Friday, February 26, 2010

noynoy

Monsod's Musings
Winnie Monsod

Villar still refuses to attend the Senate to face questions, and it only reminds me of how GMA used the privilege of her office to avoid questioning. What will happen if Villar wins and more corruption scandals surface?

With Villar catching up to Noynoy in the polls, I am honestly quite terrified of the prospect of him winning. There is a clear case of graft in this instance, and instead of delving into the issues, his allies in the legislative are simply brushing off the allegations as "politically motivated". As a citizen, we should not accept this. If there is smoke, we must see if there is a fire that needs to be put out. Yes, the timing of the allegations seem a bit off. ( Joker Arroyo was pushing these issues as early as 1998). A known crook and political opportunist, Juan Ponce Enrile, is the person leading the censure. However, when the facts are presented, it is clear as day that something is amiss. It just further builds on my strong suspicions that Villar is a businessman simply looking to control the political arena to make a boat load of money.

I have never trusted Villar since day one. I never trust businessmen who enter politics, because in the end, their core value is and always will be profit maximization. It is well documented that Villar's real estate empire ran into some serious financial problems when his overexposure to the real estate market and the Asian Financial Crisis made him unable to pay debts he took out to expand his real estate business in the early 1990s. After the Asian Crisis hit, Capitol Bank, owned by Villar and heavily exposed to his real estate investments was essentially ran to the ground and needed to be bailed out. In 2005, Villar tried to solve his debt problems by hiring a group of investment banks to advise him on how he can consolidate all his assets into one company (Vista Land). With the local and foreign investment bankers, Villar came up with a growth story for investors: "Invest in my company because we need it to fund all these wonderful project!" However, what was downplayed during the IPO roadshow was that instead of financing growth, resources from the offering would be used to finance his debt. To appease creditors, Villar even had his investment bankers pitch some form of a debt-to-equity conversion that raised skeptical eyebrows of many. In 2007, the IPO of Vista Land did not do as well as planned, in part because many investors and brokers were the same people who were burned by Villar's inability to pay back his loans.

Now, as part of a corporate growth (or should I say corporate restructuring) plan, Villar is lusting for the highest position in the land. This scares me because Villar already has a track record of using his political position to gain the upper hand for his businesses. To save his empire and increase shareholder value of his business, Villar used his influence as Senate Finance Chair to shrewdly derail a Cavite road project that was supposed to be BUILD, OPERATE, and TRANSFER. Villar built a longer and more expensive road, the C-5 extension, adjacent to it; subsequently forcing the private investor in the initial project to pull out. The fishy thing is that this new road, longer and more expensive than the previously planned project, passed through all of Villar's land in Cavite. It is a clear case of graft, pointing to Villar use of influence and government funds to substantially improve the values of his real estate properties. To add insult to injury the right of way the government would have to pay in order to complete the project was substantially higher for the land that Villar owned. These funds could have easily been used to build needed schools.

This scandal should be a red flag for all voters. However, the scary part is that Villar is spending billions to keep this out of the picture as he continues his attempt to brainwash our masses that he is their saviour. He convinces the masses that he is one of them. A poor boy from the slums of Tondo. In actuality, he is more like the 5-6 and syndicates, slum dwellers themselves who make a profit out of their poor brethren. Villar's ad agencies are doing an excellent job of maintaining this image as well as doing damage control. TV and radio continues to churn out Parokya Ni Edgaresque jingles that compete with "Nobody, Nobody." Dolphy is Villar's new spokesperson and Wowowee is one giant ad for him. In this process of brainwashing, the masses are not cognizant of how Villar conducts business as a politician. What they do not see is a man hell bent on turning our archipelago into his own personal piece of real estate.

It is sad that the efforts of Juan Ponce Enrile, who is leading the censure for Villar, is actually giving Villar more sympathy votes. People do no trust Enrile, and when Enrile pounces on someone, it is usually met with a high degree of skepticism. I do not blame people for feeling this way. I also think Enrile is a crook who should be jailed for conspiring to implement Martial Law, for coup attempts, and for the human rights abuses during the Marcos regime. If someone with a more respectable reputation were to level these charges on Villar, I am sure the surveys would tell a different story.

