TWIST Philippines

Cayetano to defense: Name your source

2012-02-13T16:30:00.003+08:00

Under TWIST FIRST TO BLOG

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano grills defense lawyer Jose RoyIII during the sixteenth day of the impeachment trial of Supreme Court ChiefJustice Renato Corona. The insulted senator challenges the defense panel toreveal their source after they alleged the Malacañang of offering P100 millionto thesenator-judges to defy the Supreme Court's TRO restraining the Senate fromlooking into Corona’s dollar accounts.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano: Is any of you, defense counsels,also [a member] of the media?

Atty. Jose Roy III: Not that I’m aware, your honor.

Cayetano: Okay. So I asked that because we are all awarethat the members of the media have the source privilege granted to them by a RepublicAct.

Roy: Yes, your honor.

Cayetano: But is the source privilege also given to [lawyers]?

Roy: There is a fundamental right, your honor, which we drawcomfort from. It is found in Paragraph E, Section 20 of Rule 138. Andessentially, it states that the lawyers are under oath, at every peril tothemselves to preserve the secrets of the client, your honor.

Cayetano: But you will confirm to me that theattorney-client privilege is only available when there is an attorney-clientrelationship.

Roy: That is exactly the case, your honor.

Cayetano: So unless the source is your client, then you arebound to reveal the source if this Impeachment Court asks you to reveal such?

Roy: Your honor, the reference to the attorney-clientrelationship pertains to the conduct of all the business of the client.Whenever we receive information in our professional capacities, which relate tothe business of the client for which we have been retained, your honors, thenit is covered by the mantel of the privilege.

I Just Blocked a Debtor on Facebook

2012-02-10T19:57:00.003+08:00

Wheng someone, October 20, 2011: Tnx s pgaccept!!!:)

Wheng, 5 hours ago: Hi ralph pwede po b aq humingi ng tulong sau?

Me, 3 hours ago: How may I help you?

Wheng, about an hour ago: Try q sna humiram sau ng pera?pramis bbayaran q dn po sau!!!ala n tlga aq malapitan,lam q ndi tau mgkakilala ng personal pro ndi q nman ttakbuha f anu man ung mhhiram q sau!!!

Me, about an hour ago: Hahaha! Sorry but that's beyond impossible!

Wheng, 26 minutes afo as of blogging: Ok lng f ndi mo aq mpphiram,wg q nlng mgtawa ok!!pra qng nkkainsulto s 22o lng!!!salamat nlng ng mdme!!!pwede mo sbhin n ndi wg q nlng mgttawa ha!!!

Me: My apologies.

Kung close lang sana kami, why not?

Kit Tatad: Corona trial is no 'Budoy'

2012-02-03T13:34:00.001+08:00

"The interest in the Estrada impeachment trial was unflagging, sustained. Pero dito [the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona], nakikita mo [asking 'Headstart' host Karen Davila], gumuguho na, nawawala na, e. The galleries are now empty… I wonder how much longer prime TV could carry it without losing its audience. Siyempre hindi mo pwedeng itapat sa Budoy ito."

--Former senator Francisco "Kit" Tatad, during Headstart guesting, contrasting the impeachment trials of former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona

Project: Feeling Close

2012-01-24T19:47:00.003+08:00

I'm pretty sure it would sound like I'm the most pathetic, narcissistic, desperate fanatic but please allow me to share my third encounter with the irresistible Ivan Dorschner.

Before bidding farewell to 2011, it popped up in my mind to collect video greetings with Kapamilya stars promoting my struggling Twitter account. I called it Project: #Follow @Ralphabet. Before Mr. Dorschner, I already had Kakai Bautista,Gretchen Fullido and Xian Lim doing me the favor.

The one with Xian Lim was the most nerve-wracking, I actually faked the lakas-loob, kapal-mukha part. But this one, with Mr. Dorschner, has been so special for a very weird reason. HE INTERVIEWED ME! And it felt like sitting in an electric chair!

When I told him about my purpose (after almost shouting his name the way Toni Gonzaga shouted "I love you, Piolo!" in a Sprite commercial), skeptical Ivan asked me several questions that caught me off guard. When things became clearer, he pulled out his mobile from his pocket, searched for @Ralphabet, and hit "Follow." He even made fun of my Twitter page description: "Ive said too much. I haven't said enough." "Ayan, kulang pa ang sinasabi," I thought I heard him say with an adorable laugh while trying to speak straight Tagalog.

The best thing about that encounter was that it made me realize how Mr. Dorschner has always been so consistent in showing courtesy to his fans, an effortless kindness he will never fake.

I've been working with ABS-CBN for almost two years now and when it comes to the Can-You-Tell-These-Fake-And-Real-Celebs-Apart game, I've mastered the tricks! Fortunately, Mr. Dorschner is everything but fake. His middle name is Cute and once he flashes that sincere smile, it would definitely make you forget about the backlogs you've left screaming at your workstation!

Thank you so much, Mr. Dorschner.

Photoshop

2012-01-12T08:13:00.000+08:00

Jimenez Reacts

2012-01-06T17:56:00.001+08:00

FRESH TWEETS: DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. on the ‘Switzerland Coincidence’ | via Tourism Thoughts

Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. reacts on the surfacing of a 1951 ad from the Swiss National Tourist Office that read "It's more fun in Switzerland!" a slogan which is almost identical to the Philippines' newest tourism campaign, "It's more fun in the Philippines! launched earlier today.

2 hours ago as of posting:

No one can own the expression "it's more fun" but it's very true for the #Philippines so it becomes ours. #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines

1 hour ago as of posting:

This Switzerland coincidence only makes our line truer. Sun Tanning IS more fun in the Philippines.

The line isn't a manufactured slogan. It's simply the truth about our country. Don't be swayed by people who are trying to punch holes in it

If you look hard enough, you might even find an old ad that says "it's more fun in Alcatraz!"

Tourism is successful in Thailand because their positive voice is louder than their negative voice.

E.R. Ejercito: Kris Aquino is like Nostradamus

2012-01-06T13:56:00.001+08:00

E.R. Ejercitomade a guesting on ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart this Friday morning to sharehis thoughts on the controversies that have plagued his MMFFfilm, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong SalongaStory. Apparently putting the blame on Kris Aquino, the Laguna governor madestatements expressing his disappointment for not grabbing the Best Actortrophy.

Here’s the transcript of the “Blame-It-on-Kris”part with Karen Davila:

ER: Kris Aquino said in the news that we had a bad showing… And therewas a bad trending like saying, we were pulled out from the cinemas. We have 51cinemas. Unfortunately we were shown at only 17. Kaya masaklap ang nangyari saamin.

Karen: Explain that. Why is KrisAquino… I mean you’ve mentioned her name a few times.
ER: I read it on Twitter.

Karen: You read it on Twitter?
ER: Yah. I read it on news, I watched it on TV.

Karen: She allegedly said what, thatyou had a bad showing?
ER: Yes.

Karen: Okay. Do you think thatwas a factor?
ER: I don’t know. If she . . . said it . . . I just read it on papers.

Karen: Okay. But if she had saidit, you feel that was a factor?
ER: [Pause.] Yes. Yes.

Karen: So how do you feel aboutthat—
ER, interrupting Karen: ‘Cause people believe her. [Chuckles.]

Karen: Okay. Alright. Oo. How doyou feel about that?
ER: Well, she has said a lot of statements that, well, I don’t reallyfeel comfortable with, like saying “Magwala ka, Dingdong Dantes kapag natalokang Best Actor.” At “Itataya ko ang buong pamilya ko kapag natalo kang BestActor.” So she has been saying things that . . . [are] not good for me and for Dingdong.

Karen: Okay. Just to play devil’sadvocate, isn’t Kris acting like a typical… I mean, actress who worked withDingdong? I mean it’s like if we were together, I’d say “syempre gusto ko siGovernor E.R. ang manalo.” I mean it’s . . . “classic her.”
ER: She’s like Nostradamus.

Karen chuckles.

ER: She predicts good, ha? [Chuckles.]

Karen: WHAT IS THAT?
ER: Ang galing n’yang manghula. She said Dingdong will win, Dingdongwon. She said her movie will be Number Two, now she’s Number Two.

Karen: Okay. [Chuckles.] You’rehilarious. “She’s like Nostradamus.” Alright. First, when she had said na “’Yongpamilya ko, sasama ang loob” or something… “Magwala ka Dingdong” . . .
ER: I just read it on the papers and on Twitter and… I don’t know ifshe really said it. I have to talk to her. Kumare ko naman ‘yon e.

Karen: Do you feel that, that herstatement influenced the judges? I think that’s what you’re leading to.
ER: I really don’t know. I respect the distinguished board of jurors, ‘no?That’s they’re decision. I don’t know if there was influence or not. I don’tknow. She’s the sister of the president. Who knows? Only God knows the truth.

The two chuckle.

Karen: But you think that . . .she shouldn’t have said it? It was inappropriate? How do you feel?
ER: Yah. She shouldn’t have said it?

Karen: Why not?
ER: It doesn’t look good. It doesn’t sound good . . . for me and forDingdong.

Karen: But if anybody else hadsaid it, would it have been okay?
ER: Maybe. I don’t know. But she’s Kris Aquino for that. She’s knownfor that. … I don’t feel bad, ‘no? Dingdong is a very good actor, a fine actorof his generation. He’s a very outstanding leader of the youth. And me, I stillhave chances. This year, there are still seven award-giving bodies. I can winBest Actor maybe hopefully at the Urian, or maybe Star Awards, Famas, CatholicMass Media Awards.

Karen: Okay. But Governor, whatthis is showing essentially—in a way, ‘no? —is you do feel bad losing the BestActor award. This is what I’m getting.
ER: Well, I ... I … Bitin.

Karen: Bitin?
ER: Oo. Bitin.

Karen: So inaamin mo, kung baga,masama ang loob mo na si Dingdong ang nanalo?
ER: No. He was good [in] SegundaMano. I still have other chances to win.

Karen: But do you believe youdeserved it?
ER: Well, I did a great performance. I am 47 years old. Madami akongnahugutang emosyon bilang artista. But being a new actor, I think Dingdongdeserves it.

Karen: Okay. But then, do youfeel then that the MMFF [was] pressured because Kris had said that?
ER: Every year, there is always controversy at the MMFF. Sanay na tayosa gano’n. I’m used to losing and winning. I still have more chances here inthe Philippines and broad to win awards. No problem.

No problem? Really? E.R. here reminds me of Juan Manuel Marquez who, on November13 last year, claimed he was “robbed” when Manny Pacquiao edged him for the WBOWelterweight crown. He may be the most deserving but E.R. is missing a point:Humility.

How I wish Kris Aquino could also predict when this bitter governor will finally move on!

'Segunda Mano' in 50 Words

2012-01-04T20:57:00.001+08:00

If the mark of a good horror film is when it slowly becomes unpredictable toward the end, then Segunda Mano has successfully accomplished that goal. Definitely a must-see. Congratulations to Star Cinema, to Dingdong Dantes, and of course, to the one and only Queen of Philippine Horror FIlms, Kris Aquino!

My 2011 Christmas Wish List

2011-12-20T23:07:00.001+08:00

Keeping my fingers crossed.

'Mahal na mahal kita, Tina'

2011-12-15T16:40:00.006+08:00

"Ngunit ang kasukdulan ng pambabastos, sa aking pananaw, ay ang pagdawit ng aking maybahay sa reklamong ito. Baka akala nila na sa ganitong paraan ako po’y madaling susuko. Mapalad po ako na mayroon akong isang mabait at matatag na kasama sa buhay na siya . . . na s’ya ring pinagkukunan ko ng lakas at inspirasyon. Mahal na mahal kita, Tina."

The Commonality

2011-12-09T21:56:00.001+08:00

THE HAIR. This photo shows how I unconsciously made my Tumblr page look yesterday upon uploading Mario Maurer's Christmas campaign for Penshoppe. Both of us running our fingers through our hair—something in common, at last! Hahaha! That's all. ;D

Video of the Year: "Marry the Night"

2011-12-03T22:00:00.001+08:00

Emotional. Enigmatic. Epic. The long wait is over—and it is indeedworth it! Lady Gaga’s autobiographical Marry the Night video takes all herlittle monsters back to her early career trauma, which falls under the worstdays of her life before being catapulted to fame. In 2006, Lady Gaga had beendropped by Island Def Jam, her first recordlabel, only three months after she inked a deal. The abrupt ending of herrelationship with IDJ devastated Gaga.

“Marry the Night”—which is nearly 14 minutes in length—is LadyGaga’s music video directorial debut. The clip begins with the Mother Monsteron a gurney being wheeled into a psychiatric ward, telling a nurse that she’sgonna be a star “because I have nothing to lose.” The ending shows Lady Gagaheading to a meeting at Interscope Records, her present record label.

Watchingthe longest Gaga video yet is like finishing a cup of Slurpee: It will leaveyou asking for more without consciously knowing that you’ve already had enough.And I think it’s a good thing. Enjoy the video!

The Big Three, The Bigger Two, The Number One

2011-11-19T09:49:00.001+08:00

THE BIG THREE. GMA chair Felipe Gozon, ABS-CBN chair Eugenio Lopez III, and TV5 chair Manuel Pangilinan stand side by side for the first time in one stage at the 22nd Ad Congress in Camarines Sur. From Inquirer.net

Philippine television's "Big Three" had refreshingly shared one stage Friday, November 18, at the 22nd Philippine Advertising Congress in Camarines Sur. Gozon, Lopez and Pangilinan "for the first time stood side by side in one stage to share their thoughts on the future of television and media," Inquirer.net reports.

As a TV fan, I find this historical unprecedented gathering almost surreal but fascinating. I'm just hoping this would pave way for a healthy competition in an industry where crab mentality haunts its players.

The three had also taken the hot seat to answer questions from personalities from the rival networks. My favorite part!

Korina Sanchez: “Who is Number One today?”
Gozon: “As far as we are concerned, definitely, it’s GMA-7.”
Korina Sanchez : “I’m very surprised to hear that from you. By the way, Number One where?”

Mike Enriquez: “How long do you intend to stay Number Three?”
Pangilinan: “Well, that’s today, that’s not the future, right?"

Luchi Cruz-Valdez: “Is Sharon Cuneta really leaving ABS to move to TV5?”
Lopez: “I don’t know. Maybe we should ask the other channel.”

First Day High

2011-11-02T18:46:00.003+08:00

JUST GOT RESERVED. I am lucky to secure an advanced first-day ticket to the worldwide release of the first part of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. Thanks to my office mom, Miss Jacqui Palaganas. =)

Move Over, Batangas!

2011-10-29T03:50:00.002+08:00

Kabalintunaan

2011-10-26T03:26:00.001+08:00

Stuart Walker, 28. From BBC News.

I was waiting for my 22nd birthday observation to end (October 24 inManila) when the news of the death of a 28-year-old “gay man” in Scotlandbroke on Twitter. Stuart Walker, of East Ayrshire, wasfound dead at the road side of an industrial estate in Cumnock, BBC News reports.Twitter posts and online news reports suggest that Walker, who was believed tobe savagely beaten, tied to a lamppost, and burned alive, could have been avictim of a homophobic attack—or a hate crime.

Earlier this month, a series of pelletgun attacks on gay men in Cebu City had been reported.

First off, mahirap mamuhay bilang isang bakla. Mahirap isiping maymga bagay at oportunidad na hindi mo kailanman mararanasan dahil sa tumiwalag kasa daang idinikta ng lipunan. Mahirap tumitig sa isang napakagandang lalakehabang alam mo sa sarili mong kailanma’y hindi s’ya mapapasa’yo. Mahirapmaghanap ng totoong pagmamahal.

At susunod sa pagsang-ayon sakung ano ang tama at malipara sa lipunan, pinakamahirap na yata ang bahaging pilit mong pinapaniwala angsarili mong tanggap ka na ng mundong iyong ginagagalawan habang may mgapangyayaring pinapasinungalingan ito.

Personally, sa dami ng hadlang na sumasalubong sa daang tinatahakko, hindi ko kailanman pinangarap na kumawala sa aking pagkatao dahilnaniniwala akong hindi imoral ang pagiging bakla.

Hindi ito desisyon. Walangmultiple choice. Ito ay isang buhay na nakalaan na sa mga katulad ko bago paman kami ipinanganak—isang buhay na kailangan naming panagutan. Isang buhay nahindi nangangailangan ng pagsisikap ninuman para lamang mamuhay kami sa paraangangkop sa aming pisikal na anyo.

Hindi namin kinakailangang pigilanang mga sarili naming gawin ang mga bagay na hinihingi ng aming mga katawan at ngaming buong pagkatao dahil hindi kami puppet.

Hindi namin kinakailangangpaniwalaan ang mga taong “alagad” umano ng moralidad na nagsasabing walangmasama sa pagiging bakla o tomboy sa kundisyong hindi dapat kami makiapid sakapareho naming kasarian. Hindi kalakip ng pagiging bakla ang pagiginghipokrito. Tumigil kayo, Father!

The death of Stuart Walker is conclusiveproof that some parts of the world still shut the door on acceptinghomosexuality. I don’t really care. I should not care.

Sa mga kasabay ko sa pagtahak ngdaang ito, hindi natin kailangan ang huwad na pagtanggap ng lipunan. At walatayong dapat patunayan sa mga taong namumuhay sa inaakala nilang katayuangperpekto. After all, mahirap magkwento sa lipunang bingi.

Moammar Gadhafi's death confirmed

2011-10-20T20:17:00.000+08:00

UPDATE | 10:40 p.m. (Manila Time)

Al Jazeera has obtained a video that appears to show Gadhafi's bloody body. | Click HERE

TWIST RECOMMENDS Gadhafi is dead, interim Libyan prime minister says | Click HERE

FIRST POST | 8:17 p.m. (Manila Time)

A mobile phone image showing Moammar Gadhafi's arrest in Sirte. Source: Agence France Presse

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) — Conflicting reports surfaced Thursday that deposed Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is dead or has been captured. Deafening celebrations erupted in Tripoli, but none of the reports could be independently verified.

Gadhafi's death was reported by National Transitional Council television station Al-Ahrar. It did not cite a source.

Gadhafi's capture was also reported by Libyan television, citing the Misrata Military Council.

A National Transitional Council military spokesman told CNN that reports of Gadhafi's capture are only rumors.

A "big fish" has been captured in Libya, but Libyan Information Minister Mahmoud Shammam couldn't say with certainty whether it was Gadhafi.

Abdurahman Bousin, the NTC spokesman, added that it's doubtful that Gadhafi was even in or around his hometown of Sirte.

In another major development, revolutionary fighters said they wrested control of the coastal city Thursday.

Without photographic proof of Gadhafi's capture, it was unclear whether Thursday would turn out to be the biggest day in recent Libyan history. Statements made by representatives of Libya's new leadership in the past have not always turned out to be true.

Still, Libyans erupted in joy. Horns blared and celebratory gunfire burst into the air in Tripoli.

Gadhafi ruled Libya with an iron fist for 42 years. The mercurial leader came to power in a bloodless coup against King Idris in 1969, when he was just an army captain.

By the end of his rule, he claimed to be "King of Kings," a title he had a gathering of tribal leaders grant him in 2008.

But a February uprising evolved into civil war that resulted in ousting the strongman from power.

Many were waiting for photographs as proof of Gadhafi's capture.

Earlier, anti-Gadhafi fighters said they had taken control of the last holdout of loyalists in Sirte. They said they were still battling pockets of resistance, but they were in control of District 2.

Sirte has been the big prize for Libya's NTC, waiting for the city to fall to officially declare liberation.

Most residents abandoned Sirte in the many weeks of bloody battles that raged there. Revolutionary forces have fought Gadhafi's men street by street, cornering the last vestiges of the old regime to that last district.

Gadhafi, wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, for alleged crimes against humanity has not been seen in public in months. Many believed he was hiding out in Sirte after rebel forces marched into Tripoli in August.

2011-10-15T00:30:00.001+08:00

"If you wanna fly, I'm not gonna hold your feet to the ground. I'm gonna be the one to push you off the cliff."

— Phil to Claire, Modern Family, Season 3, Episode 5

Exclusive: CNN's John Vause Had Lasik Surgery

2011-10-08T18:29:00.000+08:00

CNN's John Vause told me he had undergone laser eye surgery.

Steve Jobs, 56

2011-10-06T20:55:00.001+08:00

Apple co-founder and former chief executive officer has succumbed to pancreatic cancer.

I do not own any Apple product but Steve Jobs' death is so compelling, it is a mortal sin not to go "iSad." I have no idea why but maybe it is because of the fact that his battle with cancer—which made him quit his post—had been so sensational; or maybe because his abrupt passing was simply inopportune especially amid the iPhone 5 mythology.

Rest in peace, iDol.

Untold: PCSO chair answers my Facebook question

2011-09-28T21:36:00.001+08:00

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chair Margarita “Margie” Juico appeared in a one-on-one interview with Tony Velasquez on ABS-CBN News Channel’s The Rundown September 26. Juico denied reports that the PCSO has cut its ties with some charitable organizations it funds for.

Meanwhile I got lucky enough when Velasquez asked Juico the question I posted on Facebook.

Tony: Chairperson Margie, here are a couple of reactions from our online followers. Ralph Revelar-Sarza is asking, “Does the PCSO conduct a strict background check on whether charitable organizations are really 'charitable?'” Bakit, may mga fronts ba ‘yang mga iba d’yan?

Margie: That’s why I think it’s important that we get a DSWD accreditation because . . . they will know best, eh . . . if an NGO is really credible or a “hao shao.”

Tony: Do you have suspicions of “hao-shao-ness” among these groups?

Margie: I’ve been getting, you know? If you’re in this position, you get a lot of calls, you get a lot of info saying that “you better check this,” so we’re getting that, too.

Paulo Avelino takes CEO role in '100 Days to Heaven'

2011-09-23T21:59:00.001+08:00

New Kapamilya actor Paulo Avelino started gracing ABS-CBN's 100 Days to Heaven yesterday, September 22. Paulo takes the role of Teddy Ledesma, a derelict chief executive officer.

A Sad Story

2011-09-22T01:43:00.003+08:00

2 boys in SM Pampanga mall shooting die

A ReTWIST from ABS-CBN News Online

PAMPANGA, Philippines – The 2 teens involved in a shooting incident inside SM Pampanga passed away Wednesday, their doctors and families said.

The 13-year-old boy died before 3 p.m. after his family decided to have his life support tube removed, doctors said.

The life support system on the other boy, a 16-year-old, was also removed Wednesday night.

He died around 11 p.m., according to his family.

He and his younger companion were earlier declared brain dead by doctors.

Dr. Eric Salas of San Fernandino Hospital, the attending physician, said the family of the 13-year-old boy has decided to donate his vital organs.

His remains have been brought to his family home in Mariveles, Bataan province.

Salas and Dr. Alfonso Danac, head of the emergency room of Jose B. Lingad Hospital in San Fernando City, coordinated for the harvesting of the organs.

The family of the 16-year-old victim said his vital organs will also be donated. His body has been brought home to Bulacan.

Danac said the teen's family accepted that he no longer has a chance to live.

He said only the life support system kept the boy alive.

The bullet from the caliber .22 handgun used by his companion in shooting remained lodged in the 16-year-old victim's head.

Before he was brought out of the hospital, the manager of SM Pampanga visited him in the hospital and reportedly promised to help pay for his medical expenses.

Mall shooting

Supt. Wilson Santos of Mexico, Pampanga police said the shooting incident involving the 2 minors happened in front of the Astrovision store at the mall’s Building 3.

Quoting police, SM said the 13-year-old boy first shot his alleged lover, a 16-year-old boy, in the head. The boy, who used a caliber .22 pistol, then shot himself in the head.

The victims were first rushed to the Jose B. Lingad Hospital.

The younger boy was transferred to San Fernandino Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), while the other was sent to V.L. Makabali Hospital for a CT scan, and was brought back to Jose B. Lingad Hospital.

Santos said police authorities found a caliber .22 pistol, 2 empty bullet shells, and 3 live bullets at the scene.

Initial investigations showed that the 13-year-old boy planned the shooting, based on his posts on his Facebook page prior to the incident.

Authorities said the 13-year-old wrote the name of another person, whom they believe he was jealous of, on his T-shirt.

“Parang mayroong third party na involved dito. May pinagseselosan. Katulad nung sa T-shirt [na suot nung biktima], mayroon siyang minumura,” Santos said.

Santos added that a suicide note was recovered from the younger boy, saying he was willing to die with his companion.

A card was recovered from the 16-year-old, which gave details about their relationship.

The boys' parents had no idea that the 2 were going to meet in Pampanga.

“Ang paalam niya SM Baliwag lang e. Taga-Baliwag kami e. Hindi ko kilala [‘yung kasama niya]. Ang kaibigan ng anak ko, mga kaklase niya sa grade school at high school,” said the mother of the 16-year-old.
The parents of the 13-year-old, meanwhile, thought their son was at school.

SM said a suicide note found in the bag of the 13-year-old "revealed that the incident was a crime of passion and of a personal nature."

"SM has also exerted all efforts to help the two victims and both their families are now in the hospital," the company said.

SM deplores incident

SM management immediately deployed additional security personnel to assist authorities in the investigation.

A portion of SM Pampanga where the shooting happened was quickly closed off to the public and media.

Mall workers in that section were also ordered to vacate the area while investigations continue.

"The SM management deplores the unfortunate incident that happened today at SM City Pampanga and is fully cooperating with the authorities in this regard," the company said in a statement.

"We apologize for whatever inconvenience or anxiety we may have caused our customers and wish to let them know that the situation in the mall is back to normal."

SM said that while security at its mall was "constantly vigilant," the gun used was very small and difficult to detect.

3rd shooting in a year

It was the third shooting incident in an SM Mall this year.

Last September 14, Shella Macapugay shot and killed her husband, Abel, who worked as a sales clerk at the Homeworld store in SM North Edsa after he allegedly left her for another woman.

A security guard who tried to stop Macapugay from committing suicide was also killed.

Last July 29, a security guard was killed in a shootout with Games and Amusement Board employee inside the restroom of SM Delgado Mall in Iloilo City.

Related Post

Shocking Gay Love

Pumped Up Hearts Listen

2011-09-21T02:18:00.001+08:00

Pumped Up Kick - Foster The People

Robert's got a quick hand
He looked around the room but won't tell you his plan
He's got a rolled cigarette hanging out his mouth
He's a cowboy kid, yeah

Found a six-shooter gun
In his dad's closet with a box of fun things
I don't even know what
But he's coming for you, yeah, he's coming for you, hey

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, faster than my bullet

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, faster than my bullet

Daddy works a long day
He be coming home late, he's coming home late
And he's bringing me a surprise
'Cause dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice

I've waited for a long time
Yeah, the slight of my hand is now a quick pull trigger
I reason with my cigarette
And say your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, faster than my bullet

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, faster than my bullet

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, faster than my bullet

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, faster than my bullet

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run, faster than my bullet

Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri

I know I can't take one more step towards you
'Cause all that's waiting is regret
And don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most

I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are

I hear you're asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms

I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are

And it took so long just to feel alright
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
'Cause you broke all your promises
And now you're back
You don't get to get me back

And who do you think you are
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

And who do you think you are
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

Who do you think you are
Who do you think you are
Who do you think you are

Shocking Gay Love

2011-09-20T18:42:00.003+08:00

13-year-old boy shoots alleged lover, then self

A ReTWIST from Inquirer.net

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—A 13-year-old boy shot himself in the head after shooting his male friend in front of a restaurant at the SM City Pampanga here on Tuesday, police said.

The boy, who was armed with a .22 cal. handgun, and his friend, who police said is in his 20s, were taken to the San Fernandino Hospital here but doctors have yet to provide updates on their conditions at 2 p.m.

The incident came barely a week after a woman shot and killed her estranged husband and a guard inside another branch of SM in North Edsa in Quezon City in what authorities said was a crime of passion.

In Pampanga, police said the two could have been in a homosexual relationship.

Mexico police chief Superintendent Wilson Santos said that a suicide note was found in the boy’s pocket.

“Willing na mamatay (to die) together with (the name of his friend),” the boy purportedly wrote in his suicide note.

Santos said the incident happened around 11:45 a.m. as the two walked out of the Congo Grill in the Mexico, Pampanga side of the mall.

Santos, quoting witnesses, said the two were seen seated in front of the restaurant minutes before the shooting happened.

No shopper was hurt in the incident, he said.

Santos said police are questioning security personnel of the mall to establish how the boy was able to bring in a gun despite security checks.

This was the second shooting incident inside an SM mall in a week.

Last Wednesday, Shiela Macapugay shot and killed her husband, Abel, who worked as a promo merchandiser in an appliance store in SM North Edsa after he left her and their five-year-old daughter for another woman.

Mall security guard Ricardo Inamac III was also killed when he allegedly tried to stop the woman from committing suicide.

The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards

2011-09-19T21:08:00.001+08:00

Jane Lynch called it "The Modern Family Awards." Jim Parsons won. And, oh, Charlie Sheen presented his award! No kidding.

Outstanding comedy series: Modern Family
Outstanding drama series: Mad Men
Outstanding miniseries or movie: Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actress, miniseries or movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or movie: Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
Outstanding directing for a miniseries, movie or dramatic special: Brian Percival, Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie: Barry Pepper, The Kennedys
Outstanding supporting actress, miniseries or movie: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Outstanding writing for a miniseries or movie: Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actor, drama: Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Outstanding lead actress, drama: Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Outstanding supporting actor, drama: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Outstanding directing, drama: Martin Scorsese, Boardwalk Empire
Outstanding supporting actress, drama: Margo Martindale, Justified
Outstanding writing, drama series: Jason Katims, Friday Night Lights
Outstanding variety, music or comedy series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Outstanding directing for a variety, music or comedy series: Don Roy King, Saturday Night Live (host: Justin Timberlake)
Outstanding writing for a variety, music or comedy series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Outstanding reality competition: The Amazing Race
Outstanding lead actress, comedy: Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly)
Outstanding lead actor, comedy series: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Outstanding writing for a comedy: Steve Levitan, Jeffrey Richman (“Caught in the Act”), Modern Family
Outstanding director, comedy: Michael Alan Spiller (“Halloween”), Modern Family
Outstanding supporting actor, comedy: Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
Outstanding supporting actress, comedy: Julie Bowen (Modern Family)

THIS JUST IN: PAULO RETWEETED ME!

2011-09-16T22:35:00.000+08:00

Click here.

Related Post:

Cosmopolitan Philippines Bachelor Bash 2011

2011-09-16T21:17:00.002+08:00

It was wet. It was naughty-cal. It went absolutely Beyond Hot!

Posted September 16, 2011 9:17 p.m. | Updated September 17, 2011 8:22 p.m.

Despite the absence of the Younghusband brothers due to their mother's death, Cosmopolitan Philippines once again succeeded in gathering the hottest men in the metro at the annual Bachelor Bash held last night, September 15, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Among the crowd favorites were Jake Cuenca, Anton del Rosario, Aljur Abrenica, Rocco Nacino, Enrique Gil, Kean Cipriano, Rafael Rosell, and the Brapanese gems—Fabio Ide, Daniel Matsunaga and Hideo Muraoka. But the “gem” I was really looking forward to plunge with at the nautical-themed showcase of virile hotness was no less than Paulo Avelino, who was smokin’ hot while taking over the wet Cosmo stage! How I wish that pair of scissors was me!

Photo Courtesy Cosmo.ph

Paulo's tweet before the Bash

Paulo's tweet after the Bash

Two Words: The Bash!

Kris Lawrence

The San Mig Boys

Antonov

Lacoste

Lick

Skin White

Brent Javier for Guess

Jake Cuenca

Azkals, Kean Cipriano, et al.

Rafael Rosell

Rocco Nacino

Fear Factor Boys

Mark Herras, Aljur Abrenica

The Brazilian Gods

Finding Paulo

The 2011 Centerfolds

Disclaimer The bad language and the distinct not-so-manly cheer in the audio of the video above did not come from me. =)

On TWIST

Cosmopolitan Philippines Bachelor Bash 2010

Angola wins first Miss Universe crown

2011-09-13T10:58:00.001+08:00

MissPhilippinesis 3rd runner-up

Beating out 88 other competitors, Angola’s Leila Lopes was crowned the mostbeautiful woman in the universe during the sixtieth Miss Universe competitionheld in São Paolo, Brazil (Tuesday morning in the Philippines).

The 25-year-old Lopes, who considers herself “a womanendowed with inner beauty,” made history as she won Angola’s first Miss Universe title.

Philippines’ Shamcey Supsup was the thirdrunner-up while Miss Ukraine Olesya Stefanko placed first runner-up. The secondrunner-up was Brazil’sPriscila Machado while China'sLuo Zilin was the fourth runner-up.

The final question for Miss Angola during the interview roundcame from Lea Salonga.

Last year, Miss Philippines-Universe 2010 Maria Venus Raj createda major impact on the country’s Miss Universe record as she was named MissUniverse 2010 fourth runner-up.

The Interview Round

MISS UKRAINE

AmeliaVega: If you could trade lives with anyone in history, who would it be and why?

Miss Ukraine: Isimply live my life and I’m very satisfied with it. But if I did have thechance to trade positions with someone I think I would choose Cleopatra. Ithink she is a very powerful and strong woman who is very much worthy ofrespect. And I think a woman could also be a leader like Cleopatra.

MISS PHILIPPINES

Vivica A.Fox: Would you change your religious beliefs to marry the person you love? Whyand why not?

Miss Philippines: IfI had to change my religious beliefs, I will not marry the person that I lovebecause the first person that I love is God, who created me. And I have myfaith, my principles, and this is what makes me who I am. And if that personloves me, he should love my God, too.

MISS CHINA

IsabeliFontana: Nude beaches are common in some parts of the world. Is public nudityappropriate or inappropriate; and why?

Miss China: Everycountry has its rules and regulations and every country has own habits as well.We should respect them and be more understanding.

MISS BRAZIL

HelioCastroneves: What would you do to avoid fighting a war that you did not agreewith?

Miss Brazil: Firstof all I would explain to people that the premiere quality of human beings isrespect. And no war is based on respect. It’s always based on misunderstanding;it’s always based on a lack of education. So I would tell this person that theyshould respect each other as human beings.

MISS ANGOLA

LeaSalonga: If you could change one of your physical characteristics, which onewould it be and why?

Miss Angola: ThankGod, I’m very well satisfied with the way that God created me, and I wouldn’tchange a thing. I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty; I have myprinciples; I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I planto follow these through the rest of my life; and now I would like to give allof you a piece of advice: Respect one another.

It wasonly Miss Philippineswho had no interpreter during the final round of the competition.

Paulo Avelino: A Reason to Swoon

2011-09-06T18:40:00.002+08:00

Nine days until the Cosmopolitan Bachelor Bash 2011—which will be held on September 15, 2011, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Si Paulo lang ang gusto kong makita!

New Angel Locsin Modess TVC

2011-09-04T19:25:00.000+08:00

One word: PERFECT!

PNoy's love life gone from 'regular' to 'zero'

2011-09-01T17:02:00.000+08:00

“May nagtanong ho kasi sa akin, eh. Sabi n'ya, ‘Kumusta love life mo?’ Kaya ang sabi ko po sa kanya, ‘A, parang Coca-Cola.’ So sabi ngayon ng tao, ‘Hindi ko yata maintindihan.’ Kako, ‘Coca-Cola, nung araw regular, naging light, ngayon zero.'"

2011 MTV VMA

2011-08-29T11:58:00.008+08:00

I hate the lull! But Gaga was so there; and Beyoncé made a big announcement . . . so there you go . . .

Here are the winners:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR:

~~1. Adele - "Rolling in the Deep"~~
~~2. Tyler, The Creator - "Yonkers"~~
3. Katy Perry - "Firework"
~~4. Beastie Boys - "Make Some Noise"~~
~~5. Bruno Mars - "Grenade"~~

BEST NEW ARTIST:
~~1. Foster the People - "Pumped Up Kicks"~~
~~2. Wiz Khalifa - "Black and Yellow"~~
3. Tyler, The Creator - "Yonkers"
~~4. Big Sean featuring Chris Brown - "My Last"~~
~~5. Kreayshawn - "Gucci Gucci"~~

BEST HIP-HOP VIDEO:
~~1. Wayne featuring Cory Gunz - "6'7"~~
~~2. Kanye West featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi - "All Of The Lights"~~
~~3. Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes - "Look at Me Now"~~
~~4. Lupe Fiasco - "The Show Goes On"~~
5. Nicki Minaj - "Super Bass"

BEST MALE VIDEO:
~~1. Cee Lo Green - "F*** You"~~
~~2. Eminem featuring Rihanna - "Love The Way You Lie"~~
~~3. Bruno Mars - "Grenade"~~
~~4. Kanye West Featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi - "All Of The Lights"~~
5. Justin Bieber - "U Smile"

BEST FEMALE VIDEO:
~~1. Adele - "Rolling In The Deep"~~
~~2. Katy Perry - "Firework"~~
~~3. Beyoncé - "Run The World (Girls)"~~
~~4. Nicki Minaj - "Super Bass"~~
5. Lady Gaga - "Born This Way"

BEST POP VIDEO:
~~1. Adele - "Rolling In The Deep"~~
~~2. Bruno Mars - "Grenade"~~
3. Britney Spears - "Till The World Ends"
~~4. Katy Perry - "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"~~
~~5. Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Nayer & Afrojack - "Give Me Everything"~~

BEST ROCK VIDEO:
~~1. The Black Keys - "Howlin For You"~~
2. Foo Fighters - "Walk"
~~3. Foster the People - "Pumped Up Kicks"~~
~~4. Mumford & Sons - "The Cave"~~
~~5. Cage The Elephant - "Shake Me Down"~~

BEST COLLABORATION:
~~1. Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Nayer & Afrojack - "Give Me Everything"~~
~~2. Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes - "Look At Me Now"~~
~~3. Kanye West Featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi - "All Of The Lights"~~

4. Katy Perry Featuring Kanye West - "E.T."

~~5. Nicki Minaj featuring Drake - "Moment 4 Life"~~

BEST VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE:

~~1. Eminem feat. Rihanna, "Love the Way You Lie"~~

~~2. Katy Perry, "Firework"~~

3. Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"

~~4. Pink, "F*ckin' Perfect"~~

~~5. Rise Against, "Make It Stop"~~

~~6. Taylor Swift, "Mean"~~

BEST ART DIRECTION:
1. Adele - "Rolling In The Deep"
~~2. Katy Perry featuring Kanye West - "E.T."~~
~~3. Lady Gaga - "Judas"~~
~~4. Kanye West featuring Dwele - "Power"~~
~~5. Death Cab For Cutie - "You Are A Tourist"~~

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY:
1. Beyoncé - "Run The World (Girls)"
~~2. Britney Spears - "Till The World Ends"~~
~~3. Lady Gaga - "Judas"~~
~~4. Bruno Mars - "The Lazy Song"~~
~~5. LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & Goon - "Rock Party Rock Anthem"~~

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
1. Adele - "Rolling In The Deep"
~~2. 30 Seconds To Mars - "Hurricane"~~
~~3. Eminem featuring Rihanna - "Love The Way You Lie"~~
~~4. Katy Perry - "Teenage Dream"~~
~~5. Beyoncé - "Run The World (Girls)"~~

BEST DIRECTION:
1. Adele - "Rolling In The Deep"
~~2. Katy Perry featuring Kanye West - "E.T."~~
~~3. Eminem featuring Rihanna - "Love The Way You Lie"~~
~~4. 30 Seconds To Mars - "Hurricane"~~
~~5. Beastie Boys - "Make Some Noise"~~

BEST EDITING:
~~1. Katy Perry featuring Kanye West - "E.T."~~
~~2. 30 Seconds To Mars - "Hurricane"~~
3. Adele - "Rolling In The Deep"
~~4. Manchester Orchestra - "Simple Math"~~
~~5. Kanye West Featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi - "All Of The Lights"~~

BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS:
1. Katy Perry featuring Kanye West - "E.T."
~~2. Linkin Park - "Waiting For The End"~~
~~3. Manchester Orchestra - "Simple Math"~~
~~4. Kanye West featuring Dwele - "Power"~~
~~5. Chromeo - "Don't Turn The Lights On"~~

Irony Personified

2011-08-28T22:00:00.008+08:00

“I do, in fact, smell worse than a malansang isda. My own language is foreign to me.”

JAMES SORIANO’S Language, learning, identity, privilege article published by the Manila Bulletin August 24 did not only draw flak but also formed a lot of questions in the mind of his fellow Filipinos:

1. Why slam the Philippine national language amid the celebration of the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa?

2. Should we only denounce Soriano for writing his self-serving essay or should we also put some blame on the Manila Bulletin for publishing it?

3. Does his piece make him “less” Pinoy; and us “more” Pinoy?

And Number Four, who the hell is James Soriano?

TO ANSWER the fourth question, Soriano is a third year BS Management student of the Ateneo de Manila University who obviously writes for the Manila Bulletin.

I did not know he existed until his name got a precious spot in the list of Twitter’s worldwide trending topics August 27.

Among those four questions, I suppose the first one is the heaviest for it forms another set of questions: Did Soriano simply practice a timely and honest self-expression? Or was he just another attention seeker who would rather write a despicable commentary than climb up an Edsa billboard the jilted man way?

WHY INDEED would a Filipino slam his national language amid the celebration of the National Language Month? This is an apparent irony. In fact this is as ironic as Willie Revillame giving out Biogesic for Kids gift packs to the “lolas” in the audience. This is as ironic as a dancing Kris Bernal. This is as ironic as a boring party called “Party Pilipinas.” This is as ironic as former vice president Noli de Castro delivering your evening news on former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s poll manipulation!

WE CANNOT BLAME SORIANO for having been raised with an English tongue. I actually envy that tongue! But of course we can censure him for insensitively dragging the “tinderas,” the “katulongs,” the dishwashers, the drivers and the people on the street in an attempt to disgust the Filipino language, which, for him, is “not the language of the learned.”

I PERSONALLY DO NOT WANT to see this situation from the perspective of a “Pilipinong maka-Pilipinas.” Question Number Three: Does Soriano’s piece make him “less” Pinoy; and us “more” Pinoy? Of course not!

