The Freudian Slip Of A Bacolodnon

Interactive Map of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan

2011-12-24T13:46:00.001+08:00

Below are Interactive Maps of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, two of the most devastated cities hit by Typhoon Washi or Sendong. Relief Operations are ongoing. The international community has already sent aid. More support is needed. Most of the urgent needs are water and food. Electricity is being restored in some parts but potable water is still scarce and the local water districts are working 24 hours a day to restore water supply.

Map of Cagayan de Oro

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Map of Iligan City

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Negros Oriental was also hit, particularly towns like Tanjay and Valencia. They too need your help
Map of Valencia

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Death toll has risen beyond 1,000 and authorities are saying the actual number of deaths may never be ascertained.

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The Best of 2011

2011-12-28T19:09:00.000+08:00

2011 is a year of firsts. Allow me to recall the many personal highlights of 2011 which for me will become one of those memorable years.

1) Working on a cruise ship - I began working aboard the Voyager of the Seas last December 2010 and the entire month of December 2010 was really an adjustment month. But by January 2011, everything went on smoothly. I was still homesick and perhaps I was never cured from it but I was now able to adjust with my workmates. I was also able to get my groove back and started earning me some money to send back home. The experience aboard the cruise ship was amazing. Almost every night I would watch the shows in the theater, then hit the gym with the Filipino Mafia, or pig out at Johnny Rockets. Every Sunday was "Wal-mart" or "Target Day" in Galveston. But walking around the ship alone was such an experience already. Meeting my patients from so many countries, learning new languages and even making new friends and connections. I wasn't down with it at first having to work far from family but I am thankful that I was given the chance to experience what it feels like to be an OFW if only for 6 months or so.

2) Swimming with Dolphins - Cozumel, Mexico became my second home for the first 5 months of 2011. Every time we docked in Cozumel, I would always head to No Name Bar right across the port, have my quesadillas and free wifi skyping with my family who were back home in the Philippines. There was one time when the cruise ship was chartered and we got to stay overnight in Cozumel. With plenty of free time, we decided to rent a jeep and drive around the island with the Filipino Mafia hoping from one beach to the other before we bought our groceries. But perhaps the best highlight of my stay in Cozumel was when I swam and played with dolphins in Chankanaab Resort. That was really an amazing experience. I get to ride on the backs of 2 dolphins. They even pushed me up a la Superman while I glide over the water. It was really amazing.

3) Swimming at Grand Cayman's 7-mile Beach - this beach is among the top beaches in the world. With its 7-mile stretch of ivory sand and crystal clear waters, the 7-mile beach is really enticing. After a business meeting with fellow MD's, we decided to hit the beach and spend at least an hour there before we headed back to our respective cruise ships. Not as crowded as our Boracay, it gives tourists enough free room to enjoy the sun and sand. Grand Cayman is beautiful and usually whenever we docked at Grand Cayman we would do our shopping for duty-free goods.

4) Crossing The Atlantic - From Galveston, Texas we crossed the Atlantic Ocean (14 days) going to the Azores, Portugal then to Spain, hopping along the Mediterranean coastline all the way to Venice. It was an amazing Atlantic Crossing. I was expecting it to be a slow business for us aboard the cruise ship but on the contrary, I was actually very busy during the crossing. During the crossing I was able to conduct many seminars, met new friends and enjoyed many shows on board the ship. It was also during the crossing that I was able to publish my first short story, Calypso, 5 months after I began writing it.

5)Europa! - In 2010, I went to Finland, Estonia and Sweden during our Global health course. I never expected to come back to Europe and visit some of the places that I have only been dreaming about. I was able to visit the Leaning tower of Pisa, St. Peter's Basilica where I saw the Pope up close and the great market of Istanbul. I was lucky enough to visit Madrid in Spain, stood in a Roman amphitheater in Cartagena, attend Mass in Dubrovnik (Croatia) and walked around Toulon, France. Of course, among the best experience was docking every weekend in Venice. It was just like in the movies. Venice is beautiful. I was able to visit St. Mark's square and it was amazing.

6)Trip Back Home - Going home after more than 6 months abroad was an exciting experience. From Venice International Airport, I stopped over Dubai then to Manila where I had to stay for at least 2 days before I flew to Bacolod where I was greeted by my entire family. One luggage was filled with clothes, the other was filled with "pasalubongs". It was great to be back. The following day, I immediately started working as a Professor in my alma mater, handling 4 classes, 2 of which are Anatomy classes (one is Comparative Vertebrate), the most I had in one semester. This did not even include some of my load in the College of Medicine.

7)University life - The middle of 2011 has been spent teaching and working at the University. I have always enjoyed being inside the classroom, interacting with students, teaching them and training them for their "future". I always make sure though that my classes are less boring. Among the many activities that we did was the annual Cinemanatomy wherein the students had to produce a mini-movie featuring a concept in Anatomy. For 2011, there were 12 entries. By this time, I was able to write and publish 2 more books, one of which I donated to the library of USLS-IS and St. Joseph's High School. I was able to engage with medical students from the Visayas during their convention in Bacolod City. I was also able to finish write a qualitative research which I presented during the 2nd International Multidisciplinary research conference and won for myself the Diamond Award. This year, for the first time as well, my wife and I gave a talk together for the Pre-Sacramental Catechism for the parents of Grade 3 students. This year, my son had his first communion. I was able to give a lot of talks as well this year (HLP, AIM, It Can Wait at SFAS, etc).

