Two Gleefully Ambiguous Rants Today. . .

First, William and Catherine finally got hitched! Great! Congratulations kids, er, your highnesses! May you have a long and prosperous life and blah, blah, blah and all of that. I sincerely wish for them the very same things I would any newlywed, regardless of being nobility or commoner. Wills is definitely a lucky guy. Not since Grace Kelly of Monaco decades ago do I recall someone as striking as Duchess Catherine above. 

So for the love of God, could we finally move on to more important and relevant matters dito sa atin!?!! Frankly, sawang sawa na ako sa halos dalawang linggong puro "Royal Wedding" ang laman ng mga balita! My supply of royal fantasies and British romance dried-up early!    

Secondly, si Madame Gutierrez nag-resign na! 

If there was ever a real-life superhero dispensing justice and fairness in the world, the closest it would be is someone holding the Office of the Ombudsman, where the LAW is upheld supremely above all, especially by those working in government and the public sector. It literally is where "wrongs" must be "righted".

Supposedly, and I mean that in the strongest terms, we have the value of delikadesa or sense of propriety or decency imparted as an intrinsic part of our culture and upbringing. Tragically, the concept seems to be waning these past generations. This is especially true with people in government ("public servants") who seem to have evolved thick armor-plated skin supplemented by a lack of morals. Nakarami na tayong mga tulad nila!

Madame Gutierrez above cites the usual "family" excuse mentioning how her mother and husband and children seem to be already affected with her predicament and that such an action was in pursuit of the "the greater good". Susmaryosep naman! Madame, kung noon pa lang ginawa mo na ito at hindi pinahaba-haba ng walang kwentang pagmamamatigas, that would have been infinitely preferred! If it were some other country in the context of another society (Japan readily comes into mind), if you sense that you have fallen out of favor with your leader, not to mention being perceived by both your colleagues and the wider public as being ineffective in your post, and  resigning ASAP would be a very diplomatic way to save face! It's called a courtesy resignation. Rightly or wrongly, it's just that way it is, more so if your boss is the president of a country!

Good luck madame! You'll surely need it.     

China As The Emerging Dragon

Napoleon Bonaparte was supposed to have uttered something very prophetic about China: "There lies a sleeping giant in east. Let her sleep, for when she wakes up, she will shake the world."

An interesting news bit below on what some think is the imminent shift in global affairs in the next few years, not even a decade from now. The points it raises and implications being touched are intriguing to say the least. 

IMF projection on the end of US economic leadership, switching over to China

Filipina Maids "Discriminated" in Singapore!?!!

This news bit REALLY got to me. 

I can replace the idea of DISCRIMINATION ("panlalait" in proper Tagalog context) with some other ideas we Filipinos ourselves MOST OF THE TIME forget. 

How about sense of PROPRIETY (nasa "ayos" ayon sa lugar at pagkakatoan), SENSITIVITY (murunong umintindi) and RESPECT (pag-galang) especially if it is NOT your country you are staying in?

It is at the heart of the ills of the Filipino, both as a species and as a culture, is his/her search for IDENTITY. Having been a colony and experienced oppression by Spain, Japan and America, he has not found himself yet. One sure sign that someone has found his identity is that he conducts him/herself that draws ADMIRATION and a sense of DIGNITY from outsiders. All of that has nothing to do with being "edukado" or being "may kaya sa buhay." No relation whatsoever!

Want proof of this? Look no further than your typical kapit-bahay blaring his stereo or radio for all the world to hear, not minding if people want to rest in silence or approve of his choice of music. Same is true with being in a jeepney with the manong drayber not having a care in the world.

Self-respect encourages outward respect from others! 

I know the difficulty, loneliness and suffering (physically, emotionally) suffered by OFW's abroad, even in Singapore where I've been and even stayed with some briefly when I tried my luck there in 2010. I've even been to the "Ion Orchard" mall location they were talking about. Honestly, that's not where I'd like to have some serious fun!  

Pero hindi ako isang hinayupak na politiko na nagpapa-sipsip sa tinatawag nilang mga "Bagong Bayani" (which is nothing more than a political slogan to gain publicity and votes) dahil ang mali, mali parin, maging sino ka man, maging saan ka man. 

