Amidst all the protests, walkouts and dressing up a la red carpet premiere, the recently concluded State of the Nation Address had a simple message: government is doing something.
As I always say to my jaded, disoriented, and dismayed colleagues from the private sector, in fairness to PGMA, the SONA is really telling the truth. It is true that we reached new highs in the fiscal and monetary side of the economic spectrum, it is true that NFA rice is still the cheapest in Asia. It is true that our credit rating has remained stable this year. As this is one of the most anticipated days in the Philippine political system, the last thing that this administration would do is report false facts. Thus, the 109 claps that highlighted 109 achievements and pledges, are true to its form.
What went wrong then? Of course, there are always to sides to every story. And obviously, the administration would only highlight the good points and definitely be silent on the bad points. Would you report your misgivings to a thesis defense? Would you report your failures and lapses in an investigatory project? That is precisely what just happened in SONA. Unfortunately, it failed to highlight points that really mattered to the masses, which is the majority of the Filipino population. What happened to free education? What's the progress of social projects? How is poverty being alleviated? How can we counter inflation? How do we improve job generation?These and a few more points are what some of our masses were expecting from an hour of speech. Unfortunately, there is only too few to highlight on these points, thus they deem the SONA uninteresting. Lying and failuer to mention are two different things. The only problem of the last SONA was that it failed to say things that mattered most to the majority of the population (except of course for the 90-day texting discount!)
Another thing is the usual highlighting of best practices and isolated events. Just like what Sen. Mar Roxas mentioned (I cannot recall the exact words), there are some accomplishments in the SONA that were too isolated. We just hope that these isolated events become the general picture in the near future.
The next two years will be very crucial for the President. These two years will be the defining years of her political career. If anyone would recall the President's ten-point agenda and BEAT THE ODDS, these two years are teh culminating years for them. Hopefully there is still enough time.
Despite all these bickerings and one-sided accomplishment reports, I still believe that there is hope for this country. As long as the President receives claps from the selected audience, that means there are still developments in the country that is worth listening, that is worth applauding. We just hope that in the next SONAs to come, there will be applauses coming from more than just the seating capacity of the House of Representatives.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Abbey Road (?!)
Puwede na kaming maging bandista...
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tac Returns!
Our dear barkada, Isaac Aquino, got back in the Philippines after a 6- (or was it 7?) year stay in Japan. He was here for a business trip. We were lucky to share a few laughs and advantures with him on Sunday, July 20.
From L-R: Mike, Kit, Tac, PJ, RT, Me
From Mike's place, we went to Dencio's in Robinson's Place to give Tac his share of oil and cholesterol. Afterwards, I made them try my favorite Persian Food restaurant located in the heart of Ermita, Shawarma Snack Center!
After filling our tummies with Mediterranean Food, we then moved to Bonifacio High Street and there capped our night with a few more bottles of beer. Boomie, GP and Jacqui followed us in Roadhouse.
The gang with the traditional Japanese peace signWelcome back, brother! See you next month (if your schedule permits).
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Championship Calibre
Rookie superstars, sophomores with renewed vigor and spunky, and veteran mainstays who decided to make it better this year. This is what the Ateneo Blue Eagles is composed of this year, as the UAAP Season 71 Basketball begins this month.
Led by the hot hands of Veteran player-turned-TV host Chris Tiu, the Ateneo Blue Eagles indeed is one team to beat in this year's UAAP season. The loss of the Eagles' height due to the departure of big men Ford Arao and Zion Laterre was compensated by the improvement of their rising stars Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Mike Baldos and Nonoy Baclao, and the return of the erring Power Forward Jobe Nkemakolam. Ateneo also added more vigor, youth and firepower by recruiting highschool standouts Ryan Buenafe, Nico Salva, and Justin Chua. All these alongside the playmaking capabilities of Jai Reyes and Kirk Long, the speed and agility of Yuri Escueta and Eric Salamat, and the auspices of grandslam coach Norman Black. The Blue Eagles are indeed a team to beat in this year's UAAP Season.
My fearless forecast in the UAAP Season 71?
Final Four: Ateneo, La Salle, FEU, UST
Championship: Ateneo vs. La Salle
Champion: Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles
GoAteneo! One Big Fight!
Led by the hot hands of Veteran player-turned-TV host Chris Tiu, the Ateneo Blue Eagles indeed is one team to beat in this year's UAAP season. The loss of the Eagles' height due to the departure of big men Ford Arao and Zion Laterre was compensated by the improvement of their rising stars Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Mike Baldos and Nonoy Baclao, and the return of the erring Power Forward Jobe Nkemakolam. Ateneo also added more vigor, youth and firepower by recruiting highschool standouts Ryan Buenafe, Nico Salva, and Justin Chua. All these alongside the playmaking capabilities of Jai Reyes and Kirk Long, the speed and agility of Yuri Escueta and Eric Salamat, and the auspices of grandslam coach Norman Black. The Blue Eagles are indeed a team to beat in this year's UAAP Season.
The Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles 2008 Lineup:
Chris Tiu
Yuri Escueta
Rabeh Al-Husaini
Severino Baclao
Mike Baldos
Kirk Long
Eric Salamat
Jai Reyes
Ryan Buenafe
Nico Salva
Jobe Nkemakolam
Raymond Austria
Justin Chua
Vince Burke
Mike Sumalinog
My fearless forecast in the UAAP Season 71?
Final Four: Ateneo, La Salle, FEU, UST
Championship: Ateneo vs. La Salle
Champion: Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles
GoAteneo! One Big Fight!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Talk N' Text vs. Purefoods Basketbrawl
aTama lang yung ginawa ni James Yap. Dapat talaga may hangganan ang pagiging mabait ng mga Pinoy eh. Ang yabang pa ng import na si Terrence Leather, siya pa tong nambato ng bola kay Jon Dan Salvador. Siguro nasaktan dahil malakas din katawan ni Jon Dan eh. Pero sa play na iyon, kahit ulit-ulitin pa, talagang si Leather and nagsimula ng away. Eh simpleng banggaan lang naman ang namagitan sa kanila eh. Napikon lang talaga ang import. Ayos lang yung ginawa ni James Yap para manahimik. Pasalamat nga siya di siya kinuyog ng mga taga-Purefoods eh. Sa larong kalye nga pag nag-angas ang dayo sa katabing village/ baranggay, kuyog kaagad yan ng mga kapitbahay. Eh itong si Leather, ang lakas ng loob mag-angas dito, di niya alam na dayo lang siya. hehehe.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Who's to Blame?
So who's really to blame on the M/V Princess of the Star tragedy? PAGASA? Bad Weather? the Coast guard?
Let me just recount on the performance of Sulpicio Lines, Inc. over the past decade. Since the most tragic 1987 M/V Doña Paz sinking, Sulpicio has sank 4 of its big ships and ferries, the latest of which is the M/V Princess of the Stars. Talk about performance in the field of marine navigation. And of the four tragedies that the company has figured in, they were never sacked, nor temporarily closed down, nor given reprimand.
See the top water-related tragedies at peace-time. M/v Princess of the Orient was not on the list, but I think this was also a Sulpicio Lines-owned vessel that sank off the coast of Batangas, leaving about 150 dead and hundreds more injured.
Courtesy of http://www.wikipedia.com/:
4,300–4,500 - MV Doña Paz (Philippines, 1987)
2,750–3,920 - SS Kiangya (off Shanghai, 1948)
1,863 - MV Joola (Senegal, 2002)
1,547 - Sultana (Mississippi River, 1865)
1,517 - RMS Titanic (North Atlantic, 1912)
1,155 - Toya Maru (Tsugaru Strait, 1954)
1,021 - SS General Slocum (New York, 1904)
1,018 - MV al-Salam Boccaccio 98 (Red Sea, 2006)
1,012 - RMS Empress of Ireland, (Saint Lawrence River, 1914)
c.1,000 - SS Hong Moh (South China Sea, 1921)
894 - MV Bukova (Lake Victoria, Tanzania, 1996)
852 - MS Estonia (Baltic Sea, 1994)
835 - SS Eastland (Chicago, 1915)
800 - MV Princess of Stars capsized by Typhoon Fengshen off Sibuyan Island, Philippines, June 21, 2008.
737 - SS Camorta (Irrawaddy Delta, 1902)
c.640 - SS Princess Alice and SS Bywell Castle (River Thames, 1878)
627 - SS Norge (Rockall, 1904)
625 - SS Ramdas (Bombay, 1947)
608 - Novorossiysk (Sevastopol, 1955)
600 - Shamia (Meghna River, southern Barisa, Bangladesh, May 1986)
587 - Ertuğrul (off Kushimoto, Japan, 1890)
580 - Indonesian passenger ship Tamponas 2 (caught fire and sank in Java Sea, January 1981)
558 - SS Principe de Asturias (off Brazil, 1916)
550 - Cahaya Bahari (off Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2000)
546 - RMS Atlantic (Nova Scotia, 1873)
528 - MV Nazreen 1 (Chandpur, Bangladesh, July 2003)
500 - Atlas Star (Dhaleswar River, Munshiganj, Bangladesh, 1986)
497 - Ebisu Maru (off Tokushima, Japan, 1946)
464 - Salem Express (off Safaga, Egypt, 1991)
461 - MV Senopati Nusantara (off Mandalika Island, Indonesia, 2006)
438 - Baccha Singh (Manihari Ghat, Bihar, River Ganges, 6 August 1988)
423 - Admiral Nakhimov (Black Sea, 1986)
400 - Reina Regenta (off Gibraltar, March 11, 1895)
400 - SS Lady Elgin (Chicago, 1860)
400 - Cataraqui (King Island, Australia, 1865)
397 - Toyo Maru 10 (near Kurushima, Japan, 1945)
392 - SS Himera (off Athens, Greece, January 19, 1947)
361 - KM Bismas Raya 2 (off Merauke, Irian Jaya, Indonesia, October 1999)
358 - HMS Victoria (near Tripoli, Lebanon, 1893)
357 - 10th of Ramadan (Lake Nasser, Egypt, 1983)
353 - SIEV-X (off Indonesia, 2001)
340 - MV Shalahuddin 2 (Meghna River, Bangladesh, 2002)
338 - Gurita (off Sabang, Aceh, Indonesia, January 1996)
325 - Harta Limba (off Kalimantan, Indonesia, 1999)
314 - Principessa Matalda (off Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil, October 25, 1927)
308 - Namyong-Ho (Korean Strait, 1970)
304 - Japanese passenger boat Sekirei Maru capsized with crush by windy condition off northwestern Awaji Island, Japan, December 9, 1945.
