First sister Kris Aquino

SCB: You called Pastor Quiboloy your best friend before he endorsed Gibo (Teodoro)...
KA: Ay inaway ko siya after. Tinext ko siya, “We could’ve been best friends. Ngayon friend na lang, not so close pa.”

SCB: Did he answer?
KA: Yes, sabi niya “You know that in my heart you’re my friend and Noy.” Tapos sinabi ko sa kanya “Not so. Na-miss mo ‘yung friendship.” (The rest of the interview at Manila Bulletin.)

Cringe.

Rico vs Gibo (part 2)

WHAT'S this I hear that the advertising company which had commissioned Rico Blanco to compose the song 'Posible' for use in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games held in Manila, may also be issuing a press statement soon asking PaLaKa presidential candidate, Gilbert Teodoro, to cease and desist from airing his political ad w/c uses the song?

The song, w/c was actually the official SEA Games song that year, was performed by Rivermaya w/ the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra at the conclusion of the Games' opening ceremony at the Quirino Grandstand, in Manila. It was also used by Globe Telecoms in its SEA Games TV ad, w/c we found on the DailyMotion website.

SEA Games Globe TV Commercial feature Rivermaya POSIBLE
Uploaded by seagames. - Discover the latest sports and extreme videos.

Accdg. to the country's Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines: "178.4. In the case of a work-commissioned by a person other than an employer of the author and who pays for it and the work is made in pursuance of the commission, the person who so commissioned the work shall have ownership of work, but the copyright thereto shall remain with the creator, unless there is a written stipulation to the contrary;"

Abangan!

* * * *
MEANWHILE, the root cause of the issue between artist Rico Blanco and the Gibo campaign, really stems from the fact that Blanco's former manager when he was still with Rivermaya, Lizza Nakpil, apparently copyrighted the songs of the band. This is not an illegal act, as far as I know. Btw, Nakpil also had registered the band's name with the Intellectual Property Office. Smart girl that one, but I see her point, having had a hand in forming the band itself.

(Lizza Nakpil photo from pep.ph)

With the copyright of "Posible' in her possession, she was able to sell rights for use of the song to Dennis Garcia, formerly of the Hotdog band, who was commissioned by the Gibo camp to make a jingle for the presidentiable's ad. Talk is the amount that changed hands was about P200,000 for the song's use. And I understand Mr. Garcia's point completely that after he found who held the actual copyright of said song, he proceeded to deal with Nakpil. (Pls refer to Mr. Garcia's statement in the comments section of my earlier post on this issue.)

Now, I'm no musician nor a lawyer, just someone who is particular about my P's and Q's, so I understand also where Rico Blanco is coming from. He is, after all, the composer of the song and all Mr. Garcia had to do was pick up the phone - composer to composer, or artist to artist, if you will – and inform him about his plan to make it into a campaign jingle. For all we know, Blanco would've given his wholehearted support to this endeavor, considering that Gibo was actually in his personal shortlist of presidential candidates.

Sadly, to this day, Mr. Garcia has never even tried to contact Blanco personally to talk about the issue, accdg. to the latter's camp, and has just let Gibo's lawyers talk to Warner Music, which manages Blanco. The one who actually contacted Blanco to explain Garcia's side is the latter's nephew, Toti Dalmacion, who's a music promoter I believe. In fact, it seems that the burden of proof of ownership of the song, has been forced on Blanco, the composer. Weird ano?

So maybe there was no actual malice in Mr. Garcia's heart when he proceeded to use the song bec. he was secure in the knowledge that he had gotten all copyright permissions squared away. But the fact remains, nabastos si Blanco. And when he initially tried to inquire w/ Gibo's camp why they used his song w/o his permission, "they gave him the runaround," accdg. to Blanco's publicist Peachy Guioguio.

For Rico Blanco's press statement, click here.

Accdg. to Guioguio, Blanco is very concerned about this alleged IPR violation bec. if it can be perpetrated on a name artist like him, it can be done to even small composers who have yet to break in the industry.