Just because you hate him for ironically being an I-want-to-speak-in-English-forever Filipino does not mean you are a loyal ‘Pinas-loving citizen! Because you are more than willing to delete Sarah Geronimo’s songs from your playlist just to designate enough space for Lady Gaga! Because you would not mind dancing the Super Junior way and place Gary Valenciano’s dance steps inside you’re The Forgotten box. Because the last movie you watched was Final Destination 5. Because the Teen Wolf gets you hooked; and because ABS-CBN’s Imortal has just been a pinaghaluhalong vampire concepts from the West! Because Maria la del Barrio is a remake of a successful Mexican soap opera that made your mom wish for her own Luis Fernando during her younger years. Because some Chinese manufacturers continue to imitate American products for the Divisoria-goers. Because you would still use Colgate despite Angel Locsin’s endorsement of a Pinoy-produced toothpaste brand. Because the owner of the maker of the Pinoy-made toothpaste brand that Angel Locsin endorses is not 100-percent Pinoy.

See? We can’t really fault Soriano for his choice. He is just another irony personified.

If Soriano wishes to use the English language for the rest of his life, who are we to hold him back? After all, language is not the mere basis of “pagiging tunay na Pilipino.” Right, Janela Lelis?

James Soriano is a Filipino--Whether He Likes It or Yes!

2011-08-27T01:52:00.002+08:00

To those who can no longer access James Soriano's controversial Language, learning, identity, privilege article in the Manila Bulletin website, click HERE.

Or simply read this:

Language, learning, identity, privilege

JAMES SORIANO

August 24, 2011, 4:06am

MANILA, Philippines — English is the language of learning. I’ve known this since before I could go to school. As a toddler, my first study materials were a set of flash cards that my mother used to teach me the English alphabet.

My mother made home conducive to learning English: all my storybooks and coloring books were in English, and so were the cartoons I watched and the music I listened to. She required me to speak English at home. She even hired tutors to help me learn to read and write in English.

In school I learned to think in English. We used English to learn about numbers, equations and variables. With it we learned about observation and inference, the moon and the stars, monsoons and photosynthesis. With it we learned about shapes and colors, about meter and rhythm. I learned about God in English, and I prayed to Him in English.

Filipino, on the other hand, was always the ‘other’ subject — almost a special subject like PE or Home Economics, except that it was graded the same way as Science, Math, Religion, and English. My classmates and I used to complain about Filipino all the time. Filipino was a chore, like washing the dishes; it was not the language of learning. It was the language we used to speak to the people who washed our dishes.

We used to think learning Filipino was important because it was practical: Filipino was the language of the world outside the classroom. It was the language of the streets: it was how you spoke to the tindera when you went to the tindahan, what you used to tell your katulong that you had an utos, and how you texted manong when you needed “sundo na.”

These skills were required to survive in the outside world, because we are forced to relate with the tinderas and the manongs and the katulongs of this world. If we wanted to communicate to these people — or otherwise avoid being mugged on the jeepney — we needed to learn Filipino.

That being said though, I was proud of my proficiency with the language. Filipino was the language I used to speak with my cousins and uncles and grandparents in the province, so I never had much trouble reciting.

It was the reading and writing that was tedious and difficult. I spoke Filipino, but only when I was in a different world like the streets or the province; it did not come naturally to me. English was more natural; I read, wrote and thought in English. And so, in much of the same way that I learned German later on, I learned Filipino in terms of English. In this way I survived Filipino in high school, albeit with too many sentences that had the preposition ‘ay.’

It was really only in university that I began to grasp Filipino in terms of language and not just dialect. Filipino was not merely a peculiar variety of language, derived and continuously borrowing from the English and Spanish alphabets; it was its own system, with its own grammar, semantics, sounds, even symbols.

But more significantly, it was its own way of reading, writing, and thinking. There are ideas and concepts unique to Filipino that can never be translated into another. Try translating bayanihan, tagay, kilig or diskarte.

Only recently have I begun to grasp Filipino as the language of identity: the language of emotion, experience, and even of learning. And with this comes the realization that I do, in fact, smell worse than a malansang isda. My own language is foreign to me: I speak, think, read and write primarily in English. To borrow the terminology of Fr. Bulatao, I am a split-level Filipino.

But perhaps this is not so bad in a society of rotten beef and stinking fish. For while Filipino may be the language of identity, it is the language of the streets. It might have the capacity to be the language of learning, but it is not the language of the learned.

It is neither the language of the classroom and the laboratory, nor the language of the boardroom, the court room, or the operating room. It is not the language of privilege. I may be disconnected from my being Filipino, but with a tongue of privilege I will always have my connections.

So I have my education to thank for making English my mother language.

@LadyGaga - Yoü and I

2011-08-21T19:03:00.002+08:00

"There's only three men that I'ma serve my whole life:

It's my daddy and Nebraska and Jesus Christ."

Move over, Johnny Depp! I'm afraid to say that @LadyGaga's male alter ego is hotter than you!

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank

2011-08-20T23:56:00.001+08:00

EIGHT/10 for Kean Cipriano; 9/10 for JM de Guzman; 10/10 for Eugene Domingo; 3/10 for--again--telling the poor that they are poor, that they are hopeless, and that the slum sucks; 7/10 for Mercedes Cabral; and 4/10 for not necessitating some sex scenes.

6.83. Not bad.

@SparksNicholas tweets in Filipino, set to visit PHL

2011-08-16T22:41:00.001+08:00

"Aside from a bit of Tagalog, my Asian language skills are non-existent. And I'm poor at Arabic (not even good) ... but I like the language. -->

Aking tiyahin ay mula sa Maynila.Siya itinuro sa akin. -->

I tried to say that my aunt is from Manila ... she used to talk to me and taught me to say some stuff. -->

My aunt ... she didn't set out to teach me. I just listened to her talk to her mom and her sisters ... -->

I know I get lots of stuff wrong ... and please, if I see you in Manila, talk slow so I can understand you ... I'm no expert ... -->

I don't know where my events are, but I'll be in the Philippines on Oct. 27-28th ... and yes, I'll be signing ... -->"

@SparksNicholas' Perfect 2011 Gift

2011-08-16T09:52:00.003+08:00

I'm turning 22 this October 24 and I would really appreciate it if someone wraps this new offering from Nicholas Sparks--which is coming out October 11, 2011--for me as a perfect present. No need to put a loop ribbon around it!

Book description from nicholassparks.com:

"THE BEST OF ME is the heart-rending story of two small-town former high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks. Now middle-aged, they've taken wildly divergent paths, but neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever altered their world. When they are both called back to their hometown for the funeral of the mentor who once gave them shelter, they will be forced to confront the choices each has made, and ask whether love can truly rewrite the past."

@ELiveOfficial Goes One-on-One With @OhohMario

2011-08-06T20:48:00.002+08:00

The hashtag #ELive has landed on the list of Twitter’s top trending topics in the Philippines and I’d like to believe it’s because of Entertainment Live’s exclusive interview with my Mario Maurer!

In the said interview, Mario talks about his Filipino fans and taking a vacation in our country. "I know that [the] Philippines is very nice and the people there are very nice, too, so I want to go there . . . to meet my fans."

E-Live also reveals that Mario’s movie project with the Star Cinema is underway, and the Thai actor finds it “great.” Early reports have it that Mario will be doing a movie with our very own Erich Gonzales.

Furthermore Mario also talks about communicating with his fans across Asia through Twitter. "[It's] very important for me to interact with my fans because I have friends in the Philippines and Korea and China. So I think I want to get close to them. I want to get to know them, talk to them, tell them what I do every day." Pero ba’t ako ‘di n’ya niri-replyan?!

The heartthrob is set to visit Manila this coming October for his Penshoppe endorsement. "...I have to go to the Philippines to meet my fans because I have . . . to go for Penshoppe."

Mario ends the interview with a “Mahal ko kayo” message for his Filipino fans.

We love you more, Mario!

Sona 2011: The Highlights

2011-07-25T23:12:00.001+08:00

Tulad ng inaasahan, sumentro ang pangalawang State of the Nation Address (Sona) ni pangulong Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III sa pagtalakay ng mga proyektong ipinangako, natapos at isinasakatuparan na ng kanyang administrasyon. Ilan dito ang paglikha ng 1,400,000 trabaho, at ang pag-aahon ng mahigit isandaang libong pamilya mula sa kahirapan kada buwan.

Isa rin sa mga mahahalagang bagay na kanyang nabanggit ay ang paglilinis ng gobyerno at pag-alis sa mga “utak wang-wang”. “Paniwala natin dati, imposibleng maitama ng [Department of Public Works and Highways] ang sistema nila. Hindi lang po ito posible. Sa unang taon pa lamang, ginagawa na natin ito.”

2012 budget

Sa kanyang pangalawang Sona rin sinabi ni PNoy na kanya nang ihahain sa lehislatura bukas, ika-26 ng Hunyo, ang national budget para sa susunod na taon.

West Philippine Sea

Sa usapin ng pagmamay-ari ng ilang bahagi ng Spratlys, nangako ang pangulo na “ang sa Pilipinas ay sa Pilipinas."

“Pinag-aaralan na rin po natin ang pag-angat ng kaso sa West Philippine Sea sa International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea upang masigurong sa mga susunod na pagkakataon ay hinahon at pagtitimpi ang maghahari tuwing may alitan sa teritoryo.”

Lehislatura

Ipinaabot ni PNoy ang kanyang pasasalamat sa Kongreso para sa pagpasa ng ilang mga batas. “Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa Kongreso sa pagpapasa ng mga batas ukol sa GOCC Governance, ARMM Synchronization, Lifeline Electricity Rates Extension, Joint Congressional Power Commission Extension, Children and Infants’ Mandatory Immunization, at Women Night Workers.”

Administrasyong Arroyo

Ilang beses nang binatikos ang pamahalaang Aquino dahil sa walang humpay nitong pagpapasaring sa nakaraang administrasyon. Paniwala ng ilan, hindi umuusad ang ekonomiya ng bansa dahil sa pagtuon ng gobyerno ng napakalaking atensyon sa paglilinis ng mga kalat na iniwan ng nakaraan administrasyon. Tila may sagot naman dito si PNoy.

“May mga nagsasabing pinepersonal ko raw ho ang paghahabol sa mga tiwali. Totoo po: Personal talaga sa akin ang paggawa ng tama . . . Ang pagpapanagot sa mga gumagawa ng mali sino man sila. At hindi lamang dapat ako namemersonal sa usaping ito. Personal dapat ito sa ating lahat, dahil bawat Pilipino ay biktima nito.

Ang mali, gaano katagal man ito nanatili, ay mali pa rin. Hindi pwedeng ‘oks lang,’ hindi pwedeng ‘wala lang iyan.’ Kapag kinalimutan natin ang mga ito, mangyayari lang ulit ang mga kamalian ng nakaraan. Kung hindi magbabayad ang mga nagkasala, parang tayo na rin mismo ang nag-imbita sa mga nagbabalak gumawa ng masama na ‘kung pwede, ulitin n’yo ang ginawa n’yo.’”

Pagcor

Masasabi kong nakamit ni PNoy ang pinakamalakas na palakpakan nang kanyang isiniwalat ang katiwaliang nalaman ng kanyang administrasyon patungkol sa bilyun-bilyong pisong nagastos ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation sa ilalim ng administrasyong Arroyo para lamang sa kape!

“Isang bilyong piso po ang ginastos ng dating pamunuan ng ahensya para sa kape. Sa isandaang piso na lang po kada tasa, lalabas na nakakonsumo sila ng sampung milyong tasa ng kape. Baka po kahit ngayong iba na ang pamunuan ng Pagcor . . . baka po dilat na dilat pa rin ang mata ng mga uminom ng kapeng ito.”

Conchita Carpio-Morales

Tuluyan nang tinuldukan ni PNoy ang mga haka-haka, at pormal nang inanunsyo si dating Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales bilang bagong Ombudsman. “Pagpasok ng bagong Ombudsman na si dating Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, magkakaroon tayo ng tanod-bayan na hindi magiging tanod-bayad ng mga nagwawang-wang sa pamahalaan.”

Simbahan

Nagkaroon ng lamat ang relasyon ni PNoy sa Simbahang Katolika dahil sa kanyang tahasang pagsang-ayon sa reproductive health bill. Ngunit sa kanyang Sona kanina, inihayag ng pangulo ang kanyang pasasalamat sa mga pari at Obispo, at nanindigan para sa matibay na ugnayan ng estado at ng simbahan.

“Salamat po sa mga pari at obispo na masinsinang nakikipagdiyalogo sa atin, katulad nina Cardinal Rosales at Vidal. ‘Di naman po kami ganoong kalapit ni Cardinal Rosales, pero [naniniwala] akong ibinuhos n’ya ang lahat para mabawasan ang hindi pinagkakaunawaan ng gobyerno at simbahan.”

“Salamat po”

Bilang pagtatapos, hinikayat ng pangulong ang mga Pilipino na itigil na ang pagiging “utak-alimango,” at magpasalamat sa tuwing may nakikitang kabutihan.

“Kaya po, sa sambayanang Pilipino, ang aking Boss, na nagtimon sa atin tungo sa araw na ito: maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagbabagong tinatamasa natin ngayon.

Buhay na buhay na ang Pilipinas at ang Pilipino. Magandang hapon po.”

Updated Sona 2011 Transcript

2011-07-25T22:56:00.000+08:00

Magandang hapon po. Maupo ho tayong lahat.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Bise Presidente Jejomar Binay; mga dating Pangulong Fidel Valdez Ramos at Joseph Ejercito Estrada; Chief Justice Renato Corona at ang ating mga kagalang-galang na mahistrado ng Korte Suprema; mga kagalang-galang na kasapi ng diplomatic corps; miyembro ng Kamara de Representante at ng Senado; mga Local Government officials; mga miyembro ng ating Gabinete; mga unipormadong kasapi ng militar at kapulisan; mga kapwa ko nagseserbisyo sa taumbayan; at sa mga minamahal kong kababayan, ang aking butihing mga boss:

Humarap po ako sa inyo noong aking inagurasyon at sinabing “Walang wang-wang sa ating administrasyon.” At ngayon, patuloy nating itinitigil ito. Naging hudyat at sagisag po ito ng pagbabago, hindi lamang sa kalsada, kundi pati na rin sa kaisipan sa lipunan.

Sa matagal na panahon, naging simbolo ng pang-aabuso ang wang-wang. Dati, kung makapag-counterflow ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan, para bang oras lang nila ang mahalaga. Imbes na maglingkod-bayan, para bang sila ang naging hari ng bayan. Kung maka-asta ang kanilang mga padrino’t alipores, akala mo’y kung sinong maharlika kung humawi ng kalsada. Walang pakialam sa mga napipilitang tumabi at napag-iiwanan. Ang mga dapat naglilingkod ang siya pang nang-aapi. Ang panlalamang matapos mangakong maglingkod—iyan po ang “utak wang-wang.”

Wala silang karapatang gawin ito. Ayon sa batas, tanging ang Presidente, Bise Presidente, Senate President, House Speaker, Chief Justice, pulis, bumbero, at ambulansya lang ang otorisadong gumamit ng wangwang para sa kanilang mga opisyal na lakad. Kung sa trapiko nga ay ’di masunod ang batas, paano pa kaya sa mga bagay na mas malaki ang makukuha, tulad ng sa mga proyektong pinopondohan ng kaban ng bayan?

Kayo po ba gusto ninyong makulong ang lahat ng tiwali? Ako rin po. Gusto ba ninyong matanggal ang wang-wang, hindi lamang sa kalsada, kundi sa kaisipang nagdulot ng baluktot na sistema na pagkatagal-tagal na nating pinagtiisan? Ako rin. Gusto po ba ninyong mabigyan ng patas na pagkakataon ang lahat na umasenso? Siyempre, ako rin po.

Narito po ang halimbawa ng resulta ng ating kampanya kontra wang-wang sa sistema. Nitong taong ito, taumbayan na mismo ang nagsabing nabawasan ang nagugutom sa kanila. Mula 20.5 percent na self-rated hunger noong Marso, bumaba na ito sa 15.1 percent nitong Hunyo, katumbas ng isang milyong pamilyang Pilipinong nagugutom dati, pero ngayon ay nakakakain na nang tama kada araw.

Sa larangan po ng negosyo, sino ba ang nag-akalang pitong ulit nating malalampasan ang all-time-high ng stock market? Ang dating 4,000 index na inaakalang hindi maaabot, o kung maabot man ay pansamantala lang, ngayon, pangkaraniwan nang hinihigitan.

Kung dati napako na ang bansa sa mababang credit ratings, itinaas ng Moody’s, Standard and Poors, Fitch, at Japan Credit Ratings Agency ang ating ranking, bilang pagkilala sa ating tamang paggugol ng pondo at sa malikhain nating pananalapi. Ang mataas na credit rating, magpapababa ng interes sa perang inuutang natin. Kumpara sa unang apat na buwan ng nakaraang taon, mas malaki po ng 23 billion pesos ang natipid nating interest payments mula Enero hanggang Abril ng 2011. Maaari na po nitong sagutin ang dalawang milyon at tatlong-daan libong benepisyaryo ng CCT hanggang sa katapusan ng 2011.

Paalala ko lang po, sa siyam at kalahating taon bago tayo maitalaga sa puwesto, iisang beses lang tayong nakatikim ng ratings upgrade, at anim na beses pang na-downgrade ng iba’t ibang ratings agency. Sa isang taon pa lang po natin, apat na beses na tayong nabigyan ng upgrade. Alam naman po natin na hindi madaling ma-upgrade sa mga panahong ito. Itong mga ratings agency, nabatikos na mali raw ang payo bago magkakrisis sa Amerika, kaya ngayon ay mas makunat na sila sa pagbibigay ng magagandang ratings, at nakikita nga natin ito sa sunud-sunod na pag-downgrade sa ibang mga bansa. Pero tayo po, in-upgrade pa nila. Sang-ayon silang lahat: gumanda at lalo pang gaganda ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Isang hakbang na lang po, aabot na raw tayo sa investment grade, at wala pong tigil ang ating economic team upang tuluyan na tayong makaarangkada.

At may mabubuting balita pa pong parating. Dahil wala nang wang-wang sa DOE, muling nabuhay ang kumpiyansa ng mga namumuhunan sa ating energy sector. Patunay dito ang isandaan at apatnapung kumpanya na nakahandang tumaya sa eksplorasyon at pagpapalakas ng ating oil at natural gas resources. Sa huling energy contracting round noong 2006, tatlumpu’t lima lang po ang nakilahok. Nitong Biyernes lamang po, nilagdaan na ang panibagong kasunduan para sa isang bagong power plant sa Luzon grid upang pagdating ng 2014, may mas mura at mas maaasahang pagmumulan ng enerhiya ang bansa.

May kumpiyansa, may pag-asa, at tinutupad po natin ang ating mga pangako. Naalala ko nga po ang babaeng nakausap ko ho nang ako’y unang nagha-house-to-house campaign para sa akin pong sarili. Ang kaniyang hinaing: “Miski sino naman ang manalo, pare-pareho lang ang kahihinatnan. Mahirap ako nang sila ay nangampanya; mahirap ako habang nakaupo sila, at malamang mahirap pa rin ako ‘pag nagretiro na sila.” Sa madaling salita, ang hinaing po ng marami, “Walang pakialam ang mga pinuno namin kahapon, wala silang pakialam ngayon. Bukas, wala pa rin silang pakialam.”

‘Di po ba’t may katuwiran naman siya sa pagsasabi nito, dahil sa pagwawang-wang sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno? Wang-wang po ang pagbili ng helicopter sa presyong brand new, pero iyon pala ay gamit na gamit na. Wang-wang din ang milyun-milyong pabuya na tinanggap ng mga opisyal ng GOCC, tulad ng sa Philippine National Construction Corporation, gayong hindi naman sila nakapaghandog ng disenteng serbisyo, at ibinaon pa sa utang ang kanilang mga ahensya. Bago sila bumaba sa puwesto, dalawandaan, tatlumpu’t dalawang milyong piso po ang inomento ng dating pamunuan ng PNCC sa kanilang sarili. 2007 pa lang po, wala na silang prangkisa; lahat ng kikitain, dapat diretso na sa pambansang gobyerno. Hindi na nga nag-abot ng kita, sinamantala pa ang puwesto. Ang bonus nila mula 2005 hanggang 2009, dinoble pa nila sa unang anim na buwan ng 2010.

Ibinaon na nga po nila sa bilyun-bilyong pisong utang ang kanilang tanggapan, nasikmura pa nilang magbigay ng midnight bonus sa sarili.

Para po pigilan ang pagwa-wang-wang sa kaban ng bayan, sinuyod at sinuri natin ang mga programa. Dalawang magkasunod na taon na po tayong . . . nating ipinatutupad ang zero-based budgeting na nagsisilbing kalasag sa walang-saysay na paggastos.

Sa Laguna Lake po, magtatanggal nga, sabi nila, ng 12 milyong cubic meters sa pamamagitan ng dredging, pero pagkatapos ng tatlong taon, garantisado naman itong babalik. 18.7 billion pesos ang magiging utang natin para lang maglaro ng putik. Hindi pa bayad ang utang, nag-expire na ang pakinabang. Pinigilan po natin iyan.

