Special thanks to Mikko Javier
A reunion of sorts
It started out as a weekly reunion of sorts through a game we loved playing most… Every Saturday, basketball aficionados of Ateneo High School 4F batch 1998, along with some friends from the Ateneo College who eventually became part of the family, meet up in the college covered courts to play ball for hours, with the objective of losing some weight and have some weekend fun. Upon learning about the Ateneo Basketball League, one of us just played with the idea of forming a team. What was once a joke eventually became a serious consideration. By the end 2003, the weekend ballers enlisted to become a legitimate ABL team. Thus, the birth of Team AHS 4F98.
Team 4F98 was formed on four fundamental objectives: to have a weekly reunion with our dear classmates (be it players or spectators, we never fail to have a post-game dinner after every game), to have a weekly workout and cardio-vascular exercise, to have a feel of an official basketball game, and to simply have a good time.
Indeed we enjoyed our participation in the ABL and excited a number of batch mates who watched several games from time to time in the course of the 3 seasons. The last and latest season of which, 2006, gave us our first-ever championship.
Three years in the making
In 2004, the team played in the Primitivo Martinez division, wherein we won our first ABL game. This provided us the confidence and determination to play our best in every game. Unfortunately, we fell short of making it to the final four that year. We had a 3-4 win-loss card. We were tied with two other teams in fourth place, however, the quotient system dictated our fate. We were behind by more than 20 quotient points.
We had a rather dismal performance in 2005, when we had a winless 0-7 card. This was the year when all three wins were forfeited because of a roster glitch. Despite a rather disheartening season, the team never ceased to play the ABL, since the main objective was to have fun and just play the game.
Finally, in 2006, we were enlisted in the newly-formed Fr. Cipriano Unson division. Not-so-serious as we all are, we still needed to break the 9-game curse and started the season with gusto and overall enthusiasm. After warming-up, we huddle to say a prayer for guidance and safety of the players. After which, our coach shouts to the top of his lungs: “GAME NA BA KAYO?!” We respond by cheering, “GAME NA!” That sound reverberates around the coliseum after the first huddle, signaling the start of a fierce, but fun, hoop action.
Accomplishments and milestones
And after a 9-game losing streak since 2004, we won our first game of the 2006 season. We were so elated by the first win, the team needed to take pictures because the win may never happen again. One player even took pictures of the final score just to show evidence that AHS 4F98 intermittently wins a basketball game.
We just thought maybe the prayer and pre-game cheer was lucky. We didn’t realize that we got game until the end of the second game. Statistically, never in its three year existence did Team AHS 4F98 experience a two-game winning streak. When the second game turned out to be a win, we had our hopes up.
Not only that. The team experienced several milestones this year. Most significant of all is the 7-0 card, which led us straight to the finals. And of course, extending the winning streak to 8 by winning the first-ever Fr. Unson Division championship. History tells that we were only the second team to have made a comeback 7-0 sweep from a 0-7 win-loss card the previous year.
Also, AHS 4F98’s win is regularly judged by its performance in the third quarter. When we are behind at the end of the third quarter, we lose the game. We experienced a couple of third-quarter deficits, where our opponents led by as much as 5 points. But this time, we won on those games. Our third-quarter curse was broken this year.
Finally, most of our team members led in the division’s statistical records. Jayvee Reyes’ steady shooting made him the best three point shooter of the division in terms of percentage. Marc Martinez proved that he is truly the best defensive player of the division, posting a division-best 3.38 steals a game. Playmaker and playing coach RJ Militar provided the necessary assists, making him the best passer of the division. And of course, the awards: four of our players, Marc Martinez, Jayvee Reyes, Jervin Reyes, and Juaqui Gutierrez made it to the mythical five; Marc Martinez was given the Best Defensive Player award; and Juaqui Gutierrez was the runaway winner of the Most Valuable Player award.
