Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston was one of the greatest singing artists the world has ever had. Her exceptional talent inspired many people all over the world. The death of Ms. Houston is definitely a great loss. But her songs will remain in our hearts. RIP, Whitney Houston. 

Cry for me Argentina

When I learned about the rampage against newly-crowned International Boxing Federation interim junior flyweight champ Johnriel Casimero at the post-fight in Argentina, I did not immediately jump to my computer to protest. In fact, I did not think of protesting as compatriot of the rising boxing hero Casimero from Cebu, believing that government and sports authorities will do their jobs to prevent the same mess from taking place in future boxing events or other sports events for that matter. Similar incidents have no place in any sports events. Lessons should be learned, so to speak. [Cebu, by the way, is where my roots came from. During the early 50s, they came to Mindanao for good.]

But I understand how the troublemakers felt when their hero Luis Lazarte crumpled to the canvas after being punished by the power punches of Casimero at round 10. Truth hurts. But it it does not mean you have a ticket to maul the winning Casimero or his contingent because the event was a play of sports. And spectators or expected to behave like human beings in a sport events. And I don’t blame them for lacking or having no sportsmanship just like their boxing hero Lazarte who played dirty tricks during their boxing match. Sportsmanship could not be had while watching a sports event. It is naturally in the hearts of all sports-loving persons. And I supposed it is instilled by parents to their kids, whether or not, they are into sports. Or maybe their parents taught them but they did not embrace the virtue of being sports.

Through its embassy in the Philippines, the Argentina government already expressed apology for the wrongdoing of some of their people. I know the Filipino people welcome that apology. Even Casimero whose life was put in peril during the riot expressed willingness to go back to Argentina to fight. Of course, not with Lazarte after he has been banned from climbing up the boxing ring by the boxing authorities.

As for Casimero, goodluck for your boxing career. For Lazarte, he better sings "Cry for Argentina" instead.

Image taken from http://www.mmatko.com

Chief Justice Renato Corona on Trial

Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona is on the impeachment trial as respondent to a number of so-called impeachable offenses, namely (source - Inquirer News): Article 1. Partiality in cases involving the Arroyo administration, Article 2. Failure to disclose statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, Article 3. Failure to observe stringent standards of competence, integrity, probity and independence, Article 4. Disregard of the principle of separation of powers by issuing a status quo ante order against the House of Representatives in the case concerning the impeachment of then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, Article 5. Arbitrariness and partiality in cases related to the creation of 16 new cities and promotion of Dinagat Island into a province, Article 6. Arrogating unto himself the authority to investigate an erring member of the Supreme Court to exculpate him, Article 7. Partiality in granting a temporary restraining order in favor of the Arroyo couple, and Article 8. Failure and refusal to account for the Judiciary Development Fund and Special Allowance for the Judiciary collections.

We hope the trial proceedings will soon end for there are other urgent concerns that need the attention of the government.

Year 2012!

For the Filipino-Chinese, Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Some 2011 Editorial Cartoons

Time flies, so to speak. I remember that it was during this time last year that I though of my resolutions for the coming year. One of them was to improve my craft. But as usual, it was not that easy. Reviewing my works, I could not say I succeeded in improving them. So guess what? It will be one of my resolutions for 2012. By the way, happy new year and hope you will have a very fruitful new year. Year 2012 is an exciting year for all of us. Well, for me. And no, it has nothing to do with the Mayan Calendar. LOL. This current year, 2011, is good to us (my family) and perhaps to some Filipinos. Although not all are lucky this year if we talk about some issues and tragic events which hit some people and the country in general. The latest of course was Sendong that brought so much miseries to other fellowmen in Iligan City, Zamboanga del Norte, Cagayan de Oro City, Negros Oriental, etc. Lately, the flashflood in Bukidnon, etc. Those were bad news really. The good news is that there are good Filipinos everywhere who helped the victims by donating. Other countries also gave their donations to the victims. I saw it on tv that the United Nations also sent their assistance to the evacuees. Prayers I know were also outpouring for the victims to recover from this tragedy and that they would realize that life must go on. Anyways, we all know that one of the qualities of the Filipino people is that being resilient. Just look at those smiling faces in light of tragic events. We bounce back. It is in our genes. for instance, we have many street children who survive hunger. They keep multiplying courtesy of irresponsible parents. LOL. NOw they are turning into hardened criminals because we have laws which say they could not be jailed if they commit crimes. We fight. We are all Manny Pacquiaos!

What I have here were editorial cartoons drawn during the last quarter of 2011. I was just too lazy to update this site these past months. So in a way, this is some sort of wholesale. Some issues that caught my attention included the tax scheme that would allegedly hit hardly the savings of labor sector. I have here three drawings on that topic. Well, visual ideas kept popping up in my mind, that is why. Many reacted to the scheme but it appears that the government, through the Bureau of Internal Revenues (BIR), is determined to slash those savings. Well, try to be in the shoes of the government facing fiscal problems.

Then I drew about the effort of Pnoy administration to prevent Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from leaving the country for a supposed medical appointment with a prestigious hospital in Singapore. PGMA was unlucky. Her wealth and influence did not matter under the Aquino government after she was charged with electoral fraud. Some talked about "karma" because it was under her administration that Erap Estrada was jailed for plunder charge. Hmm, I don't believe in "karma."  

One of my favorite topics is human rights. This is one of the countless cartoons I drew eversince the world began. Hehehe. HRD or December 10 is a memorable day for me. OK leave it to me. It was during this day, under the Cory Aquino  administration, how some armed morons sprayed on a peace protest in Davao City.  

Yearend reports reminded us how the country suffered from various tragedies in 2011. Major natural calamities were mind-boggling - we had landslides, flashfloods, etc. that claimed lives and properties. Guess, I mentioned this already. Anyways, by 2012, hope we can really have a good disaster preparedness plan. Let us say that it will be a bible for all communities to follow in a situation where a disaster i feared to occur. Then redefine the parameters like preparedness is not to act during the onslaught of a disaster but to act much ahead of a disaster. For instance, we already identified those flashflood-prone areas. So what is next?


See you in 2012!

Sendong's Wrath Along it's Path

It is unfortunate that we again suffered from the wrath of natural disaster. Tropical storm Sendong unleashed its wrath in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao and visayan region killing three scores of lives in one of the worst flashfloods in the Philippine disaster record. Cagayan de Oro City was hardest hit in the tragedy that occurred at dawn Saturday. Homes and properties were rendered useless afterwards. Drowned residents filed up in funeral homes. 

This is tremendous losses to the people. And we pray that they can recover easily. My uncle and cousins who lived in Carmen were not spared. Their homes of light materials have to be rebuilt. 

Heavy rain during the onslaught of the storm was blamed but we cannot set aside the contribution of us humans. Experts told reporters that the area had turned into as a catchment area where rainwater could easily accumulate given that fact that there are no trees in the mountains surrounding the worst affected areas. The presence of thick forest could have spelled the difference during heavy rain as in the case of the tragedy that struck Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

Knowing his decision to rebuild his house there, I told my uncle that it is a risk to stick to the place. If memory serves me right, it was 2003 when a flashflood occurred in our subdivision here in Davao City. Our house was close to a creek -  obviously a natural waterway developed million years ago. The floodwater was almost at the level of the ceiling of our home. We were spared because months earlier, I insisted to sell the house after that alarming floodwater that entered our home. I told my wife we had to vacate the place by all means. We had small kids then and we were always away for work. We were able to sell the property months before the flashflood. Good thing that it only ruined the properties of the residents and I could not remember if it claimed a single life.

There is no point of going back to the place. But my uncle appears adamant to continue with his plan to rebuild his house there. I told him this is not a wise decision. He has to move his family somewhere else - a decision I did in 2003.

Note: the photo is lifted from the site Sun-Star

BangsaMoro Substate Online Petition

One of the proposals that is hoped to once and for all address the peace and development crisis Mindanao is facing in view of the economic and political issues of the Moro people or Bangsamoro, is the establishment of a Bangsamoro Substate.

This site runs a online campaign that aims to get 1 million signatures by yearend. In addition, it sheds light on the proposal with its frequently asked questions (FAQs) that you can browse.There are also related materials that you can download from the site.

I believe this proposal really deserves support from every peace-loving Filipino and Mindanaoan. Truth is there is no way that we allow armed conflict to continue at the expense of everyone especially the Moro people who have the right to live peacefully and self-determination. The armed conflict has cost so much in terms of properties and economic bases of the people in some parts of Mindanao and countless lives wasted in the process.

The war has to end by all means. And this one is perhaps one new way to resolve the problem. Let there be long and lasting peace and development in Mindanao with the BangsaMoro Substate! 

Let us support the signature campaign!

Basilan Crisis

 

News said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will file charges before the International Monitoring Team (IMT) over the "misencounter" in Basilan where the military suffered heavy casualties or 19 soldiers killed in one of the villages of Basilan. By the way, Basilan lies in the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula. This is very far from Davao City. I mentioned this because, there are reactions to the use of Manila-based media on the term "Mindanao Crisis." I won't say this is not appropriate but I guess it would be a great service to those who worry about the safety of their family members or relatives living or currently visiting in Mindanao. Anyways, you can also search the Google Earth.

While running after the lawless Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the government soldiers instead collided with armed elements allegedly belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). And the PH Government and MILF, despite hitches like dissenting proposals on how to resolve the peace problem in Mindanao, is on the talking mode.

It was unfortunate that the encounter or misencounter happened because there were rumors that the MILF is helping the ASG. The MILF denied this.

As to the action to take after the incident, public opinion is divided. Some wanted an all-out war against the MILF while others called on the government to preserve the commitments to continue talking with the moro rebels. The no-war position finds support from the government of Pnoy. Instead, an all-out justice will be done.

Meanwhile, the family members of the young soldiers who were killed in the firefight cried for justice. Justice for their loved ones.

This link explains the IMT.

Petition vs. Coal Plant

The update said that anti-coal-fired plant groups in Davao City came up with 6,000 signatures to urge the local government of Davao to stop endorsing the Aboitiz coal-fired plant and called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to cancel the environmental clearance certificate it issued in favor of the power project. But there are issues that the proponent has to iron out. This includes the controversial freshwater extraction, instead of seawater, as part of the cooling system of the plant design. 

The 300mw coal-fired plant is hoped to boost the power needs of Davao in the coming years.

Steve Jobs is Dead

The world is rocked by the recent news on the death of 56-year old Steve Jobs, the brain behind the apple computers and other digital products that his company Apple has produced. The guy was succumbed to pancreatic cancer, according to news sources.

The contribution of the guy to the computing industry and to the people worldwide is of course great and it will surely remain so long as the Earth spins on its axis.

I remember that the first set of computer-generated graphics I drew and the first graphic software I learned were with that small and compact Apple Classic Macintosh PC during the 90s. Imagine how I struggled to design a number of 5' x 5' wallnews on its mini screen? That's how Mr. Jobs touched my life as shared by other fans of the brilliant man.

Though from Macintosh that I knew years ago, I shifted to IBM clones until to this day for technical and financial considerations.

Anyways, the guy did a great job to the humanity. I am nameless but I salute the guy.

Steve Jobs, thanks so much and RIP!