"Now all that Rico wants, is for the Gibo campaign to stop airing this ad." Period. The publicist also told me that Blanco is not suing Gibo yet bec. he is giving the presidentiable's camp the time to comply w/ his request. (Baka nagpapa-IPR seminar pa sila ke VP-able Edu, hehe.)

In my personal research, this is what I found. As per the IPR law, copyright of an artistic work w/c includes musical compositions is "protected from the moment of their creation and shall include in particular: .... (f) Musical compositions, with or without words;" (Underscoring mine.)

Further in Chapter 6 of said law: "Copyright ownership shall be governed by the following rules: .... 178.5. In the case of audiovisual work, the copyright shall belong to the producer, the author of the scenario, the composer of the music, the film director, and the author of the work so adapted. However, subject to contrary or other stipulations among the creators, the producers shall exercise the copyright to an extent required for the exhibition of the work in any manner, except for the right to collect performing license fees for the performance of musical compositions, with or without words, which are incorporated into the work;"

Now this is a lesson for all you composers out there, start registering your songs w/ the proper gov't agencies like the National Museum or the IPO the minute you complete them, no matter how short or long these may be. This may save you from hassles similar to that of Rico Blanco's in the future.

A lawyer who doesn't know the law (w/ 2nd update)

(Rico Blanco photo from TatayK.)

JUST read a blog about how PaLaKa presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro used a song ("Posible") of former Rivermaya frontman Rico Blanco in his latest TV ad, without the latter's permission.

Blanco has been tweeting about this, and even gives Gibo, the benefit of the doubt, until he actually saw the ad and noticed that the singer had even tried to copy his (Blanco's) voice.

Not only have Gibo and his campaign staff broken the law by not asking permission from Blanco to use his song, they're even trying to mislead the public into believing that the artist was actually singing the song, thus, making the public think that Blanco is endorsing Gibo's presidential campaign! (Sorry, was trying to find the ad on the blogs or YouTube but it's not uploaded. Either that, or it's been removed already by the brainiacs in Gibo's campaign staff.)

(Gilbert Teodoro Jr. photo from Wowel.com.)

This reminds me of the lawsuit filed by singer Jackson Browne versus Sen. John McCain and the Republican Party after they failed to obtain the singer's permission for using his song "Running on Empty" in a McCain ad mocking Barack Obama's proposed energy policies, during the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign.

And all the while, Gibo has been boasting that he's a bar topnotcher? Yet he nor his staff can't even follow basic IPR regulations? Tsk, tsk. Galing and Talino this one.

Then again, this IPR violation is probably the least of Gibo's legal concerns, if the rumor mill is to be believed. I hear a relative has great shooting skills. Must be a fan of Dick Cheney.

* * * *
(Dennis Garcia, left, with brother Rene on the cover of Hotdog's greatest hits album. Photo from XPrezz.)

(UPDATE Jan. 8, 2010 at 1:25 a.m.) In the interest of fair play, I've published the message of Mr. Dennis Garcia, who produced the 'Posible' song for Gibo's ad, in the comments page. For those who are too young to know, Mr. Garcia, is co-founder of the Hotdog band in the 70s, and a songwriter who created such great hits like Annie Batungbakal, etc.

* * * *
(UPDATE Jan. 10, 2010 at 12:30 am) Here's the controversial Gibo 'Posible' ad:



Last night, Rico Blanco officially asked the Gibo camp to cease and desist using his Posible song in said ad bec. the artist never gave consent for its use.

Warner Music, which currently manages the artist quotes Section 178 of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, w/c says the copyright of an audiovisual work belongs “to the producer, the author of the scenario, the composer of the music, the film director, and the author of the work."

Btw, here's Posible, originally sung by Rivermaya:

Move those relief goods Sec. Cabral!

GOOD grief! If you haven't seen the photos of those relief goods just sitting at DSWD warehouse, click here. Good thing Ella's blog is up and running again. Ok, so we all suspiciously thought it was taken down by some powerful entities. It was just due to too much web traffic pala. hehe (My thanks to Ella also for taking off from my previous blog about relief efforts at Tulong Bayan in Cubao and White Space. Although slight correction, only the first photo she used was Leah Navarro's; the rest were mine.)

