We bid goodbye to one of our national treasures - artist, Anita Magsaysay-Ho - often known for her portrayal of Filipina women in the rural setting, depicting them in action. I will not talk much as I am not an art historian but just an avid collector of local Filipino art. I will let her paintings do the talking about the great things she has done to our country's art scene.
Nuffnang Leaderboard
Research Proposal Writing Assistance Click on the picture for more details
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The Stock Market is Really Booming!
When I read the newsbit in the papers about Pnoy bragging about how our stock market is booming and doing really well during the ADB Conference, so I became curious and I checked our puny portfolio. I was surprised with what I saw. He was saying the truth! The worth of our portfolio grew by 39% in 12 months time! Imagine that! That was very exciting news! And we also got some dividends, measly as it is, but still - extra money! I don't know how big the stock prices are still going to be but it was just great to know that Pnoy has really gotten the confidence vote of international stock traders.
Related articles
Friday, May 4, 2012
The Need for Mass Market Housing in Big Cities Like Metro Manila
Watching squatter demolitions on TV is always heartbreaking to see, but a house is such a basic human need that we all understand why emotions become so high-pitched when these demolitions happen. Understandably, these have to be done - if we want the rule of law to rule in our land - since these squatters don't really own these properties they are squatting on - and they really have to be returned to their rightful owners. But on the other hand - this points to the fact that there is really a huge housing shortage in a crowded city like Metro Manila.
That's why I think it's very important that the local governments take it upon themselves to find a solution to this - to institute some sort of mass housing system for the poor. Gawad Kalinga has slowly been doing what it can to remedy the situation - but it hasn't really reached the crucial areas in the metropolis where many of these squatter communities are located.
I remember going to a Bliss in UP when I still had a friend who lived there. It's a feasible solution since it's a building and it can house many families. Land is very expensive in Metro Manila - so I think owning a house on land here will just be reserved for those who really have the cash for it. I am not an economist so I wouldn't really know how to compute the expenses needed to house the poor in Metro Manila and still come out with a viable payment program so that the government is not burdened too much.
Still, it is a problem that begs for a solution - and I'm sure an enterprising businessman out there can come out a winner - if he finds the right balance between profit and social welfare.
Related articles
Kudos to Calamba and Tagaytay: No Plastic Bags in these Places
I find it very ironic, that both Calamba and Tagaytay, whose elevations should make them flood-free, are implementing a strict no plastic bags policy - while the rest of Metro Manila (except for Alabang) is clogging its waterways with this dangerous thing. As we went around these two places this week, all establishments gave us paper bags to carry our stuff, even the huge mineral water bottles we bought! Sanayan lang talaga!
I wonder when our local governments here would take the initiative! Calamba and Tagaytay show that it can be done - and that people would just adjust accordingly, so I see no reason why it can't be implemented here in Metro Manila - which I'm sure - has much bigger plastic bag usage than those two places.
I really do hope one councilor would take this cause and file a bill of some sort - and just see where it goes. It will require a lot of consultation with plastic bag users like supermarkets and fastfoods - but the end goal would be good for everyone - and I'm sure, it will make many Metro Manilans more environmentally conscious.
Related articles
Jessica Sanchez: Finally, An Asian-Looking Worldwide Singing Superstar?
Well, technically, Jessica Sanchez is American but since her Mom is a Filipina, we do have license to embrace her as one of our own. AND, dearies, just look at her! Pinay na Pinay ang mukha! I don't THINK she'd ever be mistaken for a Mexican (her Dad is Mexican) - AND - unless she opens her mouth and speaks - I don't think anyone would say - "Ahh, she's American." So, that's the reason why she was immediately embraced here in the Philippines, although, sadly, I don't think she has ever been here (ganun ba sila kahirap? can't afford a trip home? oh well.....or baka marami lang bills...) and I don't even know if she knows any Tagalog! Que horror!
Anyway, I, like many other Filipinos are still rooting for her to win this edition of American Idol. I think it's time we have an Asian-looking singing superstar! It's really really about time! All of our lives - it has always been a white female (Madonna, Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey) or an African-American with an astounding voice (Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin) - and once in a while - a sexy Latina (Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez). But there has been no female singing superstar with global renown, YET, who looks Asian - and I think, because of the worldwide reach of American Idol, finally, Jessica Sanchez may just be the one to make that a reality! And it's not like she's not up to the task! Hell, she did Tina Turner's Proud Mary yesterday - at freakin' 16 years old!! That took a lot of guts!!
Anyway, there are still some weeks to go for us to find out if she does make it, but as early as now - we all know we already have a superstar in our hands! I can't wait to hear her first album!!
Related articles
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)





