Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Name that saloon!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Liberty town
Operation tourists in uniform
Jul 25, 2013
OLONGAPO CITY—Mayor Rolen C. Paulino has forged a joint project with Roberto V. Garcia, chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to ensure a “wholesome” short visit experience of US Navy and Marine servicemen allowed to spend their liberty time in this city and at the Subic Bay Freeport.
Aside from ensuring the safety and protection of the visitors, Paulino vowed to seek the cooperation of local businessmen not to take advantage of the influx these servicemen by overcharging them when they patronize their establishments.
Garcia for his part said he will not oppose the granting of liberty area to include Olongapo thereby allowing the foreign servicemen tourists to sample real Filipino hospitality outside the former US Naval base secured area.
Paulino admitted that the major concerned expressed by outgoing US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr., when he sought an audience with the incoming city mayor was the protection of US servicemen while out in the city.
Thomas admitted that there will be increase visitations of US Naval vessels and personnel in the coming months and Washington wanted to find out if the new Olongapo City government welcomes the influx of their soldiers.
Olongapo as former host of the US Seventh Fleet prior to the end of the US bases agreement in 1992 was the liberty haven.
Paulino said movements of the tourists will be limited to the city’s main streets, Magsaysay Drive, Gordon Avenue, and Rizal Avenue after sunsets, but during day time, they can visit the commercial areas at downtown Bajac-Bajac district.
Recently Paulino ordered the round-up of mendicants in the city by the local DSWD unit and warned parents of the minor children that they will held accountable if they will be found wondering at unholy hours.
Paulino also vowed to clear the City of drug pushers and assured that there will be a no left up drug campaign to be launched once the new police director of his choice will be assigned to the city.
Olongapo must not fail in its tourists in uniform project because of the economic benefits it will contribute, since Olongapo is now facing serious economic and financial dilemma due to the huge billions indebtedness left by the former city leadership of Bong Gordon Jr.
Jul 25, 2013
OLONGAPO CITY—Mayor Rolen C. Paulino has forged a joint project with Roberto V. Garcia, chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to ensure a “wholesome” short visit experience of US Navy and Marine servicemen allowed to spend their liberty time in this city and at the Subic Bay Freeport.
Aside from ensuring the safety and protection of the visitors, Paulino vowed to seek the cooperation of local businessmen not to take advantage of the influx these servicemen by overcharging them when they patronize their establishments.
Garcia for his part said he will not oppose the granting of liberty area to include Olongapo thereby allowing the foreign servicemen tourists to sample real Filipino hospitality outside the former US Naval base secured area.
Paulino admitted that the major concerned expressed by outgoing US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr., when he sought an audience with the incoming city mayor was the protection of US servicemen while out in the city.
Thomas admitted that there will be increase visitations of US Naval vessels and personnel in the coming months and Washington wanted to find out if the new Olongapo City government welcomes the influx of their soldiers.
Olongapo as former host of the US Seventh Fleet prior to the end of the US bases agreement in 1992 was the liberty haven.
Paulino said movements of the tourists will be limited to the city’s main streets, Magsaysay Drive, Gordon Avenue, and Rizal Avenue after sunsets, but during day time, they can visit the commercial areas at downtown Bajac-Bajac district.
Recently Paulino ordered the round-up of mendicants in the city by the local DSWD unit and warned parents of the minor children that they will held accountable if they will be found wondering at unholy hours.
Paulino also vowed to clear the City of drug pushers and assured that there will be a no left up drug campaign to be launched once the new police director of his choice will be assigned to the city.
Olongapo must not fail in its tourists in uniform project because of the economic benefits it will contribute, since Olongapo is now facing serious economic and financial dilemma due to the huge billions indebtedness left by the former city leadership of Bong Gordon Jr.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Why DND plans to move Air Force, Navy to Subic
BY CARMELA FONBUENA
POSTED ON 07/29/2013 3:55 PM
MANILA, Philippines – While acknowledging that maritime dispute with China triggered the plans to move the Air Force and Navy camps to Subic, the defense department said other “events” also became a factor.
An Associated Press report earlier quoted Defense Sec Voltaire Gazmin as saying the move to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), a former American naval base in Zambales, would be “for the protection of the West Philippine Sea.”
The plan was reportedly hatched "late last year" as the Philippines was caught in a row with Beijing over the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
Aside from the situation in the West Philippine Sea, "there are events that triggered all these," Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman Peter Galvez told reporters on Monday, July 29.
The plan to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was among the triggers.
"Sangley Point will be controlled by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) – the runway and the facilities. I believe private aircraft will be transferred there from NAIA," Galvez said.
Galvez said there is "no definitely timeline yet" but Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Sec Joseph Emilio Abaya said "we're looking at roughly two years" to implement the plan for CAAP to take over Sangley Point.
Galvez also noted the proposed commercial expansion in Clark.
Subic is the "best alternative," said Galvez because it has existing facilities that can accommodate the country's warships and additional helicopters due to arrive.
"With all those things, the best alternative that we saw was Subic because of its existing facilities. It has a deepwater port for our two Weather High Endurance Class Cutters from the US," he said.
"We also have in the pipeline aircraft that will be arriving. There's also an existing runway in Subic. We don't have to replicate those. This is savings for our armed forces," Galvez said.
The DND is studying where it can source the funding for its plan to relocate the Air Force and Navy camps to Subic.
Galvez said they are studying if the funding should be sourced from the P75-billion fresh modernization plan. "It has specific items already in there so we'll look into it — if it will be there or it will be outside. That will part of the study," Galvez said.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to begin in August deliberations on the 2014 budget.
He said it is also cost-efficient to move air force and navy camps to Subic because of the existing facilities.
"It's a very strategic location to address whatever issue there may be in the west side of our country," Galvez said.
"We can ensure maritime domain awareness in those areas. It's a strategic location in terms of transit considerations and for operational considerations for ships and aircraft," he added. – Rappler.com
BY CARMELA FONBUENA
POSTED ON 07/29/2013 3:55 PM
MANILA, Philippines – While acknowledging that maritime dispute with China triggered the plans to move the Air Force and Navy camps to Subic, the defense department said other “events” also became a factor.
An Associated Press report earlier quoted Defense Sec Voltaire Gazmin as saying the move to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), a former American naval base in Zambales, would be “for the protection of the West Philippine Sea.”
The plan was reportedly hatched "late last year" as the Philippines was caught in a row with Beijing over the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
Aside from the situation in the West Philippine Sea, "there are events that triggered all these," Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman Peter Galvez told reporters on Monday, July 29.
The plan to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was among the triggers.
"Sangley Point will be controlled by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) – the runway and the facilities. I believe private aircraft will be transferred there from NAIA," Galvez said.
Galvez said there is "no definitely timeline yet" but Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Sec Joseph Emilio Abaya said "we're looking at roughly two years" to implement the plan for CAAP to take over Sangley Point.
Galvez also noted the proposed commercial expansion in Clark.
Subic is the "best alternative," said Galvez because it has existing facilities that can accommodate the country's warships and additional helicopters due to arrive.
"With all those things, the best alternative that we saw was Subic because of its existing facilities. It has a deepwater port for our two Weather High Endurance Class Cutters from the US," he said.
"We also have in the pipeline aircraft that will be arriving. There's also an existing runway in Subic. We don't have to replicate those. This is savings for our armed forces," Galvez said.
The DND is studying where it can source the funding for its plan to relocate the Air Force and Navy camps to Subic.
Galvez said they are studying if the funding should be sourced from the P75-billion fresh modernization plan. "It has specific items already in there so we'll look into it — if it will be there or it will be outside. That will part of the study," Galvez said.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to begin in August deliberations on the 2014 budget.
