Dying Young

All along we have been medically informed that cancer is incurable, and having the big C requires treatments so benign, that it uses up material resources that one have earned through hard work, resulting to accumulated debts and anxieties to those who are left behind.

Cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart attacks, high blood pressure and other diseases that continues to plague humanity have and will always stay amongst us humans, even if medical science continues researching on how to cure and treat this medical malaise's. Why? Because it is being caused by those who knows about the human anatomy, those whom we have relied on to safe guard our health, those who promote good health, those who claim to feed and love life.

It is but logical to think that those who research and study these diseases, those who come up with treatments and alleged cures, belong to multi billion pharmaceutical companies that sell medicines and drugs for profit. It is likewise logical that those who manufacture foods that feed the human race belongs to multi billion food companies that process what we eat and drink everyday. Looking on the economies of scale regarding this matter, one has to manufacture something at a cheap production price, and sell it at a profitable selling price, doing less and having more. It is all about the money.

You may consider me paranoid when I say that most pharmaceutical companies really aren't after curing nor treating diseases of sick people. That food companies really don't care what they put in their processed food. They are always, just like any other business entities, going after the profits, going after the money. It ain't wrong to apply the art of making money, but it seems so wrong to do it at the expense of those whom they want to cure and feed supposedly. My claims seems to be unjustified, but through research, awareness and interaction with curious minds, the puzzle of how diseases such as AIDS, SARS, Birds Flu, Swine Flu, Cancer, Arthritis, Diabetes etc. came about is not because of nature, not because of God but because of man's greed for money and power. It is in the food we eat, the medicines we take, the water and fluids we drink and the air we breath. So don't be surprised that people who lived 100 years ago died old, and we the young of today will die young.

Recycling Problem

Calamities do serve its purpose... it continues to remind......it re occurs, again, and again and again. Man too have always contributed to the environment and mankinds destruction. We have speeded up the depletion of our one earth. Man have purposely, and (un)knowingly contributed to the deterioration and degradation of human ethics and social/environmental balance. Its a recycling problem, a riddle, that man have long solved yet failed to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

Acts of God .... Thy Will be done,... but acts of men....depriving men to live... is not an Act of God...it is an act of the un-godly.

Let us pray for those who unwantedly died.....they have to go...because of acts of men.... may they rest in peace.

Mother Nature's Answer

The recent flooding of Metro Manila and nearby provinces proved that Mother Nature indeed is unstoppable. It continues to remind us of what power it has to submerge continents, how it could easily wipe out the human race with heavy rains, earthquakes and gigantic tsunamis in minutes. Do we have to blame Typhoon Ondoy, Mother Nature's wake up emissary, for such a catastrophe? World wide, similar incidents such as what has happened, occur everyday. Yet us humans continue to ignore such a calling. We tend to bypass the message brought about by Mother Nature's wrath. Mother Nature is just part of this disaster, and we humans have contributed more. Look into the cause and effects of global warming, and adapt the ways of how we could slow it down. We have to do it now, before mother nature gives us more answers.

Baguio's Garbage Problem , A Year After

Its been more than a year since Baguio City was declared a calamity area due to garbage mismanagement. And its been more than a year since the city government of Baguio had not been over the situation. Baguio is a resort city, a tourist destination, and if this problems on garbage continues to surmount, Baguio might lose its prestige of being the country's summer capital, bad news for Baguio's economy.

The Irisan dump site had always been the scapegoat of our local government. They blame those people who continue to barricade the dump site, prohibiting city owned garbage trucks filled with unsegregated waste enter the dump site. Baguio spent more than 200,000,000 in taxpayers money for more than a year, just to treat the garbage problem , temporarily.

Why can't the city government of Baguio, alongside it's honorable men and women, come up with a master plan of a long term solution to end this impending threat of dislodging Baguio as a prime tourist destination.

Baguio City has 128 barangays under its territory. Each barangay has , 1 Barangay Captain, 1 SK Chairman at least 7 SK Kagawads and at least 7 kagawads, a secretary and a treasurer. They are among the many government men and women mandated by law given honorariums coming from the pockets of taxpayers. These numbers multiplied by the number of barangays in the city equals an armada of government accountable personnel in charge of securing the welfare of their constituents, that includes the problem on garbage of course. The city government in addition to solving the crisis on garbage created 18 Cluster Cooperatives composed of barangays that would help battle this problem. What have they done so far?

The Baguio populace had been the main contributory why garbage tantamount ed into such a catastrophic event that had made Baguio so popular as a garbage city. Lack of discipline among those who reside in Baguio's 128 barangays have well been observed. This results are due to the lack of information dissemination and poor campaign on waste segregation which the city government alongside its 128 baragays should spear head.

Taking into consideration the laxity of those who should enforce the law.

What have the local police force done with regards the implementation of R.A. 9003. Have they ever caught people who violated the law?

Has anybody suffered the consequence of going against this law and is now serving time in jail? Are there any?

What the city government of Baguio should consider is a long term master plan that would put an end or at least get hold of the situation and prevent another calamity that would continue to taint Baguio's image as the prime summer destination of the country. They should try looking into establishing a recycling plant. Open the Irisan dump site and convert it into a functioning recycling plant wherein segregated garbage could be turned into something economic that would benefit the city, ridding the city of this stinking problem, creating jobs, and marketing or re-using of garbage by products beneficial to society .

Instead of creating 18 clusters of cooperative, why can't the city instead create a Baguio Solid Waste Management Cooperative that would cater to solving Baguio's garbage problem. Make every household be a member. Through this, information dissemination and guidelines would easily reach and be understood by every household.

Spending an average of P 20,000,000 a month, and with scapegoats such as the closure of the Irisan dumpsite, isn't doing good for Baguio's image. The city government must act fast, ber months are here again, and this is Baguio's peak season. If they continue to fail and try getting over the situation, they might as well prepare making a giant stinking Christmas tree made of garbage, and let it stand in front of the city hall. Let all those who enter be reminded that Baguio lost its prestige as a 5 star city because of garbage.

THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE PHILIPPINES

by Father James Reuter, S.J.

By her own admission, GMA (Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) rightfully assessed that over the last decades; our republic has become one of the weakest, steadily left behind by its more progressive neighbors.' Forty years ago, we were only second to Japan in economic stature, and way ahead of Singapore , Hong Kong , Malaysia , and Thailand . Today, at our present growth rate, it will take us 30 years to get to where Thailand is.

1.. A population of 160 Million;

2. Of those, 70 to 90 million (equivalent to our current population) will live below the poverty line;

3. Our national debt is estimated to be at US$200B (compared to US$28B when Marcos fled);

4. We will be competing, not against Thailand or even Vietnam , but against Bangladesh ;

5. We will be the most corrupt nation in Asia , if not in the world (we're already ranked 11th most corrupt nation by Transparency International) ...

The signs are clear. Our nation is headed towards an irreversible path of economic decline and moral decadence. It is not for lack of effort. We've seen many men and women of integrity in and out of government, NGOs, church groups & people's organization devote themselves to the task of nation-building, often times against insurmountable odds.

But not even two people's revolutions, bloodless as they may be, have made a dent in reversing this trend. At best, we have moved one step forward, but three steps backward.

We need a force far greater than our collective efforts, as a people, can ever hope to muster. It is time to move the battle to the spiritual realm.. It's time to claim GOD's promise of healing of the land for His people. It's time to gather GOD's people on its knees to pray for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation.

Is prayer really the answer? Before you dismiss this as just another rambling of a religious fanatic, I'd like you to consider some lessons we can glean from history.

England 's ascendancy to world power was preceded by the Reformation, a spiritual revival fueled by intense prayers.

The early American settlers built the foundation that would make it the most powerful nation today - a strong faith in GOD and a disciplined prayer life. Throughout its history, and especially at its major turning points, waves of revival and prayer movement swept across the land.

In recent times, we see Korea as a nation experiencing revival and in the process producing the largest Christian church in the world today, led by Rev. Paul Yongi Cho. No wonder it has emerged as a strong nation when other economies around it are faltering.

Even from a purely secular viewpoint, it makes a lot of sense. For here there is genuine humbling & seeking of GOD through prayer, moral reformation necessarily follows. And this, in turn, will lead to general prosperity. YES, we believe prayer can make a difference. It's our only hope.

Today, we launch this email brigade, to inform Filipinos from all over the world to pray, as a people, for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation. We do not ask for much. We only ask for 5 minutes of your time in a day, to fwd this email to your close friends and relatives.

This is the kind of unity which can make a big difference. Of course, if you feel strongly, as I do, about the power of prayer, you can be more involved by starting your own prayer group or prayer center.

We have tried people power twice; in both cases, it fell short. Maybe it's time to try prayer power. GOD never fails. Is there hope? YES! We can rely on God's promise, but we have to do our part. If we humble ourselves and pray as a people, GOD will heal our land. By GOD's grace, we may yet see a better future for our children.

'If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.'(2 Chronicles 7:14).

If you care for your children and grandchildren, PLEASE pass this on. .. ...
Let's not just abandon the Philippines

**** Copy and paste this article and send it to every God fearing Filipino you know....
Let us give our country a favor. - RSP

Bakakeng, Baguio's Future Business District

The city of Baguio is a haven for all people to enjoy. It has a climate that would chill and soothe a visitor that comes up to this mountain city resort located 5,100 feet above sea level. Students who plan to study at different educational institutions in Baguio continue to flock in this mountain city resort due to its ideal climate suitable for learning. But this is bad news for downtown Baguio. Baguio has experienced a tremendous transformation from a simple tourist destination to a melting pot of education that cater to thousands of local and foreign students. With Baguio's limited downtown area and roads that are not sufficient to direct smooth traffic, congestion both in human and motor vehicles had been a perennial problem that have resulted to severe problems on pollution and garbage baffling the minds of those who govern it.

Bakakeng, composed of 3 barangays Bakakeng Sur/Norte, Bakakeng SLU-SVP,and Bakakeng Central, should be considered as one of the new site for Baguio's expansion. Saint Louis University, on its centennial year of serving Baguio as the prime destination of knowledge and wisdom seekers, will have its Bakakeng campus open next year. This would definitely benefit Baguio City as it will decongest the main city roads of human and vehicular traffic and with SLU's mission to transform, Bakakeng will surely metamorphose from a simple residential area to a booming job generating, money making business arena of different kinds of trades. It shall be host to a variety of new business ideas brought about by entrepreneurial thinking. A lot of people are jockeying for a slot within this future area of Baguio City's continues urbanization, and expect local and foreign investors pour precious investments, making this site as Baguio's uprising business district. Wanna bet?

The True Independence

The Philippines has what it takes to become a super power, leveling itself with top Group of 7 countries like the United States of America, France, Canada, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan.

Would this be possible? But of course! Filipinos are known worldwide as an exceptional race of people possessing a variety of individual talents and know how on doing things no other race could equal. Give a Filipino something to do with out the necessary tool or equipment, and he could finish the job in due time using his own resources, often time rigging what is necessary in order to accomplish a task. What Americans, Russians, Chinese, Japanese or any other kind of nationality could do, the Filipino can! The Philippines is rich in natural resources, we have a sustainable natural environment that could feed our people and the generations to come.

So why is our nation still developing? A country under siege from different rightists and leftists groups. A country so disorganized . We had been a developing country ever since we had our independence (have we really been independent?) and we remain still developing. Our forefathers might have figured out the wrong ideas, or they might have figured it right, but they just don't know how to do it right. It may sound absurd, but our elders seem to have traveled the wrong road towards progress. They might had been too individualistic, thinking only of themselves and their family, disregarding their fellowmen, resulting to the suffering of a wealthy nation.

The Philippines with its population nearing a 100M with only a minority of its people living above the poverty line, and majority striving below the poverty line relying on the elite (who calls the shots) for employment to survive. In short, the Philippines is ran only by a minority belonging to families that have ruled for decades, their scions and heirs substituting those who have ruled before them. Same dog with a different collar, or same face with a lift.

