Effects of Manila Hostage Drama to our Country

First of all, here we are again, –self  serving, making fun of one another and unconsciously putting our country down without thinking about the consequences of our actions.

Since the hostage taking incident became an internet superstar, on August 24, the media had a live coverage of the incident that even left the regular TV shows delayed. The giants networks, radio stations and internet news gave us live updates of the incident.

As citizens of our country, we, of course, have every right to know what is happening. However, did we ever think that it will affect us bigtime? There were lots of dull moments, moments of waiting and non sense that were not supposed to be shown, but because each had their intentions for personal growth and interest, they covered it.

Facebook and twitter updates were 90% all about the stupid policemen, Swat Team, blaming the police, blaming the president, etc.

Number one, the hostage victims were foreigners, naturally, their fear of visiting our country became a thing to consider. According to a reports,  travel agencies are affected since a lot of travel bookings from Hongkong have been cancelled. Tourism is one of the major tool for our progress. As of now, Philippine Tourism is very much in danger because of the image we projected and because it was our people who sensationalized the issue to the world. Who would want to tour to an unsafe country?

Secondly, who would want to invest here? I’m afraid, but our economy is also at stake here.The Philippine Stock Exchange composite index fell 2.29 percent, or 82.88 points, to 3,530.49. ”The local bourse experienced its worst one-day drop since May, (due partly to)… knee-jerk selling reactions caused by last night’s hostage-taking incident in the nation’s capital,” one bank was quoted saying.

Anyway, I really hope there is such a thing as control. The media should control their news and stop sensationalizing a very dangerous thing. We, the private citizens on the other hand should at least stop blaming each other and stop posting  everything that is happening on our social bookmarking accounts, especially if they are not necessary to be heard. Instead, move on, do what is right, to  pray and protect our country.

Noynoy’s Statement on Hostage-Taking Crisis

With the rest of the Filipino people, I wish to offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims whose lives were lost in the hostage situation at the Quirino Grandstand. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs has conveyed our deep feelings of sorrow to the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China and the people of Hong Kong through Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang. I have tasked Secretaries Soliman and Lim to provide everything necessary for the recovery and return home of the survivors. I have directed the fullest cooperation with the Hong Kong authorities on the part of our officials.

From the onset of this incident, the hostage-taker seemed to not be belligerent, as shown by the release of hostages. These were encouraging signs.

We were going to wait him out. The idea was to let the ground commanders who are the experts in this field handle the operation with minimal interference from people who are less expert.

But the situation deteriorated rapidly when, during the course of the negotiations, he was given the letter of the Ombudsman in which she promised to personally review his case. As he was reading the contents of the letter, while talking to an unknown individual on the phone, he became increasingly agitated.

The presence of his brother also added to the tension.

At this point, he threatened to kill a hostage. The police decided to remove the brother from the scene. As the negotiators were departing, the negotiators were shot at.

Media coverage of his brother being taken into custody further agitated the hostage-taker.

Shots were fired. They seemed to be warning shots, as there was no audible indication of tumult or chaos to show that the hostages were in immediate danger.

Nonetheless, the negotiators tried to reestablish contact with the hostage-taker but they were unsuccessful as the cellphone of the hostage-taker was continuously busy. He also refused to answer the throw-phone provided for him by the authorities.

The escape of the driver, combined with his reports that the hostages were being harmed, forced the assault to happen. When the vehicle began to move, and with reports that he had hand grenades, a decision was made to immobilize the vehicle as it would have made the situation even more dangerous.

As we know, the incident tragically ended in the deaths of eight innocent civilians.

We expect more of the facts to come to light and I have ordered Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to thoroughly lead this review.

Life of Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña (Unofficial)

It has always been a talk that the land where Victorias stands today was donated by our great great-grandfather to the city. When I was in grade II, I  remember to have seen a picture of Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña in one of the public libraries in Victorias.  After I asked my Dad, that’s when I learned that our ascendant was part of the History of the City.

Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña was a landed  Chinese businessman who, from his landholdings, donated a 26-Hectare land  to the then Municipal Government of the old Town of Victorias. The original town-site was in Barangay 9, that’s why today, it is called Daan-Banwa.

Don Alejandro, whose birthday fell on the 26th of April and a date which was later adapted as the Feast Day of Our Lady of Victory and the Fiesta of Victorias, had four children. His eldest was Vicente, who at his young age, went home to China and never came back. He never had any descendants in Victorias.

The second child is our great grandfather Saturnino, who was said to have two families. The first, was our Lola, Simeona Junsay from Victorias  and the second was from Toboso, that is why, until now, there are also Acuñas living in Toboso.

The flambuoyant Lolo Nino, being the only boy left in the family after Vicente went home to China, was carefree, had travelled a lot and spent most of his inheritance in luxury and a lot of pleasurable hobbies including occasional classic vices, of which Opium was one thing  noted of him.

Lolo Nino’s children were Estrella, Moises and Jose (Dad’s Papa). Lola Estring, his only daughter, who died in 2006 at the age of 99, told us that Lolo Nino was a Chinese doctor, whose education was attained from different parts of the world, including Germany, USA and China. During their younger years, their childhood home was in the lot where the Manuel Ko Bldg stands today. They rode in Caruajes going to Bacolod City ( I cannot imagine this) where Lolo Nino used to be one of the doctors in Hua Kong Commercial in Shopping.

The third was Doña Andrea Acuña Palanca, or Lola Anding, who’s the only great-Lola that I saw.

Lola Anding, who married another Chinese (Lucio Chilianchin Palanca) was  closer and helpful to our grandparents. Her children included Carlos, Almerio and Leoncio palanca, Lola Idiong P. Bantug, Lola Marrieta Corona, Lola Inday Alonte, Lola Chayong Palanca, Mrs. Lilia Mosqueda, Lolo-Mayor Vero A. Palanca, Dr. Esto A. Palanca, Atty. Simplicio A. Palanca, and Atty. Potenciano Palanca.

The fourth child, Claudina A. Suncuaco or Lola Dina is the mother of Luis Suncuaco, Lola Ding Mirasol, Lola Ada Garcia, Lola Noemi Miraflores, Gloria Pabillo Lola Salome De Dios and Jesus Suncuaco. In their family Mausoleum, at the Victorias Public Cemetary, the remains of Don Alejandro was laid to rest.

Lola Dina and her husband died of early ages, and left Lola Anding to take care of a total of 18 children all in all, 12 from the Palancas and 6 from the Suncuacos. They lived in Dux Theatre area.

Lola Anding’s bestfriend was Lola Natividad Junsay, also my Lola, because her husband Lolo Miguel Junsay is the brother of Siemona Junsay, wife of Lolo Saturnino. They used to play Panggingue – card games or mahjong, with silver coins as chips.

According to stories, when Lolo Nino was on his death-bed, Lola Anding was at his bedside. Because of his luxurious life, he was left with only a few or no property at all. Before he died, Lola Anding assured him that she will send his children to school and would take care of his succeeding descendants. This is actually happening until now, the Bantug- Palanca families have been helpful to us, even if we belong to the 5th generation already. We are still in close contact, although we see the Suncuacos during special occasions.

In honor of Lolo Alejandro, Mayor Severo Palanca initiated the construction of a gymnasium named Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quina Arts and Cultural Center where we can see his monument. Also, there is a Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Elementary School located in Brgy. IV in the City Proper, a Yap Quiña Subdivision in Brgy. III developed by Lola Idiong Bantug and is where we live now, a Yap Quiña Street  located in Brgy. IV and Brgy. V where the Victorias National High School and Victorias Elememtary School are located. (Lola Anding also has a school named after her in Brgy. 10)

It feels good to know where you came from. I’m glad, I have traced 1/4 of my being and I am proud of my heritage and my ancestors. Someday soon, we are all going to gather and chat about the missing pieces to rediscover the life and legacy of Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña.

