Gov. Ed Panlilio Answers Three Key Questions

I was able to attend the dialogue with Gov. Ed Panlilio at held at Patrick Pantaleon's residence in South Forbes where he was asked for his stand on declaring Marcos a hero, Reproductive Health bill, and whether he would prosecute Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

To all three questions, he gave clear and, especially on the last one, "definite" answers. Direct from the "horse's mouth:"

http://1-vote.org/downloads/Marcos-RH-Arroyo.mp3
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By Accident or On-Purpose?

Seneca wrote that:

If a man [or woman] knows not what harbor he seeks, any wind is the right wind.

Indeed that's how a lot of people chart their lives. John Maxwell, the respected leadership guru, drives home the point with this picturesque description:

Not knowing what long-term direction they are heading for, they bounce around like a ball in a pinball machines. They live reactive lives based on what happens to them , rather than proactive lives based on what values are in them. They live their life "by accident" rather than "on-purpose."

The challenge then is for us to be "live wires" rather than mindless pinballs.

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Real Leaders and Powerpoint

I would like to share with you a thought-provoking book review I just read:

The book title says it all: "Real Leaders Don't Do Powerpoint."Published just this month, the new book will quickly makes its mark among the best leadership communication books. But don't let the title fool you: this is more than a book about PowerPoint. By author and speech coach Chris Witt, it's a total book about what leaders need to do to sell themselves and their ideas.

First, though, about PowerPoint and why Chris Witt rightly doesn't trust it to do the job for real leaders. "In the first place," he writes, "it is best suited for presenting information, not influencing or inspiring an audience." And there in a nutshell is the entire argument.

Real leaders, Witt says, should only give three speeches:

• To identify - tell audiences who they are or who they can become
• To influence - shape the way audiences think and feel
• To inspire - make audiences want to act

Unfortunately, PowerPoint is only good for one thing: presenting information. He's right. Anyone in the organization can present information. It's the most basic type of speech. Yes, sometimes leaders do have to do these. In front of special audiences like financial analysts who thrive on detailed slides of graphs and charts.

But that part of a leader's job is limited. They should aspire to more, an argument Witt makes convincingly for both the leader and leader-to-be.

"Remember," Witt writes, "audiences don't want leaders to speak like everyone else. They hold leaders to a higher standard, demanding more of them."

But as I said, that's a small part of the book. Don't think this is a 200 treatise against PowerPoint. It's also a primer on how to construct and deliver a speech.

Witt covers everything from audience analysis to the importance of storytelling and from why structure is critical to how to handle the inevitable question and answer period.

Consider it a good addition to your bookshelf.

Source: http://thespeechwriter.typepad.com/onspeechwriting/2009/02/real-leaders-is-the-real-deal-for-leaders.html

Meeting with Amb. Amable R. Aguiluz V

March 11, 2009.

Together with Ptr. Romy Salcedo, Dr. John Ayudtud and Ptr. Jojo Gonzales, I was privileged to have met Ambassador Amable R. Aguiluz V, at his office at Suite 3501 of the Raffles Corporate Center in Ortigas, Pasig City.

Meeting with Amb. Amable R. Aguiluz V at Raffles Bldg., Ortigas Center

An amiable gentleman, Amb. Aguiluz is the Special Envoy of the President of the Philippines to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states (Kingdom of Bahrain, State of Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, State of Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates).

"The Reason for Being" Seminar at the P.U.P.

Last Tuesday, March 3, Dr. John Ayudtud conducted "The Reason for Being" seminar for graduating students at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. (You can click on the photo or caption below to view the entire web album.)

Reason for Being Seminar at P.U.P. 2009.03.03

You can visit The Reason for Being website here.

Topmost Secret to a Making a Marriage Work

The secrets to making a marriage work are not a monopoly of psychologists and marriage counselors as this article shows:

Claudine to Judai: Marry him how

MANILA, Philippines—Claudine Barretto gives fellow ABS-CBN star Judy Ann Santos advice about the latter’s forthcoming wedding.

In this exclusive interview held at the launch of Claudine’s latest product endorsement (Knorr Real Sarap), she urged Judai to tie the knot with fiancé Ryan Agoncillo, pronto. “What are you waiting for? A lot of people are excited, I’m one of them,” Claudine said.

Did she think Judai was ready? “They’ve been planning their wedding for a long time,” Claudine noted. “She’ll know what to do on the day. She should savor everything—the excitement, even the tension. She’ll go through different emotions, for sure.”

That, Claudine said, was precisely her experience when she wed Raymart Santiago almost three years ago. “Most of all,” she added, “it’s important to feel the presence of God, because that’s what’s going to bind you forever.”

She heeds this guideline to this day. “Raymart and I are partners,” said Claudine. “Married life takes a lot of patience and teamwork. After giving birth to Santino, I had problems adjusting. Raymart slowed down [in his career] to spend more time with us.” The trick is time management, she said. “We can both work during the week, but weekends are for the family.”

Claudine is working on a movie next month and a new TV series in July. Star Cinema is considering several scripts—including one that will reunite her with Aga Muhlach.

“I was channel surfing recently and caught my old films ‘Got 2 Believe’ and ‘Milan.’ That was when I realized how much I missed the big screen,” Claudine said.

Film with ‘rival’

There is also talk of a film with her screen “rival” Judai. “They’ve been planning that since our ‘Mula sa Puso’ and ‘Esperanza’ days, when we were teenagers,” said Claudine. “One day that will push through, I just know it.”

A movie with Raymart is also in the offing. “Star Cinema has been courting him for a long time na,” she revealed.

In the meantime, Claudine is busy with her pet advocacies: the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines and orphaned and abandoned children. She is also training as a foster parent under Directors Alice Bonoan and Thelsa Biolena of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“Social workers inspire me,” said Claudine. “They are real-life heroes.”

Source: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20090226-191243/Claudine-to-Judai-Marry-him-now

People Power Anniversary: Tree Planting at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani

People Power Anniversary: Tree Planting at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani

What better way to commemorate EDSA I, otherwise known as the bloodless People Power Revolution, than to plant trees in honor of the martyrs and heroes who made possible the overthrow of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.

Please click on the photo or the caption to view the entire web album.

People Power Anniversary: Tree Planting at Bantayog ng mga Bayani (2009.02.24)

Pres. Barack Obama speaks at National Prayer Breakfast 2009

The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., on the first Thursday of February each year. The event has taken place since 1953 and every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has participated in the breakfast.

Below is Pres. Barack Obama's speech:

National Prayer Breakfast
Thursday, February 5th, 2009
Washington, DC

Good morning.

I want to thank the Co-Chairs of this breakfast, Representatives Heath Shuler and Vernon Ehlers. I’d also like to thank Tony Blair for coming today, as well as our Vice President, Joe Biden, members of my Cabinet, members of Congress, clergy, friends, and dignitaries from across the world.

Michelle and I are honored to join you in prayer this morning. I know this breakfast has a long history in Washington, and faith has always been a guiding force in our family’s life, so we feel very much at home and look forward to keeping this tradition alive during our time here.

It’s a tradition that I’m told actually began many years ago in the city of Seattle. It was the height of the Great Depression, and most people found themselves out of work. Many fell into poverty. Some lost everything.

The leaders of the community did all that they could for those who were suffering in their midst. And then they decided to do something more: they prayed. It didn’t matter what party or religious affiliation to which they belonged. They simply gathered one morning as brothers and sisters to share a meal and talk with God.

These breakfasts soon sprouted up throughout Seattle, and quickly spread to cities and towns across America, eventually making their way to Washington. A short time after President Eisenhower asked a group of Senators if he could join their prayer breakfast, it became a national event. And today, as I see presidents and dignitaries here from every corner of the globe, it strikes me that this is one of the rare occasions that still brings much of the world together in a moment of peace and goodwill.

I raise this history because far too often, we have seen faith wielded as a tool to divide us from one another – as an excuse for prejudice and intolerance. Wars have been waged. Innocents have been slaughtered. For centuries, entire religions have been persecuted, all in the name of perceived righteousness.

There is no doubt that the very nature of faith means that some of our beliefs will never be the same. We read from different texts. We follow different edicts. We subscribe to different accounts of how we came to be here and where we’re going next – and some subscribe to no faith at all.

But no matter what we choose to believe, let us remember that there is no religion whose central tenet is hate. There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being. This much we know.

We know too that whatever our differences, there is one law that binds all great religions together. Jesus told us to "love thy neighbor as thyself." The Torah commands, "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow." In Islam, there is a hadith that reads "None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." And the same is true for Buddhists and Hindus; for followers of Confucius and for humanists. It is, of course, the Golden Rule – the call to love one another; to understand one another; to treat with dignity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth.

It is an ancient rule; a simple rule; but also one of the most challenging. For it asks each of us to take some measure of responsibility for the well-being of people we may not know or worship with or agree with on every issue. Sometimes, it asks us to reconcile with bitter enemies or resolve ancient hatreds. And that requires a living, breathing, active faith. It requires us not only to believe, but to do – to give something of ourselves for the benefit of others and the betterment of our world.

In this way, the particular faith that motivates each of us can promote a greater good for all of us. Instead of driving us apart, our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife and rebuild what has broken; to lift up those who have fallen on hard times. This is not only our call as people of faith, but our duty as citizens of America, and it will be the purpose of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships that I’m announcing later today.

The goal of this office will not be to favor one religious group over another – or even religious groups over secular groups. It will simply be to work on behalf of those organizations that want to work on behalf of our communities, and to do so without blurring the line that our founders wisely drew between church and state. This work is important, because whether it’s a secular group advising families facing foreclosure or faith-based groups providing job-training to those who need work, few are closer to what’s happening on our streets and in our neighborhoods than these organizations. People trust them. Communities rely on them. And we will help them.

We will also reach out to leaders and scholars around the world to foster a more productive and peaceful dialogue on faith. I don’t expect divisions to disappear overnight, nor do I believe that long-held views and conflicts will suddenly vanish. But I do believe that if we can talk to one another openly and honestly, then perhaps old rifts will start to mend and new partnerships will begin to emerge. In a world that grows smaller by the day, perhaps we can begin to crowd out the destructive forces of zealotry and make room for the healing power of understanding.

This is my hope. This is my prayer.

I believe this good is possible because my faith teaches me that all is possible, but I also believe because of what I have seen and what I have lived.

I was not raised in a particularly religious household. I had a father who was born a Muslim but became an atheist, grandparents who were non-practicing Methodists and Baptists, and a mother who was skeptical of organized religion, even as she was the kindest, most spiritual person I’ve ever known. She was the one who taught me as a child to love, and to understand, and to do unto others as I would want done.

I didn’t become a Christian until many years later, when I moved to the South Side of Chicago after college. It happened not because of indoctrination or a sudden revelation, but because I spent month after month working with church folks who simply wanted to help neighbors who were down on their luck – no matter what they looked like, or where they came from, or who they prayed to. It was on those streets, in those neighborhoods, that I first heard God’s spirit beckon me. It was there that I felt called to a higher purpose – His purpose.

In different ways and different forms, it is that spirit and sense of purpose that drew friends and neighbors to that first prayer breakfast in Seattle all those years ago, during another trying time for our nation. It is what led friends and neighbors from so many faiths and nations here today. We come to break bread and give thanks and seek guidance, but also to rededicate ourselves to the mission of love and service that lies at the heart of all humanity. As St. Augustine once said, "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you."

So let us pray together on this February morning, but let us also work together in all the days and months ahead. For it is only through common struggle and common effort, as brothers and sisters, that we fulfill our highest purpose as beloved children of God. I ask you to join me in that effort, and I also ask that you pray for me, for my family, and for the continued perfection of our union.

Thank you.

"Follow the LEED"

Arch. Lira Luis, the first Filipino protege of Frank Lloyd Wright since 1932, is currently in Manila. Today, I had the privilege of meeting her at the seminar titled "Follow the LEED" held at the UST Student Center where she was the guest speaker. (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.)

Using a compelling powerpoint presentation, Arch. Luis enthusiastically shared with her SRO audience her views on promoting design and construction practices that increase profitability while reducing the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improving occupant health and well-being.

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"Believe It or Not?"

I came across this piece written by Stacey S. Padrick today and felt the desire to share it with my blog readers:

Believe It Or Not?

Stacey S. Padrick

If you had asked me a few years ago what I believed about God, I would have responded, "I believe God is fully in control. I believe He cares about me and holds my future in His hands." Yet after being diagnosed with a life-changing illness, I struggled to believe the truths I once had so easily proclaimed. Tempted to question God's sovereignty, tempted to assume that His control waned as my crises mounted, I clung shakily to scriptural truths—truths directly challenged by apparent reality.

What are some of our foundational beliefs as Christians? Salvation through faith? The sovereignty of God? The authority of Scripture? We rightly emphasize in the church, "Know what you believe." Yet while seeking to grow in spiritual knowledge, we must just as diligently believe what we already know—believe, in the deepest places of our hearts, the truths foundational to our faith.

During crises in my life—an incurable illness, a broken relationship, a lost job—or even in less shattering but more typical daily trials—a strained budget or a deadline at work—the Holy Spirit has revealed to me the incongruity between my professed biblical beliefs and the beliefs that govern my heart. In the midst of rushing streams of thought, the Spirit prompts me to stop and ask myself, "Stacey, what are you believing right this moment? To what are you listening? What is true?" As I repeat the scriptural truths I know, the subtle lies upon which I was feeding turn bitter in my mouth. Graciously, the Spirit convicts me that my thoughts, which I had excused as "sensible," are in fact sin—the sin of unbelief.

Then and Now

Ever since the Garden of Eden, unbelief has blinded and defeated God's people. Satan's ploy for Eve to eat the apple was based upon the temptation to disbelieve God's character and question His commands. During the exodus, the faithless Israelites compelled God to cry out, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?" (Num. 14:11).

In the New Testament, Jesus reprimanded His disciples, whose unbelief hindered them from casting an evil spirit from a boy: "O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you?" (Mk. 9:19, NASB).

Today, Satan is as relentless as in the days of Genesis in deceiving us to doubt what we know to be true—particularly about the character of God and who we are in Christ.

God's Unimpeachable Character

Caricatures of God abound in the secular world, which misrepresents Him as anything from an oppressive tyrant to an absentminded Santa Claus. But Satan's distortions don't stop out side the church doors. Subtly, he riddles our foundation of faith with tiny holes of unbelief that us, like Eve, to question God's commands.

During trials, I have caught myself reasoning: You know, God has got a lot going on down here, and it is only understandable that now and then He overlooks some things. I can't really expect Him to attend to all the details in my life, now can I? That is the lie. The truth is that my God calls every star by name (Is. 40:26). He does not lose track of details! "His understanding no one can fathom" (v. 28).

I often must ask myself, Do I wholeheartedly believe that God is sovereign—even at this moment, when life feels out of control? When my doctor diagnosed my systemic lupus, my mind reeled. What will this mean for my future? My work? My ministry? The dreams I thought God gave me?Certainly, this disease slipped by Him somehow. Yet, through Scripture and His still, small voice, He reminded me that He had complete knowledge and control of my body and my future. My diagnosis in no way affected His will and plans for me.

