tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38002172011-07-15T07:38:39.250+07:00SOUNDING BOARDSOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.Allannoreply@blogger.comBlogger2781100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1132125226045781552005-11-16T14:11:00.000+07:002005-11-16T14:13:52.716+07:00InactiveThis site is inactive and will probably stay that way for quite some time.Allannoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1117732897601746422005-06-03T00:21:00.001+07:002008-12-13T15:28:37.764+07:00This is Ashley Dominique, the third member of the family. Allannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1116465027821718972005-05-19T09:10:00.000+07:002005-05-19T08:10:27.826+07:00Another angle on "mediamen" killingsIn every single report I've heard for the past few days about the threat to lives of journalists, I always hear reporters and even anchors use the terms "mediamen" or "mediaman". I initially just laughed at it, but with the repeated (mis)use of politically incorrect terms on the air (even on primetime TV news), I got irritated. Don't these people have media Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1116463339644188772005-05-19T07:12:00.000+07:002005-05-19T07:42:19.650+07:00Viva Films Big Boss appointed presidential adviser for entertainmentINQ7.net reports:A YEAR after making available the Viva Hotbabes in her presidential campaign rallies, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has created a new government post for movie and record producer, Viva Entertainment big boss Vic del Rosario, as presidential adviser on entertainment.This was disclosed yesterday by Executive Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1112671204950056692005-04-05T09:55:00.000+07:002005-04-05T10:20:04.950+07:00Gov’t peace adviser ignores warning of US on MILFInquirer New Service reports Presidential Peace Adviser Ging Deles has ignored warnings by American military officials against negotiating peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). While the negotiating panel headed by Deles is aware of the persistent reports of the MILF's alleged link with terrorists, the panel had asked for the 'Allannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1110789492344237692005-03-14T16:35:00.000+07:002005-03-14T15:38:12.346+07:00From today's There's the Rub by Conrado De Quiros:'Shortly before Diosdado Macapagal took office, we were second only to Japan in economic potential. Shortly after his daughter, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, took office, we were second only to Indonesia in corruption.'Read the rest of the article here.Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1110339323394231512005-03-09T10:04:00.000+07:002005-03-09T10:35:23.396+07:00Philippines: second most corrupt country in asiaSomehow, this did not come out as a surprise, although I felt a bit embarassed that Vietnam is perceived to be less corrupt. I hope we will not be able to get the trophy from Indonesia. My Indonesian friend in Indonesia Corruption Watch would gladly hand it over to us, I'm sure. If Cambodia was included, Indonesia will face stiff competition. When Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1110248912639045812005-03-08T08:53:00.000+07:002005-03-08T09:28:32.640+07:00On media blackout vs terroristsThe Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), an alliance of Philippine radio and television outfits yesterday pledged to deny air time to terrorist groups after the Armed Forces complained some media sectors were serving as virtual mouthpieces of the enemies of the state (INQ7.net). Apparently the armed forces had complained about giving airtime to NPAs and Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1110155068500491302005-03-07T07:17:00.000+07:002005-03-07T07:28:31.043+07:00Are you happy?Somehow, I stumbled upon this article criticizing the recent news that the Filipino people are one of the happiest people of the world. We even ranked higher than most people in western nations, and the highest among Asians. Why is this difficut to accept offhand? Maybe because one doesn't need a Phd to know that happiness is relative and oh-too-personal. I was reminded by what a Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1092822179257718942004-08-18T16:42:00.000+07:002004-08-18T16:42:59.256+07:00Check out this gorgeous 1.5l VTEC Honda City. Nice, huh? An additional incentive for going home :) Allannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1092812760103091272004-08-18T12:52:00.000+07:002004-08-18T21:51:59.603+07:00My last few days in Phnom Penh (sort of)
I will be leaving Phnom Penh in a few days. I am not sure how I feel about leaving Phnom Penh.
Part of me wants to go home at once. I need a break from my stressful life at work. I really could use a rest. If you have been reading the few accounts of my work here, youll know that things progressed to hectic-crazy (with lots of unnecessary pressure from aAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1091901927635054002004-08-07T23:55:00.000+07:002004-08-08T01:18:06.890+07:00Interest group politics through text messages (again)Interest group politics through text messages (again)
The Arroyo government seems to be running out of ideas as it plans to impose a tax on text messages. The anti-tax coalition Txt Power threatened legislators on Saturday with a barrage of text messages on Monday to pressure Congress not to pass the government’s plan to tax text messages (INQ7.net, 7 August 2004). I'm totally against this Allannoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1090428401847635852004-07-21T23:46:00.000+07:002004-07-21T23:46:41.846+07:00This one is from a movie billboard. It shows how funny and action-oriented men are... note that there was only one woman in the picture. And she was naked drinking with a man! Allannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1090428141605743522004-07-21T23:42:00.000+07:002004-07-21T23:42:21.606+07:00I took a number of photos earlier from the main roads of Phnom Penh - pictures I can use for the gender and culture session of my training next week. This is my favorite so far. Angkor beer. My country. My beer. *laugh* Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1090345898006338492004-07-21T00:51:00.000+07:002004-07-21T01:04:35.613+07:00
Absolutely breathtaking. Dara took off his shirt and pants right after we set foot in here. The place is hidden, very far from the main road. When we got there, the place is packed with local and foreign tourists.
Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1090345488935973542004-07-21T00:44:00.000+07:002004-07-21T01:09:17.066+07:00
Dara caught in the act. This is what usually happens when you're in a secluded place, had a few bottles of beer. The water closet (WC) always seems tooooo far.
Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1090345432474052132004-07-21T00:43:00.000+07:002004-07-21T01:16:52.146+07:00
My 'bodyguards' in a funny pose. They were classmates in grade school, and have been living in the same neigborhood since then. They're my best buddies here in Phnom Penh. Vong (right) was my classmate in Singapore.
Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1090345339758629342004-07-21T00:42:00.000+07:002004-07-21T01:21:09.206+07:00
Kep resort in Kampot. Dara and I ate 1 kilo of crabs while waiting for Vong to finish his site visits. Too bad, he had to work while Dara and I ate crabs and drank a few bottles of beer .
Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1090345224973898322004-07-21T00:40:00.000+07:002004-07-21T01:23:38.073+07:00
Sihanoukville, some 4-5 hours from Phnom Penh (depending on how many stops you need to take a leak). We had shrimps, peppered crabs, squid, and beer, as always.
Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1090345081812575652004-07-21T00:38:00.000+07:002004-07-21T00:38:01.813+07:00Breathtaking waterfalls of Sihanoukville. Absolutely stunning. Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1087663174908088992004-06-19T22:42:00.000+07:002004-08-08T01:29:05.833+07:00It has been a long time...
Oo nga naman. It has been a long time, thanks to AnP and Jo, probably the only two persons who have been visiting this blog *laughs* whatever.
I will be conducting the first of the five training programs on gender budgeting for ministries' staffs and NGOs. Preparing the draft modules and meeting with the stakeholders are and will be keeping me busy (still!) for the Allannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1086095828414331932004-06-01T19:55:00.000+07:002004-06-02T04:14:31.176+07:00Busy... really busy
Things are picking up quite fast. I may need to have longer bonding sessions with my pc. Anyway, I am starting to upload some pictures and I'll post new ones from time to time. Go check out this link: Phnom Penh. Hmmm... for those who are curious what motodups are I've got one pic that shows motodup drivers in front of my place. And because Phnom Penh's roads are populated byAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1085059921905212512004-05-20T20:21:00.000+07:002004-05-20T20:32:01.906+07:00Not feeling well today
Must be the dust, the heat, whatever. I'm have colds and a little bit under the weather this morning until now.
My contacts at the UN are requesting me to accomplish a monthly time sheet with spaces for outputs per day. Per day! Sensing that this kind of monthly sheet may not be applicable to me and my work, I submitted it only for the reason that they can process my Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1084965155939446232004-05-19T17:25:00.000+07:002004-05-19T18:19:13.676+07:00I've been here for a month?!
Time flies.
After a month, I now have a thick pack of name cards from people I've met, work-related or otherwise; a few Khmer phrases to get me through my daily motodup rides, dinner, grocery purchases, etc; and a bit of familiarization with the routes (quite an accomplishment for someone who knows the ins and outs of Singapore better than Makati or Manila). I'm Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1084879962988847902004-05-18T17:44:00.000+07:002004-05-18T18:32:42.986+07:00Gender-responsive budgeting 101 for mom
Mom emailed me earlier and asked what I am doing here, my position and where I am based. No this isn't a usual "how are you" which is too often abused by some (some don't even care what your response is). Anyway, I was taken aback when mommy asked me that, not because I haven't been emailing her but because she asked me specifically what I am doing here. Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1084705080486050372004-05-16T17:48:00.000+07:002004-05-16T17:58:00.486+07:00Cocktails at K-West
When I go back home, remind me to gorge on my favorite hard drinks and cocktails. I had a nice time at K-West along the riverfront last Friday night. The place is beside the hotel where I previously stayed for a week before I moved in to my apartment. I'm not sure if I got tipsy from the margaritas or from the whopping US$3.60 price per glass! Hehehee... This is Phnom Penh Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1084611786621387762004-05-15T15:27:00.000+07:002004-05-15T16:27:55.946+07:00Copyright - the right to copy
There's a market here selling photocopied books, I forgot the name but it's somewhere near (as everything is, here in Phnom Penh). I got a chance to visit the copying center recently where bundles of of books are being reproduced. Feels like home, I whispered, where copyright seems to connote the right to copy. Singapore is quite strict on that (at least on paper). Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1084450795478441052004-05-13T18:51:00.000+07:002004-05-13T19:19:55.476+07:00Start-up woes, etc., nth day at Phnom Penh
Somehow, I must really have underestimated the language barrier. I initially planned to conduct my training-workshops in English but as days passed, I am getting convinced of the difficulty in doing that. We had our regular meeting with our 2 counterparts from the ministry where we are stationed and as usual, my colleague (who speaks Khmer) ended up Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1083932853724548822004-05-07T19:27:00.000+07:002004-05-07T19:31:54.326+07:00First hand experience of petty crime in Phnom Penh
Yup, that's right. And to be specific, my phone was stolen earlier around 900 hrs GMT+7 while I was watching the ceremonies (Royal Plowing Day) marking the start of the rainy season. I didn't even feel it, next time I know, the front pocket of my pants was already empty. That totally sucks. So I had to call the phone company and report it. Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1083753236069917102004-05-05T17:33:00.000+07:002004-05-05T17:38:13.966+07:00Day whatever... I lost track and I don't want to count anymore
Probably day 14 or 15, I think I'll stop counting. I don't want to see future posts with Day 100+, that's going to be annoying (at least for me). Hmmm, so I've been here for 2 weeks more or less... that means Vong, Polla and Sok will be picking me up again this weekend for a few rounds of beer! Yey!