300 - Brazilian river boat Sobral Santos capsized Amazon River, Obidos, Brazil, September 20, 1981
300 - Turkish ferry Üsküdar capsized and sank at Bay of İzmit, Kocaeli, Turkey, March 1, 1958
297 - RMS Tayleur, (Lambay, Ireland, 1854)
292 - A Seohae, South Korean ferry, West Sea, overloaded with 362 people, capsized off Puan county October 10, 1993[6]
288 - SS Heraklion (Souda, Crete, Greece, 1966)
280 - Chinese ferry Dashun caught fire and capsized in rough seas off Yellow Sea, Yantai, Shandong, China, November 24, 1999
280 - Nigerian passenger boat capsized at Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, April 1998
280 - Myanmarese passenger ferry U Hla Myist sank by collided with Japanese vassel Bombei Maru at Yangon Bay, Myanmar, February 1973
279 - Filipino floating pagoda capsized in Bocaue river, northern Manila, Philippines, July 2, 1993
272 - Kenyan ferry MV Mtongwe sank at Mtongwe, Mombasa, Kenya, 1994
260 - USS Maine (Havana, Cuba, 1898) it is disputed whether this was accidental or an act of terrorism
260 - Earl of Abergavenny (off Portland Bill, 1805)
260 - Nuestra Señora de Atocha (Florida Keys, 1622)
259 - Portuguese passenger ship Save ran aground off Mozambique, July 8, 1961
250+ - Great Lakes Storm of 1913 (Great Lakes Basin, 1913)
250 - Filipino ferry Dona Marylin capsized by Typhoon Ruby off Maripipi Island, Philippines, October, 1988
250 - Bangladeshi ferry MV Dinar gone down in strong whirlpool at Meghna River, Chandpul, Bangladesh, August 20, 1994
249 - Chang Tyong-Ho (Busan, South Korea, 1953)
230 - Brazilian double-decker boat Novo Amapo capsized Belem de Cajari, Macapa, Amazon River, Brazil, 1981
230 - Bangladeshi ferry Rushi capsized by stormy condition at Padma River, Bangladesh, April 1980
226 - Ville du Havre (North Atlantic, 1873)
220 - Nigerian passenger boat capsized by stormy sea off Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, January 24, 1996
215 - Myanmarese double-decker ferry sank during storm at Gyaing River, 1990
210 - Illegal African immigrants boat sank off Sfax, Tunisia, 2003
209 - Seven Japanese fishing boat sank by Super typhoon Carmen (off Agrihan, 1965)
206 - Egyptian ferry boat Adel capsized at Upper Nile, Maghagha, Governorate, Egypt, May, 1963
205 - HMS Iolaire (off Stornoway, 1919)
200 - SS Victoria (London, Ontario, 1881)
200 - Indonesian passenger ferry KMP Digul capsized in rough sea off Merakuke, Papua, Indonesia, July 2005.
200 - Bangladeshi passenger ferry Haisal rammed by collide with cargo vessel at Dhaleswari river, Bangladesh, December, 1988.
193 - Herald of Free Enterprise (English Channel, 1987)
192 - Two illegal immigrants boats sank off Gulf of Aden, Yemen, 2007
189 - MV Maharaj (Buriganga River, Bangladesh, 2005)
189 - HMS Orpheus, (Auckland, 1863)
185 - Batavia (off Australia, 1629) includes both drowned and murdered
182 - Congo ferry Dieu Merci capsized at Mai-Ndombe Lake, Bandunu, Democratic Republic of Congo, November 27, 2003.
180 - Somali refugee boat capsized off Gulf of Aden, Yemen, March 31, 1998
177 - Russian cruise ship Alexander Suvorov crashed into a railroad bridge at Volga River, Ulyanovsk, southwestern Russia, June 5, 1983.
171 - Chinese sightseeing boat sank at Songhua River, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, August 1985
170 - Staffordshire (Cape Sable, 1853)
168 - Shiun Maru (Takamatsu, Japan, 1955)
167 - Japanese ferry Nankai Maru capsized off southern Awaji Island, Japan, January 26, 1958
167 - Dona Cassandra sank by typhoon Orchid (off Mindanao, 1983)
165 - Tamil refugees boat capsized off Nanchchikuddah, Sri Lanka, February 20, 1997
161 - Romanian passenger boat Mogosoaia sank by collide with Bulgarian barge Pita Karamonchev at Danube River, Galatzi, Romania, September 10, 1989
158 - Scandinavian Star (Skagerrak, 1990)
158 - Sierra Leone boat Amunafa capsized off coast Bailor, Sierra Leone, August 3, 2007
150 - Peruvian ferry La Chachita capsized at Maranon River, central Peru, May 7, 1991.
150 - Overloaded motorrized canoe capsized off Tasso, Sierra Leone, March 25, 1999.
150 - A pontoon ferry sink by overturned on Shire River, Malawi, May 23, 1965
150 - Colombian excursion ship Vencedor capsized off Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, September, 1961
148 - Medusa (off Senegal, 1816)
147 - Chinese passenger ferry capsized at Shanshui, Guangdong, China on March 2, 1983
140 - SS Koombana (off Port Hedland, Western Australia, 1912)
140 - Danish passenger ship Kjoebenhavn capsized after striking mine off coast of Jutland, Denmark, June, 1948
140 - Italian ferry Moby Prince collide with oil tanker, dense fog off Livorno, Tuscan, Italy, 1991
140 - Two African immigrants boat sank off Seferihisar, Turkey, 2007
134 - SS Morro Castle (off Asbury Park, New Jersey, 1934)
134 - Peruvian passenger boat Adresito capsized at Amazon River, Iquitos, Loreto Maynas, Peru, March 6, 1990.
131 - Chinese passenger boat Rong Jian capsized at Hejiang River, Rongshan, Sichuan, China, June 2000.
131 - Tararua (off Waipapa Point, New Zealand, 1881)
130 - Princess Victoria (Scottland, 1953)
130 - Nigerian ferry Olodiama collided with a tugboat off Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, September, 1997
130 - Thai ferry boat Sathit collided with chemical tanker at Gulf of Thailand, Si Racha, Thailand, March 1992
129 - USS Thresher (N. Atlantic, 1963)
128 - HMS Gladiator (Isle of Wight, 1908)
128 - Greek cruise ship Lakonia sunk after fire on board off Madeira, Portugal, December 28, 1962.