I also fear from some credible reports that Malacanang has actually made a deal with Villar (under the table). Essentially, GMA's goons said, "We will help you, in return, leave us alone when you win". Villar's behaviour in recent forums further adds credence to these reports as Villar has been very tame and quiet when it comes to how he will treat GMA after the elections. Appealing to common sense, it makes ALL THE SENSE for GMA to support someone who has a chance of winning, not a person rating at 4% in the surveys. GMA tried to reach out to Noynoy after Tita Cory died. All she got was rejection.

Who can stop Villar in his quest for the presidency?

I am known to be a Noynoy supporter, but to those skeptics and to those who are still undecided, I do concede that he is not perfect. His record as a politician is average and unspectacular at best. He does not have the charisma of his father. Before the death of his mother, he did not get much mileage. But I am going all out in support for Noynoy in 2010 because he stands for clean governance and appear willing to accomplish this. In addition, he has the best chance of preventing a opportunistic businessman, the assured next President of our country before Cory died, from using the Office of the President as a personal growth asset to his business empire.

Noynoy's clean record is a big plus for me. It is a trait that I think should be the most important quality that we should look for in our next president. His appeal is that his track record is not tarnished by corruption scandals and his political debts are minimal. I know that many critics are trying to make an issue over his involvement in Hacienda Luisita, but Noynoy is not even heavily involved in the company. As a shareholder, Noynoy only owns .04% of Hacienda Luisita, a drop in the ocean and hardly in any position to do something about it. The case of the Hacienda does not have the substance that the C-5 extension controversy has a lot of.

In addition, Nonoy also has an incredible legacy to live up to. All the pressure is on him to be clean and stay clean. He can't afford to tarnish the Aquino name and the immense legacy that his parents left behind. Cory and Ninoy practically sacrificed their family for their dream of a better Philippines. For Noynoy, to know that your father and mother went through so much hardship to improve our country is a heavy burden to think about if you do decide to become a crook and destroy everything that they fought for.

We all have to make a choice. In my opinion, it has to go to the presidentiable who has an independent mind, stands up for what he believes in, is clean, and has the legacy his parents to live up to and maintain. For me, Nonoy, with all his flaws, is that candidate. For what this
country needs is a clean president who can set an example top-down for the entire state; it needs a president with the will to change things and stamp out corruption; it needs a President who can set an example and is willing to perfect our dysfunctional democracy.

I want someone who stands for being clean. He does not need a degree from Harvard. He does not need to have a multi-million peso business to show me he can make us all rich. He does not have to speak well. He just has to be clean. Nothing else should matter. He has to prioritize a platform of clean and effective governance and make sure that it delivers on that promise. Policies on the economy, education, energy, environment and health can all follow after the fundamentals are taken cared of. So far, the only candidate who promotes my vision with a clean record to back it up is Noynoy.

Our urban landscape is replete with political slogans that attempt to convince people of certain candidate's ability to lead our nation

Galing at Talino? Sorry Gibo, those were the supposed qualities of GMA, rubber stamped with a Phd in Economics. And what happened? She only worsened our economy. To GMA's credit she did balance our budget at one point, but it has again ballooned to the level where the next president will have to deal with the same economic issues she faced in 2005. During GMA's watch investment in infrastructure was insufficient, poverty incidence worsened, public education deteriorated, our nautical highway is still incomplete, goons like the Ampatuan's flourished in the south, and a culture of corruption flourished in our institutions. Instead of creating jobs, GMA focused on a policy of exporting labor without measuring the social costs of such a policy- thousands of broken OFW families and children of OFW's who do not have the proper parental supervision to teach them the differences between right and wrong. In effect, our next generation is left on their own to figure out how to become empowered patriots who love their country and will fight to defend it. In effect, whatever statistics in GDP growth GMA and her allies love to advertise, non of it trickled down and benefitted the poor..and none of it accounts for the social costs to her policies.

Good speaker? Sorry Gibo, Marcos had that quality and he did nothing good for our contry. In fact, Marcos squandered the opportunity to be our Lee Kuan Yew and Dr. Mahatir. If I want a good, charismatic, and eloquent speaker, let's just run down the list of effective public speakers and vote them in.

