Makati

Manila: Before and After

I was surfing around the net and suddenly I wonder what it looks like Manila way, way back the years. I was amazed when there’s a blog that has generous amount of pictures and description of old Manila pictures.

Old Manila: manilahub.i.ph

With this site, you can view the “before and after” of the streets and places around Manila. You can also see EDSA or highway 54 way back when there’s no traffic unlike today that I looks like hell.

I hope you like it, experience Manila the “classic” style.

Visit his site here:

http://manilahub.i.ph
http://ikaunangpahina.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/back-to-the-future/

Paalam at Salamat Pangulong Corazon C. Aquino

Paalam: Pangulong Cory Aquino

Corazon Aquino: Woman of simplicity

She was a woman of simplicity, honesty, and integrity. This was how most of her family and close friends remembered the late president Corazon Aquino.

In the necrological services at the Manila Cathedral Tuesday, Aquino was described as a woman who was never extravagant, yet full of love and always ready to share whatever she had.

“Simplicity characterized her in her lifetime. She is the most credible and outstanding embodiment of integrity,” said a nun, identified as Sister Remy.

“She is a loving sister. Cory, you will forever be with us,” Aquino’s brother, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. said.

Aquino’s sister-in-law, Maria Aurora Lichauco, meanwhile, tagged the former president as a great mother, having been able to raise “refined, responsible and beautiful offsprings,” despite the absence of her husband, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino who was killed at the tarmac upon his return to the Philippines in 1983. It was his death that sparked People Power revolution, which catapulted his widow to power in 1986.

“I promised Cory I will always be here for her children,” she added, making Aquino’s children emotional.

Designer Paul Cabral who made Aquino’s yellow funeral dress said the icon of democracy was “truly a wonderful woman.”

“Thank you for the fond memories. I feel blessed for the privilege of loving you and being loved in return,” he added.

But the most memorable speech came from Aquino’s bodyguard of 23 years, Inspector Mel Mamaril.

“She nicely treats people around her, no matter how big or small. She treated us just like how a mother treats her son,” said Mamaril who gave his boss a final salute. His act made Aquino’s youngest daughter Kris more emotional.

Aquino’s only son, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, again thanked the public for condoling with their family, noting that they were deeply moved by messages from grade school students who were not even born at the time Cory was president.

“Mom, I really, truly believe you have fought a good fight and you have finished with a cause,” the senator said.

Also present the necrological services were Former president Fidel Ramos, diplomats, cabinet members of the Aquino administration, heads of business communities and ranking officials of the police and military.

http://yseablog.com/blog/2009/08/05/corazon-aquino-woman-of-simplicity/

You make Filipinos free. And now, that she is on our Gods kingdom,  may she always pray for us, lead us to a great and peacful nation. So long and thank you…

Thank You President Aquino

1933-2009

To our beloved President. May you rest in peace and may your God be with you always. Happy trip and we’ll see you at the kingdom on heaven. Thank you.

Di ako papayag!!! No to Con-Ass

To the Members of the House who sponsored HR 1109

We write this letter in the knowledge that within our inalienable right to free speech, we have the right to condemn, to dissent, and to express.  We believe that dissent and disagreement – as well as anger – is warranted for the events of June 2, 2009, where 170 Representatives sponsored and passed a ruthless, rude, and repugnant resolution that fuels our rage.

On that night, you held a marathon session to pass House Resolution 1109.  The House majority have passed the resolution to set up a constituent assembly to open up the Constitution to changes that endanger Philippine sovereignty, and the rights and liberties, granted to us in this country.  The possibility of “Gloria Forever” haunted a sleeping nation.  The House overstepped its bounds in a claim to power, and to usurp the present decay of political institutions of this nation.

The resolution was rammed through, railroaded, and passed without regard to objection and without respect to the Constitution.  More than an agenda of “Gloria Forever,” it was a slap in the face to the ideals that this nation stands for: enshrined not only in the Constitution, but in the values and mores of Filipino society.  It was a black eye to democracy, to prudence, and to dialogue.

