FULL TRANSCRIPT OF SONA 2011 – State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III
[Delivered at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City on July 25, 2011]
Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III, SONA | CommentsSenate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Bise Presidente Jejomar Binay; mga dating Pangulong Fidel Valdez Ramos at Joseph Ejercito Estrada; Chief Justice Renato Corona at ang ating mga kagalang-galang na mahistrado ng Korte Suprema; mga kagalang-galang na kasapi ng diplomatic corps; mga butihing miyembro ng Kamara de Representante at ng Senado; mga Local Government officials; mga miyembro ng ating Gabinete; mga unipormadong kasapi ng militar at kapulisan; mga kapwa ko nagseserbisyo sa taumbayan;
At sa mga minamahal kong kababayan, ang aking butihing mga boss:
Humarap po ako sa inyo noong aking inagurasyon at sinabing: Walang wang-wang sa ating administrasyon. At ngayon, patuloy nating itinitigil ito. Naging hudyat at sagisag po ito ng pagbabago, hindi lamang sa kalsada, kundi pati na rin sa kaisipan sa lipunan.
Sa matagal na panahon, naging simbolo ng pang-aabuso ang wang-wang. Dati, kung makapag-counterflow ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan, para bang oras lang nila ang mahalaga. Imbes na maglingkod-bayan, para bang sila ang naging hari ng bayan. Kung maka-asta ang kanilang mga padrino’t alipores, akala mo’y kung sinong maharlika kung humawi ng kalsada; walang pakialam sa mga napipilitang tumabi at napag-iiwanan. Ang mga dapat naglilingkod ang siya pang nang-aapi. Ang panlalamang matapos mangakong maglingkod—iyan po ang utak wang-wang.
Wala silang karapatang gawin ito. Ayon sa batas, tanging ang Presidente, Bise Presidente, Senate President, House Speaker, Chief Justice, at pulis, bumbero, at ambulansya lang ang awtorisadong gumamit ng wangwang para sa kanilang mga opisyal na lakad. Kung sa trapiko nga ay di masunod ang batas, paano pa kaya sa mga bagay na mas malaki ang makukuha, tulad ng sa mga proyektong pinopondohan ng kaban ng bayan?
Kayo po ba gusto ninyong makulong ang lahat ng tiwali? Ako rin. Gusto ba ninyong matanggal ang wang-wang, hindi lamang sa kalsada, kundi sa kaisipang nagdulot ng baluktot na sistema na pagkatagal-tagal na nating pinagtiisan? Ako rin. Gusto po ba ninyong mabigyan ng patas na pagkakataon ang lahat na umasenso? Ako rin.
Narito po ang halimbawa ng resulta ng ating kampanya kontra wang-wang sa sistema. Nitong taong ito, taumbayan na mismo ang nagsabi, nabawasan ang nagugutom sa kanila. Mula 20.5% na self-rated hunger noong Marso, bumaba na ito sa 15.1% nitong Hunyo, katumbas ng isang milyong pamilyang Pilipinong nagugutom dati, pero ngayon ay nakakakain na nang tama kada araw.
Sa larangan po ng negosyo, sino ba ang nag-akalang pitong ulit nating malalampasan ang all-time-high ng stock market? Ang dating 4,000 index na inaakalang hindi maaabot, o kung maabot man ay pansamantala lang, ngayon, pangkaraniwan nang hinihigitan.
Yehey’s First Infographic: Fun Facts for the Philippines
Philippine Holidays and Long Weekends for 2010
Holidays, Philippines | CommentsJanuary 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
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.
Current Events, Elections 2010, Philippines, Politics | CommentsRice-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!
Preparing for the Philippine Elections 2010 – Note #2
Demand and Supply by Boo Chanco
The Philippine Star, June 12, 2009Look for managerial expertise
Today, Independence Day, is a good time to think about the qualities of the person we will vote for to be our next president. The recent two part ANC Leadership Forum should have provided clues on what to expect with each of the candidates. Unfortunately, neither of the two episodes got wide exposure. The other problem has to do with the danger of falling in love with the more telegenic and media savvy candidate.
Indeed, that seems to be the problem with the Filipino electorate. It is easy to get the ordinary voter infatuated with a candidate because of personality and other non important attributes. It is easy for the Pinoy voter to get taken by empty promises coming from a candidate with media sex appeal. That’s at the root of our problems.
That’s one reason why both Sen. Loren Legarda and Sen. Chiz Escudero are among the leading contenders even if they are the least qualified. Neither of the two from Danding Cojuangco’s NPC has significant managerial experience. Neither Loren nor Chiz has the track record to assure us they can run the massive bureaucracy called the Philippine government. We should learn from our experience with Gloria Magtatagal Arroyo. As such, all they can offer are promises. Ampaw is a good way to describe Loren and Chiz, which makes them ideal for the vested interests operating the NPC.
Here’s Note #1.
111th Philippine Independence Day
Ate Rulina, our messenger, holding the two Philippine flaglets courtesy of Mercury Drug
The Philippines was under colonial rule for 400 years under the Spaniards, 46 years under the Americans, and 4 years under the Japanese. Because of this, many cultural and social practices had influenced the Filipino people.
It’s the first country in Asia to gain democracy, and 3rd largest English-speaking nation after the U.S. and U.K.
I hope we Filipinos will remember our rich colored past and get inspiration from it to go forward to true prosperity.
Events, Philippines | Comments
