I read that the Province of Aklan is planning to construct a 40-hectare reclamation site between the Island of Boracay and coastal village of Caticlan. Personally I am against it.
I believed that by reclaiming the area, more commercial buildings will rise and for sure an increase in pollution can be expected. More so, this can have a major environmental impact to the island. In short, we will miss the real essence of Boracay as a paradise island.
You see, by definition, a paradise is a place in which existence is positive, harmonious and timeless. It is conceptually a counter image of miseries of human civilization, and in paradise there is only peace, prosperity, and happiness. Paradise is a place of contentment, but it is not necessarily a land of luxury and idleness.
When I went there few months ago, another concern of the locals if ever this plan is push through is the peace and order of the island. According to them, a reclaimed Boracay would open the island to a lot of illegal activities. People can come and go anytime they want thus they can do whatever they want. Easy access to everything. From drugs to prostitution.
We must not forget that the very reason why foreigners keep on coming to Boracay because they want a taste of paradise. A place where they can sleep well without worrying about their safety. A place where they can smell the sea breeze instead of pollution from the traffic. A place where they can relax and appreciate the beauty of the island instead of commercial buildings.
Yes, I understand that the Governor of Aklan wants progress in his province. Can we have progress without destroying God's work. My point is that, instead of reclaiming Boracay, why don't the Province of Aklan look for another area so that the P 1-B money for reclamation can be allocated for other project instead.
We always say that everything has a reason. I'm sure He has a good reason why He made Boracay a Paradise Island. What do you think? So let us not mess around with mother nature.
I am an airsoft enthusiast for more than 3 years now and one of the most difficult military simulation we had was during Swordfish II in Sagay City wherein one of the scenario was a hostage taking in a bus similar to what happened last week in Quirino Grandstand.
The objective of that game was to rescue a number of passengers in the bus from a group of terrorists in the shortest possible time. Just like what transpired in last week's hostage crisis, we also had difficulty in entering the bus because the terrorists had the vantage point. So most of the time we either get hit first or hit a hostage during the attempt. For me, this is acceptable because as we all know, this is only a role-playing game and of course we are not trained like our S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons And Tactics) in the PNP.
However, the rescue attempt last week was unacceptable. S.W.A.T supposedly are elite force trained for hostage crisis and counter-terrorism. Needless to say, it appeared last week that the M.P.D.-S.W.A.T. are not prepared for this kind of scenario. Obviously, they didn't anticipate the possible problems that they might encounter during their assault. Like continuously using a sledge hammer to break in even though it was not working to their advantage. Deciding to use tear gas without using gas masks during their assault. Allowing some of the S.W.A.T. members to get involved in the operation without even using kevlar helmets and bulletproof vest. To make things worst, it took them almost an hour before they were able to control the situation. Sadly, there were 8 hostages killed in this incident.
I am not here to pass judgment on them but I strongly believed that if they were more aggressive, this hostage crisis would have ended peacefully.
I agree that this is an isolated incident but the fact remains that the situation was not handled properly. I think this is the very reason why the people of Hong Kong are still demanding an explanation from us.
Airsoft is a gentleman's game. This is also what we are expecting from the people involved in this incident. Unfortunately, nobody is man enough to accept the command responsibility of this hostage crisis.
We must realize that the only way we can redeem ourselves from this mess is by accepting our shortcomings and assuring the world a fair and just investigation.
I believed that by doing this, we can show to the victim's family our sincerity in searching for the truth.
Either you are a "Kapamilya" or "Kapuso", it is about time to unite and together let us all pray for a peaceful, honest and credible election.
And in order to ensure that our votes will be counted, watch this step by step video animation on how to vote properly.
Our responsibility doesn't end after voting, we must also watch out for any irregularities or cheating. Remember that the success of this election depends on all of us.
You are what you drive… Somehow I believed this because this is one of the reason why I choose the Ford Everest over the Toyota Fortuner as my replacement for my Honda Civic three years ago. You see, I want to be a part of a tradition which doesn’t only embodies quality but also safety. I also love its design because it is not too aggressive which I believed that this conservative approached in design like Range Rovers does could stand the test of time.
Last weekend, I came across an article by Aris Ilagan of Top Gear Philippines where he talks about the expensive rides of our presidential bets. Here’s a short list of the luxury cars seen and used by our presidential candidates when they campaign.
Noynoy Aquino: He gets around with a white Toyota Land Cruiser VXR. This SUV speaks stability and power. Estimated cost of one new unit is P 3.5M .
Manny Villar: This billionaire has a black Chevrolet Suburban. This true blue American SUV has never been more desirable and formidable than ever. Estimated cost of this SUV is P 3.4 M.