What the Philippines need, borrowing Obama's winning slogan, is CHANGE! And change is inevitable. It will happen and its up to the new Filipino to think what is best, not only for his family, but for the sake of a nation seeking true independence.

Publish Post

Change is around the corner, start thinking, and be wise enough to choose the right and disregard the wrong. Let the Philippines attain it's true independence.

The Typewriter

The typewriter is a writer's best friend. It's his partner for whatever accomplishment he needs to be done. Typewriters are a thing of the past. It is the ancestor of the modern computer.

The computer is man's greatest gift to humanity (thanks Bill Gates for coming up with Windows!). It had made things simpler, efficient and effective. It had minimized the use of paper use which had contributed to the depletion of forest lands, had lessened the noise typing makes and most of all, it gave our fingers a lighter touch on the keyboard. No more frustrations with erasers and paper fluids (white ink), having neat and well edited paper works.

In a third world country like the Philippines, typewriters are still in use in a lot of private and government offices. It is considered as the cheapest form of creating documents. This reason may have bearing to its purpose, but it seems not able to justify on how far the typewriter can compare itself to the computer and printer. It is far behind what the computer and printer can do. It is a symbol of the past that needs to be changed. It is a sign of incompetence, a sign of no progress at all.

Typewriters in government offices need to be shelved, or better yet, placed inside a museum to remind us and our future generations on how our predecessors handled their paper works.

Lets give the typewriter a break it deserves. Let us give our country a favor by upgrading our system from an old inefficient typewriting system to an efficient and more effective computer network system.

Where are the Entrepreneurs?

Last month, thousands of job seekers, trooped to job fairs conducted by the government and private companies in different areas within the city and the country in celebration of labor month. I went there to observe. What I observed was that everyone was in a hurry to fill up forms to get in long lines for an on the spot job interview for a possible good paying job, with no guarantee of being hired. Conversing with different people in search for a probable cause of decent living and feeling their sentiments, made me realize how hard life really is, especially in these times of global crisis. And I felt the feeling of being jobless, how it feels to be in search for a job.

I started asking myself, why am I here? Where will my education as an entrepreneurship graduate end up, am I worth being called an entrepreneur with me lining up with the unemployed? I felt a feeling of remorse, sympathizing with these people who wanted to work to earn a living to survive, a feeling of regret of not having the power to help them. It made me ask further, where are the entrepreneurs needed to augment such shortage of employers? Where are the entrepreneurs who would employ even the lowest educated individual.

It is easier said than done, that’s what a lot of people say, but with entrepreneurial mindsets being ignored, and the lack of capital and financial support to brilliant ideas formulated by aspiring entrepreneurs, and the government's inadequate support to small and medium scale entrepreneurs, the prophecy of having 113M Jobless Asians Seen would come to reality, and if this pursues, God forbid chaos.

Healers of Depression

The world economy is at its worse, since the great depression of the 20th century. Nations around the world can feel this impending crisis that could result to a catastrophic world disorder. And the Philippines is no exemption to this shocking reality.

What the world needs now are entrepreneurs, individuals with the ability to come up and determine the proper combination of the resources available in his environment transforming this into an output of either goods or services obtaining a fair profit at the price he fore sees. He uses several factors (factors brought about by his education and his keen observation and interaction with his social and natural environment) turning his ideas into profitable products or service for the good of humanity.

* Entrepreneurs turn problems into something positive, analyzing them and turns them into something profitable, discarding the problem and creating a demand that had not existed before.

* Entrepreneurs are people with creative ideas, innovators, change advocates that deals with social problems, converting them into profitable ventures uplifting society’s way of living leading to productivity and progress.

* Entrepreneurs apply total quality management on all his works, he ensures to have something done right the first time. He organizes, manage and combine all the factors of production.

* Entrepreneurs are risk takers. He carefully calculates risk and is willing to invest his resources in an idea that he formulated, confident that his idea – brought about by an intensive research and development- would help uplift human living conditions.

* Entrepreneurs desire to make profit and makes use of additional resources for expansion and diversifying into other endeavors.

* Entrepreneurs are business administrators, team players, opportunity seekers, creative individuals, who are independent, self confident, and with ethical values that understand every human ethical standards, without discrimination of religion, race or social status.

* Entrepreneurs generate employment, they eradicate poverty, hunger and ensure social balance.

* Entrepreneurs are visionaries, they believe in what they do.

What the world need right now are people with entrepreneurial mindsets, builders of society, creators and innovators of modern culture and science. The world economy is sick, and it needs immediate attention. And entrepreneurs can help solve this crisis.

Apay Ngata? ( Why? )

Filipinos are a race of deversified cultures that has a mix of oriental and western culture. A paradise rich in natural resources and a habitat fit for a king seeking refuge in times of wandering and escape from his kingly choirs.

Spain for more than 300 years settled and dominated the culture and social attitudes of the Filipinos, converting them into catholics of which the impact still continues up to now, the Philippines being a Christian dominated population.

Americans liberated the Philippines from Mother Spain and influenced the Filipinos with their westernly attitudes, introducing them to a world of innovation and civilized social upliftment until now.

Japan, although having a short stint as invaders of the Philippines, somewhat influenced Filipinos with their ethical values and way of living.

Chinese, Malaysians, Indonisians, Paskistanis, Koreans, Canadians, Africans, Swedes, Australians, Germans.... the list go on, name a nation and you see their influence in the Filipino way of living.

Mentioning this scenario, the Filipino people have all the qualifications of being a rich, super power nation just like Japan and the rest of the Global Group of 7. It is like a perfect soup having all the ingredients. A nation filled with races from different nationalities, a mixture of oriental and western civilization.

The Philippines have supremely rich environmental and human resources. We have the vast lands for agricultural production, feeding our nation without depending from outside sustainance. We have brilliant minds and innovators, harnessing the power of renewable energy such as the sun, the wind and water to eliminate the glitch in our current power crisis, not mentioning geothermal and oil reserves that can be of good use for a nation aiming at attaining economic progress. These are the pillars of an economically and socially balanced society.

