Senator Loren Legarda Issues Statement on Philippine-Japan RAA

About a week ago, the Philippines and Japan signed an agreement which they call RAA (Reciprocal Access Agreement) which would make it possible for Filipino soldiers to train in Japan as part of their defense cooperation. Honorable Senator Loren Legarda is serving her 4th term, and this landmark agreement will surely be affecting a lot of our decisions and foreign policies. Here's a statement from the environmental superhero:

Seeing the positive impact of this particular agreement and advantages especially for the Pacific region and national security, our allies certainly will be instrumental in making sure we won't get bullied in our own turf. The Senator's support for the ratification of this agreement in the Senate will become instrumental in the formalization of its terms, and hopefully would become advantageous to both parties in this very volatile time.

Here's to championing not just environmental causes, but issues of national interest! Cheers!

1 Million Pesos for Success the MLQU Way

I'm having a grand time here in Manuel L. Quezon University's Quezon City Campus at the Victoria Sports Tower along EDSA. I think they're going to announce another milestone as they have gotten one of their students in the limelight by quipping the Top 8 spot for the Civil Engineering Licensure exam this 2017. He is Engr. Archimedes Martinez, and they are putting this in front as they feel this is tanget to their big SUCCESS which is done the MLQU way. NSJBI and MLQU has got a surprise for them.

MLQU has shone brightly after being bought by NSJBI in 2014 and this is just one of the few things they are doing to hasten excellence in education, to strive to excell, they are also amping up great rewards to those who have brought pride to the University. 

During the event, they have also interviewed lawyers that have graduated from MLQU and they shared their experiences about how it was to become a lawyer. Some of them didn't have support groups, means to actually study, but just by working hard and the muster to pursue their dreams, they are now the lawyers they dreamed to be. They noted how their professors were dedicated and passionate about educating them, that compared them to diamonds, which need a lot of pressure before they could have their own shine. Yes there is culture shock, but you will be pushed by your peers, by professors, the people in your school to aspire more, that is where you will get to love law. By the way, all their parents cried after getting the good news. It was heartwarming to hear them share how they felt about it. From the exhausting reviews, sleepless nights, tons of money, it was all worth it, and they made it!

Raphael Pedroso and Archimedes Martinez were then introduced and told their story. Raphael admitted to not have studied so much in the past but when he failed the first time he took the exams, he was encouraged by his brother to take the boards again... and he eventually got through and even had his grades equal to top 3, but since he is a repeater it wasn't recognized on top. He was so glad still and pushed himself to be a great man, imagine he had a medal given to him in college indicating Civil Engineering during his first course of Computer Science. It was a struggle, but he overcame it all. We all have these stories.

Archimedes on the other hand was the black sheep of the family, he had not been doing good on vices even used his tuition fee for gambling. They had him stop for a year because of that they didn't want him to enroll anymore, but he was given a chance to study again by his father and eventually, on taking his first board exams, who would have believed that he landed Top 8 overall? He utters "Make those people who doubt you your inspiration!", a quite good point.

MLQU is getting a lot of help from their graduates, some of which are topnotchers in their own field. "As we took over we wanted to face this challenge head on and bring in great faculty, and bring back the greatness of the school to it's status in the glorious days, my peers said they can do it. We can make it again in the different courses so we have had professors help to make this a reality. Educations and achievers are great equalizers! -Dr. Isagani Herman of MLQU"

Then they surprised them, they awarded Archimedes 1 Million Pesos for the feat and 50 thousand to Raphael Pedroso. 

The Perfect Life

We all wished for the perfect life. Maybe to get a wife who would always be there for you, a kid who would cheer you up when you get back from the office... a family you can call your own. Health is one of the most important things you can give them; and if your family members do not get sick, you wouldn't have to spend a single dime for hospitalization. Your funds will be intact and you get to enjoy life as it is. There are some instances though that no matter what you do in order to keep your family safe; they would still encounter problems in health. I heard of cases where normal prescription medicine even have harmful side effects; when you just wanted to cure a simple case all along. Take the Paxil Lawsuit for example which was initially marketed as an anti depressant. It turns out that there are now documented clinical studies where it is said that it can cause birth defects. If you are an expecting mother and you didn't know that right from the beginning how would you feel if something happened to your child?! Isn't that unfair?!

Fair warning and some sort of precaution should have been given even before releasing this particular drug. No matter how intelligent of a life form we are our babies can't defend themselves upon birth. No amount of fame or fortune would be able to equate the lives of these children. It's so right to ask for help and reprimand those who have wronged the innocent. Suicidal tendencies and harm one's self isn't my idea of a cure so if you are took this medicine in the past and showed the same symptoms, get some help and don't hesitate to ask!

What if this happened to you?! What would you do?!

Business is Business

I loaned my friend a couple hundred dollars so he could put in some money on his business again. He almost got bankrupt and needed financing for his ailing business. I suggested he make some changes and get a process started. This is to prevent him from being in the same predicament as before. I just got into trouble with a friend over this because of money matters. For me business is business. I trust people a lot but if it comes to getting what is supposed to be mine I don't hold back. In some instances I'd even get the toughest Business Litigation Austin Texas can ever get! I know when to get experts when it is needed. If this partnership fails he got me the computer shop as collateral and assured me if that isn't enough he'll gladly pay me back in cash. I did something in writing so I could at least hold him to his words. These days you can never be too sure!

