Make Your Stand And Be Heard

This will be my last post for the year 2008. I am posting a video about the ill-effects of mining in Rapu Rapu island in the province of Albay. Please view the video.

Post your comments and be heard for this not only matters today's generation but the future generation as well. Make your stand now!

Happy New Year and God Bless Catanduanes!

Will Northern Catanduanes Be Another Semirara?

This photo above was taken at Semirara open pit coal mine. Below are diagrams from Philippine Department of Energy.

List of Operating Contract Holders
as of 31 January 2007
Company: Monte Oro Resources and Energy Inc.
Location of Mine: Ubi, San Miguel, Caramoran, Catanduanes
Status: Exploration

Contact Person: Mr. Jose Miguel Cabarrus, President CEO
Office Address: 2284 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City
Phone: 893-8409 Fax: 817-4137

source: DOE

source:money.cnn.com/

RELATED LINKS:

• Philippine Mining Act of 1995 - Summary of Philippine Mining Act of 1995
• Responsible Mining Easier Said than Done - Responsible mining the answer to a real Catanduanes development?
• An Island Without Salt - Observations, challenges and food security.
• Sights in the Northern Part - Potential tourist attractions and sights.
• The Road Going to North - Latest view of the new Catanduanes circumferential road and landscape.

Christmas Wishes of Local Celebrities and Politicians

An interview of personalities and celebrities like Sharon Cuneta, Sen. Dick Gordon and others on how they would spend their christmas holidays.

The Php 105 million: Boon or Bane?

The approval of the governor-initiated Php 105 million loan by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan can be construed as Christmas gift of the legislative body to the executive branch.

Probably in the spirit of the Christmas season, the SP headed by Vice Gov. Alfred Aquino decided to approve almost the entire amount of Php 111 million.

Imagine if as originally planned, only Php 56 million was allowed, the administration would suffer a substantial setback in terms of fund-sourcing for its Real Property Tax Administration Enhancement Program (RPTAEP) etc.

Animosities and bad blood were avoided. The executive, and the legislative had “meeting of minds”.

Consequently, Gov. Joseph C. Cua and his economic/financial managers are now grinning from ear to ear. Now it would be safe to say that whatever Gov. Cua wants, Cua gets.

History will tell, however, whether the decision to avail said loan by the provincial government is a good decision or not. For the record, it was only PBM Shirly A. Abundo who objected to such substantial loan.

The workaholic and approachable legislator have yet to see a feasibility study which according to her is very important..

Accordingly, almost all of the PBMs have capitulated to the wishes of the executive department.

The way it seems, the fiscalizing function of the SP had been nipped-in-the-bud ab initio. Majority of the SP members are pro-administration. Hence, the smooth sailing of the Cua administration.

Well, as long as it is for the good of the province, no problem. Some quarters, however, are apprehensive of such multi-million-peso loan.

Successful or not, the province will have to shoulder the millions of pesos for its principal loan and interests.

The bottom-line is the 10-year period of payments. “Tapos na ang term of office ni Gov. Cua, assuming that he can serve for three terms, patuloy pa rin magbabayad ang provincial government,” one observer said in Taglish.

“Tapos na ang term of office ng mga PBMs kasama na si Vice Gov. Aquino, tuloy pa rin ang financial obligation ng provincial government,” the man added.

With the IRA to be used as guarantee, the general public hopes and prays that the financial managers and technocrats in the Capitol will not bungle in their decision.

Otherwise, woe unto the persons responsible for such decision to avail of multi-million loan.

Nevertheless, optimist that we are, this publication joins the thousands of taxpayers who wish our local leaders the best of luck in their attempt to chart a progressive island province.

Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year KAPERYODIKO!

source: Bicol Peryodiko Editorial

Happy Holidays!

To friends, associates, colleagues, relatives and all the nameless visitors... Wherever you are, wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Please post your christmas wish below.

Forest Waste To Fuel

Many of us are complaining about the high cost of (LPG) cooking gas in the market. And returning to traditional firewood fuel would increase strain in our forest resource. Why not try charcoal briquette? Please read the procedures below.

Procedure

1. Preparing the raw materials.

Collect the wood (e.g., gmelina twigs, ipil-ipil branches) and no biomass materials (e.g., coconut leaves) that are traditionally considered as wastes. Sort these raw materials. Chop the large-sized raw materials and then, dry them. Reduce large pieces into finer ones by grinding. Screen the ground materials using a 40-mesh metal strainer.

a. Pruned branches and twigs are good sources of raw materials for charcoal briquette production.

b. Sorting of raw materials like coconut leaves, gmelina twigs, ipil-ipil branches.

c. Chopping of raw materials.

d. Drying of raw materials such as peanut shells, rice hull, gmelina twigs/branches and leaves.

2. Carbonizing.

This can be done either by the drum method or by the metal plate method designed by the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI). Use the drum method in carbonizing larger materials like twigs and corncobs. For pulverized materials, use the metal plate method.

e. Modified drum kiln can be used for charring shells, husks, wood pieces and corncobs.

3. Shredding/Grinding.

The common practice is that raw materials are carbonized first, using the drum method, or the metal plate method before they are fed to the grinding machine. These are placed inside the hopper to produce fine carbonized materials.

If the materials are raw (twigs, branches, corncobs) the shredding machine is used. If the materials are carbonized, the grinding mechanism is used. However, if the materials are too wet, they can be used for composting.

f. The metal plate carbonizer is a simple low-cost machine capable of carbonizing not only sawdust and rice hull but also coconut coir dust and other carbonaceous fine materials.

g. Participants demonstrate the use of a shredding machine for grinding bigger sized raw materials.

4. Preparing the binder.

The FPRDI recommends cassava flour as binder because it is available in local markets. The amount of starch to be used for carbonized charcoal briquettes is 6% to 25% of the total weight of the raw materials. This means that every 1 kg of ground materials needs 150 g of cassava flour. The amount of water needed to gelatinize the starch ranges from 60% to 100% of the weight of the raw materials.

h. Cassava flour is the recommended binder for the DENR charcoal.

5. Mixing.

This is the process of coating every particle of ground materials with a film of binder. It will enhance adhesion and produce uniform good quality briquettes. Pour proper proportions of ground materials and gelatinized starch into the mixing container. Mix the ground materials and the binder thoroughly.

i. The fine carbonized materials and the binder are mixed manually.

6. Briquetting.

The mixture is converted into finished products using the manual briquettor. Pour the mixture directly into the molder which produces it into uniform-sized briquettes.

