NYE @ DXB 2011

Manigong Bagong Taon! Happy New Year! Kul 'am wa antum bikhair! Akimashite Omedetto Gozaimasu! Xin Nian Kuai Le! Bonne Annee! Feliz Ano Nuevo! and the list goes on! 

No matter what and how we say it , common denominator is, we are all excited and we all celebrate the coming of the new era! 

some of my closest friends

So how's everyone been doing? I've been out of the loop for quite a while. How did u guys celebrate new year? As for me, we just had the simple and intimate way. Since I am miles away from my biological family, it's been difficult celebrating occassions such as this one. Nevertheless, life has to go on. After hearing a mass, me and some closest friends had a feast over a shabu-shabu type of dinner chinese style in one of the restos frequented by Filipinos beacause of it's affordability and a relax ambience overseeing Dubai creek. Its an eatery type on the 8th floor. You know, we don't have to spend it grand! What is important is we get to share something and celebrate the occassion. Besides, last year I celebrated it with steak, wine, champaigne and glamour. Maiba naman! 

Burj Khalifa Firewoks display

After a hefty meal, ofcourse as a tradition for Filipinos, NYE without fireworks is incomplete. We headed on to Burj Khalifa aka the tallest building in the world for the tallest fireworks display. Watching the fireworks made me a little melancholic remembering yester years we were watching it with my family back in the Philippines.

At any rate, can you imagine I was at the tallest building with the largest fountain watching the tallest fireworks display? See, It was GRAND after all! 

Here are some of the photos  during NYE @ DXB.

 

 

munching cookie

Peace on NYE!

we stand Tall!

Pilipinas, Kay Ganda! A Department of Tourism's campaign.

There is nothing wrong promoting the Philippines as a Tourist haven and advertise  its beauty and wonders to the world. But let us do it in a manner appealing to both local and international market alike. 

This is a comparative analysis of the Department of Tourism's PILIPINAS, Kay Ganda!  A proposed slogan in lieu of WoW PHILIPPINES! Launched in year 2003, received international recognition and have effectively helped the country in promoting tourism development initiated by former DoT Secretary and now Senator Dick Gordon.

(PROPOSED DoT CAMPAIGN SLOGAN 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To make it easier and make our life simple let me apply the comaparative SWOT analysis of the most talked about new tourism campaign slogan under the Aquino administration.

(PRESENT RUNNING CAMPAIGN SLOGAN since 2003)

SWOT is an acronym for Strength, Weaknesses, Oppurtunities and Threats. Applying this method is very critical in every endeavor/project and it will help determine if our objective is achieved and on the right path. I am convinced that the new logo is more appealing because of its aesthetic appearance. It is animated and playful while the current logo connotes seriousness and it conveys a strong expression of the country being WOW and that is the STRENGTH it connotes. A campaign slogan that conveys a strong meaning and it speaks for itself. PILIPINAS, Kay Ganda! written in tagalog word means Philippines, so beautiful! is not so catchy compared to the present slogan. It has to be translated to be understood internationally. 

As far as my knowledge is concerned, targeting a global market, medium should be in english as a universal language to easily recognize your product being marketed and that customer recall is imperative for this matter because you have to establish what is says about the product and that includes one of its' WEAKNESSES in this category.  

OPPORTUNITIES may not be gained if it already failed achieving the first two principles. Nowadays, tourists are no longer inquisitive about foreign language as a tool to attract them. As a tourist I wouldn't give time researching the word because I want convenience and I want it understood at once. Unless you would stay for a long period of time and wanted to learn the native language of a particular country. The idea may be noble but correct perspective should be in place otherwise THREATS of losing our prospective clients  could cause trouble to the objective we have set forth.

Bottomline, proposed campaign slogan  is already a failure. If the purpose is to promote tourism among locals, by all means, go for it! BRAVO! Unfortunately that is not the case. Department of Tourism's mandate is to promote the Philippines not just locally but most importantly in the global market. BRANDING is very significant in the tourism and hospitality sector. Principles should be strictly followed. Creating another campaign will just create confusion and we will not be able to establish recall of the product. CONSISTENCY must be adhered to.  

On that note, it is better to retain the current campaign slogan and I personally suggest to modify and make it more appealing. WoW PHILIPPINES! is already a brand. It has already achieved international recognition  and it only needs a re-launch to intensify the campaign and the best part there is, we would be able to save  millions of pesos from the taxpayer's money. As such, there is no better way of saying it but WOW!  

BARANGAY: A Breeding Ground of Dirty Politics in the Philippines?!

