Presidential Debate in the Philippines for 2016

I usually do not enjoy watching debates of political candidates because it is a great platform for them to sell themselves with exaggeration and sometimes, even with dishonesty. It is just common practice to put his or her best foot forward to gain the nod of the people who will vote.

I was drawn to the recent televised debate of the 4 presidential candidates in the Philippines for the 2016 election. Of course, one of them is someone that I will vote for if only I had registered. But definitely, this particular debate that was televised few days ago in Cebu was one that made me snicker and laugh. I just find one candidate to be very blunt and at the same time, had a very good and weird sense of humour. The candidate actually lightened up the mood of everybody. The other candidate who was known for philandering and stealing people's money was hitting below the belt with allegations directly thrown to the other female candidate. I seriously wonder how that man ever ended up holding one of the highest office in the government's seat. People who voted that person must be nuts or were blindsided by his true colour.

The were all talking almost simultaneously in a podium and I wished they have allowed their manners to go over drive. It was pretty obvious how they all clamoured for the highest seat in the government.

I just wish they had also worn lapel microphone instead of using the podium's microphone because the sound was a bit loud that the words got muffled. I still managed to understand most of the things they have said. And one candidate truly stood amongst them. I wish I had registered so I could give this candidate my valuable vote.

The Philippines is in dire need of a leader who can evoke and effect changes to the highest degree. Filipinos are not good handling democracy. I remember growing up during the Martial Law days. People were discipled because they were afraid. Sometimes, I think, it is best to go back to that time when people were scared of the government and its full potential. People were scared to commit crime. But if this candidate whom I believe can carry out the necessary change that our country need, then I wish this fellow wins. He may lead with an iron-fist but so be it. It is time we need some spanking.

Hygiene Kit Campaign for Yolanda Victims

The devastation caused by the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) has affected not only a few cities and houses in the Philippines but the majority of the Visayas region where the death counts has now reached thousands and number of families affected now millions.

A conscious effort is now being undertaken by the Davao Bloggers Society and Filipino Bloggers Forum to join the relief operations by raising a total of P100,000.00 to finance and produce 1,000 hygiene packs for the victims. Each kit costing to PHP100 or USD2.50 will contain toiletries and other essential goods for a week's use of one person. Hygiene kits were chosen to be donated as this is something that is not yet prioritized by many donors.

Each kit will contain the following:

For MALES – Total Cost: PhP95.60

•60g Soap

•Weekly pack Shampoo – 8 sachets x 4 mL each

•3 packs of 30 g Toothpaste

•Toothbrush

•40 Pulls Pop Up Tissue

•10 g Cotton

•75 mL Alcohol

•2 x 3 mL Deolotion

•12 mL Insect repellant

•Resealable Zip Bag

For FEMALES – Total Cost: PhP100.00

•60g Soap

•Weekly pack Shampoo – 8 sachets x 4 mL each

•3 packs of 30 g Toothpaste

•Toothbrush

•40 Pulls Pop Up Tissue

•10 g Cotton

•75 mL Alcohol

•2 x 3 mL Deolotion

•12 mL Insect repellant

•2 pcs Sanitary Napkins

•Resealable Zip Bag

If you are from Davao City and you wish to help or join the campaign, you may donate in cash (please seal in an envelope) or in kind (preferably hygiene products found in the list/picture) to:

Mam Bebs Bakery

CVA Building, CM Recto Street, Davao City

(fronting City Triangle, adjacent to Ateneo Claveria Gate)

Mondays- Fridays, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

If you are living outside the Philippines, you may send your donations via Paypal to

merchant@alleba.com

or simply click on the button below to donate using your credit or debit card:

Pledges for donation will be received until December 7, 2013. Please feel free to contact bloggersforreliefPH@gmail.com for all your inquiries and questions.

We are also asking donors to write down a positive message or words of encouragement (or email to us messages)
for the recipients, one for every P100 donated, to be inserted in each kit.You may also include it as message when sending your Paypal donations.

Please also help us disseminate this information to those who are willing to help and contribute. You may share or link this post to your social media accounts with hashtags #bloggersforReliefPH #YolandaPH.

All kits and other donations will be turned over to Ateneo de Davao University for distribution.

Please LIKE Bloggers for Relief PH for more updates:

Bangon, Pilipinas!

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another” -Charles Dickens

Please help in  any way you can.

Fundraising Giveaway event for the Yolanda Victims Blogger Sign Up

I am from the Philippines and ur country was recently struck by#TyphoonYolanda (international name: Haiyan). This is one of the strongest storms this year. Many lives were lost and most have lost everything.

Being one of the fortunate ones that were spared from this devastating incident,  Diva Fabulosa together with our friends at Bay Area Mommy, My Charmed Mom, and Hot Fun Stuff have decided to organize a giveaway event to raise funds for our fellow Filipinos that were affected.

If you would like to be a part of this Giveaway for a Cause you can SIGN UP HERE.

Please mention you were referred by Ria C of riablahgs.com. 

Thank you. Your help will go a long, long way.

Deeply Saddened About The Aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda

I don't know where to being as I try to write this post. I've watched the news only last night and looked at photos of the aftermath of the world's strongest typhoon ever recorded that battered my home country, the Philippines.

