President Benigno Aquino III (PNoy) delivered his first SONA today. The Filipino people are full of hope as all were intently listening to every word he said. It will be a real great challenge for President PNoy to rule this land. My encouragement to fellow citizens is for us to pray for the leaders of our country. Their hearts are in the hands of our Creator and may they act accordingly for the Philippines to finally move forward.

President Benigno Aquino III’s (PNoy’s) First State of the Nation Address (SONA) Full Transcript
Session Hall of the House of Representatives
July 26, 2010

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Vice President Jejomar Binay; Chief Justice Renato Corona; Former Presidents Fidel Valdez Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada; members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; distinguished members of the diplomatic corps; my fellow workers in government;
Mga minamahal kong kababayan:

Sa bawat sandali po ng pamamahala ay nahaharap tayo sa isang sangandaan.
Sa isang banda po ay ang pagpili para sa ikabubuti ng taumbayan. Ang pagtanaw sa interes ng nakakarami; ang pagkapit sa prinsipyo; at ang pagiging tapat sa sinumpaan nating tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan. Ito po ang tuwid na daan.
Sa kabilang banda ay ang pag-una sa pansariling interes. Ang pagpapaalipin sa pulitikal na konsiderasyon, at pagsasakripisyo ng kapakanan ng taumbayan. Ito po ang baluktot na daan.

GOV’T HAS LONG STRAYED TO THE CROOKED PATH
Matagal pong naligaw ang pamahalaan sa daang baluktot. Araw-araw po, lalong lumilinaw sa akin ang lawak ng problemang ating namana. Damang-dama ko ang bigat ng aking responsibilidad.

Sa unang tatlong linggo ng aming panunungkulan, marami po kaming natuklasan. Nais ko pong ipahayag sa inyo ang iilan lamang sa mga namana nating suliranin at ang ginagawa naming hakbang para lutasin ang mga ito.

RP’S PROBLEMS WIDE-RANGING; TRUE STATE OF THE NATION KEPT SECRET FROM THE PUBLIC
Sulyap lamang po ito; hindi pa ito ang lahat ng problemang haharapin natin. Inilihim at sadyang iniligaw ang sambayanan sa totoong kalagayan ng ating bansa.

PROBLEMA SA BUDGET

Sa unang anim na buwan ng taon, mas malaki ang ginastos ng gobyerno kaysa sa pumasok na kita. Lalong lumaki ang deficit natin, na umakyat na sa 196.7 billion pesos. Sa target na kuleksyon, kinapos tayo ng 23.8 billion pesos; ang tinataya namang gastos, nalagpasan natin ng 45.1 billion pesos.
Ang budget po sa 2010 ay 1.54 trillion pesos.

Nasa isandaang bilyong piso o anim at kalahating porsyento na lang ng kabuuan ang malaya nating magagamit para sa nalalabing anim na buwan ng taong ito.
Halos isang porsyento na lang po ng kabuuang budget ang natitira para sa bawat buwan.
Saan naman po dinala ang pera?

CALAMITY FUND
Naglaan ng dalawang bilyong piso na Calamity Fund bilang paghahanda para sa mga kalamidad na hindi pa nangyayari. Napakaliit na nga po ng pondong ito, ngunit kapapasok pa lang natin sa panahon ng baha at bagyo, 1.4 billion pesos o sitenta porsyento na ang nagastos.
Sa kabuuan ng 108 million pesos para sa lalawigan ng Pampanga, 105 million pesos nito ay napunta sa iisang distrito lamang.

ONE DISTRICT IN PAMPANGA GOT P105M; PANGASINAN ONLY GOT P5M FOR 2008 CALAMITY
Samantala, ang lalawigan ng Pangasinan na sinalanta ng Pepeng ay nakatanggap ng limang milyong piso lamang para sa pinsalang idinulot ng bagyong Cosme, na nangyari noong 2008 pa.

FUNDS FOR PAMPANGA GIVEN ON ELECTION MONTH, 7 MOS. AFTER “ONDOY”, “PEPENG”
Ibinigay po ang pondo ng Pampanga sa buwan ng eleksyon, pitong buwan pagkatapos ng Ondoy at Pepeng. Paano kung bumagyo bukas? Inubos na ang pondo nito para sa bagyong nangyari noong isang taon pa. Pagbabayaran ng kinabukasan ang kasakiman ng nakaraan.

MWSS
Ganyan din po ang nangyari sa pondo ng MWSS. Kamakailan lamang, pumipila ang mga tao para lang makakuha ng tubig. Sa kabila nito, minabuti pa ng liderato ng MWSS na magbigay ng gantimpala sa sarili kahit hindi pa nababayaran ang pensyon ng mga retiradong empleyado.

Noong 2009, ang buong payroll ng MWSS ay 51.4 million pesos. Pero hindi lang naman po ito ang sahod nila; may mga additional allowances at benefits pa sila na aabot sa 160.1 million pesos. Sa madaling sabi, nakatanggap sila ng 211.5 million pesos noong nakaraang taon. Beinte-kuwatro porsyento lang nito ang normal na sahod, at sitenta’y sais porsyento ang dagdag.

Ang karaniwang manggagawa hanggang 13th month pay plus cash gift lang ang nakukuha. Sa MWSS, aabot sa katumbas ng mahigit sa tatlumpung buwan ang sahod kasama na ang lahat ng mga bonuses at allowances na nakuha nila.
Mas matindi po ang natuklasan natin sa pasahod ng kanilang Board of Trustees. Tingnan po natin ang mga allowances na tinatanggap nila:

Umupo ka lang sa Board of Trustees at Board Committee meeting, katorse mil na. Aabot ng nobenta’y otso mil ito kada buwan. May grocery incentive pa sila na otsenta mil kada taon.

Hindi lang iyon: may mid-year bonus, productivity bonus, anniversary bonus, year-end bonus, at Financial Assistance. May Christmas bonus na, may Additional Christmas Package pa. Kada isa sa mga ito, nobenta’y otso mil. Sa suma total po, aabot ang lahat ng dalawa’t kalahating milyong piso kada taon sa bawat miyembro ng Board maliban sa pakotse, technical assistance, at pautang. Uulitin ko po. Lahat ng ito ay ibinibigay nila sa kanilang mga sarili habang hindi pa nababayaran ang mga pensyon ng kanilang mga retirees.

Pati po ang La Mesa Watershed ay hindi nila pinatawad. Para magkaroon ng tamang supply ng tubig, kailangang alagaan ang mga watershed. Sa watershed, puno ang kailangan. Pati po iyon na dapat puno ang nakatayo, tinayuan nila ng bahay para sa matataas na opisyal ng MWSS.

Hindi naman sila agad maaalis sa puwesto dahil kabilang sila sa mga Midnight Appointees ni dating Pangulong Arroyo. Iniimbestigahan na natin ang lahat nang ito. Kung mayroon pa silang kahit kaunting hiya na natitira – sana kusa na lang silang magbitiw sa puwesto.

ROAD USERS’ FUND
Pag-usapan naman po natin ang pondo para sa imprastruktura. Tumukoy ang DPWH ng dalawandaan apatnapu’t anim na priority safety projects na popondohan ng Motor Vehicle Users Charge. Mangangailangan po ito ng budget na 425 million pesos.

Ang pinondohan po, dalawampu’t walong proyekto lang. Kinalimutan po ang dalawandaan at labing walong proyekto at pinalitan ng pitumpung proyekto na wala naman sa plano. Ang hininging 425 million pesos, naging 480 million pesos pa, lumaki lalo dahil sa mga proyektong sa piling-piling mga benepisyaryo lang napunta.

Mga proyekto po itong walang saysay, hindi pinag-aralan at hindi pinaghandaan, kaya parang kabuteng sumusulpot.
Tapos na po ang panahon para dito. Sa administrasyon po natin, walang kota-kota, walang tongpats, ang pera ng taumbayan ay gagastusin para sa taumbayan lamang.

NEGOTIATED CONTRACTS
Meron pa po tayong natuklasan. Limang araw bago matapos ang termino ng nakaraang administrasyon, nagpautos silang maglabas ng 3.5 billion pesos para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga nasalanta nina Ondoy at Pepeng.
Walumpu’t anim na proyekto ang paglalaanan dapat nito na hindi na sana idadaan sa public bidding. Labingsiyam sa mga ito na nagkakahalaga ng 981 million pesos ang muntik nang makalusot. Hindi pa nailalabas ang Special Allotment Release Order ay pirmado na ang mga kontrata.
Buti na lang po ay natuklasan at pinigilan ito ni Secretary Rogelio Singson ng DPWH. Ngayon po ay dadaan na ang kabuuan ng 3.5 billion pesos sa tapat na bidding, at magagamit na ang pondo na ito sa pagbibigay ng lingap sa mga nawalan ng tahanan dahil kina Ondoy at Pepeng.

NAPOCOR
Pag-usapan naman natin ang nangyari sa NAPOCOR. Noong 2001 hanggang 2004, pinilit ng gobyerno ang NAPOCOR na magbenta ng kuryente nang palugi para hindi tumaas ang presyo. Tila ang dahilan: pinaghahandaan na nila ang eleksyon.

Dahil dito, noong 2004, sumagad ang pagkakabaon sa utang ng NAPOCOR. Napilitan ang pambansang gobyerno na sagutin ang dalawandaang bilyong pisong utang nito.
Ang inakala ng taumbayan na natipid nila sa kuryente ay binabayaran din natin mula sa kaban ng bayan. May gastos na tayo sa kuryente, binabayaran pa natin ang dagdag na pagkakautang ng gobyerno.
Kung naging matino ang pag-utang, sana’y nadagdagan ang ating kasiguruhan sa supply ng kuryente. Pero ang desisyon ay ibinatay sa maling pulitika, at hindi sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan. Ang taumbayan, matapos pinagsakripisyo ay lalo pang pinahirapan.

MRT
Ganito rin po ang nangyari sa MRT. Sinubukan na namang bilhin ang ating pagmamahal. Pinilit ang operator na panatilihing mababa ang pamasahe.
Hindi tuloy nagampanan ang garantiyang ibinigay sa operator na mababawi nila ang kanilang puhunan. Dahil dito, inutusan ang Landbank at Development Bank of the Philippines na bilhin ang MRT.
Ang pera ng taumbayan, ipinagpalit sa isang naluluging operasyon.

NFA
Dumako naman po tayo sa pondo ng NFA.
Noong 2004: 117,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply ng Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 900,000 metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit pitong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra pa rin ang binili nila.
Noong 2007: 589,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply sa Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 1.827 million metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit tatlong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra na naman ang binili nila.
Ang masakit nito, dahil sobra-sobra ang binibili nila taun-taon, nabubulok lang pala sa mga kamalig ang bigas, kagaya ng nangyari noong 2008.

Hindi po ba krimen ito, na hinahayaan nilang mabulok ang bigas, sa kabila ng apat na milyong Pilipinong hindi kumakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw?

Ang resulta nito, umabot na sa 171.6 billion pesos ang utang ng NFA noong Mayo ng taong ito.
Ang tinapon na ito, halos puwede na sanang pondohan ang mga sumusunod:
Ang budget ng buong Hudikatura, na 12.7 billion pesos sa taong ito.
Ang Conditional Cash Transfers para sa susunod na taon, na nagkakahalaga ng 29.6 billion pesos.
Ang lahat ng classroom na kailangan ng ating bansa, na nagkakahalaga ng 130 billion pesos.
Kasuklam-suklam ang kalakarang ito. Pera na, naging bato pa.

ZERO BUDGET
Narinig po ninyo kung paano nilustay ang kaban ng bayan. Ang malinaw po sa ngayon: ang anumang pagbabago ay magmumula sa pagsiguro natin na magwawakas na ang pagiging maluho at pagwawaldas.

Kaya nga po mula ngayon: ititigil na natin ang paglulustay sa salapi ng bayan. Tatanggalin natin ang mga proyektong mali.

Ito po ang punto ng tinatawag nating zero-based approach sa ating budget. Ang naging kalakaran po, taun-taon ay inuulit lamang ang budget na puno ng tagas. Dadagdagan lang nang konti, puwede na.
Sa susunod na buwan ay maghahain tayo ng budget na kumikilala nang tama sa mga problema, at magtutuon din ng pansin sa tamang solusyon.

IMMEDIATE STEPS
TAX EVASION
Ilan lang ito sa mga natuklasan nating problema. Heto naman po ang ilang halimbawa ng mga hakbang na ginagawa natin.
Nandiyan po ang kaso ng isang may-ari ng sanglaan. Bumili siya ng sasakyang tinatayang nasa dalawampu’t anim na milyong piso ang halaga.
Kung kaya mong bumili ng Lamborghini, bakit hindi mo kayang magbayad ng buwis?
Nasampahan na po ito ng kaso. Sa pangunguna nina Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares at Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez, bawat linggo po ay may bago tayong kasong isinasampa kontra sa mga smuggler at sa mga hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis.

EXTRALEGAL KILLINGS
Natukoy na rin po ang salarin sa mga kaso nina Francisco Baldomero, Jose Daguio at Miguel Belen, tatlo sa anim na insidente ng extralegal killings mula nang umupo tayo.

Singkuwenta porsyento po ng mga insidente ng extralegal killings ang patungo na sa kanilang resolusyon.
Ang natitira pong kalahati ay hindi natin tatantanan ang pag-usig hanggang makamit ang katarungan.

TRUTH COMMISSION
Pananagutin natin ang mga mamamatay-tao. Pananagutin din natin ang mga corrupt sa gobyerno.
Nagsimula nang mabuo ang ating Truth Commission, sa pangunguna ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide. Hahanapin natin ang katotohanan sa mga nangyari diumanong katiwalian noong nakaraang siyam na taon.
Sa loob ng linggong ito, pipirmahan ko ang kauna-unahang Executive Order na nagtatalaga sa pagbuo nitong Truth Commission.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
Kung ang sagot sa kawalan ng katarungan ay pananagutan, ang sagot naman sa kakulangan natin sa pondo ay mga makabago at malikhaing paraan para tugunan ang mga pagkatagal-tagal nang problema.

Napakarami po ng ating pangangailangan: mula sa edukasyon, imprastruktura, pangkalusugan, pangangailangan ng militar at kapulisan, at marami pang iba. Hindi kakasya ang pondo para mapunan ang lahat ng ito.
Kahit gaano po kalaki ang kakulangan para mapunan ang mga listahan ng ating pangangailangan, ganado pa rin ako dahil marami nang nagpakita ng panibagong interes at kumpyansa sa Pilipinas.

Ito ang magiging solusyon: mga Public-Private Partnerships. Kahit wala pa pong pirmahang nangyayari dito, masasabi kong maganda ang magiging bunga ng maraming usapin ukol dito.

May mga nagpakita na po ng interes, gustong magtayo ng expressway na mula Maynila, tatahak ng Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, hanggang sa dulo ng Cagayan Valley nang hindi gugugol ang estado kahit na po piso.
Sa larangan ng ating Sandatahang Lakas:

Mayroon po tayong 36,000 nautical miles ng baybayin. Ang mayroon lamang tayo: tatlumpu’t dalawang barko. Itong mga barkong ito, panahon pa ni MacArthur.

May nagmungkahi sa atin, ito ang proposisyon: uupahan po nila ang headquarters ng Navy sa Roxas Boulevard at ang Naval Station sa Fort Bonifacio.

Sagot po nila ang paglipat ng Navy Headquarters sa Camp Aguinaldo. Agaran, bibigyan tayo ng isandaang milyong dolyar. At dagdag pa sa lahat nang iyan, magsusubi pa sila sa atin ng kita mula sa mga negosyong itatayo nila sa uupahan nilang lupa.

Sa madali pong sabi: Makukuha natin ang kailangan natin, hindi tatayo gagastos, kikita pa tayo.
Marami na pong nag-alok at nagmungkahi sa atin, mula lokal hanggang dayuhang negosyante, na magpuno ng iba’t ibang pangangailangan.

Mula sa mga public-private partnerships na ito, lalago ang ating ekonomiya, at bawat Pilipino makikinabang. Napakaraming sektor na matutulungan nito.

Maipapatayo na po ang imprastrukturang kailangan natin para palaguin ang turismo.
Sa agrikultura, makapagtatayo na tayo ng mga grains terminals, refrigeration facilities, maayos na road networks at post-harvest facilities.

Kung maisasaayos natin ang ating food supply chain sa tulong ng pribadong sektor, sa halip na mag-angkat tayo ay maari na sana tayong mangarap na mag-supply sa pandaigdigang merkado.

Kung maitatayo ang minumungkahi sa ating railway system, bababa ang presyo ng bilihin. Mas mura, mas mabilis, mas maginhawa, at makakaiwas pa sa kotong cops at mga kumokotong na rebelde ang mga bumibiyahe.

STREAMLINING PROCESSES
Paalala lang po: una sa ating plataporma ang paglikha ng mga trabaho, at nanggagaling ang trabaho sa paglago ng industriya. Lalago lamang ang industriya kung gagawin nating mas malinis, mas mabilis, at mas maginhawa ang proseso para sa mga gustong magnegosyo.

Pabibilisin natin ang proseso ng mga proyektong sumasailalim sa Build-Operate-Transfer. Sa tulong ng lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno at ng mga mamamayan, pabababain natin sa anim na buwan ang proseso na noon ay inaabot ng taon kung hindi dekada.

May mga hakbang na rin pong sinisimulan ang DTI, sa pamumuno ni Secretary Gregory Domingo:
Ang walang-katapusang pabalik-balik sa proseso ng pagrehistro ng pangalan ng kumpanya, na kada dalaw ay umaabot ng apat hanggang walong oras, ibababa na natin sa labinlimang minuto.

Ang dating listahan ng tatlumpu’t anim na dokumento, ibababa natin sa anim. Ang dating walong pahinang application form, ibababa natin sa isang pahina.

Nananawagan ako sa ating mga LGUs. Habang naghahanap tayo ng paraan para gawing mas mabilis ang pagbubukas ng mga negosyo, pag-aralan din sana nila ang kanilang mga proseso. Kailangan itong gawing mas mabilis, at kailangan itong itugma sa mga sinisumulan nating reporma.

Negosyante, sundalo, rebelde, at karaniwang Pilipino, lahat po makikinabang dito. Basta po hindi dehado ang Pilipino, papasukin po natin lahat iyan. Kailangan na po nating simulan ang pagtutulungan para makamit ito. Huwag nating pahirapan ang isa’t isa.

Parating na po ang panahon na hindi na natin kailangang mamili sa pagitan ng seguridad ng ating mamamayan o sa kinabukasan ng inyong mga anak.

FREEING UP FUNDS
EDUCATION
Oras na maipatupad ang public-private partnerships na ito, mapopondohan ang mga serbisyong panlipunan, alinsunod sa ating plataporma.

Magkakapondo na po para maipatupad ang mga plano natin sa edukasyon.
Mapapalawak natin ang basic education cycle mula sa napakaikling sampung taon tungo sa global standard na labindalawang taon.

Madadagdagan natin ang mga classroom. Mapopondohan natin ang service contracting sa ilalim ng GASTPE.
Pati ang conditional cash transfers, na magbabawas ng pabigat sa bulsa ng mga pamilya, madadagdan na rin ng pondo.

