The World Is Ticking

Be Financially Independent In The Philippines

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Snapshot: Jollibee Fastfood

Photo shows a Jollibee fastfood restaurant. Jollibee is probably the biggest fastfood chain in Manila and the entire Philippines. Initially a hamburger joint, Jollibee has, through the years, expanded its product range to include fried chicken, spaghetti (don't think Italian-type pasta recipe here, this is a modified recipe - sweet with hotdog bits incorporated in the sauce - to suite the taste of Filipino kids), sundaes, and rice meals which include burger steak, shanghai rolls, beef with mushroom, and crispy bangus (milkfish), to name a few.

More about Jollibee here, and here, and definitely in the posts to follow.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Getting Typhoon-ed In Manila (and anywhere in the Philippines)

Hello people I am back. It has been very busy these past few weeks. Add the fact that connection has been somewhat erratic due to the past typhoons that visited the country. It is a usual thing here: when it rains hard, internet connection goes haywire.

I should not be complaining much though, if I were to consider how it has been for many more people who have lost their homes and the lives of their loved ones when Typhoon Basyang (International name: Conson) dropped by the Philippines for a deadly visit two weeks ago.

The Philippines entered the rainy season last month. Typhoon Basyang crossed the islands recently, leaving 180 people dead and 31,542 houses damaged in regions III, IV-A, and V. As of late, the total cost of damages to agriculture and infrastructure is at PHP377.975.880, roughly USD8M. Not a nice way to welcome the new president of the republic who assumed office last month.

My own experience? Not as bad, but undeniably annoying.

I was asleep when I was suddenly awakened late at night on July 13 (Tuesday) past midnight. It was sooooo dark: apparently, nearly the whole of Metro Manila went into power failure. The winds were howling and my windows were flipping to and fro. It was a situation quite similar to the one created by Typhoon Milenyo last 2006 which left the entire metropolis dark and waterless, although on a lesser scale.

We got our electricity and water back in less than 24 hours. It is annoying enough that we did not have both, but it made me realize once again: I can live without electricity for a few days, but definitely, I cannot live without water. Fortunately, before I lost my mind, there came water. :)

There were reports that the local weather bureau PAG-ASA has been amiss in sending out prompt bulletins regarding the typhoon which the death of some fishermen. President Noynoy Aquino was even reported to have berated the agency. I know for a fact that most of the equipments found in our science and technology government agencies are outdated. No, I won't even start with my sorry experience with the Department of Science and Technology where I spent PHP2,500 for my research, for naught. My research, against people's lives, is nothing.

All these are just the tip of the iceberg of woes whenever Manila and the Philippines gets "typhoon-ed". Umbrellas are simply not enough.

GQFXTH7TD3DM

Friday, July 2, 2010

Benigno Simeon Aquino III, 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines

"Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to the people’s needs and aspirations.

My parents sought nothing less and died for nothing less than democracy, peace and prosperity. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

Layunin ko na sa pagbaba ko sa katungkulan, masasabi ng lahat na malayo na ang narating natin sa pagtahak ng tuwid na landas at mas maganda na ang kinabukasang ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Samahan ninyo ako sa pagtatapos ng laban na ito. Tayo na sa tuwid na landas." (excerpts from President Noynoy's speech at the inauguration, Quirino Grandstand, June 30, 2010)


His father is the martyr Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., his mother is the People Power President Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco-Aquino. The nation is itching to put an end to a nine-year governance that is at best despondent. In fact, the nation has long been in a state of discontent, dating back to previous administrations. Noynoy definitely has his hands full, he has a lot to live up to and a vast landscape in disarray to oversee.

Will Noynoy make a difference?

From what it appeared during the June 30 inauguration, many Filipinos have their hopes renewed.

Now the real work begins.