OFF to RIYADH

After one month, I was able to get my new MRP (Machine Readable Passport) yesterday, 16 September 2008. But I had to travel from Jubail to Riyadh to get that passpport. I woke up at 3 AM and off to Dammam Bus Station at 4 AM with our Indian purchaser Roy. The ticket costs 92 Saudi Riyals back and forth. The bus left the station at 6: 30 AM and stopped at a gas station for us to relieve ourselves at 8:55 AM. The journey was too long and boring. All you see was a never-ending desert with occasional camels at the far distant. Only after 4 hours of travel did I see houses at Al Kharf at 10: 40 AM. I arrived in Riyadh Station at 11:20 AM.

A taxi took me to the Philippine Embassy at 11:50 AM for 50 Saudi Riyals. I spent only 15 minutes in the Emabassy to get my MRP. A filipino taxi driver took me back to the bus station for 50 Saudi Riyals. There I met a fellow Filipino from Leyte (whew, I forgot his name--actually I did not bother to ask his name). He is working as a crane operator for CCC at Khursaniyah, a 2 hours drive from Jubail. He became my talking companion when the bus left Riyadh at 1: 25 PM

The only consolation I got was that a food package was given to us by the bus driver after the end of the fasting hour. It contained dates, small butter cake, juice and a bottle of water. The bus arrived at around 6: 30 PM in Dammam. We waited another one hour to take us to Jubail. We were only 3 passengers in the bus which arrived in Jubail at 8: 45 PM. My butt and head was aching when I got home at 10: 30 PM

Whew, what a trip for an MRP!!!

LAARNI is Pinoy Big Dreamer 2008

Laarni "Lozada" is Pinoy Big Dreamer 2008 at the conclusion of the Pinoy Dream Academy Season finals at the Big Dome on Sunday, 14 September 2008. She won 1 million in cash and house and lot. Second place is Bugoy followed by Miguel.

Who will stay in the showbiz for long is for us to wait and see.

For aspiring singers, keep dreamin'!

Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 Ends on Sunday

Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 culminates at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, 14 September 2008. The six remaining finalists are Bugoy, Liezel, Laarni, Van, Miguel and Cris. As the previous year, the Grand Dreamer will be chosen through text votes - meaning the one who got the highest number of text votes win the contest.

There is something anomalous in this kind of voting. At the front, it seems to be a popularity contest. Reality-wise, it is a battle between a have and a have-not!

Okay lang sana kung may limit ang number ng text votes na pwedeng ipadala ng isang suporter o tagahanga o limitado ang manggagaling sa isang SIM number. Ang kaso, paramihan ang labanan. Ano na ba yong gumastos ng 200,000 pesos ang kampo nina Miguel, Van at Cris? Di ba tubo pa sila sa isang milyong pisong cash prize, bahay, kotse atbp?

Hindi na talaga pagalingan kumanta ang labanan. Ginawa na itong negosyo! Okay sana kung may weight din ang boto ng mga mentors at mga judges - kung baga 1/3 sa text votes, 1/3 sa mentor at 1/3 galing sa mga judges. Kaso - hindi!!!

Ang PDA ay naging P = PERA D = Datung A = Atik

Williams, Federer Win US Open Title

American Serena Williams smashed second-seed Jelena Jankovic 6-4,7-5 to capture her 3rd US Open Title at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Serena also won the title in 1999 and 2002.

Meanwhile, Roger Federer slammed Andy Murray 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 to capture his 5th consecutive US Open title.

Losing Senators Gaining Positions

Fourth on the list of Senators who lost in last year 's Senatorial race and has been appointed by President Gloria M. Arroyo is Luis "Chavit" Singson. Chavit Singson who betrayed the then President Joseph Estrada over the jueteng payola is appointed as Deputy National Security Adviser. Malacanang denied that this is a political accommodation. But the Filipinos cannot be wrong.

Ito na ang kalakaran sa sistema ng ating pamahalaan. Natural lamang na hirangin nila ang mga natalong kandidatong maka-administrasyon upang MABAWI nila ang milyones na ginastos sa eleksyon at kung susuwertihin ay TUMUBO pa.

They say that Chavit Singson is qualified for the job since he once worked as Chief of Police of his domain. Pero hindi rin naman maiaalis na siya ay katu-katulong sa pamamayagpag ng jueteng noon. Dahil na-convict si Presidente Estrada, masasabing tutuong siya ay may kinalaman at kumita rin sa jueteng. Naging state witness lang si Chavit ay nabura na ang kanyang kasalanan.

Other senators who lost in the election and have been appointed as government officials are:

1. Prospero Pichay Jr - Member of the Board, Local Waterworks & Utilities Administration

2. Vicente Sotto III - Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board

3. Ralph Recto - Director-General of National Economic & Development Authority (NEDA)

Coming soon is Tessie Aquino-Oreta!!

GANG RAPE of PINAY TEENS

It is a common occurence nowadays watching news from TFC that filipinas are being raped by their barkadas and acquantances. Sad to say, the rape happened while the teens are drunk.

Kinukondena ko ang pagsasamantala sa mga kadalagahan natin nguni't nawa'y maging aral ito sa mga kababaihan na nahihilig sa pag-inom ng alak sa kalaliman ng gabi. Kaya nga marami ang sumisisi sa mga biktima dahil sila na mismo ang pumain sa kanilang sarili para mabiktima. Kung nasa bahay raw sila sa dis-oras ng gabi, disin sana ay hindi nangyari ang panggagahasa sa kanila.

RAMADAN KARIM!

Muslims around the world are celebrating the Holy Month of Ramadan starting on the 1st of September 2008. During the month, they refrain from eating, smoking and sexual activity from the break of the dawn until sunset. Exempted are those who are children, sick, elderly, pregnant and nursing women. This is the occasion where Muslims fast and "feel" the hunger of poor people.

Christians do celebrate fasting during the Lenten Season. They also want to be "one" with those who are hungry in this world.

Sana naman, hindi lang yong maramdaman natin ang gutom na dinaranas ng ating mga kababayan. Hindi kaya mas mabuti na hindi na nila maramdaman ang gutom na iyon sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong upang sila ay makaahon sa hirap.

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS' DAY

Yesterday, 07 September 2009 the Filipinos celebrated Happy Grandparents' Day in honour of our "lolos" and "lolas". I do not know what year this occassion started. Still, it is great to remember and cherish the contributions our grandmother and grandfather provided us in shaping our beings.

On the same day, I received a greeting from my wife. It is Father's Day in Australia.