Curbside Stories

It has been more than a week already since super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) made two land falls in the Southern part of the Philippines, particularly in Samar and Leyte. Since then, the lives of many, not only in the Philippines but also from around the world, has changed. While the Visayas region was busy preparing for the typhoon, I was with my family, tucked safe and sound in the comforts of our homes in Luzon. Although the weather bureau warned us of storm signal number 1, it was relatively peaceful during the day. It was only at around 7 o'clock in the evening when the heavy rain poured with gusts of wind, but, it was not enough to cause me to be awake the entire evening. Nobody  really knew or has not anticipated how strong the typhoon was until the news broke in the morning that most of the provinces in the Visayas region, especially Leyte, was severely damaged. The super typhoon literally flattened the entire province, leaving more than 4 thousand people dead and mill...

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on July 22. I think the best thing about this year's SONA is the President asking every Filipino, "What have you contributed so far?" Read the entire speech after the jump.

I didn't bother to register at the COMELEC for this year's election because I couldn't find time in my busy schedule to take a leave. I was hoping the agency would have office on weekdays for someone as busy as I am, but to no avail. Somebody told me that if I will not register, I won't be able to vote. My mind was already set that I won't be able to exercise my right to decide for the future of our nation. The campaign went on as scheduled. I was stuck in traffic for two hours on two separate occasions because of the long campaign caravans of opposing parties. It was one hell of an afternoon ride! I was late for important appointments. A few days ago, I had a conversation with my sister about the ongoing campaign--how we both hate a particular campaign jingle, the allowed sizes for campaign posters, the tons of garbage it will leave after the election and the cunning ways a politician does and will do to win precious votes. I told my sister that I won'...

Does Sabah really belong to the Philippines? The Sabah sandoff is a worldwide buzz and while everyone else is giving their commentaries about it without the full knowledge of the facts, let us take time to review our history. In the end, let us all pray that this struggle will end in the most peaceful and diplomatic way possible, anyway, Malays and Filipinos are borne out of the same race.

Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former variably endangers the morals of the entire country. - Karl Kraus Our country is corrupt. Which country is not? Corruption is everywhere. It is a plague. It has a cure.  If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher. - Abdul Kalam  There are laws, moral and legal, and only a few favors righteousness over corruption. The duty of the youth is to challenge corruption. - Kurt Cobain We can still do something. We must be the change we want to happen in the world.

Shortly after the announcement that Obama won the presidency against Romney, this photo garnered 3.5 million likes on Facebook and still counting. It now holds the record as the most liked photo. And here is President Barack Obama's speech...

Today, freedom of speech in the Philippines is dead. The Section 4 of the Bill of Rights is no more. RIP. Whether the government will implement the law gradually or abruptly... still, we will all be penalized for expressing our opinions. #NoToCyberCrimeLaw #ItsNoLongerFunInThePhilippines #RIPBlogs

Sorry, I can't say much about this newly passed law in the Philippines--R. A. No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Law because I might be the first one to be penalized. Just click on the link to read the contents of this act. Let me end this post with this... We can't be silenced forever. #NoToCyberCrimeLaw #ItsNoLongerFunInThePhilippines #RIPBlogs

Not intended to promote a coffee brand. I was just cold that I have to have something to keep me warm. We were allowed to have coffee, anyway. I attended the last session of my Ethics subject for my MBA and we discussed about good governance, ethical standards expected of a public official and the like. One of the reporters said that a public officer should earn public trust--which I totally agree. Another thing that was discussed were the 8 norms of conduct of public officials: 1. Common public interest  2. Professionalism 3. Justness and sincerity 4. Political neutrality 5. Responsiveness to public 6. Nationalism and patriotism 7. Commitment to democracy 8. Simple living If only these eight are being practiced by all government officials and employees, then, probably our courts will not trial a public official for graft and corruption. Blessed is the nation whose God is LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm ...

Photo from here . It is 20-3, ladies and gentlemen. The Guilty Camp had more than 2/3 of the votes to have Chief Justice Renato Corona impeached. The honorable judges who gave Guilty verdicts were: 1. Sen. Edgardo Angara 2. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano 3. Sen. Pia Cayetano 4. Sen. Franklin Drilon 5. Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada 6. Sen. Francis 'Chiz' Escudero 7. Sen. Teofisto Guingona III 8. Sen. Gregorio Honasan II 9. Sen. Panfilo Lacson 10. Sen. Manuel Lapid 11. Sen. Loren Legarda 12. Sen. Sergio Osmena III 13. Sen. Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan 14. Sen. Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III 15. Sen. Ralph Recto 16. Sen. Ramon 'Bong' Revilla, Jr. 17. Senate Majority Leader Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III 18. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV 19. Sen. Manuel Villar 20. Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile The three judges who voted otherwise were: 1. Sen. Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, Jr. 2. Sen. Joker Arroyo 3. Sen. Mi...