I corrected a spelling error - Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1083326052207789182004-04-30T18:54:00.000+07:002004-04-30T18:58:23.186+07:00Day 10: Found a big mall and a night full of insects (turn off the lights!!!)
Eureka! They have a mall after all (God bless Cambodia!!). It's not your Glorietta or Shangri-la type of malls but hey, they have one. With 35C during evenings, it is indeed a timely discovery. It has a big sony center on the topmost floor (yipeeee!!), a big supermarket downstairs, lots of European RTWs, and a whole Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1083226411099875442004-04-29T15:13:00.000+07:002004-04-29T16:21:09.200+07:00Day 9: First night at my new place (who turned off the lights?!!)
So I moved in. My Cambodian friend and former colleague in graduate school helped me, by taking me to my place through his car. We had dinner at a Thai restaurant nearby and dropped me off in front of my place. My excitement was gone as soon as a realized that there was a brownout in some of the blocks including where my apartmentAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1083133059884335462004-04-28T13:17:00.000+07:002004-05-13T19:30:40.976+07:00Day 8: Moving from hotel to my new place
In a few hours, I will be moving to my new place. It's an apartment on the second floor of a building near my hotel. It has a balcony overlooking the usually populated bars and restaurants within the vicinity. I have my own kitchen, a big living room, a nice bed room with my own restroom, and I dunno what for, but I have another restroom in the kitchen Allannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1082984577710033942004-04-26T20:02:00.000+07:002004-04-26T20:07:04.153+07:00Day 6: Going deeper into my work in the ministry
Work has really started. K and I are the only 2 full time members of the team. We will soon be joined by two people from the ministry who will be involved in the project on a part time basis. On paper, they are supposed to be working with us on full time capacity but because of the low wages here, we were told not to expect them to work full time Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1082721350491571112004-04-23T18:55:00.000+07:002004-04-23T19:12:34.560+07:00Phnom Phen Day 1-3: Totally unexpected (ride my 2-wheeled taxi city boy)
It must have been all those getting used to Manila and other Asian cities that shook me a bit when I arrived here at Phnom Phen 2 days ago. I imagine it will take a while before I really get used to living here.
From the plane, I saw large tracks of brown land and a few small packets of greens with little settlements. WhenAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1081728838367108612004-04-12T07:13:00.000+07:002004-04-12T07:17:45.436+07:00The holidays are over...
It's 8:00 am. I just woke up and still feeling sleepy. Actually, I was staring at my pc's screen a couple of minutes ago. Anyway, my brainwaves still seem to be on a holiday so I just wish everyone (who can relate to the commemoration of lent all the way to easter) had a good one recently. I can't believe it has taken me so long to write such a short entry. Argh.Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1081141796072178472004-04-05T12:09:00.000+07:002004-04-05T12:13:34.200+07:00On holiday economics
It will be a special non-working holiday on Wednesday, 7 April 2004, in observance of lent and in addition to the annual holidays during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Call me 'KJ' but I really think we have a lot of non-working holidays. The government justifies this by invoking 'holiday economics', where supposedly, people would be spending during these times and this Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1081139872289764852004-04-05T11:37:00.000+07:002004-04-05T11:41:30.013+07:00Hawkish election disqualification tactic vs alleged CPP front organizations
INQ7.net reports, 'WHILE THE government wants the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to lay down its arms in favor of electoral struggle, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales is seeking the disqualification from the May 10 elections of six party-list groups he considers CPP front organizations' (INQ7.net, 5 Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1079437252000309322004-03-16T18:40:00.000+07:002004-03-16T18:44:03.623+07:00Since you asked for it
Oh my. I thought nobody cares. Alright, here's a bit of an update.
I will be going to Cambodia for 5 months this year and another 4 months next year. I will be doing a short-term consulting work broken down in 2 phases, and will require me to be based in Phnom Phen for duration of my work. I will be going back in late August this year when the first phase ends.
If I canAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1071651640776833422003-12-17T16:00:00.000+07:002003-12-17T16:01:53.950+07:008 days before Christmas
Time flies.