Joseph Estrada: This former president owns a Cadillac Escalade. If you want a combination of luxury sedan trapping and full sized SUV functionality, this SUV is for you. Estimated cost of this new Cadillac is P 3.1 M .
Jamby Madrigal: This “palaban” senator has an off-white Lexus SUV. Lexus deligent in its relentless pursuit of perfection made this vehicle more popular over other SUV’s in the US. Estimated cost of this luxurious car is P 4.2 M .
Gibo Teodoro: This former secretary of defense really knows safety. He owns a Volvo XC90 which cost around P 4.3 M .
Dick Gordon and Eddie Villanueva: This two presidential aspirants were often seen in separate black Ford Expedition. This SUV provides a pleasant and powerful driving experience despite it’s massive size. Estimated cost is P 3.1 M .
As you have noticed, the type of car they used more or less reflects their personality. So after knowing all of these, I hope this could help make up your mind whom to vote on May 10.
I was shocked when the latest survey of the most trusted presidential candidate came out. It turned out that Sen. Manny Villar tops the survey followed by Sen. Nonoy Aquino. C’mon guys, of all the candidates, why Mannny?
To this day, frankly speaking I don’t trust him. Personally, I have nothing against Sen. Manny Villar it’s just that as a voter I have the right to know the real story on C5. I think this is the issue that he needs to resolve in order to clear his name and worthy of the above survey.
I believed that one of the most important traits of a good leader is trust. Trust is essential in a democratic government. It is also one of the basic foundations of good governance. So how can we expect change on May 10 if he has this trust issue like GMA?
My dear friends, we need to wake up and think it over if we really want to have a leader who is trustworthy or not. Remember that this election is not about money or catchy ads and jingles but rather this must be all about transparency, honesty and sincerity.
He said in one of his campaign ads that if he really wants to get richer, he might as well focus on his business and not go into politics. Is that so? We must not forget that GMA’s assets doubled or even tripled during her presidency. We are not stupid Mr. Senator.
Until then, if we will continue to patronize candidates like him who became popular because of unresolved issues and who have questionable intentions for our country, I am afraid we can’t move on as a country.
I am not campaigning for any candidate but I am campaigning for change and sad to say that I don’t think Sen. Manny Villar can make a change. Sorry but for me he is the same old banana.
For almost 3 years now, wherever I go, I carry with me my .45 caliber pistol because of some personal reasons. On Jan. 10, 2010, I will be joining the thousands of gun owners who will be leaving our guns inside our residence because of the nationwide gun ban. Actually, I have nothing against it as long as the Philippine National Police (PNP) will implement it seriously.
“The general rule is that only persons in authority who are in proper uniform and in actual performance of the official duties are allowed to carry firearms during the election period,” PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa said.
Verzosa also vowed to implement “to the letter” the nationwide gun ban imposed by the Commission of Elections (Comelec) in order to lessen the political violence in the run-up to the May 2010 elections.
I just hope that Verzosa will keep his words because most of the time, like in the previous elections, gun ban was only implemented strictly in urban areas like Metro Manila. If this is the case, it would be very sad on our part because I am afraid that another life will be wasted from our group if total gun ban is not sincerely implemented in our area .
Therefore my wish for this coming election is that the PNP will stop all gun ban violators without bias, I wish that they will look all the areas that were considered by the Comelec as hot spot seriously and I wish that they will listen to all complaints attentively without considering political colors. So to all chief of police especially in rural areas like ours, try to stop look and listen this time. Okay chief?
Few hours from now, the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) will be closed and I never felt relieved that finally the rumors that I am running for city councilor will finally end. I know that tomorrow, a lot of people will ask me why I decided not to enter politics since according to them, I have all the “qualities” of a future politician. Modesty aside, I am young, my line of work influences a lot of people and my mother had a long and clean political career as a city councilor. So, the big question is why?
Our political system in the Philippines is disappointing. For almost twenty-three years since we had our freedom from a dictator, I didn’t see any big difference, especially if we are going to talk about our present government. The only changes I know of are the people who govern us, but sad to say, for me, they are all the same. Our leaders today are inclined more on how they will stay in power and earned more money rather than serving us taxpayers.
Just few hours ago, GMA filed her COC to run for congress for next year’s election. The action was unprecedented and a lot of questions were raised about her plans. Obviously, she wants to stay in politics and God forbid become our first woman prime minister.
Last week, the world was shocked when they learned about the Maguindanao massacre. As I was reading the newspaper, I can’t help myself but to wonder why God would allow this thing to happen. On second thought, I realized that this incident should happen in order for us to know how inhuman we are when it comes to politics. I can’t imagine how the 57 innocent civilians were brutally murdered just to preserve a political dynasty.
