Update on the Aathalia fishing vessel that collided with Catalyn B passenger ferry in Manila Bay

Just yesterday, the 79-tonne Catalyn B, a flimsy wooden vessel taking holidaymakers to their home village on a small island off the mouth of Manila Bay, smashed into 369-tonne Anathalia, a metal-hulled fishing boat, killing at least four people.

At least 23 people are still missing. Forty-six survivors were fished out of the water on Thursday, along with four bodies, out of a total of 73 people.



via AFP

Disgruntled DSWD Volunteer Speaks Out

This was sent to me via email. I heard this was already responded to in the newspapers by the local DSWD officials. To be honest, I do not agree that this was the best way to go about relaying her dissatisfaction with how the donations were handled but I guess sometimes people just have to speak out.

I doubt a strong reaction would have come out if she hadn't posted it this way and it hadn't spread like wild fire online.

REPOSTING FROM: http://jenniepperson.com

According to Blog Ni Ella, these goods have not been distributed to the
typhoon survivors. WHY?
Ella wrote on her (now blocked) blog: (her blog was ellaganda.com and it
is now blocked)
Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? (A special report from a
volunteer)
Oct 21st, 2009 by ella
Dear friends,
I?m asking your help to spread the word. Tulungan po ninyo akong ikalat
ito. Beyond this, we should also demand action. I disabled a plugin so you
can copy the photos of relief goods rotting in DSWD warehouses. You can
link this post to your blogs, facebook, websites etc. You can also email
the photos.



Philippine News ( US based Philippine newspaper) will use this as its front
page story this week. Every Filipino has the right to know where the tons
of donations from the UN and other counties go. Kahit po nakakahiya sa mga
nag-donate. Kung sa ganitong paraan, matutulungan natin ang mga nasalanta,
then by all means, let?s do it.
For those who have the time, please try to volunteer sa DSWD warehouses.
Getting in was not easy. A friend had to put in a word for us. Let?s see
kung madali nang makapasok sa DSWD warehouse ang mga volunteers.
Please read on and good luck to us.
Ella
(This post was last edited Oct 22, 12:30 pm )
Kahapon, tinanong ng Philippine News si DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral:
Editor of Philippine News: Why are the relief goods in DSWD warehouses not
moving?
DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral: Wala kasing volunteers.
This short interview was done over the phone. Philippine News wanted to
hear her side pero ayaw niyang makipag-usap sa press. After four tries,
pinasabi na lang niya ang maikling sagot na ito sa secretary niya -
?Walang volunteers?.
I don?t want to accuse her of corruption but at the very least she is
showing signs of being totally incompetent. We are in a state of calamity
where every second counts. May namamatay araw-araw dahil sa sakit.
In my opinion, these deaths could have been prevented if Secretary Cabral
had tried a little harder to do her job.



Deaths from Philippine storms nears 1,000
?Tropical Storm Ketsana left 420 dead and 37 missing when it flooded 80
percent of Manila on September 26, a disaster the government said affected
4.35 million people.
Some areas are still flooded three weeks later and 189,000 people remain
in evacuation centres,
Typhoon Parma hit the northern Philippines on October 3 and lingered as a
tropical storm for a week, triggering landslides that killed 438 people
and leaving 51 missing mostly in mountain communities.
The government agency said Parma affected 4.16 million people, including
more than 32,000 who remain at evacuation centres.?
During the first week after the storm, lumabas ang ?bayanihan spirit? ng
mga Pinoy. ?Makatulong lang kahi?t konti,? katwiran nila.
kung walang volunteers, ano ?to, komiks?
From Stella Arnaldo?s blog:
?At the offices of many civic groups and private organizations, hundreds
of people showed up to volunteer in packing relief goods.
At the Tulong Bayan center at the Expo Centro in Cubao, Most of the
volunteers were adolescents as young as 10 years old, along with their
kuya or ate in high school and college.
They came in huge numbers, many of them barkadas, classmates or siblings,
dressed just in their tees and shorts, wearing their Havaianas. All were
just enthusiastic to do their share!
Photos by Leah Navarro