He said it is also cost-efficient to move air force and navy camps to Subic because of the existing facilities.
"It's a very strategic location to address whatever issue there may be in the west side of our country," Galvez said.
"We can ensure maritime domain awareness in those areas. It's a strategic location in terms of transit considerations and for operational considerations for ships and aircraft," he added. – Rappler.com
American boys
Preempting a firestorm of protest
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo
BusinessWorld
The “Amboy” (American Boy) troika of President Aquino, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario is hard at work justifying renewed basing rights for the United States Armed Forces while making it appear that there is nothing new about what will be granted to the US military that isn’t already in the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the little mentioned Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA).
Both the US and Philippine military officials were quick to douse reports about new bases being set up at the former US naval base in Subic, Olongapo City, to accommodate an up-scaled, longer-term and more enduring presence of US military naval vessels and forces in light of the US-declared “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific region involving the “rebalancing” of sixty per cent of its forces, mainly sea-borne, in the area.
The “pivot” is contained in the January 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance document titled “Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense” and endorsed by no less than US President Barack Obama. It cites as one of the US’ “core national interests” the deterrence and defeat of aggression by adversaries, including those “seeking to deny US power projection”. The allusion is first and foremost to China, a country with which the US has an ongoing love-hate or, in diplomatese, engagement-containment, relationship.
The code words bandied about by Philippine officials are “access”, “temporary” and “Philippine bases” to belie persistent reports that the US war machine is in fact gearing up for an open-ended stay of an indeterminate number of soldiers and war materiel undertaking unspecified activities within Philippine territory – including land, air and territorial waters – under new terms that guarantee wide latitude in command and unhampered operations.
We suspect a qualitative leap from the current set-up where US military presence is justified under the terms of the VFA and MLSA; that is, in terms of so-called joint exercises, rotational deployment, ship visits and docking for repairs, resupply and R and R, humanitarian assistance during disasters and civil-military actions designed to project US benevolence and low-key intelligence-gathering and exchange activities. The military aspect of the US pivot certainly means more than just an increase in the frequency of these activities or even the number of troops and war vessels involved.
But the Amboy troika is deliberately being vague about what exactly is being discussed in secret talks between Philippine and US defense officials except to say that national interest will be upheld in line with strategic alliances. Nonetheless, President Aquino apparently slipped when he mentioned that “(foreign troops) need knowledge of our terrain, while we also need interoperability with them” as necessary in order to “coordinate” or “synchronize” the military deployment systems between forces of the US, Japan and the Philippines.
This statement should set alarm bells ringing among peace advocates since this could be a harbinger of more overt military involvement in the government’s counterinsurgency operations against the New People’s Army and even several Moro revolutionary organizations still at odds with the government.
It also betrays that Mr. Aquino is toying around with the idea that an armed conflict involving our “strategic allies”, referring to the US and Japan, could actually be brought to our shores and therefore the Philippines should be preparing for it by giving these foreign forces wide-open access to our territory and military facilities. Recall that barely two months ago Sec. Gazmin, in the wake of heightened tension in the Korean peninsula, brazenly called for the return of US bases to the country in the event of a shooting war between the combined US-South Korean forces and North Korea.
Many are still not aware of it, but if the US has its way, the Philippines would one day, in the not too distant future, serve as an ideal forward base for its attack fleets of drones, fighter jets, bombers and warships against China, which it considers its “closest potential peer rival”. As such, it also transforms into a giant magnet for an attack from any of the US’ enemies, of which there are not a few candidates.
One need not look far back in history. Seventy years ago, on December 8, 1941, Japanese warplanes bombed the US Air Base in Clark Field, Pampanga and other US military installations in the Philippines a few hours after the bombing attack on the US naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Japanese subsequently invaded and occupied the Philippines, driving out all US armed forces.
After liberation, the US-Philippine military “alliance” was firmed up with the MDT and Military Bases Agreement and the formation of the South East Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) purportedly to fend off the global communist threat in the context of the Cold War. This resulted in the deployment of Philippine troops to the Korean and Vietnam wars.
In time, the aura of US invincibility and benevolence shrouding the US-Philippine “alliance” has worn off revealing that US national interest underpinned the arrangements, nothing else.
The US and the Aquino regime are well aware that the anti-bases movement in the country had scored an unprecedented upset in 1991 when the Philippine Senate voted to boot out US military installations from Philippine soil backed by a broad-based nationalist and democratic mass opposition to the renewal of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement.
The combined strength of the US lobby, President Corazon Aquino’s backroom dealings with the senators and high-profile campaign for the retention of the bases, and big business’ and the Philippine military’s backing crumbled before the unrelenting mas protest actions, the sustained information and education campaigns that exposed the myth of “special relations” and “mutual benefit” and the ever-expanding anti-bases alliances that gained adherents with every twist and turn of the high-level negotiations hammering out the terms of the bases’ retention.
The Aquino regime is playing up the China bogey to the hilt (not so much the specter of a communist take-over but as new big bully in the neighborhood) in conjunction with the shrill “defense” of national territory (islets, shoals and waters in between located in the South China Sea now christened the West Philippine Sea). With the latest straw man set up, the regime argues that what is needed is a “credible defense posture”. In other words, hide behind Uncle Sam, the only Superpower in the world, with its mighty armada equipped with the deadliest high-tech weaponry known to man, and beg for the US military’s discards to be refurbished for the Philippine armed forces “modernization”.
The US and Aquino regime are reviving and recycling old, neocolonial thinking about RP-US relations that had been challenged, dissected and, to certain extent debunked, by the victorious struggle to kick out US bases in 1991. Yet they will avoid at all costs another bruising and risky political battle over a new basing treaty as required in the Philippine Constitution, Sec. 25, Art. XVIII, viz:
“After the expiration in 1991 of the Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America concerning Military Bases, foreign military bases, troops, or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for that purpose, and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State.”
Thus, the trick will be how to deliver a fait accompli of US basing arrangements that is passed off as nothing new and perfectly covered by existing military agreements – the MDT, VFA and MLSA — to preempt a firestorm of protest.
Published in Business World
12-13 July 2013
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo
BusinessWorld
The “Amboy” (American Boy) troika of President Aquino, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario is hard at work justifying renewed basing rights for the United States Armed Forces while making it appear that there is nothing new about what will be granted to the US military that isn’t already in the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the little mentioned Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA).
Both the US and Philippine military officials were quick to douse reports about new bases being set up at the former US naval base in Subic, Olongapo City, to accommodate an up-scaled, longer-term and more enduring presence of US military naval vessels and forces in light of the US-declared “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific region involving the “rebalancing” of sixty per cent of its forces, mainly sea-borne, in the area.
The “pivot” is contained in the January 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance document titled “Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense” and endorsed by no less than US President Barack Obama. It cites as one of the US’ “core national interests” the deterrence and defeat of aggression by adversaries, including those “seeking to deny US power projection”. The allusion is first and foremost to China, a country with which the US has an ongoing love-hate or, in diplomatese, engagement-containment, relationship.
The code words bandied about by Philippine officials are “access”, “temporary” and “Philippine bases” to belie persistent reports that the US war machine is in fact gearing up for an open-ended stay of an indeterminate number of soldiers and war materiel undertaking unspecified activities within Philippine territory – including land, air and territorial waters – under new terms that guarantee wide latitude in command and unhampered operations.
We suspect a qualitative leap from the current set-up where US military presence is justified under the terms of the VFA and MLSA; that is, in terms of so-called joint exercises, rotational deployment, ship visits and docking for repairs, resupply and R and R, humanitarian assistance during disasters and civil-military actions designed to project US benevolence and low-key intelligence-gathering and exchange activities. The military aspect of the US pivot certainly means more than just an increase in the frequency of these activities or even the number of troops and war vessels involved.
