NON-ALIGNED, A MORE VIABLE OPTION

It does not seem like a sound political decision to align ourselves with any of the superpowers as they are now in conflict with each other. The US and Russia are against each other over Syria. China is against the US in Asia and is spreading her clout. 

I think the best option for us is to stay non-aligned. 

Here is a brief history and description of the Non-Aligned Movement:

The movement stems from a desire not to be aligned within a geopolitical/military structure and therefore itself does not have a very strict organizational structure.^[2]Some organizational basics were defined at the 1996 Cartagena Document on Methodology^[16] The Summit Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned States is "the highest decision making authority". The chairmanship rotates between countries and changes at every summit of heads of state or government to the country organizing the summit.^[16]

Requirements for membership of the Non-Aligned Movement coincide with the key beliefs of the United Nations. The current requirements are that the candidate country has displayed practices in accordance with the ten "Bandung principles" of 1955:^[16]

• Respect for fundamental human rights and for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
• Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
• Recognition of the movements for national independence.
• Recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations, large and small.
• Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country.
• Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself singly or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.
• Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country.
• Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.
• Promotion of mutual interests and co-operation.
• Respect for justice and international obligations.                                                                                           

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-Aligned_Movement

Let us be realistic. We are not strong enough to withstand any attack of any country. In fact, China, with whom the President wishes to strengthen our diplomatic and trade relations,  has made inroads into our shores for many decades now through  export of her cheap products to our markets, despite the lack of quality in terms of strength and durability for example, the umbrellas and electric fans.  She has also kept silent about the illegal drugs emanating from her land and penetrating the minds and souls of so many of our people, hundreds of whom have surrendered and a rising number getting killed daily.

On the other hand, aligning ourselves with Russia and shutting out the United States is also not a wise decision. What will happen to our compatriots living in there? Since the early part of the 20th century, our people have been migrating to the US in search of jobs, and many have even taken up citizenship, built their families and really rooted themselves in American soil. Are we going to alienate them from their surroundings? Are we not going to make them decide to let go of our native homeland forever? I think that is mental cruelty of the highest order. 

Let us all explore the idea of being non-aligned before jumping into a fiery situation. 

Dear Hillary

I heard you are not well. 

That's a normal reaction of a person who is subjected to so much stress. Now that you are running for president, you should have foreseen that attacks against you shall come from all fronts. 

Considering that the US has not had any female president, all the more it sound very "normal" that you would suffer a lot from the naysayers and all other anti-women sectors, by the way,  not only from your opponent, I must say. 

Well, we must put it in our minds that the body can heal itself. No amount of antibiotics could cure you unless you yourself believe that you will heal, that you will be strong and feel great to face the rigors of the presidential campaign.  

But first of all you must overhaul the people running your emails. Your handlers are not really up to par in terms of attending to the requirements of that particular sector of communication of your campaign. Rather, they should generate morale boosting messages for you. Yet your present crop of email handlers do not, cannot seem to achieve that at all. I think many of the people are just there either for fame or for their salaries. In other words, they are not really committed, commitment meaning wholehearted support for you, to the point of sacrificing their lives.

Why do I say that? Not only should an email communication plead for donation, but rather should have ideas on why this particular campaign is specially important at this point in time and history of the nation. 

Also, may I suggest you call on all the spirits of the women in US history who had fought for equality, who had raged against racism, and who truly believe that a great nation is built by both women and men, and not mean alone. You could call on Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Carrie Chapman,  German, Clara Zetkin as well as the English women fighters for equality like Mary Wollstonecraft and Ada Lovelace, among others. 

In others words, don't see this as your struggle only but as the historical struggle of women all over the world, in the present and past histories of humankind. 

It is vitally important that we do so because the US plays a great role in our struggle for equality in this universe not in the sense of power for all, power for the earth to be a humane place to live in, and for everyone to survive the onslaughts of Mother Nature. 

I hope that my statements would be enough o contribute to your well-being. Lastly, kindly remove all hesitations on your part. 

I am writings in this blog because I believe that everyone should be able to read this and get prodded to make their own contributions for your success in all of your struggles at the moment. 

So be it 

TO BE OR NOT TO BE A PRESIDENT

Apparently, conducting smooth interpersonal relationships is not the forte of our President. He has the tendency to fly off the handle right away, even when immersed in innocuous situations. The first time was when the foreign media said that they would boycott him. The next time around was when the former secretary of justice and the commission on human rights raised questions about so-called extra judicial killings, after which he revealed personal issues of the former. The third time is when a media person asked him about possible issues that the president of the USA would be asking him. The highest point of his reply was "Who is he?" And he said that he is only answerable to the Filipino people. 


Recall that the situation was another media gathering and here the President issued statements which normally should be said only at policy-making meetings. Yet, he gave his personal opinions and even diversified into historical issues. 

This is the point I am making. The President could have answered this way: "I will cross the bridge when I get there."   Or "I am not in the habit of predicting what I will say." Or "How did you know what points he would raise?" In other words, either magpatay-mali siya or turn the tables on the questioner. The President need not always appear very politically correct when replying to needling questions. By now, he should already be briefed by his circle that the media will always find a hole where they can get good soundbites or copy for their bosses in their headquarters and so they could earn good points, a raise, a promotion, or that much-needed attention that could spin their career to the top. 

I am raising these points because I feel ashamed when our country is put in a spot wherein we have to explain to friends and relatives abroad about what is happening to our country, especially when something occurs between countries. 

In the first place, the meeting between the President and that of the USA could have evolved into friendship, not necessarily built on political issues wherein they would be at loggerheads with each other. That is what I learned from my ninang -- you never know when a person would be a good fellow to you later on; so cultivate good relations. 

Especially when our OFWs are at the mercy of foreign countries' laws, rules and regulations, what our officials say and how they say things matter a lot. They could be victims of restrictions, of prohibitions, or limitations of their stay in them. 

I think that in the world of politics, the demeanor of our officials has to border on delicate and measured steps as it could have grave repercussions later on, either in our locality or globally. Especially now, when a single word can be aired in a matter of seconds and blown out of proportions without any space for asking for forgiveness or even asking that question, "What did you say again," the behavior of our politicians has to be pristine, free from criticism of any kind. 

So, to be a president of a country one has to be very circumspect  (according to Merriam Webster -- circumspect means "thinking carefully about possible risks before doing or saying something.")

On the other hand, not to be a president, or shall we say presidential is to do, act and speak without regard to the listeners which then could spell disastrous consequences. 

Being nice to a stranger need not result in a harrowing experience right away. It all depends on one's frame of mind at the time of the meeting. 

And so to circle members of the President, please guard him against getting angry all the time as it makes him say things that would blast the beautiful atmosphere of governing our country and making it one of the best places in the world that anybody in this planet would like to live in. In this case, the end justifies the means. 

Maybe it is time to reread Machiavelli. 


SOME OF HIS TEACHINGS:

1. “A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.”

You can’t break consistency because that would break people’s trust in you. You need to find your commitment, your position, and then stick to it, so that people know that whenever they want a certain value, they can get it from you without disappointment.

2. “Before all else, be armed.”

You have to have know your strengths, your weaknesses and have your skills intact before attempting to "attack" a market. If you fail to plan ahead of your actions, you will very likely fail with the actions as well.

3. “I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.”

You can’t copy, copy and copy, to be a creator, leader, that people feel they can trust, nor admire. If what you have to offer already exists, then why should anyone come to you. Think of it as a New Game, you need to give new value, new rules in a new approach. If not, it’s very unlikely that you’ll achieve any great results. Don’t be afraid of breaking patterns and disrupting the perception of the market. The easiest way of leading a new market is by inventing it. This means that you already must have done your research well on the markets that today exist.

4. “The end justifies the means.”

Be result-focused rather than just busy. The market is very honest, and if what you have isn’t desired, then your efforts will not matter. Nobody can see that you worked so hard that you almost are in the verge of collapsing, most of the time nobody cares if you even did collapse. 

You need to offer people benefits that help their lives; it’s all about the results, nothing about you (no matter how wonderful you believe your work is). Great results, will lead to fortune. And great results demands creativity.

5. “Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.”

