Thursday, June 11, 2009
Mommy Thai Returns!
I didn't visit UP regularly at one time. But once, I visited a joint which was recommended by a friend. It was along Katipunan avenue in front of Balara. A small shack and I didn't remember any sign announcing its name.
Once inside, I saw an old lady wearing a "daster". Just like my lola's :) It seemed like an ordinary place until you notice that the old lady was reading a Thai magazine! Talk about subtle advertising. It convinced me that this was the real thing!
Anyway I ordered the "mixed" stuff which must have been worth 75 pesos only back then. I enjoyed it!
But my visits to UP were rare and I never got to see the place again. It's great to hear that she's back!
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Maxim Comedy Night - Maxim Philippines June 13 2009
Maxim Hot Comedy Night
Laughs, Ladies, and LingerieHost: | |
Type: | |
Network: | Philippines |
Date: | Saturday, June 13, 2009 |
Time: | 9:00pm - 11:00pm |
Location: | Fiamma |
Street: | Jupiter Street |
Description
The luscious--not to mention red-hot--Daiana Menezes is celebrating her birthday and Maxim Philippines is throwing her a party. The first 100 Maxim Philippines readers with a copy of the June issue (which will also be available at the venue) can get their magazines autographed by our lovely cover girl.
Plus, there will be a lingerie fashion show with hot babes showing off the latest in women's, uhm, "clothing." (And if some ladies show up in lingerie to the party, we won't be objecting.)
Hope to see you there!
Monday, June 08, 2009
Second Handers
Sunday, June 07, 2009
A case for Bayani Fernando
Get Real
Fernando’s out-of-sight aces
By Solita Collas-Monsod
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:12:00 06/06/2009
I don’t blame MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando for being pissed at his party for seemingly excluding him, a loyal party member, from its list of “presidentiables.” Surely, however, he should have known better than to expect that it would act any differently, given its past record.
Not that Lakas/Kampi is worse than the other parties, whose “presidentiables” seem to have been self-chosen, or at least limited to those who can get the financial wherewithal to run a campaign, no matter their lousy or nonexistent track record (including corrupt tendencies). A good track record (as opposed to campaign promises) would be a bonus, but certainly not a condition precedent, as it were, for being the party’s standard-bearer. Of course, one has to use the term “political party” loosely, since our politicians are prone to party-hopping.
But does Bayani Fernando deserve serious consideration as a “presidentiable”? Very definitely. Because where others talk a good talk, Fernando has actually walked a good walk. His track record in terms of delivering public goods to the people, as well as reducing corruption in his area of responsibility, is arguably unmatched.
If one holds no track with statistics, one only has to visit Marikina, Fernando’s bailiwick. The difference between that city and the rest of the cities of Metro Manila is obvious to even the most casual observer—one would hardly believe one is in the Philippines.
The first thing you notice is that there are no squatters. And that is because the squatters have been relocated to—get this—relocation settlements within the city, where they have security of tenure as well as humane living conditions. One can only guess that in the face-off with squatter-lords (reportedly members of the police or the military of small-time politicians, who hold sway in other Metro Manila cities), the latter were the first to blink, and could not bribe their way into keeping their squatter housing.
The second thing you notice is the Marikina river—cleared of squatter housing, the 220 hectares it covers transformed into a sports and recreational park, with citizens taking the air at night—literally—because there is no smell emanating from it. When this project was first begun, cynics said it could not be done. Fernando did it.
And how about the pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, free of vendors who are now housed in the public market (so no unfair advantage), which is recognized by international and local health agencies as the healthiest in the country?
Or the network of bicycle lanes (56 kilometers), the only one of its kind in the Philippines, that allow people to bike to school or work? Or public parks, and the results of an aggressive greening program?
And that’s just what one sees. What is not so visible, but is felt by the citizens of Marikina, is how well the city is run: a 99-percent garbage collection efficiency rate (lower per capita costs than in other cities); a 95-percent tax collection efficiency rate—its citizens are willing to pay their taxes, because they see where their money goes; an excellent public school and health system; an engineering department capable of undertaking most of the city’s infrastructure projects by local administration (transparent, too); a central warehousing system that saves time and money; an almost 20-fold increase in revenues since 1992 ( in that period, prices have increased at most five-fold); a quick-response system for emergency assistance to citizens, whether police, fire, or medical, anywhere in Marikina (average response time is 4-8 minutes), with a handbook given to all households, providing essential information about services and transactions, including time frames within which to expect action, and hot lines to call if these are exceeded.
Bottom line: the city has won eight “Galing-Pook” Awards since 1992 for all its improvements, plus numerous other awards. Wouldn’t the average Filipino want to live and work in those surroundings?
But that isn’t all. Pressed into service as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (he must hold the record for being the most short-lived public works secretary—he refused to play ball, and legislators asked for his relief), he has a record of solid accomplishments there as well: reduced travel times along the major arteries—and I can attest to that, because it now takes me 30 minutes to travel from Makati to UP, when it used to take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour; reduced flooding—he has caused the installation of additional pumping stations, plus regular maintenance of esteros (creeks), riverbanks removal of sidewalk obstructions; door-to-door collection in about 75 percent of barangays (villages) so that streets and waterways are kept clean. Things that Metro Manilans have gotten used to, and now expect as a matter of course, hardly remembering when things were very much worse.
To repeat: Solid accomplishments, which, were he chief executive, could be translated into an improved government bureaucracy and efficient national projects and services. And he has one more asset: a no-nonsense wife who took over as mayor, and has not only continued, but improved his accomplishment record. Two for the price of one.
But, alas, even as Fernando is under his party’s radar screen, he also seems to be under the radar as far as the voters are concerned, with less than half of 1 percent of them saying that they would vote for him. Thus, even as we hold the political parties in contempt, we behave in the same way they do. Truly, we get the government we deserve.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Transformational Leadership
Two days ago I had the fortune of being invited to a small breakfast meeting with MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) Chairman Bayani Fernando. I came into that breakfast meeting as a “sold man”. I went out determined to help spread the word about his leadership.
I grew up two towns away from Marikina and the difference is just startling.
How can this city change its image from the “rape and akyat bahay” capital of Metro Manila to what is now generally considered to be its model city in just 15 years?
My cousin had a store in Marikina that we used to visit 20 years ago. It was just messy. Mud everywhere. It was stinky. Garbage everywhere. Parking was a mess. Vendors selling where people needed to walk. Don’t even get me started on the toilets! No one really complained. It was pretty much the situation everywhere in the Philippines!
If you guys used to pass by Cloverleaf market (named for the interchange at Balintawak), you’ll know what I mean: 6 lane south bound at EDSA was effectively reduced to 2 because parked cars and illegal vendors took up all the space! No one seemed to care…people needed to make a living right?
Anyway, I had a Singaporean boss 8 years ago and his family used to drive around Metro Manila. Of all the cities, Marikina impressed him the most. It was clean and it was spacious. He liked what he saw and told me that it was indeed possible to change a city in that way. This was only a few years after Bayani Fernando’s first term as mayor started.
Marikina’s state then reflected the condition the rest of the nation: it was “sick”. But in a few short years, it became Metro Manila’s poster boy. The same people who resisted the changes are now the same people who are proud of what their city has become.
Many call the Philippines the “sick man of Asia”. We Filipinos are sick and tired of that nickname. We all know we deserve better than that. We want to be transformed into the “best country” in Asia.
With all these politicians parading in front of us (leading up to the elections 11 months from now), ask yourself: who among them can show transformational leadership? Who among them has actually transformed people the most?
…I ask you to examine all of them carefully. Let’s take the one who has PROVEN his capacity to lead people to change themselves.
Jay Araullo
Twitter ID: taytaybulls
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Countdown to 2010: An ANC Leadership Forum”
Round 2. Live telecast on ANC on June 5 at 7PM.
Replay:
June 6. 6PM. Saturday. Studio 23.
June 7. 10:15 PM. Sunday. Channel 2. ABS-CBN
THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT HAS BEGUN ON ANC
ROUND ONE
Escudero vs. Gordon vs. Panlilio vs. Roxas vs. Teodoro
Five presidential aspirants gathered for the first time to prove they have what it takes to hold the highest position in the land.
Here's what they said
at the “Countdown to 2010: An ANC Leadership Forum”
last May 11 at the Ateneo De Manila University.
Francis Joseph “Chiz” Guevara Escudero
Age: 39
Birth Date: October 10, 1969
Vision of Governance: The next leader should be an effective change agent. He or she must follow and enforce the law. Can he or she also inspire us?
On President Arroyo’s positive contribution to the country. “Dahil sa ilang pag-aabuso sa batas, dahil sa ilang paglabag sa batas, dahil sa ipinagkait sa marami sa ating mga kababayan at hirap na dinaranas ng ating mga kababayan...minulat at ginising niya at marahil sa ilang parte ginalit niya ang maraming Pilipino para seryosohin ang kanilang pagpili ng susunod na pinuno natin.”
On the last movie he has seen. “You watch a movie not to feel depressed, you watch a movie to be inspired and to be encouraged. Kung kaya, ang huli kong pelikulang pinanood ay ‘Kasal, Kasali at Kasalo’ nina Juday at Ryan.”
On the 2010 national elections."Inaangkin na namin ang halalan na ito. Inaangkin na namin ang pamahalaang ito. Di na naming hahayaang maging sunod-sunuran na lang kami dahil ang aming paniniwala sa ngayon, ang kabataan hindi lamang pag-asa ng bayan, ang kabataan dapat maasahan na ng bayan.”
Richard “Dick” Juico Gordon
Age: 63
Birth Date: August 5, 1945
Vision of Governance: What this country needs is not a change of men but a change in men.
On President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “Masinop mag-aral, may work ethic. Ang sabit niya ay sa governance…You have to be resolute in so far as your leadership is concerned. That I think is something na nagkulang siya.”
On how he will make a difference as a president. “Baguhin ang attitude. Aim high. Mag-ambisyon tayo. Bawal ang tamad—work ethic. Lalong bawal ang tanga—mag-aral tayo. Duty muna bago ang sarili. Dignidad at determinasyon—ginawa namin sa
On why he admires his father former mayor James L. Gordon. “He was a man born an American, but elected to be a Filipino… Pardon me if I’m getting emotional because sa tingin ko maraming hero sa mundo but you have to live your heroism not during your death but during your whole life. Sapagkat iyon ang nakita ko (sa kaniya).”
Eddie “Among Ed” Tongol Panlilio
Age: 55
Birth Date: December 6, 1953
Vision of Governance: Stand up against bad governance, social ills of jueteng and quarrying abuses.
On the factors that will make him run for national office. “If the people would like me to run, feel, believe that I should run for the presidency or for the vice presidency, kung tutulungan ako, then I might go for it.”
On his “unpleasant” relationship with Pampanga politicians.
“Well, I would say that, also many like me...I believe deep in my heart, it is the people who espouse bad politics who hate me. Remember, I was able to curb…at least to minimize corrupt practices in my sphere of influence.”
On his stand on the issue of family planning. “I believe we should address this in a spirit of dialogue, and I don’t believe we have dialogue that much…This issue is connected with poverty, with lack of education, so we might be negotiating and debating up there but the underlying causes are not addressed. So I believe these should be addressed first.”
Manuel “Mar” Araneta Roxas II
Age: 51
Birth Date: May 13, 1957
Memorable Quote: Do I want change for our country? The answer is yes. Do I think I can do a better job? The answer is yes.
On the state of the country today. “Our nation today is on a platform or a foundation of sand. Hindi tayo nakapatong sa matibay na bato ng moralidad at katarungan. Kaya kahit anong pera na gastusin natin sa budget nitong taon na ito…kahit anong pagsisikap ng ating mga kababayan, hindi pa rin tayo makabuo, wala pa rin tayong napapala, o di kaya naman, hindi tayo umuusad.”
On the issue saying he’s just using Korina Sanchez. “Mahal ko si Korina. Matagal kaming nagsama—limang taon. Nagkakaintindihan kami, may pangarap kami para sa isa’t-isa at matibay an gaming samahan. Tulad ng sinabi mo, mga kritiko ko ang nagsasabi noon. So, inggit lang sila.”
On the global financial crisis. “Ang bawat bansa ay pinoproteksiyonan ang kanilang bawat interest. Iyan din ang dahil kung bakit noong ako ay nasa DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) ay hindi ako sumang-ayon na matuloy itong Doha Globalization Round. Bumoto ako na itigil ito dahil pinagsasamantalahan tayo. At iyan naman ang aking track record. Sa bawat pagkakataon na maaaring manindigan, doon ako parati kampi sa api.”
Gilberto “Gibo” Cojuangco Teodoro Jr.
Age: 44
Birth Date: June 14, 1964
Vision of Governance: The Philippines must be a stable platform of investment, with strong institutions, peace and order, and the efficient delivery of basic goods.
On the “Cojuangco” factor. “Kung may sense po at nasa batas at nasa lugar ang kanilang (Cojuangco relatives) mga suhestiyon sino ba namang tututol. Pero kung hindi po nasa lugar, kaya naman po nating tutulan iyan at napatunayan na po natin iyan.”
On amending the Philippine Constitution. “Ang aking pananaw, hindi lang kailangan ng values or renewal of values or pananaw. Institutions shape behavior. It motivates behavior. And I think our institutions, time and again, people have said they need to be changed.”
On being associated with an “unpopular” president. “Hindi ako takot maging John McCain. Dito ako naninindigan, dito ako naninilbihan… Hindi naman ako isang tao na maninilbihan—sumisilong sa isang bahay—na ikinahihiya ko ang bahay na tinitirahan ko. Hindi ako ganoong klase ng tao… no matter what one says for or against any other administration, history will be the judge.”
AND THE SEARCH CONTINUES...
ROUND TWO