Interesting Events : The Sabah Standoff - What the Malaysians Say

The Sabah standoff has been the major headline of newspapers these past days. The standoff has been dragging on for weeks and is now on its third week. Here in the Philippines we are having a field day on news and commentaries about the standoff, but surprisingly, in Malaysia where the standoff is happening, there seems to be a scarcity of news and update on what's going on. News coming out of most of their newspapers were sanitized and censored. Malaysians are complaining to their government about the news black out on the standoff. Most Malaysians are getting their updates mostly from the internet's social media and the Philippine media. And the social media has been their only way of venting their concerns, comments and frustrations on the Sabah issue freely and "unsanitized".

It would also be interesting to know the sentiments, concerns and comments of the Malaysians about the standoff. Here's a blogsite of Malaysian blogger/writer Mr. Din Merican : Din Merican–The Malaysian DJ Blogger , which gives us a glimpse of what the Malaysians are saying about the standoff. By the way, this blogsite is quite informative and a good read about Malaysia's economy, people and politics.

Please click links below to read on Malaysians' comments on the Sabah standoff :
http://dinmerican.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/lahad-datu-incursion-invasion-of-malaysia-by-the-philippines/

http://dinmerican.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/philippines-press-stand-off-is-malaysias-karma/

http://dinmerican.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/51888/

http://dinmerican.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/51842/

Photo Source :
http://www.lionelg.be/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/malaysian-demonstration03.jpg
Related Link :
http://theprojectreview.blogspot.com/2013/02/interesting-events-sabah-standoff.html
http://theprojectreview.blogspot.com/2013/03/interesting-events-sabah-standoff-point.html

Property Listings : Hemady Residences (Townhouses) - Quezon City

HEMADY RESIDENCES

Actual photo

For Sale :

3 Townhouse units located in a posh neighborhood at Dona Hemady St., New Manila, Quezon City. Each unit has 4 levels(3 floors with basement), 5 Bedrooms(all with T&B) 3 to 4-car garage, very good finishes and competitively-priced. This is only a 3-unit townhouse project located in a private compound. Units are ready for occupancy.

   Price : P13.1 million        Floor Area : 329.68 sqm

    Price : P15.2 million        Floor Area : 364.2 sqm   

 Price : P16.0 million        FloorArea :  402.2 sqm

Note : Only 2 units left for sale as of 2/27/13

For inquiry please contact : 

List and Sell Realty Group

Mobile : 0928-5024470

E-mail : lands.phl@gmail.com

Note : A bridge is now being constructed that will span Scout Tobias and Dona Hemady Street. Coming from E. Rodriguez Ave., Dona Hemady going north is a dead-end street because of a deep gorge/creek between Brgy. Kristong Hari (Christ the King Seminary side) and Brgy. Obrero/ Brgy. Roxas (Scout Area side). When this bridge is done, it will be a very convenient shortcut road from  New Manila area going to Roces Ave./Timog Ave./Quezon Ave. (Please see map below).

Click red icon on the map to enlarge

Dona Hemady-Scout Tobias Bridge

Petition : Saving Manila Bay and Our Sunset

The Beautiful Manila Bay Sunset

I studied in one of the universities in Intramuros, and one of the places we used to go to kill time before going to class or study before an exam was at the Rizal Park, particularly in that small pocket park area behind the Grandstand. It was a good place go, alone or with friends. That place was also a dating place for couples, and a picnic place for families and"barkadas". The best time to go there was late in the afternoon during sunset. And the best place to sit was along the sea wall or the benches facing the sea.

The last time I went to this place was when a a balikbayan cousin invited me to a dinner in one of those seafront restaurants, two years ago. The place had changed a lot, most of the area is now a parking lot. The seawall area where we used to watch the sunset is almost gone, replaced by the Manila Ocean Park and restaurant expansions.  I was saddened with what I saw. Yes, there were new development and tourist attractions, but the sunset viewing spots were gone.

For many Manilans, it is a ritual to go to the Rizal Park and the Roxas Blvd seawall to watch the beautiful sunset of Manila Bay. Watching the sunset is a mesmerizing and an almost spiritual experience. Seeing a big orange fireball going down the horizon with the sky changing its hues with all the shades of red, orange, blue, violet, magenta as it goes down is just something out of this world. Very few cities or places have sunsets, but fewer are places with a beautiful sunset. And Manila has one of the most beautiful sunset in this planet.

Nowadays, if you want to see an unobstructed view of the famous Manila Bay sunset, you have to go to the seawall along Roxas Blvd. between the US Embassy and the Manila Yacht Club. This is the only location now left to see the sunset along Roxas Blvd. But soon, the sunset view will be obstructed by a new real estate development in this area. A big portion of the Manila Bay between the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the US Embassy will be reclaimed and developed into a commercial hub.