PHILHEALTH
Maipapatupad ang plano natin sa PhilHealth.
Una, tutukuyin natin ang tunay na bilang ng mga nangangailangan nito. Sa ngayon, hindi magkakatugma ang datos. Sabi ng PhilHealth sa isang bibig, walumpu’t pitong porsyento na raw ang merong coverage. Sa kabilang bibig naman, singkuwenta’y tres porsyento naman. Ayon naman sa National Statistics Office, tatlumpu’t walong porsyento ang may coverage.
Ngayon pa lang, kumikilos na si Secretary Dinky Soliman at ang DSWD upang ipatupad ang National Household Targetting System, na magtutukoy sa mga pamilyang higit na nagangailangan ng tulong. Tinatayang siyam na bilyon ang kailangan para mabigyan ng PhilHealth ang limang milyong pinakamaralitang pamilyang Pilipino.

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Napakaganda po ng hinaharap natin. Kasama na po natin ang pribadong sektor, at kasama na rin natin ang League of Provinces, sa pangunguna nina Governor Alfonso Umali kasama sina Governor L-Ray Villafuerte at Governor Icot Petilla. Handa na pong makipagtulungan para makibahagi sa pagtustos ng mga gastusin. Alam ko rin pong hindi magpapahuli ang League of Cities sa pangunguna ni Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

Kung ang mga gobyernong lokal ay nakikiramay na sa ating mga adhikain, ang Kongreso namang pinanggalingan ko, siguro naman maasahan ko din.

Nagpakitang-gilas na po ang gabinete sa pagtukoy ng ating mga problema at sa paglulunsad ng mga solusyon sa loob lamang ng tatlong linggo.

Nang bagyo pong Basyang, ang sabi sa atin ng mga may prangkisa sa kuryente, apat na araw na walang kuryente. Dahil sa mabilis na pagkilos ni Secretary Rene Almendras at ng Department of Energy, naibalik ang kuryente sa halos lahat sa loob lamang ng beinte-kwatro oras.

Ito pong sinasabing kakulangan sa tubig sa Metro Manila, kinilusan agad ni Secretary Rogelio Singson at ng DPWH. Hindi na siya naghintay ng utos, kaya nabawasan ang perwisyo.

Nakita na rin natin ang gilas ng mga hinirang nating makatulong sa Gabinete. Makatuwiran naman po sigurong umasa na hindi na sila padadaanin sa butas ng karayom para makumpirma ng Commission on Appointments. Kung mangyayari po ito, marami pa sa mga mahuhusay na Pilipino ang maeengganyong magsilbi sa gobyerno.

Sa lalong madaling panahon po, uupo na tayo sa LEDAC at pag-uusapan ang mga mahahalagang batas na kailangan nating ipasa. Makakaasa kayo na mananatiling bukas ang aking isipan, at ang ating ugnayan ay mananatiling tapat.

Isinusulong po natin ang Fiscal Responsibility Bill, kung saan hindi tayo magpapasa ng batas na mangangailangan ng pondo kung hindi pa natukoy ang panggagalingan nito. May 104.1 billion pesos tayong kailangan para pondohan ang mga batas na naipasa na, ngunit hindi maipatupad.

Kailangan din nating isaayos ang mga insentibong piskal na ibinigay noong nakaraan. Ngayong naghihigpit tayo ng sinturon, kailangang balikan kung alin sa mga ito ang dapat manatili at kung ano ang dapat nang itigil.

Huwag po tayong pumayag na magkaroon ng isa pang NBN-ZTE. Sa lokal man o dayuhan manggagaling ang pondo, dapat dumaan ito sa tamang proseso. Hinihingi ko po ang tulong ninyo upang amiyendahan ang ating Procurement Law.
Ayon po sa Saligang Batas, tungkulin ng estado ang siguruhing walang lamangan sa merkado. Bawal ang monopolya, bawal ang mga cartel na sasakal sa kumpetisyon. Kailangan po natin ng isang Anti-Trust Law na magbibigay-buhay sa mga prinsipyong ito. Ito ang magbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga Small- at Medium-scale Enterprises na makilahok at tumulong sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya.

Ipasa na po natin ang National Land Use Bill.
Una rin pong naging batas ng Commonwealth ang National Defense Act, na ipinasa noon pang 1935. Kailangan nang palitan ito ng batas na tutugon sa pangangailangan ng pambansang seguridad sa kasalukuyan.

Nakikiusap po akong isulong ang Whistleblower’s Bill upang patuloy nang iwaksi ang kultura ng takot at pananahimik.
Palalakasin pa lalo ang Witness Protection Program. Alalahanin po natin na noong taong 2009 hanggang 2010, may nahatulan sa 95% ng mga kaso kung saan may witness na sumailalim sa programang ito.

Kailangang repasuhin ang ating mga batas. Nanawagan po akong umpisahan na ang rekodipikasyon ng ating mga batas, upang siguruhing magkakatugma sila at hindi salu-salungat.

PEACE PROCESS
Ito pong mga batas na ito ang batayan ng kaayusan, ngunit ang pundasyon ng lahat ng ginagawa natin ay ang prinsipyong wala tayong mararating kung walang kapayapaan at katahimikan.
Dalawa ang hinaharap nating suliranin sa usapin ng kapayapaan: ang situwasyon sa Mindanao, at ang patuloy na pag-aaklas ng CPP-NPA-NDF.

Tungkol sa situwasyon sa Mindanao: Hindi po nagbabago ang ating pananaw. Mararating lamang ang kapayapaan at katahimikan kung mag-uusap ang lahat ng apektado: Moro, Lumad, at Kristiyano. Inatasan na natin si Dean Marvic Leonen na mangasiwa sa ginagawa nating pakikipag-usap sa MILF.

Iiwasan natin ang mga pagkakamaling nangyari sa nakaraang administrasyon, kung saan binulaga na lang ang mga mamamayan ng Mindanao. Hindi tayo puwedeng magbulag-bulagan sa mga dudang may kulay ng pulitika ang proseso, at hindi ang kapakanan ng taumbayan ang tanging interes.

Kinikilala natin ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ng MILF sa pamamagitan ng pagdidisplina sa kanilang hanay. Inaasahan natin na muling magsisimula ang negosasyon pagkatapos ng Ramadan.

Tungkol naman po sa CPP-NPA-NDF: handa na ba kayong maglaan ng kongkretong mungkahi, sa halip na pawang batikos lamang?

Kung kapayapaan din ang hangad ninyo, handa po kami sa malawakang tigil-putukan. Mag-usap tayo.
Mahirap magsimula ang usapan habang mayroon pang amoy ng pulbura sa hangin. Nananawagan ako: huwag po natin hayaang masayang ang napakagandang pagkakataong ito upang magtipon sa ilalim ng iisang adhikain.

Kapayapaan at katahimikan po ang pundasyon ng kaunlaran. Habang nagpapatuloy ang barilan, patuloy din ang pagkakagapos natin sa kahirapan.

PANAWAGAN
Dapat din po nating mabatid: ito ay panahon ng sakripisyo. At ang sakripisyong ito ay magiging puhunan para sa ating kinabukasan. Kaakibat ng ating mga karapatan at kalayaan ay ang tungkulin natin sa kapwa at sa bayan.
Inaasahan ko po ang ating mga kaibigan sa media, lalo na sa radyo at sa print, sa mga nagbablock-time, at sa community newspapers, kayo na po mismo ang magbantay sa inyong hanay.

Mabigyang-buhay sana ang mga batayang prinsipyo ng inyong bokasyon: ang magbigay-linaw sa mahahalagang isyu; ang maging patas at makatotohanan, at ang itaas ang antas ng pampublikong diskurso.

Tungkulin po ng bawat Pilipino na tutukan ang mga pinunong tayo rin naman ang nagluklok sa puwesto. Humakbang mula sa pakikialam tungo sa pakikilahok. Dahil ang nakikialam, walang-hanggan ang reklamo. Ang nakikilahok, nakikibahagi sa solusyon.

Napakatagal na pong namamayani ang pananaw na ang susi sa asenso ay ang intindihin ang sarili kaysa intindihin ang kapwa. Malinaw po sa akin: paano tayo aasenso habang nilalamangan ang kapwa?

Ang hindi nabigyan ng pagkakataong mag-aral, paanong makakakuha ng trabaho? Kung walang trabaho, paanong magiging konsumer? Paanong mag-iimpok sa bangko?

Ngunit kung babaliktarin natin ang pananaw-kung iisipin nating “Dadagdagan ko ang kakayahan ng aking kapwa”-magbubunga po ito, at ang lahat ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataon.

Maganda na po ang nasimulan natin. At mas lalong maganda po ang mararating natin. Ngunit huwag nating kalimutan na mayroong mga nagnanasang hindi tayo magtagumpay. Dahil kapag hindi tayo nagtagumpay, makakabalik na naman sila sa kapangyarihan, at sa pagsasamantala sa taumbayan.

Akin pong paniwala na Diyos at taumbayan ang nagdala sa ating kinalalagyan ngayon. Habang nakatutok tayo sa kapakanan ng ating kapwa, bendisyon at patnubay ay tiyak na maaasahan natin sa Poong Maykapal. At kapag nanalig tayo na ang kasangga natin ay ang Diyos, mayroon ba tayong hindi kakayanin?

Ang mandato nating nakuha sa huling eleksyon ay patunay na umaasa pa rin ang Pilipino sa pagbabago. Iba na talaga ang situwasyon. Puwede na muling mangarap. Tayo nang tumungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pinangarap.
Maraming salamat po.

I love seeing my husband and son bond during bedtime, just before we say our family devotion. Our son loves being read to. Yes, even now that he knows how to read himself. He does read by himself during day time.  But now at 5, he either reads with us or prefers to be read to. A habit he got used to.

This is where my collection of electronics become really handy. Children grow up so fast that we have got to capture moments like this from time to time. My husband was reading through chapters 11 and 12 of Judges. At first, I got really shocked of his chosen book. That book can get gory, especially so that it was about Jephthah’s vow. Yikes! I was relieved that even as attentive as our son is during the Bible story reading, he didn’t ask a lot about it.

The story of Jephthah’s Vow is intense. Even given the fact that there is so much historical difference between our present culture and that of the Old Testament, it’s still something I find too intense. The topic is a very controversial one. But I’m glad that the Bible tells it as it is. It is interesting to note though that Jephthah is included in the Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11:32).

Our son is now familiar with a lot of stories in the Bible. Especially so that our current homeschool program incorporates Bible Reading as one of its subjects. His other subjects are Animal Science, Word Building and Math. You can read more about our homeschool journey via ChristianHomeschooler.info.

Marriage and Beyond’s favorite bookshop, OMF Lit will be celebrating its  grand opening of the new OMF Lit Bookshop at the Ground Floor Main Mall (near SM Supermarket), SM City Pampanga on July 24, Saturday, 4PM

Enjoy live music, good company, and inspiring books at a 20% discount. For RSVP, please call 531.6635 local 308 or email Events@OMFLit.com.

This weather disturbance might not have been as wrathful as Ondoy but it sure did some crazy tantrums as Cyclone Basyang killed 53 people to date. As much as our family is looking forward for the dry spell (El Niño) to end, we still cannot help but be weary over the coming typhoons that are set before us, as predicted by PAG-ASA, our country’s official weather forecasting arm.  We have been praying that there will be no more repeat of what transpired during typhoon Ondoy. Even our little guy went asking during the times that it rained hard after Ondoy if we’re going to get flooded again.

When Cyclone Basyang (International name: Conson) hit the land last Tuesday evening, we were practically caught off guard. Although news did say that there will be an upcoming typhoon of sorts, it was not supposed to have a landfall anywhere close to the Metro.  The wind went a-howling like crazy last Tuesday night and the roofs all over our neighborhood were having a frightening ensemble that threatens to do a wild flying episode for its climax.  

The power going off an hour or so later just about told us that Cyclone Basyang has taken its toll.  The wind was consistent as it howled violently. It almost sounded like a monster movie was being filmed somewhere close. But we cannot keep the windows open because it was also raining hard. There was one thing we were thankful though. This weather disturbance was more of a windy episode (a crazy one at that) more than a rainy one. The Ondoy flooding was really traumatic for all of us.

A couple of hours of sleep, at the most, was what the hubby and I had. I was a zombie all day and there was no news that electricity will be back up anytime soon.  Electronics all went low battery after a while. There goes my work piling up by the hour. There was no vacancy at the nearest budget hotel too. People are flocking the hotels for refuge because of the power outage. We then decided to go to Cubao instead and check in that night.

Despite the rage of the weather, our little guy made sure we still had fun as we resolved to treat the displacement an adventure and to still count our blessings.  I will be posting more on what happened the next days as we went about our routine and as we resumed our homeschool class in the garage. Thankfully, power became stable on the third day.

]]> http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2010/07/18/crazy-week-brought-to-us-by-cyclone-basyang/feed/ 0 http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2010/07/17/mmda-color-coding-and-helpful-tips-for-motorists/ http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2010/07/17/mmda-color-coding-and-helpful-tips-for-motorists/#comments Sat, 17 Jul 2010 04:27:35 +0000 Jennie http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/?p=6046 Thanks to the LTO Facebook Fanpage for these Color (Number) Coding Tips that motorists all over the metro can make use of.   We thought we’d have this posted to help our readers as well know of these “basic” MMDA/LTO rules we have to comply with. 1. No window hours: Makati, Malabon and Las Pinas. Number [...]]]>

Thanks to the LTO Facebook Fanpage for these Color (Number) Coding Tips that motorists all over the metro can make use of.   We thought we’d have this posted to help our readers as well know of these “basic” MMDA/LTO rules we have to comply with.

1. No window hours: Makati, Malabon and Las Pinas. Number Coding is in effect from 7 am to 7 pm!

2. No number coding: Taguig, Marikina and Paranaque. So, feel free to roam around these cities anytime.

3. Pasig City has window hours of 9 am to 4 pm (note the 1 hour additional to the normal 10 am-3 pm window).

4. San Juan has window hours now according to MMDA website.

5. Pasay City is implementing Number Coding except on the following roads: Ninoy Aquino Avenue, MIA Road, Domestic Road, Portions of Airport Road, Sales Road, Tramo.

6. EDSA, C5, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, Roxas Blvd (Pasay) have window hours regardless of the city (meaning one can drive via EDSA in Makati any day).

7. For the rest of Metro Manila (Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, parts of Pasay, Pateros, Quezon City, Taguig, and Valenzuela) number coding is in effect (window hours of 10 am-3 pm is also observed).

8. MMDA officers are not allowed to group together in order to apprehend. They are not even allowed to stand together in groups of 2 or more. The only time they are allowed to work together is for special operations (probably when they apprehend groups of buses for smoke belching)

9. Swerving IS NOT a traffic violation. Moving one lane to the left or right is not swerving, no matter where on the road you do it. And it is even less of a violation when you do it with a signal. Swerving is defined as shifting 2 or more lanes very quickly. So you can argue your way out of this, and call the Metro Base for help.

10. Sadly, using the yellow lane is a traffic violation and will get you a ticket. However, buses are really not allowed to go out of the yellow lane, so if you see selective apprehension of private cars only, you may complain.

11. MMDA has confirmed that your license MAY NOT BE CONFISCATED at a traffic apprehension. The only time they can do so is if you are part of an accident, or it is your third violation and you have not settled your fines yet. They are only allowed to give you a ticket, which you can contest. He recommends actually receiving the ticket in some instances, so that you can report the officer who did it.

12. Also, you are free to ask any of these officers for their “mission order”, which is written by their supervisor. If they apprehend you for a violation that is not in their mission order for the day, you can report them and they will receive disciplinary action.

If any of these abuses seem familiar to you, Mr. Pagulayan has asked that you call either the MMDA hotline (136) or call the METRO BASE at 0920-938-9861 or 0920-938-9875 and ask for an inspectorate. They will send inspectors to the place where these MMDA officers are extorting, even while you are arguing out of your apprehension.

These are the winning comments from the Share Your Management Tips and Win a Watch from Kids Watch Central: (in no particular order).

Snow:

One of the most important thing I learned from my parents is the Value of Time. I proud to say I’m always been a recipient of “Most Prompt/Punctual Student/ Employee”… lols. this is also one of my kids’ achivements as well…
And now I’m a SAHM to my 5 and 7y/o kids, my hubby is an OFW. I don’t have yaya/ maid or driver.. Everything should be organized. I always tell my kids that if you don’t know the importance of time, you won’t accomplish anything.

At an early age, I teach them to appreciate and enjoy time as well.

At home, we are so busy, yet enjoying doing our own assigned responsbilities/tasks… Weekdays, from school, as soon as they get home, they have a 15 minute rest. Then, a hour and 30 mins. to do and finish all their assignments. Then snacks for 30 mins., and an hour of playtime/ watching tv etc… Then finally do their assigned chore/s.

Every Friday, we always have a family meeting, to set a schedule for the coming week… We plan, organize and place it in our family calendar. Every activity/ event that we need to attend to, my kids knows how to prepare beforehand. Being Late is not an excuse… Being On time will give you an edge…

Every second is so precious for us. I can say that we truly accomplish a lot with the daily time schedule we follow.

Sheila Anne:

Being a 24/7 mom is a tough job. I’m a single mom to a 7y/o lovely daughter. I work as a Call Center Agent, My schedule is always in graveyard shift, 9pm-6am. I usually get home by 7am.

As soon as I arrive home my daughter is waiting for me at the living room, we chat while we prepare breakfast. Then, her chore is to wash dishes, then I would take a nap for about 2 hours. By 1030am, will start preparing for her school baon, then check her school stuff etc.. As her schedule is from 12nn-5pm. As soon as her school bus fetch her, I would cook food for our dinner and lunch the next day… Then will have some shut eye for few hours.

6pm, she would arrive from school, take some rest for about 30mins. then start doing her school projects/ assignments etc… And would assist her if needed.

By 730pm, we will eat dinner together. This is also the time my sister will be coming over for the night (always ), to sleep with my daughter. Then by 8:15, I would prepare for my work…

Weekends, it’s my rest days ..We already have plans on what things we’ll do for our Bonding Time!! We would go shopping/ grocery, watch a movie, eat out. Or just simply stay home, do some house cleaning, have some food delivery, sleep, sleep, sleep

That is our usual routine everyday… We totally enjoy each other’s time, as we help and designate each other’s tasks. We would organize and plan everything out. We talk it out, so that there will be Time Wastage

All I can say that we accomplish somehow the things we planned. It really takes discipline. Strong mind and body to achieve Time Management… Our motto ‘ BAWAL MAGKASAKIT, KAPAG NAGKASAKIT, LAHAT DAMAY, PATI ANG ORAS…”

and Nica M.

It’s very important to teach children time management. Not only does it teach them discipline, but it also keeps them healthy. This year, my daughter is attending public school as a grade 2 student. and she has classes from 7am to 4:30pm. The first week was a disaster as it was a big adjustment for both of us. She was late the third day of school and she was sleepy most of the time (her classes used to be in the afternoon) that her teacher even scolded her for sleeping in class. To improve matters we, both decided to make some adjustments in her schedule which is as follows;

5:30 — Wake up and prep for school.
6:30 — 5:00 — School time (including travel) time.
5:00 – 7:00 — Rest/play time. I used to ask her to do her assignments before playing but now she does her assignments during break time at school and while waiting for the school service so she can play with her neighborhood friends after school. I think it is very important that she have play time so she can recharge and use all that pent up energy.

