A Love Story..♥

by; Jo Joy Davillo on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 6:16pm
Sometimes we are blind to see the goodness of ourspouses and deaf to hear their kind words for us. Anice story to share......

My husband is an Engineer by profession, I love himfor his steady nature, and I love the warm feelingwhen I lean against his broad shoulders.

Three years of courtship and now, two years intomarriage, I would have to admit, that I am gettingtired of it. The reasons of me loving him before, hasnow transformed into the cause of all my restlessness.I am a sentimental woman and extremely sensitive whenit comes to a relationship and my feelings, I yearnfor the romantic moments, like a little girl yearningfor candy. My husband is my complete opposite, hislack of sensitivity, and the inability of bringingromantic moments into our marriage has disheartened meabout love.

One day, I finally decided to tell him my decision,that I wanted a divorce.

“Why?" he asked, shocked. "I am tired; there are noreasons for everything in the world!" I answered. Hekept silent the whole night, seems to be in deepthought with a lighted cigarette at all times.

My feeling of disappointment only increased, here wasa man who can't even express his predicament, whatelse can I hope from him?

And finally he asked me:" What can I do to change yourmind?" Somebody said it right, it's hard to change aperson's personality, and I guess, I have startedlosing faith in him.

Looking deep into his eyes I slowly answered : "Hereis the question, if you can answer and convince myheart, I will change my mind, Let's say, I want aflower located on the face of a mountain cliff, and weboth are sure that picking the flower will cause yourdeath, will you do it for me?" He said:" I will giveyou your answer tomorrow...." My hopes just sank bylistening to his response.

I woke up the next morning to find him gone, and saw apiece of paper with his scratchy handwriting,underneath a milk glass, on the dining table near thefront door, that goes....

My dear,

"I would not pick that flower for you, but pleaseallow me to explain the reasons further...”

This first line was already breaking my heart. Icontinued reading.

"When you use the computer you always mess up theSoftware programs, and you cry in front of the screen,I have to save my fingers so that I can help torestore the programs.

You always leave the house keys behind, thus I have tosave my legs to rush home to open the door for you.

You love traveling but always lose your way in a newcity; I have to save my eyes to show you the way.

You always have the cramps whenever your "good friend"approaches every month; I have to save my palms sothat I can calm the cramps in your tummy.

You like to stay indoors, and I worry that you will beinfected by infantile autism.I have to save my mouth to tell you jokes and storiesto cure your boredom.

You always stare at the computer, and that will donothing good for your eyes, I have to save my eyes sothat when we grow old, I can help to clip your nails,and help to remove those annoying white hairs. So Ican also hold your hand while strolling down thebeach, as you enjoy the sunshine and the beautifulsand...

And tell you the color of flowers, just like the colorof the glow on your young face...

Thus, my dear, unless I am sure that there is someonewho loves you more than I do...

I could not pick that flower yet, and die.. "

My tears fell on the letter, and blurred the ink ofhis handwriting... and as I continue on reading...

"Now, that you have finished reading my answer, if youare satisfied, please open the front door for I amstanding outside bringing your favorite bread andfresh milk..."

I rush to pull open the door, and saw his anxiousface, clutching tightly with his hands, the milkbottle and loaf of bread....

Now I am very sure that no one will ever love me asmuch as he does, and I have decided to leave theflower alone...

That's life, and love. When one is surrounded by love,the feeling of excitement fades away, and one tends toignore the true love that lies in between the peaceand dullness.

Love shows up in all forms, even very small and cheekyforms, it has never been a model, it could be the mostdull and boring form..

Flowers, and romantic moments are only used and appearon the surface of the relationship.

Under all this, the pillar of true love stands...

And that's our life...

Love, not words win arguments...

Broken-hearted?

by Rose Anne Cruz Nuguid on Friday, August 27, 2010 at 4:02pm

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back..Some people are just not meant into your life

no matter how much you want them to be. You hug him goodbye like it's nothing, while all you want to do is to hold on forever.

I used to smile when I told people that you were mine but now I can't even smile and say your name at the same time.

As much as I love you, I have to say Goodbye..

Cause i know you would be happier if I let you go.

I'm sorry if I made you cry, I'm sorry if tears fell from your eyes.But remember for every tear that fell from your eyes..

two fell from mine♥

Missing you isn't the hardest part, knowing I once had you is what breaks my heart. I'll never forget the times we onced shared, and

I'll always remember how much you once cared. Now it's over, it's time to move on..♥♥♥♥:)

It's never easy to see you turning back, but I have to take the pain and cry all the way home cause I know it will never be the same..

