The Nation Joins Hands to Pray for Rain: Is it Enough?
By philobean | August 7, 2007
Last Sunday, all the Catholic Churches across the country said short prayers, as part of Sunday mass celebration, asking ‘the Almighty’ for rain, following an order issued by Roman Catholic Church leadership late last week. Prompted by reports from civil society and government warning of an impending water shortage should consumption remain at current levels while rainfall fall short of the expected amount this rainy season.
A day after the country knelt in prayer, rains came and it hasn’t stopped pouring since then. “Two days isn’t enough,” however, say news reports, “It will take two more storms and continued rainfall for the dams to fill up and return to normal levels”. Should the Roman Catholic Church then issue another order for concerted prayer this Sunday? Or, is prayer no longer enough to solve the problem?
The early part of the 21st century has seen a proliferation of horror stories concerning the environment–from, the more popular issue, climate change (which includes global warming) to, the less famous yet no less of a scare, impending water shortage. Water, it has been said, will soon become this century’s oil (as oil had become last century’s gold). Various international organizations of repute, including the World Bank and the United Nations, have echoed these warnings on water. Do we, Filipinos, understand the issue? Or, are most of us still stuck in the lebenswelt of the premodern era, an age wherein water, while sometimes unavailable, was generally abundant (and the water cycle sustainable)?
During this time of pre-crisis, it’s best that the government and civil society work hard to alert the country en masse of the real (underlying) criticality of the water issue. This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill lack of rainfall. The nature of our water cycle is changing (and its changing for the worse). Action must be taken and it must be taken at the grassroots level, at the level of each household and citizen, if the impending crisis is to be prevented.
Topics: Environment, A little political | 1 Comment »
[Announcement] Lecture by Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Mahabir Pun of Nepal
By philobean | August 6, 2007
The Ateneo de Manila-School of Government through its Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Program in cooperation with the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) will be hosting a Lecture by Mahabir Pun of Nepal, one of this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Awardees. The Ramon Magsaysay Award recognizes and honors individuals and organizations in Asia who have achieved distinction in their respective fields and have helped others generously without anticipating public recognition. The Award is widely acknowledged as Asia’s Nobel Prize. Aside from being a Magsaysay Awardee, Mr. Pun is also recognized as one of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs by Ashoka, the world’s leading organization that promotes social entrepreneurship.
Mahabir Pun’s lecture will be held on August 29,2007 (Wednesday), 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. If you are interested to attend this lecture, please contact Reese Fernandez at (02) 426-6001 loc. 4637 or email her at reesefernandez@ yahoo.com. Seats for this lecture are limited.
To know more about Mr. Pun’s work, you may visit the website of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation at www.rmaf.org. ph
Topics: Academic | No Comments »
Time Magazine Unofficial *Erratum*
By philobean | July 30, 2007
I’d like to declare an unofficial erratum to Time Magazine’s July 30, 2007 Issue. Page 49 , the magazine’s music feature zooms in on the Philippines and one of Manila’s premiere bands, Up Dharma Down. Paragraph 6, lines 15-16, somewhere along the feature’s third column, names Rivermaya as an example of an ASEAN band making it regionally. It also cites Singapore as Rivermaya’s country of origin instead of the Philippines, which would be closer to fact, to say the least. (Aside: Besides this not-quite-minor error, I quite liked the Time Magazine feature)
Topics: Personal | 3 Comments »
Strike One? Or, are we just being too hard on China?
By philobean | July 27, 2007
Huge scandal–Siu Pao sold on China’s streets are cardboard-filled! While a number of global fastfood chains are rumored to use onions and ‘low-grade beef’ as burger fillers and global food manufacturers, cartilege in hotdogs, the world declares cardboard ‘taking it too far’. China is, after all, the well-known least cost, least quality source of goods in the world.
It surprised the world when these big-hit stories were found to be untrue. Was it merely Strike One for those who’ve forever played keepers of the quality of Chinese goods or is it time to admit that we are, hands-down, being too hard on China?
My reckoning: if China’ll just be a little less secretive, maybe the world’ll be just a little less suspicious.
Topics: A little political, Business | 1 Comment »
JCA Pizzaria: Cebu’s *Best Cost* Pizza
How an Assortment of Seemingly Inappropriate Food can make Great Tasting Pizza!