7. Drying.

Place the briquettes in trays. Dry them under the sun for two days during sunny days or use a suitable drier during rainy days.

j. Briquetting machine is a simple energy- and money-saving device made out of locally-available materials. It is used for converting charcoal fine into charcoal briquettes.

k. The briquettes are place in trays and dried under the sun for two days during sunny days, or placed in a suitable drier during rainy days.

8. Packaging.

Pack the dried briquette in plastic bags and seal them. Charcoal briquettes are ready for use.

l. These charcoal briquettes are produced in a manually-operated briquetting machine.

The DENR charcoal is a solid fuel that is produced using leaves, twigs, stems and other cellulosic forest wastes. These are compacted into briquettes. When burned, the DENR charcoal emits a steady heat with low clean flame. It is easy to ignite and burns completely in at least 50 minutes.

The use of charcoal briquettes can reduce wood charcoal consumption of poultry farms, households and domestic enterprises which is about 590 t/year or an equivalent of 26,970 m3 fuelwood. Shifting to DENR charcoal not only puts forest wastes into good use but also helps mitigate carbon dioxide emission in the atmosphere and lessens the depletion of the country’s forest resources.

RELATED LINKS:

• Typhoons and Briquetting - Suggestion to convert organic debris to charcoal briquettes

Do You Have A Bright Idea?

Things don't happen, they are made to happen.

For our LGUs, Academic and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who have a bright idea for their municipality or organization but cash strapped, go join in the next year Project Grant competition.

Management is handled by a World Bank-based Core Team, in close coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Local Government Academy (LGA). Overall guidance is provided by the World Bank Country Director and the DILG Undersecretary for Local Government.

Panibagong Paraan 2008: Building Partnerships for Effective Local Governance

Panibagong Paraan 2008, with the theme "Building Partnerships for Effective Local Governance", invited ideas for projects that help improve citizens' quality of life through effective local governance. Panibagong Paraan welcomed projects that seek to promote, strengthen or institutionalize indigenous mechanisms for participatory governance. Proposed projects aim to build and utilize multi-stakeholder partnerships to:

• improve transparency and accountability in governance,
• broaden and improve quality of citizen participation in governance,
• strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, and
• improve responsiveness and efficiency of public services.

To ensure the sustainability of initiatives, project proposals were encouraged to focus on, or integrate an advocacy component for the development of ordinances/laws or policies at the local or national level that will improve local governance.

PROPONENT ORGANIZATIONS

• Civil society organizations (CSOs), including cooperatives, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, foundations, faith-based and inter-faith organizations, civic organizations, and business/commerce and industry associations.
• Academic and research institutions, including academic-based foundations and outreach programs.

Local government units, other government agencies, other CSOs or academic and research institutions, and/or private companies could be indicated as co-proponents or partner organizations. To ensure sustainability, partnership with relevant LGU/s is encouraged for projects that require integration into LGU processes.

GRANT AMOUNT AND PROJECT DURATION
Panibagong Paraan provides grants for projects that can be completed within one year. Project grants of up to PhP1 Million will be awarded for the implementation of winning project proposals. The actual grant amount will be based on the budget submitted for the proposed project. Proposals should provide for counterpart contributions (from the proponent organization and its partner organizations), in cash or kind, amounting to at least 30% of total project cost.

Project Categories

• Governance and Administration
• Delivery of Basic Social Services (including health and nutrition, education, housing, energy)
• Livelihood/Enterprise Development
• Environmental Management

Sources of Project Grants and Special Awards:
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)/Philippines Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP), Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), City of Puerto Princesa, Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD), British Embassy, Team Energy Foundation, The Asia Foundation, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank Civil Society Fund.

Philippine Style Parental Wisdom

Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang mga mumunti ngunit ginintuang butil na payo na nakuha ko sa aking mga magulang.

• Si Inay, tinuruan niya ako HOW TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE: "Kung kayong dalawa ay magpapatayan, doon kayo sa labas! Mga leche kayo! kalilinis ko lang ng bahay."
• Natuto ako ng RELIGION kay Itay: "Kapag yang mantsa di natanggal sa carpet, magdasal ka na!"
• Kay Inay ako natuto ng LOGIC: "Kaya ganyan, dahil sinabi ko."
• At kay Inay pa rin ako natuto ng MORE LOGIC: "Pag ikaw nalaglag diyan sa bubong, ako lang mag-isa ang manonood ng sine."
• Si Inay din ang nagturo sa akin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng IRONY: "Sige ngumalngal ka pa at bibigyan talaga kita ng iiyakan mo!"
• Si Inay ang nagpaliwanag sa akin kung ano ang CONTORTIONISM: "Tingnan mo nga yang dumi sa likod ng leeg mo,tingnan mo!!!"
• Si Itay ang nagpaliwanag sa akin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng STAMINA: "Wag kang tatayo diyan hangga't di mo nauubos lahat ng pagkain mo!"
• At si Inay ang nagturo sa amin kung ano ang WEATHER: "Lintek talaga kayo, ano ba itong kuwarto nyong magkapatid, parang dinaanan ng bagyo!"
• Ganito ang paliwanag sa akin ni Inay tungkol sa CYCLE OF LIFE: "Malandi kang bata ka, iniluwal kita sa mundong ito, maari rin kitang alisin sa mundong ito."
• Kay Itay ako natuto kung ano ang BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: " Tumigil ka nga diyan! Huwag kang umarte na parang Nanay mo!"
• Si Inay naman ang nagturo kung anong ibig sabihin ng GENETICS: "Nagmana ka nga talaga sa ama mong walanghiya!"
• Si Inay naman ang nagpaliwanag sa amin kung anong ibig sabihin ng ENVY: "Maraming mga batang ulila sa magulang. Di ba kayo nagpapasalamat at mayroon kayong magulang na tulad namin?"
• Si Itay naman ang nagturo sa akin ng ANTICIPATION: "Sige kang bata ka, hintayin mong makarating tayo sa bahay!"
• At si Itay pa rin ang nagturo kay Kuya kung anong ibig sabihin ng RECEIVING: "Uupakan kita pagdating natin sa bahay!"
• Si Inay naman ang nagturo sa akin kung ano ang HUMOR: "Kapag naputol yang mga paa mo ng pinaglalaruan mong lawnmower, wag na wag kang tatakbo sa akin at lulumpuhin kita! "
• At ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat, natutunan ko kina Inay at Itay kung ano ang JUSTICE: "Balang araw magkakaroon ka rin ng anak...tiyak magiging katulad mo at magiging sakit din sa ulo!"
  