124+ - SS Yongala (Townsville, Australia, 1911)
124 - Djibouti ferry Al Baraqua 2 capsized off Tadjoura, Djibouti, April 6, 2006
120 - Ghanan motorboat capsized at Lake Volta, Jasikan, Ghana, April 10, 2006.
118 - Kursk (Barents Sea, 2000)
117 - Kinka Maru (Onagawa, northeastern Miyagi, Japan, 1946)
113 - Japanese wooden passenger boat Kitagawa Maru 5 capsized at Onomichi, Japan, April 1957.
102 - SS Gothenburg. (Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, 24 February 1875).
100 - Brazilian cruise boat Bateau Mouche capsized at Copacabana beach, Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 1, 1989.
99 - USS Scorpion (near Azores, 1968)
92 - Japanese passenger boat Koun Maru sank by rough sea off Misumi, Amakusa, western Kyūshū, Japan, October 1, 1933.
85 - Illegal African immigrants boat sank Mareg, Puntland, Yemen, 2003
82 - STV Royston Grange (off Montevideo, Uruguay, 1972)
81 - Samina (near Paros, Greece, 2000)
80 - Pamir (1957)
80 - Hong Kong ferry Fatshan plunged by torrential typhoon Rose, Auguat 17, 1971.
78 - Greek tanker Spyros exploded at Jorong shipyard, Singapore, October 12, 1978
70 - Ming 361 (2003)
58 - Bahrain wooden plesure boat al-Dana capsized off Gulf of Bahrain, 2006
57 - Danish passenger boat Turisten Killing 57 pass. after fire on board on Haderslev Dam, July 8, 1959
54 - MS Jan Heweliusz (Baltic Sea, 1993)
53 - TEV Wahine (Wellington, NZ, 1968)
51 - SS Andrea Doria (off Nantucket, Mass. 1956)
48 - Brazilian river boat Comandante Sales capsized at Solimoes River, on the outskirts of Manacapura, Amazonas, Brazil, May 4, 2008.
45 - SS Elingamite (Three Kings Islands, NZ, 1902)
44 - British bulk carrier Derbyshire capsized by structual failure and Typhoon Orchid off Ryukyu Island, September 9, 1980
36 - FV Gaul (Barents Sea, 1974)
35 - HMS Pandora (Torres Strait, 1791)
31 - SS Carnatic (Red Sea, 1869)
29 - SS Edmund Fitzgerald (Lake Superior, 1975)
28 - Soviet submarine K-19 (to fire, 24 February 1972)
20 - Ethan Allen (Lake George (New York), 2 October 2005)
17 - 1979 Fastnet race (Fastnet Rock, 1979)
16 - MS Sleipner (Norway, 1999)
13 - Essex (South Pacific, 1819)
So who's really to blame on the tragedy? There were talks of engine trouble. There were news of holes in the ship. There were news about cargo loading in a passenger vessel. And Sulpicio Lines is blaming everything to bad weather forecasting.
My heart bleeds for the families of more than 700 missing bodies still underneath the sank M/V Princess of the Stars. I pray that justice be served.
Let me just recount on the performance of Sulpicio Lines, Inc. over the past decade. Since the most tragic 1987 M/V Doña Paz sinking, Sulpicio has sank 4 of its big ships and ferries, the latest of which is the M/V Princess of the Stars. Talk about performance in the field of marine navigation. And of the four tragedies that the company has figured in, they were never sacked, nor temporarily closed down, nor given reprimand.
See the top water-related tragedies at peace-time. M/v Princess of the Orient was not on the list, but I think this was also a Sulpicio Lines-owned vessel that sank off the coast of Batangas, leaving about 150 dead and hundreds more injured.
Courtesy of http://www.wikipedia.com/:
4,300–4,500 - MV Doña Paz (Philippines, 1987)
2,750–3,920 - SS Kiangya (off Shanghai, 1948)
1,863 - MV Joola (Senegal, 2002)
1,547 - Sultana (Mississippi River, 1865)
1,517 - RMS Titanic (North Atlantic, 1912)
1,155 - Toya Maru (Tsugaru Strait, 1954)
1,021 - SS General Slocum (New York, 1904)
1,018 - MV al-Salam Boccaccio 98 (Red Sea, 2006)
1,012 - RMS Empress of Ireland, (Saint Lawrence River, 1914)
c.1,000 - SS Hong Moh (South China Sea, 1921)
894 - MV Bukova (Lake Victoria, Tanzania, 1996)
852 - MS Estonia (Baltic Sea, 1994)
835 - SS Eastland (Chicago, 1915)
800 - MV Princess of Stars capsized by Typhoon Fengshen off Sibuyan Island, Philippines, June 21, 2008.
