Team Azkals advances to the 2nd Round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier

World Cup is almost near for the Philippine Azkals after winning 4:0 on their round two fight against Sri Lanka Brave Reds at the Rizal Memorial Complex this afternoon. With the total score of two rounds 5:1 (aggregate) in favor of Team Azkals, they are now advancing to the second round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Watch the live telecast of Round 2 Philippine Azkals VS Sri Lanka on Studio 23

After the draw last result last June 28 that favors the team of Sri Lanka, Philippine Azkals is determined to win at the 2nd round Philippine Azkals VS Sri Lanka football game for the 2014 World Cup qualifier rounds. The said football fight will happen at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on July 3.

Among the key players of Team Azkals includes Phil and James Younghusband, Ian Araneta, Neil Etheridge, Angel Guirado, Anton del Rosario, and team captain Ali Borromeo.

Philippine Azkals is Cortal SQR's newest brand ambassadors

Pharma-Rex Inc, the maker of Cortal SQR officially launches Philippine Azkals led by Team Captain Ali Borromeo, Defender Anton del Rosario, Forward Ian Araneta, and Goalkeeper Niel Etheridge as the new brand ambassadors of the newly improved pain reliever. The said launch happen few days before their second fight with Sri Lanka on Sunday (July 3).

Watch the live telecast of Philippine Azkals vs Sri Lanka football on Studio 23

An “all-star” Philippine Azkals football team will face a tough delegation from Sri Lanka to kick-off their journey to the 2014 World Cup, the biggest tournament in the world of football.

With new yet experienced recruits from abroad, the Azkals are confident to snatch a win on unfriendly soil as they play Leg 1of the first round of qualifying matches in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (June 29).

ABS-CBN Sports, the official coveror of Azkals’ international matches, will air the much-awaited opening showdown on Studio 23 at 5:30pm on the same day, pre-empting “Justice League” and “The Wrap.”

Afterwards, the Azkals, will defend home field as the battle shifts to the Philippines for the qualifying round’s Leg 2.

Melai and Jason star in The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the Riles

Pinoy Big Brother Double Up ex-housemates and real life couple Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco star in their first movie together under Star Cinema entitled The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the Riles. The movie directed by Soxie Topacio and co produced by Cine Screen will be showing in all cinemas nationwide beginning July 13, 2011.

Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai: Celebrating Music, Colors and Childhood Dreams

Seeing the Grand Chapiteau in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta (Manila) gives me that excitement of a kid hoping for wonderful things to happen inside the yellow and blue tent. Yes, circus with all its colors, music, and acrobats will always be part of every childhood dreams and it did came true as Cirque du Soleil visits Manila to present their latest performance entitled Varekai. Luckily, I was one of those who had the chance to witness their performance before they officially open today to public until July 24.

Adarna Food & Culture: Good food and rich culture combined

It is very rare for me to dine in Filipino restaurant especially this kind of dining place are either hard to find the area I usually hang out or it is very expensive. Luckily with the Sooo Pinoy campaign of Unilever Food Solutions, in their advocacy on culinary tourism that promotes different Filipino dishes for tourist and locals, I had the chance to try the Adarna Food & Culture in Kalayaan Avenue in Quezon City.

Smoke-Free Policy of Starbucks begins on June 27

It is true; Starbucks Philippines will be imposing a non smoking policy in the store nationwide in support of Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 (RA 9211). Where it says in the section 5:

“The sale or distribution of tobacco products is prohibited within one hundred (100) meters from any point of the perimeter of a school, public playground or other facility frequented particularly by minors.” (RA 9211 Sec.5)

In this case Starbucks branches are usually located near to schools and malls where minors and students usually hang out with their friends and family members

MMDA also implemented non smoking policy in public areas such as main roads, schools and public/government offices. For those who failed on this ordinance, violators will be fined or will do community service on a determined time. The main objective it protect non smokers from the impact of second smoking to the health. On the 27th of June Starbucks Philippines will be converting the smoking area to non-smoking area too. In the case of RA 9211 Sec.5 offenders will be fined 5,000 pesos or imprisonment of maximum of 30 days for first offense, and for succeeding offense the business licenses or permits of the establishments that allow this or neglect to follow the law will be canceled.

Isabela’s Abuan River is the Philippines’ Next Big Whitewater Destination

“It’s one thing to memorize the history of a Church, or even a city – but a river is different,” explains Anton Carag, certified Pinoy rafting Jedi. “If you don’t know how to read her, you’ll be in big trouble.”

Violently churning six seconds away is either the end of the Earth – or a giant washing machine. I white-knuckle my paddle, shoot him a swift glance and prepare to meet my maker. “Big trouble!” repeats Anton with a chuckle.

We plunge, paddle, curse, laugh and paddle even more as we cross the swells into calmer waters. In seconds the roaring river transforms into a gurgling rivulet of relaxation. The side-scrolling scenery is glorious to behold, adorned with dramatic cliffs, provocative fire-trees and flitting waterbirds. We are in the country’s next big rafting destination – Isabela’s Abuan River – and we love every dripping minute of it.

Studio 23 and Balls Channel airs the second leg of Philippine Azkals VS. Mongolia Blue Wolves

Football fever hits the country again as Filipino football team Azkals compete against the Blue Wolves of Mongolia in the second leg of the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifying Series 2012 at the National Sports Stadium in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Be a part of this exciting event as Studio 23 brings the game live via satellite on Tuesday (Mar 15), 12nn with a replay on primetime at 7pm.

Earth Hour 2011: Moving beyond the switching off

Now in its fourth year in the Philippines, Earth Hour again aims to engulf the entire country – from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi – in darkness. The hour-long event, which was birthed in Australia in 2007 and embraced by the Philippines in 2008, was created to empower people to address climate change via a 60-minute switch-off. Earth Hour 2011 differs from all previous observances by focusing on what citizens can do beyond the switch-off.

“Earth Hour is a simple act that emphasizes both the ease and importance of adopting energy-efficient practices and lifestyles,” says Earth Hour National Director Atty. Gia Ibay, who also leads the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) Climate Unit. “Given ever-increasing energy demands, we must be mindful of the need to control human-induced global warming by adopting smarter and more responsible energy practices.”

2011 Regular Holidays, Special Non-Working Days, & Special Holiday

Malacanang releases the list of the Regular Holidays, Special Non-Working Days, & Special Holidays for 2011 under Presidential Proclamation No. 84.

Regular Holidays

New Year’s Day – January 1 (Saturday)
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Saturday)
Maundy Thursday – April 21
Good Friday – April 22
Labor Day – May 1 (Sunday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Sunday)
National Heroes Day – August 29 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Wednesday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Sunday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Friday)
Special (Non-Working) Days

Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Sunday)
All Saints Day – November 1 (Tuesday)
Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Saturday)
Special Holiday (for all schools)

EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Friday)

Opposite to the holiday economics of former President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s holiday lists for 2011 put end on long weekends and changing of holiday dates.


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CODE-NGO: No law broken in PEACe Bonds deal

The Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) today told members of the House of Representatives that rules were not bent to favor CODE-NGO in the sale of the Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificate (PEACe) Bonds.

CODE-NGO executive Sixto Donato Macasaet said in the House of Representatives Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability inquiry on the PEACe Bonds that the controversial transaction “followed all legally mandated and required government procedures.”

Macasaet added that the Arroyo government did not favor CODE-NGO, and even rejected their proposal for a negotiated sale of the bonds – even as negotiated bond sales are legal and have clear and generally accepted rules. The zero-coupon bonds were instead auctioned by The Bureau of Treasury to Government Securities Eligible Dealers (GSED). CODE-NGO and its agent RCBC Capital had to outbid 14 prominent banks to purchase the PEACe Bonds.

The sale of the bonds to CODE-NGO and RCBC raised P10.17 billion for the Arroyo government in 2001. The bonds were then resold by RCBC, for CODE-NGO, to private investors, thus generating the P1.4 billion trading gain that has been used as an endowment fund for poverty alleviation programs.

