Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
LGF: UK Official Wants to Rewrite British History
During the German occupation of Poland in WWII, the resistance of intellectual Poles like Karol Wojtyla came in the form of trying to preserve Polish history, arts and culture. Wojtyla and his friends for their part formed the Rhapsodic Theater and had clastendine performances of popular and nationalistic Polish plays.
It seems the Brits are already trying their best to surrender by exactly doing to their own heritage and history what the Germans failed to do with the Poles'.
It seems the Brits are already trying their best to surrender by exactly doing to their own heritage and history what the Germans failed to do with the Poles'.
Let me see...
Constitutionally of higher rank and elected, not appointed?
Parliamentary immunity?
Hiding under the pretext of working for the public good?
Power to place resource people under contempt?
No recourse for resource people other than taking it all?
Trying to gain media mileage?
And the media is still suprised why Senators are acting like bullies.
Parliamentary immunity?
Hiding under the pretext of working for the public good?
Power to place resource people under contempt?
No recourse for resource people other than taking it all?
Trying to gain media mileage?
And the media is still suprised why Senators are acting like bullies.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
When every Filipino's a Harry Potter
The news and events that have filled the airwaves and newspapers for the past few weeks made me feel like I was in a Harry Potter book, in fact the first one, the Sorcerer's Stone.
In that book, the protagonist Harry Potter finds himself constantly on the bad side of Professor Severus Snape, Hogwart School's Potions teacher. Said professor always wears black and his cold stare made Harry's head hurt. We conclude that Professor Snape probably has an attachment to the dark arts given that he wants to teach the Defense Against the Dark Arts subject. The reader discovers, along with Harry, that that Snape has been threatening a fellow Hogwart's teacher in numerous occasions in order to steal the Sorcerer's Stone which was hidden somewhere within the school.
With these bits and pieces of evidences, including one where Harry Potter actually and personally heard Snape threaning that other teacher, Professor Quirrell, the reader, with Potter and his friends, cannot deny that Snape is in league with the evil Lord Voldemort and he want the Sorcerer's Stone in order to bring back the Dark Lord to power.
So Harry Potter and his friends Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley devise a plan to steal the Sorcerer's Stone before Professor Snape does. So they set out on their quest, navigating the security system set up by the school's staff, which is a series of complex magical challenges.
When Harry alone finally reached the chamber where the stone was kept, he discovers that it wasn't Snape who was after the Stone but the meek Professor Quirrell. The professor reveals that Snape was actually trying to protect Harry from harm all along and that Snape already had suspicions that Quirrell was up to no good, which explains the threats.
The hearing yesterday made me felt like I was rereading the book again. We find snippets, little details, claims, accusations and counter-accusations in the hearing. We heard presumptions, rumors, allegations, commentaries, etc. In the end, the common jeepney driver, the tambay at the kanto and others, have formed the opinion and verdict that indeed the COMELEC Chairman is undoubtedly evil and has plotted to enrich himself by brokering deals with corrupt government officials and equally corrupt Chinese businessmen, and that no amount of explanations will help him clear his name. I mean what proof do we need? The Chairman is guilty until found innocent.
In that book, the protagonist Harry Potter finds himself constantly on the bad side of Professor Severus Snape, Hogwart School's Potions teacher. Said professor always wears black and his cold stare made Harry's head hurt. We conclude that Professor Snape probably has an attachment to the dark arts given that he wants to teach the Defense Against the Dark Arts subject. The reader discovers, along with Harry, that that Snape has been threatening a fellow Hogwart's teacher in numerous occasions in order to steal the Sorcerer's Stone which was hidden somewhere within the school.
With these bits and pieces of evidences, including one where Harry Potter actually and personally heard Snape threaning that other teacher, Professor Quirrell, the reader, with Potter and his friends, cannot deny that Snape is in league with the evil Lord Voldemort and he want the Sorcerer's Stone in order to bring back the Dark Lord to power.
So Harry Potter and his friends Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley devise a plan to steal the Sorcerer's Stone before Professor Snape does. So they set out on their quest, navigating the security system set up by the school's staff, which is a series of complex magical challenges.
When Harry alone finally reached the chamber where the stone was kept, he discovers that it wasn't Snape who was after the Stone but the meek Professor Quirrell. The professor reveals that Snape was actually trying to protect Harry from harm all along and that Snape already had suspicions that Quirrell was up to no good, which explains the threats.