I remember during the first few days of December last year, I was struggling to recover from cough and flu from having been exposed again to Manila's polluted environment after being away from the country for almost one and a half years. It is not very difficult to get used to a country so clean and orderly: where you can take long walks along the major roadsAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1070331494954733472003-12-02T09:18:00.000+07:002003-12-02T09:19:07.873+07:0016-day campaign to eliminate violence against women
The Philippines joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November 2003) by having a 16-day Campaign to Eliminate Violence Against Women from 25 November to 10 December 2003.
The campaign brief disseminated by the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1068183108719730642003-11-07T12:31:00.000+07:002003-11-07T13:01:40.950+07:00One boring Friday
Sometimes, I really wish there are days we could skip by clicking the move-to-the-next-day key. Today is one of them. Unfortunately, and this does not surprise me at all, I just realized that I have been dreaming of having access to that kind of key for a couple of days now.
When I was in Singapore (stayed there for a year and a half, not so long ago), I used to hangout in a Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1067833548745314882003-11-03T11:25:00.000+07:002003-11-05T08:56:03.390+07:00A challenged democracy
It was a disaster waiting to happen. The attempted impeachment against Chief Justice Hilario Davide of the Supreme Court by the Lower House of Congress may have released the Sword of Damocles that could usher in the most critical wound to an already chaotic democracy.
The pride of having successfully overthrown two presidents through 'people power' may have facilitated Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1066269443608372192003-10-16T08:57:00.000+07:002003-10-16T08:58:13.176+07:00Chemicals in baby food jars
BBC News on Wednesday reports that a chemical, semicarbazide (SEM), has been found in very small quantities in some jars of food. Baby food manufacturers are now being urged to change the way they package their products amid fears over cancer (BBC News 15 October 2003).
The European Food Safety Authority says it has found traces of a potentially dangerous chemical Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1065487986021399602003-10-07T07:53:00.000+07:002003-10-07T12:07:03.833+07:00I told you so
That was the first thing I said when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced that she will run for President in 2004. Somehow, I did not believe her (see featured posts). And there you go, on Saturday she finally declared she will run in 2004. We all witnessed how she initially invoked divine intervention from the moment she declared in December 2002 that she will not run, and Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1064543317509935712003-09-26T09:28:00.000+07:002003-09-26T09:35:57.873+07:00Abuse of women in intimate relationship: going beyond Kris and Joey
The headlines were shattered by Ms. Kris Aquino's revelation that boyfriend and live-in partner Paranaque Mayor Joey Marquez allegedly physically and emotionally abused her, and worst, pointed a gun at her. That prompted Kris to seek help from her mom (former President Corazon Cojuanco-Aquino) and brother (Representative Noynoy Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1064459167185615562003-09-25T10:06:00.000+07:002003-09-25T10:06:07.340+07:00On internet censorship and freedom of expression (or the lack of it) in China
The Human Rights in China (HRIC) reported that another person was arrested in China for voicing dissent over the internet. Li Zhi, a 32-year-old local official from Dazhou, in Sichuan province, has been charged with conspiracy to subvert state power. According to HRIC, Mr. Li was detained on 8 August 2003 and formally Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1064373789361783612003-09-24T10:23:00.000+07:002003-09-24T10:23:09.186+07:00Dragging God into dirty politics
When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced in December 2002 that she will not be running for President in 2004, she categorically stated that God was her adviser. Ms. Arroyo is now praying very hard for divine guidance whether she should run in 2004. Has politics become so dirty that even God is being dragged into this mess? If the President is really Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1063951330260678392003-09-19T13:02:00.000+07:002003-09-19T13:05:09.586+07:00This week's pick: nose picking
Between Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's gloating over the forthcoming visit of George W. Bush to the Philippines and anti-US protests, it's quite amusing to be (willingly) side-tracked by interesting news on.... errr nose picking?
Marc Abrahams, founder of Ig Nobel Prizes, has come up with the book 'The Ig Nobel Prizes: The Annals of Improbable Research'. The book Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1062738951971389052003-09-05T12:15:00.000+07:002003-09-05T15:24:12.793+07:00Amend the Constitutution to boost investments?
Director General Romulo Neri of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Wednesday's Manila Times Internet Edition boldly came out in the open advocating for the need to '...amend the Philippine Constitution to rid it of protectionist provisions that have limited foreign investments in the country.' Vice President Tito Guingona was Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1061277502417243962003-08-19T14:18:00.000+07:002003-08-19T23:28:19.546+07:00Paranoia and press freedom
Some paranoid members of the Arroyo government may have to be reminded of three things. Press freedom, press freedom and press freedom.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. admitted on Monday that some members of the media are under surveillance, and further admitted that this is not the first time media personnel have been the subjects of Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1061196841506233372003-08-18T15:54:00.000+07:002003-08-18T15:54:01.336+07:00Amando Doronila on the 'arrogance' of mutineers
Had Max Soliven not spoken on the 'gentleman's agreement' entered into by government negotiator Roy Cimatu with rebel soldiers in Makati recently, Amando Doronila's 'ANALYSIS' could have been excellent in discussing the essence of ambiguity in conflict resolution.Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1060148929658665032003-08-06T12:48:00.000+07:002003-08-06T13:11:38.646+07:00Negotiating with the mutineers: government style
Max Soliven, a newspaper publisher and a witness to the negotiations between government (represented by lead negotiator Ambassador Roy Cimatu) and the mutineers, categorically said that the government failed to honor a "gentleman's agreement" (INQ7.Net 6 August 2003). The government negotiator assured the rebel soldiers that they would face courtAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1059542115556343822003-07-30T12:15:00.000+07:002003-07-30T12:25:16.863+07:00Separating the bull from the shit: Revisiting the weekend mutiny
Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV and the rest of the flat group of mutineers may have failed in the eyes of many as they called off their rebellion on Sunday against the corrupt military system they were trying to expose. They, however, succeeded in exposing the most abhoring facet of corruption in the military --- sale of Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1058782858140592662003-07-21T17:20:00.000+07:002003-07-21T17:46:41.536+07:00Another reason to jerk off
A team of scientists based in Melbourne studied the sexual habits of more than 2,000 men, half with cancer and half healthy. They found out that those who ejaculated more than 5 times a week were less likely to develop serious prostate cancer. In the words of scientist Graham Giles, 'The more you flush the ducts out, the less there is to hang around and damage the Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1058253505065654062003-07-15T14:18:00.000+07:002003-07-15T14:46:09.363+07:00Badass
I don't usually do this but since my stress level is way too high lately, and since greengrl gave me an idea, here goes...
Fun at the Titty Twister.
Which B-Movie Badass Are You? brought to you by Quizilla
Well, well, well... me and my darkside. Let's go and kick some ass.Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1057899670811887502003-07-11T12:01:00.000+07:002003-07-11T12:02:23.076+07:00On UNIFEM's website: Improving Compliance to the Gender-Responsive Budgeting in the Philippines
The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) is currently featuring the policy analysis I did in during my stint at the Public Policy Programme, National University of Singapore. Here's the introduction:
"This study was prepared by Allan O. Millar of the National Economic and Development Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1057639904791502762003-07-08T11:51:00.000+07:002003-07-08T11:51:44.773+07:00Time of reckoning
Now is the time.
BBCnews.com on Monday reports that some claims about Iraq's weapons were given too much weight by the government. UK's all-party foreign affairs committee says a suggestion that 'Iraq could deploy chemical and biological weapons within 45 minutes' should not have been given such prominence by the government (BBCnews.com 7 July 2003). Tony Blair has some Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-1056948814555342442003-06-30T11:53:00.000+07:002003-07-15T13:55:13.053+07:00On women and parliamentary politics
There are now, more than ever, a lot of efforts on increasing women’s political participation, particularly in decision-making positions. I find it intellectually amusing to find a few good (and short!) papers asking the most basic yet important questions on the topic. One of these papers has been written by Sandra Grey (Political Science Program, Research Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-959055182003-06-22T09:04:00.000+07:002003-06-22T09:07:34.000+07:00To change or not to change
Malacanang is going full blast on charter change, says Bert Gonzales, the President's adviser on special concerns. Despite the President's non-committal stance, Gonzales et al target to amend the Constitution before the President steps down in 2004, with the incoming President to serve as a transition President.
The current presidential system indeed has its loopholesAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-956774792003-06-15T11:32:00.000+07:002003-06-15T12:27:11.000+07:00Featured software: UC Berkeley's The National Budget Simulation
The National Budget Simulation was created in 1995 by Anders Schneiderman and Nathan Newman, then co-directors of UC-Berkeley's Center for Community Economic Research. The simulation allows web users get a sense of the balancing act involve in coming up with the national budget of US.
I must say this is a very interesting and Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-952126782003-06-03T06:54:00.000+07:002003-06-03T10:26:03.000+07:00Congress and bureaucracy: The congressional hearing game
In terms of Philippine democracy, how do we explain the political dynamics between congress and government agencies? How do congressional oversight committees oversee government agencies? What are the best strategies for congress and agencies, respectively? This article was taken from 'Improving Compliance to the Gender-Responsive Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-947597552003-05-23T06:33:00.000+07:002003-05-23T06:35:13.000+07:00'I think I should stick to that decision' --- President Gloria Arroyo
Since December 2002, President Gloria Arroyo has been denying categorically that she will run for 2004. It seems the cloud of doubt has no other business but to follow her.
This was brought to the fore again when she gave a 'no comment' answer to a question abotu her plans for 2004 (elections). An in a press conference Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-945668642003-05-19T12:49:00.000+07:002003-05-19T16:13:59.000+07:00IMF Working Paper: Gender-Responsive Government Budgeting
The abstract of the working paper states:
“This paper examines the concept of gender-responsive government budgeting, promoted in recent years by women’s nongovernmental organizations, academia, and multilateral organizations, and the extent of its implementation by national governments in both advanced and developing countries. Owing toAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-940338532003-05-09T11:48:00.000+07:002003-07-30T12:42:11.213+07:00Revisiting Abu Sayyaf-military collusion: same old story
President Gloria Arroyo ordered an investigation on the claim of Gracia Burnham that there was collusion between the military and Abu Sayyaf. This is like instructing someone to find a needle in the haystack - blindfolded.
