February 2010 – ellen tordesillas

Massive earthquake in Chile; alert up in Pacific Rim countries

Published by Ellen on February 27, 2010

As we commiserate with the victims disasters, this time in Chile’s earthquake, we should remember to remain calm and alert. Prepare for the worst, pray for the best.

A massive earthquake has hit central Chile, killing at least 82 people, the interior minister says.

The 8.8 magnitude quake struck at 0634 GMT about 115km (70 miles) north-east of the city of Concepcion and 325km south-west of the capital, Santiago.

President Michelle Bachelet declared a “state of catastrophe” in affected areas and appealed for calm.

Tsunami warnings have been issued for Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Central America and Pacific island nations.

Click here for the rest of the story.

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It is not possible to predict the time and magnitude of an earthquake, but certain places on the Earth know they are always at risk from big tremors. Chile is one of those places.

Tagtuyot

Published by Ellen on February 27, 2010

Galing ako sa aming probinsiya sa Antique at talagang feel na feel na doon ang El Niño.

Ang aking tanim ay naninilaw at namamatay. Kahit ang mga orchids na vanda na gusto niya ay araw, bumibigay. Sabi ng aming caretaker, binibinyagan naman daw niya ngunit “puerte gid ang init, “sabi niya. Kawawa nga ang aking mga staghorn dahil gusto noon malamig at palaging basa.

Nang nandoon ako, umaga at hapon ang aking pagdidilig ngunit parang nakonsyensiya naman ako na ang kumukunti nating tubig at gagamiting ko ang marami sa pandilig ng halaman smantalang sa ibang lugar, tumitigang at bumubuka na ang mga lupa sa kakulangan ng tubig.

Comedia at Skylab

Published by Ellen on February 26, 2010

ANTIQUE – Ang titulo nitong kolum ko ay hindi komedya na na nakakatawanan kungdi tungkol sa isang klaseng palabas na dinala ng mga kastila dito sa Pilipinas.

Dahil ang comedia ay galing Espanya, ang kwento ay tungkol sa laban ng Kristiyano at ng mga Muslim. Ang mga “cast of characters” ay mga hari at reyna, mga prinsipe at prinsesa at mga sundalo.

Maganda pakinggan ang sagutan at ang eskrimahan. Inaabot ng sobra 10 oras.

Iyan ang aking pinagkaka-abalahan nitong mga nakaraang araw. Kaya medyo missing in action ako sa national politics.

Muzzling the victims to protect Arroyo

Published by Ellen on February 25, 2010

Last Feb. 3, the relatives of 13 journalists killed in the Nov. 23 2009 massacre in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao filed a suit with the Asean Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights to hold accountable the Arroyo government for the carnage that murdered at least 57 people, 30 of them journalists.

The rationale for the charge, which was done with the assistance of CenterLaw Philippines, is simple and easily understandable: All of those responsible for the carnage are agents of the Philippine State.

Harry Roque of CenterLaw yesterday disclosed that Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera (who is supposed not to be holding that position since she filed her certificate of candidacy last Nov. 30) is pressuring the kin of 13 journalists who filed the suit with the AICHR not to pursue it.

Only in Arroyo’s administration: cabinet members as “guests” in a cabinet meeting

Published by Ellen on February 24, 2010

by Regina Bengco
Malaya

Malapascua Island, Cebu. – President Arroyo had an innovative explanation for the presence of Cabinet officials seeking elective positions in May in last Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting in Palawan when she announced they were only there “as guests.”

Trade Secretary Peter Favila said Arroyo wanted to put on record that the concerned Cabinet officials are just “guests” to prevent any future legal question.

“She wasn’t laughing. Nobody laughed,” Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano said when asked if Arroyo made the announcement in jest.

Magdalo for Villar, but with conditions

Published by Ellen on February 24, 2010

by Ashzel Hachero
Malaya

Manny Villar, presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party, and Manuel Roxas, vice presidential bet of the Liberal Party, have gotten the support of the Magdalo group which said it could deliver at least 250,000 votes.

The “price” of the support: He will not enter into an alliance with President Arroyo; and he will pursue the Magdalo advocacy on poverty alleviation, anti-corruption, peace in Mindanao, and reform and modernization of the Armed Forces.

A third condition, according to Acedillo, is for Villar to allow other detained Magdalo members to serve in government.

Asked to explain if the condition — “malayang makapagsilbi ulit sa gobyerno an gaming mga kasamahan sa pamumuno ng aming chairman a si Sen. (Antonio) Trillanes IV” — means they would seek amnesty for the detained Magdalo members, Acedillo noted the Magdalo members are still undergoing trial for coup and rebellion. He said they might move for amnesty in the next administration.

Take charge na daw si Noynoy

Published by Ellen on February 20, 2010

Ayun sa report, nagre-reorganize daw ang Liberal Party para ayusin ang takbo ng kampanya ni Noynoy Aquino.

Noong isang linggo, may report din na magti-take charge na raw si Noynoy sa kanyang kampanya.
Magandang hakbang ito ni Noynoy at ng Liberal Party at nangyari lamang ito dahil sa pagbagsak ni Noynoy at pag-akyat naman ni Manny Villar ng Nacionalista Party sa surveys.

Mahalaga ang surveys dahil yun ang nag-pupulso ng damdamin at pag-iisip ng sambayanan. Parang thermometer yan. Pinapakita kung ano ang init sa loob.

Captain? Lieutenant? Mister?

Published by Ellen on February 18, 2010

It must have been slip of the tongue when Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told Malacañang reporters “We have been checking on the court” when asked for reaction to the order of Makati RTC Judge Elmo Alameda to grant bail to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and 16 officers and soldiers in connection with the Nov. 2007 incident at the Manila Peninsula.

Alameda said the evidence presented by the prosecution did not prove the charge of rebellion, which should have been non-bailable.

Alameda’s order supports common sense that what Trillanes, Lim and company did on Nov. 2007 did not constitute public uprising and taking up arms against the government which is the primary element of rebellion.

Lim, Trillanes to remain in jail despite bail—AFP

Published by Ellen on February 18, 2010

From GMA News TV:

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and senatorial aspirant former Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim will remain in jail despite being allowed by a Makati court to post bail on a rebellion charge, the military said on Wednesday.

“The group of Senator Trillanes cannot be released until after the military has agreed already, because they are still facing general court martial,” said Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr.

He said the two have pending cases before the military tribunal in connection with alleged attempts to overthrow the Arroyo government.

“Under the military law, there is no such thing as bail,” Brawner said.

Minaliit ni Ermita kandidatura ni Lim, Layug at Alejano

Published by Ellen on February 17, 2010

Ang yabang talaga nitong executive secretary ni Gloria Arroyo.

Minaliit kahapon ni Executive Secretary Ermita ang kandidatura ni Brig. Gen. Danny Lim at ang dalawang Magdalo na oisyal, si James Layug, dating kapitan sa Philippine Navy na ngayon ay tumatakbo para kongresista sa second district ng Taguig, at si Gary Alejano, dating Marine captain na ngayon ay tumatakbo para mayor ng Sipalay sa Negros Occidental.
Tinatanong si Ermita kung ang pagpayag ni Judge Elmo Alameda ng Makati Regional Trial Court na makapagpiyansa sina Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, at ang 16 na Magdalo na opisyal at sundalo kasama na doon sina Layug at Alejano ay makakatulong sa kanilang kandidatura, ang sagot ni Ermita na painsulto “Oh..oh…oh.. Only in the Philippines.”

Nakalimutan na yata ni Ermita na minaliit din nila noong 2007 si Trillanes. Kaya nga nila pinayagan kumandidato kasi akala nila walang pagasang mananalo. Kasi nga naman, walang pera, nakakulong pa.

Month: February 2010