ICRC Worker Mary Jean Lacaba Freed!

Mary Jean Lacaba has been freed from her almost 2 month stay in the hands of dreaded Abu Sayyaf.She is now in the hands of ICRC doctors in Manila. Mary Jean Lacaba arrived 12PM together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) volunteers after being freed from Abu Sayyaf in the town of Indanan, Sulu last night.

Philippine Air Force Spokesman Major Gerry Zamudio said that they did not pass Villamor Airbase anymore which was initially prepared but went to the domestic airport like an ordinary commercial plane. She left Jolo, Sulu at around 8PM through Zamboanga City together with Sulu Vice-Governor Lady Ann Sahidulla, Western Mindanao Command Chief Lieutenant General Nelson Allaga, PNP Directorate For Western Mindanao Chief Superintendent Felizardo Serapio and her friends from ICRC.

Senador Richard Gordon who is the current Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Chairman confirmed these reports.She is also taken cared of by doctors from Geneva, Switzerland. Lacaba will undergo normal debriefing as with any victim of kidnapping. The doctors also wanted to make sure that she is safe and be in good health.An 8 hour rest was recommended by these doctors.

The Ideal Getaway!

Earlier this week, my Mom asked me if we could go for a vacation a couple of hours away from my hometown Manila. The Highlands as they call it was part of the itinerary but the deal is we could not do that unless we had some of our relatives that had membership in that exclusive club to pitch us in since they are the only ones who could only do that. The couple of hundred thousand dollar membership fee a year is really a hefty price tag to pay. I would not want to have that on my account considering the economic crunch is on its way to affect our part of the world. I'm sure people would want to have an alternative that would not hurt that much on their budget. There are better alternatives though if I want to take that road.



Have you heard of places where you can avail 5 star rated accommodation at a cost so measly you won't even bother looking at the bill? It's where you have too much to spend for other things than the club membership itself to begin with. It's a place where relaxation and recreation is so affordable that you will eventually spend only a couple of hundred dollars for everything. Check these Great Deals Now so your family would enjoy what was meant only for the rich and famous. Visit http://www.holidaytravelaccomodations.com and see what huge savings you can make in these locations. You'll surely love the packages and offers they have for the smart consumer in you. I'll check it out one of these days if my brother and I push through with our NY City trip early spring next year. See you there!

Tsip Tsao and his Public Apology

Just this evening I heard over the radio (while taking a bath) Mr. Tsao went to the consulate in HK and faced the media, Migrante International, the Filipino community and the consuls themselves. He personally apologized and bowed 3 times as a sign of his sincere apology. That was one of the things I was personally waiting for. I can forgive like any normal human would do... but I don't forget. Racism is a huge issue. I hope he learns his history first when the British were treating Chinese lower than dogs, and when they in the 50's and 60's begged to gain entry in the Philippines in hopes of a better life. If I were to start a word war with him, we should start there so he knows where he's coming from. Remember when we were portrayed INDIOS in books and their race was even lower than us? If we were to start racism with that, I'm sure they would not like to hear it at all to begin with.

I am a Filipino of Spanish decent, but I am still a Filipino. We all have an uncertain future. We may have one or more of these things to think about in our lifetime. We maybe on top or way below the poverty line that society dictates. The difference between us though is I'm not hypocritical in saying we all have our own way of saying things... but I'm not going to the path he chose of going overboard and insult a whole generation of impoverished people just because I am where I am. Cast the first stone at me and you bet your sorry A$$ I'll throw you the GRAND CANYON!


My other article about him is here. CLICK THIS

Land of the Rising Sun

Since HONG KONG has just been removed from my destinations this year, I need a more interesting place to go to. I was trying to get flight discounts at a local airline and from the looks of it, I'm going to Japan.

In the land of the rising sun, I plan to visit major tourist attractions like SHINTO Shrines and palaces of the empire. I would also like to see the Princess and her family because there have been rave reviews about the charity work she does for the country. I seldom see her in newspapers today so if there would be something I could do on this trip it would be to have the honor of seeing her. I know the history in some ways because I am an avid watcher of Japanese information commercials here in the Philippines. My fascination stands back way in high school where I started my MANGA addiction.

