Tuesday, August 31, 2010

How come that we're the first to put our country down? - AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR By William M. Esposo | The Philippine Star News Opinion

Just a short reaction to in How come that we're the first to put our country down? - AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR By William M. Esposo | The Philippine Star News Opinion.

Billy Esposo's Lord and Master Noynoy the Yellow must be hurting quite badly from the the flak his administration has received over the badly bungled Quirino Grandstand hostage rescue operations.

Noynoy is hurting so badly that they've let loose the usual characters to sing hail hallelujah to the yellow Messiah and attack those who openly criticize the Administration for whatever wrong doing it has done.

In the addled mind of the one who must have written the column for Esposo, the definition of good journalism and bad journalism depends mainly on how they write about his Yellow Padron.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Dumb is the word.

It’s a crisis, not an election campaign, stupid!

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
08/30/2010

It was pretty stupid of Malacañang to come up with that e-mail to Palace reporters bringing up, at this particular time, the killing of a Filipino tourist in Beijing by a crazed Chinese wielding a scythe.

That “anonymous” Palace message had one theme: The killing of Filipino tourists also happen in China, but the Chinese never apologized, while Noynoy Aquino did in the case of the dismissed policemen who held Chinese nationals hostages and killed eight of them.

Nobody says killings happen only in the Philippines because it happens everywhere in the world. What is at issue in this crisis under the Noynoy presidency is not only that it had botched the rescue operations of the Hong Kong Chinese tourists resulting in the senseless deaths of eight of them, but that the Aquino government had succeeded in making it an international issue, as well as a diplomatic crisis with China.

What then is behind the stupidity of Aquino’s Malacañang in comparing the two incidents and Noynoy apologizing for the botched rescue while, according to the Palace e-mail, the Chinese government did not?

But that incident in Beijing where a Filipino businessman was hacked to death, was contained easily, not making the news on global media. Neither the Philippine government nor the Chinese government allowed it to strain the relations because this was resolved through diplomacy. Neither, to my recollection, did the family of the slain Filipino make public demands for restitution. If it did, it was done privately, and resolved diplomatically. If there were apologies, the apologies may have been done on a private and government to government level.

Stated differently, the Beijing incident was resolved without any diplomatic and governmental gaffes.

Not so, in the case of Noynoy Aquino and his administrators. It was bad enough that they bungled the hostage crisis and displayed very weak leadership. It is worse now that they continue to bungle things up, in their investigation into the deaths of the Chinese tourists and the forensic examinations, straining the diplomatic ties more, and creating a public perception that the Noynoy government fears the involvement of the Hong Kong forensic experts, which in turn generates that perception of the Aquino government and its police force being into a cover-up and a whitewash.

Malacañang even now brings up the sovereignty issue, as it has stressed that the probe is to be handled by the RP government, and that the Hong Kong authorities are merely there to observe, even when the Chinese want an independent probe of its own too, for comparison.

Why bar the Hong Kong forensic experts from examining the physical evidence inside the bus? Simply because they did not get that clearance from the proper authorities?

But doesn’t this just show precisely how inept this government is?

Malacañang and its Justice Department and all agencies under it, should already have made all the arrangements and provided the clearances for the Hong Kong forensics experts prior to their arrival. Surely, if Noynoy and his “crisis management team” knew their onions, they would have ordered the proper arrangements and clearances. No foreigner on official visit to a country is expected to get his clearance himself to do his task. And where was that pledge of Noynoy to cut red tape? That was really red tape written all over.

If Noynoy and his government have nothing to hide over this incident, why even speak of an independent probe, especially when the government’s credibility is in serious question over its handling of the hostage crisis and the dumb “initial” findings of the police crime lab saying that with a degree of certainty, all the bullets from the hostage taker killed the hostages, on the basis of interviews done with the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team members — and no hostages’ interviews.

It’s time for Noynoy and his boys to get out of this election campaign mode where all they know is to attack their opponents. They are now the government, and they don’t even know how to govern or face a crisis squarely.

But that’s what happens when you get a know-nothing president with an equally know-nothing officials.

Dumb is the word.

Iphone game: Beat up Benigno Noynoy Aquino III

Noynoy Aquino as Zaphod Beeblebrox

Zaphod Beeblebrox is one of several characters in Douglas Adam's four book trilogy that starts with Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.   He was briefly the President  of the Galaxy (a role that involves no power whatsoever, and merely requires the incumbent to attract attention so no one wonders who's really in charge, which is a role Zaphod was perfectly suited for).

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Filipino columnist says Hongkong Chief Donald Tsang is beneath President Aquino, Filipino blogger says Chinese also ought to apologize for murder of Filipino tourist


菲律賓的專欄作家說,香港行政長官曾蔭權先生Noynoy下阿基諾在外交地位。

埃德溫 Jamora的Blogger博客的Barrio錫特說,中國應該說對不起第一殺害的菲律賓人在天安門廣場

I am not saying that President Noynoy Aquino is panicking at this point.  However, I am imagining what would happen if he did.

I can imagine that in a panic situation, the first people to appear on the scene would be the Public Relations advisers and friendly media executives that created him.  Perhaps, arriving almost at the same time would be a few political allies -- and I have no idea right now if this includes Mar Roxas.

So far, those who have seemingly answered the trumpet call to defend President Noynoy Aquino from bad publicity are the likes of wheel chair bound Billy Esposo and the blog of one Edwin Jamora.

In his recent column, Esposo faults everyone except President Aquino for the fatally failed hostage rescue attempt at the Quirino Grandstand on Monday.

It seems that he is even cleaving to the line Undersecretary Ricky Carandang has taken in explaining why Hongkong Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam Kuen's call to President Noynoy Aquino wasn't received.  In his view, despite the urgency of the situation, diplomatic protocol should have been adhered to and Tsang was simply not the person who should have called Aquino.

It is also pathetic of our media to be making such a big fuss out of Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang’s failed call to P-Noy. This is a reflection of our damaged culture. It did not even occur to them that they’re making a big fuss over something which is not even allowed by protocol. If there is anyone who should call P-Noy because they are on the same level as national leaders it is China’s Premier Hu Jintao. Nobody in the Hong Kong hierarchy is in a position to address P-Noy, much less demand anything from him. Still, our idiotic media pandered to Tsang’s whims and demands.
Donald Tsang and his cohorts may be under the illusion that they’ve got us by the neck because of the many Filipinos working there. Yes, that is a leverage Tsang has but our leverage with China is even bigger. China needs our minerals and Chinese security is screwed if P-Noy goes all the way with the real US agenda in Mindanao. Hasn’t anybody noticed how come the Chinese Ambassador is quite the opposite of Donald Tsang – very subdued and accommodating to the P-Noy administration?
The Chinese Ambassador knows about their big interest in our country. Being a mere local governor, Donald Tsang does not need to know this. Unaware of how important we are to China, Tsang can only address his local problems. It comes as no surprise that he must show the Hong Kong community that he is reacting to the Luneta tragedy in a manner that reflects the sentiments of his constituents.
Read the rest of Billy Esposo's article here: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=607134&publicationSubCategoryId=64 
The people of Hongkong ought to e-mail Mr. Esposo, his e-mail address is macesposo@yahoo.com.

Another person to come out of the woodworks to, in a way, defend President Aquino is Mr. Edwin Jamora through his blog Barrio Siete.

In its latest post, Barrio Siete sees parallels between Tiananmen Square and Luneta in the fatal killing of a Filipino tourist by a scythe wielding madman.
But. To this day, five years after it happened, there is no public record of any Chinese official acknowledging the tourist killings in Tiananmen Square and apologizing to the Madrigals, much less the Filipino people, for the murder of Emmanuel, Regina Mia and Vivian. Not a single expression of regret that the Chinese police failed in their duty to protect the lives of innocent tourists in the very heart of Beijing, in the symbolic center of a state that prides itself most of all for its ability to control and contain disorder. There was a total blackout on the part of the Chinese press, and, according to another news report, government censors quickly blocked many internet sites where Chinese users had begun to post comments about the killing. So we will likely never know what ordinary Chinese citizens had to say about about the incident. Maybe some of them were actually sorry for what happened. The closest thing to expressed regret was in fact the final reported action of the killer Wang, who waived his right to appeal the sentence of execution, and got a bullet in the back of his head.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

President Noynoy Aquino should act early to avoid a military coup

After the fatal bungling of the Quirino Grandstand hostage negotiations, the last thing that President Noynoy Aquino needs are restive members of the military chain of command.

What the Quirino Grandstand hostage taking shows (along with the Oakwood mutiny) is the ease with which the police and military can just take out their grievances on the public at large. 

The Aquino administration was caught by surprise by the Quirino Grandstand hostage taking, but then again, how could anyone have known that such a thing would happen?  The answer is that you don't know when such things will happen, but it is best to assume that such a thing is bound to happen -- given certain events in recent history.  Perhaps the key is to find these legitimate grievances enough so that it can be appropriately addressed.

President Noynoy Aquino is now in a position to grant promotions to officers in the military and how he hands out those promotions will have a direct impact on the next few months of his administration.  Promotions are ideally rewards for the merit that an officer has demonstrated consistently and Aquino should cleave to this ideal.  


Towards the furtherance of Professionalism
By: General Ed Cabanlig

The ascendancy of a dispensation that would manage the affairs of a nation customarily follows the designation of people to important positions in government. The Armed Forces is not an exception because of the civilian authority clause in the constitution which empowers the President, as the Commander in Chief, to exercise. This axiom must be fostered in the profession of Arms to insure national stability.

To further emphasize this institutional tenet, the constitution provides in Art XVI sec 5 (3) that “Professionalism in the Armed Forces shall be a prime concern of the state……….. The Armed Forces shall be insulated from partisan politics”.

The nation’s legislatures enacted RA 291 as amended, to insure that the selection for promotion of officer in the AFP would undergo rigid institutional processes that would dispel perceived abuse of power thereby sparing the process from political intervention.

Latest events unfortunately brought to fore certain perceptions that the selection process did not conform to the intent and letter of RA 291 as implemented by AFP SOP number 10. The association is alarmed by this development. RA 291 and its implementing regulation SOP 10 has been perfected through years of thorough review and corresponding change. Any violation or deviation from the prescribed provisions would severely affect the character that marks military professionalism. A call is therefore in order for decision makers specially if they are members of the association, to uphold the principles enshrined in our laws. The mark of professionalism is the ability to uphold the institution of law.

May we also suggest to our fellow Alumni to support the enactment of a law that will fix the term of the AFP Chief of Staff. This will further ensure professionalism in that the position of the Chief of Staff will not be subject to undue manipulation to exact personal loyalty. This is one legislation that is long overdue.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Is President Aquino more like George W. Bush than Barak Obama?

Former US President George W. Bush was at an elementary school when he was notified of the 9-11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center building.



President Noynoy Aquino, according to the Inquirer was:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100825-288625/FAQ-Where-was-Aquino-during-crisis

At a news briefing aired live on government television and radio early Tuesday, Mr. Aquino said he deliberately stayed out of the public eye during the crisis because he was working behind the scenes.

He monitored developments initially in Malacañang but “toward the end” of the crisis, he went out to meet with Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and police officials at a restaurant close to the hostage site in Manila, according to Carandang.

“We don’t need to publicize what we have been doing because one of the hardest parts of this day was controlling the kibitzers,” the President said at the briefing when asked why it took him so long to come out and face the nation.

He said he had to call up Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo for instance so the latter could convey to an official from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) “to keep quiet” and stop issuing statements about the demands made by Mendoza in exchange for the release of the hostages at that time.

The Napolcom commissioner, whom the President did not identify, had said things that in effect “shut the door to negotiations” and thus, the latter was “complicating the tense situation,” Mr. Aquino said.

The President said that at the time he wanted the ground commander assigned to deal with the crisis to be able to do his job without the help of “somebody looking over his shoulder and micro-managing everything the he has to do.”

Did radio interviews interfere with Quirino Grandstand hostage negoations?







When silence is a virtue, even for a spokesman...


This comes from Raisa Roble's blog:
Ricky Carandang, who heads the Presidential Communications Group, said Aquino was not aware of the first call because he was in a meeting and because the call came in through the palace’s main phone line with no prior notice. Carandang said the caller was an aide of Tsang, and an aide of Aquino answered the phone. He said Aquino’s aide knew who Tsang was, but was unsure it was really from his office.
The palace contacted the Foreign Affairs Department to set up a phone call through Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, in what would be diplomatic protocol. Presidential spokesman Ed Lacierda said he phoned Romulo’s spokesman Ed Malaya to convey the request to arrange a conversation between Tsang and Aquino. No word came back, so Lacierda tried to phone Malaya again three times but could not reach him. The department declined to tell the Post why no one returned Tsang’s calls that night.


This is from the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

"Di kapanipaniwala yan ’dahil accessible siya sa lahat ng oras [That is unbelievable because the President is accessible all the time],'' Secretary Herminio Coloma, head of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office, told ABS-CBN's program "Umagang Kay Ganda''.
Coloma was reacting to Tsang's reported frantic phone calls to Mr. Aquino last Monday and his complaint that he could not reach the Philippine leader.
“If [Tsang] called the office of the President, his call will be received. Even if the President left the Palace for a short while, he could still be reached because his mobile phones are with his aides,'' Coloma said.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer:
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang indicated on Thursday that the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was also to blame for the bloody end of Monday’s hostage-taking drama at Rizal Park in Manila.
"I would like to point out that the administration of Benigno Aquino III is just 55 days old while Arroyo's administration lasted for nine years. We just inherited the state of the Philippine National Police,'' Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Palace communications and operations office told the ABS-CBN morning news program "Umagang Kay Ganda.''
"The previous administration should also answer for what they did [for the police]. Did they provide enough funds for the modernization of the PNP or did it waste funds for cases like the euro-generals and other corruption cases?'' Coloma also said. 

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Malacanang Executive says he doubts HK Chief Executive Tsang actually called

This is from the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

"Di kapanipaniwala yan ’dahil accessible siya sa lahat ng oras [That is unbelievable because the President is accessible all the time],'' Secretary Herminio Coloma, head of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office, told ABS-CBN's program "Umagang Kay Ganda''.
Coloma was reacting to Tsang's reported frantic phone calls to Mr. Aquino last Monday and his complaint that he could not reach the Philippine leader.
“If [Tsang] called the office of the President, his call will be received. Even if the President left the Palace for a short while, he could still be reached because his mobile phones are with his aides,'' Coloma said.
So, one Communications Group Executive says that diplomatic protocol had prevent the call from going through and another Communications Group Executive says that the call didn't actually happen.