I know when you leave, distance will keep us apart. But distance no matter how far, can't change these feelings in my heart♥

Just turn your head when you see me..I will understand..

One day, I will be able to look you in the eye without feeling the pain I've caused you.

I hope in time, you will be happy as you call my name once again..

HAPPINESS is too far for us now♥

But even if it's near, I know it will be hard for us to get there..Cause it's never gonna work out♥

I Love you-Goodbye♥!!!

Joel A. De Guzman

IV-BR

RADIO PRACTICUM

Internship at DZXL RMN 558 MANILA

“MEMOIRS”

                                                    (May 17, 2010 to June 19 2010)

           

“Changing a regular lifestyle of waking and sleeping time from 7:00 am at 8:00pm as a result of my chosen internship at RMN DZXL 558…”

May 17, 2010 the first day of my next quest.

The moment of truth, this is the time that my knowledge in this field will be put into practice.

I started being an intern – researcher inside the news room - a place where the news is delivered and created. This position is hard, because it’s a must for me be able to know how to search and find news in a split second using different medium like internet, newspaper, magazine etc. In these circumstances you must know how to rehash the news by angle, either positive or negative. Also in this field, I monitor the news with different radio station.

After a week the management announced that we will have a rotation of duty throughout internship. I was assigned in the public service, the other side of radio program where the majority of listeners are all victims. Voluntary service is what we provide to the people. The program is hosted by Tulfo brother and Larry King titled wanted sa radio, Bantay OFW and Ito ang Batas by attorney Aga Arellano. Everyday the place was full of people seeking helped for their problem like, rape case, human trafficking and Impunity. Back then I realize that to be an intern you must be strong to comfort them, but being a broadcast student you must not be bias and be aware of what is true.

Last but not the list is being with a field reporter (Sir. Michael Rugas). It is very hard to conduct news and that is reality of life that you must be friendly to other reporter in sharing and giving the different news that day.

One week experience at Batasan Pambansa also known as Senate (Congress) and we cover issues regarding the last election 2010. The issue is talk out of the town between Cong. Teddy Boy Locsin vs. Vice President Jejomar Jojo Binay.

Behind the production, Ms. Carol and Ms. Odet the assistants of raffy tulfo are very close in mind. Behind the practicum that I chose, although sharing a knowledge with there experience and guidelines in media industry.

 Thursday, August 19, 2010

The Alejandro of GaGa

Lady Gaga did it again !!

She released her new video titled Alejandro. This is her third single from her second album Fame Monster. The video was directed by Steven Klein. It was inspired by lady gaga for her gay friends and admiration of gay love – her envy of the courage and bravery they require to be together. The music video portrays Gaga with a group of soldiers in a cabaret, dancing to the song. It is interspersed with scenes of Gaga as a nun eating a rosary and near-naked men, holding machine guns.

A good part of the video is dedicated to the Broadway musical Cabaret. The video begins with soldiers sleeping in a cabaret with a close-up of a soldier passed out in fishnet stockings and heels as another lone soldier stares into the distance. The scene then cuts to male dancers performing elaborate choreography while marching forward. As the intro of the song begins, Gaga is shown leading a funeral procession, carrying her heart with a wire "A" spelled on it. When the lyrics begin, she sits on a throne wearing an elaborate headpiece and binocular-like eyepieces, with a smoking pipe in her hand, watching her dancers perform a rigorous routine in the snow. Gaga is then seen as character Sally from Cabaret, dancing and simulating sex acts with three men on a stage with twin beds on a stage surrounded by spotlights, all wearing nothing but underwear intercut with shots of Gaga lying on a larger bed dressed in a red latex nun outfit. She subsequently appears dressed in a white hooded robe with several red crosses on it with her dancers, before a shot of her as the nun eating a rosary. Gaga is seen in a blonde bob and a similar outfit to one of Liza Minnelli's performance costumes. The video moves to a scene of her wearing a bra equipped with assault rifle barrels and her dancers performing another dance routine. She is then shown in the empty club, scenes of war breaking out flash by, and the lone soldier appears again. Going back to the hooded robe scene, she struggles with her dancers and disrobes. The video ends with her dressed as the nun, the film burning away from her face outwards. The director explained that it is an interpretation of a woman's desire to resurrect a dead love and who can not face the brutality of her present situation, the pain of living without your true love.