With all the cultural influences this country has brought to my life, I would really love to see what it is all about. I want to walk along the streets where SAKURA gently falls; I want to see each interesting HARAJUKU girl dresses up in. I may not speak the Japanese language that fluently but I try to learn phrases each day to at lease cope up with the group of friends I have now. They even attend conventions just to feel they belong to the genre modern Japan has to offer.

If there are some things that I don't know about, I could probably easily get them off from the Okinawa Travel Guide. This place of history and the popular martial arts form of karate always makes me smile. I wonder if I could find time and go there from Tokyo. Well maybe if time permits it, I'm surely going to enjoy my time there. I got ideas where to go from the popular site Okinawa-Information.com. They have hundreds of pages that contain destinations that only locals would only know. It's a great help for first time travelers there, and since I would want to stay and enjoy from day 1 all the no nonsense reviews of foreigners would be of great help! I'm in the process of reading the excellent BLOGS, Forum Posts and information pages there so you better do the same if you are planning to go soon!

SULU Now Under State of Emergency

The Local government of SULU has declared a state of emergency in the whole province.

This is in response to the deadline the Abu Sayyaf had set for the 3 International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) members who was threatened to be beheaded at 2PM this afternoon. No news has been heard since then. Malacanang Palace is closely monitoring events in the region. Sulu has been repeatedly been a haven of kidnappers since the 70's.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that President Arroyo is at watch on all the events together with security and civilian authorities. The President has reiterated its request for the immediate release and safety of the hostages. They also are heeding for the public's prayer in this ordeal.

Sentaor and Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Chairman Richard Gordon was very emotionally appealing for the kidnappers to release the 3 aid workers in the hopes the Abu Sayyaf would release what was agreed upon initially. ICRC and also Pope Benedict XVI was asking Abu Sayyaf to release them too. It has always been a hard bargain for these guys and the time they spent there is already too long that some of them are getting sick. I hope no one is harmed til now. If they do then it should be all out war for these terrorists.

I hope they send Philip Salvador, Robin Padilla, Erap, Jinggoy and others because they can kill about 50 villains at one stroke hahah... well that corny part was by my friend Ryan =P

Major Plans for 2009

There are a couple of things that I want to accomplish before the end of the year and one of them is to have a book published. I've been doing creative writing for years now and I think the time to pursue this frustration is inevitable. If people in the US can do this in their own backyard and small offices, why should it be a hindrance for me to do the same?

I plan to also have it published through E-BOOKS and get tons of online following for this endeavor. The plan is to get as much people acquainted with the characters first before I release them late this year. I would need a ton of resources to get the prequel done electronically because I know how hard the logistics of getting copies these days are. If my own DVD writers at home would not be able to do the job, then I should find companies who can do it for me at a fraction of the cost. It's quite sad I do not have CD screen printing capabilities too because that would really spell how good my package would look like. If I can't sell it to my friends and family first, I would not know how it would really fare in the market by then. I need to get CD duplication discounts too so I cut down on prices since times are hard. I understand how everyone feels because I am in the same situation as they are. I could not find anything similar like what CD duplication Boston has. They have one stop shops that can cater to my needs but that would really be too far for me to travel and generally would take costing sky high. Maybe I can ask relatives and friends from that area and contact them online so I can check out what would be best for me. Let's just hope shipping costs would not be troublesome because as far as I know nothing has surpassed the quality of work they do there.

Are you willing to donate for my book then? Ha-ha!

Boycott Trips to HK

Trips to Hong Kong were suggested to be boycotted by Paranaque Congressman Roilo Golez from 6 months to a year. We are one of the highest tourist visitors in that country. Golez said that it was just so insulting for that columnist Chip Tsao from Hongkong Magazine Online to say that the Philippines is a nation of Servants.

This guy is just ignorant that there are a lot of Filipinos who hold high sensitive positions in Multi national companies in Hong Kong. In the mean time,the Philippine consulate is moving on filing a fromal protest against this PIG from Hong Kong called Tsao.

Together with this formal protest, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said that they are doing every measure to maintain the dignity of the working Filipino. Fajardo added that Malacanang is working hard to boost the economy so it would not only be the career choice and option to go abroad.

I ask of you if you are planning vacations, try to go to other countries instead... so we won't have to deal with sick people like Tsao who find ridiculing and insulting people a GOOD JOB.

A Good Review

I've been taking a huge liking to many technologically advanced devices which I have been musing about in my site this past year. I make it a point that I try and test it out my self before I recommend them to everyone who drop by my site. I never hold back on telling what is bad or good in a device because at the end of the day it will be your name on the line. I was inspired when I dropped by ProductReview.com.au, the consumers interact and tell all on everything you have at home. They even have product reviews for the latest gadgets, vehicles, services and everything under the sun. This is one great place to go to if you want things explained to you, plain and simple.

The reviewers themselves have their names indicated. This camera above caught my fancy because I have been looking for one that would fit my budget and needs. I wanted to have professional quality pictures without it breaking the bank. Well, it may just did break the bank but everybody who did have it said it was worth it. The NIKON D70 had auto focus capabilities that the former line of DSLR did not have. The light weight is also making me wonder when and where I should buy it once I get the funds. Hey! You know I would probably get one by the end of summer. Wish me luck!

HK Filipino Domestic Workers Asks for Public Apology

They are now asking for a public apology because this so called know it all smelly Hong Kong Chinese journalist called the Philippines a country of servants. It's so funnny that a mongrel who can't even talk straight english would even say that. In a press statement, the group called United Filipinos in Hong Kong condemned and article called "A War at Home ni Chip Tsao" where she was a former reporter for BBC, best selling author of dog books and a columnist for Hongkong Magazine Online a local paper meant for wrapping garbage.

According to the group, it did not only ridiculed and made fun of Filipinos but Tsao insulted the rights of Filipino domestic workers. The chink even looks like a chipmunk.


According to the group, Tsao only gave an unintelligent point of view in favor of giant CHINA which obviously she is kissing ass for with the Spratlys Island issue which the whole region already talked about for cooperation. This was the main purpose of the column but how in the world did this monkey even think about the plight of Filipino Domestic Workers? If I see this person, I'll make good use of the pen and stick it on her brain... since it does not contain that much anyway. Yes he's a she...he's gay too!

United Filipinos in Hong Kong reiterated that it is clear abuse that she did and want her to pay the consequences. I'll be asking my co bloggers to make buzz about this soon. I'll make sure to campaign for it because these chinky eyed dog need to be taught a lesson... and manners.

Aside from the PIG LOOK A LIKE Tsao, a public apology was also asked from the publisher and editor of the HK Magazine Online.

CLICK HERE FOR HIS ARTICLE

*note: as of 4PM of the same day I wrote this article, the site has bogged down and the article was removed from the site redirecting only to the main page... apparently the PIG has gotten headlines and afraid of the millions of bloggers that will hound him... TO MY CO BLOGGERS, REMEMBER THAT PIG'S FACE OK?

Government Troops Pulling Out of Sulu for ICRC Workers

Today, government troops have started to pullout from war stricken Indanan, Sulu. A force with about a thousand soldiers, police and civilian emergency personnel parted ways with kidnap for ransom groups believed to hold 3 volunteers from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). These are the same Abu Sayyaf kidnap for ransom groups that has been hounding the foreigners and filipinos in the Southern Philippines.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Rolando Puno also added that the pullout of government troops was done to start the negotiations for the immediate release of the three Red Cross workers.

But according to Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, there are still no news about any recent release as stipulated in their first round of negotiations. PNP Provincial Chief Superintendent Jul Asirim Kasim, also said his men had gone to the Municipality of Maimbong in the same province for this same reason. Abu Sayyaf Commander Al Bader Parad was said to have been holding the three and the pullout was done so talks could resume for their release. No one has notified them that negotiators would actually come from either sides too so there is a big confusion on the field. Puno asked to pullout the 8 untis of military, police and Civilian Emergency Forces in the hopes of getting these people into safety. Everyone else like me is watching for developments as they happen. I'll try and keep you posted!