this.
Last year. We met him around 7 11, in front of our school, UPHS Biñan, Laguna. His name is Chrislan, 11 years old.
Tulad ng ibang batang pakala-kalat sa kalye, nanlilimos din sya sa mga tao. Nakilala namin sya, nang bigla nyang hinili yung stockings ng kaibigan ko, at sabi ko sa kanya bad yon. Tumigil naman sya, at biglang sinabing, "Ako nga po manas yung katawan ko e, tignan nyo po." (Diniinan nya yung part ng binti nya, at nagulat kami kasi nakalubog lang ito at hindi bumabalik agad sa dati.) I asked him why it happens. Sabi nya, after an hour pa daw bago bumalik sa dati yung part na lumubog nung diniinan nya. Isa lang ang kidney nya at inborn yun. Yung naiipon nya sa panlilimos nya, ibinibili nya ng gamot. Saulado nya lahat ng mga kailangan nyang inumin na gamot, yun nga lang minsan kinakapos sya. Kaya may mga gabi daw na tinitiis nya yung kirot ng katawan nya kapag sinusumpong sya. One time daw, may nagbigay sa kanya ng pera at nakarating sya ng PGH magisa para magpa-check up. Napakakisig at napakatyaga nyang bata.
Pinutol ko muna yung kwentuhan namin at tinanong ko kung kumain na ba sya, at ayun hindi pa daw. Kaya nag-decide akong ipasok sya sa 7 11 para bilhan ng pagkain. Binilhan ko sya ng Hotdog at Coke, kaso bawal daw sya don. Nagpabili nalang sya ng tubig at iuuwi nya nalang daw sa kanyang kapatid yung binili ko para daw hindi masayang. Anyway, lima silang magkakapatid, at pangalawa sya. Iniwan na daw sila ng kanilang mga magulang. Pero sa Calamba sila tumutuloy, sa kanyang tiyahin. Sinisikap nyang maglakad papunta kung saan para lang makapanglimos. Nakalimutan kong banggitin na, magaling syang kumanta at napakamasayahin nyang bata. :) Ayoko pa sanang iwan sya, kaso kailangan ko na talagang bumalik ng school.
And I almost cry when he told me na, "Mommy nalang kita, ampunin nyo nalang po ako. Promise po, magpapakabait ako." If only you can see how he looks like when he's telling me that.. Napaka-among muka. Sabi ko sa kanya, "Kung mayaman lang kami iuuwi na kita sa'min e, kaso nag-aaral palang ako. Hayaan mo pag mayaman na ko, papagamot at pag-aaralin kita. Basta wag mo kong kakalimutan. Sagot nya, "Oo naman po, Mommy. Hinding hindi kita makakalimutan."
Maswerte tayo masyado, kaya pahalagahan natin lahat ng bagay na nakukuha o nagagawa natin. Sana magkita pa kami!
Aksidenteng nakasalubong ng PEP ang aktres na si Iwa Moto sa Alabang Town Center sa Muntinlupa City. Kasama ni Iwa ang kanyang boyfriend na si Pampi Lacson.
Kapansin-pansin ang umbok sa tiyan ng StarStruck alumna, kaya naman bagamat nagulat nang makita kami ay hindi na nito itinanggi ang tunay na kalagayan niya. Inamin ni Iwa na tatlong buwan na siyang buntis sa anak nila ni Pampi.
Hindi nagpaunlak ng panayam si Iwa sa PEP dahil, ayon sa kanya, may mga inaayos pa siyang mga bagay-bagay. Maliban sa pagsagot sa aming katanungan kung ilang buwan na ang tiyan niya ay wala nang iba pang sinabi si Iwa. Ngunit tiniyak niya sa amin na darating ang takdang panahon na magbibigay siya ng pahayag.
Bagamat matagal na silang nagsasama, kasal pa rin sina Iwa at Pampi sa kani-kanilang mga nakahiwalayang asawa na sina Mickey Ablan at Jodi Sta. Maria. May isang anak sina Pampi at Jodi, samantalang inamin ni Iwa na nakunan siya sa magiging anak sana nila ni Mickey.