CODE- NGO also belied allegations that Social Welfare Secretary Corazon (Dinky) Juliano Soliman was involved in the Peace Bonds transaction. Soliman resigned as chair of CODE-NGO in January 2001 when former President Gloria Arroyo appointed her as DSWD secretary, and was hence no longer connected to CODE-NGO when the bonds were issued in October 2001.

Macasaet clarified that Atty. Hector Soliman, spouse of Sec. Dinky Soliman, also had no participation in the PEACe Bonds transaction. He only assisted the founding of the Peace Equity Access for Community Empowerment Foundation (PEF), which managed the endowment funds donated to it by CODE-NGO for poverty alleviation projects. PEF was registered with the SEC on Nov. 27, 2001.

PEF Board Members sought Atty. Soliman’s help in its founding year as “he is known as a lawyer working for the poor, and with NGOs.” Atty. Hector Soliman resigned as PEF corporate secretary on March 1, 2002.

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Code-NGO: Soliman, Deles are not accountable for the PEACe Bonds

Two Aquino cabinet officials being criticized for their alleged connection to the Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificates (PEACe Bonds) never participated in the controversial transaction, according to the NGO organization that conceptualized the PEACe Bonds in 2001 at a press conference in Quezon City this morning.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Secretary Teresita “Ging” Deles have been tagged by several personalities as the prime movers behind the PEACe Bonds deal.

However, the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), which received an endowment fund from the sale of the government zero coupon bonds, said the two government officials “were never involved and did not receive any compensation from the sale of the PEACe bonds.”

Code-NGO chairperson Anna Marie Karaos said that Soliman resigned as chair of Code-NGO in January 2001 when she was appointed as DSWD Secretary by former President Gloria Arroyo. She was hence no longer connected to Code-NGO when the idea of the PEACe Bonds was being presented to concerned government agencies such as the Bureau of Treasury and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Deles, on the other hand, was never a member, much less an official of Code-NGO. Karaos said they were actually wondering why Deles was being baselessly linked to the PEACe Bonds.

At the same press conference, The Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) was also explained to members of the media. PEF was established to preserve and manage the Php1.318 Billion endowment fund for poverty alleviation projects.

Veronica Villavicencio, executive director of the PEF, apprised the reporters on how the fund was being utilized for basic services, renewable energy, and microfinance endeavors in the country’s poorest communities. Most PEF projects are being implemented in rural areas in Mindanao and Visayas. "Information on how we have used the fund is reported regularly to our members and to the Securities and Exchange Commission and is available to anyone on our website", Villavicencio said.

PEF and Code-NGO, however, pointed out they cannot be held to account for the Php10.169 billion proceeds of the PEACe Bonds Auction which was paid to the Bureau of Treasury because it went to the “general funds” of the Arroyo administration. Sixto Donato Macasaet, Code-NGO executive director, said that only the Arroyo government could explain how the PEACe Bonds proceeds were utilized.
“The proceeds of the PEACe Bonds went to the general funds of the government. We could not suggest to them what to do with it because we just participated in the auction,” said Macasaet.

The Php10.169 billion that went to government coffers is different and separate from the Php1.486 billion that went to Code-NGO and PEF. "The Php10 bilion is government funds, while the Php 1.486 billion came from the sale of the bonds in the secondary capital market and are private funds", Macasaet added.

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Go out and vote for Baranggay and Sanguniang Kabataan Election

October 25, 2010 marks the date for the Baranggay and Sanguniang Kabataan Election, 5 months after the national and local election. For others they see Brgy. and SK election is just a waste of time that’s why they took the look weekend opportunity to relax and enjoy, but the said part is they didn’t notice the importance of this election. Baranggay level might sound small but it plays a vital role in governing a community no matter how small or big it was, as for SK it plays a role to empower the youth in bringing their voices to the authority. In taking care of security in the community and direct coordination of project implementation baranggay plays that role.

It will be manual voting for this election that is why it is necessary to bring the Voter’s ID, any valid IDs that will proof your identity (if you don’t have you’re voter’s id), extra pen, and patience. The voting precincts will accept registered voters from 7 am to 3pm only and there will be no extension. There are several areas that will re-schedule their election because of the flood and damage done by Typhoon Juan (Megi).

