1986 Edsa People Power Celebration Live Online Streaming

For those who are looking, watch the Edsa 24 Celebration live on the internet here.

Just in: Noynoy Aquino " Hindi Ka Nag-iisa " Music Video (with lyrics)

~

Sasamahan ka namin

Kahit paligid ay madilim

Iilawan ang daan

tungo sa magandang kinabukasan

`

Ika'y mamuno, kami ay susunod

Pagkakaisa'y ating itaguyod

Ang Pilipinas ay naghihintay

Handa kaming kumilos

Handang umalalay!

`

Chorus

`

Hindi ka nag-iisa...

Sa paggising ng Bayan

Kami ay kasama

`

Hindi ka nag-iisa...

Isasapuso ang dangal

ng aking Bayan

Sa tulong at biyaya

ng Maykapal

`

Magkakapit-bisig tayo

Ituloy natin ang Laban

ni Ninoy at Cory

Ng bawat mamamayan

Pagmamahal natin sa Bayan

Wag na natin itago

Di tayo susuko!

`

Chorus

`

Hindi ka nag-iisa

Sa paggising ng Bayan

Kami ay kasama

`

Hindi ka nag-iisa

Isasapuso ang dangal

ng aking Bayan

Sa tulong at biyaya

ng Maykapal

`

Magkakapit-bisig tayo

Sama-sama bawat Pilipino

Mula noon, ngayon, at

Kaylan pa man...

Hindi ka nag-iisa!

~

***

***

What can I say? WOW! Heartwarming! Moving! It definitely packs a punch!

What do you think?

Know what, maybe it's just me, but the music video has this entrancing and inspiring "Lord-of-the-Rings" aura and feel to me! :P At any rate, I'm definitely going to light, raise and carry my own torch and march with Noynoy and all of them -- towards a brighter tomorrow for my one and only nation!

Kudos!

`

Note: It premiered in the TV Patrol World timeslot of ABS-CBN few minutes ago and it will be played again tomorrow in the Eat Bulaga timeslot this time on GMA-7. Ogie Alcasid wrote the song for free for Noynoy. Kris and Boy Abunda produced it. I believe everybody, including the "Kapamilya" and "Kapuso" stars and the crew, volunteered to appear and worked on the music video. ALSO, I just typed down the lyrics while listening to the song. So, I apologize for any error if there's any. Thanks!

~

(Follow me on http://twitter.com/thinkistank for more comments. reactions, and insights about this music video and Noynoy)

PLEASE HELP THE PHILIPPINES; THE MOTHERLAND IS IN DIRE NEED (Updated with pictures and videos)

In behalf of the hapless victims of Typhoon Ketsana, locally named "Ondoy", I would like to sincerely ask for your benevolence and sense of humanity. In these darkest hours, we hope for heroes who will appear on the horizon to share the light to those who were less fortunate than them. In this time of distress, we pray for individuals or groups of individuals who could look beyond themselves and offer their innate compassion and goodness to alleviate the deep sorrow and pain being felt by our brothers and sisters right now - our fellow Filipinos, our fellow human beings.

Quiapo underpass

Up until today, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos were affected by the flash floods caused by a record rainfall worse than that carried by Hurricane Katrina in the US. A lot of them lost everything underneath the murky and deadly water that invaded the capital last Sept 26. Hundreds of people have already been confirmed dead and countless still declared missing. Thousands more are still stranded inside or on top of the roofs of their submerged houses and rescuers find it uneasy to locate them due to the mounds of garbage and debris blocking the roads. Making matters more difficult are the cars, trucks, and other vehicles that were swept, overturned, and piled on top of each other by the raging flood water at the height of the typhoon. These people have not eaten or drank good water for days now and with them, are little children and even babies who by now are already really weakened and famished. Back here, many people have already been mobilized and/or have taken the initiative to conduct their own relief operations; and out of desperation or awe-inspiring altruism, have even launched their own rescue attempts using their own trucks, boats, and other things that may be used to help save people, albeit risking their own limbs and lives.



Wilson street, Greenhills, San Juan


But alas, we could only do so much. We need HELP. We cry for help NOW. We pray for reinforcement to come while many more LIVES CAN STILL BE SAVED and the situation can be improved BEFORE IT GETS EVEN WORSE.


TO ALL WHO MAY BE ABLE TO READ THIS, PLEASE HELP THE PHILIPPINES.


To my fellow Bicolanos, remember the time when we were hit hard by Supertyphoon Durian or 'Reming', our compatriots from Manila came to our rescue, like when this came. Now, it's our chance to do the same to them.



To our fellow Filipinos abroad, please help the MOTHERLAND! And perhaps, be able to share your many blessings to those who would trade anything now for a drop of clean water and a bottle of milk; a bite of a hot pandesal or a sip of noodle soup; and the warmth of the oldest blankets or worn-out clothes.



Please HELP OUR KABABAYANS. I wish to appeal to your Bayanihan Spirit that I know is still there somewhere deep inside your hearts. Please seek it now and have it lit...





Hereunder are some more pictures shared by people online:



Taft Avenue





Quiapo underpass




Little Baguio, San Juan City



Near Rustan's, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City


Underpass along Ayala Avenue, Makati City


Here are some videos uploaded by our Kababayans:

In this video, you will see cars being swept from one side to another and then, later you will see a woman climbing out of her SUV...

In this video, you will see a dozen helpless people, who appeared to be mostly minors, perched on top of a floating roof being swept away by the rampaging suburban Marikina river. In a heart-wretching moment, you will see that after passing under the bridge, there were already less people on the debris despite the desperate attempt of the other people who were there to rescue them. The next day, a number of bodies of children were found under the bridge...

Follow me here for more details or post comments here for your questions and suggestions. Also, please share if you or your group have already done something so that I could share it with everyone here. Such good news will surely bring smile, inspire, and strengthen more people here, esp the volunteers and the victims. Thank you!

**Photos credits: My favorite newspaper, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, and many other blogs online especially that of the great blogger, Manolo Quezon. You may also visit his blog for details about how you can help.

UPDATE: The September 28, 2009 episode of TV Patrol was one of the most intense and heart-wretching episodes the nation has ever seen. All over the internet, Filipinos here and abroad expressed their deepest sadness and even great shock via twitter, facebook, and other platforms while they watched that episode. Some of them even said that they were fighting back emotions or in actual tears at the sight of what happened to our hapless kababayans in the aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy). The next day, people were still talking about what were shown on the said episode. Hereunder are some parts of that particular newscast.

Again, I hope you can help. Salamat at mabuhay po kayo!

Artists to hold fund raising concert for Aquino

September 16, 2009 16:17:00
Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – A group of artists and politicians is set to launch a concert to help fund the campaign of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who recently announced his plans to run for president in 2010.

The group, led by the group the Apo Hiking Society, is set to hold a concert on September 21, also the anniversary of the signing of Presidential Decree 1081 that placed the country under martial law in 1972 under then president Ferdinand Marcos.

Dubbed “Etonapotalaga!” the concert seeks to revive the “creativity and recklessness” that characterized Philippine society prior to the People Power Revolution, which brought the late president Corazon Aquino – Noynoy’s mother – to power, said Jim Paredes, one of the members of the Apo Hiking Society.

“’Etonapotalaga!’ will connect the forces during Aquino’s time,” he added during a press conference in Makati City.

The concert will feature performances from the Apo Hiking Society, The Dawn, Aiza Seguerra, Bayang Barrios, Drae Ybañez, Juana Change, Leah Navarro, and Noel Cabangon, among others.
The concert will be held at the University of the Philippines Theater in Quezon City at 7 p.m. and will be free of charge. However, patrons are requested to pay “ambag-ambag” (contributions) or whatever amount they can.

According to the group PiNOY Power (Pilipinas Para Kay Noynoy), proceeds of the event will help fund the campaign of Aquino.

At the same time, the group will be recruiting volunteers for Aquino’s campaign during the concert.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Pangilinan said the concert will symbolize “the conviction of Filipinos for genuine change.”

Paredes said that the concert will be on a first-come-first-served basis, and the theatre can accommodate up to 2,100 guests. LCD screens will be set up outside the venue for those who won’t be able to enter the theater.

888


For more details of an amazing movement rising right now in the country, please click here.

You may also follow me on twitter, click here.

I know I've been quiet for some time, but this is not the time to be indifferent and taciturn. So, to all my friendsters, fellow bloggers, fellow Bicolanos, fellow ADNU scholars/Xavier dormers/GABAY scholars, fellow Media Studies alumni/students, fellow Ayala Young Leaders, beloved visitors/readers of this blog, family, and friends, join US!



Ituloy natin ang LABAN ni NINOY at ni CORY!

We can make a difference. Patriotism is the new cool!

(You may also get to know Sen. Noynoy Aquino more by following him on twitter. Yes, it's really him! Join twitter now and follow @noynoyaquino. Madya na! Tara na!)



Lastly, Happy Penafrancia Fiesta to all! Viva La Virgen!

Sweet 15

Congrats Lakers and Lakers fans! Kobe is Black Mamba indeed. Good guy, big Fish has been rewarded. Pau shows that it's not just all about who's the biggest and the strongest. Ariza has been Pippen-neque. Odom delivers the daggers. And Phil Jackson? You're changing the world man. Ten NBA championships? Are you kidding me?

Remember Independence Day; Remember Who We Really Are -- Wherever, Whenever...

...However?




Oh Good Lord, please bless our country! Give us the collective courage and strength to fight off the present-day rapists, thieves, and violators of our rights and our freedom! We all know who they are.

Despite all, Mabuhay pa rin ang NOYPI!

Makati, Taguig, and other major Philippine cities ready for 2009 countdown; Kiribati already hours into the new year

In a few hours, we will all welcome another New Year here in the Philippines. By virtue of our location, the Philippines will be one of the first countries to greet 2009. If I'm not mistaken, it's still the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati that will be the very first nation to celebrate the coming of 2009. Hmm, I wonder what it feels to be there and be able to be ahead of everbody else into the new year. Perhaps, one day I'll know.

In fact, by this time, it's already three hours into 2009 in Kiribati. This island nation was followed by the Chathams Islands (New Zealand). Then, Auckland (New Zealand); Nukualofa (Tonga); Wellington (New Zealand); Christchurch (New Zealand); and Rawaki (Kiribati - Phoenix Islands) followed almost an hour after.

Next to greet the new year are the cities of Suva (Fiji), Anadyr (Russia), Kamchatka (Russia), Majuro (Marshall Islands), Yaren (Nauru), Funafuti (Tuvalu), and Tarawa (Kiribati).

Then, Kingston (Australia - Norfolk Island);

Then, Sydney (Australia - New South Wales), Melbourne (Australia - Victoria), Canberra (Australia - Australian Capital Territory), Hobart (Australia - Tasmania), Port Vila (Vanuatu), Honiara (Solomon Islands), Palikir (Micronesia - Ponape), Noumea (France - New Caledonia), Lord Howe Island (Australia - Lord Howe Island);

Then, Adelaide (Australia);

The cities of Brisbane (Australia - Queensland), Vladivostok (Russia), Guam (U.S.A. - Mariana Islands), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), Saipan (U.S.A. - Northern Mariana Islands), Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Russia) are 26 minutes away from 2009;

Darwin (Australia) is a few minutes behind;

On the other hand, Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Perth (Australia - Western Australia), Dili (Timor-Leste), Jayapura (Indonesia - Papua), Koror (Palau), Osaka (Japan), Yokohama (Japan), Sapporo (Japan), Nagoya (Japan), Kobe (Japan), Kyoto (Japan), Pyongyang (North Korea), Taegu (South Korea), Pusan (South Korea), Kitakyushu (Japan), Kawasaki (Japan), Incheon (South Korea), Fukuoka (Japan), Hiroshima (Japan), Ternate (Indonesia - Halmahera) and other nearby countries follow suit. They are an hour and half away from starting their celebration.

Back here in the Pearl of the Orient Seas, major cities led by Makati, Taguig, and Quezon cities are now all geared up for their own countdowns patterned to their more famous counterparts all over the world. AND WE ARE JUST TWO HOURS & A HALF AWAY FROM DOING SO. I know my home-city of Naga in CamSur is also ready for its own countdown, albeit more modest perhaps than the cities above.

Joining us are the people from Beijing (China), Taipei (Taiwan), Shanghai (China), Singapore (Singapore), Hong Kong (China), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Denpasar (Indonesia - Bali), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei), Manado (Indonesia - Sulawesi), Balikpapan (Indonesia - Kalimantan), Shenzhen (China), Zibo (China), Zhengzhou (China), Wuhan (China), Tsingtao (China), Tianjin (China), Tangshan (China), Taiyuan (China), and Sian (China).

On to the major cities around the world. Jakarta, Hanoi, and Bangkok are 3 hours away. Yangon is almost 4 hours away. New Delhi is almost 5 hours away. Dubai is 6 hours away. Moscow is 7 hours away. Cairo, Bucharest, Athens, and Johannesburg are 8 hours away. Brussels, Rome, Madrid, Paris, Geneva, and Budapest are 9 hours away. London is 10 hours away. Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro are half a day away. Washington, New York, Havana, Detroit, and Toronto are 15 hours away. Most American and Canadian cities, like Denver, Chicago, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver, are just a few hours behind the Big Apple and the Capital.

US President-elect Barack Obama and his family who are in Hawaii right now will be able to celebrate the changing of the year almost a day after most of us had already done so. Hmm, who says those who finish last are losers? :)

Then, at the end of the line are the cities of Alofi (Niue), Apia (Samoa), and Pago Pago (U.S.A. - American Samoa).

There you go. Feel free to add your own city not mentioned here though.

AT ANY RATE, WHEREVER YOU ARE NOW, MAY I, TOGETHER WITH MY FAMILY, GREET YOU A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ALL THE BEST & CHEERS!

PROSPERITY AND PEACE TO ALL MANKIND!



By the way, here are some of the videos we took last year:

2008 Happy New Year Manila: 20 Mins to Midnight



2008 Happy New Year Manila: Pasay & Manila bay area Part 0



2008 Happy New Year Manila: Manila bay area Part 1

DESPICABLE: LANAO DEL SUR MAYOR, DAR CHIEF WITH BODYGUARDS BEAT UP MAN, 56, AND SON, 14!

Mayor Nasser Pangandaman, Jr., Mayor of Masiu City, Lanao del Sur; his father, Secretary Nasser Pangandaman of the Department of Agrarian Reform; and their bodyguards reportedly beat up a helpless 56-year-old dad and his 14-year-old son to a pulp in Antipolo City a day after Christmas!


Complete story here:


http://vicissitude-decidido.blogspot.com/2008/12/world-is-fucked-up.html


In this case, justice should be served. And ordinary people like us - whom these supposedly public servants should serve and protect on the first place - should come together and help these victims in any way we can.

Such hooligans and crooks in government are the reasons why our country is so, in the words of the victim, f*cked-up right now!

My prayers and thoughts go to the aggrieved family.

Take courage.

Help will come.

Closing Time

This blog. Soon

Old, Rusty Ford in an Ultra Modern World

The other day, I passed by a very old Ford car on display in one of the malls and marveled at the glorious 'oldness' of the thing. I have always been attracted to the old ways and the old times; and I am not even sure why. And so for some moments there, I wondered how people felt driving such a car, and in general, in living the 'old ways'. The world must have been so simple and quaint then, in contrast to the very modern world that we have now. A modern world that never fails to amaze and at the same time, scare me. Until where can this world go on in terms of modernization, I can't think of the limits except for those that concern our very own survival and those who will come after us. Global warming, deadlier weapons at man's disposal, loss of values and traditions - these are some of the problems brought about by unrestricted development that lacks foresight and breds quenstionable sense of responsibility.

On the one hand, progress, even the one just identified, is certainly not unscrupulous - and I am in no way against it considering that I also benefit from it; not to mention enjoy it. In fact, I am now happily blogging through my cellphone - an interesting new way indeed of doing a relatively old hobby! On the other hand however, it is either blameless too. And we all know this.

