2008 US Presidential Elections

The 2008 Presidential elections (and all US presidential elections for that matter) should be of interest to Filipinos. And why not when most overseas filipino workers are stationed in the US, thousands of Filipinos have migrated to the US already and there are millions more who want to migrate to the US given the chance.

When America sniffs, the Philippines coughs. That's how dependent we are to the the milk of land and honey. So see which of your US presidential candidates will most likely win the race and look at his policy on immigration and hiring of foreigners. Most probably, it will mean a lot to you or somebody in your family.

Taxing Text Messages For White Elephant Projects Like The Artica Sports Dome?

People from foreign countries use their mobile phones to call each other even for non important reasons. Filipinos however text each other endlessly, making the country the world's texting capital with over 1.39 billion sent by only 50 million SMS subscribers. This makes the proposed text messaging tax unpalatable even to Davao City councilors.

Councilor Rachel Zozobrado is against the proposal saying it is an unreasonable and additional burden to the Filipinos. The same sentiment was raised by councilor Pilar Braga. Councilor Peter Laviña is however against the proposal not only because of the government's promise not to impose new taxes but because the government should tax the rich people and big corporation.

With the proposed P0.50 tax per text message, the government is expected to raise P36 billion in specific excise taxes plus P41 billion in VAT collections---all to be used for projects including the Artica Sports Dome in Langub (worth billions but never benefited the Dabawenyos) which according to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is a "monument of corruption."

Considering this, a person who normally sends out 10 messages a day will pay an additional P5 tax-wise. How many text messages do you send per day? You might just be a future investors in another one of the government's white elephant projects when that tax proposal is approved.

Prof. Araceli Dans-Lee Is UPMin's New CHSS Dean

Prof. Araceli Dans-Lee is the new dean of the University of the Philippines Mindanao College of Humanities and Social Sciences Division. Dans-Lee or Ma'am Marcy as we used to call her when I was still working at UPMin, was one of the most heartwarming professors without an air of superiority in UPMin and there are only few of them there. She would have UPMin's 1st Woman Chancellor had she succeeded in her bid but even an academic institution like UP is a haven of politics and Ma'am Marcy surely is not politician enough to get the necessary votes.

The College of Science and Mathematics or CSM also as a new Dean in the person of Prof. Reynaldo Abad. Abad is replacing Dr. Antonio Obsioma as head of the CSM. I ran into Sir Tony a few weeks ago and he proudly said he is retiring from administrative work and is going back to teaching full time. Sad. He is among the most well-loved personalities in UPMin even when he was still Vice Chancellor for Admin.

Good Location For McDonald's Matina

The newest McDonald in town is located in a very stategic spot---right in front of the Ateneo de Davao HS and Gradeschool campus. Need I say that majority of the customers there are from the Ateneo?

McDonald Matina, which opened in December last year, is different from the other McDo branches ambiance-wise. I haven't been to the new outlet in Bajada though. The fast-food's facade is of course just like the other McDo's but the counter in Matina is more modern. The fastfood stands on a bigger lot but the store itself is small compared to the one located at Victoria Plaza's parking lot.

Some of the staff seemed new to the job as they are still unfamilair with whether or not they should charge extra if the customer opts for ice tea for their Happy Meal. They were polite and helpful though. Well, this is one good thing about McDo because they do not charge you an extra P9 for choosing an ice tea instead of softdrinks for a Happy Meal order. Jollibee does.

This is perhaps the second McDonald Branch that is open 24-hours daily. That Victoria Branch was our library when I was still at Law School so the Matina Branch will probably be a haven for law students who live nearby.

P206M Bankerohan Bridge Project back On Track?

The P206 million Bankerohan bridge project has not been forgotten by the Department of Public Works and Highways after all. DPWH SM regional director Jerome Dela Rosa said they have merely kept their mouth shut until they got the Notice To Proceed from their head office. Dela Rosa's declaration came amid a castigation from Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. due to the negative publicity hounding the project.

Dela Rosa said among the reasons for the delay are

1. Commission on Audit Rules and Regulations

2. Berthing place for the materials to be used for the construction

3. Delay in release of other important documents

4. Decision to dredge the area near the Bolton Bridge to allow the barge to pass

Based on the contract between Ciriaco Corporation and the government, the construction of the bridge will start from January 14 and is expected to be completed by August 14.

In Davao City, accountability to the project is being passed like a basketball, between Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (who said it is a national project) and Representative Prospero Nograles (who is blaming DPWH). There is as yet no movement of materials at the destroyed Bankerohan Bridge except for a few locals who have made the area a basketball court.

Addicted To Blog

I am facing court martial soon if I don't stop blogging and surfing other people's blogs. I have to write several articles today, the deadlines of which are already dead! Meaning, they were due several days ago. But I can't help but write a post now and then and browse other blogs as well.

After reading rhodilee’s blog, I knew there was something wrong with me!

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Wednesday Movie Blog: Bee Movie

Wednesdays from now on, will be Wednesday Movie Blog. Take your pick of the best movies in town. Most cinemas in the city change movies during Wednesdays so if you want to relax but don't know which movies are showing, just drop by this blog.

Bee Movie
SM Cinema 2 12:15/2:00/3:45/5:30/7:00
NCCC Cinema 4 12:25/2:20/4:15/6:10

I've been hounding both SM and NCCC cinema with queries as to when they will be showing this movie. Did that since I first saw the poster last November. No, I am not a 5-year old kid but kiddie movies arouse my interest. They have simple plots yet they tell us about life and make us want to enjoy life more with its simplicity. Adults make life complicated. Maybe this is why I'll never grow old.

The Bee Movie talks about real life only in simple terms. It talks about a bee who thinks he deserves a better job than making honey. Isn't that what most of us yearn for everyday---a better job?

National Treasure: Book of Secrets
SM Cinema 1 11:20/1:45/4:10/6:35
NCCC Cinema 2 12:00/2:30/5:00

This is another movie that will surely entertain you especially if you love mysteries, treasure hunting and of course Nicolas Cage! This is a sequel to the National Treasure which was a hit among moviegoers enough to warrant another episode. This movie talks about Abe Lincoln's assassination and other conspiracy theories of the US government., If you love Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code then you will surely love this movie.

Of course, I haven't seen Sakal, Sakali,Saklolo yet but the first one (Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo) is a riot and I loved it! The movie, which was a Manila Film Festival entry, has been extended and you can still catch it at both SM and NCCC Cinemas.