Unless I firmly believe God's love for me is unchanging, and that His ways are good and righteous, I cannot wholly trust Him with my decisions—or my life. The degree to which I know and believe in God's character is the degree to which I can and will trust Him . . . and consequently obey Him.

Our Position in Christ

Because many of us only halfheartedly believe who the Bible says we are in Christ, we live half-effective lives, defeated more often than victorious over sin and the challenges before us. For years, I unintentionally discounted what Scripture says about me as a new creature in Christ: that I am the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21); that I'm free from condemnation (Ro. 8:1); that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14); that God is for me (Ro. 8:31). Yet, what I believe about myself influences my attitude and actions.

Until we believe and claim that we have been given authority over sin and the enemy, we will not have the power to live as Christ has called us to live. Until we believe that God loves us unconditionally, we will not be able to surrender our lives and dreams to Him with full abandon. When we continue to believe what the world or the accuser (Rev. 12:10) tells us about ourselves, rather than what God tells us, we are quenching the Spirit of Truth and allowing lies to choke the good fruit that God wants to bear in our lives.

As I struggled for years with a particular sin in my life, I believed that I was powerless to change. My pleas to God to change me only left me frustrated. Then a mentor and a Bible study showed me that by the blood of the cross, sin had lost its hold over me, and by the Holy Spirit I do have power to change. When I began praying from the position of a redeemed child of God with authority over sin, rather than as defenseless prey before a roaring lion, I experienced release.

How to Uproot Unbelief

Unbelief is subtle, but it is not invincible. I have learned through practicing the following steps that it even the frailest of us can move decisively from unbelief to belief.

1. Confess and repent of unbelief. Disbelief often leads to disobedience. Therefore, when I confess sin in my life, I take time to examine the thought processes that preceded my disobedience. I ask Christ to shine His light upon my thoughts and help me discern the lies I've been believing. As the Spirit reveals my inaccurate images about God's character and about myself as His child, I must renounce my resistance to scriptural truth. By His grace and with only a mustard seed of faith, I can begin believing the truth He shows me. Like the father of the demon-possessed son, I can be honest with God and say, "I do believe; help my unbelief" (Mk. 9:24, NASB).

2. Claim the truth—morning, noon, and night. Paul told Timothy, "Watch your life and doctrine closely" (1 Tim. 4:16).

As a defense against the subtle lies of Satan, I have drafted a statement of faith listing foundational truths that are "unnatural" for me to believe. Taken from Scripture and written in the first person, this doctrinal affirmation helps me know and believe the truth about God's character and my position as His child. Portions of that statement can be found in the sidebar.

Try writing your own statement of beliefs highlighting verses that address truths you struggle to believe or that confront lies you've accepted about God or yourself.

3. Believe it! I review and repeat verses in my doctrinal affirmation until I firmly believe them. Sometimes I choose one verse and meditate upon it for many mornings, training my thinking to align more closely with Scripture. Then as I am confronted with lies or distortions, I am better able to resist by claiming what is true. For example, lately I have meditated upon the truth that I am complete in Christ (see Col. 2:10, NASB). As my day accelerates and I rush to finish all I planned to accomplish, I remind myself that I need not "perform" in order to be acceptable before Him. I am already complete. Similarly, if I begin to struggle with my singleness, I remind myself that I am already complete in Christ and need not wait for a spouse to feel whole.

4. Practice it. Ask yourself throughout the day, "What do my actions and attitudes indicate that I believe?" For instance, do I believe that God can help me through this challenging project at work . . . or that it's all up to me? Do I think that my car breakdown was a surprise to Him . . . or do I believe that He both knows and will provide for my needs? Am I anxious about this project . . . or trusting that He will equip me? Am I complaining about a disappointment . . . or thanking God for what He will do through this apparent defeat?

Then, act as if what God's Word says is true—regardless of your feelings. For instance, even when a long-awaited opportunity is lost, act as if God has a future and a hope planned for you (Jer. 29:11, Prov. 23:18). Even when you feel powerless to change, act as if you are a new creature in Christ, and sin has no mastery over you (2 Cor. 5:17, Ro. 6:14). Even when you feel guilty, act as if there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Ro. 8:1).

When asked to speak in front of a group, I'm tempted to let fear rule me. To combat that temptation, I personalize Scripture: "God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power" (see 2 Tim. 1:7), and "I do not fear, for God is with me. He is holding me by my right hand" (see Is. 41:10). I can then walk to the podium acting as if I am completely unafraid.

"But that seems like pretense!" you may argue. Perhaps. Yet, as C. S. Lewis discusses in Mere Christianity, we must often pretend something is true even when it doesn't feel true. When I act as if I love my neighbor (treating her kindly, praying for her welfare) rather than waiting until I feel love toward her, I am living what should be characteristic of my experience as a believer. Lewis writes, "Very often the only way to get a quality in reality is to start behaving as if you already had it." For we who are in Christ, the truth—such as that we are beloved of God—is reality; we need only start living it. When I act as if what Scripture says about God and myself is indeed true, I am living more in reality than when I act upon my feelings.

Habitual Trust

When Christ called people to believe in Him (Jn. 3:1516, Jn. 5:24, Jn. 6:40), the words to believe referred to a continuing act—a daily conscious practice. Similarly, Paul exhorted the Corinthian believers, "Now brothers and sisters, I want you to remember the Good News I brought to you.... You are being saved by it if you continue believing what I told you. If you do not, then you believed for nothing" (1 Cor. 15:1–2, New Century Version, emphasis mine).

