Rotational Brown-out in Davao City (the effects of El- Niño Phenomenon)

For 3 consecutive days, residents in davao city has been experiencing a 1 hour rotational black-out. It is rotational since power interruption was scheduled to different areas in Davao city in a 1 hour interval. In our area, the 1^st occurred at around 7:50 p.m, the 2^nd was yesterday around 4:00 p.m and the 3^rd was last night at around 7:00 pm. All these 3 black-outs lasted for an hour. This rotational black-out was the identified solution to the power shortage not only in Mindanao but throughout the country which is the one of the bad effects of the el-Niño phenomenon. The Philippines has been experiencing sudden increase in temperature causing water levels in dams to drastically reduce to critical level. Rivers that power hydroelectric pumps of electric companies also decreases resulting to scarcity in the supply of electricity. According to the reports in news programs, this rotational black-out will continue till March or even longer depending on the changes in the weather of the country. Not only was the supply of electricity was badly affected by the El-Nino, but also the water supply, water companies also calling to the people to conserve water as the dams starting to reached its critical level. It hasn’t rain in the country for almost 2 months now.

For me, rotational black-out for 1 hour is a good solution to the problem of power shortage that we Filipinos are facing right now. But for the electric company, they must give a warning or distribute schedules of power interruption to affected areas so that people can also prepare especially those business establishments where electricity is very important. Everyone must now help conserve electricity and even water for the future. With the effects of global warming helping El- Niño to become hotter, we will expect much more difficult problems in the future. We must practice ourselves conserving what we have for the future of this mother earth. This rotational black-out is a help alleviating global warming. Lets all help and contribute in saving our EARTH. Conserve electricity and water…

Bomb Scare in Davao City

Local residents in davao city were alarmed after hearing the news of 2 bomb scares in different areas within the city in the afternoon of February 24, 2010. Even me after hearing the news on the said bomb scare was alarmed and cannot believe knowing how tight the security in the city. The said bombs were found in the comfort room of the city hall while the other one was found outside the gates of a branch of Central Bank of the Philippines. Local authorities and bomb squads quickly responded to the scene where the suspected bombs were found and then was detonated in a safe place.

Bangko Central ng Pilipinas in Davao City: Location of the first bomb scare

Local bomb squads reassembled the detonated bombs to figure out how it was made and also to be used as evidence in their investigation of who planted those bombs and what are their motives. According to local authorities, the bombs were an improvised explosives and was made on the following materials; 2 bottles of drinking water filled with ammonium nitrate used as the explosive substance, a circuit board, a 9 volts battery and a cell phone that used as the triggering device. Also according to the bomb squads, if those bombs exploded in a crowded place, it could result into severe civilian casualties and damage to properties even though no shrapnel’s found in the package where the bombs were placed. Davao city mayor Rodrigo Duterte in an interview with the local media said that the bomb scare incident was just a plot to ruin the good image of the city and has no intentions of hurting civilians. He also said that he already had suspects of who did the said bomb scare.

City Hall of Davao: Location of the second bomb scare

Though no one died or got injured from the said incident, but this incident could affect the tourism of the city especially during the celebration of Araw ng Dabaw this March 16, 2010. This incident also could ruin the good image of the city which was identified as one of the most livable city in Asia. The good thing was that local police and the local government quickly responded and took control of the situation so prevent worst damage to the city. Another angle being looked at was that there is also a tendency that the root of this incident is purely political. There are those who want davao city to be under comelec control; a situation where the local police, military and the local government will be in the control of the Commission on Elections until the end of the election period. Hopefully this incident will be solved and those who are responsible will be punished and bring back the peace and order of the city, an asset that Davao City has over the past 20 years in spite of unsolved killings in the city. Maybe this is one of the signs of the fiery 2010 elections in the city; a tough battle between the 2 opposing parties here in Davao City.

References:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/nick4ubaby/07bsp.jpg
http://noprotection.blog.humanrights.asia/files/2008/06/davao-city-hall.JPG

It’s Showtime

I am not a big fan of any variety shows in Philippine television ever since I started to understand what I am watching on TV. Though over the past decade and even today, there are those variety shows that are quite entertaining and funny. Some of them have contests in which contestants will win cash prizes. In fact this has been the trend of the majority of the variety shows aired in Philippine television mostly in noontime daily. That’s why I already find watching television in the morning to the afternoon boring and sometimes I don’t waste my time watching those television shows. But there is one morning show in the Philippines that caught the attention not only me but the entire “madlang people” in the Philippines because of its entertainment and production value, the level of competition and the humor of those who are involved in the said morning variety show.

The morning show that I’m referring to bears with the title SHOWTIME, a show that allows every Filipino to showcase their talents and show to the world how talented Filipinos are. The show had its pilot episode last October 24, 2009 and just yesterday, they already had their 100^th episode. Showtime is a show where group of 10 to 25 members showcase their talents on any area whether dancing, singing theatrical acts even bands are allowed to join. The key to win is very simple; groups will just to entertain the “madlang people” and the 5 judges or “hurados” who will judge their performance headed by stand-up comedian Vice Ganda. Everyday from Mondays through Fridays, 3 groups who passed the audition will showcase their talents and 1 repeater or those groups who didn’t pass the audition will be given the 2^nd chance to perform. If the “hurados” liked their performance, then the repeater’s performance will be scored by the “hurados”. Winner/s will receive 50,000 pesos and will have the chance to compete for weekly finals held every Saturday. Winners of the weekly finals will again compete from the other weekly finals winners at the end of the month for the monthly finals. Winner/s of the monthly finals will qualify to the grand finals that will be held soon.

There are a lot to watch from this show that will surely make you amazed, laugh, cry, and even learn. First, it is very good and proud to see the different talents our fellow Filipinos have that could be considered world class and can be compared to some international acts like the Jabbawockeez. Though the majority of the groups are dancing, there are also groups that incorporate singing, even spoof a movie or music video just to make their performance the best. Second, it is very touching and inspiring to hear or see how these groups were formed, what are the trials they overcame just to continue and pursue their dreams. Third is the energy of “madlang people” in the studio. The opening of the program involves the audience dancing to the theme song of the program which is very good to see where at time of financial crisis, we Filipinos still find ways to make ourselves happy in simple ways. Not only that, the audience are given a score card to score the performance to a group and have their comments of the performance. In short, the show allows its audience to take part of the fun and entertainment and not just the hosts or the contestants. Fourth is the fun factor. This is one of the reasons why I love watching this show. The “hurados” headed by Vice Ganda and even the hosts displayed a huge sense of humor. Even if the show is aired live, Vice Ganda still had many punch lines pertaining to the contestants, the hosts or its co-judges. Who will miss this line “may nagtext”, “may nag-fb”, and “may “nag-tweet”? I’m sure any fans of the show won’t. Last but not the least and what made me even more amazed and interested with the show is the trivia given by Matanglawin himself Kuya Kim Atienza on anything that the performing group has had; whether it is the props, the costume, or even the place where they came from. I don’t even think that a trivia portion can be incorporated into a variety show. Not only have you enjoyed the show you also learn from the different trivia.

Overall, Showtime gives “madlang people” a combination of fun, entertainment with a bit of learning. Showtime proves that people can still enjoy without any money involve, just pure entertainment. The show is hosted by actor comedian Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Matanglawin Kuya Kim Atienza, Teddy Corpuz and Jugs Jugueta of pinoy bands Rocksteddy and Itchyworms. Another great show from the Kapamilya network ABS-CBN.

Watch Showtime from 10:30 to 12:30 P.M Mondays to Saturdays and witness a great and purely pinoy talent.

YOUR SHOW, YOUR TIME ITS SHOWTIME

Official Start of Campaign Period for May 2010 elections in the Philippines

February 9, 2010 is the set date for the start of the campaign period for national candidates (president, vice president, senators and party-list) for May 2010 elections. This means the battle has begun. All of our candidates together with their political party, staff and supporters will going to be busy touring the country just to please every single voter by shaking their hands, conducting political rally where they can express their platforms and promises if ever they win. Other candidates will invade every timeslot available in every television or radio programs while others want their faces and names be printed and posted in the sidewalks or hung on trees and electrical posts along highways, all just to attract or to get the attentions of the voters.

However, there are certain guidelines on how will these candidates run their campaigns especially those aiming for national positions. The Commission on Elections made specific rules as far as campaign paraphernalia and campaign budget are concerned. Some of my known rules are as follows:

• Banner or streamers of candidates shall not be posted or put on trees and cable wires.

• Leaflets of candidates to be distributed shall not exceed long size bond paper

• Campaign paraphernalia shall not be posted on government properties, bridges, highways and schools. It should be posted on a private property provided it is approved by the owner. There shall also be common place where to put all these campaign paraphernalia (i.e. plaza, a certain portion of a barangay etc.

• For advertisements in television, a candidate is only allocated 120 minutes of air-time for the whole duration of the campaign and 180 minutes air-time on radio.

• A candidate shall only spend 10pesos per voter for national and 3pesos per voter for local candidates.

• For advertisement over newspaper, it shall be ¾ of a page for broadsheets and ½ of a page only for tabloids.

These rules together with other guidelines not mentioned will be strictly watched by COMELEC as part of their job to deliver an honest and clean election.

Millions of pesos will again be spent by these candidates just to buy a seat in the government, be in national and local executive or national and local legislatives. The Philippines was said to be one of the most expensive elections around the world. But according to economists, the election period could give good effects to our economy for it create part-time jobs like campaign staff, distributor of campaign paraphernalia, etc. Some businesses earn a lot especially the food and transportation for it is the primary needs during campaign period.

But for me it is a disadvantage, they spend millions just for a job that earns them less than 50,000 a month or 3.6 million only in their 6 years term at most. Maybe this system for me is the primary motivator for some of our politicians to engage in corruption. They spend their hard earn money for the sake of public service? Maybe true of some but not for every one of them.

Also during the campaign period we know more about the candidates. What are their backgrounds, their vision and mission for our country, what are their plans for our country and for those who are into poverty, jobless, and those who are hopeless. Again, these sweet words are all promises, all of them of course will do the same, say some good things as they promise more jobs, improve quality of living, affordable and accessible education etc. this is also the time of voters to know each of the candidates, which of them has the guts and the political will to lift our country back to the top, the candidate that understands what the poor needs, the candidate that is really sincere to serve his countrymen.

The candidates have 3 months to convince voters throughout the country to vote them. It means we also have 3 months to know these candidates well. It’s time for us Filipinos to stand for our country. We must be vigilant and aware of these candidates, their backgrounds among others. It’s time for us especially the youth to become active when it comes to social issues. We must not forget that we are the future leaders of this country and what decisions we make today will affect what will look like tomorrow. Have time to read and listen to every campaign materials you can access for it increases your interests and awareness.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO VOTE RIGHT! VOTE WISELY!

Irresponsible Senators in the Philippines (They don’t represent the Filipino people)

The House of Senate has concluded its last session in a shameful and disrespectful manner. The final session for the 14^th congress were adjourned due to lack of quorum among its members. 10 senators mostly the allies of Presidential aspirant Manny Villar has boycotted the last session of the House of Senate because of the C-5 controversy in which Senator Manny Villar were alleged to earn billions of pesos for his properties near the newly constructed road. The senate committee of the whole report on C-5 controversy was among the agenda of the supposedly last session of the 14^th congress.

The minority believed that they will lose to the majority in the voting for the said committee report that’s why they have decided to boycott the last session.

The senators who didn’t show up on the session are:

1. 
   
   
   
   Edgardo Angara


2. 
   
   
   
   Joker Arroyo


3. 
   
   
   
   Allan Peter Cayetano


4. 
   
   
   
   Pia Cayetano


5. 
   
   
   
   Miriam Defensor Santiago


6. 
   
   
   
   Lito Lapid


7. 
   
   
   
   Loren Legarda


8. 
   
   
   
   Panfilo Lacson (out of the country)


9. 
   
   
   
   Ramon Revilla Jr.


10. 
    