On one hand, one Malacanang Palace officials says Tsang was ignorant of protocol and another says Tsang is a liar.

Oh my God!

Making POOR excuses for the President... Why President Benigno S Aquino III didn't get HK Chief Exec. Tsang's phone call

This comes from Raisa Roble's blog:
Ricky Carandang, who heads the Presidential Communications Group, said Aquino was not aware of the first call because he was in a meeting and because the call came in through the palace’s main phone line with no prior notice. Carandang said the caller was an aide of Tsang, and an aide of Aquino answered the phone. He said Aquino’s aide knew who Tsang was, but was unsure it was really from his office.
The palace contacted the Foreign Affairs Department to set up a phone call through Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, in what would be diplomatic protocol. Presidential spokesman Ed Lacierda said he phoned Romulo’s spokesman Ed Malaya to convey the request to arrange a conversation between Tsang and Aquino. No word came back, so Lacierda tried to phone Malaya again three times but could not reach him. The department declined to tell the Post why no one returned Tsang’s calls that night.
Baloney!

In a crisis situation, the usual diplomatic protocols have to be weighed against the necessity of informing the Hongkong leader and the relatives of those held hostage of what the Philippine government was doing.

In fact, it wouldn't be completely WRONG for President Benigno Simeon Cojuanco Aquino III to have taken the initiative to call up Hongkong Chief Executive Donald Tsang or IMMEDIATELY SET UP OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE Hongkong Representatives here as well as the RELATIVES OF THE HONGKONG NATIONALS WHO WERE BEING HELD HOSTAGE.

Ten mistakes that the Philippine National Police made during the Quirino Grandstand Hostage taking


Ten things the Philippines bus siege police got wrong

A security analyst who has worked in counter-terrorism with the British Army and Scotland Yard, Charles Shoebridge, says the officers involved in Manila's bus siege showed great courage - but they were not aproperly trained or equipped for the task.

Here are 10 areas where, in his view, they could have done better.

1. Determination

The first officers who tried to storm the bus were driven out by gunshots from the hostage taker, former policeman Rolando Mendoza. "They showed great courage to go on board. It's very crowded, just one aisle down the middle of the bus. But once you get on board it's not unexpected you are going to be fired at. Squads like this have to be made up of very special people, specially trained and selected for their characteristics of courage, determination and aggression. In this case they acted as 99% of the population would have, which was to turn round and get out. They didn't seem to have the necessary determination and aggression to follow the attack through."

2. Lack of equipment

The police spent a long time smashing the windows of the bus, whereas explosive charges (known as frame charges) would have knocked in windows and doors instantly. "They had no ladders to get through the windows. They smashed the windows but didn't know what to do next," Mr Shoebridge says. "They almost looked like a group of vandals." Their firearms were also inappropriate - some had pistols, some had assault rifles. Ideally they would have carried a short submachine gun, suitable for use in confined spaces.

3. Lost opportunity to disarm the gunman

Mendoza's gun was not always raised
There were numerous opportunities to restrain the gunman, Mr Shoebridge believes. "The negotiators were so close to him, and he had his weapon hanging down by his side. He could have been disabled without having to kill him."

4. Lost opportunity to shoot the gunman

The video of the drama also shows there were occasions when the gunman was standing alone, during the course of the day, and could have been shot by a sharpshooter. "You are dealing with an unpredictable and irrational individual. The rule should be that if in the course of negotiations an opportunity arises to end the situation decisively, it should be taken," Mr Shoebridge says. Either this possibility did not occur to the officers in charge, he adds, or they considered it and decided to carry on talking.

5. Satisfying the gunman's demands

"I wondered why the authorities just didn't give in to all of his demands," says Charles Shoebridge. "A promise extracted under force is not a promise that you are required to honour. Nobody wants to give in to the demands of terrorists, but in a situation like this, which did not involve a terrorist group, or release of prisoners, they could have just accepted his demands. He could be reinstated in the police - and then be immediately put in prison for life for hostage taking." The Philippines authorities did in fact give in to the gunman's demands, but too little, too late. One message promised to review his case, while he wanted it formally dismissed. A second message reinstating him as a police officer only arrived after the shooting had started.

6. Televised proceedings

The gunman was able to follow events on television, revealing to him everything that was going on around him. This was a "crucial defect in the police handling", Mr Shoebridge says. He adds that police should always consider putting a barrier or screen around the area, to shield the scene from the cameras and keep the hostage taker in the dark.

7. No element of surprise

It was clear to the gunman what the police were doing at all times, not only because the whole incident was televised, but also because they moved "laboriously slowly", Mr Shoebridge says. The police did not distract him, so were unable to exploit the "crucial element of surprise".

8. Safeguarding the public

This boy, a bystander, was hit by a stray bullet
At least one bystander was shot, possibly because the public was allowed too close. The bullet from an M16 rifle, as carried by the gunman, can travel for about a mile, so preventing any risk of injury would have been difficult, Mr Shoebridge says, but a lot more could have been done. "When you saw the camera view from above, it was clear there was little command and control of the public on the ground," he says.

9. Using the gunman's brother to negotiate

Relatives and close friends can be a double-edged sword, Mr Shoebridge says. While they may have leverage over the hostage taker, what they are saying cannot be easily controlled. In this case, the gunman's brother was included in the negotiations - however, at a certain stage he became agitated and police started to remove him from the scene. The gunman saw this on television, and became agitated himself. According to one report he fired a warning shot.

10. Insufficient training

In some parts of the Philippines, such as Mindanao, hostage taking is not an uncommon occurrence, so the country has some forces that are well trained in the necessary tactics. The detachment involved in Monday's incident clearly was not, says Mr Shoebridge. After smashing the windows, one of the officers eventually put some CS gas inside, though "to what effect was not clear" he says. A unit involved in this work, needs to be "trained again and again, repeatedly practising precisely this kind of scenario," he says.

The so-called Fourth Estate during the Quirino hostage taking

Poynter Inst guidelines work in a western setting where law enforcement officials set clear rules before sitn reaches crisis point. 
In phil, where some officials even turn to journalists to negotiate, the rules are very different. Hostage sitns vary with culture & context
-- on Twitter








President Noynoy Aquino gets flamed for botched Quirino Grandstand hostage rescue

(reposted from the Inquirer)

Aquino censors Facebook page over hostage crisis bashing


Agence France-Presse
First Posted 06:40:00 08/26/2010

Filed Under: Internet, Benigno Aquino III, censorship, Social networking, hostage taking, Grandstand Hostage

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III censored his Facebook page Wednesday after internet users ignored an appeal to stop bashing his government over its handling of the deadly hostage crisis.

Aquino banned slanderous and defamatory comments and posts, swear words and racial insults, as well as "below the belt attacks", from his Facebook account followed by 1.9 million fans.

"We reserve the right to block anyone who fails to follow these rules and report them as spammers to Facebook," he wrote on his site.

Aquino's official Facebook page was set up to promote transparency and his anti-corruption drive, but it has become a repository for angry comments about Monday's hostage crisis in Manila in which eight Hong Kong tourists died.

Posts on his Facebook page have ranged from barbs against bungling policemen to calls for him to quit, and they continued even after Aquino appealed in an initial post on Wednesday morning for them to stop.

"Shame on you and your government. Tender your resignation now," wrote Elfis Lee, a Hong Kong resident.

"Your incompetence of leading your untrained stupid police force caused such a tragedy."

Another comment from Jay Rodrigo apologized on behalf of Filipinos, but had strong words about his feelings towards Aquino, who won the presidency by a landslide in May but whose popularity now appears to be taking a direct hit from the tragedy.

"You see, our president is a retard who has done nothing but smirk in front of the TV cameras after all that has happened," he wrote on the page.

"He's slowly killing our country coz of his stupidity."

Both messages appeared to have been scratched from Aquino's Facebook shortly after he issued his warning on Wednesday afternoon that he would censor the site.

An ex-policeman, Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, seized a busload of 22 Hong Kong tourists and three Filipinos on Monday, triggering an 11-hour standoff that ended in a bloodbath following a police assault.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Hongkong reacts with outrage over the Quirino Grandstand bloodbath

I hope next Monday will be better, this Monday was pretty much shot to hell along with most of the week.

The hostage taking at the Quirino Grandstand ended in a bloodbath that left 8 people dead, 7 of them tourists from Hongkong and one of them was the hostage taker, dismissed policeman Rolando Mendoza.

Reports on CNN, BBC, and other international news TV channels all carry reports blaming the Filipino police for mismanaging the hostage situation.  One of the more often cited mistakes made by the Filipino police was that they failed to take control of the hostage situation.  Other cited that the police failed to grab opportunities to incapacitate Mendoza on several instances where there was a clear shot.



Certainly other mistakes can be cited and there is no dearth of Monday morning quarterbacking, but it all would have been gladly looked over if none of the hostages were killed.

Philippine media made a big show of sidestepping whatever blame was coming their way for contributing to the Filipino police's blunder.

The head of one of the major TV networks even went to the point of saying that Poynter's Guidelines for Media during Hostage Situations could not be applied to the Quirino Grandstand hostage taking.  The TV executive said that Poynter's guidelines were applicable only to much more developed Western nations where clear protocols were in force.

The executive essentially threw back the blame on the police on the scene, pointing out that they failed to control the crowds -- which included the media.

The executive, perhaps, will not admit that their TV network showed footage of the police approaching the bus and preparing to storm it.  Neither will the executive, perhaps, admit that it was the tight competition with another network for video of Mendoza's brother that led to the airing of the scuffle which incensed Mendoza and triggered him to shoot his hostages.  (The other station isn't blameless either as one of their senior reporters was actually embedded with the police -- which probably is a bad idea for the police.)


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100825-288622/RP-broadcast-media-under-fire 
Getting a scoop
The media might have focused on “getting the information and beating the competition,” but forgot about the safety of the hostages and the impact of their killings on the country’s image, Teodoro added.
Burgos said the detailed coverage not only “telegraphed” the actions of the Special Weapons and Tactics assault team, but triggered the “rampage” of the hostage-taker.
“The footage of his brother being restrained and handcuffed, that really triggered the rampage. There were calls not to cover this. But the TV and radio networks were trying to outdo each other to get a scoop,” he said by phone.
“It’s lamentable that in a life-and-death situation, many of our colleagues were going for a scoop to be on top of the ratings game.”


To be fair, I don't think I really got everything that the TV executive was saying last night. Perhaps my opinion may change, but this is how it stands as of this writing.

In any case, I think President Noynoy Aquino's honeymoon with the media is over as he deliberately made a point to mention how the media contributed to the snafu.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100825-288620/Aquino-PNP-admit-mistakes-were-made
“What were the limitations imposed on the media, I think none,” the President said, noting that the journalists sought to get “the latest tidbit” throughout the crisis.
Mr. Aquino said that media’s intensive coverage “provided a wealth of information” to Mendoza, whom he noted was watching television on the bus and listening to the radio “throughout the whole time.”
“And each time he got a new piece of information that obviously factored into his equations and it didn’t help our security forces any,” he said.
Asked whether officials erred in not imposing a news blackout, the President said if he ordered one, the media would say that the government was “guilty of censoring a priori.”
“We cannot censor you for things you have to do,” he said, but noted that something could probably be worked out between the government and the media that will see the media being able to do its work without impeding security operations.
Well, in hindsight, perhaps the President ought to have risked incurring the ire of media in order to save the lives of the hostages.

This leads me to ask, was he in a position to issue orders to stop media coverage in the first place? Was he really monitoring the situation?

More importantly, why was he not able to accept the call of Hongkong Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen?  The only thing that I was able to gather on TV last night was that the person who had his phone was not able to enter the room he was holed up in.

Was Aquino actually shielded or kept from talking with the Hongkong Chief Executive for fear that he might make a bigger mess of Sino-Filipino relations? Or, even worse, reveal to the international community that he was poorly equipped to handle crisis?


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100825-288625/FAQ-Where-was-Aquino-during-crisis 
Palace officials said Mr. Aquino was at a closed-door meeting with local government officials on Monday night when Tsang called up.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Mr. Aquino was “not aware” that Tsang was trying to contact him.
Lacierda said that when Mr. Aquino learned Tuesday about this, the President decided to call Tsang after his meeting with the Chinese ambassador.
Communications Development Secretary Ricky Carandang said President Aquino also wanted to know the details of the incident before he spoke to Tsang.
Carandang said this was the reason the President did not immediately speak before the media because he wanted to first “determine what exactly were the facts on the ground.”
----
While Mr. Aquino said he asked that he be “kept apprised” of developments, he delegated authority to the rightful persons.
“To be honest with you this whole day, aside from the hostage situation, I was in touch with Health Secretary Ona about the dengue situation. I was also talking to Budget Secretary Butch Abad about the submission of the budget message,” Mr. Aquino added.
Just as the police assault on the bus took “quite a while,” the President acknowledged that it took him some time to speak to the media and the nation because he wanted to get details on what happened.
An hour after the hostage crisis was over, Palace officials issued a statement saying that Mr. Aquino had been meeting with Mayor Lim and police officials and giving out figures of the dead and the wounded. They also said that another statement would be issued late Monday.
The Palace statement did come out as promised but it was read by the President himself at a news briefing at midnight of Monday in which he condoled with the families of the dead Hong Kong tourists and conveyed the government’s “deep feelings of sorrow” to the People’s Republic of China and to Tsang.
Even if he did not make his presence felt throughout the hostage crisis, the President ended his news conference with a message to the people.
“We should not just give up because of this one incident,” he said. “Let’s all strive all the more to ensure that there will be no repeat of this kind of situation.” 


Perhaps, if the President was better prepared and by accepting the call from the Hongkong Chief executive, Aquino might have been better able to calm the anxiety that the hostage taking situation was creating among the Hongkong people.

If there is one thing that I've learned from observing someone who is quite adept at handling crisis situations, it is that open communication lines are essential to resolving any crisis.

No matter what the Aquino Administration does now to salve the pain and grief felt by the people of Hongkong, China and Taiwan, it will be all too little and too late.

Right now, there is a rather garish show of solidarity with the Chinese people.  Flags are being flown at half-mast, people are light candles, and some have  taken to writing letters to the people of Hongkong.

Perhaps apologies and condolences will do some good.

