My niece Anna and nephew Mike gave me this book, 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country, last Christmas as a gift. It's written by Alexander Lacson and his wife. It's about what each of us can do to help make the Philippines a better nation. Maganda yung 12 suggestions niya. They're very doable and I think every Filipino should follow them.
Yun nga lang, I was a little bit dissappointed with his discussion. I expected to read something deep and profound, instead I got a hodgepodge of quotes and hollow examples. Sa akin lang, the message would've been better kung isang quote lang per topic para straight to the point. Eh hinde eh. Puro quotes. Sayang. Yung pinaka-okay lang na discussion was under "The 8th Little Thing" heading.
Anyway, for those of you who want to know what the 12 little things are, author Alexander Lacson enumerates them:
1. Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.
2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.
3. Don't buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino.
4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country.
5. Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.
6. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.
7. Support your church.
8. During elections, do your solemn duty.
9. Pay your employees well.
10.Pay your taxes.
11.Adopt a scholar or a poor child.
12.Be a good parent. teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.
As for Lacson's discussion of topic No. 8? Well, you have to buy the book and find out for yourself.
Happy Reading!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
P125 Across the Board Wage Hike
After hearing both sides (on TV, ofcourse) I feel that it is wrong for Congress to pass a P125 across the board wage hike.
I heard someone from Bayan Muna argue that a wage hike is most needed because there has been no across the board wage hike since 1989. According to that person, the Filipino manggagawa has been suffering the same minimum wage for the past 17 years!
Uh, hello?!
Isn't that because we created the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) and National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC)?!
Under Republic Act 6727, or the Wage Rationalization Act, It is each region's RTWPB which will determine and fix the minimum wage rates as applicable to their area and to issue the corresponding wage orders.
We deregulated minimum wage fixing to the regions because the regions have different costs of living. P20 can buy 10 pieces of pandesal in Ilocos, but only 4 pieces in Manila.
We decentralized wage fixing because our Regions incur different degrees of expenses. Shops in the same line of business in Silay City and General Santos don't necessarily have the same kind of expenses.
That's why today, different regions have different minimum wage rates.
And now, para lang magpa-pogi sa mga militante, we will pass an across the board minimum wage increase of P125?!
That's going to do more harm than good! Baka kayanin ng Manila, pero hindi ng Santiago City. Baka kayanin ng Mandaue pero hindi ng Navarcan.
Haynaku, para que pa natin inestablish ang RTWPB kung mag-a-across the board increase din?!
I hope the Senate thinks about this matter real hard before passing a wage hike.
I hope Congress remembers why it created RTWPBs.
I heard someone from Bayan Muna argue that a wage hike is most needed because there has been no across the board wage hike since 1989. According to that person, the Filipino manggagawa has been suffering the same minimum wage for the past 17 years!
Uh, hello?!
Isn't that because we created the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) and National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC)?!
Under Republic Act 6727, or the Wage Rationalization Act, It is each region's RTWPB which will determine and fix the minimum wage rates as applicable to their area and to issue the corresponding wage orders.
We deregulated minimum wage fixing to the regions because the regions have different costs of living. P20 can buy 10 pieces of pandesal in Ilocos, but only 4 pieces in Manila.
We decentralized wage fixing because our Regions incur different degrees of expenses. Shops in the same line of business in Silay City and General Santos don't necessarily have the same kind of expenses.
That's why today, different regions have different minimum wage rates.
And now, para lang magpa-pogi sa mga militante, we will pass an across the board minimum wage increase of P125?!
That's going to do more harm than good! Baka kayanin ng Manila, pero hindi ng Santiago City. Baka kayanin ng Mandaue pero hindi ng Navarcan.
Haynaku, para que pa natin inestablish ang RTWPB kung mag-a-across the board increase din?!
I hope the Senate thinks about this matter real hard before passing a wage hike.
I hope Congress remembers why it created RTWPBs.
Friday, August 18, 2006
The Rockiest, Potholiest and Unevenest Street in the World
The City of San Francisco is home to Lombard Street, the Crookedest Street in the World.
Well, here in the Philippines, Paranaque is home to the Rockiest, Potholiest and Unevenest Street in the World.
I kid you not.
Over at the Southbound ramp of the Nichols bridge along South Super Highway you will find the worst street ever.
I take that ramp when I go visit my sister in Merville or my girlfriend in Moonwalk. Last summer that was a smooth uphill ramp. After a few typhoons, it has turned into a nightmare.
Sobrang uneven. Sobrang mabutas. Sobrang potholed. Kahit anong maniobra mo hindi mo maiiwasan lumubog ang sasakyan mo sa isang lubak. If you look at it, maisip mo na hindi pang normal car yun. Pang Four-by-Four.
I hope the Paranaque City Government and the DPWH does something about this real fast. Kasi I feel ilang daan na lang masisira na chassis ng kotse ko.
Hindi lang kasi Rain ang may kasalanan. Its the trucks din. Ang linaw-linaw ng sign na "NO TRUCKS ALLOWED" sige, hala, puro trucks ang dumadaan. (as a sidenote, ganyan talaga mga pinoy, kung anong bawal, gagawin. tingnan mo yung "BAWAL UMIHI DITO PLEASE" sign, dun umiihi. tingnan mo yung "BAWAL MAGTAPON NG BASURA. MULTA P5,000" sign, dun nagtatambak. tingnan mo yung "DON'T PARK IN FRONT OF THE DRIVEWAY" sign, dun pumaparada. Ang titigas kasi ng ulo natin) According to my brod, Bullet, who is a traffic engineer, roads have different qualities. They are designed and made according to the vehicles that are supposed to traverse it. small streets are for small cars. hence, of a lesser quality grade. highways are for cars, trucks and buses. hence, of a higher quality grade. if you have a truck travers a small street, or a street designed for light vehicles, then the road will deteriorate fast.
That, my friends, is why our roads suck. The weather and those pesky truck and bus drivers who try to save a buck by traversing roads meant for small cars and not for them.
Sana hulihin mga yan. ipagbawal na talaga sila sa Nichols ramp. The PNCC and MMDA should be vigilant and strict as the NLEX operators are over at the North Luzon Expressway.
Meanwhile, I plan to put up a tourist stand right next to the Nichols Ramp and offer T-Shirts, Post Cards, Pencils and other souvenirs with the sign "Rockiest, Potholiest and Unevenest Street in the World". I'll also offer polaroid shots for tourists who want a photo memento of Nichols Ramp. I swear, with my advertising savvy, Nichols Ramp will be more popular than Lombard Street.
I kid you not.
Well, here in the Philippines, Paranaque is home to the Rockiest, Potholiest and Unevenest Street in the World.
I kid you not.
Over at the Southbound ramp of the Nichols bridge along South Super Highway you will find the worst street ever.
I take that ramp when I go visit my sister in Merville or my girlfriend in Moonwalk. Last summer that was a smooth uphill ramp. After a few typhoons, it has turned into a nightmare.
Sobrang uneven. Sobrang mabutas. Sobrang potholed. Kahit anong maniobra mo hindi mo maiiwasan lumubog ang sasakyan mo sa isang lubak. If you look at it, maisip mo na hindi pang normal car yun. Pang Four-by-Four.
I hope the Paranaque City Government and the DPWH does something about this real fast. Kasi I feel ilang daan na lang masisira na chassis ng kotse ko.
Hindi lang kasi Rain ang may kasalanan. Its the trucks din. Ang linaw-linaw ng sign na "NO TRUCKS ALLOWED" sige, hala, puro trucks ang dumadaan. (as a sidenote, ganyan talaga mga pinoy, kung anong bawal, gagawin. tingnan mo yung "BAWAL UMIHI DITO PLEASE" sign, dun umiihi. tingnan mo yung "BAWAL MAGTAPON NG BASURA. MULTA P5,000" sign, dun nagtatambak. tingnan mo yung "DON'T PARK IN FRONT OF THE DRIVEWAY" sign, dun pumaparada. Ang titigas kasi ng ulo natin) According to my brod, Bullet, who is a traffic engineer, roads have different qualities. They are designed and made according to the vehicles that are supposed to traverse it. small streets are for small cars. hence, of a lesser quality grade. highways are for cars, trucks and buses. hence, of a higher quality grade. if you have a truck travers a small street, or a street designed for light vehicles, then the road will deteriorate fast.
That, my friends, is why our roads suck. The weather and those pesky truck and bus drivers who try to save a buck by traversing roads meant for small cars and not for them.
Sana hulihin mga yan. ipagbawal na talaga sila sa Nichols ramp. The PNCC and MMDA should be vigilant and strict as the NLEX operators are over at the North Luzon Expressway.
Meanwhile, I plan to put up a tourist stand right next to the Nichols Ramp and offer T-Shirts, Post Cards, Pencils and other souvenirs with the sign "Rockiest, Potholiest and Unevenest Street in the World". I'll also offer polaroid shots for tourists who want a photo memento of Nichols Ramp. I swear, with my advertising savvy, Nichols Ramp will be more popular than Lombard Street.
I kid you not.
Monday, August 14, 2006
AFPRESCOM application Woes
I’m really disappointed with the people in the P.E. section of the GHQ Station Hospital in Camp Aguinaldo. Real disappointed. I’ve been going back and forth to their office this past month for my medical clearance and they have been so unhelpful.
I went there last Monday to submit my laboratory clearances kasi tapos na ako. I asked them when can I get my medical clearance and they told me in a week. Fine. So I went back today, the Monday after. Yun yung sabi nila eh
When I got there they asked for my drug test results. WTF?! Drug test? Wala naman silang sinabing drug test ah! I looked at my list requirements and nowhere does it say drug test. Sobra akong nainis! I have no problems taking a drug test, but they should’ve informed me, at the very latest, last week. All along akala ko tapos na ako, yun pala hindi pa.
Lampas na ng isang buwan na pabalikbalik ako sa opisina nila, ni ho ni ha wala akong narinig na kelangan kong magpa-drug test. Tapos ngayon when I expect to get my clearance they say, ‘ay, magpa-drugtest ka muna!’ Ang masakit pa niyan, wala silang facilities sa loob ng hospital. I was told to go out pa. WTF!!
So, I went to Cubao. Dun ako naghanap ako ng diagnostic center. Had my friggin’ drug test, and submitted it to the P.E. Section. Sana naman okay na yun.
Ang hirap nang pabalik-balik sa camp aguinaldo. It is not near my office. It is so out of the way. Sana naman maging considerate sila sa mga nag-a-apply na reservists. Ako na nga etong nag-vo-volunteer to help the AFP, sobrang naman nila ako pinapahirapan sa application ko.
I went there last Monday to submit my laboratory clearances kasi tapos na ako. I asked them when can I get my medical clearance and they told me in a week. Fine. So I went back today, the Monday after. Yun yung sabi nila eh
When I got there they asked for my drug test results. WTF?! Drug test? Wala naman silang sinabing drug test ah! I looked at my list requirements and nowhere does it say drug test. Sobra akong nainis! I have no problems taking a drug test, but they should’ve informed me, at the very latest, last week. All along akala ko tapos na ako, yun pala hindi pa.
Lampas na ng isang buwan na pabalikbalik ako sa opisina nila, ni ho ni ha wala akong narinig na kelangan kong magpa-drug test. Tapos ngayon when I expect to get my clearance they say, ‘ay, magpa-drugtest ka muna!’ Ang masakit pa niyan, wala silang facilities sa loob ng hospital. I was told to go out pa. WTF!!
So, I went to Cubao. Dun ako naghanap ako ng diagnostic center. Had my friggin’ drug test, and submitted it to the P.E. Section. Sana naman okay na yun.
Ang hirap nang pabalik-balik sa camp aguinaldo. It is not near my office. It is so out of the way. Sana naman maging considerate sila sa mga nag-a-apply na reservists. Ako na nga etong nag-vo-volunteer to help the AFP, sobrang naman nila ako pinapahirapan sa application ko.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Roque B. Ablan Sr. Day
Last 9 August 2006, the whole province of Ilocos Norte celebrated the 100th Birth Anniversary of Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr., my grandfather.
It was Republic Act 6941 which declared every 9th day of August a special non-working holiday in the province of Ilocos Norte to commemorate the birthday of my lolo, who was also a World War II Hero. Usually a place would celebrate the death anniversary of a hero, but not in our case because we never knew when, where and how he was killed. He fought the Japanese as the country's last standing governor when he disappeared somewhere in Bumitalag sometime in 1942. After the war, my lola tried to look for him to no avail. His body was never recovered.
Anyway, thats why we celebrate my lolo's birthday.
This year's celebration was special because it is his centennial. Hence, special yung handaan. In fact, there were events organized the day before. We had an oratorical contest, drum & lire competition and a quiz bee. The Philippine Veterans Bank organized a World War II exhibit for the veterans. There were a handful of WWII veterans who were able to go, including Americans.
On Ablan Day, there was the unveiling of the new statue at the Roque B. Ablan Sr. Shrine at 7 in the morning. We commissioned a talented Filipino artist to create the larger than life image of my lolo. His name escapes me at the moment.
Afterwards, we all transferred to the Capitol for the main program. Governor Marcos, Imelda Marcos, Ambassador Preciosa Soliven and Senator Heherson Alvarez gave their remarks. And then the Guest Speaker, General Hermogenes Esperon, the AFP Chief of Staff, delivered his address.
Later, the postmaster general awarded the special guests and my family commemorative stamps of my lolo.
And then there was the parade. Cadets, school contingents, marching bands, local government employees, barangays, and cowboys marched past the Capitol.
Another thing special with this year was the parade floats with accompanying reenactment. Ang ganda-ganda ng mga floats. Talagang pinaghirapan ng LGU/Schools. Yung iba may mga waterfalls pa. But what really got to me was the reenactment. All 5 floats reenacted a portion of my lolo's life while he was battling the Japanese. From invasion to his disappearance. The actors/dancers/performers (all high schoolers i suppose) really poured everything. Talagang bigay na bigay. As a member of the Ablan family I was really touched.
I am thankful to the National Historical Institute, led by Exec. Dir. Ludovico D. Badoy, for supervising and organizing the two-day event. Well done, sir!
Also to the Veterans Federation of the Philippines and the Philippine Veterans Bank for the WWII exhibit; the Philippine Postal Corporation for the commemorative stamps; Prof. Linda Limpe for the Roque B. Ablan biography; the still unnamed artist for creating the new statue; the Philippine Marines for the exhibition; the LGUs and the DECS for organizing the parade; and most especially to all those who participated in the contests, the parade and the reenactment.
Thank you all for making my lolo's 100th birthday a very memorable one.
I hope when the dust settles, we don't forget what we're celebrating during Ablan day--which is the heroism of thousands of Filipinos back in World War II, most of whom died so that we could enjoy a free and democratic society.
Whenever I feel depressed about the situation of the Philippines and think that there's no hope for this country, I simply remember my grandfather and how he and his soldiers fought until their last breath for an independent and progressive nation. They died for the Republic of the Philippines, and dammit, I will do whatever I can, no matter how small, to make our country what they dreamed of.
Agbiag ni Apo Roque Ablan Sr.! Agbiag!
Agbiag ti Veterans iti World War II! Agbiag!
Agbiag ti Republica ti Pilipinas! Agbiag!
It was Republic Act 6941 which declared every 9th day of August a special non-working holiday in the province of Ilocos Norte to commemorate the birthday of my lolo, who was also a World War II Hero. Usually a place would celebrate the death anniversary of a hero, but not in our case because we never knew when, where and how he was killed. He fought the Japanese as the country's last standing governor when he disappeared somewhere in Bumitalag sometime in 1942. After the war, my lola tried to look for him to no avail. His body was never recovered.
Anyway, thats why we celebrate my lolo's birthday.
This year's celebration was special because it is his centennial. Hence, special yung handaan. In fact, there were events organized the day before. We had an oratorical contest, drum & lire competition and a quiz bee. The Philippine Veterans Bank organized a World War II exhibit for the veterans. There were a handful of WWII veterans who were able to go, including Americans.
On Ablan Day, there was the unveiling of the new statue at the Roque B. Ablan Sr. Shrine at 7 in the morning. We commissioned a talented Filipino artist to create the larger than life image of my lolo. His name escapes me at the moment.
Afterwards, we all transferred to the Capitol for the main program. Governor Marcos, Imelda Marcos, Ambassador Preciosa Soliven and Senator Heherson Alvarez gave their remarks. And then the Guest Speaker, General Hermogenes Esperon, the AFP Chief of Staff, delivered his address.
Later, the postmaster general awarded the special guests and my family commemorative stamps of my lolo.
And then there was the parade. Cadets, school contingents, marching bands, local government employees, barangays, and cowboys marched past the Capitol.
Another thing special with this year was the parade floats with accompanying reenactment. Ang ganda-ganda ng mga floats. Talagang pinaghirapan ng LGU/Schools. Yung iba may mga waterfalls pa. But what really got to me was the reenactment. All 5 floats reenacted a portion of my lolo's life while he was battling the Japanese. From invasion to his disappearance. The actors/dancers/performers (all high schoolers i suppose) really poured everything. Talagang bigay na bigay. As a member of the Ablan family I was really touched.
I am thankful to the National Historical Institute, led by Exec. Dir. Ludovico D. Badoy, for supervising and organizing the two-day event. Well done, sir!
Also to the Veterans Federation of the Philippines and the Philippine Veterans Bank for the WWII exhibit; the Philippine Postal Corporation for the commemorative stamps; Prof. Linda Limpe for the Roque B. Ablan biography; the still unnamed artist for creating the new statue; the Philippine Marines for the exhibition; the LGUs and the DECS for organizing the parade; and most especially to all those who participated in the contests, the parade and the reenactment.
Thank you all for making my lolo's 100th birthday a very memorable one.
I hope when the dust settles, we don't forget what we're celebrating during Ablan day--which is the heroism of thousands of Filipinos back in World War II, most of whom died so that we could enjoy a free and democratic society.
Whenever I feel depressed about the situation of the Philippines and think that there's no hope for this country, I simply remember my grandfather and how he and his soldiers fought until their last breath for an independent and progressive nation. They died for the Republic of the Philippines, and dammit, I will do whatever I can, no matter how small, to make our country what they dreamed of.
Agbiag ni Apo Roque Ablan Sr.! Agbiag!
Agbiag ti Veterans iti World War II! Agbiag!
Agbiag ti Republica ti Pilipinas! Agbiag!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Hello from blogspot!
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4 August 2006
This is my new blogsite. you can check my previous blogs in:
http://kris_ablan.blogs.friendster.com/kris_brain_activity
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