8)Relocating to Manila - after more than a year of dilly-dallying, I finally decided to apply for Zuellig Family Foundation. This implied relocating to Manila. So, during the last quarter of 2011, I saw myself packing again and heading for Manila, searching for an apartment and eventually adjusting to the life in the big city. I was able to even watch the David Beckham - Azkal Football friendly in Rizal Stadium which is actually a walking distance from my apartment. Working with ZFF has allowed me again to travel but this time within the Philippines. So far, I have been to Dipolog (twice) and neighboring municipalities, and St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.

2012 promises to be yet another year of travel.

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Fireworks

2011-12-30T22:15:00.001+08:00

Whenever there are fireworks displays, people would always flock to the venue and wait until the skies are lit up with a variety of colors. Every year, it has been a tradition to watch fireworks displays around the city especially during the Christmas season. Mostly, the shopping malls would sponsor these fireworks display. I remember a few years back, there would be a pyrotechnic show competition and many people would watch this spectacular choreographed exhibition of lights and sounds in the sky. Even if it would entail straining one's neck to gaze upon the dark skies being splattered with shades of gold and white and sometimes green and purple and red.

Fireworks have been with us for centuries and they were once used as part of warfare. Now, they have been adopted as symbols of celebration and life. I think it is our fascination for that which is bright and fleeting that attracts us to watching this kind of shows. We are mesmerized by the glitter of the sparkles raining down after the explosion of colors. It touches me however, while witnessing the latest fireworks display tonight at a mall here in Bacolod, to see so many people looking altogether at the same direction. Even for just a brief 5-minute period, we shared a unifying moment, watching the same sight, astounded with the same emotion, and applauding the same wonderment that for a brief moment enthralled our spirits and made us forget the mundane affairs that anchor us to our realities.

I pray for the same unifying force that would bind families and nations.

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Last Minute Fireworks Purchase

2011-12-31T13:38:00.001+08:00

For those living in Bacolod City and are planning to light up some "legal" fireworks, locally produced fireworks are being sold right beside the New Government Center. I was there a week ago and bought some sparklers and "luces". There was one guy who even approached me and asked, "ano atun to? Gusto mo Goodbye Philippines? Goodbye NGC?" (What are you looking for? Good-bye Philippines? Good-bye NGC?") Goodbye Philippines and Goodbye NGC are names of supposedly very powerful firecrackers. I politely declined after giving out a good laugh. Goodbye NGC? That's a first. NGC refers to the New Government Center.

Anyway, for those who are still on a last minute rush to buy some fireworks and a few firecrackers as well, the vendors are situated right at the left side of the NGC if you are coming from Lopue's East. Lopue's East also sells fireworks produced by Dragon Fireworks.

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Of course, always consider safety when you decide to light up some fireworks for tonight's New Year's celebration. I bought an air horn that is as loud as a Goodbye Philippines perhaps. I wonder how they got names for these fireworks? If I would be making my own firecrackers, I would probably be naming them like:

1. Party!Party! - a very loud firecracker in the shape of Valerie Concepcion, which would explode in sing-song to the tune of "estudyante blues".

2. Wang-Wang - it's actually not a firecracker but an air horn that mimics the sound of those wang-wangs in the street. Apparently, despite the standing policy in our government not to use wang-wang or sirens except if you are an ambulance or an emergency car, the "Tuwid na Daan" seems to be littered still with people with wang-wang mentality

3. Crowning Glory - Chief Justice Corona and Former President Gloria Arroyo are among the top newsmakers of 2011. Definitely, using their names in any firecracker would also be a top-seller.

4. P-noy Rockets - these are actually whistling rockets, tiny but fast. Unfortunately, it has a long delay though. So be sure to light them up a few hours before midnight strikes. They usually shoot up hours after you light the fuse.

5. Pork Fountain - Comes with 188 flaming balls, done in like 30 seconds. Very expensive at that too.

Happy New Year Everyone!

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From Jailbirds To Stars

2012-01-02T11:59:00.002+08:00

Remember the dancing prisoners from Cebu? They really caught the cyber-world on fire, with their youtube videos earning 45 million viewers worldwide. It was really a delightful phenomenon, to see hard-ass "breakers of the law" dancing to the steps of Michael Jackson. They literally became a tourist attraction. And now, they have even inspired the production of a musical which will be aired in the world wide web. Entitled Prison Dancer, the musical promises to air 12 episodes and 12 original songs. It hopes to be a hit with the netizens just like its inspiration. I would expect it to be funny and entertaining but also at the same time thought-provoking.

Here's the trailer of the upcoming musical show.