It pains me to see young kids, wet, hungry and confused. It wretches my heart to know so many people lost their lives and many more missing. I cannot fathom the feeling of seeing so much destruction caused by a singular event in a span of few hours. It is okay to lose the material stuff but what about the lives lost?

I wasn't able to sleep well last night thinking of all those bad things.  Many thoughts crossed my mind about why the Filipinos have to go through another deadly calamity when just few weeks ago, we dealt with a strong earthquake that claimed lives.

How much more calamities do we have to endure to say, enough is enough? Who are we to say that?

If only the corrupt officials used their ill-gotten wealth to build stronger infrastructure and dedicated state-of-the-art warning devices then at least, all our taxes were used for the betterment of these corrupt officials' constituent. But it's never the case. I don't think the government will ever learn. Get the billions of pesos squandered by Napoles and give it back to my countrymen!

I'm just angry, sad and really upset with everything that my countrymen is going through. I know I can only offer my prayers and donations at this point but I hope, my prayers and the millions more of people who pray with me that my countrymen will rise above all these. I pray that there will be no more calamities like this that will claim innocent lives. God spare the innocent...

(all photos from news.yahoo.com)

25-Hours Open GoodAhh!!! Food Chain

Yes! You read it right! A store open for 25 hours near Greenhills. And here's a proof for that -

I snapped these near the gas station in Greenhills along EDSA on my way to the airport last 25 October. We had a quick stop and took these using my phone. Pardon the dark images since it was only 4:30 in the morning then.

I didn't realize that the GoodAh!! chain opens for 25 hours. Can you explain which time is the 25th hour?

(Photo credit: © www.riablahgs.com/Ria C)

Think Before You Post

I was just watching the news about a foreigner dissing my home country - the Philippines. I don't want to glorify that person by naming him so I am sure that you have read this already in the news and this topic has been trending well in the social network sites. So, to cut to the chase, this foreigner posted a video about the many things he dislikes about my country. There are very few adjectives said to uplift the image of the country but mostly disgraceful.

Of course, when Filipinos like myself and other foreigners who feel otherwise about my country started to bombard the culprit, he was quick to retract and apologised publicly. Common now, you know this will become an issue! Who posts videos that are discriminating and racist and expect people not to take them seriously? I know to each his own and people are entitled to his or her opinion but if you hated my country that much, why did you even stay there for several years?

My country is not perfect or even close to that but which country is? Yours? I always believe that if you have nothing good to say, just say nothing. There's no need to bad-mouth the place that gave you home and took you in like you're one of its own for several years. Be grateful.

Anyway, the moral of the day is think before you post. Like what I did just now. I thought before I posted this and so should YOU!

Earthquake Hits Luzon

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit Luzon (NW of Olongapo city) today, 25 July 2011 at 17:15 hours. No casualties have been reported so far.

Gearing Up for a Short Vacation

It has been more than a year now since I last had a vacation back in the Philippines. I was trying to manage my finances in this difficult time. I avoided every opportunity presented in the past for a trip back home because every time I come home, money just disappear so fast. That was not something I was ready to accept. My budget is so tight right now that my short vacation to see my family is planned to the minute details. I cannot over-spend on unnecessary matters and cannot eat out. It will just a pure R and R with the people who matters in my life.

So, I will not be blog-hopping for few days starting 2 July. I just want to spend my time with my family and enjoy the vacation even for a short while.

Disoriented Dolphins

I know humans get disoriented but never realized that dolphins do as well. About 200 to 300 dolphins were found in the shallow waters of Manila Bay yesterday near Bataan. Villagers, volunteers, fishermen and the navy were together in their effort to drive back the pod of dolphins to the deeper part of the sea. They were found swimming back and forth in an obvious state of disorientation where the probable cause is not yet defined.

I am so grateful to the courageous people who did their part to save these hapless animals. God Bless you all (and the dolphins!).

(Photo from: Daily Mail and Reuters)

Working my Way Up

I owe my current company big time in terms of fulfilling my dreams of seeing the world, experiencing other culture, meeting a lot of people of various nationalities and recognizing my efforts. Back in the Philippines, much as I excel in the kind of work that I do, I was never noticed. I did notice that they focus more on people who barely know what they were doing. They gave away positions which were meant to people who really deserved to their favorites. Let's just say, I was never a favorite.

So, when I left that company, I told myself that I'd one day go back there and prove all of them (my bosses and colleagues who thought I was nothing...) that they made a huge mistake for letting me go. Soon, when I landed my first stint abroad, I was already given assignments and projects which I had no knowledge of but because my boss knew and believed in me. I had several promotions since then in less the time compared to the whole tenure I had back in my old company. I was given a company-wide recognition - Twice! What does that prove then? I was and still is a worthy employee. Sadly though, my former bosses in the Philippines never gave me a chance to prove my worth. Anyway, I don't feel bitter about it. I am happy that I had moved on and is working my way up again. I am learning new skills and taking on projects despite my current work load. I'm actually blowing my trumpet this time. I am done sitting back and being a martyr and other people get noticed. I had been passive while I was in the Philippines and being in a multi-cultural work environment, you learn to fend for yourself. It's a jungle out here ;)

I am ready to move another step higher. I hope I get promoted soon... Wish me luck!