The hearing yesterday made me felt like I was rereading the book again. We find snippets, little details, claims, accusations and counter-accusations in the hearing. We heard presumptions, rumors, allegations, commentaries, etc. In the end, the common jeepney driver, the tambay at the kanto and others, have formed the opinion and verdict that indeed the COMELEC Chairman is undoubtedly evil and has plotted to enrich himself by brokering deals with corrupt government officials and equally corrupt Chinese businessmen, and that no amount of explanations will help him clear his name. I mean what proof do we need? The Chairman is guilty until found innocent.
Am I a prophet now?
Yesterday I predicted that someone might come to the conlcusion that the bribe supposedly offered to Neri might've fallen to PGMA.
Just five minutes ago, Mr. Joel Reyes Zobel basically said the same thing. The bribe, he said, was meant for PGMA.
Predictable.
Just five minutes ago, Mr. Joel Reyes Zobel basically said the same thing. The bribe, he said, was meant for PGMA.
Predictable.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Oh no! It's Pimentel!
Somehow they lost me when the hearing strayed onto the issue of Abalos' meeting with Sen. Zubiri's parents at the Shangri-La.
Hey Nene! Your son lost. Let him try next time. Get over it!
Hey Nene! Your son lost. Let him try next time. Get over it!
How would a broadband network help government?
It'll reduce communication expenses.
Large multinational corporations, especially those with business operations that span in several continents have long used VOIP networks to facilitate communication among departments and personnel scattered throughout the world.
A company's internal VOIP network is expensive. No doubt about it. I'm familiar with the equipment and they're pricey. And the broadband internet service needed to make those equipment usable tends to be expensive as well. The last time I checked, a Tier 1 or lease line connection costs in the neighborhood of P30,000 monthly. For an ordinary household, that is indeed expensive. But for a big corporation, that's peanuts, and since such broadband connection is usually unlimited, it becomes a fixed monthy expense. Thus the broadband connection effectively gets cheaper as the volume of communication rises.
The same principle applies for call centers, by the way. They use broadband and VOIP.
The government seems to want the same thing for itself through the national broadband network. And given the size of government, economics of scale will help government reduce significantly its communications expenses. That's how.
Large multinational corporations, especially those with business operations that span in several continents have long used VOIP networks to facilitate communication among departments and personnel scattered throughout the world.
A company's internal VOIP network is expensive. No doubt about it. I'm familiar with the equipment and they're pricey. And the broadband internet service needed to make those equipment usable tends to be expensive as well. The last time I checked, a Tier 1 or lease line connection costs in the neighborhood of P30,000 monthly. For an ordinary household, that is indeed expensive. But for a big corporation, that's peanuts, and since such broadband connection is usually unlimited, it becomes a fixed monthy expense. Thus the broadband connection effectively gets cheaper as the volume of communication rises.
The same principle applies for call centers, by the way. They use broadband and VOIP.
The government seems to want the same thing for itself through the national broadband network. And given the size of government, economics of scale will help government reduce significantly its communications expenses. That's how.
Can't wait
Sec. Neri says that he reported to PGMA what was supposedly at an attempt to bribe him with P200 million. He claims that the President told him not to accept the bribe and just approve the project, I assume, purely upon its merits.
I haven't heard what the media has to say about this but I'm not discounting some of them who might twist this little detail to mean that PGMA probably wanted to get the P200 million for herself so she told Neri to "back off" while she collects the bribe from Chairman Abalos.
Can't wait to see that. Some people just can't help but hate PGMA.
I haven't heard what the media has to say about this but I'm not discounting some of them who might twist this little detail to mean that PGMA probably wanted to get the P200 million for herself so she told Neri to "back off" while she collects the bribe from Chairman Abalos.
Can't wait to see that. Some people just can't help but hate PGMA.
Senator Miriam has a point
The whole thing could all be about kickbacks. All of them could either be saying half-truths or lying altogether. Let me add that perhaps they could all be saying the truth but mistaken. Like Sec. Neri. In all probability, Abalos did say "meron kang two hundred dito." But we don't know the context. For all we know, despite the fact that they were discussing the ZTE deal, Abalos strayed from the topic and talked about something else. Two hundred points in golf perhaps? Who knows. But I would hesitate calling mistaken testimonies to be outright lies.