An embarrassment, a farce, and a shame.  A derisive and deliberate attempt to subvert the laws of the land: the very Constitution that you, members of the House, swore to protect when you assumed office.

The Constitution is a defining moment in history.  It is the height of creating a politics of freedom, identity, and national strength, created and ratified on the basis that one’s country is not designed and built on whims, but that of foresight and the common good.  It sets a precedent for justice and fairness, and is the building block of democracy in free nations.

June 2, 2009 was a defining moment in history.  It is the height of a politics of ignominy, imprudence, and insolence; the approval of a shameless and ambiguously-worded resolution that threatens the very existence of this country’s democracy.  One that sets a precedent for injustice, unfairness, and opens the doors for corrupting, unchecked power.  You made a grip on the very throat of this country’s democracy, and choked it.

Shameless.  That resolution will be tested in the Courts, and perhaps maybe even struck out of the record one day.  Forgotten, perhaps, but it should stand – and it will stand – as a testament to shame.

Honorable Representatives, the wisdom of amending the Constitution is not lost on anyone, and it certainly is not lost on us.  Yet without the benefit of prudent dialogue and evaluation, the wisdom of Constitutional amendments – or Charter Change – must be questioned.  When the passage of a resolution that endangers democracy is made possible because of the maneuvering of the majority, the intentions and effects of moves to amend the Constitution must be questioned.  If the integral document of a nation is going to be altered by people of questionable integrity, Constitutional amendments and Charter Change are questionable.

Read more at: http://notoconass.com/

If you want to read the proposed charter amendments, click here http://notoconass.com/proposed.html

Save Earth: Manila to support Earth Hour movement

It’s been a week since I’ve seen the poster in Ayala mall in Makati. Today, I’ve seen so much advertisement/supporters regarding this event, this includes GMA-7, Channel 23,  Glorietta,  SM Super malls, Meralco and others.

So what’s up with this Earth Hour? Can it change the climate? Well, the answer is NO. Well yes,  Earth hour promotes saving energy to save the earth but definitely it will NOT change the climate for just 1 hour. Earth hour is just an eye-opener for all of us on how we gonna start to save the earth.

So, if you want to save earth and conserve energy as well, then start it in your home. Turn off lights, applicances and other energy hogging things to conserve energy. It will not only save earth but also it will cut down your bills Let’s not just focus on the energy things, but also, conserve water.

Bottom line, Earth hour is just a starter for us to save enegry. Let’s not take it only on earth hour event but let’s make it a habbit — to conserve enegry. Big companies can, so, how about us? Let’s take part of it.

Save Earth: Participate to Earth Hour

Earth Hour

VOTE EARTH

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm

Source: http://www.earthhour.org/about/

Appeal against Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Gaza (Telegraph.co.uk)

The Gaza war is all over the news last month and this month and we all know that there’s too much people dies. Here in Makat,i theres a people who strike  to voice out their pledge to stop the war. They’re spreading a letter that reads:

For the past 37 years Israel has occupied the land of Palestine with vicious cycle of diabolic cruelty, violence, suppression, oppression, destruction to human, animal and property with impunity.

The question of Palestine is no different from struggle of the Bangsamoro people to be respected, accorded a better life, the right to protection as a nation distinct, unique and separate from the Jewish, Israel. Thus, the right to protect its territory and the protection of its people’s existence and equal humanity under the principle of international human law signed by member states of the United Nation must be uphold.

In 1946, the Philippines were among the 50 UN member states signatory and approved the partition and the creation of the State of Israel. Thus, it is imperative that this governement must take moral ascendancy to restrain Israel unconditionally from continuously committing violence against humanity, oppressing and terrorizing Palestine and her people.

