Year: 2010

Dengue

Published by Ellen on August 15, 2010

May sumulat sa akin na taga-Marinduque na alalang-alala siya sa dumadaming kaso ng dengue sa kanila ngunit parang hindi alam ng kanyang mga kababayan kung ano ang dapat gawin.

Sabi niya walo na raw ang namatay sa kanila nitong mga nakaraang linggo kasama ang siyam na taong gulang na si Lovely Gail Ramos ng Brgy. Santol, Boac at ang isang grade three na estudyante ng Don Luis Hidalgo Elementary School na namatay sa Damian Reyes Hospital isang oras lang na dinala doon.

Nang unang dinala daw kasi ang biktima sa isang private clinic, sinabi tonsillitis ang sanhi ng lagnat. Huli na ng matumbok na dengue.
Pagkatapos nun, binisita daw ni Dr. Honesto Marquez of PHO-Marinduque ang Brgy. Santol noong Biyernes ay sinabihan ang mga tao na mag-ingat sa dengue na dala ng lamok.

Ang telenobelang Kris at James

Published by Ellen on August 14, 2010

Magandang ehemplo ang ginawa ng traffic aide ng Metro Manila Development Authority na nanghuli sa driver ni Kris Aquino na nag-park sa “No parking” na lugar sa tapat ng ABS-CBN sa Quezon city.

Hindi siyang nag-atubili na ipatupad ang batas at tinikitan ang driver ni Kris. Tumawag ang driver kay Kris at sinabi naman ni Kris na dapat ng tiketan ang kanyang driver.

Ang pangyayaring ito ay tugma sa patakaran na pinaiiral ni Pangulong Aquino na walang hindi saklaw ng batas. Lahat pantay-pantay sa batas.

Katulad ng ginawa niya sa wang-wang. Hindi hinahawi ang traffic para lang mapabilis siya sa pupuntahan niya.

Di ba nakakabilib?

Kaya lang dahil nga medyo maiinit na ang mga mata ng tao kay Kris, merong ibang nagsasabi na pa-epek lang niya yun.

Hindi naman siguro ganun si Kris. Over na nga siya sa publicity lalo pa na umaandar na ang annulment ng kanyang kasal.

Sigurado as susunod na mga araw, laman ng peryodiko ang tungko as annulment ng kasal ni Kris dahil nakakuha na ng abogado si James Yap.

What’s with Joker?

Published by Ellen on August 12, 2010

Sen. Joker Arroyo just won’t give up even if he had been reduced to stammering after he was proven wrong about his opposition to Senate Resolution 84 that seeks custody of detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV so could perform his duties as elected legislator.

Yesterday, Arroyo tried to block the implementation of the Senate resolution expressing the sense of the Senate “to rectify the apparent injustice” to the former military officer who dared stood up to Gloria Arroyo, by questioning the third and fourth “whereasses” in the resolution.

The third “whereas” referred to Senate Resolution No. 3 adopted on July 25, 2007 “Expressing the Sense of the Senate that Senator Trillanes IV be allowed to participate in the sessions and other functions of the Senate in accordance with the Rule of Law.”

Arroyo was adamant in his assertion that there was no 2007 Senate Resolution No. 3.

Senate seeks custody of Trillanes

Published by Ellen on August 11, 2010

The Senate has passed a resolution urging the Makati Regional Trial Court to allow them to take custody of detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV so he can attend sessions and perform his functions as a senator.

At least 16 senators have signed Senate Resolution No. 84 that was formally adopted Tuesday night by the upper chamber, calling for the transfer of the custody of Senator Trillanes to the Senate, so he can attend and participate in the sessions and other official functions of the Senate.

Those who signed the resolution were Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senators Vicente Sotto III, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, Jinggoy Estrada, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Teofisto Guingona III, Gregorio Honasan, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Loren Legarda, Sergio Osmena III, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Ralph Recto, Ramong “Bong” Revilla Jr., and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Beautiful singing

Published by Ellen on August 10, 2010

Update, Aug. 15: Arthur Espiritu was fantastic last night at the Viva Bel Canto concert. His voice has a pristine quality and he moves with certain savvy. It’s such a joy listening and watching him on stage.

One of the rare times that the Philamlife theater was full. Thanks to Klassikal Music Foundation (Donald Yang), ROS Music Center (Rey Sison) and Pablo Tariman for an evening of fine music.

Lovers of classical music should not miss “Viva Bel Canto” on Aug. 14, 8 pm at the Philamlife Auditorium on U.N. Avenue, Manila.

