Emergency numbers

Earlier this day, we heard of the news that a new low pressure area is near the Philippines. It’s like the 3rd one (I’m not keeping tabs) to hit the country in one month. And even if the news tells that it’s just Habagat — we all know what it did the last time it hit us. Climate change is real and all we can do is to prepare for the worst.

I was just at El Nido just after Glenda and pre-Henry when I experienced first hand how coastal areas are in these times of big ass tandem of waves and winds. I can’t help but to worry if the place I was staying at will be torn apart. Everything just went wild! So be prepared — and it starts with having this numbers at hand. Store them on your phones, laptops, and even on a notebook. You just don’t know when your gadgets will die on you.

Let’s all be prepared for the storms ahead!

News and weather photo source: Weather.com.ph

I support TxtHIV to 8504

Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom powers “TxtHIV to 8504” campaign, a first of its kind SMS-based information, counseling, and clinic referral drive in Asia for people who wants to be tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but are afraid of facing societal discrimination. The disease leads to the fatal Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) often associated with sexual promiscuity.

“TxtHIV to 8504 is Globe Telecom’s way of tapping into the wide use of SMS in the country and harnessing the power of telecommunications to further solutions in health care. It offers an accessible and easy-to-use solution which can change and even save lives. Our assistance to this campaign is part of Globe Telecom’s advocacy to provide communities that it serves with access to social services,” said Fernando Esguerra, OIC of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.

Currently available only to Globe postpaid and prepaid mobile users, those at risk may simply text HIV to 8504 and answer five yes or no questions via an interactive voice recording to check if testing is necessary. The sender is then provided with contact details and addresses of the nearest specialized accredited health centers where they can go for assessment, counseling, and immediate treatment. The use of IVR, likewise, ensures that all calls remain very impersonal and confidential.

“I wish to thank all our collaborating partners for their support and involvement in this pioneering effort. Development of this IT-driven platform took some time as it required the involvement of key partner organizations that believe in the same cause of making health accessible to all, are willing to share their resources and expertise, and are committed to make the idea become a reality. Indeed, this is a trailblazing public, private, civil society partnership for an innovative, cost-effective, and practical solution to reach individuals who are at risk or vulnerable to HIV and STI infection,” said Oscar Picazo, chairman of Philippine NGO Support Program (PHANSuP).

PHANSuP spearheads TxtHIV to 8504 together with the Philippine National Aids Council, Globe, S&S Technologies, and local health programs of the cities of Manila, Pasay, Pasig, and Quezon. It is currently being piloted in Metro Manila but is expected to eventually go nationwide. More clinics and local government units are also being enjoined to be part of the program.

There are only seven countries in the world which are experiencing a steady increase in the number of HIV cases and the Philippines is one of them. The Philippines received 12 new cases of HIV daily in 2013 from only one case in 2009, with 95% of them involving males. Since 1984, 17,450 Filipinos have been reported with HIV, 1,599 of them have progressed into AIDS.

By widening awareness about HIV and encouraging people to get tested, the campaign would be able to contribute to the country’s efforts of halting or reversing the spread of HIV/AIDs by 2015 in line with the UN Millennium Development Goal 6.

At present, only one percent of the general population has been tested for HIV since most people are afraid to ask for help or simply do not know where to get information, making TxtHIV to 8504 an important avenue not only for sending across information about HIV but also in encouraging those who may be affected to take the first step. The text service is provided for free to Globe users for one year.

HIV may be contracted through blood transfusion, needle-sharing, mother-child transmission, and unprotected sexual contact.

Globe Telecom expands cellular service in typhoon-hit areas; close to 70% restored

61% of 3G sites up in Antique, 80% in Bohol, 71% in Cebu,100% in Guimaras, 72% in Iloilo, 80% in Negros Occidental, 75% in Northern Samar

Globe opens Libreng Tawag center in Villamor for evacuees

Globe Telecom said on Thursday that close to 70% of affected cell sites in Visayas are now up and running following accelerated efforts by the company to restore cellular services in areas hard-hit by the typhoon.

Globe has so far restored 61% of its 3G sites in Antique, 80% in Bohol, 71% in Cebu,100% in Guimaras, 72% in Iloilo, 80% in Negros Occidental, 75% in Northern Samar.

In Tacloban City, the company now has two working cell sites, improving substantially cellular coverage in the typhoon-hit city. The reactivation of its cell site located in Calvary Hill is critical as it will now serve as a link-up to the company’s other cell sites in the city. The company expects to reactivate its other remaining cell sites in the city within the week. Globe also has an active cell site near Maharlika Highway.

