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I was just at the right place, at the right time. I was heading to Midsayap recently on board the van of my friend.  Since he knew that I’m looking for human interest pictures, he just navigates his van at a speed of about 40-50kph so that it would be quick for us to halt should we’d spot some interesting subjects. That’s always our drill whenever we travel together. He knows what I need, he knows how to spot human interest pictures,too. He’s an experienced driver, he has been ferrying journalists , especially TV crews, around Mindanao during major events — war, disaster,etc. As we were approaching, the junction of Paco (Kidapawan City) and Pres. Roxas, he slowed down to allow some motorcycles to cross the highway. Besides, there were barricades on the side of the road. First, the construction of a gas station at the corner caught my attention. And then the giant billboard. In my mind, what is this giant billboard doing here. When I turned my head to see what’s on that bill...

We hitched our way back to the sanctuary and after arranging everything with our guide; she gave each of us a pair of binoculars. I declined mine since it was kinda hard hoisting two cameras along with it. According to our friendly guide, the Pelayo Resthouse, the one found at the Candaba Swamp and not the one in town, is available for overnighters for a minimal fee. There are no rooms and beds here though and visitors who wished to stay overnight should bring their own sleeping materials. They then have a choice of either sleeping on the available benches or on the cold hard floor. There’s also no place to buy food here, this is in the middle of a farmland, so you’d have to bring your own. For those afraid of the dark, be sure to bring a lamp as it can get quite dark come sundown, there is no electricity at the compound. We’re willing to endure all of those just to experience a sunset / sunrise combo at the Bird Sanctuary and this was really where we should have stayed for the n...

Rally dito, Rally doon, People Power dito, People Power doon. Hindi pa ba napapagod ang Pinoy at ang mga namumuno sa gobyerno? Pinalitan nga ang mga pinuno ngunit hindi parin nagbabago ang buhay sa Pilipinas. Datirati ang sinisigaw ni Juan dela Cruz ay: "Erap Resign!", "Gloria Resign!", tapos ngayon, “Pnoy Resign!”. Kung titignan nga naman ang kasaysayan, nung bumaba ang dating pangulong Estrada, hindi naman sinabi ng mga Pilipino na si GMA na ang ihalal bilang ika-14 na pangulo ng bansa. Saan napunta ang democracy? Aba'y pagkababa plang nung isa, nanumpa naman kagad ung isa. San napunta ang kapangyarihan ng mga mamamayan para maghalal ng mamumuno? Sa parte naman ng ating mga pinuno, bakit pa natin sila iboboto kung sa pagtagal din ay pabababain din naman? Dapat maging mas responsable tayong mga mamamayan. Maghalal ng pinuno na matino at pag nahalal naman ay ating suportahan. Ang nangyayari sa kasalukuyan kasi ay pagkaboto ng isang pinuno ay hahatakin naman ...

Prayers and aid for those affected by Haiyan. Dear Father, clear a path for teams to provide immediate relief for affected families. Now that the storm has passed over the country, put Your hand on the people of the Philippines and everyone involved in the relief effort, so that aid may reach those in need speedily. Caritas Manila Damayan BPI 3063-5357-01; BDO 5600-45905; Metrobank 175-3-17506954-3; Unionbank 00-030-001227-5; for US$ donations: BPI 3064-0033-55 (Swift Code: BOPIPHMM) or PNB 10-856-660002-5 (Swift Code: PNBMPHMM); email donorcare@caritasmanila.org.ph or call (632) 564-6678 Just to share a thought: the initial reaction of giving leads to an outpouring of aid in the first weeks after an incident.  However, as a staff of another charitable institution I interviewed before said, the aid tends to trickle down in the ensuing weeks or months when aid is still very much needed.  I just noticed some posts in the social media networks regarding worries that Decem...

Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Adoracion Agbada, in an order dated December 5, 2012, asked Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan to submit a counter-affidavit for the graft and corruption charges filed against him by local mediaman Robledo Sanchez. Pamintuan and company are being charged with two administrative cases, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and grave misconduct, and two criminal cases, violation of section 3(e) and 3(g) of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Violation of Article 217 (Malversation of public funds or property; Presumption of malversation) of the Revised Penal Code. The letter, addressed to the respondents -- Pamintuan, City Accountant Wilfredo Tiotuico, City Budget Officer Fe Corpuz, City Treasurer Juliet Quinsaat, and all Department Heads -- ordered Pamintuan and company to submit three copies of their respective counter-affidavits and any relevant evidence refuting the case filed against them. Pamintuan ...

Congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin has condemned the shooting of businessman Richard Agnew stating that the city police “should get to the bottom of it.” “Nakakatakot na ang mga nangyayari. Una kinikikilan ang mga negosyante. Hina-harass at sinasara ang mga negosyo nila. Ngayon naman ay tinatangka na nilang patayin,” Lazatin said. Gunmen reportedly missed their intended target Agnew, who was inside his car near his residence the other day. Agnew is a known supporter of Lazatin who revealed that the former’s business in Barangay Balibago was repeatedly closed by authorities for unclear violations. “This shooting incident will surely cripple the business and tourism in Angeles City, the lawmaker said. Lazatin also added that police must also take a look onto a possible political angle on the incident. by: Reynaldo G. Navales

Republic Act 10175 is oppressive and dangerous. It demonizes the computer user and extends its tentacles to a computer user’s freedom of expression and speech. In an age when decriminalization of libel is the trend, this law makes a fatal step back, toward the vault of archaic policies that cannot be made to apply to the modern man operating in a modern world. Cybercrime Prevention Act hardly affect OUR GOOGLE ADSENSE ACCOUNT. Let me just point out the fact that we need a Cybercrime Prevention Act. Except for certain problematic provisions, this law is necessary. That’s why it is unfortunate that the overly vague and oppressive provision on libel was inserted into the law at the last minute. Why am I against the libel provisions of the law? 1. Vague: No limitations against liability First, without a clear definition of the crime of libel and the persons liable, virtually any person can now be charged with a crime. Included in the potential list of accused are: Persons,...