Let us remind ourselves regularly and encourage one another daily to continue to believe in our hearts and minds the foundational truths we profess.

"Now may the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing"

(Ro. 15:13, NASB).

A Drug Deadlier than Ecstacy, Shabu, or Heroin

Regarding the current controversial aborted DOJ release order of the Alabang Boys, Conrado de Quiroz emphatically asserts in his PDI column dated Jan. 12, 2009 that there's a drug much deadlier than ecstacy, shabu or heroin. Excerpt follows:

"I myself have a couple of recommendations.

"One is to appoint Marcelino posthaste as Ombudsman. And have him investigate Merceditas Gutierrez for all sorts of crimes and misdemeanors. It’s the only way that office will ever get to do the job it is meant to do, Marcelino having shown he is one of the few public officials who can do the job they are meant to do.

"The second, completely seriously, is to put the Office of the Ombudsman under the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. The reason for this is simple. There is a drug that addles the brain more thoroughly than Ecstasy, Ecstasy only giving its user to feel the pangs of love or lust. There is a drug that sends people on longer and farther power trips than shabu, shabu only lasting a few days and rendering their users impotent afterward. There is a drug that is far more addictive than heroin, no amount of rehabilitation being able to cure it.

"That drug is corruption.

"Corruption is the most dangerous drug of all in this country. It gives the user to feel not only the pangs of lust or love of money; it sends the user to longer and farther power trips, making them feel like they deserve to rule forever; it is the most addictive drug of all, and one, quite unfortunately, that does not kill the user, only everyone around him, or her.

"It is no small irony—indeed it is a sublimely poetic one—that Marcelino set out to take on drug pushers and users and ended up taking on the justice department. They are one and the same. The justice department is the biggest pusher of the most dangerous drug in this country, or the biggest supplier of it to its biggest user in the country, to be found in the Palace by the Pasig. At the very least, you can’t have a brain more addled by drugs—in more ways than one—than Gonzalez’s. And you can’t have veins more addicted to constant injections of power than those of his boss."

PNB-Allied Bank merger by mid-2009

As of December 27, 2008, here's the latest news for those who bank with PNB and Allied Bank:

The merger between Philippine National Bank (PNB) and Allied Banking Corp., originally targeted for end-2008, is now expected to be completed by middle of 2009, PNB said in a statement.

PNB said there was a need to comply with US banking regulations requiring Allied Bank to divest its 28-percent equity share in California-based Oceanic Bank prior to the merger.

It said that even with this development, preparations of both banks for the merger were in full swing and on track.

“Significant progress has been made on the following: identification and synchronization of IT systems; alignment of products, policies and procedures; branch rationalization; and review for consolidation of required regulatory documentation,” the statement said.

The ATM systems of PNB and Allied Bank have been integrated to allow each bank’s clients to use either bank’s machines free of charge despite the fact that the two banks are on separate ATM networks.

The bank said that in support of the merger, organizational changes in the board and management of Allied Bank and PNB will be implemented beginning Jan. 1: Domingo T. Chua has resigned as director of PNB and has been elected as chairman of Allied Bank; Estelito P. Mendoza has been elected as director of PNB, filling the vacancy left by Chua; Gloria Tan-Climaco has been elected director of PNB, taking the place of Macario U. Te, who will retire effective Dec. 31; and PNB executive vice president for global operations Anthony Q. Chua will be seconded to Allied Bank as chief operations officer.

Post-merger PNB will become the fourth-biggest domestic bank in terms of total assets and branch network, with the most extensive international footprint among local banks.

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20081227-180164/PNB-Allied-Bank-merger-by-mid-2009

EDSA 2: A Mistake -- Cory Aquino

As a member of the editorial board of Touchlife Express Balita (a weekly Christian newspaper in Manila), I was privileged to get invited to the launching of the erstwhile Speaker Jose de Venecia's book entitled Global Filipino. Actually, the complete title is unusually long: "Global Filipino: The Authorized Biography of Jose de Venecia Jr., the Visionary Five-Time Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines."



The book launching was held at The Atrium of the Podium Bldg. in posh Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, yesterday afternoon (Dec. 22). After introducing his book, former Speaker de Venecia gave the floor to an enthusiastic ex-President Joseph "Erap" Estrada who gave a much-applauded speech which lasted over 15 minutes.

At one point, Mr. Estrada said that he had read the book from cover to cover but because it was thick (hard cover of over 250 pages, ), it gave him a headache. Then he quipped that those in the Malacañang Palace would have a greater headache when they read the contents of the book (which is highly critical of the Arroyo administration.)

After Estrada, it was "People Power" Pres. Corazon "Cory" Aquino's turn to speak. Her speech was very brief, less than 3 minutes, but also applauded by the audience at several points. By now, both pro- and anti-administration groups must be busy dissecting the impact of her apology to Estrada. Her exact words as recorded in my PDA:

"I am one of those who pleads guilty for the 2o01 uprising. Lahat naman tayo nagkakamali. Patawarin mo na lang ako."

