A very good friend of mine [...]]]> A “strong” earthquake hit Jersey City this afternoon, at around 2PM today (Aug. 23, 2011). Reports say the tremor measured 5.8 – 5.9, which was also felt in New York, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Who knew it would happen in the East Coast, where earthquake is not common?

A very good friend of mine – Elmer, a local DJ – said via facebook that the earthquake shook his apartment building: “For a moment I thought it was just me being light headed…I was really surprised it was actually an earthquake. Doesn’t happen around here often. I live in Los Angeles for 5 years…I experience it there all the time. You be extra careful there for possible aftershocks…”

This could be a first time experience for me if I were in Jersey City when it occurred. I immediately made a long distance call to my mother and she said she didn’t feel anything, but mentioned that my father who works in South Jersey, and his officemates, were instructed to evacuate their building.

NJ.com reports that the epicenter of the quake was in central Virginia. Snippet of the news below:

“…The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting that a magnitude 5.9 earthquake was centered in central Virginia, and the Associated Press is reporting the quake was felt in Washington, New York City and North Carolina…”

Did you feel the earthquake in Jersey City? Where were you when it happened?

Join the forum discussion on this post

Also available is the Filipino/Tagalog (Original) version at [...]]]>
One year after Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III‘s inauguration, he enumerated his achievements in his 4-page anniversary speech at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, and at the same time, bashed the previous administration of former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Read the transcript inside this post.

Also available is the Filipino/Tagalog (Original) version at the end ….

Speech
of
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
On his first year in office

[Translation of the speech delivered at the PhilSports Arena, Pasig City on June 30, 2011]

Already, a year has passed. Do all of us still remember everything that we went through? Before, when sirens blared on our roads, we were forced to move aside. The average Filipino’s greatest dream was to get a VISA so that he could work in another country. People would sleep soundly, only to wake up to flood skimming their beds, because PAGASA failed to raise a storm warning. And how many had already given up hope that justice for the 57 victims of the Maguindanao Massacre will be served?

Do you still remember those times when, upon hearing bad news, you could not even shake your head in disgust because you were certain the worse was yet to come? Before, the Filipinos were one as they sighed frustratedly: Bear it, this will soon come to pass. Weren’t we all surprised when the economy surged before last year’s elections—only to realize that this was because the world shared our nation’s anticipation of the end of the Arroyo administration, and the impending Easter redemption to our people’s Calvary? Does it not feel as though it were just yesterday when you handed me the last embers of your hope, when you called on me to fight for the straight and righteous path?

I had not printed even a single poster or pamphlet when the people called on me, because as you know, I had absolutely no plans to run for the presidency. I never dreamt to engage the colossal problems Mrs. Arroyo would be leaving behind—problems that I, nonetheless fought against as a member of Congress and the Senate. I had already witnessed, through my late mother’s experiences, the grave responsibilities that come with being the President, most especially if you were to inherit a system much profaned. I asked myself: Will I be able to fix all of this.?

I contemplated very carefully before I responded to your call. But when a jar heavy with coins was handed to me so as to help in the campaign; when the masses, who could ill afford umbrellas that could shield them from the midday sun, crowded the streets to welcome me; when you told me that I was not alone—I could not stomach saying no. I could not say, “I am sorry, but I am a coward, and I’d rather live to a ripe old age.” I said: I am with you, Filipino. Together, we will straighten the crooked, we will weed out the corrupt, we will right what is wrong.

And we are here today, a year since we put an end to a government deaf and blind to the plight of its citizens. They gave us a house whose ceilings sagged, whose walls had chipped and cracked. The furniture had been dismantled for scrapwood, and replaced with fixings bought on credit. The worse part about it was that, I knew we would inherit even that debt, along with all the mess they left for us to clean up.

We soon discovered that the system was more extreme, more horrible than anything we could have expected. For example: from 1972 to 2000, the NFA amassed 12.9 billion pesos in debt. When Mrs. Arroyo came into power, she managed, in just a single year of her term, to raise this debt to 18 billion pesos. Let me repeat: from 12 billion, NFA debt went up to 18 billion in a year. Yet, she was far from content: when she stepped down, the NFA’s debt had risen to 177 billion pesos—a thousand percent increase, evidencing the previous administration’s record-breaking abilities to amass debt.

This same administration has been calling on us to recognize their so-called achievements, and has invited us to stand on their shoulders. This same administration claims that there has been no change; that the straight and righteous path will only plunge us headlong over a cliff. Will we allow ourselves to be deceived by these efforts to sow seeds of doubt so that, in our confusion, the old system will find an opportunity to wrest back its power?