We hope that that day will never come when we will never see the sunset along Roxas Boulevard anymore. If ever that day comes, Manila's sunset years has come.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE PETITION NOT TO RECLAIM MANILA BAY

Please sign the petition below

Click link below to sign the petition :
http://www.change.org/petitions/s-o-s-manila-bay-save-our-sunset-stop-the-reclamation-of-manila-bay?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=18773&alert_id=oNXzRKjwGs_QxbcFZjviM

Photo Source :
http://mypinoy.tv/news/reclamation-of-manila-bay-sunset-view-revived/

Technology : Demolishing a Building by Shrinking

How do you demolish a building without noise, smell and dust?  . . . . SHRINK IT!
That's what the Japanese do.

When it comes to innovation and technology, the Japanese are still on top of the game. They may not be making much noise on the tablet and smart phone technology race nowadays, but Japan who started all these innovations on miniaturization and digital technologies is not resting on applied research and technology yet.

Here's a video of another innovation by the Japanese on building demolition and deconstruction technology.

News Source :

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55500/video--japan-presents-the-incredible-shrinking-building

Video Source :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_4G_8gEjng
http://www.reuters.com/news/video

Interesting Events : The Sabah Standoff - Malaysia's Big Dilemma

Map of Sabah

Malaysia is in a big dilemma on the Sabah standoff. The ongoing standoff  was due to the "illegal" occupation of  a "kampong" in Lahad Datu in Sabah by the heirs, followers and "royal army" of the Sultanate of Sulu. The group is invoking their legal and hereditary rights  to permanently stay in Sabah and they also submitted some demands to the Malaysian authorities. This incident is related to the heirs' long-standing Sabah claim, and this particular incident  is one that the Malaysians can not ignore or hide. If previous claims on Sabah  before were initiated by the Philippine government, the claim is now initiated by the actual heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu, the lessor and the acknowledged owners of  Sabah.

Here are some possible scenarios for Malaysia if it doesn't exercise prudence on this standoff. Malaysia can accept the demands of the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu but this could mean acknowledging the right of ownership of  the Sultanate to Sabah, thereby strengthening the Philippine claim. With this scenario, a possible ceding or partition of Sabah is not far-fetched.

It can also reject the demands of the heirs but this could start an insurgency in Sabah. The heirs and followers of the Sultanate of Sulu have a sizable number of supporters within Sabah which they could mobilize. These followers and supporters of the Sultanate have been long time residents of Sabah and many of them were actually born in Sabah, and practically considered ethnic Sabahans. Most of them also possess Malaysian citizenship. Malaysia wouldn't want these scenarios to happen.

An immediate solution to quell this "occupation" of Sabah is forced dispersal and eventual deportation of the Sultanate's "subjects", but this move could turn violent and cause bloodshed. Some of the Sultanate's followers are reportedly armed. This would attract more attention and the international media would surely scrutinize the Sabah ownership issue. It definitely wouldn't want this to happen.

A worse scenario would be the involvement of the separatist groups excluded in the recent Mindanao peace process and creation of Bangsamoro autonomous region.(Incidentally, the Mindanao peace process was brokered by Malaysia) These groups might shift their "separatist cause" and tie-up with Sultanate's cause of reclaiming Sabah. If they could not get Mindanao, they might as well help get Sabah. An interesting fact about the  Mindanao conflict is that it had its roots from the Sabah claim. So basically, this two issues are intertwined. The MNLF already publicly acknowledged that  it supports the "incursion" of the Sultanate's followers in Sabah. Reports say that some of the followers who are now in Lahad Datu are actually members of the MNLF. This last scenario would be unthinkable. The Malaysian and Philippine governments wouldn't want this to happen at all cost.

The previous claims of the Philippines on Sabah had been ignored by the Malaysian government despite legal and historical proofs that the territory belongs to the Sultanate of Sulu. The most tangible proofs of ownership are the continuing annual rental payment of the Malaysian government to the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu; and a legal decision made by the High Court of North Borneo acknowledging that (part of) Sabah belongs to the Sultanate of Sulu. Furthermore, the lease agreement entered into by the Sultanate of Sulu and the British North Borneo company specifically stated that : the lease prohibits the transfer of Sabah to any nation, company or individual without the consent of His Majesty’s Government (“Sultanate of Sulu”).

The Sabah standoff has put Malaysia in a dilemma, and Malaysia has to exercise prudence in its decision and action regarding the ongoing standoff. Everyone, Malaysians and Filipinos, wants it to end peacefully.