But the Amboy troika is deliberately being vague about what exactly is being discussed in secret talks between Philippine and US defense officials except to say that national interest will be upheld in line with strategic alliances. Nonetheless, President Aquino apparently slipped when he mentioned that “(foreign troops) need knowledge of our terrain, while we also need interoperability with them” as necessary in order to “coordinate” or “synchronize” the military deployment systems between forces of the US, Japan and the Philippines.
This statement should set alarm bells ringing among peace advocates since this could be a harbinger of more overt military involvement in the government’s counterinsurgency operations against the New People’s Army and even several Moro revolutionary organizations still at odds with the government.
It also betrays that Mr. Aquino is toying around with the idea that an armed conflict involving our “strategic allies”, referring to the US and Japan, could actually be brought to our shores and therefore the Philippines should be preparing for it by giving these foreign forces wide-open access to our territory and military facilities. Recall that barely two months ago Sec. Gazmin, in the wake of heightened tension in the Korean peninsula, brazenly called for the return of US bases to the country in the event of a shooting war between the combined US-South Korean forces and North Korea.
Many are still not aware of it, but if the US has its way, the Philippines would one day, in the not too distant future, serve as an ideal forward base for its attack fleets of drones, fighter jets, bombers and warships against China, which it considers its “closest potential peer rival”. As such, it also transforms into a giant magnet for an attack from any of the US’ enemies, of which there are not a few candidates.
One need not look far back in history. Seventy years ago, on December 8, 1941, Japanese warplanes bombed the US Air Base in Clark Field, Pampanga and other US military installations in the Philippines a few hours after the bombing attack on the US naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Japanese subsequently invaded and occupied the Philippines, driving out all US armed forces.
After liberation, the US-Philippine military “alliance” was firmed up with the MDT and Military Bases Agreement and the formation of the South East Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) purportedly to fend off the global communist threat in the context of the Cold War. This resulted in the deployment of Philippine troops to the Korean and Vietnam wars.
In time, the aura of US invincibility and benevolence shrouding the US-Philippine “alliance” has worn off revealing that US national interest underpinned the arrangements, nothing else.
The US and the Aquino regime are well aware that the anti-bases movement in the country had scored an unprecedented upset in 1991 when the Philippine Senate voted to boot out US military installations from Philippine soil backed by a broad-based nationalist and democratic mass opposition to the renewal of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement.
The combined strength of the US lobby, President Corazon Aquino’s backroom dealings with the senators and high-profile campaign for the retention of the bases, and big business’ and the Philippine military’s backing crumbled before the unrelenting mas protest actions, the sustained information and education campaigns that exposed the myth of “special relations” and “mutual benefit” and the ever-expanding anti-bases alliances that gained adherents with every twist and turn of the high-level negotiations hammering out the terms of the bases’ retention.
The Aquino regime is playing up the China bogey to the hilt (not so much the specter of a communist take-over but as new big bully in the neighborhood) in conjunction with the shrill “defense” of national territory (islets, shoals and waters in between located in the South China Sea now christened the West Philippine Sea). With the latest straw man set up, the regime argues that what is needed is a “credible defense posture”. In other words, hide behind Uncle Sam, the only Superpower in the world, with its mighty armada equipped with the deadliest high-tech weaponry known to man, and beg for the US military’s discards to be refurbished for the Philippine armed forces “modernization”.
The US and Aquino regime are reviving and recycling old, neocolonial thinking about RP-US relations that had been challenged, dissected and, to certain extent debunked, by the victorious struggle to kick out US bases in 1991. Yet they will avoid at all costs another bruising and risky political battle over a new basing treaty as required in the Philippine Constitution, Sec. 25, Art. XVIII, viz:
“After the expiration in 1991 of the Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America concerning Military Bases, foreign military bases, troops, or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for that purpose, and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State.”
Thus, the trick will be how to deliver a fait accompli of US basing arrangements that is passed off as nothing new and perfectly covered by existing military agreements – the MDT, VFA and MLSA — to preempt a firestorm of protest.
Published in Business World
12-13 July 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Barretto's Best Karaoke Bar & Comments
Does anyone remember when the Midnight Rambler was this great drinking bar with some of the best music in town? Boy, those days are long gone. During a recent weekend visit, we caught the house band at the Rambler. They aren't bad. They have a sexy lead singer and they do their best to play some great rock and roll. Unfortunately, the karaoke culture of the Philippines seems to have taken over the Rambler and there apparently isn't anyone managing the place to get control of it. On Friday, guys were sending their girlfriends up on stage to sing the usual Mariah Carey and other karaoke stuff. It sounded like cats being set on fire. It used to be that you could always get a cold beer and hear some good tunes at the Rambler. Those days are gone. But it is a pretty good Filipino karaoke bar.
Two reader comments:
1) The night Rascal nightclub opened we spent two hours in Rascal, two hours in Midnight Rambler and two more more hours in Rascal. Had a great time in both places. In the Rambler there were people who went up and sang with the band. Our night it was mostly guys. Didn't notice the karaoke stuff.
2) I really dig the house band, that lead singer is sexy as hell and she does her best, she also has a cute older sister working in the bar, but the manager really does need to keep an eye on the karaoke stuff, karaoke is like a cancer in this country, you have to attack it early or it spreads
Two reader comments:
1) The night Rascal nightclub opened we spent two hours in Rascal, two hours in Midnight Rambler and two more more hours in Rascal. Had a great time in both places. In the Rambler there were people who went up and sang with the band. Our night it was mostly guys. Didn't notice the karaoke stuff.
2) I really dig the house band, that lead singer is sexy as hell and she does her best, she also has a cute older sister working in the bar, but the manager really does need to keep an eye on the karaoke stuff, karaoke is like a cancer in this country, you have to attack it early or it spreads
Saturday, July 27, 2013
1999 survey
MAJORITY AGREE WITH VFA, EXPECT U.S. MILITARY HELP
CASE OF SPRATLY CONFLICT -- SWS SURVEY
A majority of 55% of Filipinos agree with the Senate approval of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), according to the Social Weather Survey of June 2-16, 1999.
The nationwide SWS survey found 23% disagreement with the Senate approval of the VFA, and 18% undecided.
The VFA was described in the survey question as an agreement for the temporary visit of a significant number of American military in order to undertake joint exercises with the Philippine military.
The June 1999 result was similar to that of the November 1998 SWS survey, when 51% of Filipino adults were in favor, and 25% were opposed, while the VFA was still being discussed in the Senate.
Analysis of the survey showed that anti-VFA Senators Guingona, Osme?a III, Pimentel, and Roco were actually slightly more popular among pro-VFA Filipinos than among anti-VFA Filipinos, reminiscent of the irrelevance of the way senators voted on the 1991 RP-U.S. treaty to their personal popularity afterwards.
The June 1999 survey also found that a plurality of 42% of Filipinos believe that the U.S. will voluntarily follow the Philippine constitutional ban on nuclear arms. Over one-fourth (28%) do not believe that the U.S. will comply with the ban, and the rest are undecided.
A plurality of 43% believe that the Philippines has the final say on how many U.S. military forces can visit in the country and for how long. Nearly one-fourth (23%) do not believe that the Philippines has this discretion.
Asked whether the United States military will aid the Philippines in case of an armed conflict with China over the disputed Spratlys, 59% of Filipinos say that the U.S. will do so.
When asked if the Mutual Defense Treaty should still be maintained in case the U.S. forces fail to defend the Philippines in this case, 61% said No, and 39% said Yes.