You tried and you failed, so of course you get frustrated. But, instead of arguing that the users have no idea of what they really want, dare to see the failure as an immense opportunity to actual winning. Failure means just one step closer to winning. It shows you what you have done wrong and what you can improve. Seeing opportunity is in your perception, if you look at obstacles as unmovable stones then you are missing the point. Those few that understand that difficulties, problems and failure are actually opportunities will become winners. Why? because if it is difficult then there is a competitive advantage in realizing or solving the issue. A big problem = great opportunity, don’t let it slip.

6. “Never was anything great achieved without danger”

Take calculated risks, as mentioned above, you need not fear failure. The faster you fail the better. Why? Because if you over plan so you don't fail than you will eventually fail and the time planning will be wasted on being dependent on some abstract certainty. Planning has its place, but its not meant to be certain.

If you refuse to fail, you will play the game of business very safely and this will give competitors a great chance to take home the trophy. Dare to try out new ideas, and if they don’t work, go on to other ideas. Have speed of action; don’t wait for magic to happen, be the magician and swallow the fire.

7. “Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.”

Keep track of your competitors and keep track of the market, what happens today might completely change tomorrow. Know the principles of strategy; you need to constantly improve yourself (Kaizen). Your business should be in constant morphing until you hit the target. It is a process of business discovery not an instant gratification.

http://dudye.com/10-things-niccolo-machiavelli-can-teach-you-about-creative-strategy

WHAT, A HERO?

'WOMEN BELONG TO THE BEDROOM!"

Who said that? Ferdinand Edralin Marcos at the height of the Snap Presidential Elections in 1986.

Whom did he want to bring down? Cory Aquino and all other women in the Philippines -- Imelda, Imee, Irene, the rest of the Filipino women. (As he had died by that statement, all women today, including Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno  are reminded of his extremely misogynistic tendencies.)  By that statement he also brought down the dignity of all the women around the globe. 

And so half of the world's population, the WOMEN, were degraded, denigrated, dismissed as significant partners. 

What other reasons can we use to say that his statement is not one that should come from a hero? 

bienvenida, welcome to our world

bienvenida, welcome to our world

i saw his eyes flitting from left to right, his left hand holding the left knee of the girl beside him in the jeep. are those the eyes of an addict, searching, alert for any intrusion in his expression of love?

Nakita ko ang mga malilikot niyang mata, pakaliwa, pakanan, habang nakahawak ang kanyang kaliwang kamay sa kaliwang tuhod ng babaeng katabi niya sa jeep. Yun ba ang mga mata ng isang adik, naghahanap, alerto sa paglaban sa kung sinumang makikialam sa kanyang pag-ibig?

i saw the body of a teenager sprawled on the road, beside the gutter. blood spilt around and people approached it, even quietly, inquisitively. “what did he die of? or why was he shot dead? who shot him dead? they said he was an addict, maybe snatcher. did a co-criminal shoot him? who? why?”

Nakita ko ang katawan ng isang teenager sa kalye, malapit sa kanal. Tumutulo, kumakalat ang dugo sa kalye. Ang mga tao papalapit, nagtatanong, “ano'ng kinamatay niya? Bakit siya binaril at pinatay? Sino ang pumatay sa kanya. Sabi nila isa raw siyang marahil adik o snatser. Isa bang kakosa ang pumatay sa kanya?

souls moving about in the cemetery, uneasy, seemingly wanting to be physically present. i sensed the soul of a body riddled with bullets; another soul of an elderly, with bullet-holes in his head. why so many dead? why, wherefore are they going? can they come back if they would like to? who will receive them? who will be happy to meet, to kiss and embrace them again?

Maraming kaluluwa ang umiikut-ikot sa sementeryo, hindi mapakali; nagnanais waring mabuhay muli. Naramdaman ko ang kaluluwa ng isang katawan na tadtad ng bala; isang kaluluwa ng nakatatanda at maraming tama ng bala sa ulo. Bakit napakaraming patay? Saan sila papunta? Makababalik pa ba sila kung nais nila? Sino ang tatanggap sa kanila? Sino ang maliligayahang makita silang muli, mahagkan, mayakap?

a child's eyes ask, “inay, bakit nakahiga si tatay?” “natutulog lamang siya. pag gising niya. magkakasama na rin tayo.”

