PostHeaderIcon Seminar on Immunoglobulin-rich Milk (IgCo)

1/07/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


Dr. Amy Goleta-Dy of St. Luke’s Medical Center Pediatric Oncology Department announces a product presentation and information dissemination seminar on the varied uses of Ig-Co, the colostrum-based milk product developed in New Zealand. The nutritive bovine milk packed with disease-fighting immunoglobulins (antibodies) will be the central topic in conferences slated in the following dates and venues:

1. January 16, 2009, 5:30 p.m. at Villa Caceres, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City
2. January 18, 2009, 2:00 p.m. at Casablanca Hotel, Penaranda, Legazpi City
3. January 24, 2009, 3:00 p.m. at Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City

“The newly introduced product is helpful for a lot of medical conditions including those with diabetes, asthma, allergies, patients with disordered and depressed immunity (immunocompromised,) cancer patients on chemotherapy, and those with chronic kidney problems and osteoporosis.” Colostrum Conference in Bicol (10/28/08, mesiamd)

Open to the public (free,) the seminars are suggested for those who might benefit from taking IgCo and those who want to promote the product in their respective communities. For more information contact: Dr. Amy Goleta-Dy at 09178126135 or Agnes at 09175802301 (Photo Credit: Tambakothejaguar) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon January 6: Amon Jadid and an Incongrous Greeting

1/07/2009 | Posted by myty555 | Edit Post

Yesterday, January 6 was the first day of Muharram, when the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar started, hence the connotation of being the Islamic New Year. However, Muslims around the world are divided on its signifance and on the way they celebrate it.

However, Mrs. Arroyo greeted the local Muslim community 'Happy Amon Jadid', which corresponds to 'Happy New Year'. However the message after the greetings immediately turned controversial. She said and I quote portions of it:

"Amon Jadid...gives Muslims the oppurtunity to look forward to a better future and to live in peace and prosperity....I ask our Muslim brothers to support our resolve in turning the fragile peace in Muslim Mindanao into a genuine and lasting one..."

I am astounded by the disconnect of the greetings to reality. I do not even know if this already amounts to an insult. It is as if Mindanao is not enveloped in war right now. And as if there are no refugees who are mainly Muslims.

Fragile peace? All I know is there's a lull in the fighting because of the holidays. But I am also aware Field Marshal Teodoro is asking for additional budget in order to continue the war. And as if the peace treaty has not been flushed down the drain and the OIC International Monitoring Team and Mindanao aid donor countries leaving and suspending aid.

As of today the Philippine military has already attacked and overran nearly all the MILF camps in Mindanao. But it has failed in its avowed purpose--to bring daw to justice the three MILF 'rogue' commanders.

Did the military "win"? If the yardstick of guerilla warfare is used it seemed it is the MILF that has won because they were able to preserve their forces. Will the military be able to hold on to the territory they gained? Probably not except for selected showpieces (like Camp Abubakar before) because they simply do not have troops for it. And it is occupying hostile territory where the population is nearly 100% Muslim. In fact, the MILF has already stepped up harassment attacks.

The derisive comment of Marines commanding general Allaga that Camp Bilal is wherever Commander Bravo is might ironically turn to be true. MILF camps are much like ordinary villages where the population is the family and relatives of the MILF forces. It moves according to the demand of the situation.

As it is there will be no peace in Mindanao. And it is generally conceded by observers that no peace treaty is possible until the end of Mrs. Arroyo's term in 2010. So I'm really wondering where she picked up those words. Hey, do liars care?