Then again, sometimes apologies sometimes encourage even more outrage to be expressed and perhaps the better tact would be to make people accountable for the mistakes that were made.

A speedy and thorough investigation should be made.  Those commanding police operations on the ground should be meted with stiff penalties if they are found to have bungled any of their decisions.  The media covering the crisis, if they had been found to have interfered with the sensitive crisis situation, should be charged appropriately in court. 

On the flipside of things, as people were waking up from the aftermath of the Quirino Grandstand bloodbath, Filipino Miss Universe 2010 contestant Venus Raj's entry into the final 15 of the pageant provided a brief respite from the bad vibes.

Before it was announced that she had made it into the top five, a number of people on facebook and twitter were rooting for her as if by clinching the Miss Universe crown the rest of the world would forget the tragic conclusion of the Quirino Grandstand fiasco.

One of the more crucial portions of every beauty contest is the Question and Answer portion.  It is usually the time when people find out if the contestant's brains matches her beauty.
Question and Answer of Miss Universe Contestant Venus Raj
Question to Venus: What is one big mistake that you did in your life? And what did you do to make it right?
Answer: In my 22 years of existence, there is nothing major, major.. er...  problem that I have done in my life. Because I am very confident with my family and the love they are giving to me. So thank you thank you so much.
Now, I don't think there can be any right or wrong answer to such a question.  We all have regrets and we all have ideas of how we can probably have done it differently -- differently, but necessarily better.

But, perhaps just like President Noynoy Aquino and the police at the Quirino Grandstand, a better response would not have been forthcoming to one who is too nervous to think -- assuming that one has the sort of mind that can come up with the right response at all.

In any case, Venus Raj fourth runner up victory isn't a total disaster.  Then again, it ain't something we can really cheer about.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Venus Raj video of Miss Universe 2010 question and answer portion

Venus Raj chokes on the Miss Universe Question and Answer Portion

Question to Venus: What is one big mistake that you did in your life? And what did you do to make it right?

Answer: In my 22 years of existence, there is nothing major, major problem that I have done in my life. Because I am very confident with my family and the love they are giving to me. So thank you so much.

In anycase, I hope miss Venus Raj remembers her commitment to help save the Earth from environmental degradation and plastics pollution.

http://pinoybiz.blogspot.com/2010/08/refiled-plastic-bag-tax-law-sure-step.html

http://pasigriveravenger.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/miss-universe-pageant-good-luck-to-venus-raj/)



Entry of Filipina Venus Raj in Top 15 of Miss Universe overshadows tragic Quirino hostage taking

Apparently, Filipino minds can't focus on a problem long enough and eventually wonders to something less challenging.

So what if Venus Raj wins the Miss Universe beauty pageant? 


One of several live TV coverages that allegedly triggered Quirino Hostage taker to shoot Hongkong national




Guidelines for Covering Hostage-Taking Crises, Prison Uprisings, Terrorist Actions
By Bob Steele Nelson Poynter Scholar for Journalism Values

In covering a developing raid or law enforcement action, journalists are advised to: Be extremely cautious to not compromise the secrecy of officials’ planning and execution. If staking out a location where a raid will occur or if accompanying officers, reporters, and photographers should demonstrate great caution in how
they act, where they go, and what clues they might inadvertently give that might compromise the execution of the raid. They should check and double-check planning efforts.

In covering an ongoing crisis situation, journalists are advised to:

 • Always assume that the hostage taker, gunman, or terrorist has access to the reporting.

• Avoid describing with words or showing with still photography and video any information that could divulge the tactics or positions of SWAT team members.

• Fight the urge to become a player in any standoff, hostage situation, or\ terrorist incident. Journalists should become personally involved only as a last resort and with the explicit approval of top news management and the consultation of trained hostage negotiators on the scene.

• Be forthright with viewers, listeners, or readers about why certain information is being withheld if security reasons are involved.

• Seriously weigh the benefits to the public of what information might be given out versus what potential harm that information might cause. This is especially important in live reporting of an ongoing situation.

• Strongly resist the temptation to telephone a gunman or hostage taker.Journalists generally are not trained in negotiation techniques, and one wrong question or inappropriate word could jeopardize someone’s life. Furthermore, just calling in could tie up phone lines or otherwise complicate communication efforts of the negotiators.

• Notify authorities immediately if a hostage taker or terrorist calls the newsroom. Also, have a plan ready for how to respond.

• Challenge any gut reaction to "go live" from the scene of a hostage-taking crisis, unless there are strong journalistic reasons for a live, on-the-scene report. Things can go wrong very quickly in a live report, endangering lives or damaging negotiations. Furthermore, ask if the value of a live, on-the- scene report is really justifiable compared to the harm that could occur.

• Give no information, factual or speculative, about a hostage taker’s mental condition, state of mind, or reasons for actions while a standoff is in\ progress. The value of such information to the audience is limited, and the possibility of such characterizations exacerbating an already dangerous situation are quite real.

Hongkong Chief Executive Tsang regretted not being able to talk to President Noynoy Aquino during the Quirino Hostage taking

I'd like to convey my apologies to HK Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen on behalf of my President, Noynoy Aquino.

He's new to the job of leadership and has never handled a crisis situation before in his life.

Perhaps the next time that Hongkong nationals are held hostage here in the Philippines, be assured that he will be more properly advised as to what orders to issue to the Philippine National Police and his media backers.

We do hope that you will continue to welcome Filipinos in Hongkong and that your people do not take out what ever anger or frustration you may feel on our people.
From the standard
Condemning the Philippine gunman as a "cold-blooded killer," Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen expressed disappointment at the way the crisis was handled.
"This is a major tragedy. The way it was handled, particularly the outcome, is very disappointing," said a tearful Tsang at a press conference convened at 10.45pm. "I feel extremely sad."
Tsang repeatedly stressed that he failed to get in touch with Philippine President Benigno Aquino for a big part of the afternoon and regretted not being able to express his concerns personally. Tsang said the government has demanded that the Philippines foreign ministry properly handle the aftermath.



KBP Broadcast Code, Article Six on Crime and Crisis situations

Article 6. CRIME AND CRISIS SITUATIONS

Sec. 1. The coverage of crimes in progress or crisis situations such as hostage-taking or kidnapping shall not put lives in greater danger than what is already inherent in the situation. Such coverage should be restrained and care should be taken so as not to hinder or obstruct efforts of authorities to resolve the situation. (G)

Sec. 2. A coverage should avoid inflicting undue shock and pain to families and loved ones of victims of crimes, crisis situations, disasters, accidents, and other tragedies. (S)

Sec. 3. The identity of victims of crimes or crisis situations in progress shall not be announced until the situation has been resolved or their names have been released by the authorities. The names of fatalities should be aired only when their next of kin have been notified or their names released, by the authorities. (S)

Sec. 4. The coverage of crime or crisis situations shall not provide vital information or offer comfort or support to the perpetrators. (G)

Sec. 5. Stations are encouraged to adopt standard operating procedures (SOP’s) consistent with this Code to govern the conduct of their news personnel during the coverage of crime and crisis situations. (A)

Sec. 6. Persons who are taken into custody by authorities as victims or for allegedly committing private crimes (such as indecency or lasciviousness), shall not be identified, directly or indirectly -- unless a formal complaint has already been filed against them. They shall not be subjected to undue shame and humiliation, such as showing them in indecent or vulgar acts and poses. (S)

Reaction to the Quirino Grandstand hostage taking

Did the Philippine media's live coverage of the Quirino Grandstand hostage taking situation botch the hostage negotiations? According to one media guideline, YES.
Always assume that the hostage taker, gunman, or terrorist has access to the reporting. 
Avoid describing with words or showing with still photography and video any information that could divulge the tactics or positions of SWAT team members.
Challenge any gut reaction to "go live" from the scene of a hostage-taking crisis, unless there are strong journalistic reasons for a live, on-the-scene report. Things can go wrong very quickly in a live report, endangering lives or damaging negotiations. Furthermore, ask if the value of a live, on-the- scene report is really justifiable compared to the harm that could occur. 
Nelson Poynter Scholar for Journalism Values 
Other related posts:

Ten mistakes of the Philippine police at the Quirino Grandstand hostage taking

Hongkong's outrage over the Quirino Grandstand Hostage taking

KBP (Filipino media standards code) on Crime and Crisis


It ended in a bloodbath.