7:00 – 9:00 — dinner /and down time. Sometimes she watches TV for dinner, other times she reads books. All in all she knows that she has to shower before bed time;

9:00 – 5:30 — Sleeping time. It used to be the case that she’ll stay up late til 11PM. Now that she’s tired from school and play, she sleeps better (more restful) and longer. Better sleep, healthier children

Of course, there are variations to this routine from time to time but she basically sticks to it.

Congratulations to Snow, Sheila Anne and Nica M.!

for each winning a watch for your little ones! Please expect an email from GMCI. A representative will contact you directly to inquire about the genders of your kids and how you can claim your prizes. Thank you GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc. and Kids Watch Central! It was such a fun way to share with fellow parents how we can teach our children to be better stewards of time.

The husband and I are leaving the house around midnight to head over to Eastwood City to watch with fellow football fans the Finals of World Cup 2010 Finals (Netherlands vs. Spain). Meanwhile, if you would rather watch it right at the comforts of your own homes there are live Sopcast channels you can look into. Here’s a download link.

Marriage and Beyond supports Canon Marketing (Philippines) Inc. (CMPI) as it launched its local efforts supporting the worldwide Canon Green campaign. Dubbed as Canon GreenNation, the campaign was launched on July 8 at T.G.I.F. in Bonifacio High Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Canon GreenNation is a sustainable environmental program that focuses on the proper disposal of PIXMA and Selphy ink cartridges and toners. It aims to instill caring for the environment a part of the lifestyle of every citizen of Canon GreenNation.

CMPI President and CEO Alan Chng

GreenNation’s first project is an ink cartridge collection program, which was also launched alongside the campaign. With this, Canon Selphy and PIXMA users can simply place their empty printer cartridges in designated recycling bins inside Canon concept stores in malls.

While Canon ink cartridges contain no harmful chemicals, throwing them properly instills discipline and serves as an example to the younger generation.

Ms. Earth with CMPI Pres and CEO Alan Chng

L-R: Ms. Philippines-Water Emerie Dale Cunanan; Ms. Philippines-Air Rene Rosario McHugh; CMPI President and CEO Alan Chng; Ms. Philippines-Earth Kris Psyche Resus; and Ms. Philippines-Ecotourism Angela Fernando

The campaign favors the safe disposing of ink cartridges as it works better for PIXMA or Selphy printers compared to refilling them with non-Canon ink. Doing so would eventually damage printers.

Moreover, the proper disposal of used ink cartridges drastically reduces landfill to approximately 86% by separating metal, plastics, sponges and ink residues where metal and plastics are recycled.

The recycling bins are located at the Canon Showroom (McKinley Hill, Taguig), Canon Customer Care Center (Paseo De Magallanes, Makati), Canon Customer Care Center (Liberty, Mandaluyong), Canon Dzone Megamall, Canon Dzone Mall of Asia, and Canon Dzone SM North EDSA. The recycle bins will also be deployed at Canon Dzone Glorietta and Canon Dzone Trinoma before July ends.

Canon invites everyone to join GreenNation and be part of the solution towards a greener future.

When I posted the book review of Intimacy Ignited, Conversations Couple to Couple last month, NAVPRESS gave me the privilege once again to request for another book to review.  I chose the novel, HOT by Laura L.Smith. But look at what NAVPRESS sent me! Four books! I received the novel, Hot and three other personal retreat books. Thank you, Navpress!

Here are some of the things people are saying about HOT:

Hot captures the struggles, temptations, trials and victories of a generation battling for purity. A great read for teens and parents!
-Jason Burtt, national director, Silver Ring Thing

Readers will easily identify with Lindsey, a young woman trying to navigate first love, social pressure and church teaching to dertermine her own convictions about chastity and sex. Smith writes with unlimited grace for her characters, delivering a timely story on a very hot topic.
-Bethany Pierce, author of Feeling for Bones

It has been a while since I last read a novel and I am one thrilled lady as I hurry through my current bedside book, Kaleidoscope by Patsy Clairmont. I will drop any other random diet-pill reviews I’m working on in a heartbeat to give way to these books! I love reading and I am glad that even in my crazy schedule, I can sneak some time out to do just that.

In this day and age, no one wants to just be a number. The assigned numberson your plate are merely for identification, so why not get the identifyingfeature that you want? With number plates you are provided with the safetyand protection that your vehicle warrants. In order to get the number platesyou want, you first have to be sure you want your plates to read a personalizedname or statement that you’ll own as your very own.

So sit down and decide what it is you want your plate to say. Whether you useyour own nickname or provide a little inside joke, you are obligated to followa few rules. There is a minimum of characters you must use and it completelydepends on the regulations of your area. You can use a prefix or buy a space toseparate your names as long as you adhere to the guidelines. With a few clicksof your mouse you may be able to have an answer about your personalizednumber plates now. If you don’t want to have a word, you can opt to have aseries of numbers that suits you best. This way, you are an individual withouthaving to have your personal life exposed for other drivers to see.

Within moments you will have the answer you have been waiting for. Will youhave the number plate you want or will you have the predetermined numberthat the government issues you and everyone else? It’s easy to stand out andyou can soon be an individual on the road as well as off. Get started and findyour perfect number plate now. Let them all know who is in that car of yours.

Just one of the bonding moments of my boys. These are the few times that they are not roughhousing. They just love doing things together and are each other’s bestfriend. I am so proud of my husband and the kind of father he has become. His growing up with an absentee father sure did not stop him from becoming a great father to his son.

Our son has always been musical. He can follow through the right pitch before he even turned one and this was even recognized during his graduation last March as he went home with the Best in Sound Recognition award. We’re hoping to be able to nurture this gift as we plan to enrol him in a musical instrument class of his choice. I was actually in my office looking into atv riding to review before I took this video when I heard our son giggling with delight as he plays with his father. I knew I just had to drop everything down and enjoy watching them both.

Yes, that is right. I got scammed by a certain Chinese woman from Harvard University. Fellow virtual assistants, beware of this outsourcer who will sweet talk you into doing a job for her and keep on delaying payments, agrees with you on terms and conditions initially. Then gets back at you during pay up time with the words “I have gone over budget for this project.” I just altogther told her to keep the $162 dollars to herself. Not because I don’t need the money. I’m doing my virtual assistant job precisely because we need the pay that I receive to help supplement the family income. I write random articles from acne treatments, beauty product reviews to every possible topic in my paid to blog job. The excuses she has been giving me have gone beyond ridiculous.

I give my best everytime I do my job and the insult that she has done to me has gone beyond tolerable. I guess this is the risk we have to take as virtual assistants. Since we are normally paid after a week or so after we have rendered our service, we really have no assurance that the buyer/client will pay up. I rest on the knowledge that each one of us will have to give account for whatever we do. I have done my part in good faith and she has withheld from me what is due mine.

The Lord has always been faithful and I refuse to be put down by this person. I have chosen to let the “Chinese woman” remain anonymous for now. I could get the word out if I want and throw her name like a bomb all over the blogosphere, even report her to Harvard. Because she is clearly giving the institution a bad name, but I won’t. God will know what to do. He knows my heart, intentions and I pray that if that Chinese woman was just too frazzled that time she was dealing with me, that she gets to her senses and will not victimize another virtual assistant again. What we reap, we sow.

Here is a website that is currently making waves and parents should be made aware of - Omegle.com. Yesterday was the first time I visited the site and it surely gave me the creeps! All one has to do was head over the site, choose between text or video chatting and you are basically hooked up with a stranger online.

While we teach our children not to talk to strangers, here is a website that just about encourages to do the opposite. We definitely have to block this from the computers in our households.  I just had to put aside the articles I’m working on about nuphedragen and a beauty review post just to get this word out about this chat site.  While people who are killing time might actually find it entertaining, it is almost certain that Omegle.com is one place where questionable individuals, perverts, even pedophiles can easily lurk in and take their prey from and no parent would want that for their children.

Our family day always fall on Mondays. We all slept in and called it our day off. We headed back to bed after breakfast. Father and son “Lego bonding,” while I finished a couple of chapters of Patsy Clairmont’s Kaleidoscope. Which by the way, I am going to post a review on real soon.

We left the house to hit the supermarket – the pantry needs to be replenished. I have been doing the grocery shopping by myself recently. But we figured we can all go together, even as the little guy requested to go visit the mall and play in one of the kids places there. Anyway, I was also due for follow up with the in house Dermatologist of Flawless who I saw last Saturday, in the same mall.  The malls have really made things pretty convenient for consumers and I love how we save on gas just because everything is in one place already.

Before I headed to Flawless, my boys and I had our late lunch at Burgoo after grocery shopping. Jeff has been craving for Gambas lately and that’s what he ordered.

Burgoo’s Gambas, P295

my boys, J & j

Margherita Pizza, P295

And because I was Sandy’s Margherita Pizza craving, I just had to try the closest I was to getting one. Burgoo’s Margherita pizza was so-s0. Definitely did not compare an inch to Sandy’s Pizza’s. I was plain dissatisfied. I guess that’s the trouble with having the best for a benchmark.  I miss Sandy’s Pizza. Unfortunately, the few times we went by the Katipunan branch, they were always packed. And then we tried to check out recently and the store wasn’t there anymore. I’m not sure if they transferred to another place.

Our little guy ordered Chicken Teriyaki, P295. I took a picture of it, but it’s not share worthy. It’s that platter in the middle in the photo with my boys in it. The trouble with having a dslr is it’s weight. After a while, you get rather lazy having to lug around with one. I took photos using Jeff’s Canon Powershot A3100 IS. We have been eating around lately. But we really are trying to eat “healthier” these days. This is just one of the not so healthy eats we’ve had lately. We really have to watch it. Aside from Jeff having some nape discomfort (which I heard can be a symptom of cholesterol/blood pressure problem), we hope to leer away from the need to get hold of the best diet product. And I recently just changed wardrobes too. So that means I have to keep at this weight, else I’d have to move another notch bigger. Which I honestly cannot afford for now. After three decades of shifting from XS to S, it can be said that I’m definitely an M now. On that note, I’m recently into growing and juicing wheatgrass. I’m writing a post about it in the coming days.

We had a real fun family day today. And judging from the little guy heading off to dreamland as early as 7p.m., he did have a blast himself. Here’s looking forward to our family’s getaway to KL in a few months. It’s long overdue, I know. The plan is to have an undisturbed quality time with my boys.  :-)

I spent the majority of this day sorting clothes from the little guy’s closet. This is something that mothers with growing kids have to get into doing every so often. I have already stashed away clothes that don’t fit him anymore and will soon be given away to friends who have toddler boys.

I also got busy sorting my own closet. I placed aside clothes that I have not worn in the last year. No diet pill review will change the fact that I am not going to go right back to my normal weight. But it is good that I was able to order a few items from a fellow blogger who has a supplier that allows for her to sell great quality clothes for so much less than if I shop from the department stores. Otherwise, I cannot really afford to change wardrobes at all.

My original ArtsCow.com collection of photos that I uploaded for printing contained, give or take, 400 photos. I decided to trim it down to the online promo I am entitled to, as a new member. A hundred prints of 4R photos for only $5.99. Free shipping! That, more or less amounts to P2.70/photo or $0.06ea.  Sweet!

Paying was fuss free via PayPal. I just had to try this 100pcs of 4R prints for $5.99 before I indulge to getting more photos printed. Most of which are replacements of those we lost during typhoon Ondoy, which you can read about here, here and here.

The most inconvenient it got was the waiting part. I had to wait for 23 full days before I got a notice from our local post office that I have a package waiting for me. I thought it was another book sent by Navpress or Thomas Nelson. The wait took longer than I expected. So when the package was handed to me, I was thrilled.

Fellow blogger, Mommy Rubz, was the one who introduced this via Plurk and she said she got her package in a couple of weeks or so. After a couple of weeks have passed and I still didn’t have my ordered photos, I emailed ArtsCow.com and they were immediate in their response and I was told to give them to a month to ship to the Philippines. Which I’m perfectly fine with, as long as I receive them. I’m not in a hurry, anyway. By the way, for the record, although I may not be an expert at photo quality, my glossy prints don’t look like they’re of cheap quality.

Needless to say, I’m off to order from ArtsCow.com my photo books, alongside the other photos I still got on queue to get printed. Thank you ArtsCow.com! Now that’s something worth recommending.

The Filipino people are with hope even as we all tuned in to the inauguration of our brand new President, Benigno S. Aquino III (Noynoy Aquino).  Below is the full transcript of our president elect’s inaugural address with its english translation.

Inaugural Speech of President Benigno S. Aquino III
June 30, 2010
Quirino Grandstand

His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the Senate, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and members of the House, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the foreign delegations,Your Excellencies of the diplomatic corps, fellow colleagues in government, aking mga kababayan.

Ang pagtayo ko dito ngayon ay patunay na kayo ang aking tunay na lakas. Hindi ko inakala na darating tayo sa puntong ito, na ako’y manunumpa sa harap ninyo bilang inyong Pangulo. Hindi ko pinangarap maging tagapagtaguyod ng pag-asa at tagapagmana ng mga suliranin ng ating bayan.

Ang layunin ko sa buhay ay simple lang: maging tapat sa aking mga magulang at sa bayan bilang isang marangal na anak, mabait na kuya, at mabuting mamamayan.

Nilabanan ng aking ama ang diktaturya at ibinuwis niya ang kanyang buhay para tubusin ang ating demokrasya. Inalay ng aking ina ang kanyang buhay upang pangalagaan ang demokrasyang ito. Ilalaan ko ang aking buhay para siguraduhin na ang ating demokrasya ay kapaki-pakinabang sa bawat isa. Namuhunan na kami ng dugo at handang gawin itong muli kung kinakailangan.

Tanyag man ang aking mga magulang at ang kanilang mga nagawa, alam ko rin ang problema ng ordinaryong mamamayan. Alam nating lahat ang pakiramdam na magkaroon ng pamahalaang bulag at bingi. Alam natin ang pakiramdam na mapagkaitan ng hustisya, na mabalewala ng mga taong pinagkatiwalaan at inatasan nating maging ating tagapagtanggol.

Kayo ba ay minsan ring nalimutan ng pamahalaang inyong iniluklok sa puwesto? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay sawang-sawa na sa pamahalaang sa halip na magsilbi sa taumbayan ay kailangan pa nila itong pagpasensiyahan at tiisin? Ako rin.

Katulad ninyo ako. Marami na sa atin ang bumoto gamit ang kanilang paa – nilisan na nila ang ating bansa sa kanilang paghahanap ng pagbabago at katahimikan. Tiniis nila ang hirap, sinugod ang panganib sa ibang bansa dahil doon may pag-asa kahit kaunti na dito sa atin ay hindi nila nakikita. Sa iilang sandali na sarili ko lang ang aking inaalala, pati ako ay napag-isip din – talaga bang hindi na mababago ang pamamahala natin dito? Hindi kaya nasa ibang bansa ang katahimikang hinahanap ko? Saan ba nakasulat na kailangang puro pagtitiis ang tadhana ng Pilipino?

Ngayon, sa araw na ito – dito magwawakas ang pamumunong manhid sa mga daing ng taumbayan. Hindi si Noynoy ang gumawa ng paraan, kayo ang dahilan kung bakit ngayon, magtatapos na ang pagtitiis ng sambayanan. Ito naman ang umpisa ng kalbaryo ko, ngunit kung marami tayong magpapasan ng krus ay kakayanin natin ito, gaano man kabigat.

Sa tulong ng wastong pamamahala sa mga darating na taon, maiibsan din ang marami nating problema. Ang tadhana ng Pilipino ay babalik sa tamang kalagayan, na sa bawat taon pabawas ng pabawas ang problema ng Pinoy na nagsusumikap at may kasiguruhan sila na magiging tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbuti ng kanilang sitwasyon.

Kami ay narito para magsilbi at hindi para maghari. Ang mandato ninyo sa amin ay pagbabago – isang malinaw na utos para ayusin ang gobyerno at lipunan mula sa pamahalaang iilan lamang ang nakikinabang tungo sa isang pamahalaang kabutihan ng mamamayan ang pinangangalagaan.

Ang mandatong ito ay isa kung saan kayo at ang inyong pangulo ay nagkasundo para sa pagbabago – isang paninindigan na ipinangako ko noong kampanya at tinanggap ninyo noong araw ng halalan.
Sigaw natin noong kampanya: “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” Hindi lamang ito pang slogan o pang poster – ito ang mga prinsipyong tinatayuan at nagsisilbing batayan ng ating administrasyon.

Ang ating pangunahing tungkulin ay ang magsikap na maiangat ang bansa mula sa kahirapan, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapairal ng katapatan at mabuting pamamalakad sa pamahalaan.

Ang unang hakbang ay ang pagkakaroon ng tuwid at tapat na hanay ng mga pinuno. Magsisimula ito sa akin. Sisikapin kong maging isang mabuting ehemplo. Hinding hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob ninyo sa akin. Sisiguraduhin ko na ganito rin ang adhikain ng aking Gabinete at ng mga magiging kasama sa ating pamahalaan.

Naniniwala akong hindi lahat ng nagsisilbi sa gobyerno ay corrupt. Sa katunayan, mas marami sa kanila ay tapat. Pinili nilang maglingkod sa gobyerno upang gumawa ng kabutihan. Ngayon, magkakaroon na sila ng pagkakataong magpakitang-gilas. Inaasahan natin sila sa pagsupil ng korapsyon sa loob mismo ng burukrasya.

Sa mga itinalaga sa paraang labag sa batas, ito ang aking babala: sisimulan natin ang pagbabalik ng tiwala sa pamamagitan ng pag-usisa sa mga “midnight appointments.” Sana ay magsilbi itong babala sa mga nag-iisip na ipagpatuloy ang baluktot na kalakarang nakasanayan na ng marami.

Sa mga kapuspalad nating mga kababayan, ngayon, ang pamahalaan ang inyong kampeon.

Hindi natin ipagpapaliban ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga estudyante, kaya’t sisikapin nating punan ang kakulangan sa ating mga silid-aralan.

Unti-unti din nating babawasan ang mga kakulangan sa imprastraktura para sa transportasyon, turismo at pangangalakal. Mula ngayon, hindi na puwede ang “puwede na” pagdating sa mga kalye, tulay at gusali dahil magiging responsibilidad ng mga kontratista ang panatilihing nasa mabuting kalagayan ang mga proyekto nila.

Bubuhayin natin ang programang “emergency employment” ng dating pangulong Corazon Aquino sa pagtatayo ng mga bagong imprastraktura na ito. Ito ay magbibigay ng trabaho sa mga local na komunidad at makakatulong sa pagpapalago ng kanila at ng ating ekonomiya.

Hindi kami magiging sanhi ng inyong pasakit at perwisyo. Palalakasin natin ang koleksyon at pupuksain natin ang korapsyon sa Kawanihan ng Rentas Internas at Bureau of Customs para mapondohan natin ang ating mga hinahangad para sa lahat, tulad ng:

· dekalidad na edukasyon, kabilang ang edukasyong bokasyonal para makapaghanap ng marangal na trabaho ang hindi makapag-kolehiyo;

· serbisyong pangkalusugan, tulad ng Philhealth para sa lahat sa loob ng tatlong taon;

· tirahan sa loob ng mga ligtas na komunidad.

Palalakasin at palalaguin natin ang bilang ng ating kasundaluhan at kapulisan, hindi para tugunan ang interes ng mga naghahari-harian, ngunit para proteksyunan ang mamamayan. Itinataya nila ang kanilang buhay para mayroong pagkakataon sa katahimikan at kapayapaan sa sambayanan. Dumoble na ang populasyong kanilang binabantayan, nanatili naman sila sa bilang. Hindi tama na ang nagmamalasakit ay kinakawawa.

Kung dati ay may fertilizer scam, ngayon ay may kalinga na tunay para sa mga magsasaka. Tutulungan natin sila sa irigasyon, extension services, at sa pagbenta ng kanilang produkto sa pinakamataas na presyong maaari.

Inaatasan natin si papasok na Kalihim Alcala na magtayo ng mga trading centers kung saan diretso na ang magsasaka sa mamimili – lalaktawan natin ang gitna, kasama na ang kotong cop. Sa ganitong paraan, ang dating napupunta sa gitna ay maari nang paghatian ng magsasaka at mamimili.

Gagawin nating kaaya-aya sa negosyante ang ating bansa. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance, to business. Sa ganitong paraan lamang natin mapupunan ang kakulangan ng trabaho para sa ating mga mamamayan.

Layunin nating paramihin ang trabaho dito sa ating bansa upang hindi na kailanganin ang mangibang-bansa para makahanap ng trabaho. Ngunit habang ito ay hindi pa natin naaabot, inaatasan ko ang mga kawani ng DFA, POEA, OWWA at iba pang mga kinauukulang ahensiya na mas lalo pang paigtingin ang pagtugon sa mga hinaing at pangangailangan ng ating mga overseas Filipino workers.

Papaigtingin namin ang proseso ng konsultasyon at pag-uulat sa taumbayan. Sisikapin naming isakatuparan ang nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon na kinikilala ang karapatan ng mamamayan na magkaroon ng kaalaman ukol sa mga pampublikong alintana.

Binuhay natin ang diwa ng people power noong kampanya. Ipagpatuloy natin ito tungo sa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala. Ang naniniwala sa people power ay nakatuon sa kapwa at hindi sa sarili.

Sa mga nang-api sa akin, kaya ko kayong patawarin, at pinapatawad ko na kayo. Sa mga nang-api sa sambayanan, wala akong karapatan na limutin ang inyong mga kasalanan.

To those who are talking about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. Sa paglimot ng pagkakasala, sinisigurado mong mauulit muli ang mga pagkakasalang ito. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

Ikinagagalak din naming ibahagi sa inyo ang pagtanggap ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide sa hamon ng pagtatatag at pamumuno sa isang Truth Commission na magbibigay linaw sa maraming kahinahinalang isyu na hanggang ngayon ay walang kasagutan at resolusyon.

Ang sinumang nagkamali ay kailangang humarap sa hustisya. Hindi maaaring patuloy ang kalakaran ng walang pananagutan at tuloy na pang-aapi.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflicts, inclusive of the interests of all – may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shalI defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. Sa tamang pamamahala gaganda ang buhay ng lahat, at sa buhay na maganda, sino pa ang gugustuhing bumalik sa panahon ng pang-aapi?

Kung kasama ko kayo, maitataguyod natin ang isang bayan kung saan pantay-pantay ang pagkakataon, dahil pantay-pantay nating ginagampanan ang ating mga pananagutan.

Kamakailan lamang, ang bawat isa sa atin ay nanindigan sa presinto. Bumoto tayo ayon sa ating karapatan at konsensiya. Hindi tayo umatras sa tungkulin nating ipaglaban ang karapatang ito.

Pagkatapos ng bilangan, pinatunayan ninyo na ang tao ang tunay na lakas ng bayan.

Ito ang kahalagahan ng ating demokrasya. Ito ang pundasyon ng ating pagkakaisa. Nangampanya tayo para sa pagbabago. Dahil dito taas-noo muli ang Pilipino. Tayong lahat ay kabilang sa isang bansa kung saan maaari nang mangarap muli.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, “it all works.”

Inaanyayahan ko kayo ngayon na manumpa sa ating mga sarili, sa sambayanan, WALANG MAIIWAN.

Walang pangingibang-bayan at gastusan na walang wastong dahilan. Walang pagtatalikod sa mga salitang binitawan noong kampanya, ngayon at hanggang sa mga susunod pang pagsubok na pagdadaanan sa loob ng anim na taon.

Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawang-gawa.

Nandito tayo ngayon dahil sama-sama tayong nanindigan at nagtiwala na may pag-asa.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. Sa inyong mga nag-iisip pa kung tutulong kayo sa pagpasan ng ating krus, isa lang ang aking tanong – kung kailan tayo nanalo, saka pa ba kayo susuko?

Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to the people’s needs and aspirations.

Kayo ang nagdala sa akin sa puntong ito – ang ating mga volunteers – matanda, bata, celebrity, ordinaryong tao, na umikot sa Pilipinas para ikampanya ang pagbabago; ang aking mga kasambahay, na nag-asikaso ng lahat ng aking mga personal na pangangailangan; ang aking pamilya, kaibigan at katrabaho, na dumamay, nag-alaga at nagbigay ng suporta sa akin; ang ating mga abogado, na nagpuyat para bantayan ang ating mga boto at siguraduhing mabibilang ang bawat isa; ang aking mga kapartido at kaalyado na kasama kong nangahas mangarap; at ang milyun-milyong Pilipinong nagkaisa, nagtiwala at hindi nawalan ng pag-asa – nasa inyo ang aking taus-pusong pasasalamat.

Hindi ko makakayang harapin ang aking mga magulang, at kayong mga nagdala sa akin sa yugto ng buhay kong ito, kung hindi ko maisasakatuparan ang aking mga binitawang salita sa araw na ito.

My parents sought nothing less and died for nothing less than democracy, peace and prosperity. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

Layunin ko na sa pagbaba ko sa katungkulan, masasabi ng lahat na malayo na ang narating natin sa pagtahak ng tuwid na landas at mas maganda na ang kinabukasang ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Samahan ninyo ako sa pagtatapos ng laban na ito. Tayo na sa tuwid na landas.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!

Official English Translation:
His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the Senate, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and members of the House, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the foreign delegations,Your Excellencies of the diplomatic corps, fellow colleagues in government, aking mga kababayan.

My presence here today is proof that you are my true strength. I never expected that I will be here taking my oath of office before you, as your president. I never imagined that I would be tasked with continuing the mission of my parents. I never entertained the ambition to be the symbol of hope, and to inherit the problems of our nation.

I had a simple goal in life: to be true to my parents and our country as an honorable son, a caring brother, and a good citizen.

My father offered his life so our democracy could live. My mother devoted her life to nurturing that democracy. I will dedicate my life to making our democracy reach its fullest potential: that of ensuring equality for all. My family has sacrificed much and I am willing to do this again if necessary.

Although I was born to famous parents, I know and feel the problems of ordinary citizens. We all know what it is like to have a government that plays deaf and dumb. We know what it is like to be denied justice, to be ignored by those in whom we placed our trust and tasked to become our advocates.

Have you ever been ignored by the very government you helped put in power? I have. Have you had to endure being rudely shoved aside by the siren-blaring escorts of those who love to display their position and power over you? I have, too. Have you experienced exasperation and anger at a government that instead of serving you, needs to be endured by you? So have I.

I am like you. Many of our countrymen have already voted with their feet – migrating to other countries in search of change or tranquility. They have endured hardship, risked their lives because they believe that compared to their current state here, there is more hope for them in another country, no matter how bleak it may be. In moments when I thought of only my own welfare, I also wondered – is it possible that I can find the peace and quiet that I crave in another country? Is our government beyond redemption? Has it been written that the Filipino’s lot is merely to suffer?

Today marks the end of a regime indifferent to the appeals of the people. It is not Noynoy who found a way. You are the reason why the silent suffering of the nation is about to end. This is the beginning of my burden, but if many of us will bear the cross we will lift it, no matter how heavy it is.

Through good governance in the coming years, we will lessen our problems. The destiny of the Filipino will return to its rightful place, and as each year passes, the Filipino’s problems will continue to lessen with the assurance of progress in their lives.

We are here to serve and not to lord over you. The mandate given to me was one of change. I accept your marching orders to transform our government from one that is self-serving to one that works for the welfare of the nation.

This mandate is the social contract that we agreed upon. It is the promise I made during the campaign, which you accepted on election day.

During the campaign we said, “If no one is corrupt, no one will be poor.” That is no mere slogan for posters — it is the defining principle that will serve as the foundation of our administration.

Our foremost duty is to lift the nation from poverty through honest and effective governance.

The first step is to have leaders who are ethical, honest, and true public servants. I will set the example. I will strive to be a good model. I will not break the trust you have placed in me. I will ensure that this, too, will be the advocacy of my Cabinet and those who will join our government.

I do not believe that all of those who serve in our government are corrupt. In truth, the majority of them are honest. They joined government to serve and do good. Starting today, they will have the opportunity to show that they have what it takes. I am counting on them to help fight corruption within the bureaucracy.

To those who have been put in positions by unlawful means, this is my warning: we will begin earning back the trust of our people by reviewing midnight appointments. Let this serve as a warning to those who intend to continue the crooked ways that have become the norm for too long.

To our impoverished countrymen, starting today, your government will be your champion.

We will not disregard the needs of our students. We will begin by addressing the glaring shortage in classrooms and educational facilities.

Gradually, we will lessen the lack of infrastructures for transportation, tourism and trade. From now on, mediocre work will not be good enough when it comes to roads, bridges, and buildings because we will hold contractors responsible for maintaining their projects in good condition.

We will revive the emergency employment program established by former President Corazon Aquino. This will provide jobs for local communities and will help in the development of their and our economy.

We will not be the cause of your suffering or hardship. We will strengthen collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and we will fight corruption in the Bureau of Customs in order to fund our objectives for the public welfare, such as:

· Quality education, including vocational education, so that those who choose not to attend college or those who cannot afford it can find dignified livelihood;

· Improved public health services such as PhilHealth for all within three years;

· A home for every family, within safe communities.

We will strengthen the armed forces and the police, not to serve the interests of those who want to wield power with impunity, but to give added protection for ordinary folk. The armed forces and the police risk their lives daily so that the nation can live in peace and security. The population has doubled and yet their numbers remain unchanged. It is not right that those who make sacrifices are treated pitifully.

If there was a fertilizer scam in the past, today there will be security for farmers. We will help them with irrigation, extension services, and marketing their products at the best possible prices.

We are directing Secretary Alcala to set up trading centers that will directly link farmers and consumers thereby eliminating middlemen and opportunities for corruption. In this way, funds can be shared by farmers and consumers. We will make our country attractive to investors. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance to business. This is the only means by which we can provide jobs for our people.

Our goal is to create jobs at home so that there will be no need to look for employment abroad. However, as we work towards that end, I am ordering the DFA, POEA, OWWA, and other relevant agencies to be even more responsive to the needs and welfare of our overseas Filipino workers.

We will strengthen the process of consultation and feedback. We will strive to uphold the constitutional right of citizens to information on matters of public concern.

We relived the spirit of people power during the campaign. Let it take us to good and effective governance. Those who believe in people power put the welfare of others before their own.

I can forgive those who did me wrong but I have no right to forgive those who abused our people.

To those who talk about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. When we allow crimes to go unpunished, we give consent to their occurring over and over again. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

We are also happy to inform you the acceptance of Chief Justice Hilario Davide of the challenge of strengthening and heading a Truth Commission that will shed light on many unanswered issues that continue to haunt our country.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflict, inclusive of the interests of all — may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shalI defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. With proper governance life will improve for all. When we are all living well, who will want to go back to living under oppression?

If I have all of you by my side, we will be able to build a nation in which there will be equality of opportunity, because each of us fulfilled our duties and responsibilities equally.

After the elections, you proved that it is the people who wield power in this country.

This is what democracy means. It is the foundation of our unity. We campaigned for change. Because of this, the Filipino stands tall once more. We are all part of a nation that can begin to dream again.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, “it all works.”

Today, I am inviting you to pledge to yourselves and to our people. No one shall be left behind.

No more junkets, no more senseless spending. No more turning back on pledges made during the campaign, whether today or in the coming challenges that will confront us over the next six years. No more influence-peddling, no more patronage politics, no more stealing. No more sirens, no more short cuts, no more bribes. It is time for us to work together once more.

We are here today because we stood together and believed in hope. We had no resources to campaign other than our common faith in the inherent goodness of the Filipino.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. To those among you who are still undecided about sharing the common burden I have only one question: Are you going to quit now that we have won?

You are the boss so I cannot ignore your orders. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to your needs and aspirations.

You are the ones who brought me here – our volunteers – old, young, celebrity, ordinary folks who went around the country to campaign for change; my household help who provided for all my personal needs; my family, friends, colleagues at work, who shared, cared, and gave their support; my lawyers who stayed all hours to guard my votes and make sure they were counted; and the millions of Filipinos who prevailed, kept faith, and never lost hope – I offer my heartfelt gratitude.

I will not be able to face my parents and you who have brought me here if do not fulfill the promises I made.

My parents sought nothing less, died for nothing less, than democracy and peace. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

My hope is that when I leave office, everyone can say that we have traveled far on the right path, and that we are able to bequeath a better future to the next generation. Join me in continuing this fight for change.

Thank you and long live the Filipino people!

We were invited last Monday, June 21, 2010 to have a taste of Portugal at O’sonho (pronounced as “O’sonyo”). One of the things my husband and I love is going out on a date, exploring dishes from interesting  establishments. Inasmuch as nothing compares to the quality of food a restaurant has to offer, the first impression that it makes as you march in is a big factor for me. For one, I love restaurants with couches where you can comfortably sink in – O’sonho has that- in deep, inviting tangerine colored ones at that.

The wall paper in the area where our group was set to feast in took my memory back to my school days when I learned about the explorations of Columbus who was a Portuguese. I swear, it pays to be an early bird during events. Because you not only get to shift from the stress of travel time to being comfy enough to get the feel of the place you are in and observe while you are at it.

The owner of O’sonho, Nik Barancik was there to meet with us too. He’s very cordial even as he told us some bits and pieces about the dishes that the staff served us. His mother is a Filipina and his father, a Portuguese. Most of the dishes we were served with, we more or less familiar with.  As a country colonized by the Spaniards, who are also conquerors in their own rights, had probably discovered more or less similar spices in their explorations as the Portuguese. We were also told that the Portuguese cuisine is spicier than Spanish.  The rich blend of the spices is basic to each and every dish they served. I am not surprised when the organizers told us foodies that O’sonho is one of the establishments the soon-to-be (Yey! – I just gotta have that blurted out) former President GMA goes to whenever she visits Eastwood.

My drink of choice was the Cranberry Cooler, P120

I was having my bout with UTI that day and cranberry juice always does wonders for me whenever it recurs.  Here are some of the gastronomic feasting we had at O’soho:

Chouriço Sisig, P210

Picado, P300

Salpicao’s Portuguese brother. Tenderloin beef cubes bathed in garlic, red wine, herbs and spices.

Cerveza Battered Fish and Chips, P260

Battered fish fillet in a bed of seasoned fries. Served with their signature perinaise.

Whole Roast Peri-Peri Chicken, P720

This platter is good for 3 to 4 people.  Probably one of the most flavorful chicken I have ever tasted.

Paella

Coffee Marinated Roast Pork – Php420.00

This is definitely something I have never tasted before but I actually found very interesting.  It’s not one of those dishes that will require a long deal of getting used to to acquire the taste. I appreciated it as soon as it touched my palate. And that’s something coming from a non-coffee drinker.  A must try!

Tres Leches, P220

Chocolate Ganache, P220

This scrumptious chocolate ganache cake which is as fudgy as fudgy can be (just the way I want it) is my runaway favorite from all the three dessert goodness they served us with.

Pictures with fellow foodies….

And because Brasil won the day before, never mind if Kaka was served with a red card, the hubby and I just gotta wear matching jerseys. We were secretly hoping we’d get to watch the match between Portugal vs. North Korea that night, given that it was a Portuguese restaurant.  We found out that Portugal scored 7-0 when we got home!

with O’sonho owner, Nik Barancik

O’sonho Portuguese Fusion Restaurant
G/F Eastwood Mall, Bagumbayan, Quezon City
Te. (02) 470-1768

Three things that I have been pondering on these past few days – moving boxes, moving homes and gratitude. It has been three years since we last moved houses. And years before that we moved places at least once a year ever since we got married. It can be pretty taxing, to say the least. But you can very well say that with all the five shiftings we did from 2001 to 2007, we have become experts that we can actually make a living out of it.

As years went by from 2001 and moving was inevitable, there were at least a couple of  things that we have learned.

1. Not all cheap movers are unreliable. We were blessed to have contacted movers who had a very reliable staff who did not complain despite the one rainy night they had to carry our bulky couches and furnishings from the van, through the narrow alley, up an even narrower concrete stairs, and finally to the third floor apartment we last transferred to before we had our own house built. They charge cheap and we actually thought they’d have “cheap service” too. They did not.

2. The trickiest part is always the packing up. We made use of everything that we can possibly make use of from used sacks to moving boxes. All fragile items go to the sturdier Moving Boxes and made use of sacks for items that can be thrown around, like stuffed animals, linens, etc. Sacks do not take up much weight and can be carried by one person. Because we had a library, we made use of a handful of huge moving boxes to make sure the books are protected.

I was recently reminded with these things even as I was getting a little cranky already with the things that needs to get repaired around the house. Three years in and expect a handful and one things that you can no longer turn over to your landlord. Precisely because you have no landlord anymore, which should be good really. Kept my gratitude right in place.

My son and I attended Canon’s Be Inspired with Canon Creative Park event last Saturday at the Top Shelf in Bonifacio Highstreet.

Unlike other events, I did not find any familiar face in the crowd. But it was going to be a busy time for the little guy and I anyway, so we did not mind. My son helped himself with a lot of things as the program went along. He especially helped himself as he went back and forth to the buffet table.

Jed requesting for more cream puffs

enjoying his second hotdog…

.. and with the balloons too. But he waited till the event was over. Thanks to Ate Nicole of Agatep. She was able to save him one before it ran out. The kids were fast as each claimed his own.

Teachers introduced to the parents and the children the variety of crafts and artworks that can be downloaded from www.canon.com/c-park and off we went to work soon after.

Jed cutting out the outlined paper duck from the sheet that was distributed to the kids.

Jed had one of the teachers check if he made the artwork correctly.

Cutting the Great Panda’s outline was tricky. Parents and nannies were instructed to help the children in the next project.

I’m not sure how many times Jed went up front. But I guess this time he just wanted to show one of the teachers his work again. Other times, he told of his intention to join the games.

We also got busy making a father’s day card.  And here is what our little guy penned inside the cute card. “Happy Father’s Day! I love Papa. — Jed”

Front of the card: “Thank you for being such a great father”

Canon is currently running a promo entitled PIXMA-Back-to-Cool. Wherein Esprit and CK shades are given away for every purchase of Canon Pixma printer and Canon Genuine ink. This promo runs from May 15 to June 30, 2010.

Canon Philippines has set up empty ink cartridges drop boxes in various locations to help consumers properly dispose their ink cartridges.

We also had our picture taken in their photo booth. – Me, my little guy and his awkward smile.

This event was held one day short of father’s day. But when the husband picked us up after the event, Jed did not waste a second and requested for him to close his eyes for his surprise.  Jed handed his father his cute card while bursting into his father’s day greeting.   Which was actually the best day to do it. His father will be a tad too busy the day after as he spends it all day in church.

My boys and their “Father’s Day” moment.

]]> http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2010/06/23/my-son-and-i-got-busy-at-the-canon-creative-park-event/feed/ 2