This inhuman action if left uncheck by the international community could endanger the already volatile peace situation in the Middle East and can further heightened terrorism. Hence, the United Nations, Philippines and her citizens are enjoined on unconditional term to end the violence in the Gaza Strip. The wall of Aparthied erected in 2000 by the Zionist Israel government is but the latest testament of cruelty, cutting not just the flow of water to the Palestinian household but as well as designed to create human difficulty in crossing from one place to another.

Israel is yet to be accounted on various atrocities committed against men, women, innocent children, and the deaths of American Ms. Rachel Corrie killed by IDF who bulldozed her to death while trying to protect a Palestinian home from military destruction; Englishman Mr. Tom Hurndall was killed by Israeli sniper while on a volunteer Mission for International Solidarity Movement.

Israel who suffered inhuman Holocaust and unspeakable cruelty from the German Nazi government is now exacting a revenge on a wrong people, the Palestinian who open their doors when the whole world shut and ostracized the Jewish community.

Economic might must not be equated to hubris given Israel’s unmatched military might in the Middle East as against the oppressed Palestinian.

Thus, we call on the United Nations member countries to heed the Palestinian call for help and solidarity in their anguish against Israel oppression and to institute economic support;

We call on the Security Council to take a long leadership and restrict Israel from further dehumanizing, displaying arrogance and orchestrating a killing machine against Palestinians;

We call on the United States of America to serve justice and lift its veto on the decision of the UN Security Council; further we enjoined the USA to stop its military assistance to the State of Israel and direct instead said assistance to AIDS, Drug prevention, US Education and Health Care;

We call on Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to unite the spearhead the negotition of peace settlement between the State of Palestine and Israel.

We call on the International Court of Justice to institute investigation proceedings to punish all men and women responsible for crime against humanity in Palestine;

We call on the government of Israel to respect the democratic rights of the Palestinian people to chose leadership in their governance, to show concern for peace, disregard territory and save humanity from further destruction. Israel’s Holocaust experienced must serve notice to all mankind the atrocities of greed and racism, said experience must not be replicated elsewhere much more displayed by once victim itself, like Israel;

Finally, we call on every peace loving Filipinos and Moros to stand for the promotion of peace, justice and equality among mankind. Let us stop the war, end the oppression, invasion and occupation of Palestine and Mindanao. Save children, save the money for war machine for Education and AIDS program campaign.

 

January 8, 2009

PEOPLES’ SOLIDARITY ACTION FOR PEACE (PSAP)

The letter is very strong and I hope that they will read this message and make up their mind that there will be no good outcome in war. Let’s all pray that the war between this two countries will end very soon. 

Pacific Star Building Makati – Fire Drill

Pacific Star Building, Makati Ave.,  Makati City
Thursday – October 23, 2008 around 2:00 PM

Fire alarm sounded around the building. A certain floor is got on fire. All elevator has been shut down to secure the employees.. All employees has been evacuated to the outside of the building.  Rescuers found two men stacked to their office and rescued them and rappelled back to the ground floor.

Those was just a drill in case of fire.

A fire drill is a method of practicing the evacuation of a building for a fire or other emergency. Generally, the emergency system (usually an alarm) is activated and the building is evacuated as though a real fire had occurred. Usually, the time it takes to evacuate is measured to ensure that it occurs within a reasonable length of time.

source: Wikipedia.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_drill

That drill is a good a practice for those of us working in the said building just in case the real fire occurs. We don’t have any abilities to predict what will gonna happen next so it is better to be safe and to know what will be the next step that will save your life or my life too.

After the drill, a certain fire bureau host in Makati perform some tips on how to use fire extinguisher properly. They set a real fire and demonstrate how to make the fire out. After that, they called a volunteer from different companies and executed certain tricks on how to extinguish fire.

Although the drill make us tired and sweaty, it is a good step of the building management to inform how the employees will respond in case of fire and other calamities.

So, until next fire drill.

Oh, I have a video of the said drill but it’s too shaky and you will only get dizzy when you see it but I’m gonna post it in youtube if you still want to see it.