Human Bridges

La Verdad Es...

2012-01-24T01:18:00.002+01:00

La Verdad es..

Dr. Ariston Estrada his name was
We shiver at the sight
The teacher so strict
Of discipline so precise

He looks with his eyes so big
And ready stick in his hand
No student dare speak or move
While he froths back and forth

The students' eyes begin to flash from left to right
As we follow the footsteps of the oversized shoes
Some thoughts are from north to south
Expecting the the next move

His voice so deep and diction
Very clear, we understood
With fear in our hearts
Waiting for the bell to ring

One semester too long
To end it all. After all only one line
I remember til today in my memory
"La verdad es la realidad de las cosas."

HTML made easy

2012-01-24T01:15:00.002+01:00

HTML made easy

html

Our Last Day With HTML
Html, graduation day!

You deserve it.

Let us celebrate!
For the last 5 lessons, we have learned many things with the subject:

html
Today, we will review what we have learned :

1.To summarize
2.To use what we have learned
3.To make a website
4.To see beyond HTML.

Html basic structure
<html>
<head>
<title>Title of page</title>
</head>
<body>
This is my first homepage. <b>This text is bold</b>
</body>
</html>
Html
Then we went more---
<b>This text is bold</b> the bold tag
<h1>This is a heading</h1> <h2>This is a heading</h2>……… sizes of heading tags
<p>This is a paragraph</p> <p>This is another paragraph</p> the paragraph
<br> break tag

Tag Description <b> Defines bold text <big> Defines big text <em> Defines emphasized text <i> Defines italic text <small> Defines small text <strong> Defines strong text <sub> Defines subscripted text <sup> Defines superscripted text <ins> Defines inserted text <del> Defines deleted text <s> Deprecated. Use <del> instead <strike> Deprecated. Use <del> instead <u> Deprecated. Use styles instead text tags

html
The Anchor Tag and the Href Attribute
HTML uses the <a> (anchor) tag to create a link to another document.
An anchor can point to any resource on the Web: an HTML page, an image, a sound file, a movie, etc.
The syntax of creating an anchor:
<a href="url">Text to be displayed</a>
html
E-mail tag
<html>
<body>
<p>
This is a mail link:
<a href="mailto:someone@gmail.com">
Send Mail</a>
</p>
<p>
<b>Note:</b> This way, we will communicate directly with someone@gmail.com
</p>
</body>
</html>

How it will show-
This is a mail link: Send Mail
Note: This way, we will communicate directly with someone@gmail.com

html
Image editor
This software is free!
Creating pdf files
This too is free!
html
We can add pics and more:

And link to another webpage or to have some media to to site we are making and other links like these.

html
We also had the body tags:
<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>MY PHILIPPINES</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgcolor="pink"> <STRONG>I would like to make a short story about my country the Philippines. The population is 86 million, the capital is Quezon City and it is a very Christian country.</STRONG> Around 85% of the population are Christians.<p><center>There are only two seasons, the dry and the wet.</center><p>There are three regions, namely Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.<br>The Country was previously a Spanish colony for almost 400 years.<br>The Americans colonized us but they gave us our independence in 1946.<p>We are a democratic country with the Judiciary, Legislative, and Executive branches of the government on equal footing.<br><b>Our President is Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.</b><br><i>Our Vice President is Noli de Castro.</i><br><tt>Mr. Nograles is the one who is the head of Congress while Mr. Villar is the head of the Senate.</tt><p>This just a short portion of my report. </BODY> </HTML>

Htmllists
numbered
<ol><li>Item 1</li><li>Item 2</li><li>Item 3</li></ol>

-------------------------------------------------------

Item 1
Item 2
Item 3

unnumbered
<ul><li>I am item one</li><li>I am item two</li></ul>
This will give us the bulleted list below:

-------------------------------------------------------

I am item one
I am item two

Html tables
Creating tables like the one you see, top right.

