Tess
15 August 2006

Happy Birthday to Pedro Onza Jr. of Mangaldan on AUG.3OTH

Ging
Vienna, Austria-Europe

Congratulation to all UPang nurses board-passers. Hope that this dream to be a nurse and to go abroad motto, will be fulfilled in the near future. Just don’t forget where we came from and first of all don’t forget to pray.

I’m also a UPang graduate, my son and daughter in law and we’re all working here in Austria.

Once more Mabuhay UPang!

Jeremias Andrade Carrera
15 August 2006

ABANGAN SI Mr. Duque AT SI Mr. Pontaoe:

Mr. Duque must have hired the “DREAM TEAM” of lawyers for insinuating the arrest of Mr. Pontaoe for his so-called “utter and irresponsible abuse of press freedom”.

My dear readers, this is a very interesting development because our fellow poster will be “arrested soon” according to Mr. Duque for the so-called “abuse of press freedom” using the “new ECA law.” Is Mr. Duque really serious and willing to pay the “DREAM TEAM” OF AMERICAN LAWYERS just to sue Mr. Pontaoe? Suing somebody as long as you have the money to pay a lawyer is easy, assuring a case to prosper in court by convincing a jury (US) to decide in one’s favor is not that easy even if one has lots of money.

ABANGAN ANG SUSUNOD NA KABANATA. I hope no one will be sorely disappointed if this planned suit is pursued.

Edwin
15 August 2006

I remember coming to Manila before the imposition of martial law. Pasay City was a city thriving on prostitution with one of the most corrupt police department in the nation. Restaurants and cocktail lounges had tables where you were supposed to check in your fire arms. If a foreign visitor was robbed and the criminal was caught, justice was never done because the criminal could arrange to schedule the trial until after the victim had left the country. As a frequent visitor to the Philippines in those days, I found it more expedient to give cartons of cigarettes and Johnny Walker Black the customs officers rather than spending all day at the custom office to pay a couple of dollars for duty. Then there was “beautiful” Luneta which had become a shanty town. Corruption was rife throughout Manila and the government. A hand full of autocrats controlled the faith of the country.

Then martial law was implemented. As terrible as it may sound, to an outsider like myself, martial law was the only way to rein in the widespread corruption.

Under the rule of President Marcos, the improvement of the country’s infrastructure was started. Bridges were built, and a modernization of the nation’s highway system was undertaken. Much of the overt corruption was eliminated. A land reform act was enacted. Pasay City was cleaned up and the beautification of Luneta became one of Mrs. Marcos’ accomplishments. A foreign victim received justice in that if the perpetrator was caught he was scheduled for trial the next day. Much of this ended with the end of the Marcos rule. Land reform? To this day not one hectare of land owned by Aquino or her in-laws went to any of the farmers who worked the land. The freeway from Manila going north ended at Dau, Pampanga at the time of the “People’s Power” revolt. Today, several decades later, the freeway still ends at Dau.

Yes, martial law is not the best solution but sometimes it is the only solution. Example: Japan under the rule of MacArthur, Taiwan under the rule of Chang Kai Chek and Singapore under a totalitarian ruler has one of the highest standards of living in Asia. Sometimes it is better to have one crook than a dozen. Oh, yes the final count of the election showed that Marcos won over Aquino.

Alegria Z. Nava
15 August 2006

More power to Sunday Punch,

Kada lunes na palbangon et excited ak ya manlukas na computer tapiano makabasa ak na balo ran balita lalo la ed Dagupan.

I’m from Dagupan City, but residing abroad. Keep up the good work and more power to you.

Ana V. Angeles
15 August 2006

Can somebody let me know how to get hold of Nena Viray?

Thanks.

Kareef Arzadon
15 August 2006

To Mr. Al Mendoza:

I can’t believe you just wrote that, Mr. Mendoza. Openly encouraging cheating.

To even hint that cheating is fine. How can you proceed with clear conscience knowing you were handed leakage questionnaires? Am I missing something here or na-time warp la’ng ako sa ibang dimension.

No wonder you deserve this government.

Edener Benitez Fabella
15 August 2006

Are taxpayers getting their money’s worth and if not, why not?

It is not a secret our country get its share of devastating typhoons every year. It is a cycle that has remained unchanged since time immemorial. Yet every time a typhoon comes roaring in full force wreaking untold havoc and misery, government, in it’s typical fashion of neither being here or there is slow in it’s responsibility to come to the aid of stricken populace (nakakaawa ang mga ito). We are becoming a nation of evacuees with a government known for braggadocio but sadly clueless in what to do besides monitoring and mouthy tooting.

Knowing the fact we have volcanoes around us with vast oceans as far as the eyes can see, good government is one who would have planned well ahead for these catastrophes. You would think government should have by now, built strong relief centers like armories in places known as typhoon playgrounds. Centers that are stocked well with foodstuff and ready medical staff to assist evacuees with injuries. Centers huge enough to accommodate people with adequate hygiene facilities to prevent if not minimize diseases due to overcrowding. If some politicians can afford to spend money building flashy city halls, citizens and taxpayers must demand this from their government.

As it is, when misfortune descends, government reacts instead of having something in place to alleviate the people’s sufferings. The first place government will evacuate people to are the schools that were not built for such condition. The people have to bring their own cooking wares and banigs simple things government can do for its people but don’t.

Will Filipinos ever get government leaders and shapers who will be considerate of their well being first, their lust to steal taxpayers’ money last?

Kareef Arzadon
15 August 2006

To Mr. Gerry Garcia:

I may be reading you too deep but, Sir, do I sense a hint of racism on your remark about the name Youssef?

With all due respect, it is very disturbing. And it leaves a very bad taste in the mouth of peace-loving Muslim Pinoy like me.