Gracia Burnham was one of the American hostages take by the Abu Sayyaf in 2001. After her release, she published 'In Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-937715552003-05-05T08:09:00.000+07:002003-05-06T13:09:30.000+07:00Terrorism and Development: Using Social and Economic Development Policies to Inhibit a Resurgence of Terrorism
This study examines development policies by three countries - Israel, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom - to inhibit the resurgence of terrorist violence [emphasis supplied]. It highlights the benefits and shortcomings of using social and economic development as a way to counter Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-932825962003-04-26T12:40:00.000+07:002003-04-27T02:58:30.000+07:00Philippines 'SARS-free' no more
An autopsy on SARS-victim Adela Catalon's father showed the elder Catalon had died from pneumonia according to Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit. This is the first confirmed local transmission. Dayrit said the lungs showed bronchopneumonia, which could have been the immediate cause of death.
The first thing that comes to my mind is the corona virus and whether or Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-932819772003-04-26T12:25:00.000+07:002003-04-27T03:01:01.000+07:00Congressional circus II: Senator proposes to remove doorknobs or close the senate
As if one congressman's proposal to include intentional sneezing as an act of terror is not enough, this time, a senator may have expressed his concern too much over the SARS epidemic. Senator Noli De Castro asked the senate if they need to remove all the doorknobs or even close the senate. To this, Senate Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-932167912003-04-25T09:58:00.000+07:002003-04-25T09:58:32.323+07:00Congressional circus
Intentional sneezing to be included as an act of terror? Click here to get a taste of congressional circus in the Philippines. Our representatives in congress forgot to include intentional coughing, and intentional spitting on someone's face especially if the face belongs to a representative.
I've seen debates in Singapore and UK parliaments broadcasted on TV and on the webAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-931577112003-04-24T11:28:00.000+07:002003-04-24T11:36:26.000+07:00When international diplomacy worsens domestic politics: Arroyo's humanitarian and peacekeeping mission to Iraq
Here she goes again, making decisions with poor political and economic sense.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday said her decision to send humanitarian and peacekeeping forces to Iraq was about goodwill, not money, as the government would shoulder the initial expenses of Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-930980392003-04-23T13:57:00.000+07:002003-05-19T14:18:37.000+07:00How can the government of the Philippines improve compliance to the gender-responsive budgeting policy?
The question hangs in the so-called gender-circle in the Philippines for several years now. This study was completed in November 2002 in an attempt to answer the question based on a succint and no-nonsense policy analysis. The title of the paper is 'Improving Compliance to the Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-930163402003-04-22T08:25:00.000+07:002003-04-22T10:52:53.000+07:00Meralco asks Supreme Court to revisit ruling of its third division
In a motion filed on 16 April 2003, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) asked the Supreme Court to modify its refund order to cover only one year instead of the four years stipulated in the original ruling. Meralco vice president Elpi Cuna said Monday that the filing of the motion was Meralco's last resort. Meralco warned that it wouldAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-929648452003-04-21T11:29:00.000+07:002003-04-21T12:28:36.000+07:00Tone down the rhetoric
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is currently holding a Strategy Workshop on Mainstreaming the MDGs at Dusit Hotel Nikko, Makati City. Basically, the aim of the workshop is to find ways on how to do two things: (1) integrate the MDGs into the country's goals at the national and subnational levels; and (2) speed up the achievement of the MDGs to meet Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-927952332003-04-18T02:35:00.000+07:002003-04-18T02:42:37.000+07:00Mainstreaming the Millenium Development Goals: From global to country-level rhetoric
The MDGs are global goals on poverty reduction, social development and environmental regeneration, which were agreed upon by world leaders at the Millennium Summit of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2000. There are seven substantive goals and an eighth goal aimed at establishing and Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-926309332003-04-15T11:55:00.000+07:002003-04-17T23:54:43.000+07:00The Millennium Development Goals: Are we going to see another era of broken promises?
A multisectoral Strategy Workshop on Mainstreaming the MDGs (Philippines) will be held on 21 April 2003, Dusit Hotel Nikko, Makati City. The main objective is to find ways to achieve the MDGs faster and integrate it in the country's development agenda. Philippines has recently come up with a country report Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-923358862003-04-10T10:39:00.000+07:002003-04-10T10:39:26.356+07:00Game over
Despite the unexpected stumbling blocks that the coalition forces had to go through, the Iraqi forces were expected to give in sooner or later. And they did. Or at least that's what the coalition forces hope they are seeing right now. If, indeed, the war is over, then we are moving to a more difficult phase --- post-war reconstruction. This may be UN's last chance to get a grip on the Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-922013572003-04-08T12:06:00.000+07:002003-04-08T12:06:56.873+07:00Re-adjusting the war plan
Johanna McGeary of Time Magazine did a special report on the three flawed assumptions on the war against Iraq: (1) there would be little resistance; (2) Iraqis will welcome the coalition with open arms; and (3) the war plan covered all contingencies. The report validated and substantiated Peter Arnett's opinion on the failure of the war plan.
