Joseph Erap Estrada back in Malacanang today

On January 20, 2001, Joseph Erap Estrada left his post as the 13th President of the Philippines. This is after the Armed Forces leadership withdrew its support from him, as well as the National Police support.

Four days earlier which is Jan. 16, huge crowd of Filipinos started converging at the EDSA Shrine when the allies of Erap at the Senate voted not to open a controversial envelope allegedly containing information on his alleged illegal wealth.

After almost nine years, Erap is back in Malacanang today but not as a president. Instead, the former president was invited by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to attend the National Security Council (NSC) meeting.

This will focus on the national security situation, measures to address private armed groups and loose firearms, and to discuss peace and order issues for the upcoming automated elections this coming May 2010.

Among also invited were Vice-President Noli De Castro, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, and former president Fidel Ramos but cannot come according to his spokesman Ed Malay.

"I would say that I am glad I was invited to give few of my advice to help solve some of our pressing problems especially regarding peace and order," as Erap told reporters in an ambush interview before the meeting.

Estrada said many memories have flashed back in his mind but he was not so excited about his visit.

When asked if he felt he would be back in Malacañang this year as the new president, he replied: "That’s destiny."

Meanwhile, Erap is running again for president under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino party, with Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay as his vice presidential candidate.

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Jesus Leonardo: A former Taxi driver who converts OTB Trash to Cash

You may not know Jesus Leonardo from New York, but he is the former taxi driver who converts OTB trash to cash.

As reported at CBS News recently, he is making a living by picking up discarded betting slips at racetracks, hoping to find winning tickets.

It all started in 1999 when Leonardo mistakenly threw away a winning ticket. He panicked but OTB let him take home the garbage to find it. He didn't find his ticket, but he found two others worth $2,000.

Then he figured out that he was on to something easier and better than driving a cab. He sees opportunity in each pile of garbage with hundreds of discarded betting slips.

Now, he earns from $1 to $300 each day but he admits it is a tedious work and long hours. A few times a year, he hits a jackpot.

"The most was $12,000 ... $9,000, $8,000," Leonardo said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for OTB said that stooping is against OTB policy. He also said that Leonardo is not technically a stooper because he doesn't pick the tickets off the floor, but collects the garbage each night from OTB offices.

Jesus Leonardo has a unique way of making money for New York City standards. But he said everyone is capable of converting trash to cash.

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Philippine Election 2010 Period Rules to start on January 10

Tomorrow is Sunday, January 10, 2010 which will be start of the Philippine Election 2010 period, and will end on June 9,2010.

This period contains a 120-day activities which include the actual campaign period, which runs from Feb. 9 to May 8 for national candidates, and from March 26 to May 8 for local candidates.

With that, below are some of the election period rules that we should know and follow.

Comelec commissioner Rene Sarmiento reminded that nationwide gun ban will be strictly implemented. The gun ban applies to all except for government security forces.

Resolution 1814 issued by the poll body bans candidates and private individuals from carrying firearms and hiring bodyguards during the election period.

Aside from the regular firearms and deadly weapons, air guns and replications, as well as bladed instruments, hand grenades, and other explosives also covered by the ban are except for fireworks.

As an election offense, violating the gun ban entails a punishment of six months to one year imprisonment.

In addition, Sarmiento said that the transfer of officers and employees of the civil service will also be prohibited during the election period.

Appointment or hiring new employees from March 26 to May 10, nor to create and fill in any new position will also not be allowed in the national and local government offices.

If there is an urgent need to fill a position, the government agency must inform the Comelec.

In the future, there will be more updates about the election period that all of us should know and follow. If you feel that there are those who are not following these rules, I strongly suggest that you immediately report them to the proper authorities.

But more importantly, you should know how to vote wisely.

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If you want to receive my future posts regularly for FREE,you can subscribe in a reader or by Email. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to Contact Me anytime.

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2010 Black Nazarene Feast: Procession Route and Traffic Scheme

Tomorrow Saturday January 9, 2010 is the 403rd Black Nazarene feast, and Filipino Catholics are known to join the celebration by going to Quiapo Church, Manila.

Every year, millions of Black Nazarene devotees usually barefooted and maroon-clad gather together and shouting Viva Señor! (Long live the King!), while waving white towels high in the air. They also believe that touching the image or pulling its carriage will bring miracles to them.

This year, Metro Manila police and the city government of Manila joined forces to make the procession smooth and peaceful.

Below is the Black Nazarene feast procession route and traffic scheme released by the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Manila Police District (MPD), which was published at Manila Bulletin.

Procession Route

From Quirino Grandstand going to Katigbak Drive thru P. Burgos
straight to McArthur Bridge
turn right at Palanca
turn left at Estero Cegado
turn right at Carriedo
turn left at Evangelista
turn right at Raon
turn right at Quezon Blvd. thru under Quezon Bridge
turn left at Palanca
turn left at Globo de Oro
turn left at Gunao
turn right at Arlegui
turn left at Nepomuceno
turn left at Aguila
turn right at Carcer
turn right at Hidalgo thru Plaza del Carmen
turn left at B. Viejo thru G. Puyat
turn left at Guzman
turn right at Hidalgo
turn left at Barbosa
turn right at Globo de Oro St. thru under Quezon Bridge
turn right at Palanca
turn right at Villalobos thru Plaza Miranda going to Quiapo Church.

Traffic Scheme

The southbound of Quezon Blvd. from Andalucia, Fugoso to Plaza Miranda and the stretch of Lerma from P. Campa to Quezon Blvd. will be closed to traffic to all types of vehicles from 5 a.m. onwards.

The rerouting plan directs all vehicles from Quezon City using España to turn right to P. Campa, left to Andalucia, right to Fugoso, and then left to Mapua.

All public utility jeepneys and light vehicles coming from España bound for the Port Area will be advised to turn left at Nicanor Reyes, right to Rector, straight to JAS, left to Reina Regente, take Jones Bridge, and right to Magallanes Drive.

Vehicles from northern Manila intending to use the southbound stretch of Bonifacio Drive must turn right to Roberto Oca St., left to Delgado, left to Bonifacio Drive or turn right to A. Soriano, to Magallanes Drive, right to P. Burgos, straight to Lagusnilad and to Taft Ave.

All vehicles coming from southern Manila intending to use the northbound stretch of Roxas Blvd. from P. Ocampo to P. Burgos are to turn right at T.M. Kalaw and left to Taft Ave.

Those using northbound stretch of Taft Ave. are to turn right at A. Villegas and right to Quezon Bridge.

Motorists intending to proceed to northern and southern Manila are advised to use the stretch of Lacson to Nagtahan and vice-versa or utilize the stretch of Road 10 to Roxas Blvd.

Buses coming from southern Manila using Taft Avenue will be denied entry from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and they may only go as far as President Quirino and Remedios Street.

You can also view the The Black Nazarene Procession Route 2010 prepared by Habagat Central

Peace and order

Advanced monitoring technologies like Global Positioning System (GPS) and closed-circuit television (CCTV) which was used last year will again be in place.

Manila Police District head Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay said 1,500 uniformed police personnel, including reinforcements from other Metro Manila police units, are in place at the Quiapo and Quirino Grandstand areas.

Medical teams from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Manila City Hall, as well as volunteer organizations, will be on standby at the Plaza Miranda for assistance. Ambulances and firetrucks will also be positioned in strategic areas along the procession route

Activities

On that day of the procession, a Holy Hour and Pananalita will be observed at 3 a.m., followed by a concelebrated Mass at 6 a.m. to be officiated by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.

The procession from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church will follow immediately after, which is expected to last for 12 hours with an estimation of more than three million devotees to attend the feast procession.

Meanwhile, EcoWaste Coalition president Manny Calonzo and a pollution watchdog, expressed hopes that devotees will be more sensible by keeping the streets litter-free this time.

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Bob Arum: Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is finally off

As reported by Ronnie Natanielsz in BoxingScene.com, the super fight Pacquiao-Mayweather Fight is finally off.

The most anticipated richest fight in boxing history which was previously planned top happen on March 13, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas will not push through.

This is after no deal was settled during the two-day talk with retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein in San Diego, California.

It was learned that Golden Boy Promotions, which is the camp of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. rejected the offer of reigning pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao side that the random blood tests be done 24 days before the fight, in which the previous demand is 30 days.

It must be remembered that the Mayweather camp is insisting a Olympic-style, random testing supervised by the US Anti-Doping Agency should be done. On the other hand, the Pacquiao group wants to do blood and urine testing under a particular period of time and to be handled by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Nevertheless, Manny Pacquiao may still fight in March but with Yuri Foreman who is the current World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion. If Pacquiao shall win, it will be his 8th world boxing title.

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Delivery boy wins P111 million Super Lotto

A lucky delivery boy from Parañaque City wins P111 million in the Super Lotto last December 29, 2009, which is a project of PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office).

To be exact, the 37-year old delivery boy who is a husband with three children won P111,242,358 (nearly $2.43 million) and he claimed his prize last Monday afternoon. His identity was not revealed for security reasons though.

The winning combination was 15-27-17-37-18-11. Among the winning numbers were the winner’s house number, birth date of his girlfriend, and his favorite number, 37.

According to PCSO spokesman Larry Cedro, the lucky winner bought the ticket at the Randy Alejandro Franco outlet in Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque City.

"He plans to donate P1 million to charity. All the rest, he said he will deposit to a bank," said Cedro. "He did not say, however, whether he will quit his job or not. He has no immediate plans about it."

Incidentally, he is the 5th player to win over P100 million since January last year, and 169th winner of the Super lotto game since it was launched in 2000.

Aside from the solo jackpot winner, 78 other players picked the 5-digit combination, while 14,193 won the 4-digit combination.

Well, what can I say other than Congratulations!