Para sa mahirap? Sorry Erap, you had your chance and failed miserably. Your only accomplishment is in convincing our masses that movie roles do not carry over into the political area.

My only concern with Noynoy is how deep he might be in the Liberal Party and whether he has accumulate political debts to Liberal trapos. The Liberal PArty, like any party, has its own share of crooks (including those bandwagon trapos who jumped off GMA"s boat to ride on Aquino's popularity). How much will Nonoy have to give back to the Liberal trapos (and bandwagon Liberals who jumped GMA's ship) if elected? We will never know. However, I am willing to live with that unanswered question if it means preventing someone like Villar from turning the Philippines into Vista Land's next subdivision development. I am also reassured by the fact that he has that "Aquino" name and the ghosts of his parents to answer to if does decide to go down the immoral path.

Nonoy will not solve all our problems. One person can't. But we need a start somewhere and it should be with someone who pushes honesty, reform, and good governance. It will be a tough battle, but I want to give Noynoy the chance to build on what his mother tried to accomplish. And I hope that if Noynoy wins, he will have the courage to make tough decisions and go after crooks, even if it means hurting a lot of friends and colleagues in government.

To give you a better sense on how Villar conducts business, here is also a link to Joker Arroyo's 1998 privilege speech:
http://www.malayanghalalan.com/2010/01/26/joker-arroyo-raises-issue-of-accountability-of-public-officers-against-manny-villar/

Actual notes scanned:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/22789941/Joker-Arroyo-Privilege-Speech

I guess "if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck.." Well, as the saying goes......

Vote wisely Philippines. And continue to work towards uplifting the masses and freeing them from their state of hopelessness. Defend them from opportunists. DEVELOP THEM (FIRST) SPIRITUALLY AND BEHAVIORALLY; THEN ECONOMICALLY! When we lift up the poor and ween them off the mentality of hopelessness, our country will become first world. Only then will we have the powerful middle class that our young democracy is screaming for.

Winnie Monsod

Monday, February 22, 2010

felicity

college days. felicity.
late 90's. nostalgia.
felicity and ben. felicity and noel.
thursday night. nice.



Thursday, February 18, 2010

presidensyabol

forwarded by mylene, came from their yahoo group. read on.

AYON SA MGA BITUIN

ANO ANG SINASABI NG MGA BITUIN sa kapalaran ng siyam na kandidato sa pagkapangulo ngayong linggong ito? Narito.

Basahin, limiin, unawain, at seryosohin. Ngunit laging tandaan ang paalala ni
Zenaida ‘Syzygy’ Seva, "Hindi hawak ng mga bituin ang ating kapalaran. Gabay lamang sila. Meron tayong free will, gamitin natin ito."

Ulitin natin. Pero sa pagkakataong ito, basahin nang malakas at imadyinin si Zenaida Seva habang binibigkas ang linya, "Hindi hawak ng mga bituin ang ating kapalaran. Gabay lamang sila. Meron tayong free will, gamitin natin ito." At inulit mo naman. Masunuring bata!


Noynoy Aquino
February 8, 1960
Aquarius:

Iwasang magtungo sa Quiapo. Baka mapagbintangan kang bumibili ng survey.

Sa pag-ibig, magpapasya ka this week sa regalong ibibigay mo kay Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad sa Valentine’s Day. Huwag mo itong ipaalam kay Kris. Pagtatawanan ka lang niya at sasabihang "Gosh, how cheap!"

Hahabol sa kasikatan ng "Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura" jingle ni Manny Villar ang NOYNOY! jingle kung saan tinangka mong mag-rap katulad ng idolo mong si
Vanilla Ice. Ngunit makabubuting panoorin ang ginawa mong pagsayaw sa naturang patalastas. Ginawa na ni Villar ang ganyang gimmick noong 2007. Utang na loob, huwag mo nang ulitin. Mukha kang tanga!

Sanga pala, may nag-text. "Patahimikin mo na kami. Huwag mo na kaming isali d’yan. Matanda ka na. Alam mo na ang dapat mong gawin. Good luck." All the best, Daddy Ninoy & Mommy Cory.


JC De Los Reyes
February 14, 1970
Aquarius:

Saludo ang mga bituin sa iyong tapang at determinasyong tumakbo sa pagkapangulo ng ating bansa. Ngunit mas sasaludo sila sa ‘yo kung ikaw ay uurong.