Barangay is the smallest administrative unit in the Philippines and it consists of Cabeza de Barangay or the Chief/Captain  and seven followers, I mean councilors and all of them shall be elected at large, shall be serving three years in office and can be re-elected upto three times.
 

You know, honestly I don't want to dig deeper into the creation of this unit because to begin with,  I am just for the abolition of this another corrupt unit of government. I am so frustrated watching the news report on how this Barangay level election turned out to be so barbaric and bloody in (some?) areas and I am certain that there are other the same scenario in other parts of the  archipelago which were not reported.

I would say Barangay becomes obsolete at present and can no longer serve it's mandate. It is supposed to be a community-oriented unit and should be free from partisan politics, it's officials should not be influenced, dictated upon or a shadow of a City Councilor, Mayor, Congressman  and the likes with self-serving interests. Well, it is the smallest political unit based on grassroots and can be manipulated anytime in the name of MONEY especially those in rural or slum barangays with high number of voters.
 

I don't want to be biased with my opinion. Yes, there are performing and good barangays in the entire country out of almost 42,000 as of present count. But out of that figure, How many percent are those performing well and can still deliver its mandate? How many percent are still committed to its function as supposed to have a community-based/oriented undertakings? How many are those running independently without political influence behind them? How many of them are just running to improve their community without considering of running into a higher position later on? So many questions better leave unanswered because we know what is true and what is not. Come on people, let us not be hypocrite about it. These people are running because they want more afterwards. I am not saying all of them but majority of them!
 

I am a Filipino and I know what is to be a Filipino. We do not confront issues like this in a manner unacceptable to us because it is shameful, corrupt and it truly hurts. I am just fortunate that I belong to a minority  who understand and brave enough to face, accept and acknowledge the status of our society. You would understand better if you would see it from outside looking in. Literally!

I am not convinced that Pinoys have changed. We only aspire and do very little about it. We want change yet we do not start within ourselves. We may have elected and voted the best our conscience dictates but what have we done next? We are becoming a mere spectators waiting what is the going to be the end of the show just like watching our favorite soap opera in prime time bida.

There is nothing really much difference about our favorite  soap opera and our society. Both are controlled by the personalities in power or in the position. When can we learn from our shortcomings and mistakes? There should be consistency in our actions. Once we have put someone in the position, it should be us controlling what is going to be the end. The people we elect or put in the position are just intruments of what we want to achieve and sadly, most often than not, the person we have elected is the one achieving his/her wants and harvesting what we have sow. 

The recent Philippine barangay election is a clear indication of our rotten society. A reflection of a bigger picture where people running to get the position are hungry for more and would do everything to grab the position by hook or by crook. Yes, some may have clear intentions but why it has turned out this way? Why is it that there are crooks, there are still goons, and guns? Let us examine ourselves. We ourselves can only answer it. Truth is, WE ALLOWED IT! As simple as that. 

The barangay has become a breeding ground for future crooks that one day will become part of a bigger circle and eventually manipulate our society. A barangay that is supposed to be centered on delivering community-oriented services like maintain PEACE AND ORDER, promote HEALTH and WELL-BEING,  encourage YOUTH to be involved in SPORTS and other socio-civic affairs to veer them away from DRUG-ADDICTION and other JUVENILE delinquencies and even help promote TOURISM  as it is mandated by law. If by any luck, all of these basic mandates were followed and implemented, then, since it is based on grassroots level, there would have been a harmonious Philippine society. Please do not misunderstood me saying harmonious, I am not implying a perfect society but then what I want to say is that, the barangay level have FAILED to execute its mandate for the longest running time and it is but RIGHTFUL to say, ABOLISH the law creating a BARANGAY. 

JUST TRY! IT'S FREE AND NOTHING TO LOSE.

HI EVERYONE!

THIS IS JUST A FEEDER TO MY BLOG. YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY AND SIGN-UP. IT IS FREE AND COULD BRING SOME EXTRA INCOME.


LET US GIVE IT A SHOT!  IT IS FREE BY THE WAY.


http://www.toplevelposition.com/eugene2010
http://www.toplevelposition.com/

WhAt'S iN iT?

A LooK aT MaLe VaNiTy



Let's turn the spotlight on to male necessities nowadays and find out what are men using to keep them groomed and presentable. Are men becoming more vain than women nowadays? Do men takes up more time spending in the bathroom compared before? What are the latest to keep men look good and bloom? And interestingly, What do they keep in their bags or pouch or in the pockets of a more discreet and shy type Adam? 

What's in the Bag and Pouch?

I have randomly checked men carrying bags and pouch to check   WhAt'S iN iT?



WOW!!! that's alot! What do men and women have in common nowadays ha? Men have really transpired better compared to yester years. Maybe one would perceive a man carrying all these stuff is having a questionable sexuality and we cannot blame them because generally speaking, most of them are linked and belongs to discreet HOMOS and or popularly known BI's.

Regardless of their sexual orientation, let us accept the fact that men are more conscious now with their physical appearance. Considering how tremendously increased the products available in the market exclusively made for men from facial wash to moisturizer, from razor to instant hair removing cream to laser hair removal, from lotion to skin toner etc. and ultimately from simple facial treatment up to the most complicated skin body treatment and muscle toning and sculpting.

There have been many reports and survey indicating the rise of men getting more involved in cosmetic surgery to look better and younger. Men in general are no longer afraid and ashamed admitting to have undergone such procedure and ultimately not ashamed to go certain procedure to enhance physical well being. The amount of time men spend nowdays in the bathroom from the usual 15-20 minutes and now from 35-45 minutes to do all the necassary rituals and apply daily regimen for improvement and that has shown male vanity indeed has risen!

Below are some of men's obsession.

Indeed men have gone a MAJOR, MAJOR way and undoubtedly better off considering the many wonders of science has brought to mankind. If women can look gorgeous and sexy, men can be alot HoTtEr, SeXiEr and look FaBuLoUsLy GoRgEoUs without jeopardizing masculinity.

ChEeRs To all MENkind!



Tweetology

Hey guys, didnt realized that I have been twitting for over a year now.... below are some of my tweets cocerning about everything...you may want to go through it for entertainment purposes or would like to comment about anything I tweet. You may follow me at @iam_EUGE  :)


RT @TheaAlberto: Hindi pwedeng ikasal si Kim Chiu at Chris Tiu. :P pinatawa moko thea! hahaha panget talaga king sila magkatuluyan! :P 23 minutes ago via TweetDeck

  

Having lunch now. Sarap ng sinigang na salmon gawa ng kasambahay namin! Sarap ng belly part, grabeh!!! :) 43 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

  

@jayboxtype aba at may twitt kapala...hehehe about 1 hour ago via TweetDeck

  

http://twitpic.com/2r4ib4 - Hehe funny! just saw one of my fishes puked! Hahaha sobra busog kasi! :) about 1 hour ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

  

@IanEsguerra @inquirerdotnet so pathetic how Pnoy's (mis)communication group r so activ in updting abt d fuds (cont) http://tl.gd/65of2g about 2 hours ago via Twitlonger

  

@IanEsguerra its all abt reporting the foods Pnoy are endulging! no matter hw they spend it, its stl d ppl's money they r enjoying! tsk tsk about 2 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to IanEsguerra

  

RT @inquirerdotnet: Aquino entourage pays $54 for lunch of hotdogs on NY--no matter hw they spend it, its stl d ppl's money they r enjoying! about 2 hours ago via TweetDeck

  

@@ABSCBNNews ok. Mr. President! convince us no more! besides, what is the big deal eating at IN n OUT or simply (cont) http://tl.gd/65nq4a about 3 hours ago via Twitlonger

  

ABSCBNNews.com: PNoy stops for hot dogs on busy NY street abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/09/2… via @ABSCBNNews about 4 hours ago via Tweet Button

  

@pokwang27 :) good morning! Ako patulog pa lng dito sa dubai. about 12 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® in reply to pokwang27

  

http://twitpic.com/2qmex2 - Done jogging...whew! Got a reward after...rashes from the grasses...hehehe 7:46 PM Sep 21st via Twitter for BlackBerry®

  

http://twitpic.com/2qlxzh - Getting darker guys... No pain no gain! 6:40 PM Sep 21st via Twitter for BlackBerry®

  

http://twitpic.com/2qlw0e - Nice greenery! 6:33 PM Sep 21st via Twitter for BlackBerry®

  

http://twitpic.com/2qlvrm - My fave park to jog... 6:32 PM Sep 21st via Twitter for BlackBerry®

  

http://twitpic.com/2qlulb - Jogging time...this is the place where I jog. :) 6:28 PM Sep 21st via Twitter for BlackBerry®

  

Getting ready to run... ;) 5:39 PM Sep 21st via Twitter for BlackBerry®

  

Ds day '72 Martial Law was proclaimd. Shall I say, #HaPiMaRtiaLLawDay? Comparativly, Pinoys b4 were more rspectful n obedient to the law. 10:18 AM Sep 21st via Twitter for BlackBerry®

  

@carlosceldran DOT shud preserv, promote and enhance iconic landmarks in d metropolis such as natl museum, ccp, metropolitan theatre etc. 7:24 AM Sep 21st via Twitter for BlackBerry® in reply to carlosceldran

  

@harold_geronimo @carlosceldran DOT shud initiate upgrade of airports, seaports or ferry and bus terminals. Ours is so #barriotic. 7:02 AM Sep 21st via Twitter for BlackBerry® in reply to harold_geronimo

  

@ANCALERTS we nid to have 1st class infradtructures like airports, seaports, bus terminals and d likes. Ours is so #barriotic @Karen_DaviLa 6:49 AM Sep 21st via Twitter for BlackBerry®

MANILA HOSTAGE DRAMA: What went wrong?

On 23 August 2010, the world have witnessed the hostage taking drama live and beamed from ground zero, in the historic and prominent landmark in the center of Manila, Philippines that lasted about 11 hours. Primary victims were tourists and citizens from Hong Kong. It ended with total 8 casualties and several others were injured. Criticisms poured in as to the way it was handled by authorities and as it was covered by the media. The Government of Hong Kong immediately imposed TOTAL TRAVEL BAN to the Philippines as an act of dissappointment and retaliation.

Let us see and analyze why it has taken so long before the authorities have taken action towards the incident. Analysis from my point of view guided by BASIC RULES OF ENGAGEMENT  should have been applied by the Police and followed by Media people.

POLICE HOSTAGE TAKING SOP on the GROUND

1. ISOLATE the area from both physical and phsychological activities on the scene.

2. CONTAIN the area and deny everyone regarding police presence and activities.

3. EVALUATE and ASSESS the situation.

4. REPORT the whole scenario to identify the kind of operations and be able to find out if back ups are required and or special equipments and weapons are to be used beyond standard police operations.

Having been established the basic fundamentals, they will be able to move and conduct freely the operations without disruptions or obstructions and be able to establish the following: 

1. STRATEGIC OPERATIONS COMMAND which serves as a center of logistics, liaison and  coordination. 

2.  TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIVE EQUIPMENT TEAM to provide necessary equipments to be used in the operations.

3. CRISIS NEGOTIATION TEAM primarily to negotiate with the hostage taker and also serves as an informant and assesor of the actual scenario since the negotiator usually the one in contact physically with the suspect.

On the part of Media coverage, there is no specific guidelines and limitations airing an actual incident especially in the Philippines where press freedom is overtly practiced. On the part of the police, they failed to inform and restrict the live airing of the actual operations that may lead to agitate and jeopardize both the victms and the whole police operations.The media on the other hand failed to regulate themselves and no one has ever thought that broadcasting every details live could probably help the hostage taker advance his own interests and could lead to a more drastic action towards the victims. 

What had transpired in the bloody Manila Hostage drama was a manifestation of an un-organized law enforcement unit and an abuse of press freedom enjoyed in our country. Primary thinking and focus of our media nowadays is just to get the best coverage and enjoy the priveledge of having an exclusive scoop notwithstanding the consequences it may bring. They have become intrusive to even go beyond what is reasonable.

"Clearly, both organizations have their own lapses and this should be a learning point of WHAT WENT WRONG so everyone can make ammend and improve for future incident and that may GOD forbids".

TRUTH and NOTHING but the TRUTH!

Before I begin, let us enumerate some functions of recently signed EO number 1, the creation of TRUTH (c)OMMISSION.

-GATHER Data concerning  anomalies, graft and corruption

- INVESTIGATE datas gathered

- CLOSURE of ... what? 

- RECOMMEND (???)

There are so many things uncertain about the creation of this so called Truth Commission while the intention is noble they  maybe forgetting that it is basically a duplication or we can say a redundancy of so many bodies already in placed and established in pursuing investigations and prosecutions.

To begin with, Is this Commission have a legal and constutional power to prosecute and subpoena anyone or anybody in question? Is this body created to run after only the Arroyo administration? Since it is called a TRUTH Commision, Will it also be the SUPERvisory body that will oversee the Aquino administration for its campaign on Good and Corrupt-Free governance? The soon to be established body is so "complex" in a way that might become  the first major fault or lapse of this present administration or in my prediction could  BREAK the Aquino administration.

 I am not a Lawyer, a Constitutionalist and definitely not an expert concerning these matter but I am just so opinionated and say, a little knowledge about certain things and I believe the subject is so simple not to understand by a "common tao".

To validate my concerns, the Truth Commission will just definitely be  a redundant body and NO POWER whatsoever since it is not a Constitutional body and has no legal framework to even subpoena anyone for purposes of its undertakings. If it will run and function only as an Investigative body, the Aquino government can and by all means assign PCGG, NBI, or even use or ask it's allies in both legislative houses to look into the anomalies of the last administration or even,  as far as my understanding is concerned, DOJ can conduct it's own investigation.

One more concern, the present administration is also calling to tighten its expenditures due to budget deficit. Now,  how are they going to run the Truth Commision? Will the appointees be working PRO BONO? Will someone from a private entity provide an office and its operational needs GRATIS?

See, bottomline is, we do not need anymore of this, we have so much body that can investigate and even prosecute. This will be a waste of time again formulating its framework that will work within its legality and constitutionality. 

The Aquino administration especially its advisory panel should learn to accept the truth that the body will just be a SUPERFICIAL body and could probably be called a Truth (c)OMMISSION because it defeats and contradict its own existence. If I may be heard , I'd also suggest the creation of a CONSEQUENCE COMMISSION and might later on be called TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCE COMMISSIONS. hahaha ( your feedback please. :-D )

Tweet and Shout!

Hi Guys!

I have been out in the circulation for such a long time. Now I am getting even to the lost times and opportunities in blogging. This morning when I woke up it was like, as I have foreseen it would be another day, just  an ordinary day. Felt so lazy despite my complaining stomach commanding me to cook something and eat. Well, as an obedient person,  there you go! An egg and skinless lonnganisa with pan de sal  and a cup of coffee broke my fast.  

After my sumptous breakfast (hehehe), as a regular habit, I opened my laptop and ofcourse the first site you would browse is your facebook to check who have invited you to be their friends, newly uploaded fotos and interestingly, new shout outs and tweets! 

To my surprise, when I stood up from my chair and work station, it was already quarter past five. I started at about 10 in the morning. Whew! Time went by unnoticed because I enjoyed really joining the after SONA discussion thread in twitter.  

To be exact, it is now half past 10 in the evening and if I won't cut this blog short, the same thing is gonna happen so better finish it since I still have to fix my bed full of  clutter. 

Guys, it's been nice to be back in the circulation again but have to manage my time to be more efficient and productive. No matter what what you want to post, be it in facebook, twitter, or even in blogsite, just think responsibly and be sensitive to others. (ooopppps, that is just another good topic popped up!)

Bye for now and let us all TWEET and SHOUT! :)

INQUIRER Politics

INQUIRER Politics

Popularity does not necessarily make for a good leader

August 05, 2008 01:28:00

Philippine Daily Inquirer

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s plunging popularity rating does not mean that she is not an effective leader. (“’Most unpopular leader’ ,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, 7/19/08) Leadership demands so many sacrifices. So much criticism has been hurled against her administration, but most especially against her. But these are from self-serving individuals and organizations whose main objective is to put her presidency down. All these criticisms are, I would say, politically motivated.

Part of being a leader is making decisions and choices—decisions and choices that are not always popular. And this is what Ms Arroyo is doing. She is making decisions and choices that bring about efficient governance. And from what we saw in the past, she stood by such decisions because she believed they were the best and they were needed.

Come to think of it, street protests and black propaganda against the present administration have lost their credibility because they are baseless and because democracy, freedom of speech and other privileges inherent in free societies are being abused by the very people who are supposed to enjoy them.

Ms Arroyo is doing her best working for a better Philippine society and for a stable and dynamic economy—under a regime of peace.

I am not pro-Arroyo. I am saying this based on the developments that have transpired during her presidency and the circumstances that have attended her rule. If we reduce leadership to a popularity contest, in what direction would the Philippines be going? Commentaries, news reports, “surveys” and propaganda about popularity will not help Filipinos select their future leaders wisely. A popular leader is not necessarily a good leader.

Let us not be misguided by the absolute fiction that an individual needs to be popular to be a good leader. We have many good leaders; a number of them may even be our country’s best leaders, but they are not popular because they work silently. Surveys are just surveys. We can’t be sure of their authenticity and real purpose.

All I know is that a good leader is someone who knows the way, walks the way, and shows the way. And this “little giant” called Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is leading the way. I salute and respect her as my President because no matter what, she is still standing tall despite the many obstructions and distractions her leadership has been subjected to.

EUGENE GUARIN (via email)