Let's all hope that Malaysia will do what is fair and just. And maybe, just maybe, it could give some concession to its lessor's demands.

Map Source :
www.sabah.edu.my
Related Links :
http://opinion.inquirer.net/47269/the-sabah-standoff-revolt-left-out-sultanates-heirs
http://www.epilipinas.com/sabahclaim.htm
http://thephilippineclaimoversabah.blogspot.com/2007_12_01_archive.html#4474224499964159725

Announcement : 2013 COPS - Search for Country's Outstanding Police Officers in Service

SEARCH FOR THE 2013 BEST COPS BEGINS!

a project of the

in partnership with

Philippine National Police

Philippine Savings Bank

Rotary Club of New Manila East - D3780

2013 COPS Project :

Chairman :  Mr. Jesusito Tiongco

 Vice-Chairman : Mr. Ricardo G. Umali

Metrobank Foundation Executive Director : Mr. Nicanor Torres

THE 2013 SEARCH FOR COPS KICKS OFF Photo shows (L-R) PSBank president Mr. Pascual Garcia III, Rotary Club of New Manila East president Mr. Herminio Carreon, Metrobank Foundation president Mr. Aniceto Sobrepeña, 2013 COPS Chairman Mr. Jesusito Tiongco, PNP Chief PDGen. Nicanor Bartolome, Metrobank Foundation Executive Director Mr. Nicanor Torres, Jr., PNP DPCR Director Lina Sarmiento, and The Acting Deputy Chief for Operations PNP PDDGen. Rommel Heredia following the signing of the  2013 COPS Memorandum of Agreement.

To continue honoring the best among the best in the Philippine National Police (PNP), and further strengthening the professionalism in the police force, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc., Rotary Club of New Manila East, PSBank and the PNP recently renewed their partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement signing that signaled the start of the 2013 Search for the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS) at the PNP Main Conference Room, Camp Crame Quezon City.

“The Search for COPS is our social contract with the police establishment of our nation. This recognition program is a salute to the all the members of the PNP who respond daily to the call of protecting and serving our people”, Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña said.

PNP Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome expressed his full support to the competition as it enhances the efforts of the PNP to reform the institution as spelled out in the PNP Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and upholding the rule-of-law. “This partnership finds more significance as we answer the challenge of raising the standards of police services through the continuing implementation of our PNP Transformation Agenda geared towards achieving a highly capable, effective and credible police force,” stated PDGen. Bartolome.

COPS is a nationwide search that honors the career achievements of gallant police officers  of the nation with minimum of seven years in service and actively mobilized, involved and organized the community to become fellow vanguards of peace and order.

The COPS awardees will receive a total of Php 300,000.00 cash prize each, COPS Trophy, Metrobank Foundation Medallion and the PNP Medalya ng Katangi-tanging Gawa.

For inquiries, interested nominees and nominators, call 898-87-57 or 

visit www.cops.ph ;  www.mbfoundation.org.ph  and  www.pnp.gov.ph

Events : MVRB 1st General Membership Meeting at The Grove by Rockwell

Join us at the 

PAREB-Marikina Valley Real Estate Board Inc. 

1st Quarter General Membership Meeting 

and Fellowship  

Date : 28 February 2013 (Thursday) 

Place : Function Rm. 6th Flr., The Grove by Rockwell,

C-5, Quezon City

Host and Official Project Sponsor  : 

The Grove by Rockwell

Guest Speaker :

Mr. Noli Manuel Alleje

Topic : Foreclosed Properties

Assessment Fee : P300.00

The Grove Location Map

Updates : Republic Act 10365 - Law Amending AMLA Signed by President Aquino

As earlier posted on this blog [1],  real estate brokers and agents were excluded (in the list of entities required to report to AMLC) in the earlier version of the amendments for AMLA. Last Friday President Benigno Aquino III signed into law Republic Act No. 10365  or "An Act Further Strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Act" (AMLA), and in the final version of the law,"real estate agents" were included the list of entities required to report financial transactions to the Anti-Money Laundering Council :

"The new law, Republic Act 10365, expands the list of entities required to report financial transactions to the Anti-Money Laundering Council, which include pre-need companies, money changers, real estate agents, and dealers of precious stones and metal." 

[1]http://theprojectreview.blogspot.com/2013/01/information-real-estate-brokers-and.html

News Source :
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55160/pnoy-signs-into-law-bill-strengthening-amla

Events : ABS-CBN Jazz Gala - A Rare Jazz Treat

I'm posting this event for the jazz aficionados and the followers of Tuck and Patti Andress. Tuck and Patti is a Grammy Award nominated American jazz duo. Great and talented musical couple. Don't miss them at this very rare jazz event at the Rockwell Tent. 

