Smoke Ban on Hold

Its very obvious that somebody is behind the complaint that cause the court to issue an order that hold the Metropolitan authorities from apprehending smokers along EDSA. This is being confirmed by the complainant himself when interviewed by the TV reporters. Logic would dictate that this person is financed by somone who has a stake on this No smoking policy.
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S&P Downgrading of US AAA Status

Obama rightly says it..no matter what any agency says againts the US.. the US being the US just dont bite it. The downgrading is not unanimous among credit rating company...in fact its only the S & P. However, being the largest , it create a ripple globally.The timing couldn't be more any better as contending and possible presidential hopefuls are starting to train their campaign slogan on this debacle Obama administration most likely will be known in the entire US history Read more...

1st World Country Crime

What do you say when a crime is committed in a 1st world country compared to a crime committed in a third world country? What usually follow when an incident just like that very unfortunate incident in Norway, is that a travel advisory will be issued by the 1st world countries. While the 3rd world country is busy controlling the damage through PR means,somehow the impression built up to that of notoriety of that poor country. It shows how imbalance social status is. No country has ever called for a travel advisory to Norway. Read more...

Kidnappings in Mindanao

Mindanao again in the headlines!As always foreign government issued warnings on its citizens to avoid traveling in the Philippines , particularly down south.Does this kind of stereotyping Mindanao helps? Just because there are bad elements in a particular place , it justifies in saying the whole island is a place to avoid. Of course it is always better to avoid, but it does not help. The way the government is acting on the situation somehow gives one the idea that it is consigned to a belief that Mindanao is just like that. As if, it already is a culture in Mindanao and nothing can be done. Read more...

Bishops and PCSO

"Better late than never"- at least an apology was issued in behalf to the Bishops who received the SUV's. What could have happened if there was no expose on the PCSO funds. That goes to show that even the righteous one's can be corrupted indirectly by the evil proceeds from gambling. The poor betting his hard earned cash for a chance of improving his lot doesn't mind it anyway. What's new is that the PCSO is challenged to ask for an apology.. Read more...

Asean World Cup Qualifying Games

The Philippines is making history as it advances to the 2nd round of its group qualifying games courtesy of its trashing the Sri Lankans. The Azkals ( street dogs) as they are known, are leaving to Bahrain to prepare againts its much stronger, much experienced and higher rated soccer nation of Kuwait. Looking at the lineup of the Philippine team, one cannot see why it has progressed thus far.
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Public Official Rage

Another public official hitting the frontpage for hitting people.After that mayor who manage to enter a radio booth and hit the journalist , another mayor did the same thing to a government employee. This lady mayor seems to bully her way and tried to copy what her father is known is.Her action to an official who is simply doing his job is pathetic, irresponsible and uncivilized. To think that she is also a lawyer , brings shudder to one's spine. If that was her father, it may not be as controversial as that's a nature to him but to a lady lawyer mayor is downright outrageous Read more...

Tuko Part 2

Just when everyone seems settled on waiting for this German doctor buyer from Bukidnon, here comes another "buyer".This one is a Korean supposedly from Surigao.He is offering a little higher than the German, as told by the word of mouth. These kind of report drive everyone to go after those poor little Tukos. If not for monetary consideration, one would rather catch a tuko than have someone catch it anyway. Who knows, these nationals and their Tuko buyer show up, at least he'll be the instant millionaire. Read more...

Trees Along LDS Temple

The Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Cebu is now in operation for a year since opening to "patron" in June last year.One can be awed by the program they must have in maintaining the temple and the complex looking new and beautiful everyday.Every 6 months the temple is closed for maintenance activities-that explains everything. After a year of being a sight to behold along Lahug highway, however, one would notice that the landscape has changed as well. Gone are the age old fire tree, and the thick "kalachuchi" tree is getting a "skinhead" so to speak. What's in their mind,it is pretty much assumed that the aim was to make the temple more beautiful to look at.The thought that trees symbolizes life,strength and beauty,the sight of the temple without those tree and kalachuchi leaves simply awkward.Is it not that the beauty be enhance rather than a sudden attention getting landscaping move? Read more...