GMA asked world for donations
Our government begged the world for more donations. Sumagot ang buong
mundo sa ating panawagan. In less than three weeks, dumaong ang mga barko,
ibinaba mula sa mga cargo planes, i-diniliver ng mga trak at container
vans ang sandamakmak na relief goods. Cash donations were in the millions
of dollars.
But these donations must be coursed through DSWD
Nagpalabas ng directive ang pangulo. Individuals, private companies and
other nations were ENCOURAGED to send their donations to DSWD. I blogged
about it here and the video of her announcement here.
This PGMA directive sounded suspicious to me then. Now I know why. Here?s
the story.
A group of eight people, your ate Ella included, went to one of DSWD
warehouses to help in repacking relief goods. We know they need volunteers
pero hindi namin akalaing WALANG TAO TALAGA SA LOOB NG WAREHOUSE!
As in sa isang humongous warehouse (1000++ sq.m) NA PUNONG-PUNO NG RELIEF
GOODS HANGGANG BUBONG, ISANG DSWD employee lang at ISANG SECURITY GUARD
ang tao!!
Kailangang magpa-register at i-schedule ang volunteering

1) UNICEF Registration (as a volunteer)
The warehouse can only take as much as 50 volunteers at a time or per
shift. Here you will find that there is a 4-hour shift, and an option for
a 6-hour shift for the volunteers to indicate their availability.
What ?volunteers?? Nasaan?
Aside from the 8 of us? Nope, there was nobody there. Bakit kailangan ang
scheduling? Feeling hindi ba magkamayaw at nagu-unahan ang mga volunteers?

I know somebody who wanted to volunteer many times. She was always bumped
off, laging nirere-schedule kasi ?there were too many volunteers? daw. At
tuwing Sunday lang daw puwede. What the hell is going on here?
Nakatambak ang donations ng UNICEF sa warehouse, local and international
Mga banig na dapat ay nahihigaan ng mga nasalanta. Mga imported camp beds
na hindi na yata masisilayan ng mga biktima. Mga kumot na hindi naman
nakabalot sa katawan nila. At mga pagkaing hindi sumasayad sa sikmura
nila.
The relief goods are not going anywhere
We arrived at about 8 am and left by midafternoon and yes, you guessed it
right. Kami pa rin ang tao bukod sa isang DSWD employee sa loob ng
warehouse maghapon. Walang ibang dumating.
The relief goods are not moving. By the way things look, they are not
going anywhere. Hindi maglalakad mag-isa ang mga donations na ito papunta
sa mga evacuation centers.
LET THE PICTURES DO THE TALKING
Note: Pinagbawalan kaming kumuha ng pictures sa loob ng warehouse. I
wonder why.

?Not a creature was moving, not even a mouse..?

Parang haunted warehouse ang dating. May multo na yata.

Kahit na daig pa ang tindahan sa Divisoria sa dami ng naka-stack na
kaldero

At walang katapusang kaldero pa ulit

Kahit halos natakpan na ang mga bintana sa dami ng mga kahon

Kahit umabot na hanggang kisame ang stack ng mga kahon

(Close up ng Coleman camp beds sa previous photo) Hindi ito kasama sa
ni-repack naming goods. Para sa mga ?special victims? kaya ito? Ire-repack
kaya ang mga ?imported? camp pads na ito ever?

Sabagay, may BANIG naman para sa ?ordinary victims?. Ito ang kasama sa
inimpake namin. Sayang ?yung imported.
Ano kaya ang laman nito? Hindi rin pinabuksan. Pang-special victim din
kaya ito? (teka, dito nga pala galing ?yung mga kumot)

Mahiwagang mga kahon from Japan Aid.
(close up ng mahiwagang kahon) Hindi rin ito kasali, of course. Hindi
namin alam kung ano ang laman nito. ?Imported? are not included, we have
concluded.

Marami ito, mga laruang kasinlaki ng tao. Hindi nakunan ng pic kasi nasa
tabi ng sikyo.
PORK AND BEANS? Yup, you?d think kasama ito sa relief bag. Pork and beans
lang ?to, puwede na sigurong ipamigay,
Naaah! ?Imported? pork and beans from Spain po ito. Sorry, hindi pa rin
included
Now let?s take a look at what a victim will get from DSWD

Look Ma, sampung lata ng sardinas! How generous! Kaldero ang unang
ilalagay sa sako. Sabong panglaba (bar soap) at sampung sardinas sa
ilalim. Siyam na sabon sa gilid ng kaldero. Local goods lahat syempre.