Nagtatanong ang mga mata ng isang bata, “Inay, bakit nakahiga si tatay?” “natutulog lamang siya. Pag gising niya, magkakasama na rin tayo.”

a mother is weeping, “wala na, wala ng tutulong sa pag-akay sa akin pagtanda ko.  kinuha na siya ng Diyos. kailangan ko nang magtulos ng kandila.”

Isang ina ang lumuluha. “wala na, wala ng tutulong sa pag-akay sa akin pagtanda ko. Kinuha na siya ng Diyos. Kailangan ko nang magtulos ng kandila.” 

wait, a hearse is passing by. it is a grandmother's entry to a second life so the franciscan priest had said in his homily. she lived a full life, so her relatives say, saving the poor from crippling, debilitating diseases of the lungs caused by dark smoke, by not eating enough to nourish the body. not only did she cure for free; she also sang songs to the world, speaking of being in love only once in a lifetime. ah, she bears roots in an era when to be gentle, to feel love, whether woman or man, was a mark of decency, a tendency to be human and immortal at the same time.

Hintay, hintay. Dumaraan ang isang karo. Isang lola pumapasok sa sa pangalawang buhay niya, ayon sa isang paring Franciscano sa kanyang sermon. Nabuhay siya ng buong giting, ayon sa kanyang mga kamag-anak,sinasalba ang mahihirap sa nakalulusaw, nakalulumpong sakit sa baga dulot ng maitim na usok, dulot ng kawalan ng makaing masustansiya para lumakas at lumusog ang katawan. Hindi lamang siya nanggamot; umawit din siya ng mga awit para sa mundo, mga awit na nagtataglay ng madamdaming umiibig ng minsan lamang sa buhay. Ah, ang buhay niya ay nakaugat sa isang panahong kung saan ang pagiging maginoo, ang pag-ibig sa kapwa ay tanda ng pagiging tao, pagiging marangal, isang tendencia para sabay na maging tao at maging buhay magpakailanman.  

why should memories of love mingle with scenes of death? why should tears over death overpower surging feelings of love? why can we not see love as it is – a deep feeling for the life of another, for the continued existence of another?

Bakit kailangang maghalo ang mga alaala ng pag-ibig sa mga larawan ng pagkamatay? Bakit kinakailangang maigpawan ng mga luha dahil sa pagkamatay ang nag-uusbong na damdamin ng pag-ibig? Bakit di natin makita ang pag-ibig bilang isang marubdob na damdamin para sa buhay ng isa pang nilalang, para sa walang hanggang pagkabuhay ng isa pang kapwa?

why should we see death as the end of life? is there not life after we breathe our last? is there no love as well? should love and death be present together in our lives to remind us of our mortality?

Bakit kailangang tingnan natin ang kamatayan bilang isang katapusan ng buhay? Wala na bang buhay sa huling  hugot ng hininga? Wala na rin bang pag-ibig yaon? Kinakailangang

bang magsabay ang pag-ibig at kamatayan sa ating buhay upang maalala nating parating hiram lamang ang ating pagparito sa mundo?

what is being mortal? it is knowing that we are beings borne of God's impatience with lack of love being nurtured in its proper surroundings, where everyone nods, smiles, pats the shoulders of a companion and celebrates everyone's presence. ah to see it that way, we are being idealistic.

Ano ang pagiging mortal? Ito ay pagkilala na tayo ay mga nilalang na nabuhay dahil sa pagkainip ng Diyos sa kawalan ng pag-ibig na kinakalinga sa tamang kapaligiran kung saan lahat ay tumatango, ngumingiti, tinatapik ang balikat ng isang kasama at pinagdiriwang ang pagkatao ng lahat.

or maybe love starts with idealism. however, it need not descend to cynicism; nor to end in death. rather, it springs again to shower the fields with roses and lilacs and fragrant sampaguitas that draw everyone to feel and smell human, and to perceive the divine in everyone.

Marahil din, ang pag-ibig ay nagsisimula sa ideyalismo, ang isang mithiing di makakamit ninuman. Nguni't di kailangang humantong ito sa pagtuya; o kaya'y matapos sa pagkamatay. Dapat ito ay magbubungang muli upang diligan ang parang ng mga rosas, lila at mababangong sampagita na siyang hihila sa lahat upang damhin, samyuin at makita ang dakila sa bawa't isa. Ang pag-ibig ay ang pagkakaroon ng damdaming hindi masapawan ang isa, maisahan.

- wilhelmina, 25 august 2016, kaps

PINTURA: Noche De Los Muertos

By: Dave Sanchez Item #: 8574487 all posters

ON BECOMING AN OLYMPIC ATHLETE

Greek sculpture, archer 

 Folks, it is not easy to be an Olympic medallist but there are some great insights we can derive from the news about how to be one:

1. Cultivate your intelligence. Not all sporty people are all brawn. They have brains. They can abstract from their experiences. For example, one equestrianne said that she focuses -- puts her mind to what she is doing at the time. Another one said, he does not think of tomorrow at all but what he can accomplish at the moment.                                                                             Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt

In other words, CONCENTRATE on practice, on training and on the game itself. Do not allow anything to distract you. Greek sulpture, wrestlers

2. Find a group of rah-rah supporters. How did Ms. H Diaz win? She had the battalions of the Philippine Air Force rooting for her. In  other words, her fans included the sergeants at arms, the privates and the generals. Can you beat that? And they took flight up in the air. So the rah-rah started from the ground and reached up to the skies. 

That's how big her support was which made her land in the silver medal category. 

3. Take care of your body. But be ready for the worst in case something happens to you. The equestrianne broke her collar bone but she said that she did not think of it at all when she was competing in the games. That is what you call mind over matter. 
 Olympic sculpture discus thrower
There may be some things you cannot change at the moment but then you have to face up to the challenge to overcome your opponents in the Olympic games. And so concentrate again, hard. 

4. Cultivate meditation or yoga -- which makes you focus your mind on one thing at a time. You can apply that to your practices and the game itself.  Meditation makes you ignore your surroundings and just focus on breathing in and out. So while swimming or running or playing table tennis, you just focus on the act itself. 

5. Read a lot about champions. Analyze their philosophy in life. Check how they reached the top; how they started, how they built up their skills, and who are the influential people in their lives. 

6. Keep a record of your practices and mark down your achievements. Check if you are improving and if not, do not feel ashamed to ask your mentor. Get a good mentor, one who believes in your capacity to achieve and who does not make any belittling remarks on you. 

Javelin Thrower, Greek sculpture
7. Before the event, listen to many inspiring words of believing in yourself. Avoid people who will put you down. Do not think of problems. Think positive. 

8. Girls and women should get proper training from coaches who are gender sensitive. It is a miracle that despite the all-male surroundings above her, Ms. Diaz was able to achieve that which is very elusive to many athletes. As members of the Female Sex, let us cultivate good vibes, read a lot about women champions and protect ourselves psychologically, intellectually, and emotionally.

Athena, Greek Goddess of Courage
9. Pray, pray hard to all the Gods, Goddesses and Saints that you know. 

Finally, the government should change the list of officials in the Philippine Olympic Committee should they not get at least two athletes to bring home medals. We need to be harsh on the officials so that they will do their job properly and that is -- motivate our athletes to perform  excellently.

BAHA, BAHA, TAUN-TAON NANINIRA

• UPANG MAINTINDIHAN NATIN KUNG BAKIT BUMABAHA AT PAULIT-ULIT NA DUMARATING, TAUN-TAON, AT LAKSA-LAKSANG KAGAMITAN ANG NAPIPINSALA; MILYUN-MILYONG PISONG IMPRASTRAKTURA ANG NASISIRA AT DAAN-DAAN ANG MGA TAO NAPEPERHUWISYO 

• MGA DAHILAN NG PAGBAHA 

• 
  
• 1. Kawalan ng pananim at mga puno;

2. Mga batuhan sa ilalim ng lupa. Ito ay maaaring dahilan sa kongkretong pundasyon ng mga matataas na gusali;

3.  Baradong mga daanan ng tubig sa ilog kung kaya't umaapaw ang tubig. Ang pagbara ay maaaring dahil sa maling pamamaraan ng pagtapon ng mga basura; naiipon na lupa sa ilalim dahil sa pagdausdos ng lupa mula sa gilid ng ilog; 
1-3 AYON.SA: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/water_rivers/river_flooding_management_rev1.shtml; at 

4. ANG PINAKAMALAKING 

DAHILAN: Kawalan ng tapat na 

paglutas ng problema sa pagbaha 

ng department of public works, lalo

na ng national capital region. 