Forwarded by someone.

Botika Ng Bayan

The countdown for 2009 is nearing and many would be probably thinking and planning of what business to start next year. And a week ago, someone asked me about Botika Ng Bayan. So I am posting the program mechanics as reference.

Eligible Applicants

• Non-government organizations (NGOs) and cooperatives
• Trade and labor unions, employees’ associations
• Corporate foundations and religious groups
• Senior citizens’ and women’s groups
• Sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations

Pre-Qualification Requirements

• Valid and current registration, either as a cooperative with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), a foundation or association with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a workers’ association with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), or any organization authorized and certified by a duly recognized agency.
• Minimum revolving capital of PhP 500,000.00 for the project, as evidenced by a certification issued by an authorized Bank.
• Valid government licenses, business permits, etc.
• Proposed location plan or vicinity map.
• Capability to comply with the documentation, technical and other requirements of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) in the filing of the application for a License to Operate (LTO) as Drugstore, including the availability of the services of a licensed Pharmacist.

Floods and Landslides

One time, I got stranded in the mountains in the north because of landslides and had to wait for hours before earth-moving equipments reached the area to clear the dirt and debris. After the long wait, we hit the road thinking that all was clear ahead, but upon reaching barangay Pagsangahan, the river was overflowing. That was four years ago... Please watch the news footages below.

September 24, 2008: GMA News Research names landslide prone areas.

October 29, 2007: Landslide kills 5 in Baras, Catanduanes.

What are landslides and how are they caused?

COA Report - 2007

VIRAC, Catanduanes - Analyzing the financial condition of this province, the Commission on Audit in its 2007 report said the island province’s condition was not financially sound since the cash available at the time the audit was made was only P159.6 million where its total liability was 169.6 million., or a negative balance of P10 million.

With the liquidity ratio of .94 to 1, according to the COA report, this means that the province has no sufficient cash to pay or liquidate its current and long-term obligations.

It noted further that current assets of P272.10 million was higher than the total liabilities of P169.6 million, or a current ratio of 1.6 to 1 which meant that the provincial government was solvent to meet its current obligations.

Catanduanes became an independent province on October 24, 1945, thru Commonwealth Act 687. However, it was RA 7160 which gave local government units total independence in managing its administrative affairs, in conformity with the national government thrust for sustainable and economic growth.

The COA also noted that the P20.5 million it contracted with the World Bank SRRIP thru the Department of Interior and Local Governments was not recorded in the books of the provincial government, resulting to the understatement of assets and liabilities. The loan, according to the audit report, has remained “substantially” unpaid.

Further, it was pointed out that the provincial government recognized liabilities amounting to P6.36 million when in fact the goods intended to be acquired were not yet delivered by the supplier.

Following are the other salient findings by the COA audit report:

- cash advances totaling P8.93 million remain unliquidated as of end of 2007, in violation of government accounting rules;

- various procurement amounting to P963,930.13 were made thru reimbursement basis contrary to Section 12 of RA 9184, or the Government procurement Act. It was suggested that all procurement transactions be first evaluated by the bids and Awards Committee prior to actual procurement;

- the provincial capitol negotiated a contract for rental of equipment at P7.4 million where the supplier showed an asset of only P50,000.”With such circumstance, the agency (provincial government) should not have rated the supplier as eligible and negotiated the contract with the supplier having no heavy equipment to be offered for lease,” COA stressed;

- Procurement of textbooks thru direct contracting without coordinating with the division office of the Department of Education

- Investment of P4 million SEF Fund in high yield savings account which is not allowed in the utilization of said fund;

- Performance Bonus, Extra Cash Gift and excess Bonus totaling P8.7 million were given to capitol officials and employees despite the fact that the capitol has already exceed its Personnel Services (PS) limitations;

The report also underscored that out of six audit recommendations COA made on the province’s previous year’s violations, only one was accordingly implemented in 2007, two were partially implemented, and three were not at all implemented.(By Jose B. Perez - Bicolmail)

Crab Center Not A Cartel

Only a few knows that the crab shells is equally important as the meat itself because of this polymer found in the shell called chitin.

Chitin is a biological substance which may be compared to the polysaccharide cellulose and to the protein keratin. Although keratin is a protein, and not a carbohydrate like chitin, both keratin and chitin have similar structural functions.

Chitin is used industrially in many processes. It is used in water purification, and as an additive to thicken and stabilize foods and pharmaceuticals. It also acts as a binder in dyes, fabrics, and adhesives. Industrial separation membranes and ion-exchange resins can be made from chitin. Processes to size and strengthen paper employ chitin.

Hoping that the crab center would not end-up as a cartel in the future.

DOLE Helps Catanduanes For Crab Center

Virac, Catanduanes (2 December) -- This island province in Bicol may yet become the crab capital of the Philippines.

"We will definitely help Catanduanes become the crab capital of the Philippines," strong words for such a strong vision from DOLE Bicol regional director Ernesto C. Bihis during the launching in this province of the DOLE On the Road for Hope (DOLE-ORAH) project last month.

Pledging to the crowd of people last November 10, that DOLE Bicol will find ways to channel 'better funds' for the Catandunganon recently launched project "crablets" or "crab meat" production, Bihis said "This is our support to the provincial government's commitment in strengthening its people's earning capacity."

Crab meat production first publicity was way back in 2006 when an organization in Camarines Norte started to export its produce to other parts of the region.

However, it was later found out that the abundant source of 'crablets' - the raw materials for crab meat, is found at Catanduanes.

Further, it was learned that the organization in Camarines Norte was actually getting its raw materials from Catanduanes.

The Provincial Government, led by Governor Joseph Cua, then mapped the island and identified 3 barangays as the crab source. Cua then provided a common service area or bagsakan for the catchers.

A provincial ordinance was also enacted preventing catchers from selling or smuggling the crablets to outside buyers.

"He (the governor) wanted that all catch to be brought to the provincial government bagsakian," Bihis narrated.

He said that with this provincial government's initiative, DOLE Bicol has seen the benefit of a fund grant to improve the technology of crablet and crab meat production. "This project would definitely generate additional income to the constituents and will actually increase employment," Bihis pointed out.