By philobean | July 25, 2007
Way back when I was in grade school, my cousin Robert (much older than me and my brothers) would take us to JCA for a bite of pizza. Back then, we considered Pizza Hut and Shakey’s high-end. Well, JCA only had a few items on its menu. It’s specialty: <i>Magic pizza</i>.
The Cebu market is all about best cost. You can’t sell a pencil on the island without a convincing, sufficiently detailed, independently verifiable ten-step argument ready for the *kuripot* Cebuano. Well, JCA’s always been all about best cost. While, today, the pizzaria’s menu’s diversified a bit since the late 1990s, their prices are still significantly lower than its competitors. Magic, if I remember correctly, used to sell for a little over 50php (now selling for 120php). The pizzaria’s other (more mainstream) pizzas cost up to 160php, no where near Shakey’s Pizza Hut’s 300-400 range.
Oddly though, the Magic pizza (still claimed as JCA’s one-and-only specialty) costs much less than many of the others in the pizzaria’s now longer menu. Why? Well, (while I highly advise you have a taste of the pizza first before reading this) the Magic pizza’s ingredients is, as it has always been, a mixture of oddities: quickmelt cheese (instead of your regular mozzerella), sliced hotdogs (instead of pepperoni), a generous topping of sliced onions and bell pepper, and something that I swear resembles luncheon meat (this assertion has been contested, however). I had one before reading the menu. My next serving looked much less appetizing than my first. I had a few slices of the others (not quite satisfied) before taking a another swing at the Magic. It was much better.
JCA offers good quality pizza (comes with OK ambiance) for less than half the price at other stores. Its Magic pizza costs 25% less than many of the other offerings on the menu, but it tastes much better (albeit doesn’t look the part).
JCA, best cost, a truly Cebuano tradition.
Topics: Business, Personal | No Comments »
Harry Potter and the Missing Denoument
By philobean | July 23, 2007
The last installment of the Harry Potter series hit stores last Saturday, the 21st of July. Having read the first six (of course, I got hooked many many years ago…when I was young enough to claim youth as the sole reason for reading Harry Potter), I decided to read the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, if only to cap off my near seven-year investment on the series.
Well, while I don’t intend to spoil the read for other Harry Potter readers (those who admit to it and those who don’t), I’d like to issue a fair warning: you won’t like the ending.
Rowling’s been traditional when it comes to following the standard storytelling structure–i.e. basically, rising action, climax, falling action. But with Harry Potter Number 7, Rowling makes a fatal error. It’s not a matter of what she wrote (she wrote splendidly) but what she didn’t write. She fails to write a proper denoument (aka falling action).
Fatal, fatal, fatal. Why? Because after having stuck with Harry for near seven years, I’m sure readers would have developed a certain *attachment* to the characters (not the same ones for every reader, at that). So, we’d like to know what happens next. It’s kind of like a despedida, a farewell party of sorts. We’d like to spend sometime untangling our selves, emotionally, from the characters we’re bound to never read about again. But instead, merely a minute after *the good guys win over the bad guys*, the story ends. It’s basically climax, then *the end*.
Sure, sure. Rowling makes a tiddy tiny attempt at a denoument by writting an epilogue, entitled nineteen years later. But, blimey (in Potter-speak), it’s was a pathetic attempt! It features only four of the many many characters and talks about one more (and, note, ask yourself the question, so, what happened nineteen years later, the epilogue won’t give you the answer!). After seven years worth of character-building, you just can’t live with a denoument like that! It’s simply…unjust. You’ll break the little kids’ hearts.
So, manage expectations, people. For those of you who haven’t read the book yet and intend to, it’ll be good upto the climax. After that, prepare yourselves for a highly *unsatisfying* ending.
Just a little spoiler: Albus Severus Potter?! Who the!?! Talk about *creative writing*…
Topics: Personal | No Comments »
Ayala Young Leaders Congress 2008 Now Open for Applications
By philobean | July 20, 2007
The Ayala Young Leaders Congress is, hands down, the best leadership development program for youth in the Philippines. If you make the requirements, give it a shot and apply.
Visit www.ayalayoungleaders.org.ph to download the Student Application set and for more information on AYLC 2008. Deadline for School Nominations will be on August 24, 2007. Please read write up below.
And, by the way, (ahem ahem) just between you and me, AYLC 2008 promises to be bigger and better than the previous AYLCs, at least budget-wise, being the 10th year anniversary of the prestigious program (winks).