First-ever finals experience
Thanks to the 7-0 run in the eliminations, Team AHS 4F98 went straight to the finals and played against Team Macaraig, the team that rose from 4th place to the finals by defeating Team Ledesma and the powerhouse Team Genuino. We were rather uneasy at first, due to the fact that our star player and Most Valuable Player Juaqui Gutierrez is out due to an ankle injury, while our solid rebounding support Alfred Vargas is unavailable. However, we kept our composure and focus in the game.
Special thanks to our air-tight defense in the first half, Team Macaraig was held to a low scoring first half (under 20pts.), while we found ourselves leading by 20 points because of the 3-pointers launched by 4F98’s sweet-shooting gunman Jayvee Reyes.
Team Macaraig managed to make a comeback in the second half by their run-and-gun game. Their fast break points eventually cut our lead to 8 pts. 4F98 scored only a measly 3 points in the third quarter. Team Macaraig failed to erase the deficit 4F98 provided early in the quarter, but they came to as close as 5 points away.
Feeling the pressure and needing to stop the momentum, Team Captain and Best Defensive Player Marc “Macho Mitch” Martinez stepped up and scored numerous fast break points off several steals early in the homestretch. JC Aliling, 4F98’s secret weapon, rookie and go-to guy sealed the deal by bombing Team Macaraig with two consecutive 3-pointers with under 3 minutes to go in the 4th Quarter. This gave back 4F98’s double-digit lead. Team Macaraig held on by giving intentional fouls but had no bearing on the score or hope of reducing the lead. Team AHS 4F98 won by 9 points.
Seeing the convincing lead with less than two minutes left, Team 4F98 could not contain their ecstasy and the bench was going crazy out of eagerness to win the championship for the first time.
This was a fruitful season for 4F98. Eight-straight wins and a championship. Truly a memorable year for the team.
Above every victory and championship accomplished in the ABL, Team 4F98 is successful in its primordial objective in joining: to relive the memories of high school and keep in touch and bond with friends and classmates through the sport that binds us all.
“GAME NA BA KAYO?! GAME NA!” Team 4F98, congratulations on our unprecedented ABL Unson Division Championship. Until the next season…
The players
Team Ateneo High School 4F98:
Marc Martinez (Team Captain) – Best Defensive Player
Juaqui Gutierrez – Most Valuable Player
Jayvee Reyes
Jervin Reyes
RJ Militar
JC Aliling
Mikko Javier
Arnel Reniedo
RT de Jesus
Smiley Mateo
Paul Ochinang
Ron Margallo
Alfred Vargas
Anton Changco
Dingdong DantesMark Santos
Monday, March 20, 2006
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Tragedy of the Commons...
This is yet the most tragic experience the Philippines has seen in the entertainment industry. More or less 74 people dead, more than 200 injured, and scores of people shocked. That was what the tragedy known to many as the Wowowee Anniversary tragedy left ULTRA last Saturday, February 4. Seeing the footages on TV makes us feel shocked, distressed and disturbed. I could only imagine how Willie Revillame feels right now. As I watched the coverage on TV, I can’t help but feel awed and depressed with the thought that people died trying their luck to win some money.
Reports showed that hundreds of people have already flocked the front gate of ULTRA as early as Wednesday, February 1, hoping to be one of the first three hundred people to win an instant 20,000 pesos. As I have heard, Wowowee promised to give P20,000 each to the first 300 people to enter the ULTRA. In a place where there is very little opportunity for the poor, people would grab promotions such as this just to earn extra cash, even if it means toill and trouble from falling in line to pushing and shoving. This alone is a tragedy waiting to happen. And then, at around 7:45 in the morning, a few hours before Wowowee’s Anniversary show, the stamped occurred.
As what our column writers have already written in their respective columns, this tragedy just reflected how much poverty-stricken our society is now. Our people have become even more desperate to the point that they rely on chance, risking their time and lives to win some. If you could examine closer, lines in lotto stations have become longer. Off track betting stations are flocked by more bettors. Game shows continue to thrive the local TV stations, even in the most obscure channels. People have somehow shifted to chance as a way to improve their lives because, in a way, they have lost faith in relying on legitimate sources of income.