Bihis ordered DOLE Catandunaes provincial head Emma P. Acuña for a feasibility study for funding purpose. "If the papers are laid down early then perhaps we could release funds early." (DOLE/PIA)

A 25-Year Moratorium On Mining Activities

Perhaps its about time for our leaders and policy makers to put an end to the divisive issue of mining in our island. A 25-year moratorium on mining in any form in Catanduanes would be the best Christmas gift for us all.

A moratorium would give us a breathing space to think over what is good for the people of Catanduanes. Refocus our resources and programs for projects that requires immediate attention like tourism, livelihood, health care, education and eventually put to rest the issue of mining exploration.

A moratorium would encourage private resort developers and venture capitalists to reconsider developing our place knowing that their investments are protected from enviromental degradation which is detrimental to a tourism industry.

USGS: Open File Report 2006 - 1063

The Republic of the Philippines Coalbed Methane Assessment: Based on Seventeen High Pressure Methane Adsorption Isotherms

U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Colorado
Philippine Department of Energy
Metro Manila, Philippines

Catanduanes Coal District

The coal sample in the Catanduanes coal district was collected from the Eocene Hitoma and Payo Formations. The formations consist of carbonaceous shale, siltstone, sandstone, and coal beds. The coals are in distinct beds, 0.3-1.5 m thick, and in stringers; those in the carbonaceous shales were deposited in a paralic environment. The coal measure is in a northeast-trending basin bounded by two northeast-trending faults. The beds are steeply dipping to almost vertical, having been deformed by faulting along both northeast and northwest trends (del Rosario and Pastor, 2005a).

Catanduanes is an island, part of a group of islands in a southeast-trending peninsula of Luzon.

Coal districts of the Philippines containing lignite to semi-anthracite coal (rank determined by GRCDD using ASTM classification) in strata ranging from Eocene to Pleistocene in age. The coal samples (indicated by blue arrows) from 10 coal districts were re-analyzed for their apparent rank by the U.S. Geological Survey. The coal resources for each of the districts are indicated in million metric tonnes (MMT). Modified from Balce and others (2005).

Photograph of a dipping coal-bed outcrop in Catanduanes coal district. Hammer handle is about 30.5 cm long. From del Rosario and Pastor (2005a).

Photograph showing trenching at an outcrop in Catanduanes coal district for collecting coal samples. From del Rosario and Pastor (2005a).

Photograph illustrating the preparation of a coal sample, immediately following collection, for shipment to laboratory. Preparation consisted of double bagging the coal sample, putting wet tissue in the plastic bags, and wrapping for shipment. From del Rosario and Pastor (2005b).

RELATED ARTICLES:

• Will Northern Catanduanes Be Another Semirara? - Coal mining operation in the Philippines
• Philippine Mining Act of 1995 - Philippine Mining Act of 1995
• Make Your Stand and Be Heard - A call to public officials of Catanduanes
• Responsible Mining Easier Said Than Done - About responsible mining in Catanduanes

Duplicating Puerto Galera

A suggestion I received a week ago, from a foreigner wishing to see a Puerto Galera style tourism development in our island. It's a good idea to start with because we have an almost similar geographic features with Mindoro.

Puerto Galera is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. It is the northwesternmost municipality in Oriental Mindoro.

This coastal town is well known among tourists for its numerous pocket beaches and many snorkeling and diving spots. The area was designated a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO in 1973 and has some of the most diverse coral reef diving in Asia. The marine environment has benefited in recent years from the influx of tourist dollars. This has seen a huge reduction in the number of fishermen in the area, as they gain higher revenue from tourists.

Puerto Galera is a listed by the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays In The World, and is the only bay in the Philippines to be listed there.

Among the famous beaches in Puerto Galera are Sabang Beach and White Beach, which have an active nightlife with numerous bars and restaurants. Both beaches also have an array of first-class and economy-class accommodations.

Sabang beach is the main destination for foreign tourists, while White Beach remains popular with local travelers. Since 2001 White beach has seen uncontrolled development. New restaurants and places to stay are rapidly encroaching on the beach itself and little remains of the once charming beach. Puerto Galera town is a pleasant but sleepy Philippine town with few attractions. It has a large central catholic church and a Pier area, with a selection of bistros and cafes.

Behind the beaches are the huge and generally unexplored mountain ranges of central Mindoro. A particular local attraction is the nine hole golf course perched on the hillside above White Beach which commands spectacular views over Puerto Galera's natural harbor and the Verde Island Passage. Mangyan tribes are scattered over the mountains sides - some of the more remote tribes have no contact with the outside world. Of the eight tribes on Mindoro, the Iraya are the largest. They are based in the Puerto Galera area.

Puerto Galera has become the top diving destination in the Philippines. Excellent diving is found less than 5 minutes from the Sabang area. The diving generally focuses around the areas either side of Escarceo Point which is famous for its current rips. Strong currents are a feature of the diving in Puerto Galera and it is good advice to employ the services of an experienced local guide or dive centre. There are upwards of thirty dive sites all within a 5-10 minute banca ride from Sabang Beach. Marine life is highly diverse. 180+ species of nudibranchs are found in the area and most species of fish can be seen A variety of wrecks have been sunk over the years in addition to the one genuine wreck of an engine of a WWII Japanese patrol boat.

Puerto Galera is also one of the main (technical diving) destinations in Asia. Technical Diving International - (TDI) has many dive centers in the area, offering the full range of TDI courses from Basic (nitrox) to Advanced (trimix).

RELATED LINKS:

• Japanese Retirement Village in the Philippines - The Philippines is being eyed as a prime medical, health care and retirement destination for Japanese. According to studies, one out of four people in Japan will be aged 65 by 2020...
• Must-See Sights in Catanduanes - Popular travel destination among local and foreign travelers.
• Sights in the Northern Part - Lesser known attractions located in the northern Catanduanes.
• Usual Sights Around the Island - Rural activities captured by visitors around the island.

Post Retirement Blues

There were many stories about our beloved school teachers being harassed or verbally abused by GSIS personnel.

In 2002, I confronted a desk personnel at Legazpi branch for being rude when I asked her to explain over an issue that I don't understand. What she did was, she gave me a copy of R. A. 660 and asked me to read it. Whew... I left instead and sent an email to their head office in Manila and immediately their Vice President clarified the matter to me.

When I speak to her again, she was apologetic, restless and perspiring profusely inside the air conditioned room. Her superior came over and asked for the documents. And within a week time my transaction was over.