Japan: Lessons On A Resilient Spirit

Japanese kanji for "resilience"

I came across this news article. It's been said that we Filipinos are resilient folks. With all the poverty, corruption and inquality, tragedies and incidences that have become so much a part of our lives, many outsiders often wonder at how we all shrug these off with a bit of laughter, a steady stride and coupled with the smallest bit of hope of "may bukas pa" (there's still tomorrow). Often though, we take this light-hearted approach far too much, to the point of indifference, levity and lack of foresight.

With this recent disaster Japan is currently experiencing, the world is seeing a different kind of resilience, a more "stoic" kind of endurance to meet all these difficulties and pick-up the pieces slowly but surely. There is no hint of anarchy, self-serving acts or riots amid the chaos. It is a resilience with a strong sense of humanity and nobility.    

If there is one thing the Japanese know what to do, it is to band together to endeavor for a far greater good. Known for their discipline and hard work, countless generations of Japanese have been brought up with the ideals of bushido ("Way of the Warrior" or the code of chivlary by its military class) which has permeated into the culture of the common man and his psyche. They learned to endure life's difficulties. We should also remember that at the end of WWII, their defeat and the atomic bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki virtually wiped-out the Japanese economy and way of living. Yet, they proved their resilience again by slowly and surely rebuilding their nation into the economic powerhouse we all recognize today. To go on bravely together with unblinking eyes, one breath at a time, one step at a time.

Ang tibay natin sana katulad din nung mga Japon.

Eurasia Group's Risk Assessment for 2011

I got wind of this via CNN last night. A recently released analysis by a US "think tank" for some things to expect for this new year. Some interesting reading extending the trends we've been experiencing lately. 

Click HERE

Well and good, but so what does it all mean to Juan dela Cruz? Now more than ever, is THE most critical time for all of us to pull ourselves by our own bootstraps mga kabayan. No "ally" will do it for us. Old paradigms and changing. The balance of power and influence are in flux. Uncertainty is certain. 

Surviving A Windfall

Recently, this seems to be the season for lottery mega-millions.

Just last month, we had our own record-breaking amount which ballooned to P741 million (roughly $16.9 million) supposedly won by a fortunate balikbayan from the states. Apparently he's making plans already for his eventual retirement here.  

Even more recent in the US, a $380 million jackpot winning was to be split between a Washington resident and a still unidentified Idaho winner.

Since I'm experiencing a bout of tamad to actually sit down, organize and write my thoughts on a "survival guide for a lotto win" that's been playing in my mind for some time now, a Yahoo news bit already came out with THIS one. Some things to keep in mind for that very life-changing day, if and when it does come. Who knows, right?

Bottom line:

1. Keep a low profile.

2. Don't get swept or overwhelmed TOO much in spending.

2. Make a PLAN based on professional advise for the family, finances and legal areas. 

3. Keep a low profile (really needs to reiterating).

Deadly Diseases: Old and New

A startling but very real fact of life is that those that can do the most harm, even potentially wiping-out humanity, don't necessarily have to be the large-scale catastrophes or massive events. The pendulum of death can swing to the far end of the spectrum. They can be in the microscopic levels, specifically organisms like bacteria, biological toxins, certain proteins (prions) and viruses.

The Black Death bubonic plague was estimated to have taken conservatively 30% (even upwards of 60%) of Europe's population in the 14th century. Even with the advent of modern medicine today, we are not totally spared from localized epidemics to global pandemics, the irony being the relative ease and access to global travel that has made it possible for diseases to be transmitted farther and faster. Case in point: the well-known SARS epidemic some recent years back. There are however some positive steps and discoveries that have been noted, like in the case HIV that leads to AIDS which, while still fatal in the long run, allows for patients live longer with better quality of lives. An early, preventive campaign against dengue fever also allows it to be managed to some degree reducing the number of fatalities it causes yearly. 

There are also the exotic examples like Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, and the hantavirus which are  classified under the highest level of killer diseases since they are not only extremely contagious but also have a high mortality rate. These Level 4 diseases also have an added factor of grisliness as most most them are hemorrhagic diseases, causing the infected to bleed through the openings in their body at the late stages of the infection.

Now, researchers are trying to contain an outbreak of a newly discovered disease which has also appeared in Africa. Click below -

New Disease found in Uganda

Metro Manila: "The 7-11 of Disasters"

Not really surprising given how vulnerable we really are, click below -

From Yahoo News

The question now is: how prepared do YOU want to be?

