Strike For Oil Price
Streets in Metro Manila seem so peaceful. There was no heavy traffic and no traffic congestion on major roads. While public utility vehicles were rare, commuters waited a long time for the vehicles which will bring them to their destinations.
School classes were suspended and many employees were left stranded as operators and drivers of vans, buses and other transport public utility vehicles staged a strike in protest of the over rising of the oil prices.
They were calling the government to repeal the oil deregulation law to stop the possible increase of the oil product in the future. But government rejects the calls since the oil industry was already far gone for privatization.
This afternoon, they transport group called off their strike after they agreed a temporary 50 cents discount on diesel oil from the oil companies. But they warned that they would stage another strike if their 2 peso demand will not meet.
School classes were suspended and many employees were left stranded as operators and drivers of vans, buses and other transport public utility vehicles staged a strike in protest of the over rising of the oil prices.
They were calling the government to repeal the oil deregulation law to stop the possible increase of the oil product in the future. But government rejects the calls since the oil industry was already far gone for privatization.
This afternoon, they transport group called off their strike after they agreed a temporary 50 cents discount on diesel oil from the oil companies. But they warned that they would stage another strike if their 2 peso demand will not meet.
The Government and the Piracy
Yesterday, I went to the office of the Manila Water Co. at Balara, Quezon City to follow-up the PO for our services, if it was already released. When I entered the main gate of the government offices compound, I tried to log in first my name, my company and the office that I will be visiting.
Before I proceeded to my task, I was wandering on the stalls or stores along the covered walk. There I found fresh fruits, homemade cookies, candies and pastries, ready-to-wear dresses and other goods. Among these goods, the pirated VCD’s and DVD’s made me think something. “Is the government really against the pirates and piracy?” I asked my self.
If I was not mistaken, the government has intensified its program against pirates and piracy. On July 17, 2004, it was reported that combined operatives of the 3rd Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and San Marcelino Municipal Police seized 975 pieces of pirated video compact discs (VCDs) and audio compact discs (ACDs) in plain view of the people at San Marcelino Public Market Thursday morning, July 15, 2004 (source); And there are other campaigns of the government against the piracy.
But what I witnessed yesterday is the opposite of the programs of the government. The administration of the government compound in Balara, Quezon City, has supported the selling of pirated VCD’s and DVD’s, even the employees of the Manila Water Co., MWSS and other offices inside the said government compound were the ones who bought for it.
Before I proceeded to my task, I was wandering on the stalls or stores along the covered walk. There I found fresh fruits, homemade cookies, candies and pastries, ready-to-wear dresses and other goods. Among these goods, the pirated VCD’s and DVD’s made me think something. “Is the government really against the pirates and piracy?” I asked my self.
If I was not mistaken, the government has intensified its program against pirates and piracy. On July 17, 2004, it was reported that combined operatives of the 3rd Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and San Marcelino Municipal Police seized 975 pieces of pirated video compact discs (VCDs) and audio compact discs (ACDs) in plain view of the people at San Marcelino Public Market Thursday morning, July 15, 2004 (source); And there are other campaigns of the government against the piracy.
But what I witnessed yesterday is the opposite of the programs of the government. The administration of the government compound in Balara, Quezon City, has supported the selling of pirated VCD’s and DVD’s, even the employees of the Manila Water Co., MWSS and other offices inside the said government compound were the ones who bought for it.
Urinals By MMDA
This morning, I went to the popular computer mall in Gilmore Avenue to buy ink for our printers. When I was going home, I found out that I only have P10.00 left in my pocket, tamang-tamang lang for my fare from Cubao to Central. So, I should try to walk from Gilmore to Farmers. When I passed by an MMDA urinal project, I was reminded to urinate or to release some stocked waste in my body.
Pambihira!, My mind screamed as I entered the place. Panghe! Maybe, it took me 3 minutes standing there without breathing. When I finished, I immediately run outside to breathe the fresh air and then I continued walking.
Actually these urinals of MMDA only showed that Metro Manila men are not disciplined. MMDA put up urinals for men all over the Metro Manila, but we can only find number of toilet which can be used by women, and mostly these toilets are found near the MMDA offices. It only showed that men in metro manila urinate elsewhere like dogs on the streets.
Anyway, it’s better to have these urinals than seeing men urinating on walls, posts and corners. But the problem is, there is no water available to be used in washing it to avoid bad odor.
Pambihira!, My mind screamed as I entered the place. Panghe! Maybe, it took me 3 minutes standing there without breathing. When I finished, I immediately run outside to breathe the fresh air and then I continued walking.
Actually these urinals of MMDA only showed that Metro Manila men are not disciplined. MMDA put up urinals for men all over the Metro Manila, but we can only find number of toilet which can be used by women, and mostly these toilets are found near the MMDA offices. It only showed that men in metro manila urinate elsewhere like dogs on the streets.
Anyway, it’s better to have these urinals than seeing men urinating on walls, posts and corners. But the problem is, there is no water available to be used in washing it to avoid bad odor.
To The National Library
After our choir practice, I tried to take a nap because I went to bed last night at 2:00am and woke up at 4:00am. So I only have 2 hours of sleep. At 9:00am, I was awakened by the noise made by lassie our dog. I opened the door and found Joanafel and Aubrey outside waiting for us.
Brother Jun went down the stair and told me that we will be going to the National Library to accompany Joanafel in doing her research for her thesis. I didn’t refuse them although I have job to be worked with because I haven’t yet visited the place.
So after preparing, we immediately called a taxi which would bring us to the National Library located at Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila. Actually, they wanted to ride the FX service or a bus, but I was thinking with the heavy traffic which congested every major roads of Metro Manila, that’s why I suggested that we rather ride taxicab in going there.