PAANO NATING MAIIWASAN ANG BAHA?

1. Bawa't barangay na nakaharap sa ilog ay dapat may bantay. Pagbawalan ang pagtatapon sa ilog;

2. Palalimin ang lahat ng creeks at ilog sa MetroManila ng 100 metro kalalim;

3. Maglagay ng screen o chicken wire na maliliit ang butas sa bawa't ilalim ng tulay upang masalo ang lahat ng mga papel, styrofoam, plastic, bakal, etsetera;

4. Patawan ng parusa ang mga taong nagtatapon ng basura sa mga creeks at ilog;

5. Magbigay ng pabuya -- limang milyong piso, kada ika-6 na buwan sa mga barangay na A-1 ang kalinisan, sa kalsada at sa mga ilog na karatig nito;

6. Bigyan ng pabuya ang buong mga empleyado ng DPW NCR regional office na ang nasasakupan ay di binabaha: P10 milyon. Gayahin ito sa lahat ng mga rehyon; 

7. Magbigay ng kontest sa taumbayan. Humiling ng mga suhestiyon kung paanong malulutas ang pagbaha. Magbigay ng mga papremyo: una -- P3M; pangalawa: P2M at pantatlo: P1M; 

8. Magkaroon ng patakaran na wala nang itatayong gusali na hihigit pa sa 4 na palapag sa buong NCR; at 

9. Magdasal tayo na mawala na ang lahat ng mga mapamuksang baha at ulan. 

PARA SA MGA STRANDED NA MGA PASAHERO, ilabas lahat ng trak ng Armed Forces of the Philippines at PNP upang tulungan ang taumbayan na makauwi sa kanilang mga tahanan. Gawing awtomatiko ang patakarang ito kapag may ulan. 

SA INGLES: Other info about flooding: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/water_rivers/river_flooding_management_rev1.shtml

• 1. These are some of the big causes of flooding: 
• 
  
• A lack of vegetation or woodland - trees and plants intercept precipitation (ie they catch or drink water). If there is little vegetation in the drainage basin then surface run-off will be high.
• 
  
• A drainage basin, consisting of mainlyimpermeable rock - this will mean that water cannot percolate through the rock layer, and so will run faster over the surface.
• 
  
• A drainage basin in an urban area - these consist largely of impermeable concrete, which encourages overland flow. Drains and sewers take water quickly and directly to the river channel. Houses with sloping roofs further increase the amount of run-off.

Flood management techniques include river engineering, afforestation and planning controls to restrict urban development on floodplains.

2. What Causes Flooding? from: http://www.n-d-a.org/flooding.php

There are many reasons why floods occur, these can be divided into categories of causes. These are flash floods, storm surge, and dam and levee failures.

Flash Floods
These types of flood occur with little or no warning. Flash floods can be deadly due to the rapid rise in water levels and the high flow-velocities of the water. There are factors which contribute to the occurrence of flash floods: rainfall intensity, duration, surface condition and topography. Urban areas are more susceptible to flash floods due to the lack of natural drainage systems and the high amounts of impervious surfaces (concrete, tarmac). These tend to increase the rate of run off into water systems.

Storm Floods
Storm surges inundate coastal margins due to severe onshore winds, often accompanied by low atmospheric pressure and sometimes high tides. Friction between moving air and the water creates drag. Depending on the distance over which this process occurs (fetch) and the velocity of the wind, water can pile up to depths of over 7 metres. Intense, low-pressure systems and hurricanes (tropical cyclones) often cause storm surges. Nine out of ten tropical cyclone fatalities are caused by the storm surge associated with the storm.

Dam and Levee Failures
Dam and levees may be designed to contain a flood at a location on a water way that has a certain probability of a flood occurring in a specific year, i.e. one in every 250 years. If the flood is larger than the one predicted the structure built to contain it will be overtopped and will fail. This causes a sudden burst of water which causes a flash flood downstream. Failed dams and levees can cause catastrophic floods due to the intensive energy involved in the sudden burst of water.

3. FROM:  - http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/floods-profile/

A flood occurs when water overflows or inundates land that's normally dry. This can happen in a multitude of ways. Most common is when rivers or streams overflow their banks. Excessive rain, a ruptured dam or levee, rapid ice melting in the mountains, or even an unfortunately placed beaver dam can overwhelm a river and send it spreading over the adjacent land, called a floodplain. Coastal flooding occurs when a large storm or tsunami causes the sea to surge inland.

Most floods take hours or even days to develop, giving residents ample time to prepare or evacuate. Others generate quickly and with little warning. These flash floods can be extremely dangerous, instantly turning a babbling brook into a thundering wall of water and sweeping everything in its path downstream.

Disaster experts classify floods according to their likelihood of occurring in a given time period. A hundred-year flood, for example, is an extremely large, destructive event that would theoretically be expected to happen only once every century. But this is a theoretical number. In reality, this classification means there is a one-percent chance that such a flood could happen in any given year. Over recent decades, possibly due to global climate change, hundred-year floods have been occurring worldwide with frightening regularity.

Moving water has awesome destructive power. When a river overflows its banks or the sea drives inland, structures poorly equipped to withstand the water's strength are no match. Bridges, houses, trees, and cars can be picked up and carried off. The erosive force of moving water can drag dirt from under a building's foundation, causing it to crack and tumble.

Painting:  Hokusai - Beneath the Great Wave off Kanagawa (c1829-32). Photograph: Alamy

ARE WE REALLY TURNING A NEW LEAF?

"A use of force continuum is a standard that provides law enforcement officers and civilians with guidelines as to how much force may be used against a resisting subject in a given situation."

Do we have rules of engagement at all?

The spate of killings by police of drug suspects, drug pushers, etcetera, has led me to ask, what are the rules of engagement used by our police force when confronting offenders?

How much force should be used against them -- a young as against an adult offender?

When a suspect uses a handgun, should he/she be shot at right away? Is there not a way by which these people may be immobilized without getting killed?

At rallies, the police use tear gas. There are also instances they have used rubber bullets. In Europe, I have read that they could render a rallyist paralyzed for sometime without getting hurt, the legs unable to move. 

For example, that policeman who shot the Hong Kong tourists in a hostage taking drama, could have been immobilized right away as the SWAT soldiers could see him with a telescope on their armalites. They could have shot his hand, or shot him with rubber bullets. 

Shouldn't the police study those methods so as to minimize if not stop the violence outright?

Life seems so cheap nowadays and I would not wonder if that military reservist had gone beyond decency so as to kill a person over a trivial conflict on the road. The series of killings in headlines in print, radio and TV makes life so easy to do away with. 

However, some thinkers have posited the idea that people who feel secure with the support of their families and their communities are not bound to use drugs at all. They rise above the mundane and pursue goals that would enhance their skills and talents. However, since the 70's our Philippine social life has largely been insecure -- fro the time martial law was declared until we handed over our life to a former homemaker who helped restore our democratic rights, to a military man, to a movie artist-turned politician, and later our elections were manipulated to retain the entry of a woman president. In 2010, we hoped that a relative of the homemaker-President would give us good governance, but instead we have a full-scale illegal drugs industry from north to south and the menace is so grave that strong  arm tactics have to be used to stop it. The people realize that it wreaks havoc on our inner souls and so their choice  is now the present regime -- we are run by people of Mindanao -- the Presidency, the Senate and the House of Representatives, including the Philippine National Police. 
Yes we see now that our government is results oriented and that is real change. We can feel the changes occurring day by day. 

However the changes must include socio-cultural programs -- those that will strengthen the feelings of people that we are part of that one big, big organization in the Philippines and that there are no elite or special people who get privileges denied others. Strengthening of our cultural departments and agencies is very much needed now. 