The Catholic League criticized the video for its use of religious imagery. In an interview, Steven Klein explained that the religious symbolism is not meant to denote anything negative, but represents the character's battle between the dark forces of this world and the spiritual salvation of the Soul. Thus at the end of the film, she chooses to be a nun, and the reason her mouth and eyes disappear is because she is withdrawing her senses from the world of evil and going inward towards prayer and contemplation." Klein added that the scene where Gaga devours the rosary beads is meant to represent "the desire to take in the Holy”.

Okay this is not a video review. This is just an investigative curiosity of my conscious mind. As I was watching the video, this reminds me of director dubbed as “Master of Darkness” Fritz Lang. And the video’s wardrobe of nun’s habits and other religious imagery could be viewed as references to the Catholic Church’s demonization of homosexuality. I grew up in a Roman Catholic country, raised and inspired by the church teachings and beliefs. In that note I found few scenes blasphemous to the catholic culture. But if you would think on the aesthetic and artistic side of the video, you will understand why those scenes are put on it. “Alejandro” is controversial and polarizing–no Gaga video would be complete without a little shock value–but by Gaga standards, this video is actually almost downright tame, and this time, she isn’t dancing with cans of Miracle Whip or disco sticks or hats fashioned out of princess phones. This time, there seems to be a message behind Gaga’s madness.

I don’t believe Gaga is acting with any malice in this video, she was brought up Catholic too, I believe, and this work certainly does not offend me at all. I think Gaga is a true star, imaginative and exciting and it’s good to have her around.

As of this moment, I haven’t heard anything from any official of The Vatican or Catholic/Religious organization regarding to this video. Maybe the response of the people will not as loud as Madonna got on her time when she did the video, Like a Prayer and Vogue. We are in the 21st century, where technology revolves our daily lives. I just don’t know if the video will be aired completely in music channels and or in MTV, where wide-ranged of audience are watching. Maybe there are scenes that will be cut, but I am sure that this will be shown globally, and hello, there is a thing called “youtube” today.

Lastly, this video is no different with her previous videos, Bad Romance and Telephone where so many illuminati interpretation are widespread. Let us not treat this video as a threat to our society, culture or beliefs. Lady Gaga is not a saint, she is an ARTIST. If you don’t like the video, don’t watch it. Remember that prejudice is a disease.

kwentong barbero.......

popular known as.....bekimon!!!

 DA WHO

by Andrew Pelino Granada on Friday, August 20, 2010 at 12:39pm

Da who iteyching BR-sung na ites na bet na bet ang papable na Digimon.
Super survey si Loka kung bagay ba sila ng bet nya. At ang eksena ,, super fantasy ang loka kung HAVAIANAS ba ang betitit niya pesie.

Ask si loka sa prendlalu niya..

LOKA : prendalalu, keri hilsong lang ba kung chibahin ko si bet ?
PRENDLALU: clap clap clap.. ansha ka te .. kung buntukin ka nun .. keri lang ?
LOKA : witchels .. bet nya akis .. bet nya den ung chiba ni watashi ..
PRENDLALU: ansha ka nga te.. Bodik Baniqued ka ba ?
LOKA: Bodik Baniqued ?
PRENDLALU: Bodik .. adik ??!
LOKA : gaga .. wetchikels.. bodik akis kay bet .. ang rapti niyang lalahin ... havs kaya sya ?
PRENDLALU: shunong mu sa jowa nya ..
LOKA: akis nga yun ,,
PRENDLALU: ambisyosa !! yung jowawie nyang merlatchi
LOKA: leche .. titiksihin ko ang jowa niyang yun .. mas prettylicous pa akis dun,
PRENDLALU: taray .. kape te bet mo .. walang takot !!
LOKA: naman .. para kay bet .. lahat gagawin kis.
PRENDLALU: paanis pag niyaya ka ngchiba .
LOKA: gora bet ko un !!
PRENDLALU: paanis kung ikawchi ang chichibahin niya ..
LOKA: ay ayan ang loka te..shuminta siyachi .. ay lurkie .. maaansha talaga akis.


Da who ang loka na ites na may konek sa mga Imortality at mga otaoshi na superfly sa airbender ..

Da who ang Prendlalu na gandara park ang pezie .. este tiilshung na may I put it in a love song siya ng mertayolet para rosy chicks ..

At Da who si Bet na ang namesung ay wit ko ma ispell.. may shupatembangchina siyang epektibo sa banga din..at may jowa siyang sweet Barbie ..  

Knows mo na ??
Wit pa ?!
Bobita ka !?!

sona 2010

A Pledge of loyalty,A new born of hero!!!!!

