The Presidentiables

Ladies and Gentlemen!!!! this is the beginning of my presentation of the presidentiables. Let us know them one by one. This might help you choose who to vote this 2010 elections. Good Luck!!! :)

MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE

November 23: This is the death scene. 57 bodies were found in the area. Others were buried. Aside from dead bodies, a backhoe owned by the province of Maguindanao was also found in the area. Two human rights lawyers, 30 journalists, and two members of the Mangudadatu family where among the identified victims.

November 26, Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. of Datu Unsal surrendered to authorities. Ampatuan was pointed by witnesses as the mastermind of the crime.

November 27, Ismael Mangudadatu files candidacy for Sharrif Aguak governor.

November 28, an audio recording was found by authorities.

December 2, 25 counts of murder were filed against town Datu Unsal Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Some facts. Mangudadatu and Ampatuan are blood-related because of inter-marriage. The family ties were broken after the Mangudadatu sought for government office against the Ampatuans. It was believed that the women members of the Mangudadatu were sent to file certificates of candidacy because their religion, Islam, teaches that women, children, and senior citizens are excempted to any war.

Since the alleged suspects, the Ampatuans and their private armies already disobeyed the teachings of Islam, the residents fear that they will not be able to have peace in their community. Some of the families in Maguindanao already opted to evacuate.

The entire country is watching the government, waiting that justice will be served.

Team Jinkee!

[images from flickr.com]

The pound for pound king has been married to Jinkee way before he made tremendous success in boxing. Jinkee witnessed every fight Manny made inside and outside the boxing ring.The couple now has four children.

If rumors are true, she will destroy not just a couple but a family.

Described as a smart and talented girl, known also for her beautiful face and body... Krista Ranillo comes from a conservative family. But with the tight competition in showbiz, Krista started to show some skin. Her confidence made her stand out.

Earlier, rumors came out. She was spotted with Manny in an event in Manila. The two arrived in one car said to have been picked up from the airport. She denied the allegation that he is having a relationship with the married man.

But just recently, Krista and other sexy actress was seen in a hotel where Manny stayed for his fight in Las Vegas against Miguel Cotto. Manny allegedly came out from the room where the sexy actresses are staying.

He Did It Again!

(images from sportsillustrated.cnn.com)

He made the Filipinos all over the world proud again. Pacman now possesses seven world title belts from different weight divisions. He is the only boxer who ever got such achievement. Sports world names him... the greatest boxer in history.

Kiddish

Had two shifts last Saturday, 2pm-10pm and 10pm-6am. I was not able to go home because of my 8:30am live report for Oplan: Kaligtasan Undas 2009 and ANC's Dateline at 12 noon. Arrived from live point in Calamba Cemetery to the Station at around 2pm. It was the only time I had breakfast and lunch. After that I rested and wrote my scripts for the local newscast on Monday. Then decided to stay still in station (my clock while still writing this: 9:30pm) because I'm afraid to come home. So lonely in there. Well, I watched Mulan and it suddenly made my day better (not to mention singing "the climb" by Miley Cyrus earlier, had it played over 4shared.com).


I know myself in matter of handling failure. Yah, I die. (hehe) My whole life collapses over one mistake, huge mistake, especially if before hand I knew I could do it best. It keeps me asking, where did I go wrong? I'm not really good in accepting failure, I suck. It's like the end of the world.


Anyways, to cut the story short, I feel better now and these are the lines which helped me realize life is not perfect but you can always choose to be happy.


"you must be true to your heart, you must be true to your heart..." -mulan soundtrack.


"the greatest honor is having you as my daughter'- mulan. The movie just made my day better.


"because theres always gonna be another mountain, Im always gonna wanna make it move, always gonna be an uphill battle, sometimes Im gonna have to lose."-the climb, Miley Cyrus


I know it's high schoolish but sometimes you have to be that kiddish to just laugh over your mistakes and get on with life. :)

TLC

Talking to myself


It kills you isn't it?


1. When he stops making surprises and settles for what is easier to get, to have, to accomplish, to do for you. For example, he stops sending you text messages with feelings in it and settles for a phone call (unlimited call promo of networks) because it's just a one or two press away. It rings, he says hi and asks how you are, end of conversation... his obligation is done, next page please. Quicker right? Less effort.


2. What about in giving gifts?
Well he used to think hard about what to get me on special occasions or what to do for me. But now, he picks anything on sale not minding if I could really use it in real life. Worst, he doesn't get me anything or I would have to share half of how much it costs.