I remember in 1996, when I presented my show, Himig Bayi at the Open Air Auditorium in Luneta, containing 12 self-composed songs, sang by Beth Lorenzana, Deeda Barretto, Rica and Lani Misalucha, the NPDC had a complete video equipment to record the event. And I was able to get a copy of the show, edited by Gie and Morris. But now, nothing. Recording is done by relatives. NPDC budget for the shows have been cut back and yet through all these years we know that millions of pesos have been pocketed in the name of the PDAF. 

However, I am not saying that we should stop the attacks against the drug lords and the like. I like our so-called  "turning a new leaf." However, I would like the rules of engagement to be more humane, more caring of people's lives. I want more people to live longer, to realize their mistakes and then turn a new leaf as their second lives matter most. Who knows if they would turn out to be a Picasso painter, an Abdulmari Imao sculptor par excellence, a Nureyevsky or Lisa Macuja ballet dancer, or a Placido Domingo tenor later on? We'll never know unless we give them a second chance. After all, we are  just humans and could commit mistakes sometime in our life. Sure life is short but let us not make it shorter for other people.  



Painting: Guernica by Picasso 

DILG SECRETARY ISMAEL SUENO, KINDLY MAKE US MORE MOBILE

What is mobility? it is that capacity to move about, to be always on the go. without any hindrance. It is being able to shift one's location in a jiffy. 

The MRT nor the LRT, nor the PNR does not provide that mobility. We are hampered by their unchanged or updated old and dilapidate parts as well as the lack of spare parts to replace them. When one is dealing with the government, we can almost always expect the delays in transporting people, goods or services through the use  of these transport facilities. 

Since we cannot solve this problem on a citywide nor a national scale, let us concentrate on the barangay. Each barangay has more than a kilometer in diameter. For example, in our barangay, it takes me 500 steps from our house to that point where I can get a public transport. That is about 15 minutes of walking briskly. If I do it lackadasically, I could reach the loading point in 700 steps. 

Meanwhile, our barangay has many shutttle jeeps that ferry officers to deliver, pick up a message, etcetera. I tried hailing one but the driver was in a hurry to go back to the office, which is very near the loading point. The jeep can carry 14 passengers and the driver had only one passenger in front. I did not bother about it because I am used to psyching myself up -- "God does not close one door without opening another," I had told myself. 

Seriously though now, I would propose to the new DILG Secretary to make each barangay provide a shuttle jeep that would carry residents from one point to the other, around the place. Ayala Center has those e-jeepneys which go around it for a fare of P8.00 and 20% less for senior citizens. Ateneo de Manila University in Katipunan provides a shuttle also and for free. 

I don't see the reason why the barangay cannot provide that facility. We have many senior citizens I am sure who want to be able to go to the commerial centers which are found just near the barangay. Yet are too hard up to afford the fares. 

Right now, tricycles are the main transport vehicle. Each ride to the end of the barangay where one can get a ride to Quiapo, to Cubao, or to Divisoria, charge P20 oer oerson. Back to the house that would be another P20.00 So all in all in a day's time, we are spending P40 per day x thirty days and that would amount to P1,200.00 per month. In a year's time, that would be P12,000.00 + 2,400 or P14,400.00. wow! That is already a big sum which we could use to buy us a meal for 144 days or four months at P100 per meal, that is if you have a big meal only once a day. 

The problem is that it is the Quezon City Council which is in control of the fares that the tricycles charge and kahit na magngangawa kami sa barangay office, walang mangyayari pa rin.

And so here is what our first request to the DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno, kindly make us more mobile in our barangay, sans expensive transport fares or a free or almost free shuttle jeep. 

A blessed day to you and your new government family. 

WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS

  THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION 

       STATE POLICY Section 17

   The State shall give priority to education, 

science, technology, 


               ARTS, CULTURE

and sports to foster patriotism, nationalism, 

accelerate social progress and promote total 

liberation and development. 

Mabini's  Programa Constitucional dela Republica Filipina 
(The Constitutional Program of the Philippine Republic, 1898) 
became instrumental in the drafting of what would eventually
be known as the Malolos Constitution.