Monthly Archives: August 2013

Philippines ‘no longer a joke’

MANILA That’s the verdict of an international investment expert, that the Philippines “looks poised to resume a period of strong growth.” In a recently published book, “Breakout Nations,” Ruchir Sharma of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, writes that the Philippines “is no longer a joke.” “[T]he new president, Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, probably has just enough support, and looks… Read More »

REGINE STILL A KAPUSO STAR

If plan doesn’t miscarry, by this time Regine Velasquez would have inked a two-year renewal of her contract under GMA-7 network. Apparently, that would push through for after a long absence at the Kapuso program Sunday All Stars, Regine showed up and emblazoned her loyalty to the Kapuso station. When queried by a colleague how she would assay… Read More »

The nation is angry; who isn’t?

“Kahindik-hindik” (horrifying). That was how Commission on Audit Chairman Ma. Gracia Pulido-Tan described the anomalies involving the misuse of billions of pesos in funds coming from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or simply the pork barrel. Perhaps a better word would be “nakakasuka” (makes one vomit). The COA special audit report all but confirmed the series of… Read More »

The Love that stopped the Gun

Every time we turn on the television or glance at the newspapers, there has seemed to be a report of an act of violence; gunshots killing teenagers, a son stabbing his own mother to death, drive -by shootings, and mass killings in malls, theaters, schools and other places where people normally gather. The headline or breaking news for… Read More »

A THREE-DAY SHOWCASE OF THE BEST Mabuhay Philippines Festival – Why It’s a Blockbuster

~ Philippine Independence Day Council’s Mabuhay Philippine Festival last weekend lived up to its billing as a showcase of the best in Philippine arts, culture, food and music. With the full support of Luminus Financial – the presenting sponsor known for its “remit now, pay later” remittance service to the Philippines – the three-day festivity at Toronto’s Harbourfront… Read More »

Babae sa bubong! Tinangay ng alon!

Alahoy! Aroroy! Bagyong si Labuyo! Pinsala sa bansa nakapanlulumo! Buhay! Kabuhayan! Dagling iginupo! Paano babangon? Paano tatayo? *** Babae sa bubong! Tinangay ng alon! Sa CNN kaya pinakita na yon? Mundo magtatanong bat walang tumulong? Tararadyingpotpot! Hinagpis ni Tembong! *** Bangis ni Labuyo, hindi napigilan! Pubring Alindahaw ! Natagpuang bangkay! Trahedya na sana pwedeng maiwasan! Kung agad lumikas… Read More »

Dual Citizenship and Land Ownership

Q. Dear Atty Wong, my family are now Canadian Citizens since November 2010. And we are planning to go home to the Philippines this year to: (1) discuss with our respective Parents on the judicial partitions to inherit some of their properties along with our other siblings based in the Philippines (2) buy some lands in the Philippines… Read More »

Baboy Napulis

Sammy Yatim and Jeffrey Reodica are now statistics. They are among those killed at the hands of Toronto’s finest. “To Serve and Protect”, as a motto it seems is a just slogan emblazoned in bold to decorate police cars that patrol our streets. Both boys, police claim, were shot in self defence. Sammy was shot nine times while… Read More »

RUN FOR OFFICE, GO TO JAIL!

CHICAGO (FAXX/jGLi) – The pork barrel, which started as an appropriation by either a Senator or Congressman for certain projects to prop up their standing among their local constituents, might have developed into Frankenstein over time without members of Philippine Congress realizing it that it is fraught with risks. After two People Power Revolutions that toppled Presidents Marcos… Read More »