(The warehouse of DSWD. No one repacking the goods. Where are the DSWD staff? How come Sec. Cabral has not asked for volunteers? Photo from Ella's site.)

Anyhoo, this is disturbing news indeed. Many privately-run relief efforts wrapped up a week after Ondoy primarily because there were no more goods coming in. Then we all find out, tons are just with the DSWD gathering dust! Maybe Sec. Peter Favila should train his guns on DSWD for hoarding all those relief goods! For what kaya? For next year's elections? Does the gov't intend to give out the rest of these goods when their candidates are campaigning? We can't help thinking this way!

Even DSWD Sec. Esperanza Cabral's subsequent explanation on the issue makes no sense. If the agency needed volunteers, all she had to do was shout out over the radio, TV, through the DSWD web site, and other bloggers! It's scary that there are just so many unthinking and inefficient people now in government service!

People are dying, or getting sick, and running out of food in the typhoon-stricken areas, or in the evacuation centers, and all that we were treated to were immensely huge photos of Dr. Cabral (and presidentiable Gibo Teodoro) handing out a pittance of relief goods. Teka Lolah, tatakbo ka bang Senador?

Even after Ella's exposé btw, things have little changed at the DSWD. Political columnist/blogger Manolo Quezon and some of his friends went to check on the warehouse, the account of which is in Update 3 of Bury me in this dress.

* * * *
Meanwhile, I told my mom about the issue of the DSWD warehouse and she got pissed about it. You see my mom was a social worker back when DSWD was still called Social Welfare Administration. She loved her work so much, going to the poor communities in Tondo, for instance, that she actually turned down a job offer to become the secretary of then SWA administrator Pacita Madrigal Warns. This was the time when Ramon Magsaysay was Philippine president.

Back then, she said, SWA staff were extremely efficient, honest, and dedicated to their work. But things may have turned under the time of the Marcoses. My mom told me for instance how one regional SWA official, a former colleague, approached her asking if she wanted some instant milk powder. (This was when my mom was already married to my Dad and had retired from SWA.) She asked how the SWA official came to have so much milk powder in her possession, the officer said, it was bec. of her work at the SWA. "E kasi Social Welfare ako di ba?" was how my mom quoted her ex-colleague. Instead of giving the milk powder, donated most probably by foreign governments, to poor and needy communities, this SWA official was handing them out to friends and family! Ang kapal!

Okay, I'm not saying that all the DSWD staff are like this ex-SWA regional officer, but I would suppose everyone will take their cue from their respective bosses. If they see their DSWD bosses just sitting in their airconditioned offices and nagpapa-ganda/nagpapa-picture lang, or filching from their stocks of donated goods, they too will follow. Monkey see, monkey do.

Ella didn't claim naman that the relief goods in DSWD are "rotting" there as alleged in some TV reports, or being pilfered by the agency staff, so all I'm saying is, the systems and procedures are definitely not efficient at that agency. There is no organization in the way the relief goods are being handled, repacked, and distributed. What are the DSWD employees doing about this? Now, if the agency is shorthanded, all it has to do is ask for volunteers because I'm sure many people would like to help...unless its officials really don't want the public to know what exactly is going on in those DSWD warehouses.

I am furious beyond words!

Gibo delayed purchase of rubber boats
by Aries Rufo, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | 10/12/2009 8:19 PM

MANILA - Disaster-preparedness officials warned Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro about the possibility of widespread flooding this year, but the presidential aspirant apparently miscalculated when he did not act quickly on purchasing life-saving equipment.

In particular, officials of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) had urged and advised Teodoro to immediately order the procurement of rescue boats for the expected flooding in different parts of the country.

But for some reason, the potential standard-bearer of the ruling party decided the procurement could wait. (Read the rest at ABS-CBN.)

Hot flashes! (3rd update)

1. Just received a text from highly-respected Malaya columnist and political commentator Lito Banayo that Chizwiz's coming out party will be on Monday, Oct. 12, 5:30 pm at the Club Filipino. Ay kawawa naman si Loren! Foiled again ang dreams of superstardom.

(Update 10/10/09: I just received an unconfirmed tip that the announcement of Chizwiz re: his run for the presidency has been moved to Oct. 17, Saturday. I'll give you an update soon as I can.)

Chizwiz's run for the presidency can only mean Tito Danding has come through with the financial support. Naku pano naman si Gibo? Chizwiz's candidacy is also said to be supported by taipan Lucio Tan, a good friend of Chizwiz's dad, Sonny Escudero, one of the better agriculture secretaries this country ever had. (Btw, accdg to Mr. Banayo, also onboard the Chizwiz team is former Star reporter and PTA administrator Nixon Kua, and ex-journalist Raymond Burgos. Well, all I can say is, Chizwiz is super lucky to have these 3 gentlemen on his team. Very formidable political/media operators. Kaya makinig ka sa kanila lagi, Chizwiz!)

(Update 10/11/09:The scheduled announcement of Chizwiz's presidential run at Club Filipino tom. Monday, is definitely postponed, accdg. to his people. There is no date when this will actually happen, as a source in his camp says they want to avoid anything "political" in the meantime that most of Luzon is still suffering from Ondoy and Pepeng's onslaught. So I'm not quite sure what Chizwiz has up his sleeve tom. at the Senate where he is supposed to hold a press conference at 1 pm.

Just my two cents though, it makes no sense to postpone the inevitable. Whether Chizwiz announces his presidential candidacy tom., or next week, or even in November really makes no difference bec. the impact from Pepeng and Ondoy will be lasting. There is no guarantee that the evacuees will be relocated by December or even by the May 2010 elections. Besides rehabilitation will last for years, long after a new president will probably have finished his term of office. Let's just get all these annoucements over and done with so the real work can actually continue.)

2. Two days after Chizwiz's coming out party will be Erap Estrada's and Jobama Binay's. My source has yet to tell me where the venue of the announcement will be. Hopefully it will not be in Club Filipino again, no offense to Club management. Kaso gasgas na kasi yan. And we all know that Club will always and forever be associated w/ Tita Cory.

But I feel a bit sad for Jobama for hitching his cart to Erap's star. Jobama could have done better. I mean, he could've run for senator instead of getting entangled w/ someone like Erap. He was such a huge success in whipping Makati into shape, so why destroy his reputation by teaming up w/ well, an ex-con? Pardon or no pardon, Erap was still found guilty of plunder. Sayang. Well, accdg. to my source, 'no choice' daw.

(Update 10/10/09: According to this story in the Inquirer, Mr. Estrada is announcing his lineup on Oct. 21 instead.)

3. P300 million! That is the amount that is said to have been agreed on between a Presidentiable and his Vice Presidential running mate. Plus all campaign expenses paid ob chors! So even if VP-to-be loses in terms of votes in 2010, does he care? Of all the VP candidates, he will still, in the end, be the real winner. Retirement hasn't looked this great ey? Congratulations in advance to VP-to-be. (Oy, pa-share naman jan!) Da who?!

4. Local/foreign investment managers and bankers got a taste of how life will be if this Presidentiable wins in 2010. He was a no-show at oh-such-an-important gathering of Asia-Pacific delegates this morning and instead, sent his not-too-brilliant relation to speak on his behalf.

Ob chors, Brainiac spoke of the 2010 elections instead of the topic assigned to Mr. Presidentiable, which is the state of the industry from which he hugely profited. Needless to say, most of the conference participants were aghast bec. they aren't Filipino voters anyway so why was Brainiac sounding as if he was campaigning for Mr. Presidentiable? Ngek! Da who?!?!

(UPDATE) According to my sources, Mr. Presidentiable really has this habit of confirming appointments and events, and then suddenly just not showing up. One pundit calls him 'iwas-pusoy', bec. he has a lot of things to hide. Well, maybe Filipino voters will be a no-show for him as well. Hah.