I hope money would not destroy friendships in the process because the only thing I wanted in this occasion is to help. The earning part is just a byproduct if ever. He is thinking of putting up a small studio too so he could get local bands to practice there. It is a big ordeal but I'll support him with what I can. He is after all my friend. I wouldn't want that to ruin everything we have right now. He's a good guy and the last thing I want to see is for him to suffer another business mishap.

Would you do the same for your friends?!

The Memories Comes Crashing Back To Me

I was actually thinking of what particular big ticket item I should buy for myself this year. I reward myself every now and then but I don't have anything particular in mind right now so I asked my friends. They immediately told me to purchase a motorbike. It is quite popular in our neck of the woods but when I heard that particular mode of transport; I begged off. Why you ask?! I might need an Austin Injury Lawyer to defend me on this one since they are the experts, but let me tell you a little story about why I never wanted this 2 wheeled wonder.

I always liked cars, bikes and the likes. I used to sell them too a few years back. I always wanted those big ones in Mission Impossible and eventually I had the chance to own one. I had a good looking best friend (adored by many women then) who got me into the hobby taught me how to ride it. I also joined several groups and in a couple of months I was quite getting the hang of it.

My best friend went to work one day and forgot to bring his helmet. While on the road another bike turned around without signals and crashed with his bike. He flew into that other vehicle and got his face smashed on it. He had to be rushed to the hospital and got his face into surgery. To survive, he had to have a couple of titanium plates and screws implanted on his face just to survive. It was hard on their family because they had to dish out a few thousand dollars and the other party was barely giving funds. They needed help so badly. I did everything I could but I knew what they needed at that time were lawyers to get them what they need for damages; and justice he deserves. After that I never wanted to ride my bike again. I sold it too. It was a sad day but we had to move on with our lives. I'm also glad that he is still alive!

Jason Ivler now in Quezon City Jail

I know it is kinda odd for me to talk about him today but I kinda felt for the guy. I dunno, when all the world is making fun of him and his Mom I feel that we somehow kinda have something in common. I haven’t gotten into doing ROAD rage yet but boy this morning when I got home drunk, I paused a little bit when I saw him on TV this afternoon. He was sent out of the Quirino Hospital Medical Center and brought to the Quezon City Jail. Some hooligans even applauded when they saw him. Poor guy was in a shirt and shorts ailing because of his gunshots and pulled on a wheelchair. Jason by the way also starred in TGIS a local teen bop show in the early ninety’s… I dunno what happened to him after that but they said he served the US military for a few years. My hunch is he got a little freaked out when sent to Iraq. He said that he couldn’t adjust to the lifestyle in the city jail now if his Mom would always help him. The city jail by the way is very near my place... no I don’t go there but I always pass by that area. When you see the condition of the people there you would definitely be appalled how inhuman it looks like. I know his Mom from gym and I saw her there a couple of days ago. None of the former moms who were always with her before was there after that incident with Jason. I pity her and I kinda am sad about this whole thing happening to their family. Rather than persecuting them like the rest, I felt they were just misunderstood in some way. I hope it doesn’t become as sensationalized as it was a few months before. If they find out that Jason is guilty then go ahead but if not at least give him a fair trial and free him if that is the right thing to do. Although most of you might not agree on me with this I still feel he is innocent. I’m not a judge so I won’t be deciding on that in the next couple of months. I’ll stay tuned for more developments… sorry if I feel like I am going against everyone but hey if that happened to you what would you think other people would look like if they are ridiculing you like that now?

Gun Ban Arrests 47 Peeps!

Sorry for the pic, I meant GUN BAN not TOP GUN! LOL

The Gun Ban in the Philippines started January 10th of this year.

Three out of the 47 people who were arrested for violations was dealt with in court by the Philippine National Police. In a press conference I watched thru ABSCBN PNP Deputy Spokesman Inspector Kimberly Gonzales said that they will be investigating the other ones also and file the corresponding charges as well. There are 5 police men, 3 soldiers, 3 government officials and 36 civilians all in all.

The area of Calabarzon or Region 4A Police had the most number of arrests numbering to 17 and there are 15 guns that were confiscated. Next is Metro Manila where 9 were arrested, 8 in region 6 and 4 in region 2, 3 in region 5 and 2 in regions 12 and 13. One arrested also in regions 1, 8, 9, 11 and ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

This happens every time the election nears in the Philippines but people still forget about it.

Now who’s next?! LOL

Don't Drink and Drive

Don't drink and drive

The US had about 16,005 people killed in alcohol related motor vehicle traffic crashes. I really do not want to be a statistic but of over 42,532 traffic accidents DUI tops the list to a whopping 15,829 or 37%. People charged with criminal cases have risen to almost the same percentage this year alone. We should not hold back on prosecuting those who are guilty but we need to also protect the rights of the innocent and wrongfully accused.

A motor vehicle crash is considered to be alcohol related if at least one driver involved in the crash is determined to have had high blood alcohol concentration. They usually measure that and run some on the spot tests before you can be formally charged with DUI. We all know the justice system is not perfect so we should never be victimized by those who would only want to bend the law just because they want to. If you need help, you can count on Criminal and DUI lawyers from reputable law firms to help you. They specialize in criminal and DUI cases. They are all available to take your court case and comprehensively investigate it for you. You will only get the best possible answer in or out of the courtroom. Where else can you find dedicated people to help you win back your innocence?