It is quite mysterious as to what could have caused the fire that razed in the Department of Budget and Management building just this morning. Firefighter figured that the conflagration started in the building's Server Office. For one, the Server office of the DBM is where all the electronic files are centralized. As far as I know, this serves as the central hard disk drive of all employees of DBM. In short, all electronic files stored in this server are gone. Lost... Could no longer be retrieved. hmmmm... I just smelled something fishier than my breakfast tuyo.
I am not judging this early as to what might have been the cause of the fire. It was reported though that Server office was empty when the fire broke out. What could have transpired in that room? Was it just a mere case of overheat or electrical failure? In my former office, I remember that we also store the main server in a certain floor of our building. In this floor, it is never empty because the servers require high maintenance and security. I just wonder what happened to the people on duty to guard or maintain the servers. Or is it really not a practice for the DBM to designate a person to at least guard the premises considering the servers require high maintenance? I would just give it a big sigh...
What's quite disturbing is that the fire broke out only several days after the "Fertilizer Scam" drew the media's attention. And only a few days after Former DBM Secretary Emilia Boncodin released her testimony regarding the fund transfers/ conversions of the administration to allegedly finance the highly scandalous 2004 elections. It just makes people think... Well, at least that is what the "thinking public" thinks. Remember that I speak of this objectively and on the basis of mere facts and opinion of other people.
I also remember that several years ago, a fire also broke out in the Bureau of Internal Revenue building, during the time of BIR Commissioner Liwayway Vinzons-Chato. At that time, the fire occurred in the records office of the BIR, destroying all valuable tax records of big-time tax evaders. It was also coincidental that this time was also the height of the tax evasion case against the tobacco magnate Lucio Tan. The fire destroyed evidences that Tan was evading billions of pesos of taxes. People said the unpaid taxes were so big, that if only Tan paid them, we could be out of the debt problem. Thanks to the fire, evidences that would pin him down turned to dust. Luckily, Chato kept some of the files, thus the case is stille being heard at a Marikina City Trial Court.
No one really knows if the fire was intentional or a mere accident. For now, we can only wait and see what comes up in the investigation. I only hope that I and some people I know are wrong in our gut feelings about this fire... hay... Bad news again and again... Kawawa naman si Juan de la Cruz.
------------------------------
As I am writing this, I have read from Inq7.net that the fire cause only minor damage to the system. DBM officials also said that not all data were lost since there were back-up files. Are there also back-up files for the files that SEc. Boncodin mentioned? I still smell the fish... Must be my breath due to the Tuyo breakfast... Tsk tsk tsk...
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Diplomacy 101
May I acknowledge the latest contributor to the Presidency's rising unpopularity... Special thanks to the President's loyal (but improper) aide, Mr. Magdangal, who showed us the example of how it is to be undiplomatic. It is an irony for a person such as MR. Magdangal to be working in an office (the Office ofthe Press Secretary) that requires qualities such as ample amount of patience, and knows his diplomacy 101 subject well. If the Palace wants another people power to flourish, they just continue the things they have been doing. They are in the perfect trajectory to failure.
I strongly believe the Ramosian (FVR, that is) theory on protests and rallies. Just let them be. The more you pounce on them, the more they become violent. Personally, I am neither a supporter, nor a protester of the President. I am one of those people who believe that we are in a political stalemate and the only way out is to wait for all of the sitting trapos, bobos, and "insinceros" to die of natural death. Thus, I speak objectively. The current actions of the administration just makes them look more like they are guilty of something. But are they? If they think they are not, as what they have been repeatedly telling the public, they should act that way. Let these protesters be. After all, no matter what happens, protesters will always be protesters so we shouldn't meet them head on.
I really do not know what is wrong with the President's allies and "henchmen." They are one of the primary causes for the President's declining popularity. Before these men face the media, they should first review their people skills. What Mr. Magdangal could have done yesterday was to simply accept the letter with all respect to the sender, then bring it to the office of whoever Senior Deputy Executive Secretary. After all, important papers sometimes get "lost" in those offices. What more the less important ones?
