Condomated Urge

Last week, I had a rare opportunity to peer into the minds of two typical, middle aged Filipino guys. And when guys like these gather, the topic usually oozes with something really private – their sexual lives.

In this conversation, I played a role of an innocent, antiquated, missionary-position type guy to spur these people to freely reveal what they think about the Philippine Health Bill. I accomplished this by showing awe and bewilderment for every word they said. The more “awed” I appear to these sexual gurus, the more they divulged what they believe about sex and artificial contraception.

“The Church (Roman Catholic) is really against the use of artificial contraceptives. Are you in favor of this?” I asked.

The Separation of Church and Swine Flu

The Roman Catholic Church here in the Philippines has reason to be extra cautious about the spread of the swine flu in the halls of its cathedrals: the number of those infected in the Philippines has now reach 861.

To counter this ever increasing trend, the church’s archdioceses have set out advisories to its parishioners to make sure that the swine flu is nowhere near the altar.

As a virus, the swine flu is transmitted from person to person via the involuntary machinery of the esophagus – that is, coughing. In other words, people just cough out the swine flu from one to another. It is quite dreadful to see this activity right in the middle of the mass; it would then be the mass production of the disease.

A H1N1 Victims: A Growing Market

As the feared swine flu virus ravages the entire humanity, the need for an effective vaccine to counter it is now even more pressing. And a US based company was recently awarded a $35 Million contract to develop such vaccine. This is what all these boil down to.

This happened in cyberspace. A computer program, like the operating system we have in our PC’s, is created and someone develops a virus to wreck havoc on it. With this virus, we need an anti-virus. And out of this need for anti-virus program emerges a growing  industry. It’s that simple.

Imagine how many vaccines are needed to be manufactured when the entire world demands it and how much money it generates to the manufacturer? In this time of wicked rescession this can be a perfect scheme to bolster the plummeting economy. And I am pretty certain that the Philippines will be one of those lining up for these vaccines.

Road Rage – More Fatal Than AH1N1

While the AH1N1 virus had just claimed its first victim in the Philippines , a road rage incident swallowed up five lives in one single, continous event.

A group of five persons armed with deadly handguns, engaged themselves in a shooting spree yesterday. All of them  were dead.

The incident started with a simple argument between two groups,  one is headed by a man named Bautista and his sons Richie and Raffy with their driver Michael. The other was headed by a guy named Salib and his son Mahmod.

The argument started on the street around 9:00 p.m. and went on the market area at around 9:30. There, threatening and provocative words profusely coming forth from each other as onlookers were desperately trying to pacify them in the hope of avoiding a bloodshed. 

Is EU Behind Charter Change Move In the Philippines?

Both the DFA and the EU Ambassador to the Philippines were shock to learn about a report saying that the EU and the World Trade Organization (WTO) were pushing for Charter change in the country.

Merlin Magallona, Law Dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law, in a letter to the DFA, said that EU and WTO were pushing for the Charter change here. He said that the EU in particular, requested the Philippine government to lift its restrictions on foreigners owning lands and practicing their profession in the country.

The DFA, through its spokesperson Ed Malaya, denied the allegation saying there has been no such request made by the EU. Malaya charged Magallona’s letter as erroneous.

Who Would Line Up For a Mobile Phone?

Apple’s new smart phone, the iPhone3G, created a stir on its launching two days ago. At first glance, one would be at a loss why the world would endure the long line for a mobile phone.

One answer given at the Washington News query: “are you planning to buy the new iphone?” goes right off the bat: “I think it so ridiculous how people flock to the latest and greatest tech! It is a freaking phone for crying out loud! It is way over priced and the extra service you have to get is over priced also! It is just a cell phone! It aint gonna cook me dinner, make the bed, do the dishes, or benefit my daily routine. Not buying it”

 

But the new iPhone is not just another mobile phone. It boasts of a whooping 600MZ CPU, 256 MB of RAM, and 16 to 32 GB of storage capacity. It has a “magnetometer, improved camera, and video recording” according to one review.

Changes In Times of Recession

As the world economic crisis continues its unpredictable course, peoples’ habits and lifestyles are changing for good. We are seeing a total transformation of society almost overnight. And this is more true in the west where people are used to luxurious and excessive lifestyles.

Today, Americans are settling for anything cheap. In an interview by ABC News, Yahoo Web Life Editor Heather Cabot revealed that many are searching internet for “cheap textbooks” or “cheap vacation”.

Candice Lee Jones reporting at Yahoo Finance, detailed some indicators for one to correctly get a pulse of the American economy. One of these indicators is that when women abandon expensive lipstick and settles for cheap eyeliners, this is a clear indication that recession is still in.

A Day With A Traffic Law Enforcement Officer

When I came out of the Hall of Justice after my hearing the other day, I headed for the Goldilocks nearby  for a cup of coffee. My wife was waiting for me there.

As I was walking, I noticed the main street was unusually free from traffic. There were few utility jeepneys picking up passengers along the way. I thought this was strange.

Then I looked to the other side of the road and saw Traffic Law Enforcement Officers  from the Land Transportation Office (LTO). They were everywhere, (seeking whom they may devour). I’ve heard from a radio commentator years before that these guys must fill up a quota of arrests.

Youth Power in Iran

“In this seething semi-anarchy, ordinary people grow bitterly cynical not merely about their own “representatives” but – more ominously – about the very possibility of being represented at all”

Alvin Tofler: The Third Wave

The current crisis in Iran surprises many in the outside world. No one had imagine that amidst the hard line Islamic government would come out a people (most are youths) sick and tired of the status quo and are not waiting for change to occur from the top down but from down up.

Iran at this moment is like a reptile shedding its own skin. The Iranians are coming out in the open, proudly heralding and crying out their true sentiment at the present regime – “allahu Akbar”, “death to the dictator”.

Filipinos are Pessimistic about the Philippines and the 2010 National Elections

Filipinos are losing hope for the Philippines and they are increasingly pessimistic about the 2010 national elections itself. They see no light at the end of the tunnel but only an endless fall towards deeper poverty and corruption.

In a poll made by a national newspaper, a number of Filipinos answered negatively on the question: “Is there a real opposition that can offer an end to corrupt governance in our country?”

A real opposition party is supposed to offer hope to the country as an alternative solution to the present administration which is seen by many as hopelessly corrupt.