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Comedy In The Air: Cebu Pacific's New Gimmick

2012-01-03T08:32:00.001+08:00

Cebu Pacific Airlines started a new gimmick a few years ago when they had their flight attendants dance to Lady Gaga while demonstrating the "safety features of the aircraft". That really caught the attention of many. But flash mobs are now the thing of the past. It is already 2012. So, new things have been in store from Cebu Pacific, including this Improv Comedy care of SPIT.

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Azkals VS Internacional de Madrid

2012-01-04T08:22:00.001+08:00

The Philippine Azkals will once again have another football match against an international team this Saturday, January 7, 2012 4pm at Rizal Memorial Stadium. The Azkals will play against the Internacional de Madrid C.F. According to their official website, this football club started in 2002 when a group of businessmen organized a football club called Madrid International. In its first year of existence, it won its first league. It almost won all of its games (lost only once) and even surpassed the record number of goals made.

This friendly match is actually for a good cause. It is going to be a fundraising event for the victims and survivors of Typhoon Sendong that ravaged Northern Mindanao. This is definitely a good way to support a charity event. The ticket prices range from 100 to 500 pesos only (definitely way cheaper and more affordable than the L.A. Galaxies game) and are available through Ticketworld.com.ph. In fact, I think I am going to watch the game since I live very close to the stadium. It will also be my way of helping the victims of Sendong.

See you in the games.

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Lesson On Stereotypes

2012-01-04T12:41:00.001+08:00

A film maker from Iowa made this video clip regarding how much of his fellow Americans know Iowans. In 2010, I was able to visit Iowa and get inside their Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque. Iowa is the focus right now in the American political landscape due to the ongoing Republican caucus. Republicans in Iowa are voting who among the nominees do they want to run against President Obama in the next Presidential elections in the U.S. As of press time, contenders Matt Romney and Rick Santorum are in a virtual tie, getting each 25% of the total number of votes casted.

Here's the video of the film maker and his interview by CNN.

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It's More Fun In The Philippines

2012-01-06T11:10:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Department of Tourism has released its new slogan, hoping to capture more international and local tourists to visit the country. Dubbed as "It Is More Fun In The Philippines", the DOT wishes to ask Filipinos here and around the world why do they think it is more fun to come and stay in the Philippines.

Well, I have made a list of my own regarding the many aspects where it is more fun in the Philippines.

It's More FUN riding a tricycle IN THE PHILIPPINES!

It's More FUN swimming In THE PHILIPPINES!

It's More FUN crossing the street IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Being Jailed is More FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Dining is More FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Cooking Food is More FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Moving To A New Place is MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Going to school is even MORE FUN IN THE (University of the)PHILIPPINES!

For you, what is MORE FUN for you IN THE PHILIPPINES?

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More Slogans For The Philippines

2012-01-06T15:40:00.000+08:00

A few minutes ago I read a link from tweeter that the new slogan of the Philippine Department of Tourism which is, "It's More Fun In the Philippines" is not the first. In 1951, Switzerland had the same slogan. Perhaps it was just a pure coincidence that our present-day thinkers in the Tourism department decided to use a tag-line utilized by a country ages ago. Or maybe they have been running out of tag-lines to use that reviving old tag lines would be the best and easy option. Still, the present slogan is far better than the "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" slogan.

Surfing the web, I was able to come across a website called SloganMaker which helps you create a slogan out of a word or phrase. Simply type the word e.g. The Philippines, click the "Make A Slogan" button and a slogan will be suggested to you. You can re-click if you don't like the suggested slogan to re-create a new one.

So, I typed the name "The Philippines" and here are some of the slogans that the website suggested to me. Choose your pick

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Feast Of The Black Nazarene

2012-01-09T07:07:00.001+08:00

Today the Church in Quiapo is celebrating the feast of the Black Nazarene. Every year, thousands and thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene, mostly males, would join the almost chaotic procession of the image of the Suffering Christ arrayed in kingly clothes but carrying a large cross and crowned with thorns. I attended mass yesterday at Quiapo Church and it was really very crowded. I had to settle standing outside of the Church and watch at the huge TV monitor broadcasting the mass inside. It was raining as well so it was a good thing that I brought my jacket with me. Perhaps it was my standing outside the rain that is making me quite under-the-weather today. Luckily, during communion, I was able to find my way inside the church where it was warm and also very crowded. After the mass, everyone took out their images of the Black Nazarene and their rosary beads, raised it high above their heads and the priest blessed them. Every one then rushed to touch some of these blessed objects, one object in particular which was almost a miniature size version of the Black Nazarene. I too rushed to touch "even just the hem of his garment" with faith that my prayers for my family and myself will be granted.

The Black Nazarene was not "black" originally. It was fair-skinned but it got caught in a fire shortly after the image arrived from Mexico. There were actually two Nazarene images sent to the Philippines. The first one was destroyed during World War II. The current one is the "newer version" and to protect it from exposure to the elements, especially during the procession, the Church decided to commission another image and then attach the head and hands of the original image to the new one.

