The Art of Sustainable Business and Development

One good news that greets me this morning is that Wallstreet has fought back after being down on its opening although stocks worldwide still plunged as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and other newspapers around the world. However, a site that I accidentally made to pop out reminds me that a bigger concern could just be aggravating right now before our very eyes but we just refuse to recognize it. And that is environmental degradation. In fact it is one of the "Ten Threats" officially recognized by the High Level Threat Panel of the United Nations, together with Poverty, Infectious Disease, Inter-State War, Civil war, Genocide, Other Atrocities (e.g., trade in women and children for sexual slavery, or kidnapping for body parts), Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Terrorism, and Transnational Organized Crime.

Let me share, just to vent, before, development workers and scholars could argue that there are necessary evils that we have to swallow just to usher in development in societies around the world. One of which is the deterioration of the environment. And so we thought that development is just about modernization and making money at all costs. Nowadays, that line of thinking does not hold water anymore. In the long and rich history of this world, we have understood that balance is paramount in everything that we do and everything that we have around us. That's the reason why sustainability has been one of our most favorite buzz words nowadays. And forward-looking people do not just speak of it and its principles but apply them, or actualize them if you may, in their endeavors and businesses. We now think long-term. But why not? This is the only world we've got. Sounds cliche? May be, but what the heck, that's just the truth! And this world is NOT JUST OURS. Lest we forget, there are other generations of human beings who will inherent this world from us, future generations that include our children and our children's children.

Can't we be a little more responsible and a little less greedy, even for our own descendants?

Let's ponder on this. Good day folks!

Btw, here's the website. Turn on your sound. It'll be better.

US market meltdown? All eyes on its economy as its stock markets open at this very moment

Okay, we may not be able to fully understand everything about it, but the bottomline is, whatever happens to the economy of the most powerful nation in the world, we will all going to be affected. So no wonder, all eyes are on the "Big Board" right now as US markets reopen as I write this. Major international media outfits are broadcasting live telecasts of what is happening right now in New York. But as of the latest, US markets continues to plummet on Wall Street opening bell with Dow Jones down by more than 400 points and Nasdaq down by 5% - this despite the rare US Federal Reserve interest cuts.

The million-dollar question hovering over right now is: Is the US economy on its way to a recession?

The next big question to ask is: How will the Philippine and other Asian markets react in the next few hours as the sun rises on our shores and the shadow of this crisis looms on the horizon?

While I hope for the best and I believe we should really do the same and stay calm, I say, better hold on and just be ready. This may lead to one hell'uva ride for all of us.

Good night, and good luck.

Now this woke me up!

Imagine: The Transformers landed in the Philippines instead; this is what we'll get:






And this last fan video, entitled "Transformer 2 Casting Call", was made by someone from the United Kingdom, watch for the last robot!



Hahaha! But come to think of it, with a lot of these animators who create these animated films in Hollywood and elsewhere are Filipinos, the above are certainly not out of the question, bako? Kung animation lang naman, eh kayang-kaya natin - you can even ask the people from the Ateneo de Naga University Digital Arts and Computer Animation department.

Anyway, that certainly amuses and pumps me up. So, good morning everyone!

Go NOYPI! Transform and roll out!

Or in Irvin's words, Pilipinas umasenso ka! :)



By the way, what's your favorite "Transportmer" or "Pinoy Transformer" there? Defend your answer. Irvs you first. :)

Latest Official Statement of Ayala Land on G2 Blast

Jan. 10: ALI Official Press Statement on G2 Blast

The PNP has released their findings indicating that the tragic event last October 19 at the Glorietta 2 Mall was caused by a gas explosion resulting from negligence. We view this with deep concern. Our own assessment shows due diligence and care was exercised in the maintenance of the basement where the explosion appears to have occurred. Moreover, we believe that conditions in the basement could not have resulted in the build up of methane and diesel vapor required for such a powerful blast.

We requested the PNP to be open to investigating all other possibilities. It will be recalled that the PNP has said that it would welcome cooperation from all sectors. Within this spirit of cooperation, we have shared lab results from foreign forensic experts we had consulted that indicate that traces of explosives were present at the site. While we acknowledge the authority of the PNP and the multi-agency task force as the official investigating body, we are disappointed that the evidence we have shared appears not to have been considered.

At this point we await the turn-over of the site to us, so we can complete our own assessment of what happened on October 19. Ayala Land will submit its forensic evidence before the proper forum. It will be the courts that will be the final arbiter on the admissibility of such evidence and whether or not negligence led to the tragic events of October 19.

Ayala Land has always adhered to strong core values of corporate responsibility and integrity. We believe that we have always done what is right for our customers and business partners.

The tragic incident at Glorietta 2 has caused us deep sadness and we will continue to extend care and assistance to the victims and their families, as well as to our affected merchant partners. We want to express our appreciation and gratitude to all those who have extended their help and support, and to the many people from various sectors who have expressed their solidarity and sympathy with us during this difficult time.

