Rey Saludar: Our Third Gold Medalist in the Asian Games

Bowling. Billiards. Boxing.  The three sports that gave us one gold medal each in this year's Asian Games.  Rey Saludar won the gold in the 52kg division besting a Chinese bet!  It was to be the final gold medal for our country.  That is not a surprise since our country has a rich history of champion boxers!  I just hope this win could help Rey Saludar parlay it into a more profitable career as a professional boxer in the future!

Dennis Orcollo: Guangzhou Asian Games 2010 Second Filipino Gold Medalist

It's not surprising that we won our second gold medal in billiards.  In the 9-ball Men's Singles, the gold was contested between two Filipinos, with Dennis Orcollo winning the gold and Warren Kiamco, the silver.  Unfortunately, billiards is not an Olympic sport so that elusive Olympic gold is still a pipe dream.

On Heroes Like Zhao Lianhai

He's not Filipino but I've always wanted to feature people who are heroes, regardless of their nationality.  I read an article today about what this guy did - he took up the cudgels of all the parents whose children figured in that melamine tainted milk in China.  His efforts paid off as the milk was recalled and the people behind it were jailed.  However, when Zhao stepped up his efforts and now started asking the government for more compensation for the children affected, that's when the Chinese government put its foot down and jailed the poor Zhao.  That thing also happens here in the Philippines - especially during the Marcos and Arroyo administrations.  The whistleblowers get shot themselves!  Nevertheless, like Zhao, I praise them for their courage and I hope those on the sidelines can take the cudgels for him and pressure the normally tightly clenched Chinese government to see that Zhao indeed also has a point - precisely because Chinese children were affected in this case - their country's greatest asset.

Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior Visits Manila

I myself am sometimes turned off by the shock tactics employed by Greenpeace to further the cause of the environment, but I realized later that it's all for our own good anyway, and at least, there's a group of people who really care for the environment, and if a shock tactic is something that can get the attention of normally, staid governments, so be it.

Here in the Philippines, the group is campaigning for a targeted 50% renewable energy source use by 2020 - a target, I think, which is achievable, since our country is rich in natural resources.  We can use solar power, wind power, hydroelectric power and geothermal power - in a way, we have it all!  If we only have the government will power to harness all of them, then, we are on the road to meeting our renewable source energy targets. 

It's A Shame That It's Our Poor Who Are Sustaining Our Economy

The past administration have called our OFWs 'heroes', which they rightly are, but it is a great shame for our society to face that it is our poor who are actually sustaining our economy and keeping it afloat - since we don't have a strong manufacturing or industrial sector.  I don't know how strong our agriculture and fishing sector are - but gauging from how many of the young want to go in that direction - I don't think it's something we can be proud of.  It is the monthly padala of our OFWs that have kept everything up and about - and at least now - with more confidence in PNoy's government - foreign investors are once again eyeing us in terms of capital inflow in our stock market and investments in our economy.  We are just too dependent on the OFW remittances and it's time we slowly build a stronger economy, that which actually makes things or at least offer services that the world needs - something that today's BPOs are currently doing.

I'm For Televising the Maguindanao Massacre Trial

Monsters like their family should have to pay for their sins - and massacring 58 people, thinking that no one would notice - is really abominable.  They are our equivalent of the serial killers - which are commonplace in Western society.  If we had a serial killer - their family members fit the description to a T.

Yes, I am for the televising of their trial. I'm not sure if I'm going to be watching it regularly, but I'm sure many of our fellowmen are!  At least that way, a lot of people, are keeping close tabs in ensuring these maggots go to jail where they deserve to be.  I don't trust our justice system enough and I really hope they can wrap this trial up quick!  The 58 people who gave their lives should be given justice.

What to Do When It Reaches US$1 - PhP39

I admit it's not going to be easy for an exporting company like ours to survive in that environment where the peso exchange rate is just 39 pesos to a US dollar. I am just thankful that as early as now, we have instituted changes within the company to make sure we survive that very low conversion rate.  It increases our cost of doing business and we might have to increase prices to cover the difference.  Unfortunately, the local Philippine market is not yet very receptive to our type of content business so we just have to focus again on the foreign market and just increase our market share or enter countries which we are not strong yet - like New Zealand or Australia.

Their Perception of Our Country Is More Important than the Marketing Campaign

I love traveling abroad and I don't think it's the marketing campaign that got me there.  But yes, marketing campaigns like Amazing Thailand or Malaysia Truly Asia or Incredible India just helped confirm my expectations of these places, after I've visited them. 