5. Btw, this same Mr. Presidentiable was seen in Shangri-La Edsa Plaza Hotel only a few weeks ago, going out of his way to shake the hands of everyone he came across, much to their surprise. In contrast, we just heard that the Noynoy-Mar tandem is currently in Bacolod City, and no, the two didn't have to go out of their way to press flesh like Mr. Presidentiable above. Instead, it was the crowds which eagerly shook their hands and kissed them. "Dinumog" is how it was described to me. Just like the old Cory days, I'm told. Well, yahoo!


* * * *
MEANWHILE, this is the third shout out to Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte and Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista. QC residents are upset that to this day, their trash hasn't been picked up by garbage collectors yet. Much of the basura are debris from Typhoon Ondoy w/c passed Metro Manila's way last Sept. 26.

What are these two chief executives of QC doing? Twiddling their thumbs while waiting for another typhoon that will no doubt, spread this uncollected debris around and probably cause even larger floods? Not only that, this is a huge health scare! Can you imagine how many diseases are spread bec. of wet, uncollected garbage? This is incompetence at its highest!

Ey Bistek! You're running for QC mayor next year right? Well if you wanna be sure and win our votes, you better solve this garbage problem like yesterday! (Gee, wasn't life so much easier during Kaluskos Musmos?)

(The Sonny and Bistek show. Photo from Inquirer.net)
(UPDATE 7:15 pm, Oct. 9) The trash in our village is finally being shoveled into dump trucks. But the activity is being done at a time when everyone is rushing home. One street was totally closed off, blocked by a truck, causing a kilometric traffic jam along Visayas Ave. I really don't understand why the trash pickup wasn't done this morning, after the rush hour? As usual, Quezon City Hall officials are the masters of competence and efficiency!

'Wag na kayong umasa sa rescue'-Gibo

DISASTER czar Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro made this statement during a press conference this morning. That's bec. the government is ill-equipped anyway to undertake one, as was quite evident when Typhoon Ondoy lashed the metropolis and flooded many key areas.

So please people, if you are living in low-lying areas, get out and evacuate to a higher elevation. Typhoon Pepeng (Parma) is upon us, and you can't risk your life and that of your family's just bec. you want to protect your house and possessions. Family comes first, above all. Don't be embarassed to ask help from friends and relatives. We've been witnessing the resurgence of the bayanihan spirit and I'm pretty sure, many people will take you in while Pepeng dumps its rains on Northern Luzon.

Pls. make sure you have an emergency kit w/ flashlights, batteries, transistor or hand-cranked radio, canned goods, blankets, and a change of clothing and underwear, plus your important documents (Land titles, bank books, etc.) and papers w/ you. By now, you should've already charged your cellphones and just keep communications to simple texts so as not to load the cellphone infrastructure.

Keep paying attention to the news so you will get accurate information about the typhoon and flooding situation. ABS-CBN/ANC, DZMM, and GMA TV/DZBB The recent text messages on Pepeng, have been, more or less, disinforming the public. (NO, MERALCO WILL NOT SHUT DOWN ITS POWER at 9 PM TONIGHT UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.) Also, here are useful links about the typhoon: PAG-ASA, Typhoon 2000, and the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Here's a sample of an emergency kit checklist from Ready America, w/c I think is useful for all of us to have. (This being the Philippines, I personally would add a couple of wet suits, flippers, and a rubber dinghy.)
Emergency Kit

Here's also a list of important contacts during emergencies and disasters as compiled by the Onday Google web page creators:

• Rescue Operations
  • National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) (+632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9115061, +632-9122665) Help hotlines: (+65 734-2118, 734-2120)
  • Philippine Coast Guard (+632-5276136)
  • Air Force (+63908-1126976, +632-8535023)
  • Metro Manila Development Authority (136)
  • Marikina City Rescue (+632-6462436, +632-6462423, +632920-9072902)
  • Pasig Rescue Emergency Number (+632-6310099)
  • Quezon City Rescue (161)
  • San Juan City Hall Command Post (+632-4681697)
  • Bureau of Fire Protection Region III (Central Luzon) Hotline: (+63245-9634376)
  • Senator Dick Gordon (+639178997898, +63938-444BOYS, +632-9342118, +632-4338528)
  • Senator Manny Villar (+639174226800. +639172414864, +639276751981)
• Civil Society/ Media
  • Philippine National Red Cross (143, +632-5270000)
  • Philippine National Red Cross Rizal Chapter operations center hotline: (+632-6350922, +632-6347824)
  • Go to GMA Facebook page & post complete addresses and names of people in need of immediate help.
  • ABS-CBN Typhoon Ondoy Hotline: (+632-4163641)
  • Jam 88.3: (+632- 6318803) or SMS at JAM (space) 883 (space) your message to 2968

Be prepared people, and keep informed!