Tables Tutorial
Let's begin with a simple and common use for tables: an office phone list. Suppose we have four people whose names we want on the list. The data could be arranged in a table like this:
<TABLE> <TR> <TD>Raha Mutisya</TD> <TD>1493</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>Shalom Buraka</TD> <TD>3829</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>Hallie Curry</TD> <TD>8372</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>Shari Silberglitt</TD> <TD>4827</TD> </TR> </TABLE>
Which gives us this table:
Raha Mutisya 1493
Shalom Buraka 3829
Hallie Curry 8372
Shari Silberglitt 4827
This table uses the basic three tags all tables must have:
<TABLE ...> <TABLE ...> creates the table. Most of the overall properties of the table are defined here, such as if it has borders and what is the table's background color.
<TR ...> <TR ...> (Table Row) defines each row of the table.
<TD ...> <TD ...> (Table Data) defines each cell of the table.
Htmlframes
We talked about frames, we can find a lot here.
A basic sequence of code is shown here.
<frameset cols="20%,80%"><frame src="col1.html"><frame src="col2.html"></frameset><noframes><body bgcolor="#ffffcc"></body></noframes>Viewed with a "frames-capable" browser col 1, 20% col 2 80% Viewed with a "noframes" browser normal window
Htmlcss
We briefly touched css ….. What is CSS?
CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets
Styles define how to display HTML elements
Styles are normally stored in Style Sheets
Styles were added to HTML 4.0 to solve a problem
External Style Sheets can save you a lot of work
External Style Sheets are stored in CSS files
Multiple style definitions will cascade into one

Htmlcss ..continued
Htmlftp
What is FTP
File Transfer Protocol, better known as FTP, is a procedure used to upload and download files to and from your web server. FTP is a special way to login to another Internet site for the purposes of retrieving and/or sending files.

We have shown on our last meeting how to use the software using the ftp of FrontPage. We can also see samples of file transfer here. The picture shows the transfer of files from the client (left) to the server (right).

For more tutorials you can click this site.

The Blackbirds

2012-01-24T01:10:00.002+01:00

The "black birds" could refer to Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven". Maybe, maybe not. I have observed them for many years in every season and I thought of providing a glimpse of a daily routine in the morning.

The Black Birds

The screams of the morning

Time to feed perhaps their time to mate

They walk, jump, and fly towards

Centuries old evergreens

I see a lady bring a plateful

Bread crumbs and meat pieces

Towards the green lamp post

Their usual rendezvous

More screams of signs

They jog in joy at the sight

Thirtyish they come with

Other small birds and squirrels

A sight so full of bliss

Each peck a sudden flight

That wounds the sky

They hover in comfort

For the lady they know so long

A familiar sight in the morning

Will come again

As in the years before

The Enigma of Paran

2012-01-24T00:58:00.001+01:00

@Copenhagen

In our minds, there is a certain section known as tradition. There is a happy tradition when a baby is born as well as tradition of burying the dead. That is terrestrial. One of the favorite eons of tradition is witchcraft, a subject so universal and easily perceived.

The Enigma of Paran

Midst scraping shrills that begin with laughter

Altissimo has become lighter

Like the wailing of the wolves

And echos of the hounds

Slowly the mirthful ends

A vocal animo would repeat
As the carrefour begins to reverberate
Of village minds and quaints
And children untie from parents' wish
To have a glimpse of the witch

When whispers that pregnant women
Desired like fruits and fish
Symbolic offering to appease
The evil spirit in their midst
Primordial thoughts from generations

Alas, so it was
The lady who laughs so loud
Is the evil one that carries the curse
That permeates the town
Signs of ill abode

Ah clustered minds
When a daughter is malaise
Worse when life expires
Even the lean harvest
Or the redundancy of rain

Must we too cast the lot
In unison like the generations of the past
Did we not create this myopic horizon
That limits our vision
Beyond the crossing's dimension

How she keeps healthy all the years
Visiting the market
With her lively laugh
Which has plagued
So many who want to believe

A pregnant woman is fresh and double
So said, the village people
A prized caviar
For Paran's gypsy eyes
To feast

Folks talk to her inquisitively
As she responds with wrinkled smiles obligingly
And she would laugh
Many times resonantly
And tickle the village dogs in harmony

Collective minds and virgin thoughts
Waves unknown to impregnation
Sans impetus from beyond
And fresh germs from local travellers
Inundated brains from universities

Paran is now old but huge
Protruding eyes that become brown
Against the backdrop of grey hair and midnight sun
She ain't pretty no more
Beauty as defined at the carrefour

She would traverse a stream to reach home
Beyond the reach of her listeners
Like all of us when dusk begins to appear
She enters her house
And lights a candle

At the end of the day
Paran gets the broom in sway
To remove the morning leaves
In silhouette behind
November's moon.

The Land of the Vikings-What I Missed

2012-01-21T01:28:00.003+01:00

At the end of September in 2010, I had the opportunity to visit Copenhagen. I was greedy and planned to touch base with another neighboring country, Sweden through the famous Oresund Bridge. Although it did not materialize, the sight and sounds of the land of the Vikings were more than enough.

Preparation

Viking Ship

Prior to arrival, I did my homework by planning the trip to maximize the four days stay in Copenhagen. Our hotel was Absalon Hotell located at Helgolandsgade 15, Vesterbro, Copenhagen 1653. Somehow by habit, the hotel I choose when visiting places in Europe is near the train station. And yes, we were located just behind the
Copenhagen Central Station.

Of course, the Metro Map was printed and reviewed in advanced. This one I did not expect when "some" passengers became aware that we will be riding a driverless train from the airport to Copenhagen. Just cool!.

Tivoli Garden

Inside Tivoli Garden

The famous Tivoli Garden brought out the children in us. The rides, games, scenery, food and the carnival atmosphere am sure made the folks inside much younger. It was a rejuvenation process, more than a catharsis. This folks, was the main reason why my wife and I missed two things in the itinerary.

Scenes of Copenhagen

@Nyhavn

This photograph of Nyhavn, a 17th century harbour, canal and entertainment center of Denmark has become a treasure as far as one of the best places visited in Europe. The place is also famous for Carlsberg and Tuborg beers plus sea foods.

We then rolled to visit the famous places Copenhagen can offer. Of course it was not enough; time was not on our side but the glimpse of the famous Dane city made us recollect on how Copenhagen became a prosperous European center. This refers to its Viking origins. Discover the selected scenes of Copenhagen at your fingertips.

What we missed: 1. Site of Soren-Kierkegaard

Soren Kierkegaard

As a student of Literature and having read some of his books, I could not get it over with not visiting his statue at the Royal Library gardens nor any relic of the philosopher at the Copenhagen City museum. I worshiped him during my college days, this father of Existentialism.

What we missed: 2. The Oresund Bridge

The Oresund bridge is reportedly the longest road and rail bridge in Europe at 7,845 meters. It connects two "Viking" countries namely Denmark and Sweden; that means from Copenhagen to Malmo on the other side by train in just 35 minutes!

Myself and I

2012-01-17T21:50:00.003+01:00

In varying degrees, the other person or persons in us would also like to be active like the real self. There are Freudian elements like the id attempting to think and act instinctively and the superego clamping the attempts with conventions. More than this, this poem tries to show the clash of personalities on one occasion. Most of the time, the real self overrules, otherwise we need to visit a psychiatrist.

Myself and I

the guardians

On a pleasant day
I would like to see
A damsel of energy
And figure so full of envy
Chiseled earth towards my way

Tarnished minds
From graveyard shifts
Lurking at windows
Opportune from fragility
Instincts you might say

Flamengo steps
Her dainty moves
Asking for the time
Twisiting my arm
With glitters of sunshine

Phlegmatic spins did she unfold
A woman's dream
Presumptions of yesterday
Blurred by dichotomy
Toying with tragedy

Her hair touch my shin
As I precised
Melting the rose perfume
Inhaled facetiously
She takes a second swipe

I hear the fingers tapping
And eyes furtively awaiting
Devoid of sense
He taps again
In reverence for catatonia

Anxious knight
Waiting for clues and signs
Demeanor involontaire
Perhaps to make merry
The champion of delight

Despairingly forboding
Chastised by a sibling
Remorsefully not willing
Grimping haphazardly
In remote reality

Strength of vespers
Anchored in Freudian cord
Simple exercise
In thesaurus conventions
Yearning for unification.

58 B.C. Caesar and Geneva

2012-01-17T01:09:00.001+01:00

What was the world like at 58 B.C.?
In Egypt it was the reign of co-regents Cleopatra V Tryphaena (58 BC-57 BC) and Berenice IV Cleopatra Epiphaneia. The rest is about Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire.
I just want to satisfy my curiosity on the meaning of a marker in Geneva, Switzerland.