So why then is the Philippines poor?

Apay ngata?

Why Is The Philippines Poor ?

Dear Friends,Here is a good article sent by Dr. Arsenio Martin of Fort Arthur , Texas ...Enjoy reading.

THE DIFFERENCE: The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country:

This can be shown by countries like India & Egypt , that are more than 2000 years old, but are poor..

On the other hand, Canada , Australia & New Zealand , that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries, and are rich.

The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.

Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture & cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.

Another example is Switzerland, which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality! It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order & labor, which made it the world's strongest, safest place.

Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference..Race or skin color are also not important: immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.What is the difference then? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture & flawed tradition.On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich & developed countries, we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives:

1. Ethics, as a basic principle.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. Respect to the laws & rules.
5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.
6. Work loving.
7. Strive for savings & investment.
8. Will of super action.
9. Punctuality.
10. and of course...Discipline

In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. In fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources.We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. If you love your country, let this message circulate so that many Filipinos could reflect about this, & CHANGE, ACT!

My 38th Birthday

April 6, 2009, my 38th birthday, a Maundy Monday.

Waking up sweating at my sister's place down in the lowlands, I got greeted by a lot of people dear to my heart. Too many, that I had to reload my line  to reply in different ways of thanking these people who touched and shaped my life. Among the messages in my inbox was a message from my good old American pal. It was not a birthday greeting, it was bad news. He informed me that somebody died at  dawn of my birth date within our neighborhood, it involved the kids whom we know. Faces and names started shuttering in my mind. Who were the culprits? Who were the victims? Who are to blame for these crimes committed by our youth? Why do they commit such acts of violence?

LIVING WITH GENERATION Y

I have known majority of them boys and girls roaming our fast urbanizing community. My 2 lovely angels jive amongst them. I advise them things regarding good living, sharing the ethical theories of having a good life I learned as a Louisian. I taught them how to work in a printing press, dirtying their hands to earn a living, sharing the knowledge and skills I know. Majority of the boys within the neighborhood, both in and out of school, took part in handling printing press machinery and operations inside our family owned print shop. They developed their skills in these line of work, which I concluded that there really are no dumb people, only lazy people tend to be dumb. I now enjoy the benefit of having an abundant resource of manpower for our printing press business, which before was a scarce resource.

After a hard days work, we sometimes boozed our self up celebrating the fruits of our labor. As a responsible guardian I never let them leave our house once they had been intoxicated by the spirits hard drinks delivers, I let them sleep until the demons leave their fragile minds. I know who they are, and what havoc they might do to the community once released in such a destructive state. I ask them questions an inquiring parent myself will inquire. Seeking answers why they act so rebellious both in society and within their family. I knew them well like brothers, a way of earning respect from these young people.

We all went through our very own younger days. Wily, out of control, being young offered experiences that goes beyond the realms of legal discipline. Depending on the youth's socialization among the factors that affect his upbringing, he metamorphoses from a child to a young adult either as a law abiding individual or otherwise.

Neighborhood kids tend to be fraternal. They're an all for one, one for all gangsters of hot burning lava ready to blow off anytime, once provoked. A sense of brother hood, a kill or be killed attitude, that is what a neighborhood gang is made of. 


Knowing the youth of today, they tend to be responsive with what ever threat that befalls them. They get easily annoyed once a rival group threatens any member . I recall a movie entitled City of God. Ironically the title doesn't fit the movie's story, it is exactly the opposite. In the movie, young adults and children tend to find refuge not in their families. They find security and stability with their peers who held guns, used drugs and into prostitution. They don't believe in the power of education and parental control. But they do believe in God, and they were mislead that God had a purpose for them, kill or be killed to survive, a creed taught to every new member by the gangs big bosses. The toughest among the brood was their saviour, protector from the threats that awaits them in every corner of their territory. They didnt believe in the law, law did not exist. This isn't just a movie, it was based on real situations, real people. And it is happening now, a problem every neighborhood within the city needs to address immediately before hell breaks lose.

THE BLAMING GAME

Blaming others for the result of failure have always been the scapegoat of a lot of people. It is a way of saving face, delegating the failure to some other person or thing, a sign of incompetence and cowardice. Who then will we blame for the damage brought about by youthful offenders? Who should take the ire of parents who lose a dear son or daughter inflicted upon them by their fellow youth?

Living in a country with good laws assures a citizen of a safe and secure society to live in. However, laws remain as mere written doctrines embedded in books and records without implementation, lacking its true purpose, social order. It needs fangs to bite on offenders, it should be implemented to its maximum, with no exemption or whatsoever. We have laws requiring the youth to clear the streets of Baguio after 9 p.m., ensuring the safety of our children and the community as well. Republic Act No. 9344, an act establishing a comprehensive juvenile justice and welfare system, creating the juvenile justice and welfare council under the department of justice, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes, is just one law among a premise of other similar laws already implemented.

But on the dawn of that Maundy Monday of April 6, 2009, there was no order, law enforcers failed law implementation resulting to violence that could have been deterred if laws were implemented. Was it circumstantial? I guess not. A family lost a son and a son shall be leaving a family who is in dire need of his services to augment their everyday living, he is about to suffer the consequence of his rude act of violence. 


Are the law enforcers liable and should be blamed for their negligence? They came upon the group,reeking with liquor, hours before the incident happened, they should have implemented the law by bringing those present to the police station for their parents to be informed and let them go fetch their children, safe and sound. Merely shooing them won't take effect, they're tough and words ain't enough to rattle them. 


Parents too have obligations to be aware of every activities their children undergo, but on that night, parents seem to had been immune of the daily routines their children do. Can we blame the parents? Nearby neighbors who in one way or another could have prevented the incident, daring to go out from a distance from where the incident happened, warning them or even calling up the police before things got worse. Are they to blame too?

Thousands of incidents similar to what had occurred on the dawn of that Maundy Monday happens, everyday. Blaming each other won't solve the problem, it just worsens the situation. Laws are made to establish order in society. It should be implemented to the maximum. If only law itself can do what it was mandated for, if it could only roam and apprehend those who violates;implementing it's power; humanity in a civilized society will enjoy the benefits it offers. Blaming the law is absurd, but blaming society for creating lost young souls is justifiable.