3. Does he still care with how you look or what you are thinking?
Let me see, the last time I checked, he's too busy. With so many things happening around him, (in his studies, his job, and in his business), checking out my new hair, or reading my blog or notes or emails or offline messages is like lightyears away from his list.


4. But what about if you are spending time together?
OK i'll tell you about it. Well, nothing happens if I don't do the asking and telling. Going to see movies, eating in a restaurant, going to church, it all happens because I do all the planning and event organizing, he just goes with the flow.


Talking to Mr.


Dear Mr.,


First, I appreciate that unlimited call. But haven't you noticed? Important conversations are done through text messaging (at least in our case), difficult things to say over the phone are easier to formulate through texting, without one trying to interrupt another. Thoughts are sent one by one and both of us could respond to each one of it.
Plus if it is anything sweet and sincere, you can always keep them and read them over and over again.


Second, I will give you a hint, usefulness is important. It is something you should consider in buying a gift. It would really not matter if it's on sale as long as it's not shop-lifted (hehe). And gift-giving rule: Don't give for the sake of giving. Don't treat it as one of those house chores you posted on the fridge that you can put a check on when you're done doing it. Plus plus plus, it doesn't need a special occasion to give a special someone something. And it is very very very unforgetable if it is anything you had worked on yourself, just like that video you did.


Third, I 'm cute but I'm not stupid. Of course I consider the fact that you are juggling too many responsibilities and commitments and I'm proud of you because of that. But if you really like someone, you don't lose track of her. You wanna see how she would look in this hair or that, in this dress color or that, seeing her even in pictures on the internet would always make you feel excited (that's what I think because that's how I am to you). It doesn't take you an hour to open her page you know and drop some messages. Most importantly, it does really matter knowing that you care about what's on my head (not just what's between my legs). It's sexy and very manly if a guy checks out a woman's opinion over prevailing issues, or a woman's translation over a single ordinary everyday experience. It's a feeling of "I matter".


Fourth, simple. Take control. You're the man. I am giving you that power! Of course, I have my own suggestions and all, that is the time we (as a team) weigh things and decide together.

100 pogi points for you!

John dx lapid: nang... when things like this happen one should understand... og ikaw pud ang nasayop o nasuko musabot pud ko... we dont need to fight
John dx lapid: or to stress a point nga wa magpakabana ang usa nato..
John dx lapid: we just need to be humble... and understand things. listen to reasons and know how to apologize.
John dx lapid: kahibaw man pud ta satong mga laing gibuhat diba...
John dx lapid: we know always how to weigh things... reporter gud ta.
John dx lapid: pasensiya na nako if wala dayon ko kakita og way to communicate with you nang...

I'm just sharing this to you readers because I'm sooo proud of him. This was how he handled my serious "why did you not text me immediately?" disease.

P.S. name of bf withheld, some crazy chicks might track him down and take him away. haha

I'm a big dreamer

You don't have to always mix reality when dreaming. Don't put a limit into it, a price, or a condition, just go wild with it. Dream as if you are the richest man on earth, the most beautiful, the luckiest, or as if you'll die the next day.

Then, find a person you can share it with. Someone who doesn't go saying "hey it's impractical," or"you are too young to have that dream." Someone who can just laugh about it with you, or even makes your big dreams bigger. That person you are not afraid of telling because he believes in you and all he wants is to make you happy.

So to prove that I am a big and wild dreamer. Here are some of my biggest and wildest dreams:

1. travel around the world before 30 (hahaha in a hot air balloon)

2. audition for a hollywood movie (dream role: lara croft)

3. build a house by the lake (with an underground for hackers)

4. live in beverly hills (i'll be in the highest hill hahaha)

5. own a hotel (and be friends with Paris waaaaahahaha)

To the person who always bursts my bubbles. Give a little trust. I'm not losing my mind, I'm not having a choppy communication with reality, I'm just enjoying what seems to me as the only free thing in this world... and that's dreaming.

i miss college

I miss my friends and all the things we used to do. I miss the songs we used to sing in our boarding house. I miss the exchange of books, cd's, dvd's. I miss the dance rehearsals and costumes.The poetry readings we used to go to.

I miss the books, notebooks, photocopies and the times we tried to study for an exam. I miss the fights we used to have over some petty things and I was always the first one to say sorry. The jeepney rides and the strolling after school (or in between classes) to Ayala.

I miss the internet cafe's where we used to spend our nights making reports or just surfing. I miss the junk food party at the canteen. The newspaper readings and chatting at the library. The times we stroll on covered walks going to our classrooms, and crossing the street to AS Building.

I miss the smiling 5 teachers (hehe). The teachers who only faces the chalkboard. And the teachers who didn't care if we went to class, just have good exam scores and you're ok.

I miss every single thing about being a college girl, making and shaping dreams believing that life's easy. So optimistic, idealistic...

So here's the lyrics of one of my favorite songs back in college.

Good Riddance by Greenday

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road



Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go


So make the best of this test, and don't ask why


It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time






It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.


I hope you had the time of your life.






So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind


Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time


Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial


For what it's worth it was worth all the while






It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.


I hope you had the time of your life.






It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.


I hope you had the time of your life.






It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.


I hope you had the time of your life.

Hopeful

This normally happens to us.


It would take us at least 2 months to live normally everytime tatay leaves us for work. He has been doing this for almost 25 years. Everytime he leaves it's always like the first time.


Last Friday night, while I was on a taxi after having dinner with a friend, I saw this beautiful moon. It was so round and bright and somehow mysteriously huge. It seemed hanging low in the sky, I thought somewhere in the world you could probably touch it. Mixed with a Coldplay song on the radio, it was nostalgic.


When I was a little girl, not yet hooked up with MTV and primetime shows. Tatay and I would spend some time outside our house. The streets then were clear by 8PM and all we could hear is the sound of karaoke few houses away. 

Me with a glass of milk and tatay with his beer. We used to talk about my dream house and my extremely weird ambition of going to planet Mars. And tatay, like a winner narrator tells me with all excitement their love story.

It's starts with him riding a bike and nanay with her girlfriends in a tambayan watching him passing by. And it ends with having my nanay pregnant so they could get married before he leaves for work abroad. And if you ask my nanay, she will tell the same story.

Tatay won't be home in time for their 25th anniversary August next year. But he said he'll be with us for Christmas and New Year, and they'll have to have their anniv celebration by that time. Hopeful.

If Only

Missing my Tatay starts at the moment he packs his stuff.


I watched him load up his trunk last Friday, and I think I have seen him doing this routine for about fifteen times or more.


It always gets me.


If only I won the lottery, or got discovered in a reality-talent show, or have a job that pays let's say, a hundred thousand a day... my tatay would never have to leave and work abroad.


I could provide him the gasoline station franchise he wanted. He could run the business with nanay. Loui, Era, and I can continue with anything we want. If Loui passes the PMMA, he can spend four more years there, he doesn't have to worry about working right after college so he can help tatay provide for the family. Era can well maybe, pursue her hollywood dreams. And I can continue with my job not thinking about my salary just doing this for love (I guess) and perhaps fulfilling my father's dream of having a lawyer daughter.

My father has been working as a seaman for 24 years already. I was his only baby when he started working abroad. I can still remember that one night, he woke me up with the sound of a sliding penguin toy. I was happy but unsure if the toy was really for me, because I did not recognize the man holding the toy right in front of me. I first addressed him as "tiyo" (uncle) he laughed and told me he's TATAY.

Still I was doubtful, but when he started to sing that Bread popularized song--- "IF" well, I can imagine my eyes sparkling... the voice was the same in about a dozen of cassette tapes that nanay used to play every afternoon to get me to sleep. Tatay used to send us voice tapes instead of letters. He would sing and talk like we were just in front of him. Nanay and I sent voice tapes too. It contained my mathematics and english lessons with her. He could hear me count, sing the alphabet, and recite english words. Somehow, he was with me while I started learning a lot of things.

Tatay is 46 now. I'm a little sad realizing that I was not able to keep my promise. I once whispered in my bedroom walls my promise to have him stop working by the age of 45 so he can stay with nanay. I thought I can handle the challenge of raising my family. Reality bites.

Like a child

"There are no accidents..."

"Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a gift, that is why it is called PRESENT."

Lines from Kung Fu Panda.

After Tatay left last Saturday, the rest of the family spent Sunday watching Kung Fu Panda, Wild Child, and Narnian. We were accompanied by the sweetest and cutest cousins in the whole wide world. :)

Coco, Dodo, Nap-nap, Ai-Ai, El-El, and Evony... you kids are so innocent, you make us humble.You blew away the sadness after Tatay left. For sure, Tatay misses you too, kulets...and he'll bring home toys and chocolates for all of you.