For any inquiries or schedules with our official spokesman Alfie Reyes, please contact :

ALI MEDIA CENTER
c/o Zarah Gulapa
Email: ali.mediacenter@yahoo.com; gulapa.zarah@ayalaland.com.p

"Isipon ta"

Kan ako joven pa, haros ara-aldaw nagigimatahan ko an sarong pang-agang pagbabareta sa radyo- sa istasyong DZGE. Ini an paboritong gibihon kan sakuyang mga magurang pagkakaaga - an magdangog sa istasyon na ini. Haros ngani iyo na ini an minagimata sakuya pagkaaga. Pagluwas ko sa kwarto, maaabutan ko na kaiyan an sakuyang ama na nagkakape habang an sakuyang ina naprepreparar kan samuyang pamahawan. Pag medyo napakusog an boses ko sa pakikipag-ulay sa sakuyang ina, giromdom ko na minasitsit kaiyan an sakuyang ama asin minasinyas sakuya na dae magribok ta sabi nya, "naghihinanyog kita kan bareta". Alagad sa programa na pirmi ming dinadangog, an sakuya mang personal na paborito itong panghuring parte kaini na kung sain minapresentar an announcer kan sarong importanteng isyu na napapanahon, pagkatapos minatukar ini kan saiyang mang opinyon manungod sa isyu nganing nabanggit. Sa katapustapusi kan saiyang diskusyon minaimbitar siya sa mga paradangog na magpatisipar sa urulay sa paagi kan paghorop-horop sa mga bagay na saiya pa sanang nasabi.

"Isipon ta"

Iyo iyan an pirmi nyang sinasambit, sa saiyang boses na malagting (tama an Bikol ko?) asin ipit, pagkatapos kan saiyang komentaryo sa radyo. Yan an duwang tataramon na pagmati ko pwedeng maituturing ta nang "iconic", in its own right as far as Bicol culture is concerned probably, arog kan iba pang famosong mga linya na enot tang naengkwentro sa radyo asin telebisyon. Halimbawa digdi baga an "You're fired!" kan sikat na Amerikanong negosyanteng si Donald Trump (kapangaran ko asin saro sa mga idolo kong negosyante); an "Let's get it on!" na pinauso kan referee kan Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) na si "Big John" McCarthy o an "Let's get ready to rumble!" kan bistadong ringside announcer na si Michael Buffer; yaon man dyan an "Magandang gabi...bayan!" ni Noli de Castro, an "Just do it" kan Nike, "Handa na ba kayo?" ni Korina Sanchez, asin an "Hoy, gising!" ni Ted Failon, asin iba pang mga linya na tumatak na sa satuyang collective consciousness, ika nga. Kung may maisip pa kamo, paki-dagdag na lang po nindo.

Going back. Ngonyang mga panahon dae na ako nakakadangog sa DZGE na an signal pala, kulibat ko lang, abot hanggang Aklan (nasabi ko ini nin huli ta kan minsang nagbakasyon kaya ako duman asin sa Boracay, nagdadangog kami digdi). Pag ako nasa Naga, sa DWNX na ako nakakadangog miski ngani dae man ara-aldaw nin huli ta sa kasibotan sa trabaho. Iyo, makunswelo an NX Chika ni Joe Osabal asin mas makunswelo pag nakakanta na siya nin "Happy Birthday" sa mga birthday celebrants, magayon magdangog sa mga intelihenteng komentaryo na Ed Ventura asin manager Al Ubańa, pero paminsan-minsan, nagigiromdoman ko itong mga panahon na nagdadangog kami sa boses kan an announcer na ito pag kaaga, asin minaantisipar sa isyu na saiyang tutukaron sa aldaw na ito. Sa saiyang pagtukar, kami nanggad napapahihinanyog, napapahihimate, nadidisturbo, naaangot, nanghihinayang, minsan nagduduwang-isip, alagad pirmi kaming sigurado na matatapos an saiyang litaniya sa mga linyadang masara kan diskusyon; mabukas kan aldaw asin dakul pang pataratara...

"Isipon ta!"


PS:

Kun dae pa nindo nabasa, basahon nindo an post ni Mayor Jesse na ini, ta siguradong mapapaisip ka arog kan iba niya pang mga posts. Welcome pala saimo mayor digdi sa blogopshere.

Ako, dae lang napaisip, napa- "tsk-tsk" pa. Kun arog na talaga kaiyan an sistema, aba! Pasarahin na baya kita!?

Isipon ta!

Happy New Year!

Our new year's celebration would not be complete without the ubiquitous Auld Lang Syne playing in the background, would it? So as The Quackroom welcomes the new year, it gives way to this song we often sing at the stroke of midnight on New Year's day. So here's to a 2008 inundated with peace, love, and prosperity! Scroll down until the bottom of this page so that we could let's sing along like real Scots from whom we owe this beautiful ballad/song. Happy New Year everyone! Cheers! or as the Scots would say it, Here's tae ye! Slainte Mhath!

Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an nivir brocht ti mynd ?
Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an ald lang syn ?

CHORUS:

Fir ald lang syn, ma deer,

fir ald lang syn,

Wil tak a cup o kyndnes yet,

fir ald lang syn.

An sheerly yil bee yur pynt-staup !
an sheerly al bee myn !
An will tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.

CHORUS

We twa hay rin aboot the braes,
an pood the gowans fyn ;
Bit weev wandert monae a weery fet,
sin ald lang syn.

CHORUS

We twa hay pedilt in the burn,
fray mornin sun til dyn ;
But seas between us bred hay roard
sin ald lang syn.

CHORUS

An thers a han, my trustee feer !
an gees a han o thyn !
An wil tak a recht guid-wullae-wocht,
fir ald lang syn.

CHORUS

-- Robert Burns' original Scot verse --

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup !
And surely I’ll be mine !
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes,
and pou’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
sin’ auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,
frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin’ auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
And gies a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie-waught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS