FLUVIAL PROCESSION OF OUR LADY OF THE ABANDONED (Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados)
May 15, 2010, SATURDAY

MEETING PLACE:         DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM LOBBY; 11:00 AM (LUNCH)
DEPARTURE TIME:     12 NOON Continue Reading »

*Press conference at DOT Auditorium; Me with Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab

The Department of Tourism (DOT) leads Manila’s first joint fluvial procession for the 15th century patron saint of the homeless, Our Lady of the Abandoned.  Devotees and tourists are expected to flock to the event which concelebrates the fiestas of three parishes which include Mandaluyong, Sta. Ana and Marikina.

Organized by the DOT in partnership with the three said parishes, the fluvial procession of the Our Lady of the Abandoned is seen as another potential tour package which presents the colorful religious rites of the Filipinos.  Kicking off at the Guadalupe Ferry Terminal, passing Escolta, down to the Sta. Ana Ferry Station and then to Mandaluyong, the fluvial parade will present the three images of Our Lady from the three parish churches. Continue Reading »

Voting for the Philippine 2010 automated election is no easy task if you really don’t like waiting in very long lines, scorching heat, hunting for your name and precinct room numbers…mayhem of sorts so to speak. But of course the Filipino pride and love for motherland overpowers anything especially if the next six years is at stake.

Okay, enough babble, I saw this posted at the waiting room’s blackboard…just one word says a lot! At first glance one will smile or even chuckle but we must realize it resonates that our education system is going berserk or has gone berserk (god forbid..Am guessing a public school teacher wrote this) and I am speechless.

I don’t claim to be a grammar Nazi or be very articulate in the English language, but I can’t help but feel sad to say the least. 20 years or so ago we were among the progressive countries in Asia valued for our hospitality, high educational background, fluency in English, etc. We really need to sit back, think really deep and then get into action fast! Having new government officials are not enough, each and everyone must make a change if we want progress to happen.

*PCOS Machine: “Congratulations”..(insert sigh of relief here).

After a little over three hours me, my sister and cousin were finally one with Filipinos today in marking our country’s first automated elections. It is truly a proud day and a day of hope that the next six years will be of peace, prosperity and unity for our country. Voting is the start because now more than ever every Filipino should be more vigilant and brave.

Social media plays an important role these days being the fastest medium of information and an advantage towards preventing the occurrence of corruption, vote buying, etc. I have joined www.100araw.com with hash tag #juanvote on twitter to help monitor not just the elections but hopefully until the first 100 days of the new president.

My unwavering faith goes to two of my law professors in COMELEC, Atty. Rene Sarmiento (Human Rights) and Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan (Civil Law Review) that automation will revolutionize Philippine elections and lessen election-related offences. It’s not saying that there won’t be any glitches. I mean really, machines can also do so much people. Merely states the fact that it will speed up the process as long as (god forbid and they are techie enough) unscrupulous people are warded off.

So far almost everything is on schedule save for certain PCOS machines that have zonked out (due to heat I presume, short power interruptions and some were destroyed by bandits far south of the islands), long lines probably because everyone’s  anticipating to vote and err, candidates taking too long at their respective precincts and getting VIP treatment.

Well, this is just the beginning..Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!

*photo credits: gmanews.tv

1. The ballot is very sensitive to marks, ink, H20, stains, scratches, folds, sweat, etc. so, keep your hands very clean before voting. The “Ballot Secrecy Folder”lessens the actual handling of the ballot with your hands.

2. Shade the egg-shaped hole beside your chosen candidate fully (you will be provided with a marker). Don’t check, line, X, dot, or half-shade it, because the PCOS Unit will not read it. Try not to go beyond the lines.

3. There is a barcode going around the ballot. If this is marked, even scratched, in any way, the ballot will be spoiled. He said that if anyone else handles the ballot, watch them well, in case they intentionally scratch the barcode with a fingernail to prevent your ballot from being counted. Continue Reading »