An international media watchdog considers Monday's carnage the worst of its kind as it "appears to be the single deadliest event for the press since 1992, when CPJ began keeping detailed records on journalist deaths". It has earned us the shameful title of being the "most dangerous place in the world for journalists". It is also the most gruesome and violent display of pre-elections violence in recent memory -- even overshadowing the many human rights violations in the time of martial law under former president Ferdinand Marcos.
Outside of Maguindanao, it is known as the Ampatuan Massacre. Within the area where it all happened however, it is but another usual occurence chalked up to elections violence. The only difference this time is the huge number of victims in one go. Other than that, it's "just politics as usual" in Mindanao. Continue reading →
The magnificently boring results of another survey from Pulse Asia just came out. It did nothing but make official what each and every one of us here in this country knew all along in eight years or so.
It essentially says that Gloria Arroyo's approval ratings remained unchanged at 21% while her disapproval ratings terribly increased from 43% in August to 51% in October and her distrust ratings also rose from 42% in August to 52% in October.
I am bored. Please present your harlem-dancing cat to amuse me.
What does it matter? She leaves office in seven months. The lady is practically a lameduck president. Any other mud thrown to her face wouldn't take back all the lost years and all the lost chance this country would have had under her reign. Continue reading →
At first glance I misread Amando Doronila's article in today's Philippine Daily Inquirer. I thought I read "With Edu, admin turns to tried formula". A quick closer look revealed that the word in question is actually tired, not tried. Maybe it's my age finally catching up with me. Better schedule an appointment with EO Optical.
In the context of "tried and tested" formula, it made sense, I thought at first. After all, former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada did it in 1998 -- won the highest seat in the land on account of undisputable charisma -- the gift and curse of a movie star -- the ultimate proof of this "tried and tested" formula. Continue reading →
Although there have been reports that Gibo's popularity in surveys has increased (he now enjoys a 2-digit rating), he remains fifth (at best). Previously considered were Senator Loren Legarda who is running with Villar (at least, that's what the Nacionalista Party members hint), Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Senator Bong Revilla (who is running for reelection, heeding advice of his father -- former Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr.) and Senator Miguel Zubiri (an expected choice, given that he's from Mindanao and there were news floating then that Gibo's running mate would come from Mindanao) and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto (who already declared she would be running for reelection, with Mark Leviste as her Vice-Governor). Continue reading →
Buried on page three of the Philippine Star yesterday is an article that reads "Arroyo to announce resignation from Lakas-Kampi". Placed way below the page, it would go unnoticed to leisure readers.
Maybe it isn't headline material as opposed to "Senate OKs plunder raps vs Ebdane, Puno" -- after all, that's the days hottest news indeed. Even Malacanang supports the filing of charges vs. latest presidential hopeful and former DPWH Secretary Ebdane and Dodie Puno -- a P60.5B road fund allegedly squandered is not to be taken lightly.
I'm not so much into that sort of scandal because of the many previous ones this administration got involved with, nothing seems to surprise me anymore.
So let's just talk elections 2010.
In a post preceding this, I have expressed "not a suggestion", mind you, more like "thinking (stupidly) out loud" that for Gibo to have a chance at his presidential bid in 2010, he must "bolt out too". And in that post, I also mentioned that since GMA is causing so much bad press for Gibo, it's either he bolts out or GMA does.
And it looks like such is what's about to happen (I am yet to confirm). In the Philippine Star article, it says "President Arroyo and other leaders of the Lakas-Kampi are expected to formally announce their resignation from their posts in the ruling party today to make way for a new set of officers."
Aside from Arroyo, also expected to file their resignations are Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Lakas President, and Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio, Lakas Secretary-General. New officers will be elected on November 19 when the party holds their national convention.
Question now is whether this will create enough of a favorable impact on Gibo's candidacy. Will this effect be strong enough to translate into votes now that GMA no longer sits as head of the party? Can this "kiss of death" be undone? We'll see.
LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD standard bearer Gibo Teodoro: Problematic as always. (Photo credits: http://gibo.ph)
Well, everyone else is doing it. We've seen the benefits.
Instant "pogi' points. Popularity surge. Emotional pandering. Bolting out of political parties are the "in" thing these days. And anyone who wants to have a piece of this rave must now abandon the conventional for the radical.
The saints are marching
It now appears to be a race for the "holiest of holies".
Noynoy Aquino has become "morality in the flesh" -- the epitome of righteousness by "going on a retreat" and well, quite simply, just by being a son of martyred parents.
There are also the "lesser saints" Mayor Jejomar Binay and Ed Panlilio, both withdrawing presidential bids to give way to Noynoy. Kiko Pangilinan -- initially intent on running for Vice President has also given up on his dream in favor of Mar.
Then there's DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno -- expected to run in tandem with administration party LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD -- who also announced his withdrawal from the race a few weeks before the filing of COCs begin.
A Prophetic Villar
Senator Manny Villar was right all along when he said (in a casual group interview) that it's way to early to tell who his opponents would be. He said many would either slide to a lower position, settle for reelection or withdraw from the race altogether. Continue reading →
Many people wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
When I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
The flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
The joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Men themselves have wondered
what they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Now you understand
just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palms of my hands,
the need for my care.
Because I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's my mother and all your mothers
And my grandmothers and your grandmothers
And my great grandmothers and your greats
And my great greats
And yours
And all you women
And Me!
This site is offsetting all electricity use with wind-generated Renewable Energy Certificates which prevent the release of 2,660 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year.That’s equivalent to planting nearly 2,390 acres of trees, or removing 510 cars from the road. Reinforcing my commitment to combating climate change.
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