Tapos papatungan ng isang tuwalya at isang pack ng sanitary napkin.

Sisiksikan ng tatlong rolyo ng kumot(?) ang blue water jug tapos ipapatong
sa kaldero sa loob ng sako.
Last but not the least, lalagyan ng dalawang banig.
Sabay tatahiin na ang sako. O di ba, parang asong tinapunan ng buto ang
mga nasalanta? Eniwey, busog naman sila sa SAMPUNG lata ng Mega sardinas
Do not delay

YOU THINK?? WTF is the matter with these people? Mag-iisang buwan na mula
nang masalanta ang mga kababayan natin. ISANG BUWAN!! Do you mean ?do not
delay ang dati nang delayed??? Shet.
Anong ginagawa ng mga donations na ito sa warehouse?? APAT na warehouse
ang nasa loob ng compound na ?yon! APAT na warehouse na punong-puno ng
inaalikabok na relief goods! Relief goods na ayaw yata ibigay sa mga
nasalanta. Halatang-halata.
Marami pang pabubulukin

Wow! May bagong shipment na naman! At the rate DSWD is moving, next year
na madi-discover kung ano ang laman ng mga kahong ito.

?The first of two of the largest high-energy food shipments from the
United Nations World Food Program (WFP) arrived in the country two days
ago for victims of storm ?Ondoy? and typhoon ?Pepeng.?
The biscuits were fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for
supplementary feeding to children, pregnant women and the elderly in
evacuation camps.. Another 100 tons of biscuits will arrive on Oct. 24, in
a continuing effort to provide food assistance to flood victims.
Sige, ideretso ?nyo ulit ?yan sa DSWD warehouse.. Para AMAG naman ang
abutin ng biskwit? at sapot ng gagamba.
Conclusion
Sa maghapon namin sa warehouse,nakagawa kami ng 150 sacks of relief goods.
150 bags of relief goods lang ang lumabas sa warehouse na ?yon that day.
At nandoon pa rin sa loob ang mga imported relief goods, safe, sound and
packed as the day they arrived.
Nakisakay kami palabas sa isang DSWD delivery van. Gusto sana kaming
ihatid ng driver hanggang Makati pero wala raw siyang sobrang gasolina.
Ibinaba na lang niya kami sa gitna ng EDSA. Millions of dollars in
donations, walang extrang pang-gasolina.
Susulpot din siguro ang laman ng mga mahiwagang kahon at mapapasakamay din
ng mga tao?sa ARAW NG ELEKSYON. O mabibili na nila ang mga imported goods
na ?yon sa mga puwesto sa Quiapo at Divisoria.
Suggestions lang po sa DSWD:
· Alam ?nyo palang walang mag-volunteer sa inyo, bakit hindi kayo
mag-hire ng mga tao? Bayaran ?nyo ng arawan para mag-repack. Ang daming
walang trabaho, makakatulong pa kayo. Hindi naman malaking kabawasan ?yon
sa bilyong pisong donasyon na natanggap ninyo.
· Isa pa, gaano ba karami ang mga sundalo natin? Hindi ba puwedeng
ipagawa sa kanila ?yan? Baka isang araw lang, tapos na ang problema ?nyo
· Bakit hindi ?nyo ibigay ang trabaho sa mga NGO, churches, private
charities, TV stations? I?m sure they are more than willing to help. Time
is of the essence. Huwag kayong suwapang. Obvious ba, hindi ?nyo naman
kaya.

Kung talagang gugustuhin ninyong makarating agad sa mga kawawang biktima
ang mga donasyong ?yon, nagawa ?nyo na ?yan. Maraming paraan?kung talagang
gusto ?nyo lang.You are the government. You have the power, the resources
and the money. You just have to really care.

You are the government. You have the power, the resources and the money.
You just have to really care.

Take Me To The Philippines by apl.de.ap (The Black Eyed Peas)

A really cool music video about the Philippines by Apl.De.Ap of Black Eyed Peas
Sure glad there are artists like him who are truly proud of their roots

Aga Muhlach's Commentary on Philippine Governance

This was supposed to be a year ago, but I just found out so good for Aga Muhlach for being vocal about his socio-political disposition

Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto This November 14

Manny Pacquiao known as “Pac-Man,” 49-3 with two drawn and 37 knockouts, will face the Puerto Rican star - Miguel Cotto, 34-1 with 27 knockouts, on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas in a welterweight showdown. Cotto’s only loss came last year to Antonio Margarito, who was suspended after his trainer was found to have put hardened pads in the Mexican fighter’s gloves before a January bout against Shane Mosley.