Well, I think Magdangal just wanted to reenact Bonifacio's "Cedula tearing" scenario to signify his defiance to the "bondage" of opposition's People's Court.
To sum up Mr. Magdangal's action yesterday with one word, I'd say PALPAK... Enough said...
I strongly believe the Ramosian (FVR, that is) theory on protests and rallies. Just let them be. The more you pounce on them, the more they become violent. Personally, I am neither a supporter, nor a protester of the President. I am one of those people who believe that we are in a political stalemate and the only way out is to wait for all of the sitting trapos, bobos, and "insinceros" to die of natural death. Thus, I speak objectively. The current actions of the administration just makes them look more like they are guilty of something. But are they? If they think they are not, as what they have been repeatedly telling the public, they should act that way. Let these protesters be. After all, no matter what happens, protesters will always be protesters so we shouldn't meet them head on.
I really do not know what is wrong with the President's allies and "henchmen." They are one of the primary causes for the President's declining popularity. Before these men face the media, they should first review their people skills. What Mr. Magdangal could have done yesterday was to simply accept the letter with all respect to the sender, then bring it to the office of whoever Senior Deputy Executive Secretary. After all, important papers sometimes get "lost" in those offices. What more the less important ones?
Well, I think Magdangal just wanted to reenact Bonifacio's "Cedula tearing" scenario to signify his defiance to the "bondage" of opposition's People's Court.
To sum up Mr. Magdangal's action yesterday with one word, I'd say PALPAK... Enough said...
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Biggest Blunder of the Decade...
It is sad to hear the news that the De La Salle University decided to return its championship and runner-up trophies for the past three years for having been fielded and "ineligible" player during those times. This was following the school's spot monitoring of the players' scholastic records. Too bad.
This highlighted two main points in the current UAAP system. First, it is rather startling and disturbing to know that a league so professional and so famous has been infiltrated with players not eligible to play. If La Salle was able to field in at least two ineligible players in their roster, other teams might probably have one or two as well. I remember just before the start of the UAAP season 68, some members of the UAAP complained about the eligibility of Bonbon Custodio, University of the East's rookie superstar. It was complained that Custodio was not a real student of UE, and was enrolled in another college. He was eventually cleared of the charges. Anyone else?
Second, what separates college ball from the professional league is the honor to bring glory and victory to the school. How can this glory and honor be brought to the school if we are fielding in players not even eligible to be college students?!
I remember back in my childhood (as if it was a long time ago), we falsified some documents to field in ineligible players in our inter-village basketball tournament. Our friend Jay has a bestfriend who, at 13, is an excellent shooter and dribbler. Varsity material. However, he does not live in our village, thus, he is not eligible to play in our team. What we did was we faked his address, giving the inter-village tournament committee an address where he did not live in. And successfully, he didn't just play in our team, he dominated the league. However, in the end, we didn't turn out to be happy because we just played HIS game, not ours. And we couldn't even celebrate for the win because deep in our hearts, we knew we won through the help of a non-Kimco village resident. Too bad.
This issue should be resolved soon. If possible, the UAAP board should monitor each and every player of respective teams so as to clean the tainted image of UAAP brought about by this incident. Controversies are not necessary in college basketball, especially in a league supported by the top schools of the land. Before we shout either Animo, Halikinu, or Fight, we should first see if the players we cheer for are worth cheering at...
This highlighted two main points in the current UAAP system. First, it is rather startling and disturbing to know that a league so professional and so famous has been infiltrated with players not eligible to play. If La Salle was able to field in at least two ineligible players in their roster, other teams might probably have one or two as well. I remember just before the start of the UAAP season 68, some members of the UAAP complained about the eligibility of Bonbon Custodio, University of the East's rookie superstar. It was complained that Custodio was not a real student of UE, and was enrolled in another college. He was eventually cleared of the charges. Anyone else?
Second, what separates college ball from the professional league is the honor to bring glory and victory to the school. How can this glory and honor be brought to the school if we are fielding in players not even eligible to be college students?!
