UP Ibalon Bicol

32,617 out of 77,901 pass the June 2009 nursing board test

7/26/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The Professional Regulations Commssion (PRC) announced that 32,617 out of 77,901 passed hurdled the recent licnensure for nurses. The result was released on Saturday The staggering number of successful test-takers represents 42% of the total examinees. was announced on Saturday, July 25, 2009.

Topping the test which was given in multiple testing sites in the country was Golda Manto Yap of the Felipe R. Verallo Memorial Foundation with a grade of 86.80. A Naga College Foundation graduate from Bicol Clarissa Leonor Tible Escobar placed 4th in the examination.

The successful examinees, just like their predecessors will be facing joblessness that remains uncorrected by the government. Many will try to seek jobs abroad or assume positions that are off the line of their professional training. The low 42% passing rate adds more strain to the nurses whose job prospects aren't good at this time. (Photo Credit: tsehqui) =0=

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Labels: 2009, board exam, Board of Nursing, Naga College Foundation, nurses, Professional Regulations Commission, Totie Mesia

Crash of another Iranian aircraft

7/25/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

A little more than a week when the Caspian Airways flight 7908 with 168 passengers aboard en route to the Armenian city of Yerevan crashed this month, another Iranian aircraft owned by Aria Airlines skidded in an airport and crashed on July 24, 2009, Northeast of the country, killing at least 17 people and injuring about 20 people. The airline was carrying 153passengers.

The crash could be the result of poor maintenance of planes in a country plagued by economic sanctions. Spare parts for Iran’s aging aircrafts, many Russian-made, had been difficult to procure.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the availability of airplane parts had been a problem for the outdated aircraft fleet now susceptible to mechanical problems. Iran experienced difficulty buying plane parts even in Europe. Source: AP (Photo Credit: Sheltercrow) =0=

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Labels: accident, airline industry, airplane, crash, econmic sanctions, Iran, mishap, Totie Mesia, travel

Double registrants, impostors, and flying voters removed from voter’s list in Bicol

7/25/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In preparation for the coming 2010 national election, the Commission on Eleection (COMELEC) has started removing names of double registrants, impostors, and flying voters which compromise the integrity of the election. To make the election credible, in Bicol, about 200,000 of such voters have been excluded from the voting list according to Atty. Zacarias Zaragoza, Comelec’s regional director.

“Camarines Sur had the highest number registered voters that actually voted with 615,477; followed by Albay with 503,032; Masbate, 308,556; Sorsogon, 282,335; Camarines Norte, 174,625, and; Catanduanes 109, 577. “---Bicol Mail (07/23/09, Barcia, R.B.)

It is observed that young citizens eager to exercise their right of suffrage are registering in huge numbers. If they continue to list themselves before the national election, the Bicol region is expected to have 2.8 to 3 million eligible voters at the time of national electon.

But the need for cleansing of the voter’s roster is obvious. Each election, complaints of fraud have brought doubt on the reliability of the political exercise which leads to quarrels, sometimes resulting to violence.

A stolen election isn’t a good foundation for a successful public service. It’s a quick pathway for graft and corruption. Cheating brings down the trust of the people and inhibits the progress of the entire nation. (Photo Credit: WorldNews/ Janice) =0=

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Labels: bicol, Comelec, Commission on Election, election, flying voters, fraud, suffrage, Totie Mesia, vote-buying

Putting Obama on notice: a clue to more brazen graft and corruption in America?

7/24/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

There is a time lag between identifying crime, the arrest of criminals and their prosecution. In the case of the New Jersey, it took 10 years of surveillance to apprehend 44 individuals, among them government officials and members of the Jewish clergy. Probably the biggest graft and corruption incident ever reported in the state, they are accused of serious crimes including money laundering, bribery, extortion, and the illegal transport and sale of human organs.

“Five rabbis were among suspects, along with the mayors of Hoboken, Secaucus and Ridgefield, the Jersey City deputy mayor and council president, two state assembly members, and numerous other politicians, prosecutors said.” AFP (07/24/09, Smith, S.)