I will no longer waste time bickering with them. I only wish to express my relief and overwhelming gratitude that Mrs. Arroyo herself has stated that I am her exact opposite. Finally, we have agreed on something.

If they want a response, it will come from the 21,800 families of our soldiers and police force—they who will have decent homes before the year ends.

It will come from our poor countrymen who have registered in our Conditional Cash Transfer program. Four days from now, I myself will witness the two millionth beneficiary of the CCT being signed on.

It will come from the nearly 240,000 farmers who now benefit from over 2,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads that we constructed in just one year.

Ask them. Is the change not clear enough? Just last year, we imported tons of rice that came in frightening shiploads, needing frightening amounts of money to pay for warehouses. We only needed to import 1.3 million metric tons a year to meet our needs, but they imported two million metric tons. Now, we import nearly half of what we needed to import last year: 660,000 metric tons.

No sleight of hand was needed to increase our rice yield: We just found the most affordable and effective measures where we could allocate our irrigation budget; we promoted the use of the best seedlings available; and we encouraged upland rice farming. These are some of the reasons for the 15 percent increase in our rice production—the highest yield in the history of dry season cropping.

I hope you will excuse me, because I do not usually boast: We used to have an annual rice deficit of 1.3 million tons. In this first year alone, we will be importing 800,000 tons—to leave room for a buffer—but all we need now is some 600,000 tons. I will be all praises for Secretary Alcala if he delivers on his promise of rice self-sufficiency by 2013.

Just last year, how many of us dared to dream that the rice we cook on our stoves would have been planted, sown, and sold on Philippine spoil. And we are optimistic that, as I mentioned, Secretary Proci Alcala’s promise will be fulfilled: before 2013 ends, we will no longer need to import rice from other countries.

Think about it: Because of the conscientious spending of the people’s coffers, and by mending the leakages in our system, we have saved up enough money this year to fund projects that go above and beyond those already programmed in our General Appropriations Act. Despite not raising taxes, an additional 12 billion pesos have been programmed to finance our various needs: from the Pantawid Pasada for drivers of public utility vehicles who are often the first to feel the rising fuel prices, to the salaries of 10,000 nurses sent to serve in our poor provinces; from modern ships that can patrol our shores, to other such programs and projects that will benefit the majority of our people.

Imagine what would have happened had we continued to allow the plunder of our country’s coffers. Perhaps, then, our drivers would have no choice but to walk. Perhaps the sick in far-flung areas would be left to chew leaves to ease their aches. And perhaps, then, our Navy might not even be capable of frightening the fish in the seas they patrol.

Housing, rice, security, wages, roads, gas subsidies, lifebuoys for our countrymen drowning in poverty: These are the reforms we now sow. We need not have unearthed Yamashita’s treasure to accomplish all of this; we merely pursued the corrupt in government, rectified government spending, and straightened the long-crooked system.

Just look at what they did to the Philippine National Construction Corporation: In spite of an inability to submit decent remittances, its officials still had the gall to give themselves bonuses. It took a five-page memo to detail the corruption that our new PNCC officials have uncovered and fixed: from creating unnecessary positions paid half a million in salary every month; to subscribing to cell phone plans unnecessary to their duties; from materials sold at a loss to fatten their own pockets, to fictitious fixed allowances amounting to at least a hundred thousand pesos every month—all of these we stopped. As a result, we have lowered their former monthly expense of P22 million to just P11 million.

Again, take for example the wickedness we have discovered in the PCSO. They found money to go over their budget for commercials airing the face of this or that politician on television, but can not find the money to pay for the three billion pesos they owe our government hospitals. Because these debts have not been paid—because of corruption—the very hospitals funded by the government refuse to accept guarantees from their fellow government agencies. Would this not make your blood rise to your nape? Uncovering deliberate mismanagement and corruption, instead of joining its fray: This is the change we have been proclaiming.

I know that many of us are in a hurry to sow the fruits of the reforms we have just planted. I cannot blame our countrymen who have gone through a decade of ceaseless corruption and unscrupulousness, that they no longer believe that it is possible to have a government that chooses to tread the straight and righteous path. There are those who are slow to realize that we need to work together and face challenges together to achieve everything that we aspire for.

I understand where they are coming from: I, too, dream that all of us will wake up one day and find that we have been granted the solutions to all our problems overnight. But I also know that you are aware that, in the long run, a hastened, mediocre solution will be useless and pointless. We need to carefully establish our reforms, we need the guarantee that our programs are effective and will continue to be so, and we need long-term solutions that will ensure that we will no longer pass on problems to the coming generations.

