Lifted from Aklan Life In the Philippines, Aklan refers to a province, its people, and its language. The term comes from akean, “where there is boiling or frothing,” describing the river that runs through the land. Aklan is renowned for Boracay’s beaches, the vibrant Ati-Atihan Festival, and its artisans skilled in weaving piña fabric.

By Jose Alejandrino HOW SCAMS WORK You begin by stealing hundreds of millions if not billions from funds of sub-standard or non-existent flood control and other infra projects. Because of the massive stealing, the BBM government is unable to provide the counterpart funds of foreign-assisted projects and has to resort to borrowings. Thus the national debt rose to ₱17.3-trillion pesos. Since there is a shortfall of half a trillion pesos, as announced recently by the Bureau of Treasury, BBM now announces he has to borrow another $800-million from the World Bank. Borrowings are IOUs of its citizens who have to repay them. So the debt of citizens are incurred to pay for what was stolen by corrupt officials. What was stolen is the money of taxpayers and the same are now being transferred to them as their liabilities through borrowings. Isn’t this double taxation? Aren’t government borrowings meant to offset the shortfall in the budget due to money stolen? So why are citizens paying taxes? Sh...

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By Jose Alejandrino THE MAGNANAKAW IMAGE World leaders are subject to two judgments: the final judgment of God when their Book of Life is opened and the judgment of history on how they performed in public office. For Bongbong Marcos, the judgment of millions of Filipinos seem to have been rendered judging by the huge protests in many Philippine cities and abroad asking him to resign. Commentators agree that the BBM government is the most corrupt in Philippine history. Certainly by referring to him as “magnanakaw” (thief) and to his cousin former HoR Speaker Martin Romualdez as a crocodile, there is little doubt they are the most hated and despised figures in the country. Indeed BBM is carrying a heavy luggage. 1. His family is accused of not settling the $2-billion compensatory award rendered by a District Court in Hawaii in 1994-1995 to 7,500 Filipino human rights victims. 2. Administrators of the Marcos estate severally liable for payment of ₱203-billion estate taxes rendered by the ...

By Peter James Pen 🇵🇭  The hour-long car ride from the airport to Kuala Lumpur immediately revealed one thing: Malaysia's superior infrastructure.  It's a stark contrast that made me feel both angry and deeply sad, thinking about the wasted potential back home. What's worse is that most of the ones who did it were Filipino engineers who helped build KL infrastructure. Mahathir is next to Lee Kuan Yew.   Democracy only works when a country is progressive and when its citizens are intellectually mature. Otherwise, democracy becomes the way to corruption.  As I explored Kuala Lumpur, I was struck by how the city constantly showcased its national pride. The Malaysian flag was everywhere—on commercial buildings, businesses, and streetlights. This wasn't for a special holiday; it was a permanent, deliberate effort to instill a deep love for the country from an early age, a lesson taught as a core part of their educational curriculum. It made me keenly aware of what...

Lifted from Rob Rances 28 September 2025 Lord of Justice and Mercy, We lift up to You this nation You have cradled through storms, colonizers, and calamities. We confess, Father, that we have tolerated leaders who smiled with us but robbed us; who promised to serve but learned only to take. We confess our silence and our cynicism. Forgive us. But Lord, You are not silent. And we sense Your stirring now— an awakening that cannot be contained. Not from the halls of power, but from the lips of the ordinary. From a bodyguard with a burdened conscience. From a government worker weary of under-the-table deals. From a bank teller tracing the trail of blood money. From a secretary who can no longer keep silent. One by one, Lord, You will raise truth-tellers. And as they speak, courage will catch like fire. Schools, offices, marketplaces, even the streets themselves will echo the cry for truth and justice. This will not be about colors or parties, but about truth breaking through darkness. Dail...

28 September 2025 By Paulino Mesa If You Were Suddenly Given a Chance to Save the World from Pain and Misery—Would You Take It? An Invitation to Re-Examine Wound Care As children, many of us silently wondered: Why does treating a wound often hurt more than the wound itself? Alcohol and peroxide sting unbearably. Cotton swabs traumatize already sensitive tissue. Bandages stick, tearing away healing skin at every change. And even after enduring the pain, infections are common. Antibiotics—whether preventive or post-infection—are expensive, tedious, and carry their own risks. We have accepted this routine for generations as “necessary.” But is it truly necessary—or simply habit? Years ago, an accident forced me to challenge that assumption. With no first aid kit on hand, I turned in desperation to a simple herbal formulation used for coughs and other 9minor ailments. I expected little. What happened next was nothing short of remarkable: The pain eased within minutes—without stinging. The ...

CTTO: KAMI PH Netizen’s Message to Duterte Critics: ‘Hatred Blinded You from the Real Enemy’ Isang netizen ang nagpatutsada sa mga kritiko ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte matapos ang mga rebelasyong kaugnay ng 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) at mga isyu ng korapsyon. