America Votes

This must be one of the most interesting US Elections in history. From the primaries and caucuses season since January this year to the conventions and on towards the November 4 elections... this 2008 US Polls is surely gonna leave a mark in history.

The Democrats had their convention in Denver last week with Barack Obama accepting the party's nomination-- the first African American to do so. It's also funny that Obama chose Joe Biden as his Vice President... Obama Biden (seems like Osama Bin Laden).. :-)

On the Republican side, John McCain has announced his runningmate-- the virtually unknown Sarah Palin. She is the first woman candidate to become a Vice Presidential nominee. Both McCain and Palin are expected to formally accept their nominations this week in the Republican convention in Minnesota.

Both Obama and McCain made wise decisions in choosing their running mates. Obama didn't choose the popular Hillary Clilnton (even if she can bring in more votes)... primarily because Hillary can overpower him easily if they rule America. And Hillary can also beat him in the next presidential elections if she decides to run. McCain on the otherhand chose an unknown woman candidate because he needs the vote of women. He needs to have something different in his campaign. He needs people to talk about him and a woman running mate is the answer.

American politics is interesting now... and this people will surely affect not just the US, but the whole world as well.

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Crash

After a series of natural calamities early this year, like the China Earthquake and the Myanmar Cyclone, both of which left hundreds of thousands of people dead... This past week alone, airplane crashes dominated the news headlines.

Last Thursday August 21, 2008, a Spanish jet crashed minutes after take-off at the Madrid International Airport, killing 154 passengers and crew. About 4 days later, another plane fell from the sky. This time, a passenger plane crashed in Kyrgyzstan's capital of Bishkek, killing at least 70 people, including members of a youth basketball team. On that same day, a small plane crashed in Guatemala killing 10 people, most of whom were on a humanitarian mission. And of course yesterday, an Air Force plane crashed in Davao City. Bodies of two of the nine people on board were already recovered, the others are feared dead.

Then there were the Qantas Airways incidents, where in a span of one week, 3 of its planes made an emegency landing. And just today, barely a week after the Madrid plane crash, an Air France-KLM Airlines skidded off the runway in Montreal, Canada. And did I mention a Philippine Airlines plane also skidded off a runway in Mindanao a week ago.

All these incidents are really scary, considering most of us take the plane. I just hope with all these crashes, airlines would be more careful now, since lives are at stake. But despite the accidents, I'll still would take the plane... but with more prayers.

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Housemates Now

I saw the caretaker of the building where I am residing today. He said I should be careful with my stuff and lock my doors all the time. It was good for him to tell me that, at least I know he's also worried about the life of his tenants. What made me feel weird however was the reason for the security advice.

He told me the people living on the second floor (I'm staying at the third floor) will transfer soon and I have to lock my room since they might barge into it and probably take some stuff. Of course, he is just being paranoid. The caretaker then said... the people on the second floor are drug addicts... and the women are prostitutes! WHAT!!!??

For the past weeks and until now, I am living under one roof with drug addicts and prostitutes!!! So weird, creepy... yet interesting. It's a good thing they will be leaving.

I didn't know about my "neighbors".. What I know is that I have homosexual housemates,obvious naman kasi since they wear female attire and wear heavy make up. They call me "kuya" (hahaha) and sometimes ask for the time whenever I passes by... which really creeps me out. They're ok... but add addicts and sex slaves to the house??

Just to clarify, I am not living in the slum area nor am I residing in a criminal den. My apartment in fact lies across a church and nearby stores, laundry shops, school, etc. It just feels weird with them being my housemates. I am not being judgmental, but can I be blamed for thinking such? :-)

My life just got more interesting!
But with it comes paranoia.

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Zero So Far

It seems one Filipino athlete is being booted out of the Beijing Olympics everyday. I just watched the boxing event just a few minutes ago... and yup we lost. Filipino boxer Harry Tanamor was defeated by Manyo Plange from Ghana by points system. Tanamor just scored 3 compared to Plange's 6 points. Our lone Filipino boxer is I think the 5th Pinoy Olympian bow out of the Olympics during Day 5 of the Beijing Games. It is just sad cause Tanamor was seen as the athlete with better chances of clinching a medal for the country, but it all went down the drain.

But not to lose hope, 10 more athletes have good chances of winning the Philippines' first ever gold medal, or at least a bronze. I just hope kahit isa man lang.

Isn't it weird that we don't have a gold medal winner ever since the country joined the Olympics in 1924? I don't think it's the built or the size of the athlete that mattered, since many Asians have won the gold too. Some would say funding. Well that's true, sports is not really a major priority in the country. But I really think it should be. I know there are a lot of problems in the country, and some would say putting money in sports programs is a waste compared to putting money in housing or food programs for example. But sports gives a different effect. It will always have a unifying power. History tells us that sports have united a country in ways not even a good economy can. Take Manny Pacquiao for example or Efren Bata Reyes (btw, why didn't they compete in the Olympics?). I am so sure a bronze medal can make Filipinos everywhere happy.

I believe government must step-up efforts to promote and improve our sports system in the country. Especially as the Philippines will host the 2014 ASIAN BEACH GAMES and the 2019 SEA GAMES... and is also planning to bid for the 2018 ASIAN GAMES (and probably for the 2024 OLYMPICS :-)

Thank you and Congrats to all Filipino Olympians!

*pic from www.op.gov.ph

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beijing 2008

I've been watching some parts of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, considered as the world's most expensive ever. The entire Games is estimated to be worth $40B, just barely a fifth of the Philippine budget. But anyhow, I didn't see our team during the parade of nations, I was on the move kasi. But I saw the first part. It was pretty impressive. The dance moves, the choreography, the fireworks. Wow. It seems China is telling the world that: hey we're a major power too!! Truly it is a historical event for them and their entry to global spotlight.

Although this Olympics has been marred by protests, criticism and pollution, both supporters and critics can definitely say the opening event was spectacular or at least it wasn't that bad generally. Although admittedly there were boring points, medyo bumaba ang energy level in the middle part. But still good anyway.

Wishful thinking: I just hope it will be in my lifetime that there would finally be the Manila Olympics.



*pictures from getty images

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ARMM

A historic agreement is set to be signed tomorrow in Malaysia. For the first time in years, peace might actually be reached between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). A Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain is scheduled to be signed for the creation of a larger Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

But despite being a landmark deal, many are opposing the signing of such agreement. Some politicians say the creation of a new ARMM Region might be a step for the birth of a new country, separate from that of the Philippines. Probably similar to that of East Timor, which recently became independent from Indonesia... or Taiwan which continues to fight for freedom from Mainland China.

Zamboanga officials are also complaining that they were not advised on the merits of the agreement... which puts some of their barangays into the ARMM territory. The new agreement also gives the MILF or ARMM leaders more power and authority to govern the land, to use its natural resources and to set their own rules.

I hope peace would finally reign in Mindanao, but at the same time I hope the deal would not compromise the sovereignty of the country. I still aim for a full 7,107 island republic.

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