So, I just hope people will continue to look for ways and tools that will make life easier, but will not turn away from our great responsibilities to the only home we have and to the next generations from whom we borrowed this world. We only need, I believe, to look farther before us; ahead of us; and beyond ourselves.

Good night.

Love these 'heavens on Earth'!

I dream of having a property of my own in any of these someday!

That is, if there are still available units/lots by the time I could already afford them! :)

For the meantime, I dream, work hard, and dream once more...

Good night.


For more info, just send e-mail to: myayalapremierproperties@gmail.com.

My 'Grand Masters"' and Patricia Evangelista's 'Gang Masters'

Read her "Gangs of Manila" here - and my "Grand Masters of Manila" here.

Let's move with caution - not everything is what it seems to be.

God bless the genuine ones though.

Good night.


"How will it end? When will he know? They're all actors working from a script, but he thinks it's real" - The Joe Schmo Show

Chess, anyone?

End-Game (Partial until there’s agreement on the number of Pawns at play)

8. While green is color of current revolution, former King arrives in red.
9. New cult Bishop (who wanted to be King in 2004) calls for transition court.
10. Star Pawn speaks (he earlier admitted cheating on his lady, but that’s beside the point. Present game is after high crimes)
11. Meanwhile, Queen holes up in Knight’s garrison
12. Queen happy that only 15,000 Pawns attend
13. Queen survives second uprising of third revolution.

-Jakcast

More of these arresting comments on Manuel L. Quezon's blog from both sides of the fence.

By the way, we spent more than 5 hours on the road (about more than 3 hours somewhere in Bacoor Cavite) going through checkpoints and waiting for the traffic to move. This is, of course, due to the rallies staged in different parts of Manila, primarily in Makati. We just attended a 2-day developmental training in Cavite and were actually headed home when we were stuck in that terrible traffic jam. When we arrived in Makati, Ayala Avenue was already empty. Only one police car that was still blocking the entrance to Ayala Avenue on the corner of Makati Avenue and the garbage were there to remind us that something actually did happen there. For a second, I thought of environmentalists staging a rally of their own reminding people that their "search" - for truth, or power for some - does not excuse them from their own "responsibility" and "accountability" to Mother Earth which for them is one of the most basic of responsibilities of the human race. But then again, we think BIG, don't we? We think of grand things, of romantic tales, of short and sweet cuts to victory. We dream of glory days, always. Human nature, perhaps. May be not glory as in GLORIA, but glory as in HISTORIC, EMOTIONALLY SPLENDID, and FULFILLING. An hour has passed and I was already walking, looking for a place where I can find some taxi, and the street-sweepers were still cleaning the abandoned thoroughfare. As I reached a certain point, one of them accosted me. He said, "Sir sainyo po ba ito?", and he gave back something valuable to me. "Nahulog nyo po pag daan nyo sa harap ko". Ahh neat. If only he could be voted as Mayor or a Congressman or a Senator or a President, I thought. Silly, I said to myself; reminding myself where I still am and how much work is yet to be done. Weird times breed weird thoughts indeed. Ahh if only we could think like, say, the Al Gores of this world--- or the Dolphy's. Meantime, other revolutions continue to be fought gallantly somewhere with issues and objectives probably much closer to home and more real in a different light, like, hmm, surviving another chilly and dangerous night out on the cold corners of Padre Faura, Manila. Then, somewhere in the more illuminated sides of the town, some people continue to play the games of their lives. No problem with the pieces, one of them is heard saying, it will boil down to the one who will play it more wisely, or cunningly to be more blunt. The pieces move, eyes burning; hearts on fire, as the big-time players at both ends of 'the court' ask for another round of drinks, cigarette-smoking, and pastries. Chess, anyone?

Gwen Cu is country's most beautiful

This one's a little bit late, but what the heck. My congratulations still to the managing director of Avenue Square and the lovely wife of Mr. Allan Cu, president of G7Holdings (builder of the Avenue Plaza Hotel) and CEO of G7Bank (one of the country's biggest rural banks) for the achievement of being named as one of the country's most beautiful women for 2007. Full story below, courtesy of Bicol Mail.

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