The organized crime was busted in a stunning after-dawn raid shown in television. Acting US attorney Ralph Marra said the apprehensions showed the pervasive nature of public corruption in the state.

In a scale that rivals the legendary mafia, the crime ring allegedly operated internationally from New Jersey and New York to Israel and Switzerland.

Among those taken by police was rabbi, Levy Izhak Rosenbaum who was believed to be part of a notorious group of corrupt, shameless, and greedy people with strong government connections (said to be mostly affiliated to the Democratic party) that procure kidneys from poor people and sell them for $160,000 for transplant to ailing patients. He used religion as a cover.

The decade-long illegal activity was cracked open by the efforts of Republican Chris Christie, a former US attorney who had been against the administration of NJ Gov. Jon Corzine (D). The crusading prosecutor and many New Jersey citizens had been critical of the governor whose leadership was blamed for the poor handling of the state’s economy.

The graft and corruption is getting rampant and freely laid in the open in the United States. There is a shift in the ethical and moral standards of the nation as secular progressives and believers of relativism influence the psyche of the nation. If not corrected, America is in danger of losing its long-held values---its credibility, leadership, and moral standing in the world. (Photo Credit: AP/ Mel Evans x 2) =0=

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Labels: "hot money", Chris Christie, crime, Gov. Jon Corzine, graft and corruption, Jewish, money laundering, New Jersey, rabbis, trafficking of organs, USA

Legislation stalled: Americans question Obama's healthcare overhaul plan

7/24/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The attempt of Pres. Barack Obama to hasten the approval of his universal health care plan met significant opposition when Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced the floor will take up the contentious matter after the August recess. At the earliest, the legislation will be voted, in September 2009 to allow time for legislators and citizens to think.

“Obama envisions legislation that would, for the first time, require all Americans to be insured. A new government insurance program would compete with private insurers, and insurance companies would be barred from excluding people with pre-existing conditions. The goals are to hold down costs and extend coverage to most of the 50 million uninsured. The price tag: $1 trillion-plus over a decade.”----AP (07/24/09, Werner, E.)

But a growing number of citizens and leaders from both sides of the political aisle are questioning the huge price tag of healthcare overhaul plan----exactly the reason why USA is pushing for a change. Many are resentful, appalled and worried that the reform will lead to rationing of medical services as 47 uninsured will be included. The danger of overtaxing the system is there---leaving doctors, nurses and caregivers overworked, underpaid, and unable to deliver the quality of care America expects.

Taxes which Obama promised to keep low, are likely to rise astronomically to subsidize at least 10 million illegal aliens who will crowd the system. The elderly and disabled may suffer denial or delays of service as the government wants to give the young and socially productive the priority in health services.

Through government machinations planned by a few supposed medical experts, many tests, procedures and treatments are in danger of being denied from the seriously sick, chronically ill, and those who suffer from rare diseases. This practice has begun even in the current system and is expected to be greater when the Obama plan takes effect.

Doctors often complain of being slowed by insurance disapprovals and delays to the detriment of their patients' health. Reimbursements of claim from medical services have been cut or denied on top of over-regulation. People have suddenly realize the creeping interference of government in their lives.

So therefore, it is easy to understand why enough time must be given for study and deliberation before a decision is made. There are reasons to doubt Obama and his contentious plan. As it is, his proposal for reform doesn't fly with the people he wants to serve (53% disapproved vs. 46 approved as one recent poll shows.)(Photo Credit: Reuters/ US Health Politics/ Reed, J; AP/ Burke, LV) =0=

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Labels: Barack Obama, budget, controversy, Health, Legislation, medical insurance, rationing, Sen. Harry Reid, universal healthcare

US economic recovery & the uncertainties Americans face ahead

7/24/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In spite of Pres. Barack Obama’s eloquent words, the US economy is still on the edge. The ambitious social engineering of the Democratic party has started to fray---- ahead of the economic recovery that it promised. The president who built high expectations since his election campaign is losing his approval and credibility at a fast rate.

