Exercise Your Right To Suffrage

Hours to go and the voting precincts will soon open to all the registered voters nationwide. Quite excited with election since this will be the first time that the Philippines will have an electronic type of voting. And I am eager to know how long would the announcing of the new leaders will take place. Hopefully, I could go vote tomorrow as early as I can since I still have my duty tomorrow morning. Anyways, I just hope that there will be no long lines for me.

Go cast your votes and vote wisely!

Death Toll In Chile

Deaths in Chile earthquake is increasing. The last time I note, it was around 300 already. That was a lot already. Is this a bad omen? I noticed that several earthquakes has been hitting globally and has caused a lot of mortalities. That's a huge funeral costs to consider, I think.

Just a day before the earthquake in Chile, we experienced an earthquake in our place. It was reported to be a 5.5 magnitude quake. And it was quite long. At that time, I was on the 4th floor of a building doing some work outs. We all paused from what we were doing and waited if it the earthquake would still commence and started eyeing on the fire exit. Fortunately, it stopped and we all resumed our work out.

Days before the said quake, our institution has initiated an earthquake drill. It was a good preparation though there are some people who didn't took the drill seriously.

Anticipating For A Tsunami

After the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile, a tsunami is expected along the Pacific coast as an aftershock. A tsunami alert level 2 has been disseminated nationwide for places that are near the Pacific Ocean. Evacuation wasn't recommended though people living in the shorelines are asked to vacate to a higher grounds.

I was waiting for updates of the said tsunami and glad that after hours of the designated time for the tsunami has passed and no reports of big waves took place in our country, I was glad that the alert level has been cancelled. Though big waves were reported in Japan.

I guess, prayers can indeed do miracles.

Mindanao Has Been Hit By Earthquake

Haiti earthquake aftermath

At around eight this morning, I felt the earth moved. Realizing that I was sleeping on the floor and saw my ceiling fan swung, I then realized an earthquake just occurred. It was an intensity 5 and was really evident and obvious. But there's no casualties noted, that's the good part! It was a strong quake in a short time. Then I thought of the recent earthquake that hit Haiti where several people died and still missing from it. I suddenly felt some fear since more earthquakes has been hitting different countries. But I was grateful to the Lord that somehow we were still blessed that it didn't happen to us. The Haiti earthquake was a disaster damaging millions of properties and caused so much lives. I pray that they may have the strength to move on and hold on to the Lord despite their circumstances.

Typhoon Ondoy

Certain parts of Manila has been greatly affected by typhoon "Ondoy". People from various status were greatly affected. They need food, clothings, shelter, medicines and other stuffs. As of now, deaths has increased to a hundred. Most of them were kids who were drowned and got trapped from their houses. Though Philippines is being frequently visited by typhoons, this is the worst thing that happened to our beloved country. Still, many people are missing and rescuers are still on it's effort to save them.

Here's one striking video I found online. Had seen this on TV and I really got teary eyed watching these people swallowed by the flood helplessly. Bystanders on the bridge tried to help them but failed due to the water's strong current.

My fellow Filipinos do greatly need your help! Please visit this site on how to extend your help in any kind.

ABS-CBN

Kadayawan 2009

The 24th Kadayawan Festival in Davao City was a success! It gets getting better every year. Thanks to all it's organizers, sponsors and of course the local government of Davao. My family and I also had fun roaming around the city. The city streets were filled with people and there were a lot of events and guests around. Major highlights were the Indak Indak and the Flower Float Parade which I only watched on TV to avoid the crowded places. LOL.

*Photos credited to Ayie Hernandez.

Paalam Cory!!

Former Philippine President Mrs. Corazon Aquino passed away this morning due to cardiac respiratory arrest.

"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m. of cardio-respiratory arrest," her son, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., said on national television.

"People Power"

Waiting for GMA

Right this moment we are waiting for the SONA (State of the Nation's Address) by the Philippine President. I think most of the Filipinos are awaiting for this, wanting to listen and to figure out if the promises made from her last SONA has been met and what will be the next projects of our government. Are you one of us? Hehe. Aside from this, rallyists also flood the streets in protest. Haay...I hope the SONA will have a desirable result.

Released From Captivity

After several days in captivity, Ces Drilon, a news anchor from ABS-CBN and the other TV crew and a professor from Mindanao State University were finally released by Abu Sayyaf late last night. The kidnappers demanded for a ransom money but failed to get what they want as the government was firm in keeping to their decision of a "No Ransom Policy" and was pressured for a possible "police-military operation". The group that kidnapped them was the same group that this crew tried to interview but was betrayed and abducted them instead.

"I want to thank everybody. Words are not enough to thank those who prayed for the professor, Jimmy, Angel and myself".

- Ces Drilon