Neri's the Man of the Hour
until, perhaps, when he fails to say the things that'll give the media and the opposition the ammunition to shoot down PGMA. From that time on, everybody's just going to call him a traitor. That's Filipino politics and journalism for you.
I don't get it
Muslims rejoice and beam with pride when they find supposed miraculous appearances of the arabic script for "Allah" in the most unusual places as shown by the following:
But this same people fume when "Allah" appears on ice cream labels.
Why can't they be happy with that? Look! Allah has shown himself on ice cream! Do they dare question the infinite wisdom of Allah to associate himself with Burger King ice cream? And they call themselves Muslims!
But this same people fume when "Allah" appears on ice cream labels.
Why can't they be happy with that? Look! Allah has shown himself on ice cream! Do they dare question the infinite wisdom of Allah to associate himself with Burger King ice cream? And they call themselves Muslims!
Lunch in Iloilo
The other night, we had dinner at Krock's in Greenbelt. The occasion reminded me of the time we went to Nat's and Tat's restaurant in Iloilo. It's just near SM City.
My cousin said the owner of the famous Tatoy's resto and that establishment is the same. So we decided to have lunch there last Wednesday to try out the cuisine. Here are some my impressions of the place:
In case you find yourself in Iloilo, you know what to do.
My cousin said the owner of the famous Tatoy's resto and that establishment is the same. So we decided to have lunch there last Wednesday to try out the cuisine. Here are some my impressions of the place:
- We weren't at Greenbelt, but the food's too expensive. We paid less for more food at Krocodile than at Nat's and Tat's.
- I kept saying, where's the meat on this chicken?
- Food's too expensive
- They kept sending us the wrong order
- Food's too expensive
- There are no locks on the toilet stalls/cubicles.
- Food's too expensive. And we didn't enjoy their cooking.
- Sorry but the cuisine simply didn't justify the price. We wouldn't mind the price if it was good, but it simply wasn't.
In case you find yourself in Iloilo, you know what to do.
Traffic.
I'm a frequent victim of Manila's heavy traffic. On a daily basis in fact. The problem, in my estimation lies with vehicle volume and inadequate roadways. But these alone cannot explain the high-blood inducing phenomenon.
If you're familiar with the streets of Manila and other Philippine cities, the cause of much traffic jams are public utility jeeps and buses (PUJ and PUB). The transport industry is very loose and informal in the country. Regulation begins and ends with getting the vehicle and its operator registered and licensed. When the PUJ and PUB is on the road, anything goes basically.
Transport operators and their drivers or bus crews don't have the usual employer-employee relationship. The latter "rent" their vehicles from the former, paying him (the operator) a pre-agreed, guaranteed daily rate called "boundary".
With this system, the driver or bus crew is left to decide how to raise revenue for the boundary and for their own income. Of course, the drivers try their best to be good businessmen and "collect" all passengers they can find in their route and to do this, in many cases, they intentionally drive very slowly or frequently stalling in their routes to call passengers. You will find, for example, jeepneys "collecting"in one intersection in order wait for passengers. From the drivers' point of view, this is understandable in terms of economic and efficiency. But from the POV of their fellow road users and their passengers as well, these jeepneys and buses are the main causes of traffic and their tardiness.
I can't say that the government has been negligent. There have been many attempts to reduce traffic: Number coding, alternate U-turn slots, unified bus management systems, etc, etc. But still, traffic remains as bad as before.
Well I had these things in my head this morning and it occured to me. The main reason drivers frequently stop and drive slowly is because of their constant hunt for passengers. If you eliminate that, then you could reduce traffic significantly. I have several suggestions:
The first is giving the power to choose to the riding public. Many people need to go to some place and get there on time. In many occasions, public transportation is working against this intent as indicated above. But passengers can't be choosy or find choosing the best jeepney impossible.
So how do we do it? I'm thinking of developing a device which will alert passengers if a particular jeepney driver employs the usual tactics of driving slowly, frequently stalling or just plainly being a pain in the ass. The device will be placed on the roof the jeepney and will indicate a rating for the jeepney in terms of speed, frequency of stops, safety, etc. Passengers will definitely hail the jeepney that has a good rating, i.e., the one that will get them to their destination on time and will not cause so much traffic. Slow drivers will soon find that their tactics will be obsolete and will be therefore forced to be quicker on the road while being safe.