3 Teens Rescued After 50 Days Adrift

I'm simply beyond words! They were already presumed dead. Just click below -

Miraculous Survival

Myanmar Democracy Icon Freed

All the world has probably heard of Aung San Suu Kyi who's been the face of dignified struggle against the oppressive ruling military junta of Myanmar (Burma) for all these years. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate (conferred 1991) appeared in her trademark flower hair braid when she was finally freed from her many years of being under house arrest.

The good news HERE

Clinton (Idiot) Aide Shouts at VP Binay, Apologizes

I just saw this today. So apparently all is Ok now!? Click on the links below for the news -

BITCH

MORE BITCHNESS

Kailangan magpalabas ng masamang saloobin. Ano ba 'to? A power-tripping, wanna-be "alpha female?" Or something worse. . .

Let's see if I can sort this out; you're a female aide of a former head of state (president) who will be giving a speech in another country where you and your group will obviously be considered as foreign GUESTS with the irony of it all being that this particular forum's theme was: "Embracing Our Common Humanity(!?!!)" but not checking yourself with any amount of decency and respect for its citizens? You hit the jackpot though when you vented at our VP. I bet your boss is mighty proud of you!

And your defense of it all was. . .

"The Clinton Foundation staff member who shouted at the Vice-President said she was not informed by the US Secret Service about the arrangements made for Binay."

So fucking what!? Even if VP Binay "gatecrashed" the event, how big of a deal is it really? If there's an issue, you address it with diplomacy. If there's a real problem, ask the big, tough Secret Service boys to take care of it. I think they would've handled it waaay better than you did. The long and short of it: would you like it if someone rudely shouted at you?

Man in Disguise Boards International Flight

Photo taken from http://edition.cnn.com/

Ang galing ano po? He's no uber spy but he sure fooled Canadian airline security. In fact they're even calling it an "unbelievable case of concealment."

More info below -

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/11/04/disguise.artist.pdf

An Analysis on PNoy's Ongoing Presidency

A troubling start for the Aquino watch

Now this is definitely blog-worthy.

There was an article in yesterday’s copy of the Inquirer that caught my interest. It was a report released by one of those think-tanks assessing PNoy’s current performance in his fledgling presidency insofar as “change” or reform of government and politics is concerned. This change agenda is likened to that of US president Barack Obama’s who took office sometime earlier before PNoy did.

Notwithstanding the comparison with another country, I believe their analysis is spot-on. In fact, it’s so accurate it hurts! Link to the article below -

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20101104-301337/Aquino-may-follow-Obama-path-warns-think-tank

As for the group that furnished the report, (http://www.psagroup.com/) from what we could read from their document, I believe they provided excellent information we could all chew on. Good information is the outcome of a process that is inexact yet balanced with it being a tedious one. This process begins with gathering intelligence. Good intelligence means information that is timely, relevant, and to some degree, quantifiable. Next comes the analysis proper which requires sifting thru and prioritizing the mass of incoming raw data requiring the analyst to have multiple capacities for verifying, tracking, cross-referencing, contextualizing, connecting and even forecasting to yield new and enhanced information. A formal recommendation is then made for a course of action.

The Glorietta Blast Incident: New Probe Sought

I bought my copy of the Inquirer today and happen to see this article. This happened three years ago. I remember the collective shock it all gave us and the maddening investigations that followed. Was it a deliberate act of terrorism/mass murder or just a God-forsaken accident? The PNP said it was just the result of an unfortunate build-up of methane gas. Huh!? Frankly, I remember muttering to myself: "Katarantaduhan 'to!" (This is utter bullshit!) after seeing a diagram on PDI as well detailing what might've caused the explosion. (I really wish I could find that specific diagram now but a search didn't turn up anything on the newspaper's archives).

Now, I admit I have no background EOD or forensic chemistry, but sometimes those in power can dissuade "authorities" or "experts" to bend facts to suit them. It was after all just a humble, little, insignificant boy that squealed to the world that the emperor wasn't wearing anything and he was just plain naked. I suspect I may not be the only one.

I felt so strongly about it that I told my father and texted some acquaintances about it (one of them being a security consultant for an international firm). Of course it fueled talks that this event was orchestrated to divert attention from the on-going probe of ZTE Scandal, one of the many sordid legacies of former President Gloria Arroyo.