[photo credit:wri.org]
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PostHeaderIcon US Visa Availability January 2009

1/07/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of January 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:

FAMILY CATEGORIES

Categories----Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-------Mexico-----Philippines
1st------------06-15-02-----06-15-02-------06-15-02----10-01-92---07-15-93
2A------------05-15-04-----05-15-04-------05-15-04----08-15-01---05-15-04
2B------------03-22-00-----03-22-00-------03-22-00----05-01-92---09-01-97
3rd-----------08-01-00-----08-01-00-------08-01-00----10-01-92---05-22-91
4th-----------02-08-98-----08-22-97-------11-01-97----03-08-95---05-01-86


EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES

Categories--- Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-----Mexico-----Philippines
1st--------------Current------Current---------Current---Current----Current
2nd------------Current------07-08-04--------07-01-03--Current----Current
3rd-----------05-01-05-----06-01-02--------10-15-01--11-15-02---05-01-05
Unskilled-----03-15-03-----03-15-03---------03-15-03--03-15-03---03-15-03
4th------------Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
Religious-----Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
5th------------Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current

For detailed information I suggesgt the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)

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PostHeaderIcon The US-supported Middle East Bully Invades Gaza

1/06/2009 | Posted by myty555 | Edit Post

Israel is lucky they are the favorite client state of the US. It invades Gaza and US reaction is mute. Even the US press is relatively subdued in its reactions with some major news agencies having no commentary at all regarding the invasion.

When Russia made their incursion into the Abkhazia region of Georgia in August 2008, the US nearly went ballistic. The US press condemned it, too, without verifying the history and situation of the region. Abkhazia is historically distinct from Georgia and its people are not Georgians ethnolinguistically but related to the Russian North Caucasus. They even differ in religion. It was only Stalin who added it to the old Georgian SSR of the former USSR and when it broke up Abkhazians held on to their Russian passports.

And it was Georgia, bent on ending the autonomy earlier granted to Abkhasia, who started the crisis. Its armed venture against Abkhazia was prepared with US and Israeli help.

This was the same hypocrisy as the shootdown of KAL 007. Reagan was bristling but when one US warship shot down a Iranian airliner which was flying over Iranian territory the reaction was mild. And it conveniently forgot that Israel shot down a Libyan airliner in 1973.

Everybody knows Israel has nuclear weapons. South Africa, when Mandela came to power, surrendered 8 atomic bombs that Israel gave to the apartheid government in exchange for its use of a secluded South African island for nuclear tests. Yet when the US invaded Iraq in 2003 its primary "reason" was Saddam was on the verge of acquiring WMDs. Ho-hum!

This is the double standard in the world. Obviously, the US has the most foreign invasions of the last century but the US media blithely ignores that most of the time. But when an foreign incursion is made by a state not their ally the condemnation is fast and strident.

Israel has no right to be in Gaza. It is Palestinian land from time immemorial. I say the UN decision to divide Palestine in 1947 was wrong because it is a contravention to the declared principle of the UN regarding the right of self-determination of nations. They never consulted the Palestinians then. The Jews had no right to half of Palestine. Maybe it was just the payback of the British to Jewish capital that was instrumental in its rise to being the strongest country in the world in the 1700s and 1800s.

After the Arab-Israeli wars of 1948 and 1967 Israel formally annexed conquered Palestinian territories which is a direct violation of UN statutes. Yet Israel was never expelled from the UN because the US protects Israel.

60 years after the division of Palestine the Palestinians still does not have a state of their own. It is because Israel opposes it and I wonder why it should be Israel's decision. Nothing will move because Israel still occupies Palestinian territory and Israel doesn't want to give it back (the problem if Israeli settlers and the holy sites). Here you have a people forced into diaspora forcing other people into diaspora. Maybe there is no word for justice in the Hebrew and Yiddish languages.

And all of these incongruities are not fully exposed because US media generally supports US foreign policy. And US media dominates the world.

That's the reason why most Filpinos do not understand this issue.

Sheer hypocristy and double standard, I say.


[photo credit:iranian.ws]
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PostHeaderIcon They Let the Ferries Sail That Night Anyway: The Denouement of the Classic Conflict

1/06/2009 | Posted by myty555 | Edit Post

As I said in my previous article ["Storm Signals Lowered, Coast Guard Suspension of Trips Remain, the Classic Conflict and Ten Thousand Stranded in Bicol, 01/04/09], I would like to see how the classic conflict between ensuring safety at sea and ships wanting to sail in borderline conditions (seas are probably rough because of prevailing weather conditions but storm signals were lowered) will be played out.