Considering this current state of society today, it is rather unfortunate to see networks capitalizing on the needs of the poor to get high ratings and revenues. These shows continue to exploit the people’s dire need for money in the guise of charity and games with big jackpots. People are being used for popularity contest. Afterwards, networks brand it as if they are helping uplift the lives of the poor. This “messianic complex” has an even more negative effect on the poor. Now, joining game shows and betting on chance have been a way of life for some.
If there is one thing to blame for the tragedy, it’s the network’s irresponsible treatment of their flock. Providing help for the poor does not end in giving cash prizes. It extends to proper treatment and care. And I think that is more important. Treating them nicely makes them winners in their own right even before they get to win cash prizes. Proper management of contests is one thing to consider when it comes to game shows.
I remember that during the time of the Pera o Bayong success, Magandang Tanghali Bayan hosts kept on boasting that the ABS-CBN studios were being flocked by thousands of people just to join their game. They said that the people sleep on the streets just to get their chance to win a million pesos. Mind you, it was not worth noting.
I am not biased over Eat Bulaga or anything, but they exemplify the more responsible management of a game show. In their segment Laban o Bawi, they pre-draw the 20 or so people that will join their elimination round, will make them wear shirts specified for the contest, and will honor only those with complete requirements. According to informal sources, people who want to join Laban o Bawi will have to leave their names in a piece of paper and give them to the officers-in-charge in the studio, and will just wait for their names to appear on TV. In this way, the show prevents the risk of a raucous crowd hours before their shows. They even provided the people the feeling of being winners by exposing their names on screen.
This is a painful lesson given to all shows nationwide. The ULTRA tragedy teaches us that poverty is prevalent, but providing people with temporary relief through giving out prizes in games shows does not solve the problem. It does not end in giving money…
I like what Conrado de Quiros wrote in his column last Monday, February 6, to quote: “But as many Filipinos know by now-courtesy of the text messages that flew thick and fast after the event-the real culprit in this disaster is poverty. A friend of mine put it this way, "Grabe pare, the only things that are keeping the poor going these days are luck and alms." That sounds even more plaintive in Tagalog. Another said the tragedy showed the true face of the economy. It is not 51 to 1, which is the conversion rate of the peso, it is 74 to 1, the conversion rate of lives to survival.”
“What can I say? I agree completely. What differentiates the tragedy last Saturday with the ones that came before it is that people went there out of dire straits, out of desperation, out of need to make some money. And they pushed and shoved and trampled with a ferocity reserved only for their life-and-death struggles. Kapit sa patalim. Surviving by the skin of your teeth. At least the victims of the collapse of the Colgante Bridge in Naga were there to show religious devotion to their Ina. At least the fans that were stampeded to death at Amoranto were there to show devotion to their rock gods. The children, women and men who were crushed to death at Ultra were there to cling to life. They were there trusting in God, luck and gratuity. That is the greatest tragedy of all.”
Reports showed that hundreds of people have already flocked the front gate of ULTRA as early as Wednesday, February 1, hoping to be one of the first three hundred people to win an instant 20,000 pesos. As I have heard, Wowowee promised to give P20,000 each to the first 300 people to enter the ULTRA. In a place where there is very little opportunity for the poor, people would grab promotions such as this just to earn extra cash, even if it means toill and trouble from falling in line to pushing and shoving. This alone is a tragedy waiting to happen. And then, at around 7:45 in the morning, a few hours before Wowowee’s Anniversary show, the stamped occurred.
As what our column writers have already written in their respective columns, this tragedy just reflected how much poverty-stricken our society is now. Our people have become even more desperate to the point that they rely on chance, risking their time and lives to win some. If you could examine closer, lines in lotto stations have become longer. Off track betting stations are flocked by more bettors. Game shows continue to thrive the local TV stations, even in the most obscure channels. People have somehow shifted to chance as a way to improve their lives because, in a way, they have lost faith in relying on legitimate sources of income.
Considering this current state of society today, it is rather unfortunate to see networks capitalizing on the needs of the poor to get high ratings and revenues. These shows continue to exploit the people’s dire need for money in the guise of charity and games with big jackpots. People are being used for popularity contest. Afterwards, networks brand it as if they are helping uplift the lives of the poor. This “messianic complex” has an even more negative effect on the poor. Now, joining game shows and betting on chance have been a way of life for some.
If there is one thing to blame for the tragedy, it’s the network’s irresponsible treatment of their flock. Providing help for the poor does not end in giving cash prizes. It extends to proper treatment and care. And I think that is more important. Treating them nicely makes them winners in their own right even before they get to win cash prizes. Proper management of contests is one thing to consider when it comes to game shows.
I remember that during the time of the Pera o Bayong success, Magandang Tanghali Bayan hosts kept on boasting that the ABS-CBN studios were being flocked by thousands of people just to join their game. They said that the people sleep on the streets just to get their chance to win a million pesos. Mind you, it was not worth noting.
I am not biased over Eat Bulaga or anything, but they exemplify the more responsible management of a game show. In their segment Laban o Bawi, they pre-draw the 20 or so people that will join their elimination round, will make them wear shirts specified for the contest, and will honor only those with complete requirements. According to informal sources, people who want to join Laban o Bawi will have to leave their names in a piece of paper and give them to the officers-in-charge in the studio, and will just wait for their names to appear on TV. In this way, the show prevents the risk of a raucous crowd hours before their shows. They even provided the people the feeling of being winners by exposing their names on screen.
This is a painful lesson given to all shows nationwide. The ULTRA tragedy teaches us that poverty is prevalent, but providing people with temporary relief through giving out prizes in games shows does not solve the problem. It does not end in giving money…
I like what Conrado de Quiros wrote in his column last Monday, February 6, to quote: “But as many Filipinos know by now-courtesy of the text messages that flew thick and fast after the event-the real culprit in this disaster is poverty. A friend of mine put it this way, "Grabe pare, the only things that are keeping the poor going these days are luck and alms." That sounds even more plaintive in Tagalog. Another said the tragedy showed the true face of the economy. It is not 51 to 1, which is the conversion rate of the peso, it is 74 to 1, the conversion rate of lives to survival.”
“What can I say? I agree completely. What differentiates the tragedy last Saturday with the ones that came before it is that people went there out of dire straits, out of desperation, out of need to make some money. And they pushed and shoved and trampled with a ferocity reserved only for their life-and-death struggles. Kapit sa patalim. Surviving by the skin of your teeth. At least the victims of the collapse of the Colgante Bridge in Naga were there to show religious devotion to their Ina. At least the fans that were stampeded to death at Amoranto were there to show devotion to their rock gods. The children, women and men who were crushed to death at Ultra were there to cling to life. They were there trusting in God, luck and gratuity. That is the greatest tragedy of all.”
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Ateneo Basketball League 2006
We’re almost halfway through the ABL season 6. So far, things have been going our team’s way. The Year of the Dog must be a lucky year for team AHS 4F 98. (Background: Our ABL team, Team AHS 4F98 has been joining the ABL for three years now. It was named such because we were classmates under section 4F and graduated in 1998. Not all players of this team are from 4F, but they were, in a way, adopted by our section.)
We made sensational records for our franchise team this year (yes, franchise! Feeling NBA! Hehehe). First, we made three consecutive wins this season. This has never happened before, except the other way around. We experienced losing twice in a row. And thrice, and four times. Even five. And six. And seven… darn…
Second, our team has a player vying for MVP. That is, ladies and gentleman, Mr. Juaqui Gutierrez. He is, I think, 2.5 statistical points higher this week than his MVP rival, Erwil Pasia. We also have at least five players in the statistical leaders, myself included… hehehe…
Third, We recorded the most wins in a season, tied with our career best, that is two years ago. Hopefully, we break the record by winning the next game.