I remember back in my childhood (as if it was a long time ago), we falsified some documents to field in ineligible players in our inter-village basketball tournament. Our friend Jay has a bestfriend who, at 13, is an excellent shooter and dribbler. Varsity material. However, he does not live in our village, thus, he is not eligible to play in our team. What we did was we faked his address, giving the inter-village tournament committee an address where he did not live in. And successfully, he didn't just play in our team, he dominated the league. However, in the end, we didn't turn out to be happy because we just played HIS game, not ours. And we couldn't even celebrate for the win because deep in our hearts, we knew we won through the help of a non-Kimco village resident. Too bad.
This issue should be resolved soon. If possible, the UAAP board should monitor each and every player of respective teams so as to clean the tainted image of UAAP brought about by this incident. Controversies are not necessary in college basketball, especially in a league supported by the top schools of the land. Before we shout either Animo, Halikinu, or Fight, we should first see if the players we cheer for are worth cheering at...
Thursday, September 29, 2005
September has ended...
This is just one of these days when I feel like I can very much relate to a song... Today is my last day in my current work. I never realized I would feel this sad and lonely...
Wake Me Up When September Ends Lyrics
Green Day
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
like my fathers come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends
summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
ring out the bells again
like we did when spring began
wake me up when september ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
like my father's come to pass
twenty years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends
Special thanks to my dear officemates who made my work experience a fun-filled one. You truly have a big space in my hypertensive-ridden heart. hehehe.
Monday will be a totally different ballgame. I hope everything will be fine...
Wake Me Up When September Ends Lyrics
Green Day
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
like my fathers come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends
summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
ring out the bells again
like we did when spring began
wake me up when september ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
like my father's come to pass
twenty years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends
Special thanks to my dear officemates who made my work experience a fun-filled one. You truly have a big space in my hypertensive-ridden heart. hehehe.
Monday will be a totally different ballgame. I hope everything will be fine...
Monday, September 26, 2005
Better Luck Next Time...
LA Tenorio's last game with the Blue Eagles was phenomenal. However, his efforts were still insufficient to defeat the De La Salle University's Fantastic play in their Final Four match Last Sunday. He was on a high up to the end of the First half and garnered an early 15 points to top all players as of halftime. Ateneo held their last lead by then. What happened in the next quarter, to me, is still unfathomable. Unexplainable. Not to mention, disheartening. Ateneo, turned the ball over more than 9 times, giving La Salle around 16 turnover points. This game them a double digit lead by the end of the Third Quarter. And the rest was history. Ateneo lost to De La Salle, 57-74, for the third time this season 68. Last year was also an Ateneo-La Salle final four year where Ateneo lost their chance for a finals berth.
LA Tenorio gave his all last Sunday. He is worthy of praise for giving the Ateneo high spirits that day. However, basketball is a team sport. Without the efforts of other team members, they wouldn't really muster the win they deserve. From the way I saw the game, he was all alone in there.
I can't seem to fathom what the heck is wrong with the Ateneo players everytime they play LA Salle. I can't seem to explain why the Eagles were able to defeat the top team, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws who swept the Archers in the elimination round, but always fall short of expectation when playing with their long-time arch-rivals.
Blame it on pressure, I guess. It is really difficult to play in a crowd of 14,000, where mixed emotions unravel every minute. I think what the Ateneo Blue Eagles lack is the mental toughness to withstand these on-and-off-court pressure. It takes maturity, patience and temperance. And most of all, focus. I personally think that the Eagles are a team of highly-talented individuals. What they need is not a practice of agility, endurance and strength, but a practice of endurance of heart and spirit. In that game against La Salle, the Eagles did not win against La Salle. They lost against themselves.
Too bad LA Tenorio did not finish his UAAP career with a championship ring. But he's got a lot of talent and heart to make it to the bigger leagues. Probably by this time, a lot of PBA teams are already wooing him to join their clubs.