I just wish he will make the most of his money and spend it wisely.

Related post:
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Jessica Cox: First and Only Armless Certified Pilot in US is half Filipino

As I watched TV this morning, I saw Jessica Cox being interviewed at GMA7 Unang Hirit and she is now here in the Philippines.

In case you never heard of her, Jessica Cox is the first and only armless certified pilot in US and she is half Filipino.

Jessica, who was born without arms is the daughter of William and Ines but they never saw their child as a victim. Instead, Jessica was allowed to live like any normal child, and grew up with a lot of encouragement and support.

Below is a piece of her story and some of her videos that show her talents. I really encourage you to watch all of them and be inspired.

During her childhood, she learned how to write and feed herself using her feet. She participated in various sports activities which includes swimming, gymnastics, and tap dancing. Jessica started Tae kwon-do when she was 10, and earned her first black belt at 14 in the International Tae Kwon-Do Federation.

When Jessica learned how to drive for the first time drive, she was encouraged to use special modifications but she decided to remove them. Nevertheless, she holds an unrestricted driver’s license.

Amazingly, Jessica can also type out her papers with a regular computer keyboard on the floor with 25 words per minute.

As a beautiful and young lady, she can also put in contact lens, washing and brushing her hair, and fixing breakfast in the morning all by herself.

"Just as everyone uses their hands, I use my feet instead," Jessica explained.

Just three years ago, the 25-year old Psychology graduate from the University of Arizona had never been in a small airplane. She did not even imagined that one day she will be a pilot.

But in August 2005, Col. Robin Stoddard, who is the Executive Director and founder of Wright Flight Inc., which is a non-profit organization in Tucson approached Jessica after her speaking engagement at a Tucson Rotary Club Luncheon. Jessica was asked "if she ever thought of flying an airplane."

Pilot Jessica Cox on Inside Edition

Jessica Cox Documentary by Melissa Tan





FAA Focus Interview with Jessica Cox

Looking back, Jessica says that flying is her greatest fear in life but now she conquered it.

Truly enough, Jessica Cox is a great inspiration not only to people who have disabilities but to everyone who thinks that it is impossible to reach their dreams.

Being a Filipino, I am really proud of her and I hope her life story will remind us that there is always hope. That we can reach our dreams but only if we act and do our best.

Now, she is sharing her life to the world by being an international motivation speaker.

To know more about her, you can visit her website at http://rightfooted.com

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Top 10 Industries in US that will have the most Jobs in the next decade

While it is true that the world has yet to experience economic slowdown in 2010 according to experts, Bureau of Labor Statistics released the list of Top 10 Industries in US that will have the most jobs in the next decade.

According to the list, health care services or business services among those included that will create new jobs.

With this, it is interesting to know which industry can somehow be helpful to the economy growth. Although the data is for US only, this will have an impact on the world economy.

The summary below shows the percentage increase, the number of jobs created in 2008, and the possible number of jobs to be created until 2018. The top on the list has the highest percentage, while the last one with the lowest.

1.0 Management, scientific, and technical consulting services: 82.8% increase, from 1,009,000 to 1,844,000.

2.0 Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities: 73.8% increase, from 585,000 to 1,016,000.

3.0 Home health care services: 46.1% increase, from 958,000 to 1,399,000.

4.0 Computer systems design and related services: 45.3% increase, from 1,450,000 to 2,107,000.

5.0 Other general merchandise stores: 40.7% increase, from 1,490,000 to 2,097,000.

6.0 Offices of physicians: 34.1% increase, from 2,266,000 to 3,038,000.

7.0 Nursing care facilities: 24.4% increase, from 1,614,000 to 2,007,000.

8.0 Employment services: 19.1% increase, from 3,144,000 to 3,744,000.

9.0 Local government, excluding education and hospitals: 8.4% increase, from 5,819,000 to 6,306,000.

10.0 Full-service restaurants: 7.5% increase, from 4,598,000 to 4,942,000.

Related post:
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2010 Philippine Automated Election Guide now released

The 2010 Philippine Automated Election Guide was now released by Commission on Elections (Comelec), and it came out just before 2009 ended.

We must realize that this will be the first fully automated election here in the Philippines. We must anticipate the confusion that may occur, which will lead to more serious troubles.

In related to that, below is a landscape image illustrating the step-by-step procedure that will guide the voters. This was created by GMANews.tv as their commitment to provide assistance in the upcoming election in May, 2010.

Image from GMANews.tv

As you can see, there will be an instruction that will be given by the Board of Election Inspectors. We must listen carefully since it is about filling up the ballot properly.

In addition, the BEI will allow for another re-entry only once. This means that the ballot can only be rejected once. Otherwise, the voter will not be issued a replacement ballot.

To read the complete election guide and to know the whole activity during the election, I strongly suggest you visit GMANews.tv here.

But more importantly, you should know how to vote wisely.

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If you want to receive my future posts regularly for FREE,you can subscribe in a reader or by Email. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to Contact Me anytime.

Read more...