DFA passport application

Hubby needs to renew his passport but it was lost years ago. We are thinking of the new procedures at DFA because there are bad and good feedback about the new system. But I guess as how DFA tries to improve the system, fixers also have their ways to combat it.

DFA started online processing last March 2010 so if you need an appointment for your passport you can apply at DFA website. Passports can be claimed from the DFA after 20 days for P950, or in just 10 days for P1,200.

DFA probes fixers' new operations

Fr. Caluag denies psych document against Noynoy Aquino

Politics is getting hotter and hotter, hitting below the belt, false accusations and more as the 2010 Elections is nearing. Voters must really discern the righteous one to be voted for not only on the top level positions of our country but also down to their community. It is high time that we dream big and each one of us has own responsibilities to reach that dream and make it happen.

Fr. Caluag's statement
Noynoy denies psych report

May God bless us all!

Support for Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn together with the locals of Puerto Princesa City is asking for support by voting for PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL PARK (PPSRNP) to be one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. For months it reaped the Top 1 rank under Group E for Forests, Natural Parks and Nature Reserves. With just days left before the voting is over PPSRNP went down to number 2 spot.

Calling all the Filipinos around the world to please help extend our support to PPSRNP. You may cast your votes here and for the live ranking details check it out here.

Vote for PPSRNP!!!

Independence Day, Constituent Assembly, May 2010 Election...

Republic Act No. 4166 signed into law on August 4,1964 by then President Diosdado Macapagal designating June 12, 1898 as our Philippine Declaration of Independence. More than hundred years ago, great and brave Filipinos fought for the independence and sovereignty of our beloved country. Many of them sacrificed their lives for love of our country. They gave freedom to the Filipino people against foreign colonization.

I don’t know what got into our congressmen and congresswomen’s minds to pass the Constituent Assembly at this point in time. They are denying the inclusion of extending the term of the president and other politicians and only proposed economic revisions. I heard once that part of it is to allow foreigners to own land here in our country. Are these people really too old to forget the sacrifices of our fellow Filipinos to gain the freedom we had since then? Is that the solution they are eyeing for in relation to the global crisis? Or maybe some or most of them have lands to sell and create more money out of it?

Filipinos are simple living people and politicians must admit to themselves that they are the reason why millions of Filipinos living miserably. There are massive corruptions everywhere and poor governance of our leaders. I don’t understand why Congress is pushing to change the constitution alone knowing their very bad image among Filipinos. All their actions are self centered.

I just hope and praying so hard that election will happen and if that time comes I urge each and every voter to scrutinize thoroughly the people they will vote for. We had enough of hardships and troubles. If we want change in our country, we must all realize that change starts from and within ourselves.

Each and every vote of us is a very powerful tool to choose good leaders to rule and guide us. We must learn from our mistakes and experiences. For our kids and loved ones, let us help the May 2010 election happen and cast our votes wisely.

Travel Philippines: Local liquors (Alak)

“Alak” is the generic Tagalog term for liquor or wine. Philippines do have local liquors that are indigenous and commercially manufactured beverages. Aside from tobacco industry, the production of liquors is also one of the most profitable industries here. However, because of the invasion and supremacy of commercial drinks, our native drinks have been confined to small-scale local productions. Below are some of our common native liquors you may want to try on from WikiPilipinas (I can’t drink coz I have allergy on alcohol):

TUBA

Tuba is coconut toddy that has a stinging sweet and bittersweet taste. The process involves extracting the sap of an unopened coconut bud. The tip of the bud is lopped and the pale juice allowed trickles into bamboo containers. A sturdy tree yields about a gallon of liquid daily. The fermenting process involves the sweetish liquid is stored for one to three days in earthen jars or bottles in modern times. The rust tint of tuba is acquired through the addition of powdered bark called tangal.

