Ethics and Accountability

BBPA class San Beda-PLM
With Mr. Rey Rosas and Family

What it takes to become next President of the Philippine Republic? Or should we say, what are the qualities of a good leader?
Mr. Rey Rosas, OIC Director of the Office of the President said: He has the wisdom of Ferdinand Marcos, the democratic approach and honesty of Corazon Aquino, the international vision of Fidel V. Ramos, the charismatic leadership of Erap Estrada, and the economic expertise of Gloria Arroyo.
Wow. Maybe if we can have that kind of leader this nation will be great again.
Public office is a public trust.
Corruption hurts economy, people and government.
We need moral renewal and stop these corrupt practices or act.
If the country has strong moral fiber, then the legal system works effectively.
Study the code of ethics and live by it.
Yes, our ethics tend to flow from our core values.
Our work will be characterized by professionalism, integrity, excellence.
The challenge to every Filipino, be a good citizen, and build a peaceful and progressive nation.
Sabi nga ni Sir Rosas, "be the angel of change".

2009 KOMIKON

The Writer with The Editorial Cartoonist
Norman Isaac of Manila Bulletin

PICCA with Dr. John Lent

The Philippine International Cartoons Comics Animation Festival (PICCA) is a 4-day of learning, fun and artistic events with display of talents, exhibits, competitions, workshops,talks, film showings, caricature sessions, awards and tributes to all comics' lovers.
Prior to this event is the book launching of Dr. John Lent's The Philippine First 100 Years of Komiks and Cartoons held in Powerbooks, SM Megamall. Why is it an American author is the one who visualized and initiated to write history of Philippine comics? Dr. Lent passion for comics and Filipino culture are some of the reasons why. Comics as legitimate art form is a reality to look forward to. I'm glad to be a part of his book.

Tropical Storm Ondoy

"Stay on safe grounds. We are trying to get there as quickly as possible."
The government declared a "state of calamity".
Huge traffic jams clogged the roads in the capital as floodwaters caused many vehicles to stall….monstrous trafiic jam….several homes have been submerged in floods, TV networks showed a dramatic video of people crying for help, roofs of damaged houses being swept away by the suburban Marikina River.
Radio DZMM reported about a wall, weakened by floodwaters, collapsed in a suburb of Manila.
One of the three airport terminals in Manila was forced to cancel and divert flights after the flooding hampered its electrical system.
These were the damaged as Tropical Ondoy battered Luzon on Saturday. The storm, bearing winds of 85 kilometres (53 miles) per hour with gusts of 100 kph, hit the main island of Luzon near the town of Infanta at about 0200 GMT Sunday, moving west at 19 kph, the weather station said.
Government weather forecaster said the equivalent of one month's worth of rain fell on the city in less than a day.
We knew there would be rain but not like this. In 6 hours time it almost flooded the country. About 13.4 inches (34.1 centimeters) of rain fell on metropolitan Manila in just six hours, close to the 15.4-inch (39.2-centimeter) average for the entire month of September. After forty years ngayon lang uli naulit na bumagyo na ganito kataas ang tubig. At hindi handa ang tao sa pagragasa ng tubig.
Flooding was reported in many districts and on roads reported with waters in some areas reaching as high as the rooftops of one-storey buildings, the civil defence office said. Hardly hit were place like Pateros, Pasig, Rizal, Marikina, Antipolo, and some part of Quezon City, Bulacan, Laguna.

An average of 20 typhoons and storms enter the Philippines from the Pacific Ocean over the eastern seaboard every year.

Kaya nga ang bagyo ay may pangalan nagsisimula sa letrang A to Z.

Sino ba naman ang mag-aakala na ang bagyong ito ay lilikha ng malaking delubyo.
Sa taas ng inabot ng tubig ay makikita pati fridge sa bahay ay sumabit sa kawad ng kuryente. Ang mga sasakyang nakahambalang sa daan ay sumampa sa iba pang mga sasakyan. Nakakadurog puso ang eksena kung saan marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nawalan ng bahay at mga ariarian. Matapos humupa ang baha ay nakitang nakahambalang sa daan ang mga bangkay na nakalubog sa putik.
In hard time like this be brave, show the strenght of human spirit. Sa mga sakuna at kalamidad na gaya nito ay laging nakaantabay ang National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD), mga NGO's, Foundations, private sectors at iba-ibang tulong na ang pangunahing misyon ay sumagip ng buhay.
Sa mga naapektuhan ng pananalasa ng bagyo at mga kalamidad sana po ay tatagan natin ang ating mga loob. There is always a silver lining behind the dark clouds. Isa sa katangian natin bilang mga Pilipino ay kaya natin sagupain ang ilan man bagyong dumarating. Manahan tayo at hunawak sa Dakilang Lumikha. Pag-asa laban sa pag-asa.

A thankful letter

Pagbukas ko ng email ngayong oras na ito ay naiyak ako nang mabasa ang mensahe ng isang kaibigan. Sinadya kong huwag ilagay ang pangalan niya. Ni hindi ko na nga naalala ang tungkol sa ginawa ko para sa kanya sa maliit na bagay na iyon, na para sa kanya ay napakalaking halaga.


hi, imelda!
natatandaan mo pa kaya ako?
naalaala ko noong minsang magkasabay tayo sa atlas.
may nasingil ka noon at ako nama'y wala.
binigyan mo ako ng 50 pesos at inilibre pa ng kakanin at gulaman.
alam mo bang hinding-hindi ko iyon makalilimutan?
isa ka kasi sa mga taong naroon nang walang-wala ako.
thank you talaga.
sana, magkita tayo one time para mapasalamatan ulit kita..
graduate na nga pala ng college (BS Crim) ang isa kong anak.
sa call center siya nagtatrabaho.
malaking tulong na rin financially.
hope isang araw ay magkabalitaan tayo.
ingat lagi.
God bless you more.

di-nakalilimot,

BBPA class Public Personnel Administration

With Prof. Lyn Vargas

Estrella Clan

Today, we commemorate the martyrdom of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
Based on his undelivered speech: In a revolution there can really be no victors, only victims. We do not have to destroy in order to build.
On one of the long corridors of Harvard University are carved in granite the words of Archibald Macleish:
“How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always, and in the final act, by determination and faith.”
The love story of Ninoy and Cory is the story that will end up all love story. Until Cory's last breath his love for Ninoy inspired the world.
Corazon Aquino was the eleventh President of the Philippines. She is known to be the global icon of democracy while her husband,the late Senator Benigno Aquino is considered the best president the Philippines never had.
As I surf the net I traced Cory's family tree and this is what I found out.
THE FAMILY TREE OF CORAZON COJUANGCO AQUINO:
The beginnings of the Cojuangco family can be traced back to Hong Chian town in Tongan province, China. Former President Corazon Aquino’s,great grandfather was the first generation of the Cojuangco clan that came to the Philippines in 1861. His name formerly, Mr. Co Yu Hwan converted to Catholicism when he came to Manila and was baptized Mr. Jose Cojuangco. He married Antera Estrella, a Filipina and settled in Malolos. The whole family tranferred to Tarlac.
My grandparents Estrella clan also came from Malolos, Bulacan and most relatives settled in Tarlac and Pangasinan the like of Congressman Conrado EstrellaIII.
I also met Captain Jaime Estrella in NAIA.
They were the icons of peace and democracy.
Hope in my veins flow the blood of a hero.

My Family

Mark Angelo, Me, Roan, Ryan and Renzo

Wikang Filipino

Is there a need to change English to Filipino as medium of instruction?
To the context of globalization we need to learn English and other international language to be global competitive. Jobs today are increasingly requiring workers who can interact with those who speak languages other than English and who can adapt to a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Individuals who speak, read, and understand more than one language can communicate with more people, read more literature, and benefit more fully from travel to other countries.
Wala namang masamang matuto ng ibang lengguwahe, dagdag kaalaman pa nga ito pero hindi ibig sabihin ay ikokompromiso natin ang sariling wikang Filipino.
Dapat pa rin pagtuunan sa mga eskuwelahan ang wastong paggamit,wastong pagbigkas ng ating sariling wikang Filipino. Ang taong nagmamahal sa sariling wika ay may dignidad at yaman ng bansa.

Two Angels

RHIAN

MIGZ

The Pillars of BBPA class

With Professor Atty. Eric dela Cruz
Philippine Political System

Me and Friend's son

State Of the Nation Address (SONA)

The President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo delivered her State Of The Nation Address (SONA).