OPINION ON THE SENATE APPROVAL OF THE VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT
Philippines, SWS June 2-16, 1999 National Survey
AGREE 55%
UNDECIDED 18
DISAGREE 23
NET * +32
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Up the Zambales coast
As our area grows, more and more people are spreading up the coast to San Marcelino, San Narciso, San Felipe and Candelaria. One of the more scenic spots is near San Antonio, the coastal village of Pundaquit.
Communities like The Palms (Aussie Village) have sprung up around this area. So too have the businesses to support these population growths. We happened to pass by one of the more ingenious ones recently.
Double Suds is part car wash and part bar. It is a lovely stop on the left before you arrive in Pundaquit village itself. The car wash has all the equipment to do the job properly. The bar has beer at P40 and serves burgers (P160), soups, nachos, fish and chips and Buffalo wings. Saturdays they often serve a special meal of beef or pork that has been on the smoker all night long.
We recommend this place as a fun and scenic stop where you can get waxed and hammered at the same time. You might also encounter some of our local characters. If you ever visited the real Midnight Rambler in Barretto during its heyday you might recognize the feel. This place contains that same vibe.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
From AC website
Fields Avenue clubs warned of closure
‘FOR NON-COMPLIANCE’
Posted on July 24, 2013 at 9:44 am
ANGELES CITY – Bar owners at the entertainment district here have to double time in complying with the requirements set by City Hall and police authorities to ensure smooth business operations and avoid being padlocked for “non-compliance” offense.
Setting an example, three girly bars, including Angel Witch, Devil Witch and Voodoo clubs, all situated at the heart of Fields Avenue in Barangay Balibago, were closed and permanently padlocked for alleged “fire violation”, said a bar owner who declined to be named.
This developed as police and City Hall officials called a meeting with bar owners recently. A total of 40 club proprietors have been invited to join in the “conference” but only 11 have so far responded and participated.
Among the participants in the meeting include Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan’s chief of staff Alex Cauguiran, Angeles City police director Senior Supt. Eden Ugale, the provincial chief of the Pampanga Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (CIDT) and representatives from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
Only six Koreans, an Australian, German and three Filipina floor managers of different bars have joined in the meeting called by authorities.
The discussion, according to Central Luzon Daily sources, evolved on several topics including violations of the anti-human trafficking law, local ordinances such as bar fines, sanitary, health and working permits of employees.
The most interesting topic was about “non-compliance” of requirements set by City Hall and police executives, said the source who spoke to CL Daily on condition of anonymity. He did not, however, elaborate further on the “non-compliance” violation.
“Non-compliance is a general term, a club owner must know how to read between lines,” said the club owner, adding that the City Hall executive had warned that several clubs and entertainment joints will be closed in the next six weeks.
The city hall executive, the source said, also said that a big number of clubs will remain open until 2015 only.
The entertainment district contributes about 30 to 40 percent of the city coffers in terms of business permits, tax and other duties.
Central Luzon Daily tried to reach City Hall and police officials but failed. – Jess Malabanan
SOURCE: Central Luzon Daily
‘FOR NON-COMPLIANCE’
Posted on July 24, 2013 at 9:44 am
ANGELES CITY – Bar owners at the entertainment district here have to double time in complying with the requirements set by City Hall and police authorities to ensure smooth business operations and avoid being padlocked for “non-compliance” offense.
Setting an example, three girly bars, including Angel Witch, Devil Witch and Voodoo clubs, all situated at the heart of Fields Avenue in Barangay Balibago, were closed and permanently padlocked for alleged “fire violation”, said a bar owner who declined to be named.
This developed as police and City Hall officials called a meeting with bar owners recently. A total of 40 club proprietors have been invited to join in the “conference” but only 11 have so far responded and participated.
Among the participants in the meeting include Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan’s chief of staff Alex Cauguiran, Angeles City police director Senior Supt. Eden Ugale, the provincial chief of the Pampanga Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (CIDT) and representatives from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
Only six Koreans, an Australian, German and three Filipina floor managers of different bars have joined in the meeting called by authorities.
The discussion, according to Central Luzon Daily sources, evolved on several topics including violations of the anti-human trafficking law, local ordinances such as bar fines, sanitary, health and working permits of employees.
The most interesting topic was about “non-compliance” of requirements set by City Hall and police executives, said the source who spoke to CL Daily on condition of anonymity. He did not, however, elaborate further on the “non-compliance” violation.
“Non-compliance is a general term, a club owner must know how to read between lines,” said the club owner, adding that the City Hall executive had warned that several clubs and entertainment joints will be closed in the next six weeks.
The city hall executive, the source said, also said that a big number of clubs will remain open until 2015 only.
The entertainment district contributes about 30 to 40 percent of the city coffers in terms of business permits, tax and other duties.
Central Luzon Daily tried to reach City Hall and police officials but failed. – Jess Malabanan
SOURCE: Central Luzon Daily
Tourist visas
Tourists’ initial stay in PH extended from 21 to 30 days
By Jocelyn R. Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
10:31 am
Wednesday, July 24th, 2013
Starting August, visitors from 151 countries can enter the Philippines without a visa and can extend their stay up to 30 days, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI). AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Starting August, visitors from 151 countries can enter the Philippines without a visa and can extend their stay up to 30 days, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
BI officer-in-charge Seigfred Mison said on Tuesday the visa-free entry privilege has been extended from 21 to 30 days as part of the government’s efforts to draw more foreign tourists to the country.
The Department of Tourism is targeting 5.5 million foreign tourists for 2013 and double the figure by 2016. The tourism agency estimated that up to seven million jobs would be generated for Filipinos if the targets were achieved.
Mison noted that the new visa policy was adopted pursuant to a circular from the Department of Foreign Affairs issued on July 1. He said the bureau recently finished updating its computerized travel control systems in various ports of entry in time for the implementation of the new visa scheme.
59 days for Israel, Brazil visitors
While the scheme would allow foreign travelers up to 30 days in the country, visitors from Israel and Brazil shall be allowed an initial stay of 59 days following existing bilateral agreements, according to Mison.
He also emphasized that foreigners could only avail of the visa-free privilege if their passports were valid for at least six months beyond their intended period of stay.
“They should also present return tickets to their country of origin or onward tickets to their next country destination,” he said.
When asked whether the new scheme would affect the bureau’s collection, Mison said reduction might be minimal since many tourists who usually extended their visit actually stayed more than 30 days in the country.
“Yes to a certain extent since tourists who will be here for more than 21 days but less than 30 days will no longer file extensions,” Mison told reporters.
“But reduction may not be significant since tourists who really extend stay here for more than 30 days,” he added.
By Jocelyn R. Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
10:31 am
Wednesday, July 24th, 2013
Starting August, visitors from 151 countries can enter the Philippines without a visa and can extend their stay up to 30 days, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI). AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Starting August, visitors from 151 countries can enter the Philippines without a visa and can extend their stay up to 30 days, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
BI officer-in-charge Seigfred Mison said on Tuesday the visa-free entry privilege has been extended from 21 to 30 days as part of the government’s efforts to draw more foreign tourists to the country.
The Department of Tourism is targeting 5.5 million foreign tourists for 2013 and double the figure by 2016. The tourism agency estimated that up to seven million jobs would be generated for Filipinos if the targets were achieved.
Mison noted that the new visa policy was adopted pursuant to a circular from the Department of Foreign Affairs issued on July 1. He said the bureau recently finished updating its computerized travel control systems in various ports of entry in time for the implementation of the new visa scheme.
59 days for Israel, Brazil visitors
While the scheme would allow foreign travelers up to 30 days in the country, visitors from Israel and Brazil shall be allowed an initial stay of 59 days following existing bilateral agreements, according to Mison.