[English translation of the italicized words: "After all, we all make mistakes. Just forgive me."]


While Cory was smiling when she articulated the above mea culpa, as a direct eyewitness of the event, I reckon that she spoke with sincerity.

"Could Anything Be More Absurd?"

"Could anything be more absurd than a coup plotter, like Enrile, being sworn into the No. 3 office in the land, by a man who failed in every coup he staged: Gringo Honasan?" - - Juan Mercado, "Prayer without Heart," Philippine Daily Inquirer, 11/20/2008

Three Pivotal Questions

By Benito P. Yadao Jr.

Man has made it to the moon and then safely landed back on his home planet. It was hailed as a milestone accomplishment in space exploration. What made it possible? The invention of the electronic computer!

The computers on board the spacecraft and those at NASA control center made the mathematical calculations that ensured that the precise path was taken. The required speedy navigational computations were simply beyond the capability of even the best team of expert mathematicians: it would have taken years to make the calculations needed to make minute-by-minute course corrections.

In a sense, we could say that the success of that lunar space mission as well as the survival of the astronauts themselves depended upon the computers.

Today, even in the world of business and industry, success and survival are become more and more dependent on the effective application of computer technology. This is very obvious in the fields of banking, air travel, manufacturing, and news networks, just to mention a few. In fact, every enterprise or profession that needs to maintain sizeable, reliable, and easily retrievable information (for example, about customers, receivables, and/or inventory) will invariably profit from the use of computers.

Thanks to a combination of technical innovations and mass production, a computer can now be bought at an affordable price. Indeed, the real question today is whether you can afford not to computerize!

On the other hand, we are also aware of those who already use computers in their businesses or professions but only to a marginal extent. Except perhaps for promoting secretarial productivity through word processing, they haven't experienced the managerial benefits in terms of lower overhead cost, greater financial control, better decision-making support, and increased time and energy for creative action.

How do you know whether it's time to computerize or there is much to be desired from your existing computerized system(s)? Start with these three basic questions:

1. Is your record/information keeping taking the fun out of managing your business or profession?
2. Are needed financial forecasts and reports inaccurate and/or delayed?
3. Do you feel you are not in total control?

If you answered with a categorical "NO" to all of the above, congratulations! Be sure, though, to review your answers at least every three months.

Quote of the Day

Health - Alcohol Debate (Part II)

What Type, How Much, and When?

According to the experts, it doesn't make too much difference whether you
prefer wine, beer, or spirits.

"The research evidence points to ethanol -- or the alcohol component -- of
beer, wine, or spirits as the substance that can help lower cholesterol levels, increase HDL (good cholesterol), and improve insulin sensitivity in overweight individuals," Rimm says.

It's how much you drink that really matters. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines and the American Heart Association define moderate drinking as onedrink for women and two for men per day -- not averaged over the week. (One drink is defined as 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits such as vodka.)

When you drink is also important, says Alice Lichtenstein, DrS, a professor at Tufts University. If you do consume alcohol, it's best to have it with meals, she says.

Some studies have suggested that drinking alcohol without eating raises the chance of developing high blood pressure.

Also, "alcohol can stimulate the appetite, so it is better to drink it with food," says Arthur Agatston, MD, a cardiologist and author of the popular book The South Beach Diet. "When alcohol is mixed with food, it can slow the stomach emptying time and potentially decrease the amount of food consumed at the meal."

And what about people who don't drink at all? The experts agree that, though alcohol has some health benefits, it's not a good idea to start drinking if you don't already.

The new U.S. dietary guidelines point out that there are many ways to reduce the risk of chronic diseases besides moderate drinking, including:

• Eating a healthy diet
  
• Exercising
  
• Quitting smoking
  
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Those Extra Calories

Alcohol is fairly high in calories, but provides few essential nutrients.

The benefits of moderate drinking do not outweigh the risks of being overweight, says Theresa Nicklas, DrPh, a member of the dietary guidelines advisory committee. So if you have a drink, you should budget it into what the U.S. dietary guidelines call your "discretionary calories" -- the ones you have left over after you eat all the nutritious foods you need.

The problem, says Nicklas, is that most Americans are sedentary, so their calorie needs are relatively low. For example, someone on an 1,800-calorie eating plan only has 195 discretionary calories per day -- the equivalent of one 9-ounce glass of wine (and that leaves no room for sweets or other treats).

And, of course, when you drink too much alcohol, it's hard to get all the nutrients you need without taking in too many calories. Heavy drinkers who substitute alcohol calories for nutritious foods run the risk of malnutrition.

Another problem, according to National Institutes of Health researcher Rosalind Breslow, PhD, is that "liquid calories from alcohol do not satisfy hunger." She notes that drinks made with high-calorie mixers, like pina coladas and white Russians, can have as many as 400 calories apiece.

The best bet for people who want to enjoy a drink most days is to get more physical activity, Nicklas says. She points out that the benefits of regular physical activity are much greater than those of moderate drinking, and she advises everyone to strive for at least 30 minutes daily.

The Bottom Line

More research remains to be done on the relative risks and benefits of drinking alcohol.

But the bottom line is that to get any health benefits from alcohol, we must drink responsibly. That means having no more than 1-2 drinks per day, having them at mealtime and as part of an overall healthy diet, and making sure you aren't exceeding your calorie needs.

Medically updated July 31, 2006

SOURCES: The New England Journal of Medicine, Jan. 20,
2005. Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, 2005. American Heart Association Science
Advisory: Wine and Your Heart, 2001. Archives of Internal Medicine,
2003; 263. Theresa Nicklas, DrPh, professor of pediatrics, Baylor College of
Medicine; member, dietary guidelines advisory committee; Alice Lichtenstein,
DSc, Gershoff Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts
University. Eric Rimm, DrS, professor of epidemiology and nutrition, Harvard
School of Public Health; Arthur Agatston, MD, FACC, associate professor of
medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine; author, The South Beach
Diet. Rosalind Breslow, PhD, researcher, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism. Monica Gourovitch, PhD, senior vice president for scientific
affairs, Distilled Spirits Council. WebMD Feature: Beer, Wine Liquor - The
New Health Drinks?, by Jennifer Warner, published June 14, 2002. WebMD
Medical News: Drinking Too Much Claims 75,000 Lives a Year, by Jennifer
Warner, published Sept. 23, 2004. WebMD Medical News: Moderate Alcohol May
Improve Diabetes, by Salynn Boyles, published June 1, 2004. WebMD Medical
News: Alcohol Without Food Boosts Blood Pressure, by Miranda Hitti,
published Dec. 21, 2004.

Health - Alcohol Debate

When it comes to alcohol, does the good outweigh the bad?


The Alcohol Debate: Should You or Shouldn't You?

By Kathleen Zelman

Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

Has a daily drink replaced the apple a day as a way to keep
the doctor away?

Scientists have long touted the heart
benefits of drinking small amounts of alcohol. Newer studies have
credited moderate drinking with everything from helping to keep our
minds sharp as we age to lowering our risk of developing diabetes.

In fact, the new U.S. dietary guidelines give many of us
official permission to enjoy one to two drinks daily.

This is great news for folks who follow the French lifestyle
of sipping a glass of wine with dinner, or who enjoy an evening
cocktail. But what about teetotalers -- should they start drinking? Are
there some people who shouldn't drink, under any circumstances? And how
do you balance the health effects of alcohol with its high calorie
count?

Since some 55% of U.S. adults drink alcohol according to the
CDC, it's important to understand how it affects our health. To get
some answers, WebMD talked to experts about alcohol's risks and
benefits and its place in a healthy diet.

Does It Help or Hurt?

Drinking alcohol can be good for your health, but it can also
be harmful. It all depends on how much you drink, your age, and other
factors.

There's no denying that too much alcohol can lead to serious
problems. Excess alcohol can increase your risk of:

• Liver disease


• High blood pressure


• High blood fats (triglycerides)


• Heart failure


• Stroke


• Fetal alcohol syndrome (if you're pregnant)


• Certain cancers


• Injury, violence, and death

And, of course, drinking too much alcohol piles on the
calories, which can lead to obesity and a higher risk for diabetes.

For some segments of the population, alcohol can lead to many
health problems. Those who should not drink include:

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women


• People at risk for certain cancers


• People with family histories of alcohol abuse


• Children and adolescents


• People taking medications that can interact with alcohol


• Those with health conditions such as liver problems or
  ulcers


• Anyone requiring skill or coordination to perform a task


• People who have a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of
  the pancreas)

According to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, in middle-aged and
older adults, moderate consumption is associated with the lowest
all-cause mortality (that is, the rate of death from all causes). But
in younger adults, alcohol consumption provides little, if any, health
benefits, according to the guidelines. Instead, it's associated with a
higher risk of serious injury or death.

The CDC has reported that excessive drinking causes more than
75,000 deaths from various causes in the U.S. each year. And what
exactly is "excessive"? For men, it's an average of more than two
drinks daily, or more than four drinks at one time, according to the
CDC. For women, it's an average of more than one drink per day or more
than three drinks at one time.

Alcohol's Advantages

Alcohol's effects on the heart -- for both men and women --
are well documented. Studies have shown that moderate drinking can
raise levels of "good cholesterol," which helps prevent harmful blood
clots and helps keep blood flowing smoothly through our bodies,
reducing risks of heart attack and stroke.

In fact, moderate drinking can increase "good cholesterol"
levels by as much as 20%, if it's accompanied by a healthy diet and
regular physical activity, says Harvard researcher Eric Rimm, DrS.

That's similar to the improvement you might see by taking
cholesterol medication or running a half-marathon, Rimm says. (He's
quick to point out that exercise has many other health benefits and
that alcohol should never replace exercise.)

Research has also suggested that moderate drinking can
increase insulin sensitivity, which can reduce the risk of diabetes,
among other things. But the empty calories in alcohol can be a problem,
as there is a link between type 2 diabetes and excess weight.

Rimm, who has reviewed several large studies, has found a
delicate balance between the risks and benefits of alcohol and its
impact on diabetes. However, he says, "there appears to be a reduction
in risk of type 2 diabetes in adults who consume moderate amounts of
alcohol."

Recent research also suggests that women who enjoy a little
alcohol may be more likely to keep their minds sharp as they age.