What is AYLC? The Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC) is an annual
summit that brings together 70 of the most promising student leaders
from colleges and universities from all over the country. The Congress
is part of the Ayala Group’s youth leadership development program
called “Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders”, which was launched in December of
1998. The Congress, now on its 10th year, is a three and a half-day
event involving workshops, lectures, outdoor activities, plenary
sessions and group discussions designed to hone the students’
leadership skills and potential.How can I be part of AYLC? AYLC looks for well-rounded students with
effective leadership, academic excellence and a strong love for their
country and their people. If you are a critical thinker, emotionally
mature and independent, and if you can communicate well and are
recognized as an outstanding student leader in your school or
community, then AYLC is for you.Only student leaders graduating in school year 2008-2009 may apply for
the congress. This will allow the student leaders selected for the
Congress to return and serve their schools for another year with the
new skills and renewed motivation they received from the congress. The
qualifications for the Ayala Young Leaders Congress are as follows:(1) FILIPINO citizen, 25 years old or younger by February 2008
Bonafide regular student of the school, scheduled to graduate
in the SY 2008-2009
(2) Undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree for the first time
(3) Within the top 25% in percentile rank of his/her college
(4) Model of integrity, discipline and excellence
(5) Recognized, active and effective student leader in campus
(6) Active leader or officer of any student organization – student
government, academic, causeoriented, socio-civic or religious in
nature
(7) Excellent communication skills
(8) Possess no more than one failing mark for the duration of his/her enrollment in college
(9) Not have been subjected to any disciplinary case in or outside
the campus.
(10) Not have been charged and/or convicted in a civil or criminal caseTo apply, you must (1) accomplish the Student Application Form Set
(ask for a copy from your school or download the form at
www.ayalayoungleade rs.org.ph) and (2) submit this to the designated
officer in your school (this is usually the School President, the
Vice-President for Academics, or the Dean of Student Affairs). From
all the student applications, your School President will choose a
maximum of ten (10) students to nominate to the AYLC. We only accept
applications endorsed by the school. The school will take care of
sending the official school nomination and the application forms to
the AYLC Secretariat in Makati. Do not send your application on your
own or e-mail your application to the AYLC Secretariat as it will be
automatically disqualified.The Secretariat will select 150 candidates for interview from all the
nominations. These candidates will be invited to the Ayala Corporation
headquarters in Makati City for panel interviews with senior
executives from the Ayala group of companies. The panels will select
the top 70 students who will be invited to participate in the 10th
National Ayala Young Leaders Congress on 5 - 8 February 2008 at the
San Miguel Corporation – Management Training Center in Alfonso,
Cavite. Ayala will take care of transportation as well as board and
lodging for the interviews and for the congress.If you have any questions about AYLC, please contact the AYLC
Secretariat at (02) 752-1081 or 65, e-mail aylc@ayalafoundatio n.org or
send fax to (02) 813-4488. For more information, you can also visit
the Ayala Young Leaders website www.ayalayoungleaders.org.ph.
Original Document from:
Marie Sol T. Delantar
Youth Leadership Development Manager
Center for Social Development
Ayala Foundation
Topics: Academic, Personal | 3 Comments »
More on the Anti-terror Law (News bits)
By philobean | July 19, 2007
Keeping up-to-date on the status of the Philippine Anti-terror Law, here are some updates on the news:
1. 28 more cases vs anti-terror law filed at SC <http://newsinfo. inquirer. net/inquirerhead lines/nation/ view_article. php?article_ id=77226>
By Leila Salaverria, Jerome Aning
Inquirer
Last updated 02:48am (Mla time) 07/18/2007
MANILA, Philippines — Opposition to the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007 is snowballing.