Pentagon officials Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-921971682003-04-08T10:52:00.001+07:002003-04-08T10:54:02.000+07:00SARS and politics
The knee-jerk reaction from Hongkong and China to maintain a business-as-usual climate may have been smart from a self-interested and parochial (and very narrow-minded) point of view, but it definitely wasn't that smart from a global perspective.
The seemingly automatic response to turn a blind eye on the crisis and project a posture that everything is under control has provenAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-920721862003-04-06T11:29:00.000+07:002003-04-06T11:33:29.000+07:00Chinese government apologizes for slow response to SARS
The public apology was made amidst persistent efforts of the Chinese government to present a normal situation in the country, particularly in Guangdong province, where the origin of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is currently being traced.
Thanks to internet and text messages, the Chinese people have other sources of information Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-918352952003-04-02T17:35:00.000+07:002003-04-03T10:29:04.000+07:00Do corrupt governments receive less foreign aid?
Alberto Alesina (Harvard University) and Beatrice Weder (University of Basel) came up with Working Paper 7108 entitled "Do Corrupt Governments Receive Less Foreign Aid" under the National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper Series which was subsequently published in the September 2002 issue of the American Economic Review. It was also Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-912734482003-03-24T18:26:00.000+07:002003-03-24T18:28:17.000+07:00God help us all
While US-Iraq war is at Day 6, we have just gone through our 6th day of interesting discussions on using statistics for gender-responsive policy analysis and advocacy. I feel a certain weird feeling staring at the monitors in the UN building watching a blow-by-blow account of the war. What a coincidence. I am watching the events inside the UN building. Reflecting on the events Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-904575182003-03-10T21:36:00.000+07:002003-03-11T11:23:09.000+07:00Workshop on Using Statistics for Gender-Responsive Policy Analysis and Advocacy (17-26 March 2003, UN Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand)
I'll be leaving on the 26th (Sunday) for a meeting among economists/policy analysts, gender experts and statisticians. Each country will be represented by a team composed of one economist/policy analyst, one gender expert and one statistician. Each team is Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-900305152003-03-03T11:01:00.000+07:002003-03-03T11:09:32.000+07:00Deployment of US troops in Sulu for military execises: defend-then-attack semantics?
Amidst growing objections to the deployment of US troops in Sulu, Malacanang is hellbent on how to mask the deployment into semantics so as not to contradict the prohibition stated in the Philippine Constitution.
The problem is, even if the government restricts the US troops' action to military exercises, the Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-900212402003-03-03T07:40:00.000+07:002003-03-03T07:43:38.000+07:00Intensity 4 earthquake hits Metro Manila and Central Luzon
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the the earthquake struck at 1:57 a.m.. The epicenter was at 11 kms northeast of Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
This was an hour after I finally fell asleep. I was still feeling the effects of whiskey up in my head whenever I lie down. So I played Warcraft III Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-898730942003-02-28T08:39:00.000+07:002003-02-28T08:39:44.360+07:00On giving up pork
INQ7.net reports:
Sen. Panfilo Lacson challenged his fellow legislators during deliberations on the proposed national budget Wednesday not to collect the Priority Development Assistance Fund of 200 million pesos for each of the 23 senators this year. The PDAF is the former Countrywide Development Fund, the pork barrel that was allegedly a source of kickbacks and campaign fundsAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-898279682003-02-27T16:03:00.000+07:002003-02-27T16:15:09.000+07:00Democracy sucks, but...
Cartoon courtesy of SAGE, Ink in The Atlantic Online
... it is the best alternative we have, barring the possibility of having a benevolent dictator. Of course that's debatable, but if you come from a mismanaged democracy, you'll understand my sentiment.
Incidentally, whenever I read The Atlantic Online, I remember a friend and a mentor back in graduate school - Craig Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-897584152003-02-26T12:10:00.000+07:002003-02-26T12:10:25.293+07:00Much ado about EDSA
The dwindling number of people celebrating EDSA People Power anniversary that ousted the Marcos dictatorship in February 1986 is another manifestation of Filipinos' short memory.
The main manifestation is of course seen in allowing the people behind the same government which EDSA forces toppled in 1986 to come back in power. Even the Marcoses. And to further show how easily Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-897573262003-02-26T11:49:00.000+07:002003-02-26T14:18:46.000+07:00Popish than the pope: on prohibiting pregnant women from getting married in church
INQ7.net on Tuesday reports:
In a pastoral letter read by Auxilliary Bishop Lucilo Quiambao last Sunday, (Bishop Jose) Sorra said a pregnant bride in front of the altar, receiving the church's blessing before the congregation, 'contradicted' the essence of the sacrament. He pointed out that the very reason a Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-897544172003-02-26T10:56:00.000+07:002003-02-26T10:58:58.000+07:00US can attack Iraq without new resolution
INQ7.net reports:
President George W. Bush warned that a new UN resolution was not a prerequisite for military action against Iraq and reiterated that only 'full disarmament' by Baghdad can avert war. Asked what could prevent US-led military action to strip Baghdad of any weapons of mass destruction, Bush replied: "There's only one thing, that's full Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-895966682003-02-23T20:20:00.000+07:002003-02-23T20:37:33.000+07:00Muslim youth lured to MILF: revisiting Arroyo government's military campaign vs MILF
Militant Muslim youth in Marawi City is sending a critical signal to the Arroyo government --- that the military campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not anti-MILF but anti-Muslim. Joining MILF, for them, seems not too far in the horizon.
It doesn't really matter much whether or not the Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-894906752003-02-21T18:29:00.000+07:002003-02-21T18:34:21.000+07:00Warding off stupidity
SOUNDING BOARD seems to be quite inactive for sometime. I didn't have much time to post for the past few weeks. Well let me see if I have a good alibi for that... let me mention two.
One, this country's penchant for coming up with policy interventions (bills, executive issuances, etc.) for almost any problem in the country seem to have been keeping me busy. Sure, there mayAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-888014782003-02-09T23:02:00.000+07:002003-02-09T23:19:47.000+07:00Alternative anti-war protests: Am I in the wrong place or what?
Around 700 women have posed nude in Australia as a sign of protest against their country's support for possible military action against Iraq. Women from 20 to 60 used their bodies in a naked protest to form "No war" on the side of a hill in Byron Bay, New South Wales. Quite recently, a group of women in California have launched a Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-884247072003-02-02T23:08:00.000+07:002003-02-02T23:12:59.000+07:00When evidences are not so compelling (and the smoking gun can't be found)
If war is not a viable alternative at the moment (lest US be alienating itself from its allies and encouraging greater anti-US sentiments across the globe), Bush should shift his energies from finding the smoking gun to further alienating Iraq from its allies.
There are six reasons why allies want Bush to slow down, Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-881395832003-01-28T11:59:00.000+07:002003-01-28T12:04:30.000+07:00The issue of trust and the weapons inspection
Amidst the tension in the Security Council over the progress report covering the work of the UN weapons inspectors, Hans Blix expressed frustration with Iraq's failure to make Iraqi scientists available for unmonitored interviews. Blix said Iraq had provided him with an incomplete list of nearly 500 Iraqi scientists associated with Iraq's weapons Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-875798692003-01-17T14:45:00.000+07:002003-01-17T14:50:17.000+07:00A critical affirmation of affirmative action
President George W. Bush called the University of Michigan's admissions policies as fundamentally flawed and resolved to challenge it before the Supreme Court. President Bush was particularly referring to the university's policies that award students a significant number of extra points based solely on their race and establish numerical targets for Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-874034782003-01-14T12:54:00.000+07:002003-01-14T13:07:19.000+07:00Understanding terrorism in the Philippines in the context of "soft power"
In "The Paradox of American Power: Why the World's Only Superpower Can't Go It Alone", Joseph S. Nye, Jr. presents a framework that emphasizes "soft power" rather than hard power. Hard power in US context is military and economic power, while soft power is the ability to co-opt rather than coerce. It rests on the ability Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-873981372003-01-14T10:58:00.000+07:002003-01-14T11:02:18.000+07:00Current counter-terrorism "policy" of the Philippines
The United States Code, Title 22, Section 265f (d) defines terrorism as “premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetuated against noncombatant targets by substantial groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience”. The US Department of State lists the Abu Sayyaf Group and Communist Party of the Philippines/NewAllannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-872607862003-01-11T18:51:00.000+07:002003-01-11T18:51:40.390+07:00Terrorism in the Philippines: understanding the roots
The previous post highlights the need to look beyond poverty alleviation as THE solution to terrorism in the Philippines. This crucial perspective becomes more important when juxtaposed with the history of Abu Sayyaf.
The Abu Sayyaf Group operates in an environment marked with an Islamic insurgency that traces its roots from the guerrilla Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-871628722003-01-09T19:57:00.000+07:002003-01-09T20:00:48.000+07:00The key to tackling JI and terrorism as a whole
In a recent article entitled "Tackling Terror", TIME Asia stressed that collaboration among Asia's governments is crucial in winning the war against terror, with special slant on Jemaah Islamiah. It lies in common counterterrorism intelligence databases, exchange of personnel, transfer of expertise, joint operations, and sharing of experience. The Allannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800217.post-871055932003-01-08T17:04:00.000+07:002003-01-08T17:14:20.000+07:00China's aid to Burma: prospects for political and economic reforms
President Jiang Zemin of China says China will offer Burma US$200 million in preferential loans for economic development. He made the statement during a visit of the Burmese leader General Than Shwe to Beijing. Is this good or bad? Let's see.
China is Burma's closest ally since the military coup in 1988. This alliance has made Allannoreply@blogger.com0