Ang food-for-school program na bara-bara lang ang paghahanap ng benepisyaryo, at iba pang inisyatibang pinondohan ngunit walang pinatunguhan—binura na natin sa budget upang ang pera namang nalibre, ay mailaan sa mga proyektong totoong may silbi.

Ang budget po ang pinakamalinaw na pagsasabuhay ng ating tuwid na landas. Ang aking pahiwatig sa lahat ng gusto pang ilihis tayo rito: Kung mang-aagrabyado ka lang ng mahirap, huwag ka nang magtangka. Kung sarili mo lang ang papayamanin mo, huwag ka nang magtangka. Kung hindi iyan para sa Pilipino, huwag ka nang magtangka.

Sana masabi na natin na tapos na ang utak wang-wang, pero nakikita po natin ang latak ng ganitong kaisipan na pilit bumubulahaw sa aliwalas ng ating biyahe sa tuwid na landas.

Mukhang marami rin po kasi ang nagwawang-wang sa pribadong sektor. Ayon sa BIR, mayroon tayong halos 1.7 million na self-employed at professional tax payers gaya ng mga abogado, doktor at negosyante na nagbayad lamang sa suma total ng 9.8 billion pesos noong 2010. 5,783 pesos lang ang ibinayad na income tax ng bawat isa raw sa kanila on average ay ibig sabihin, kung totoo po ito, ang kabuuang kita nila ay umaabot lang ng 8,500 pesos kada buwan. Mababa pa sa minimum wage. Naman.

Nakikita naman po ninyong napupunta na sa tama ang buwis ninyo, kaya wala na pong dahilan upang iwasan natin ang pagbabayad. Nananawagan po ako sa inyo: Hindi lang po gobyerno, kundi kapwa natin Pilipino ang pinagkakaitan sa hindi pagbabayad ng tamang buwis.

Pinananagot at pananagutin po natin ang wang-wang saanmang sulok ng gobyerno. Ang masakit, hanggang sa mga araw pong ito, may sumusubok pa ring makalusot. Mayroon nga pong isang distrito sa Region 4B, may proyektong gagastusan ng 300 million pesos. Kaso hanggang 50 million pesos lang ang pwedeng aprubahan ng district engineer.

Kaya naisip nilang i-chop-chop ang proyekto para ‘di lumampas sa 50 million pesos ang halaga, at ‘di na umabot sa regional at central office ang kanilang mga papeles.

Kanya-kanyang diskarte, kanya-kanyang kaharian ang nadatnan nating situwasyon sa DPWH. Sinubukan nilang ipagpatuloy ang nakasanayan na nila. Kadalasan, dahil sa lump-sum na pagbibigay ng pondo, wala nang tanung-tanong kung ano ang plano at detalye ng proyekto. Miski yata, sabi ng iba, bahay ng gagamba ang ipatatayo, bibigyan ng pondo, basta may padrino.

Hindi ito pinalusot ni Secretary Babes Singson. Tinanggal na niya, tinanggal na niya sa puwesto ang district engineer. Pinigilan din po ang pag-award ng proyektong ito para busisiin kung ano pang magic ang nangyari. Masusi na ring iniimbestigahan lahat ng nagkuntsabahan. Ang mga kontratistang mapatunayang nakipagsabwatan para mag-tongpats sa mga proyekto, ibablack-list natin.

Tingnan nga po ninyo ang idinulot na perhuwisyo ng pagwa-wang-wang sa sistema. Tuloy ang pagdusa ng mamamayang dapat nakikinabang na sa proyekto ng bayan.

Hindi lang po ‘yan sa region 4B nadiskubre. Ngunit natigil na po ito dahil hindi na padrino kundi tamang proseso ang naghahari sa DPWH. Hindi na pwedeng walang work program; kailangang magpakita ng pinag-isipang plano para hindi magkasalungat ang pagsasagawa ng mga proyekto. Malinis at hayag na ang bidding, at pantay na ang pagkakataon sa pagpasok ng mga kontratista.

Sa sistemang pinaiiral ngayon sa DPWH, nakatipid na tayo ng dalawa’t kalahating bilyong piso, at umaasa tayo na aabot pa sa anim hanggang pitong bilyong piso ang matitipid sa taon na ito.

Ang pinakamahalaga po… Ang pinakamahalaga po, nakakaasa na tayo sa mga kalsadang matino, hindi ‘yong maambunan lang ay lulundo o mabibiyak agad.

Paniwala natin dati, imposibleng maitama ng DPWH ang sistema nila. Hindi lang po ito posible. Sa unang taon pa lamang, ginagawa na natin ito.

Kahit po sa mga bukirin, may mga nagwa-wang-wang din. Bago tayo maupo noong 2010, nag-angkat ang bansa ng 2.3 million metric tons ng bigas. 1.3 million metric tons lamang ang kailangan nating angkatin, ngunit pinasobrahan pa nila ito ng isang milyong tonelada. Dahil nga sobra-sobra ang inangkat, kinailangan pa nating gumastos muli sa mga bodegang pagtatambakan lang naman ng barko-barkong bigas.

Ilang taon bang walang saysay na pinasobrahan ang bigas na inaangkat? Dahil dito, [umiral] ang pag-iisip na habambuhay na tayong aangkat ng bigas. Ang akala ng marami, wala na talaga tayong magagawa.

Ngunit sa loob lamang ng isang taon, pinatunayan nating mali sila. Ngayon, ang dating 1.3 million metric tons na kakulangan natin sa bigas, halos nangalahati na; 660,000 metric tons na lang . . . metric tons na lang po ang kailangan nating angkatin.

Kahit dagdagan pa natin ‘yan ng panangga laban sa sakuna at gawing 860,000 metric tons na ginagawa na nga po natin, mas mababa pa rin ito sa tinatayang taunang kakulangan na 1.3 million metric tons.

At hindi po buwenas lang ang nangyaring pag-angat ng ating rice productivity. Bunga po ito ng matinong pamamalakad: nang paggamit ng maiinam na klase ng binhi, at masusi at epektibong paggastos para sa irigasyon. Nito nga pong nakaraang taon, labing-isang libo, animnaraan at labing-isang bagong ektarya ng bukirin ang napatubigan natin. Dagdag pa iyan sa halos dalawandaan at labindalawang libong ektarya na nakumpuni o nabigyang muli ng irigasyon matapos ang panahon ng pagkakatiwangwang. Ang resulta: umangat ng 15.6 percent ang ani nating palay noong nakaraang taon.

Ang gusto nating mangyari: Una, hindi tayo aangkat ng hindi kailangan, para lang punan ang bulsa ng mga gustong magsariling-diskarte ng kita sa agrikultura.

Ikalawa, ayaw na nating umasa sa pag-angkat; ang isasaing ni Juan dela Cruz, dito ipupunla, dito aanihin, dito bibilhin.

Balikan din po natin ang dinatnang kalagayan ng ating mga kawal at kapulisan. Labingtatlong libong piso po ang karaniwang suweldo ng isang PO1 sa Metro Manila. Apat na libong piso daw rito ang napupunta sa upa ng bahay. Tila tama nga po na isang-katlo ng kanilang sahod diretso na sa upa. Isang-katlo pa nito, para naman sa pagkain. At ang natitirang isang-katlo, para sa kuryente, tubig, pamasahe, pampaaral sa anak, gamot sakaling may magkasakit, at iba pa.

Maganda na nga po kung tumabla ang kita niya sa gastusin. Kapag naman kinapos, malamang sa five-six po sila lalapit. At kapag nagpatung-patong ang interes ng utang nila, makatanggi kaya sila sa tuksong dumelihensya?

Kaya ang ipinangako natin . . . solusyong dito, pabahay, pinangako natin nitong Pebrero; ngayong Hulyo ay tinutupad na. Nakapag-abot na po tayo ng apat na libong Certificate of Entitlement to Lot Allocation sa magigiting nating kawal at pulis. Bahagi pa lang po ito ng target nating kabuuang dalawampu’t isang libo at walong daang bahay sa pagtatapos ng taong ito.

Ang dating apat na libong ibinabayad para sa upa kada buwan, ngayon, dalawandaang piso na lang, para pa sa bahay na pagmamay-ari talaga nila.

Ang dating nalalagas na halaga na pambayad sa buwanang renta, maaari nang igugol para sa ibang gastusin.

Mayro’n pa raw pong mahigit isang libong bahay na natitira, kaya po sa mga pulis at sundalo nating ‘di pa nakakapagpasa ng kanilang mga papeles, last call na po para sa batch na ito. Pero huwag po kayong mag-alala, sa susunod na taon, lalawak pa ang ating pabahay, at hindi lang pulis at kawal sa Luzon ang makikinabang. Inihahanda na ng NHA ang lupang patatayuan sa Visayas at Mindanao, para sa susunod na taon. Makapagpapatayo . . . Makakapagpatayo na tayo ng mga bahay doon.

Sa ating mga kawani ng Bureau of Jail Management and Penology at Bureau of Fire Protection, may good news pa rin po ako sa inyo, kasama na po kayo rito.

Kung seguridad na rin lang po ang ating pag-uusapan, ’di ba’t karugtong din nito ang ating pambansang dangal? Dati, hindi man lang natin makuhang pumalag tuwing may sisindak sa atin sa loob mismo ng ating bakuran. Malinaw ang pahiwatig natin ngayon sa buong mundo: Ang sa Pilipinas ay sa Pilipinas. Kapag tumapak ka . . . kapag tumapak ka sa Recto Bank, para ka na ring tumapak sa Recto Avenue.

Tama nga po kaya ang kuwento tungkol sa isang stand-off noong araw? Tinapatan daw ang mga marino natin ng kanyon. Ang ginawa nila nung gabi, pumutol ng puno ng niyog, pininturahan ito ng itim, saka itinutok sa kalaban. Tapos na po ang panahong ‘yan. Parating na ang mga capability upgrade at modernization sa mga kagamitan ng ating Sandatahang Lakas. Literal na pong naglalakbay sa karagatan papunta rito ang kauna-unahan nating Hamilton Class Cutter, isang mas modernong barko . . . ‘sang mas modernong barko na magagamit natin para mabantayan ang ating mga baybayin. Maaari pa po tayong makakuha ng mga barkong tulad nito. Idadagdag ‘yan sa kukunin na nating mga helicopter, plural po ‘yon, patrol craft, at sandata na bultong bibilhin ng AFP, PNP, kasama na ang DOJ upang makakuha ng malalaking diskuwento. Lahat po ito, makakamtan sa matinong pamamahala; mabibili sa tamang presyo nang walang kailangang ipadulas kung kani-kanino.

Wala tayong balak mang-away, pero kailangan ding mabatid ng mundo na handa tayong ipagtanggol ang atin. Pinag-aaralan na rin po natin ang pag-angat ng kaso sa West Philippine Sea sa International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea . . . upang masigurong sa mga susunod na pagkakataon ay hinahon at pagtitimpi ang maghahari tuwing may alitan sa teritoryo.

Alam ko pong magbubunga ang pag-aarugang ipinapamalas natin sa mga lingkod-bayan na nakatutok sa ating seguridad. Mantakin po ninyo: sa unang anim na buwan ng 2010, umabot sa isanlibo at sampung kotse at motorsiklo ang nanakaw. Ikumpara po natin ‘yan sa apatnaraan at animnapung kotse at motorsiklong nanakaw mula Enero hanggang Hunyo ng taong ito.

Ang laki po ng naibawas, ‘di po ba? Malas ko lang po siguro na ‘yong isa o dalawang kaso ng carnapping ang naihe-headline, at hindi ang pagbawas sa mga insidente nito o ang mas mataas na porsyento ng mga nanakaw na kotse na naibalik na sa kanilang mga may-ari.

Isa pa pong halimbawa ng pagbabagong tinatamasa natin: Mayo ng taong dalawang libo at tatlo nang lagdaan ang Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act; pero dahil hindi sineryoso ng estado ang pagpapatupad nito, dalawampu’t siyam na indibiduwal lamang ang nahatulan sa loob ng pitong taon. Nalagpasan na po natin ‘yan, dahil umabot na sa tatlumpu’t isang human traffickers ang nahatulan sa ating administrasyon. Ito nga po siguro ang sinasabing “sea change” ni Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ng Amerika. Dahil dito, natanggal na tayo sa Tier 2 Watchlist ng Trafficking in Persons Report nila.

Kung hindi tayo . . . kung hindi tayo natanggal sa watchlist na ito, siguradong napurnada pa ang mga grant na maaari nating makuha mula sa Millenium Challenge Corporation at iba pa.

Dumako po tayo sa trabaho. Dagdag-trabaho ang unang panata natin sa Pilipino. Ang eight percent na unemployment rate noong Abril ng nakaraang taon, naibaba sa 7.2 percent nitong Abril ng 2011.

Tandaan po natin: moving target ang nasa hanay ng ating unemployed, dahil taun-taon ay may mga bagong graduate na naghahanap ng trabaho. Nito nga pong huling taon, nadagdag pa sa bilang nila ang libu-libong hawi boys, tagasabit ng banderitas, at iba pang mga Pilipinong kumuha ng pansamantalang kabuhayan mula sa eleksyon.

Ang resulta po natin: Isang milyon at apat na raang libong trabahong nalikha nitong nakaraang taong nagtatapos po ng Abril.

Dati, nakapako sa pangingibang-bansa ang ambisyon ng mga Pilipino. Ngayon, may pagpipilian na s’yang trabaho, at hangga’t tinatapatan s’ya ng sipag at determinasyon ang kanyang pangangarap, tiyak na maaabot niya ito.

Malaki pa po ang pwedeng madagdag sa trabahong nalilikha sa ating bansa. Ayon pa lang po sa website nating Philjobnet, may limampung libong trabahong hindi napupunan . . . napupunan kada buwan dahil hindi tugma ang kailangan ng mga kumpanya sa kakayahan at kaalaman ng mga naghahanap ng trabaho. Hindi po natin hahayaang masayang ang pagkakataong ito; ngayon pa lang, nagtatagpo na ang kaisipan ng Dole, Ched, Tesda, at DepEd upang tugunan ang isyu ng job mismatch.

Susuriin ang mga curriculum para maituon sa mga industriyang naghahanap ng empleyado at gagabayan ang mga estudyante sa pagpili ng mga kursong hitik sa bakanteng trabaho.

Ngunit aanhin naman po natin ang mga numerong naghuhudyat ng pag-asenso ng iilan, kung marami pa rin ang napag-iiwanan? Ang unang hakbang: tinukoy natin ang totoong nangangailangan; namuhunan tayo sa pinakamahalaga nating yaman: ang taumbayan.

Sa dalawang milyong pamilyang rehistrado sa ating Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, isang milyon at anim na raang libo na ang nakakatanggap ng benepisyo nito.

Sa pagpapakitang-gilas ni Secretary Dinky Soliman, tinatayang may mahigit isandaang libong pamilya . . . Ulitin ko po. Mahigit isandaang libong pamilya ang naiaahon natin mula sa kahirapan kada buwan. Kaya naman mataas ang ating kumpiyansa, makukumpleto ang 1.3 million na dagdag na pamilya, mula sa kabuuang 2.3 milyong target na benepisyaryo ng CCT bago matapos ang taong ito. At sa compliance rate nito na hindi bababa sa 92 percent, milyun-milyon na rin po ang inang regular na nagpapa-check-up sa mga health centers, ang mga sanggol na napabakunahan, at ang mga batang hindi hinahayaan sa labas ng paaralan.

Simula pa lang po ito, at sa ganitong kalinaw na mga resulta, umaasa ako sa suporta ng bawat Pilipino, lalo na po ng lehislatura, sa mungkahi nating salinan pa ng pondo ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Inaasam po natin na bago matapos ang 2012, tatlong milyong pamilya na ang mabibigyan ng puhunan para sa kanilang kinabukasan.

Binibigyan natin ang mga maralitang pamilyang ito ng pagkakataong makaahon sa buhay, dahil ang pag-asenso nila ay pag-angat rin ng buong bansa. Sino ang tatangkilik sa mga produkto at serbisyo ng mga negosyante kung isang kahig, isang tuka naman ang mamimili? Kapag may amang kumapit sa patalim para may kainin ang kanyang pamilya, at s’ya ay nagnakaw o nagholdap, sino ba ang pwedeng mabiktima ng krimen kundi tayo rin? Kung ang mga kababayan natin ay walang maayos na pagkain o tahanan, mahina ang kalusugan at may malubhang karamdaman, hindi ba’t tayo rin ang nasa peligrong mahawa sa kanilang sakit?

Naglalatag po tayo ng pagbabago upang mas mapatibay ang pundasyon ng maaliwalas na bukas para sa lahat. Halimbawa ho, sa kalusugan. ‘Di ba’t kapansin-pansin ang pagtaas ng bilang ng mga benepisyaryo ng PhilHealth tuwing maghahalalan? Ngayon, sa pamamagitan ng National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction, tiniyak natin na ang limang milyon at dalawandaang libong pamilyang Pilipino na nakikinabang sa PhilHealth ay ang talagang mga nangangailangan nito. Malawakang pag-unlad at pag-asenso ng lahat—iyan po ang panata natin. Walang maiiwan sa tuwid na landas.

Tumungo naman po tayo sa ARMM. Ang dating sistema: Nagbabatuhan lang ng huwad na utang na loob ang mga baluktot na kandidato. Kapag pambansang halalan, malaya ang nakaupo sa ARMM na imaniobra ang makinarya sa kan’yang rehiyon para matiyak na bokya o zero ang boto ng hindi kaalyado. Kapag naman eleksyon sa ARMM at maniningil na ng utang si mayor, governor, ang administrasyon naman ang magpapatakbo ng makinarya para manalo ang kanilang kandidato.

Ayon nga po sa naungkat ng COA, sa opisina ng regional governor ng ARMM, mula Enero 2008 hanggang Setyembre 2009, walumpung . . . Ulitin ko po. Walumpung porsyento ng mga disbursement ang napunta sa mga cash advance na wala namang maayos na paliwanag. Kung hindi nawala ang pondong ito, nakatapos na sana ang isang batang, sa ngayon, tumawid sa ghost bridge para pumasok sa ghost school, kung saan tuturuan siya ng ghost teacher. Kaawa-awang bata, walang humpay na paghihirap, at walang pag-asa ng pag-asenso.

Gusto nating maranasan ng ARMM ang benepisyo ng tamang pamamahala. Kaya ang atin pong minungkahing solusyon: synchronization. Dahil dito, kailangan nilang tumutok sa kani-kanilang mga kampanya; magiging mas patas ang labanan, at lalabnaw ang command votes. Salamat sa Kongreso at naipasa na ang batas na magsasabay sa halalan ng ARMM sa halalang pambansa.

May nagtatanong po, “Bakit postponement ang kailangan?” Sa kagustuhan syempre…makabalik sa puwesto, nakahanda ang ilan na ulitin ang nakagawian para manalo. Isipin na lang po ninyo kung pumayag tayo sa kagustuhan ng mga kontra, at itinuloy natin ang eleksyon, wala po silang ibang gagawin sa loob ng dalawang taon kundi paghandaan ang susunod na halalan at isiksik ang kalokohan nila sa mas maigsing panahon.

Habang nananatili sa pwesto ang mga utak wang-wang na opisyal, naiiwan namang nakalubog sa kumunoy ng kawalang-pag-asa ang taumbayan.

Wala akong duda sa kahihinatnan ng mga repormang inilatag na natin. Hindi po tayo nagbubukambibig lang; may kongkretong resulta ang ating mga paninindigan.

Kapag sinabi nating tuwid na daan, may katapat itong kalsada sa Barangay Bagumbayan sa Sta. Maria, Laguna. ‘Pag sinabi nating malinis na pamamahala, may dadaloy na malinis na tubig sa mga liblib na lugar gaya ng nasa Barangay Poblacion, sa Ferrol, Romblon. Kapag sinabi nating liwanag ng pagbabago, titiyakin nating may liwanag na tatanglaw sa mga pamayanang dati ay nangangapa sa aandap-andap na gasera, gaya ng ginawa natin sa Barangay San Marcos, sa Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. Ganito na ang nangyayari sa marami pang ibang lugar; pinipilit nating ito rin ang mangyari sa kabuuan ng Pilipinas.

Nakatutok na po ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno; nag-uugnayan at nagtutulungan sila upang maabot at mapabilis ang mga solusyon sa mga problemang kaytagal nang pinapasan ng bayan.

‘Di po ba’t may problema tayo sa baha, na alam naman nating dulot ng walang humpay at ilegal na pagputol ng mga puno? Dating solusyon: photo-op ng pagtatanim na ang tanging benepisyaryo ay ang nagpapoging pulitiko. Nagtanim nga ng puno kontra-baha, pero hindi naman siniguro na mananatiling nakatayo ang mga ito pag-alis nila.

Isa sa mga solusyong hinahanda na po’t pinag-aaralan ay ang gawing kapakipakinabang sa mga pamayanan ang pagbabantay ng puno. Bibigyan sila ng binhi ng kape at cacao para itanim at mamunga ng kabuhayan. Habang hinihintay ang ani, makakakuha sila ng stipend upang bantayan naman ang mga punong itinanim laban sa baha. Pwedeng maging benepisyaryo ng programang ito ang mga informal settlers, na ngayon ay nagkukumpulan sa siyudad. Mamumuhunan tayo sa taumbayan, habang namumuhunan din sa kalikasan.