Is it not that simple? We know how much we suffered in the past, and we know what we want for our future. Don’t we now wholeheartedly strive to bridge the gap between what we hope for and what we can achieve, and has not the nation risen up in the struggle to realize our collective dreams? Is it not so that now, whichever side of an argument we may be, we are driven by compassion for our country? Now, our slightest actions are open to scrutiny.

Isn’t it that, these days, whichever side of an argument we may be, we are still bound by concern for our country? Sometimes, I wonder: If I am asked to comment on an issue but I think it prudent to keep my mouth shut, I am criticized. But then, when I express my opinions, I am labeled as a nosy busybody. What do they expect me to do? Cut my body in half and hover around like the manananggal?

I have told you before: If we end corruption, we end poverty. Good governance redounds to palpable benefits for the people, especially for the less fortunate: Every medicine tablet our government funds for the poor, every inch of road, every opportunity to acquire a decent job—all of these were borne from integrity and a government that responds to and cooperates with its people.

Our destination is clear and we will reach it: The services that are meant to benefit you, now benefit you, instead of some politician who fancies himself king, but in reality is nothing more that stale, sparse bread.

We have come so far in just one year. Just imagine the breadth of our success in the five years to come. The Filipino people and the entire world stand witness: We are reaping the rewards of our journey on the straight and righteous path. Why turn back now?

The corrupt are still hard at work to break the faith of the very people who called on me and have brought about our triumph in the past election. We expected this, and I am confident the Filipino people are still behind me in our collective fight against those who have wronged us. I have said this before: You are my strength—strength that is the wellspring of the successes we reap today, and the imminent and continuous realization of our hopes.

This will never change. You are still my Boss.

We have done fairly well this first year, but in the coming years, I expect all members of government, with the help of the citizenry, to work together even more and hasten the realization of the change for which we aspire.

Good afternoon to you all. Thank you very much.

Downloadables:

• Speech in English (DOC | PDF)
• Speech in Filipino (DOC | PDF)

Below you will find the provinces in watch:

[UPDATE: June 27, 2010] Vera, Odon, Filipino Idols 2010

[Original Post: June 13, 2010]

June 12, 2010, Jersey City – Eight adults and four children advance to the Grand Finals of Filipino Idol 2010 which will be held on June 27, 2010 during the 20th Annual Philippine-American Friendship Day Parade and [...]]]>

[UPDATE: June 27, 2010] Vera, Odon, Filipino Idols 2010

[Original Post: June 13, 2010]

June 12, 2010, Jersey City – Eight adults and four children advance to the Grand Finals of Filipino Idol 2010 which will be held on June 27, 2010 during the 20th Annual Philippine-American Friendship Day Parade and Festival at Hudson Bergen Light Rail Station.

Each candidate impressed the judges during the audition which took place at Five Corners Branch Library on Newark Avenue. The judges and the audience witnessed a variety of song interpretations, including some acapella, an acoustic, and even a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. The kids are amazing, they sing “like a pro” as the emcee (Jonathan) put it.

In the end, though, there will only be two winners.

This year’s Filipino Idol competition is categorized into two: the adult category and the experimental “bulilit” (kids) category. They will showcase their talent on the big stage in front of a huge crowd and judges who are professionals in the world of entertainment. Winners of each category will receive cash prizes and prestigious recognition.

Using her cellular phone, a lady in the audience records a performance of one of the singers

Hector Magno, Chair of Filipino Idol Competition, was delighted to see non-Filipino candidates. “Maybe we should name the competition ‘Fil-Am Idol’ (ed: Filipino-American) next year.”

Not a bad idea, if you ask this blogger. After all, Filipino Idol competition is the highlight of the Philippine-American Friendship Day Grand Parade.

The Finalists:

Kids category (age 7-12)

• Alyssa Shoemaker
• Giselle Gonzales
• Jade Rhodes
• Regene “Seven” Odon

Adult Category (age 16-35) + their audition songs

• April Vera (25) – “Hurt Me”
• Armi Piamonte (21) – “On My Own” (Acapella version)
• Bryan De Leon (28) – “Iris” (Acoustic version)
• Chelsea Evangelista (18) – “I Believe”
• Imani Hightower (15) – “Dance with the Rope” (Acapella version)
• Jim Diego (26) – “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”
• Joyce Hightower (35) – “Star-spangled Banner”
• Marjorie Perlas (20) – “I Told You So”

Cash Prizes:

• Kids – $300 (1st), $200 (2nd), $100 (3rd)
• Adults - $500 (1st), $300 (2nd), $200 (3rd)

Finalists in Action

[Show as slideshow]

This is a sad news. A 72-year old Filipina was killed in a hit-and-run at around 5:30AM last Saturday (April 24, 2010). She was struck and killed by a driver in a silver SUV who sped off, as she crossed Rt. 139 at a traffic light [...]]]>

Inset: Photo from Concepcion family via NJ.com

This is a sad news. A 72-year old Filipina was killed in a hit-and-run at around 5:30AM last Saturday (April 24, 2010). She was struck and killed by a driver in a silver SUV who sped off, as she crossed Rt. 139 at a traffic light on Oakland Avenue, Police spokesman Lt. Edgar Martinez said. (News)

According to the news, Maria Concepcion was a Catholic who attended two Catholic churches. Family members said she was a loving mother, and a helpful relative. On the day of the incident occurred, Concepcion was on her way to her niece’s restaurant where she helped making pastries during the weekends.

So far, there’s no further details yet of the vehicle. Police did not disclose if they have video of the incident. Plate number is still unknown.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at (201) 547-JAIL.

A viewing will be held Wednesday, 5 to 9 p.m. at Greenville Memorial Home, 374 Danforth Ave., Jersey City. Concepcion’s body will be buried in the Philippines. (News Source: NJ.com)

[UPDATE] THE TSUNAMI WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII EFFECTIVE AT 0138 PM HST. Source

—– [Original Post: 09:51AM EST] Be aware! Tsunami warnings and advisories are in effect after a destructive earthquake hit Chile early Saturday [...]]]> [UPDATE March 11, 2011] Tsunami Warning in the Philippines after massive earthquake in Japan.

[UPDATE] THE TSUNAMI WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII EFFECTIVE AT 0138 PM HST. Source

—–
[Original Post: 09:51AM EST] Be aware! Tsunami warnings and advisories are in effect after a destructive earthquake hit Chile early Saturday (2/27/2010) morning.

The first wave is said to hit the Philippines on Sunday (2/28/2010) at 12:27AM EST (1:37PM local time) — [thanks Matt! --see comment] according to National Weather Services.

A destructive earthquake early Saturday morning in Chile has produced a tsunami that is propagating over the Pacific Ocean.

IMPORTANT POINTS FOR AREAS IN A TSUNAMI WARNING

• A tsunami wave is a series of waves. The first wave may not be the largest!
• Time from one tsunami wave to the next can be five minutes to an hour. Threat may persist for many hours as multiple waves arrive!
• Move to higher ground immediately! Do NOT head toward the coast to watch!

Here are the latest tsunami warnings and advisories, and arrival times of the first waves.

HAWAII

• Arrival of first wave: 11:19 AM HST (4:19 pm EST)

WEST COAST/ALASKA

• At this time, only a tsunami “advisory” is in effect for the California coast, as well as the Alaskan Pacific coast.

• Per the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, only a minor (non-destructive) tsunami is expected in Southern California. That being said, these lower amplitude tsunamis still can produce dangerous currents and surges in harbors and bays.

• Forecast arrival times below (within 30 minutes) for Southern California:

San Pedro Harbor: 12:15 pm PST
Santa Monica Harbor: 12:25 pm PST
Santa Barbara Harbor: 12:31 pm PST
Port San Luis Harbor: 12:35 pm PST

News links:

• CNN: Pacific under tsunami threat ….
• Weather.com: Tsunami warnings and advisories …

Do you have relatives in the Philippines — particularly in Metro Manila and Central Luzon — who suffered mother nature’s wrath? Typhoon Ondoy was dubbed as the strongest typhoon that hit Manila and Luzon since 1962, more than four decades ago.

In just 6 hours (from 8AM – 2PM) yesterday (September 26, [...]]]>

Do you have relatives in the Philippines — particularly in Metro Manila and Central Luzon — who suffered mother nature’s wrath? Typhoon Ondoy was dubbed as the strongest typhoon that hit Manila and Luzon since 1962, more than four decades ago.

In just 6 hours (from 8AM – 2PM) yesterday (September 26, 2009, Manila Time), the storm poured more than 13 inches of rain (334 cm), equivalent to a month of normal downpour.

As a result, heavy flooding occurred even in places that do not normally get flooded. People were stranded and traffic was halted. Among the places that suffered the hardest are Araneta (Quezon City), Marikina City, Taytay, San Mateo, and Manila.

Riverbanks in Marikina. The river overflowed submerging towns

Many people in the adversely-affected areas went to higher grounds as their homes were completely submerged in flood water. Rescue teams were deployed by the government but they were outnumbered by the number of people trapped in their homes and on their rooftops.

Katipunan Road became an angry river destroying everything on its path

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared Manila and surrounding towns and cities under state of calamity. Licensure Examinations for Teachers (LET) and Bar Exams have been cancelled, as most of the testing centers serve as evacuation centers.