It is important to note though that the patron saint of the Church of Quiapo is not the Black Nazarene but St. John the Baptist and January 9 is the feast of our Lord's Baptism.

Today it is expected that traffic jams will be all over Manila due to the procession of the Black Nazarene from the Luneta to the church in Quiapo. It would be interesting to participate in this religious event but I am not too sure if I have the physical rigor even to find my way towards the andas, the rope which pulls the carriage that bears the Black Nazarene.

Our deep attachment to the Black Nazarene reminds us that God too understands fully well our human sufferings. He suffered too and His sufferings were even greater.

Anyway, in anticipation of the procession, the following is an advisory from MMDA regarding traffic rerouting schemes:

Traffic Advisory: Quiapo Fiesta January 9, 2012
Route of Grand Procession of Black Nazarene / Closure Areas:

FROM QUEZON CITY - ESPAñA TO LUNETA (WEST BOUND)

Right turn at A.H. Lacson, straight ahead to Tayuman left at Rizal Avenue, right at Ronquillo left to Mc Arthur Bridge all the way to Padre Burgos to destination.

FROM QUEZON CITY - LAONG-LAAN & DIMASALANG TO LUNETA (WEST BOUND)

Right turn at A.H. Lacson, straight ahead to Tayuman, left at Rizal Avenue, right at Ronquillo left to Mc Arthur Bridge all the way to Padre Burgos

FROM QUEZON CITY - ESPAñA TO LUNETA (WEST BOUND)

Left turn at Lacson, right at Earnshaw, right at Legarda, P. Casal - Ayala Blvd. to destination

FROM LUNETA TO ESPAñA - QUEZON CITY (EAST BOUND)

Take Padre Burgos straight ahead to Finance, Ayala Blvd. straight to P. Casal straight to Legarda, left at Bustillos to destination.

FROM ROXAS BLVD. TO ESPAñA - QUEZON CITY (EAST BOUND)

Take U.N. Avenue left to Otis, left to Nagtahan, A.Lacson to destination

FROM ROXAS BLVD TO BLUMENTRITT (EAST BOUND)

Take P. Burgos, straight to Lawton, Mc Arthur Bridge, right to Carriedo, then keft to Avenida to destination

Route from Quirino Grandstand (Rizal Park), right Katigbak Drive thru P. Burgos, left Taft Ave(P.Burgos) thru McArthur Bridge, right Palanca, thru under Quezon Bridge, left Quezon Blvd, right Arlegui, right Fratenal, right Vergara. left Duque de Alba, left Castillejos, left Farneclo, right Arlegui, left Nepomuceno, left Aguila, right Carcer, right Hidalgo thru Plaza del Carmen, left Bilibid Viejo thru Puyat, left Guzman. right Hidlago. left Barbosa, right Globo de Oro thru under Quezon Bridge, right Palanca, right Villalobos thru Palza Miranda to Quiapo Chruch.

Affected Areas During Procession and Expect Heavy Traffic:
Stretch of Roxas Blvd/Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to TM Kalaw NB and SB Lane.
SB of Quezon Blvd. from Recto to Palanca (subway-Isetan Recto)
Stretch of Lerma from P.Campa to Quezon Blvd.
Taft Ave/ Finance (WB Lane)
Lagusnilad / P.Burgos (WB Lane )
P.Burgos / Taft Ave (Freedom Triangle NB Lane)
Villegas / N.A Lopez
25th Street / Bonifacio Drive (SB)

Road Closure:

At 4:00 AM, January 9,2012 SB Lane of Quezon Blvd. (Quiapo), from Andalucia / Fugoso to Plaza Miranda and España / P.Campa / Lerma shall be closed to traffic for Public Utility Vehicles only.

At 5:00 AM, total Closure for All types of Vehicles shall be Implemented.

Re-Routing of Vehicles:
All vehicles coming from Quezon City using the stretch of España shall turn right P.Campa, left Andalucia, right Fugoso, left T.Mupua to point of destination.

All PUJ/ light vehicles coming España intending to proceed to South Pier Zone turn Nicanor Reyes, right Recto straight to JAS, left Riena Regente take Jones Bridge, right Magallanes Drive to point of destination.

All vehicles coming from Northern Part of Manila intending to utilize the stretch of Bonifacio Drive SB shall turn right Roberto S. Oca St., left Delgado, Left Bonifacio Drive ( for Port Area offices) or shall take right to A. Soriano to Magallanes Drive, right P.Burgos, go straight to Lagusnilad to Taft Ave.

All Vehicles coming from Southern Part of Manila intending to utilize the stretch of P.Burgos shall take TM Kalaw, left Taft Ave, right Ayala to Ayala Bridge to point of destination.

Private Vehicles coming from Southern Part of Manila intending to utilize the NB of Roxas Blvd shall turn right Quirino Ave and take Nagtahan Bridge to destination.

All PUJ'S plying Monumento-Gasak-Recto intending to utilize Andalucia thru Recto shall turn right Fugoso, right Oroqueta to point of origin.

All Vehicles coming from Legarda shall turn right Recto or left Mendiola to point of destination.

All Heavy Vehicles/ Cargo Trucks coming from the South shall take Pres., Osme–a, right Pres. Quirino to Nagtahan via AH Lacson to Capulong (vise-versa).

Other motorist intending to proceed to North of Manila or South of Manila shall advise to utilize the stretch of Lacson to Nagtahan (vise-versa) or to utilize stretch of Road 10 to Roxas Blvd. (Vise-versa) to point of destination.

All Buses coming from Eastern part of Manila particularly G-Liner / RRCG utilizing Legarda shall turn right Palanca St., to Quiapo Ilalim to point of origin.

All Buses coming from Taft Avenue going to Fairview shall turn right to UN Ave up to Otis, left Nagtahan go straight Lacson, right España to point of destination.

All Buses coming from Southern part of Manila (Laguan and Cavite) utilizing Taft Avenue Are Not Allowed to enter from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Allowed Only up to Remedios Street right San Marcelino back to point of origin.

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Live Feed: Black Nazarene Procession 2012

2012-01-09T09:23:00.000+08:00

Live feed from The Quiapo Church:

Video streaming by Ustream

GMA is showing a link of a supposed live feed of the procession:

News report on the stampede which happened during the procession of the Nazarene

Map of the Route of the procession

View The 2012 Procession of the Black Nazarene in a larger map

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An Invitation To Student Leaders

2012-01-10T08:56:00.000+08:00

This is a repost from the SEAYLP Philippines 2010 blogsite

Introduction
Six Filipino students and 1 Filipino teacher, all coming from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, represented the entire Philippines last April 2010 during the first ever Southeast Asian Youth Leadership training Program held at the Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA. Known as Team Aguila, the members of the first Philippine delegation are: Dr. Bien Nillos (Adult Leader), Alexandra Soledad, Bea Laino, Edcel Brix Tejare, John Floyd Abrico, Jorge Coscolluela and Nobelle Escalona.

In 2010, Team Aguila conducted its first reach out program by conducting an After School Program for street children located at the Public Plaza of Bacolod City. By the end of the year, Team Aguila, in collaboration with other school-based organizations like the University of Saint La Salle Pre-Med Society, distributed slippers and school supplies to the street children.

For 2012, Team Aguila desires to encourage fellow student leaders to make a difference in their own communities and schools. After receiving a small grant from the U.S. State Department in 2011, Team Aguila sets its eye on high school students studying in far-flung public and private schools outside of Bacolod City who exhibit leadership qualities. It is the goal of Team Aguila to “pay it forward” and share their U.S. experience to their fellow student leaders, especially those residing in far-flung areas and who may not have the opportunity to be exposed in leadership trainings abroad.

Leadership Training

The Aguila Leadership Training 2012 is a 4-day training course for high school students and their teacher advisers. During the entire 4-day course, participants will be taught leadership skills and personal mastery. After the 4-day course, participants are expected to initiate and implement a school-based project that will be monitored by Team Aguila for 12 months. At the end of the 12 months, the school with the best and most successful implementation of a school-based project will be awarded a small financial grant which the school can use to further sustain their school-based project.

The following are the schedule of phases for the Aguila Leadership Training:

Phase 1: Selection of Participants
Phase 2: Aguila Leadership Training (4 day course)
Phase 3: First Monitoring of School-Based Project (6 months after the leadership course)
Phase 4: Final Monitoring of School-Based Project (12 months after the leadership course)
Phase 5: Selection and Awarding of Outstanding School-Based Project

Selection of Participants:

Only 6 schools will be chosen to participate in the first batch of the Aguila Leadership Training. A selection committee will select from the applicants the 6 school participants. In order to apply, the following are the requirements:

1. Letter of Intent from the school principal or teacher-in-charge addressed to the SEAYLP-Philippines Bacolod.
2. Letter of Nomination from the school principal or teacher-in-charge – nominating 2 students from their school and 1 teacher adviser who will represent their school; letter of nomination must explain why the school chose the said students and teacher as their representatives.
3. Accomplished Forms (see attached forms). Attached in the forms are also 2x2 I.D. pictures of the nominees.

Qualifications of Student Participants:

1. The school can nominate a maximum of only 2 bonafide high school students: one male and one female.
2. One student must be a first-year student (SY 2011-2012) and one must be a 3rd year student (SY 2011-2012).
3. Student must be at least satisfactory in his/her academics and must exhibit leadership qualities. He or she must preferably be an active member or leader of a school-based organization.
4. Student must have good communication skills especially in English, willing to participate in a 4-day course, open to new learning and experiences, physically and mentally fit.
5. Student must be willing to commit to a year-long school-based project that he or she will implement after the 4-day leadership training.

Qualifications of the Teacher Participant:

1. The school must nominate one teacher only who will act as teacher-adviser to the 2 student participants and also their chaperone during the 4-day leadership training.
2. Teacher must be a regular teacher in the school, preferably a teacher who is a club moderator in one of the organizations/clubs in the school.
3. Teacher must not be more than 45 years old.
4. Teacher must be willing to participate in the 4-day course and willing to commit to a year-long school-based project that he or she will supervise and monitor after the 4-day leadership training.
5. Teacher must also show leadership qualities, willing to be responsible for the 2 student participants during the entire duration of the Aguila Leadership Program, open to new learning and experiences, physically and mentally fit.
If selected, the school will receive information pertaining to details on the leadership training (venue, dates and other requirements). Food and Lodging will be provided throughout the entire 4-day live-in course, including training kits and materials. The school however must shoulder the travel expenses of the participants, including the per diem expenses of the teacher participant if applicable. It is also the responsibility of the school to get the parental consent for the students if they are minors.

In order to be selected, the requirements must be sent before January 30, 2012. It can be sent via email to benillos@zuelligfoundation.org or teamaguilaseaylp@yahoo.com (scanned copies). Incomplete requirements will not be included in the selection committee.

Please be informed as well that the leadership training will be scheduled in April 2012, most likely at the start of the Summer Vacation, so make sure that your nominated students and teacher are willing and properly informed.

Announcement of the results of the selection will be done preferably 2 weeks after the deadline for the requirements. Late submission of requirements will not be considered.

School-Based Project Grant:

If selected, your school can potentially receive a small financial grant from the SEAYLP-Philippines Bacolod thanks to the financial support of the U.S. State Department. It is required that after the 4-day training course, your participants must be able to plan and implement a school-based project that will benefit the school and even the community outside the school. The school-based project will be monitored by SEAYLP-Philippines Bacolod in12 months and will be assessed based on certain criteria. The most outstanding school-based project will be awarded a financial grant during a simple awarding ceremony.

The school will also be featured in a proposed book that will highlight the success stories of each of the school participants. The book is proposed to be published by the earlier part of 2013 and will be sent to the U.S. State Department.

For more details about SEAYLP-Philippines 2010, visit their blogsite here.

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Snapshots of the Azkals-UFC Alyanza vs. CF Internacional de Madrid

2012-01-09T07:25:00.001+08:00

It was a fun match, with the Azkals losing to the Spaniards 1-3. But the real winners are the recipients of the 10,000 euro financial aid from the Spanish Embassy. They are also auctioning jerseys from Real Madrid, one signed by all the team members and one signed by Ronaldo, the Portuguese star player of Real Madrid. There were two touching moments during the game. One was when Jed Madela sang the song, You'll never walk alone, which is actually the anthem of Liverpool Football club. The other one was when a message of sympathy and support for the victims were read in 3 languages: Filipino, Bisaya and Spanish.

Anyway, here are some of the scenes from the Grandstand during that charity match:

This video uploaded in youtube is from a fan watching from the bleachers.

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Shooting "Bourne" In Manila

2012-01-11T09:13:00.001+08:00

The fourth movie in the "Bourne" enterprise is now currently shooting scenes here in Manila. Rachel Weisz, the lead actress in the movie, arrived in Manila Sunday to shoot scenes in scattered places in Metro Manila. The MMDA has already scheduled rerouting schemes for traffic since some of the roads will be closed for the shooting of this Hollywood blockbuster. The following is the map given by MMDA for the rerouting of traffic on the said dates of the shooting.

The following are the locations for the shooting of the film.

View "Bourne Legacy" Shoot Locations in the Philippines in a larger map

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Country Report: Yes, Switzerland, Philippines is More Fun

2012-01-11T15:20:00.000+08:00

When we were in Tampere, Finland attending a certificate course on Global Health, we were asked to report per country on our national profile with focus on national health situation. The four of us (me, Doctors Gene, Paul and Ryan) represented the Philippines. Other countries were from Chile, Tanzania, Nepal and of course Finland. Here's a video of that presentation. Apologies for the not-so-nice audio.

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Champions Unleashed: The Animolympics of USLS

2012-01-13T09:39:00.000+08:00

The much awaited Sportsfest of the University of Saint La Salle in Bacolod will be on Jan. 23-27, 2012. This year's theme is Champions Unleashed. Here's a teaser video of the upcoming Animolympics released by the University Student Government. Who will win the over-all Championship this year?

Animolympics 2012: Champions Unleashed Teaser from Jackner John Borja on Vimeo.

Express your votes here

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Opening Statements: Day 1 of the Impeachment Trial

2012-01-17T12:17:00.001+08:00

The following are the opening statements from both sides (Prosecution and Defense) during the first day of the impeachment trial of the Philippine Chief Justice. For live streaming of the impeachment trial, click here. Videos posted here are courtesy of DZMM Teleradyo.

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The Impeachment Trial of the Philippine Chief Justice

2012-01-16T08:04:00.002+08:00

Another first in Philippine history will be unfolding today: the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court. Live streaming of the trial at the Senate will be shown here, including live updates via twitter. Bookmark this page. The trial begins at around 2pm Manila Time.

Another channel courtesy of GMA TV.

