Just My Thoughts

We all have a task, a daunting yet rewarding task –to elect the next leader of our country. We are quite making a scene as this election has never been this close and a phenomenal hullabaloo. Amidst this noise and uproar, I’m wondering. I wonder if these people, from all walks of life, from different political colors and fences, are thinking. Thinking of what the next leader should do or can do, if elected. I’m not trying to persuade you to elect a certain candidate, but at least let’s do our share of homework by being discerning and do our country a favor, for our country deserves nothing but the best. In electing a leader, especially for a mid-sized country (90 million citizens, and growing), we should always look for competence. Competence is more than just a skill and is bounded by a certain standard and that standard is the ability to keep promises with the most minimum lead time. A leader’s actions should match what his commitments are. Our leader should be a VISIONARY. It is creating the possibility of an unpredictable future that becomes a ground-of-being in the present. If a politician lacks that, then he should not be elected. Our leader should also possess a GREAT inter-personal Relations. This is not limited to his party affiliations, but also to his political opponents. A great leader must know how to respect his friends and love his political enemies. If he fails in that category, then it’s hard to even give an iota of trust and doesn’t deserve to be called a ‘Leader’. Ethics and Values also play an important role in leadership, as these would guide him/her in initiating change and espouse his plans for our country.

Is a mudslinger or a gossip monger a great leader? A leader, yes. But an effective one, highly unlikely. A gossip monger should not be elected because he doesn’t really have something in his plate than pure gossips and pure smug of ideas thrown at other people - and it's a major turn off by the way. The common trait of a mudslinger is about the absence of a concrete, specific and desirable platform to move this country forward that's why rabble rousing is his way of gaining massive attention and mileage. (It's easier to throw some mud than explain your platforms.)

In a country such as ours, an indecisive leader coupled with a long withstanding economic turmoil is a perfect concoction of a looming catastrophe. Again, competence is important because a competent leader's decisions, although unpopular are usually right. If a leader's decisions depend solely on people's approval and his fear of being vilified is enormous, then that's a tell tale sign that we're in for a weak state, short of becoming a failed state. If a leader decides based on emotions, then it shows how incompetent he is. Decisions have to be made with prudence and careful thinking (that's discernment!)and that is to be objective than being nonchalant. We need a leader who trusts his decisions and who stands by his decision. Not a master of flip-flopping who is easily dictated by the pulse of whim and emotional surges.

I’m trying to be as apolitical as possible, but all the signs are heading to one direction WE MUST ELECT a COMPETENT LEADER. It all depends on how you view what competence is.

Philippine Politics | 2010 Presidential Elections

Aquino is voters’ top pick for president

Villar, Estrada second and third, respectively, in BW-SWS poll

Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III currently leads the pack of “presidentiables” looking to succeed Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo next year, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by BusinessWorld showed.
Q. Sa mga sumusunod na pangalan sa listahang ito, sino po ang malamang ninyong iboboto bilang Presidente ng Pilipinas, kung ang eleksyon ay gaganapin ngayon?
Q. Sa mga sumusunod na pangalan sa listahang ito, sino po ang malamang ninyong iboboto bilang Presidente ng Pilipinas, kung ang eleksyon ay gaganapin ngayon?

The nationwide poll -- staged after the Dec. 1 deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy but before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) began trimming the official list last Dec. 15 -- had Mr. Aquino securing the support of 46.2% of the respondents.

Nineteen points behind in second place was Nationalista Party (NP) pick Senator Manuel “Manny” B. Villar, Jr., who got 27%, while in third with 16% was former President Joseph “Erap” M. Ejercito Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.

The Dec. 5-10 survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 2,100 adults nationwide, and used an error margin of ±2.2%. The question asked was: “Sa nga sumusunod na pangalan sa listahang ito, sino po ang malamang ninyong iboboto bilang Presidente ng Pilipinas, kung ang eleksyon ay gaganapin ngayon? (Among the names found on this list, who will you probably vote for as President of the Philippines, if the elections were held today?)”