Police Brutality:A Monster in Uniform (via Dinoacuna’s Blog)

EVERYBODY PLEASE READ THIS!!!!!!

A naked man lying on the floor grimacing in pain each time his torturer pulls the string attached to his genitals. This was the scenery shown on TV last Tuesday. The incident happend at the Police Station in Asuncion St, Tondo District and the Torturer was no less than its multi awarded Precinct Commander Senior Inspector Joselito Binayug. The victim, an alleged hold upper is said to have died. Although it was not confirmed whether he died of the … Read More

via Dinoacuna's Blog

Hell No to Pagcor Privatization (via Dinoacuna’s Blog)

It depends now!

Selling Pagcor is definitely the biggest mistake this Administration could possibly commit. Why sell the hen that lays the golden eggs? Pagcor, according to its website is the second biggest revenue contributor. For 2009 alone, it recorded a total annual income of PHP29.78 Billion, which is almost 1% higher than its 2008′s PHP 29.61 Billion, inspite of the financial crisis accross the globe, during that period. The yearly increase in its revenue … Read More

via Dinoacuna’s Blog

Albee speaks of PAGCOR Privatization

Negros Occidental Third District Congressman Alfredo “Albee ” Benitez said in an interview via Visayan Daily Star, that the deal which businessman Ramon Ang (Vice Chairman of SAN Miguel Corp) has been offering Pres. Benigno Aquino, III should be studied carefully. Mr. Ang is proposing or merely announcing that he, together with some Malaysian Investors are willing to buy PAGCOR at US$ 10Billion, an amount equivalent to PAGCOR’s  income for 15 years, if the President is willing to sell the state-owned money making firm.

Cong. Benitez, as head of the Philippines’ First Cagayan Leisure and Resorts Corp, sights that he is in favor of the selling of the  operational assets of PAGCOR but its regulatory function as a well as its recurring revenues should be retained.

In addition, Benitez said that the “Malaysian boys” Ang is referring are investors but are not into gaming business. Furthermore, Ang’s vague proposal has no terms of payment and lacks specific and important details. Benitez added that if the price Ang is offering is equivalent to the estimated earnings for 15 years, how about the rest of the years thereafter, considering that PAGCOR has about 23 years more to stay?

According to Benitez, Ang was quoted by a media saying “the sale of PAGCOR fits in well with the President’s agenda. We are not asking him for anything but to be true to his campaign promise of ensuring a level playing field for all businessmen.”

He reacts to this by saying that the Philippines might be making a dangerous precedent wherein government is simply dangled huge amounts of money in answer to its problems.

Benitez instead advised the President “You have to ensure that, if you intend to sell something, it is at the best price that you can get,”

He further said that the privatization of PAGCOR would need accompanying laws to protect the interest of government, and prevent it from being shortchanged.

Finally, Macau (via Mariceljavelosa’s Blog)

I want to go back to Macau!!! ASAP

After 2 years of dreaming and planning the Macau trip, I finally found time and company to visit Macau. As an employee of Pagcor and a dealer per se, I was curious how the non Pagcor Casino would look like. In the Philippines, it is a no-no to be seen in any casino establishments other than PAGCOR and in any other gambling places like poker clubs or cock pits. Well,  Macau is the most popular Casino chain around Asia, anyway. I went to Sentosa la … Read More

via Mariceljavelosa's Blog

Robin and Mariel–Too many kilig moments

When Robin Padilla announced his feelings for Mariel Rodriguez, on aire  via Entertainment Live, Mariel, who was the interviewer was teary eyed. I really don’t know how to react while watching. Knowing Robin Padilla, ever since the world knew the guy, he has been known as carinyoso and very sweet. The likes of Sharon Cuneta, Kris Aquino, Vina Morales and Ruffa Guttierrez could not have been enchanted with Robin’s spell if the guy didn’t have the sweetest tongue, tantalizing eyes and suave moves to court and make any girl fall in love with him.

I almost fell for him with just watching movies and shows… Robin is really irrestible. He’s got what it takes to be never refused of love and attention. Mariel, on the other hand who might be only 5 years old when Robin’s career and love life was at its peakest, never really knew him at all. All she might have known was Robin is married to Liezl Sicangco and was living in Australia.

Going back to the interview, Mariel was actually provoking Robin to say what she wanted to hear.Questions like “Why did you give the ring to only me, of all the many women who were linked to you in the past?” and if I were her I would get embarrassed when Robin answered “I was married for twenty years wala akong sabit” as what could have been the best answer to a young lady was “Of all the women, its you who I truly love” but Robin never said that.. Mariel looked and acted stupid when she said “Bakit wala din naman akong sabit ah” Robin, anyway, did not mean her to be the one with sabit.

Another provoking words from Mariel were “pag usapan natin eto” (referring to the ring and the proposal). As a woman you shouldn’t be the one to ask the guy to talk about it (especially on national tv) and it was actually the fans who asked her if she’ll like marry Robin. It was clear that the ring was given as a gift and not for a marriage proposal, although Robin admitted he was courting her and later told her he loves her and he was not lying.

And why will you cry? Her eyes showed she was giggling deep inside. Who wouldn’t be.. with Robin..hehehe. Anyway, let’s just wait for the next chapter..Goodluck to Robin and Mariel!!

Jennifer Aniston is 4th on Hollywood’s Hottest Celebrity Bodies

Well, well, well, Angelina fans–check this out.. Once again, America’s Sweetheart is on the top list for the Hottest Celebrity Bodies in Hollywood.

Jennifer Aniston, my idol, turned 41 last February, but for her, age ain’t nothing but a number and the former “Friends” star still shows off her bikini bod with defined abs and thighs.

Jen has been doing the Zone Diet for years, does tons of cardio, and commits to 2-hour yoga sessions every other day.

On top of the list is Hollywood hunk (who was once link to Jennifer Aniston and later to Renee Zellweger)–Bradley Cooper. Bradley’s secret– is his  routine called “3-2-1.” This routine incorporates 3 cardio circuits, 2 strength-training circuits and 1 core circuit. Each circuit is performed for 10 minutes. This makes your workout only an hour long but it will be fast paced and intense.

Other celebrities on the list are: (2) Victoria’s Secret Model Mellisa Miller (3) heartthrob Taylor Lautner,  star of New Moon and Twilight Saga (4) Jennifer Aniston (5) Jessica Biel, who is Justin Timberlake’s girlfriend (6) Miranda Kerr — Orlando Bloom’s GF and Victoria’s Secret Model (7) Soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo (8) Ryan Reynolds, who’s married to Scarlett Johansen (9) Angelina Jolie look alike and Jennifer’s Body star  -  Megan Fox and to complete the list is Kim Kardashian,who is Paris Hilton’s new BFF.

There you go.. Lets see next year who will be chosen as the 2011 Hottest Hollywood Bods! Keep it up guys!

Joco’s two…(birthday at the Bacolod Pavillon) (via Mariceljavelosa’s Blog)

Its seems like yesterday… now he’s three already..how time flies.

Joco blowing his candle while Mom and Dad look on.. It was just like a wink ago when he was so tiny and his toes were so cute. Mommy (Maricel Acuña-Javelosa)  always wanted to be in his side every time he cries, while Daddy (Jun Senen Hinlo-Javelosa) was always busy attending to Lola Nena's Catering needs…he had very soft hair, very long curly eyelashes.. Now he's two already.. he dances with every tune he hears, follows every move he sees on T … Read More

via Mariceljavelosa's Blog