Noon bang isang taon, inisip kaya natin na kaya nating gawin ‘to? Sa ngayon, tinutupad na natin ang ating mga pangako. Bukas makalawa, katotohanan na lahat ng ating mga pinangarap.

Marami pa pong malikhaing konsepto na inilalapit sa atin at atin pong pinatutuad na. May mosquito trap na pinapatay ang mga kiti-kiti ng lamok, na siguro naman po ay may kinalaman sa halos labing-apat na porsiyentong pagbaba ng insidente ng dengue; may hibla ng niyog na itatapon na sana, pero pwede palang murang solusyon sa mga daanang madaling mabitak; may landslide sensor na magbababala kung tumaas na ang panganib na gumuho ang lupa; may mga kagamitang magbibigay ng senyales kung malapit nang umapaw ang tubig sa mga ilog. Lahat po nito, gawa ng Pilipino.

Pinag-aaralan na rin po ng DOST at UP ang pagkakaroon natin ng monorail system, para tugunan . . . para tugunan ang problema sa pangmalawakang transportasyon. Sa malikhaing pag-iisip ng kapwa Pilipino, may pag-asa pala tayong magtayo ng light rail system nang hindi hihigit sa 100 million pesos ang gagastusin kada kilometro. Sa matitipid na pondo, mas mahabang kilometro ng riles ang mailalatag at makakaabot sa mga lugar na malayo sa sentro ng komersyo. Ang mga dating sumisiksik sa siyudad para maghanap ng trabaho, maaari nang tumira sa medyo mas malayo nang hindi pahirapan ang biyahe.

Uulitin ko po: Ang mungkahing ito ay galing sa kapwa natin Pilipino, para sa Pilipinas. [Naaalala po ba] ninyo ang panahon kung kailan ni hindi man lang maabot ng mga pangarap natin ang ganitong mga proyekto? Ngayon, sinasabi ko po sa inyo: pinapangarap natin ito, kaya natin ‘to, gagawin natin ito. Hindi ba tayo nagagalak, Pilipino tayong nabubuhay sa mga panahong ito?

Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, huwag po sana nating lilimutin, masasayang lang ang lahat ng ating narating kung hindi tuluyang maiwawaksi ang kultura ng korupsyon na dinatnan natin.

Sa mga kapwa ko empleyado ng sambayanan, mula sa tuktok hanggang sa bawat sulok ng burukrasya, ‘di po ba’t napakarangal na ngayon ang magtrabaho sa gobyerno? ‘Di po ba’t ngayon, sa halip na ikahiya, gusto mo pang isuot kung minsan ang iyong ID kung sumasakay ka ng bus o jeep papasok sa iyong ahensya? Sasayangin po ba natin ang karangalang kaloob sa atin ng sambayanan?

Iyan din po ang aking panawagan sa ating Local Government Units. Kabilang po ako sa mga sumasang-ayon na kayo ang pinaka-nakakaalam sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan sa inyong mga lungsod at munisipyo. Makakaasa po ang ating mga LGU sa higit na kalayaan at kakayahan, kung makakaasa rin tayong gagamitin ito sa tuwid na paraan, at [isasaalang-alang] ang kapakanan ng buong sambayanan.

Halimbawa po, may ilang munisipyo na naisipang magbuwis sa mga transmission lines ng kuryente na dadaan sa kanilang mga pook. Magpapapasok nga po ng kita sa kanilang lokal na kaban, pero kapalit nito, tataas din ang gastusin ng mas nakararaming Pilipino sa kuryente.

Tiwala po akong kaya nating balansehin ang interes ng inyong mga nasasakupan sa interes ng sambayanan.

Kailangan pong manatiling magkatugma ang ating mga programa, dahil ang ikauunlad ng buong bansa ay manganganak din ng resulta sa inyong mga pook. Wakasan na po sana natin ang agendang nakatuon sa susunod na eleksyon lamang, at ang kaisipang isla-isla tayong maihihiwalay ang sariling pagsulong sa pag-unlad ng bansa.

Tayo-tayo rin po ang dapat magtulungan tungo sa kaunlaran. Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa Kongreso sa pagpapasa ng mga batas ukol sa GOCC Governance, ARMM Synchronization, Lifeline Electricity Rates Extension . . . Joint Congressional Power Commission Extension, Children and Infants’ Mandatory Immunization, at Women Night Workers, at marami pa sigurong pasunod.

Noong isang taon nga po, nagpakitang-gilas ang Kongreso pagpasa . . . sa pagpasa ng budget bago matapos ang taon. Dahil dito, nasimulan agad ang mga proyekto at hindi na inabot ng tag-ulan. Bukas na bukas po, ihahain na namin sa lehislatura ang budget para sa susunod na taon.

Umaasa po ako na muli kayong magpapakitang-gilas, upang tuluyan na nating mapitas ang bunga ng mga naitanim nating pagbabago.

Maganda na po ang ating nasimulan. Pero mahalaga pong maalala natin, simula pa lang ito. Marami pa tayong gagawin. Hayaan po ninyong ilatag ko sa Kongreso ang ilan sa mga batas na magpapaigting sa pagtupad ng ating mga panata sa bayan.

Layon nating bigyan ng kaukulang kompensasyon ang mga biktima ng Martial Law; ang pagkakaloob . . . ang pagkakaloob ng makatarungang pasahod at benepisyo para sa mga kasambahay; at ang pagpapatupad ng isang mas maayos na sistema ng pensyon para sa atin pong mga kawal. Sinusuportahan din natin ang pagpapalawak ng sakop ng scholarship na ipinagkakaloob ng Dost sa mahuhusay ngunit kapuspalad na mag-aaral; ang pagtataguyod ng pinaigting na pangkalahatang kalusugan; at ang pangangalaga sa ating kalikasan at sa mga pasilidad na titiyak sa kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan sa oras ng sakuna.

Kabilang din po sa ating agenda ang pagpapalakas ng Bureau of Corrections, ng National Bureau of Investigation, ng National Electrification Administration at pati na rin po ang PTV 4, upang sa halip na mapag-iwanan ng kaalaman at panahon, mas maayos nilang magagampanan ang kanilang pagbibigay-serbisyo sa publiko.

Hindi ko po nailagay ang lahat ng gustong magpasali ng kanilang adbokasiya dito po sa Sona. Pero kumpleto po ang detalye sa budget at budget message. Sa mga interesado po, pakibasa na lang po ang detalye do’n.

May mga nagsasabing pinepersonal ko raw ho ang paghahabol sa mga tiwali. Totoo po: Personal talaga sa akin ang paggawa ng tama . . . Ang pagpapanagot sa mga gumagawa ng mali sino man sila. At hindi lamang dapat ako namemersonal sa usaping ito. Personal dapat ito sa ating lahat, dahil bawat Pilipino ay biktima nito.

Ang mali, gaano katagal man ito nanatili, ay mali pa rin. Hindi pwedeng “oks lang,” hindi pwedeng “wala lang iyan.” Kapag kinalimutan natin ang mga ito, mangyayari lang ulit ang mga kamalian ng nakaraan. Kung hindi magbabayad ang mga nagkasala, parang tayo na rin mismo ang nag-imbita sa mga nagbabalak gumawa ng masama na “kung pwede, ulitin n’yo ang ginawa n’yo.”

Ang totoo nga po, marami pang kalokohan ang nahahalungkat natin. Pero hindi na ho tayo magpapakahaba do’n; [bibigyan ko na lang kayo] ng isang halimbawa. Sa Pagcor, kape. Isang bilyong piso po ang ginastos ng dating pamunuan ng ahensya para sa kape. Sa isandaang piso na lang po kada tasa, lalabas na . . . nakakonsumo sila ng sampung milyong tasa ng kape. Baka po kahit ngayong iba na ang pamunuan ng Pagcor . . . Ngayong iba na ang pamunuan ng Pagcor, baka po dilat na dilat pa rin ang mata ng mga uminom ng kapeng ito.

Hanapin nga po natin sila, at matanong: Nakakatulog pa po kayo?

Pagpasok ng bagong Ombudsman na si dating Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales . . . magkakaroon tayo ng tanod-bayan na hindi magiging tanod-bayad ng mga nagwa-wang-wang sa pamahalaan.

Inaasahan ko nga po na sa taon na ito, masasampahan na ng kaso ang maraming nagkuntsabahan sa katiwalian, at naging sanhi ng sitwasyong ating inabutan. Tapos na rin po ang panahon kung kailan nagsasampa ang gobyerno ng malalabnaw na kaso. Kapag tayo ang nagsampa, matibay ang ebidensya, malinaw ang testimonya, at siguradong walang lusot ang salarin.

Tutok tayo na ang pagkakamit ng ganap na katarungan ay hindi natatapos sa pagsasakdal kundi sa pagkukulong ng maysala. Buo ang kumpiyansa ko na tinutupad ng Department of Justice ang malaki nilang bahagi upang maipiit ang mga salarin, lalo na sa mga kaso ukol sa tax evasion, drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, graft and corruption at extrajudicial killings.

Wala pong tsamba. Ang tapat at mabuting pamamahala ay nanganganak ng mabuti ring resulta. Isipin po ninyo, naipatupad natin ang mga ipinangakong serbisyo ng gobyerno, at nakapaglaan pa ng sapat na pondo para sa mga proyekto nang hindi kinailangang magtaas ng buwis.

Iyan naman po talaga ang plano—siguruhin na patas ang laban; itigil ang panlalamang ng mga makapangyarihan; at tiyakin na ang dating sistema kung saan nakikinabang ang iilan ay magiging bukal ng oportunidad para sa lahat.

Tinutuldukan na po natin ang wang-wang—sa kalsada, sa gobyerno, sa kalakhang lipunan. Ito po ang manganganak ng kumpiyansa na magdadala ng negosyo; ito rin ang sisiguro na ang pondo ng taumbayan ay mapupunta sa dapat nitong kalagyan: Imprastruktura na titiyak sa tuluyang pag-angat ng ekonomiya at pagmumulan ng trabaho, at serbisyong panlipunan na sisigurong walang mapag-iiwanan. Bubukas ang marami pang pintuang pangkabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng turismo; sisiguruhing hindi magugutom ang Pilipino sa pagpapalakas ng agrikultura. Ang mga dating kinakaligtaan, bibigyang-puhunan ang kinabukasan.

Magbubunsod ito ng siklo kung saan tiyak na may pupuno sa mga nalilikhang trabaho, at may mga consumer na lalong magpapalago sa mga negosyo.

Batid ko po na hanggang ngayon ay may kakaunti pang nagrereklamo sa ating estilo ng pamamahala. Nakita po ninyo ang aming estilo, at ang kaakibat nitong resulta. Nakita po ninyo ang estilo nila, at kung saan tayo nito dinala. Sa mga taong bukas ang mata, maliwanag kung saan ang tama.

Ngayong tayo na ang nagtitimon sa gobyerno, malinaw ang direksyong tinatahak ng ating bayan. Isang bansa kung saan ang pagkakataon ay abot-kamay; kung saan ang mga nangangailangan ay sinasaklolohan; kung saan may saysay ang bawat patak ng pawis, bawat sandali ng pagtitiis, at bawat butil ng hinagpis na dinaanan natin. Kung may gawin kang mabuti, may babalik sa iyong mabuti. At kung may gawin kang masama, tiyak na mananagot ka.

Naaalala ko nga po ang isang ginang na lumapit sa akin noong kampanya; ang babala niya, “Noy, mag-iingat ka, marami kang kinakabangga.”

Tama po ang sinabi n’ya: Tama pong may agam-agam din ako kung minsan. Pero wala po akong alinlangang tumahak sa tuwid na daan. Buo ang loob ko dahil alam kong nasa likod ko po kayo. Salamat po.

Salamat po sa mga pari at obispo na masinsinang nakikipagdiyalogo sa atin, katulad nina Cardinal Rosales at Vidal. ‘Di naman po kami ganoong kalapit ni Cardinal Rosales, pero [naniniwala] akong ibinuhos n’ya ang lahat para mabawasan ang hindi pinagkakaunawaan ng gobyerno at simbahan.

Sa pagkahalal kay Archbishop Palma, tagapagtanggol ng karapatang pantao at kalikasan, lalo pong tumibay ang aking kumpiyansang ugnayan, at hindi bangayan, ang mabubuo sa pagitan ng estado at simbahan.

Salamat din po sa ating Gabinete, na walang kinikilalang panahon ng tulog o pahinga, maipatupad lang ang pambansang agenda. Special mention po ang Pagasa na tunay na ngayong nagbibigay ng maaasahang babala.

Sa mga nasasagasaan po natin sa landas ng katapatan at integridad sa pamamahala, ito naman po ang aking masasabi: Pinili ninyo ang landas kung saan naaapi ang sambayanan. Pinili naman namin ang landas na ipagtanggol ang taumbayan. Nasa tama po kami . . . nasa tama po kami, nasa mali kayo. Sa inyong magbabalik ng pang-aapi sa sambayan, hindi kayo magtatagumpay.

Sa lahat ng mga kasama natin sa tuwid na daan: Kayo ang lumikha ng pagkakataong baguhin ang dinatnan, at gawing mas maganda ang ipapamana natin sa susunod na salinlahi ng mga Pilipino. Kayo pong mga tsuper na pumapasada pa rin; kayong mga guro at estudyanteng pauwi pa lang mula sa klase; kayong patuloy ang paglikha ng mga obrang nagpapaalab sa apoy ng ating pagka-Pilipino; kayong mga pulis, sundalo, kaminero at bumbero; kayong mga marangal na magtrabaho sa Pilipinas man, sa gitnang dagat, o sa ibang bansa; kayong mga tapat na kasama natin sa gobyerno, anumang probinsya o partido; kayong mga Pilipinong nakikinig sa akin ngayon—kayo po ang lumikha ng pagkakataong ito.

Lumikha po kayo ng gobyernong tunay na nagtatrabaho para sa inyo. May limang taon pa tayo para siguruhing hindi na tayo babalik sa dating [kalagayan]. Hindi tayo magpapadiskaril ngayong…napakaganda na ng resulta ng ating sinimulan.

Kapag may nakita tayong butas sa sistema, huwag na po tayo magtangkang lumusot. Huwag na nating daanin sa pakiusap ang madadaan sa pagsisikap. Tama na ang unahan, tama na ang tulakan, tama na ang lamangan, dahil lahat naman po tayo ay makakarating sa minimithi nating kinabukasan.

Tapusin na po natin ang kultura ng negatibismo; iangat natin ang kapwa-Pilipino sa bawat pagkakataon. Bakit po ang iba, ang hilig maghanap ng kung anu-anong pangit sa ating bayan? At napakahirap, parang kasalanan, na magsabi ng maganda? Naalala pa po ba natin noong huling beses tayong pumuri sa kapwa Pilipino?

Itigil na po natin ang paghihilahan pababa. Ang dating industriya ng pintasan na hindi natin maitakwil, iwaksi na po natin. Tuldukan na po natin ang pagiging utak-alimango. Pwede bang iangat naman natin ang magaganda nating nagawa?

Kung may nakita kang mabuti, huwag kang magdalawang-isip na purihin ito. Kapag nakita mo ang pulis sa kanto, nagtatrapik nang walang kapote sa ilalim ng ulan, lapitan mo naman sana at sabihing, “Salamat po.”

Kung magkasakit ka at makita mo ang nars na nag-aruga sa iyo, sa halip na [magserbisyo] sa dayuhan kapalit ng mas malaking suweldo, pakisabi rin po, “Salamat po.”
Bago ka umuwi galing eskwela, lapitan mo ang guro mong piniling mamuhunan sa iyong kinabukasan kaysa unahin ang sariling ginhawa; sabihin mo, “Salamat po,” tulad ng aking gurong nasa screen ngayon, salamat po, Ginang Escasa.

Kung makasalubong mo ang iyong kinatawan sa kalsadang dati ay lubak-lubak o wala, at ngayon ay pwede nang daanan nang maaliwalas, lapitan mo siya at sabihing “Salamat rin po.”

Kaya po, sa sambayanang Pilipino, ang aking Boss, na nagtimon sa atin tungo sa araw na ito: maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagbabagong tinatamasa natin ngayon.

Buhay na buhay na ang Pilipinas at ang Pilipino. Magandang hapon po.

PNoy's Second SONA

2011-07-25T17:24:00.002+08:00

Transcript from ABS-CBN News Online

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Bise Presidente Jejomar Binay; mga dating Pangulong Fidel Valdez Ramos at Joseph Ejercito Estrada; Chief Justice Renato Corona at ang ating mga kagalang-galang na mahistrado ng Korte Suprema; mga kagalang-galang na kasapi ng diplomatic corps; mga butihing miyembro ng Kamara de Representante at ng Senado; mga Local Government officials; mga miyembro ng ating Gabinete; mga unipormadong kasapi ng militar at kapulisan; mga kapwa ko nagseserbisyo sa taumbayan;

At sa mga minamahal kong kababayan, ang aking butihing mga boss:
Humarap po ako sa inyo noong aking inagurasyon at sinabing: Walang wang-wang sa ating administrasyon. At ngayon, patuloy nating itinitigil ito. Naging hudyat at sagisag po ito ng pagbabago, hindi lamang sa kalsada, kundi pati na rin sa kaisipan sa lipunan.

Sa matagal na panahon, naging simbolo ng pang-aabuso ang wang-wang. Dati, kung makapag-counterflow ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan, para bang oras lang nila ang mahalaga. Imbes na maglingkod-bayan, para bang sila ang naging hari ng bayan. Kung maka-asta ang kanilang mga padrino’t alipores, akala mo’y kung sinong maharlika kung humawi ng kalsada; walang pakialam sa mga napipilitang tumabi at napag-iiwanan. Ang mga dapat naglilingkod ang siya pang nang-aapi. Ang panlalamang matapos mangakong maglingkod—iyan po ang utak wang-wang.

Wala silang karapatang gawin ito. Ayon sa batas, tanging ang Presidente, Bise Presidente, Senate President, House Speaker, Chief Justice, at pulis, bumbero, at ambulansya lang ang awtorisadong gumamit ng wangwang para sa kanilang mga opisyal na lakad. Kung sa trapiko nga ay di masunod ang batas, paano pa kaya sa mga bagay na mas malaki ang makukuha, tulad ng sa mga proyektong pinopondohan ng kaban ng bayan?

Kayo po ba gusto ninyong makulong ang lahat ng tiwali? Ako rin. Gusto ba ninyong matanggal ang wang-wang, hindi lamang sa kalsada, kundi sa kaisipang nagdulot ng baluktot na sistema na pagkatagal-tagal na nating pinagtiisan? Ako rin. Gusto po ba ninyong mabigyan ng patas na pagkakataon ang lahat na umasenso? Ako rin.

Narito po ang halimbawa ng resulta ng ating kampanya kontra wang-wang sa sistema. Nitong taong ito, taumbayan na mismo ang nagsabi, nabawasan ang nagugutom sa kanila. Mula 20.5% na self-rated hunger noong Marso, bumaba na ito sa 15.1% nitong Hunyo, katumbas ng isang milyong pamilyang Pilipinong nagugutom dati, pero ngayon ay nakakakain na nang tama kada araw.

Kung dati napako na ang bansa sa mababang credit ratings, itinaas ng Moody’s, Standard and Poors, Fitch, at Japan Credit Ratings Agency ang ating ranking, bilang pagkilala sa ating tamang paggugol ng pondo at sa malikhain nating pananalapi. Ang mataas na credit rating, magpapababa ng interes sa perang inuutang natin. Kumpara sa unang apat na buwan ng nakaraang taon, mas malaki po ng 23 billion pesos ang natipid nating interest payments mula Enero hanggang Abril ng 2011. Maaari na po nitong sagutin ang dalawang milyon at tatlongdaan libong benepisyaryo ng CCT hanggang sa katapusan ng 2011.

Paalala ko lang po, sa siyam at kalahating taon bago tayo maitalaga sa puwesto, iisang beses lang tayong nakatikim ng ratings upgrade, at anim na beses pang na-downgrade ng iba’t ibang ratings agency. Sa isang taon pa lang po natin, apat na beses na tayong nabigyan ng upgrade. Alam naman po natin na hindi madaling ma-upgrade sa panahon ngayon. Itong mga ratings agency, nabatikos na mali raw ang payo bago magkakrisis sa Amerika, kaya ngayon ay mas makunat na sila sa pagbibigay ng magandang ratings, at nakikita nga natin ito sa sunud-sunod na pag-downgrade sa ibang bansa. Pero tayo po, inupgrade pa nila. Sang-ayon silang lahat: gumanda at lalo pang gaganda ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Isang hakbang na lang po, aabot na tayo sa investment grade, at wala pong tigil ang ating economic team upang tuluyan na tayong makaarangkada.

May kumpiyansa, may pag-asa, at tinutupad po natin ang ating mga pangako. Naaalala ko nga po ang babaeng nakausap ko nang ako’y unang nagha-house-to house campaign. Ang kaniyang hinaing: “Miski sino naman ang manalo, pare-pareho lang ang kahihinatnan. Mahirap ako noong sila ay nangangampanya; mahirap ako habang nakaupo sila, at mahirap pa rin ako pag nagretiro na sila.” Sa madaling salita, ang hinaing po ng marami, “Walang pakialam ang mga pinuno namin kahapon, wala silang pakialam ngayon. Bukas, wala pa rin silang pakialam.”

Di po ba’t may katuwiran naman siya sa pagsasabi nito, dahil sa pagwawang-wang sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno? Wang-wang po ang pagbili ng helicopter sa presyong brand new, pero iyon pala ay gamit na gamit na. Wang-wang ang milyun-milyong pabuya na tinanggap ng mga opisyal ng GOCC, tulad ng sa Philippine National Construction Corporation, gayong hindi naman sila nakapaghandog ng disenteng serbisyo, at ibinaon pa sa utang ang kanilang mga ahensya. Bago sila bumaba sa puwesto, dalawandaan, tatlumpu’t dalawang milyong piso po ang inomento ng dating pamunuan ng PNCC sa kanilang sarili. 2007 pa lang po, wala na silang prangkisa; lahat ng kikitain, dapat diretso na sa pambansang gobyerno. Hindi na nga nag-abot ng kita, sinamantala pa ang puwesto. Ang bonus nila mula 2005 hanggang 2009, dinoble pa nila sa unang anim na buwan ng 2010.

Ibinaon na nga po nila sa bilyun-bilyong pisong utang ang kanilang tanggapan, nasikmura pa nilang magbigay ng midnight bonus sa sarili.

Para po pigilan ang pagwang-wang sa kaban ng bayan, sinuyod at sinuri natin ang mga programa. Dalawang magkasunod na taon na po nating ipinatutupad ang zero-based budgeting, na nagsisilbing kalasag sa walang-saysay na paggastos.

Sa Laguna Lake po, magtatanggal nga, sabi nga, ng 12 million cubic meters sa dredging, pero pagkatapos ng tatlong taon, garantisado naman itong babalik. 18.7 billion pesos ang magiging utang natin para lang maglaro ng putik. Hindi pa bayad ang utang, nag-expire na ang pakinabang. Pinigilan po natin iyan.

Sana masabi na natin na tapos na ang utak wang-wang, pero nakikita po natin ang latak ng ganitong kaisipan na pilit bumubulahaw sa aliwalas ng ating biyahe sa tuwid na landas.

Mukhang marami rin po kasi ang nagwawang-wang sa pribadong sektor. Ayon sa BIR, mayroon tayong halos 1.7 million na self-employed at professional tax payers gaya ng mga abogado, doktor, negosyante na nagbayad lamang, sa suma total, ng 9.8 billion pesos noong 2010. 5,783 pesos lang ang ibinayad na income tax ng bawat isa sa kanila- ang ibig sabihin, kung totoo po ito, ang kabuuang kita nila ay umaabot lang ng 8,500 pesos lamang kada buwan. Mababa pa sa minimum wage. Naman.

Kaya naisip nilang ichop-chop ang proyekto para di lumampas sa 50 million pesos ang halaga, at di na umabot sa regional at central office ang mga papeles.

Kani-kaniyang diskarte, kani-kaniyang kaharian ang nadatnan nating situwasyon sa DPWH. Sinubukan nilang ipagpatuloy ang nakasanayan na nila. Kadalasan, dahil sa lump-sum na pagbibigay ng pondo, wala nang tanung-tanong kung ano ang plano at detalye ng proyekto. Miski yata bahay ng gagamba ang ipapatayo, bibigyan ng pondo, basta may padrino.

Tingnan nga po ninyo ang idinulot na perhuwisyo ng pagwawang-wang sa sistema: Tuloy ang pagdusa ng mamamayang dapat nakikinabang na sa proyekto ng bayan.

Hindi lang po iyan sa region 4B nadiskubre. Ngunit natigil na po ito dahil hindi na padrino kundi tamang proseso ang naghahari sa DPWH. Hindi na puwedeng walang work program; kailangang magpakita ng pinag-isipang plano para hindi magkasalungat ang pagsasagawa ng mga proyekto. Malinis at hayag na ang bidding, at pantay na ang pagkakataon sa pagpasok ng mga kontratista.

Sa sistemang pinaiiral ngayon sa DPWH, nakatipid na tayo ng dalawa’t kalahating bilyong piso, at umaasa tayo na aabot pa sa anim hanggang pitong bilyong piso ang matitipid sa taon na ito.

Ang pinakamahalaga po, ang pinakamahalaga po ay nakakaasa na tayo sa mga kalsadang matino, hindi ‘yung maambunan lang ay lulundo o mabibiyak agad.

Paniwala natin dati, imposibleng maitama ng DPWH ang sistema nila. Hindi lang po ito posible; sa unang taon pa lamang, ginagawa na natin ito.

Kahit po sa mga bukirin, may mga nagwawang-wang din. Bago tayo maupo noong 2010, nag-angkat ang bansa ng 2.3 million metric tons ng bigas. 1.3 million metric tons lamang ang kailangan nating angkatin, ngunit pinasobrahan pa nila ito ng isang milyon. Dahil nga sobra-sobra ang inangkat, kinailangan pa nating gumastos muli sa mga bodegang pagtatambakan lang naman ng barko-barkong bigas.

Ilang taon bang walang saysay na pinasobrahan ang bigas na inaangkat? Dahil dito, umiral ang pag-iisip na habambuhay na tayong aangkat ng bigas. Ang akala ng marami, wala na talaga tayong magagawa.

Kahit dagdagan pa natin iyan ng panangga laban sa sakuna at gawing 860,000 metric tons-na ginagawa na nga po natin-mas mababa pa rin ito sa tinatayang taunang kakulangan na 1.3 million metric tons.

Ang gusto nating mangyari: Una, hindi tayo aangkat ng hindi kailangan, para lang punan ang bulsa ng mga gustong magsariling-diskarte ng kita sa agrikultura.

Ikalawa: Ayaw na nating umasa sa pag-angkat; ang isasaing ni Juan dela Cruz, dito ipupunla, dito aanihin, dito bibilhin.

Balikan din po natin ang dinatnang kalagayan ng ating mga kawal at kapulisan. Labingtatlong libong piso po ang karaniwang suweldo ng isang PO1 sa Metro Manila. Apat na libong piso daw rito ang napupunta sa upa ng bahay. Tila tama nga po na isang-katlo ng kanilang sahod diretso na sa upa. Isang-katlo pa nito, pa nito para naman sa pagkain. At ang natitirang isang-katlo, para sa kuryente, tubig, pamasahe, pampaaral sa anak, gamot sakaling may magkasakit, at iba pa.

Kaya ang ipinangako nating pabahay nitong Pebrero, ngayong Hulyo ay tinutupad na. Nakapag-abot na po tayo ng apat na libong Certificate of Entitlement to Lot Allocation sa magigiting nating kawal at pulis. Bahagi pa lang po ito ng target nating kabuuang dalawampu’t isang libo at walong daang bahay sa pagtatapos ng taong ito.

Ang dating apatnalibong ibinabayad para sa upa kada buwan, ngayon, dalawandaang piso na lang, para pa sa bahay na pagmamay-ari talaga nila.

Ang dating nalalagas na halaga na pambayad sa buwanang renta, maaari nang igugol para sa ibang gastusin.

Mayroon pa raw pong mahigit isang libong bahay na natitira, kaya po sa mga pulis at sundalo nating di pa nakakapagpasa ng papeles, last call na po para sa batch na ito. Pero huwag po kayong mag-alala, sa susunod na taon, lalawak pa ang ating pabahay, at hindi lang pulis at kawal sa Luzon ang makikinabang. Inihahanda na ng NHA ang lupang patatayuan sa Visayas at Mindanao, para sa susunod na taon, makapagpapatayo na tayo ng mga bahay doon.

Sa ating mga kawani ng Bureau of Jail Management and Penology at Bureau of Fire Protection, may good news pa din po ako sa inyo, kasama na po kayo rito.

Kung seguridad na rin lang po ang ating pag-uusapan, hindi ba’t karugtong din nito ang ating pambansang dangal? Dati, hindi man lang natin makuhang pumalag tuwing may sisindak sa atin sa loob mismo ng ating bakuran. Malinaw ang pahiwatig natin ngayon sa buong mundo: Ang sa Pilipinas ay sa Pilipinas; kapag tumapak ka sa Recto Bank, para ka na ring tumapak sa Recto Avenue.

Tama nga po kaya ang kuwento tungkol sa isang stand-off noong araw? Tinapatan daw ang mga marino natin ng kanyon. Ang ginawa nila, pumutol ng puno ng niyog, pininturahan ito ng itim, saka itinutok sa kalaban. Tapos na po ang panahong iyan. Parating na ang mga capability upgrade at modernization ng mga kagamitan ng ating Sandatahang Lakas. Literal na pong naglalakbay sa karagatan papunta rito ang kauna-unahan nating Hamilton Class Cutter, isang mas modernong barko na magagamit natin para mabantayan ang ating mga baybayin. Maaari pa po tayong makakuha ng mga barkong tulad nito. Idadagdag iyan sa kukunin na nating mga helicopter, patrol craft, at sandata na bultong bibilhin ng AFP, PNP, kasama na ang DOJ upang makakuha ng malaking diskuwento. Lahat po ito, makakamtan sa matinong pamamahala; mabibili sa tamang presyo, ng walang kailangang ipadulas kung kani-kanino.

Wala tayong balak mang-away, pero kailangan ding mabatid ng mundo na handa tayong ipagtanggol ang atin. Pinag-aaralan na rin po natin ang pag-angat ng kaso sa West Philippine Sea sa International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, upang masigurong sa mga susunod na pagkakataon ay hinahon at pagtitimpi ang maghahari tuwing may alitan sa teritoryo.

Alam ko pong magbubunga ang pag-aarugang ipinapamalas natin sa mga lingkod-bayan na nakatutok sa ating seguridad. Mantakin po ninyo: sa unang anim na buwan ng 2010, umabot sa isanlibo at sampung (1,010) kotse at motorsiklo ang nanakaw. Ikumpara po natin iyan sa apatnaraan at animnapung (460) kotse at motorsiklong nanakaw mula Enero hanggang Hunyo ng taong ito.

Ang laki po ng naibawas hindi po ba? Malas ko lang po siguro na ‘yung isa o dalawang kaso ng carnapping ang nai-heheadline, at hindi ang pagbawas sa mga insidente nito o ang mas mataas na porsyento ng mga nanakaw na kotse na naibalik na sa kanilang may-ari.

Isa pa pong halimbawa ng pagbabagong tinatamasa natin: Mayo ng 2003 nang lagdaan ang Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, pero dahil hindi sineryoso ng estado ang pagpapatupad nito, dalawampu’t siyam na indibiduwal lamang ang nahatulan sa loob ng pitong taon. Nalagpasan na po natin iyan, dahil umabot na sa tatlumpu’t isang human traffickers ang nahatulan sa ating administrasyon. Ito nga po siguro ang sinasabing “sea change” ni Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ng Amerika. Dahil dito, natanggal na tayo sa Tier 2 Watchlist ng Trafficking in Persons Report nila.

Kung hindi tayo natanggal sa watchlist na ito, siguradong napurnada pa ang mga grant na maaari nating makuha mula sa Millenium Challenge Corporation at iba pa.

Dumako po tayo sa trabaho. Dagdag-trabaho ang unang panata natin sa Pilipino. Ang 8% na unemployment rate noong Abril ng nakaraang taon, naibaba na sa 7.2% nitong Abril ng 2011.

Ang resulta po natin: Isang milyon at apatnaraang libong trabahong nalikha nitong nakaraang taon.

Dati, nakapako sa pangingibang-bansa ang ambisyon ng mga Pilipino. Ngayon, may pagpipilian na siyang trabaho, at hangga’t tinatapatan niya ng sipag at determinasyon ang kanyang pangangarap, tiyak na maaabot niya ito.

Malaki pa po ang puwedeng madagdag sa trabahong nalilikha sa ating bansa. Ayon pa lang po sa website nating Philjobnet, may limampung libong trabahong hindi napupunan kada buwan dahil hindi tugma ang kailangan ng mga kumpanya sa kakayahan at kaalaman ng mga naghahanap ng trabaho. Hindi po natin hahayaang masayang ang pagkakataong ito; ngayon pa lang, nagtatagpo na ang kaisipan ng DOLE, CHED, TESDA, at DEPED upang tugunan ang isyu ng job mismatch.

Susuriin ang mga curriculum para maituon sa mga industriyang naghahanap ng empleyado at gagabayan ang mga estudyante sa pagpili ng mga kursong hitik sa bakanteng trabaho.

Sa dalawang milyong pamilyang rehistrado sa ating Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, isang milyon at animnaraang libo na ang nakakatanggap ng benepisyo nito.

Sa pagpapakitang-gilas ni Secretary Dinky Soliman, tinatayang may mahigit isandaang libong pamilya uulitin ko mahigit isandaang libong pamilya ang naiaahon natin mula sa kahirapan kada buwan. Kaya naman mataas ang aking kumpiyansang makukumpleto ang 1.3 million na dagdag na pamilya, mula sa kabuuang 2.3 milyong pamilyang target na benepisyaryo ng CCT bago matapos ang taong ito. At sa compliance rate nito na hindi bababa sa 92%, milyun-milyon na rin po ang inang regular na nagpapacheck-up sa mga health center, ang mga sanggol na napabakunahan, at ang mga batang hindi hinahayaan sa labas ng paaralan.

Simula pa lang po ito, at sa ganitong kalinaw na mga resulta, umaasa ako sa suporta ng bawat Pilipino, lalo na ng lehislatura, sa mungkahi nating salinan pa ng pondo ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Inaasam po natin na bago matapos ang 2012, tatlong milyong pamilya na ang mabibigyan ng puhunan para sa kanilang kinabukasan.

Binibigyan natin ang mga maralitang pamilyang ito ng pagkakataong makaahon sa buhay, dahil ang pag-asenso nila ay pag-angat rin ng buong bansa. Sino ang tatangkilik sa mga produkto at serbisyo ng mga negosyante, kung isang kahig, isang tuka naman ang mamimili? Kapag may amang kumakapit sa patalim para may kainin ang kanyang pamilya, at siya ay nagnakaw o nangholdap, sino ba ang puwedeng mabiktima ng krimen kundi tayo rin? Kung ang mga kababayan natin ay walang maayos na pagkain o tahanan, mahina ang kalusugan at may malubhang karamdaman, hindi ba’t tayo rin ang nasa peligrong mahawa sa kanilang kapansanan?

Naglalatag po tayo ng pagbabago upang mas mapatibay ang pundasyon ng maaliwalas na bukas para sa lahat. Halimbawa, sa kalusugan: Di ba’t kapansin-pansin ang pagtaas ng bilang ng mga benepisyaryo ng PhilHealth tuwing maghahalalan? Ngayon, sa pamamagitan ng National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), tiniyak natin na ang limang milyon at dalawandaang libong pamilyang Pilipino na nakikinabang sa PhilHealth ay ang talagang mga nangangailangan nito. Malawakang pag-unlad at pag-asenso ng lahat: Iyan po ang panata natin. Walang maiiwan sa tuwid na landas.

Tumungo naman po tayo sa ARMM. Ang dating sistema: Nagbabatuhan lang ng huwad na utang ng loob ang mga baluktot na kandidato. Kapag pambansang halalan, malaya ang nakaupo sa ARMM na imane-obra ang makinarya sa kaniyang rehiyon para matiyak na bokya ang boto ng mga hindi kaalyado. Kapag naman eleksyon sa ARMM at maniningil na ng utang si Mayor o Governor, ang administrasyon naman ang magpapatakbo ng makinarya para manalo ang kanilang kandidato.

Ayon nga po sa naungkat ng COA, sa opisina ng regional governor ng ARMM, mula Enero 2008 hanggang Setyembre 2009, walumpung porsyento ng mga disbursement ang napunta sa mga cash advance na wala namang maayos na paliwanag. Kung hindi nawala ang pondong ito, nakatapos na sana ang isang batang tumawid sa ghost bridge, para pumasok sa ghost school, kung saan tuturuan siya ng ghost teacher. Walang humpay na paghihirap, at walang pag-asa ng pag-asenso.

Gusto nating maranasan ng ARMM ang benepisyo ng tamang pamamahala. Kaya ang ating mungkahing solusyon: synchronization. Dahil dito, kailangan nilang tumutok sa kani-kanilang mga kampanya; magiging mas patas ang labanan, at lalabnaw ang command votes. Salamat sa Kongreso at naipasa na ang batas na magsasabay ng halalan sa ARMM sa halalang pambansa.

May nagtatanong po, bakit po postponement ang kailangan? Sa kagustuhang makabalik sa puwesto, nakahanda ang ilan na ulitin ang nakagawian para manalo. Isipin na lang po ninyo kung pumayag tayo sa kagustuhan ng mga kontra, at itinuloy natin ang eleksyon. Wala po silang ibang gagawin sa loob ng dalawang taon kundi paghandaan ang susunod na halalan at isiksik ang kalokohan nila sa mas maigsing panahon.

Habang nananatili sa pwesto ang mga utak wang-wang na opisyal, naiiwan namang nakalubog sa kumunoy ng kawalang-pagasa ang taumbayan.

Wala akong duda sa kahihinatnan ng mga repormang inilatag natin. Hindi po tayo nagbubukambibig lang; may kongkretong resulta ang ating mga paninindigan.

Kapag sinabi nating tuwid na daan, may katapat itong kalsada sa Barangay Bagumbayan sa Sta. Maria, Laguna. Kapag sinabi nating malinis na pamamahala, may dadaloy na malinis na tubig sa mga liblib na lugar gaya ng nasa Barangay Poblacion, sa Ferrol, Romblon. Kapag sinabi nating liwanag ng pagbabago, titiyakin nating may liwanag na tatanglaw sa mga pamayanang dati ay nangangapa sa aandap-andap na gasera, gaya ng ginawa natin sa Barangay San Marcos, sa Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. Ganito na ang nangyayari sa marami pang ibang lugar; pinipilit nating ito rin ang mangyari sa kabuuan ng Pilipinas.

Nakatutok na po ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno; nag-uugnayan at nagtutulungan sila upang maabot at mapabilis ang mga solusyon sa mga problemang kaytagal nang pinapasan ng bayan.

Di po ba’t may problema tayo sa baha, na alam naman nating dulot ng walang humpay at ilegal na pagputol ng mga puno? Ang dating solusyon: photo-op ng pagtatanim na ang tanging benepisyaryo ay nagpapapoging pulitiko. Nagtanim nga ng puno kontra-baha, pero hindi naman siniguro na mananatiling nakatayo ang mga ito pag-alis nila.

Isa sa mga solusyong pinag-aaralan ay ang gawing kapaki-pakinabang sa mga pamayanan ang pagbabantay ng puno. Bibigyan sila ng binhi ng kape at cacao para itanim at mamunga ng kabuhayan. Habang hinihintay ang ani, makakakuha sila ng stipend upang bantayan naman ang mga punong itinanim laban sa baha. Puwedeng maging benepisyaryo ng programang ito ang mga informal settlers, na ngayon ay nagkukumpulan sa siyudad. Mamumuhunan tayo sa taumbayan, habang namumuhunan din sa kalikasan.

Noon bang isang taon, inisip ninyo na kaya nating gawin ito? Sa ngayon, tinutupad na natin ang ating mga pangako. Bukas makalawa, katotohanan na ang lahat ng ito.

Marami pa pong malikhaing konsepto na inilalapit sa atin. May mosquito trap na pinapatay ang mga kiti-kiti ng lamok, na siguro naman po ay may kinalaman sa halos labing-apat na porsiyentong pagbaba ng insidente ng dengue; may hibla ng niyog na itatapon na sana, pero puwede palang murang solusyon sa mga daanang madaling mabitak; may landslide sensor na magbababala kung tumaas na ang panganib na gumuho ang lupa; may mga kagamitang magbibigay ng senyales kung malapit nang umapaw ang tubig sa mga ilog. Lahat po ito, gawa ng Pilipino.

Pinag-aaralan na rin po ng DOST at UP ang pagkakaroon natin ng monorail system, para tugunan ang problema sa pangmalawakang transportasyon. Sa malikhaing pag-iisip ng kapwa Pilipino, may pag-asa pala tayong magtayo ng light rail system nang hindi hihigit sa 100 million pesos ang gagastusin kada kilometro. Sa matitipid na pondo, mas mahabang kilometro ng riles ang mailalatag at makaka-abot sa mga lugar na malayo sa sentro ng komersyo. Ang mga dating sumisiksik sa siyudad para maghanap ng trabaho, maaari nang tumira sa medyo mas malayo, nang hindi pahirapan ang biyahe.

Uulitin ko po: ang mungkahing ito ay galing sa kapwa natin Pilipino, para sa Pilipinas. Naaalala po ba ninyo ang panahon kung kailan ni hindi man lang maabot ng mga pangarap natin ang ganitong mga proyekto? Ngayon, sinasabi ko sa inyo: pinapangarap natin ito, kaya natin ito, gagawin natin ito. Hindi ba tayo nagagalak, Pilipino tayong nabubuhay sa mga panahong ito?

Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, huwag po sana nating lilimutin: masasayang lang ang lahat ng ating narating kung hindi tuluyang maiwawaksi ang kultura ng korupsyon na dinatnan natin.

Sa mga kapwa ko empleyado ng sambayanan, mula sa tuktok hanggang sa bawat sulok ng burukrasya: Di po ba’t napakarangal na ngayon ang magtrabaho sa gobyerno? Di po ba’t ngayon, sa halip na ikahiya, gusto mo pang isuot ang iyong ID kung sumasakay ka ng bus o jeep papasok sa iyong ahensya? Sasayangin po ba natin ang karangalang kaloob sa atin ng sambayanan?

Iyan din po ang aking panawagan sa ating Local Government Units. Kabilang po ako sa mga sumasang-ayon na kayo ang pinaka-nakakaalam sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan sa inyong mga lungsod at munisipyo. Makakaasa po ang ating mga LGU sa higit na kalayaan at kakayahan, kung makakaasa rin tayong gagamitin ito sa tuwid na paraan, at isasaalang-alang ang kapakanan ng buong sambayanan.

Tiwala po akong kaya nating balansehin ang interes ng inyong mga nasasakupan sa interes ng sambayanan.

Tayo-tayo rin po ang dapat magtulungan tungo sa kaunlaran. Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa Kongreso sa pagpapasa ng mga batas ukol sa GOCC Governance, ARMM Synchronization, Lifeline Electricity Rates Extension, Joint Congressional Power Commission Extension, Children and Infants’ Mandatory Immunization, at Women Night Workers.

Noong isang taon nga po, nagpakitang-gilas ang Kongreso sa pagpasa ng budget bago matapos ang taon. Dahil dito, nasimulan agad ang mga proyekto at hindi na inabot ng tag-ulan. Bukas na bukas po, ihahain na namin sa lehislatura ang budget para sa susunod na taon.

Umaasa po ako na muli kayong magpapakitang-gilas, upang tuluyan na nating mapitas ang bunga ng mga naitanim nating pagbabago.

Maganda na po ang ating nasimulan. Pero mahalaga pong maalala natin: simula pa lang ito. Marami pa tayong gagawin. Hayaan po ninyong ilatag ko sa Kongreso ang ilan sa mga batas na magpapaigting sa pagtupad ng ating panata sa bayan.

Layon nating bigyan ng kaukulang kompensasyon ang mga biktima ng Martial Law; ang pagkakaloob ng makatarungang pasahod at benepisyo para sa mga kasambahay; at ang pagpapatupad ng isang mas maayos na sistema ng pensyon para sa mga kawal. Sinusuportahan din natin ang pagpapalawak ng sakop ng scholarship na ipinagkakaloob ng DOST sa mahuhusay ngunit kapuspalad na mag-aaral; ang pagtataguyod ng pinaigting na pangkalahatang kalusugan; at ang pangangalaga sa ating kalikasan at sa mga pasilidad na titiyak sa kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan sa oras ng sakuna.

Kabilang din po sa ating agenda ang pagpapalakas ng BuCor, ng NBI, ng NEA, at ng PTV 4, upang sa halip na mapag-iwanan ng kaalaman at panahon, mas maayos nilang magagampanan ang kanilang pagbibigay-serbisyo sa publiko.

Hindi ko po nailagay ang lahat ng gustong magpasali ng kanilang adbokasiya dito sa SONA. Pero kumpleto po ang detalye sa budget at budget message. Sa mga interesado po, pakibasa na lang.

May mga nagsasabing pinepersonal ko raw ang paghahabol sa mga tiwali. Totoo po: Personal talaga sa akin ang paggawa ng tama, at ang pagpapanagot sa mga gumagawa ng mali - ino man sila. At hindi lamang dapat ako ang namemersonal sa usaping ito. Personal dapat ito sa ating lahat, dahil bawat Pilipino ay biktima nito.

Ang mali - gaano katagal man ito nanatili - ay mali pa rin. Hindi puwedeng “Oks lang, hindi pwedeng wala lang iyan.” Kapag kinalimutan natin ang mga ito, mangyayari lang ulit ang mga kamalian ng nakaraan. Kung hindi magbabayad ang mga nagkasala, parang tayo na rin mismo ang nag-imbita sa mga nagbabalak gumawa ng masama na umulit muli.

Ang totoo nga po, marami pang kalokohan ang nahalungkat natin. Halimbawa, sa PAGCOR: kape. Isang bilyong piso po ang ginastos ng dating pamunuan ng ahensya para sa kape; sa isandaang piso na lang po kada tasa, lalabas na nakakonsumo sila ng sampung milyong tasang kape. Baka po kahit ngayong iba na ang pamunuan ng PAGCOR ay dilat na dilat pa rin ang mata ng mga uminom ng kapeng ito.

Hanapin nga po natin sila, at matanong: nakakatulog pa po ba kayo?

Pagpasok ng bagong Ombudsman na si dating Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, magkakaroon tayo ng tanod-bayan na hindi magiging tanod-bayad ng mga nagwawang-wang sa pamahalaan.

Inaasahan ko nga po na sa taon na ito, masasampahan na ng kaso ang lahat ng nagkuntsabahan sa katiwalian, at naging sanhi ng situwasyong ating inabutan. Tapos na rin po ang panahon kung kailan nagsasampa ang gobyerno ng malalabnaw na kaso. Kapag tayo ang nagsampa, matibay ang ebidensya, malinaw ang testimonya, at siguradong walang lusot ang salarin.

Tutok tayo na ang pagkakamit ng ganap na katarungan ay hindi natatapos sa pagsasakdal kundi sa pagkukulong ng maysala. Buo ang kumpiyansa ko na tinutupad ng DOJ ang malaki nilang bahagi upang maipiit ang mga salarin, lalo na sa mga kaso ukol sa tax evasion, drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, graft and corruption at extrajudicial killings.

Wala pong tsamba: ang tapat at mabuting pamamahala ay nanganganak ng mabuti ring resulta. Isipin po ninyo: naipatupad natin ang mga ipinangakong serbisyo ng gobyerno, at nakakapaglaan pa ng sapat na pondo para sa mga proyekto nang hindi kinailangang magtaas ng buwis.

Iyan naman po talaga ang plano: siguruhin na patas ang laban; itigil ang panlalamang ng mga makapangyarihan; at tiyakin na ang dating sistema kung saan nakikinabang ang iilan ay magiging bukal ng oportunidad para sa lahat.

Tinutuldukan na po natin ang wang-wang: sa kalsada, sa gobyerno, sa kalakhang lipunan. Ito po ang manganganak ng kumpiyansa na magdadala ng negosyo; ito rin ang sisiguro na ang pondo ng taumbayan ay mapupunta sa dapat nitong kalagyan: Imprastruktura na titiyak sa tuluyang pag-angat ng ekonomiya at pagmumulan ng trabaho, at serbisyong panlipunan na sisigurong walang mapag-iiwanan. Bubukas ang marami pang pintuang pangkabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng turismo; sisiguruhing hindi magugutom ang Pilipino sa pagpapalakas ng agrikultura. Ang mga dating kinakaligtaan, bibigyang-puhunan ang kinabukasan.

Magbubunsod ito ng siklo kung saan tiyak na may pupuno sa mga nalilikhang trabaho, at may mga konsumer na lalong magpapalago sa mga negosyo.

Naaalala ko nga po ang isang ginang na lumapit sa akin noong kampanya; ang babala niya, “Noy, mag-iingat ka, marami kang kinakabangga.”

Tama po ang sabi niya: Tao po akong may agam-agam din. Pero wala po akong alinlangang tumahak sa tuwid na daan: Buo ang loob ko dahil alam kong nasa likod ko po kayo.

Salamat po. Salamat po sa mga pari at obispo na masinsinang nakikipagdiyalogo sa atin, katulad nina Cardinal Rosales at Vidal. Di naman po kami ganoong kalapit ni Cardinal Rosales, pero naniniwala akong ibinuhos niya ang lahat para mabawasan ang hindi pinagkakaunawaan ng gobyerno at simbahan.

Salamat din po sa ating Gabinete, na walang kinikilalang panahon ng tulog o pahinga, maipatupad lang ang pambansang agenda. Special mention po ang PAGASA, na tunay na ngayong nagbibigay ng maaasahang babala.

At sa mga nasasagasaan po natin sa landas ng katapatan at integridad sa pamamahala, ito naman po ang aking masasabi: Pinili ninyo ang landas kung saan naaapi ang sambayanan. Pinili naman namin ang landas na ipagtanggol ang taumbayan. Nasa tama po kami; nasa mali kayo. Sa inyong magbabalik ng pang-aapi sa sambayan, hindi kayo magtatagumpay.

Sa lahat ng mga kasama natin sa tuwid na daan: Kayo ang lumikha ng pagkakataong baguhin ang dinatnan, at gawing mas maganda ang ipapamana natin sa susunod na salinlahi ng mga Pilipino. Kayo pong mga tsuper na pumapasada pa rin; kayong mga guro at estudyanteng pauwi pa lang mula sa klase; kayong patuloy ang paglikha ng mga obrang nagpapaalab sa apoy ng ating pagka-Pilipino; kayong mga pulis, sundalo, kaminero at bumbero; kayong mga marangal na nagtatrabaho, sa Pilipinas man, sa gitnang dagat, o sa ibang bansa; kayong mga tapat na kasama natin sa gobyerno, anumang probinsya o partido; kayong mga Pilipinong nakikinig sa akin ngayon—kayo po ang lumikha ng pagkakataong ito.

Lumikha po kayo ng gobyernong tunay na nagtatrabaho para sa inyo. May limang taon pa tayo para siguruhing hindi na tayo babalik sa dating kalagayan. Hindi tayo magpapadiskaril ngayong napakaganda na ng resulta ng ating sinimulan.

Tapusin na po natin ang kultura ng negatibismo; iangat natin ang kapwa-Pilipino sa bawat pagkakataon. Bakit po ang iba, ang hilig maghanap ng kung anu-anong pangit sa ating bayan? At napakahirap - parang kasalanan - na magsabi ng maganda? Naalala pa po ba natin noong huling beses tayong pumuri sa kapwa Pilipino?

Itigil na po natin ang paghihilahan pababa. Ang dating industriya ng pintasan na hindi natin maitakwil, iwaksi na po natin. Tuldukan na po natin ang pagiging utak-alimango; puwede bang iangat naman natin ang magaganda nating nagawa?

Kung may nakita kang mabuti, huwag kang magdalawang-isip na purihin ito. Kapag nakita mo ang pulis sa kanto, nagtatrapik nang walang kapote sa ilalim ng ulan, lapitan mo siya at sabihing, “Salamat po.”

Kung magkasakit ka at makita mo ang nars na nag-aruga sa iyo, sa halip na magserbisyo sa dayuhan kapalit ng mas malaking suweldo, sabihin mo, “Salamat po.”
Bago ka umuwi galing eskuwela, lapitan mo ang guro mong piniling mamuhunan sa iyong kinabukasan kaysa unahin ang sariling ginhawa; sabihin mo, “Salamat po.” Sa aking guro tulad ng aking guro, Salamat po Ginang Escasa.

Kung makasalubong mo ang iyong kinatawan sa kalsadang dati ay lubak-lubak, at ngayon ay puwede nang daanan nang maaliwalas, lapitan mo siya at sabihing: “Salamat po.”

Kaya po, sa sambayanang Pilipino, ang aking Boss na nagtimon sa atin tungo sa araw na ito: maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagbabagong tinatamasa natin ngayon.

Buhay na buhay na ang Pilipinas at ang Pilipino. Magandang hapon po.

Music Videos of the Week

2011-07-23T19:23:00.003+08:00

Jack Sparrow

The Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton

Johnny Depp!

99 Problems
Hugo

♥♥♥♥♥!

Perform This Way
Weird Al Yankovic

Super "LOL!"

Untold: Things the FHM Guys Will Never Tell You

2011-07-16T20:33:00.001+08:00

This Year's Victory Party Has Not Been So Victorious

“Wala pa ring appeal, pare!”

Sans the idea of female striptease on the catwalk, there was an atmosphere of excitement when I first learned that the July 14, 2011 FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World victory party at the World Trade Center in Pasay, City was gonna be Burlesque-themed.

Fan kasi ako ng musical film na Burlesque starring Christina Aguillera, Cher and His Hotness, Cam Gigandet.

But when the event officially began, the excitement gradually diminished! Nakakaloka yung lull and parang hindi masyadong na-carry out ‘yong theme!

It was like, “Oh my God! Get me out of this place!”

Okay naman yung hiyawan ng boys especially nung lumabas na sina Eula Valdez and Katrina Halili. Pero ang mas nakakaloka was when Sam Pinto finally walked her ramp as this year’s numero uno sexiest! Habang rumarampa s’ya, some of those from the VIP section started to melt away! I even overheard a guy saying ”Wala pa ring appeal, pare!”

I wonder how things would have been if Marian Rivera or Cristine Reyes were the one taking that ramp!

On TWIST: 2010 FHM 10 Sexiest Women in the World Victory Party

A Wrong Move to Remove

2011-07-08T23:12:00.004+08:00

The Bench Body billboards along EDSA-Guadalupe featuring the Philippine Volcanoes wearing nothing but close-fitting briefs have been taken down by their advertisers. With this, one question remains unintelligibly answered: With so many “revealing” ads sprouting along the thoroughfares of Metro Manila, why only remove the Volcanoes’?

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos responded stupidly. “Case to case ‘yan eh. Maraming tumatawag at nagrireklamo sa akin. So I have to do something about the problem.”

So sa “dami” ng mga tumatawag sa’yo, mayor, ang ibig mo bang sabihin, lahat sila billboards lang ng Philippine Volcanoes ang inireklamo? I don’t think so! Pangalawa, where do you draw the line between artistic sexiness and sensational obscenity?

Abalos learned about the ads through Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, who said over Twitter that he found the billboards “very offensive especially to children.” Reports have it that Gatchalian had to cover his nieces’ eyes upon seeing the ads.

People, there is no Philippine law prohibiting outdoor promotions of underwear. Furthermore underwear endorsers—in a normal world—are expected to wear and display the products they endorse. Wala pa akong nakitang underwear ad na balot na balot ang model!

The girls are right. Why is it that the authorities are only mindful about billboards adorned with sexy men when in fact, lots of billboards with similarly near-naked women are also erected across the metro? Is it because those who are seated are insecure omega males?

Related Post: Dogs, Beware of the Vulcans!

@ItsmeKrisAquino In Person: A Dream Come True

2011-07-06T21:47:00.005+08:00

July 6, 2011, Wednesday.

I've always been very vocal about hating Wednesday, my "unlucky day." It was Wednesday when my best friend and I had a gap due to an insensitive Facebook comment I posted. And just this afternoon, I wasted 20 bucks due to a coffee vending machine mess (which I don't wanna go into details about because I don't want you to picture me the wrong way).

But just hours ago, I didn't expect that a VERY BIG REVERSAL would take place, making Wednesday the new Tuesday (TMI: Tuesday is my lucky day.)! Finally NAKITA KO NA RIN IN PERSON SI MISS KRIS AQUINO! And for the first time, I knew that my Earth stopped! And when it spun back slowly, everything felt so surreal! You may call it "exaggeration" but for me it was the adjective "starstruck" taken to a whole new level! It was epic! It was the time of my life! It was a very beautiful dream coming true amidst my confused day! It was love!

In my almost 22 years of existence, it is funny to note that I have been loving Kris Aquino for more than half of my life now. In fact I can still vividly remember how Dina Bonnevie would catch my ire everytime she spit her innuendos against Kris over her (Dina's) GMA talk show titled, D! Day, which was rival to Today With Kris Aquino.

I did not get the chance to have a photo with her, but still, no photo op can best that moment when I have proven how much celebrity power Kris acquires.

Speaking of photo op, THIS JUST IN! My second Rich Herrera experience!

I LOVE WEDNESDAY!

Dogs, Beware of the Vulcans!

2011-07-03T21:01:00.019+08:00

Filipinos are having a ball right now as the Philippine Azkals advance to the second round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after the team pulled off a 4-0 win against the Sri Lanka Brave Reds at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Sunday afternoon (Manila time).

But as the Philippines celebrates, I am now busy Googling images of the Philippine Volcanoes--the national rugby union team of the Philippines--whose Bench Body billboards have been catching the eyes and turning the heads of motorists along EDSA!

With their to-die-for bodies printed out in banging exposition, being stuck in EDSA traffic jams now bears consolation!Arnold Aninion and Darran Seeto

Arnold Aninion

Chris Alamil Everingham

Darran Centillas SeetoFrancisco Bagis Guerra IV

Jake Robrigado Letts

Kenneth Capinpin Stern with Patrice Ortis Olivier and Chris Everingham

Michael de GuzmanNed Plarizan Stephenson

Nicholas Ergina Perry

Oliver Joseph Abalos Saunders

Patrice Ortiz Olivier

Terrence Javier Carroll

No dismantling, please, MMDA!

Photos from Bench, Spot.ph.

Nine Minutes

2011-07-01T07:36:00.000+08:00

For the first time in the history of "Ralph Braves the Morning Shift"--and on the first day of July 2011--I came in late for work!

The Backstory: I took my sleeping pill last night in the form of this:

...without even knowing that a defective train is set to ruin my day the next morning!

And it's not even a "Bicol Express!"

@NoynoyAquino

2011-06-30T16:52:00.000+08:00

Ang totoong paglilingkod ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa malinis na pamamahala lalo na sa isang bansang higit pa sa tapat na pamumuno ang kailangan.

Isang mahalagang pandiwa: kumilos.

New York Senate OKs gay marriage

2011-06-25T11:20:00.013+08:00

I still don't see its worth but, by a vote of 33 to 29, the New York State has passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage Saturday morning (Manila time).

New York will become the sixth U.S. state to legalize gay marriage should governor Andrew Cuomo sign the bill into law.

Source: Twitter

***

UPDATE 2 (as of June 26, 2006, 12:0 p.m., Manila time)

Cuomo signs Read CNN

Tatlong Mga Larawan

2011-06-20T21:04:00.004+08:00

June 27, 2011 marks the comeback of the Queen of Talk for the re-boot of Today With Kris Aquino! And his first guest? Chiz Escudero! Exciting! ☺

I love this film! Script = ★★★★★. James Caan = ★★★★. Vera Farmiga = ★★★★. Keanu Reeves = ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!

I hate this show! I hate the host. I hate the dancers. I hate the format. I hate the dramas! But I love Shalani. Parang s'ya lang yung may class sa kanilang lahat! Hahaha!

Good night, Blogger. =)

A Win That Really Means Something for Dallas

2011-06-13T10:40:00.003+08:00

Mavs win first NBA title after 3 decades

UPDATE 1 – Homecourt advantage was a myth in the deciding Game Six of the best-of-seven NBA Finals as the Dallas Mavericks managed to secure their first NBA title with a 105-95 victory over the at-home Miami Heat.

My Dirk Nowitzki was named the Most Valuable Player.

Celebrations

2011-06-10T12:28:00.001+08:00

ONE TO GO

The Dallas Mavericks drew homecourt advantage for the last time, scored hundred-plus points in the series for the first time, and edged to their first title for the third time in the tie-breaking Game Five of the NBA Finals.

The 112-103 difference takes Mavs to a 3-2 lead, requiring them to pull off a victory before the "formidable" biggies of the Miami Heat--sarcasm aside--tie the Finals at 3-3. And Game Seven is something that the Mavs believers are not looking forward to take place!

Click here for Game 4; here for Game 3; here for Game 2; here for Game 1.

A DREAM COME TRUE

Kapamilya bosses, celebs and employees gathered this morning at the Studio 10 for the Bayan ng Bayani (The ABS-CBN Flag Ceremony). The said event showcased the launch of DZMM's new station ID--in line with its 25th anniversary--and ABS-CBN's new star-studded Lupang Hinirang video.

The "Bida Best, Bida Bayani" campaign, which was instrumental in the commemoration of Jose Rizal's 150th birthday, and the "Larunungan" project, which aims to amass toy donations for kindergartens, were also launched.

But I was honestly not focused on the benevolence that the Kapamilya network wants to channel--blame it on the Azkals! Yes, the Azkals! They were at my elbow, and sorry to say this, I got the chance to pose with [drum roll, please!] JAMES YOUNGHUSBAND! He was sooo eye candy, I didn't even give a damn calling Anne Curtis' attention!

Mavs take 86-83 win over Heat, even series 2-2

2011-06-08T11:57:00.003+08:00

I couldn't imagine them losing this!

He was suffering from a torn tendon in his left middle finger during the Game Two but despite that, he still managed to hold off the Miami Heat from pulling a 2-0 success, resulting in an epic 1-1 tie.

In the pivotal Game Four, he was battling flu, but still managed to throw his final lay-up, taking the Mavs to a three-point lead with just 14.9 seconds to play.

Now tell me, does my Dirk Nowitzki need to get another injury or disease just to win the fifth game? Or do the Mavs need another losing-control-of-the-ball moment by Dwayne Wade? What about another passive LeBron game?

See you, Game Five! XOXO.

Click here for Game 3; here for Game 2; here for Game 1.

Bad News, Good News, Breaking News

2011-06-06T17:51:00.006+08:00

THE BAD NEWS

This is a bittersweet day for me--and I'm afraid the "bitter" part is more dominant.

I did something I wish I did not do but thanks to situations like this--which I must keep mum about in the meantime--I am reminded to control my emotions, set aside my paranoia, and always wear my thinking cap before braving the battle of doubts and hesitations. Vague, right?

But what's not vague was the 88-86 difference during the Game Three of the NBA Finals, sending the Miami Heat to a 2-1 lead over the Dallas Mavericks. Just like in Game One, my Dirk Nowitzki bounced away from successfully taking the Mavs to the lead. That's bitter!

Game 2: An Epic Fourth Quarter

Heat heat up Game 1

THE GOOD NEWS

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is a big winner in the just-concluded 2011 MTV Movie Awards, bagging three major recognitions--Best Movie, Best Female Performance, and Best Male Performance!

Here's the complete list of winners from the 2011 MTV Movie Awards:

Best Movie
~~"Black Swan"~~
~~"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1"~~
~~"Inception"~~
~~"The Social Network"~~
WINNER: "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"

Best Female Performance
~~Emma Stone, "Easy A"~~
~~Emma Watson, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1"~~
~~Jennifer Aniston, "Just Go With It"~~
WINNER: Kristen Stewart, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"
N~~atalie Portman, "Black Swan"~~

Best Male Performance
~~Daniel Radcliffe, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1"~~
~~Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network"~~
WINNER: Robert Pattinson, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"
~~Taylor Lautner, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"~~
~~Zac Efron, "Charlie St. Cloud"~~

Best Breakout Star
~~Andrew Garfield , "The Social Network"~~
WINNER: Chloë Grace Moretz, "Kick-Ass"
~~Hailee Steinfeld, "True Grit"~~
~~Jay Chou, "The Green Hornet"~~
~~Olivia Wilde, "TRON: Legacy"~~
~~Xavier Samuel, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"~~

Best Comedic Performance
~~Adam Sandler, "Just Go With It"~~
~~Ashton Kutcher, "No Strings Attached"~~
WINNER: Emma Stone, "Easy A"
~~Russell Brand, "Get Him to the Greek"~~
~~Zach Galifianakis, "Due Date"~~

Best Line From A Movie
WINNER: Alexys Nycole Sanchez, "Grown Ups": "I want to get chocolate wasted."
~~Amanda Bynes and Emma Stone, "Easy A": Amanda Bynes: "There is a higher power that will judge you for your indecency." Emma Stone: "Tom Cruise?"~~
~~Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network": "If you guys were the inventors of Facebook, you'd have invented Facebook."~~
Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield, "The Social Network": Justin Timberlake: "... A million dollars isn't cool. You know what's cool?" Andrew Garfield: "A billion dollars. And that shut everybody up."
~~Tom Hardy, "Inception": "You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger darling."~~

Best Villain
~~Christoph Waltz, "The Green Hornet"~~
~~Leighton Meester, "The Roommate"~~
~~Mickey Rourke, "Iron Man 2"~~
~~Ned Beatty, "Toy Story 3"~~
WINNER: Tom Felton, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1"

Best Fight
~~Amy Adams vs. The Sisters, "The Fighter"~~
~~Chloë Grace Moretz vs. Mark Strong, "Kick-Ass"~~
~~Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint vs. Death Eaters, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1"~~
~~Joseph Gordon-Levitt vs. Hallway Attacker, "Inception"~~
WINNER: Robert Pattinson vs. Bryce Dallas Howard and Xavier Samuel, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"

Best Kiss
~~Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, "Inception"~~
~~Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1"~~
WINNER: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"
~~Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"~~
~~Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, "Black Swan"~~

Best Jaw-Dropping Moment
~~James Franco, "127 Hours," Cuts Off His Arm~~
WINNER: Justin Bieber, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," Performance Spectacular
~~Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page, "Inception," Paris Café Scene~~
~~Natalie Portman, "Black Swan," Mutilation: Pulls the Skin off Her Finger~~
~~Steve-O, "Jackass 3D," Port-A-Potty Bungee Stunt~~

Best Scared-As-Sh*t Performance
~~Ashley Bell, "The Last Exorcism"~~
WINNER: Ellen Page, "Inception"
~~Jessica Szohr, "Piranha 3D"~~
~~Minka Kelly, "The Roommate"~~
~~Ryan Reynolds, "Buried"~~

Biggest Badass Star
~~Alex Pettyfer, "I Am Number Four"~~
WINNER: Chloë Grace Moretz, "Kick-Ass"
~~Jaden Smith, "The Karate Kid"~~
~~Joseph Gordon-Levitt, "Inception"~~
~~Robert Downey Jr., "Iron Man 2"~~

THE 'BREAKING' NEWS

Through the introduction of my Robert Pattinson, her Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner during the 2011 MTV Movie Awards, MTV has just released the exclusive preview for the highly anticipated first look at The Twilight Saga: #BreakingDawn (Part 1)! Check out the video below and suit yourself, fellow Twi-hards!

Game 2: An Epic Fourth Quarter

2011-06-03T12:05:00.005+08:00

Mavs take 95-93 win over Heat, even series 1-1

It was indeed a critical start for the Mavs to lift themselves to a Game Two win, but miraculously it only took a left-handed lay-up from their talisman with a torn tendon in his left middle finger to end the second game of the NBA Finals with a big comeback win.

With seven minutes and 14 seconds to play in the second half, Heat's lead ballooned to 15 points, 88-73, and I was like, "Why worry? There'll be Game Three!"

But the Mavs did some good run to overcome the 15-point deficit, tying the game, 90-90, with only 57.6 seconds left.

My Dirk Nowitzki threw his three-pointer, providing the Mavs a 93-90 lead, with 26.7 seconds to play. Heat's guard Mario Chalmers then tied the ball game, 93-93, with his three-pointer response.

The epic heart-stopping lay-up from Nowitzki, with only 3.6 seconds left, has made Game Five necessary.

Sources: NBA.com, Twitter

Heat heat up Game 1

2011-06-01T21:52:00.002+08:00

It sucks that the Miami Heat had the “Big Three”—LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh—to open the Game One of the NBA Finals with a 92-84 win over the Dallas Mavericks!

Dirk Nowitzki—who, for some reason, always reminds me of my husband, Robert Pattinson—did some disappointing lay-ups, which gave birth to the coining of the term “Dirk NoRINGski” on Twitter.

The Heat lead the series 1-0, and we, the distressed Mavs fans, are looking forward to the next game, hoping that the Dirk Nowitzki we knew in the Western Conference Finals will be back, and that the aphrodisiacal Peja Stojakivic will take his jersey off!

The Game Two of the series will be aired on ABS-CBN Friday June 3 at 9 a.m. (Manila time).

Photo courtesy NBA.com

The long journey for talk show queen Oprah Winfrey

2011-05-27T19:41:00.002+08:00

Agence France-PresseCHICAGO, Illinois - Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey is a US cultural phenomenon and kingmaker who inspired her millions of loyal fans to read more, buy her favorite things and seek her trademark "aha moments."

She is credited with changing the way people talk to each other, having popularized a confessional interview style that has coaxed secrets, revelations and often tears from guests of all kinds.

Winfrey, 57, who has publicly struggled with her own weight issues, has also become a spiritual icon and self-help guru urging viewers to find their true selves, follow their intuition and find inner peace and happiness.

"She blazed a trail," Ellen Degeneres, a comedian who hosts her own daytime talk show, once said. "She will always be the queen of daytime."

Born into a life of poverty and abuse in Mississippi in 1954, Winfrey began her broadcasting career while she was still in high school and landed a job as a news anchor in Nashville at age 19.

Her emotional ad-libs won her a Chicago morning talk show in 1984, which beat rival Phil Donahue for the top spot locally within a month and was syndicated nationally in 1986. She also acted in the 1985 hit film "The Color Purple."

"The Oprah Winfrey Show" remained the top-rated talk show of all time and was estimated to reach 40 million US viewers a week.

The show served as the foundation for an empire that spans books, radio, magazines and the Internet and has launched the careers of a host of regular guests including counselor Dr Phil and chef Rachael Ray.

Winfrey began her own production company in 1988 and named it Harpo—her name backwards—and Forbes magazine declared her the first female African-American billionaire in 2003.

Winfrey is now estimated to be worth 2.7 billion dollars and is regularly ranked among the world's most powerful women, celebrities and media personalities.

"I am truly amazed that I who started out in rural Mississippi in 1954 when the vision for a black girl was limited to being either a maid or a teacher in a segregated school could end up here," she said Wednesday as she drew the curtain on her final show.

But fans won't have to look far for their Oprah fix: the Oprah Winfrey Network was launched on January 1 this year and features a mix of reality shows, chat shows and films.

Known as an almost uniquely influential tastemaker, Winfrey's recommendation of a book or product has an instantaneous and enormous effect.

Through her now-defunct televised book club she popularized works including Cormac McCarthy's "The Road."

Her stamp of approval was considered so important that she managed to convince the famously-reclusive author to appear on her show for his first ever television interview.

In 2008, she broke with a precedent of staying out of politics and endorsed fellow Chicagoan Barack Obama's presidential bid.

Her support was estimated by University of Maryland researchers to have brought in a million additional votes and helped Obama win both the Democratic nomination and the presidency.

Her strength remained the emotional connection she makes with her guests and her viewers, and many celebrities chose Winfrey's comfortable couch as a confessional.

Tom Cruise famously jumped up on that sofa to proclaim his love for Katie Holmes. Winfrey also took her show to Neverland Ranch for a 1993 interview with Michael Jackson which drew an audience of 100 million people.

Winfrey's use of public confession as therapy was not reserved for guests: she regularly spoke of her battles with her fluctuating weight and of the sexual abuse she suffered as a child.

She fought to help prevent child abuse by establishing a national database of convicted child abusers, which became known as the "Oprah Bill" when former president Bill Clinton signed it into law in 1993.

Winfrey is also a noted philanthropist, launching a public charity in 1998 to encourage her viewers to make a difference in the lives of others and a private foundation devoted to expanding access to education worldwide.

Winfrey has never married and has kept her more than 20-year relationship with businessman Stedman Graham largely out of public view.

But for her final show Wednesday he was in the audience, as she bade a tearful farewell to her legions of fans.

"From you whose names I will never know I learned what love is. You and this show have been the great love of my life," she said.

TWIST Recommends:

Oprah Winfrey bows out with simplicity, gratitude

Oprah's star-studded farewell show

Cruise, MJ, Beyonce, Madonna honor Oprah in farewell shows

Doomed Wednesday

2011-05-25T23:39:00.005+08:00

My credibility when it comes to dates and the Gregorian calendar got so screwed up this morning when I told half of my “SMS friends” that the purported Doomsday—December 21, 2012—will fall on Friday the 13th! My inbox was immediately flooded by since-when-is-13-equal-to-21 questions and I was like, “Whatever happened to cognizance?”

Adding to the mess I just created, I also found out—upon looking at my phone’s calendar for the nth time—that Friday the 13th is not even gonna occur in December 2012!

I believe that THAT “event” was induced by lack of sleep. Some of my friends believe it was simply classic stupidity.

On my way to work, I got soaked in some other mess once again. I was running late, it was raining cats and dogs, and I was like, “Where is that cat-killing UP scholar when you need him most?”

When the dogs finally killed the cats—or is it the other way around?—I felt a sudden relief. But fate was so playful, I didn’t foresee dealing with the DAILY traffic jam along Shaw Boulevard—Whatever Happened to Cognizance? (Part 2)!

I got stuck in the congestion for about 20 minutes, I slipped on the wet road when I got off the passenger jeepney on my way to the MRT station, and the rest is history.

Is today Friday the 13th?

***

Water For Elephants: A Quick Review

Francis Lawrence’s Water For Elephants is basically a story about a forbidden love between a homeless man and a circus acrobat. The happy ending of their love journey began when the circus elephant named Rosie killed the fifth wheel.

The production design has helped the movie in successfully retelling Sara Gruen's novel of the same name. But while Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon were all-out in personifying Jacob Jankowski and Marlena Rosenbluth, the much-awaited onscreen romantic chemistry was just not there to wow the moviegoers.

Three stars, five being the highest.

Erratum:

2011-05-21T18:37:00.002+08:00

I just learned that the supposed “Rapture” will take place in the Philippines tomorrow, May 22, 2011, at 2 a.m.

So we still have less than eight hours to pack those holy stuff!

TWIST Recommends:

Doomed Business? Read This: Doomsday church: still open for business from CNN Money

The Rapture and The Ticking of the Clock

2011-05-21T17:38:00.003+08:00

Is the Doomsday Really In The Offing?

It's 5:03 p.m. here in the Philippines (as of blogging) and the clock is definitely ticking on the feared "start of the Judgment Day."

Supporters of the California-based Family Radio, a Christian broadcasting network, believe that May 21, 2011--today--will mark the Day of Rapture or the day when Christian believers are suddenly removed from the Earth before the second coming of Christ. Family Radio also believes that five months from now--or on October 21, 2011--the end of the world will take place.

Rapture predictions are certainly nothing new. Wikipedia has filed some notable rapture predictions:

1844 - William Miller predicted Christ would return between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844, then revised his prediction, claiming to have miscalculated Scripture, to October 22, 1844. The realization that the predictions were incorrect resulted in a Great Disappointment. Miller's theology gave rise to the Advent movement. The Baha'is believe that Christ did return as Miller predicted in 1844, with the advent of The Báb, and numerous Miller-like prophetic predictions from many religions are given in William Sears book, Thief in The Night.
1914, 1918, 1925, 1942 - Dates set for the end by the Jehovah's Witnesses
1981 - Chuck Smith predicted that Jesus would probably return by 1981.
1988 - Publication of 88 Reasons why the Rapture is in 1988, by Edgar C. Whisenant.
1989 - Publication of The final shout: Rapture report 1989, by Edgar Whisenant. More predictions by this author appeared for 1992, 1995, and other years.
1992 - Korean group "Mission for the Coming Days" predicted October 28, 1992 as the date for the rapture.
1993 - Seven years before the year 2000. The rapture would have to start to allow for seven years of the Tribulation before the Return in 2000. Multiple predictions.
1994 - Pastor John Hinkle of Christ Church in Los Angeles predicted June 9, 1994. Radio evangelist Harold Camping predicted September 6, 1994.
2011 - Harold Camping's revised prediction has May 21, 2011 as the date of the rapture.
2060 - Sir Isaac Newton proposed, based upon his calculations using figures from the book of Daniel, that the Apocalypse could happen no earlier than 2060.

If ever these Family Radio guys are right, we Filipinos have only less than an hour (it's 5:35 p.m. now) to . . . I really don't know! Pack some holy stuff, maybe?

If there is one thing I'm sure of, my father is celebrating his 53rd birthday today!

Happy birthday, Didi! I love you.

Gaga's 'Judas'

2011-05-19T11:57:00.001+08:00

First time kong mapanood 'to! The best!

PacMom vs Miriam: Whose Side Are You On?

2011-05-18T22:07:00.002+08:00

Look Who's 'Backing Off'

May 14, 2011 - Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao takes a stand against RH Bill.

May 17, 2011 - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago challenges Pacquiao to a fist fight, telling the world boxing champion to back off and stop meddling in RH debate.

May 18, 2011 - In her son's defense, the angry Dionesia lashes out at Santiago, saying "Parang binasura [ni Santiago] ang anak ko!"

May 18, 2011 - Reacting on Dionesia's comments, Santiago says "I'm speechless."

Oprah's star-studded farewell show

2011-05-18T17:17:00.001+08:00

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/05/18/11/pictures-oprahs-star-studded-farewell-show

Another Reason...

2011-05-07T13:35:00.008+08:00

Another Reason to Release Bin Laden's Post-Mortem Photos

Al-Qaeda confirms bin Laden’s death, satisfies conspiracy theorists(?)

Through online jihadist fora posted Friday, al-Qaeda confirmed that its brain, Osama bin Laden, is dead.

Though its authenticity could not be established, the announcement made by the ruthless global militant Islamist group has quashed doubts that had been lingering over the death of the world’s most infamous mass murderer.

The confirmation serves as an indication that gives U.S. President Barack Obama another reason to change his mind and release bin Laden’s post-mortem photos. Because clearly, not releasing the photos—with graphic details on how “Obama got Osama”—does not give the rest of the world an assurance that the bereaved followers of bin Laden will not retaliate. In fact, al-Qaeda has said that Americans’ happiness "will turn into sorrow, and their blood will be mixed with their tears."

The release of bin Laden’s death photos would give us the same feeling we felt when we have reckoned fairly graphic video and photos of the death of Saddam Hussein. We have seen videos of terrorists carrying out executions; now is the time for us to see photos that connote triumph against worldwide infernal violence.

***

Royal Wedding Moves Over

Bin Laden’s death is 3rd biggest world news story of 21st century

When Obama announced Monday morning in the Philippines that bin Laden is dead, the whole world seemed to forget the day when Will and Kate exchanged vows during their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London.

The survey conducted by the Global Language Monitor (GLM) shows that the death of bin Laden has eclipsed the royal wedding in the list of the biggest world news story of the 21st century.

Here are the top ten news stories of the 21st century to date, according to the GLM:

1. Rise of China (2000)

2. Election of Barack Obama (2008)

3. Death of Osama bin Laden (2011)

4. WikiLeaks Published (2010)

5. British Royal Wedding (2011)

6. Death of Michael Jackson (2009)

7. September 11 terror attacks (2001)

8. Japanese quake/tsunami/nuclear crisis (2011)

9. Arab Spring uprisings (2011)

10. Global Economic Meltdown (2008)

Two Years of @Ralphabet

2011-05-01T19:40:00.012+08:00

Two years of being coupled up with the world's number one microblogging site

I was playing pretend-to-be-very-occupied game during my 2009 internship when my favorite Jose Edma Jr. told me about Twitter. The social climbing I immediately signed up, fascinated with the site's layout. Next thing I knew, my fingers would always itch to come in contact with the keyboard just to release my inhibitions—and my nonsensical thoughts, as well—through “tweets” containing 140 characters or less.

Twitter is like a killer crush who comes along and makes me forget everything but him. It's always on my mind wherever I go. It's one of the things which I would love to be stuck on an island with.

Nobody Really Cares

It has been two years of sharing positive emotions, aiming to somehow transform the lives of my followers. Two years of more negative emotions, seeking consolation—and not to mention, attention—everytime I'm feeling down.

But admittedly tweeting about my everyday goings on has become very silly. Why tweet about what I had for breakfast when I know from the start that no one would really dare to care?

Now I wouldn't be surprised if you guys are apathetic about this very narcissist celebration!

Cheers to another year, beloved followers!

When royals tie the knot with commoners

2011-04-29T20:43:00.001+08:00

Agence France-Presse

LONDON—Britain's Prince William, who marries Catherine Middleton on April 29, becomes the latest royal around the world to tie the knot with a commoner.

Marriages between royalty and commoners are becoming more and more frequent:

1936: Britain's king Edward VIII abdicates rather than be prevented from marrying commoner Wallis Simpson, a US socialite who had been twice divorced, after less than a year on the throne. They become the duke and duchess of Windsor.

The couple spend most of the rest of their lives in France; he dies in 1972 and she in 1986.

1956: Prince Rainier III of Monaco marries the US actress Grace Kelly.

1968: Norwegian crown prince Harald marries Sonja Haraldsen, daughter of a clothing merchant. The wedding meets with widespread disapproval at the time. They have been King Harald V and Queen Sonja since 1991.

1976: King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden marries a commoner, German-born Silvia Sommerlath.

1986: Prince Andrew, third child of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, marries the commoner Sarah Ferguson. The couple separated in 1992.

1993: Prince Abdullah of Jordan marries Rania al-Yassin, a business administration graduate from a Palestinian family. Now King Abdullah II and Queen Rania.

1997: Infanta Cristina, the youngest daughter of Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, marries Inaki Urdangarin, an Olympic handball player of Basque origin. They are now the duke and duchess of Palma de Mallorca.

1999: Britain's Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, marries advertising executive Sophie Rhys-Jones, the daughter of a tire salesman.

2001: Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon marries commoner Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoeiby. She already had a son from a previous relationship.

2001: King Mohammed VI of Morocco marries Salma Bennani, daughter of a schoolteacher. She is known as Princess Lalla Salma.

2002: Dutch Prince Willem-Alexander, the heir apparent, marries Maxima Zorreguieta, whose father was involved in the Argentine military junta.

2002: Princess Maertha Louise of Norway, the king's daughter, marries author Ari Behn.

2003: Belgium's Prince Laurent, the youngest son of King Albert II, is the only member of the royal family to have married a commoner: Claire Coombs, a surveyor of British-Belgian descent.

2004: Danish Crown Prince Frederik marries Australian advertising executive Mary Donaldson.

2004: Spain's Crown Prince Felipe marries Letizia Ortiz, a television presenter who was previously married.

2005: The sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, marries television journalist Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim. They had two children and divorced in 2010. She was his second second wife.

2005: Princess Sayako, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito of Japan, marries commoner Yoshiki Kuroda, a town planner. She left the imperial family upon marriage.

2010: Swedish Crown Princess Victoria marries her former personal trainer Daniel Westling.

Related Post: Just Married: Will and Kate