He also emphasized that foreigners could only avail of the visa-free privilege if their passports were valid for at least six months beyond their intended period of stay.
“They should also present return tickets to their country of origin or onward tickets to their next country destination,” he said.
When asked whether the new scheme would affect the bureau’s collection, Mison said reduction might be minimal since many tourists who usually extended their visit actually stayed more than 30 days in the country.
“Yes to a certain extent since tourists who will be here for more than 21 days but less than 30 days will no longer file extensions,” Mison told reporters.
“But reduction may not be significant since tourists who really extend stay here for more than 30 days,” he added.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
More AC
American tour operator in Phl convicted in prostitution sting
(Associated Press)
Updated July 23, 2013 - 8:35am
WHITE PLAINS, New York (AP) — A U.S. man who runs a travel company specializing in trips to Thailand and the Philippines has been convicted of promoting prostitution.
The Westchester County district attorney announced the conviction Monday of Douglas Allen, the owner of Big Apple Oriental Tours.
In 2010, an online investigator pretended that he wanted to use the company to go overseas and have sex for money. Prosecutors say he paid Allen $2,500.
They say Allen told the investigator he would be taken to Angeles City in the Philippines, where he could negotiate at bars for sexual acts.
District Attorney Janet DiFiore says the defendant faces a maximum of two and one-third to seven years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 15.
(Associated Press)
Updated July 23, 2013 - 8:35am
WHITE PLAINS, New York (AP) — A U.S. man who runs a travel company specializing in trips to Thailand and the Philippines has been convicted of promoting prostitution.
The Westchester County district attorney announced the conviction Monday of Douglas Allen, the owner of Big Apple Oriental Tours.
In 2010, an online investigator pretended that he wanted to use the company to go overseas and have sex for money. Prosecutors say he paid Allen $2,500.
They say Allen told the investigator he would be taken to Angeles City in the Philippines, where he could negotiate at bars for sexual acts.
District Attorney Janet DiFiore says the defendant faces a maximum of two and one-third to seven years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 15.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Rascal comments
A bit hypocritical there, Bugle. You took issue with the Hot Zone's exterior presentation and labeled the management pimps. But Rascal, which provides the same "services" in a tonier venue, gets to evade this sobriquet. Rascal is simply sleaze dressed up. on Rascal: a mischievous or impish rogue.
Deja vu. The last 2 times they opened with a "bang" it was a short while before they jacked up their prices and cut the staff to customer ratio to a level that quickly caused their demise. Standby for a repeat. on Rascal: a mischievous or impish rogue.
Re: Rascal's. I was there last night (Sunday), from 7 to 8 pm to check out the place due to your review. I was the only paying customer for that hour and SMB was 70p. Didn't seem all that much different from most of the other bars, other than the nautical motif. However, hope it works... on Rascal: a mischievous or impish rogue
Deja vu. The last 2 times they opened with a "bang" it was a short while before they jacked up their prices and cut the staff to customer ratio to a level that quickly caused their demise. Standby for a repeat. on Rascal: a mischievous or impish rogue.
Re: Rascal's. I was there last night (Sunday), from 7 to 8 pm to check out the place due to your review. I was the only paying customer for that hour and SMB was 70p. Didn't seem all that much different from most of the other bars, other than the nautical motif. However, hope it works... on Rascal: a mischievous or impish rogue
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Angeles Tails
This email and one similar to it have been circulating over the weekend. The Bugle has no idea if it is true or the product of an active imagination...........
Angeles City Mayor Seeking Control/ bar raids
The Mayor wants to fully control all bars in his city. To do this city officials were requested to design a structure so the Mayor can gain full control over every foreign owned bar in AC. This includes the Korean Bars.
The mayor cannot assure protection from outside the AC region. A structure of membership status has been put in place with the commissioning of an accountant firm by city hall to collect all fees. How this works is based on size of bars,. The number of employees will determine the amount charged for membership..
Bars under 30 employees will be required to pay a membership fee of P5000 per month
Bars under 75 employees will be required to pay a membership fee of P10,000 per month
Bars under 120 employees will be required to pay a membership fee of P20,000 per month
Bars over 120 employees will be required to pay a membership fee of P50,000 per month.
The accountant in charge of overseeing the financial structure of this is a very well know woman who runs a accounting firm that does the books for many many bars in AC. The different categories of membership will allow bars to use a barfine system without trouble from city hall. The bars will be required to record the girls hygiene license number every time she bas a barfine. The hygiene fee will be based on the number of times per week that girl goes barfine...
For example 100 peso base hygiene cost for no barfines in a week and 50 pesos for every barfine on top of the base. If a girl goes out 5 times per week then the hygeine fee payable will be 350 pesos.
The girl will be required to attend hygiene as normal but a specially printed card will be issued by city health and be required to be presented at hygiene with the dates she has had barfines. Then the charge will be levied against that card at 50 pesos per barfine plus the base fee.
The bars who choose not to be a part of this new membership scheme will be constantly inspected/raided. This is the reason that the latest raids are being done using local based PNP, CIDG and NBI. It is designed to use these groups to gain full control over the local bars.
The bars that do not become members will not be allowed to barfine and will be tested on such activity and if found to allow barfining outside of the membership group then that bar will have its permits revoked and closed down with penalties.
All bar owners have been informed about this new membership back in early June and several have already joined. Those that already have refused or are seen to ignoring the directive are being targeted and will continue to be raided...
Red light districts all over the world have these organized crime groups controlling different arenas of the game. But now the mayor has jumped in wanting to control all the game before any other major crime group does so.
Angeles City Mayor Seeking Control/ bar raids
The Mayor wants to fully control all bars in his city. To do this city officials were requested to design a structure so the Mayor can gain full control over every foreign owned bar in AC. This includes the Korean Bars.
The mayor cannot assure protection from outside the AC region. A structure of membership status has been put in place with the commissioning of an accountant firm by city hall to collect all fees. How this works is based on size of bars,. The number of employees will determine the amount charged for membership..
Bars under 30 employees will be required to pay a membership fee of P5000 per month
Bars under 75 employees will be required to pay a membership fee of P10,000 per month
Bars under 120 employees will be required to pay a membership fee of P20,000 per month
Bars over 120 employees will be required to pay a membership fee of P50,000 per month.
The accountant in charge of overseeing the financial structure of this is a very well know woman who runs a accounting firm that does the books for many many bars in AC. The different categories of membership will allow bars to use a barfine system without trouble from city hall. The bars will be required to record the girls hygiene license number every time she bas a barfine. The hygiene fee will be based on the number of times per week that girl goes barfine...
For example 100 peso base hygiene cost for no barfines in a week and 50 pesos for every barfine on top of the base. If a girl goes out 5 times per week then the hygeine fee payable will be 350 pesos.
The girl will be required to attend hygiene as normal but a specially printed card will be issued by city health and be required to be presented at hygiene with the dates she has had barfines. Then the charge will be levied against that card at 50 pesos per barfine plus the base fee.
The bars who choose not to be a part of this new membership scheme will be constantly inspected/raided. This is the reason that the latest raids are being done using local based PNP, CIDG and NBI. It is designed to use these groups to gain full control over the local bars.
The bars that do not become members will not be allowed to barfine and will be tested on such activity and if found to allow barfining outside of the membership group then that bar will have its permits revoked and closed down with penalties.
All bar owners have been informed about this new membership back in early June and several have already joined. Those that already have refused or are seen to ignoring the directive are being targeted and will continue to be raided...
Red light districts all over the world have these organized crime groups controlling different arenas of the game. But now the mayor has jumped in wanting to control all the game before any other major crime group does so.