As of this writing, the water has receded (down to knee-deep) in some areas, although some roads are still not passable.

The youtube clip below show the devastation in Eastwood (Pasig City). Please excuse the language in the middle of the video.

Rescue operations are still undergoing, and the map below is the “Typhoon Ondoy situation map“, which displays people who need evacuation help.

This is absolutely a horrible calamity, and the government is calling for unity. “Bayanihan” para sa bayan. Hopefully, the region recovers fast.

As for this blogger, my hometown (Pandacan, Manila) only suffered minor flooding and power outage.

Any updates on your hometown?

…Customers in Jersey City are advised to boil their water at a rolling [...]]]> Just a short post to let you know that due to the water main break last night here in Jersey City, United Water advised its customers to boil their water prior to consumption. This alert is in effect until further notice.

…Customers in Jersey City are advised to boil their water at a rolling boil for one minute for the following uses: drinking, cooking, baking, making ice cubes, taking medication, brushing teeth, washing food, mixing baby formula, mixing juices or drinks, feeding pets or other consumption…

Read the full alert inside this post …

Contact
Sonja Clark
United Water
201-767-9300
sonja.clark@unitedwater.com

United Water Customers In Jersey City Must Boil Water

Water Pressure Returned To Normal In Most Of City
Harrington Park, NJ, Sep 01, 2009, 8 a.m.

United Water officials advise that the boil water advisory continues for customers throughout Jersey City. The boil waster advisory was issued earlier today following loss of pressure resulting from a break on 24-inch water transmission main.

Water pressure has returned to normal levels for most of the city. However, customers on the west side of the city will have lower pressure until the water main repair is completed. This includes the area starting on Broadway between Rte 440 and Tonnelle Avenue going to JFK Blvd and continuing south to Danforth Avenue. Customers in this area should conserve water while the repairs on in progress.

United Water crews are working to make the repair as quickly as possible.

Customers in Jersey City are advised to boil their water at a rolling boil for one minute for the following uses: drinking, cooking, baking, making ice cubes, taking medication, brushing teeth, washing food, mixing baby formula, mixing juices or drinks, feeding pets or other consumption.

The boil water advisory is in place until further notice.

Source: United Water News

Former Philippine President Corazon “Cory” Aquino has passed away at 3:18AM August 1, 2009 Manila Time (Jul 31, 2009 3:18 PM ET). She died of cardio-respiratory arrest, according to her son and Philippine senator “Noynoy” Aquino.

She was 76.

Cory Aquino – the wife of the late opposition senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino [...]]]>

Former Philippine President Corazon “Cory” Aquino has passed away at 3:18AM August 1, 2009 Manila Time (Jul 31, 2009 3:18 PM ET). She died of cardio-respiratory arrest, according to her son and Philippine senator “Noynoy” Aquino.

She was 76.

Cory Aquino – the wife of the late opposition senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino – was a symbol of democracy. She led all Filipinos in the bloodless revolution in 1986 forcing the then-president Ferdinand Marcos to flee.

…The uprising she led in 1986 ended the repressive 20-year regime of Ferdinand Marcos and inspired nonviolent protests across the globe, including those that ended Communist rule in eastern Europe…News Source: Yahoo!

Watch below a short clip that summarizes the EDSA People Power – an inspiration of true unity and democracy…

Thank you Tita Cory for all the great things you had done for our country. Now, you are in a better place with your husband Ninoy…

——-

Can’t watch the embedded video? Follow this link.

Filipino inmates in Cebu who were made famous by their “Thriller Dance” a couple of years ago, perform a dance tribute to their late idol Michael Jackson.

Just two days after Jackson died, the inmates practiced for at least 9 hours Friday, “and into the wee hours of Saturday morning” – for the [...]]]>

Filipino inmates in Cebu who were made famous by their “Thriller Dance” a couple of years ago, perform a dance tribute to their late idol Michael Jackson.

Just two days after Jackson died, the inmates practiced for at least 9 hours Friday, “and into the wee hours of Saturday morning” – for the latest show, according the the news.

The 9:34 minutes long video includes “Ben”, “I’ll Be There”, and “We Are The World”. The youtube clip has been viewed approximately 1.8 million times already as of writing after being picked up by various international news and media.

…Byron Garcia, the Cebu provincial security consultant who came up with the idea of adding synchronized dancing to poorly attended exercise sessions, said he was surprised by the popularity of the 2007 video – one of more than a dozen inmate dance numbers he has posted on YouTube…

Fantastic job again by our kababayans at Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center. It proves that with our own talent, we can show the world that we can be an inspiration to unity through our own special way.