Joseph Estrada
April 19, 1937
Aries:

Hindi ka si Harry Houdini. Hindi ka rin si David Copperfield. At lalong hindi ka si David Blaine. Pero ang tanong ng mga bituin: bakit hanggang ngayon ay nabubuhay ka pa rin sa illusion?

Patuloy na bebenta ang iyong mga jokes sa mga presidential forum. Ikaw ang aani ng pinakamalakas na tawanan at palakpak mula sa crowd. Subalit ipinapayo ng mga bituin na limitahan ang dami ng binibitawan mong jokes. Baka mapagkamalan kang si Dolphy at kunin kang endorser ni Villar.


Richard Gordon
August 5, 1945
Leo:

Bilib ang mga bituin sa talas at husay ng iyong utak lalo na sa mga debate at presidential forum. Ngunit mag-ingat sa napakabilis na pagsasalita. Baka malunok mo ang iyong maigsing dila. Iisa pa lamang ang successful tongue transplant sa mundo.

Limitahan din ang paggamit sa Subic at Olongapo sa mga debate. Given na ‘yon. Sinuwerte ka lang dahil doon ka nahalal na alkalde. Kung ikaw ang naging mayor ng Siayan town sa Zamboanga del Norte na may poverty incidence na 97.46 percent, baka wala ring gaanong nagawa ang matabil mong dila.

Isang unsolicited advice lang po mula sa mga bituin: palitan n’yo na ang iyong TV ad na ang musikang gamit ay "Silent Night.’ Pebrero na ngayon.


Nicanor Perlas
January 10, 1950
Capricorn:

May walong araw pa bago opisyal na magsimula ang campaign period kung saan inaasahang gagastos nang todo-todo ang mga kandidato. Dahil sa mababang rating sa survey, mahihirapan kang kumalap ng campaign contributions.

Habang abala sa paghahanap ng financial support, makakatanggap ka ng ‘good news’ at ‘not so good news’ bago matapos ang linggong ito. Ang good news: susuportahan ka ng pamilya Ayala. Ang ‘not so good news’ – ng pamilya ni Joey Ayala:
karaniwang tao.

Pinupuri ng mga bituin ang iyong mga nagawa bilang advocate ng malinis at maayos na kapaligiran at kalikasan. Dahil diyan, mananalo ka! Mananalo ka sa May 10… kung papayagang bumoto ang mga puno.


Gilbert Teodoro
June 14, 1964
Gemini:

Iwasang makunan ng larawan kasama ang isang babaeng may nunal sa kaliwang pisngi. May dalang kamalasan ‘yan. Mas lalong iwasang makunan ng larawan kasama ang isang ginoong napakalaki ng katawan ngunit napakaliit ng boses. Doble ang kamalasang dala niyan.

Mauungusan mo sa susunod na survey sina Noynoy at Villar… kung sa La Salle campus gagawin ang survey.

Posibleng umagaw ng boto sa ‘yo ang isang female presidential candidate na berde rin ang campaign color. Malas mo lang dahil pareho pa kayo ng gupit. Remedyuhan habang maaga.


Manny Villar
December 13, 1949
Sagittarius:

Sa pananalapi: napakasuwerte mo. Ni singko ay wala kang utang. Umuulan ang iyong pera kaya naman bumabaha ang iyong political ads.

Dahil sa ‘yo, muling mag-iinit ang Senado sa linggong ito. Consistent kang tao. May isang salita. Hindi ka sisipot sa pagdinig ng plenaryo. Kaya’t patuloy na magtatanong ang taong-bayan: guilty or not guilty? Dahil sa patuloy na pag-iwas mo sa iyong mga accusers, malamang na iwasan ka na rin ng mga botante. Ang payo ng mga bituin: simulan mo na ang paghahanap ng tindahang nagbebenta ng suwerte. Kakailanganin mo ‘yan ngayong Mayo.

Babala: kung ayaw mong umuwing may black eye, iwasan ang isang babaeng may initials na JM. May maitim siyang balak sa ‘yo. Matagal ka na niyang hina-hunting. Clue sa katauhan ng babae: mukha siyang lalaki.