58 B.C

58 B.C.

When someone comes across or hears about the word Geneva, Switzerland, the city has always been associated with the Jet d' Eau, theInternational Organizations, the United Nations, cheese, chocolate, watches, timeliness, etc.

As a resident of twenty years, I have always been puzzled by the writing on the marker. I must admit that this epitaph is one thing I have taken for granted for a long time. The time is retro 58 B.C. with two major thespians, Geneva and Julius Caesar. My thirst for information begins.

It is not my intention to rewrite history. To highlight 58 B.C. on the marker is my goal.

The Location

Rue de la Tour de l'ILE

The location of the marker is around 3 minutes walk from the modern day mall Manor towards the Confederation Centre.

The Tower

When Julius Caesar first came to Geneva in 58 B.C., the Celtic tribe known as the Helvetii that lived in Central Switzerland vowed to move towards south-western France to settle in a fertile land they believe they deserve. Caesar did not agree as the 368,000 strong Helvetians might destroy lives and properties on their way. He also was informed that they would install in Toulouse, a Roman province with no borders. Also, a legion of Roman soldiers were annihilated by the Helvetii 50 years ago

The Helvetii came to Geneva and asked permission if they can cross the city's bridge, pass by the Roman province and go as far as the Rhone valley.

Julius Caesar did not agree, the Helvetii tribe insisted; the rest is further history.

Rhone River

In the area of the Tower at Rue de la Tour de l'ILE, the Rhone River begins. In fact the map of the location shows that it is surrounded by water. After all, the "ILE" means island.

This is the water under the bridge the Helvetii tribe wanted to cross to go to Gaul. I continue traversing the bridge to reach my destination - the Confederation Centre.

The Rainbow Chasers

2012-01-17T00:57:00.001+01:00

Viewed from a child's experience of going fishing with her father at the lake, she saw the colours inside a nicely bent tube from afar. That was her first experience with the phenomenon of the rainbow. In later life, she recalls the experience and gave it another meaning.

Missing Papa

arc-en-ciel

Her cheek kissed the glass and saw rain
As chilly winds jostle the window pane
Tears hesitate to fall
From the hearts tithered mall
What lies between
At prime eighteen
The teacher has gone
Far away from beyond
Raindrops he does not hear
Nor see the flow of water on the ground
Lay still Papa
I will follow your dream

My First Rainbow

father.daughter

I sat on Papa's lap
Waiting for the rod to snap
Strong winds and hands on my face
Specks of dust from nowhere
Standing and pointing east
I tried to follow his hand
At seven a bended box of colours
Papa caught another fish
And mama's marmalade
My prize of watching him.

The Spot

Foliage of green
Bathing in wind and sun
Sunsets at weekends I see his shadow
Fishing and waiting for his rainbow
Panorama of lights
Arc to touch
Gardenias in bloom
Against red, pink, fuchia of the crysanthemums
Men and women in the universe
Gather everyday
More so in summer
When visitors from the east
Continue to tread
Have erased the spot
Where I saw my first rainbow

The Book of Numbers

2012-01-15T23:08:00.000+01:00

Basics

Numbers

The book of Numbers is a very short chapter in the Old Testament. It is not as exciting as far as reading the material compared to Genesis or the Revelations' Apocalypse. Briefly, it has only 36 chapters containing concise verses as well.

It is one of the five books of the Torah also known as the first five books of the OldTestament. These are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. In addition, one dictionary defines the Torah as: "A scroll of parchment containing the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures, used in a synagogue during services and the entire body of religious law and learning including both sacred literature and oral tradition."

Why Numbers?

Michelangelo's-Moses

Biblical scholars are in unanimity as to the author of the Book of Numbers. Yes, it was Moses and is also one of the main actors in Israel's flight to freedom, plight in the wilderness, and the light in their march to the Promised Land. A little of history begins with the Israel's exodus from Egypt.

In modern times, the re-enactment of the exodus and the wandering of the Israelites in the desert for forty years can be found in Cecile B. DeMille's epic The Ten Commandments. The lead roles belonged to Moses and Ramesis III.

What then is the book about?
1. Census - to take inventory of men 20 years and above of the tribes of Israel, thus the word Numbers.
2. It is also the story of man's ambivalence towards Yahweh, specially in the elements of faith.
3. The laws that were promulgated were conditions to reach their destiny.

In fact Chapters 1-25 talks about the experiences of the first generation of Israel in the wilderness while the rest talks about the new generation. And it was the latter that would enter the Promised Land. Logic too tells us that if a Hebrew was 25 at the time of exodus and spends 40 years wandering in the desert, either he would be very old or dead by then if one considers the extremely harsh environmental conditions at that time.

Whereto Isreal?

Promised Land

In order to appreciate the travails of Israel towards their final destination, thismap would detail their route which took them 40 years to achieve.

The ultimate prize of the new generation was entry to the Promised Land. Their parents were not able to enter for not following the will of Yahweh.

The Promised Land in the Book of Numbers is Canaan, which geographically at present times would be around Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and western part of Jordan.

Canaan was the land promised to Abraham in Genesis 12: 1-5. After the exodus, the Israelites traveled with Moses and reentered the country under Joshua.

Barcelona

2012-01-12T15:57:00.003+01:00

BARCELONA

The Sky

SagradaFamilia

Spires and spikes

Congruent in my psych

Illusions of today

Centuries' enigmatic display

Wind of Aeolus

Blessings numerous

Blankets Iberia

Whole peninsula

Eurus warm whistles

Embrace Catalan's thistles

Healthy Balearic

Ets, Barcelona, esotèric.

Provocative

Egypt

Designs that provoke

Artists did invoke

Gifted souls

Written on scrolls

Even the soul's resting place

Parched high in space

Cantata in verse

Like a hymn to the universe

The Sea

Barceloneta

Spree at the Diagonal

Plazas and fountains exceptional

We watch the stars of Colom at La Rambla

And spend the night at Barceloneta

The Wonderful Word of Twins.

2012-01-11T21:18:00.000+01:00

Twins

The Wonderful World of Twins

In afterthought my tribe increased
Just following nature's course
We multiplied like the rest
Following the testament of Genesis

I see the fecundity of twins
My tribe that is
My brother and sister
Have one each

Cousins from my mother
Are exploding with pairs
Two of my aunts have one
My uncle has two pairs

The side of my father I count no more
Enough to say they are profound
To list may not be enough
The swarm of twins surround

When I was fourteen
Had a crush on a twin
Held her hand and whispered sweet nothings
Only to find out it was her sister

In school my close friend has a twin
When one is sick the other too feels
Twins have the same modem
And can connect far away like wi-fi

Introducing "Prosti"

2006-08-25T23:32:00.000+02:00

Introducing Prosti

He is two years old and the balcony is his favorite watering hole just in front of the "well fixed" parabola. Cars pass by, people cross the lanes of the busy Rue de la Servette, and Prosti watches the world most of the time specially on rush hours. After all, his term of reference is the 5th floor.

And what background! It is Mt. Saleve in France. With the cool air of Geneva what can you ask for ? We do this when I come from work. It appears that he likes to be photographed.

It was like that for a long time until he had to go. I was reaching the retirement age and was already minimizing my activities. A colleague of mine needed him more than me. I felt sad but was realistic that he will be taken cared of well if not better.

In my small study room, I review photos and Prosti's have dominated this week at least
.

Lines in Lake Geneva

2006-08-21T23:52:00.000+02:00

Traditionally, the "Fetes de Geneve" occur during the first or second week of August. This year was memorable as it was raining most of the time. It did not stop us normal human beings to stroll at the lakeside, to enjoy at the sight of the stunning "Jet de Eau", and to take the "promenade" just like tourists from all corners of the globe.

I took pictures. No, my hands were not trembling when the shots were made. I was not still, period. Blurred ? Of course. Truth is I was experimenting with lines with the use of the lens.

Deep Purple

2006-08-18T16:32:00.000+02:00

Art Credit: Angelo Guacena '2004

dream you may, I'd love to
curved rainbow
in green and white
streaming red that touches yellow
I see black but don't see blue
faint khakis in matching olive
ah, forest !
bursting into light
that shoots to purple
those lines made at four

Edelweiss

2006-08-17T17:00:00.000+02:00

Yesterday, 16th August 2006 I had the rare privilege to have lunch with Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos of the Diocese of Butuan. He was fun to be with and the other people who were with us, my wife Rose, Sisters Merlyn and Gina WCW were in a relaxed mood with his eminence.