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Day 2: Impeachment of the Philippine Chief Justice

2012-01-18T13:06:00.002+08:00

What was expected to be a "telenovela" became a comedy series on the 2nd day of the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice of the Philippines. The 2nd day ended in less than 2 hours when the prosecution, admitted that they were not ready to submit evidence on both Article I and Article II of the impeachment complaints, moved for a postponement.

Full video of the impeachment's second day here:

For live streaming of the impeachment case, click here.

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Day 3: Impeachment of the Philippine Chief Justice

2012-01-19T07:31:00.001+08:00

Day 3 was more "dramatic" than Day 2 which was actually a waste of time thanks to the unprepared prosecution team. Day 3 revealed more than just the SAL-N of the Chief Justice but also some demeanor of the Senator-Judges. One was clearly "lawyering" for the prosecuting team. Another one was "bullying" the witness. I still pity the clerk of court who was actually torn between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. She did bring the SAL-N as ordered by the impeachment court through a subpoena "out of respect" for the court. She was also hesitant to turn it over because as an employee of the Clerk of Court she is also bound by the SC 1989 en banc resolution.

Full video here:

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The Doctor To The Barrios

2012-01-21T16:39:00.000+08:00

There are far better Doctors to the Barrios. There even far better Doctors. But I am grateful for this acknowledgement of the efforts we started. I must admit that for the past few days I have been feeling nostalgic about the yester-years, trying to assess and re-assess myself both in my professional life and personal life. I have always made a promise to myself, not to live a life with regrets. While there may be so many lessons learned and hindsight is always a 20/20 vision, still I have no regrets.

Here's a segment of TV 5's Ako Mismo when my work as a DTTB was featured 2 years ago.

Doctors to the Barrios forever.

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The War Is On: Animolympics 2012

2012-01-24T11:34:00.001+08:00

Five colleges have already started beating the drums of war last night inside the University of St. La Salle Coliseum. This entire week, students of the University of Saint La Salle will battle it out to unleash their own champions and win the over-all crown. Here's a summary video of what happened during the Opening Ceremonies at the University of St. La Salle's Sportsfest 2012.

USLS Cheering Competition Same Day Edit from SKT Digital Productions on Vimeo.

For updates on the results of the Sportsfest, click here.

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Best American Idol Auditions

2012-01-25T13:17:00.000+08:00

The A.I. season is back and it promises to be even better after 11 years since it started. So far, they have selected many contenders for a second round in Hollywood and it appears to be more than the usual number of people who would audition for A.I. There have been many surprises as well, with amazing voices coming from the least expected characters. Here are some of the videos posted in youtube which I feel are among the best auditions so far.

Filipina Ashley Robles auditions for A.I.

Another Asian (Korean) auditions for A.I. He is funny

Very talented singer here

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Hypocrites In Sheep's Clothing

2012-01-26T12:51:00.001+08:00

During the last few days the Philippine political landscape has once again been dragged into the limelight, thanks to the seemingly insatiable greed for grandstanding and public exposure of our 188 congressmen who signed the impeachment complaint against the Chief Justice of Supreme Court, albeit unprepared as shown during the first 7 days of the impeachment trial. The ordinary citizenry need not listen to the legal luminaries invited by TV networks to explain their opinion on certain technicalities of the case to know that the prosecution is basically ill-prepared and at times even at a loss.

What perhaps shattered the high moral pedestal from which these congressmen accused the Chief Justice is the revelation that they too are actually guilty of at least one of the crimes they are accusing the Chief Justice of. One of the articles of impeachment signed by the 188 congressmen and women is the failure of the Chief Justice to disclose his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SAL-N). They are citing the Philippine constitution that all government employees are to file their SAL-N and disclose them to the public for transparency. According to the prosecution, the Chief Justice has failed to file and disclose his SAL-N.

While mainstream media and even the "less traditional media" such as blogs like Rappler.com were focusing their cross-hairs on the Chief Justice, trying to "validate" the "allegations" of the prosecution, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism was actually doing more, widening their perspective and field of vision. If Chief Justice Corona is being accused of failure to file and disclose his SAL-N, it is best to assume that those who accuse him of such a crime have probably filed and disclosed their SAL-N as well.

The PCIJ however found out that even the 188 congressmen who signed the impeachment complaint never disclosed their SAL-N in public and there was even no intention of disclosing them even after they have signed the impeachment complaint. What's more, even the present Ombudsman who is herself a former Justice also have not complied to the disclosure of SAL-N.

Thus, the debate on "Who should be casting the first stone?" has been on everyone's coffee breaks with their office mates and hair cut sessions with their barbers. When confronted by this issue, some of the members of the prosecution gave a lame excuse, saying, "We are not on trial here. The Chief Justice is the one on trial."

Those who side with the prosecution who describe themselves as with higher morals and integrity should find themselves, like the Clerk of Court of the Supreme Court, in a quandary. Consistency dictates that these advocates of higher morality and integrity, enemies of corruption and graft, friends and defenders of transparency and accountability, should also demand the same standard of performance from the very congressmen that they support. In the war against the "dark side", you can never be less than "the light". It is basically a Black versus White scenario and in this case, as implied by the fierce loyalty of the supporters of P-Noy and his political allies, you cannot be Gray. It is reminiscent of the Bush Doctrine, "If you are not with us, you are against us." Such motto is not only naive and ignorant of realities but it is also very divisive and polarizing.