From our readers
Why not let everyone use this tide chart? http://tides.mobilegeographics.com/calendar/year/3574.html on Rains, moon and tides
We have both diurnal, semi-diurnal and mixed tides. You left out the 2nd hi and low tides on the semi-diurnal days. Take another look at your tide chart. on Rains, moon and tides.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Rascal: a mischievous or impish rogue
Friday, July 19, 2013
River dredging
From Philippine Sun Star
Subic locator to dredge Olongapo river for free
Thursday, July 18, 2013
OLONGAPO CITY - A locator inside Subic Bay Freeport has proposed to dredge the river channel for free in an attempt to alleviate the worsening flood situation in the city.
The proposal was announced by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia during his courtesy call to Olongapo mayor Rolen Paulino.
Garcia said that CST Bluemax Subic Inc. would dredge the river channel as part of their corporate social responsibility which would cost an estimated P11 million.
Olongapo has a long history of flood, the worst recorded last year.
Olongapo City vice mayor Rodel Cerezo (left), SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (Center) and Mayor Rolen Paulino (left) inspect a map of the city for the proposed free dredging operation offered by a locator inside Subic freeport.(Anthony Bayarong)Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino welcomed the proposal saying that the city needs all the help it can get in cleaning up the river channel.
“We are very much thankful for this proposal, if we (local government) dredge that portion of the river it would cost us million of pesos, but here come a locator inside Subic Freeport that is willing to dredge it for free, what more can we ask for.” Paulino said.
“We will do our part to make this proposal push through,” he added.
Garcia explained that in exchange, Bluemax will have the right to market the good quality sand since the company is currently engaged in shipping and selling volcanic sand from Zambales as a reclamation and construction material to Singapore.
The dredging of the river channel between SBMA and Olongapo City was identified as a priority project of SBMA through the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors which formulated the Task Force Subic Bay Clean Up and Rehabilitation.
Garcia also in the meeting pledge his full support for the administration of Paulino. (Anthony Bayarong/Sunnex)
Subic locator to dredge Olongapo river for free
Thursday, July 18, 2013
OLONGAPO CITY - A locator inside Subic Bay Freeport has proposed to dredge the river channel for free in an attempt to alleviate the worsening flood situation in the city.
The proposal was announced by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia during his courtesy call to Olongapo mayor Rolen Paulino.
Garcia said that CST Bluemax Subic Inc. would dredge the river channel as part of their corporate social responsibility which would cost an estimated P11 million.
Olongapo has a long history of flood, the worst recorded last year.
Olongapo City vice mayor Rodel Cerezo (left), SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (Center) and Mayor Rolen Paulino (left) inspect a map of the city for the proposed free dredging operation offered by a locator inside Subic freeport.(Anthony Bayarong)Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino welcomed the proposal saying that the city needs all the help it can get in cleaning up the river channel.
“We are very much thankful for this proposal, if we (local government) dredge that portion of the river it would cost us million of pesos, but here come a locator inside Subic Freeport that is willing to dredge it for free, what more can we ask for.” Paulino said.
“We will do our part to make this proposal push through,” he added.
Garcia explained that in exchange, Bluemax will have the right to market the good quality sand since the company is currently engaged in shipping and selling volcanic sand from Zambales as a reclamation and construction material to Singapore.
The dredging of the river channel between SBMA and Olongapo City was identified as a priority project of SBMA through the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors which formulated the Task Force Subic Bay Clean Up and Rehabilitation.
Garcia also in the meeting pledge his full support for the administration of Paulino. (Anthony Bayarong/Sunnex)
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Community events
Bugle readers: We operate for the community. If your organization is having a fundraiser or wants participation for some special occasion feel free to contact us. We’ll be glad to propagate your event. Golf tournaments, beauty competitions, bingo nights, raffles, Mason or Shriner happenings, VFW, FRA, RSL affairs are all welcome. Private businesses invited as well. If you are hosting something that you think will interest some segment of our local population by all means send it in.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Ukay-ukay stores
You may have noticed the proliferation of used clothing stores in the Olongapo area. Chances are these type retail outlets are all over the Philippines. In Olongapo there are at least eight on Magsaysay Drive jammed packed with men, women and children’s apparel including shoes. Most of the clothing is in ‘western’ peoples sizes.
Just guessing, it probably was donated for disaster relief for one of the floods or mudslides that have afflicted the country. Within the stores the clothes are well organized and easy to browse. One of the things we found were really good rain wear jackets. It takes time to shop these places and they don’t smell all that great (think moth balls and bowling alleys) but there are some genuine ‘finds.’
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Rains, moon and tides
Rainy season is unusually late. Except for routine day and night time showers there has been little rainfall in May, June or July. This could change anytime. In the past 20 years there have been three horrific Olongapo area floods. Specifically Santa Monica and the valley around it had serious flooding in May and August of 1997 and again in August of 2012. Tides play a significant role in the flooding problem. Very high tides block the rivers and streams from draining into the ocean. High tides combined with heavy rainfall make flooding more likely. We just checked tide charts for Manila/Subic for the rest of July, August and September. We used one meter as the measure of concern. These are the days and times of days or nights to be prepared for trouble:
July:
Thu 18 5:22 AM PHT / 1.02 m
Fri 19 6:10 AM PHT / 1.15 m
Sat 20 7:02 AM PHT / 1.28 m
Sun 21 7:55 AM PHT / 1.38 m
Mon 22 8:48 AM PHT / 1.45 m
Tue 23 9:40 AM PHT / 1.46 m
Wed 31 4:33 AM PHT / 1.00 m
August:
Thu 1 5:25 AM PHT / 1.06 m
Fri 2 6:20 AM PHT / 1.11 m
Sat 3 7:12 AM PHT / 1.15 m
Sun 4 8:01 AM PHT / 1.19 m
Mon 5 8:46 AM PHT / 1.22 m
Thu 15 3:29 AM PHT / 1.03 m
Fri 16 4:26 AM PHT / 1.12 m
Sat 17 5:32 AM PHT / 1.21 m
Sun 18 6:39 AM PHT / 1.28 m
Mon 19 7:43 AM PHT / 1.33 m
Tue 20 8:42 AM PHT / 1.35 m
Wed 21 9:37 AM PHT / 1.32 m
Wed 28 2:27 AM PHT / 1.01 m
Thu 29 3:18 AM PHT / 1.02 m
Fri 30 4:19 AM PHT / 1.04 m
Sat 31 5:29 AM PHT / 1.05 m
September:
Sun 1 6:37 AM PHT / 1.07 m
Mon 2 7:35 AM PHT / 1.10 m
Tue 3 8:26 AM PHT / 1.12 m
Wed 4 9:11 AM PHT / 1.12 m
Thu 5 9:53 AM PHT / 1.10
Fri 6 10:35 AM PHT / 1.05 m
Wed 11 1:01 AM PHT / 1.02 m
Thu 12 1:42 AM PHT / 1.08 m
Fri 13 2:35 AM PHT / 1.13 m
Sat 14 3:41 AM PHT / 1.16 m
Sun 15 5:00 AM PHT / 1.17 m
Mon 16 6:21 AM PHT / 1.17 m
Tue 17 7:34 AM PHT / 1.16 m
Tue 24 12:11 AM PHT / 1.05 m
Wed 25 12:46 AM PHT / 1.06 m
Thu 26 1:24 AM PHT / 1.06 m
Fri 27 2:11 AM PHT / 1.03 m
Sat 28 3:11 AM PHT / 1.00 m
July:
Thu 18 5:22 AM PHT / 1.02 m
Fri 19 6:10 AM PHT / 1.15 m
Sat 20 7:02 AM PHT / 1.28 m
Sun 21 7:55 AM PHT / 1.38 m
Mon 22 8:48 AM PHT / 1.45 m
Tue 23 9:40 AM PHT / 1.46 m
Wed 31 4:33 AM PHT / 1.00 m
August:
Thu 1 5:25 AM PHT / 1.06 m
Fri 2 6:20 AM PHT / 1.11 m
Sat 3 7:12 AM PHT / 1.15 m
Sun 4 8:01 AM PHT / 1.19 m
Mon 5 8:46 AM PHT / 1.22 m
Thu 15 3:29 AM PHT / 1.03 m
Fri 16 4:26 AM PHT / 1.12 m
Sat 17 5:32 AM PHT / 1.21 m
Sun 18 6:39 AM PHT / 1.28 m
Mon 19 7:43 AM PHT / 1.33 m
Tue 20 8:42 AM PHT / 1.35 m
Wed 21 9:37 AM PHT / 1.32 m
Wed 28 2:27 AM PHT / 1.01 m
Thu 29 3:18 AM PHT / 1.02 m
Fri 30 4:19 AM PHT / 1.04 m
Sat 31 5:29 AM PHT / 1.05 m
September:
Sun 1 6:37 AM PHT / 1.07 m
Mon 2 7:35 AM PHT / 1.10 m
Tue 3 8:26 AM PHT / 1.12 m
Wed 4 9:11 AM PHT / 1.12 m
Thu 5 9:53 AM PHT / 1.10
Fri 6 10:35 AM PHT / 1.05 m
Wed 11 1:01 AM PHT / 1.02 m
Thu 12 1:42 AM PHT / 1.08 m
Fri 13 2:35 AM PHT / 1.13 m
Sat 14 3:41 AM PHT / 1.16 m
Sun 15 5:00 AM PHT / 1.17 m
Mon 16 6:21 AM PHT / 1.17 m
Tue 17 7:34 AM PHT / 1.16 m
Tue 24 12:11 AM PHT / 1.05 m
Wed 25 12:46 AM PHT / 1.06 m
Thu 26 1:24 AM PHT / 1.06 m
Fri 27 2:11 AM PHT / 1.03 m
Sat 28 3:11 AM PHT / 1.00 m
Where's My Car???
