UNO president Binay: ‘Arroyo has led nation to hunger’

By DJ Yap, Thea Alberto
Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:36:00 07/28/2008

MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE) Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay on Monday said the “misguided governance” and “corruption” of the Arroyo administration has led the country down the road to poverty, unemployment and higher prices.

“Millions of Filipinos are poor and hungry. That is the state of the nation today,” Binay said, delivering delivered the political opposition’s own state of the nation address (SONA) hours ahead of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s report before the joint session of Congress .

“The Arroyo administration cannot totally blame the situation on global economic conditions since misguided governance, large-scale corruption and naked politicking have contributed to the present state of our nation,” Binay, who is president of the United Opposition (UNO), said.

MORE HERE: INQUIRER.net

Nag-aalala din ako

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said in her 8th (wow, its been that long?) State of the Nation Address that she is worried.

Worried for the farmers who, ironically, are at the forefront of rice production but can’t provide food for their families; for teachers who make the professionals of today but earn less than they deserve; for the overseas filipino workers who leave their families for more bucks.

But as she sets the mood as being a “compassionate and worried President,” I’ve predicted she will get back at her naysayers once the timing is perfect.

I was right! (Right just as everyone predicted there will be an applause every 30 seconds or so)

“I will let no one–and no one’s political plans–threaten our nation’s survival,” said Arroyo in her speech.

I hope so, Madame, because even those from the middle and upper class have started fully experiencing financial crisis.

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This is the first time I have not covered the SONA protests because I still have to get well. But it’s actually nice watching the SONA at the press office hehe Of course being in action is quite more fun. hehe

SONA protests to cost PNP–operations chief

By Thea Alberto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:45:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines — The head of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) directorate for operations said the deployment for the expected protests on Monday, when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo delivers her state of the nation address, will cost the organization.

Director Silverio Alarcio said that the deployment means an additional P30 subsistence allowance for each policeman, aside from the P90 they receive daily.

Over 6,000 policemen will be fielded on Monday to ensure peace and security at the various rallies activist and opposition groups are expected to stage in Metro Manila and elsewhere in the country.

MORE HERE: INQUIRER.net

FEU cager Baracael ‘stable’ but still in ICU–team officials

By Jasmine W. Payo, Thea Alberto
Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:12:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines — Marnel “Mac” Baracael, the Far Eastern University basketball player who was shot Thursday night, is “stable” but remains confined to an intensive care unit, team officials said Friday afternoon.

The 6-foot-3 Baracael was shot by a still unknown assailant past 8:30 p.m. Thursday at R. Papa corner Nicanor Reyes streets in Manila.

“He’s stable but in bad shape,” said Anton Montinola, FEU’s representative to the UAAP board. “We have no information yet [regarding the motive]. We cannot speculate.”

MORE HERE: INQUIRER.net

Almost there

I learned (and re-learned) a looooooot of things this month, including the importance of Vitamin B, A, and ZInc. Thanks to Bell’s palsy. :p

Over three weeks have passed since I got Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis) and now I know I’m on my way to full recovery. The first two weeks were very tiring, not to mention depressing, because I was undergoing therapy almost everyday and I saw ZERO improvement to the right side of my face. I grew very impatient and became anti-social because I looked terrible. There were days I have kept my hopes high but it was only on the third week that I saw MAJOR improvements.

Last Sunday, in time with my lunch date with Nixlove’s family, improvements came dramatically. At first it was very awkward facing my future in-laws with my drooping right face but I figured that if Nixlove didn’t mind, his family wouldn’t. And I was right!

My Mom’s patience also helped a lot. She must have known how hard it was for me and she tried to make things easier by cooking me delicious, nutritious food and by constantly telling me I still am beautiful. Mothers do know best. :p haha.

Came Monday, I woke up feeling my muscles near the mouth move. When I looked at the mirror, they were indeed moving! My cheeks started to show movements too. On Tuesday, I was able to slightly raise my right eyebrow and yesterday, I felt my cheek somehow lifting itself up when I smile. My eyes are no longer too teary or dry. I only need to strengthen more muscles and I’ll finally be able to regain my wide smile

Here’s a list of things I learned while trying to recover:

1. I still am lucky. It could have been worse, you know.

2. Love is really in sickness and in health. I am lucky for having Nixlove

3. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE!

4. That it’s actually nice to sit back, relax, and LIVE IN THE MOMENT.

5. Those who really care WON’T mind no matter how ugly you look like. And those who care about your appearance would and should NOT MATTER, anyway.

AND mothers will always be there.

6. That vegetables actually taste good. haha :p

7. That my bosses care about me, hihi.

8. That health is really wealth and we must not put it at risk! Thank heavens for medicard. I would have spent over 25,000 for the therapy alone!

9. THAT PRAYER IS A GOOD MEDICINE.

10. Time indeed heals all wounds (including nerve wounds! hehe)

I am not fully well and I’m still very careful but I know I’m almost there. Hopefully in a few more days, I will finally manage smiling from ear to ear.

PNP chief: Rising prices to bring crime surge

By Thea Alberto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:26:00 07/17/2008

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) expects a surge in crime, specifically robbery and theft, amid the continuing increase in the prices of basic commodities, Director General Avelino Razon Jr. said Thursday.

“[But] we are addressing this and according to the National Capital Region Police Office [NCRPO] chief [Director Geary Barias], they have programs in place to prevent and deter the surge of these crimes as a result of these [increases in the price of] fuel, prices of goods and commodities,” Razon told reporters during a gun show at SM Megamall.

FULL STORY HERE: INQUIRER.net

—————–

I certainly hope not! Because it will be very scary, right? But yes, oil and food prices are at their all-time high and salaries have yet to increase (helloooo, hehe).

And because it’s highly possible that poverty and criminality are correlated, you can’t prevent someone from snatching another one’s cellular phone if that’s the only way to bring food to his family’s table.

Gotta go, need more rest! MUST AVOID STRESS!!:)

Back to work

Nothing much about this post. I’m just glad I’m working again after two weeks of absence! But the lopsided smile is still here, hopefully it’ll be gone by July 25.

Why July 25? No valid reason. I just think I’ll get better by that date. tee hee

Hay, I missed working. I wonder what made me feel restless three weeks ago when I had no actual problem. Now that I have Bell’s palsy, I realized I should have taken things easy.