Noynoy, Mar swear in Cesar Montano as LP-Bohol chief

By Kit Bagaipo
Inquirer Visayas

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Philippines -- Actor Cesar Montano was sworn in as chairman of the revived Liberal Party-Bohol, on Saturday, in the presence of Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Manuel "Mar" Roxas II.

Presidential aspirant Aquino and his vice presidential bet, Roxas, were welcomed by supporters here Saturday afternoon, during the mass oath-taking of new members of the LP-Bohol at the JJ's Seafood Village, this city.

Montano has declared his bid for Bohol governor in the 2010 elections.

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The Hakot Evacuees in The Mansion

The Hakot Evacuees in The Mansion, Baguio City

The evacuees, almost all Maranao traders and their families, arrived in PMA buses before President Gloria Arroyo at the mansion. After her visit, they also left in the same PMA buses. The gates are closed. The stories are written. Ayos!

From the Facebook page of Frank Simatu

Photos by Mau Victa

Jim Paredes for Senator

We all know Jim Paredes to be an idealistic person. You'd see him joining political rallies, street protests, and worthy causes. In the 80's, after Ninoy Aquino's death, he's among the first of the few courageous artists to join the Cory movement to restore democracy in the country.

In his blog, he wrote:

The death of Ninoy had a profound effect on me... From small tentative steps APO have taken after Ninoy’s death, we became emboldened artists who took up the cause of ending the dictatorship and promoting democracy in the way we knew best--through songs and humor.

You'd also see him form or join movements with worthy missions. He lead other like-minded artists in forming Artists Revolution with the belief that Filipino artists can do a lot to change the despairing socio-political conditions of the country. He said, Pinoy artists have always displayed courage and made significant contributions to advancing the noble ideals of freedom, justice, and pursuit of truth. Time and again, the Pinoy artists have staked their lives and used their talents to recover our national pride in the seemingly endless periods of darkness and adversity.

Jim even joined EDSA 2, which I didn't support because of my belief that it would weaken the democratic institutions that was put up by Cory Aquino's administration and strengthened by her successors. And when it became apparent that EDSA 2 was a failure, he is again active in advancing the spirit of expressing outrage against evil and corruption as well as inspiring the spirit of vigilance for truth and justice, reform and good governance.

Cory's death has reawakened Jim's idealism. He now vows tohelp get this country back on the road to fulfilling its manifest destiny of greatness.

In his article on Ways to Commemorate Ninoy’s Death Anniversary, he wrote:

I thank God that I have not been called to die for our country since EDSA 1, although there have been moments I think I probably would, should the need arise... It would be the greatest tragedy to let this second shot at national redemption go to waste by not doing what needs to be done. Let us all be part of an awakened citizenry that will transform this nation in the peaceful but determined way that Ninoy and Cory showed us.

It is this writer's ardent hope that Mr. Jim Paredes takes the next step towards his destiny of becoming one of our country's inspiring leaders by running for an elective position in the government. Reading from his tweets and articles he has written, I think he is not keen on taking this step. But maybe he'll be convinced if there are enough people who'd urge him.

Let us put Jim in the Senatorial slate of Noynoy Aquino in the May 2010 elections. We need leaders who are morally upright, intelligent, creative, and fearless to help us in our pursuit of a better society.

Jim Paredes for Senator! What's your take on this?

(Disclaimer: Mr. Jim Paredes doesn't know me personally so he has no knowledge about this effort. I just hope that I could help convince him to run for an elective position as I've been following his political activities since the early 80's)

Aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy

The Day My Country Stood Still (Aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy) from Glenn Omanio on Vimeo.

Two days after typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) tore through the Philippine capital Manila and nearby provinces, the death toll now stands at 140. Almost 500,000 more people need immediate help in evacuation centers -- food, clothing, potable water, medicine, and the gargantuan task to rebuild their lives again. Feel free to share this video to drum up more aid here and abroad, and keep the spirit of "bayanihan" alive.

Credits: Photos by AP, AFP and Reuters | Music by Filipino band Asin, "Masdan Mo (Ang Kapaligiran)" or "Look (Around You)" from its first album released in 1978.

Ondoy's Trail of Fury

by Glenn Omanio

On Sept. 26, the Philippine capital Manila and its neighboring provinces suffered one of nature's worst beating. Typhoon Ondoy, international code name Ketsana, poured more than a month's worth of rain in six hours, submerging most parts of the bustling metropolis, drowning at least a hundred people as of press time. My prayers to the victims, and may we emerge victorious and live by the lessons of this tragedy.

(Photos by Reuters. Music by Ennio Morricone, "Love Theme" from "Cinema Paradiso").

Anti-graft executive resigns to support Noynoy and Mar

By Juan Escandor Jr.
Inquirer Southern Luzon

NAGA CITY, Philippines—With the formal launch of the tandem of Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Manuel “Mar” Roxas II as standard-bearers of the Liberal Party, an executive officer of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) has resigned to support the two’s campaign for the 2010 elections.

Commissioner Jaime Jacob revealed Monday that he resigned from the PAGC so that he could freely support the campaign of the LP candidates for the top positions.

Source: Inquirer.net

The Lord of the Ring

Jim Paredes recently tweets about the analogy of our current political situation with the novel and movie Lord of the Ring:

If we were in LOTR and Noynoy is Frodo, and Mar is Sam, who is Gibo? and who are Aragorn, Smeegol, Sauron? YOur thoughts.

Here's Jim's and followers of his twitter account's take on this:

• Noynoy Aquino is Frodo Baggins, who is set to destroy The Ring to give power back to the people
• Mar Roxas is Sam Gamgee, the ever loyal friend of Frodo (hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Noynoy!)
• The Ring represents Power that corrupts people
• The main antagonist, the Dark Lord Sauron represents greed and corruption
• The current administration is Nazgul. Slaves to the promise of the Ring (power) and Servants of Sauron (corruption)
• The Filipino people represents Aragorn, the reluctant yet real "King" to whom Frodo and Sam will be ultimately loyal
• The Shire is represented by the Aquino sisters, which Noynoy leaves against his will to rid the world of The Ring
• Erap is Gollum (Smeagol), the one who had the ring, was corrupted by it, wants it again OR the one who had the ring and wont let go! Hint: Maliit din siya!
• Elrond is the memory of Ninoy and other Marcos era heroes. Linking us to the past struggles against Sauron
• Someone suggested Jim or APO to be Legolas. Naks! Chavit is Shelob. Elves are the celebrities who support Noynoy

How about you, what's your take on this?