MOA

MOA is how the Mall Of Asia- the Philippines biggest mall, is known. But now, a different MOA has entered the consciousness of the Filipino. It is referred to as MOA-AD or Memorandum of Agreements- Ancestral Domain. How important is this document? Others say it is the reason for the resurgence of the ongoing armed conflict in Mindanao. Others say it is the roadmap to peace. The poor Filipinos living in the places where the armed confrontation is taking place did not even have the time to read and study the MOA. They hardly even have time to gather all their belongings. many of them literally ran away from their homes but many have already died. They are still talking about the MOA but in the meantime those who have lost loved ones and homes are still grieving not knowing what the future holds. MOA or no MOA, everyone of those persons deserves to have a peaceful night and a productive day, not hiding in fear and not cowering in the shadows not knowing what is out there.

2008 SONA

The President has just delivered her 8th State of the Nation Address. It was a much-awaited event by friend and foe alike. The EVat, a major source of contention and polarization among Filipinos will stay. The President calls it the "shield" from the global crisis that has squeezed the joy of the life of many Filipinos.
The embarrasing "good news" was the reduction of the cost of sending SMS (text message) by 50% (from 1 peso to 50 centavos). The nation later learned that this is promotional campaign of some telecom companies and it would only last till October of this year.
The nation needs deliverance from its present crippling crisis but the SONA has not offered an ambulance to take the patient to where he should go nor offered a program of surgical intervention to save the nation from its economic and political cancer.

Evolution of the Jeepny

The jeepney remains the main public transport vehicle in the Philippines. It has evolved into what it is now from the original jeepneys powered by used WWII army jeeps. Some say its days are number but there is no sign of it happening. This one is in Cagayan de Oro city in Mindanao

Welcome

Oroquieta City one of its kind. I cannot recall any other city in the Philippines that welcomes visitors to the City In The Name Of Jesus Christ.

A wow of a Tricycle design

The Tricycle (three-wheeled passenger motorcycle) in Pagadian City is one of its kind. The main road of Pagadian sits at about 20 to 35 degree-angle of inclination and yet this tricycle remains steady even when running at its top speed. The poor guy who gets to sit at the the front seat seems to be in torture seat but I haven't seen anyone complain

Strawberries

Trinidad Valley in Benguet is the Strawberry capital of the Philippines. The strawberries look succulent (they are) and irresistible (most people end up buying) and simply alluring to the stranger.

BUDA road

For frequent visitors to the City of Baguio, this sight can easily be mistaken as that of the City in the early morning. This was, however, taken at around 4PM along BUDA (Bukidnon Davao) road, almost at the boundary. A few meters down the road, visibility was reduced around 4 meters and driving became difficult.

Bukidnon waterfall

For those who love to travel by car to see the countryside, the road connecting Davao City and Bukidon province in Mindanao, Philippines is a must. The sights change as fast you drive but these are not only eye-catching; you'll find yourself forced to stop, look and savor the beauty of the sight while you listen to different sounds that only a rural setting can provide. This waterfall is in Bukidnon.

Banawe Rice Terraces, Philippines

This is an early late afternoon picture of the Banawe Rice Terraces. When you actually walk on the terraced rice paddies, you can't help but marvel at the engineering skills that the farmers-builders must have used to create such a beautiful work of art.