Election proves our sovereignty and our responsibility to share our nation’s future, do your task as a responsible citizen and let your vote count. Go out on the Brgy and SK election and vote with a clear conscience. For those who saw anomalies during the election send reports to Boto Mo i-Patrol Mo, text ireport (name, address and message) and send to 2366, and on posting via online use #halalan hashtag and mention any of the following on twitter @bayanmo, @tvpatrol @abscbnnews and @ancalerts.

*Photos were taken during the 2010 Presidential Election in May 11.

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World Food Programme celebrates National Leadership to end Hunger and Malnutrition

ROME –The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today marks World Food Day by celebrating the bold leadership and outstanding contributions of national governments toward lasting solutions to hunger and malnutrition.

“When we act together we have the power to bring about real change in the lives of millions of people who would otherwise struggle to feed their families,” said WFP Deputy Executive Director for Hunger Solutions, Sheila Sisulu. “Through our partnerships with governments, local authorities and small-scale farmers, WFP is helping to roll out innovative programmes that boost nutrition, and build sustainable solutions to hunger.”

Just last month, the government of Cape Verde took over full ownership of the national school meals programme after more than three decades of cooperation with WFP. The transition is a glowing example of a country-led solution to hunger, and maintains a programme that helps children to develop healthy minds and bodies while investing in the future of Cape Verde and its people.

“Leaders are seizing the opportunity to align effective policies, programmes and resources behind national and regional priorities,” Sisulu added, highlighting the impact of comprehensive national strategies designed to boost farm production, improve nutrition, strengthen social protection systems and ensure that children have access to the right food at the right time.

With unparalleled deep field presence in more than 70 countries around the world and more than four decades of experience meeting the food and nutritional needs of women, children and families, WFP is proud to work closely with national governments, foundations, private sector businesses, NGOs and others to inform the development of country-led food security plans and support their successful execution.

In many of the regions where WFP works, countries are leading the way in developing food and nutrition safety nets. WFP plays a vital supporting role by providing the expertise, resources to design, scale up and connect these sustainable and innovative programmes and transform a bold vision for lasting food security into a concrete reality for many in need.

“We believe that, working together with the communities we serve as well as with our government and NGO partners, the fight against hunger is a winnable one”, said WFP Philippines Country Director and Representative Stephen Anderson.

An innovative combination of political will, resources and convergence of efforts and application of appropriate technology is crucial for the Philippines.

“We need a ‘business unusual’ approach in the country –that is, boosting our support to the government’s expanding safety net activities while also implementing programmes aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and nutrition at the household level and promotion of decent employment opportunities to ensure sustainable access to food,” Anderson added.

The theme of this year’s World Food Day - “United Against Hunger” – was chosen to recognise efforts made in the fight against hunger at national, regional and international levels. WFP’s contribution to country-led food security plans builds on this theme through the deployment of an array of innovative tools that vary from country to country. All are focused on harnessing agricultural potential to improve access to the nutritious food that is the building block of life. Examples include:

EGYPT –WFP and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) have been working with the government of Egypt on a nationwide project to fortify wheat flour – the basic ingredient in the staple food, baladi bread – and thereby protect 50 million Egyptians from anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies. The successful implementation of the flour fortification programme resulted in the Government of Egypt's adoption of a new national programme with WFP to fortify subsidized vegetable oil with vitamins A and D, reaching over 60 million Egyptians.

GHANA – WFP’s school meals programme in Ghana now provides midday meals for 150,000 children a day, using food that is grown by Ghanaian farmers. Working with the government and purchasing school meal food locally, WFP is supporting education, increasing the income of local farmers and reducing short-term hunger and malnutrition by providing food fortified with vitamins and minerals.

GUATEMALA – WFP’s innovative Purchase for Progress (P4P) initiative utilises WFP’s purchasing power to help connect farmers to markets and enhance agricultural production. In Guatemala, this meant that 48 women from a farmers’ organisation were empowered to sell directly to WFP, rather than through a middle man, and to dry and clean their maize themselves rather than through a local mill. This enabled the women to achieve a better price for better quality produce.

BANGLADESH – WFP is working closely with the Government of Bangladesh to build community resilience to natural disasters. Climate change adaptation strategies have already resulted in 30,000 homesteads being raised above flood levels, and 1.6 million women being trained in disaster preparedness. This partnership has spanned 30 years, during which time 26,000 km of raised rural roads have been built keeping millions of people linked with markets during floods, and 17,000 km of river and coastal embankments constructed/rehabilitated, protecting agricultural land from salt water intrusion, siltation and erosion.

PHILIPPINES – WFP, through the EU-funded Food Facility, is working closely with the Government of the Philippines in implementing Food for Asset (FFA) programmes in the conflict-affected areas of Central Mindanao. Under the FFA programme, food assistance is provided through community-managed livelihood activities focused on early recovery in the internally displaced persons (IDPs) return areas. Such livelihood support activities—rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, farmer field schools training, reconstruction of irrigation canals and the like—encourage communities to be progressively self-sufficient whilst rehabilitating important communal assets and developing relevant livelihood skills.

In the Philippines, WFP is celebrating World Food Day on Sunday, 17 October, in coordination with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and government agencies in Lanao del Sur where the community and the local government has targeted to plant a total of two (2) million fruit trees all over the province as a sign of their unity to fight against hunger and establish food security in the region.

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Leaders and Prominent Personalities Hail President Noynoy Aquino for Pro-Choice Stance on Family Planning

In a letter to President Benigno Aquino III entitled “We Firmly Support PNOY,” former President Fidel Ramos and former Prime Minister Cesar Virata lead some of the most respected and admired men and women of the country in expressing their deep admiration and support for PNOY in taking a firm pro-choice position on family planning and responsible parenthood.

The group emphasized that the State obligation to provide reproductive health services and information must be fulfilled based on the government’s commitment to international human rights agreements. However, the group also said that, “While people are debating whether family planning is moral or immoral and whether government funding for contraceptives is right or wrong, the issue of maternal and infant deaths resulting from untimely and unwanted pregnancies is being left out.”

The letter also said “Each day that the debates continue, 11 mothers die, leaving behind some 30 children motherless, and putting the lives of their newborn infants at risk as well.”

Signatories of the letter also include Washington Z. Sycip, Mercedes B. Concepcion, Oscar M. Lopez, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Dante B. Canlas, Menardo R. Jimenez, Ma. Yolanda V. Ong, Leticia Ramos Shahani, Carmelita Villanueva, Perter L. Wallace, Benjamin D. De Leon, Alberto G. Romualdez, Jr., Corazon M. Raymundo, Eden R. Divinagracia, Cecilia Oreña Drilon, Felipe M. Medalla, Ernesto M. Pernia, Jaime Z. Galvez-Tan, Cyndy Tan-Jarabata, Tomas M. Osias, Jose Miguel R. De La Rosa, Margarito M. Teves and Elizabeth Eder Zobel.

The group also makes up the Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum), an NGO established in 2004 and driven by the membership’s advocacy for a population and development policy that puts reproductive health rights as a key element in development thereby ensuring improved health and quality of lives among Filipinos, a more stable economy and a sustainable natural environment for generations to come.

Here is the letter of the supporters of President Aquino:

WE FIRMLY SUPPORT P-NOY

October 11, 2010

H.E. Benigno Simeon Aquino III
President of the Philippines
Malacañang, Manila

Dear Mr. President,

In 1994, the Philippines joined 178 other nations in Cairo, Egypt for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The conference put the individual’s rights and needs at the center of its 20-year Programme of Action rather than achieving demographic targets. Nations also agreed that population and sustainable development are inextricably linked and committed to save the lives of women who die unnecessarily during pregnancy and childbirth. It advocated to make family planning universally available by 2015.

Again, at the Millennium Summit in 2000, the Philippines was one of the 189 countries that adopted the Millennium Development Goals, which calls for the reduction of maternal mortality and universal access to reproductive health by 2015.

With just five years to 2015 it is unfortunate that we continue to debate on the reproductive health issue. It is unfortunate that attempts to enact a law that could accelerate the country’s efforts to reduce maternal deaths and provide Filipino women and their families a better opportunity to improve their lives remains a dream.

