Department for Migrant Workers: Make It Reality

I was reading an article by Susan Ople, one of the most staunch advocates of today's OFWs, and she mentioned about our country still not having a Department for Migrant Workers.  Strange really considering that what the OFWs send back here is one of the reasons why we're not yet in a civil war.  I guess having a department just specifically handling OFW issues will allow the government to really focus on taking care of our fellowmen who choose to work abroad.  There are just too many sob stories that it can't be ignored anymore.  Just yesterday, another two Filipinos were arrested in China for drug trafficking - and I'm sure, they were again duped or at least forced to do these illegal things for their families' future.  If these types of OFWs can be profiled properly, then maybe we can save many other Filipinos from going that route looking for work abroad.

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A Good Week for Filipinos: Azkals, Eugene, Sharmaine, Jessica, Phil

It was a fantastic week for Filipinos last week as we triumphed in different arenas worldwide.  Although not technically a Filipino, Jessica Sanchez, whose roots are from the Philippines, has continued to wow the judges and the American audience in this year's American Idol.  I think they should be in the Top 10 now, and just being there should be a great honor for her.

Veteran theater actress Sharmaine Buencamino and Eugene Domingo snared the Asian Film Awards (Asian Oscars) for Best Supporting Actress (for Niño) and the People's Choice Award for Favorite Actress (for Ang Babae sa Septic Tank) respectively.

Then, our very own Azkals, won the bronze medal in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup, and almost had a shot on the title before giving that match to Turkmenistan. Also, Phil Younghusband was given the Top Scorer award.  How cool is that!

Sugar Situation Stabilizing

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has reported that the situation of the sugar industry in the country is stabilizing.  SRA Chief Gina Martin disclosed that the price of raw sugar at millgate appreciated toward the desirable level of more than 1400 pesos per bag.  The price averaged at 1430 pesos with one bid hitting as high as 1500 pesos per bag for domestic sugar.

Martin also reported increased physical movement of stocks with withdrawals for mills rising as the domestic market piles up the commodity due to the onset of summer.  As of March 2012, raw sugar production in the Philippines has reached 1,608,117 metric tons (MT) or about 72% of the estimated crop year production of 2.242 MMT.  Many big farms have completed harvesting but milling is still at its peak, signifying that there are still other farms with harvestable canes.  These could be from the newly planted areas usually in the mountains or from far distances from the mills.

Prices at the world market have softened at less than $0.24 per pound.  This will make it difficult for the Philippines to export sugar because the world market sugar is bought at a slightly higher price. 

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PEPT 2012 Schedule for Out-of-School Youth

The Department of Education has announced that the 2012 Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) will be administered on June 12 for free as part of the department's celebration of the country's 114th Independence Day.  The test result will determine the grade or year level appropriate for the test taker.  PEPT covers all grade/year level from Grade 1 to Fourth Year high school so that takers can have a chance to move to the next grade or year level or even complete basic education in just one examination.

The exam covers the regular DepEd curriculum which are English, Math, Science and HEKASI for elementary and Araling Panlipunan for high school.

Interested parties may register at DepEd's division offices nationwide from March 5 to May 25, 2012.  The documentary requirements are Form 137/138, birth certificate and two 1x1 pictures.  The division testing coordinators are directed to submit the actual number of registrants to the DepEd's National Educational Testing and Research Center.

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The Mind Museum in Taguig

I'm not really a science buff but I think the newly opened Mind Museum in Taguig would be a good place for Laura to explore and for her to satisfy her curiosity on scientific concepts like gravity or space or dinosaurs.  It looks like a swanky place to with very pricey tickets (at least for Third World standards) but since it's well-situated near a mall, why not pass by it before going to the mall!  Methinks I'll pass by this week, especially that Laura and Dylan don't have school anymore!

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We Have A Supermodel Too in Danica Magpantay

It's so funny that most Filipinos would do anything to achieve that white clear skin when mostly what the world wants is our moreno complexion! Look at Charice. She looks very Filipino and she was very well accepted in the US.  And now, one of the current supermodels of the world also has that distinct Filipina look, dusky beauty, beautiful morena complexion, and luscious long black hair.  I don't think Danica Magpantay would bother about glutathione injections since I'm sure she was hired for the skin tone that she had and if she ever wanted to compete on the whiteness of her skin, I'm sure she would be laughed out of the Supermodel competition which she won.  I hope she inspires other young Filipina girls to love their look and not aspire for that mestizo look which for foreigners are just plain generic.