Jamby Madrigal
April 26, 1958
Taurus:

Kung may mga sanggol na ipinaglihi sa hilaw na mangga, maasim na siniguelas, o hinog na duhat, naniniwala ang mga bituin na ikaw naman ay ipinaglihi sa sama ng loob. Tila malaki ang kinikimkim mong galit sa pulitiko man o sa mga kamag-anak mo. Isa kang ‘bully’ sa iyong past life.

Babala ng mga bituin: Chill. Baka dumating ang araw na maubusan ka ng maaaway at ibaling mo ang iyong galit sa iyong sarili.

Sa pag-ibig, walang gaanong pagbabagong nakikita ang mga bituin. Masyadong maulap ang aspetong romantiko ng iyong buhay.

Sa pulitika, sinabi mo last week na hindi ka naniniwala sa mga surveys. ‘Wag kang mag-alala. Hindi rin sila naniniwala sa ‘yo! Quits lang pare.


Bro. Eddie Villanueva
October 6, 1946
Libra:


Ang katulad mong Born-Again Christian at spiritual leader ay hindi naniniwala sa mga hula.

Ang sabi ng mga bituin: ‘Pwes, hindi rin kami naniniwala sa ‘yo.’

Wala kang horoscope!

bimbo

according to spot.ph, the music video of this eraserheads song is the best local music video of the mtv generation.

... Ngunit ang paborito
Ay pagsayaw mo ng El Bimbo
Nakakaindak, nakakaaliw
Nakakatindig balahibo...

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

shakira

behind-the-scenes preview of shakira's new music video, gypsy, with rafael nadal as her leading man! naks! just another chapter in their rumored romance. rafa's nursing an injured knee, so this one is a nice offcourt activity. but he's coming back on tour in this year's indian wells masters in march. i hope he wins his third title there!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

princesa

we were able to get plane tickets to puerto princesa city worth only 734 pesos! yehey! next step is to plan the activities. good thing, bayani juan has some suggestions already. (",)

Cost per pax - 7, 300 pesos minimum of 6 pax
6, 800 pesos group of 15 pax & above

Inclusion:
Full board meals (meals & snacks)
3 days & 2 nights accommodation/triple sharing
Round trip airport transfer
Services of licensed tour guide
All entrances and Permits
Boat transfer
Aircon Land Transfer

Itinerary # 1

Day 1
Arrival/Check out
Check in - Pagdayon or casalinda inn
Travel to San Carlos
Community Interaction/San Carlos Mangrove Cruise
Lunch @ Floating Restaurant
Pick up by boat (HOBBAI) going to Pambato Dalubkaragatan
snorkeling @ Pambato reef
Snake Island Adventure
Back to Sta Lourdes Wharf - travel back to hotel
Pick up time for Firefly watching
Dinner @ Iwahig River

Day 2
Early Dolphin Watching
Breakfast @ the boat
Back to Puerto bay Wharf
Travel to Sabang
Estimated Arrival to Sabang
Lunch @ Taraw
Boat Ride going to UR
Underground River Tour
Back to Sabang wharf
Travel to Ugong Rock
Arrival/ Orientation
Spelunking activity
Snacks - Summit of Ugong Rock
back to base
Back to PPC - Hotel
Dinner @ Ka Lui Restaurant

Day 3
Breakfast
Free time to shop
Preparation for Check out

Cost per pax - 4,500 pesos minimum of 6 pax
4, 000 pesos group of 15 pax & above

Inclusion:
Free picnic lunch for 2 days
3 days & 2 nights accommodation/triple sharing
Round trip airport transfer
Services of licensed tour guide
All entrances and Permits
Boat transfer
Aircon Land Transfer

Itinerary # 1

Day 1
Arrival/Check out Check in - Pagdayon
or casalinda inn Travel to San Carlos
Community Interaction / San Carlos Mangrove Cruise
Lunch @ Floating Restaurant
Pick up by boat (HOBBAI) going to Pambato Dalubkaragatan
snorkeling @ Pambato reef
Snake Island Adventure

Day 2
Early Dolphin Watching
Breakfast @ the boat
Back to Puerto bay Wharf
Free time
city tour
Sun down tours : Iwahig River
Travel to Iwahig
Oreintation/community interaction
Firefly watching
Back to PPC - Hotel