While people are debating whether family planning is moral or immoral and whether government funding for contraceptives is right or wrong, the issue of maternal and infant deaths resulting from untimely and unwanted pregnancies is being left out.

Each day that the debates continues, 11 mothers die, leaving behind some 30 children motherless everyday, and putting the lives of their newborn infants at risk as well.

They have spoken in surveys borne out by the prestigious Social Weather Stations and the Pulse Asia. They want a law that would institute a family planning program providing couples information, services and commodities as well as a budget that would help them plan the size of their family and the spacing of their children.

They have spoken during the elections. Despite the Roman Catholic Church’s aggressive campaign against pro-RH candidates, the Filipino people – most of whom are Catholics – elected these candidates, including a President who has expressed his pro-choice stance on family planning.

It is about time that we heed the voice of the people. The reproductive health issue is not just about sex and contraceptives. More than anything, it is about saving the lives of mothers; mothers who make up the very fabric of society; the women who bore us. Saving lives should be a concern not only of lay people, but more so of the people who preach about the value of life.

We are for the quality of our population which heretofore our country will be most proud of.

Mr. President, we are one with you in your unequivocal support for families who want information and services on family planning and responsible parenthood. Likewise, we agree that neither the state nor religion should dictate the kind of family planning method once couples or individuals have decided to plan their families based on proper information.

Signed:

Eminent Persons
Fidel V. Ramos
Cesar EA Virata
Washington Z. Sycip
Mercedes B. Concepcion
Oscar M. Lopez
Loida Nicolas Lewis



Advisers


Dante B. Canlas
Menardo R. Jimenez
Ma. Yolanda V. Ong
Leticia Ramos Shahani
Carmelita Villanueva
Perter L. Wallace


Trustees


Benjamin D. De leon
Alberto G. Romualdez, jr.
Corazon M. Raymundo,
Eden R. Divinagracia
Cecilia Oreña Drilon
Felipe M. Medalla
Ernesto M. Pernia
Jaime Z. Galvez-Tan
Cyndy Tan-Jarabata
Tomas M. Osias,
Jose Miguel R. De La Rosa
Margarito M. Teves
Elizabeth Eder Zobel

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UN World Food Programme Assists 250,000 Food-Insecure Persons Monthly in Conflict-Affected Central Mindanao

Contrary to some recent media reports that incorrectly quote the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as stating that 250,000 displaced persons are “starving” in Mindanao, WFP would like to clarify the situation as follows:

WFP, in close partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other government departments, is currently providing food assistance, through community-managed livelihood activities, on a monthly basis to 250,000 food-insecure persons in conflict-affected areas of Central Mindanao. These communities were previously displaced due to the upsurge in conflict in August 2008. Starvation is an extreme form of hunger and the prevailing situation in Mindanao, while requiring ongoing support to strengthen resilience, cannot be categorized as “starvation”. Food-insecure people are those who do not have sustainable access to food due to socio-economic reasons as well as shocks such as conflict and natural disasters.

WFP’s current programme of assistance in Central Mindanao is based on a Food Security Assessment that was carried out in January 2010, which highlighted food security constraints among internally displaced persons (IDPs) returning to their places of origin. In line with government priorities, the main focus of WFP assistance is on “early recovery” activities in the IDP return areas.

Based on the recently-released 2010 Global Hunger Index, produced by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the Philippines as a whole, ranks 34th out of 84 countries analyzed, with the 84th country having the worst hunger index. The Philippines has been classified as having a “serious” hunger index, as opposed to other countries in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa classified with “alarming” and “extremely alarming” hunger indices.

The Government of the Philippines is consolidating and expanding social safety net programmes aimed at enhancing resilience of the most vulnerable throughout the country, including in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. WFP supports these efforts.

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Consensus Bill on Population: Isang sesyon mula at para sa Pinoy!

Kung usaping programang pampopulasyon ang pag-uusapan, ilang dekada na ang nakalilipas mula nang huli itong marebyu at napagtuunan ng pansin. Sa ilalim ng iba’t-ibang administrasyon, malinaw ang pagpapahalagang itinutuon ng kung sino mang nasa posisyon sa sandaling makita ang mga programang pampopulasyon na nailatag sa naturang panahon.

Ang grupo ng Mulat Pinoy ay binuo upang iulat ang mga impormasyon ukol sa iba’t ibang isyung ating kinakaharap lalo na sa usaping populasyon at pagbabago. Nais din ng grupo na bigyan ng kapangyarihan sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon at makabuluhang talakayan ang mga Pinoy sa tulong na rin ng Internet. Naglalayon itong malaman at ipaalam ang sasabihin ng mga kandidato sa bawat isyung kinakaharap ng bansa, lalong higit sa usaping Population and Development (PopDev). Kabilang dito ang mga Kapihan Sessions kung saan ang mga eksperto sa usaping PopDev, maging mga personalidad sa larangan ng media, ay inaanyayahan upang ibahagi ang mga kaalaman, karanasan, at repleksyon sa pagkakabit ng usaping ito sa iba’t ibang perspektibo. Sa darating na Oktubre 9, 2010, isang sesyon ang itinalaga sa upang sagutin ang mga katanungan sa nakaambang paglatag ng Consensus Bill on Population na pangungunahan nila dating senador Vicente Paterno, na siyang pinuno ng Joint Steering Committee ng CBP, kasama si David Balangue ng Makati Business Club (MBC).

Sinasabi na ang populasyon ang siyang tinitingnang pangunahing elemento kung saan nakaugnay ang iba pang mga sistema tulad ng edukasyon, pangangalakal, ekonomiya, kalusugan at iba pang mga sektor.

Sa bansang tulad ng Pilipinas, ang populasyon ay isa sa mga maiinit na isyu, katulad ng mga panguhanahing pangangailangan, pagkain, pabahay, edukasyon na hindi pantay-pantay na natatamasa ng isang karaniwang pinoy. Ang iba pang panlipunang kalagayan tulad ng kahirapan, kagutuman, usaping gender, at pangangalaga ng kalikasan ay nakaangkla sa paglaki ng populasyon sa isang bansa.

Ang Kapihan Session sa pamumuno ng Mulat Pinoy at sa pakikipagtulungan ng Probe Media Foundation, Inc. (PMFI) at ng Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD) ay gaganapin sa ika-9 ng Oktubre, 2010 sa ganap na ika-3:30 hanggang ika-6 ng hapon sa Annabel’s Restaurant, Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, bisitahin lamang ang Mulat Pinoy website (www.mulatpinoy.ph) o ang Facebook, Multiply at iba pang social media network accounts nito.

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Philippine Flag not properly positioned during the 2ND US-ASEAN Leaders Meeting

While everyone is reading the updates on the Joint Statement of the 2ND US-ASEAN Leaders Meeting in New York last September 24, 2010, I can’t help myself to notice that the Philippine Flag behind President Noynoy Aquino was not properly positioned. The red is on top instead of blue; on this manner the position of the flag connotes war or diplomatic protest. The Philippine flag is one of the rare flags among nations that can be reverse the position of the two color (blue and red) depending on the situation of the country. The Red on top shows that the country is on war or diplomatic protest, while Blue on top shows that country is at peace or secured state.

Country’s symbols like the flag is very important for us like how most of the Filipinos especially the historic commission reacts on the way the National Anthem should be sung. I don’t know who should be blamed on the mistake, did they ever noticed? Maybe next time let’s be more cautious and observant on how things are executed aside from the clothes that our leaders are wearing.

Update (8PM September 26, 2010)

In Manolo Quezon III twitter post he posted the side of US Embassy regarding the said mistake. Quoting him:

"Rebecca Thompson, US Embassy, on inverted RP flag in US-ASEAN confab: "This was an honest mistake. The U.S. treasures its close relationship and close partnership with the Philippines which were demonstrated tis past week during President Aquino's trip to the U.S., with the signing of the MCC Compact, the US-ASEAN meeting, and the meeting of our two Presidents that followed it."

Source: (http://twitter.com/mlq3/status/25580555447) - Direct link: http://www.twitlonger.com/show/81fffc493ecac411bb7a725c0da7f3e5.

Image from http://www.gov.ph

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