OPPPSSSS

Pink October Episode of Halad sa Kapamilya was moved to October 10, 2009 (that's this Saturday). Manila did a special coverage on Ondoy and Pepeng in our timeslot. :)

PINK OCTOBER

Watch Halad sa Kapamilya this Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 7AM live in Barangay Lahug with host Leo Lastimosa.

What to expect:
1. a story of a cancer survivor
2. more info about cancer
3. relief campaign update
4. two children needing your financial assistance

Cancer survivors will be helping Sagip Kapamilya in packing relief goods for the victims of Ondoy.

CDQ: Do we need government?

Three by Conrado de Quiros

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 04:35:00 09/30/2009

Filed Under: Inquirer Politics, Ondoy, Flood, Disasters & Accidents, Government

One, after Fernando Poe, Jr. died on Dec. 14, 2004, they did an inventory of his things. In one bodega, they found cartons of relief goods that were meant to be delivered to Infanta, Quezon. Infanta had been buried in mudslides a couple of weeks before his death and, along with many others, FPJ had bestirred himself to help.

With one difference: While all the other relief-givers were busy putting their names on their donations—or as in the case of many public officials, putting their names on other people’s donations—FPJ was not. His people would swear later he would not hear of it. He gave strict orders for the relief goods to be unmarked and just sent where needed. It altered my view of the man completely and made me vow to make amends to his family for some of the things I had said about him.

That is class. Which makes me furious today about the politicians who want to exploit the misfortune of others for their ends. Or indeed their continuing travail, many of them having lost everything in one of the worst disasters ever to hit this metropolis. It’s a sentiment I know is shared by many, even those who were not directly ravaged by the floods, as I’ve seen in news reports and blogs.

Heading the pack is Willie Revillame who was busy announcing that “kami nga ni Senator Villar” have been tireless in delivering relief goods to the needy. You’d think the guy would have learned a thing or two from being crucified after he vituperated about Cory’s coffin being shown on his show, consequently disrupting his and his audience’s fun. Clearly his chastisement hasn’t chastened him enough. Or he’s just fundamentally tasteless he cannot see that the last thing the victims want is to be treated like contestants, or supplicants, of “Wowowee” waiting upon his generosity.

Thankfully the tack is likely to backfire. People are in a foul mood and are not likely to remember Revillame—or his principal—with fondness come election time.

The last thing we need is to see politics mix with relief. “When you want to shoot, shoot,” as Eli Wallach said in “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” finishing off the guy who was threatening him with all sorts of mayhem. Same principle here: When you want to give, give, don’t advertise. All you’ll get back is mayhem in the minds of the beneficiaries.

Two, on Tuesday government’s disaster council gave a briefing. They were three days late. The time to have done that was Saturday at the height of the rains. The time to have appeared in public to calm down a metropolis in the grip of panic was last Saturday. The time to have gone to the aid of people who had every reason to panic (some of them were huddling on the roofs of their houses, along with their children and their aged, pounded by unceasing rain) was last Saturday. The time to have unleashed the full resources of government, which should have been there because government has—or should have—billions of pesos in calamity and emergency funds, was last Saturday.

In fact the monumental thing that happened last Saturday was the complete absence of government. The only government there was were the media, notably ABS-CBN and GMA-7. You can forgive both for advertising their wares, or relief efforts, under the extenuating circumstances. They were the government. They were the central authority apprising the public of the situation. They were the central authority coming to the aid of the victims. They were the central authority running the country.

The Internet is full of reports that the emergency fund is depleted, having gone to fund Arroyo and company’s not-very-emergency trips abroad. I’ll leave that for when it’s confirmed. But the breakdown of government is staggering. Arroyo should thank God, or whatever entity she worships, we have elections—the same elections she tried to monkey with earlier with Charter change. Without that she would probably not last this week, given an incensed citizenry, given an aroused citizenry, given a citizenry that will no longer brook abuse. This is as angry as I’ve seen residents of Metro Manila in a long time.

Three, indeed to this hour, what government we have is courtesy of the private sector where voluntarism has sprung like wildflowers. That is the bright spot in all this, the light amid the darkness, the blazing sun after the storm. Truly the Filipino rises to his finest self during trying times, the more trying the times, the finer the rising. Or it is in times of disaster that the Filipino ceases to be a disaster, thinking of others first before self.

