Mrs. Binay laid to rest today

The untimely passing of Kennely Binay, wife of Councilor Jun Jun Binay, was an affair that showed that our politicians still have respect for our culture. Friends, supporters (from far and wide) and political opponents flocked to the young city councilors residence to pay their respects.

One among the first of those opponents was Barangay San Lorenzo’s own Citizen Jay Santiago who had faced councilor Binay repeatedly during the city council hearings that sought for his current suspension as Barangay Chair. Citizen Jay was one of the first from Barangay San Lorenzo to pay his respects to the Binay family despite their political differences.

His presence at the wake shocked many of the supporters of Mayor and Councilor Binay. Some even whispered amongst themselves and shot begrudging looks at the young Barangay Chairman. But this did not deter citizen Jay Santiago who was with his wife from paying his respects and showing his culture and class. He was likewise received with warmth and thanks by the grieving councilor and the Mayor – which likewise showed class and true appreciation.

This small snippet only showed that despite political differences which are often personal in nature, politicians and leaders in Makati City have to a certain extent become more civil most specially in times of personal grief. This little event among many others during the wake showed that politics had no place when it came to our filipino concept of “damayan” and “pagtanggap sa mga nakikiramay”.

Councilor Jun Jun Binay and Citizen Jay Santiago are both young guns in Makati politics. There are still many years in front of them and their supporters. Who knows, they may both travel the same paths and find themselves in one camp.

We, in the San Lorenzo Village Monitor, send our deep condolences to Councilor Binay and his family.

The plan(e) that never took off!

It seems that in the last 10 months of GMA’s Presidency, more of these inconsistent and short sighted decisions will be taking place in the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Malacanang. With the current controversy of the dinners in Washington and NY yet un-answered to the satisfaction of the Filipino people, here they go again with a plan to buy a JET for future sojourns and junket trips! What gall do these idiots in the palace have.

Instead of planning for the transition to the next administration, it seems that the GMA and her nincompoops are still busying themselves with trying to implement last minute purchases or “midnight contracts”. The announcement and immediate retraction a day later of the planned purchase of the Presidential Jet is just a sample of how insensitive this government has become and how confusion now permeates in Malacanang Palace. We are still lucky that there are those boobs in the Palace who are stupid enough to admit to their oversights.

Apparently the reality is creeping in that there would be elections and unscrupulous palace insiders who have yet to make a buck are rushing to make one.

What are the things that the public should be watching for in the next ten months then? 1) Foreign trips, there should be none unless it is for an international commitment already approved the year before. Usually, invitations for such occasions are not done overnight; 2) More loans and chinese funded projects. These are just done to get the papers moving so to speak and inhibit the next administration from making its own decisions and hence taking credit and the “grease money” for them. And 3) Stupid purchases for cars, planes and other assets that can be left to the next administration. Oh and yes the most important of all 4) Any moves to revive Cha Cha through the CONASS!

Let’s not allow ourselves to be conned by the asses in congress!

Gloria Arroyo’s Mad dinner party!

The appalling insensitivity and wanton abuse of discretion on the part of Gloria Arroyo and her clique is reminiscent of the mad hatters party in wonderland. Spending such an extravagant amount for so few brings to fore the excesses of this government and how we have allowed ourselves to be cheated of our taxes. This even after she signed an austerity executive order for all government agencies to follow. It seems that there are those excused from the Executive Order.

In honor of your wanton abuse of your position as President and your contribution to your further degrading its status, we present this perpetual reminder and enshrine it as part of your legacy for all to remember.

What you spent could have fed 3,000 Filipino children a lot of HOTDOGS as pea brained Cergie would put it.

To those among your party who pocketed their per diems for those two free dinner days, they should return it as they are tax payers money.

The Sisters at Assumption cringe at your actions and its students and alumnae frown upon your lack of class.

BIG SALE AT THE GLORIETTA 5

Big savings and cut down prices on high fashion brand names at the Glorietta 5 from August 14 to 16.

Visit the Ayala Center website for more details.

Willie Revillame should go, ABS-CBN should know!

Willie Revillame has taken an indefinite leave of absence from his popular noontime show.  Or at least that is what is being stated by the management of ABS-CBN instead of really stating a fact that he has been suspended.  Obviously his tirade during the funeral procession of Cory from Greenhills in San Juan to the Manila Cathedral live on air piqued some officials at ABS-CBN, when Willie shouted on air against showing segments of the funeral march during his show.  It took Gabby Lopez and some of his officials some time before they could react to the issue given that Wowowee is one of the highest rated and  grossing show on the network based on advertising receipts. It had to take 47,000 viewers (and still growing) from all over the world petitioning for the removal of the highest paid TV host to make ABS-CBN officials act on the insult that was first addressed to them but were seen by the Filipino viewing public as un-becoming and grossly inappropriate behavior given that the nation was in mourning.

Obviously Willie is not from a very well educated background, otherwise he would have known what was appropriate behavior at that time.  His antics have become worse in recent times as reported by other news outlets and blogs. Which now brings to question the stand of ABS-CBN network on how it should be part of morally up-lifting the nation.  Condoning Willie and his antics and insults on air would be tantamount to saying that the Kapamilya network has the same values.  In fact they should dis-associate themselves from this boob of a host and retain some self respect for the network and its owners.

It seems that success has gotten into the head of this show host.  Thinking that he is a money maker for the network and an endorser for Presidentiables, he can do anything on air without getting sanctioned or penalized for it. Nobody should be above the law, least of all someone who is on air everyday and whose actions are being emulated by the Filipino youth.  Willie is no longer a positive image for ABS-CBN and they should have known that long before when he was caught driving an illegally imported vehicle.  They should make him know that now.  Soon crocodile tears will come out from his eyes once again on air where he will make a plea of forgiveness to the public.  Should we believe him would be the question.  I’m sure Kris Aquino did (forgive him), but nobody takes her seriously anyway nor is she an expert on moral standards.

Consumer brands being endorsed by Willie should also know that the mere association with him at this moment is tantamount to being associated with a negative proposition- it is brand suicide.  Some crass creative directors may disagree, but that is the risk that they have to take when they sell their concepts to the Brand Managers and owners. PANA or the Philippine Association of National Advertisers have already individually and unofficially discussed the matter with ABS-CBN officials.  An official statement has yet to be stated however.

Even without Willie as a host on his noontime show (Willie is an owner), the show would probably survive given that it has already developed a following worldwide.  However if he stays on, advertising revenues would dry up.  It is still a wonder why Unilever is associating itself with the show given the antics and the insults that Willie dishes out during their segment when he says comments about the armpits of women.  We are sure that Unilever officials cringe at this when they view the segments.

Maybe it should be up the advertisers and viewers to make a decision for ABS-CBN to take out this arrogant show host.  The MTRCB is surely dragging its foot on this.  For ABS-CBN it is a business and when the ratings go down because no one is watching, the advertising revenue will surely dry up.

The San Lorenzo Village Monitor calls on all advertisers (PANA and NON-PANA members), advertising agencies and viewers who live in Barangay San Lorenzo and have their businesses here to boycott Wowowee until such time that ABS-CBN makes an official statement removing Willie Revillame from its network.  Petition for his removal at:  http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?badwilly

Willie should go, ABS-CBN should know!

Killer jurassic rock island along Buendia

It seems that the Makati City government has approved a project that has no consideration for motorist, most specially those on two wheels.  A new project along Buendia between EDSA and Paseo de Roxas caught the eye of the Monitor – the island between Buendia is currently being landscaped with Rocks of different sizes.  These are not small rocks that you find in gardens but big ones found in the Rivers of Ilocos and Roads along Baguio and Albay.  They are as big as human heads and are the hard type that are usually used to grind grain.

I could just imagine a car hitting the island.  Instead of saving the driver and passengers, it would obviously kill them.  What more for motorcycle riders who are mostly wearing fake chinese made helmets?  This project should be stopped and more thought be put into it.

Obviously someone will take offense and say that it is Art.  Well art has no place in the middle of the road, where the safety of the motorist and riding public are placed above anything else and should be paramount.  And if it is Art, it does not belong in Makati because it is ugly.

Mayor Binay should take a close look at this short sighted project before it affects his “Ganito kami sa makati” Presidential Ad campaign. When some drunk driver or motorcyclist dies because of this “jurassic bedrock” island, don’t tell us we did not warn you all.

Condolences to Councilor Jun jun Binay

The San Lorenzo Village Monitor expresses it’s deepest condolences and extends it prayers for the untimely passing of Mrs. Kennely Binay.

Residents wishing to attend the wake to express their prayers and support for Councilor Jun Jun Binay at this most personal moment of grief, may proceed to 8776 Banuyo Corner Santol street in Makati.

According to the Makati Medical Center, Mrs. Binay expired at 12:06 p.m. due to pregnancy complications after delivering a baby girl. She is survived by her husband and 4 children.

Prayers will be held at Assumption and Don Bosco Parish church during the regular Sunday mass.

Farewell Cory

Corazon Aquino has passed from the realm of being a housewife, a former President of the Republic of the Philippines, an icon of Philippine freedom, a paragon of democracy to that of the newest Philippine hero.

Many others would disagree with this, but from the humble opinion of this normal citizen, she is deserving of the honor.

Nobody is perfect, not even our heroes who were after all human. Cory is human too, but it is in her view of humanity vis her actions and its importance to her is where the heroism of Cory is defined. If “Mother of our nation or Ina ng bayang Pilipinas” does not define what she is to many Filipinos, then there would be no other appropriate title.

As a young man in the 80’s, I was touched by the simplicity of Cory. Being in the cusp of democratic change in our nation, she created an impact on me that would ingrain the value of patriotism and service. Her presidency to me was a personal challenge to make things better for our nation through my own little contributions. She imbued pride in race and patriotism that has forever been with me and I have managed to pass on to my children.

In my stint in government, I was able to be at her side only twice. This was already after her term as President. Her simplicity and humility overwhelmed me. I remember being in Hacienda Luisita where she had hosted a simple lunch buffet of burong dalag and hipon and other specialties. She was in her simple yellow dress and like a mother to all came to see what we were having, making sure that each one of us were eating. What touched me was she would break protocol just to make sure we were comfortable.

When she spoke, she spoke from the heart with an honesty that one can only accept as an advise from one’s mother. It broke down the walls and barriers that one would usually put up to defend positions and principles.

After government, I went to the private sector where our paths would cross again. It was a time when ERAP was President and he was on the verge of being impeached. I was then working with a foundation that was closely aligned to Tita Cory and headed by Rapa. At the early morning of EDSA dos, wearing only shorts and slippers, I met her once more. With a simple look of approval and a nod of the head she smiled at me. Her simple demeanor at that important event at the EDSA shrine gave me the conviction and reinforced the belief that we were indeed defending the gains and foundations of democracy under her and subsequently FVR’s presidencies.

I believe that I am a better Filipino for having met her. I believe that her passing is not the end, but the beginning of a better Pilipinas.

Many politicians would use her death to prop their lack luster images and their own political ambitions as already seen in their speeches and announcements. Many more would claim affiliation with Cory and capitalize on her image. What they do not know is Cory has already done her work. Her passing has revived in the Filipino to be more discerning of their future leaders. Cory in her passing has created a criteria for what Filipino leaders should be and how Filipino citizens should feel for their nation and how to act selflessly in its interest.

I am not part of the “yellow army” nor have I ever considered myself to be a member of it, for in all armies there are also those who run astray.

I will miss Cory for her simplicity, humility, leadership and strength of character. But I will miss Cory most for those times when our nation was in political distress and she would be there sitting, smiling, praying and guiding us all towards the right path through her actions.

To the family of Cory Aquino, I and my family share your grief in her passing and offer our condolences.

Farewell Cory.