BAGONG SIMULA SA BAYANIJUAN Music Video (A Fresh Start for the Country of Juan)

This video is giving me the goosebumps. Inspiring. To rise up from poverty with fervor and delight.

(Nevermind whatever political intention the Lopezes have, but this video is great!)

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Iloilo Needs Your Help

(posted by Eric Dee of Byahilo.com)

Last weekend the sixth typhoon to enter the Philippine area of responsibility has ravaged most of Panay Island, some areas of Negros Occidental, Leyte, and left several towns and cities flooded.

Typhoon Frank (International Name: Fengshen) claimed hundreds of lives, destroyed hundreds or even thousands of homes destroyed, and leaving a multitude of people with nothing to eat and nowhere to stay. One of the most damaged areas in the Philippines is the province of Iloilo. Until now, electricity has not yet been restored. Potable water is very very limited. And the food is scarce.

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Tragedy and Hope: An Ode to Iloilo’s Catastrophe and Recovery

Saturday, I was at the class. I was informed that Typhoon Frank would probably hit Manila since the public signal warning was at signal number two yet there was sunshine.
I didn’t took “Frank” seriously as I thought as earlier foretasted, would evade the Philippines and go to Japan instead, but it made a landfall.

Saturday afternoon after class, me and my friend went to Antipolo to do some research but failed due torrential rains…and this text from one of my best buds shocked me: “Bro, grbe bha sa Pvia, ara sa a2p akn u2d. (Bro, the flood in Pavia was at the worst. My brother was even at the rooftop.)..I was numb. I called my grandmother and she told me that she evacuated our house as half of it was submerged all of the sudden by floodwaters. The appliances and everything has not been saved…She’s all alone. She said that it was the worst flood that hit Pavia in recent memory.

And as I went home and watched CNN, the scene of Iloilo’s catastrophe was flashed for few minutes…familiar places which traditionally don’t have floods were like Atlantis! Emotionally I was uneasy. I’ve been to the floods of Iloilo, experienced it first hand. But not this devastating.

As the day passes by, the news trickles the media as the city and the province reel itself from the ravage of the murky waters from the mountains, poured by typhoon “Frank” and habagat monsoon. And by those times as the rain diminishes, cadavers are floating one by one. Miserable, the roads were muddy, some places were like lakes,  trees down and people frantic. This is what I see from the constant texts and calls and media…I was awed.

Mother Nature’s wrath was awesome, I was dumbstruck. Never seen Iloilo this miserable, this state that anyone was caught on a surprise. Disaster!!!

Despite hell broke loose, I am thankful that my loved ones are Ok. Although my home at Pavia was devastated and appliances were not salvaged, nothing of it could replace the lives of my loved ones who survived the wrath. And although my loved ones survived, I still sympathize and pray for those who lost their relatives and friends, hoping that they would soon recover and see the light behind the dark clouds.

Fellow kasimanwas, we will prevail. Our spirits would not be dampened, yet learned our lesson from this tragedy. We Ilonggos in history has this attitude of never-say-die, we fought for our freedom from the colonists, we’ve thread the murky waters of depression, we stood mighty despite the dethronement, we still stand. This is the time that we can prove that we as Ilonggos are courageous despite our gentleness. Padayon guihapon Ilonggo! Pagkatapos sang sini nga kalaut na aton nga ginabatyag, amo na ni ang tiyempo sang panibag-ong pagsugod!

*Picture courtesy of Ricky Alejo and AFP

Bungad ng Bukhang Liwayway ng Kalayaan: Aguinaldo Shrine

Dito na marahil sinasabi sa mga aklat ng kasaysayan, idineklara ni General Emilio Aguinaldo ang kasarinlan ng ating bansa. Alam na siguro ng madla kung saang balkonahe dahil na rin sa nakagisnang berdeng limang pisong papel noon na may larawan ng heneral na iniwawagayway ang bandila ng bagong republika sa harap ng a’la El-Shaddai na tao na iisa lang ang nararamdaman, at yun ay kagalakan…
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Cruising the River that Runs Through It: Pasig River Ferry Cruise

Pasig River has so much importance in the history of Manila. It was the EDSA during the pre-colonial era, a main water thoroughfare used by our ancestors for trade and travel. It has also become an advantage as a natural harbour for ships. The Spaniards came and constructed the walled city and several pueblos along the river. But just after World War II, as roads plough the streets, the river’s importance declined and was notorious to be “the largest poso negro in Metro Manila…..
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Disregarding National Patrimony

I couldn’t believe it. For the second year in a row, President Arroyo transferred the non-working holiday to a Monday. Philippines is celebrating its Independence Day this week but June 12 fell on a Thursday. As a policy, holidays are always being moved from the nearest Monday or Friday. In this case, Monday June 9, is the special non-working holiday.

Although I do believe that it is for a smooth transaction for business and bureaucracy is the main reason why move holidays in such manner. But Independence Day is the most important national holiday there is. And I think there are some holidays that are not meant for just moving it all and so so. So many have died for getting independence from the colonizers yet it is well, neglected by just making June 12 a working holiday. Its simply desecrating the “holiness” of this event that made history and makes who we are right now. Its simply a neglect and utmost disregard of the past!

Ironically, the one who convinced the Filipinos to celebrate Independence on June 12 instead of July 4 was her father, the late Diosdado Macapagal.

June 12 was a significant day for the Filipinos in Tagalog areas. It was significant for the formation of our republic. Needless to say, its one helluva disrespect for the effort of our forefathers. What’s next, Christmas Day will me moved on the nearest Monday too?  No wonder this country couldn’t even learn from its mistakes from the past.