Here's a cover by Tuck and Patti of the classic Beatles' song "In my Life":

 Source :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB6eHS8Bwos
Related Video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZC8J5oX1pg

Economy : Philippines - Asia's Laggard No More!

Many Filipinos almost gave up on the Philippines. A few actually did and migrated to other countries. Many were forced to work abroad, and by doing so, helped the country withstood the economic crises through their dollar remittances. The Filipino "diaspora" is still ongoing. Almost 10% of the total population of the country live or work abroad. The irony is that while many developing countries are hiring Filipino technocrats and labors to maintain their economic developments, the Philippines continues its brain drain. (Though there seems to be a reverse brain drain nowadays with other nationalities immigrating to the Philippines). For many years, the Philippines was the "Laggard of Asia". But Filipinos remained patient, patriotic and resilient despite all the odds.

Recently, Time magazine featured a special report on the Philippines referring to it as a new Asian Tiger. And other sources' statistics point to an improving economy of the country. Of course, Filipinos were ecstatic about the news. But everyone seems to ask : Is this for real?

Philippines : Asia's New Tiger

The country's economic growth as statistics show is on the bright side in the next few years. Some ASEAN neighbors are in economic lull right now after experiencing phenomenal economic booms in the previous years. Indonesia and the Philippines' economies seem to be the ones in active mode right now. 

If it's any indication of the good things to come, according to real estate pundits, the real estate boom in the country will continue for the next three years. I guess then that for the next three years our economy would still be on an upswing. 

Another indicator are the positive words of New York University professor and economist Dr. Nouriel Roubini about the Philippines' strong economic growth and resiliency, and his opinion/recommendation that the Philippines should be upgraded to investment status this year or in the next thirty months. Dr. Roubuni said these encouraging remarks about the Philippines despite his prediction last year of a "global perfect storm next year (2013) as economies the world over slow down or shudder to complete halt."[1]

Other factors which might help sustain our economic growth in the years to come would be : the transfer of Japanese companies to the country because of the ongoing territorial conflict of Japan with China, which has affected Japanese factories and companies located in mainland China; the growing tourism industry and the BPO service industry. 

The uninterrupted dollar remittances of OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) and Filipino emigrants would still be the lifeline of the Philippine economy that will ensure  stability in case other factors fail to deliver. For years it has become the anchor of the country's economy.(The Filipino diaspora has turned out to be a blessing in disguise.) But this has to stop eventually, exports, tourism and BPO, not OFW remittances should be the country's main dollar source for its foreign currency reserve. A positive effect triggered by OFW remittances is an increase in domestic spending and consumption.

2012 Philippine GDP growth : 6.6%

Last year the Philippines had a 6.6 percent GDP growth. The best in the ASEAN region and the sixth best in the world. Let's just hope and pray that this trend continues. For the moment let's be happy that our country is Asia's laggard no more!

News and Picture Source:
http://www.businessoutlook.co.uk/specialreports.html
http://www.businessoutlook.co.uk/reports/2012/Philippines_Dec2012.pdf
News and Infographic Source :
www.rappler.com
[1] http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/17/us-roubini-outlook-idUSBRE86G1C820120717
Related News :
http://business.inquirer.net/82418/japanese-manufacturers-move-to-philippines

Property Listings : La Prairie, Metro Tagaytay Lots for Sale

Looking for low-priced lots for sale in Metro Tagaytay? Here are some listings of lots for sale at La
Prairie-Tagaytay (developed by Sta. Lucia). These choice lots are owned by a private investor and are being sold at a much reduced price compared to the current selling price at the subdivision. Only 7 lots are available. Lot Areas :  204 SQM (6 lots) , 303 SQM (1 lot). Price is PP5,500 per SQM. The owner  will give additional discount to cash buyers.

If interested please contact :

Mr. Mario Zavalla

PRC Licensed No.0009472 

List and Sell Realty Group

Email : lands.phl@gmail.com

Mobile : 0916-6444677

Landline :02-507-5801

People : Atty. Yves Gonzalez - MMDA's EDSA Traffic Discipline Manager

Last year I wrote a post about an MMDA project, a joint undertaking of TV5 and MMDA : The Traffic Navigator - an internet-based traffic information system which informs/advises motorists and commuters the best routes with the less traffic to take and pass through in Metro Manila. I was so impressed about the project  I was sharing the information about the project with friends and the public. I wasn't mistaken. The Traffic Navigators was voted product of the year.

