COMELEC Lists Official Senate Candidates

In an article in Yahoo!, COMELEC lists the official senate candidates as follows:

1.       Ricardo Penson (independent)
2.       Samson Alcantara (Social Justice Society)
3.       Greco Antonious Beda Belgica (Democratic Party of the Philippines)
4.       Baldomero Falcone (Democratic Party of the Philippines)
5.       Christian Señeres(Democratic Party of the Philippines)
6.       Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV
7.       Former Las Pinas City Rep. Cynthia Villar
8.       Former Akbayan Rep. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel
9.       Former Senator Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal
10.   Former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr
11.   Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara
12.   Senator Alan Peter Cayetano
13.   Senator Antonio Trillanes IV
14.   Senator Aquilino Martin Pimentel 3rd
15.   Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay
16.   Margarita “Tin-Tin” Cojuangco,
17.   Former Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon,
18.   Former Senator Ernesto Maceda
19.   Former Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri
20.   San Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito
21.   Zambales Rep. Maria Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay
22.   Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr.
23.   Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan,
24.   Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares
25.   Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero
26.   Senator Loren Legarda
27.   John Carlos De Los Reyes
28.   Marwil Llasos
29.   Rizalito David
30.   Former Philippine Constabulary chief Ramon Montaño
31.   Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn
32.   Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño

Read more about these Senatorial candidates here.

A word of advice from me, let’s choose carefully. Besides, don’t you find it disconcerting to have siblings, father and son, father and daughter, mother and son, mother and daughter, husband and wife, etc. in Senate, or even in Congress? I do.

Let’s not make our Houses a family affair.

Related post:

My Automated Election Experience

Maybank Credit Cards: Enjoy Life Just Like That!

Make Someone Happy Today. Spread the Good Vibes. Just Like That.

Maybank, a full-service bank, is expanding its offerings by launching their credit card service. To give their clients their deserved financial flexibility, Maybank’s credit cards promise to be more than just a plastic money.  Rather, these credit cards offer a whole experience of positivity, togetherness and adventure.

The Maybank Credit Card EzyPlans

While Maybank is only about to enter the Philippine credit card market, there are already 2.2 million (and counting!) Maybank credit card holders in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Each credit card experience is tailored to fit each region, partnering with local merchants and services to bring the best-value propositions to cardholders.

Expect regional treats and perks in the months to come from the Maybank credit cards. Check out their website,  http://www.maybank2u.com.ph/

Last week, Maybank had a grand launch at Marriott Hotel Manila at the Newport City. The launch was well attended by bank officials, country managers of both Visa and Mastercard, and the banks valued clients.  

The launch ended with a toast led by Mr. Jun Famatigan (PCEO of Maybank), Ms Eden Estrella (Head of Cards, Maybank), Mr. Poch Villareal (Country Manager, Mastercard), and Ms. Pia Arellano (Director for Business Development, Visa)

The Philippines is on Sale: 23rd Philippine Travel Mart

The upcoming 23rd Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) this coming August 10 to 12 at the SMX convention Center, Pasay City, will showcase the Sale ng Bayan. The Philippines on Sale, is the tagline.

The event will be featuring heritage and eco-adventure tours from all over the Philippines, bringing in new tour products into the market every year.

Organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), in cooperation with the Department of Tourism, this annual event will have almost 250 exhibitors presenting their tour products through colorful pavilions and booths. The Sale ng Bayan will also launch “Philippine Island Fun Caravan Getaways”—joint group tours that cover various locations from all over the Philippines. These 4-day to 8-day tours pool local, balikbayan, and foreign tourists together to avail of special packages that would have otherwise cost a lot of money if done individually. Featured tours include the Batanes-Cagayan Northern-scape, Cordilleras Cultural Weekend Warrior Caravan, Central Visayas Backdoor tour, and the Tuna-T’Boli trail, among others.

“It has always been our goal to outdo ourselves every year,” says PHILTOA President Cesar Cruz, who is also the chairman of the upcoming PTM. “Innovation is key. We’ve been working closely with tour operators and government agencies alike to offer newer, better products yearly.”

Like most trade shows, the PTM will still feature classic destinations such as Bohol, Boracay, Cebu and Palawan. Also not to be missed are the individual tour packages that have anywhere from 70 to 80% discounted prices, such as “Kulinarya” (Binondo food trip for as low as P648), “Health and Wellness” (Tagaytay Wellness trip for as low as P2900), “Festivals” (Panagbenga trip for as low as P5500), and many more. Aside from the endless array of tour products in the country’s biggest gathering of tour operators, the PTM will also provide informative seminars for students dubbed as Byahe-info. Also scheduled is an Eco Chorale Competition, a Folk Dance Competition, and even a Tourism Quiz Bee—ensuring educational activities for everyone in attendance.

