Kris for President

If elections were to be held today and Kris Aquino would run for President, I’m very sure — 100 percent sure! — that she would win by a landslide.

You see, if she could move the whole world to tears and win everybody’s heart with the emotion-laden farewell/thank-you speech she delivered yesterday morning at the requiem Mass for her mother, former Pres. Cory Aquino, at the Manila Cathedral, I’m sure that she could, without really trying, sway the people into giving her a resounding vote of confidence.

And besides, didn’t Tita Cory once tell her that Kris reminded her of her late husband, calling Kris “the female Ninoy Aquino?” No wonder Kris said that she’s Tita Cory’s favorite daughter even as she admitted having given her mom the most “headaches” which were outweighed by “the most joys” that Kris gave her.

Everybody (those who were at the Manila Cathedral and those at home watching the proceedings on TV) was titillated by the possibility of Kris’ running in the elections — the earliest being 2010 — when, toward the end of her speech, Kris, addressing her brother, Sen. Noynoy Aquino, said that it was the two of them on whose shoulders has fallen the task of continuing the legacy of their parents, later promising Noynoy to give him all the support he ever needed if he decided to run again.

But somewhere in her speech, Kris also mentioned that when somebody broached the idea of her running for a public office, Tita Cory cautioned her, “Kapag naging simple ka na” (Only if you become simple) — that is, like Tita Cory who shunned branded clothes and high living even if she could easily afford them.

Kris’ reply? “Mom, matagal pang mangyari ‘yon. It would take time bago ako maging simple.” Said in all candor. Very Kris Aquino.

Would it take a lifetime, the same time frame Kris said it would take her and her siblings “to be okay” after their mom’s death?
She had a confession to make, addressing Tita Cory: “I lied to you, Mom,” recalling that a few days before Tita Cory died at the Makati Med where she was confined for more than a month and died of the colon cancer she bravely fought for more than a year, Kris assured her that she and the rest of the family were okay.

“I lied. No, we’re not okay. It would take a lifetime for us to be okay.”

Saying she couldn’t imagine life without her mom, Kris would surely miss the little things that mean a lot.

“Wala nang magti-text sa akin ng ‘Congratulations!’ when my movies make money o kaya ‘I’m proud of you!’ everytime she watched my shows.”

Like most families, Kris and her siblings would also miss Tita Cory most during happy occasions. That’s when they would intensely feel Tita Cory’s not being there.

Now, could it be true that Tita Cory also, among other habilin, reminded Kris and her husband James Yap not to separate?

What actually happened was that Kris and James had a spat last Holy Week and Tita Cory, as usual, helped patch things up between them.

“My mom told James, ‘Be more patient with Kris.’ And she told me, ‘Be more humble’.”

“I lost my No. 1 supporter,” said James of his mom-in-law who would pray the Rosary for good luck before James’ every game.

James is leaving today for Tianjin, China, to join the Power 8 Team Pilipinas in the Asian Qualifier for the World Championship games. “Mom always reminded me na kapag naglaro ako, dapat ibigay ko ang lahat para sa bayan.”

Corazon “Cory” Aquino dies

Former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino or more popularly known as Cory Aquino passed away Saturday morning at 3:18AM. She was 76.

She reportedly died of cardio respiratory arrest at the Makati Medical Center. Here’s a statement from the Aquino family:

“Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m. August 1, 2009 of cardio respiratory arrest. She would have wanted us to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and our country. Hinihiling po ng aming pamilya ang konting panahon para makasama namin ang aming mahal na ina.” 

She has been diagnosed with colon cancer early in 2008 and has been confined at the hospital for more than a month.

SONA 2009:Point of View

MANILA - Just minutes after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ended her State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, the internet was filled with hundreds of Twitter posts from both critics and fans alike.

Just before the SONA speech started at 4 p.m. Monday afternoon, SONA was posted as the 2nd top trending topic on Twitter.com. As of 5:30 p.m., PGMA and GMA were the top 5 and 6 trending topics, respectively.

The speech got mostly negative feedback from users who were dissatisfied with her summary of the national situation. Most remarked that many issues were left out, since Arroyo focused almost entirely on her administration’s achievements.

A user named cooltita (Tita Aquino) had this to say of the SONA speech: “GMA’s version of the real state of the nation is inundated with so much lies, it makes me puke.”

A user named McPamy from Fiji, meanwhile, said: “I have to give GMA credit for giving out a pretty good speech, but you have to be completely dense to believe it.”

Missing topics

“[The] SONA was a report without context, mouthing of reported achievements without mentioning the ideal targets. Sana inamin kung ano pa ang kulang,” said a user named jedeva.

Senator Pia Cayetano said on her Twitter account that Arroyo did not address her Millennium Development Goal of health and rights for women. “To truly uplift the lives of children, ensure they have mothers,” she said.

KayIsYay (Kay Gemzon), another user, shared her impressions of the SONA speech’s highlights.

“Nanakawan siguro siya ng load. Pacman fangirl. Malakas siyang humirit. Ma’am, [paano na po ang] Bataan Nuclear Powerplant…?” she typed on her Twitter account.

Gemzon referring to the administration’s decision to curb “vanishing load” through the National Telecommunication Commission’s move to regulate offers from content providers, her acknowledgment of Manny Pacquiao as an example of Filipino excellence and “iron discipline” during her speech, and the President’s scathing remarks against her detractors (without naming them).