I would also like to give credit to the graduating Eagles this season for their respective contributions to season 68, for making the Blue Eagles one of the toughest teams this year. On the general perspective, the Ateneo Blue Eagles fell way above expectation. They were initially expected to be out of the final four after losing two games early in the first half of the elimination round. However, they managed to win seven-straight games as the league went on.
Coach Norman Black was terrific. Enough said.
Personally, I was frustrated and saddened by the Ateneo's eleimination from the final four. But I know that there will always be a next time... Until then, Halikinu!!!
Season 69, here we come!!!
LA Tenorio gave his all last Sunday. He is worthy of praise for giving the Ateneo high spirits that day. However, basketball is a team sport. Without the efforts of other team members, they wouldn't really muster the win they deserve. From the way I saw the game, he was all alone in there.
I can't seem to fathom what the heck is wrong with the Ateneo players everytime they play LA Salle. I can't seem to explain why the Eagles were able to defeat the top team, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws who swept the Archers in the elimination round, but always fall short of expectation when playing with their long-time arch-rivals.
Blame it on pressure, I guess. It is really difficult to play in a crowd of 14,000, where mixed emotions unravel every minute. I think what the Ateneo Blue Eagles lack is the mental toughness to withstand these on-and-off-court pressure. It takes maturity, patience and temperance. And most of all, focus. I personally think that the Eagles are a team of highly-talented individuals. What they need is not a practice of agility, endurance and strength, but a practice of endurance of heart and spirit. In that game against La Salle, the Eagles did not win against La Salle. They lost against themselves.
Too bad LA Tenorio did not finish his UAAP career with a championship ring. But he's got a lot of talent and heart to make it to the bigger leagues. Probably by this time, a lot of PBA teams are already wooing him to join their clubs.
I would also like to give credit to the graduating Eagles this season for their respective contributions to season 68, for making the Blue Eagles one of the toughest teams this year. On the general perspective, the Ateneo Blue Eagles fell way above expectation. They were initially expected to be out of the final four after losing two games early in the first half of the elimination round. However, they managed to win seven-straight games as the league went on.
Coach Norman Black was terrific. Enough said.
Personally, I was frustrated and saddened by the Ateneo's eleimination from the final four. But I know that there will always be a next time... Until then, Halikinu!!!
Season 69, here we come!!!
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Random thoughts of the day...
If there’s one thing Filipinos can be proud of, it’s Manny “The Pacman” Pacquiao. Just last week, Manny won over Mexican Hector Velasquez in six rounds of a title bout held in Staples Center, Los Angeles. Not only did Filipinos rejoice over this victory, but it also brought new hope for our Filipinos. The greater news is that all three Filipinos who fought that night won their respective matches. Brian Viloria won his championship in the first round over another Mexican, while Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista knocked his opponent down in the third round. On this Sunday morning, Filipinos were again filled with pride and jubilation.
This may be a week late already, but it was brought back to my senses because this morning, I witnessed a heated argument about Manny Pacquiao’s success on the way to office. During our trip, one shuttlemate started the conversation regarding Manny’s wife, whom they thought improved aesthetically since Manny became a superstar. Then, one mentioned how lucky Manny Pacquiao is now that he has fame and fortune. However, our driver reminded the group that every Filipino boxer in history went broke after retiring from boxing because of their lavish lifestyles and over-confident behaviors. Thus, he sees that considering his gambling habits, it only takes a matter of time before he suffers the same fate. Then, one shuttlemate (probably a Manny Pacquiao fan) lambasted the driver for his “crab mentality” over Manny’s success. She even added “Kaya tayo hindi umaasenso eh dahil sa mga kagaya niyo eh. Bakit hindi niyo na lang sabihing magaling yun tao.” After this, the shuttle bus went silent…
In this morning trip, I learned two things. First, our driver was right. If success gets into our heads, we’re dead meat. Just like the rest of the former Filipino champs. Manny Pacquiao, having had this gift, has so much more responsibility in his hands. He not only needs to take care of his finances so that his family would not suffer in the future, but he also needs to take care of his image to the public because right now, he is considered Filipino’s only spark of hope. To some, He is their source of strength because he is the living example that a Filipino could surpass poverty just as long as he strives for the best. Just like what the ring commentators said, he is the real rags-to-riches story. And to some, he is the modern-day hero who makes us proud of being Filipinos.