Some links of this article and its supplement on PDI's online site -

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20101020-298687/Explosive-not-gas-blasted-Glorietta-2

http://www.inquirer.net/specialreports/gloriettablast/view.php?db=1&article=20101020-298688

Predictions of Future Trends and Developments

There have been many so-called "futurists" from all fields like academics, market analysts, security experts and the like who research what the current trends and behaviors now are leading to down the line. A few have proven to be accurate to a very high degree.

This one is the latest and is very interesting as to their projections on how the world will be like a few generations ahead -

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/afp/20101017/tls-lifestyle-us-technology-social-relig-aeafa1b.html

Typhoon Watch: Juan (Megi)

(Photo taken from Yahoo News by the Associated Press)

UPDATE:

Thank God we came out of this somewhat unscathed! The aftermath was relatively not severe. The government and the concerned agencies were prepped and ready. Good work and thanks all around!

(Photo from http://www.gmanews.tv/)

UPDATE: 10:00 AM/Oct. 18, 2010

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/abs/20101017/tph-juan-changes-path-metro-manila-under-8061bf7.html

20:00/Oct.17 2010

Latest bulletin puts it at 220 km/h at the center and gustiness of 260 km/h! It's a supertyphoon folks! Signal #4 already raised over Isabela and Cagayan.

Next PAGASA bulletin will be at 22:00 tonight. Please be advised to monitor for latest developments.

Mag-ingat po tayong lahat!

The Chilean Miners Rescue: A Look Back

(Photo taken from FoxNews.com)

The world, and especially the citizens and families of Chile, are still ecstatic and thankful for the rescue of the 33 miners. Not only was this a welcome release from being trapped in the dark earth for two months but it was achieved without incident.

Of course prior to this amazing rescue was the the planned execution and the logistics. The main equipment used was the so-called Phoenix Capsule, the rescue platform developed specifically for this task jointly by scientists from NASA and the Chilean Navy. The link below provides more info -

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/10/12/phoenix-rescue-capsule-save-chilean-miners/

UPDATE:

As to those wondering how they're doing, they are getting to be celebrities. Take their eyewear for example; they're still wearing shades! This is because of the very real danger of "solar retinopathy" as they were stuck in an a dark environment for a very long period. Link below -

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/94069?fp=1

An Elusive Peace

Photo from the Associated Press

The Gaza Strip is this piece land bordering Israel and Egypt that's been the source of dispute and conflict for some time now. We've been hearing and seeing the bombings which have been relentless. Both sides claim they're in the right, yet it is Israel that seems to be the merciless aggressor since its response is immensely "disproportionate" when compared to the sporadic rockets fired on Israel by forces of Hamas, which stands as its ruling party.

Below is more info -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_strip

Here's a link to a story -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/08/aid-ceasefire-gaza-israel-palestinians

I'm not about to add to the fires with this already deteriorating situation and hundreds of lives already lost by whining about the injustice or immorality of it all. What I am asking though is that the very least, what that we can do is to PRAY that this gets crisis gets resolved at the soonest possible time. Although the political situation can not be improved any time in the forseeable future, the bombings have to stop!

Old Meeting the New: When Cultures Collide

An inescapable fundamental in our existence has always been change. Everything evolves, develops or turns into something else. True, there are some traditions, ideas, methods or ways of living that are "empty" or meaningless, becoming an anachronism as time goes by. These need to be discarded. Yet on the other side of the equation, when something new comes along, is it really the necessary or even welcome kind?

Case in point: the apparent rise of youth problems in Greenland -

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/afp/20081227/tls-denmark-greenland-child-sex-abuse-aeafa1b.html

It actually reminded me of something disturbingly familiar I had read some time ago about the small, land-locked, South Asian nation of Bhutan. It also faced similar societal challenges brought about by its opening to the world -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2003/jun/14/weekend7.weekend2

In my poor and shameless attempt at being an amateur anthropologist, I tried to attribute the similar geographic remoteness or isolation of both countries that made them less susceptible to the effects of the changing world. Did the remoteness of their locations afford them not to be desensitized as much as the rest of us? Maybe all this societal deprecation falls also on the rate it has influenced these peoples' consciousness. It would seem that all these effects have been felt in less than a generation. Would a gradual introduction to the outside have had a different impact?

I think its plain to see: change does not always translate into progress.

Man Throws Shoes at Bush

THIS IS WRONG! Security breach! It should not have happened!






Idiot's Note: Practice your aim and throw beforehand! :)