Fourth, we broke barriers in terms of winning a game despite trailing in the third quarter. Historically speaking, we never won a game where we were trailing by the end of the third quarter. However, last Sunday, despite an 8-point deficit, we came back in the fourth quarter and won by 7 points, special thanks to the treys delivered by Jayvee Reyes, our team’s Sharpshooter.
And lastly, it is in this season where we posed the most pictures!!! Juaqui never fails to take a good shot of our final score and our team in the end game. Ayos! Hehehe…
A series of achievements and a winning streak… With this trend we might be able to take our first trip to the final four, and finally to the finals!!!
Booyah!
-------------------------------------------
Trivia, trivia
Did you know: The only Filipino who has beaten our current-day hero Manny “The Pacman” Pacquiao during his early days was Rustico Torrecampo. He won by way of knock out! Today, Torrecampo sells bicycle-mami in his hometown and has given up boxing.
We made sensational records for our franchise team this year (yes, franchise! Feeling NBA! Hehehe). First, we made three consecutive wins this season. This has never happened before, except the other way around. We experienced losing twice in a row. And thrice, and four times. Even five. And six. And seven… darn…
Second, our team has a player vying for MVP. That is, ladies and gentleman, Mr. Juaqui Gutierrez. He is, I think, 2.5 statistical points higher this week than his MVP rival, Erwil Pasia. We also have at least five players in the statistical leaders, myself included… hehehe…
Third, We recorded the most wins in a season, tied with our career best, that is two years ago. Hopefully, we break the record by winning the next game.
Fourth, we broke barriers in terms of winning a game despite trailing in the third quarter. Historically speaking, we never won a game where we were trailing by the end of the third quarter. However, last Sunday, despite an 8-point deficit, we came back in the fourth quarter and won by 7 points, special thanks to the treys delivered by Jayvee Reyes, our team’s Sharpshooter.
And lastly, it is in this season where we posed the most pictures!!! Juaqui never fails to take a good shot of our final score and our team in the end game. Ayos! Hehehe…
A series of achievements and a winning streak… With this trend we might be able to take our first trip to the final four, and finally to the finals!!!
Booyah!
-------------------------------------------
Trivia, trivia
Did you know: The only Filipino who has beaten our current-day hero Manny “The Pacman” Pacquiao during his early days was Rustico Torrecampo. He won by way of knock out! Today, Torrecampo sells bicycle-mami in his hometown and has given up boxing.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Christmas Greeting
A Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to All!!!
Let us leave all our worries of the past year behind because pretty sure, there are bigger and better worries this coming year... hahahaha...
I'm one year away from spending a quarter of my life... Darn...
Let us leave all our worries of the past year behind because pretty sure, there are bigger and better worries this coming year... hahahaha...
I'm one year away from spending a quarter of my life... Darn...
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Ateneo- La Salle Goodwill (?!) Games, December 8, 2005
Joseph Yeo should shift career from Basketball to Boxing after PBA Commissioner Noli Eala reacted negatively regarding Yeo's PBA future. Commissioner Eala mentioned that after what happened, it would be more difficult for Yeo to enter into the Pros.
I don't know what's in Yeo's mind for doing such a cheap and ungentlemanly act. His action just added to La Salle's series of embarassment over the past few months since UAAP season. First, Manny Salgado's Cheapshot hit of FEU's Arwind Santos, then the Illegibility issue of Mark Benitez and Tim Gatchalian, now this...
Joseph Yeo should have been the first (if I'm not mistaken) Xavierian varsity player to enter the pros. Now, his chances went bleak because of this. His basketball career could end in shambles. And to think, he was only playing for a goodwill game. Playing in the pros could be worse...