Killed were eight hostages and the lone hostage taker, a dismissed policeman named Roland Mendoza -- whom reports say resorted to the hostage taking to demand his reinstatement.


According to reports, negotiations for the release of the hostages had been uneventful until violence erupted when Mendoza allegedly saw his brother on television, who was at the scene, being arrested and dragged away by the police.

There were 15 Chinese tourists and a Filipino driver being held in the bus when the violence erupted.

President Noynoy Aquino has issued a statement offering condolences to the families of the victims in the tragic hostage taking incident.

On Facebook, Filipinos registered their dismay over the handling of the hostage crisis -- some questioning the training of the policemen at the scene and others blaming Filipino media on the scene for ignoring guidelines on covering hostage taking situations.

Filipino reporters took to spreading links to Nelson Poynter's Guidelines for covering hostage taking situations.

In covering an ongoing crisis situation, journalists are advised to: 
• Always assume that the hostage taker, gunman, or terrorist has access to the reporting. 
• Avoid describing with words or showing with still photography and video any information that could divulge the tactics or positions of SWAT team members.
• Fight the urge to become a player in any standoff, hostage situation, or terrorist incident. Journalists should become personally involved only as a last resort and with the explicit approval of top news management and the consultation of trained hostage negotiators on the scene.
• Be forthright with viewers, listeners, or readers about why certain information is being withheld if security reasons are involved. • Seriously weigh the benefits to the public of what information might be given out versus what potential harm that information might cause. This is especially important in live reporting of an ongoing situation.
• Strongly resist the temptation to telephone a gunman or hostage taker.Journalists generally are not trained in negotiation techniques, and one wrong question or inappropriate word could jeopardize someone’s life.
Furthermore, just calling in could tie up phone lines or otherwise complicate communication efforts of the negotiators.
• Notify authorities immediately if a hostage taker or terrorist calls the newsroom. Also, have a plan ready for how to respond. 
• Challenge any gut reaction to "go live" from the scene of a hostage-taking crisis, unless there are strong journalistic reasons for a live, on-the-scene report. Things can go wrong very quickly in a live report, endangering lives or damaging negotiations. Furthermore, ask if the value of a live, on-the- scene report is really justifiable compared to the harm that could occur. 
• Give no information, factual or speculative, about a hostage taker’s mental condition, state of mind, or reasons for actions while a standoff is in progress. The value of such information to the audience is limited, and the possibility of such characterizations exacerbating an already dangerous situation are quite real.

Another reaction on Facebook said that it was a bad idea to involve a relative of the hostage taker in the negotiations.

At least, this time around, unlike the Manila Hostage taking in 2007, Senator Bong Revilla and Chavit Singson didn't appear on the scene to negotiate with the hostage taker.

Monday, August 23, 2010

President Noynoy Aquino should clamp down on plastic pollution

Presidential Communications Group head Sonny Coloma said that President Noynoy Aquino himself warned that he would go after polluters in neckties (a spin on the phrase 'hoodlums in robes') in stressing his determination to keep the environment clean and prevent climate change related disasters such Ondoy.

If he's really serious about this, the President should perhaps get the help of congress to pass legislation that will drastically reduce the use of plastics for packaging consumer products as well as raise funds for the proper and safe disposal of plastic garbage.


Tolentino said since the start of dredging operations last week, the MMDA has cleared over 25,000 meters of the metropolis’ estimated 55,000 meters of waterways.
Most of these, he added, were clogged by plastic and other non-biodegradable materials in addition to untreated wastewater.
The thing is, the very same waterways that the MMDA has just cleaned up will be clogged again with plastic trash after a few weeks or even days.

What is needed is a measure that will actually curb the use of plastics and this can come in the form of a tax that will be levied on consumers of goods in plastic packaging as well as manufacturers of these goods.  They levy will increase the cost of goods in plastic packaging and thereby curb the demand for these goods.  At the same time, the levy collected on the sale of goods packaged in plastic can fund the retrieval and proper disposal of plastic wastes.

According to the blog of Eco Waste coalition:

A discards survey in 2006 involving EcoWaste Coalition and Greenpeace volunteers shows that synthetic plastic materials constitute 76 percent of the floating trash items in Manila Bay, with plastic bags comprising 51 percent; sachets and junk food wrappers, 19 percent; Styrofoam containers, five percent; and hard plastics, one percent. The rest of the rubbish found in Manila Bay consisted of rubber (10 percent) and biodegradable discards (13 percent).

Kapihan sa Sulo:ACE talks about plastics pollution and remembering Ondoy Floods

Last Saturday, members of the Alliance for a Cleaner Earth (ACE) and myself were able to get some time at the Kapihan sa Sulo at the newly refurbished Sulo Hotel in Quezon City.

ACE is a group of outdoor sports enthusiasts who live out their environmentalist causes by collecting aluminum cans, practicing Earth Day everyday by shutting down their household's power for two hours everyday, by giving up smoking, using E-10 fuels, lessening their plastic wastes, and once a year, holding a rock concert cum clean up drive in areas endangered by climate change.  We also participate in the projects of other groups whose cause is to fight for climate change adaptation measures.

Members of the group present were Abbie Modino, Jojo Menorca, Chi Martillo, Au Martillo, Salvs Beleo, and myself.

It was a good thing that some of our friends in the media allowed us some time to share our message about remembering Ondoy and stopping plastic pollution.  This despite the fact that the organizers of Kapihan would probably have wanted more time discussing the present brouha-ha over police brutality sparked by the torture video played excessively on television.

I don't know how many people have suffered from police brutality and the worst thing I ever experienced from a policeman was to get a ticket for beating the red light.  The thing is, I think, you only have to be worried about police brutality if you are a chronic street protester, a criminal, or a vagrant.  

Ordinary law abiding citizens don't have to worry much about the police, unless, of course, they are victims of a crime and the perpetrators are relatives or friends of a policeman.

In any case, out of every ten people I talk to about the Ondoy floods last year, about seven have their own stories to tell and of those seven, four or five were actually victims of Ondoy.



And talk about brutality... There's nothing more brutal than mother nature showing up at your front door in the form of a raging flood carrying all sorts of debris.  There's nothing more brutal than losing almost everything your own to a flood.  There nothing more brutal than watching your loved one drown in a flood.

photo credit 


Almost always, there'll be stories to tell and among those stories will be stories about the fears of another Ondoy flood happening.

