Baler | February 2016

After a busy season at work, I was able to get a 5-day vacation leave. Yey!

I spent 3 days in Baler, Aurora. This trip to Baler had been long overdue. It was first scheduled last October of 2015 but didn't push through due to work conflict then rescheduled to November of 2015 but still a no go due to a family emergency. I, actually, wanted to just forget about it and think that several cancellations were bad omen. Lol!

I'd been googling and reading about it on blogs and travel groups. Baler is known to be a surfing spot in the Philippines. I'm a fan of beaches but not really surfing since I do not know how to swim. Do not expect a white sandy beach cause Baler is not it. Waves were also strong and high. You can see a lot of "tambay" foreigners. Haha!

You have 2 options going to baler, via land and air travel. I chose the first option cause flights to Baler are a bit expensive. There are the usual air conditioned buses with 8-hour travel time and there are coach buses with approximately 6-hour travel time. Coach buses do not have stop-overs so the travel time is shorter but fare costs more. I rode the 2:30AM coach bus, Joybus, from Cubao to Baler. I also utilized http://iwantseats.com.ph/ for Joybus online reservation. You really don't have to reserve a seat specially if it's not surfing season or there's no surf camp. We were only 10 passengers in the bus! Joybus' published travel time is 6 hours but from my experience it was just around 4 hours. It was a comfortable travel. Blanket and snacks were provided.


There are variety of places to stay in Baler, from fan room to air conditioned, inns to hotels. I stayed in Bayler View Hotel. It's a beachfront hotel. The hotel's room was spacious because the room that I booked was good for 4 pax. Remember that this trip was cancelled for several times? That's the only vacant room last February. :( I already paid the down payment for this hotel back in October and it's not refundable so I decided to just stick with it. My Bayler experience was satisfying. They provided a good customer service. First, they were very responsive to inquiries. I was able to book and rebook the hotel via SMS. They even empathized with me when I rebooked the room last November due to an emergency. Second, we arrived early, 6AM. Check-in was at 2PM but we were allowed for an early check-in at no additional cost. Will I consider this hotel for my next Baler visit? Yes.

My colleague recommended a person to contact for a day tour in Baler. I had a 40-minute trek to Mother Falls. The water is so cold! Brrr! I also visited, Baler Church, Museo de Baler, Dona Aurora's House, Ermita Hill, Millennium Tree, and Islets.

I spent most of my nights at Yellow Fin Bar. They offer grilled foods. I just spent hours having pilsen session in that bar. It's just across my hotel so that's a plus. Cost of beer and food was so-so, okay. You must try Angela's Café. They have a very conservative menu, kinds of pizza and pasta. I ordered pepperoni and cheese pizza, spaghetti, and spicy tuna carbonara. You can taste the herbs in their pasta dishes. Price was okay. 

Joybus - Fare - Php 700 (one way)

Iwantsseats reservation fee - Php 25 (fare + fee was paid through BPI Fund Transfer)

http://iwantseats.com.ph/

Bayler View Hotel - Php 3000 per day for 4 persons  (w/ plated breakfast)

Tour - Php 800 (Tricycle - tour fee can be divided if you have companion)

Pictures at: https://www.facebook.com/paRomazoo/media_set?set=a.10155861238528647.1073741849.619058646&type=3

PDAF

Bilang isang student leader noong ako ay nasa kolehiyo, namulat ako sa mas makamundong pananaw sa pulitika, paghawak ng pera, pagpapasunod ng mga tao, pagiisip sa ikabubuti ng nakararami, at pakikinig sa nais ipabatid ng kinasasakupan ko. 

Sa aking pananaw, magandang simula ang pag-abolish ng PDAF. Ang pamahalaan ay bubuo ng bagong sistema kung papaano mapapakinabangan ng sambayanan ang pera ng bansa. Gaya ng sabi ni PNOY, mas magiging mahigpit sila sa paglalabas ng pondo at magiging bukas sa taong bayan ang mga paroroonan ng nasabing kaban. Tight and Transparency, ika nga. 

Maraming nagsasabi wala naman daw pinagkaiba ang pag-abolish ng PDAF sa bagong mungkahi ng pangulo paukol sa pera ng bansa. May mga nagmumungkahi na tanggaling na talaga ng pondo ng gobyerno sa pulitiko. Meron namang nagsasabi na ibagsak direkta ang pera sa ospital o sa paaralan.

Pero naisip ko, kung mawawalan ng pondo ang mga pulitiko, paano na ang kanilang proyekto? Marahil, ang hindi nararapat ay ang mga pulitikong ganid. Pero sino ba ang nagluklok sa mga ito? di ba ay tayo ding mga tao? Sino ang mali? 

Huwag nating husgahan ang bawat hakbang para sa kinabukasan. Kung hindi tayo bukas sa pagbabago, walang mangyayari sa kahit anong reklamo. Hindi "overnight" ang pagbabago dahil lahat may proseso. 

Philippine Senatorial Elections 2013

Majority of the elected senators came from political families. New faces but names have been in the position for quite some time.

Filipinos invested their votes mostly on young candidates. I think it is fine that we should infuse young minds in politics. I just hope that these new breed of senators would make their own path towards success and keeping in mind that it is the nation that they are serving and not their family.

Not all my senatorial bet got into the magic 12. But still, since the majority has chosen their leaders, I will partly forcely entrust the next years of my life to the hands of these elected people.

To get successful results, everyone must do their share. And it starts in voting. Have you? So, where will we be in a few years or so? You, decide. Do your part.

Stand on Sabah vs The Sultanate of Sulu

Recently, another chaos regarding the country's property possession has been brought to Filipino's attention. With China on the front load, can Philippines administer another claim regarding Sabah?

How did it start? Through the articles i have read, i learned that Sabah was given to the Sultan of Sulu by the Sultan of Brunei as a prize for helping him from his enemies. It was leased from then on. However, Malaysia is claiming that money is not for rental but as a payment for buying Sabah (For transcript: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Borneo_dispute).


It would be a shoot for the moon for the Sultanate of Sulu to get the legal ownership of Sabah in a peaceful way without a help from the government. Usually, allegations/distress between countries are being settled in an International Court through United Nations (Like China-Philippines maritime territorial dispute which is currently brought up to an international arbitration tribunal in UN). We all know that Malaysia and Philippines are both members of the United Nations. Sultanate of Sulu will have several challenges in getting Sabah back. First, Sultan has been abolished in our constitution. Philippines does not legally recognize the system. Sultanate system is only protected and preserved for cultural heritage and education whatfor. Having said that, who would file a claim in the International Court of Justice? Since Sultan is not legally recognize internationally, they can not file a claim on their own. Second, in 1963 election, people of Sabah voted to be part of Malaysia. Changes won't be easy to instil on Sabahans mind. 

I guess this calls for war. Are we prepared enough?

In the event that Sabah would be part of the Philippines, it sure would contribute to the country's levitating economy. It has been broadcasted how rich Sabah is with oil and gas. It is also boasting a pristine culture and heritage that would be great for tourism.

Wherever this chaos may lead us, I hope that lives will be protected and peace will remain.



***for editing -raa116

RA 10175 - Cybercrime Law

It was discussed in forums and a lot of Netizens are violently reacting on the said Act. Upon scanning through the Republic Act  10175, I had some insights that was stated below.

Some of the Chapter II Punishable Acts of Republic Act 10175 was indicated in broad manner wherein it can be misunderstood by some Netizens. You know, people sometimes need examples given.

It is very well known that some are using Social Media Sites like Facebook to promote their products by tagging friends or other users. In Chapter II Section 4 of the said Act, it was stated that seek to advertise, sell, or offer for sale products and services are prohibited unless of course there is an affirmative consent from the recipient. So it means we have to ask permission first before we tag people. In case you don’t want to ask permission you can still tag them but be sure to make it sound as an administrative announcement to avoid committing a crime.

For Libel, on which most people are concerned about, I think this will depend on the understanding and the underlying principle of the person stating and receiving the accusations/information. RA No. 3815 The Revised Penal Code of the Philippines states the definition and conditions of Libel. Since RA 10175 (Libel) was made through RA 3815, the identification of the crime should still be based on that.

Libel may impede or correlate with Freedom of expression. The Article III Bill of Rights Section 4 states “No law should be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people, peaceably to assemble, and petition the government for redress of grievances”. Define Freedom of Expression? If I would say that “NAME is a BITCH!! WHORE!!” I am expressing my thoughts, my expression. That can be labelled though as Libel cause it may be an imputation to dishonour or contempt that someone. Libel has been a law since forever. It was long written so people should not worry about it just now.

Other Articles seem appropriate for the Cybercrime Law to be enforced. Cybersex, Cyber-squatting, Cyber-security.. And the like. There has been a law about abuse; this RA 10175 just made is specific that it was done online (through the internet).

It was also stated that 50 million pesos should be appropriated for this Act. Seriously? And that's every year. Why so much? I personally think that 50 million can feed a lot of children than spend it with people's uneducated actions on cyber space.

Controlling? Yes, it is controlling. It is going against the traditional way on how people act online (Tag and Comment all you want). Bothering? Yes, it is. I’m bothered though that of all the crime and economical needs of this country, why do we have to dwell on such negligible issue? Why? Again, as I have said on my previous article (RH Bill - http://paromazoo.blogspot.com/2011/05/05082011-1127-am-cst-rh-bill.html), the number one problem is still corruption followed by the poorly implemented constitution and truncated trifling penalties.

Since this Act will be implemented, it should also have a proper dissemination to the public so that people would understand the sole purpose of the said Act and not to just jump into conclusions that it is the end of Facebook. It may be a calling that we, all of us, should act properly offline and online.

Bottom-line is, RESPECT. Act Educated.

This is how I understand it. If it shouldn’t be this way, let me know.

Have an opinion? Tell me then create your own page.

Poleteismo??

So everyone is talking about the now famous Mideo Cruz. Some find it Art (which does not include me) and others find it offensive. Mideo (with some people who call themselves artist) said that it is indeed an art. "This speaks about objects that we worship, how we create these gods and idols, and how we in turn are created by our gods and idols,". Cruz said. Now, if it is an ART, then why do people curse him to death? Is it really a masterpiece with a message of how hypocrisy is being served in church? Is it offensive? Yes. It is offensive and disrespectful. It is very demoralizing seeing the arrangement of the so-called art in such a disgracing manner. Art is parallel to appreciation. Such things can’t be appreciated by moral people. I am not always on the side of church specially if it has something to do with beliefs and their stand against what is good and what is practically better. Somehow, being a catholic, raised by a pure catholic family and guided by nuns as i grew up studying in a sectarian school, I find the so called artwork not an art at all. I believe, that work of knack (okay, okay..) can be rearranged into something not disrespectful but still delivers the same meaning. If he wants to impose something by disgracing 80% of the Filipino people, do so. Just be ready for the consequences of such actions.

05.08.2011 * 11.27 AM CST * RH Bill

The Controversial: The RH Bill. The bill is controversial because a lot of citizens are concern about it. Government officials, political and private sectors, religious institutions, professionals, experts, youth, everyone has their own bombast regarding the matter, criticizing, opposing, and supporting it. Personally, I am a Pro RH Bill. (I'm sorry Father, for I have sinned.) I think it's for the country. Not thinking about extinction. LOL. We won't be extinct. It's not a law not to have child but rather a law not to have a child more than what you can uphold. Though it is a fact that the government is not a charitable institution to give it's people all their wants and needs, they should be responsible to have a better economy and country for it's taxpayers to relish. The RH Bill was proposed with intention to have a better economy by reducing poverty through education and availability of family planning resources. The RH Bill is simply an easy and a free access to family planning and educating not just the youth but more on the grown-up poor people the importance of taking responsibility with their actions which in this case is having a child. I don't see anything wrong with being practical these days. I understand the point of those people who are opposing the said Bill. They want to instill on Filipinos' mind that we should become naturally responsible. Having natural control over reproduction without any contraceptives involve. In late 80's or 70's that would be possible. But in this generation, wherein most are impulsive in making decisions for pleasure, that is close to impossible. People tend to do it first then think of the consequences after. I agree to what they say that family planning services can be improved even without a law but the absence of the law makes it easier to block the program. Over the years, family planning has been an on going program but nothing has changed yet or not a big thing has changed. This RH Bill is really a big help in the uncontrollably arising population and longstanding poverty. I'm not saying that this is the only solution to have a better economy because of course the number one problem is still corruption followed by the poorly implemented constitution and truncated trifling penalties! So, pass the RH Bill.

Election 2010

Up until now I'm still confused who should I vote this coming May 10, 2010 National Elections. At least now my confusion was down to two. Yeha, you heard it right, I'm still thinking who among my two presidential candidates should I entrust the next six years of my country. I dunno, but I'm so excited to vote not only to exercise my right of freedom but somehow, voting next month is like hoping for a better tomorrow. You guys should decide to vote, to be involved, para pwede kang magreklamo. hehe! Act Now! Kudos!

Bagyong Ondoy sa Pinas

It was a disaster. Once again, we faced another challenge from nature. I was one of the lucky people who did not experience the scenario above, and i keep on thanking God. I feel for my fellow Filipino. I was a bit worried and scared about the weather and i can't imagine how much more are the people in the calamity area. I wish a could do small things for them, i just prayed. While watching the news on tv i feel so overwhelmed because of the help coming from different people, different sectors, different companies. Ang Pilipino nga naman, kahit gano kakuripot, lumalabas ang pera sa oras ng pagtutulungan. I was and am so proud that I am a Filipino specially in times like this. People help each other without expecting anything in return. Kahit gano kakonti they make it a point na naiishare nila sa iba. Ansarap sa pakiramdam kapag nagtutulungan. Once again we proved the world how united we are. I knew it from the start, and I am confident about it, we can make it through the storm. Nakabangon tayo dati, makakabangon tayo ulit. Kudos! =)) My prayers for those who lost their loved ones, houses and valuable possession cause of the tragedy, for those who are still coping. Let's continue hoping for a better tomorrow while keeping our faith burning. God bless Philippines. God bless Filipinos.