It features Arthur Espiritu, the first Filipino tenor to perform at La Scala di Milan since 1928. Before him in 1928, Filipino bass baritone Jose Mossessgeld- Santiago performed at the hallowed La Scala the role of Sparafucile in Mefistofele.

Espiritu is visiting the Philippines and it would be a rare opportunity for Filipino music lovers to enjoy his performance.

At a pre-concert press conference at the Mandarin Hotel, Arthur mesmerized newsmen with a few numbers together with soprano Rochelle Gerodias and pianist Najib Ismail, who will be performing with him in this Saturday’s Philippine debut.

The expected question was “How was it performing in La Scala?” where even musical greats experienced being booed (Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti) by a demanding audience.

Verafiles’ trustee is 2010 Ninoy and Cory Aquino Fellow for Journalism

Published by Ellen on August 10, 2010

photo of awardees — Amb. Harry Thomas, Flora May Cerna, Yvonne Chua and Ballsy Cruz

Veteran journalist, journalism educator and VERA Files trustee Yvonne Chua was named 2010 Ninoy and Cory Aquino Fellowship Awardee for journalism.

In a simple ceremony held Monday, Chua was cited for the “depth and breadth of her work” as journalist.

Flora May M.Cerna, head of the Department of Research and Project Development at the Transparency and Accountability Network, is the awardee for the 2010 Aquino Fellowship for Public Service.

The awards are given annually by the United States Embassy and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation to individuals who excel in journalism and public service. (Photo by Reylynne de la Paz)

Ang tapang ng apog

Published by Ellen on August 10, 2010

Talagang magkaka-maganak sa tapang ng apog itong mga Arroyo at mga Ampatuan.

Kung sino pa ang malaking kasalanang sa taumbayan, sila pa ang malalakas ng loob magreklamo.

Noong Lunes nag-privilege speech ang anak ni Gloria Arroyo na si Camarines Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo at binatikos ang mga kongresista katulad ni Walden Bello ng Akbayan,. Teddy Casino ng Bayan at Rep. JV Ejercito ng San Juan na nagbitaw ng mga maa-anghang na salita laban sa kanyang ina.

Nananahimik daw ang kanyang ina mula ng bumaba sa Malacañang para daw libre na magmamahala si Aquino ng bayan. Masamang ehemplo daw ang ginawa ng mga anti-Arroyo na mga kongresista na binabatikos ang kanyang ina na marami daw ginawang mabuti sa bayan.

Finally, E.O on communications group released

Published by Ellen on August 10, 2010

Finally, Executive Order No. 4 was released yesterday “reorganizing and renaming the office of the press secretary as the presidential communications operations office; creating the presidential communications development and strategic planning office; and for other purposes.”

Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma heads the Presidential Communications Operations (PCO).

Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang is Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary (PCDSP). His deputy is Manuel “Manolo” L. Quezon III.

Both Coloma and Carandang hold cabinet rank and they will each have separate budgets. They will be working hand-in-hand with the Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Lucille Ortile and the Acuzar connection

Published by Ellen on August 8, 2010

Why is Lucille Ortile, once rumored to be former Vice President Noli de Castro’s special someone, in Malacañang as chief of staff of Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa?

In February 2008, when De Castro was still being considered as a presidential candidate for the 2010 elections, an item went around the internet and text about a P200 million house at 2256 Paraiso st, Dasmariñas Village, Makati City reportedly belonging to somebody special to De Castro. The name “Lucille Ortile” was mentioned.

De Castro vehemently denied having anything to do with the Dasmariñas house. Friends who know Ortile attest to her innocence and falsity of that rumor.

Weder-weder lang

Published by Ellen on August 8, 2010

Hindi sang-ayon ang grupo ng mga scientists,Agham (Advocates of Science and Technology for the People) sa pagsibak kay Dr. Prisco Nilo, director ng Pag-asa.

Sabi ng Agham dapat ay ipinaliwanag kay Pangulong Aquino na tingnan ang kaso ng pagkamali ng weather forecast sa bagyong “Basyang” sa dalawang punto.

Dapat, maintindihan kung ano ang bagyo. Iyon ay lakas ng kalikasan. Nagbibigay ang Pagasa ng kanilang assessment sa pagkilos ng bagyo tuwing anim na oras. Ang pagiging eksakto ng pagbasa ng bagyo ay depende sa kakayahan ng instrument na gamit.