Photo from mobilephoneconnect.com It is none other than President Benigno Aquino III! The most coveted phone was delivered by Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chair of Globe's parent firm, Ayala Corp., in person in Malacanang two days before Apple iPhone 4s was officially launched in the Philippines. Globe president, Ernest Cu, clarified that it was not for anything else but to acknowledge President Noynoy's loyalty to Globe Telecom since he has been their subscriber for years now. For techie lovers out there, you can also own an Apple iPhone 4S by clicking here and here .

Photo from nndb.com North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, died today at the age of 69. The cause of his death is still unknown but media speculates that he died due to complications of diabetes and heart disease. In 2008, he had a stroke but appeared still vigorous in photos and videos. Read more information about Kim Jong Il's lifestyle . During his 17-year rule, North Korea suffered three-year famine which caused the lives of more than 2 million. North Korea is known to be a hermit country, so secretive, that only a few were allowed to have telephone lines, computer and television wherein there is only one channel to watch... everything is a propaganda. Kim Jong Un, his third son, shall takeover his position.

Don't be rude. Don't walk away if a person is still talking to you even if you already said goodbye. It is too disappointing to know that this person of known government position did it to a fellow female worker. The worst feeling is that I have known this man in position for years now and seeing him acting so unbecoming of a gentleman is so beyond words to explain. Intimidation, threat and coercion will not earn you respect.

Imagine the Senate without her... it would be dreadfully boring.

Photo from here . Lo and behold, fellow workers... there will be no more holiday economics as per P-Noy! And the People Power Revolution is not considered a holiday in the labor sector. Holiday Economics or R. A. 9492 was made a law in 2007 by Ex-Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It is a law wherein all public holidays can be moved to the nearest Friday or Monday if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday. President Noynoy already announced last December 21 via Proclamation No. 84 that there will be no more movable holidays come 2011 to give daily paid workers a chance to earn more. This means that the holiday will be celebrated on the day itself. This also means that there will only be long weekends if the holiday falls on a Friday or Monday. There are 14 holidays in  Proclamation No. 84 and only 4 of which fall on a Sunday: Labor Day – May 1 (Sunday) Independence Day – June 12 (Sunday) Christmas Day – December 25 (Sunday) Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Sunday) (special nonworkin...

Harakiri or seppuku is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. It was used voluntarily by samurai to die with honor rather than to fall in the hands of their enemies, as a form of capital punishment for samurai who had committed serious offense or it is performed for other reasons that had brought shame to them. Photo from Inquirer.net . Former Sec. Angelo Reyes was found dead before his mother's grave in Loyola Memorial Park at around 8AM today. According to reports , he asked his sons, his aide and bodyguard to leave him for a while and a few seconds later they heard gun shot and Reyes was found bathing in his own blood. Reyes is currently on probe because of the alleged anomalies in the AFP as revealed by Lt. Col. George Rebusa, including receiving money amounting to 50M pesos as send-off money from Former Pres. Joseph Estrada. We will never really know the reason why Reyes took his own life but in the midst of all the controversies that involve him, people a...

I remember one crazy kid story about the population.  I don't know who thought of this story but that person sure made me scared when I was young.  My classmate in elementary said that there will come a time that the earth will 'fall off' its orbit and eventually the galaxy because it could no longer bear the weight of too many human beings living on it.  The idea of the earth being off its orbit and the galaxy scared the hell out of me.   I saw this photo in Filipino Free Thinkers.  The Reproductive Health Bill is in the headlines and the eyes of the Catholic Church.  The issue about this is not new,  the bill was proposed many years ago but did not really became a law because, well, many are against it.  Just tonight, I heard in the news that the Church will ex-communicate President Noynoy if the bill becomes a law.  The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) denied the rumors of ex-communication but still they are a...

I was not able to watch President Noy's SONA yesterday  and if you were not able to watch too, you can read the SONA's English translation in this blog.  Of course I will not let the day pass by without commenting about the current buzz.  So, please bear with me as I address the state of our nation according to me that most government officials don't see or have seen it but did not do anything about it. I do not frequent Manila but each time I would go there, I notice new buildings being built and new attractions to see and more people in their tattered clothes knock on car windows for alms.  I live in the province and beggars are not a common sight in streets when I was younger.  Looking back to the years when there were few subdivisions and fewer commercial establishments, children still roam the streets, not begging but walking with their friends to go to their favorite hangout to play.  Now, I don't need to go to Manila to see beggars.  It has b...

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Here is the official English translation of President Noynoy Aquino's speech after inauguration.  This will be our basis of his performance for his entire term as the 15th president of the Philippines.   His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the Senate, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and members of the House, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the foreign delegations,Your Excellencies of the diplomatic corps, fellow colleagues in government, aking mga kababayan. My presence here today is proof that you are my true strength. I never expected that I will be here taking my oath of office before you, as your president. I never imagined that I would be tasked with continuing the mission of my parents. I never entertained the ambition to be the symbol of hope, and to inherit the problems of our nation. I had a simple goal in life: to be true to my par...