    
    
    Manny Villar

According to senators, there are important bills and laws that should be passed on the last session but all these bills will now wait for the opening of the 15^th congress. Among of the pending bills that would be discussed are:

Senate Committee of the Whole’s report on the C-5 road controversy;

• Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s report on the national broadband network deal

• Proposed Freedom of Information Act;

• Philippine Immigration Act;

• Reproductive Health Bill;

• The Early Voting Bill;

• Cybercrime Prevention Act;

• LPG Industry Regulation and Safety Act

• An Act Defining and Penalizing the Crime of Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance.

Now for those senators who boycotted the session, those bills above especially the early voting bill (bill for conducting early election for those provinces or places identified as election hotspot to use the full force of the police and military), the cybercrime prevention act (an act that could solve the increasing number of child pornography in the internet) and LPG Industry Regulation and Safety Act (for price control of LPG and providing safety guidelines in manufacturing and using LPG) are very important bills that should be passed because it is for the betterment of the Filipino people.

Try to ask yourself, do you really represent the Filipino people who voted all of you and put all of you in your positions right now? Or you are just using your power for your own good and for the benefit of a certain someone? With regards to the C-5 controversy, it is only Manny Villar who was accused for conflict of interest. If he only attended senate inquiries at the beginning of the issue, I believe it would not go this far.

Try to remember Mr and Mrs Honorable that it is the Filipino people that you should serve and not your own personal interests and for a certain individual. The 2 billion budget of the House of Senate for this year is such a waste considering your performance.

The devastating effects of Climate Change (a step towards climate change awareness)

The United Nations and other environmentalists’ organizations all throughout the world has identified the abnormal changes in world’s climate as the most serious problem that the world is currently facing and will face in the future. One of the most common effects on this climate change is what we called global warming or the warming on the earth’s atmosphere. According to scientists, the main cause of global warming is the greenhouse gases that are continuously increasing in exponential form because of the world’s modernization. These greenhouse gases are mainly composed of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), water vapor (H₂O) CFCs and methane gases that came from burning fossil fuels to energy use in factories and vehicles, landfills where people throw their wastes. The uncontrolled dumping of these greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by people has caused the volume of these gases to exponentially increase to billion metric tons in a short period of time. According to expert scientists and environmentalists the effects of this abnormal increase in earth’s temperature are very destructive. Stronger typhoons will hit countries that lies within the oceans, water level on seas and oceans will increase as ice from north and south poles starting to melt, causing islands to vanished in an instant.

Honestly on my part, I keep telling to myself that the effects of global warming will be felt slowly and not as fatal. But these thoughts of mine were totally erased from my mind upon seeing the worst effects of global warming to humanity when the Philippines were hit by typhoon Ondoy last September 2009, and typhoon Peping on October 2009. These 2 typhoons were not the strongest ones ever identified by PAG-ASA, but unexpectedly, shocked me upon seeing the news that some provinces of Luzon and cities of Metro Manila were heavily flooded. Flood reached as high as the 2^nd floor of houses causing residents to evacuate on their rooftops and waited to be rescued for 24 hours, no food, and water and wearing wet clothes. Before typhoon Ondoy landed on the Philippine area of responsibility, PAG-ASA raised a signal no.1 on these provinces, but even PAG-ASA were shocked, it rained heavy for 9 hours causing dams and rives to overflow into the cities. Many were held homeless and more than 500 people died. Typhoon Pepeng also made its presence felt in northern part of Luzon were it caused landslides to some provinces like Benguet and Pangasinan provinces. Many people lost their source of income as farms were also washed up by floods.

With an average of 20 typhoons hitting the Philippines every year, Filipinos must expect stronger typhoons coming. The Philippine government and its people must be serious in combating climate change. What happened in Ondoy and Pepeng must serve as a big lesson for us people and serve as an eye opener to the worst effects of climate change and deforestation. It is time for us to commit ourselves in fighting climate change. This weblog of mine could be use as my tool to spread the words with regards to the cause and effects of climate change. Increasing the level of awareness of people with regards to the causes of climate change and global warming will be helpful in finding better solutions to stop this wrongful doing of humans. It can attract more people to love our environment and make it as their advocacy.

To know more about the cause of climate change, visit this link  http://uploading.com/files/cb7ec279/q1a.pdf/