Rural Public School Teachers Score GSIS "Harassment"

Business Mirror
Written by Manly Ugalde / Correspondent
Tuesday, 18 November 2008 00:51

VIRAC, Catanduanes—Public- school teachers here assailed the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for alleged cheating, harassment and negligence over their alleged unfounded accountabilities.

GSIS members who have recently retired or are in the process of retiring complained that the state pension fund has been warning them to settle their alleged unpaid salary loans that they have paid in full.

Others said they were not paid the full amount of their matured policies allegedly because they have still unpaid loans that they also did not apply for.

Oscar Uchi, a newly retired high- school teacher at the Tambogñon National High School in the coastal town of Viga, said the GSIS claimed that he has not paid his salary loan of P84,200 showed in the GSIS database when his pay slips, as well as records of the Department of Education, show that his salary deductions had been remitted to the GSIS.

Uchi explained that the GSIS does not also approve succeeding salary loan applications unless the old loan has been settled.

Another teacher of the same school, Gregorio Villaray, lamented that he is retiring by January next year but the GSIS is forcing him to pay his salary loan of P74,500, which his records showed has been paid in full.

Maria Salome Tosic and Maria Filipina Liveta, also teachers of the said school, claimed they had not obtained loans from the GSIS but when their policies matured, the pension fund refused to pay them alleging that the proceeds due their policies were made to cover for their loans.

Avelino Tumala, also a teacher, said his P60,000 GSIS insurance policy has matured but he was informed by the GSIS that its proceeds were used to pay his unsettled loans.

“I don’t have a single unpaid loan,” Tumala said.

The teachers said despite the problems confronted by public school teachers with the pension fund before are nothing compared to their problems now. If at all, there were minor problems before, the teachers added.

Salvador Manlangit, a retired agriculture technician at the Gigmoto local government, said he was required by the GSIS to fill out forms for his e-card at the GSIS extension office in the capital town of Virac in June and was assured that he would receive the e-card in 15 days.

Until now, Manlangit said he has not received the e-card which is the instrument for the withdrawal of his monthly pension. “Kelan darating iyong pension ko? Kung patay na ako?” Manlangit lamented.

GSIS members here also complained that even the educational policies for their children could not be collected when their children reach college. They said some beneficiary-students have already graduated and the GSIS policies remain uncollected.

Uchi said his salary loan of P84,200 obtained in 2003 was settled fully in 2006. He said, however, that his insurance policy of P75,000, which matured this year was found to have been wiped out when its proceeds were used by the GSIS to pay his already long full-paid loan.

The teachers appealed to the government and the GSIS to save teachers from this kind of mess, saying poor as they are, and yet they are retiring poor only to become victims of injustices from the state-owned GSIS. This is double jeopardy, the teachers said, adding that their counterparts in the private sector never encountered similar injustices from the Social Security System.

RELATED LINKS:

• 2008 Wishlist - Suggestions to Catanduanes local executives for rural development initiatives.
• We Also Want Change - Change is the law of life and those who only look in the past or present are certain to miss the future.
• Where Are You From? - Our province is undergoing a difficult period but eventually we will be someday be proud of Catanduanes in its true self and not as a copycat.

Have You Ever

This promotional video was taken by World Team missionary Bryan Martin from California, USA and now based in Panganiban, Catanduanes.

World Team exists to glorify God by working together to establish reproducing churches focusing on the unreached people of the world.

Second Look At Tidal Power Development

For several months now since I posted a blog about tidal power development in our province. I noticed that there were a number of visitors on my site coming from the tidal power industry and enthusiasts. As well as fellow Catandungans of course, whom many of them are working and residents of US and UK, where the concern for environment is high.

Tidal power is one cheap source of energy that is sustainable and renewable in the long run. Many would ask how can it be sustainable when the cost of putting up a tidal power plant would cost million of dollars? Well, we need to look at other alternative industries that relies heavily on power to operate, like a cable transport system and cold chain facilities. With a stable supply of power we can operate a cable car system that would run from the bicol mainland up to the northernmost town of Pandan only in a few hours, to bring in and take back passengers, tourists and cargoes. No need to construct a very expensive bridge just to link us to the bicol mainland that would take years to be built.

The tidal power alongside with a cable car system and cold chain facilities would boost our island economy and create enough employment in tourism, deep sea fishing and aquaculture.

RELATED LINKS:

• Energy Dep’t Finalizing Deal to Develop Deep Ocean Power - DoE data indicate 16 possible sites in the country for ocean power development, including Davao Oriental, Camarines, Northeastern Samar, Bataan, Surigao, Catanduanes, Siargao, Tacloban, Ilocos Norte, Babuyan Island, and San Bernardino Strait.
• Catanduanes Skyway - Wild suggestion to connect Catanduanes to mainland Bicol through cable cars.
• Catanduanes Gets a Break from Wind - The provincial government of Catanduanes plans to harness “nasty winds” for power generation, according to a solon.

Tourism: The Catandungan Way

In less than two months from now, will be the start of year 2009 and in three months, will be the onset of summer in the Philippines. At this time of year would be a good start to review our tourism goals of promoting Catanduanes as an alternative destination.

Everybody knows that our island have a number of tourist attractions; surfing, beaches, resorts, rainforest, hotels, lodging houses, rivers, old churches, seafoods and friendly people.

What we probably lack then are, marketing, coordination and logistical capabilities to run our tourism industry like a well-oiled machine.

For marketing, we can advertise and sell our tourism destination online because obviously our provincial tourism council have no budget to buy an airtime in the national television. We can capitalize on our local talents to do a music video.

We can also capitalize in our student and alumni organizations as marketing arm by giving out flyers, leaflets and through social networking sites. In return, the organization with the highest number of tourist invited, will be given a reward and citation.

As to lodging, the council should start issuing an accreditation to some locals who wish to rent out their bedrooms and bathrooms as an alternative for backpackers. They can also provide a designated and secured boot camp in the 11 municipalities for those who wish to sleep on tents and sleeping bags.

Finally, the council should also issue stickers to accredited vans, boats, tricycles and public vehicles to prevent overcharging of fares, which would tarnish our image for a long time. Without much ado, let's do tourism the Catandungan way.

RELATED LINKS:

• Making Catanduanes a Tourism Destination - Suggestions to tourism development in Catanduanes.
• Int'l TV Channel to Produce Documentary on Catanduanes - Living Asia Channel to produce documentary on Catanduanes
• First Half of 2009 Tourism Destinations - Catanduanes made it to top 15 tourist destination during the first semester of 2009
  

Payonhons Raising Funds For Rectory Construction Project

Residents of Panganiban here and in the other parts of the world are in the midst of a fund-raising campaign for the rectory construction project which was launched in late July. Read more...