It's not the sort of irrational phobia that one ends up having all their lives after, say, getting struck by lightning or some other incident that has more than one-in-a-million odds stacked against it happening again.

The fear of another Ondoy flood is actually grounded on the certain likelihood that it is bound to happen again, if not this year, then next year or the year after that.


Do you think I'm wrong? I've got two words for you.  Typhoon Basyang.

While we were 'lucky' -- YES LUCKY -- that Typhoon Basyang didn't cause the floods that we experienced with Ondoy, but there were still floods and a very major power disruption that lasted for days in some areas of Metro Manila.

In any case, the likelihood of having another Ondoy is premised on the fact that our country experiences an average of 20 typhoons every year and despite this, the national government has not adopted or implemented any long range plans for Climate Change Adaptation.

So far, the only things that have been done by the present administration so far is:
- the President visited a number of esteros near Malacanang
- the DENR, DPWH, and PRRC showed up at another estero to pose for cameras as they ordered a clean up of ONE estero
- the President spoke at the Bayer Young Environmentalists event and said that he'd go after polluters in neckties.
- a flood mapping project is being finished up, but no mention yet of a real flood control system being put into place 
- the President ordered an anti-littering drive on the Pasig river
- the relocation of squatters along the Pasig river is being done
- Pagasa is being beefed up, or so we're told, so that we'll get better warnings of impending destructive typhoons. 
- the MMDA is asking private companies to lend heavy earth moving machinery to the government so that esteros can be declogged.
- a Pasig River marathon organized by the PRRC that doesn't go anywhere around or near the Pasig River! 
All of these steps can do some good, but perhaps, not on the scale of what really needs to happen in order so that a great number of lives and property can be saved when we are faced with another Ondoy.

At the Kapihan sa Sulo, ACE came out to call for measures that would drastically reduce the use of plastic packaging -- sachets, pouches, bags, bottles, etcetera -- and at the same time build up necessary funds that could be used for the retrieval and proper disposal of plastic waste.

Telling companies such as Unilever, Proceter and Gamble, Nestle, SM, Rustans, Puregold, and other large companies that they ought to lessen the plastic pollution they create is just one of the number of things ACE has in mind.


Why is it important to curb the country's production of plastic waste?

It is because plastics are the major cause of flooding in Metro Manila and if you are wondering just how much plastic trash the consumption of goods in plastic containers generate, here are a couple of estimates:


Here's one estimate:
http://pinoybiz.blogspot.com/2010/08/tax-to-curb-plastic-sachets-and-plastic.html 
Giant consumer goods manufacturer Unilever claims that every day, it sells 160 million products.  Assuming that the sales volume of the other manufacturing giants, Procter & Gamble and Nestle is in the vicinity of Unilever’s, that would be some 500 million products sold daily.
Let’s peg a conservative estimate that 10 percent of all products sold are in plastic sachets, then that’s 50 million.  That’s 50 million plastic sachets and pouches that will eventually find its way to our oceans, waterways, landfills and drainage systems ready to clog the free flow of water and trigger floods or kill marine wildlife.
But it is really reasonable to think that of the 500 million products sold daily by the three giants, only 10 percent of are in tiny plastic sachets?
And here's another way of figuring it.

http://pasigriveravenger.wordpress.com/2010/08/14/saw-dingdong-dantes-and-angel-locsin-endorse-a-product-then-picture-this-people/
According to Unilever’s vice president for corporate planning Chito Macapagal, 70% of Unilever Philippines 2007 sales is from the sachet market. That’s 70% of 30 billion pesos, or 21 billion pesos three years ago. That’s nine zeroes following 21. The company was enjoying double digit growth rate from the previous year, so expect that by now those numbers are now not just big, but big big.
Can you picture how many sachets 21 billion pesos’ worth of Unilever products are? Well, let’s see. Which brands of theirs have sachet variants? Sunsilk, Creamsilk, Rexona, Clear, Knorr, Lady’s Choice, Close-Up, Best Foods, and Vaseline come to mind. 
Moving on, 21 billion pesos in sachets, if say, the average price for any given sachet were 20 pesos conservatively (I say conservatively because first, most of those mentioned cost less than 20 pesos, and second, 21 billion pesos in Unilever’s sales is at supplier-to-distributor prices, which are lower than retail), would be equivalent to 1,050 million sachets. If a given sachet has 10mL of product inside, it’s like they’re producing- no, selling at least one Olympic size swimming pool’s worth of product every 3 months. That doesn’t sound like much, but you could shampoo all 90 million Filipinos 20 times over with that much shampoo, if it were all shampoo.
What’s difficult to imagine is the sheer quantity of packaging material that went into the making of all those sachets. If 1,050 million sachets were sold, then the waste would be 1,050 million multiplied twice to include front and back of the sachet, times 3 inches by 4 inches (I took an estimate of a Clear shampoo sachet), which equals 25,200 million square inches. This is the equivalent of about 16.26 square kilometers worth of sachet or wrapper material. Now, before you do take the initiative to shoot me for driving you nuts with numbers, picture this: 16.26 square kilometers of sachet is enough to cover all of Ilog Pasig.



Friday, August 20, 2010

1920's song Mutya ng Pasig carries a message for present day Philippines


"I was once a princess in the kingdom of Love.
When love died so did my kingdom.
My strength has gone and now lives in your hearts.
If you want me to live again, give me back my love!"



My Tiyo Rudy and Tita Rosie (both opera singers) used to sing "Mutya ng Pasig" on major family occasions in our house in Quiapo built by my Lolo Pablo before the war.

While people milled around and partook of a generous buffet of pochero, kare-kare, lechon, morcon, embutido, and other Filipino food, they'd be treated to the powerful voices of the two "stars" of the clan.

I just found a video clip of that song and if you want to listen to it, here it is:



I think the lyrics are old Tagalog, the kind you'd find in Florante't Laura, and very poetic.  It's kind of tough to translate.

Written in 1926, the Tagalog song was inspired by the Kumintang, a traditional song form from Batangas (a province in the Philippines) with Malayan rhythmic pat.

MUTYA NG PASIG
Music by Nicanor Abelardo
Lyrics by Deogracias del Rosario

Kung gabing ang buwan,
sa langit ay nakadungaw;
Tila ginigising ng habagat
sa kanyang pagtulog sa tubig;
Ang isang larawang puti at busilak,
Na lugay ang buhok na animo'y agos;
Ito ang Mutya ng Pasig,
Ito ang Mutya ng Pasig.

Sa kanyang pagsiklot
sa maputing bula,
Kasabay ang awit,
kasabay ang tula;

Dati akong Paraluman,
Sa Kaharian ng pag-ibig,
Ang pag-ibig ng mamatay,
Naglaho rin ang kaharian.

Ang lakas ko ay nalipat,
Sa puso't dibdib ng lahat;
Kung nais ninyong akoy mabuhay,
Pag-ibig ko'y inyong ibigay

Here's somewhat of a literal and abbreviated translation of the song's lyrics in English.

On a night when the moon peeks from the heavens,
when the gentle breeze tries to awaken her from her slumber.

A vision of purity, her hair flows like a wave.
She is the muse of Pasig, whose every gesture is song and poetry.