What was new with him was the way he started the "Grace Before Meals". Normally, the leader would start by saying "Bless us Oh Lord......................." Instead, he pulled out copies of a printout from his Yahoo mail and asked the four of us to sing to the tune of "Edelweiss".

Man, I tell you it was lively! Who does not remember the "Sound of Music"? The Alpine plant resurrected in our conversations.

Later during the day, I looked at the printout and started humming the lyrics to the tune of Edelweiss*:

Bless us Lord
Bless our food
Come o Lord and be with us
May our thoughts glow with peace
Bring your love to surround us

Friendship and peace
May they bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Bless our friends
Bless the poor
Bless our homeland forever

He took Lufthansa from Geneva to the Homeland !

*Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum)
(credit: Siegfried EigstlerShostal)

Poems*

2006-08-15T23:44:00.000+02:00

Ode To The Sea

Where tanned skins begin to cross
The sky's shadow ends
Splashing waves of blue and gray
Immensely in front of me
As the hands of the sea touches my body
Wanting to bring me
Temptation so strong
In my youth and beyond
So much time I've spent with her
Just touching and playing around
As she surrounds
My soul
A gasp of air so much required
After a long time in her bosom
Yet the desire to fathom
More depths I still aspire
From east to west I travelled then
Under my watchful eyes from above
Her beauty pristine
And welcome so warm

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mother's Hands

She carried me in her arms
With nimble hands she let me grow
I trust her touch
And the love all the years
Now wrinkled but wonderful
And movements slow but full of grace and memories
Those hands that nurtured my body and soul

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Spider

As the wind blows unto my face
And I bend my knees to see both ends
From parched land to diminishing reds
Purple begins towards the myriads of greens

Shoots like waving white lilacs
Into the azure of the sky
One black spider in the sugarcane field
Films of silver and lines of grey

It weaves more, web so strong
From the rear hand taken from within
It moves below the hushing of the leaves
Soon the shadow of dusk appears

The spider hands begin to pray
At the center of his universe
I must depart to see the same
Beauty unfurls tomorrow.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Note: The first and the third poems are in the data bank of www.poetry.com while the second has been published in www.PoetsHaven.com.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Lebanon, London, Hong Kong to Geneva, etc.

2006-08-12T21:45:00.000+02:00

The crisis in Lebanon caught many nationalities by surprise ! At the sound of the first salvo from the south, the instinct of survival mattered most. Then the destruction of the airport at Beirut signaled the imminent and hurried exit as the logical course of action for foreigners as well as many Lebanese. As expected, the Europeans and the Americans in Lebanon who wanted out at this time were simply "plucked"by their respective countries. It was organized, quiet, efficient, and last but not the least, the element of "speed" was there.

Alas, after almost one month of fighting, I've read in my favorite news that only 4,000 out of 30,000 OFWs (Overseas Filipino works) were removed from war torn Lebanon and arrived to Manila safely and happily?

A lot of noise was created by the DFA's version vis-a-vis Ambassador Bichara's. Then came the enquiry into the accounting of OWWA's funds by the Senate. The standard "no show" of the President's men provided an insight to the Filipino: they are busy taking care of repatriations of our brothers and sisters still in Lebanon. Just like my colleague whose husband and two daughters were there three days before the airport was hit. Her emotions were too intense for a sensible simple chat. I could hear her shout to her husband over the phone "Take a taxi and go to Damascus." After all it is only an hour's drive to the Syrian city. But that route was also bombed. Theirs was a special case though as they were flown back to Geneva via Jordan. When her twin daughters arrived (aged 11 years old) the mom brought them to the office with a countenance that was a complete reverse compared to one eerie week ago.

Was the figure of 13.33% who have reached our shores safely (as GMA wanted it to be) peanuts compared to the total number of OFWs in Lebanon during a month's period ? Perhaps, or maybe not. Yes, my friends, there was money to bring back our heros ! The planes have landed! Mostly, they are Filipinas just like this Filipina.

The question of how much money was available to our heros depends on how one perceives the situation in relation to the events starting from day one of the Lebanon crisis. Yes, there will always be questions. Perhaps more questions than answers. I have the facilities of TFC in the house and while I see the happiness of those arriving at the NAIA, the interviews and the situation in Lebanon of those left behind, (the other 86.67%) don't look promising at all from my naked eyes glued the images on the screen.