Healthcare Dilemma

The country is spooked by the healthcare overhaul plan which will likely be rationed, endangers the independence of doctors to decide for their patients, and may lead to treatment delays and astronomical costs which can rob the future of generations.

Though most Americans agree that a change in healthcare is needed, Obama’s plan to pattern the delivery of American system of healthcare to Canada and Europe is met with growing opposition. His universal healthcare plan threatens the structure that makes medicine in USA the best in the world.

American medicine brings leaders of foreign countries to come to the US for treatment. With all its faults, it is the pre-eminent leader in innovation and the advance of medical science. Though expensive, the fast delivery of medical services for difficult health problems makes it outstanding.

Yet, cutting costs will bring undesired consequences. These, the Americans are grappling to understand. They don't know how much it will cost them in insurance premiums and what medical services will they get in return. They are seriously thinking how much of their income must realistically be alloted to medical care.

Even the Obama government shows poor grasp on the details of the change the "experts" are pushing, making the public doubt whether the rush to tinker with the current system will make their life better. It seems Obama wants the health plan to be voted upon soon while the public hasn't absorbed its hidden ramifications. In a speech, he mumbles of the same generic old tunes that don't clarify the uncertainties of his plan. To President Obama's and California legislator Nancy Pelosi's disappointment, the senate recently stalled the health reform bill for September after the August recess.

For one, they even haven’t tackled how to prevent billions that are lost in Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Many lawmakers who bat for more government intrusions in private life haven't read the legislation or discussed the health proposal. It's just like when Capitol Hill voted the $700 billion plus economic stimulus in haste and the public is left guessing. They don't know where the huge public money is going. Without giving evidence, the financial decision-makers say they "averted" the total collapse of the US economy while at the same time, they warn for another stimulus package if the initial strategy doesn't work.

The administration wants to tax the people so that it can subsidize the insurance of at least 10 million illegal aliens, part of the 47 million people who are uninsured. At the expense of the elderly who may be denied of certain diagnostic tests and medical treatment, the government wants to give medical coverage to those who ignored the law and gate-crashed into America.

Obama plans to control the approval and denial of services, putting the lives of the old, disabled, and those with chronic and rare disease in limbo. It is likely, the sick who are young with high chance for full recovery and are able to go back to work will be given priority over those who are old, recurrently sick, and those without hope of improvement. As a result of the expected decline of health service, according to political analyst Dick Morris, author of a new book "Catastrophe," this health plan will displace the elderly with poorer care, it may lower the life expectancy of the Americans in the next decade as well.

Joblessness still on the Rise

In the meantime, in spite of the outrageous spending that puts USA at the edge of bankruptcy, under Obama’s watch, the joblessness in the heartland doesn’t abate. The budget deficit continues to rise, prompting America to finance its runaway spending from debts abroad. If Obama’s plan fails, there will be many apologies, but almost no accountability---just the way it happened when bankruptcies occured in the housing sector, financial services, banking, and auto industries.

Newly laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits increased last week, consistent to the forecast by the Federal Reserve that unemployment will rise beyond 10%. Bolstering this prediction, the Labor Department announced that the initial claims for unemployment insurance went up by 30,000 this week, raising the number of idle workers to 554,000.

With these, the sword of Democles hovers precariously over the heads of US citizens, not used to having no control over their lives. Unlike before, Obama can blame his predecessors as the cause of the economic mess, but as time passes, it is looking more like his own. The free fall of his popularity may be one to tell. Those who slobber and blindly support him is likely to find disappointment. (Photo Credit: iQoncept) =0=

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Labels: Barack Obama, economy, joblessness, national economic planners, popularity, Totie Mesia, unemployment, universal healthcare

Prayers pour in for ailing Pres. Cory Aquino

7/24/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

From simple Filipino folks to no less that Pope Benedict XVI, many are praying for the healing and comfort of Pres. Cory Aquino who is stricken ill by terminal colonic cancer. The former President, who is a pillar of fortitude, honesty, and grace, has been diagnosed with the deadly malignant abdominal disease last year.

Apostolic Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Pope’s secretary of state, sent a message as follows:

“The Holy Father has asked that you be informed that he is remembering you in his prayers. At the same time, he invokes upon you the blessing of Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in pledge of healing and comfort.” ----Philstar (07/24/09, Macairan, E.)

Having refused further treatment, Aquino, the 76-year old devout Catholic who led the country during the dark days when Pres. Ferdinand Marcos was kicked out from office, is confined at the Makati Medical Center. She was reported to have lost appetite and weight.

Her daughter Kris Aquino said, she had been suffering pain as a result of the cancer. On her hospital bed at one point, she summoned her 5 children to be with her. Yellow ribbons hang outside the hospital and elsewhere in Manila to pay homage to Ninoy Aquino's widow--- reminiscent of her days when she led the country from the tyranny of Marcos rule. The ailing president was erroneously reported as dead, obviously by irresponsible person(s) not authorize to speak for the Aquino family. (Photo Credit: ManilaRyce/ Time) =0=

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Labels: cancer, Catholic, colon, colon cancer, Cory Aquino, illness, Kris Aquino, Makati, malignancy, Pope Benedict XVI, prayers, Totie Mesia, treatment, Vatican, yellow ribbons

Government calls for MILF ceasefire before GMA’s SONA

7/23/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In a waxing and waning way of handling the Mindanao separatist movement, the Philippine government again suspended its military offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF,) about 5 days before Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo delivers her state of the nation address (SONA) on July 27, 2009.

Spokesmen from the administration are ecstatic over the ceasefire which they believe will allow about 300,000 civilians to return home to their farms.

But the heavily unpopular president with a poor approval rating was quickly criticized for using the ceasefire to prop up her image---- that her handling of the decades-old Mindanao rebellion had significant gains and in the right direction.

To air their grievances, a 15,000-strong protest-rally are being readied by oppositionists from Manila and other provinces to complain against President Arroyo's final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“It’s all media-hype. I’m sure her decision will not change the situation in Mindanao. Undoubtedly, she is creating a situation that is favorable to her SONA," Political analyst Ramon Casiple, executive director of the non-government Institute for Political and Electoral Reform. GMANews.TV (07/23/09)

Many observers in the protracted peace process are cynical about the outcome of the conflict. The question of sincerity hangs. They see the same pattern of political maneuvers and hollow claims of peace gains that aren’t far from why the Israel-Palestinian problem has not been resolved for many decades. (Photo Credit: Manolet Santiago/ Malaya) =0=

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Labels: ceasefire, GMA, MILF, MILF peace agreement, military, Mindanao, Mindanao conflict, politics, Pres. Gloria Arroyo, protest, rally, SONA, Totie Mesia

Sina’sa: sarong masiram na kakanon haleng Rinconada

7/23/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Minsan-minsan, pag-sawa na kita kan mga pagkakan sa Amerika, naiisip ta an mga masisiram na mga kakanon na hale sa lugar na tinubu’an. An sakong ina na hale sa Rinconada may paboritong kakanon na dae ko maling’wan sa kasiraman!

Por medio ta an Baao, Camarines Sur, parte nin Rinconada sa Bicol (Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula, Nabua, Iriga,) harayo sa dagat---kadaklan kan kakanon na aram kan ina ko, hale sana sa natad, kua sa paroyan, sapa, dakop sa mata’bang na tubigan----danao kan Baao, Bato sagkod Buhi.

An talusog /snakehead (Channa striata,) hito (Clarias sp.,) tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), carpa (Cyprinus carpio,) puyu (Anabas testundines) and sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis) iyo an mga sira na gusto kan sakong ina, kaya ako muya man magkakan kan sina’sa.

"There are times when we lose taste for food that is distinctly American. And we think of the tasty food which comes from our place of origin---our home. My deceased mom who comes from Rinconada, has some tasty native food that I can't forget.