Day 3
Free time to shop
Preparation for Check out
Pick up for Airport check in

Cost per pax - 7, 300 pesos minimum of 6 pax
6, 800 pesos group of 15 pax & above

Inclusion:
Full board meals (meals & snacks)
3 days & 2 nights accommodation/triple sharing
Round trip airport transfer
Services of licensed tour guide
All entrances and Permits
Boat transfer
Aircon Land Transfer


Itinerary # 2

Day 1
Arrival/Check out
Check in - Pagdayon or casalinda inn
Travel to Sabang
Estimated Arrival to Sabang
Lunch @ Taraw
Boat Ride going to UR
Undergroung River Tour
Back to Sabang wharf
Travel to Ugong Rock (Community Based Ecotourism Project)
Arrival/ Orientation/Community Interaction
Spelunking activity
Snacks - Summit of Ugong Rock
Back to PPC for Firefly watching
Firefly watching
Dinner @ Iwahig River
Back to Hotel

Day 2
Early Dolphin Watching
Breakfast @ the boat
Back to Puerto bay Wharf
Travel to San Carlos
San Carlos Mangrove Cruise
Lunch @ Floating Restaurant
Pick up by boat (HOBBAI) going to Pambato Dalubkaragatan
Snake Island Adventure
Back to Sta Lourdes Wharf - travel back to hotel
Dinner @ Ka Lui Restaurant

Day 3
Breakfast
Free time to shop
Preparation for Check out
Pick up for Airport check in

romblon

looking for your next stop? go to romblon. got this from seair's inflight mag. (",)

We’ve taken out the guessing game and done the research for all you virgin beach lovers. Have a read of some of Romblon’s exciting beach stops Beach-hop Romblon Island.

Maracay-racay is a fantastic powder-white sand beach with gin-clear waters, one of the best beaches visited by the InFlight team. The seabed is rocky in parts and slopes down gradually. It is also the jump off point to the neighboring dive site of Tacut Reef, a marine sanctuary. Maracay-racay is a 2km hike to the southern direction, through two barangays.


Carabao Island Beach is said to be the next Boracay. It's located in San Jose town, south of Romblon and just about a two-hour boat ride from Boracay. It has several white-sand beaches similar to Boracay's White Beach.


Talipasak Beach is a secluded beach with cream-colored sand, gradually sloping seabed that is rocky in some parts, and clean, clear waters. Close to the beach is a marine sanctuary that houses untouched reefs, home to pelagics and diverse marine species. The beach is a 30-minute drive from the port down the main road, plus a scenic five-minute hike.


Cobrador Island, located north of Romblon Island is the biggest islet in Romblon. It has beautiful coves fringed with fine white sand and crushed corals. You can reach Cobrador in 35-40 minutes by outrigger boat from Romlon’s port to Cobrador port.


Tiamban Beach has creamy beige sand, clean, clear waters, and a small cove that stretches to some 50m. Again the seabed slopes down gradually. From the beach, you can see Tablas Island in the distance. Tiamban is located about 5km from the town proper or a 15-minute drive from the main port.


Beach-hop Sibuyan Island

Cresta de Gallo is a five-hectare, kidney-shaped islet that has an impressive beach of lush interior and powdery white-sand. It is largely undeveloped and there’s no lodging anywhere on the island, but this is one of the perfect places in Romblon to have that great day-out, swimming and snorkeling and lazing about in the sun. Pack a tent, lunch and drinks, lots of sun cream to enjoy your day out on this island paradise. To get to this beach requires an hour's travel by land from the main town of San Fernando to Brgy. Azagra where you can hop on a pumpboat for another 30-minute scenic trip. Cresta del Gallo is located south of Sibuyan in the town of San Pedro.

Beach-hop Tablas Island

Looc Bay Marine Refuge and Sanctuary is not a beach, but we’ve included it anyway because it is one of the best spots for snorkeling and fish feeding. This sanctuary is host to diverse species of tropical reef fish, hard and soft corals, turtles, octopuses, eels, seabirds, and hundreds of continuously regenerating colorful giant clams. The sanctuary is located in the midwestern portion of Tablas.