The second could be a set of Good Manners and Ethics in buses and jeeps. A campaign could be launched to teach kids, drivers and the general public regarding these. Hopefully, this give passengers a more acceptable means of demanding better service from drivers. Filipinos are by nature very restrained in public and very quiet about their true feelings. This usually gives the impression that they are very patient when in fact the Pinoy is already enraged deep inside. The new set of acceptable gestures and motions within and without vehicles will allow them to express their dissatisfaction. For example, passengers could stomp their feet on the floor to demand the driver to quit stalling and move on. Such a time happened to me. I was seated directly behind the driver but I still had to shout at him to demand him to quit stalling. Included also should be proper ways of waiting and hailing a jeepney, bus or taxi.
The last one would be make it an acceptable practice for the passenger to demand from the driver or bus crew their fare if they find the service inferior, that is, if the bus or jeep is too slow and thus caused them to be late for work or school. This could also be legislated. This will hopefully be a proper deterrent against very abusive drivers. They won't earn if they keep irritating their passengers with their stalling tactics.
If you're familiar with the streets of Manila and other Philippine cities, the cause of much traffic jams are public utility jeeps and buses (PUJ and PUB). The transport industry is very loose and informal in the country. Regulation begins and ends with getting the vehicle and its operator registered and licensed. When the PUJ and PUB is on the road, anything goes basically.
Transport operators and their drivers or bus crews don't have the usual employer-employee relationship. The latter "rent" their vehicles from the former, paying him (the operator) a pre-agreed, guaranteed daily rate called "boundary".
With this system, the driver or bus crew is left to decide how to raise revenue for the boundary and for their own income. Of course, the drivers try their best to be good businessmen and "collect" all passengers they can find in their route and to do this, in many cases, they intentionally drive very slowly or frequently stalling in their routes to call passengers. You will find, for example, jeepneys "collecting"in one intersection in order wait for passengers. From the drivers' point of view, this is understandable in terms of economic and efficiency. But from the POV of their fellow road users and their passengers as well, these jeepneys and buses are the main causes of traffic and their tardiness.
I can't say that the government has been negligent. There have been many attempts to reduce traffic: Number coding, alternate U-turn slots, unified bus management systems, etc, etc. But still, traffic remains as bad as before.
Well I had these things in my head this morning and it occured to me. The main reason drivers frequently stop and drive slowly is because of their constant hunt for passengers. If you eliminate that, then you could reduce traffic significantly. I have several suggestions:
The first is giving the power to choose to the riding public. Many people need to go to some place and get there on time. In many occasions, public transportation is working against this intent as indicated above. But passengers can't be choosy or find choosing the best jeepney impossible.
So how do we do it? I'm thinking of developing a device which will alert passengers if a particular jeepney driver employs the usual tactics of driving slowly, frequently stalling or just plainly being a pain in the ass. The device will be placed on the roof the jeepney and will indicate a rating for the jeepney in terms of speed, frequency of stops, safety, etc. Passengers will definitely hail the jeepney that has a good rating, i.e., the one that will get them to their destination on time and will not cause so much traffic. Slow drivers will soon find that their tactics will be obsolete and will be therefore forced to be quicker on the road while being safe.
The second could be a set of Good Manners and Ethics in buses and jeeps. A campaign could be launched to teach kids, drivers and the general public regarding these. Hopefully, this give passengers a more acceptable means of demanding better service from drivers. Filipinos are by nature very restrained in public and very quiet about their true feelings. This usually gives the impression that they are very patient when in fact the Pinoy is already enraged deep inside. The new set of acceptable gestures and motions within and without vehicles will allow them to express their dissatisfaction. For example, passengers could stomp their feet on the floor to demand the driver to quit stalling and move on. Such a time happened to me. I was seated directly behind the driver but I still had to shout at him to demand him to quit stalling. Included also should be proper ways of waiting and hailing a jeepney, bus or taxi.
The last one would be make it an acceptable practice for the passenger to demand from the driver or bus crew their fare if they find the service inferior, that is, if the bus or jeep is too slow and thus caused them to be late for work or school. This could also be legislated. This will hopefully be a proper deterrent against very abusive drivers. They won't earn if they keep irritating their passengers with their stalling tactics.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Connections:
Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico graduated from Don Bosco Victorias in 1976 [link]
Said vice governor governor petitioned the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order against the ZTE / National Broadband Network deal. [link]
The Supreme Court granted the petition and it was followed by the Palace's decision to suspend the deal indefinitely along with DepEd's Cyber Education Project. [link]
In several radio interviews, DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus mentioned that the Cyber Education Project will utilize a courseware provided freely by Don Bosco Mandaluyong.