At 8:30pm the same night the Coast Guard allowed ships to sail, citing that PAGASA has already lifted the storm signal (though the typhoon is still signal and there is no guarantee that it will not change course; after all, Typhoon Frank changed course during the night and capsized the unwary but negligent MV Princess of the Stars).

Did they just wait for media to finish the early evening news? Or is it the situation that ship captains and owners are at their faces demanding to sail? It could also be the pressure coming from many passengers who are already at the end of their patience. And local governments tiring of caring for the thousands of passengers encamped in their jurisdiction. It could also be all of the above.

Fortunately, no "unfortunate incident" happened. But we cannot be lucky all the time. But taking chances is life's reality here.

I just wonder why Philippine Navy and Coast Guard vessels are moored in major ports and not near the busy ferry lanes. How can they respond fast if a distress call is issued? So many ferries left Allen (Northern Samar) and the ports of western Leyte and Bohol that night carrying thousands and thousands of passengers. Wouldn't it be better if they have been escorted?

I just hope that when they let the ferries sail that they were in a better position to help if things did not go right.
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PostHeaderIcon The 10th simple new year's resolution

1/06/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

When I posted some suggested New Year's pledges for 2009, I was cut short at number 9. My mind went blank and I needed to blog fast. The last few minutes of my one-hour stay in the public library rolled on quickly. So instead of 10, I ended up with only 9. The shadow of the next person who'd use the PC was already at my back. I needed to give him my spot.

As I drove home, one word cropped in my head---honesty. Be honest! Maybe that was what I wanted for the 10th resolution even if I knew it's hard to do.

It is said honesty can be a bedfellow of hypocrites. People say a genuinely honest person in this world is nonexistent---a result of our fallen nature. So there we go why some of us won't attempt to be truthful. Despite the warped suggestion that it's hypocrisy to try upholding truth, it is still the moral thing to do.

Without pretense, guile, and double talk, we effectively reign over our personal lives. We keep our credibility while we face our problems with dignity. We purge our soul of some of the corruption which ails our world. =0=

RELATED BLOG: "9 simple resolutions for the new year" Posted by mesiamd at 1/04/2009
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PostHeaderIcon The True Story of the Start of the 2000 Mindanao War: A Recollection and View from Lanao del Norte

1/05/2009 | Posted by myty555 | Edit Post

Approaching the end of 1999, the non-technical end of the last century, there was a certain disquiet in Cagayan de Oro City. For some months already troops from Luzon and Visayas kept arriving to be hosted temporarily in the Army's divisional camp there before being sent to Muslim areas. Of course there was already intermittent fighting in Cotabato and Lanao del Sur.

Soon there were whispers of war. Then President Estrada came. In a war-like tone he said he gave the MILF his personal guarantees that "he will treat them fairly" if they will give up their struggle but its leadership has been rebuffing him. He said he is ready to launch an "all-out war" to resolve the Mindanao problem.

When asked if it is true that there are already 36 battalions in Mindanao, President Estrada replied, "38!" And soon after that another two battallions arrived (and more after the war began).

Sometime early March the commander of a newly-arrived Army batallion near Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte sent a letter to Commander Bravo, commander of the MILF-BIAF's then-2nd Division, demanding the return of an abandoned schoolhouse which Bravo was occupying. Reportedly a man of few words and having a short fuse, Bravo refused.

It must be noted that in 1997 the government and the MILF signed a ceasefire agreement and in 1999 the two sides held formal peace talks. In the process, the MILF submitted a list of 13 major and 30 satellite MILF camps for verification and recognition. However, when the count reached 7 major camps "noted", hostilities started.

When the Army commander threatened attack, Bravo declared his "green line" and said he will fire upon any government forces that breach it.

Soon two tracked Army armored personnel carriers (M-113s) came. A Chinese B-40 rocket launcher was fired breaching the two sides of the APC and killing all the crew. The second APC beat a hasty retreat. All these were captured on video and shown uncut on Iligan City TV.

Soon a full-scale Army assault ensued. Unable to hold on to his camp, Bravo launched an attack on Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte. He was able to occupy the who town for 12 hours on March 17, 2000. This is the part of the war which the government highlighted as the "start" of the 2000 Mindanao war.

The MILF ransacked the police headquarters but they spared the municipal hall. Bravo withdrew from Kauswagan before the Army came (but medals were handed out for the "liberation" of the town). A handful of Muslim homes were set on fire by Christians in the aftermath.

For one week the private TV station in Iligan City covered the war uncensored, showing video footages from both sides including the Army's "clearing" operations (all I saw of this were soldiers blanketing by gunfire any possible hiding space and animals running in all directions).

The radio stations of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities gave free rein to partisans of both sides. Exchanges readily escalated to the level of insults, taunts and threats. But I noticed that the Muslim partisans were more level-headed. The most searing was the question, "How can you call yourself Christians if you burn and ransack houses of your neighbors?".

After one week the government threatened to close the stations. It was losing the propaganda war. The vivid coverage stopped but not the fighting.

The military assault spread throughout Mindanao. The famed Camp Abubakar and the Buliok complex (the MILF's biggest camp) fell to government soldiers. President Estrada claimed victory when he was able to raise the Philippine flag in Camp Abubakar, the MILF's central base.

And the Filipino people believed the war started with the MILF's attack in Kauswagan. In the same way the people believe now that the recent war started with the MILF's attack (again) in Kauswagan.


[photo credit:christusrex]
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PostHeaderIcon A Rawitdawit, A Courageous Bishop and a Climactic Confrontation

1/05/2009 | Posted by myty555 | Edit Post


When the rawitdawit (poem) about the 1814 Mayon eruption was posted ["A Rawitdawit on the 1814 Mayon Volcano Eruption, 12/22/08], my attention was not drawn to the story but to the man of the cloth that retrieved it, Bishop Teotimo Pacis. The late bishop was a person I respected greatly for his courage.

I first noticed his name in high school. Nobody fails to notice the change in name of the bishop invoked during Mass.

I came to know him later in a curious way. I was then on confinement.

One bright morning, we cannot help but notice a yellow Volkswagen Passat enter the compound (rarely do cars come to that place). I noticed the markings (no, they were not letterings). Out came a big, tall man walking purposeful strides.

He asked for the commander and they conferred in the latter's office. After 15 minutes a notice came that the bishop wants to talk to me. I dizzily thought, "Now, what is this?"

"I'm here to help you. Tell me all that I need to know". He was direct to the point. I am not even sure if it is an order but I can readily feel the aura of authority. We were the only two in the room.

"I will be back. Tell me if you need me". He thrusted a handsome amount in my hands. He called for the commander and they talked in the office. I noticed he was behind the table using the commander's chair and the commander was seated in the visitor's
chair. The bishop wasn't smiling and he had that air of superiority.

I noticed after that that our treatment got better. And there came a string of visitors. And messages.

He came again after two months and it was Christmastime. He was bearing gifts and he said Mass. He blessed the children of the politicals and he wed some of them (now how many gets to be married by a bishop?) We again talked privately in the commander's office.

We met again after a few months. We were on a hunger strike. We were demanding the enforcement of the Geneva conventions. We were also asking that our food allowance not be subject to "cuts" by the higher-ups.

He came storming. He was driving the pale yellow Passat and it screeched to halt, the car rocking. He demanded to see the commander in the same office.

"How can you call yourself Christians when you cannot give your fellow man his due?...." The office's door was open and all can hear his booming tirade. This went on for 20 minutes. After which the commander came out thoroughly shaken and near tears. He shakily called for formation of the guards.

The sermon continued but now in front of the guards and in full view of everybody. It seemed that the guards' torsos were shaking with every righteous thunder emanating from the bishop's lungs and conscience. They were shifting on their feet, eyes fixed on the ground. They were veterans of Mindanao, fought the MNLF's bloody uprising. I did not know that they can be cowed with searing thunder and righteous conscience.

I left that place soon and I lost contact with the bishop. From sources, I learned that he resigned his office soon after that climactic confrontation. I was sad to learn he spent his remaining years in poor health. He died in 1984.

When I finished the rawitdawit it was not its story that was on my mind. My mind were filled with memories. And thoughts and wishes.