Trading barbs

Arroyo, at one point in her speech, said “Don’t pander, just do it… and don’t use bad words in public” - a comment made in reference to Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas III, who swore at an anti-Charter Change rally in Makati in December last year.

In response, Roxas said on his Twitter account: “Gloria, I have to say bad words in public because of bad deeds done in secret.”

Roxas, who joined the SONA rallies against Arroyo, also Twittered about his experiences at the rally, like facing police blockades. It was reported in the media that the rallyists chose not to listen to Arroyo’s SONA, but listened to music instead.

A user named CedForbes (Cedrik Forbes), however, expressed disappointment at the war of words between the President and her detractors. “This was the most undignified SONA in the history of SONAs. The President turned Congress into her very own boxing match!” he said.

Other Twitter users, meanwhile, chose to focus on the good aspects of the SONA speech. “Apparently, it’s also the most applauded SONA in Philippine History. That was the best Knockout SONA!” said one user.

A user named kniprup (Aura Bautista) said it was the best SONA speech she ever heard for as long as she could remember.

Last SONA?

Another topic high on Twitter users’ minds was whether Arroyo would run again in the 2010 polls, or if her administration will push for Charter Change. Users remarked at how the President’s speech left lingering doubts on whether she plans to extend her term in office.

“Madam, you should have said goodbye. ‘[There was] no categorical mention that she is stepping down in 2010′,” said a user named blissery.

A user named mudcore (Maine Galvez), said she was suspicious about Arroyo’s future plans. “‘Thank you congress’ hmmm.. smells something here. Is it followed by ‘Thank you for electing me as [Prime Minister] in the future Congress’?”

“It would have been better if she said that it’s up to the next [president] to institute Cha-Cha. That would be a more concrete response,” said user iammiguelito (Juan Miguel Lago).

Meanwhile, columnist and ABS-CBN current affairs personality Manolo Quezon III said on his Twitter account that his column on the SONA speech was vindicated. “This SONA was a campaign speech with 2010 coalition goals in mind,” he said.

Fashion statement

Arroyo also received some flak from Twitter users, who criticized her SONA gown. She wore a “reddish-pink” terno gown created by designer Inno Sotto.

The gown’s embellishments, including small spiky srips of cloth at the collar area, were not popular among some audiences.

“Ganda ng gamit ni GMA eh. Mukhang sabog na French Fries iyong nasa may collar,” said a user named Mika Santos.

A user named michikoy said she did not like the gown’s color. “[It] makes her look like a walking Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) urinal. And her top has some french-fries looking design,” she typed on her Twitter account.

Another user named caramelflavored (Carmela Nery) said the President’s hair was “annoying.” Her relatively longer hairstyle was a change from her previous SONAs, when her hair was cropped short and swept to the side of her forehead.

Twitter.com is a free social messaging utility that allows its members to share their thoughts in 140 characters or less. The micro-blogging service, launched in 2006, has over 6 million visits worldwide.

Breaking News: Anne Curtis hurt in a car accident

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 07/27/2009 5:34 AM

MANILA - Actress Anne Curtis was hurt in a road accident when her car hit a delivery van early Monday.

Curtis, who was driving a Porsche Cayenne, hit an L-300 delivery van at the corner of Congressional and Mindanao Avenues in Quezon CIty at around 2:30 a.m.

The van was hit by Curtis’s car when it stopped at a red light.

Aquino Marcelino, the van’s driver, said the actress possibly fell asleep while at the wheel.

Some of the actress’s friends rushed to the scene, including actor Jericho Rosales and singer Christian Bautista.

Curtis had minor injuries, and was immediately brought to the hospital. With a report from Doland Castro, ABS-CBN News

as of 07/27/2009 5:34 AM

Civil Engineering Board Exam Results for May 2008

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 1,199 out of 2,744 passed the Civil Engineer Licensure Examination given by the Board of Civil Engineering in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi this May 2009. The result of examination with respect to one (1) examinee was withheld pending final determination of his liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examination.

The members of the Board of Civil Engineering are Engr. Apollo S. Enriquez, Chairman; and Engr. Roberto P. Bernardo, Member.

Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will start on Monday, May 18, 2009 but not later than June 15, 2009. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 2 pieces passport size picture (colored with white background and complete name tag), 1 piece 1″ x 1″ picture (colored with white background and complete name tag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps, and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession; and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2009-2012. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

The oathtaking ceremony of the successful examinees in the said examination as well as the previous ones who have not taken their Oath of Professional will be held before the Board on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 1:00 in the afternoon at the Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Manila.

Registration for membership with the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc. will start on Monday, May 18, 2009.

Congratulations to the new PUP Civil Engineers:

1. BAGSIT, SHIERRILYN 

2. BUADO, MARK BRYAN 

3. CORTEZ, LHEAFE 

4. CORTEZ, RICHARD MARK 

5. DESINGANO, REZILLINE

6. ESGUERRA, ENRIQUE 

7. INIEGO, ROMAR 

8. LARRACAS, RON ANGELO

9. LAXAMANA, JONNACEL 

10. MINOZA, KARENE

11. MONTANEZ, VIMER

12. PAGADUAN, NAPOLEON JR 

13. PANGANIBAN, KIRVIN

14. SARIGAN, DAN AUGUST

15. TAMESIS, RONIEL DAVE

16. TANA, KENNETH BRYAN

17. TORRADO, DIONARD