"I will defend democracy with arms when it is threatened by violence; with firmness when it is weakened by division; with law and order where it is subverted by anarchy; and always, I will try to sustain it by wise policies of economic progress, so that a democracy means not just an empty liberty but a full life for all….
I never expressed the desire to extend myself beyond my term. Many of those who accuse me of it tried to cling like nails to their posts….
I am accused of misgovernance. Many of those who accuse me of it left me the problem of their misgovernance to solve. And we did it….
I am falsely accused, without proof, of using my office for personal profit. Many of those who accuse me of it have lifestyles and spending habits that make them walking proofs of that crime….
We can read their frustrations. They had the chance to serve this good country and they blew it by serving themselves….
Those who live in glass houses should cast no stones. Those who should be in jail should not threaten it, especially if they have been there….
Our administration, with the highest average rate of growth, recording multiple increases in investments, with the largest job creation in history, and which gets a credit upgrade at the height of a world recession, must be doing something right, even if some of those cocooned in corporate privilege refuse to recognize it….
Governance, however, is not about looking back and getting even. It is about looking forward and giving more—to the people who gave us the greatest, hardest gift of all: the care of a country."

---some parts of the President's speech.
Inulan na naman kahapon ng batikos ng mga hindi kaalyado ng Pangulo ang SONA. Her detractors accussed her administration of massive corruption. Lack of transparency. Poor regulatory environment. Poor justice system. Cronyism. Hunger with power, the author to rewrite Constitution and shift to a Parliamentary System that will allow her to remain in power. If we took at the bright side, marami naman nagawa ang Pangulo na puwede pa nga niyang ipamana sa susunod na liderato. She is a working President. Sino ba namang lider ang ayaw magkaroon ng Strong Republic?
We need to elevate the standard of public service, this is possible if leader is honest and has integrity, who will set aside personal ambition for the good and welfare of the Filipino people. Good governance means good public service.

Iglesia Ni Cristo Day

July 27, Monday, marked as the 95th Anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo, a special national working holiday mandated by Republic Act 9645, signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This is more than a historical event. A global celebration, expanded to 86 countries, and 4 territories across the globe. The church today remains an anchor of hope to its millions of members.
The Iglesia ni Cristo has remained at the forefront of spiritual evangelism, good will and honorable peace, thus enriching countless Filipino lives, leaving an indelible imprint in Filipino society and bestowing upon our country and people a lasting spiritual legacy.
The INC is a Christian religious society, not a political organization, but it does public sevices including the conduct of outreach programs on education, youth development, family counseling, as well as health, socio and economic community extension services, pressing social concerns that affect not only the life of its members but other marginalized Filipino families. The church remains socially responsive, caring for its members and society at large and addressing social issues such as poverty and peace and order. It educates its members to remain disciplined and responsible citizens, abiding by the laws of God and men.
A distinction of the Iglesia is the strength of its leadership, from its first Executive Minister, Felix Y. Manalo, whom the faithful recognized as God’s messenger, to the incumbent Executive Minister, Brother Eraño G. Manalo. Brother Eraño has remained faithful to the Biblical principles and administrative system.
May makapag-iisa nga ba sa mga tao? Pinatunayan ito ng mga kapatid sa Iglesia ni Cristo---- kaisahan at disiplina at higit sa lahat pananampalataya sa Amang Dakilang Lumikha.

BBPA class pix

With Professor Sonia Gumabon
Foundation of Public Administration

Back to School

Saturday, 9AM, I was there in Pamana Bedista Multimedia Room to joined the batch of BBPA students, San Beda College Manila in partnership with Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila opened a degree program in Bachelor in Business and Public Administration for non-academic personnel.
Back to school, after a long time. The value of education is a lifetime treasure.
Public administration can be broadly described as the development, implementation and study of branches of government policy. The pursuit of the public good by enhancing civil society, and effective public service.
I have no political ambition. But as a citizen of this country I have social responsibility, the desired change in society, bring forth the critical social issues and encouraged to solved them.
PA are related to the democratic values of improving equality, justice, security, public service.
PA course is good for future leader,trained to become person who would uphold accountability, transparency, dedication and excellence in work; who would place the interests of the nation above his own; who would breathe efficiency, effectiveness and economy; to become, in short, public servant.

Independence Day

The Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred on June 12, 1898 where Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain after the latter was defeated at Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

Malaya na nga ba? Hindi makakamtan ang minimithing kalayaan habang tayong mga Pilipino ay walang malasakit at pagmamahal sa sariling bayan. Para saan ba ang kalayaan kung inaabuso naman at walang matinong paggagamitan?