Filipinos will troop to polling stations on May 10 next year to choose leaders from the national to local levels. It will be the first time that the elections will be automated, with the winners expected to be named a few days, instead around a month, later.

The respondents were asked to choose from a BusinessWorld-approved list of 11 candidates -- trimmed from the 99 who had officially notified the poll body of their presidential aspirations. The list was in alphabetical order and included nicknames, as practiced by the Comelec on election day.

Admin bet is fourth

Occupying fourth place in the BW-SWS poll was former Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” C. Teodoro, Jr. of the administration party Lakas-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), who scored 4.6%.

Fifth place, with 1.1%, went to Jesus Is Lord Movement leader Bro. Eduardo “Eddie” C. Villanueva who is running under the banner of the Bangon Pilipinas Movement.



Rounding out the list of 11 were:

• Senator Richard “Dick” J. Gordon of the Bagumbayan-New Volunteers for a Philippines party, 0.9%;

• independent candidate Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” A. S. Madrigal, 0.2%;

• lawyer Oliver “Oli” O. Lozano (independent), 0.1%;

• former Manila Rep. Mark “MJ” Jimenez (a.k.a Mario B. Crespo, independent), 0.1%;

• Olongapo City councilor John Carlos “JC” G. delos Reyes of the Ang Kapatiran Party; 0.1%; and
• environmentalist-activist Jesus Nicanor “Nick” P. Perlas III (independent), 0.03%.

Those who did not give answers or were undecided comprised 3.1%.

Messrs. Jimenez and Perlas were last week eliminated from the presidential contest by the Comelec, which cited their lack of resources and machinery. The poll body’s list of eight “presidentiables” can be trimmed further, Comelec officials have said, given disqualification petitions against several candidates.



Candidates comment

Asked to comment on the results, Mr. Aquino said the survey was a “consistent indicative that there was a solid base of people who want change.”

“People are really seeing that our campaign is not personality-based,” said Mr. Aquino, the only son of former President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino and slain senator Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino, Jr., in reference to criticisms he is only riding the emotional outpouring over his mother’s death last Aug. 1.

Mr. Aquino had never figured in previous presidential surveys, only being put forth as a possible candidate after his mother died. In the process another presidentiable, Senator Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas, dropped his bid to become Mr. Aquino’s running mate. Mr. Roxas led the race for vice-president in the BW-SWS poll. (See related story in this section)
Meanwhile, NP spokesman Gilbert C. Remulla, speaking on behalf of Mr. Villar, said: “We are on target in terms of gaining points and ratings ... Filipino voters will realize who the best presidential candidate is.”

“We believe that there is much more space with four and a half months to go before the elections.”

Mr. Villar was previously a frontrunner, along with Vice-President Manuel “Noli” L. de Castro and Senator Loren B. Legarda, in earlier SWS polls which asked respondents who they thought were the three best leaders " instead of just choosing one, as in the BW-SWS survey“ to succeed Mrs. Arroyo.

Margaux M. Salcedo, spokesman of Mr. Estrada, said they were “confident” that the former leader would m move to the top of the survey once the Comelec or the Supreme Court settles legal questions on his eligibility to seek the presidency anew.

“One of the factors we’re also considering is the issue of qualification being a former president. Once settled, we believe that that will be a factor for him to lead the surveys. Some people might still be hesitating now because of the issue,” Ms. Salcedo in a telephone interview.

The 72-year old former leader was overthrown in the 2001 “EDSA Dos” people power revolution amid corruption allegations. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for plunder in October 2007 but was pardoned a few weeks later by Mrs. Arroyo.

His claim is that the grant of executive clemency restored his political and civil rights. And since he was unable to finish his term, Mr. Estrada insists that his latest run is not covered by the constitutional ban preventing a president from seeking another six-year term.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary B. Olivar, for his part, said the administration was optimistic that Mr. Teodoro would “consistently move up” in succeeding voter opinion polls.

“The presidential election is still far. There is still a lot of time to prepare for them to get where he needs to be,” the Palace spokesman said.