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Vice President Jejomar Binay, Chief Justice Renato Corona, Former Presidents Fidel Valdez Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada; Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; distinguished members of the diplomatic corps;

My beloved countrymen:

Our administration is facing a forked road. On one direction, decisions are made to protect the welfare of our people; to look after the interest of the majority; to have a firm grip on principles; and to be faithful to the public servant’s sworn oath to serve the country honestly.

This is the straight path.

On the other side, personal interest is the priority, and where one becomes a slave to political considerations to the detriment of our nation.
This is the crooked path.

For a long time, our country lost its way in the crooked path. As days go by (since I became President), the massive scope of the problems we have inherited becomes much clearer. I could almost feel the weight of my responsibilities.

In the first three weeks of our administration, we discovered many things, and I will report to you some of the problems we have uncovered, and the steps we are taking to solve them.

This report is merely a glimpse of our situation. It is not the entire picture of the crises we are facing. The reality was hidden from our people, who seem to have been deliberately obfuscated on the real state of our nation.

In the first six years of this year, government expenditure exceeded our revenues. Our deficit further increased to PhP196.7 billion. Our collection targets, which lack PhP23.8 billion, were not fully met, while we went beyond our spending by PhP45.1 billion.

Our budget for 2010 is PhP1.54 trillion. Of this, only PhP100 billion – or 6.5% of the total budget – can be used for the remaining six months of the current year. Roughly 1% of the total budget is left for each of the remaining month.

Where did the funds go?

A calamity fund worth PhP2 billion was reserved in preparation for anticipated calamities. Of this already miniscule amount, at a time when the rainy season has yet to set in, PhP1.4 billion or 70% was already spent.

The entire province of Pampanga received PhP108 million. Of this, PhP105 million went to only one district. On the other hand, the province of Pangasinan, which was severely affected by Typhoon Pepeng, received a mere PhP5 million, which had to be used to fix damages inflicted not even by Pepeng, but by a previous typhoon, Cosme.
The funds were released on election month, which was seven months after the typhoon. What will happen if a typhoon arrives tomorrow? The fund has been used up to repair damage from typhoons that hit us last year. Our future will pay for the greed of yesterday.

This is also what happened to the funds of the MWSS. Just recently, people lined up for water while the leadership of the MWSS rewarded itself even though the pensions of retired employees remain unpaid.

The entire payroll of the MWSS amounts to 51.4 million pesos annually. But this isn’t the full extent of what they receive: they receive additional allowances and benefits amounting to 81.1 million pesos. In short, they receive 211.5 million pesos annually. Twenty four percent of this is for normal salaries, and sixty six percent is added on.

The average worker receives up to 13th month pay plus a cash gift. In the MWSS, they receive the equivalent of over thirty months pay if you include all their additional bonuses and allowances.

What we discovered in the case of the salaries of their board of trustees is even more shocking. Let’s take a look at the allowances they receive:
Attending board of trustees and board committee meetings, and you get fourteen thousands pesos. This totals ninety eight thousand pesos a month. They also get an annual grocery incentive of eighty thousand pesos.

And that’s not all. They get a mid-year bonus, productivity bonus, anniversary bonus, year-end bonus, and financial assistance. They not only get a Christmas bonus, but an additional Christmas package as well. Each of these amounts to eighty thousand pesos. All in all, each member of the board receives two and a half million pesos a year exclusive of car service, technical assistance, and loans. Let me repeat. They award themselves all of these while being in arrears for the pensions of their retired employees.

Even the La Mesa watershed wasn’t spared. In order to ensure an adequate supply of water, we need to protect our watersheds. In watersheds, trees are needed. Where there should be trees, they built homes for the top officials of the MWSS.

We cannot remove them from their positions quickly because they are among the midnight appointees of former president Arroyo. We are investigating all of these things. But if they have any shame left, they should voluntarily relinquish their positions.

Now let’s discuss funds for infrastructure. The DPWH identified two hundred forty six priority safety projects to be funded by the motor vehicle user’s charge. This needs a budget of 425 million pesos. What they ended up funding were only 28 projects. They disregarded 218 projects and replaced these with seventy projects that weren’t in the plans. The 425 million pesos originally asked for became 480 million pesos, increasing because of projects allocated for a favored few.

These projects make no sense: unstudied and unprepared for, sprouting like mushrooms.

The era of such projects is at an end. Under our administration, there will be no quotas, there will be no overpricing, the funds of the people will be spent for the people.
There’s more. Five days before the term of the previous administration ended, they ordered 3.5 billion pesos to be released for the rehabilitation of those affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. This was supposed to fund eighty-nine projects. But nineteen of these projects amounting to 981 million pesos didn’t go through public bidding. Special Allotment Release Orders hadn’t even been released and yet the contracts were already signed. It’s a good thing Secretary Rogelio Singson spotted and stopped them. Instead, they will all go through the proper bidding, and the funds will be used to provide relief to those who lost their homes due to typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

Let’s discuss what happened in Napocor. From 2001 to 2004, the government forced Napocor to sell electricity at a loss to prevent increases in electricity rates. The real motivation for this is that they were preparing for the election.

As a result, in 2004, NAPOCOR slumped deeply in debt. The government was obligated to shoulder the 200 billion pesos it owed.

What the public thought they saved from electricity, we are now paying for using public coffers. Not only are we paying for the cost of electricity; we are also paying for the interest arising from the debt.

If the money we borrowed was used properly, then there would be added assurance that constant supply of electricity is available. However, this decision was based on bad politics, not on the true needs of the people. The people, after having to sacrifice, suffered even more.

This is also what happened to the MRT. The government tried again to buy the people’s love. The operator was forced to keep the rates low.

In effect, the guarantee given to the operator that he will still be able to recoup his investment was not fulfilled. Because of this, Landbank and the Development Bank of the Philippines were ordered to purchase the MRT.

The money of the people was used in exchange for an operation that was losing money.

Let us now move on to the funds of the National Food Authority (NFA).

In 2004: 117,000 metric tons (of rice) was the shortage in the supply of the Philippines. What they (the government) bought were 900,000 metric tons. Even if you multiply for more than seven times the amount of shortage, they still bought more than what was needed.

In 2007: 589,000 metric tons was the shortage in the supply of the Philippines. What they bought were 1.827 million metric tons. Even if you multiply for more than three times the amount of shortage, they again bought more than what was needed.

What hurts is, because they keep purchasing more than what they need year after year, the excess rice that had to be stored in warehouses ended up rotting, just like what happened in 2008.

Is this not a crime, letting rice rot, despite the fact that there are 4 million Filipinos who do not eat three times a day?

The result is NFA’s current debt of 177 billion pesos.

This money that was wasted could have funded the following:
- The budget of the entire judiciary, which is at 12.7 billion pesos this year.
- The Conditional Cash Transfers for the following year, which cost 29.6 billion pesos.
- All the classrooms that our country needs, which cost 130 billion pesos.

This way of doing things is revolting. Money was there only to be wasted.

You have heard how the public coffers were squandered. This is what is clear to me now: change can only come from our determination to stamp out this extravagance and profligacy.

That is why starting now: we will stop the wasteful use of government funds. We will eradicate projects that are wrong.

This is the point of what we call the zero-based approach in our budget. What used to be the norm was every year, the budget merely gets re-enacted without plugging the holes.

Next month we will be submitting a budget that accurately identifies the problem and gives much attention on the right solution.

Those that I have mentioned were only some of the problems we have discovered. Here now are examples of the steps we are undertaking to solve them.

There is a case of one pawnshop owner. He purchased a vehicle at an estimated cost of 26 million pesos.

If he can afford to buy a Lamborghini, why can’t he pay his taxes?

A case has already been filed against him. Through the leadership of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares, Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez, and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, every week we have new cases filed against smugglers and against those who do not pay the right taxes.

We have also already identified the suspects of the cases of Francisco Baldomero, Jose Daguio and Miguel Belen, 3 of the 6 incidents of extralegal killings since we assumed the Presidency.

Fifty percent (50%) of these incidents of extralegal killings are now on their way to being resolved.

We will not stop the pursuit of the remaining half of these killings until justice has been achieved.

We will hold murderers accountable. We will also hold those who are corrupt that work in government accountable for their actions.

We have begun forming our Truth Commission, through the leadership of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide. We will search for the truth on the alleged wrongdoing committed in the last nine years.

This week, I will sign the first ever Executive Order on the formation of this Truth Commission.

If the answer to justice is accountability, the answer to the dearth in funds is a new and creative approach to our long-standing problems.

We have so many needs: from education, infrastructure, health, military, police and more. Our funds will not be enough to meet them.

No matter how massive the deficit is that may keep us from paying for this list of needs, I am heartened because many have already expressed renewed interest and confidence in the Philippines.

Our solution: public-private partnerships. Although no contract has been signed yet, I can say that ongoing talks with interested investors will yield fruitful outcomes.

There are some who have already shown interest and want to build an expressway from Manila that will pass through Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, until the end of Cagayan Valley, without the government having to spend a single peso.

On national defense:

We have 36,000 nautical miles of shoreline, but we only have 32 boats. These boats are as old as the time of (US General Douglas) MacArthur.

Some had this proposition: they will rent the Navy headquarters on Roxas Boulevard and the Naval Station in Fort Bonifacio.

They will take care of the funding necessary to transfer the Navy Headquarters to Camp Aguinaldo. Immediately, we will be given 100 million dollars. Furthermore, they will give us a portion of their profits from their businesses that would occupy the land they will rent.

In short, we will meet our needs without spending, and we will also earn.

There have already been many proposals from local to foreign investors to provide for our various needs.

From these public-private partnerships, our economy will grow and every Filipino will be the beneficiary. There are so many sectors that could benefit from this.

We will be able to construct the needed infrastructure in order to help tourism grow.

In agriculture, we will be able to have access to grains terminals, refrigeration facilities, orderly road networks and post-harvest facilities.

If we can fix out food supply chain with the help of the private sector, instead of importing, we will hopefully be able to supply for the needs of the global market.

The prices of commodities will go down if we are able to make this efficient railway system a reality. It will be cheaper and faster, and it will be easier for travelers to avoid crooked cops and rebels.

A reminder to all: creating jobs is foremost on our agenda, and the creation of jobs will come from the growth of our industries. Growth will only be possible if we streamline processes to make them predictable, reliable and efficient for those who want to invest.

We make sure that the Build-Operate-and-Transfer projects will undergo quick and efficient processes. With the help of all government agencies concerned and the people, a process that used to take as short as a year and as long as a decade will now only take six months.

The Department of Trade and Industry has already taken steps to effect this change, under the leadership of Secretary Gregory Domingo: The never-ending horror story of registering business names, which used to take a minimum of four to eight hours depending on the day, will be cut down drastically to fifteen minutes.

What used to be a check list of thirty-six documents will be shortened to a list of six, and the old eight-page application form will be whittled down to one page.

I call on our local government units to review its own procedures. While we look for more ways to streamline our processes to make business start-ups easier, I hope the LGUs can also find ways to implement reforms that will be consistent with the ones we have already started.

All will certainly benefit from this streamlining — be it businessmen, soldiers, rebels and ordinary Filipinos. As long as the interests of Filipinos will not be jeopardized, we will explore all available avenues to make this a reality. We must start now, and we should all help achieve this and not stand in each other’s way.

The time when we will no longer be made to choose between our people’s security and the future of our children is upon us now.

Once we implement these public-private partnerships, we will be able to fund public service in accordance with our platform.

This will enable us to fund our plans for education.

We will be able to expand our basic education cycle from seven years to the global standard of twelve years.

We can build more classrooms, and we will fund service contracting under the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Program (GASTPE).
Conditional cash transfers that aim to lessen the burden of education on parents will also be funded if this partnership becomes a reality.

Our plans for improving PhilHealth can now be within reach.

First, we will identify the correct number of Filipinos who sorely need PhilHealth coverage, as current data is conflicting on this matter. On one hand, PhilHealth says that eighty-seven percent (87%) of Filipinos are covered, then lowers the number to only fifty-three percent (53%). On the other hand, the National Statistics Office says that only thirty-eight percent (38%) of Filipinos are covered by Philhealth.

Even as we speak, Secretary Dinky Soliman and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are moving to implement the National Household Targeting System that will identify the families that most urgently need assistance. An estimated 9 billion pesos is needed in order to provide coverage for five million poor Filipinos.

Our country is beginning to see better days ahead. The private sector, the League of Provinces headed by Governor Alfonso Umali, together with Governors L-Ray Villafuerte and Icot Petilla, are now ready to do their share when it comes to shouldering the financial burden. I know that the League of Cities under the leadership of Mayor Oscar Rodriguez will not be far behind.

If the local governments share in our goals, I know that I can surely count on Congress, the institution where I began public service, to push for our agenda for change.
Our Cabinet has already showed it skill by identifying not just problems but also proposing solutions in a matter of three weeks.

In the aftermath of Typhoon Basyang, we were told by those in the power sector that we would be without electricity for four days. The quick action of Secretary Rene Almendras and the Department of Energy resulted in the restoration of power to almost all those affected within twenty-four hours.

The so-called water shortage in Metro Manila was quickly attended to by Secretary Rogelio Singson and the Department of Public Works and Highways. Secretary Singson did it without prodding, which alleviated the suffering of those affected.

We also witnessed the competence and initiative of those we appointed to be part of our Cabinet. It is but just that they not be forced to go through the eye of a needle to be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments. Should this happen, competent Filipinos will be encouraged to help our country by becoming public servants.

In the soonest possible time, we will convene the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) to discuss the important bills that need to be addressed. Rest assured that I will keep an open mind and treat you honorably.

We will push for the Fiscal Responsibility Bill, which will limit spending bills only for appropriations that have identified a source of funding. We need 104.1 billion pesos to fund those laws already passed but whose implementation remains pending because of lack of funds.

We will re-evaluate fiscal incentives given in the past. Now that we are tightening our purse strings, we need to identify those incentives that will remain and those that need to be done away with.

We will not allow another NBN-ZTE scandal to happen again. Whether from local or foreign sources, all proposed contracts must undergo the scrutiny of correct procedures. I now ask for your help with amending our Procurement Law.

According to our Constitution, it is the government’s duty to ensure that the market is fair for all. No monopolies, no cartels that kill competition. We need an Anti-Trust Law that will give life to these principles, to afford Small- and Medium-Scale Enterprises the opportunity to participate in the growth of our economy.

Let us pass into law the National Land Use Bill.

It was in 1935, during the Commonwealth, that the National Defense Act was passed. There is a need to amend for a new law that is more responsive to the current needs of national security.

I appeal to our legislators to pass the Whistleblower’s Bill to eradicate the prevalent culture of fear and silence that has hounded our system.

We will strengthen the Witness Protection Program. We must remember that from 2009 to 2010 alone, cases which involved the participation of witnesses under the program resulted in a ninety-five percent conviction.

There is a need to review our laws. I call on our lawmakers to begin a re-codification of our laws to ensure harmony in legislation and eliminate contradictions.

These laws serve as the basis of order in our land, but the foundation of all rests on the principle that we cannot grow without peace and order.

We face two obstacles on our road to peace: the situation in Mindanao and the continued revolt of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Our view has not changed when it comes to the situation in Mindanao. We will only achieve lasting peace if all stakeholders engage in an honest dialogue: may they be Moro, Lumad, or Christian. We have asked Dean Marvic Leonen to head our efforts to talk to the MILF.

We will learn from the mistakes of the past administration, that suddenly announced an agreement reached without consultations from all concerned. We are not blind to the fact that it was done with political motivation, and that the interest behind it was not that of the people.

We recognize the efforts of the MILF to discipline those within its ranks. We are hopeful that the negotiations will begin after Ramadan.

To the CPP-NPA-NDF: are you prepared to put forth concrete solutions rather than pure criticism and finger-pointing?

If it is peace you truly desire, then we are ready for an immediate cease-fire. Let us go back to the table and begin talking again.

It is difficult to begin discussions in earnest if the smell of gun powder still hangs in the air. I call on everyone concerned not to waste a good opportunity to rally behind our common aspiration for peace.

Our foundation for growth is peace. We will continue to be shackled by poverty if the crossfire persists.

We must understand that now is a time for sacrifice. It is this sacrifice that will pave the way for a better future. With our freedom comes our responsibility to do good unto our fellows and to our country.

To our friends in media, especially those in radio and print, to the block-timers and those in our community newspapers, I trust that you will take up the cudgels to police your own ranks.

May you give new meaning to the principles of your vocation: to provide clarity to pressing issues; to be fair and truthful in your reporting, and to raise the level of public discourse.

It is every Filipino’s duty to closely watch the leaders that you have elected. I encourage everyone to take a step towards participation rather than fault-finding. The former takes part in finding a solution; from the latter, never-ending complaints.

We have always known that the key to growth is putting the interest of others beyond one’s own. One thing is clear: how do we move forward if we keep putting others down?

How will those without education secure quality jobs? How will the unemployed become consumers? How will they save money for their future needs?

If we change all this, if we prioritize enabling others, we will open a world of opportunities not just for ourselves but for those who direly need it.

We have already begun the process of change, and we are now able to dream of better things for our country. Let us not forget that there are those who wish us to fail, so that they will once again reclaim power to do as they please at the expense of our people.

My firm belief is that our fate is in the hands of God and our people. While we focus on uplifting the lives of our fellow men, I have an unshakeable faith that Almighty God will give us His blessings and support. If we remain firm in our belief that God is on our side, is there anything impossible for us to achieve?

The mandate we received last May 10 is testament to the fact that the Filipino continues to hope for true change. The situation is not what it was before; we can all dream again. Let us all become one in achieving a fulfilment of our hopes and aspirations for our country.