Town Fights Quarrying For Iron

BAGAMANOC, Catanduanes – Late in October, opposition from residents and the Catholic clergy in this province has prompted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) to issue a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the magnetite (iron ore) extraction activities of Chinese firm Shun Fong Transport Co.

Bagamanoc

The CDO was based on findings of DENR-MGB investigators, who after conducting interviews with residents and company workers, determined that Shun Fong was engaged in the illegal extraction of black sand, locally known as “amargaja”, from Babaguan Bay along the coast of the two towns of Panganiban and Bagamanoc towns, located about 60 kilometers from the capital town of Virac.

The controversy erupted in the first week of September when concerned Bagamanoc residents noted the arrival of the Chinese firm, which began constructing a barge on the beach just a hundred meters away from the municipal hall.

They grew alarmed when they saw that the boat was going to be equipped with a suction pump and a magnetite processor, which workers said would be used to suck black sand offshore.

Wave erosion

Bagamanoc seawall

Days after the arrival of Shun Fong in their community, I-Care Bagamanoc, a nongovernment organization led by Fr. Juan Tejerero held a public assembly at the parish church where municipal officials led by Mayor Odilon Pascua were roundly criticized for allowing the mining activity despite the dangers posed to the environment.

During the last decades, the unprotected shoreline of Bagamanoc has been receding due to wave erosion, with the poblacion losing two streets to the sea so far. Current and past municipal administrations have been trying to extend a sea wall but the dearth of funds has prevented its full completion.

In an interview at his capitol office, Gov. Joseph Cua confirmed he has invited Henry Sy of Shun Fong Transport (with offices located in Greenhills, San Juan) to conduct preliminary reclamation work for planned reclamation projects in some coastal areas of the province.

The projects would pave the way for the construction of commercial and fishing ports in the municipalities where it is feasible.

Citing budgetary constraints of the provincial government, Cua said he asked Shun Fong to conduct surveys at no cost to the province, to determine the depth of the shoreline, the total area of the reclamation site, and the volume of earth fill needed.

He cited Bagamanoc and Panganiban towns as the priority sites.

Boat load of iron ore

He added that the firm could have been in the process of conducting sedimentary sampling of the black sand, which is a raw material used for the production of metal, when the opposition to its activities grew.

He said that in magnetite mining, wherein black sand is siphoned off the sea floor and the magnetite removed by a magnetic separator aboard a vessel, only 6 percent of the sand is taken, with the 94 percent returned to the sea floor.

This unwanted quantity, the governor said, could be used in reclaiming the considerable land area that has been lost by Bagamanoc town to the advancing sea.

In an interview with the Inquirer early in October, Mayor Odilon Pascua shared the governor’s view and stressed that no magnetite extraction occurred on the shores of the coastal town.

The Sangguniang Bayan, headed by Vice Mayor Juan Velchez Jr., however, was opposed to Cua and Pascua’s views and asked Pascua to stop any illegal mining activity.

Velchez affirmed that as early as Sept. 8, they had invited the Chinese firm to shed light on the issue.

Pascua told the municipal officials that he had already relayed the request to Cua, who asked for some time to allow Shun Fong to finish construction of its barge.

At the end of September, Shun Fong towed its barge to Panganiban town and began extracting black sand from the shallow sea of Babaguan Bay prompting local fishermen to complain that the activity resulted in turbid waters and harmed fishpens in the area.

The town mayor, Gregorio Angeles, said he would not oppose magnetite mining within the territorial jurisdiction of the town, provided it is done offshore.

In an interview, he said the Chinese group is just conducting a survey of possible magnetite deposits before undertaking any mining activity.

In case mining takes place offshore, he added that the sand washed out of the magnetite separation process could be used to reclaim part of Panganiban’s shallow shore for the proposed commercial port.

Open letter

Historical and Nautical Archaeology Foundation (HNAF)

The views of the local government officials on the mining activities of Shun Fong, however, did not sit well with the Catholic leadership and clergy in the province.

After two days of intensive discussion, Bishop Manolo A. delos Santos and 29 priests of the Diocese of Virac wrote an open letter addressed to the public officials.

The letter demanded immediate cessation of the mining activity off the shores of Panganiban and Bagamanoc pending a full-blown investigation and public consultation on the already controversial issue.

Critics have brought their case to cyberspace via Youtube where a video dubbed “Amargaha” was uploaded while a group of Panganiban residents citing environmental concerns and transparency placed a half page ad in a local newspaper.

The clergy asked for pertinent information, especially on the possible environmental and socio-economic repercussions of the mining activity of Shun Fong.

They demanded that the results of the probe be made open to the stakeholders at the earliest possible time.

The bishop himself, accompanied by other parish priests, traveled to the company’s magnetite processing site in Barangay San Antonio in Panganiban last Oct. 25 to check the claims made by I-Care Bagamanoc.

Insiders said the bishop would bring a copy of the open letter to Malacañang to personally appeal for the intervention of President Macapagal-Arroyo.

When it received the manifesto of the clergy, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan promptly referred the matter to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources headed by provincial board member Francisco “Jun” Camano, Jr.

Camano said he has yet to have a copy of the DENR order but will proceed with the investigation of the controversy anytime this November.

The local Catholic clergy had requested a copy of the DENR-EMB’s CDO order against Shun Fong from the provincial capitol but were told only that it was in the hands of special projects consultant Cham de Garcellanosa.

Capitol employees said the consultant had worked for the Lafayette mining company in Rapu-rapu, Albay before he was employed at the capitol.

In a chance interview at the provincial capitol, Shun Fong project coordinator Arnie Mesia said that in the aftermath of the controversy and CDO order, the company would lease a local boat to tow the barge used in the extraction to Virac and then to Sorsogon where he said local people are engaged in small-scale on-shore magnetite mining. However, rough seas have stranded the barge in Panganiban.

Mesa said the company would probably apply for a permit to explore and subsequently extract magnetite from a mountain-sized deposit located along a river somewhere between Barangays Hinipaan and Bacak.

By Fernan Gianan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:28:00 11/06/2008

Japanese Retirement Village in the Philippines

The Philippines is being eyed as a prime medical, health care and retirement destination for Japanese. According to studies, one out of four people in Japan will be aged 65 by 2020, from one out of six in 2000. Now is the best time to set up the retirement village for Japanese as baby boomers will start retiring in 2007.