Quoting Chief Justice Reynato Puno’s fighting words against the war on terror’s negative effect on human rights, 28 individuals and groups Tuesday added their voices to those challenging the constitutionality of the HSA, or Republic Act No. 9372.2. Guingona leads groups vs antiterror law <http://www.business mirror.com. ph/07182007/ nation04. html>
By Joel San Juan, Business Mirror
FORMER Vice President Teofisto Guingona on Tuesday led various civil-society and militant groups in asking the Supreme Court (SC) to stop the government from implementing the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007, or Republic Act (RA) 9372, “for being unconstitutional. ”3. EDITORIAL - Definition needed <http://opinion. inquirer. net/inquireropin ion/editorial/ view_article. php?article_ id=77218>
Inquirer
Last updated 01:30am (Mla time) 07/18/2007
If the Human Security Act is being heatedly debated because its definition of terrorism remains overly broad and vague in the opinion of its many critics, a definition is required of what “command responsibility” actually is.4. Three issues <http://www.malaya. com.ph/jul18/ edtorde.htm>
Ellen Tordesillas, Malaya
Back from attending a family matter in our province in Antique, I find that the bulk of the contents of my mailbox can be divided into three main issues: The Basilan tragedy, the Human Security Act , and the proclamation of Juan Miguel Zubiri as the 12th winning senator courtesy of manufactured votes from Maguindanao.5. BIG DEAL - HSA, draconian or watered-down? <http://www.manilati mes.net/national /2007/july/ 18/yehey/ opinion/20070718 opi2.html>
By Dan Mariano, Manila Times
Objection to the unfortunately named Human Security Act of 2007 is spearheaded by groups and personalities identified with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing New People’s Army.6. VIRTUAL REALITY - The funny terror law <http://www.manilati mes.net/national /2007/july/ 18/yehey/ opinion/20070718 opi5.html>
By Tony Lopez, Manila Times
Last week I participated in a discussion with a group of retired generals and veteran lawyers on the Human Security Act, or HSA, or Republic Act 9372.
Of course, as is usual Philippine media practice, news on the anti-terror law is being pushed further and further down the pecking order. What was once front page material will soon merit only a snippet of an update in succeeding issues. [To contrast: Notice how, even in the more recent issues of Time Magazine, a generous number of pages remain allocated to covering Bush’s *War on Terror* (gone sour) though 911 seems, at least for those with greater propensity to forget, ages passed.] Hopefully, updates like this will keep the important issues top of mind despite their no longer being highly *newsworthy*.
Topics: A little political | No Comments »
Philippine Terror Law Takes Effect as Bush’s War on Terror Loses Steam
By philobean | July 17, 2007
You would have thought that, as Bush’s War on Terror loses steam in the US, pressure on the Philippines (and on PGMA) to raise the bar on its own war on terror would ease up. Apparently this isn’t the case.
Just last Sunday the Human Security Act, the Philippines’ very own anti-terror law, came into effect and continues to be faced with heavy opposition on various fronts. Here’s a couple of news releases on the HSA. In spite of the weeklong rainfall of economic good news for the Philippines, there’s definitely something (*fishy*) here.
1. Activists protest as terror law takes effect <http://newsinfo. inquirer. net/breakingnews /nation/view_ article.php? article_id= 76811>
By Michael Lim Ubac, Allison Lopez
Inquirer
Last updated 01:23am (Mla time) 07/16/2007
MANILA, Philippines — A landmark law that gives legal muscle to the US-backed Philippine war on terror went into force Sunday, with Malacañang vowing to use it to crush terrorists and militants warning it could be used to quell dissent against the Arroyo administration.2. Terror law in effect; critics urged to give it a chance <http://www.philstar .com/index. php?Headlines& p=49&type= 2&sec=24& aid=20070715146>
By Christina Mendez, Philippine Star
Monday, July 16, 2007
As Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act took effect yesterday, Sen. Edgardo Angara urged the public to give the law a try claiming that lawmakers have placed enough safeguards against possible human rights violations.
This as Malacañang also maintained that the government has complied with all the requirements for the implementation of the law.3. Human Security Act takes effect <http://www.business mirror.com. ph/07162007/ nation01. html>
By Mia M. Gonzalez, Business Mirror
Malacañang on Sunday reassured the public that the Human Security Act (HSA), which entered into force that day, will give law enforcers the necessary legal teeth to effectively fight terrorism in the country without sacrificing civil rights as feared by some groups.
Topics: A little political | No Comments »
With an Eye for the *Good News*
By philobean | July 17, 2007
Check out my blogroll for a link to Inquirer.net’s *Good News Page*–the news group’s response to Philippine Media being *all about the bad*. This special section of Inquirer.net features all the good news stories on the Philippines. Good idea, no? Well, read it. Then, promote it! I think daily supply of good news is just what the everyday Filipino needs.
Topics: A little political, Business, Personal | No Comments »