We spent lesser time in traveling from Quezon City to Manila. The taxi driver, as I ordered, follows the most convenient shortcut and alternative routes he knew, but we spent P200.00 for it. Maybe if we would be riding a bus, we will be spending P20.00 each or P30.00 when riding a FX-service, but it is also expected that we will spending more time in traveling tailing on vehicles running like a turtle in front of us.
Brother Jun went down the stair and told me that we will be going to the National Library to accompany Joanafel in doing her research for her thesis. I didn’t refuse them although I have job to be worked with because I haven’t yet visited the place.
So after preparing, we immediately called a taxi which would bring us to the National Library located at Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila. Actually, they wanted to ride the FX service or a bus, but I was thinking with the heavy traffic which congested every major roads of Metro Manila, that’s why I suggested that we rather ride taxicab in going there.
We spent lesser time in traveling from Quezon City to Manila. The taxi driver, as I ordered, follows the most convenient shortcut and alternative routes he knew, but we spent P200.00 for it. Maybe if we would be riding a bus, we will be spending P20.00 each or P30.00 when riding a FX-service, but it is also expected that we will spending more time in traveling tailing on vehicles running like a turtle in front of us.
Meet Kate
This morning while waiting for a jeepney with a route Fairview-Cubao via Kamuning, Ms. Kate approached me. She forgot my name, even my nick, but still she never hesitated to approached me. She's one of my friends who never forget to thank me for my help and assistance on the preparation of their Feasibility study.
Currently, she's still hunting for job. Last August she's been hired as a call center represented and attended their training for 1 week, but she decided to quit since the shedule of her work and her church duty has conflict.
Currently, she's still hunting for job. Last August she's been hired as a call center represented and attended their training for 1 week, but she decided to quit since the shedule of her work and her church duty has conflict.
Dangerous For Foreign Driver
Last October 2004, our class went to the ERAP City for our Community Outreach program. One of our classmates brought his Van but he’s tired enough to drive it, so he’s looking for someone who could drive us to ERAP City.
Mr. Xiao or his English name Joseph, volunteered to drive but he told us, he was afraid to drive a vehicle here in the Philippines, since most of the drivers here are not disciplined. He then began to tell us his experiences while driving along the Commonwealth Avenue. He said, that jeepney and bus drivers were loading and unloading passenger at the middle of the highway without thinking that their passengers might be caught by vehicles passing to them. He told us that Philippines was one of the most dangerous place to drive vehicles.
But in another way, he was also impressed by these undisciplined drivers. He told us that Filipinos were very much patient in everything they do. He gave us example. Here in the Philippines, drivers do not immediately get mad even if they’re blocked by the vehicle in front of them loading and unloading passengers in wrong way. If it would be in China, according to him, there would be troubles that would happen.
Mr. Xiao or his English name Joseph, volunteered to drive but he told us, he was afraid to drive a vehicle here in the Philippines, since most of the drivers here are not disciplined. He then began to tell us his experiences while driving along the Commonwealth Avenue. He said, that jeepney and bus drivers were loading and unloading passenger at the middle of the highway without thinking that their passengers might be caught by vehicles passing to them. He told us that Philippines was one of the most dangerous place to drive vehicles.
But in another way, he was also impressed by these undisciplined drivers. He told us that Filipinos were very much patient in everything they do. He gave us example. Here in the Philippines, drivers do not immediately get mad even if they’re blocked by the vehicle in front of them loading and unloading passengers in wrong way. If it would be in China, according to him, there would be troubles that would happen.
Need to be Like Something
Last Friday, October 29, 2004, after attending the wedding ceremony, doing my duty as a member of the Central Men’s Choir, we went to the Cuneta Astrodome to attend the general rehearsal for the special concert which was held last Saturday, October 30, 2004.
Some of us wanted to rent an FX Rent-a-car, but one suggested that it would be better if we’ll go there by riding the MRT from North Avenue to Taft Avenue in order to avoid the traffic congestion at EDSA. And that’s what we did.
It was really hard to travel here in Metro Manila, especially during peak hours. EDSA and other main roads are congested. Even in MRT station, passengers were over crowding. That’s why kailangan naming makipagsiksikan among the other passengers. Kaya minsan, when we’re at the Taft station, one of my companions found trouble with the other passenger who posed as military personnel, and proudly telling us that he’s carrying a gun with him, but then when he knew that we’re many, seems he felt something strange which caused him to shut his mouth off.
And then, on the next day, at 11:00pm we rented a Van which would bring us there again. Our driver was tricky enough, since as we reach Lacson Avenue in Manila, he used his DOTC ID just to find way for us, and that even the MMDA traffic man was fooled and saluted us.
Some of us wanted to rent an FX Rent-a-car, but one suggested that it would be better if we’ll go there by riding the MRT from North Avenue to Taft Avenue in order to avoid the traffic congestion at EDSA. And that’s what we did.
It was really hard to travel here in Metro Manila, especially during peak hours. EDSA and other main roads are congested. Even in MRT station, passengers were over crowding. That’s why kailangan naming makipagsiksikan among the other passengers. Kaya minsan, when we’re at the Taft station, one of my companions found trouble with the other passenger who posed as military personnel, and proudly telling us that he’s carrying a gun with him, but then when he knew that we’re many, seems he felt something strange which caused him to shut his mouth off.
And then, on the next day, at 11:00pm we rented a Van which would bring us there again. Our driver was tricky enough, since as we reach Lacson Avenue in Manila, he used his DOTC ID just to find way for us, and that even the MMDA traffic man was fooled and saluted us.
