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Pasakalye |
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| Quotable
Quotes |
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“We
face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis
is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual
challenge to all of humanity.”
— former US Vice President Al Gore upon accepting
the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to counter climate-change. |
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“What
pardon? I only read those in the newspapers.”
— Former President Joseph Estrada when asked by
reporters about the status of his pardon talks with
Malacañang officials. |
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“Me?
I’m hurt. But not that really hurt.”
— Manny Pacquiao after beating Barrera |
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A
party fit for a Princess
For the first birthday party of Manny Pacquiao’s
daughter Mary Divine Grace or Princess, the Pambansang
Kamao reportedly spent at least P1M. It was held last
October 12 at the Renaissance Hotel, where Manny’s
family has been staying. And the prizes and giveaways?
iPods, cellphones, pet birds, and imported na aso. |
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What’s
with Atong Ang, Chavit, and Manny Pacquiao?
Manny Pacquiao is every inch the epitome of a nouveau
rich. Aside from always being surrounded by hoards
of people waiting to cash-in on the People’s
Champ’s newly found fame and fortune, scrupulous
individuals are also starting to hover over him.
Take this for example. We wonder what Manny Pacquiao
was doing meeting with Atong Ang and Chavit Singson
right before the start of Manny’s daughter’s
grand birthday party. Though the Pambansang Kamao
told reporters that Ang just came by as a well-wisher,
our ears refuse to believe.
Maybe it’s because Atong Ang plus Chavit Singson
equals a plunder case—and conviction—for
the deposed president Joseph Estrada, the original
People’s Champ. What could the dynamic duo of
Ang and Chavit be up to now. |
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| More
OFWs carry HIV? |
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A
Department of Health report said that more Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFWs), particularly seafarers and
domestic helpers, are carriers of HIV, the virus that
causes AIDS.
The report said that of the cumulative number of reported
cases of HIV since 1984, 35% are OFWs. Of the newly
reported infections, 42% are OFWs.
The report also said that the number of HIV carriers
in the Visayas and Mindanao region has increased.
Incidentally, tourist arrivals in the area are also
on the rise.
So does that mean it’s our interaction with
foreigners that’s bringing HIV to the country?
Well, we don’t think so. Unprotected sex still
tops our list of causes. |
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| How
to apply for the new, machine-readable Philippine passports |
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Something
worth telling your loved ones back home: Last September
17, 2007, the Department of Foreign Affairs started
issuing machine-readable passports to all passport
applicants. Under the new system, applicants have
to personally appear at the DFA, sign and affix their
thumbprints on their application form before a consular
officer.
Due to the shift to the new system and the expected
surge in the number of passport applicants, people
are advised to apply or renew their passports ahead
of their expected travel time. However, with that
expectation, the DFA in coordination with Pilipinas
Teleserv Inc., a Citizen Services provider in the
country, initiated the 24-hour Passport Assistance
Hotline at 737-1000.
With the hotline, renewal applicants can now call
and have their passports picked up and pre-processed
for them. After pre-processing, the applicant will
be scheduled to appear before the DFA consular officer
where they will affix their thumb marks and signature.
Teleserv’s personnel will be ready to escort
and assist the client the moment they arrive at the
DFA. With this faster passport processing procedure
called “Green Lane Passport Assistance,”
the process will take only about 10 minutes of the
applicant’s time and will do away with the long
and tedious steps ordinary passport applicants go
through. The service also comes with a door-to-door
delivery that covers the whole country – from
Batanes to Jolo.
Unlike the old passport, wherein the name and other
personal information is written down, the new passport
is similar to foreign visas. A sticker containing
the holder’s personal data is stuck on the first
page. Under ultraviolet light, the sticker reveals
security features including the seal of the Republic
of the Philippines. The picture itself contains the
name of the holder and a ghost image.
On the inner pages, images of the sampaguita, the
Rizal monument and Mayon volcano, among others, can
also be seen under UV light.
For inquiries on the new passport procedures and requirements,
call (632) 737.1000. Or visit www.passport.com.ph
for more information. |
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| Marilao
River... Toxic! |
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| A
team of Greenpeace Water Patrol activists called
attention to the shocking extent of pollution
in Marilao River by unfurling a 28-meter banner
with the words “Stop toxic pollution,
protect our water resources” along Marilao
Bridge in Bulacan province, 25 kilometers north
of Manila. The activists also floated giant
rubber fish skeletons along the river to underline
the river’s death, as two volunteers in
protective suits took water samples from the
notorious body of water to determine its exact
toxicity levels. Marilao River has been identified
by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources as one of the Philippines’ 50
dead |
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rivers
due to heavy pollution. The river is regularly monitored
by the Environment Monitoring Board and, along with
Meycauayan River, has consistently shown excess levels
of the dangerous heavy metals chromium, cadmium, and
lead. It has also registered zero dissolved oxygen
levels and high levels of organic
pollution. Industries found along the river’s
banks include tanneries, textiles, recycling of electronics
for gold, silver and other precious metals recovery
and refining. Dumpsites, and a large lead smelting
plant are also located directly beside it. No effective
measures, however, have been undertaken to rehabilitate
the river which continues to receive toxic effluents
from various sources. Although DENR Secretary Lito
Atienza had recently promised to revive Marilao River
in two years, the government agency has not identified
the sources of pollution, or disclosed the particulars
of scientific tests which the agency may have conducted
in the past as part of its environmental monitoring
efforts. Greenpeace recently launched Project Clean
Water which aims to bring people together toward a
common goal of safeguarding our water sources. |
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