Second, the shuttlemate who criticized our driver was also, in a way, right. People nowadays are so skeptic of the successes of other people. Instead of being proud of their fellow countrymen, some people criticized them destructively, find faults, or sometimes even look for flaws instead of their successes. This might be one of the many reasons why our country is still in holocaust after all these years. It is sad to mention this fact, but it is so true. I just hope we just be happy that there are still people who succeed amidst crises in our country so that we be inspired and also strive to make it to the top.
Just some thoughts that I think are worth sharing.
Congrats to Manny Pacquiao…
This may be a week late already, but it was brought back to my senses because this morning, I witnessed a heated argument about Manny Pacquiao’s success on the way to office. During our trip, one shuttlemate started the conversation regarding Manny’s wife, whom they thought improved aesthetically since Manny became a superstar. Then, one mentioned how lucky Manny Pacquiao is now that he has fame and fortune. However, our driver reminded the group that every Filipino boxer in history went broke after retiring from boxing because of their lavish lifestyles and over-confident behaviors. Thus, he sees that considering his gambling habits, it only takes a matter of time before he suffers the same fate. Then, one shuttlemate (probably a Manny Pacquiao fan) lambasted the driver for his “crab mentality” over Manny’s success. She even added “Kaya tayo hindi umaasenso eh dahil sa mga kagaya niyo eh. Bakit hindi niyo na lang sabihing magaling yun tao.” After this, the shuttle bus went silent…
In this morning trip, I learned two things. First, our driver was right. If success gets into our heads, we’re dead meat. Just like the rest of the former Filipino champs. Manny Pacquiao, having had this gift, has so much more responsibility in his hands. He not only needs to take care of his finances so that his family would not suffer in the future, but he also needs to take care of his image to the public because right now, he is considered Filipino’s only spark of hope. To some, He is their source of strength because he is the living example that a Filipino could surpass poverty just as long as he strives for the best. Just like what the ring commentators said, he is the real rags-to-riches story. And to some, he is the modern-day hero who makes us proud of being Filipinos.
Second, the shuttlemate who criticized our driver was also, in a way, right. People nowadays are so skeptic of the successes of other people. Instead of being proud of their fellow countrymen, some people criticized them destructively, find faults, or sometimes even look for flaws instead of their successes. This might be one of the many reasons why our country is still in holocaust after all these years. It is sad to mention this fact, but it is so true. I just hope we just be happy that there are still people who succeed amidst crises in our country so that we be inspired and also strive to make it to the top.
Just some thoughts that I think are worth sharing.
Congrats to Manny Pacquiao…
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Battle for Third...
This will only take a few words...
La Salle won over Ue in the rematch last Sunday. Because of this, La Salle became twice to beat... Now UE and Ateneo will have a playoff on Thursday to determine who will be the third place. I don't really see the purpose of this playoff... The only value-added in this match is that the winner will not get to play against FEU. Some value-added indeed.
I wish the Blue Eagles the best of luck. If not for the upset against the UST Tigers, they could have been in the position where La Salles is right now.
Halikinu!!!
By the way, UST won its fourth-straight UAAP-Nestle Non-Stop Cheerdance competition awars last Saturday. Well, based on my own judgment of the event, they really deserve that victory. UP, better luck next time... Again... At least we're consistent second...
La Salle won over Ue in the rematch last Sunday. Because of this, La Salle became twice to beat... Now UE and Ateneo will have a playoff on Thursday to determine who will be the third place. I don't really see the purpose of this playoff... The only value-added in this match is that the winner will not get to play against FEU. Some value-added indeed.
I wish the Blue Eagles the best of luck. If not for the upset against the UST Tigers, they could have been in the position where La Salles is right now.
Halikinu!!!
By the way, UST won its fourth-straight UAAP-Nestle Non-Stop Cheerdance competition awars last Saturday. Well, based on my own judgment of the event, they really deserve that victory. UP, better luck next time... Again... At least we're consistent second...