It’s more fun in the Philippines!

Yehey’s First Infographic: Fun Facts for the Philippines

Philippine Holidays and Long Weekends for 2010

January 1 (Fri) – New Year’s Day (five-day long weekend from December 30 to January 3)

February 22 (Mon) – EDSA Revolution Anniversary

April 1 (Thu) – Holy ThursdayApril 2 (Fri) – Good Friday (four-day long weekend from April 1 to 4)

April 9 (Fri) – Araw ng Kagitingan (three-day long weekend from April 9 to 11)

May 1 (Sat) – Labor Day

June 14 (Mon) – Independence Day (three-day long weekend from June 12 to 14)

August 23 (Mon) – Ninoy Aquino Day (three-day long weekend from August 21 to 23)

August 30 (Mon) – National Heroes Day (three-day long weekend from August 28 to 30)

September – Eid’l Fitr (to be announced, calculated September 10, possible three-day long weekend from September 10 to 12)

November 1 (Mon) – All Saints Day (three-day long weekend from October 30 to November 1)

November – Eid ‘l Adha (to be announced, calculated November 16)

November 29 (Mon) – Bonifacio Day (three-day long weekend from November 27 to 29)

December 24 (Fri) – Non-Working HolidayDecember 25 (Sat) – Christmas

December 27 (Mon) – Rizal Day (four-day long weekend from December 24 to 27)

December 31 (Fri) – Non-Working Holiday

January 1 – (Sat) New Year’s Day (three-day long weekend from December 31 to January 2)

[Source]

On to 2010 Philippine Elections

The 2010 Philippine election won’t be like the previous elections. For one, it is going to be automated. So the preparations are steeped with controversy every step along the way. We all heard about what happened in the registration. It was all messed up. New voters lined up as early as 4am only to take Step 1 of the registration process at 8 in the evening.

This caught the ire of many, and one newspaper columnist, Andy Bautista, even offered his observation that we are so focused on preventing a failure of election, but never on a failure of registration. True!

So are we ready?

I posted a quick guide to the automated elections. But do we know the new ballot? Today, let me share it with you.

Images courtesy of Blog Watch hosted by Philippine Online Chronicles via Jane.

It’s going to be like taking a test. You bring a pencil and shade your choice of answer. The quick guide link I shared above is very helpful in figuring out this new ballot.

We don’t need to bring a list. All we have to bring is the patience to read through the page and find our candidates.

Marriott Hotel Manila Opens in Newport City, Pasay City

Marriott Hotel Manila opens with two good deals.

First, their standard room is only $150++ a night. Guests who opt to spend a night or two at Marriott Hotel Manila will wake up to the majestic view of the adjoining 18-hole Villamor Golf Course.

Second, its Marriott Cafe is offering a 50% off on their lunch and dinner buffet (only PhP675.00 net for adults and PhP337.5 for children below 12). This promo is good until November 30, 2009. Marriott Cafe is open from Monday to Sunday.

With the brand of customer service that Marriott is known for, these deals and more are definitely worth checking out!

More photos of the hotel HERE.

Getting there:
Manila Marriott Hotel is at the new spunking Newport City in Pasay City. It’s in front of the Ninoy International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA T3).

The hotels is accessible by cab or bus going to NAIA 3. Route taken may be through Tramo Street, Pasay City or through Villamor Airbase.

Contact Details:
Phone:  63 2 9889999
Fax:  63 2 8369998
Sales:  63 2 9889999 ext. 8014

A Quick Guide to the Automated Elections

The Liberal Party Rigodon

The biggest news to hit local politics yesterday is the announcement of Mar Roxas to support Noynoy Aquino for president in 2010.

Supporters of the move say that Roxas is doing the greater sacrifice. After all, Roxas is putting country first before personal interest.  How noble sounding!

To me as an audience of this latest rigodon, it’s not about personal interest, but personal interests. I’m seeing principles being set aside to give way to popularity.

And that sealed the deal for me. For the 2010 elections, my eyes are now focused on the Nacionalista Party.

The photo is grabbed from HERE.

Rice-Grain Drying on the Streets

Perhaps, you see this only in the Philippines. Rice grains are being dried on the side streets after being harvested. After drying, these rice grains are ready to be ground, packed and sold!