In addition to the two cellsites, two units of cellsite on wheels (COW) are expected to be operational soon. One unit of COW has been stationed at the airport to provide mobile connectivity to military and government authorities currently coordinating relief and rescue operations in the city. The second of COW will be stationed within the city proper to further improve mobile connectivity in Tacloban.

Aside from Tacloban City, areas in Leyte where Globe also has restored cellular service include Javier, San Miguel and Ormoc City.

In Southern Leyte, Globe has already restored most of its affected sites, bringing back cellular coverage in the municipalities of Anahawan, Libagon, Liloan, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, Saint Bernard, San Juan, Sogod and Maasin City.

In Western Samar, areas where mobile coverage has been restored include the municipalities of Macrohon, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan, Zumarraga, Calbayog City and Catbalogan while in Northern Samar, municipalities with cellular coverage include Bobon, Catarman, Mondragon, Pambujan and San Roque.

In Aklan, the company has restored its cellular service in Nabas and Malay, including the tourist destination of Boracay.

In Capiz, municipalities with cellular services include Ivisan, Pontevedra and Roxas City. In Iloilo, the following municipalities have mobile coverage: Alimodia, Badiangan, Barolac Nuevo, Cabatuan, Calinog, Passi City, Duenas, Dumangas, Guimbal, Igbaras, Janiuay, Lambunao, Leganes, Leon, Maasin, Miagao, New Lucena, Oton, Pavia, Pototan, San Enrique, San Joaquin, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Tigbauan, Tubungan, Zarraga and Iloilo City.

In Antique, Globe’s telecom’s mobile service now covers the municipalities of Anini-y, Barbaza, Belison, Bugasong, Hamtic, Patnongon, San Jose, San Remigio, Sibalom and Tobias Fornier, In Biliran, services are now up in Alburquerque, Alicia and Anda.

On the other hand, majority of cities and municipalities in Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental have cellular services.

Meanwhile, Globe has expanded its Libreng Tawag operations, establishing another center in Villamor Air Base for refugees coming from typhoon-stricken areas. The company also has a Libreng Tawag center in Barangay Naga-Naga in Tacloban City.

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Let’s continue helping the Philippines! Find out here how you can help! — http://readyph.com

Congratulations, Globe!

I just want to congratulate my generous sponsor for being considered as Frost & Sullivan’s Mobile Service Provider of the Year!

Globe Telecom was honored as Frost & Sullivan Philippines Mobile Service Provider of the Year for 2013 following its remarkable performance in 2012 despite intense competition in mobile markets. Receiving the award (as shown in photo) is Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu (right) from Nitin Bhat, Frost & Sullivan Partner and Head of Consulting. The leading telecommunications company was also recognized by the business consulting firm as Philippines Emerging Infrastructure-as-a-Service Vendor of the Year.

Cat@lize

It is something to want to change something. It is something else to act upon it. I believe everyone of us wants to change the world in a way or another – whether it be the government, the environment, the roads, or even simply how people eat or fall in love (maisingit lang!)

Tattoo by Globe Telecom acknowledges this desire to effect change in any way. With Cat@lyst, their CSR arm, along with Global Shapers, introduces ICT Youth Challenge – to give you this chance of a lifetime…

Trillanes and His Re-electionist Campaign

Aside from the Oakwood mutiny and his arrest, I cannot really remember anything Sen. Trillanes has done in the country. Other writers have referred to him as whiny and dangerous. After his speech in the Senate, Angie Reyes took his life. And the list can go on and on.

But I want to focus in his campaigns. Read below and find for yourself which is true or not.

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Trillanes’ claims versus Print Ad

· 4th most productive senator (734 bills and resolutions)
388 – bills/reso in the 15th Congress (as of April 16)
+ 344 – bills/reso in the 14th Congress

Jack Enrile and the Agriculture Cause

We are an agricultural nation. Before BPO, we get half the revenue from farms and this isn’t a bad thing. While half of the world is starving and importing food from all over, we could actually survive a zombie apocalypse just so because we have vast farming lands that could sustain us.

But, this isn’t the case nowadays. Farms are being converted to be used for commercial purposes and we lack policies and laws to protect and uplift the agricultural sector. It is sad that we have rice institute but we need to import rice to survive. Poverty is rampant, and no matter how high the PSE can get, what matters is if it’s translated to food in the table, seats in classrooms, or good transportation for farms for that matter.

So you see, when I learned Jack Enrile’s programs, I became interested and read more about him. He’s actually one of the few people who talks a lot about his programs and they are good programs. Finally, a candidate worth considering.

I’m going to read more about him, and if you can share more materials regarding him. It will be appreciated.

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Lifted from here.

April 17, 2013– Without a shadow of a doubt, every registered voter in the country wants to vote for a candidate that will represent and conduct good government, but the burning question remains of how voters can know if a particular candidate will be capable of accomplishing the task of good government, and thus it is up to a candidate’s past history and record of public service that will serve as an indicator if he/she is a worthy candidate, so, for instance, the opinions of Jack Enrile on good government ought to be backed up by his political history, and thankfully it does. If truth be told, throughout the time he was the congressman of the First District of the Province of Cagayan, a position he faithfully served from the years 1998-2001, 2001-2004, 2004-2007, and finally 2010-2013, Jack has consistently created bills that would integrate more effectively the various levels of government scattered throughout all corners of the country and thereby creating, slowly but surely, a good government, and none of this is more evident than in the popular bill he coauthored and championed: the Food Sovereignty Bill.

Jack’s personal advocacy has always been finding effective solutions to the agricultural problems of the country, for the reason that if these major agricultural problems are solved then one will be able to solve such crippling problems as hunger and poverty. On the other hand, in order to tackle these issues, one first needs to deal with another issue, and that is the integration of the various national government offices (NGOs) to the rest of the country. Apparently, the NGOs throughout the provinces have yet to cooperate with each other effectively, and this had led to a lot of wasted time and frustration. More importantly, the provincial problems that these NGOs are supposed to solve are left as they are, unattended. As a consequence, the Food Sovereignty Bill stresses that, through an annual food requirement plan, the NGOS should cooperate more with each other as well as integrate with government, so that the major problems of the provinces can be solved most effectively. This is what could be practiced from the views of Jack Enrile on good government, where every level of government lends a hand with each other, in order that no time will be wasted in improving the living conditions of the constituents of the entire country. Thus, Jack Enrile on good government is one of the headlines in Jack’s campaign, making him a worthy candidate amongst voters.

About:

Juan Castañer Ponce Enrile, Jr. (born on July 16, 1958), also known as Jack Enrile, is a Filipino government official. He is a Representative of the 1st District of Cagayan in the 15th Congress. He is the only son and namesake of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile of Cagayan and the former Ambassador to the Holy See, Cristina Castañer of Manila. He is married to former Cagayan Province Congresswoman Salvacion “Sally” Santiago. Sally traces her roots to the Santiagos of Angat and Guiguinto, Bulacan.

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Follow the discussion here! #KnowYourCandidate

Cynthia Villar: Apology accepted?

I wish I am speaking from an unemotional state, but I simply cannot. I know this has been an issue weeks ago, but I restrained myself from commenting on it just because. BUT seeing the bigger picture, I shouldn’t be keeping my mouth shut because it is not only the education of nurses are at stake but the education of the whole country.

Do I take Mrs. Villars’s apology? No. I will only accept this if she executes a good job in public service, especially concerning education. While I know that it is human to err, it’s just against my personal judgment to accept this apology. Why, you may ask? It is because I believe this is rooted in a deeper belief of the senatoriable and being asked by ambush just showed her true belief in education.

And let’s not omit that I have been hurt as a registered nurse. You, Mrs. Villar, are a vile, vile human to have degraded our profession.

Ang inutang na salita, hinding hindi mababawi.

Do you take Mrs. Villar’s apology? Let me know your thoughts.

And before you vote, #KnowYourCandidate.
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Lifted from here.

In a senatorial forum on GMA News TV on February 23, 2013, economist Solita Monsod asked Villar to explain why, as chairman of the House committee on high education, she opposed the move to close nursing schools that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said did not meet minimum requirements to continue operations.
Villar explained that she favored the students who wanted to continue their schooling. CHED, she said, wanted to close the nursing schools because they didn’t have the required tertiary hospitals where the nurses would eventually be trained before they graduate and get their BS Nursing degrees.

This part of Villar’s response became controversial: “Actually, hindi naman kailangan ng nurse na matapos ang BSN (BS Nursing). Kasi itong mga nurses, gusto lang nilang maging room nurse, o sa Amerika o sa other countries, ay mag-aalaga lang sila. Hindi naman kailangan na ganoon sila kagaling. (Nurses don’t actually need to finish BS Nursing. These nurses only want to become a room nurse or caregivers in America or in other countries. They don’t need to be that good.),” Villar said in response.

Cynthia Villar apologized on March 4, 2013 to Filipino nurses who were hurt by her recent statement on the nursing profession.
“Taos-puso po akong humihingi ng paumanhin sa lahat ng mga nurse at kani-kanilang pamilya na labis na nasaktan sa aking kasagutan sa tanong na ibinato sa akin sa isang programa sa TV (I sincerely apologize to all the nurses and their families who were hurt by my response to the question I was asked on TV),” she posted on her Twitter account @cynthia_villar

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Follow the discussion here! #KnowYourCandidate

JV Ejercito: Finding Time to Connect

UPDATE: I’ve been reading up on JV and he’s actually anti-RH, so that disappoints right? But he’s actually PRO but he has to be anti for his father, the former disgraced president. I just don’t think we need a senator who doesn’t have the gall to have his own stand in things.

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It’s good to hear every now and then that our politicians exert effort to connect with us. These days, social media really plays a good part on connecting people, in this case – the government to its constituents. Let’s find out how senatoriable JV Ejercito finds time to connect with the people.

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The senatorial candidate is a lawmaker is a netizen.

With a KLOUT score of 73 and a consistent top position in social media rankings, UNA Senatorial Candidate and San Juan Representative JV Ejercito Estrada is as net savvy as they come. And to set the record straight, he personally handles his social media accounts, with support from his staff.

“Many people doubt if I really do the posting on Facebook and Twitter. I do it myself because I like being hands-on. Also, after a day’s hard work, it’s therapeutic to share what you’ve done to the online community,” said Ejercito Estrada.

This personal touch is probably why he has been able to engage a good number of his followers and friends over the past few months. The KLOUT score is an indicator of his influence and not just his popularity online. Beyond the number of friends and followers on various social networks, which continue to post striking growth, the KLOUT score manifests the level of influence that he has attained since becoming a “netizen” in 2010.

Despite his hectic schedule which includes provincial trips and business meetings, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada says he never fails to check and regularly update his social media accounts through his Blackberry, iPhone, and iPad Mini: “It’s been my habit to check replies and posts as soon as I wake up, during my free time, when I’m traveling, and just before I go to sleep.”

Ejercito Estrada is considered one of the most active netizen-politicans in the Philippines today. He loves to connect with his 24,962 followers on Twitter. The young lawmaker does the same with his Facebook account, where he posts his daily activities to update 5,159 friends on his personal account, and 99,058 followers on his Fan Page.

“I think Twitter and Facebook are currently the fastest and most convenient ways to get in touch with the youth and Filipinos all in other parts of the world. Best of all, they are free,” he said.

On the role of social media in his campaign for the 2013 elections, Ejercito Estrada said he intends to share his legislative agenda to 30 million active Facebook users and 9.5 million active Twitter users in the Philippines.

“Since I filed my certificate of candidacy, I have received a lot of input from the online community — encouraging words, offers of support, and even questions on my advocacies and my competency — all of which contribute to honing our campaign to be responsive to the needs and expectations of our electorate,” added JV.

While some netizens use social networking sites as a venue to rant against politicians, he believes that the government must not be given the power to regulate the online activity of Filipinos. The young lawmaker noted that the Cybercrime Law contains provisions which practically permits the state to suppress freedom of speech and persecute its political foes.

As a youth advocate, he said being an active netizen enables him to be up to date with the latest trends and other developments concerning young people.

“Youth development is one of my advocacies as a public servant. So being able to interact with students on a daily basis through Twitter and Facebook allows me to identify their needs and help them,” the solon said.

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Follow the discussion here! #KnowYourCandidate

#KnowYourCandidate

Looking back my experience with the past election, which is my frst voting experience, I really don’t like the way I undergone through. So I swore to my soul that I shall never vote again. Anyway, I’ve turned politically apathetic then, and I barely cared anymore.

But times change, and so are decisions.

I’m still not decided to vote this May. But it doesn’t mean I can’t do something to help my country. I’ve been advocating through this blog that we should be responsible citizens, and for me this is one way, for me so far, to help.

I decided to run an information campaign, if possible, for all candidates for office. I don’t know yet if I can complete it, but let it be known that I am not ENDORSING any candidates. My purpose for this project is to inform and not to endorse. And I hope through this I can help everyone in deciding who to put in office.

And who knows, this may even convince me to vote? Join me as we get to know them!

#KnowYourCandidate