For those of you who may have been the unfortunate victim of automobile theft. The Manila police have set up a new facebook page where you can hopefully find your car. If you are interested in this website you can read all about it here. If you just want to check out the facebook page then you can check out the following address. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Manila7CRAV/128364220706317
Monday, July 15, 2013
From our mail bag
A reader comments on A Lesson in Education
So How do you fix it?????????? The education system here is very poor if you cant afford to go to good private schools. Classes only three days a week!!!!!!!!!!! 4th day reviewing the previous three days 5 day sport. If there is public holiday it always affects the school day rarely the sport day. So most children here despite the best efforts of parents struggling to educate their children find even if they go regularly to school they only get 3/5ths the education of Australian and American children without the myriad of public holidays they celebrate here. Get the Filippina agood education they are as smart as anyone, its the system not the nationality.
So How do you fix it?????????? The education system here is very poor if you cant afford to go to good private schools. Classes only three days a week!!!!!!!!!!! 4th day reviewing the previous three days 5 day sport. If there is public holiday it always affects the school day rarely the sport day. So most children here despite the best efforts of parents struggling to educate their children find even if they go regularly to school they only get 3/5ths the education of Australian and American children without the myriad of public holidays they celebrate here. Get the Filippina agood education they are as smart as anyone, its the system not the nationality.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
TIP Report
According to page 29, of the 2013 Trafficking in Persons report by the United States' Department of State, sex trafficking is defined as:
Sex Trafficking
When an adult is coerced, forced, or deceived into prostitution—or maintained in prostitution through
one of these means after initially consenting—that person is a victim of trafficking.
In other words, if there is no force or deception, there is no trafficking.one of these means after initially consenting—that person is a victim of trafficking.
Is that the way the law is enforced in the Philippines?
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Illegal Dumping
Interesting post concerning the trash dumping for Anvaya Cove. Read all about it here. The Bugle thinks that Subic may also be dumping illegally. There is a big dumpsite located on the GoVic Highway. Will have to look into this some more in light of the above article.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Immigration Questions
this is from a reader asking for advice. What do you readers think? The Bugle doesn't think it should be a problem as long as she is able to show proof of funds and hotel reservations.
Hi,
I have travelled some Southeast asian countries for the past 3 years, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, even Thailand (boarder), Hongkong and Macau. Now, i am traveling again to Thailand (phuket) via Singapore and i will be flying out thru Clark. I have read your post regarding Clark immigration issues. I have flown to Clark bound for Macau when i was a student and i was with a friend. The immigration process was smooth although there are a lot of questions compared to Manila. My question is I am no longer a student and doesn't have a work. Do you think they will allow me to go out even if i don't have a job? If so, what should i tell them?
Thank you and looking forward for your reply. Hope you can help
Best Regards,
Nikko Rocamora
Hi,
I have travelled some Southeast asian countries for the past 3 years, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, even Thailand (boarder), Hongkong and Macau. Now, i am traveling again to Thailand (phuket) via Singapore and i will be flying out thru Clark. I have read your post regarding Clark immigration issues. I have flown to Clark bound for Macau when i was a student and i was with a friend. The immigration process was smooth although there are a lot of questions compared to Manila. My question is I am no longer a student and doesn't have a work. Do you think they will allow me to go out even if i don't have a job? If so, what should i tell them?
Thank you and looking forward for your reply. Hope you can help
Best Regards,
Nikko Rocamora
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Comments on Race in the Philippines
Readers Comment on Race in the Philippines
Good gosh almighty Mr Bugler, you MUST be kidding...not hiring one or two indigenous actors is the LEAST of their problems...millions are going to sleep hungry...all the incredible garbage that goes on in the PHILS and you seize on actors in blackface? American political correctness in the TV industry is their lowest priority...this ain't Berkeley...did you protest when Filipina actress Lea Salonga played a Vietnamese gal in Miss Saigon?
From the Bugle: An Asian portraying another Asian is not of the same magnitude as painting one up in blackface to portray another race. Let us not confuse Race with Ethnicity.
Race in the Philippines. Good point, Bugle. Take it a step further. How many persons of color are serving as Mayors, congressmen or senators here?
From the Bugle: Good point, We agree
The noon time shows in the Philippines are a national disgrace. The concept of all these shows is to mock and humiliate the poor. This was most obvious when Willing Willie had a poor sobbing little boy "sexy dance" for a few pesos to help his family. Willie was kicked off the air but was back on the air not long afterward and the rest of the shows do the same thing. In the United States, the poor are mocked because they act like idiots on shows like Jerry Springer but they are doing that for fun. In the Philippines, the poor are being mocked because they need the few pesos the shows pay for the chance to humiliate them.
Good gosh almighty Mr Bugler, you MUST be kidding...not hiring one or two indigenous actors is the LEAST of their problems...millions are going to sleep hungry...all the incredible garbage that goes on in the PHILS and you seize on actors in blackface? American political correctness in the TV industry is their lowest priority...this ain't Berkeley...did you protest when Filipina actress Lea Salonga played a Vietnamese gal in Miss Saigon?
From the Bugle: An Asian portraying another Asian is not of the same magnitude as painting one up in blackface to portray another race. Let us not confuse Race with Ethnicity.
Race in the Philippines. Good point, Bugle. Take it a step further. How many persons of color are serving as Mayors, congressmen or senators here?