I'm sorry, I have no sympathy for you (Updated)

I JUST got off the phone w/ a Cabinet official who called me about my concern regarding donations by foreign groups of used clothing. Apparently, there is a law preventing such imports because of the growing ukay-ukay business in the country.

To go around this law, Malacañang has instructed that donations of used clothing be consigned to DSWD instead. (Upate 11:34: If the DSWD receives the donations, the payment of import taxes are deferred.) I told this Cabinet official that DSWD is overburdened already feeding people in the evacuation centers that's why it's the private sector which is taking up the slack. Why can't Customs or the Dept of Finance just accredit a few charitable foundations of relief organizations to receive these donations from abroad?

"There is a law," he stressed over and over, and they couldn't just violate it. With all the bright legal minds in Malacañang, consigning the goods to the DSWD was the only solution they could think of? This is an effing emergency situation! But when it comes to flouting the laws, our officials are number one! Especially you know who!

The Cabinet official said there were already concerns that some importers are taking advantage of the situation and "nagpupuslit ng contraband". So prosecute them for heaven's sake! Why penalize the rest who have only a sincere desire to help Ondoy's victims?

Then the Cabinet official sighed that he has not been sleeping for six days since Typhoon Ondoy. I don't know what he expected me to say. Should I have said, "kawawa ka naman" and sympathized w/ his lack of sleep? I was stumped. People have lost their homes, family members, friends, lack food and water, and are getting sick in the evac centers...and I was supposed to pity one Cabinet official who was suffering from sleep deprivation? I felt a lump in my throat. I wanted to scream at him and cry at the same time. How dare he!

In the first place, we wouldn't have this many flood victims if only you, the gov't, did your job! I have tried to contain myself from blowing up since Saturday, seeing how NDCC and its head, Defense Sec. Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro blundered their way through the rescue efforts of the flood victims. But privately, I have been fuming on Facebook about how many lives the government could have saved, if only they were prepared for disasters.


(Gibo talks about disaster preparedness. Ptooey!)

Like FEMA director Michael Brown during the Hurricane Katrina disaster in Sept. 2005, Gibo sent out rescue teams only when Ondoy was on its way out of the country. As early as 1 pm on Sat. Sept 26, residents of Marikina were already hunched on their roofs, waiting to be rescued! Gibo eventually sent in the much-ridiculed 13 rubber boats (mostly from the Phil. Navy) to the flooded areas at 10 pm!

By midnight, Marikina residents were texting DZMM that President Arroyo had arrived "para magpapakitang tao." The victims who were cold, hungry, and missing their families were not fooled by her fake concern. What makes our blood boil is knowing that the presidentita used up P800 million of the contingency/disaster fund for her foreign travels! How many rescue boats could have been bought w/ that money?

Now we realize even more how stupid this government really is! They can't even get their acts together to decide whether or not Malacañang should be an evacuation/relief center. They can't even come up w/ a simple plan or legal document to temporarily lift relief the ban on donated used clothing? Right now, I've received reports of Customs agents seizing ALL shipments of donations at our ports! People abroad are willing to help our flood victims here. And yet all the govt can come up w/ is even more red tape! Anoba?!

Now, in preparation for Typhoon Parma (local codename Pepeng), disaster czar Teodoro wants to forcibly evacuate minors only from low-lying areas. Why minors only? If the situation is that dangerous, then evacuate everyone! Use your powers as NDCC chief and Defense Sec. to order a systematic evacuation of these areas by using your armed forces. Call in the reserved forces as well to help conduct an orderly evacuation, and don't take crap from stubborn residents. Man up Gibo! This is what you should have done last Saturday at the height of Ondoy.

Isn't anyone thinking straight anymore in Malacañang?!?! Oh right, they haven't slept for six days. erg

Merry Christmas people!

WELL, it is the first of June and almost half of the year is over. You betcha Christmas will sneak up on us faster than you can sing 'Grandmagotrunoverbyareindeer!'

More importantly though, it's amazing that most of us are still on our feet. We still have our jobs, the love of family and friends, have a roof over our heads and can still eat three basic meals a day. Many of us are still relatively healthy, dear readers. Forget all the petty annoyances and insignificant idiots who sometimes make life hell for us. Let's just be grateful for being able to wake up each morning and getting up on our feet. And getting on w/ our lives. Woo-hoo!

(Another reason to rejoice: It's the first day of the new schoolyear so the kids in the village are outta here! Yay! It's so quiet I could cry, haha!)

* * * *
Just read this on the news: The runup to the presidential elections in 2010 sure looks tight if you read the latest survey of Pulse Asia.

Just look at this table of survey results:

(Screenshot of Pulse Asia survey results from ABS-CBN News)

Most remarkable of all is MAR Roxas, formerly a kulelat, is now among the top 5 candidates, after gaining 5 points since the Feb. 2009 survey. Would it be the Korina factor you think? Ooh, if this keeps up, I see a wedding by December. Joke!

Seriously, I think I'll take Korina over Nikki Teodoro anytime. The Defense Secretary, btw, is hardly rating. Then again, it's less than 11 months to presidential elections. Anything can still happen between now and May 11, 2008.

To be frank though, even if Gilbert Teodoro does do an FVR (i.e. form his own party, as his wife has threatened, ugh) if PaLaKa, the administration party, doesn't nominate him as its presidential standard bearer, I think he lacks the political savvy, charm, and connections of the old man. You may recall that FVR had been around the political universe even during Marcos' time w/c allowed him to tap those old powerful networks when he ran in 1992.

Teodoro has hardly the financial muscle and TV face time like his 2010 rivals, who've been hogging the headlines and airtime far longer than him. If only he can get his Tito Danding to drop Chiz Escudero, who really is much too young (not to mention, overmemorized) to be leading this country, then Teodoro has a larger chance to make the rest of the country know him a bit better.

(FVR and GMA Photo from Supreme Master Ching.)

Other than that, I wish the opposition can just get their act together and agree on one common candidate. It's the only way to defeat the PaLaKa/administration candidate, whoever it may be. It's time these guys think about the country for once, instead of furthering their own petty interests. Yun na!

* * * *
AY, hindi pa pala. How true is that FVR and the presidentita already kissed and made up? And over glasses of cognac? Click here. Well, should we have expected something more respectable from our 'elder statesman'? Ugh.

Meldita isdatchu?

(What's that song by Swing Out Sister again? 'Am I the Same Girl?' The official photo for the House of Representatives on the left. Photo from People Asia at right.)

Presidency or nothing for Teodoro, says wife

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:49:00 05/27/2009

MANILA, Philippines -- It’s the presidency or nothing for Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., his wife, Tarlac Representative Monica Louise Prieto-Teodoro, said.

Mrs. Teodoro said “powerful people,” businessmen, and members of civil society had been talking to her husband and had pledged to back him up in his bid to become the country’s next president in the May 2010 elections. (Click here for the rest.)

KAPAL, is what I wanna say.

Seriously now, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro seems like a genuinely nice guy, a real gentleman according to my media colleagues who've covered him in his present and previous jobs in and out of government. In fact, I want to meet him and ask him about his plans for our country's future.

But as usual, it's the wife we're all worried about, innit? I wonder if it's true that San Miguel chair and NPC head Danding Cojuangco didn't want to throw his full financial muscle behind Teodoro, his nephew, partly because of Nikki? After all, she isn't anything like how a presidentiable's wife should behave, right Tita Gretchen? (Oppen ha, not Barreto! ngek)

Should we be shaking in our boots over Nikki, compared to MAR's Ms. K? I wonder...hmmm.