Yeo should remember that in the hard court, especially when playing either in an amateur or professional game, you are not only carrying your surname, but more importantly, the team you are representing. What you show in the court reflects the image of the entire team. And for Yeo's case, it's the school's name that he carries. And he carries not just any other school, but one of the best universities in the country. And not to mention, he is from Xavier... His actions didn't only bring shame and embarassment to his name, but to his teammates, colleagues, professors, and the schools.
Competence and courage in the hard court should always be coupled with patience, humility, responsibility, and sportsmanship. Intensity is really a factor, but it should never ever get into your head. Attitudes like what Yeo has shown in the goodwill games last December 8 was unbecoming of not just a La Sallite, but of a professional basketball player.
I heard Rod Nazareno is currently looking for talents in his boxing stable. What I witnessed in the December 8 games is hope for our Boxing Team in the 2008 Olympic Games...
This is no hate entry... If I were to see an Atenean or a UP player act this way, I would also write about him... Basketball is a contact sport, indeed. But harsh game play and intense physical contact has no place in the hard court.
I don't know what's in Yeo's mind for doing such a cheap and ungentlemanly act. His action just added to La Salle's series of embarassment over the past few months since UAAP season. First, Manny Salgado's Cheapshot hit of FEU's Arwind Santos, then the Illegibility issue of Mark Benitez and Tim Gatchalian, now this...
Joseph Yeo should have been the first (if I'm not mistaken) Xavierian varsity player to enter the pros. Now, his chances went bleak because of this. His basketball career could end in shambles. And to think, he was only playing for a goodwill game. Playing in the pros could be worse...
Yeo should remember that in the hard court, especially when playing either in an amateur or professional game, you are not only carrying your surname, but more importantly, the team you are representing. What you show in the court reflects the image of the entire team. And for Yeo's case, it's the school's name that he carries. And he carries not just any other school, but one of the best universities in the country. And not to mention, he is from Xavier... His actions didn't only bring shame and embarassment to his name, but to his teammates, colleagues, professors, and the schools.
Competence and courage in the hard court should always be coupled with patience, humility, responsibility, and sportsmanship. Intensity is really a factor, but it should never ever get into your head. Attitudes like what Yeo has shown in the goodwill games last December 8 was unbecoming of not just a La Sallite, but of a professional basketball player.
I heard Rod Nazareno is currently looking for talents in his boxing stable. What I witnessed in the December 8 games is hope for our Boxing Team in the 2008 Olympic Games...
This is no hate entry... If I were to see an Atenean or a UP player act this way, I would also write about him... Basketball is a contact sport, indeed. But harsh game play and intense physical contact has no place in the hard court.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Red Team then, Red Team Now...
In our recently-concluded basketball tournament, we members of the Red Team (Sales, Marketing and Training Departments) have prevailed. After being the fourth of foour teams, we managed to come back in the semi-finals, defeating the team with the twice-to-beat advantage, and also beating the team rooting for a back-to-back championship! Kudos to the Red Team!
Looking back in 2003 when I first entered PMS, our Red Team also made it to the championship and prevailed. Special thanks to the powerhouse cast composed of Pabs, Do, Ogie, Wally, Norms, Ches, Jake, and myself, the PMS Red Team Stallions. We named our team as such because in triumph and pain, we celebrate with our dear old friend, Red Horse Stallion... I miss our binge-drinking sessions... Kudos to the Stallions...
Looking back in 2003 when I first entered PMS, our Red Team also made it to the championship and prevailed. Special thanks to the powerhouse cast composed of Pabs, Do, Ogie, Wally, Norms, Ches, Jake, and myself, the PMS Red Team Stallions. We named our team as such because in triumph and pain, we celebrate with our dear old friend, Red Horse Stallion... I miss our binge-drinking sessions... Kudos to the Stallions...
By the way, we were also the PMS champions in 2004, special thanks to our reinforcements, Walter and Restie...
Looking forward to next year's Tournament... BACK TO BACK, SMarT!!!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Firestarter...
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...
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...
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...
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