737 - SS Camorta (Irrawaddy Delta, 1902)
c.640 - SS Princess Alice and SS Bywell Castle (River Thames, 1878)
627 - SS Norge (Rockall, 1904)
625 - SS Ramdas (Bombay, 1947)
608 - Novorossiysk (Sevastopol, 1955)
600 - Shamia (Meghna River, southern Barisa, Bangladesh, May 1986)
587 - Ertuğrul (off Kushimoto, Japan, 1890)
580 - Indonesian passenger ship Tamponas 2 (caught fire and sank in Java Sea, January 1981)
558 - SS Principe de Asturias (off Brazil, 1916)
550 - Cahaya Bahari (off Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2000)
546 - RMS Atlantic (Nova Scotia, 1873)
528 - MV Nazreen 1 (Chandpur, Bangladesh, July 2003)
500 - Atlas Star (Dhaleswar River, Munshiganj, Bangladesh, 1986)
497 - Ebisu Maru (off Tokushima, Japan, 1946)
464 - Salem Express (off Safaga, Egypt, 1991)
461 - MV Senopati Nusantara (off Mandalika Island, Indonesia, 2006)
438 - Baccha Singh (Manihari Ghat, Bihar, River Ganges, 6 August 1988)
423 - Admiral Nakhimov (Black Sea, 1986)
400 - Reina Regenta (off Gibraltar, March 11, 1895)
400 - SS Lady Elgin (Chicago, 1860)
400 - Cataraqui (King Island, Australia, 1865)
397 - Toyo Maru 10 (near Kurushima, Japan, 1945)
392 - SS Himera (off Athens, Greece, January 19, 1947)
361 - KM Bismas Raya 2 (off Merauke, Irian Jaya, Indonesia, October 1999)
358 - HMS Victoria (near Tripoli, Lebanon, 1893)
357 - 10th of Ramadan (Lake Nasser, Egypt, 1983)
353 - SIEV-X (off Indonesia, 2001)
340 - MV Shalahuddin 2 (Meghna River, Bangladesh, 2002)
338 - Gurita (off Sabang, Aceh, Indonesia, January 1996)
325 - Harta Limba (off Kalimantan, Indonesia, 1999)
314 - Principessa Matalda (off Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil, October 25, 1927)
308 - Namyong-Ho (Korean Strait, 1970)
304 - Japanese passenger boat Sekirei Maru capsized with crush by windy condition off northwestern Awaji Island, Japan, December 9, 1945.
300 - Brazilian river boat Sobral Santos capsized Amazon River, Obidos, Brazil, September 20, 1981
300 - Turkish ferry Üsküdar capsized and sank at Bay of İzmit, Kocaeli, Turkey, March 1, 1958
297 - RMS Tayleur, (Lambay, Ireland, 1854)
292 - A Seohae, South Korean ferry, West Sea, overloaded with 362 people, capsized off Puan county October 10, 1993[6]
288 - SS Heraklion (Souda, Crete, Greece, 1966)
280 - Chinese ferry Dashun caught fire and capsized in rough seas off Yellow Sea, Yantai, Shandong, China, November 24, 1999
280 - Nigerian passenger boat capsized at Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, April 1998
280 - Myanmarese passenger ferry U Hla Myist sank by collided with Japanese vassel Bombei Maru at Yangon Bay, Myanmar, February 1973
279 - Filipino floating pagoda capsized in Bocaue river, northern Manila, Philippines, July 2, 1993
272 - Kenyan ferry MV Mtongwe sank at Mtongwe, Mombasa, Kenya, 1994
260 - USS Maine (Havana, Cuba, 1898) it is disputed whether this was accidental or an act of terrorism
260 - Earl of Abergavenny (off Portland Bill, 1805)
260 - Nuestra Señora de Atocha (Florida Keys, 1622)
259 - Portuguese passenger ship Save ran aground off Mozambique, July 8, 1961
250+ - Great Lakes Storm of 1913 (Great Lakes Basin, 1913)
250 - Filipino ferry Dona Marylin capsized by Typhoon Ruby off Maripipi Island, Philippines, October, 1988
250 - Bangladeshi ferry MV Dinar gone down in strong whirlpool at Meghna River, Chandpul, Bangladesh, August 20, 1994
249 - Chang Tyong-Ho (Busan, South Korea, 1953)
230 - Brazilian double-decker boat Novo Amapo capsized Belem de Cajari, Macapa, Amazon River, Brazil, 1981
230 - Bangladeshi ferry Rushi capsized by stormy condition at Padma River, Bangladesh, April 1980
226 - Ville du Havre (North Atlantic, 1873)
220 - Nigerian passenger boat capsized by stormy sea off Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, January 24, 1996
215 - Myanmarese double-decker ferry sank during storm at Gyaing River, 1990
210 - Illegal African immigrants boat sank off Sfax, Tunisia, 2003
209 - Seven Japanese fishing boat sank by Super typhoon Carmen (off Agrihan, 1965)
206 - Egyptian ferry boat Adel capsized at Upper Nile, Maghagha, Governorate, Egypt, May, 1963
205 - HMS Iolaire (off Stornoway, 1919)
200 - SS Victoria (London, Ontario, 1881)
200 - Indonesian passenger ferry KMP Digul capsized in rough sea off Merakuke, Papua, Indonesia, July 2005.
200 - Bangladeshi passenger ferry Haisal rammed by collide with cargo vessel at Dhaleswari river, Bangladesh, December, 1988.
193 - Herald of Free Enterprise (English Channel, 1987)
192 - Two illegal immigrants boats sank off Gulf of Aden, Yemen, 2007
189 - MV Maharaj (Buriganga River, Bangladesh, 2005)
189 - HMS Orpheus, (Auckland, 1863)
185 - Batavia (off Australia, 1629) includes both drowned and murdered
182 - Congo ferry Dieu Merci capsized at Mai-Ndombe Lake, Bandunu, Democratic Republic of Congo, November 27, 2003.
180 - Somali refugee boat capsized off Gulf of Aden, Yemen, March 31, 1998
177 - Russian cruise ship Alexander Suvorov crashed into a railroad bridge at Volga River, Ulyanovsk, southwestern Russia, June 5, 1983.