Several notable Japanese companies have already initiated building medical and retirement havens in the Philippines. These include Sanyo Emeritus Co. Ltd., a joint venture between Sanyo Electric and Emeritus Corp. of Seattle, which provides "assisted living" services in the US and Canada; as well as Tokushukai Medical Corp., Japan's largest hospital chain, which is putting up a $100 million, 1000-bed hospital in the Philippines, targeting elderly Japanese citizens.

The Philippines is highly regarded because of its mild climate enjoyed by Japanese, its close proximity to Japan, the high quality of the Philippines' healthcare workforce, and the significantly lower cost of living.

Cost of living in Japan is 60 percent higher than in the Philippines. This means the retirees can enjoy their pensions more than those staying in Japan. By moving to the Philippines, they can spend half of what they would pay for rent at home in Japan and live in seaside resort mansions with guards, swimming pools, tennis courts and spacious bedrooms.

We are currently looking at developing our 100-hectare premium property into an exclusive Japanese retirement village. The property is located right beside a premier golf and leisure estate having four (4) 18-hole championship golf courses designed by the world renowned golfers, Isao Aoki, Andy Dye, Nick Faldo, and Greg Norman and is frequented by many Japanese executives and businessmen.


The prime property is only 15 minutes away from two major commercial malls as well as leading universities. It is conveniently located midway between Makati, the financial and urban center of the Philippines, and popular tourist destinations such as Tagaytay, Batangas and Laguna. Retirees will be half an hour away from the cool highlands of Tagaytay which overlooks the famous Taal Volcano and Taal Lake; an hour away from the beaches and famous diving spots of Batangas; as well as the mountains, hot springs, and lakes of Laguna.

We envision the Japanese retirement village to be a place where retirees can keep an active, meaningful, and fruitful lifestyle with modern houses and amenities, sports and recreational facilities, medical, health and care-giving services, educational, training and business centers. The retirees will be able to participate in many programs and activities such as gardening, cooking, ballroom dancing, pottery making, painting and other activities.

We are looking for a Japanese partner who would like to go into a joint venture to develop our property into an exclusive Japanese retirement village. We are looking for a partner who can handle the sales and marketing of the project in Japan and who would provide conceptual designs and specifications according to the preferences of the Japanese market.

Interested companies/investors may send their letter of intent and company profile to us. Please see "More Info." for our company profile and contact details.

Source: Japan External Trade Organization

RELATED LINKS:

• About Geotourism - Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents...
• Duplicating Puerto Galera - Puerto Galera is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. It is the northwesternmost municipality in Oriental Mindoro...
• Smiling At Life In Catanduanes - Peaceful, remote, laid back and rustic. Inhabitants of this small communities often are relatives and have kins working overseas or perhaps migrated in other places...

Boses Nin Catandungan

If I remember it right, Musika Tanog Bikol was a fund raising drive for typhoon victims in Catanduanes. I was still in college back then, the first concert composed of Catandunganon talents at the then popular hip venue in Greenhills, San Juan.



RELATED LINKS:

• Is There an English Equivalent Word for Pantomina? - Pantomine is it?
  
• Usual Sights - Take a photo tour of Catanduanes.
  
• Must See Sights in Catanduanes - What makes the island unique? Check this out.

Smiling At Life In Catanduanes

Possibly, many are wondering why am I posting maps of not often heard remote villages in our island. Peaceful, remote, laid back and rustic. Inhabitants of this small communities often are relatives and have kins working overseas or perhaps migrated in other places.

What makes these characteristics interesting to me is, these villages and municipalities can be a potential retirement destination for both foreign or local retirees, once promoted and develop as a retiree's haven. It is projected that this retirement program would be a US$40B industry by 2015.

Retirees often are in the twilight of their years and would pose no harm to our security, people and environment. And could be of help in our community by hiring caregivers, drivers, gardeners and househelps. They would not crave for expensive and heavily calorie laden foods, but instead, more on organically grown fresh vegetables and fishes, to which our friendly farmers and fishers can provide.

Maybe, there are some former residents who migrated and wishing to start smiling at life in Catanduanes.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• Barangay Manambrag - This is Manambrag, a barangay of San Andres (Calolbon) Catanduanes. I never gone to this place yet but it looks like a small peaceful village. According to August 2007 Census, she has an overall population of 2,582.
• The PRA Business Guide - As a general rule, anyone regardless of nationality may invest in the Philippines. However, foreign nationals enrolled in the Retirement Program are, under the Authority’s existing Implementing Investment Guidelines, permitted after a holding period of 30 days

Port Construction Turned Into Magnetite Mining In Catanduanes

ABS-CBN's news anchor Corina Sanchez reports on magnetite mining in Bagamanoc, Catanduanes.

Barangay Manambrag

This is Manambrag, a barangay of San Andres (Calolbon) Catanduanes. I never gone to this place yet but it looks like a small peaceful village. According to August 2007 Census, she has an overall population of 2,582.

I never thought that there are other places aside from Carmoran that are located alongside the western seaboard of Catanduanes.

Like A Mixture Of Oil And Water

CATANDUANES - It is somewhat amusing that recent developments in Catanduanes could be likened to a mixture of oil and water. On one side, an ore magnetite extraction and coal mining, while on the other side are renewable energy plants - hydro and wind.

These power plants in the pipeline right now, will provide us with clean cheap source of energy harnessed using natural elements. A cheap power would encourage industrialists to invest in manufacturing plants in Catanduanes to process our raw materials like the abaca, which is as of now, abundant in our island. Eventually this will make every Catandungans to have a reason to be proud of.

Economically, renewable energy plants will substantially reduce our reliance to expensive crude oil that fuels our double digit inflation.

On one side, mining would strip our forest cover, dredge our seabeds, affect our wildlife's natural habitat, displace some farms and fishing grounds. And worst, flood related stress and increased anxiety levels would no longer be alien to lowlanders during heavy rain.

In addition, the taxes that would be paid by the mining company to our municipal treasury would only end up as a budget for strengthening our river dikes to protect us from floods, annual rehabilitation of bridges and road repairs because it would be plied by very heavy earth moving machines.

Two different scenarios of development that perhaps, one day would obviously split Catanduanes apart, Northern Catanduanes on the north and Southern Catanduanes on the south, just like a mixture of oil and water.