Behind this very successful project is a young man who thought of this idea. The man is a techie, a legal mind and an MMDA traffic official. He is the epitome of what an ideal public servant should be. Imagine an application developer, a programer, a lawyer (a BAR top notcher at that), and a hands-on worker rolled into one.

MMDA's Traffic EDSA Traffic Discipline Manager Atty. Yves Gonzalez

He was recently one of the guest speakers in a forum I attended (Gamechangers Forum), and the guy can talk. He shared how the the ideas of the Traffic Navigator and the MMDA Twitter Account came about. I was really surprised when I found out that he is the person responsible for  these very impressive and innovative MMDA projects. Listening to him gives you a different impression of a government official and civil servant. Hopefully we will have more of his kind in our government service. After listening to him, you know that there is still hope for our country.

The next time you see a young good-looking guy manning the traffic in EDSA with an MMDA logo in his uniform, that must be Atty. Yves Gonzalez - MMDA's EDSA Traffic Discipline Manager.

Source : 

http://www.mmda.gov.ph/

Picture Source :

pinoyexchange.com

Related Link :

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/62846/photo--traffic-director-takes-picture-of-office-after-quitting

Greetings: Happy Chinese New Year to All!

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Wishing Everyone Happiness and Prosperity 

in the Year of the Snake.

Source : 
http://lunarnewyearpics.com/z-chinese-new-year-greeting-card-2013-free-china-spring-festival-cards-greeting-cards-chinese-gre/

Interesting Events : Earth's Close Encounter with an Asteroid

Remember the movie "Armageddon" starring Bruce Willis? The movie is about a gigantic asteroid that is about to hit the earth and its impact would cause catastrophic destruction in global proportion and wipe out most if not all humans on earth. In the movie, a group of "renegade" astronauts (mostly oil drillers) were sent on a mission to plant a nuclear(?) bomb deep inside the asteroid's interior to disintegrate it to pieces before it reaches the earth and avert earth's sure destruction. A similar incident is about to happen next week, but unlike in the movie, there would be no direct hit or impact, just a close encounter. Hopefully!

On the 15th of February, 50-meter Asteroid 2012 DA14 will swing or fly-by near the earth's atmosphere (even nearer to Earth compared to the orbits of communication satellites). NASA scientists calculated that the asteroid nearest fly-by within the earth would be about 17,000 miles from the surface. It would be so far that it would not be visible with the naked eye. Considering a worst scenario, scientists believe that a direct hit would have an energy  equivalent to 2.4 million tons of TNT and would wipe out an area of 750 square miles. But the NASA scientists assure that there will be no direct hit or impact on Earth.

What are asteroids?

"Asteroids are small, airless rocky worlds revolving around the sun that are too small to be called planets. They are also known as planetoids or minor planets."

"Most asteroids lie in a vast ring between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This main belt holds more than 200 asteroids larger than 60 miles (100 kilometers) in diameter. Scientists estimate the asteroid belt also contains more than 750,000 asteroids larger than three-fifths of a mile (1 kilometer) in diameter and millions of smaller ones."

"Asteroids are leftovers from the formation of our solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. Early on, the birth of Jupiter prevented any planetary bodies from forming in the gap between Mars and Jupiter, causing the small objects that were there to collide with each other and fragment into the asteroids seen today."
Source : http://www.space.com/51-asteroids-formation-discovery-and-exploration.html

According to Donald Yeomans, manager of  NASA's Near-Earth Object program, asteroids hitting the earth is a normal and daily phenomenon :

"Space rocks hit the Earth's atmosphere on a daily basis, Basketball-size objects come in daily.Volkswagen-size objects come in every couple of weeks"
The grand total of stuff hitting the atmosphere everyday? "About 100 tons,"according to Yeomans,though most of it arrives harmlessly as sand-sized particles.
Quoted from an article by : Marcia Dunn-Associated Press

Let's just hope the Mayan calendar doesn't end on 2013.

Photo Source :  NASA/JPL-Caltech
News Source :
http://news.yahoo.com/150-foot-asteroid-buzz-earth-no-duck-192322385.html
Video Source :
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/space-technology-news/predicting-meteorite-impacts-vin/

Advisory-Events : Skyway Close to Traffic on Feb. 2 & 3

Skyway : elevated section of SLEX

Here's an official advisory from the MMDA :
ADVISORY: The whole Skyway elevated section will be closed on 

February 2, 2013 at 8PM (Sat) until 
February 3, 2013 noon (Sun)

to give way for the upcoming ‏@ConduraMarathon event. #skywaysomco #slex. Θ

Skyway picture source : 

juanluna of panoramio.com