171 - Chinese sightseeing boat sank at Songhua River, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, August 1985
170 - Staffordshire (Cape Sable, 1853)
168 - Shiun Maru (Takamatsu, Japan, 1955)
167 - Japanese ferry Nankai Maru capsized off southern Awaji Island, Japan, January 26, 1958
167 - Dona Cassandra sank by typhoon Orchid (off Mindanao, 1983)
165 - Tamil refugees boat capsized off Nanchchikuddah, Sri Lanka, February 20, 1997
161 - Romanian passenger boat Mogosoaia sank by collide with Bulgarian barge Pita Karamonchev at Danube River, Galatzi, Romania, September 10, 1989
158 - Scandinavian Star (Skagerrak, 1990)
158 - Sierra Leone boat Amunafa capsized off coast Bailor, Sierra Leone, August 3, 2007
150 - Peruvian ferry La Chachita capsized at Maranon River, central Peru, May 7, 1991.
150 - Overloaded motorrized canoe capsized off Tasso, Sierra Leone, March 25, 1999.
150 - A pontoon ferry sink by overturned on Shire River, Malawi, May 23, 1965
150 - Colombian excursion ship Vencedor capsized off Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, September, 1961
148 - Medusa (off Senegal, 1816)
147 - Chinese passenger ferry capsized at Shanshui, Guangdong, China on March 2, 1983
140 - SS Koombana (off Port Hedland, Western Australia, 1912)
140 - Danish passenger ship Kjoebenhavn capsized after striking mine off coast of Jutland, Denmark, June, 1948
140 - Italian ferry Moby Prince collide with oil tanker, dense fog off Livorno, Tuscan, Italy, 1991
140 - Two African immigrants boat sank off Seferihisar, Turkey, 2007
134 - SS Morro Castle (off Asbury Park, New Jersey, 1934)
134 - Peruvian passenger boat Adresito capsized at Amazon River, Iquitos, Loreto Maynas, Peru, March 6, 1990.
131 - Chinese passenger boat Rong Jian capsized at Hejiang River, Rongshan, Sichuan, China, June 2000.
131 - Tararua (off Waipapa Point, New Zealand, 1881)
130 - Princess Victoria (Scottland, 1953)
130 - Nigerian ferry Olodiama collided with a tugboat off Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, September, 1997
130 - Thai ferry boat Sathit collided with chemical tanker at Gulf of Thailand, Si Racha, Thailand, March 1992
129 - USS Thresher (N. Atlantic, 1963)
128 - HMS Gladiator (Isle of Wight, 1908)
128 - Greek cruise ship Lakonia sunk after fire on board off Madeira, Portugal, December 28, 1962.
124+ - SS Yongala (Townsville, Australia, 1911)
124 - Djibouti ferry Al Baraqua 2 capsized off Tadjoura, Djibouti, April 6, 2006
120 - Ghanan motorboat capsized at Lake Volta, Jasikan, Ghana, April 10, 2006.
118 - Kursk (Barents Sea, 2000)
117 - Kinka Maru (Onagawa, northeastern Miyagi, Japan, 1946)
113 - Japanese wooden passenger boat Kitagawa Maru 5 capsized at Onomichi, Japan, April 1957.
102 - SS Gothenburg. (Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, 24 February 1875).
100 - Brazilian cruise boat Bateau Mouche capsized at Copacabana beach, Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 1, 1989.
99 - USS Scorpion (near Azores, 1968)
92 - Japanese passenger boat Koun Maru sank by rough sea off Misumi, Amakusa, western Kyūshū, Japan, October 1, 1933.
85 - Illegal African immigrants boat sank Mareg, Puntland, Yemen, 2003
82 - STV Royston Grange (off Montevideo, Uruguay, 1972)
81 - Samina (near Paros, Greece, 2000)
80 - Pamir (1957)
80 - Hong Kong ferry Fatshan plunged by torrential typhoon Rose, Auguat 17, 1971.
78 - Greek tanker Spyros exploded at Jorong shipyard, Singapore, October 12, 1978
70 - Ming 361 (2003)
58 - Bahrain wooden plesure boat al-Dana capsized off Gulf of Bahrain, 2006
57 - Danish passenger boat Turisten Killing 57 pass. after fire on board on Haderslev Dam, July 8, 1959
54 - MS Jan Heweliusz (Baltic Sea, 1993)
53 - TEV Wahine (Wellington, NZ, 1968)
51 - SS Andrea Doria (off Nantucket, Mass. 1956)
48 - Brazilian river boat Comandante Sales capsized at Solimoes River, on the outskirts of Manacapura, Amazonas, Brazil, May 4, 2008.
45 - SS Elingamite (Three Kings Islands, NZ, 1902)
44 - British bulk carrier Derbyshire capsized by structual failure and Typhoon Orchid off Ryukyu Island, September 9, 1980
36 - FV Gaul (Barents Sea, 1974)
35 - HMS Pandora (Torres Strait, 1791)
31 - SS Carnatic (Red Sea, 1869)
29 - SS Edmund Fitzgerald (Lake Superior, 1975)
28 - Soviet submarine K-19 (to fire, 24 February 1972)
20 - Ethan Allen (Lake George (New York), 2 October 2005)
17 - 1979 Fastnet race (Fastnet Rock, 1979)
16 - MS Sleipner (Norway, 1999)
13 - Essex (South Pacific, 1819)
So who's really to blame on the tragedy? There were talks of engine trouble. There were news of holes in the ship. There were news about cargo loading in a passenger vessel. And Sulpicio Lines is blaming everything to bad weather forecasting.
My heart bleeds for the families of more than 700 missing bodies still underneath the sank M/V Princess of the Stars. I pray that justice be served.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
4-time World Champion!
Once again, Manny Pacquiao has proven that he's the best pound-for-pound fighter today! After a gruelling 9 rounds of boxing at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Pacquiao captured his fourth title in four different divisions, the first Asian to have conquered this title!