Good afternoon and thank you!

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Philippine History During the Martial Law Regime

Ferdinand E. Marcos won the presidency in 1965 and was the first president to be re-elected for a second term in office. Marcos He embarked on an ambitious public works program and maintained his popularity through his first term. His popularity started to decline after his re-election due to perceived dishonesty in the 1969 campaign, the decline in economic growth, government corruption and the worsening peace & order. He declared Martial Law in 1972 near the end of his second & final term in office. Staunch oppositionist, Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino (later went on self exile to the U.S.) & Senator Jose Diokno were one of the first to be arrested. During the Martial Law years, Marcos held an iron grip on the nation with the support of the military. Opposition leaders we imprisoned and the legislature was abolished. Marcos ruled by presidential decrees.

Post Martial Law up to the Present Time

The 21-year dictatorial rule of Marcos with wife Imelda ended in 1986 following a popular uprising that forced them to exile to Hawaii. Corazon "Cory" Aquino, the wife of exiled and murdered opposition leader Benigno Aquino who was perceived to have won a just concluded snap election was installed as president. Aquino restored civil liberties, initiated the formation of a new constitution and the restoration of Congress.

On September 16, 1991, despite the lobbying of Aquino, the Senate rejected a new treaty that would allow a 10-year extension of the US military bases in the country.

In the1992 elections, Pres. Aquino endorsed Secretary of Defense Fidel Ramos as her successor, which Ramos won with a slight margin over his rival, Miriam Defensor-Santiago. During the Ramos presidency, he advocated "National Reconciliation" and laid the ground work for the resolution of the secessionist Muslim rebels in the southern Philippine Island of Mindanao. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) led by Nur Misuari, signed a peace agreement with the government. However a splinter group, The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) led by Hashim Salamat continued to fight for an Islamic state. Ramos worked for the economic stability of the country and the improvement of the infrastructure facilities like telecommunications, energy and transportation.

Joseph Ejercito Estrada, a popular actor, succeeded Ramos in 1998 with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (daughter of former President Diosdado Macapagal) as his Vice-President. Estrada's lack of economic & management skills plunged the economy deeper as unemployment increased and the budget deficit ballooned. In October 2000, Estrada's close friend Luis "Chavit" Singson accused Estrada of receiving millions of pesos from "Jueteng", an illegal numbers game. Soon after, Congress impeached Estrada on grounds of bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution. His impeachment trial at the Senate was however blocked by his political allies in the Senate. Shortly after the evidence against Estrada was blocked at the Senate, thousands of people rallied up at the EDSA Shrine, site of the People Power Revolution which ousted Marcos in 1986.

In January 2001, the Supreme Court declared Joseph Estrada unable to rule in view of mass resignations from his government and declared Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as his constitutional successor. To this date, Estrada remains detained facing graft charges before the Sandigan Bayan, the Anti-graft court.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, completed the remaining term of Estrada and run for re-election against Fernando Poe, Jr., another popular actor and a friend of Estrada in May 2004. Arroyo with her running mate Noli de Castro was eventually proclaimed the winners of the Presidential & Vice-Presidential elections. She has been advocating a change from a Presidential form of government to a Parliamentary form of government.

Arroyo's husband & son has been rumored to be receiving money from gambling lords and this has tainted her reputation. A tape recording of Arroyo talking with a commissioner on elections surfaced establishing impropriety by Arroyo and suggesting that she might have influenced the outcome of the last elections. Demonstrations followed in June 2005 calling for Arroyo to resign.

On the eve of the anniversary of the "People Power Revolution" on February 24, 2006, the government took pre-emptive measures to quash alleged plots to unseat Arroyo through massive rallies and a coup. Arroyo declared a "State of Emergency" the next day mobilizing the police and the military averting any destabilization moves.

May 14, 2007 - National Elections for Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Mayors and local officials. Although there are instances of violence and allegations of cheating specially in Mindanao, this elections is considered by many as one of the most peaceful elections conducted in Philippines.

September 12, 2007 - Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada is convicted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court and is sentenced to 40 years imprisonment. He is the first former president ever convicted of any crime in Philippine history. Six weeks later, on October 26, Estrada was pardoned by President Arroyo.

Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, affectionately called "Noynoy", the son of former President Corazon C. Aquino and the late Senator Benigno Aquino, won the May 10, 2010 presidential elections. He was proclaimed president on June 30, 2010 at Rizal Park in Manila. Former President Gloria Arroyo, was elected congresswoman for the second district of Pampanga. This was the first computerized national elections in Philippine history.