Manny Pacquiao started training late, but expecting it to be okay with his speed as his edge. He's getting a little too cocky I think. Nevertheless he's still the crown favorite being boxing’s pound-for-pound king after beating Oscar de la Hoya in 2008, knocked out Britain’s Hatton with a devastating left hook last May, a blow Pacquiao called the best of his career.

The Magic Word in Philippine Politics -- AQUINO?

It seems these days, people want to relive what it was like during the People Power Revolution. Thinking we have an ominous enemy and we have to do it again. Only this time, the enemy isn't as clear as it was during the time of Martial Law

Nevertheless, just because of the notable family name - Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has been petitioned to run for presidency over the last few weeks and he has officially announced his decision to run for president (as the Liberal Party's standard bearer) in the 2010 elections at the historic Kalayaan Hall in Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan City, this morning (Sept. 9).

"Tinatanggap ko ang hiling ng sambayanan. Tinatanggap ko ang habilin at tagubilin ng aking mga magulang...Bayang Pilipinas, tatakbo ako sa pangpanguluhan sa 2010, " Aquino said.

It's kind of sickening what has become of Philippine politics. But I guess that's the way it is. His mother just died for crying out loud. Wouldn't she appreciate it if we don't make the same mistakes? And not just go into things because we feel like it.

Noynoy made the announcement 40 days after the death of his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, who died of colon cancer last Aug. 1. In Filipino tradition, the 40th day after a person's death is the end of the grieving period for the relatives of the deceased.

Noynoy probably won't be an awesome president if he wins - which is pretty likely because of the fame of his dear parents - the patriot Ninoy Aquino who is on our 500 peso bill & the recent passing of his dear mother & former president Cory Aquino.

Philippines' Bet For Ms. Universe - Pamela Bianca Manalo - May Stand A Chance

After wowing critics in the preliminaries where 84 candidates battle it out for the Top 15 semifinals slots, which will be announced during the grand coronation night Sunday (Monday morning in the Philippines)for Ms. Universe 2009. Pamela Bianca Manalo may have a fighting chance of winning for the Philippines this year.

“She owned the swimsuit competition,’’ a pageant historian from the Dominican Republic said.

Manalo, a former flight attendant, stands 5’10’’ and measures 36-1/2-26-36, has been a crowd favorite since she arrived in the Bahamas.

Geneva Cruz Strips Again

Geneva took off her clothes again this time for a worthy cause. Covering herself with a placard saying "All Animals Have the Same Parts. Go Vegetarian" as well as marking all over her skin. All this for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA) pro-vegetarian ads

Maricar Reyes Back on Her Feet - Back in the Limelight

Maricar Reyes gets back on the horse (pun intended) after months of lying lower after the Hayden Kho sex scandal. She's doing much better than her counter parts I guess. Capitalizing on her new-found fame and respect coming from something that would seem so humiliating at first.

Maricar Reyes will grace the cover of a major woman's magazine soon and open up in an interview about her "other" life or so they call it - about being a daughter & doctor - outside of show business

As a side note - ABS-CBN videos cannot be embedded (that sucks)

The Problem These Days About Jobs And Job Seekers

I have come across a lot of people who have recently loss their jobs - blame it on the smart guys in the US who juggled all those accounts and ended up with nothing. Anyway thousands are now jobless & competing for what employers have left to offer given the stringent economic conditions.

Although the economy seems to have lightened up recently, there's still the mind-set of how do I get a job? It's so difficult to get a job. REALLY it is!

So if you have a job that you don't like for crying out loud - swallow your pride and count your blessings. If times get better and a better offer comes up then good for you - go ahead by all means & jump ship but until then please please so many people are suffering with no income. You're already lucky as it is

The problem nowadays with job seekers too is that they're pretty darn picky: No night shift. Pay's too low. Too many responsibilities. It's boring! All the complaints in the world. But you know what, it's a job.

Each door that opens to you is an opportunity so take it and make the most of it. All the best to the job seekers out there. Trim down your expectations a bit & work just a little bit harder than everyone else. You might just end up doing what you want to be doing in the end.

Maricar Reyes vs. Katrina Halili - Who's The Better Woman?

Okay I told everybody there was a sex tape and I was wrong there are a LOT of sex tapes going around. Let's see if I got everything.

• There was Hayden & Katrina (a couple of those actually)
• There was Hayden & the Brazilian model (most of the time the camera saw the airconditioner though)
• There was a couple of Hayden & Maricar Reyes (these were of course the hottest of the set)

I saw some screen shots of Hayden & Princess Velasco too. Not sure when that's officially coming out. But we've talked enough of Hayden Kho already, I think he's vomiting from all the unwarranted attention this time, not to say he doesn't deserve it.



But moving on, who's the better girl in this situation

• Katrina Halili - who has stopped the world with her court case and attempt to bring "justice" to her pitiful state (She's fighting back, but not doing much else I think - more bark than bite for now. We shall see if she is truly able to bring down Belo's beauty empire)
  
• Maricar Reyes - who disappeared when the videos came out and is now mum about the whole thing. However I see her up on her feet with roles in "May Bukas Pa" and her own lead role in "Your Song Presents: Gaano Kita Kamahal."

Here's some food for thought, considering what Katrina Halili said about her losing dignity/ integrity & work because of the spreading of the sex scandals, why isn't the same thing happening to Maricar Reyes? Hmmm....

Korina Sanchez and Mar Roxas Getting Married This Year

Senator Mar proposed to Korina Sanchez over the Holy week and as reported in Inquirer: told his entire family and kin that he had asked Korina to be his wife, all the while holding hands with his bride-to-be. The couple also showed off the gorgeous diamond engagement ring Korina was wearing. Korina’s wedding gown will be done by one of our most talented Filipino couturiers

I really couldn't care less, but what the heck...

First Philippine Cruise Ship - 7107 Islands Cruise Ship

Here's the first cruise liner in the Philippines - 7107 Islands Cruise. They sail from Boracay to Palawan to Batangas almost daily. The trip costs at least 3,500 pesos per person (triple sharing) and less for quad but that only includes breakfast. Full board would be close to 5K per night per person. I think it's great that luxury like this has come to the Philippines.

There are after all 7,107 islands here that people can actually enjoy. It's also a great avenue for tourists to appreciate the natural beauty of the Philippines. It's too bad that living in Cebu, I'd have to take a plane/ bus or boat ride to one of the destinations just so I can joint the trip - and aside from that shell out a hefty sum that's probably equivalent to a trip to Hongkong.

Nevertheless, it's nice to have. Would help if it were more affordable though. The amenities though are pretty good, so I would say you're getting your money's worth

ABS-CBN Newscaster - Ted Failon's Wife In Critical Condition - Suicide or Homicide?

It was all abuzz in the news last night and today when Ted Failon - well-known newscaster of ABS-CBN had to cut his show on the radio to rush home apparently his wife shot herself in the head.

Ted Failon and his entire household became suspects in this very public suicide they're calling it. Only time will tell, if his wife, Trinidad, does wake up to tell the tale that should simplify things. But for now I guess we'll have to depend on the police and the media for news on the matter

Here's an image from Inquirer.net during the investigation of Ted Failon




Based on GMA news

Police authorities on Thursday said the paraffin test on news anchorman Ted Failon (Teodoro Etong) yielded negative result, but clarified that this is not yet conclusive.

The paraffin test on Failon was conducted in connection with the shooting of his wife Trinidad in their house in Quezon City Wednesday.

“Yung paraffin test kay Ted Failon yielded negative but it is not yet conclusive," said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) head Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales in a press conference at Camp Katingal in Quezon City.

Rosales said that they are still gathering pieces of evidence to determine the nature of Trinidad’s shooting.

He also said that the note supposedly written by Trinidad is not necessarily a suicide note. “It’s a sorry note."

He added that they are still investigating whether it was Trinidad herself who wrote the note, which read: “Papa, I’m so sorry. Gustung-gusto ko ang magsabi sa iyo ng totoo pero hindi ko po alam kung paano uumpisahan. Sobrang takut na takot ako. Umalis muna ako, kasi hindi ko kaya at nahihiya akong humarap sa iyo. Sana po mapatawad mo ako, papa. Sorry, sorry papa – Mama."

[Papa, I’m so sorry. I really want to tell you the truth but I don’t know where to start. I am so scared. I left home because I cannot take it anymore and I don’t think I can face you. I hope you can forgive me, papa. Sorry, sorry papa – Mama.]

Asked whether the police would file a case against Failon, Rosales said," After we examine the pieces of evidence, that’s the time you will be able to build or not. We have to wait for the final results…."

Rosales also assured that the investigation would be fair and would follow due process.

“Walang sacred cow [There will be no sacred cow in the investigation]. I would like to emphasize that we would treat this case just like any other case," Rosales said.

Everybody thinks its tragic but people are divided as to the cause of the event. He's a public personality there's no hiding this from them. They will have to endure the public eye, specially now.

Brangelina was in Boracay or Manila?

Rumor is that Brangelina is staying in one of the Shangrila hotels in the Philippines, buying out a P130,000 room (or is that a whole floor already?)

Rates for the 60-square-meter deluxe rooms that have balconies and sea views start at $450 a night, while villas that have butler-serviced retreats and private plunge pools start at $1,000.

News that the Hollywood celebrity couple (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) are in town spread on Friday after a US-registered private plane arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The travellers reportedly booked a room in a Shangrila hotel.

The buzz was that the couple will grace a soft opening of one of the ShangriLa Hotels and Resorts' four branches in the Philippines.

Of course the hotels denied it. They're not supposed to encourage that, given their privacy clause

Nonetheless, a source from the resort confirmed that a representative of the couple booked a suite during the Lenten season. It is not confirmed, though, if Brangelina--the moniker for Brad and Angelina--will be there to use it.

Brangelina was in Boracay or Manila?

Chip Tsao Hongkong A-Hole

Chip Tsao that nobody writer from HK Magazine made waves the past few days for his very racist and cruel article on Filipinos. He just gained worldwide infamy thanks for the good people of the Philippines - what he called the "nation of servants"

There has been a startling response to his article which he later called a "satire." This just goes to show how poor a writer he is.

He better watch out because there are a lot of people who can actually hurt him if they wanted to. I can't believe a journalist or any person for that matter would stoop so low as to call out a country based on his narrow perception of her people (being maids) while commenting on an issue he practically knows nothing about (Spratly islands).

The Philippines is not united in this matter. Although a majority loathe the man and wish him ill will for his poorly written article but there is a small group that think he was just saying his piece and that he had a right to say it.

I think it was downright uncalled for. Sure there are many domestic helpers abroad that are Filipino, but that does not define the Filipino people. Neither is the claim to Spratly islands - these are not the things that define us.

I wasn't as passionately angered by the article knowing it to be a shallow piece by a shallow person. Anyway here are the details:


Full text of "The War at Home" by Chip Tsao

The Russians sank a Hong Kong freighter last month, killing the seven Chinese seamen onboard. We can live with that-—Lenin and Stalin were once the ideological mentors of all Chinese people. The Japanese planted a flag on Diàoyú Island. That's no big problem-—we Hong Kong Chinese love Japanese cartoons, Hello Kitty, and shopping in Shinjuku, let alone our round-the-clock obsession with karaoke.

But hold on-—even the Filipinos? Manila has just claimed sovereignty over the scattered rocks in the South China Sea called the Spratly Islands, complete with a blatant threat from its congress to send gunboats to the South China Sea to defend the islands from China if necessary. This is beyond reproach. The reason: There are more than 130,000 Filipina maids working as HK$3,580-a-month cheap labor in Hong Kong. As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter.

As a patriotic Chinese man, the news has made my blood boil. I summoned Louisa, my domestic assistant who holds a degree in international politics from the University of Manila, hung a map on the wall, and gave her a harsh lecture. I sternly warned her that if she wants her wages increased next year, she had better tell everyone of her compatriots in Statue Square on Sunday that the entirety of the Spratly Islands belongs to China.

Grimly, I told her that if war breaks out between the Philippines and China, I would have to end her employment and send her straight home, because I would not risk the crime of treason for sponsoring an enemy of the state by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows 16 hours a day. With that money, she would pay taxes to her Government, and they would fund a navy to invade our motherland and deeply hurt my feelings.

Oh yes. The Government of the Philippines would certainly be wrong if they think we Chinese are prepared to swallow their insult and sit back and lose a Falkland Islands War in the Far East. They may have Barack Obama and the hawkish American military behind them, but we have a hostage in each of our homes in the Mid-Levels or higher. Some of my friends told me they have already declared a state of emergency at home. Their maids have been made to shout 'China, Madam/Sir' loudly whenever they hear the word "Spratly". They say the indoctrination is working as wonderfully as when we used to shout, "Long live Chairman Mao!" at the sight of a portrait of our Great Leader during the Cultural Revolution. I’m not sure if that's going a bit too far, at least for the time being.

Hongkong Magazine in fact posted this apology:

An Apology

March 27th, 2009

The publisher and editors of HK Magazine wish to apologize unreservedly for any offense that may have been caused by Chip Tsao’s column dated March 27.

HK Magazine has long championed the rights of Filipinos working in Hong Kong. We note that Filipinos have often been unfairly treated in Hong Kong, and that they make an important contribution to this community.

As a magazine, we would never want to say anything that would negate that belief.

The column in question was satirical. One aspect of satire is that it can at times be read in different ways. In this particular case, many people have read meanings into this column that were never actually intended.

We wish to assure our readers that we have nothing but respect for Filipinos, both living in Hong Kong and abroad.

Maui Taylor Reason for Jomari and Pops Break-up?

Well that's a pretty good reason to break up then! If Maui Taylor is in fact the cause for the Jomari Yllana & Pops Fernandez break-up then it's not so bad. I was already wondering what was keeping those two together anyway. Seeing Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez, fake making up in that stupid concert was already enough to contend with. That was gross! Absolutely gross!

At least Maui Taylor looks hot enough to be the third party. To add insult to injury, ABS-CBN even reported them together:

Just a few days after Jomari Yllana and Pops Fernandez announced their break-up, Maui Taylor was seen with Jomari in Bataan, fueling rumors that she could have been the cause of the couple's split.

There were pictures taken in Bataan which prove that both of them were in the same group of friends, including one particular photo where Yllana is seen leaning towards Maui, with his nose just inches from the sexy actress's hair.

Maui Taylor of course denies the allegations with her own side of the story

According to the sexy actress, "Hindi naman namin sinasadyang magkita sa Bataan eh." She detailed the dates when they 'accidentally' bumped onto each other and sat down for a little bonding. She also emphasized that at the time they saw each other, Jomari is already single. "Wala na, at hindi po ako ang third party, Ha Ha Ha! Hindi ako yung cause, actually I asked him nga eh kung what happened, ayaw naman niya mag elaborate. So, let's leave it na lang." she says.

Maui also revealed that Jomari revealed a little information about the sudden break-up, "Basta, hindi na daw sila magkasundo. Yun lang! That's about it, kasi actually yung mga friends ko rin are also wanted to know. 'Uy tanong mo nga kung bakit' Sabi ko naman, I'm not in the position to ask, parang ang tsismosa naman ng dating ko di ba? Basta ang nasabi lang niya sakin, don't get along na daw, yun lang!" Regarding the intriguing Facebook photos, here is what Maui has to say, "Wala lang, trip lang! Hindi naman anu yun eh. Saka hindi naman nakalapat yung lips niya sa cheeks ko eh. It's just a picture. I mean, bakit kailangang bigyan ng meaning ang pictures na ganun. So porket ba magkatabi kami sa isang picture, kami na?"

Even I'd rethink my relationship if something like this came up to me

Natasha Takes on Marian Rivera In Their New Commercial

There are a bunch of girls in the office who sell Natasha, and why not? It's a nice sideline while working the day-job. I have a nice pair of jeans from Natasha that have lasted a couple of years, I can't say the same for my sandals though

But these days it seems Natasha has upgraded with this television commercial featuring Marian Rivera. What do you think?

Pacquiao vs. Patton

I hate it when Manny Pacquiao talks about fighting for the Filipino people when he's not. He's doing it for the money! After beating Oscar de la Hoya, he's been almost impossible. Looking for the next big fight.

Apparently this time it's with Ricky Hatton on the next biggest east versus west confrontation

But according to his previous competitor, he won't live to tell the tale. “I think Hatton will dethrone Pacquiao and become boxing’s (new) pound-for-pound king," De la Hoya said in a report posted by saddoboxing.com.

“We are very excited that this fight has been made as it is the fight fans wanted and the one I look forward to seeing myself. This fight has the makings of a Fight of the Year candidate," De la Hoya said.