Because she is from Baao, Camarines Sur, part of the Rinconada towns in Bicol (Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula, Nabua and Iriga,) she is far from the sea---mostly the diet my mom knows comes from the yard, ricefields, streams, and from the freshwater lakes of Baao, Bato and Buhi.

The snakehead, catfish, tilapia, carp, climbing perch, and sinarapan are fishes that she likes---I too like to eat the sina'sa."

Pagluto nin Sina’sa

Lima (5) o anom (6) sanang pulgada an pakadakula, an saradit na puyu (martiniko; climbing perch) inaasal niya sa kalayo na may baga. Pwede man gamiton an talusog sagkod ibang mga sirang hale sa ta’bang lalo kun daradakula. Pwede man pritoson. Pero mas gusto ni Mama an matunok na puyo na inasal. Hinahale niya ang tutong na kiskis. Mas manamit, lalo na kun luto sa baga nin suro kan niyog.

Hinahali’an niya nin mga dugi an puyu pakatapos asalon, dangan hinahalo nin dakul na preskong kamatis, siling labuyo, sibulyas, sibuyas, tunuktok na laya! Garo hambura (retrato sa itaas)!

Hinahalo’an niya nin suka o lemonsito. Pina-pa-uranan nin asin para makompleto ang timpla.

Napa-kalaga-kaga siya nin ugbos kamote na hale sa natad. Iguang mahamot, mainit na maluto hale sa patag. Presto! Masiram na an karakanan lalo na kun iguang batag sagkod may-malipot (may-hielo) na tubig: contra sa managom na demonyo---init kan siling labuyo!

"Five (5) or six (6) inches in size, the small puyu (climbing perch) is roasted in an open fire. Other fish like the snakehead and those caught from freshwater can be used, especially so if they are bigger. The fish can be fried, but by my mom's stamdard, the roasted perch is better. She removes the burned scales. The fish is tastier, especially if cooked in charcoal made from the coconut's fruit shell.

She removes the perch's fishbones after the roast. She mixes them with lots of fresh tomatoes, hot red peppers, onions, scallion, and a dash of finely chopped ginger. It's similar to fresh tomato salad (see picture above).

She puts vinegar or lemon juice and dusts it with rock salt to taste.

As an option, she boils fresh camote tops harvested from the yard. Cook fragrant white rice harvested from the valley. The food in combination is scrumptious--- particularly if there is a ripe latundan (banana) and ice-cold water---to ward off the red pepper's devil in one's burning tongue.." (Photo Credit: Noonch; Puyu; TonieS; Elsie Bauer) =0=

Fried Tilapia Version of Sina'sa

Labels: bicol, Bicol; hito, carpa, catfish, cuisine, fish, food, martiniko, Naga Camarines Sur. Totie Mesia, puyo, puyu, Rinconada, snakehead, talusog, tilapia, Totie Mesia

Sa ta'bang na mga sira sa Bicol

7/23/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Talusog/Snakehead

Puyu/Martiniko

Tilapia

Carpa/Carp

Hito/Catfish

(Photo Credit: Stryker; aquamojo; Stryker; aquafish.net; beautiful victory; hexion x 2; jdmpics.com; mayopersoncount.net) =0=

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Labels: carpa, cuisine, fish, food, hito, martiniko, native, puyo, puyu, snakehead, talusog, Totie Mesia

UP Ibalon Bicol

32,617 out of 77,901 pass the June 2009 nursing board test

Crash of another Iranian aircraft

Double registrants, impostors, and flying voters removed from voter’s list in Bicol

Putting Obama on notice: a clue to more brazen graft and corruption in America?

Legislation stalled: Americans question Obama's healthcare overhaul plan

US economic recovery & the uncertainties Americans face ahead

Prayers pour in for ailing Pres. Cory Aquino

Government calls for MILF ceasefire before GMA’s SONA

Sina’sa: sarong masiram na kakanon haleng Rinconada

Sa ta'bang na mga sira sa Bicol

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