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Our Chief Justice Pointed a Gun in A Poor Guy's Head Saying "Baka Gusto Mong Pasabugin Kita"

 OMG!  Where did former President Arroyo pick her Chief Justice?  Meron bang "man for others" who points a gun to the head of an old man.  Para yatang walang turo ng mga Jesuits ang tumalab kay Chief Justice.  Well, it's about time, we point a gun to his head and say to him in chorus "Baka gusto mo Chief Justice pasabugin itong kawalang-hiyaan mo sa publiko?"

Hindi nga natutulog ang Diyos.  15 years after that scary event, the real "Justice Corona" and his true personality has been unmasked.  I-impeach na kasi and ikulong!  Life imprisonment!

More skeletons in Corona’s closet

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Saint Pedro Calungsod: The Visayan Catechist

Being an adopted Visayan myself, it is with great pride that I learned that Saint Pedro Calungsod, who was just canonized last month, was from Iloilo - and that he did his catechetical work in Cebu.  Born in 1655, Pedro went to Cebu to preach Christianity using the missionary text Doctrina Christiana, a material which the Dominican priests used.  He studied in Loboc in Bohol before he sailed for Guam.  At 14, he was among the young catechists chosen to accompany the Jesuits in their mission to the Marianas Islands.  He was only 17 when he, along with Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, suffered martyrdom in Guam, for their missionary work in 1672.

It's incredible how young he was when he offered his life to God.  I guess it would be great to pray to St. Pedro for intercession and for inspiration in my daily life.

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Why the Inquirer's Read-Along Events are Important

I've been reading about the Inquirer's Read-Along events for sometime now and I only have praise for the newspaper for inspiring many of our young kids to read, whether it be in Filipino or English!  I am saying this because I was one of the lucky young students who experienced read-alongs and storytelling sessions, not by the Inquirer, but in the grade school I went to - the Andres Soriano Memorial School - De La Salle.  I distinctly remember our teacher, Mrs. Emelita Velayo, read to us at least once a month, stories she carefully chose and believed would interest us.  That pretty much sold me out to reading as a hobby early on, although I was pretty lucky too that both Papa and Mama were model readers.  I could actually see my parents read a novel or a book every weekend.  So saan pa nga magmamana!  But still, the read-alongs just further reinforced the importance of reading in our daily lives.  Up to now, I continue to read, to enrich my world and of course, it has helped a lot in shaping the way I communicate!

Anyway, I will try to emulate what the Inquirer is doing in my own little way.  I will talk about it more soon as I've planned an activity along the same lines!

Now You Know Why This Senator's Son Committed Suicide

When this senator's son committed suicide years ago, I had this sinking feeling his mother was the main culprit.  Why?  Because years ago, when I was his same age, I also went through that stage of depression and helplessness further aggravated by my mother who kinda talked like that senator does!  But mind you, my mother never shamed me in public.  She just has this acerbic way of talking that could really hurt a vulnerable young man.  Anyhow, I did manage to survive that phase because of a psychology teacher who saw all the warning signs and thank God she kinda saved me from me! 

However, I'm sure this senator talked to her son in front of other people that same acerbic and insulting way and I really feel sorry for him and the pain he had to go through.  I'm sure putak ng putak ang nanay niya sa kanya araw-araw, especially when he could not measure up to her!  If she can call all of us ordinary Filipinos "GAGO", on television, I'm sure she called her son GAGO everyday too! Believe me!  So the poor kid shot himself to spare shame on his mother, kasi nga he couldn't be as good as her.  God bless his soul and can someone remind this woman to shut up - FOR ONCE!

UP and the Bar Exam Results: Where Art Thou

Undoubtedly the bar exam is probably the most closely watched board exam in the Philippines.  As to why, I couldn't care less.  But still, since it measures how good a university is, it's always worthwhile to check who gets into the Top 10 every year.  So it is a big surprise even to me, a UP alumnus, but not Law, mind you, to see that none of last year's batch made it into the Top 10.  Not even their valedictorian?  Not even anyone in the Top 10 in the graduating class? It must have been a really academically weak batch!  Or maybe the UP College of Law should start re-examining how they teach law, because the cracks are certainly showing!  I mean, how hard is it to enter the Top 10 when you're supposedly studying in the best law school in the country!  Hay naku, UP please wake up.  I think you've been asleep for so long already!

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