Monday, September 27, 2010

Is Philippines on State of War? No!

Is Philippines on State of War? During the 2nd Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) in New York last weekend, the Philippine Flag was displayed upside down with the red being on top. Now what does this mean for most Filipinos? This means that when the blue and red stripes were switched, it indicate a state of war.
But the question is with whom? With no one because it was an honest mistake according to Rebecca Thompson, the US Embassy Spokesperson.
"This was an honest mistake. The U.S. treasures its close relationship and close partnership with the Philippines which were demonstrated this past week during President Aquino’s trip to the U.S., with the signing of the MCC Compact, the US-ASEAN meeting, and the meeting of our two Presidents that followed it. "

Monday, September 20, 2010

Manny Pacquiao Fighting Pride Theme Song Video with Lyrics

Fighting Pride, Manny Pacquiao'sofficial theme song. Fighting pride (lyrics, video below) was launched on the web a few days ago, a collaboration with singer Madonna Decena and rock band "Rag Rag" a.k.a.Nugroovz whose band members namely Norbert Gayanilo ( lead guitarist) and the three Scottish-Filipino Ragrag brothers Chris (keyboards), Glen (vocals) and Michael (drums).The song was recorded in a studio Palms Resort in Las Vegas in March and launched online on Tuesday.



Video Source: The National

"Fighting Pride" lyrics


Intro words by Manny Pacquiao:

Deliver me from this fight
To honor You and my country

Drum of War (Intro Theme)

Verse:
He stays a humble guy
From Sarangani Mindanao
His passion is in the ring

He never talks trash
Speaks through his mighty hand
He will dispose off anyone

Bridge:
Approach Roach to coach (He's got the heart of gold)
The rise of the greatest champ (Rising Manny is our champ)
The crowd they're going wild
They love his exciting fights

Chorus:
Pacquiao!, Number one pound for pound
Pacquiao!, Faster than the speed of light
Pacquiao!, You're gonna fear for your life

Pacquiao!, Filipino fighting pride
Pacquiao!, Power punch when he strikes
Pacquiao!, Knocks you out to terminate

Rap:
La Cucaracha that created dinamita
All the legends in the ring have lost a big problema
De La Hoya, threw in the towel
So he better change his name to golden girl the Mexicana
Understand that Filipino number 1
Pacman the one, will be the only one,
Smash you to the ground, taking all the crown.
Pound for pound!, round for round!,

No wonder Erik, Morales got knocked out
Marco Antonio Barrera got knocked out
Ricky Hatton can't believe he got knocked out
He was messin with the best, he went down like the rest

Did Mariel Rodriguez Badmouth Toni Gonzaga?

Although Toni Gonzaga refused to divulge the exact reason of her rift with Mariel Rodriguez, talks are rife among showbiz circles about unverified details behind it.

Mariel-who has long been friends with Toni-is said to have been referring to the latter as ''duling'' (cross-eyed), Pinoy Parazzi wrote on Sept. 17.

A confrontation is said to have ensued when Toni learned about the alleged badmouthing, presumably from fellow Kapamilya star Anne Curtis, who supposedly told Toni about what Mariel said. Mariel was tongue-tied when confronted about it, the report added.

However, a slightly different version of the story was aired on DZMM radio program ''Showbiz Mismo'' last Sept. 17. One of the hosts, Jobert Sucaldito, said that according to his source, there was an instance when Toni's co-host on ''The Buzz,'' KC Concepcion, told her about her realization that she [Toni] is not a difficult person to deal with at times. Toni is said to have learned that the impression came from Mariel.

Jobert also related the scenario involving Anne Curtis. In his source's version, though, Mariel is said to have denied both instances to Toni when the latter clarified the matter.

As Toni hinted in her most recent interview, there were three instances that hurt her, supposedly because of Mariel. The third, she noted, was the last straw. ''Hindi ko na kinaya,'' she was quoted as saying.

Even with these reports, one cannot conclude if the instances sighted indeed led to the fracture of the two's ''tried-and-tested'' friendship (as Toni described during a past interview with Bulletin Entertainment). Mariel, on her part, has opted for silence in this latest controversy (as said by an ''E-Live'' report on Sept. 18), save for a short message she sent via KTXT on Sept. 17:

''The truth shall prevail'' and ''Less talk, less mistakes.''

Caught in between the conflicting parties is their other best friend, Bianca Gonzales. During the ''E-Live'' episode, the TV host said her piece on the issue with three profound points:

''First, sad as it may be, yes, totoo, hindi sila in good terms ngayon.

''Second wala talaga siyang kinalaman do'n sa movie (the Toni Gonzaga-Robin Padilla project which was shelved at the height of the latter's blooming romance with Mariel). I mean hindi 'yun 'yung cause. Parang hindi naman ganun kaliit na reason 'yung magiging downfall ng friendship na 'to, for now.

''And third, I always say this, sa lahat ng nagmamahal, both kay Toni and kay Mariel, please wag na kayong mag-imbento ng Team Toni or Team Mariel. Sana hindi magkampihan 'yung mga tao. Kasi if you do know the whole story, alam mo na pareho silang tama sa mga nararamdaman nila at pareho silang walang masamang ginawa. 'Yon I can honestly, honestly say.''

Bianca appealed for the public to give both Toni and Mariel time and space. ''In time kapag nagkaharap sila, for sure, magbabati 'yan,'' she said.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

UP Pep Squad Wins 2010 UAAP Cheerdance Competition

UP Pep squad won the 2010 UAAP cheerdance competition today.

UAAP Cheerdance Competition 2010 Results:

Champion: University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad
1st runner-up: The Far Eastern University (FEU) Cheering Squad
2nd runner-up: University of Santo Tomas (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe
Samsung Stunner Award: Nikka de Dios(DLSU)

Sunday, September 5, 2010

PNP Chief Takes Blame For Bus Hijack

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Jesus Verzosa took the blame for the bus hijacking rescue attempt last week that killed 8 tourists from Hong Kong in Qurino grandstand.

"As chief of the national police, I take responsibility and accountability of all Philippine National Police (PNP) units and all police personnel in everything they do or failed to do," Jesus Verzosa said in a statement on Sunday.

"It is now time to move forward and start anew. Rest assured that the national police will continue its sworn duty to serve and protect as well as render credible, effective and reliable service to the public," he said.

Last Friday, President Benigno Aquino took responsibility for the deaths of tourists.

President Aquino Admits Responsibility on Hostage Taking Incident

President Noynoy Aquino admits responsibility for tragic hostage taking incident 2 weeks ago. After a series of finger pointing and unfinished investigation going on, Philippine President Benignon Aquino III took responsibility for hostage taking which killed 10 citizens of Hong Kong.

“At the end of the day, I am responsible for everything that has transpired,” Aquino said in an interview with reporters in Manila.

President Aquino III also explained the roles of DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and Undersecretary Rico Puno. The two are being grilled in an ongoing investigation regarding the incident, Robredo however is part of the investigating panel headed by DOJ Secretary Leila Delima.

Aquino said that Robredo was tasked with strengthening the Local Government Units (LGUs) while Puno is tasked with handling the police and security. With this pronouncement the blame is effectively transferred to Puno who is tasked and responsible for incidents like this.

It would be a courageous act for the President of the Philippines to take responsibility however Chinese and Hong Kong officials are demanding far more than that, they wanted a public apology from the Philippine government.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

BIR Files USD120m Case Against Philippine Businessman

It was reported that Bureau of Internal Revenue or BIR has filed a case against a Philippine businessman for non-payment of PHP5.5bn (USD121.4m) in taxes.
The BIR, under its Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) programme, has charged Macario Lim Gaw, Jr. wth evading the payment of correct income tax in 2007 and 2008, and for wilful failure to supply correct and accurate information in his income tax return in 2008, thereby under-declaring his income. He is also accused of wilful failure to file value-added tax (VAT) returns for the 2008 tax year.
Gow was said to have purchased property in 2007 and 2008 for a total amount of PHP4.1bn and sold it for PHP8.4bn eight months later. The BIR believes that Gaw misclassified the property sale as a sale of "capital assets", when it should have been sales of ordinary assets, and thereby paid only 6% capital gains tax rather than 32% income tax and 12% VAT due on a sale of ordinary assets.

Gaw is required to pay the BIR PHP5.5bn total of unpaid taxes, fines. Gaw is the fifth taxable BIR office to evaluate the program this year.