Eduardo Pontaoe
23 April 2007

 

The heat wave hitting Chicago in 1995 was the worst in city history since records began in 1928. It was only four days of unrelenting heat from July 13th to the 16th that did damage most. The build-up of temperature started early and on July 13th the temperature reached 106 degrees F, the 14th 114, the 15th 99 and the 16th 94. At night 80 degrees flat which provided no relief from the heat.

The nature of the catastrophe and the inadequacy of the city which never had seen such magnitude of a disaster made people from the poor neighborhoods - the easy victims. Fear also added to the calamity, when people were hesitant to open windows and doors due to the perception of crime. Even the bad guys ran for cover. Nonetheless, it was so different from the heat waves of the 1930’s where people can go to the lake at night and cool off. Not this time around.

However, further scrutiny on what contributed to the heat wave, climatologists added something into the weather forecasting ballgame. A new factor evolved what they called, “urban heat island”. Urban heat islands, are caused by the concentration of buildings and pavement in urban areas, which tend to absorb more heat in the day and radiate less at night into their immediate surroundings. So, built-up areas get hotter and stay hotter.

Another cogent factor in the heat wave was that a temperature inversion grew over the city, and air stagnated. Humidity and air contaminants were ground level bound, and the air was calm and devoid of wind coming from Lake Michigan. In lieu of wind to stir the air, temperatures grew even hotter and without wind or rain homes and apartments became ovens.

Bizarre and painful may seems, it was a blessing in disguise. It prompted Chicago to modify its procedures in dealing with a monster. Early warning system was put in place…adequate ambulance services, hospital mobilization, establishment of cooling centers where people could stay, centralized telephone banks and how the utility companies especially electric can manage the overload. Every AC in the city was humming full blast. Some generating stations shut down when it couldn’t sustain demand.

It was so sad people dying without a fight. Of the 600 accounted for who died that particular week, figures show another 139 people died of heat wave related deaths in the projects.

Eduardo Pontaoe
23 April 2007

 

Mr. Isidro Ramos,

Inasmuch that you craved for original Pangasinan food, I am sending you how to cook Bloody Mary…. “Bagisen”, if you will.
Ingredients: Pork belly, pork liver, kidneys, pork blood, small intestines, onions, garlic, tamarind or kamias, if available, calamansi juice or lemon. No vinegar.

Cut pork belly, liver into pieces. The small intestine and kidneys boil first in vinegar, (ikelnat). Wash thoroughly then cut. Be careful with the kidneys. Cut it in half and remove the urinal duct. Usually, I find it in Vietnamese stores where they sell meat. Sautee garlic then onion.

Next comes pork belly, kidneys and small intestines. Let it sauté for a while then add water till tender. Add the liver and pork blood. Watch your water, blood easily thickens the mix. Put more if needed. Add tamarind juice or camias and lemon for the desired sourness. Tamarind juice jacks up the flavor. None of that vinaigrette taste. Easy on the lemon or calamansi. You use calamansi or lemon as back-ups. Add salt and MSG, to taste. Fingerhots or Hungarian banana are recommended.

Victoria N. Carrera
23 April 2007

 

Mr. Rey Velasco’s 10 point-action plan sounds good and looks good. His plans are doable if he really means business.

Sta. Barbara was my father’s birth place. I had good memories in my father’s barrio when I was still in grade school. I surely want to see it flourish and give Mr. Velasco the benefit of the doubt.

“Sana walang bayaran nang boto”.

 

Victoria N. Carrera
23 April 2007

 

The people in-charge in the yearly Bangus Festival are intentionally ignoring the demand for accountability. Unless there is a formal complaint against them filed in court for corruption, they will continue with the same activity every year.

We know for a fact that the Punch editor had repeatedly asked for financial report and so are the other posters including myself and to date there is no response from the people involved.

This is just a classic example of corruption that is allowable in the Philippines. I say allowable because for how many years, after people demand for financial reports, the people responsible remain mute and deaf. People should not even ask for financial reports. It should be readily available for anyone who asked for it.

 ”Ay naku, nakakahiya kayo baka sabihin nang mga tao ibinulsa nyo na yong pera nang bayan. Siempre and sasabihin nang mga tao ay kaya kayo yumaman dahil kurakut kayo.” Wow, it is a disaster in the making if Dagupenos will vote for the the candidates who are involved in the Bangus Festival financial scam.

This issue should be brought up during the campaigns for the people to know and I hope this yearly celebration in Dagupan will be in good hands in the years to come.

Mr. Al Fernandez and Ms. Belen Fernandez, please see to it that there is a clean accountability in your administration when you again take over the leadership in Dagupan City.

God Bless our city and the Philippines.

Isidro Ramos
23 April 2007

 

 

This is the best time for all candidates running for public office to show what leadership is all about by giving the electorate some ideas on how the nation should move forward to alleviate poverty, unemplyment, etc. as a start… instead of doling out money to buy his/her way into office regardless of qualifications.

It is understood poor Juan and Maria need to eat and provide shelter to their family but they have to have the determination, perseverance, and the will to endure pain and suffering if they want a bright and progressive future for the next generation.
Joan D’Arc (a young french woman) had the determination , perseverance, and the will to rally the French peasant to throw out the English troops out of France and even had to hide her sexual identity in order for the male rebels to follow her as leader although she was eventually torched to death by the Brits but this is what it takes to achieve a goal: being a free-thinker, self-reliant, inner-pride, etc. Joan D’Arc did not die in vain, the English troops left France, and to the people who know the French because of a true and brave leadership by an individual they emerge as a world leader and proud as hell and to this day they still hold that tradition left by JDA.

So to my kababayans who are entrusted to elect the next public officials, have the determination, perseverance and the will to stop vote buying and look forward to a bright and blessed future.
As a side note, some Pinoy immigrants to the US who had no relatives or friends to stay with when they first came over to their new adopted land had to endure hardship and pain to start a new life and granted it is a land a of opportunity it is not all that pleasant. Despite their college degrees, they had to swallow their pride to work below their skills and endure pain and shame from other kababayans who were fortunate enough to land in a lap of luxury.

However, those sufferings to most is history and the next generations in many cases are now part of the American dream. This side note was posted to abate any presumptions that all US immigrants arrived and achieved instant success. Lots of shame and sufferings but worth the pain!!!

Eduardo Pontaoe
22 April 2007

 

Ermin Garcia Jr.,

This discourse with Mr. Oriel has ended. At least, he satisfied the Forum of what he wrote in his previous post about the heat wave not giving the year when it happened. What I am trying to say is, for credibility actualities are needed.