So I guess an updated marketing campaign to counter the recent spate of negative perception of our country could probably help spruce up our image abroad.  However, what I think is more important than that, is that more good news of our country will be broadcast abroad.  Manny Pacquiao's recent win is  one of them.  The positive economic news is another. Hopefully, good governing policies from Pnoy. I think those could help spruce up our image abroad. 

When I pick a country to visit, I will always be held back if there's bad news about that country. Images of rallies or strikes or news of crime against tourists would certainly hold me back.  We cannot control the news but the government can project that it is in full control when crisis happens - whether it be a natural disaster or a hostage taking.  Even if we have a fancy marketing campaign, it can easily be shot down by images of a cop hostaging foreign tourists which is then magnified all over the world! 

If the government can show the world that foreign tourists will be safe here (we are a safe place, but we have to show it explicitly to prospective tourists), then we may have won half of the bottle.  It's not difficult to sell what our country can offer.  We have so many fabulous places for tourists to visit. What is difficult is to convince them that they will not be beheaded here or be shot by a corrupt cop.

Selling the Filipino Brand Everyday

In the 2010 Country Brand Index Survey, the Philippines slipped precariously from #29 in 2009 to #65 this year.  This may be due to the high-profile violent incidents and the perception of corruption.  However, everyday, I keep selling the Filipino brand in my own business.  Being an Internet content provider, I proudly tell my clients worldwide that we are based in Manila, Philippines.  I haven't had any untoward reaction when I say that, since I know my English is world-class.  I have always believed in the Filipino talent since day one of running my business, and although there are idiosyncrasies when it comes to English (there's American English, UK English, etc, etc.), my company has adjusted accordingly to the uniqueness of it by just adjusting to the country of origin of the client.  I am also glad that some of our clients, especially the Arabs, have known how good Filipinos work that it's easy to convince them to use our services.  Some of them even speak to us in Tagalog just to show off their closeness with our community. 

Pipe Dream: That a Filipino Airline Flies to Europe Once Again

Now there's news that the direct flights to Europe brought about by Air France-KLM may stop since the airline is paying the biggest amount among all airlines of the 3-percent common carrier tax and the 2.5 percent on all cargo and passenger revenue. 

This makes it even more urgent for our local airlines like Cebu Pacific to try to break into the European market.  The OFW market is lucrative enough, and add to that, the European tourists planning to come here.  Of course, it's still a pipe dream, but something that I'm sure we can attain, hopefully, in the next five years. 

I don't know how that goes about though since I know that the European Union has very strict standards re airline safety.  But, to dream is still free, and I still look forward to the day that a Philippine airline will fly me to my European destination every year.

Why I'm For the 12-Years of Basic Education

I was one of the lucky ones to get 11 years of basic education instead of the norm of ten years here in the Philippines.  Some Catholic schools here require Grade 7 and we had no choice but to follow them.  Looking back, I think it did me some good, and I feel that if I had 12 years of basic education, I would have been able to do better in college and maybe in life in general.  As it is, I feel that I have already maximized what I have learned in school (me, just being a college graduate, with no fancy masters or doctorate degree).  I actually earn more than a surgeon does in the US so I think I'm doing pretty well.  The truth is, you cannot compete with businessmen like me, earnings wise.  We will always earn more since we have a mass product which we can sell to a bigger slice of the population.

Anyway, I remember that the added year made me more superior to my classmates (who only had 10 years) in many areas, like Math, Science and English, even Filipino and Social Studies.  I was more articulate in both written and oral English and Filipino, and in a way, we were more advanced than most schools where I grew up in.  I knew all the chemical symbols since we started them freshman year.  The school I moved to only taught it in 3rd year Chemistry.  We studied world capitals in freshman year.  The school I moved to taught it in 3rd year. I aced both easily, because, in a way, you could say, we were 'advanced'.  I can say that from experience since I transferred schools during my high school.  What they were teaching in their second year level, I knew most of them already in Grade 7.  Lucky me but in a way, it kinda stunted my learning that year. 

Anyhow, I don't know how our public schools can handle 2 more extra years.  As it is the current resources are so stretched to the limit!  But as they say, if Pnoy has the will, he will find the way!

Our First Gold Medalist in these Asian Games - Biboy Rivera

It's great that it's still only the first week and we already have one gold medal at this year's Asian Games in Guangzhou!  It came courtesy of Biboy River who won it for bowling (we are not surprised!) in the men's singles event.  We have always been a bowling powerhouse since the 70s so Biboy is continuing the tradition that started with Paeng Nepomuceno, Ariane Cerdena and CJ Suarez.  Good job!  Let's hope we can win more medals in the other bowling events!