Other candidates were not immediately available for comment.

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=3543

I'm just so sick of...

Office Gossip.

The consequences of participating in office gossip are far ranging and always affect at least two or more people -and that affects me of course. It's damaging and to some extent life threatening. Even if I don't initiate the gossip, just listening to it has consequences.The rumormonger, with all his might, isn't satisfied with possessing the information after all, knowledge that isn't shared is a waste! The gossiper would feel 'superior'momentarily until the information is shared. I admit, I listen to gossips and I'm bad. That's why I'm tired of gossipping. NO ONE benefits from gossips. And I mean NO ONE.

The Photos of the NEW ME

Mga pictures nako this 2009..


Bisan naa koy acrophobia, hala sige biraha!!! Ni-sakay ko kay libre man courtesy of the QA Team.. D best birthday here in Cebu!

The Metamorphosis of Bebe Gandanghari

Metamorphosis is a beautiful thing especially for butterflies, and what if it happens to someone who isn't?

January 16, 2009 was a shocker - Rustom Padilla died and Ms. Bebe Gandanghari was born. Well, it's not literally the demise of his earthly body but by his transformation into a mademoiselle.

Bebe Gandanghari has had a fair share of jeers and cheers when she came out and trust me she didn't get what she had bargained for. If you ask me of my opinion well, I RESPECT him.

I respect him because it's his, err.. her choice. In every gay's life the coming out chapter is ALWAYS the hardest as it requires great confidence (and a lot of alcohol). In my case, coming out was no easy feat - having to contend with the worries of the future, the communal stigma and of course acceptance of the family.

I won't judge him of what he has become and by judging him would be detrimental to my own existence. When I notice myself judging others I remember how I feel when others judge me. What if I'm Bebe, would I feel good? The HELL NO!!!

We just don't get it. Do we? We have been too preoccupied by the gender gaps and biases thus forgetting the fundamental issue of having a voice needed to be heard. A human voice that clamors for understanding and acceptance. We have neglected the human side of Bebe and carelessly judged her.

If we can't be happy of what she has become then the very least we could do is to be in touch with our human side and leave her alone.

Just like a butterfly any person whether gay or straight, woman or man, Bebe or Rustom, deserves to change - everything should be fair and square. If it means changing your sexual orientation or belief, so be it! Who knows that change can be good for you.

2010 Philippine General Elections

Presidential Aspirants:

Manny Villar
Noli de Castro
Mar Roxas
Loren Legarda
Bayani Fernando
Richard Gordon

Among the aspirants above, I personally like Richard Gordon. I'll just keep you posted for the latest buzz in our upcoming Presidential Elections.

Wishlist for the next Elections:

*Automated Elections
*Purged Voters'List
*Clean, Peaceful & Honest Elections
*Program-centric elections
*Monthly Debate of the Presidential Aspirants

And by the way, here's what I gathered from one of the forums:

Gordon forming own party

INSISTING that he remains an independent and not a member of any administration party, Senator Richard Gordon is building up a base for “Bagumbayan Movement” which will be the vehicle for his presidential plans.

Although elected to the Senate as an administration candidate in 2007, Gordon said his ties with President Arroyo have been severely strained by his role, as chairman of the Blue Ribbon committee, in investigating scandals and irregularities in the executive branch.

He said a very graphic sign of his estrangement from Malacañang was that he did not receive any invitation to last week’s caucus of administration’s political allies belonging to the Lakas Christian-Muslim Democrats and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino in Clark, Pampanga.

Which was ironic because Gordon is listed as one of the six names from whom the administration will pick its standard-bearer for the 2010 presidential election. The other five are Vice President Noli de Castro, Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte.

Gordon said although he welcomes any political party that will support his presidential aspiration, he may ultimately rely on his own organization, the Bagumbayan movement, which he intends to convert into a party.

“The point is am I looking for Lakas? Of course, politics is addition. But do I know what Lakas stands for? Do I know what the Nacionalista Party or the Liberal Party stands for? That has always been my problem... There are no political parties that stand for any political ideology,” he told Standard Today.