From the way he fought this morning, it showed that he has prepared well. His focus was exceptional, his fighting form, fantastic. We could not se traces of mediocrity from his last fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. He was in his tip-top shape. And all that David Diaz could say after the fight was "Manny is so f*cking fast." What ended Diaz's night was a straight right fake and a left hook combination. After that, we see Diaz's face kissing the canvas.
It's good to see Manny reach this far into the boxing realm. It is very rare to see a Filipino reach this level: Main event in a sellout Las Vegas arena, endorsements from the robe to the buttocks, a prime endorser of a #1 shoe and apparel line, and many many more! I just hope that he continues to shine and at the same time keep his feet on the ground. Filipinos need icons like him to look up to.
And hopefully he'll never run for public office. hehehe
Cheers!
From the way he fought this morning, it showed that he has prepared well. His focus was exceptional, his fighting form, fantastic. We could not se traces of mediocrity from his last fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. He was in his tip-top shape. And all that David Diaz could say after the fight was "Manny is so f*cking fast." What ended Diaz's night was a straight right fake and a left hook combination. After that, we see Diaz's face kissing the canvas.
It's good to see Manny reach this far into the boxing realm. It is very rare to see a Filipino reach this level: Main event in a sellout Las Vegas arena, endorsements from the robe to the buttocks, a prime endorser of a #1 shoe and apparel line, and many many more! I just hope that he continues to shine and at the same time keep his feet on the ground. Filipinos need icons like him to look up to.
And hopefully he'll never run for public office. hehehe
Cheers!
Monday, June 09, 2008
Oarhouse, Malate: Good beer, Great food!
If anyone's working in the Manila or Pasay area (or anywhere else!), I'd definitely recommend this quaint, cozy pub just along the streets of Malate. To me, Oarhouse was really a good find: a place to have a short 5-thirsty chat with friends, or simply for chilling out and grabbing a beer or two. My lady and I have been a mainstay of this place, especially when we needed time to unwind after a hard day's work. Fortunately, I work in Ermita area, while she works in Pasay, and Oarhouse is midpoint from both our offices. We stay there for a couple of hours at most and just let a few fun topics, an ice-cold beer and a choice of pulutan chase our work stress away.
I discovered Oarhouse when it was featured in one Sunday Inquirer Magazine special about Manila's best kept secrets. I got particularly interested in some of the pubs described there, and one of which was Oarhouse. So one day, as I was waiting for my lady to get off from work, I walked the Mabini area and tried to find its exact location. I walked all the way from United Nations until I reached Oarhouse, which is almost near the Malate Church. I did not try it on that day, though. After having found its exact location, my lady and I decided to try it out the following week. And after that, we just kept coming back to enjoy the ambience, the beer, and the food.
Aside from the great old-timer pub feel, the food is also a thing to look forward to at Oarhouse. They brag about their famous Balbacua, which we haven't tried yet. =) My personal favorite would be their own version of the German classic Schnitzel. They serve four pieces of breaded pork with potatoes, bacon and onions as sidings, at a very affordable price! My lady loves their pasta, particularly the Pasta with Aligue. Wish I could have taken some pictures. =)
The place is also a a hang-out of renowned Filipino artists. That is why, as an added feature, Oarhouse is also an art gallery of sorts. Artists display photographs, paintings, and other artwork on its walls, and it is for sale to the public.
Artworks on the walls
So if anyone passes by Malate and is looking for a good chat, cold beer, and great food, I personally recommend that you try Oarhouse.
For more details, visit http://www.oarhouse.blogspot.com/.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Titan Bustamante - Ems Ulanday Wedding
Both of them looked so good together as they stood in front of the altar posing for pictures, and finally giving the traditional kiss. On April 19, 2008, Titan and Ems exchanged their wedding vows at the St. Isidore Church in Labrador, Pangasinan. It was our barkada's first wedding, so we made sure to bring in the fun and laughter of our high school days, coupled with the solemnity of the ceremony.
Despite living separate lives, the serious and regularly reserved Titan found his match with the afable and bubbly character of Ems. The two met each other during Ems' masters days. Titan was the "point person" for the project, the one person accidentally assigned to guide Ems in her requirements. The guide suddenly turned into a friend, friend, into something else.
Unfortunately, Titan needed to leave the country to earn his Master's Degree. But that didn't stop him from communicating with Ems. And so they talked, chatted, texted, skyped, emailed. Distance never became a hindrance for these two beautiful individuals. When Titan had the chance to go back in the country to finally confide in Ems personally what he really feels, he did so and they finally got together. And now, more than two years later, they have been happily married.
It was a fun-filled weekend. I was not only able to witness the wedding of one of my best friends, but I was also able to reunite with my best buddies since high school. And it was really a spectacle to see all of us in formal attire!
Okay now boys, who's next?!
Best Man, Cord Man, Groom, and Groomsman
The Best man and The Groom
Despite living separate lives, the serious and regularly reserved Titan found his match with the afable and bubbly character of Ems. The two met each other during Ems' masters days. Titan was the "point person" for the project, the one person accidentally assigned to guide Ems in her requirements. The guide suddenly turned into a friend, friend, into something else.
Unfortunately, Titan needed to leave the country to earn his Master's Degree. But that didn't stop him from communicating with Ems. And so they talked, chatted, texted, skyped, emailed. Distance never became a hindrance for these two beautiful individuals. When Titan had the chance to go back in the country to finally confide in Ems personally what he really feels, he did so and they finally got together. And now, more than two years later, they have been happily married.
It was a fun-filled weekend. I was not only able to witness the wedding of one of my best friends, but I was also able to reunite with my best buddies since high school. And it was really a spectacle to see all of us in formal attire!
To Ems and Titan, congratulations and best wishes!
To Titan, I know that finally, you are in your happiest. I'm sure you'll make a good, responsible, faithful husband.