While the logistics on "how to" were being discussed by the concerned authorities, headlines trumpeted the GMA declaration "bring back all the OFWs safely". I certainly hope this is not a "misstatement". This is no political initiative. She is the Chief of the State and it is expected of her to address issues like recalling the Filipino peace force in Iraq in exchange for the safety of those caught unaware, the hostages.

At this very moment, the UN resolution for a ceasefire is very near at hand. Result: less OFWs might want to return. The "old timers" have experienced the civil war before and they stayed. The mathematical formula of being caught in a war like this is very different from fear of : 1. loss of one's life, 2. loss of income and 3. a busted future as a result of number 2. The Filipina knows this. After all she is an intelligent breed. She has become a universal phenomenon. The more the families would need her services. She is a linguist. In Lebanon, she speaks Arabic, English in London, Chinese in Hong Kong, French in Geneva, Greek in Athens, Italian in Milano, etcetera etcetera etcetera.

To the Department of Foreign Affairs who knows the meaning of repatriation than most of us, continue with the effort to bring back OFWs from Lebanon with the footnote: Make it optional.

I like to write, write, write.........

2006-08-10T22:09:00.000+02:00

The inertia of the mind is not enough to cover this page blog. At best it is only a tip of the traditional expression "an iceberg". So, why me do the blog ? Come to think about it, I occupy space on this planet just like you. Like you I have a number in the total population of mankind. You may write a diary, a story, an epic, an agenda in order for other people to see what is under the iceberg or your id. All expressions whether vocal, artistic, or non of the above are ripples in the sand which usually end in water. Where are we heading to ? I mean, the direction of this blog. Am I supposed to dig or just express myself. To dig is the labor of mankind while expression is the soul of man. I may sound like GK Chesterton going round and round, heck. Can't express fully right now. The TV is too loud and the music is piercing my ears. Nevermind, just write, write, write....

The fishermen have gone.........

2006-08-09T19:16:00.000+02:00

Home? They would probably be minding their daily routine, that of "fishing" at sea, along rivers, lakes, or at small yards, spaces rented maybe owned.
During the last week of July 2006, we met some of them here of all places, Geneva. They did not fish as the lake is small and not conducive to commercial fishing; the catch may not feed the needs of the "Fisherfolk Movement" ! Nor were they here to compete on who would be the best catcher of fish. What actually happened and why were they here ? It was almost 9 pm, 25 July when I first met them. They were having a picnique hosted by Filipino friends in Geneva at Parc des Croppettes just across their living quarters in Rue Montbrilliant. They were warm and eager to meet compatriots. They tell stories of their Hong Kong trip in relation to the "fishers voice" and the "fishers voyage". I also heard from one of them that they will make a "banca" which will participate in the Fluvial Parade. What ? Yes, a "banca" floating in Lake Geneve vis a vis memories of the pirates' ship. They are slowly begining to make a point.
I was so naive to understand that the whole hullaballo was "el mundo". I was witnessing a major event. We were participating by helping our Filipino artisanal Fishermen by just by being there and showing them the panache and delving with local cultural experiences of Filipinos in diaspora.
(Photo courtesy of www.fslgeneve.org)
The next day will be fun and I was told that there will be a musical concert at Bains des Paquis of all the participating organizations all over the globe.
The first thing I got on the way to the concert was a leaflet before entering Bains des Paquis. It is not so nice looking as the octopus is trying to strangle a couple of things on its way. It does serve the purpose though of showing the linkage of the participating associations/organizations. There was merrymaking and contacts with the residents to Switzerland was made by others as well as our group of "fishermen".
The next day, the inevitable happenned ! The WTO talks collapsed.
Why? They say the structure is not as strong as the engineering marvel of the great wall of China. Now I understand the "el mundo" characteristic of last night's concert as other Asian musicians actively participated. It was a trip of our "fishermen" friends from Doha to Hongkong to Geneva. Our main man at WTO, Ambassador Manuel Teehankee who was present at the fluvial parade was crisp and precise in explaining as to what exactly happened. It appears that the ripples of the collapse was caused by the noncommittance of the EU and the US.
The fluvial parade went as scheduled with a lot of fanfare, direction WTO. Do I see "Basta No To WTO"?
Occasionally I use "we" as "I" am a fan of Ugnayang Bayan of the cantons of Geneva and Vaud. We were all there to witness history.