I then realized I was yearning na sana all our bishops had that booming courage and righteous conscience of late Bishop Teotimo Pacis.


[photo credit:delest, albay pg]
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PostHeaderIcon Jollibee in New York City

1/05/2009 | Posted by Raniela | Edit Post
Filipinos walking along Roosevelt Avenue in Woodside, New York City will be jolted by the sight of this Jollibee store at the corner of 63rd Street and Roosevelt Avenue (the picture was taken last December 24, 2008).

Although the finished exterior of the store already announces the presence of this Filipino fast food, passers-by intrigued enough to look inside would see work still being done. An announcement taped on the glass wall only points prospective job applicants to the human resources address and nothing on the date of the opening. The company's official website already lists the store as existing (the only one listed in New York City) but offers no further details.

The warm feeling that is almost immediately triggered by the sight of the jolly face of the fast food mascot signals the imagined commonality that has been named Filipino. And yet, the very structure that identifies the Philippine archipelago as the geographic home of those bearing the name Filipino is also the structure that has driven millions of these Filipinos away from their home. No matter, the structure is global enough to reach anyone, anywhere, whatever your name is.
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PostHeaderIcon Storm Signals Lowered, Coast Guard Suspension of Trips Remain, The Classic Conflict and Ten Thousand Stranded in Bicol

1/04/2009 | Posted by myty555 | Edit Post

As of 4:30pm today, Sunday, January 4, 2009 Typhoon 'Auring' has changed direction to the North and it will no longer hit land. Consequently, all public storm signals have been lowered except for Eastern Samar.

If there are no storm signals prevailing, normally ferries can set sail. However, for prudence's sake, the Philippine Coast Guard maintained its suspension of sea travel at 10 points. That will mainly be in Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Caraga region.

Reports say over 10,000 people are stranded in Bicol. I will not be surprised if the total number of people right now reaches 30,000 all over the suspension areas.

I have said in a previous article that it is wave heights that primarily matters and not wind speed ["Two Boat Sinkings, A New Year Ferry Suspension in Bicol, Wave Height and Gale, 01/02/09]. But I checked the PAGASA forecast and there is no mention of wave height! It is Mike Padua's weather service website 'www.maybagyo.com' that has a wave height forecast but it is just near the typhoon's center.

So nobody knows right now how large the wave will be in the ferries' routes. Though PAGASA enjoins ships to report meteorological conditions in their specific areas I don't know if this is heeded. And if heeded I don't know if PAGASA has a way of consolidating and disseminating it.

This is the borderline area that produces sea accidents. Of course, ship companies would want to sail. In the case of overnight ferries to Cebu if they don't sail they probably won't have a ship available for the next night because none arrived. And this throws awry their set schedules.

As I write this it is the time for peak departures of ferries. These departures are usually bunched between 7 to 8pm. I know that they will be trying to break free of the Coast Guard leash and try to sail even by midnight tonight so they can still meet their sked tomorrow. So sometimes this becomes a cat-and-mouse situation. If the seas are rough in their ports, the captains may not turn out bull-headed at all. But if it is calm, he will be at the face of the local Coast Guard commander, who in many cases is not of officer rank. But, of course, he will have no way of knowing how strong are the seas in his route.

The situation points out one problem in the Philippines. Even in Spanish days we have watchtowers who are able to observe local sea conditions. This was reinforced by the Americans. Part of this system are the lighthouses. However, in recent decades the old watchtowers started to crumble and some of the lighthouses are already automated, meaning there is no one manning them.

But the problem is this system is not under PAGASA but under the Coast Guard and it is PAGASA that makes the forecasts. Moreover, many of these lighthouses have no communication to a data collection point. Sayang (a waste), because anyway many of these have cell site coverage. And big ships are anyway sailing but I wonder if reports from them are assidously followed up.

Old England has a system of coast watchers. Don't we need to emulate it given our long coastline and reliance on the seas?

I will be interested in the further development of this discourse. This is a safety at sea question where people, especially the sailing public, should be interested in.


[photo credit:daylite]
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