Zubiri Welcomes PH - Japan RAA

It's been a week and a few days since the PH-Japan Reciprocal Access Pact was signed. This RAA came at a very opportune time especially since tensions in the West PH Sea has been at an all time high. Former Senate President Zubiri made mention about the initial talks about this with former Japan Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko and presented it to the President, and the signing is certainly beneficial for inter country training and familiarity of equipment between the two countries. 

He also reminded how much of an ally Japan is especially with the help they have provided for the Navy and Coast Guard. The joint exercise between PH and Japan is going to be historic, and will bolster even more effort, cooperation in different activities as visiting forces agreement gets details soon. 

The goal is to have defined peace in the region, and stronger ties between forces, and have inter operability as we further promote security measures in our exclusive economic zone, and the Indo-Pacific region.

AHON MAHIRAP Celebrates Independence Day with "KA PARES SA PAG AHON" Activity in Quezon City

The Philippines just celebrated its 126th Independence Day yesterday, June 12th. How did you celebrate it? Stayed at home? Well, here's something you could do next time.

The folks from AHON MAHIRAP just set an example at the Quezon City Memorial Cirle grounds yesterday. They are an advocacy group aimed to promote works that hone equality, give opportunities in order to alleviate poverty. They do this with compassion, to help ease the challenges of achieving a life that is dignified, and fulfilled.

Instead of the run of the mill soup kitchen, they opted to do an activity called "KA PARES SA PAG AHON", where they serve Filipino favorite "Beef Pares" to ordinary joes, seniors, workers, kids and those who need nourishment at the park. In the event, AHON MAHIRAP President Kristine Aplal and Co-Founder Wilbert Tolentino, and several volunteers personally served these good bowls made with love as part of the Independence Day celebrations in the park. 

Here's a rundown on what happened that afternoon:

They have been doing these and other activities even before the pandemic. They later formed the organization in order to help even more people, saying having it formalized made sense. True enough, they were able to organize and have leaders in Metro Manila and in the provinces so they too could implement their projects too. 

Ms. Kristine was adamant that this will be just the start and hope to bring the "KA PARES SA PAG AHON" Project in other locations. Wilbert also wanted to serve even more kids and places where they see the need fit. If you know a place, they also are eager to hear about it on their social channels, make sure you head on to AHON MAHIRAP social channels and message them if you also would like to help. Else, you can check out their official website AhonMahirap.com for more details on how you can also help their cause.

COCO MARTIN and AP PARTYLIST Intensifies Support for LENI ROBREDO

It was sincere, very timely and so uplifting to see that a lot of organizations have supported VP Leni Robredo's Presidential run including action star Coco Martin's AP Partylist which happened last March 20 at the mammoth crowd in the #Pasiglaban rally (now second largest crowd during this peoples campaign). They did the same pronouncement in Tagum, Davao on April 7, further intensifying their support for the Vice President on her bid to run this country. They had Moira and Jason sing for the crowd with their hits before festivities started in this region. 

For those who don't know, AP Partylist represents the transport and livelihood generation sector. This is fully supported by the premiere action star Coco Martin and by Rep. Ronnie Ong (their first rep) to further help Filipinos who are in this field and their families. It has been evident that a lot of them during the pandemic lost their means of earning a living and representation in congress is needed to further have laws and bills passed that would help them even more.

Man of the hour Coco says "Let us not be afraid anymore because we have AP Partylist. Let's take this trip where all Filipinos will get to improve their lives, come join me to support AP Partylist!"

Rep. Ronnie Ong adds "We have had the pleasure of working with VP Leni during the blended learning system and online module classes August 2020 and now have similar projects with their office to help transportation for health workers and frontliners through our Libreng Sakay. Our values align with hers and we will support her together with Coco Martina and the whole Taskforce Agila. We need to win for the people."

Just so you know, Taskforce Agila include some celebrities like John Prats, Raymart Santiago, Angel Aquino, Michael de Mesa, Marc Solis ad John Medina. Today they are continuing to intensify their support for VP Leni and her Angat Buhay Lahat vision for the Philippines.

#164APPartylist

Monsour Del Rosario Joins Leni-Kiko Camp

With the elections coming, political developments are being seen recently. Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan have definitely advanced in the surveys due to effective campaigning, which they are even taking house to house, great track record, and a promise of uplifting lives by working together. Part of their 1Sambayanan Senate slate, they included Olympian and Congressman Monsour Del Rosario last April 8th. He's running for Senate and bringing in his public service experience spanning years representing Makati's 1st District and doing the legwork of authoring/co-authored/sponsored 292 bills in the lower house. 

He still has his passion set in helping frontliners, his fellow athletes, children, farmers and marginalized individuals who need all the help they could get through legislation and projects. He says "We have the capacity to choose 12 Senators. We need to choose wisely on whom we can give 6 years to help VP Leni improve the lives of Filipinos. This is for the future of our countrymen, and I fully support our future President Leni Robredo together with the Angat Buhay Lahat cause she brings. We have to choose the right leader."

I couldn't agree more with the fine gentleman from Makati. I hope a lot of people follow suit.

TV5 Hosts "PILIPinas" Presidential Debates 2016 on March 20

It's TV5's turn with Moderator Luchi Cruz-Valdes (Center), and her panelists Lourd de Veyra, Atty. Ruhpil Bañoc, Atty. Tony Abad, Ana Marie Pamintuan, Marichu Villanueva and Erwin Tulfo.

In my opinion, the last presidential debate wasn't really effective. Although they tried to pit the candidates against each others platforms, most of the time, they just agreed or praised each other which I think was a little self serving. This is just an opinion, and I think that's important to at least have an opinion, if that makes sense. This time, it's TV5 that's hosting the Cebu Presidential debates. It's going to happen this Sunday, and as I said during the last time this happened, you should drop anything that you're doing and focus on the debates because if you're seriously looking for answers to your questions on who to vote for this coming elections, you should definitely watch this.

I am looking forward to a better exchange of facts and opinions because TV5 is doing this with a stellar team. You'll get the intelligent questions from Luchi Cruz Valdez (while she's moderating at that), plus some smart panel discussions with Lourd de Veyra, Atty. Ruhpil Banoc, Atty. Tony Abad, Ana Marie Pamintuan, Marichu Villanueva and tough guy Erwin Tulfo. I am expecting sparks to fly, knives to stick to the candidates back, so I could see who wouldn't be just sitting down and taking all of it. TV5 is also announcing that this is part of their "Bilang Pilipino 2016" program. V5 President and CEO Emmanuel C. Lorenzana says "The March 20 debate is the centerpiece in our Bilang Pilipino program where we aim to provide Filipino voters and the general public the most extensive and in-depth coverage of the 2016 national elections." They will also harness the resources of PLDT, Smart, Cignal, Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, RadyoSingko, InterAksyon.com and Bloomberg TV Philippines to bring the information in your homes, your smart phones, wherever you are during the event.

This will be held at the Performing Arts Hall at the University Philippines campus in Cebu City so if you can't go there directly, watch it LIVE on the happiest network in the country, TV5!

For more information about their debates:

TV5 Manila

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Internet Speed a Priority for Augusto "Boboy" Syjuco

I have to admit, I've been a bit skeptical about this man and his reasons for running for the Presidency a couple of months ago. I didn't read about him that much so I didn't really know. I was far from being an uninformed voter and I do read a lot of news. He was also mentioned to me by a fellow UEnian in one of our chats so I was shocked once I saw his credentials. He was the former TESDA Secretary, a BSBA Graduate (with Latin honors) from UE and Masters in Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the US. He chaired tons of very successful corporations and even owned the franchise of 7UP, RC Cola, Jazz Cola which gave international softdrink manufacturers a run for their money in Visayas and Mindanao. He's done so much since and even amassed leadership and managerial experience in those years. He also has received numerous awards, of which he's so proud of as he feels he's really worked for it.

During our small interview in the lawmaker's home, he said "The administration has not answered question, things are on standstill and perhaps they've given no attention on matters like traffic, mrt, human hours lost so we're incurring economic losses because of that. No place to ride or go down, no systems, I don't know where to start telling you where the problems are. Tonight I want to share with you what can we do about it, how it can be done. I have 15 platforms that I woukd want to let the public know and I hope I could do this all at the same time.