Our political system is just like a pizza pie where everyone wants a piece of it but nobody wants to share it.For me, the longer you become part of the system, the more you become corrupt. I think that’s the reason why, as a nation we can’t move forward because the problem is not only in our government but also in the political system itself.
So, I decided not to run because I don’t want to be a part of the system. I don’t want that someday, as a politician, I am force to do something that I’m going to regret it later in my life. I don’t want to change into a person whom I’m going to hate when I grow old. I don’t want to be like someone dear to me, whom I love and respect, changed because of politics. In politics, you may lose your self-respect, you values, your principles in life, your friends and even your family.
Finally, we have two candidates for presidency on 2010 that are worth our votes, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino III, and Sec. Gilberto "Gibo" Cojuangco Teodoro, Jr.
As we all know, Noynoy is the only son of the former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino and the former Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. while Gibo Teodoro is the only child of Gilberto C. Teodoro, Sr., the former Social Security Administrator and Mercedes Cojuangco, former Batasang Pambansa member. Noynoy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree from the Jesuit – run Ateneo de Manila while Gibo graduated from De La Salle University with a degree of Management of Financial Institutions. He also holds a law degree from the Univesity of the Philippines, and a master’s degree from the Harvard Law School in the US. Gibo topped the bar exams in 1989, becoming one of the youngest bar topnotchers in the country. He also took and passed the New York State Bar exam in 1997.Both of them served as Representative of their respective districts, Nonoy ran for congress as a representative for the 2nd District of Tarlac Province in 1998 and won. He won reelection in 2001 and 2004. During his time in Congress, he served on numerous committees: the Public Order and Security, Transportation and Communications, Agriculture, Banks &and Financial Intermediaries, Peoples’ Participation, Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, Appropriations, Natural Resources, and Trade and Industry committees (11th Congress), the Civil, Political and Human Rights, Good Government, Public Order and Security, Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy committees (12th Congress), and the Banks and Financial Intermediaries, Energy, Export Promotion, Public Order and Safety committees (13th Congress). He was also the Deputy Speaker from 8 November 2004 to 21 February2006.Gibo, was the Congressman of the First District of Tarlac for three (3) consecutive terms starting 1998. At the House, he assumed the position of Assistant Majority Leader (11th Congress) and Head of the Nationalist People’s Coalition House members. He was also a member of the House contingent to the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. Currently, Noynoy holds the position of Vice-Chairman of the Liberal Party, having assumed the post on 17 March 2006 while Gibo is presently the Secretary of the Department of Defense.
So what made me say that they are worth our votes? I’m sure, the reason is not only because of their impressive political careers that were mentioned above but simply because both are not “trapo” (traditional politician). They don’t have businesses to protect as far as I know of. They are not involved on any anomalies or corruptions. Most importantly they are not actors who, even though they are not qualified, take advantage of their popularity.
Noynoy or Gibo? Actually, in my own observation, each one has his X - factor that could change the game if use properly and could lead one of them to Malacanang . We can't deny the fact that one of the reason why Noynoy tops the recent survey because of “Cory Magic" . But Noynoy must realize that just like any magic, once you know the secret behind it, the excitement is gone. So it is up to Noynoy to accept this challenge and make his own “Noynoy Magic” in order to turn our hopes into votes.
For Gibo, his X-factor is obviously his political party. They control the majority of Legislators of the House of Representative and the Governors and Mayors of the different Local Government Units nationwide. In short, they have the money and the machinery to win the presidency on 2010. However, I’m sure all of you will agree with me that this same X-factor could make or break his candidacy especially if GMA will endorse him. Therefore, he should prove to us that he is his own man. Like what happened to US Sen. John McCain, who lost his bid for presidency against US Sen. Barack Obama, because he was strongly associated with President George W. Bush, the most unpopular US President in American history.
But I believed in the saying “history repeats itself". The death of Ninoy in 1983 united all of us to fight for our democracy against a dictator. On 1986, Doy Laurel gave up his presidential bid to Cory Aquino, as the standard bearer of the UNIDO-LABAN Party, which united the opposition and together ousted President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Recently, the death of President Cory Aquino, the mother of our democracy, awakened all of us to the sad reality that our democratic system is also dying. Few weeks after her death, our nation was shocked when Sen. Mar Roxas gives way to Noynoy to be the standard bearer of the Liberal Party for the presidency on 2010. Although it’s too early to say but for me, destiny is on Noynoy ' s side. So, may the best man wins.
I read that the Province of Aklan is planning to construct a 40-hectare reclamation site between the Island of Boracay and coastal village of Caticlan. Personally I am against it.
