Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Abortion and RH Bill Debate

Abortion is the hot topic in the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill debate and many pro-life advocates and religious groups in the Philippines argue that the Bill will permit abortion. Senator Tito Sotto even went over-the-top to compare the Bill with eugenics and claimed that groups pushing for the Bill has "sinister" motives like Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in America.

On the otherhand, folks who support the RH Bill should also refrain fear mongering and demonizing the Catholic church and those who are against the Bill.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Broncos Quarterback Tim Tebow and CURE International to Build Hospital in the Philippines

The Tim Tebow Foundation and CURE International have announced plans to build a children's hospital in the Philippines- where Tebow, the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos and a Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Florida, was born. See embedded video below.

The Tebow CURE Hospital in Davao City will be a 30-bed surgical facility focusing primarily on orthopedics. The groundbreaking will be held in January 2012 and the hospital is expected to open in mid-2013.

Philippines: Arrest Warrant Issued for Former President Arroyo

If and when Arroyo is finally arrested, it would be the first real step for Filipinos in our quest for justice after nine years of her tumultuous reign. She faces several complaints pending before the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, ranging from electoral fraud, corruption and violations of human rights violations... Filipinos are happy that she would finally be compelled to explain for her many illegal acts when she was president.

Read more: Tonyo Cruz, Asian Correspondent

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Plastic Bottle Solar Bulbs Light Up Laguna Community in the Philippines



In GMA 7's "Serbisyo on the Go," correspondent Kara David visits a community in Laguna, Philippines where residents are having a hard time paying their electricity bills. To keep power costs down, social entrepreneur Illac Diaz and the local Rotary Club taught residents how to make "solar light bulbs" using plastic soda bottles, water, and bleach.

This is Filipino creativity and innovation at its best. Diaz and the local Rotary Club reflects it very well: ideas can be brought into reality with hard work. It reminds me of the creative and innovative attributes of our creator. He imagined a creative world and all came to light with His spoken words. No plastic bottles required.

Monday, November 14, 2011

WHAT?... Anne Curtis Still OPM Chart Topper?

Filipino Dad blog: What... non-singer Anne Curtis still OPM (Original Pilipino Music) chart topper? Doesn't she sing like Christine Jacob during her Eat Bulaga days? She herself admitted that "my music is not soulful, it's painful." I don’t know which one I’m surprised more; that she has a music album or that more than 100,000 Filipinos bought her CD, earning her a Gold Platinum record award and her record label lots of profit! I know it’s all in the name of fun, entertainment and following a dream but does it reflect that popular art in the Philippines is not set to a higher standard? Does it trivialize the Filipino excellence in music? Come to think of it, if Kris Aquino and Ruffa Gutierrez can win top dramatic acting awards, why should I be surprised with Anne Curtis too? Maybe I’m just a prude and over reacting... please pardon me.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Pablo Picasso's Work, Now Viewing in Manila

Filipino art aficionados should rush to the Metropolitan Museum of Manila as it opened recently to the public works of world renowned artist Pablo Picasso. The collection, known in art history as Suite Vollard, features 100 prints of copper etchings created by Picasso from 1930 to 1937.

Picasso is best known as the founder of Cubism. His painting is considered the beginning of modern art. He became rich, world-renowned and heralded to be the top artist of his time. However, as authors Kelly Monroe Kullberg and Lael Arrington pointed out, Picasso has a shattered view of his life and career. In his seventies, Picasso shared with the world one humble confession: