Everyone has a photographic memory..... some just don’t have film or media card.
(up-dated this quote to reflect the latest trend in technology.)
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Han river park bike lanes
Re-posting this Han river park bike lanes which I have already posted in another forum (FM). The bike lanes run on both sides of the Han river. The bike lanes were engineered specifically for bicyclists and pedestrians. Many people do their jogging, roller blading, and of course cycling in this area. If the Philippine government could make an environmental quality project like this one and have it maintained, many Filipinos will benefit and maybe the drug problems will be eradicated. I am hoping an honest and idealistic congressman/senator or even a future president of the Philippines would view this post and emulate what the Koreans had constructed in their country. The following are some pictures of the bike lanes in Seoul and a few bicycle friendly sidewalks leading to the park.
sidewalk leading to the park
tunnel before Han river park
bike lanes
exercise areas beside the bike lanes
snack area
clean toilets along the lane
football, basketball, tennis, and other sports along the bike lane area
my tired bike resting on the grassy portion of the park
this pumps up my adrenalin to bike that extra mile
sidewalk leading to the park
tunnel before Han river park
bike lanes
exercise areas beside the bike lanes
snack area
clean toilets along the lane
football, basketball, tennis, and other sports along the bike lane area
my tired bike resting on the grassy portion of the park
this pumps up my adrenalin to bike that extra mile
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Rib eye steak recipe or any other steak
These are maybe the best videos on how to cook steaks. Basically the main ingredients to make a tasty and juicy steak is to salt and pepper the steak and sometimes place a dash of garlic powder. When placed on the grill, sear both sides of the steak about a minute or two each side to lock-in the juice. Move to indirect heat to cook to desired taste.
Saturday, 21 June 2008
School Toilets
DPWH admits only 18 school toilets constructed due to lack of funds
Due to lack of funds, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has only constructed 18 toilets which were identified in 2007, according to a DPWH official.
Engineer Ric Mobo, a member of the DPWH task force on school buildings, said they only follow the instructions of the Department of Education (DepEd).
He admitted that due to the shortage of funds, they often cancel the construction of toilets in schools and just focus on building classrooms.
Since mid-2007 to May 31 this year, the DPWH said it has constructed 18 toilets, or the total number of toilets identified for completion in 2007.
“Not all school buildings have toilets. (But) we only follow the specifications of the DepEd, and usually if there is only a limited budget, the toilets are the first to be cut. The priority are the classrooms,” he said.
Toilets also entail additional costs, “because before you construct these (toilets), there is a need for water supply, and this adds to the cost of the school buildings,” Mobo added.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) earlier expressed concern over the DepEd’s neglect of sanitation in the 43,000 public schools where there is a severe shortage of toilets and hand-washing facilities that could expose the more than 19 million public school students to diseases.
“The national toilet bowl to pupil ratio stands at 1:51 in elementary schools and 1:102 in high schools. In ARMM, it’s 1:171 in elementary and 1:250 in high schools, while in NCR, it’s 1:114 and 1:143,” ACT said.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080621165
With the above scenario, school children will have no choice but to use the bushes as a toilet. The lack of school toilets and water is one of many obstacles to the young children wanting to have a decent education. This lack of the most basic sanitation requirement of a school should be addressed soonest. The gov't has money for junkets but has no money for the school toilets?
Due to lack of funds, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has only constructed 18 toilets which were identified in 2007, according to a DPWH official.
Engineer Ric Mobo, a member of the DPWH task force on school buildings, said they only follow the instructions of the Department of Education (DepEd).
He admitted that due to the shortage of funds, they often cancel the construction of toilets in schools and just focus on building classrooms.
Since mid-2007 to May 31 this year, the DPWH said it has constructed 18 toilets, or the total number of toilets identified for completion in 2007.
“Not all school buildings have toilets. (But) we only follow the specifications of the DepEd, and usually if there is only a limited budget, the toilets are the first to be cut. The priority are the classrooms,” he said.
Toilets also entail additional costs, “because before you construct these (toilets), there is a need for water supply, and this adds to the cost of the school buildings,” Mobo added.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) earlier expressed concern over the DepEd’s neglect of sanitation in the 43,000 public schools where there is a severe shortage of toilets and hand-washing facilities that could expose the more than 19 million public school students to diseases.
“The national toilet bowl to pupil ratio stands at 1:51 in elementary schools and 1:102 in high schools. In ARMM, it’s 1:171 in elementary and 1:250 in high schools, while in NCR, it’s 1:114 and 1:143,” ACT said.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080621165
With the above scenario, school children will have no choice but to use the bushes as a toilet. The lack of school toilets and water is one of many obstacles to the young children wanting to have a decent education. This lack of the most basic sanitation requirement of a school should be addressed soonest. The gov't has money for junkets but has no money for the school toilets?
Saturday, 14 June 2008
quotes to live by #006
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
Epictetus
Epictetus
Monday, 9 June 2008
Filipino attitudes
'Why is the Philippines Poor?'
excerpts from the message of Dr. Arsenio Martin of Fort Arthur, Texas, USA
"The difference between poor and rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources. Japan has a limited territory, mountainous, inadequate for agriculture and cattle raising, but it is the world's second economic power. It is like a floating factory, importing raw materials from all over the world and exporting manufactured products.
"Another example is Switzerland. It does not plant cocoa, and yet is has the best chocolates in the world. In its little territory, the people raise animals and plant the soil only during four months of a year. Not enough, and yet they produce dairy products of the best quality. It is a small country that transmits an image of security and order, and the world's strongest and safest place in the world.
"Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference among them. Race or skin color is also not important. Immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the most productive in rich European counties.
"What is the difference then? The difference is in the attitude of the people, framed along the years by education and culture and flawed tradition.
"On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich and developed countries, we find that the great majority following these principles in their lives: Ethics, Integrity, Responsibility, Respect for laws and rules, Respect of the rights of other citizens, Work loving, Strive for savings and investment, Will of action, Punctuality and Discipline.
"In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life. The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because Nature has been cruel to us. In fact, we are rich in natural resources. But we are poor because we lack the correct attitudes. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich and developed societies.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/jun09/edmata.htm
excerpts from the message of Dr. Arsenio Martin of Fort Arthur, Texas, USA
"The difference between poor and rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources. Japan has a limited territory, mountainous, inadequate for agriculture and cattle raising, but it is the world's second economic power. It is like a floating factory, importing raw materials from all over the world and exporting manufactured products.
"Another example is Switzerland. It does not plant cocoa, and yet is has the best chocolates in the world. In its little territory, the people raise animals and plant the soil only during four months of a year. Not enough, and yet they produce dairy products of the best quality. It is a small country that transmits an image of security and order, and the world's strongest and safest place in the world.
"Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference among them. Race or skin color is also not important. Immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the most productive in rich European counties.
"What is the difference then? The difference is in the attitude of the people, framed along the years by education and culture and flawed tradition.
"On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich and developed countries, we find that the great majority following these principles in their lives: Ethics, Integrity, Responsibility, Respect for laws and rules, Respect of the rights of other citizens, Work loving, Strive for savings and investment, Will of action, Punctuality and Discipline.
"In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life. The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because Nature has been cruel to us. In fact, we are rich in natural resources. But we are poor because we lack the correct attitudes. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich and developed societies.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/jun09/edmata.htm
Ube Halaya
My mother taught this recipe to me.
Ingredients:
1 kilo ube yam root
1 can evaporated milk
2 cans condensed milk
1 Anchor butter
1 cup sugar if needed
food coloring (blue)
Boil unpeeled ube yam in water and simmer for 30 minutes. Drain and cool. Peel and finely grate the ube yam. Heat a big Wok and place the condensed milk, evaporated milk and the grated ube yam. Keep on mixing the ingredients until sticky and add the Anchor butter. Add a little food coloring to make it a little blue in color. Mix until a little bit dry. Taste and add sugar if needed. When done, let it cool a bit and place in containers. You may spread additional butter on top of the yam before serving.
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Photography
UP new Charter of 2007
Excerpt from Senator Angara's news article
‘New charter gives UP direction, fiscal autonomy and path to eminence in Asia’
THE signing of the University of the Philippines’ new Charter of 2007, or Republic Act 9500, by President Arroyo on April 29, 2008, was the culmination of intense work that spanned three Congresses. The more than seven years that it took to enact the UP Charter is worth it. And it has become more meaningful because it became a law while UP celebrates its centennial.
A new charter for UP is needed to keep it attuned to the times, to enable it to grow, and to keep it as a leading academic institution. The UP Charter gives the university direction, fiscal autonomy and the potential to be one of the leading research universities in Asia.
The charter removes UP from the coverage of the Salary Standardization Law. This gives the UP Board of Regents the flexibility to design a more attractive and competitive compensation package for faculty and staff. At present a professor from, say, Ateneo receives up to three times more than what a UP professor does. But a UP professor enjoys certain privileges that an Ateneo professor does not, and that is academic freedom, both personal and institutional, as well as security of tenure. My theory is that if a UP professor gets at least two-thirds of an Ateneo professor’s salary, then they are already at par. With an improved remuneration, we can not only attract the best and the brightest but also keep them.
Gifts and donations to an education institution are tax-free. The UP Charter reiterates this because the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs often come up with their own regulations and circulars that negate the intent of promoting education by providing tax exemption and incentives to charitable grants and gifts.
Donations to UP are also free from donor’s tax and can be claimed as a tax deduction. The purpose of this provision is that government is unable to provide all that the national university needs and therefore, philanthropic citizens may be able to supplement what government cannot give.
The charter also exempts from customs duties the importation of economic, technical, scientific, philosophical, historical and cultural books, supplies and materials duly certified by the Board of Regents, including scientific and educational instruments, computer and software equipment. All transactions are zero-rated for value-added tax and all academic awards are tax-exempt.
The new UP Charter makes UP “the National University.” Before, when we spoke of a “State University” UP immediately came to mind. There are about 112 state universities and colleges today, with each of them claiming the status of a “State University,” and the reference to UP was lost. The Charter reiterates the premiere status of UP by making it the National University.
But the characterization of NU is more than an honorific title. In terms of preferences among the hierarchy of state universities and colleges, UP must always maintain the lead in budgetary appropriations. But there is also a corresponding obligation on the part of a National University.
The charter similarly directs UP to serve as the research university in various fields of expertise and specialization, conducting basic and applied research, and promoting research in the various colleges and campuses, and contributing to the dissemination and application of knowledge.
to read the complete article please go to this link
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/08/yehey/top_stories/20080608top2.html
‘New charter gives UP direction, fiscal autonomy and path to eminence in Asia’
THE signing of the University of the Philippines’ new Charter of 2007, or Republic Act 9500, by President Arroyo on April 29, 2008, was the culmination of intense work that spanned three Congresses. The more than seven years that it took to enact the UP Charter is worth it. And it has become more meaningful because it became a law while UP celebrates its centennial.
A new charter for UP is needed to keep it attuned to the times, to enable it to grow, and to keep it as a leading academic institution. The UP Charter gives the university direction, fiscal autonomy and the potential to be one of the leading research universities in Asia.
The charter removes UP from the coverage of the Salary Standardization Law. This gives the UP Board of Regents the flexibility to design a more attractive and competitive compensation package for faculty and staff. At present a professor from, say, Ateneo receives up to three times more than what a UP professor does. But a UP professor enjoys certain privileges that an Ateneo professor does not, and that is academic freedom, both personal and institutional, as well as security of tenure. My theory is that if a UP professor gets at least two-thirds of an Ateneo professor’s salary, then they are already at par. With an improved remuneration, we can not only attract the best and the brightest but also keep them.
Gifts and donations to an education institution are tax-free. The UP Charter reiterates this because the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs often come up with their own regulations and circulars that negate the intent of promoting education by providing tax exemption and incentives to charitable grants and gifts.
Donations to UP are also free from donor’s tax and can be claimed as a tax deduction. The purpose of this provision is that government is unable to provide all that the national university needs and therefore, philanthropic citizens may be able to supplement what government cannot give.
The charter also exempts from customs duties the importation of economic, technical, scientific, philosophical, historical and cultural books, supplies and materials duly certified by the Board of Regents, including scientific and educational instruments, computer and software equipment. All transactions are zero-rated for value-added tax and all academic awards are tax-exempt.
The new UP Charter makes UP “the National University.” Before, when we spoke of a “State University” UP immediately came to mind. There are about 112 state universities and colleges today, with each of them claiming the status of a “State University,” and the reference to UP was lost. The Charter reiterates the premiere status of UP by making it the National University.
But the characterization of NU is more than an honorific title. In terms of preferences among the hierarchy of state universities and colleges, UP must always maintain the lead in budgetary appropriations. But there is also a corresponding obligation on the part of a National University.
The charter similarly directs UP to serve as the research university in various fields of expertise and specialization, conducting basic and applied research, and promoting research in the various colleges and campuses, and contributing to the dissemination and application of knowledge.
to read the complete article please go to this link
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/08/yehey/top_stories/20080608top2.html
quotes to live by #005
We will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Friday, 6 June 2008
UP Padyak Project
The University of the Philippines (UP) through the members and alumni of the UP Mountaineers has come up starting this school year with a project called “UP Padyak”. Its aim is to promote the bicycle as a cheap but safe and reliable means of transportation.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
quotes to live by #004
Leadership: The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
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