To Ems, welcome to the family! Now you are a permanent member of the barkada, which means that you are not allowed to be absent in Oktoberfest and Januaryfest celebrations, except of course for unavoidable reasons like being out of the country. :) I guarantee you that Titan is really one-of-a-kind in more ways than one. Well, I guess you already know that. :)
I am glad they found each other. They are really a match made in heaven.
"Marriage is the golden ring in a chain whose beginning is a glance and whose ending is Eternity."--Kahlil Gibran
Okay now boys, who's next?!
Best Man, Cord Man, Groom, and Groomsman
The Best man and The Groom
The Rat Pack
The Peeping Toms
For a more complete stills collection, see http://www.slingshot200.multiply.com/ and http://www.traveler23.multiply.com/.
Cheers!!!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Manny Pacquiao: World Champion
"It doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning's winning." -- Vin Diesel, Fast and the Furious
Once again, the Filipino populace was wowed by the performance of its new age icon and idol. Last Palm Sunday, March 16 (March 15 in the U.S.), Manny Pacquiao finally beat World Boxing Council Super Featherweight champion Juan Manual Marquez, proving that he is the best there is in his weight division. After a pound-for-pound match that lasted the entire 12 rounds, both fighters never let down and fought till the end. But after all punches were thrown, Pacquiao emerged as the best and the toughest. In a split-decision with a tie-breaking score of 114-113, Manny Pacquiao became the new WBC Super Featherweight Champion of the world. Another victory for the Filipino people, like what he always says after his matches.
We have to admit that Manny Pacquiao is one of the reasons, besides economic resiliency and OFW remittances, that keep this country afloat and hopeful. Everytime a Manny Pacquiao fight takes place, Filipino time stops. Crime rate declines. Ceasefire occurs. The entire nation is in jubilation for every punch landed on Manny's opponent. In this aspect, cultures are united.
However, a lot of critics have seen the latest Pacquiao fight as lopsided and controversial. Even some Filipino analysts were demanding an investigation as to what had been the outcome of the match. Indeed, it was not a convincing match, but I think it was a well-fought match. It could have gone either way. We have once again shown the Filipinos' penchant for controversy, dissatisfaction and crab mentality.
I am a self-confessed Manny Pacquiao fan. I strongly believe that he will go down in history as the highest paid Filipino athlete of all time. And I know that he will go down the records as the most successful Filipino boxer, alongside or even better than the late greats Pancho Villa and Gabriel Elorde.
I think in cases like these, we should be able to protect our own breed. In Mexico, even if Morales was beat to a pulp, you will never hear a Mexican analyst saying that his fighter is weak. In China, wherever the Chinese goes, they support each other: be it good sides or bad. It's about time we leave the crab mentality behind.
I know that there were lapses in the Pacquiao camp. But these criticisms should be constructively put. I personally think that the "investigation" comment by one boxing analyst was very much uncalled for. But this is a free country so he can speak of what he thinks is right. Oh well.
It is about time that we give not just Manny Pacquiao but all other achievers of the country our all out support. In the end, it is not just their spirits who are uplifted, but every Juan de la Cruz out there who is looking for good news and reasons for believing that Filipinos are one of the best races in the world.
Cheers to Manny Pacquiao, the new WBC Super Featherweight Champion!
Once again, the Filipino populace was wowed by the performance of its new age icon and idol. Last Palm Sunday, March 16 (March 15 in the U.S.), Manny Pacquiao finally beat World Boxing Council Super Featherweight champion Juan Manual Marquez, proving that he is the best there is in his weight division. After a pound-for-pound match that lasted the entire 12 rounds, both fighters never let down and fought till the end. But after all punches were thrown, Pacquiao emerged as the best and the toughest. In a split-decision with a tie-breaking score of 114-113, Manny Pacquiao became the new WBC Super Featherweight Champion of the world. Another victory for the Filipino people, like what he always says after his matches.
We have to admit that Manny Pacquiao is one of the reasons, besides economic resiliency and OFW remittances, that keep this country afloat and hopeful. Everytime a Manny Pacquiao fight takes place, Filipino time stops. Crime rate declines. Ceasefire occurs. The entire nation is in jubilation for every punch landed on Manny's opponent. In this aspect, cultures are united.
However, a lot of critics have seen the latest Pacquiao fight as lopsided and controversial. Even some Filipino analysts were demanding an investigation as to what had been the outcome of the match. Indeed, it was not a convincing match, but I think it was a well-fought match. It could have gone either way. We have once again shown the Filipinos' penchant for controversy, dissatisfaction and crab mentality.
I am a self-confessed Manny Pacquiao fan. I strongly believe that he will go down in history as the highest paid Filipino athlete of all time. And I know that he will go down the records as the most successful Filipino boxer, alongside or even better than the late greats Pancho Villa and Gabriel Elorde.
I think in cases like these, we should be able to protect our own breed. In Mexico, even if Morales was beat to a pulp, you will never hear a Mexican analyst saying that his fighter is weak. In China, wherever the Chinese goes, they support each other: be it good sides or bad. It's about time we leave the crab mentality behind.
I know that there were lapses in the Pacquiao camp. But these criticisms should be constructively put. I personally think that the "investigation" comment by one boxing analyst was very much uncalled for. But this is a free country so he can speak of what he thinks is right. Oh well.
It is about time that we give not just Manny Pacquiao but all other achievers of the country our all out support. In the end, it is not just their spirits who are uplifted, but every Juan de la Cruz out there who is looking for good news and reasons for believing that Filipinos are one of the best races in the world.
Cheers to Manny Pacquiao, the new WBC Super Featherweight Champion!
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