There are two sides of every coin, and I do not generalized Generation Y, there are of course good
breeds among them.

Society must act fast, before our millenials take over, in chaos and not in peace,they are growing fast.... and in numbers.

I seek for a moment of your time upon reading this blog to pray for the soul of one young man who died on the dawn of that Maundy Monday of April 6, 2009, may he rest in peace with his creator,  Pray for justice for both victim and suspect , that their acts of violence influenced by a society that has created them be justifiably  served and that suffering  must not extent to life imprisonment for this young wasted man.  

Too Late of a Hero

Printers have been visited by political personalities lately. Printers do expect them to come, for sure. It's election fever once more and printers are as fragrant as the blooming roses in the garden, prone to the nectar thirsty bees from the political hive. I had a taste of political aspiration at it's lowest level (I Lost 3 times!), my dad was once a politician and we got to roam around campaigning for political stalwarts during election times. We both had been keen observers, monitoring each politician's move. We often times picked the majority of the winning candidates during the final count.

A lot of changes in political campaigns have arisen. Those who are in the disadvantage, lacking almighty cash and a political machinery, have found technology an equalizer, the answer to their ambitions of attaining political success. Barrack Obama was against all odds, yet he found his way to the arena of political victory. His eloquence and down to earth approach to the people, and his team of internet wizards proved, along with his armory of stimulus package plans took him to the realms of the White House . Having a well planned campaign run by high tech gadgetry, alliance with the common people, and a campaign for change, can topple down a Goliath. Politics in the Philippines is not way behind. It is being tailored made, mimicking the styles of our American counterparts. The right to information technology and the increased voting population of the youth, is the best weapon for every candidate targeting a slot in a political victory. Election's fast approaching, and be prepared for a battle of high tech information dessimination.

We now know who deserves to be chosen, and we know who are playing too late of a hero. Let us not be blinded by prettty faces and politicians with sweet talks having pockets filled with bribe and deceit. Let us consider what our conscience dictates. Exercise your right to information, get involved and don't be fooled no more.

Friendship......

I remember those restless days of happy go lucky attitudes that friendship offered. Having a bond that seemed inseparable, friendship offered the best resort for an idling youth in search for companionship and thrill, something not even a mad dad or mom can severe. But at what extent does friendship, it's meaning and it's essence, prove that indeed it is a life long commitment? People change, and change is inevitable, that makes everybody prone to certain transformations which definitely change even the best of friends, mentioning also the worst of enemies. Factors such as family, religion, work, attitudes and behaviour contribute to changes that occur within a person. Different ethical dilemmas and norms each human being undergo contributes to changes among relationships, and that includes friendship. External factors that befall each friend within a circle, create such changes, it initiates change no matter how deep that friendship is. So how could you put your friends to test? I still have my friends, so seldom do we meet, I know they changed, but so am I.

Here are some quotes about Friendship....

Fake Friends never ask for food, Real Friends is the reason you have no food
Fake Friends call your parents Mr. and Mrs.Real Friends call your parents Dad and Mom
Fake Friends bail you out of jail and tell you what you did was wrong Real Friends would sit next to you saying,"Duhhh.. we screwed up ... but that was fun!"
Fake Friends never seen you cry, Real Friends cry with you.
Fake Friends borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back, Real friends keep your stuff so long they foget its yours
Fake friends know a few things about you, Real friends could write a book about you with drect quotes from you
Fake friends will leave you behind if that is what the crowd is doing, Real friends will kick the whole crowds butt that left you.
Fake Friends would knock on your front door, Real friends walk right in an say "Iam Home!"
Fake Friends are for awhile, Real Friends are for life
Fake friends will talk bad to the person who talks bad about you, REal Friends will knock the person out that talked bad about you.

So is your friend fake or real?

My Best Friend

I have known Dennis for almost two years, and he's the kind of guy somebody would like to get along with, specially when your back's against the wall. He had always been , a mentor and a friend to me. He's a Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde, lunatic sometimes when his downed too much vodka. I call him chester or alf coz he loves kittens and dogs. We both have common interests in life- beach, family, travel - and share similar thoughts that we both believe in. Talking to an American and expressing your views and opinions, have made me a different person ever since I knew my American neighbor . We often talk about a lot of issues concerning the environment, politics, science and human behaviour. He had opened up my mind towards a different perspective in life. He taught me a lot about science that he learned through experience and research. He's a retired, mean Marine from the United States Armed Forces, with a hand that can cover up your face !!!

He loves the Philippines and surely will retire for life in this beautiful Island, disregarding his disappointments on issues plaguing our country. One thing he noticed about the Philippines is that we have a lot of good laws, yet these laws don't have fangs, no implementation being enforced for the benefit of the majority. A lot of times I get to defend the Filipino dignity on things he tells me-coz it hurts, but somehow in the end I submit to his opinions and he too listens to my rebuttals. He had taught me how to think positive, think rational concerning issues that needs to be resolved. And a lot of times I argue with things I firmly believe to be Filipino in nature, always reminding him that he is in the Philippines,and this ain't America . He never bother learning the Filipino language, don't even dare to learn the Filipino ethical way of living, but as the saying goes, dance like the romans dance. Ironically he has influenced me to learn the American way of living, straightforward, frank and strict with regards to a standard way of life, total quality in all works . We are both into HHO., a project we have been experimenting for almost a year. We both share the agonies of frustrations and the thrills of having positive outcomes in our doings. He helps me a lot with my computer maintenance and trouble shooting , he thought me how to make good use of the Internet to my advantage. He had always been my mentor, and will always be my best friend, thanks bud, I owe you one.

So Help Me God.......