“That is why we are always playing musical chairs whenever there is a new president. Everybody joins his or her party. So the long and short of it is we have a Bagumbayan movement. We have filed a petition with the Commission on Elections for political party status and anyone who wants to coalesce with us, they are welcome to do so.” Fel V. Maragay
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...ics3_feb6_2009

Food Fest sa Gensan

When I visited my beloved hometown, General Santos City, I was treated to a sumptuous and delectable meal ever. Nothing beats a home prepared food. Truly Gensan is a foodtripper's paradise!

Rental Reform ACT of 2002

A lot of us are renting or at least paying every month for our rent. Here's a quick visit to the Rent Control Law which is aimed to protect us, the lessees.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9161


AN ACT ESTABLISHING REFORMS IN THE REGULATION OF RENTALS OF CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL UNITS, PROVIDING THE MECHANISMS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known and cited as the "Rental Reform Act of 2002."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall for the common good, undertake a continuing urban land reform and housing which will make available at affordable cost decent housing and basic services to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas. chan robles virtual law library

Toward this end, the State shall establish reforms in the regulation of rentals of certain residential units.

Sec. 3. Monthly Rental and Maximum Increase. – Beginning 01 January 2002 and for a duration of three (3) years thereafter ending on 31 December 2004, the monthly rentals of all residential units in the National Capital Region and other highly urbanized cities not exceeding Seven thousand five hundred pesos (P7,500.00) and the monthly rentals of all residential units is all other areas not exceeding Four thousand pesos (P4,000.00) shall not be increased annually by the lessor, without prejudice to existing contracts, by more than ten percent (10%).

Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. – The following terms as used in this Act shall be understood as:

(a) "Rental" shall mean the amount paid for the use or occupancy of a residential unit whether payment is made on a monthly or other basis.

(b) "Residential unit" shall refer to an apartment, house and/or land on which another's dwelling is located and used for residential purpose and shall include not only buildings, parts or units thereof used solely as dwelling places, boarding houses, dormitories, rooms and bedspaces offered for rent by their owners, except motels, motel rooms, hotels, hotels rooms, but also those used for home industries, retail stores or other business purposes if the owner thereof and his or her family actually live therein and uses it principally for dwelling purposes.

(c) "Immediate members of family of the lessee or lessor" for purposes of repossessing the leased promises, shall be limited to his or her spouse, direct descendants or ascendants, by consanguinity or affinity.

(d) "Lessee" shall mean the person renting a residential unit.

(e) "Owner/Lessor" shall include the owner or administrator or agent of the owner of the residential unit.

(f) "Sublessor" shall mean the person who leases or rents out a residential unit leased to him by an owner.

(g) "Sublessee" shall mean the person who leased or rents out a residential unit from a sublessor.

(h) "Assignment of lease" shall mean the act contemplated in Article 1649 of the Civil Code of the Philippines.

Sec. 5. Rental and Deposit. – Rental shall be paid in advance within the first five (5) days of every current month or the beginning of the lease agreement unless the contract of lease provides for a later date of payment. The lessor cannot demand more than one (1) month advance rental and two (2) months deposit. chan robles virtual law library

Sec. 6. Assignment of Lease of Subleasing. – Assignment of lease or subleasing of the whole or any portion of the residential unit, including the acceptance of boarders or bedspacers, without the written consent of the owner/lessor is prohibited.

Sec. 7. Grounds for Judicial Ejectment. – Ejectment shall be allowed on the following grounds:

(a) Assignment of lease or subleasing of residential units in whole or part, including the acceptance of boarders or bedspacers, without the written consent of the owner/lessor.

(b) Arrears in payment of rent for a total of three (3) months: Provided, That in the case of refusal by the lessor to accept payment of the rental agreed upon, the lessee may either deposit by way of consignation, the amount in court, or with the city or municipal treasurer, as the case may be, or in a bank in the name of and with notice to the lessor, within one (1) month after the refusal of the lessor to accept payment. chan robles virtual law library

The lessee shall thereafter deposit the rental within ten (10) days of every current month. Failure to deposit the rental for three (3) month shall constitute a ground for ejectment. If an ejectment case is already pending, the court upon proper motion may order the lessee or any person or persons claiming under him to immediately vacate the leased premises without prejudice to the continuation of the ejectment proceedings. At any time, the lessor may, upon the authority of the court, withdraw the rentals deposited.

The lessor, upon authority of the court in case of consignation or upon joint affidavit by him and the lessee to be submitted to the city or municipal treasure and to the bank where deposit was made, shall be allowed to withdraw the deposits;

(c) Legitimate need of the owner/lessor to repossess his or her property for his or her own use or for the use of any immediate member of his or her family as a residential unit: Provided, however. That the lease for a definite period has expired: Provided, further, That the lessor has given the lessee formal notice three (3) months in advance of the lessor's intention to repossess the property and: Provided finally; That the owner/lessor is prohibited from leasing the residential unit or allowing its use by a third party for a period of at least one year from the time of repossession;

(d) Need of the lessor to make necessary repairs of the leased premises which is the subject of an existing order of condemnation by appropriate authorities concerned in order to make the said premises safe and habitable: Provided. That after said repair, the lessee ejected shall have the first preference to lease the same promises: Provided, however, That the new rental shall be reasonably commensurate with the expenses incurred for the repair of the said residential unit and: Provided, finally, That if the residential unit is condemned or completely demolished, the lease of the new building will no longer be subject to the aforementioned first-preference rule in this subsection; and

(e) Expiration of the period of the lease contract.

Sec. 8. Prohibition Against Ejectment by Reason of Sale or Mortgage. – No lessor or his successor-in-interest shall be entitled to eject the lessee upon the ground that the leased premises have been sold or mortgaged to a third person regardless of whether the lease or mortgage is registered or not.

Sec. 9. Rent-to-Own Scheme. – At the option of the lessor, he or she may engage the lessee in a written rent-to-own agreement that will result in the transfer or ownership of the particular dwelling in favor of the latter. Such an agreement shall be exempt from the coverage of Section 3 of this Act.

Sec. 10. Application of the Civil Code and Rules of Court of the Philippines. – Except when the lease is for a definite period, the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 1673 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, insofar as they refer to residential units covered by this Act, shall be suspended during the effectivity of this Act, but other provisions of the Civil Code and the Rules of Court on lease contracts, insofar as they are not in conflict with the provisions of this Act shall apply. chan robles virtual law library

Sec. 11. Coverage of this Act. - All residential units in the National Capital Region and other highly urbanized cities the total monthly rental for each of which does not exceed Seven thousand five hundred pesos (P7,500.00) and all residential units in all other areas the total monthly rental for each of which does not exceed Four thousand pesos (P4,000.00) as of the effectivity date of this Act shall be covered, without prejudice to existing contracts.

Sec. 12. Penalties. - A fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) nor more than Fifteen thousand pesos (15,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month and one (1) day to not more than six (6) months or both, shall be imposed on any person, natural or juridical, found guilty of violating any provision of this Act.

Sec. 13. Information Drive. - The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, in coordination with other concerned agencies, are hereby mandated to conduct a continuing information drive about the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 14. Transition Program. - The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council is hereby mandated to formulate, within six (6) months from effectivity hereof, a transition program which will provide for safety measures to cushion the impact of a free rental market.

Sec. 15. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. chan robles virtual law library

Sec. 16. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
Sec. 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect on 01 January 2002 following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.



Approved: December 22, 2001

*******

I came across an article: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/01/09/rent-control-law-expires


Rent Control law expires

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 01/01/2009 6:19 PM

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The law which imposes protection to housing tenants in the lower income brackets from unreasonable rent increases has expired Wednesday, a top housing official said Thursday.

Lucille Ortille, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) secretary general, told radio dzMM in an interview that Republic Act (RA) No. 9341 or An Act Establishing Reforms in the Regulation of Rent of Certain Residential Units, Providing the Mechanisms Therefor and for other Purposes is no longer effective January 1.

Otille said that RA 9341 passed 2005 was effective only for three years.

Covered under RA 9341 were: “All residential units in the National Capital Region and other highly urbanized cities the total monthly rent for each of which does not exceed Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) and all residential units in all other areas the total monthly rent for each of which does not exceed Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) as of the effectivity date of this Act shall be covered, without prejudice to existing contracts.”

It also said that the rent of any residential unit covered “shall not be increased by more than ten percent (10%) annually as long as the unit is occupied by the same lessee.”

It also said that the “lessor cannot demand more than one (1) month advance rent. Neither can he demand more than two (2) months deposit.”

Otille said that a bill is pending in the Senate to replace the expired law while a similar move was also being undertaken in the House of Representatives.

Ortille explained the importance of the passage of the pending bills especially that the country is facing a global economic crisis.

She said that the previous law helped tenants to ensure against unreasonable increases in rent. With a report from Gretchen Malalad, ABS-CBN News

The Greener Way to Spend.

Shopping for the holiday season can be so stressful, but what bothers me is how it stresses the environment even further. So before you buy that up to date iphone or those flashy high-end shoes, let’s take a look at the environmental impact of how you should pay for the items you intend to buy. Let’s dissect the ins and outs of paying through cash or through credit cards known as ‘plastics’.

Let’s take a look at the widely accepted cash or ‘paper bills’. It takes cosmic quantity of energy to print, transport, count and sort the bills we have in our wallet. The bills that are created consume a lot of fossil fuel, which is detrimental to our environment. On the other hand, credit and debit cards, which we love to swipe in ‘zon machines’, are made using six different kinds of plastic. They’re laminated and embossed to make them slick enough to slide through card readers. Currently there are plenty of credit/debit cards in the market and each will take years and years to fully biodegrade after each card has expired. On the other side of the fence, our paper bills are made of cotton and linen, when harvested emits less carbon than cutting trees. The impact doesn’t stop there. Once you swipe the card, of course you’re expected to pay, the bank will send a statement. The papers used for the statements come from trees thus increasing the demand for paper products pushing for indiscriminate cutting of trees. The process itself is already energy-intensive and would require a lot of fossil fuels being burnt. Not to mention the machines and servers that track the credit/debit cards are consuming electricity, which is generated by carbon-rich coal.

The convenience brought about by credit/debit cards is immense and eclipses the glory of having cash. Credit/debit cards make our transactions smoother and as a cardholder great reward is awaiting just by using your plastic, a frill-filled spending. Once you use your credit card, you will get your money’s worth by an extra mile through rewards and points. Using cash on the other hand makes your transaction a no-frill activity and limits you from getting those returns.

As a shopper, it’s a matter of choice - a choice between protecting the environment and spending wisely. So if you really want to swipe that card of yours, then be responsible in making up for the lost energy by planting a tree for example. By swiping our credit cards, let’s be extra conscientious in helping our environment. After all, saving our environment requires neither cash nor credit card. All it requires is our awareness by thinking green.

Beauty Pageants & the likes

The Queens in their respective titles.

The Semi-finalists in different Major Pageants:

Top 15 in Miss Universe 2008

Venezuela - Dayana Mendoza
Kosovo - Zana Krasniqi
Mexico - Elisa Najera
Vietnam - Lam Thuy Nguyen
South Africa - Tansey Coetzee
Australia - Laura Dundovic
Japan - Hiroko Mima
Dominican Republic - Marianne Cruz Gonzalez
Italy - Claudia Ferraris
Colombia - Taliana Vargas
Russia - Vera Krasova
Hungary - Jazmin Dammak
Czech Republic - Eliska Buckova
USA - Crystle Stewart
Spain - Claudia Moro