It’s especially heartening to see the kids go en masse on relief mode. Many of the kids in my neighborhood have done so, teeners who normally while away the holidays playing basketball, flipping rollerblades, and drinking beer in the stores. They’ve enrolled themselves to help without thought of pay, without thought of recompense, without thought of reward. Just the thought of doing something nice for a change, just the thought of doing something to make things better.

It rekindles memories of the July-August floods of 1972, when students also went in droves to places in Greater Manila no longer traversable by land, or indeed outside the metropolis where they were greeted by a greater ravaging. But then there was activism to fuel, or goad, or flagellate the youth to idealism. Well, there was also the prospect of meeting a cool chick or a cool cat while on your best form. Today, there’s just spontaneous goodwill to do the trick. And the prospect of meeting a cool chick or a cool cat while on your best form. The kids come home happy, comparing the welts and bruises on their arms from lifting crates while drinking beer in the stores.

Makes you wonder what on earth you need government for.

                                  ***********************************************

I have to agree with everything CDQ wrote. I was out on field last Saturday. There was a boat from Cebu going to Bohol which had an engine trouble. There were110 passengers. The strong waves pushed the boat to Mactan Channel. The passengers wore life vests for almost six hours and were already soaking wet.

I went to Coastguard office three times but no officials came down to at least tell us if they were already communicating with the captain of the ship making sure that help was coming. The other boat of the shipping company rescued the passengers. No coastguard official or personnel was ever there. Except for the time when they asked for the captain's marine protest.

And yes, I saw on TV how the people saved their own lives from Ondoy. I saw people climbing on the roof, others found themselves some improvised boat. There were people climbing trees and holding on to ropes. Others showed their swimming skills in mocha-colored water. There were rescuers but it was obviously an unprepared emergency response.

Now comes the distribution of relief goods. The business sector was the fastest responding sector. With  Kris Aquino encouraging big companies to donate, Sagip Kapamilya has now more than P51M cash donation as of Thursday.

I can understand if big companies or business organizations would want themselves acknowledged when giving donations. But public officials, politicians who put their names on plastic bags, faces printed on t-shirts given to victims and volunteers, is a different story.

As public officials, (or aspiring politicians) automatically your job is to serve the people. You were the one who approached them and told them you wanted to be a public servant. You do not have to be acknowledged everytime a plastic bag of food will be handed over to each victims. The victims can even slap or choke you if they get little from you. haha

Thank You volunteers!

PHOTOS:

1. Top shot of student volunteers

2. Members of Guardians International resting after a whole day of packing relief goods

3. Students filling up the container van with relief goods

4. Ronnie happy with Cebuano's response to help Ondoy victims

5. Lapu-Lapu City relief goods just arrived

6. Students sorting out donated used clothing

7. Students carrying sacks of relief goods ready to be shipped

Cebuanos gathered to help out in their own ways. Others brought in cash and goods while others chose to give their time and strength in packing the relief goods for Ondoy victims. Mabuhi ang tanang mga volunteers!

DONATION UPDATE

As of Sept. 30 7PM


ABS-CBN Cebu received P462,986
CCDCC collected P39, 590
Cebu Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry had P200,000


Shipped three 20-ton container vans courtesy of Gothong Southern Shipping
Shipped two 20-ton container vans courtesy of Sulpicio Lines
(container vans contain bottled water, canned goods, used clothing, sacks of rice)


expected tomorrow:
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry to donate P1M
and another shipment of relief goods


What the victims need now:
1. water
2. blankets
3. underwear
4. slippers
5. soap
6. clothes
7. canned goods
8. milk for children
9. rice
10. medicines

You Can Share for Ondoy Victims

(Photos: Drop-off center in Fuente Osmeña Circle, motorists drop by to give their donations. The center is being manned by members of Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council)

Drop-Off Points

For donors in Cebu City:

Basilica del Sto. Niño

Gullas Medical Center in Banilad (also to satellite campuses in Pardo, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Mandaue City, Compostela, and Danao City)

The Freeman and Banat News Office

Cebu Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry

CFC Provincial Mission Center in Singson, Guadalupe

Cebu Bionic Builder Supply in Magallanes

Ayala concierge

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Lahug

Cebu Eastern College

CCDCC Center in Fuente Osmeña

For donors in Cebu South:

Dalaguete Municipal Hall                                           

Naga Municipal Hall                           

Barangay Halls in Lagtang and Linao, Talisay City

For donors in Lapu-Lapu City:

Mactan Cebu International Airport

Tojong Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City

Lapu-Lapu City Hall

For donors in Cebu North:

Danao City Hall

Bogo Municipal Hall

For donors in Mandaue City:

ABS-CBN Complex in Jagobiao

Cebu Home and Builders in AS Fortuna

Mandaue City Hall

P206,600 cash donation for Ondoy victims

(at ABS-CBN Cebu relief center)

The Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council with their drop-off center in Fuente Osmeña was able to collect P114,000 cash donations as of yesterday. The amount was immediately turned over to ABS-CBN Cebu. The in-kind donations were also turned over to the TV Station.


Pier, a Norwegian national, was among the hundreds of donors who came to Fuente Osmeña and donated one sack of rice and some used clothing.


“Why not? If I’m in the same situation with them, I’m sure there will be people who will help me as well. And this is one way of saying thank you to the country that brought me a better life,” said Pier.


Leo Lastimosa, anchor of TV Patrol Central Visayas said that since Sunday, ABS-CBN Cebu had received P92, 600 pesos donations in cash, excluding cash donations directly deposited by donors to the ABS-CBN Foundation bank account.


Mary Ann Uy, News Chief of ABS-CBN said that they were advised that the total amount of P206,600 will be deposited directly to ABS-CBN Foundation.


The station was also able to fill-in two 20-ton container vans which will be shipped to Manila this Wednesday courtesy of Gothong Shipping Lines. The container vans contain water, clothes, and food.


Inmates of Mandaue City Jail also donated part of their food supplies. The inmates helped pack kilos of rice and canned goods. The donations were also turned over to ABS-CBN.


10, 000 US dollars worth of medicines were also donated by Home Reach Foundation from New York.


All donations were given receipts. The relief campaign will continue as long as the victims in Luzon will be needing help.

Assistance for BAGYONG ONDOY victims

(photo from Yahoo Images)

Different sectors in Cebu come together to help the victims of flooding in Metro Manila. Cebu Province will give more than 10 million pesos cash donation while business sector and media outlets offer drop off points for donations.


Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that she had asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development assessment on the damages to 23 places in Luzon brought about by Typhoon Ondoy.


Garcia said that when the result of assessment will be given to the Capitol, they will immediately release their cash assistance taken from the province’s calamity funds. She said that the province will directly give the financial help to the LGU executives so they will be able to use the amount where it is needed the most.


Garcia said that their financial assistance will be bigger than 10 million pesos released during the typhoon Frank because of the extent of the damage in Luzon. But Garcia assures that they will also consider putting aside an amount for Cebu, in case a calamity will hit the province. Calamity fund is 5 percent of the total annual budget of the province.


Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Samuel Chioson had circulated a memorandum requesting their members to give cash donations or in-kind to the victims of Ondoy.


“Chamber is appealing to its members for any assistance that may be extended to the poor victims of Typhoon Ondoy in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. Material donations such as food items, clothing, medicines, water and other items that would answer for the basic needs of the affected populace will be appreciated. Cash donations shall, likewise, be accepted and accordingly receipted,” the memorandum circular stated.


CCCI had made its office in Cor. Commerce and Industry Streets, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City as drop-off points for donations. They also made their office number 232-1421 to 24 as their hotline numbers for donations to be picked up.


“Check/Cash donations should be made payable to Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry. All in-kind donations shall be covered by Acknowledgement Receipts while monetary donations shall be issued a corresponding Official Receipt,” Chionson said.


The Visayan Electric Company is also accepting donations at their offices in SM City Cebu, Talisay City, Talamban, Consolacion, and Lilo-an. They accept non-perishable donations like canned goods, clothes, powdered milk, and uncooked rice.


Aboitiz Group of Companies is also accepting donations and had made all their 2GO outlets in Cebu as drop-off points. 2GO outlets in Dumaguete City, Bacolod City, Cagayan De Oro City, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran City, and Zamboanga. All the donations will be turn over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.


Gothong Shipping also lent their 20 ft. van to Y101. The radio station has put up a donation area at the parking lot of Gaisano Country Mall. They will accept donations from 7am to 7pm daily. The donations will be shipped for free by 2GO of Aboitiz Transport System.


ABS-CBN Cebu had also made their station in Jagobiao, Mandaue City a drop off point for donations. Nursing students from the University of San Carlos and Tujong Medical School, and members of Guardians volunteered to pack the relief goods.


DSWD starts accepting donations also. Donations can be dropped off in their regional office in MJ Cuenco Avenue. They also have hotlines for those who want their donations to be picked up; 232-9507 and 232-1192.


Grace Yana, specialist for DSWD Emergency Assistance said that they are already preparing their personnel for stress debriefing. She said that aside from donations that they will be organizing, it is expected that their office in Manila will need an extra hand to take care of the victims.


Yana said that their head office relayed that the victims need food, water, blankets, and clothes. Yana asked those who will donate used clothing to choose clothes which are still wearable so the victims can immediately use them.


Department of Health Operations Office is also alert for possible personnel augmentation. Dr. Expedito Medalla said that they can give logistics support to the victims. They are still waiting though for their head office to demand from them. He said that if medicines will be needed, they can allocate medical supplies.

SEarCH Your SELF

Try typing your name in the Ysearch or Google search bar. Be it web or images.
When I did,   I found my past articles in sunstar, cdn, and interactive. I also had my name mentioned in some internet forums when members tagged my published articles. And I found my name in blogs and social networking websites.

I'm having a lazy Sunday. I don't have anything to do except for going to church this evening and writing my stories for tomorrow's newscast. For now, Im in bed thinking if I'm doing any good with my life.

I'm 24, next year I'll be 25.

Let me recall the timeline I made years ago...
I said that when I'm 21, I'll be having my own billboard. (hahaha). Have my dream job which by the time I made this plan I wasn't sure yet what my dream job is.
22, travel outside the country, open a savings account, pay for my brother's school (paying my brother's school is the only thing that I accomplished, I'm still doing it now, and my brother is already in 3rd year college. But Im not supporting him fully, 30 percent perhaps).
23, have my own car, my own house, successful.

Then I stopped. It was useless. Everytime I check the list, I only get disapponted. 99.9 percent of what I imagined life after college would be is impossible.

I learned to go with the flow, wait, and enjoy the present. But there are really times when you think that you should have gotten more than what you have now. But then again, how do you really measure success? Is it with your salary, status in the society, friends you are hanging out with, the place you are staying, the places you are often seen?

I do not have any idea.

Honetly right now, Im taking things slower. As what my Nanay said there is no shortcut if you really want to be successful and happy.

I have learned to find success and happiness in different venues. It's in everytime I find my published articles carried by several websites of concerned orgs. which means that your news articles matter and the details are vital to inflict change. It's in times when I receive thank you text message from my brother after sending him his allowance or tuition fee. It's when I'll be able to buy myself some personal stuff out from my own pocket, no matter how small it is (be it ukay-ukay or second hand gadgets). It's in times when I get a warm hug from my grandmother for being able to come home on weekends. It's when I get a thank you from my boyfriend for being a good girl (hehehe). It's when my bosses say thank you also when I volunteer for a job when someone in the office is absent. It's when my effort in trying to find time for my old friends (especially when in trouble) is appreciated.

My Favorite Tweet... hahaha (all true!)

(I already arranged this for u)

if i say getting his full attention, it means that he offered me a laptop, an ipod with 30 of my favorite songs he downloaded himself...

5 minutes ago from web

plus... a trip to his hometown in Pampanga, a house he will pay monthly, and a second hand car...

3 minutes ago from web

this is all because of some girl who tried to tell the world she still has him. he said he'll prove she's wrong.

2 minutes ago from web

what can I do? love always wins

This is like a teen flick.


Honestly, I do not understand why I have to give him a second chance. Then I realized that if I have the purest love for the person, I can accept him even in his worst.


It is painful when you learn from your friends that your boyfriend is still communicating with his ex. If it was just a hi-hello conversation, I could have just let it pass. But it was a long conversation of pouring his feelings out for her, that "he still cares," "she still has the biggest part of his heart," and "he'll stay forever in love with her."


And guess what? My friends read it all in a blog. She posted the entire conversation. She chose the people on her contact who can read the post, and my friend was one of them. I have the feeling that she intended to have my friend read the post so he can relay the mess to me.


When my friend sent me a copy of the post, I was a little hesitant to read it. His girlfriend who is a close friend of mine texted me earlier about a bad news I am going to get. But I read it anyway. My hands were shaking just seeing the names of the two persons. I read the first part, the middle, the end. I guess I read only 40 percent of the conversation. I could no longer go on, it already broke my heart.