But the members of the prosecution team find themselves as black as the "Dark Lord" they are fighting in the Senate Hall. Among the 188 congressmen who signed the impeachment complaint is Congressman Miro Quimbo who was the former President and Chief Executive Officer of PAG-IBIG Fund. He was the President of PAG-IBIG during the Globe Asiatique Scandal which, according to Sen. Osmena III, "The evidence of fraud is overwhelming (against) Everybody who is on the board."

"While the normal limit of funding commitment is P500 million per developer, Pag-IBIG officials went overboard (for obvious reasons, meaning money, but this couldn’t be proven because no one is willing to talk) by allowing GA to borrow “10 times more.”

Pag-IBIG officials had disclosed that since 1997, some P12.6 billion in housing loans were released to GA making it the most successful developer in the history of the Fund, because no one else comes close to the amounts it was able to wangle from the government." -Pag-IBIG pampered Globe Asiatique, The Daily Tribune, 03/24/2011.

Of course, the Lead Prosecutor, Rep. Neil Tupas, Jr should not be looking far if he wants to combat corruption and graft. Neil Tupas, Sr, his father and former governor of Iloilo, is himself facing allegations of graft and corruption. According to the blogsite Balitang Ilonggo (Ilonggo News), "On November 9, the COA at the capitol submitted to the COA regional office a list of 14 transactions amounting to P220.2 million which are considered “irregular, unnecessary, excessive and extravagant or unconscionable.” The provincial government headed by Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. said the series of communications from the Truth commission and COA prove that they are not behind efforts to nail down Tupas for graft and corruption." (Balitang Ilonggo)

President Noynoy himself has yet to explain his own SAL-N. When the SAL-N of the Chief Justice was presented to the Senate hesitantly by the Clerk of Court, invoking the Supreme Court en banc resolution of 1989 (way past the time of the current Chief Justice and during the time of Pres. Corazon Aquino, the mother of the present President), media was quick to notice how the Chief Justice's net worth increased three-fold over the span of 9 years.

What they failed to remember was President Noynoy Aquino's net worth increased by three fold as well but only within a span of 1 year! According to PCIJ (again), "withih a year after the May 2010 elections, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III reported that his wealth had grown nearly three times, or from only P15,440,268 as of December 2009 to P54,999,370 as of December 2010."

In an article investigating the wealth of P-Noy, PCIJ revealed that President Noynoy's net increase in his wealth was 256% in a span of only 12 months.

"The rate of increase in Aquino’s wealth in the last year is unequalled by even his own record from 1998, when he first filed his SALN as a member of the House of Representatives, representing his home province of Tarlac. On his first term in the House, Aquino declared a net worth of only P8,707,247, which rose to P13,941,627 in 2007. This translates to a net increase in his wealth of only P5,234,380, or a growth rate of only 60 percent in nine years."

Comparing it therefore to the Chief Justice's alleged increase in wealth, Corona's increase in wealth appears pale to that of P-Noy's.

"To be sure, the P36.9-million excess campaign donations that he had reported to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) does not account for Aquino’s recent big net worth increase. Indeed, in his December 2010 SALN, he reported only P228,961 as his only “liability,” which he said represented his “Tax Payables” to the “Bureau of Internal Revenue” or BIR.  
The liability, imputing an applicable 30-percent tax levy, indicates that Aquino had earned compensation income of only P707,989, or roughly P58,999 in gross monthly pay, for the whole of 2010.

If he had enrolled his P36.9-million excess campaign donations as part of his income in 2010, according to the BIR’s Revenue Regulation 7-2011 dated Feb. 16, 2011, Aquino should have paid millions more in taxes.

BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares tells the PCIJ that the excess campaign funds were not recorded in the Income Tax Return (ITR) for 2010 that the president filed within the deadline last Apr. 15."

And while The Chief Justice was criticized for allegedly buying an 11-million worth of condominium, have we heard the same amount of criticism when P-noy bought his supposedly "third-hand" Porsche? Well, the criticism may have come from others but not from the usual mainstream media and with the same intensity.

"Critics also reminded P-Noy that only last month, he issued a memorandum “prohibiting all agencies from acquiring and using luxury vehicles for their operations, and to be more prudent in spending government funds, especially in the acquisition of motor vehicles to maximize the utilization of scarce government resources.”

However, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda was quick to defend P-Noy saying that he did not violate the memorandum because he used his own funds to purchase the Porsche. Huh? Mr. Lacierda, you don’t get it, do you?" - Filipino Journal

I do agree that it is high time to clean up our government and that we should start somewhere and for some perhaps the impeachment of the Chief Justice is a good start. I just wished it was somebody else who started it, somebody far better than the person being accused of corruption and graft.

Type rest of the post here
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