1. Actually, basically, honestly, as a matter of fact. Favorite opening lines, no matter what follows.
Millions working abroad help their nation get by, but not prosper. It’s a life of lonely, risky sacrifice.
Filipinos are certainly getting into mainstream America and into the world. We ‘made it’ to the David Letterman Show!
This is for every Filipino who embrace who they are and strive to maintain their Filipino identity…
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There is a simple lesson to be learned from the more than controversial split decision loss of Manny Pacquio to an obviously inferior and less experienced Tim Bradley. “Keep your political opinions to yourself”.
In this writer’s analysis, this was a knockout, but not of Tim Bradley. It was a political and public opinion knock out of Manny by not only those Manny attacked with his statements prior to the fight, but by Obama and his camp.
Pacquiao whipped Tim Bradley easily in every way except on the judge’s score cards. The fight has been called fixed by a Former IBF Welterweight champion boxer among others, and rigged by many more.
Investigations are likely to come as many, including the promoter blamed for the fix, have called for them. Even politicians have entered the fray.
Anyone that observed the fight from beginning to end has to laugh at the decision. It was a lopsided fight in which Tim Bradley ate more lefts than the winner of an all you can eat hotdog contest could ever ingest wieners. Bradley was humiliated, throwing almost all air all night long, barely touching Pacquiao’s gloves in most cases or taking cheap shots in the clinch. In one round, Bradley’s trainer hints to him to head butt Pacquiao, after which Bradley tried twice, but neither butt hurt Pacquiao.
The argument presented in regards to this astronomical flub by one of the judges, Duane Ford, was that Bradley gave Pacquiao a “boxing lesson”. That Bradley’s counter punches hurt Pacquio in the scoring and Bradley was the aggressor in later rounds. But being the aggressor does not score points if one does not hit the other fighter.
The counter punch argument is even more ludicrous.
According to CompuBox statistics, “Pacquiao landed more punches than Bradley in every round but one, the 9th (26-25). Note that all three judges awarded that round to Bradley, even though Pacquiao was busier and landed more power shots (22-21). One round, the 10th, was even in punches landed with 14 apiece.” Read more.
Compubox had Pacquio landing 253 punches to Bradley’s meager 159. Bradley had a hit ratio of less than 20%. Bradley was swinging at air or a ghost almost all night. Were the judges counting these shots in the dark that never made contact as punches? If they did, then the only statistic on which Bradley outscored Pacquiao was total punches thrown at 839 to 751. Could the judges have been duped by a show of hands? Maybe, but doubtful.
If, as the judge Duane Ford stated, counter-punching hurt Pacquio, then Bradley would have had to at the very least landed the same number of punches countering Pacquo as Pacquiao landed to initiate an attack. The idea, after all, of a counterpunch, is to actually land the counterpunch, not to swing at air every time one is hit. It is also rather idiotic to state that the counterpuncher was on the attack. The strategy is to respond to the attack of the opponent while his guard is down. They are diametrically opposed strategies.
The Compubox numbers are so far in favor of Pacquiao it is laughable. Either the judges could not tell if the punches were landing and scored every whiff by Bradley as a punch or this had to be intentional.
Fighters never lose with these types of Compubox numbers. This is a first. So what happened? Did the judges intentionally call this fight wrong? Of course they did, but the reason why may surprise you.
Read the full story »
Aerial shot of the province of which was heavily damaged by super typhoon yolanda (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Agriculture losses for the year has now amounted to P33 billion, much higher than the average P26 billion for the past 5 years.
Agriculture Undersecretary Dante de Lima said this is due to the successive calamities, from typhoon “Santi” which ravaged Nueva Ecija, the Bohol earthquake and the recent super typhoon “Yolanda.”
The Department of Agriculture stressed the importance for the government to release its 2014 budget at the soonest possible time.
The DA said it needs at least P5.5 billion in order to carry out clearing, recovery and rehabilitation in affected areas.
“Farmers cannot wait, planting season cannot wait,” de Lima said.
He added affected areas should be able to start planting in four months so they can harvest early next year.
For Typhoon Yolanda alone, a total of 203,870 families or 873,666 individuals have been affected.
The UN Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) is already extending technical and financial assistance in the rehabilitation efforts of typhoon stricken areas.
The FAO is also formulating a 3 year rehabilitation plan with the DA.
The DA clarified though, that if certain delays are encountered, the impact will be isolated in affected regions only.
The National Food Authority meanwhile will be importing 500,000 MT of rice to cover the loss in production and address ongoing relief requirements.(MNS)
by Myrna Aquitania
Myrna Aquitania
The worldwide outpouring of financial and humanitarian aid for victims of typhoon ‘Yolanda’ is amazingly overwhelming.
Recent reports from a flash appeal by the United Nations stated that an “estimate of $301 million or 13 billion pesos would be needed for the relief efforts in a wide span of central Philippines brought by supertyphoon Yolanda, which slammed into many islands with ferocious winds that whipped up tsunami-like waves.”
In response to the amount of damage done in our country, below is a list of various countries,, government agencies, private companies and charities sendng and pledging their financial and humanitarian aid on record, sent either directly to the Philippine government or to various government agencies and/or charities based in the Philippines:
1. United States – more than $37 million worth of military personnel, equipment, aircraft carriers, food, shelter, water and medicines coordinated through the Philippine government;
2. European Commission – $40 million
3. Australia – humanitarian aid worth $9.38 million of search and rescue and medical personnel coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs;
4. South Korea – $5.1 million;
5. Canada – $5.1 million;
6. New Zealand – $1.78 million;
7. Germany – 23 tons of humanitarian aid;
8. Taiwan – $200,000;
9. Vatican – $150,000;
10. China – $100,000;
11. Vietnam – $100,000;
12. Singapore/Malaysia – $40,000;
13. Japan – humanitarian aid of military personnel;
14. Israel - in the process of building a hospital in Cebu to treat around 500 patients;.
15. UNICEF/UNHCR – tons of humanitarian aid worth $25 million;
16. WALMART – pledged $1 million;
17. CBS2/KCAL9 Telethon – raised $164,000;
18. Wells Fargo – $250,000 ($125,00 to American Red Cross and $125,00 to the International Medical Corps.)
19. Walmart – $100,000
20. Cedars-Sinai Foundation – $25,000;
21. Philippine Emergency Disaster & Relief Operation (PEDRO)- $20,000;
22. Asean Women’s Caucus -$1,800.00.
Aid is still ongoing from various countries and large corporations. Moreso, on a collective effort, a lot of our kababayans produce ongoing fundraising concerts with proceeds going to special charities set up for the typhoon victims. On a personal note, I know that Wells Fargo Bank’s ATM services has included a way to transfer donations to the typhoon -related areas through the American Red Cross.
As Filipinos, we are most thankful for the outpouring of aid in all forms to aid our kababayans whose lives have changed. We take pride in the resiliency of the Filipino and we pray that one day in the near future, these kababayans will rise up and rebuild their lives again.
A Reverse Osmosis Water Purifying Unit is set up at a local well in Capiz by Canada’s Disaster Assistance and Response Team (DART) as part of its relief efforts in the province. Right photo shows DART’s clean water–medicine and environmental technicians take water samples from the Reverse Osmosis Water Purifying Unit to check its purity. (MNS photo)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the turnover of the food packs and matts to Basey Mayor Junji Ponferrada, and the local officials on Tuesday (November 19) during his visit to Basey in Western Samar. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Public satisfaction with the Aquino administration fell in the third quarter of 2013, with satisfaction dropping in areas ranging from protection from alleged profiteering by oil companies to ensuring that no family goes hungry.
This was the result of the latest poll by Social Weather Stations conducted Sept. 20 to 23, where 71 percent of adults were satisfied, 15 percent dissatisfied and 13 percent ambivalent with the Aquino administration’s general performance.
Last June, the satisfaction scores were 10 points higher at a record-high +66, though the September and June scores both qualify as “very good,” SWS said in its report.
Still, the net score of +56, or satisfied minus dissatisfied, was still considered “very good.”
On the other hand, the SWS noted this survey was taken before Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) devastated Visayas and Southern Luzon last Nov. 8.
SWS’ report detailing the new findings was published Monday by its media partner BusinessWorld.
Among the areas where respondents’ satisfaction with government performance dropped in the third quarter were:
ensuring that oil firms do not take advantage of oil prices, zero in September from +10 in June.
ensuring that no family goes hungry, +9 from +19
fighting inflation, +8 from +18
providing jobs, +36 from +38
reconciliation with Muslim rebels, +25 from +29
For this survey, the SWS interviewed 1,200 adults nationwide. The survey had error margins of ±3% for national and ±6% for area percentages.
The SWS considers net ratings of +70 and above as “excellent”; +50 to +69 as “very good”; +30 to +49 as “good”; +10 to +29 as “moderate”, +9 to -9 as “neutral”; -10 to -29 as “poor”; -30 to -49 as “bad”; -50 to -69 as “very bad”; and -70 and below as “execrable”.
Rating fell across all regions
The SWS said the administration saw its scores fall in all regions, although this stayed “very good” in Balance Luzon (+59 from +68) and Mindanao (+53 from +63).
However, satisfaction fell to +60 (“very good”) from an +76 (“excellent”) in the Visayas, and to a “good” +45 from a “very good” +53 in Metro Manila.
The satisfaction scores remained in “very good” territory among the ABC, where it scored +62 compared to +61 in June; and the D/masa where it scored +56 from +65 in June.
But it fell to a “very good” +54 among the Class E from an “excellent” +71 in June.
16 issues
In the September survey, the administration earned “very good” ratings on four issues, “good” on six issues, “moderate” on three and “neutral” on another three.
Issues where the administration got “very good” scores included:
helping victims of disasters, +68 from +73 in August 2012
providing basic elementary and high school education, +67 from +58 in June
helping the poor, +54 from +57
transparency, +51 from +38 in March
Issues where the Aquino administration got “good” scores included:
defending the country’s territorial rights, +49 from +45 in June
promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers, +48 from +41
foreign relations, +41 from +37
providing jobs, +36 from +38;
fighting crimes, +35 from +31
fighting terrorism, +35 from +36
“Moderate” scores were earned in:
reconciliation with communist rebels, +27 from June’s +24
reconciliation with Muslim rebels, +25 from +29
eradicating graft and corruption, +23 from +18
Issues where the administration got “neutral” scores included:
ensuring that no family goes hungry, +9 from +19
fighting inflation, +8 from +18
ensuring that oil firms do not take advantage of oil prices, zero from +10. (MNS)
Patricia Javier (MNS Photo)
Six years after she left for the United States to start a family with her husband, Patricia Javier is now looking to resume her showbiz career in the Philippines.
Javier, who recently flew in from San Diego, shared her hopes of staging a comeback as an actress.
“Nakaka-miss din talaga,” said Javier. “Kung may magandang project for me, why not, ‘diba? So yeah, I’m here, I’m back!”
The former teen star – she debuted on TV at 16 via “That’s Entertainment” – was launched as a sexy actress in 1999 with the film “Ang Kapit ni Mrs. Montero.”
She went on to appear in some 15 movies, a number of them comedy, and in several TV shows. Javier even dabbled in music, having launched a self-titled album, “PJ,” at one point.
While on a US concert tour in 2003, Javier met chiropractor Dr. Rob Walcher, whom she eventually married four years later. They decided to move to San Diego for good shortly after.
Describing herself as a “full-time mommy” with children now aged 7 and 2, Javier told ABS-CBN News she also busied herself in the US as an esthetician and as a DJ.
She also took active part in charity works, interacting with battered women and those in need of medical help. Javier explained that part of the reason she returned to the Philippines, aside from visiting her family, is to continue her cause.
A member of BKP (Books for Kids in the Philippines), Javier said she will be participating in the distribution of books to schools sponsored by the non-profit organization.
Once finished with her business with BKP, Javier said she is hoping to find luck in showbiz. She added she misses having TV guestings, doing drama on TV, “atsaka ‘yung mga nakakasama ko sa showbiz na mababait na artista, syempre.”
Asked who among the currently popular stars she is a fan of, Javier mentioned Maja Salvador, Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson.
“Syempre si Cristine Reyes,” she added, “kasi natatandaan ko pa siya noong nag-da-dance pa kami nung ate niyang si Ara, pumupunta pa kami sa bahay niya no’n. Nagulat nalang ako, ngayon sobrang sikat na siya tapos angganda-ganda niya!”
As a returning actress, is Javier still open to doing sexy roles?
“Para sa akin, ang pagiging artista, kung ano ‘yung ibinigay sa’yo na role, kung kaya mong panindigan or patunayan, [tatanggapin mo],” she said. “Iyon ang pagiging artista, ‘diba?”
“So sa akin, hindi ako namimili kung anuman ang ibigay nila basta masasabi ko na ‘yung project, pwede mong ipagmayabang.” (MNS)
Grand Rapids, Michigan
© artcphotos/shutterstock.com
(Relaxnews) – The top US destination for 2014 isn’t in a sun-soaked state, nor is it a sprawling metropolis. But what it does have is lots of beer, a burgeoning art scene and America’s most unexpected beach getaway.
That’s the synopsis of editors at Lonely Planet, who named Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan’s Gold Coast the top US destination for next year.
Michigan’s second largest city boasts a string of distinctions, editors say, chief among them a badge of honor for beer lovers: Grand Rapids was named the best beer city in the US for the last two years by the Beer Examiner, with more than 25 craft breweries in the region that support a niche beer tourism market including the Winter Beer Festival.
The city is also home to the world’s largest art competition, ArtPrize, which turns the city into a sprawling, pop-up art gallery that showcases more than 1,700 works from artists around the world.
Furthermore, in what may no longer remain a national secret, editors also describe the Gold Coast as one of America’s best beach getaways, with 300 miles (482 km) of white, sandy beaches lined with wineries, antique shops, orchards, berry farms and cider houses.
Yosemite National Park also makes Lonely Planet’s list of top places to visit in 2014, for marking the 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Grant signed by President Abraham Lincoln, the first time an act had been passed to preserve and protect a patch of land for Americans.
Boston, which comes in third, is also slated to take the spotlight in 2014 notably for the Boston Marathon, when the city hosts the second biggest edition in its history with more than 36,000 runners expected to regain ownership of the historic race following the fatal bombing that hijacked the event this year.
Here are the top US destinations recommended by Lonely Planet for 2014:
1. Grand Rapids & Lake Michigan’s Gold Coast
2. Yosemite National Park, CA
3. Boston, MA
4. Central Coast, CA
5. Jersey Shore
6. Kansas City, MO
7. Cumberland Island, GA
8. Las Vegas, NV
9. Sun Valley, ID
10. Lana‘i, Hawaii
For more details visit http://www.lonelyplanet.com/top-us-destinations-2014 .
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His Excellency U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,is being escorted by Department of Agriculture Sec.Proceso Alcala during the wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Manila on Thursday, the 2nd day of his state visit to the Philippines. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Media entities in the Philippines and Myanmar can now strengthen their information cooperation following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Malacañan Palace on Thursday.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on the second day of Myanmar President Thein Sein’s state visit to the Philippines.
Signing it were Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. and Myanmar Deputy Minister for Information Ye Htut.
The MOU provides for an exchange of visits of journalists, cooperation between private radio and TV networks, and sharing of best practices in media’s role in national development and the peace process.
It covers news exchanges, radio and television broadcasting, film industries, public relations, printing and publishing. (MNS)
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, poses questions to Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind during the hearing on Thursday (Nov. 7, 2013) at the Senate building in Pasay City. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile will not be resigning anytime soon after allegedly funneling his pork barrel funds to fake non-government organizations linked to Janet Lim Napoles.
Enrile said he will not follow the example of Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon who resigned after being included in the second batch of cases filed in connection with the P10 billion pork barrel scam.
The minority leader said Biazon resigned out of delicadeza and his decision should be respected.
Enrile said lawmakers like himself who have been linked to the scam cannot be likened to Biazon. He said he cannot be forced to resign because he was voted into office, unlike presidential appointees whose alleged wrongdoings would embarrass the President.
Enrile said he is ready to face the complaint filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman and that he is innocent of any crime unless proven guilty.
He, however, conceded that he cannot win in the court of public opinion.
Enrile is one of 39 individuals who were included in the first batch of cases filed by the Department of Justice in connection with the pork scam involving Janet Lim Napoles. The scam allegedly involved the funneling of lawmakers’ priority development assistance funds to fake NGOs set up by Napoles.
A Commission on Audit report earlier revealed at least 10 fake NGOs linked to Napoles received P2.157 billion in PDAF from 2007 to 2009.
For his part, Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III backed Biazon’s resignation since the case might affect the President. He said he is surprised why officials in the Executive department who have been linked to the scam have not resigned. (MNS)
| We might say yes!