Monday, September 12, 2005
Friday, September 02, 2005
UP's Moment of Truth
UP will battle the Defending Champions tomorrow, at 4pm. All you UP alumni and fans out there, cheer for our beloved school!
This is a make-or-break situation for the Fighting Maroons, now that they are on a 6-6 win-loss card, while the Green Archers are at 7-4 after an overtime win over the UE Red Warriors last Thursday. If the Maroons win this game, it will give them a better chance of grabbing the last spot of the Final Four. Their scorecard will improve to 7-6, and La Salle will be 7-5. La Salle will be one loss away from losing its final four bid. However, if the Archers win this game, it will automatically eliminate UP from the final four race.
UP hasn't been in the Final Four since 1997. They haven't had another taste fo the championship since the Ronnie Magsanoc-Benjie Paras days. With the firepower of Marvin Cruz and rookie Axel Doruelo, the domination of Nestor David and Abby Santos, there is a very big chance that UP could make it this year.
UP started out great this season 68. They went 3-0 until they succumbed a lost to UE (I couldn't really recall). However, due to major lapses in the offnse and defense, and the some injuries of their key players, UP went haywire in the early stages of the second round. Hopefully they will bounce back after their big win against the Adamson Falcons.
I hope they play great on Saturday... this is a do-or-die situation... They have no other options.
Push on, UP...
This is a make-or-break situation for the Fighting Maroons, now that they are on a 6-6 win-loss card, while the Green Archers are at 7-4 after an overtime win over the UE Red Warriors last Thursday. If the Maroons win this game, it will give them a better chance of grabbing the last spot of the Final Four. Their scorecard will improve to 7-6, and La Salle will be 7-5. La Salle will be one loss away from losing its final four bid. However, if the Archers win this game, it will automatically eliminate UP from the final four race.
UP hasn't been in the Final Four since 1997. They haven't had another taste fo the championship since the Ronnie Magsanoc-Benjie Paras days. With the firepower of Marvin Cruz and rookie Axel Doruelo, the domination of Nestor David and Abby Santos, there is a very big chance that UP could make it this year.
UP started out great this season 68. They went 3-0 until they succumbed a lost to UE (I couldn't really recall). However, due to major lapses in the offnse and defense, and the some injuries of their key players, UP went haywire in the early stages of the second round. Hopefully they will bounce back after their big win against the Adamson Falcons.
I hope they play great on Saturday... this is a do-or-die situation... They have no other options.
Push on, UP...
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Ding, Ang Bato!!!
For a guy, I don't see the rationality of avidly watching the primetime tele-fantasya "Darna." Maybe it's because of this disarming young lady whom I think brought Darna back to life. What's cool is that though she wears this skimpy metallic red bathing suit every primetime night, where children are watching, it still doesn't look obscene. This big break just made Angel Locsin the most sought-after Teen Star. And the sexiest woman-hero of the Philippines. Hehehehe...
Though I find Angel Locsin ultra-charming and best fit for the Darna role today, I still am a Vilmanian by heart and thus believe that Mayor Vi still is the ultimate Darna...
--------------------------------------------------
Trivia, trivia...
did you know: Sharon Cuneta also played Darna in the early 80's! She was cameo to the Herbert Bautista/ Edu Manzano hit "Captain Barbel." To all Sharonians out there, don't worry coz Ate Shawie is not left behind. I still don't know if Ate Guy would be Darna in the future... hehehe...
Though I find Angel Locsin ultra-charming and best fit for the Darna role today, I still am a Vilmanian by heart and thus believe that Mayor Vi still is the ultimate Darna...
--------------------------------------------------
Trivia, trivia...
did you know: Sharon Cuneta also played Darna in the early 80's! She was cameo to the Herbert Bautista/ Edu Manzano hit "Captain Barbel." To all Sharonians out there, don't worry coz Ate Shawie is not left behind. I still don't know if Ate Guy would be Darna in the future... hehehe...
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