Philippine Banks Face Future from Position of Strength

A very interesting article you shouldn't miss - especially, if you are living in the Philippines:

Philippine banks face future from position of strength

CCTVs in Churches

Repost from the Editorial of MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR from November 16, 2012.

Times are a-changing. Even churches are asked to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in their premises.

Not only business establishments are required to have their premises fitted with those gadgets that are supposed to monitor illegal activities within the area of a guarded enclosure or area.

How many unsuspecting people have been victimized by unscrupulous individuals preying on the pious inside churches. It's a given that ladies especially those going to churches should keep their wits about them and their bags closer to heir bodies.

Even if the bag doesn't contain any valuables, to lose one's identification cards is a hassle and takes quite a while to reconstruct. A churchgoer  has encountered many such ladies who don't care, anyway the bag doesn't contain any valuable possessions.

We wonder if the Archdioceses of Davao has required its churches to install CCTVs in their premises.

...

Times are hard. It's a struggle to survive. Don't leave valuables in full view of anyone with less than pious intentions inside the church.

Forewarned is forewarned.

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And: what's your favourite regarding "Most beautiful Actresses in the Philippines?

CLASSIC ACTORS AND ACTRESSES OF PHILIPPINE CINEMA

Water For Life

Davao City Water District's Tibungco Water Supply System serving residents in Tibungco Relocation Phase 2 was blessed and inaugurated last October 25, 2012. The newest water system was funded by the Water for Life foundation of the Vitens-Evides International, a water utility in The Netherlands, which donated 5.4 million Pesos in 2010 or the establishment of said facility and financing of new service connections..

Father Boy Roland T. Ong blessed the facility. Present during the event were Vice-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, third district Congresswoman Mylene Garcia - Albano, acting head of city Building Office engr. Jaime G. Adalin representing Mayor Sara Duterte, and many others.

The Water for life foundation, Davao City Water District and the Local Government of Davao City that jointly undertook this project was thanked by homeowners president Celso Cabansag in behalf of all residents.

A New Beginning - The Edge Radio Davao 104.3 FM

The Catholic Church in The Philippines and the Concept of Christmas

Here is an interesting post of a Dutch expat living in the Philippines for good:

http://www.expatinthephilippines.com

DO YOU LOVE FILIPINO POP MUSIC? Filipino Pop Chart - February 2012 (Top 20 Philippine Songs)

Compact For Peace Formed

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have forged an agreement to mutually cooperate in addressing local peace and security issues in Southern Philippines.

Lawyer Anwar Malang, ARMM chief of staff and currently Interior and Local Governments Secretary, met with Lawyer Randolp Parcasio, legal adviser of Nur Misuari, chair of a faction of the MNLF, in a Makati hotel last Friday.

The MNLF move came as a total turn around from Misuari's earlier provocative statements undermining the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro signed by the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

ARMM is composed of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi areas covered by the September 2, 1996 GOH-MNLF peace agreement.

Parcasio and Malang signed the ARMM-MNLF Peace and Development Compact.

Under the Compact, the group of Misuari is encouraged to cooperate with the ARMM leadership in addressing peace and order problems that have been causing poverty and underdevelopment in Muslim region. 

Misuari had been publicly rejecting the Framework Agreement calling it a product of conspiracy between the Malaysian government, Aquino government and the MILF.

Under the Compact, both the MNLF and ARMM leadership will cooperate "to protect life, liberty and poverty of all the people of ARMM. Both the ARMM and the MNLF also vowed to jointly resolve family feud and clan wars in the autonomous region. (PNA)

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FDA gets more aggressive vs 'tainted' noodles, tests other brands

Love to eat noodles? Check out this:

FDA gets more aggressive vs 'tainted' noodles, tests other brands

Peace Be With Us!

Repost of my column in MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR (IN MY OPINION) from Friday, October 19, 2012 with friendly permission of publisher Marietta F. Siongco.

Peace means "calm". Peace means "freedom from war, disturbance or hostilities". Peace means "being free from tumults".

All of us, individuals, groups or nations, as well as societies, have to survive in a life full of uncertain, dangerous and unsure elements. Nobody and on politics on earth, where ever we are living can guarantee a total safety on this existential level. Nevertheless, it's a fundamental task and duty to state politics to flag danger and unsureness in humans living together. The modern state is therefore responsible for inner safety thru a functional legislation and police, for social safety thru organization and formulations of law. External safety by means of military and bilateral diplomacy is imperative. External safety means the threat of national territory and peace-and-order coming from other states.

International relations developed within the last centuries. Safety politics become more and more part of national politics.

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Globalization has enormously changed national and international safety politics. During the Cold War, the number of conscientious objectors increased dramatically. After the Cold War, state symbols and ceremonies lost their military character. The Europeans are still living now in a so-called "post-heroism" in which the doctrine "to kill other people because of defense through military actions" fades more and more.

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Talking about peace: One historical example is this: Chief peace negotiators of the Philippine government and the MILF on Monday (October 15, 2012) signed the framework agreement which lays down the groundwork or the final and enduring peace in Mindanao. "In full view of the Filipino people ... we commit to peace. A peace that will be sustained to democratic ideals," President Aquino said.

When I stepped on Mindanao soil for the first time in 1976, I experienced a lot of fearing adventures. I came back in 1982. Then 1983.

I hope and pray, that Mindanao is now free from disturbances and tumults. I stay here for good. I love to live in Mindanao, especially in Davao City. Peace be with us all!