Radio program host Joel Reyes Zobel of DZBB, who interviewed Lapus on 21 September 2007, is an alumnus of Don Bosco Mandaluyong. [link]
Last November (2006), Zobel made a scathing commentary against Vice Governor Suplico because the latter, then a member of the Commission of Appointments, caused the Committee to bypass Secretary Margarito Teves.
Said vice governor governor petitioned the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order against the ZTE / National Broadband Network deal. [link]
The Supreme Court granted the petition and it was followed by the Palace's decision to suspend the deal indefinitely along with DepEd's Cyber Education Project. [link]
In several radio interviews, DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus mentioned that the Cyber Education Project will utilize a courseware provided freely by Don Bosco Mandaluyong.
Radio program host Joel Reyes Zobel of DZBB, who interviewed Lapus on 21 September 2007, is an alumnus of Don Bosco Mandaluyong. [link]
Last November (2006), Zobel made a scathing commentary against Vice Governor Suplico because the latter, then a member of the Commission of Appointments, caused the Committee to bypass Secretary Margarito Teves.
This
particularly the part that says:
Made me think of this
I learned to smoke, drink heavily, experiment with drugs, use pornography, "cruise" for sexual partners, and have sex in public men’s rooms. My grades also were in the toilet as I devoted myself to these pursuits and to non-stop political activism as well.
Made me think of this
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Ugh! Homobono Adaza again.
I'm familiar with this case. I'm just surprised that Adaza actually went on to file the case at the Ombudsman's office. The employees' union and its leadership is clearly a private entity and separate from the government-run Land Bank. I'm sure the Ombudsman lacks the jurisdiction to handle the suit and the entire exercise is futile.
Gee, I wonder why they have their own Union in the first place.
When this guy's involved in any case, you can be certain that it won't be going anywhere. Whoever hired him must be losing it.
"Adaza said the Middle Management Officers Association Inc. (MMOAI), a group of middle managers at Landbank, had opted not to sign up for the HMO coverage negotiated by LBPEA since 2005.
Gee, I wonder why they have their own Union in the first place.
When this guy's involved in any case, you can be certain that it won't be going anywhere. Whoever hired him must be losing it.
Were The Ancients smarter than Modern Man?
Perhaps. I, however, think that man never changed. Modern man is neither stupider nor more enlightened his ancient counterpart. But his environment has changed significantly of course. The evidence of smart men living in the ancient world doesn't necessarily mean that all men that time were smart. Just as it is today, there were wise men living with fools.
Hat tip: Western Confucian
Hat tip: Western Confucian
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Still alive...
This blogger and blog, that is.
I just got home from a trip to Iloilo but getting back to blogging has proven to be rather difficult with some technical issues with my pc. I simply can't login to google.
So just hang on kids and I'll get back to you as soon as I resolve this issue.
I just got home from a trip to Iloilo but getting back to blogging has proven to be rather difficult with some technical issues with my pc. I simply can't login to google.
So just hang on kids and I'll get back to you as soon as I resolve this issue.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
These guys should spend more time studying
I think they're spending more time shooting bongs and pipes than hitting the books. It's obvious since they've been making up stuff like these:
The funny part is that they expect the government to give them jobs when they graduate.
I remember reading in one blog an American celebrity saying in effect that they joined protest marches in the 60's and 70's because they were expecting to get laid. I'm sure the real motivation of most members of the League are not far from this.
The funny part is that they expect the government to give them jobs when they graduate.
I remember reading in one blog an American celebrity saying in effect that they joined protest marches in the 60's and 70's because they were expecting to get laid. I'm sure the real motivation of most members of the League are not far from this.
A thought:
The media, especially the big two golden calves in the country, constantly wants the average Pinoy audience to believe that they are exclusively the defenders of the weak and needy. In order to prove this, they pick on some hapless public official, who, in one of a hundred or so times of threading the straight and narrow path and upholding the best ideals of his office, finds himself in the receiving end of a harsh media campaign due to a small infraction caused by his lousy attempt to entertain temptations.