From coconut water, comes a syrup concentrate for tuba. Tuba is a sweet, fresh or mildly fermented sap taken from tapping the young expanded flowers of the coconut. It is said that only tough men can withstand the effect of Tuba that affects men’s senses and sanity. Filipinos consider Tuba as a type of hard drink.

LAMBANOG

Lambanog is wine made from coconut. Lambanog is famous for its potency that normally carries about 80 to 90 proof variations. It is mostly produced in the Quezon Province, Philippines. It has been passed down throughout generations of coconut plantation farmers. The process involves collecting the sap from the coconut flower, similar to rubber tree tapping. The sap is then cooked and fermented to become tuba, it is a popular coconut toddy. The tuba is then distilled to make Lambanog.

BASI

Basi is a sugar cane wine made in Ilocos Norte and particularly plentiful in Naguilian where a Basi Festival is held annually. The product has been produced and consumed even before the invasion of the Spaniards. The strong basi is called basi lalaki and if it is weak, basi babae.
Basi wine is made by fermenting boiled, freshly extracted, sugar cane juice. The juice is then boiled in vats and stored in earthen jars. Once it has been cooled, flavorings made of ground glutinous rice and duhat (java plum) bark or other fruits or barks is added. A dried powdered starter is used to start the fermentation. The mixture is left for up to three months to ferment and up to one year to age. The final product is a light brown color and has a sweet and a sour flavor.

Travel Philippines: scuba diving spots

Scuba diving is one thing local and foreign tourists, especially nature lovers, do like best on a summer season. Philippines is a country blessed with different spots perfect to deal with your scuba diving pleasure.

Anilao (Batangas)

Anilao is not only ideal for poking around and observing marine life but also outstanding for macro photography. Multi-hued crinoids are prolific. The variety of nudibranchs is unmatched. Night dives are especially nice and often reveal unusual creatures like sea hares, sea goblins, catfish eels, ghost pipe fishes, blue-ringed octopuses, mandarin fishes, and snake eels.

The area’s best known dive site, Cathedral, is two large mounds with a cross in between at 50’. It is a well established fish feeding station. Covered with corals, the site is spectacular at night. Sombrero has a shallow wall of about 60’ with some good coral growth; offshore but nearby are Beatrice Rock and Bajura. Schools of triggerfishes and sometimes jacks and surgeons swim by, and they appear to have the market on anthias.

One of the prettiest dives in the area, Sepok has nice coral gardens and a vertical wall. Devil’s Point Twin Rocks, Coral Gardens, and Mainit are shallow dives with a wide array of invertebrates, especially nudibranchs. Bonete, Arthur’s, and Koala offer good dives for novices, with most to see above 50’. There is a good selection of hard and soft corals, anemones, and clownfishes, and goblinfishes at Arthur’s.

Puerto Galera (Oriental Mindoro)

The foremost asset of Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Galera is blessed with one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbors. Known as the Pearl of Mindoro, it is world-famous for splendid beaches, coral reefs, and exquisite dive sites for new and experienced divers alike. There are shallow coral gardens, interesting rock formations, and colorful species to watch, like crabs, shrimps, sea anemones, moray, and trumpet fishes.

Tubbataha Reef National Park (Puerto Princesa)

It is a marine sanctuary located in the Middle Central Sulu Sea, 98 nautical miles southeast of Puerto Princesa City. Declared a World Natural Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on December 1993, it is under protective management by the Department of National Defense (DND). It is under technical supervision by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) & the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR).

It is located in Cagayancillo town, Palawan. Trips to Tubbattaha from mid-March to mid-June are all vessel-based and require planning for a minimum of six weeks prior to departure. To reach the place, take a 70-minute flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa City. From the airport, a shuttle bus takes you to the dive boat. Boat ride from Puerto Princesa City takes approximately 12 hours.

Apo Island (Negros Oriental)

The island offers the best diving around. On the southeast, the sanctuary is a gradual slope with a shallow wall. Thousands of tiny fish cluster around the bushes of black corals in crevices, and there are lapu-lapus, surgeons, some beautiful stony corals, and a collection of various species of clownfishes and anemones. Apo island is accessible by a 35-minute boat ride from Zamboanguita.

Apo Island Beach Resort, formerly Kan-Upe Cove Resort, is an internationally acclaimed dive site. The 12-hectare island has eight regular and honeymoon cottages. Located in Dauin, it has a hilly terrain and white-pebbled lagoon. Nestled within, the Balwarte Rocks and Negros Oriental Marine Conservation Park, with its spectacular coral gardens and marvelous marine life, are consistent crowd drawers.

Travel Philippines: hidden vacation spots

Philippines is one of the famous destinations among travelers especially on summer season. Aside from Boracay, Baguio, Puerto Galera and Subic, it has also other not-so-familiar or unknown places for vacation to offer. Check out some of them below if you want a new place, beautiful and untouched nature and a more private leisure.

ROMBLON
Romblon is gifted with lush vegetation and mineral resources. Aside from marble, the islands are rich in granite, nickel, silica, mercury, zinc, copper, silver, limestone, sulfide, ores, kaolin, clay, magnesium and quartz. Gold panning sites have sprouted in some of the mountain stream areas in Magdiwang, Sibuyan Island. The fertile soil nurtures varied agricultural crops--like coconut, rice, corn, bananas, rootcrops, fruit trees, vines and many others. Offshore, Romblon is a rich fishing ground. The islands lie on the migratory path of fishes from the Sulu and Visayan Seas, passing the Tablas Strait, Sibuyan Sea and Romblon Pass. Likewise, Romblon has crystal-clear rivers and waterfalls, beautiful and unspoiled beaches.

DAVAO ORIENTAL
The Pusan Point in Davao Oriental is called the “Sunrise Capital of the Philippines” but aside from the great sunrise it has to offer are the beautiful waterfalls and beaches like “Tinagong Dagat” (Hidden Sea), plesiosaur-shaped “Dinosaur Island”, Cape San Agustin, Pujada Bay and more.

SIQUIJOR
The island of Siquijor, also called “Isla del Fuego” or the “Isle of Fire”, is known to many as a place of magic, mysticism and enchantments. It is frequently associated with phenomena beyond the explanations of science. It is a beautiful place of natural white sand beaches, coral reefs, caves and forests, simply worth discovering. After admiring the natural sceneries and venturing into the caves, visitors might also attend the healing festivals or watch locals perform feats that boggle the mind.

ANTIQUE
Antiqueños pride themselves on living in one of the oldest pre-Hispanic settlements in the Philippines. Although now often passed over in favor of nearby Boracay, Antique has many scenic beauties to offer those seeking adventures with nature. It has lovely waterfalls, lakes, and rivers, including the Tibiao River, ideal for white water kayaking. The province’s highest peak is the legendary Mt. Madia-as, sacred mountain and home of ancient gods, home to rare flora and fauna. Antique is also the home of the famous “Bugasong patadyong”. Lately, the river of Sibalom, Antique has been discovered to be rich with semi-precious stones.

CATANDUANES
The island of Catanduanes in the Bicol Region is in the Pacific Ocean, and is still virtually untouched by tourists, making it a great vacation getaway for those who want to relax for a while from the rat race. Puraran Beach in the town of Baras on this island is the site of the so-called “Majestic” waves prized by surfers. The island also has as-yet-unspoiled white beaches all along its coastline, as well as diving spots for snorkelers and scuba enthusiasts, and cascading waterfalls farther inland.

LAKE SEBU, SOUTH COTABATO
Scenic Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, dubbed the “Summer Capital of the South”, is a protected landscape and the ancestral home of the T’boli people. It boasts three beautiful mountain lakes (Sebu, Seloton and Lahit) and seven waterfalls, as well as the rich culture of the T'bolis, now internationally known for their t’nalak cloth. The scenery and light in this place make it a photographer's paradise, and the mountains offer adventures for intrepid trekkers.

GLAN, SARANGANI
Beautiful Glan, Sarangani, is the place where mountain sceneries meet white beaches and clear, sparkling waters.

BALER, AURORA
Baler, Aurora, remote and isolated from the metropolis, its beauties remain unspoiled, waiting to be discovered. Sabang Beach waves are good for surfing, while nearby islets are great for snorkeling. History enthusiasts may be interested in Quezoniana such as the ruins of the Quezon house.

PUNDAQUIT, SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES
Hidden away in the province of Zambales, not far from Subic, is the lovely fishing village of Pundaquit, San Antonio. For those in the know, the beach of Pundaquit is a great haven for beach bums and surfers.

CARAMOAN PENINSULA, CAMARINES SUR
The serene Caramoan Peninsula is a hidden paradise in Camarines Sur, great for swimming, island hopping and nature-tripping. Aside from white beaches, waterfalls and islands, Caramoan also has caves for intrepid explorers and cliffs for rock climbers, as well as the wildlife sanctuary at Caramoan National Park for bird-watchers.

Philippines' Festivals: Kalanguya of Nueva Vizcaya town

Kalanguya Festival is a yearly gathering of the Kalanguya tribe of Nueva Vizcaya to celebrate their culture and tradition in songs, dances and rituals. Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Santa Fe shopping highway for souvenirs, the Imugan waterfalls and the Mountain Fresh Factory.

The Imugan Waterfalls located in Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya is a 35-foot two-level falls with a shallow catch basin of refreshing mountain spring interestingly located between two mountains. Walk over streams and rivers emanating from the falls and enjoy trekking, exploration, swimming, fishing, and cultural immersion. The waterfalls is accessible by a 30-minute hike from Imugan poblacion which is about 30 minutes from the national highway.

Philippines' Festivals: 1st Abrenian Kawayan (Bamboo) Festival

The province of Abra celebrated its first Abrenian Kawayan (Bamboo) Festival during this year’s foundation day celebration last March 6-9. Since Abra is the major sources of bamboo and bamboo products in the north, the national and local government units decided to adopt another unique and festive celebration to showcase the said products.

Travel Philippines: Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica

Hubby just came back last Friday from a 4 day business trip in the Bicol Region specifically in Naga and Legazpi cities. He visited their 2 radio stations there in preparation for their annual maintenance this coming Holy Week and for other technical concerns. Before he left I told him to take pictures of prominent landmarks in the cities so I can share it in my blog. Among the photos he was fortunate to take on his short visit is the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica located at Balatas Road, 4400 in Naga City. Below are pictures and short information about the said basilica.

The Our Lady of Peñafrancia Church was built in 1711 by Rev. Miguel Covarrubias and it houses the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. He constructed this church in fullfillment of the vow he made during his youth. The second church was built in 1750 by Bishop Isidoro de Arevalo, repaired and improved in 1876-1877 by Bishop Francisco Gainza. The image was solemnly crowned by the Rt. Rev. Guillermo Piano on September 20, 1924.

The concept for the building the Basilica Minore came from Archbishop Pedro P. Santos in 1960. Construction began on April 18, 1976, but was delayed for a number of years due to finance problems and was not completed until September, 1981.

On May 22, 1982 it was dedicated as The Church of Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia and it wasn't until May 22, 1985 that the Church was given the title of "Basilica Minore" from Rome after a request from the third Archbishop of Caceres, Leonardo Z. Legaspi.

The Peñafrancia Basilica Minore houses an image of the virgin Mary that was sculpted in 1710. It was commissioned by Miguel de Cobarrubias who moved to the Philippines from Spain with his family and believed that the virgin Mary had helped him numerous times in his life.

Philippines' Festivals: Guling-Guling in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

There are many famous festivals in the Philippines and there maybe not so familiar even to Filipinos like the Guling-Guling Festival. It is an annual celebration on the eve of Ash Wednesday held in Paoay, Ilocos Norte during the season of lent by Paoayeños.

In Ilocano dialect, Guling-Guling means “to mark, to smear, or to make a sign” and it is kind of similar to the Mardi gras in New Orleans or Hawaii’s Aloha Festival. A symbolic celebration of forgiveness among people indicated by making a cross mark on their foreheads which symbolizes their forgiveness towards people who “trespassed” them.

Philippines' Festivals: Ibon-Ebon Festival in Candaba, Pampanga

The family never yet stayed in Pampanga for a vacation but we passed thru it on some of our out skirt trips. One of the renowned festivals in Pampanga particularly in Candaba is the very colorful and festive IBON-EBON FESTIVAL (also known as the Birds and Eggs Festival, as “Ibon” means birds while “ebon” means eggs). It is being held in honor of the local patron saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino, wherein the local government and the people of Candaba aim to boost food production and promote eco-tourism. The feast of San Nicolas de Tolentino has been believed to be in connection with the migration of tarat (bird specie known as the Brown Shrike) to Candaba. With a bird on a platter on his hand, the image of San Nicolas parades in the streets in a procession, along with the tradition of giving out San Nicolas cookies. Story has it that San Nicolas prefer vegetables over meat, once asked to have a fowl for a dinner, he made a sign of a cross and let the fowl flew away. More than three hundred miracles are attributed to him.

Lined up during the festival are other activities like presentation of high school talents, exhibits, and trade fair featuring products of Candaba. Along with these activities are the parade of participants clad in different duck costumes competing for the best duck costume at the town plaza, street dancing, duck race, bird program and an art contest, a bird kite exhibition, and a variety show.

Philippines' Festivals: Pamulinawen Festival of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

Philippines is blessed with rich and colorful celebrations in almost every edge of the archipelago. Every celebration in the island shows how the Filipinos value traditions, creativity, gratitude and unity. One of those festivals for the month of February is the famous Pamulinawen Festival.

The city of Laoag celebrates its annual Pamulinawen Festival being held on the feast day of the town’s patron saint, Saint William the Hermit. It runs from February 2-11 to give honor, pay homage and extend their gratitude to their patron saint believed to help them spared from calamities and disasters.

The festival features different activities from the locals like street dancing, the Miss Laoag City beauty contest, floral parade and more.

Video care of reysibayan.

PGMA's Proclamation 1699 for 2009 holidays

After the long holiday of 2008 hubby and I are expecting another long holiday for 2009. While watching the late news, Bandila, it was reported that PGMA signed on Christmas Eve Proclamation 1699 to layout holiday schedule for 2009 as follows:

• The observance of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on April 9 which is a Thursday, was moved to the nearest Monday which is April 6 making it a 3-day weekend before the Easter break.
• The four-day Easter holidays from April 9 which is Maundy Thursday, until April 12 which is Easter Sunday.
• The four regular holidays that will fall on either Friday or Monday which results in a three-day week-end. These are Labor Day on May 1 which falls on a Friday; Independence Day on June 12 which falls on a Friday; National Heroes Day on August 31 which falls on a Monday; and Bonifacio Day on November 30 which falls on a Monday.
• Other regular holidays include Christmas Day on December 25 which falls on a Friday, and Rizal Day on December 30 which falls on a Wednesday.
• PGMA also declared the following as Special Non-Working Days: Ninoy Aquino Day on August 21 which falls on a Friday; All Saints Day on November 1 which falls on a Sunday and All Souls Day on November 2 which falls on a Monday.
• Christmas Eve on December 24 which falls on a Thursday, has also been declared as a Special Non-Working Day this year.
• Another Special Non-Working Day is New Year's Eve on December 31 which falls on a Thursday.

2008 impeachment complaint vs. PGMA

As early as 6am, Jose 'Joey' de Venecia III, Iloilo Vice-Governor Rolex Suplico, and public interest lawyer Harry Roque led the filing of the complaint at the House of Representatives secretary-general's office at 7:40 am to make sure they would be the first to file the impeachment complaint. Said 2008 impeachment complaint was endorsed by Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casino, and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza.

Though the 2005, 2006 and 2007 impeachment complaints were all failures, Prof. Harry Roque of the UP College of Law said that they felt it was their civic duty to still file a new one. Roque said further that the new complaint is different from the ones filed in 2005, 2006 and 2007 since the cases on Northrail, swine scam, and fertilizer scam have all been documented by the Commission on Audit.

The impeachment complaint accuses Mrs. Arroyo of betrayal of public trust after she approved the National Broadband Network (NBN) telecommunications deal with China's ZTE Corp., saying that the deal was overpriced by at least $130M.

Other grounds included in the complaint are:

• culpable violation of the Constitution for approving the Northrail rehabilitation project;
• numerous human rights violations;
• graft and corruption for her administration's involvement in various irregularities including the P728M fertilizer scam, P2B swine scam; and,
• alleged ballot-switching in the 2004 presidential election.

Filipino-Japanese Foundation

I met Japanese friends through my youngest sister who are directly involved in running a Filipino-Japanese Foundation which deals in the repatriation of Filipino/Japanese descendants of Pre-War and Post War of World War II. They are holding their office in Makati City and active also in various medical missions in the Philippines.

If you have Japanese ancestry and your family is registered in the Kosekitohon then you are qualified to be a member and avail of the services and benefits the foundation is offering. Trainings and seminars are being extended to qualified members so they can work in Japan through their Japanese Sponsor Companies.

I am interested to know the details of the foundation to help those Filipinos who have Japanese ancestry and could possibly work in Japan and who knows you might be recognized by their Japanese father or mother. So till my next post for this foundation.

Philippines Street Food

CHICKEN GIZZARD / CHICKEN HEAD / CHICKEN HEAD WITH NECK / BITUKA NG MANOK / ISAW NG BABOY / CHICKEN FEET / CHICKEN BLOOD

If you have been here in the Philippines then you must not miss out trying this street food. You can find these along the streets you may have been crossing. Usually, the vendors make a thorough cleaning of this food and marinate them for better taste. Grilled in charcoal and dip with sauces, this food typically can serve as a dish now to some household who do not have the budget for a regular dish. To some they have it for snack.

The famous BALUT in the Philippines. It is a fertilized duck (or chicken) egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell. They are common, everyday food in some countries in Asia, such as in the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Tahô is a Philippine snack food made of fresh soft/silken tofu, arnibal (brown sugar syrup), and sago "pearls" (similar to tapioca pearls). This staple comfort food is a signature sweet and can be found all over the country. The Indonesian and Malaysian equivalent of this dish is Tahu.

Romulo Neri IN, Corazon dela Paz OUT

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Once again the controversial Romulo Neri is in the limelight but not in relation to the ZTE NBN deal anymore but due to his appointment as the new Social Security System (SSS) Chief to replace the outgoing Corazon dela Paz effective August 1. The buzz regarding Neri’s holding the position creates different speculations on politicians, institutions and the feared SSS members.

Musing of an SSS member…

I’m an SSS member since 1995 and as a concerned citizen as well I do have my doubts too on why replace a certain appointee who is efficiently and effectively performing her tasks??? And of all people why Neri??? The issue on his intelligence is not the question since he graduated with high honors and his unparalleled professional experience but the big weight now lies on the integrity of Neri after the controversial ZTE NBN Deal. Can he serve the SSS members in all honesty and honor??? Can he not be manipulated by those people in the government when it comes to management of SSS funds???

There are many questions need to be answered and there are many fears to overcome but appointing is a privilege of the President of the Philippines and what all SSS members can only do now is to hope and pray that nothing worst will happen to SSS, now and ever.