I read an article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer headlined 113 MILLION JOBLESS ASIANS SEEN. I cut this big bold letters and pasted it on my ceiling where I can read it everytime I lay down on my bed. Glancing at this bold letters, everytime I close my eyes to sleep, and the moment I wake up, I keep telling myself, will I be one of the unfortunates who will end up unemployed? I have an entrepreneurial management degree and it would be absurd for me to say that I will end up among the unlucky. I should, and like any other aspiring entrepreneurs, contribute in battling this impending truth. But with limited resources and the lack of almighty cash, entrepreneurship is just a mere sketch on the drawing board, like an architect's master piece of a layed out plan not funded for construction.

Entrepreneurs cannot work alone. Having bright ideas is just a part of a long process of obtaining success in this line of endevour. Support from people and institutions and government are just among external factors that needs to be injected into a project with an entrepreneurial approach. The need for entrepreneurs with a vision of obtaining a successful business venture is much needed during this times of global economic and environmental imbalance. But being an entrepreneur is not that easy. Having an entrepreneurial management degree is not enough to make one a successful entrepreneur. One needs a lot of right things in life in order to become a successful entrepreneur. The right idea, the right timing, the right investors, the right suppliers, the right market and the right network connections are but a few right things an entrepreneur needs to ensure before he push through with his entrepreneurial mindset. Sad to say, but almighty as it is, cash is an indespensable aspect, a weapon of sorts that powers an entrepreneur towards its mission and vision.

And so here am I thinking of ways to get that needed almighty right things. In one way or another, I need to maintain within me my personal entrepreneurial competencies, apply it in a field, as an intrapreneur , and earn something for me to use in my future entrepreneurial ambitions. I need to exclude myself first from among those unfateful 113 million jobless asians seen. I need to help myself, need to build something for me to use in my plans for an entrepreneurial future, before I could start helping others. Although time has deprived me of age, hope still lingers within me. So help me God !

The H.O.G. (Hydrogen Oxygen Generator)

We have been working on a fuel cell that would enhance diesel engine performance and cut on diesel fuel consumption by 30% - 40%. Last June 17, 2009 marked our one year of R&D in this renewable energy project, and we have come upon positive results that will prove our intention of converting water (H2O) into gas (Hydrogen Oxygen). We join thousands of individuals who looks forward to eradicating fossil fuel, the major cause of global warming. It's too obvious that the cost of fossil fuel have gravely affected not only the Philippines, but the entire world as well. And cutting down on fossil fuel consumption through the use of this technology would definitely lessen a nation's dependence on oil, which would automatically pull down the prices on fossil fuel. The domino effect would come in natural, economy will prosper and independence on energy production may well be at hand.

We are still on the process of proving our intentions. We have had set backs such as chasing parts that have never existed. Had fun popping HHO bubbles that made loud bangs (really loud!!!) . We had to make our own parts and have invested in acquiring machineries and equiptment to intensify our R&D aiming at doing the right thing the first time, making the HOG safe for everyone to use. A year have past and we look forward towards attaining success in the days to come.

May the H.O.G. push through and work the way we expected it to be. This technology is now being used by thousands of people world wide, and our intention of letting everbody use this technology to the fullest in the Philippines (of which a hundred are now using it and might be selling it via the black market) is on its march towards success. This techonology is what the world needs right now. The world has to free itself from it's dependence on fossil fuel, it has to free itself from the threats of global warming. Almighty Water is the solution for energy independence.

SLU ENTREPRENEURSHIP STUDENTS HELPS BAGUIO SOLVE GARBAGE PROBLEM

A Calamity that Can Be Avoided

The City of Pines was declared a calamity area last July 2008 due to people’s garbage mishandling and the local government’s garbage mismanagement. The Irisan Dumpsite where Baguio used to dump its garbage has been closed due to the demands of residents living within the vicinity. They have been subjected to health hazard due to foul smell caused by inconsiderate mishandling of garbage dumped within the the land fill. Piles of garbage were found everywhere you go within the vicinity of the city. It was like having the SARS virus scare again with people wearing gauze mask and handkerchief stuck to their noses to avoid smelling stinking garbage threatening them with diseases. Baguio for days was tagged as the “garbage capital” of the Philippines, a transformed city that used to be a paradise. Baguio had won four consecutive titles as the cleanest and greenest highly urbanized city in the 1990s, earning it the pioneer hall of fame title in its category.

There are approximately around 300,000 people living in Baguio, and still adding up. A city designed by its American founders for approximately 30,000 inhabitants to enjoy its cool climate and wonderful fauna, Baguio has transformed from a small city into a metropolis where races from different nations converge for education and business as well. Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of local and foreign tourist and students that flock to the city, tripling the population during its peak season. Increase in population proportionately increases the volume of garbage produced.
Unsegregated garbage has caused an alarming issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Baguio City’s image as the cleanest and greenest City in the Philippines have been tainted due to garbage mishandling. Baguio City spent around 12,000,000 pesos to 15,000,000 pesos a month last July and August and increased to 18,000,000 pesos a month from September and up to this writing, to deal with the increasing volume of garbage being produced by the city. Private haulers pick up garbage and brings it down to the Clark Integrated Waste Management Center at Capas, Tarlac for treatment and disposal. This system of garbage collection and disposal is draining the city’s budget. It should instead be used to set up more Materials Recovery Facility, or better yet, first support the Cluster L Cooperative MRF in Bakakeng Central and make it work more effective and efficient, it would be a good test before establishing more MRF stations in the city, or a centralized recycling plant for the city.

Team Bakakeng

Team Bakakeng, (Martin Armieston Bay-an, Darmina Juli, Jackson Fermin, Renie S. Poyaoan and Fitz Murphy Quintin) was formed as a requirement for the subject Entrepreneurship 12, Countryside Entrepreneurship Development, and as an outreach project (Adopt a Barangay) of the Young Entrepreneurship Society (Y.E.S.) under the class of Miss Marife Posadas, SLU MME Department Head. This project requires each team assigned in different barangays in Baguio and Benguet to discuss among the beneficiaries the essence of entrepreneurship as a means of developing the barangay through entrepreneurship. Team Bakakeng spent around 40 hours visiting their adopted barangay and learning the process of how a Materials Recovery Facility operates. Cluster L Cooperative which is composed of Barangays Balacbac,, Sto. Tomas and Bakakeng Central had been formed along with 17 other cluster barangays, to deal with the unending problem on garbage in Baguio City. Barangay Bakakeng Central, headed by Punong Barangay Alicia Pacsi Dizon, spearheaded the first Materials Recovery Facility by a Cluster Cooperative which is the first step in implementing a long due law that needs to be imposed in every barangay in the Philippines. Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, was signed into law on January 26, 2001. It is considered a broad-based and comprehensive approach to solid waste management. It involves segregation at source, segregated collection, storage, transfer, processing, treatment and disposal of solid waste.

Scheduled visits to Bakakeng Central Barangay and it’s Materials Recovery Facility, have taught the team the importance of exposing entrepreneurship students in developing the countryside as part of their training leading to social responsibility as future entrepreneurs . Frequent brain storming were conducted between the team and Punong Barangay Alicia P. Dizon regarding garbage issues. The Punong Barangay requested the team to assists Cluster L Cooperative in marketing its compost product and think of concepts regarding strategies in marketing and to come up with a brand name and logo design for its compost product.

In Our Own Small Ways The Materials Recovery Facility, operated at Barangay Bakakeng Central, is composed of 2 Rotary Happy Soil Composting Machine and a Hammer Mill that grinds biodegradable garbage. lt had been offered for demonstration purposes by a non-government organization and is now currently marketing Rich Earth Compost (brand name and logo design courtesy of the team). The team had been involved in the information dissemination drive of the cooperative regarding its vision and mission statement of ridding the barangay of garbage through segregation and proper waste management. The team printed flyers and posters that had been distributed in selected areas of the barangay. A letter sent by the team to Midland Courier was published and have caught the attention of Baguio’s populace. A tarpaulin sign designed by the team indicating Rich Earth Compost’s product launching set on the 25th of October was posted outside the Bakakeng Central’s barangay hall. Team Bakakeng and Rich Earth Compost participated during the Empowering Commercians through Research and Development trade fair and introducing Rich Earth Compost to Saint Louis University students and employees. Last October 25, 2008 Rich Earth Compost was finally launched in front of Bakakeng Central residents, barangay and city officials present during the general assembly of the barangay. Unfortunately, a power point presentation prepared by the team concerning garbage problem and MRF operation in Baguio and how an entrepreneurial approach could help a Materials Recovery Facility (M.R.F.) succeed was not presented due to lack of adequate facilities during the day of presentation. An extemporaneous presentation regarding garbage segregation, the cooperative and Republic Act 9003 as well as the launching of Rich Earth Compost was presented . Councilor Galo Weygan and Councilor Rocky Thomas Balisong personally acknowledged Saint Louis University’s involvement in helping with the drive against garbage problem in Baguio City.
As an institution with a vision to transform, Saint Louis University will continue supporting these kinds of endeavor. Its involvement in ridding Baguio from its unending problem on garbage will continue, a mission of transforming Baguio back as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines is well at hand.

* I wrote this article supposedly for publication in one of our school paper at the end of the first semester 2008, but I wonder what happened?

**** Almost 9 months have passed and yet the City government of Baguio is not acting that fast, not realizing the impending threat this problem might contribute to the city's status as the Summer Capital of the Philippines. I sense something fishy that it might be used by aspiring re-electionists for next year's election. It's just an opinion, though obvious as it is, the truth lyes on these premise.

AN ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH IN MANAGING A RECYCLING INDUSTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Ninety five percent of all solid waste is recyclable and a lot of these waste material, if handled properly and processed at a well managed recycling plant, can  be a lucrative source of profit and a means of deterring unemployment. Not only will it save virgin materials coming from environmental living flora and fauna, it also lessens the impact of the worsening condition of global warming. Recycling saves hectares of trees to be cut, it saves fuel and energy from extracting, processing and transporting virgin materials.

The recycling industry in the Philippines may be considered as a baby industry. As entrepreneurs, let us consider harnessing the positive inputs this situation can offer. Establish connections with entrepreneurs with the same logic in countries with a booming recycling industry, get recyclables-reusable materials at a very cheap price from countries that have problems with their solid waste, ship them to the ports of the Philippines where recycling plants awaits there processing and sorting.
Before entering into this field of industry, the would be entrepreneur should apply the basic entrepreneurial approach of surveying the area before establishing the recycling plant. An entrepreneur sees to it that government regulations both local and international should not be violated. He conducts the SPENT analysis - Social, Political, Environment, Natural Resources and

Technology approach. He identifies it's S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) and formulate strategies both for its internal and external analysis. He then chooses the best strategy and implements it for the immediate and functional operation of his planned venture.

Recycling is an industry that would be in demand in the next generations to come. It is being practiced in countries in Asia, the US and the European Union. The Philippines is not way behind when it comes to this kind of industry. What the Philippine government should do is to initiate and fund/grant would be entrepreneurs that would like to venture into this kind of endeavor.

Applying the essence of Republic act 9003, the government in cooperation with entrepreneurs and LGU's should think of ways that would enhance the establishment of more recycling industries within the boundaries of the Philippines. Alongside international sets of standards, pollution prevention and proper inspection of imported junks and solid wastes imported to the Philippines. Enhance recycling plants in the country and acquire both expertise and equiptments from abroad, envisioning within the company an entrepreneurial approach. Implementing such an approach would gear up this industry into a booming, in demand, job generating endeavor that would help in the economic upheaval of our nation.

It will be elections for the Philippines this coming 2010, and it would be proper for a third world country to consider a new set of government officials that would cater to the vision of current world leaders regarding trade and treatment of solid waste.

The recycling industry should be of main concern by aspiring politicians who aims to make good in their campaign trail towards an electorate victory. In fact, the Filipino electorate should mandate responsible individuals that would initiate and fight for a recycling industry right.

The recycling industry offers a variety of benefits that would definitely cater to millions of Filipinos through taxable economic activities during its operation. It will absolutely generate thousands of jobs that would deter the rise in local recession. Eradicate red tape and corruption within the system. Impose stiffer penalties regarding unwanted mismanagement that leads to the deterioration of the industry. Deploy people with accountabilities within sensitive positions that will lead towards industry verticalization and  diversification. Employ people having an intense urge for an entrepreneurial approach in running the industry. Tap the youth in filling up these positions, let them realize it’s their future being saved and served right now. Allow freedom of information on all laws, technology and details regarding environmental issues within the community.

As a member of the United Nations, the Philippines should try establishing connections with top recycling industries from existing and successful recycling companies from countries who practice a functional system of recycling.

Harness their knowledge and technology and ask for grants and funding from international financial institutions, such as the IMF, or better yet incorporate the bulky Pork Barrels of our rich congressmen and senators in establishing a succesful recycling plant.

Send deserving people to train in world recognized recycling institutions. Acquire state of the art machineries and equipment that would process solid waste into a reliable source of raw material. Practice Pollution Prevention methods while undergoing operations.

Establish recycling plants near ports for an easier access of solid waste raw material going in and out of Philippine shores. Practice Total Quality Management. Apply the principles of Six Sigma Approach in maintaining the smooth running condition and operation of the plant, spend for people who have to go acquire such an expensive, yet effective way of having a synergistic enterprise, having an almost zero defect operation.

The recycling industry is bound to be a must for every country to have, it is definitely indispensable. Entrepreneurs of today should try considering investing in this baby industry that has definitely a lot of purpose in maintaining the balance in the current global situation with regards to economy and the environment. It is just a matter of international relations through proper governance, community participation and mandate, environmental awareness and an intensified entrepreneurial approach for a recycling industry to function well. It might have a hard time coping up with its purposes at its conception, but the recycling industry has probable prospects of attaining success in these times of global change for a better tomorrow.
World population is increasing. That proportionately increases the volume of solid waste produced every minute. The earth is sick, and it needs immediate attention. Our children  and our generations to come will suffer from our faults, if we do not act fast. Let us realize the importance of a neglected industry. The recycling industry should be supported by all citizens. Supported by the state by implementing laws to its maximum and backing entrepreneurs using entrepreneurial strategies and operations. It is an industry that will inject the earth with its needed cure of ridding cancer brought about by global warming.

* This article is an excerpt from my reasearch study submitted to Professor Roberto Pidal of the Faculty of the College of Accountancy and Commerce, Entrepreneurship 14 (International Marketing).

ALMIGHTY WATER

Man, since the dawn of civilization, have harnessed the value and use of water, an essential and abundant resource found in every corners of the earth. Being an important factor in proliferating life on earth, water, having its properties 2 parts Hydrogen and 1 part Oxygen (H2O), almighty water could be harnessed as the future of pollution free earth. Its properties could be used to energize homes and industries that thirst for power. It is the true source of energy. Humanity has come to the point to save the planet before global warming takes over. And water is just the solution, it is God's greatest gift to man.It is a source of free energy, alongside the wind and the sun. It is all for him to enjoy and harness, lessening or possiblly ridding the use of fossil fuels, the culprits of global warming.

Way back in our high school days where we got to experience separating Hydrogen and Oxygen through experiments on electrolysis, we have concluded that it is possible, a proven fact that there is free energy in water. And those days offered no technology that everyone is enjoying now. There was no acessible internet then. The freedom of information was limited only to a few, communication was a barrier, not unlike now. A lot of electrolysis enthusiasts like us have been trying to enhance, such "costly" methods of creating energy out of water. And we are passionately doing innovations in this endeavor, humanity have to initiate, and do something to have a better future for our generations to come.

Hydrogen Oxygen Generataor (H.O.G.) is a fuel cell that produces HHO through, what else, electrolysis. HHO is 2 parts Hydrogen and 1 part oxygen(H2O). It is considered as the cheapest source of energy, where input of energy is lesser than the output of energy produced through the HOG 's system. We have experimented and monitored several mix to increase the production of the gas, and we have come upon a few mix that we have proven to enhance HHO production.

God willing we come up with our expectations and have it shared to humanity. World wide, people are into this simple science and alongside them, we share the common goal of helping the earth overcome global warming and minimize the use of fossil fuels.

Thinking of Me

Today, I had a talk with people whom I have known for years. They have thought me to reminisce the past as to what wrongs we have made during the past years of being them and being me then. I just realized that I have made the greatest move that somebody having a sane mind will do, building up your self for the future of not only for yourself but for each and everyone I dare to push up. God, Allah, Jehovah, or Devine Providence, call my Big Boss up there with whatever you want doesnt matter but I know that He had made the person who I am now, a changed person, someone who have transformed from being me then to being I now.

Living it up with Generation Y

It takes a lot of patience, understanding and a jive on hip-hop music to get along with millennials - people born during the eighties till 2000. Change really is inevitable. I still remember my old days during my first college days in the late 80’s and early 90’s when Entrepreneurial Management was termed Entrepreneurship on Small Scale Business Management (ESBM), of which my nerdy classmates then are the college professors now, no strings attached please.

It took me quite sometime to get along with my generation y peers, peers with regards to academic status of course and not of age. I learned a lot from my young friends, as they have learned too from my experience. Understanding them to the fullest would be hypocrisy on my part, but understanding them to a level of being them, seems to be justifiable. I learned how to be young both in mind and body. I may have an older frame, but I did cope up with whatever activities they indulged with, curricular and “extra curricular” to be specific. I have been teased, ridiculed and even humiliated during my two school years at my alma matter. But I haven’t been bothered and instead focused in accomplishing what I have started fifteen years ago, graduate from my bachelors degree and become, God willing, a successful Entrepreneur.
Undergoing entrepreneurial learning during this times of crisis had enabled me to be aware of the importance of entrepreneurship as a major solution to the increasing number of unemployment, countering the depleting situation of our current global economic situation. Indeed, entrepreneurship is not just a matter of business, it also signifies the hope for a better society, a challenge every entrepreneurial management student should prepare for. Hard times are yet to come due to the current global crisis and recession. I believe that entrepreneurs will play a lead role in deterring further damage brought about by this disaster.