From the Bugle: Good point, We agree
The noon time shows in the Philippines are a national disgrace. The concept of all these shows is to mock and humiliate the poor. This was most obvious when Willing Willie had a poor sobbing little boy "sexy dance" for a few pesos to help his family. Willie was kicked off the air but was back on the air not long afterward and the rest of the shows do the same thing. In the United States, the poor are mocked because they act like idiots on shows like Jerry Springer but they are doing that for fun. In the Philippines, the poor are being mocked because they need the few pesos the shows pay for the chance to humiliate them.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Subic Market Days
For those readers who happen to use the Subic Market to fulfill some of their local shopping needs, have you noticed how impossible it is to traverse on Thursdays and Sundays. While the local administration has done some improvements in the area like making one street one way and ensuring that trikes have to stay off the highway during rush hours. There are major problems with the vendors who set up shop along the street in the back of the market in the large open area near the Subic College. It seems that originally there was a two lane road that went alongside the vendors tents but the road has slowly disappeared as the fish vendors with their umbrellas have turned this area into a one lane road. Not to mention the trikes that stop and park in the same area. It makes for an area too be avoided at all costs on Thursday mornings. The Bugle wishes that the local officials would take a look into this situation and try to install some order to this madness. After all the roads are supposed to be for transportation use not setting up shop.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
From the Mail Bag
A few comments from our readers on on Classy or Not You Decide
Did you really expect more? They're pimps, not patrons of the Arts.
Ah come on , Bugle, we're talking about a Barretto bar that offers booze and female companionship, not a Victorian alehouse. The motif may be slightly garish, but it's completely appropriate to the enterprise within. And Hot Zone is one of the few buildings on the barrio National Highway that greets the eye with new construction and new paint; 85% of the others show both age and infrequent maintenance. And please, calling Barretto a "Little Piece of Heaven" is slopping way too much gilt on the lily.
From the Bugle: Even pimps can have good taste.
Did you really expect more? They're pimps, not patrons of the Arts.
Ah come on , Bugle, we're talking about a Barretto bar that offers booze and female companionship, not a Victorian alehouse. The motif may be slightly garish, but it's completely appropriate to the enterprise within. And Hot Zone is one of the few buildings on the barrio National Highway that greets the eye with new construction and new paint; 85% of the others show both age and infrequent maintenance. And please, calling Barretto a "Little Piece of Heaven" is slopping way too much gilt on the lily.
From the Bugle: Even pimps can have good taste.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
From our Mail Bag
Reader's comments on A Lesson in Education
I think it is a dangerous assumption to take a thinly disguised subjective narrative and read it as a researched piece of object conclusion.after only a brief perusal of this "piece", i'm pretty sure that(a) king philip of spain was a prince at some stage,(b)a lot of the philippine language is in fact arab based(an influence not mentioned, and i'd be interested to know when the thais exerted such a strong influence!),and last but not least,when were these world wide I.Q.studies done and by whom?
From the Bugle: Yet another one of our educated readers agreeing with the Bugle who has always wondered where some people dredge up information from. Kinda makes us think that there might be some kind of Fox news Philippines being broadcast on some late night cable channel..
I think it is a dangerous assumption to take a thinly disguised subjective narrative and read it as a researched piece of object conclusion.after only a brief perusal of this "piece", i'm pretty sure that(a) king philip of spain was a prince at some stage,(b)a lot of the philippine language is in fact arab based(an influence not mentioned, and i'd be interested to know when the thais exerted such a strong influence!),and last but not least,when were these world wide I.Q.studies done and by whom?
From the Bugle: Yet another one of our educated readers agreeing with the Bugle who has always wondered where some people dredge up information from. Kinda makes us think that there might be some kind of Fox news Philippines being broadcast on some late night cable channel..
Friday, July 5, 2013
Its Summer Movie Time
For those of us who enjoy going to see a movie now and then, the Bugle has found a pretty cool website. This site actually allows one to buy tickets for one's favorite movies online. In addition you can find out what is playing, when and what will be playing in the future. Highly recommended for a bookmark or to add to your favorite places. You can check it out here.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Common Scents
Comment from a reader on Happy Times
The response to Smell the Sewage was one of the most sensible I'e seen in the Bugle and a breath of fresh air (Pun intended) amid the plethora of expat bitching. I'm amused when some folks point to Thailand as the hub of modernization and gracious living compared to the PI. Anyone who's been to Pattaya has had their eyes watered by what wafts from the sewers beneath city sidewalks. A sniff of Olongapo's deadliest vapors is Sampaguitaville by comparison.
From the Bugle: We would have to agree with your common scents...
The response to Smell the Sewage was one of the most sensible I'e seen in the Bugle and a breath of fresh air (Pun intended) amid the plethora of expat bitching. I'm amused when some folks point to Thailand as the hub of modernization and gracious living compared to the PI. Anyone who's been to Pattaya has had their eyes watered by what wafts from the sewers beneath city sidewalks. A sniff of Olongapo's deadliest vapors is Sampaguitaville by comparison.
From the Bugle: We would have to agree with your common scents...
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Johnny Rockets Stateside
From a reader:
When Johnny Rockets opened in the Ayala Mall we went and checked it out. Everything was mediocre. Burgers, fries, nothing special. The chocolate malts were chocolate milk shakes. No malt could be tasted. The order took forever while the staff, including cooks were outside dancing to some rock and roll classic. Then recently we were in Hollywood California and stumbled on a Johnny Rockets. It was sensational. Terrific burgers. Cheese fries. Onion rings to die for. And real chocolate malts. We asked the waiter if the staff ever went outside and danced. "Sometimes if we're not too busy but we're usually busy." Judging by the shortage of customers at the Ayala location they should have lots of dancing time.
From the Bugle: As you readers can probably tell Hamburgers are one of our favorite meals. Keep the info and the pictures coming.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
From our Mail Bag
A reader comments on A Lesson in Education
The data presented in this post is nonsense. Even the most uninformed search on the internet shows that The Philippines is ranked around 52th among nations, with US and Australia ranking around 19th. The Philippines is nowhere near the African nations which rank lowest on the scale. I would suggest that you are just hanging out with a lot of dumb people if you cannot find Filipinos who have a decent education and are aware of their own history and that of others. People usually tend to associate with their intellectual equals, so your post shows us all your ignorance.
From the Bugle: We like the intellectual discourse that is starting to occur in our pages. But can we try in the future to do so without resorting to any name calling.....
The data presented in this post is nonsense. Even the most uninformed search on the internet shows that The Philippines is ranked around 52th among nations, with US and Australia ranking around 19th. The Philippines is nowhere near the African nations which rank lowest on the scale. I would suggest that you are just hanging out with a lot of dumb people if you cannot find Filipinos who have a decent education and are aware of their own history and that of others. People usually tend to associate with their intellectual equals, so your post shows us all your ignorance.
From the Bugle: We like the intellectual discourse that is starting to occur in our pages. But can we try in the future to do so without resorting to any name calling.....
Monday, July 1, 2013
Race in the Philippines
While there may be a lot of people who will disagree with the Bugle on this but the Bugle believes that there is a lot of racial discrimination in this country. No, we are not talking about when a foreigner goes to the market and gets overcharged. (believe it or not those same things happen to Filipinos who are visiting from different areas) What The Bugle is talking about is blatant out and out racism. Imagine the uproar that would occur if a major television show in the U.S. used a white actor or actress in blackface. Yet these types of things occur here in the Philippines quite regularly on the noontime variety shows, and several of the telenovelas. (Luna Blanca is one series that comes to mind) What really boggles the old brain cells is the lost employment opportunity for all of the struggling indigenous peoples out there. Where are all of those NGOs tasked with empowering the poor and downtrodden folks when it comes to fair and equitable treatment in the media? The Bugle cannot believe that in a country of millions the entertainment industry can not find at least one person of color to employ in these shows.
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