I want to build the fastest internet backbone in 2017. In TESDA, we've done a lot of training for BPO services, we give aptitude tests and if they don't pass that we have skills training in 150 different courses all free so they can have a background in how to do things. We are losing 80% of our BPO services because we're slow and can't handle the services here. That's 45 Billion a year, meaning 1.3 Billion employees should have been hired for those internet based jobs if we had the infrastructure. We must equal the fastest in the world or even surpass it so we can maintain that lead over other countries. We are victims of stupidity and non caring of this government and they stand there and think we need 6 more years of this? There's an attempt to fool us, the same people, same banana. On day 7, I'd like to start that program, state of the art, have it be done by "build operate transfer" systems, include to have foreign ownership, remove taxes on oil, petroleum, equipment to do this just like Hong Kong.

Education is the great leveler, we have never given that chance to poor people and I'd like to level the playing field. We should all 15 million to have education, technical education, high school and elementary. We will have the best labor force and have the lowest cost of production in the world because we're charging no taxes. We're only going to do a flat rate of 8-12% in personal and business income taxes. This is what I would want to do.

When I was a congressman, I went to court and I've always heard the reason that they are raising the prices because they lack funds for investment and capital infusion. We need more players, so they don't monopolize the market. We need radical but rational decisions. I've never heard solutions from them. We should include nearby provinces and make a Super Metro Manila. We need a good transportation and communication secretary, a separate one. It's not enough to just have them in one department because these are pressing matters. I hope to do this and make it on day 1 running. We're looking for young and capable people for that.

I am by nature a giver, not a taker. There is no situation in my life that I have taken anything from the government. My left hand will be an iron fist whilst my right hand will be for pabebe wave. Public interest must be prioritized, but we must always be fair but just."

I changed my mind talking to the jolly Congressman. He's got a track record, has helped countless people to get scholarships of which some are also from his own pocket. He's definitely a man you can consider when voting for a president. He's got real education, corporate and public office experience to back it up. Aside from that, he's got the passion to see that technology could help us all in achieving economic success. He's done much of it in his own district and vows he could do it in his own programs if elected in office. Make sure you read up on your candidates and not just listen to advertisements which costs an arm and a leg on TV. You just wonder where they're getting the money for that no? Be educated and be mindful that you have choices, he is one of them.

For more information about him:

Augusto "Boboy" Syjuco

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http://www.augustosyjuco.ph/

GIORDANO, A Linen Story And Their First Local Endorser

 Since 1981, Giordano has been able to establish its name in the fashion retail industry. Any Filipino would probably have one shirt, jeans, jacket or accessory in his/her lifetime. In the late 80's and 90's, Manila went all out crazy over colored shirts that it was almost normal to have that in different colors. Me included.

Giordano this year did something brave; they just announced that they will have their own local endorser. It happened to be someone everybody knows because of his hit series and undoubted popularity gained over the years. He might be 46 years old in real life but even the Vice President of Giordano Lloyd Lim said that it's not about the age, but how he carries himself, his style and demeanor. Their first ever local brand ambassador Richard Yap. Yes you heard that right. He is Richard Yap aka Papa Chen aka Sir Chief. He epitomizes Giordano's brand values and he's the perfect guy to represent the brand.

World without strangers is also their thrust this season. With 2006 stores all around the world, they are going to basically bridging the gap of age groups, ethnicity and style.

Not a stranger to us, Sir Chief himself is so confident that he's going to represent the brand very well since he's used the classic shirts even before. When asked, there was really no convincing anymore to get him as an endorser since he embodies what GIORDANO is as a brand. He represents any age group, and charms even the housewives at home with his style, that they didn't even want to change anything on his wardrobe.

Giordano also released their main campaign for this season. It's called A LINEN STORY. A Linen Story is comprised of three mini collections: Ethnic Beat which plays on Aztec symbols,  NATURE BURST which takes inspiration from nature, and SUMMER BLUES which concept comes from the beach. Giordano still aims to provide essential and timeless fashion for all; and to develop apparel for everyone regardless of your ethnicity, nationality or culture.

You'll see more of these pieces in stores soon.

I am so happy about this world class brand and how they have proven to be one of the greatest in the Philippine market. Just like you, I'll shop more!

For more information about their stores:

Giordano Philippines

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http://www.giordano.com.ph

Hate Them All!

Okay. I'm saying sorry to my self for spending a thousand bucks again drinking out with buddies from other companies. I hate it when I work out and waste it gaining calories back again in just a single sitting. Beer plus fatty food is equal to diet's epic fail. I am not in the mood to go working out again tomorrow. I need a lot of things fixed.

I am going to finish my reports tomorrow so we can get that on line and screened. After that I'll try to see if I can bring clothes for gym, if I don't pack that up around 9:30PM I'll end up going home and get some sleep.

Darn political ads ringing in my ear, how can I get some sleep in the afternoon when it's hot outside and the darn hypnotic sounds of that creepy presidentiable plays on tv all the time! sheesh!

I wanna turn Resident Evil and kill those F@#*&^%#^ candidates!

Where Is Arroyo?!

Are you wondering where President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is?! She's in Washington apparently and attended the Nuclear Security Summit. The United States and Russia are cutting down on weapons and this is something like the first step to further eliminate the need to use it for weaponry. Their goal is to rid the world of these weapons totally, I just wish they really are doing it in their own country.

What if the others did really did not keep their weapons and only a few only have it?! Are we going to suffer if a world war erupts?! Countries like ours that do not have atomic weapons are at shooting range anytime of the day. We will probably be one of the few targets in the Pacific Ocean because we are strategically located near all the other countries. I hope there was some way we could make one ourselves. Or maybe home grown missiles from garlic or cow dung and manufactured somewhere in Bocaue, Bulacan. That would be really nice to see since we are still gonna save the earth, we are organic ha-ha!

So?! How's the weather down there?!

I'm Voting for Noynoy...

So it's out! I am voting Noynoy Aquino officially. It was somewhat a split between him, Dick Gordon and Manny Villar. Just like most Filipinos I was really undecided initially but just this week I found 2 things that turned me off with the other candidates. I know, I admit that I do not know that much of Mr. Aquino Jr. other than him being the son of the late president, the late Ninoy, and the serious brother of Ms. Kris. I researched a bit and found his concept of being a law maker. He's right about one thing... we already have too many laws. Was he a performer?! His constituents think so... if the people thought so and felt it then it means he did a good job. I have seen Las Pinas where Villar ruled for quite some time. I never got to like that place. I don't know, I just felt it was dry and dirty all around. Some establishments and buildings are built but if you look at the ones beside it, most of them are closed shops. I don't even know what they are famous for aside from the Bamboo Organ. Aside from that, nada!

Gordon did a pretty good job in Subic, let's give that to him. But the time he was interviewed by Mike Enriquez one morning when I was in a cab, it just came to me. He went on exposing a couple of heads but he did not mention their names. Why on freakin sakes would you do that on election eve?! So you would look good and the others won't.... that is just lame. That is so elementary.

I want to vote for Noynoy Aquino and give him the chance to make major changes in the system. I want change... and I want it to be spearheaded by a leader who believes he can make the change happen with the help of the people of this country. One who still believes he can do it.

She Needs Prayers

I just watched SNN this evening and Kris Aquino just mentioned something about the former President Corazon Aquino. She seems to be not recovering that fast with her chemo sessions. She was just recently rushed to the hospital because of her loss of appetite. This has been the second day masses and novenas were done for her speedy recovery. All her friends and family pitched in.

There is nothing more memorable than her in the People Power revolt in 1986. It was one thing that she contributed, the democracy in the Philippines. Although, the economy suffered much in her time because of the other people who took advantage of her, she is still an icon here and elsewhere in the globe. It would be really sad to see her suffer amidst the death of other famous people like Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcette.

Among those that attended the mass were former President Estrada along with Dr. Loi Ejercito, Jackie Ejercito-Lopez and Senador Jinggoy Estrada. Deedee Sytangco, her spokesperson said Mrs. Aquino is in a 'stable' and 'conscious' condition while she refuses to undergo needed chemotherapy.

She was transferred from the ICU of Makati Medical Center, to her residence in Quezon City. Malacanang has also formally asked the public prayers for Mrs. Aquino. Kristie Kenney also prays for her speedy recovery. She said wonderful things about her and know how big role she played in forming the Philippine democracy.