Why We Need Miriam In The Government

I voted her for President in the 1992 presidential elections.  I even volunteered for the PPCRV at that time just to ensure that, at least on my precinct, she won't be cheated.  Oh well, she turned out to be something of a turncoat, and just pleases the president the people elect.  Anyhow, I believe we still need her in the government, just so someone can check if the current government is doing some excesses or not.  However, I did find her ineffective during Arroyo's time and moreso in Erap's time, but she has still survived.  Also, we do need our entertainment from time to time, and with her colorful vocabulary, you will surely find the Senate back in the news again because of her antics.  I voted her again for senator, but just once.  After that, she changed so much politically and seemed a bitter person, so I voted for another candidate in lieu of her place. 

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Despite My Ambivalence to Boxing, Still Proud of PacMan

Yes, boxing has not really been a sport I was ever interested in.  I just find it too violent, reminiscent of what the gladiators did during the Roman times.  I guess, I'm the only Filipino who has not seen a full length fight of Manny, mainly because of my disinterest in the sport.  Anyhow, even with this personal ambivalence, I'm proud of what Manny has done to represent himself as a Filipino to the eyes of the world.  Ever humble, always prepared, a supremely tough opponent to defeat, and surely, a legend in the making, not only in boxing, but for the world of sport.  I've always been amazed at this guy's coolness especially when Mayweather was already insulting him. His response was very dignified, worthy of a real champion!  He deserves all the success he gets and I just hope that the Lord will always keep him safe from any severe injuries or bodily harm in the future.  Looking at their swollen faces shows how exceedingly powerful their punches are.  I'm sure a punch from him will knock me outright!

An Urgent Need For A Mass-Based Transportation System

My niece's class was suspended yesterday because of the bus strike - which was really funny - because I don't think anyone commutes in those exclusive Catholic schools.  And anyway, if they had to use EDSA, there's always the MRT.  In a way, yesterday's bus strike just showed how much of a nuisance buses are in EDSA.  I don't like them too - the way they drive, the way they boss private vehicles around, the way they clog the traffic with no consideration for others - in my book - their inclusion in the color coding scheme should have been thought of ages ago - and implemented!  I just hope it really pushes through.

Which brings us to the more urgent infrastructure need, which is a better mass-based transport system.  I love commuting and riding trains, something that I did a lot when I traveled abroad.  So I don't know why they could not implement it here?  The MRT is too short and just covers EDSA and parts of Taft and Aurora Blvd.  This metropolis is just too huge to have very limited track lines.  They always say we have no money but our senators and congressmen's children can study abroad and have new cars every year and watch Manny Pacquiao live in Las Vegas.  What if we just give that money they spend on their luho to projects like a more expanded MRT?

A Game I Played When I Was Young - Bato Lata

I find it sad that many of today's kids, including here in the Philippines, do not play outdoors so much anymore, because of the Internet and the PSP.  There are so many obese kids around who could do some running if they were just taught how to play some simple Filipino games which are quite inexpensive! 

One of my favorites growing up was the bato-lata.  Interestingly, we never used a bato (stone).  Instead, we used our slippers.  The object of the game is for everyone to throw their slippers on a can inside a circle.  You have to make sure your slipper does not fall within the circle, otherwise, you'll be the 'It'.  As the can crashes or is thrown around, the 'It' has to restore it to its original position in the circle, and then chase everyone whose slipper is outside the line. 

Anyone caught becomes the next 'It'.  A line separates everyone from the 'It', normally 2-3 meters away.  You'd have to be able to run fast in this game to retrieve your slipper.  Your aim on the can also has to be very accurate and strong, otherwise, the 'It' can just catch you quickly. 

I love playing this game and although I was a bit sickly and physically weak growing up, I enjoyed running around retrieving my slipper and making sure I it doesn't fall within the circle.  I hated being 'It' and hated it also when the stronger players really throw the can far away!  You can't be physically weak to play this game or else, you'll be the 'It' forever!

We Have A Rugby Team - and there are so many Hunks in It!

I was very surprised to learn last Sunday, after reading the Sunday paper, that our country, actually had a rugby team!!  Imagine that!  Why is rugby in my radar?  Well, every March, when I go to Hong Kong to be with Alberto, it always coincides with the HK Rugby Sevens!  And it's always a riot in HK during that time!!  So when I read that we actually have a team that has the aspirations to make it to the HK Rugby 7's, I instantly became a supporter of the team!! Of course, it does help that rugby is played by such hunks that, although it's not easy to watch (at least for a sensitive gay man like me), seeing these players off the field is the bonus we usually want.