(the muse speaks)
"I was once a princess in the kingdom of Love.
When love died so did my kingdom.
My strength has gone and now lives in your hearts.
If you want me to live again, give me back my love!"

I think the last two lines bring a very poignant message for all of us who want to see the Pasig River return to its former beauty.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Oh Conrad! Oh Conrad's bro! There's the RUB!

Conrado De Quiros' brother has been appointed President of the Philippine Social Security System...
Ayala bank exec named to head SSS
BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
PRESIDENT Aquino named banker Emilio de Quiros Jr. as president of the Social Security System and sugarcane plantation owner and farmer advocate Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin as administrator of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
De Quiros replaced Romulo Neri while Bautista-Martin succeeded Rafael Coscolluela.
De Quiros, brother of columnist Conrado de Quiros, has been executive vice president of the Bank of Philippine Islands since 2004.
A banker for 30 years, De Quiros was head of the BPI Asset Management and Trust Group, and treasurer and chief technology officer of the former Far East Bank and Trust Co.
He was director of National Reinsurance Corp. of the Philippines from June 2006 until June 2009.
De Quiros, an AB Economics graduate from Ateneo de Naga, has a masteral degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines.
And I was wondering, how could one of the brainiest columnists I follow on Philippine Daily Inquirer fall for the emotionally ridden drivel that was P-Noy's campaign.

Of course, Conrado's brother is well qualified.

Of course, Conrado's brother is not going to pillage the SSS.

Of course, whatever Conrado wrote was completely unbiased just as perhaps Ricky Carandang and Manuel Quezon III was not biased.

Here's a definition of altruism...

Altruism (pronounced /ˈæltruːɪzəm/) is selfless concern for the welfare of others. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures, and a core aspect of various religious traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Sikhism, and many others. Altruism is the opposite of selfishness.
Altruism can be distinguished from feelings of loyalty and duty. Altruism focuses on a motivation to help others or a want to do good without reward, while duty focuses on a moral obligation towards a specific individual (for example, God, a king), a specific organization (for example, a government), or an abstract concept (for example, patriotism etc.). Some individuals may feel both altruism and duty, while others may not. Pure altruism is giving without regard to reward or the benefits of recognition and need.
The term "altruism" may also refer to an ethical doctrine that claims that individuals are morally obliged to benefit others. Used in this sense, it is the opposite of egoism.
Here's what the Philippine Journalist Code of Ethics say:
I shall not let personal motives or interests influence me in the performance of my duties; nor shall I accept or offer any present, gift or other consideration of a nature which may cast doubt on my professional integrity.

Here's what the KBP code says:
Article 8. POLITICAL PROPAGANDA
Sec.4. When a person employed or engaged in anycapacity in a station becomes a candidate or is employed or retained in any capacity by a candidate or political party, he shall go on leave for the duration of the election period or his employment may be terminated by the station. (G)




Refiled plastic bag tax law, a sure step towards preventing Metro Manila floods

It was President Noynoy Aquino himself who made a remark about the futility of Pasig river clean up projects during his "surprise" visit to an estero near Malacanang a couple of weeks ago.

Apparently, the estero he visited which feeds into the Pasig river was just recently cleaned, but upon inspection, was already strewn with garbage -- some of which were plastic bags, plastic pouches, etcetera...

If one had a mind to analyze the problem and pose a solution that would really curb the prolific dumping of solid wastes like plastic bags, one would aim at finding the source and stop it from there.

A recent lunch meeting with friends from the House of Representatives proved quite a bit fruitful in alerting me to a recently refiled bill that aims to discourage the use of plastic bags through the imposition of a levy and generate funds that would support the "protection of our environment, promote sustainable development, and combat the pernicious effects of the wanton destruction of our natural resouces".


In the proposed law's explanatory note, Congressman Bichara says:
Aside from the fact that plastic bags are made of "petrochemicals" -- a non-renewable resource, plastic bags are not bio-degradable.  the unrestrained usage of plastic bags and the existing practice in their disposal hampers the efforts of our Government to protext our environment through proper garbage disposal (sic) system.  Furthermore, littered plastic bags may clog roadside drains which may cause flooding during heavy rainfall. In fact, plastic bag litter is a universal problem.

Further on, it cites that such a tax is already being implemented by other countries:
Governments in several countries and major cities, like Australia, China, Ireland, Bangladesh, Paris, Italy, Taiwan, and Tanzania, have banned or taken action to discourage the use of plastic bags.  (Sic) Needles to state, the Government has a duty to protect the natural environment, and should take an active role in safeguarding the health of its citizens.
Although the bill only targets plastic bags, which comprises only a portion of the plastic waste generated by producers and consumers in the Philippines, I think it is a sure step towards reducing the amount of plastic waste.

In Ghana, there was a proposal sometime in 2005 to tax the use of all plastic containers (pouches, bottles, sachets) as the country's streets was literally choked by discarded plastic containers.

Greenpeace has also talked about a Trash Vortex the size of Texas.
The trash vortex is an area the size of Texas in the North Pacific in which an estimated six kilos of plastic for every kilo of natural plankton, along with other slow degrading garbage, swirls slowly around like a clock, choked with dead fish, marine mammals, and birds who get snared. Some plastics in the gyre will not break down in the lifetimes of the grandchildren of the people who threw them away.
Photo credit to Greenpeace International

Estimating the amount of plastic garbage that the Philippines produces based on the production and distribution of products packed in plastic containers, one can gauge the country's contribution the generation of plastic waste.
http://pasigriveravenger.wordpress.com/2010/08/14/saw-dingdong-dantes-and-angel-locsin-endorse-a-product-then-picture-this-people/
According to Unilever’s vice president for corporate planning Chito Macapagal, 70% of Unilever Philippines 2007 sales is from the sachet market. That’s 70% of 30 billion pesos, or 21 billion pesos three years ago. That’s nine zeroes following 21. The company was enjoying double digit growth rate from the previous year, so expect that by now those numbers are now not just big, but big big.
Can you picture how many sachets 21 billion pesos’ worth of Unilever products are? Well, let’s see. Which brands of theirs have sachet variants? Sunsilk, Creamsilk, Rexona, Clear, Knorr, Lady’s Choice, Close-Up, Best Foods, and Vaseline come to mind. 
Moving on, 21 billion pesos in sachets, if say, the average price for any given sachet were 20 pesos conservatively (I say conservatively because first, most of those mentioned cost less than 20 pesos, and second, 21 billion pesos in Unilever’s sales is at supplier-to-distributor prices, which are lower than retail), would be equivalent to 1,050 million sachets. If a given sachet has 10mL of product inside, it’s like they’re producing- no, selling at least one Olympic size swimming pool’s worth of product every 3 months. That doesn’t sound like much, but you could shampoo all 90 million Filipinos 20 times over with that much shampoo, if it were all shampoo.
What’s difficult to imagine is the sheer quantity of packaging material that went into the making of all those sachets. If 1,050 million sachets were sold, then the waste would be 1,050 million multiplied twice to include front and back of the sachet, times 3 inches by 4 inches (I took an estimate of a Clear shampoo sachet), which equals 25,200 million square inches. This is the equivalent of about 16.26 square kilometers worth of sachet or wrapper material. Now, before you do take the initiative to shoot me for driving you nuts with numbers, picture this: 16.26 square kilometers of sachet is enough to cover all of Ilog Pasig.


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