Garbage Disposal:No Segregation No Collection

A lot many local government units are adopting this action to avert an impending garbage calamity.We are at face with a problem of our own making. It does not take any common sense how we produce and make a little of too much in our way of life. It would take a shift in paradigm to have a better resolve within ourselves in dealing with this problem. Becoming an agent of change will be a good start as we approaches into the next era.Leaving it alone to the authorities is out of the question. What we do in our humble way, starting in ourselves, our family and actively promoting the proven strategy , just like the three R's (reduce,reuse,recycle)hopefully will snowball. Its now a reality , that environment is becoming central to our society. Ondoy just proved that. The current No segregation and No Collection may at the onset a pain and a stinky issue , but this is how we educate ourselves. We are seeing littered garbages in every corner, not picked up by the garbage truck, smoke arising from burned garbages.As always these are the birthpains and we will grow from this Read more...

Ampatuan Live Trial

These people don't get it. The witness or anybody in that room or their kins can be a potential target for liquidation by the opposing blood thirsty supporters of both camps.Giving a live trial would be a triumph not of free speech and justice but to those who will use it to expand their power by means of imposing fear. An edited rebroadcast would be a better alternative.Beside, making it into the living room real time, just like last impeachment of ERAP through television is pathetic and would surely be a rated R.Or worst, could be a circus of pretentious, camera conscious, boastful personality. Poor kins who will be at the mercy of the supporters who anxiously wait for their leaders to send coded signals..in case Read more...

China's Agressiveness

Philippines having the weakest armed forces in the region would be a good case for China's bullying with its neighbors.It would showcase its power and might to the world and who would dare to stand on China's path would be economically disadvantage- just look what happened to those who recognize Taiwan.China it seems wanting to be the standard of the world,even mocking the USA human rights history.This area is where the USA and China differs. Would you rather have China as a model for human rights, religious tolerance,quality than with the USA or other first world country? Philippines would be greatly at disadvantage should all those china made products will go in case this word war would spill to worst economically. Read more...

ARMM Election

So its final! there would be no election fot the aUTONOMOUS rEGION OF mUSLIM mINDANAO. Both contending parties have the wise of intentions of their claims to go and not to go with the election. But wait.. did you notice that these so called lawmakers who are for and againts it are not at all living in that area of concern, much less coming from Mindanao.It is so pathetic to think that again, Manila is at hand in Mindanao's affairs that meant so much to the the Muslim community and all Mindanaoans. Read more...

HighSchool plus 2 years

So what happens to the college teachers of the no incoming freshmen and no sophomore class when highschool starts to have 5th and 6th year students? Then the "void of enrolled students will climb until these first batch graduate.This could spell doom for small time schools. In a positive side this will also purge the ever increasing business of putting up schools for profit instead of learning.There could be an increase of teachers employment to cover the additional 2 years of high school. The opposite for the college,due to this 2 year vacuum. Well, there are now opposition organizing these move by the Education and it is hoped that it is by the spirit of improvement not by selfish motives. Read more...

"Tuko" Hunting

Folks are going crazy over this lizard thing!
A "rumor" is going around of a German doctor going to spend a fortune just to have a live unscathed "TUKO" (GECKO) Offering as much as 1Million peso for a 1/4 kl lizard
Can you imagine how that spread like a wildfire.Poor lizards! Mathematically deducing the size of that kind of lizard, one wonders how much then would it costs for a tablet of medicine for that matter. It was told that it would cure AIDS anD cANCER! Wow!what's next for this rumor and scam thing- people are buying and wait for this german doctor to show up for their money... Funny Read more...

AZKALS Football Team

AZKALS - what a name! It ryhmes with "asong kalye" funny but true.Nobody wants to cross with asong kalye, simply because it got nothing to lose being a dog gone mad. This football team of the Philippines, just stand the belief of every filipino that when you are againts the odds, just fight your way forward. The team
is inspiring Filipinos who are fed up with basketball being given a limelight in this not so tall people who wants to excel in a sport clearly suited for taller people. Aside from boxing, football should be the sport clearly would fit best for Filipinos. Azkals will be in the many hearts of Filipinos as they will try to reach the world cup qualifying stages. Read more...

Cebu Province Trip

i finally got the chance to go south as far as Carmen.The trip was a wake up.Cebu,being considered as Manila's better alternative is seemingly incomprehensible.Why? Cebu is really a province after Cebu City and Mandaue City. Places like Lanao del Norte,Misamis Occidental,Zamboanga Area,Bukidnon which can be considered as remote area have better roads and are more vibrant wayside.
To think that Cebu as a seat of political scions only shows that progress is relative to the mindset of these powerhungry politicians.No wonder Cebuanos are friendliest compared to people in Manila because they still have the province culture and its what make Cebu unique. Read more...

Jubilee Celebration of LDS Church in CEBU

This year marks the 50th year the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints celebrate their 50 years presence in the Phils. With the celebration kick off started years ago, LDS members anticipated a grand celebration throughout the archipelago.The main celebration at Luzon held in Araneta Coliseum was just like that.The event was broadcast live on each unit's stake center and two weeks passed the celebration is to be replicated on every area.
In Cebu,though it is quite similar to Manila in easy terms of unit's
proximity,transport access, somehow a unified celebration for all their stakes in a single venue was not considered. It somehow miss a wonderful opportunity of doing missionary work among the many who are not familiar with Church history in the Philippines. The immense talent of the participants , the youth of the Church is inspiring.The dedication of the trainors is beyond doubt.
Just like the always quoted example in unity "coconut broomstick bundled together" the same way happened- the opposite. No stake can say that those efforts are witnessed by many. There are a lot more empty seats than filled.An element of great importance seems overlooked-that is advertisement.
Lesson learned could be rectified 50 years from now! Read more...

Reproductive Health Bill

Does everyJuan know the reproductive health bill?
Do we really need it? Does it concern only the welfare of women?

The lawmakers are feasting on the exposure they can get out from this issue.Even the richest lawmaker who said that he did miss a goodnight of sleep to study it,became a supporter on the opposing side.Do they really understand how the common, the poorest people take reproduction issue. They do not even think how a blind man begging on the street could reproduce his seeds that many. Read more...

GSIS woes

It finally is out-the government security insurance service is kaput.
After many years of management by people who are more concern with their survival in conjunction with whom are responsible for their appointments. It is mostly a political reward, obviously.With people not living with their income but rather with "utang" (DEBTS),it is a surefire to bankruptcy.People are hardpressed to pay , and with inefficient collection system , its only a matter of time.


It now appears that the vicious cycle when the good ones suffers due to some bad
ones is on stage at GSIS. Pity those who are religiously paying their obligations.May the people's uproar on this tragedy shake the leadership to find for a better way Read more...

LDS Church Significance in Tourism

With a missionary program where thousands have served since 1961 in the country (still counting), the LDS church, stands out as the most reliable organization that brings promotion to the country.When these fine men and women who are mostly from the USA return home,they brought home, the wonderful experiences they had had.

They are promoting the country in the most effective way- by word of mouth unto those whom they met as they share their best years while serving the people here.While others are doubting the country's tourism ads, the "return missionary" could attest his firsthand experience what really is like being in the country. For the most part if not all, they wanted to go back! They love it here.
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Julie's Bakeshop Cheeseless Cheese Breads

woww after almost 2 years i finally got back.
And too bad i really want it so bad so i can blog how i was shortchanged by a well known bakeshop in the Philippines,and i was with my son!

With my son who loves cheese breads we stopped by near Mandaue city central school branch of Julie's.We just came from biking early morning and thought a bite or two would fill us. We bought 4 pieces of hot cheese bread and gobble it hungrily, until my son ask what kind of bread did i buy. "Cheese bread, of course"my reply.Then he broke open as he tasted no cheese at all, and then i realized i did not taste either. And i did the same and ... no cheese at all on both of our last bread!

i called the saleslady attention that their cheese breads are cheese less.
She just replied flatly" sorry, we will just tell the baker".
I will never buy a cheese less cheese bread again in that store.

My son asked, how would i do that. How would i do that? ,oh boy Read more...