Philippine Mining Act of 1995

With the recent issue of magnetite ore mining overwhemingly opposed by residents in the town of Bagamanoc and recently moved the mining site off the coast of Panganiban (Payo), I am compelled to post this Mining Act to serve as reference.

"Republic Act No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (“Act”) is the governing law that regulates mineral resources development in the country. One of the primary objectives of this act is to revitalize the ailing Philippine mining industry by providing fiscal reforms and incentives and maintaining a viable inventory of mineral reserves to sustain the industry through the infusion of fresh capital through direct investments to finance mineral exploration and/or development activities. The original implementing rules and regulations of the Act was prepared in 1995, and was revised in 1996 under DENR Administrative Order 96 – 40, the revised implementing rules and regulations (RIRR).

Collectively, the Act and its RIRR take into consideration the following:

• Local government empowerment
• Respect and concern for the indigenous cultural communities
• Equitable sharing of benefits and natural wealth
• Demands of present generation while providing the foundation for future generations
• Worldwide trend towards globalization
• Protection for and wise management of the environment

The law also contain social and environmental safety nets far stronger than previous mining laws, rules and regulations. It has:

Built-in protection for the Indigenous Peoples (IP) through the prior informed consent requirement, one of, if not the only mining law in the world that contains such requirement, even pre-dating the free and prior informed consent (FPIC) requirement of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997;

Competitive fiscal regime. The fiscal regime is a major consideration among the investor's criteria for investment. The key concern of investors is not the fiscal regime per se, but the overall profitability of the project after considering the taxes. The fiscal regime of the Philippines is considered competitive not only in Asia but throughout the world, according to an independent study by the Institute for Global Resources Policy and Management of the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) in the United States in 2000;

Equitable sharing of the benefits of mining among the major stakeholders – the national and local government, the communities and the mining company. Under the fiscal regime, the benefits of mining of mining are approximately shared at 50%:50% between the government and the contractor. The 50% is further divided into 50% for the national government, 10% for the provincial government and 20% each for the municipality and host barangays; and

Environmental and social provisions comparable, if not better than similar provisions in mining laws of established countries. During the World Bank Mine Closure and Sustainable Development Workshop in 2000, the Philippines was among the nations considered to “have (a) comprehensive policy and legislation that provides for both comprehensive mine closure and post-mining sustainable development”. The Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) was also cited as a “tool for community participation”. The SDMP is meant for the development of the host and neighboring communities and is managed by the communities themselves together with the mining company and guidance by the Government and site-base NGOs. In addition, the national wealth sharing scheme, provided under the Local Government Code of 1991 where 40% of mining taxes collected by the national government is flowed back to the communities was cited as “one of the only few wealth sharing scheme of such nature in the world”.

The revised implementing rules and regulations of the Mining Act provides strict adherence to the principles of Sustainable Development which should encompass the economic, social and environmental aspects of human development."

RELATED ARTICLES:

• Rice, Not Mines, Urges Philippines Report - On 9 February at the launch of a new report at Westminster titled, Philippines: Mining or Food?
• DOE Allows Mining of Rich Coal Deposits in Catanduanes - The Department of Energy (DOE) has approved the mining of this island province’s estimated 1.2 million metric tons of high-quality coal deposits.
• Port Construction Turned Into Magnetite Mining in Catanduanes - Report on port construction in Bagamanoc Catanduanes turned into magnetite mining.
• Responsible Mining Easier Said Than Done - Lesson of this south Pacific island nation, once boasted the second-highest per capita GDP in the world thanks to its fabled phosphate mines, Nauru is today destitute..

Pinoy Funny Signages

A friend forwarded this by email. It contains photos of road signs, job openings and product advertisements made by Pinoys in their effort to earn a living, hire, help others find their way and to shout their undying love. Please view the slideshow.

Why I Live In The Philippines?

A friend named "Maeng Ni" posted this. Lahat ng sinabi niya nakakatuwa at totoo... When I travel, people often ask me why I live in the Philippines ? Well here it is...

It is the only place on earth where...

• Every street has a basketball court.
• Even doctors, lawyers and engineers are unemployed.
• Doctors study to become nurses for employment abroad.
• Students pay more money than they will earn afterwards.
• School is considered the second home and the mall considered the third.
• Call-center employees earn more money than teachers and nurses.
• Everyone has his personal ghost story and superstition.
• Mountains like Makiling and Banahaw are considered holy places.
• Everything can be forged.
• All kinds of animals are edible.
• Starbucks coffee is more expensive than gas.
• Driving 4 kms can take as much as four hours.
• Flyovers bring you from the freeway to the side streets.
• Crossing the street involves running for your dear life.
• The personal computer is mainly used for games and Friendster.
• Where colonial mentality is dishonestly denied!
• Where 4 a.m. is not even considered bedtime yet.
• People can pay to defy the law.
• Everything and everyone is spoofed.
• Where even the poverty-stricken get to wear Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger (peke)!
• The honking of car horns is a way of life.
• Being called a bum is never offensive.
• Floodwaters take up more than 90 percent of the streets during the rainy season.
• Where everyone has a relative abroad who keeps them alive.
• Where wearing your national colors make you baduy.
• Where even the poverty-stricken have the latest cell phones. (GSM-galing sa (magnanakaw) .
• Where insurance does not work.
• Where water can only be classified as tap and dirty.
• Clean water is for sale (35 pesos per gallon).
• Where the government makes the people pray for miracles. (Amen to that!)
• Where University of the Philippines where all the weird people go.
• Ateneo is where all the nerds go.
• La Salle is where all the Chinese go.
• College of Saint Benilde is where all the stupid Chinese go and;
• University of Asia and the Pacific is where all the irrelevantly rich people go.
• Fast food is a diet meal.
• Traffic signs are merely suggestions, not regulations.
• Where being mugged is normal and It happens to everyone.
• Rodents are normal house pets.
• The definition of traffic is the 'non-movement' of vehicles.
• Where the fighter planes of the 1940s are used for military engagements and;
• The new fighter planes are displayed in museums.
• Where cigarettes and alcohol are a necessity, and where the lottery is a commodity.
• Where soap operas tell the realities of life and where the news provides the drama.
• Where actors make the rules and where politicians provide the entertainment.
• People can get away with stealing trillions of pesos but not a thousand.
• Where being an hour late is still considered punctual. (Grabe talaga 'to!)
• Where the squatters have more to complain (even if they do not pay their tax) - than those employed and have their tax automatically deducted from their salaries.
• And where everyone wants to leave the country!