Top 16 Miss Earth 2008

Brazil - Tatiane Alves
Colombia - Mariana Rodríguez
Czech Republic - Hana Svobodová
Korea - Seo Seol-hee
Mexico - Abigail Elizalde
Nigeria - Uko Ezinne
Philippines - Karla Paula Henry
Poland - Karolina Filipkowska
Romania - Ruxandra Popa
Russia - Anna Mezentseva
Spain - Adriana Reverón
Switzerland - Nasanin Nuri
Tanzania - Miriam Odemba
Thailand - Piyaporn Deejing
USA - Jana Murrell
Venezuela - Daniela Torrealba

Top 15 in Miss World 2008

Russia - Ksenia Sukhinova
Mexico - Anagabriela Espinoza
Barbados - Natalie Griffith
Iceland - Alexandra Ivarsdottir
Trinidad & Tobago - Gabrielle Walcott
Venezuela - Hannelys Quintero
Ukraine - Irina Zhuravskaya
Croatia - Josipa Kusic
Brazil - Tamara Almeida
Angola - Brigith dos Santos
Kazakhstan - Alfina Nassyrova
Puerto Rico - Ivonne Orsini
Spain - Patricia Rodríguez
South Africa - Tansey Coetzee
India - Parvathy Omanakuttan

My Christmas Story

The Christmas of 2008 has been like a speeding bullet - I didn't even notice it's Christmas. I have been swallowed by my workload - audits, meetings and all the admin stuff that I need to deliver. They say Christmas is for children, so are fairy tales, that's why sleeping during the Christmas Eve gave me a sense of guiltless indulgence.

If things were lighter maybe I celebrated Christmas on a different mood, a blissful one. The splendor of the Yuletide Season didn't lift my spirit as I came to realize that these are all temporary. The bedlam of workload and saga of confrontations will be there as I'm in a temporary hiatus.

When it's 12AM, I skipped the traditional 'Noche Buena' because I gave in to my yearning - and that's Sleeping! I have forgone the most cherished and spectacular night of the year with my family to indulge in my slumber.

I have no regrets at all. It's a perfect gift that I could give to myself - a MUCH NEEDED REST!

This New Year however, I'll celebrate it differently. Enthused with hope, I will surely make it a New Year Celebration like no other. I will no longer be a SLEEPING BEAUTY, but a Snow White celebrating life in it's ethereal form. I'm hopping that all the ills and tribulations that I had will fizzle out just like the old year - 2008 that was!

Newsweek Marathon

The long holiday has brought some new intuitive grasp of reality - that the world is evolving faster than I thought. Reading through the pages of the Newsweek magazine, I've been amazed as to how the present economic fiasco has transformed the once vibrant nations to lackadaisical borderless society. There's the inflation explosion, from an age of high growth and low prices the global village is headed towards the opposite. These are all in the television, but I prefer reading them through the old-fashioned magazine.

Then there's the Obamamania that has swept the whole world in a massive scale. I'm no political pundit, but Pres-elect Obama made history in espousing 'Change' in the political arena of the great land of America. Capturing the two (2) battleground states of Florida and Ohio he clinched the Presidency in a lopsided fashion.

Then comes another article about India losing it's economic luster. Thanks to the father of boom who failed to deliver, I'm speaking of the Prime Minister Singh. His party, under his stewardship, failed to capitalize on an unprecedented growth creating a vacuum that soon scuffled the country's economic balance.

Another article, somewhat pertaining to our shores, is all about Poverty. Among all the articles that I've read, this is by far the most troublesome. Our country has fallen from the trap of poverty once again as two efforts to redraw the poverty line in Asia has been suggested. One from Asian Development Bank (ADB) and one from World Bank. ADB suggests that the threshold should be raised to $1.35/day income and the latter proposed a much lower $1.25. If you fall below the threshold, either way, you're POOR. Out of the more than 90 Million Filipinos, almost 16% are living below poverty line, translating to about 14,000,000 poor Filipinos. A staggering figure and a reflection of how grim the new year would be. I had a mouthful reading these things and truly the events unfolding are newsworthy.

Come 2009, the world will once again take a journey. A journey that will take us either to a greater mileage or to a backward state. Uncertainties are there but who knows a glimmer of hope is also at reach.

Happy New Year!