I called him up and asked for his explanation. It took him a few seconds before he remembered the chat I was talking about. I asked him, the last time he checked on her and he said it was last week. When I started asking about the content, he broke into a worried-scared-surprised voice. He was murmuring things I could no longer understand because all I can hear is the echo of my cry, and the fast beat of my very very heavy heart.


I decided to put down the phone and communicate with him through email. We chatted in Gmail and I sent him several short emails.


Here are some of it:


just check your email. i cant speak to you yet. let me feel the pain and accept it willingly. im gonna miss u but this is for the best. i want to keep a little respect for u.


him: Nang please don't let me go. Mawala ko please nang


him: mahal please... don't do thisbut nothing is true in all what i said to her nang...


trial ra ni nato


please...


be strong...


i admit its my mistake of doing it.


him: That was my biggest mistake in my life nang. I admit my mistake. Please give me a chance nang...please


Lets save our relationship.


Lets save our relationship."--- u have said this line several times nong. wala gyud kay konsensya. wala sad syay konsensya for telling the world she still has u... im sorry for intruding into ur love story. it was ur love story all along. I played the cameo role.


I was writing my article for a daily newspaper. He was calling me. I ignored him and put my phone away. I was sobbing. And confused.


Then my initial plan was (this is normally what happens) I have to break up with him. An email of "we have to end this" was for me the end of the two sweet years we had (or the two years of love lies).


It was painful. But I described it as a beautiful pain. It came to me that I loved him genuinely. I would have never felt the pain if I didn’t.


Bestfriends, at least two of them, who knew about what happened comforted me through text messages and e-mails but never suggested what I should do in respond to the situation. They wanted me to decide for myself and said that they will always be there whatever my decision is. But they were so expressive in their anger towards him.


I spent the rest of the night talking to the closest friend of mine. She listened very carefully on my views. I told her why I ended the relationship.


1. I pointed out that posting the conversation in her blog is the least of my concern. I don't care what she does in her blog to get attention. She has the right to express whatever it is that she thinks she has to share to the world. It really depends to the extent of her morals, and most importantly, intellect.


2. As the post showed, it was him who started the conversation and he was the one who injected sensitive issues in their chat. The girl actually tried to refrain from answering his questions on love life and other personal stuff.


3. I remembered telling him the things that will hurt me the most. And what he did was on the top of the list. I even told him he can tell me anything but he forgot to tell me about it when I was with him last weekend.


4. Two important ingredients for relationships to work; trust and respect were definitely violated. If we will continue with our relationship, things will change. I see more petty fights, hallow hugging, and sour kissing. It will be a disaster. It will just ruin the both of us.


5. If he had done it to me once, he'll probably do it again. I don't want to come to the point when all that is left in me for him is hatred. I want to at least offer him friendship. After all, he made me happy for a moment.


My friend agreed. But I know she knows, it will be harder for me to lose him than to accept him back. She asked me to talk to him one last time. She begged and said, he has to end his 23rd birthday with me.


If I was hurt, I knew he was hurt as much as I do. So I swallowed my pride and talked to him on the phone. He was sobbing. I could barely understand the words he was saying.


He kept on saying, “Nang please, ayaw ko’g buwagi. Malooy ka. Let’s start all over again. I did not mean it, it was a mistake.”


I was firm in saying I have made my decision and I do not want to get hurt anymore. But he said, “Tell me, how many times have I hurt you? That I do not deserve to have a second chance? I love you nang. You know that.”


I replied, “If you really loved me, and the feeling was genuine, you would have not done what you just did. You are unfair.”


He said, “Unfair? Isn’t it unfair that in times like this, you could just let me go so fast? We promised to standby each other when we are in our worst. I need you nang. I can’t go on without you.”


I told him of how I could not look at him the way I used to. Or talk to him about the future like I used to. “I can’t love you, the way I had.”


He answered back, “If I have to earn your love again, I don’t care. I can accept any emotional torture coming from you. I just need to have you back. I want you back. Ikaw ra gyuy para nako nang.”


He was in a panicky mood. I can imagine him walking to and fro, banging the walls, and lying on the floor.


I cried harder while we both weighed things out. It was two minutes past 12midnight and it was no longer his birthday. I realized, he just won me back.