Check out these picks of one team member, Andrew Wolff.  Wouldn't you watch a game if you had players whose built and looks are just like his?  You would be crazy to say no! 

Cheers to our Philippine team and I do hope they make it to the HK Rugby Sevens soon!  I will surely be there to cheer for them!

Miele Guide: One of the Top Five Restaurants in the Philippines - People's Palace

I used to eat at the People's Palace when they were in Malate.  That was almost ten years ago, so I was glad they moved to a mall in Makati, which made them more accessible.  They are in the Miele's guide as one of the top five restaurants in the Philippines.  They specialize in Thai food which is one of my favorite cuisines.  I love the Phad Thai and especially the desserts, which are shown above.  Of course, eating Thai food in Thailand itself is more interesting - and more delicious - I daresay!  But to be successful in the Philippines, you'd have to Filipinize the food, otherwise, you won't survive. I guess the people behind People's Palace decided to adopt that.  And they're quite a success since they're always fully booked!  And it's not too pricey, which is good!

Wishing There Were Venture Capitalists In the Philippines

The editorial today in the Philippine Star laments our ranking vis-a-vis our other Southeast Asian neighbors regarding the ease of doing business here.  We placed 148th among 183 countries, and we lagged behind Cambodia and was just one notch higher than Laos.

The 2011 Doing Business Report was prepared by the World Bank together with the International Finance Corp. It was based on indicators that included ease in starting and closing a business, ease in acquiring construction permits, access to credit, protecting investors, enforcing contracts, trading across borders, and paying taxes. The report noted improvements in processing business permits in this country, with some local governments setting up one-stop shops to reduce the time by 15 days, as well as computerized Customs procedures.

Well, I know it's just hearsay but I've heard that some foreigners who wish to do business here just transfer to other countries since some of our politicians ask for unreasonable 'corruption money' so that they can do business here.  So instead of paying a hefty fee, they'd rather bring their investment to a more hospitable country!  Of course, we never get to identify who that politician is, no foreign businessmen would bother leak this information out to our media or even to our influential business clubs.

As for local businessmen like me, the most common lament would be the lack of credit facility.  Banks ignore SMEs like my business so I had to build my business relying on the Bombay, or on rich friends who are willing to loan me capital without collateral, but with very high interest rates.  I just watched 'The Social Network', and I sometimes wished we had VCs (venture capitalists ) here who could offer a little start up money for small businesses.

Yes, I did loan from an organization specializing on SMEs, but lately, their requirements have become more stringent - too much hassle for petty amounts of P30,000.  I'm sure it has turned off a lot of other possible SME owners but as I say, if they really need it, they will find a way to complete all the requirements.

The only silver lining to all of this, is that, we've learned to self-capitalize!  To save our earnings, and then, plow them back to the business, or a new business venture.  It's a very slow process but it makes us more prudent in our decisions and minimizes risk for huge debt payments.

ATTN: PAL Employees - No Such Thing As Job Security

Papa lost his job in a mining company in 1986.  He was 47.  The price of copper then was so low, the company had to lay off a lot of its workers. So I'm surprised why today's employees would insist on job security when the business environment these days has changed so much since 1986.  Nowadays, almost everything is sourced out!  Security guards, janitorial services, catering services are just among those I know of.  I don't think there's anything illegal with what PAL is doing.  Airlines are some of the most vulnerable to changes in the business climate, so I think what it's doing is just to decrease its costs so it can post a profit. I know it's tough to lose one's job when you're past 40, but you'd have to find ways to become employeable, and anyway, they will be receiving a separation pay, so they're not exactly going home empty-handed.

We Are Hosting the World Robotics Olympiad for Young Scientists!

Science and technology are not normally careers of choice among our youth, so it's good that the World Robotics Olympiad will be held here this coming weekend.  This should give an opportunity to many of our youth to see where their peers are already in the field of robotics.  Not that we're pushovers though. In the 2009 World Robot Olympiad in Scandinavia, the Philippine teams from First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities in Tanauan City, Batangas and Grace Christian High School in Quezon City won gold medals. The country also won two silvers and a bronze.

This year, schools are invited to enter a team of three students to build a robot model that behaves like athlete.  Ester Ogena, director of the Science Education Institute, an attached agency of the Science department, said the WRO is an effective strategy to enhance the interest of the youth in science and technology.  "We are optimistic that through the WRO, we would be able to encourage the youth to become future scientists, inventors and engineers. Robotics competitions provide the youth the opportunity to grasp and apply electronics and information technology” Ogena said.