It happens all the time. So regular is such occurrences that they have lost their shock value and have become stunningly boring. I dunno if the big bosses have noticed this, but apart from the bland showbiz scandals and the political machinations, there isn't much to awaken the slowly drowsing masses apart perhaps from actually airing pornography, but we could easily get them through pirated DVDs and the internet without the annoyingly long advertisements popping in every five minutes or so.
So what to do?
Here's one. How about making another favorite target for constant pounding and incessant grilling, the way journalists do to the President almost daily. But who or what could the new target be?
Hhmmm... Think, think, think... How about Islamists? Yeah! That's it!
I recommend Islamists. And yes, I'm being discriminatory here. It's a bit like being biased against about eating freshly excreted dog pooh and being more inclined towards a nice plate of freshly cooked Risotto from Amici di Don Bosco. I have very discriminating taste. He!
On the other hand, what's wrong with adding a new approved target for your daily breakfast bashing? Mocking PGMA isn't shocking me anymore. Islam not too good for you? Why not? I mean some of you have actually explored the limits of political correctness. You guys just need a little encouraging nudge to explore the depths like these guys attempted to do:
Too bad it didn't go as far as it ought to do. Anyway, it's your right and obligation to do it right? Exposing dangerous groups that are subverting the public good is supposedly your God-given obligation. Exploring and shining the light on the philosophy guiding Islamists is exactly what you're looking for. So I suggest you jump in and do Islam. It's a mountain of opportunity for sensation-hounds like Korina Sanchez. Additionally, explore Islam apart from the phony testimony of Islamic scholars who do nothing but do their Pinocchio song and dance gig and act as PR handlers for the guys who go boom in the public markets and bus terminals in Mindanao. I mean if you're looking for dirt on a politician, you don't make his lawyer your exclusive and infallible source right?
So here's my challenge Korina, Ted and to all square pinoy journalists other there who wants me to make their advertisers happy: expose Jihad and Islam and do it 24/7/365.
PS: Don't blame me or PGMA if you get blown up. Mwah! ^_^
It happens all the time. So regular is such occurrences that they have lost their shock value and have become stunningly boring. I dunno if the big bosses have noticed this, but apart from the bland showbiz scandals and the political machinations, there isn't much to awaken the slowly drowsing masses apart perhaps from actually airing pornography, but we could easily get them through pirated DVDs and the internet without the annoyingly long advertisements popping in every five minutes or so.
So what to do?
Here's one. How about making another favorite target for constant pounding and incessant grilling, the way journalists do to the President almost daily. But who or what could the new target be?
Hhmmm... Think, think, think... How about Islamists? Yeah! That's it!
I recommend Islamists. And yes, I'm being discriminatory here. It's a bit like being biased against about eating freshly excreted dog pooh and being more inclined towards a nice plate of freshly cooked Risotto from Amici di Don Bosco. I have very discriminating taste. He!
On the other hand, what's wrong with adding a new approved target for your daily breakfast bashing? Mocking PGMA isn't shocking me anymore. Islam not too good for you? Why not? I mean some of you have actually explored the limits of political correctness. You guys just need a little encouraging nudge to explore the depths like these guys attempted to do:
Too bad it didn't go as far as it ought to do. Anyway, it's your right and obligation to do it right? Exposing dangerous groups that are subverting the public good is supposedly your God-given obligation. Exploring and shining the light on the philosophy guiding Islamists is exactly what you're looking for. So I suggest you jump in and do Islam. It's a mountain of opportunity for sensation-hounds like Korina Sanchez. Additionally, explore Islam apart from the phony testimony of Islamic scholars who do nothing but do their Pinocchio song and dance gig and act as PR handlers for the guys who go boom in the public markets and bus terminals in Mindanao. I mean if you're looking for dirt on a politician, you don't make his lawyer your exclusive and infallible source right?
So here's my challenge Korina, Ted and to all square pinoy journalists other there who wants me to make their advertisers happy: expose Jihad and Islam and do it 24/7/365.
PS: Don't blame me or PGMA if you get blown up. Mwah! ^_^
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Erap's found guilty
And ABS-CBN ain't happy. Funny really how they are unable to hide their bias against PGMA.
Part of me...
was actually wishing that Erap be acquitted, simply to show how the media, which initially divulged Erap's activities, is totally lacking in credibility. Oh well. I can't have everything.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
I wonder...
Last night I contemplated on the problem of perpetual motion machines. The laws of physics, as they are written currently, state that such machines will never run perpetually because they will eventually be overcome by resisting forces like gravity and friction. But if the same motor is used in a moving vehicle, wouldn't it be possible that the inertia and other forces encountered during motion might help "jumpstart" the machine to continue running?
Perhaps a generator based on the concept below could be used:
Update:
Here's another one
Perhaps a generator based on the concept below could be used:
Update:
Here's another one
Monday, September 10, 2007
Something does not compute
Opposition leader Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday revealed that three people in the government asked for millions of dollars in kickbacks for the P329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.
[...]
NBN project was originally awarded to ZTE Corp. with a $130 million contract price. He said ZTE Corp.'s bid was the lowest compared to the offers made by other firms.
If the Senator's allegation is true, ZTE will be losing money because it's paying more in kickbacks than what it could possibly gain from the project. I don't think it would go that far just to lose money.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Things on my head at the moment:
- In the Erap case, the former President admits signing a trust agreement with what was formerly EPCI Bank. His defense in court says that he signed the document as a "guarantor". That's news to me, since as per my recollection of my Trust Management studies, there's no place for guarantors in trust agreements. Perhaps in a loan agreement, but highly unlikely in trust agreements.
- Vidal Doble's right. You can wiretap with the help of phone companies, and these companies do wiretap. Two years ago, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company invited my uncle to their office in Makati and I came along. They interrogated him how some international calls originating from the Middle East terminated from his house. They wouldn't get any information on the nature of matter if they didn't listen to the calls being made.
- DWIZ's Michael Rogas sounds terrible on air. Someone please fire him.
- Too many Filipinos think in socialist terms, i.e, they expect the government to do everything for them, including providing them with good jobs.
So I went to the Shroud exhibition at MOA last night
My first impression: Cheesy. Very.
I won't go into details but I'd wouldn't recommend it to people with some working knowledge of the Shroud. I was very disappointed since I was expecting to find a full-blown exhibit of stuff I haven't yet discovered online.
For those totally uninitiated with the Shroud, however, I would happily recommend it as a sort of introduction into the scientific study of the Shroud of Turin
I'd say that the real highlight of the exhibit were the photographs at the end of the "tour" and some replicas of the crucifixion nails and a flagrum.
The cost of the walk-in ticket for adults is P250.
I won't go into details but I'd wouldn't recommend it to people with some working knowledge of the Shroud. I was very disappointed since I was expecting to find a full-blown exhibit of stuff I haven't yet discovered online.
For those totally uninitiated with the Shroud, however, I would happily recommend it as a sort of introduction into the scientific study of the Shroud of Turin
I'd say that the real highlight of the exhibit were the photographs at the end of the "tour" and some replicas of the crucifixion nails and a flagrum.
The cost of the walk-in ticket for adults is P250.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Comedy TV show team penetrates tight APEC security
Well they weren't that successful, otherwise they wouldn't be caught, right?
The first thing that came to my mind was who will they blame if the security guards decided to use lethal force against the identified threat? These guys are idiots and they're lucky the police didn't fire first.
The first thing that came to my mind was who will they blame if the security guards decided to use lethal force against the identified threat? These guys are idiots and they're lucky the police didn't fire first.
It seems someone's making progress with the Stirling hybrid
I'm envious of course. But I hope to do something better...
Thursday, September 06, 2007
So which is it?
Almost daily last month, DZMM station manager Angelo Palmones made the claim that Romulo Neri was demoted to chair CHED because he, Neri, dared to question Secretary Gary Teves' financial policies and projections and "tell the truth" [TM].
Meanwhile, in an interview with Joel Reyes Zobel a few minutes ago, Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico says Neri was demoted in order to make the facilitation of the ZTE deal smoother.
So which is it? Finance policy or ZTE? Will Palmones modify his story given Suplico's statement?
Speaking of Joel Reyes Zobel, this radio commentator made some harsh comments against Rolex Suplico last November for the latter's moves in the Commission of Appointments to block Secretary Teves' confirmation as Finance secretary. Today, he was Suplico's close chum on air.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Joel Reyes Zobel a few minutes ago, Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico says Neri was demoted in order to make the facilitation of the ZTE deal smoother.
So which is it? Finance policy or ZTE? Will Palmones modify his story given Suplico's statement?
Speaking of Joel Reyes Zobel, this radio commentator made some harsh comments against Rolex Suplico last November for the latter's moves in the Commission of Appointments to block Secretary Teves' confirmation as Finance secretary. Today, he was Suplico's close chum on air.
Video from a Medieval Mass
Following a form of the Mass celebrated according to use of that particular Danish diocese, the name of which I can't spell. Interesting that the celebrant covers the chalice and paten with the corporal at the beginning.
Stirling Engine based hybrid car
This is a no-brainer. There's already Stirling-powered submarine in existence making use of the very same concept. You just need to put wheels on the submarine and voila! The real challenge is putting the damn thing into production as most manufacturers are still skeptical of its feasibility.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Is China a golfer's Mecca?
In discussing the ZTE broadband controversy this morning, Senator Lacson asked rhetorically whether China, and Shenzhen in particular, is a golfer's Mecca.
Well, here's one answer for that.
Actually, golfers have known China as one of the leading golfing destination these days. Cheap and diverse golfing opportunities in China are attracting golfers around the world. Last year, I was talking to a current Senator's brother, an avid golfer himself, and he told me that the Philippines is losing its golfing market to China precisely because of the above. He should know: he runs a golf course south of Manila.
So there's your answer Senator Lacson.
Well, here's one answer for that.
Actually, golfers have known China as one of the leading golfing destination these days. Cheap and diverse golfing opportunities in China are attracting golfers around the world. Last year, I was talking to a current Senator's brother, an avid golfer himself, and he told me that the Philippines is losing its golfing market to China precisely because of the above. He should know: he runs a golf course south of Manila.
So there's your answer Senator Lacson.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Taliban beat South Korean hostages as punishment for refusing to convert to Islam
Faith is not necessary for conversion to Islam. Just surrender and you're in.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Like shooting fish...
During the last campaign season, the opposition aired TV ads highlighting a report which supposedly rated the Philippines as the most corrupt country in Asia in an attempt to blemish the administration.
This morning, however, I heard the opposition congressman from Makati state the following:
So which is it really Cong. Locsin? The Philippines or Thailand?
This morning, however, I heard the opposition congressman from Makati state the following:
Yeah, but Boying it's dangerous and it's from Thailand. You know that is the most notoriously corrupt government in the world.
So which is it really Cong. Locsin? The Philippines or Thailand?
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide
Here's one public service announcement I recommend to all people who think that there ought to be an outright ban on any chemical used for producing food:
We're growing in Dubai
But there are many more immigrants than citizens. Foreigners now make up more than 70 percent of the more than 4 million inhabitants, coming from other Arab countries, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines.
More than half of these foreign workers are Christians. Adding up the figures, Christians account for more than 35 percent of the population of the United Arab Emirates. Around a million of them are Catholic. And it's not only in the UAE – in Saudi Arabia, too, it is estimated that there are already about a million Catholics from the Philippines.
Hardly news to us really. Filipinos are some of leading prime movers of the economy of the United Arab Emirates. But despite this, many Filipinos are ill-treated by their employers. I'm actually glad that the article mentions this.
The Filipino worker's role in UAE, and other middle eastern countries, is highly illustrative of how Filipinos can help Europe. It is not unknown that I advocate the immigration of Filipinos to Europe. It's a win-win solution for problems facing the Philippines and Europe. Population control advocates won't have any proper motivation to get contraceptives into the hands of every man, woman and child in the archipelago since a big lot of Pinoys won't be contributing to the alleged "population explosion" in the country; and Europe will be revitalized by a group possessing a culture more akin to West. Plus Filipinos are hardy workers and consumers. The downtrend in Europe's economy will eventually do an about face with their help and in turn help our own improve.
Trade between the Philippines and Europe isn't that strong. Our largest trading partner remains the US. I'm not saying that the US is bad, but it is risky to put all our trading eggs in one economic basket. Hopefully, more Filipinos in Europe would lead to a diversification in trading partners.
And more importantly, Filipinos hopefully would help revitalize the Christian Faith in Europe. Most Filipinos still are molded in the relatively more traditional form of Catholicism. Hopefully they'll infect the more secular parts of Europe with their brand of piety.
Obviously Filipinos are not perfect. I'm sure there will be friction and conflicts when they flood into Europe in great numbers. But I think they're a better option and less dangerous than those that hail from South Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.
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