A study published in The New England Journal of
Medicine in 2005 evaluated the mental abilities of 12,480
women aged 70-81. The researchers found that moderate drinkers had a
23% reduced risk of mental decline compared with nondrinkers.

(Continued in Part II)

Security

The Advantages of Outdoor Security Cameras
By Morgan Hamilton

Do you want to have to constantly keep an eye on your loved ones? Of course not. You would like to enjoy life. I understand your feelings and the truth is that the times we live in are crazy, dangerous and unpredictable. You cannot imagine what I saw on the news few days ago. There was a man who had been hiding under a woman's bed for two days so that he could stalk her. I don't see what else should be said about the matter. I can only add that it is always good and it pays off to be aware of what is going on around you. Sometimes this is related to installing few alarms or spending some money on outdoor security cameras. This is an effective way to know what is going outside and inside your own home. Would you not like to be informed if there was someone lurking around your house?

I have a thing about outdoor security cameras. I cannot help but really loving them. It is true, believe me. I got hooked up a while ago and my brother is to take the blame. He is ex-Special Forces and he is constantly buying all the new security measures available on the market. Of course, I do understand him. After all, he has a wife and three children and he wants to make sure they are safe. Last summer I visited my brother and saw his outdoor security cameras. I simply went nuts over them. They are really fantastic and they are the most advance level of technology. They are turned on all the time and they do a pretty good job observing every angle of his home’s exterior. This is especially useful when you have your kids playing around the house all the time.

Unfortunately, in this weird world you have to watch out that some weirdo would not kidnap or hurt your children while they are playing in your yard. And don't start with the usual lines such as "my neighbourhood is safe" or "this cannot happen to me" as the truth is that it can happen to anyone as no one is safe. Even though I am only 30 years old I had this happen to me twice. You wouldn't suppose but criminals like safe neighbourhoods because no one expects them there. Have you changed your mind about setting up a few outdoor cameras now? Just hop online and check the prices, you will see that you can get few outdoor security cameras for a reasonable price. They also have one great feature which is infrared option.

Furthermore, it takes only a few minutes to install cameras. Do you want to see what the darkness hides? Buying today's advanced outdoor security cameras will give you the answer. With them not only will you keep an eye on your loved ones during the day, but even when the sun has dropped you will be able to watch out any outdoor activity.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning property. Learn more at Outdoor Security Cameras

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton

Health

Food for a Healthy Immune System and for Overall Good Health
By Patsy Hamilton

Focusing on food for a healthy immune system can increase overall good health and nutrition. Foods that build your immune system are rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements and omega-3 fatty acids. Including these foods in your weekly diet can improve your energy levels and decrease the number of colds and other bugs that you get every year.

Some people rely on daily multi-vitamins and dietary supplements, instead of food for a healthy immune system and good supplements are always a good idea. It is not always possible to eat the right foods in the right combination every day. For instance, you may think of oranges or orange juice when you think of foods that build your immune system, but oranges are not the only foods that contain Vitamin C. And if you don’t have enough calcium and magnesium in your diet, then your cells cannot efficiently absorb Vitamin C. Complicating things further, if you drink a glass of orange juice and a glass of milk, then the acidic content of the juice can sour the milk, leading to stomach upset.

People who have frequent heartburn or are lactose intolerant may not be able to include either orange juice or milk in their diets. Citrus fruits are highly acidic and trigger heartburn in many people. Regular milk causes bloating, pain, gas and diarrhea in people who are lactose intolerant. So, what is a person to do?

Crabmeat, lobster and oysters are all rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin C. Salmon is an important food for a healthy immune system and is often referred to as a “super food” by dieticians and nutritionists, because it contains numerous vitamins and minerals, plus a healthy amount of omega-3 fatty acids, believed to be beneficial in preventing heart disease, cancer and arthritis. Broccoli, tomatoes, peaches and apples are good sources of Vitamin C and are all foods that build your immune system. Broccoli is another food that contains numerous vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and selenium. Not familiar with selenium?

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that may not be included in your daily multi-vitamin, but very important to human health. It is essential to proper immune system function, as well as numerous metabolic pathways. Remember chicken soup? Chicken is another good source of selenium and is one of the foods that build your immune system strength.

Like mushrooms? Researchers studying foods that build immune system strength by increasing white blood cell counts learned that shitake mushrooms worked. The study concluded that beta glucans found in edible mushrooms increased white blood cell counts. White blood cells are primary infection fighters. Don’t like mushrooms? Beta glucans are biologically active compounds found in numerous plant foods and some immune system dietary supplements.

So, in order to include some of the best foods that build your immune system in your weekly diet, eat salmon, tuna and/or seafood three or four times a week, chicken three or four times a week, a variety of fruits and vegetables including broccoli and mushrooms, whenever possible. Relying on food for a healthy immune system may not be enough, depending on where you live or work. A daily multi-vitamin can help and there are immune system supplements that contain beta glucans, herbs and other ingredients that can also help, particularly during cold and flu season. To learn more about food for a healthy immune system and supplements that can boost your immune system, visit www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Patsy Hamilton has been a healthcare professional for more than twenty years and currently writes informational articles for the Immune System Booster Guide. Read more at http://www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patsy_Hamilton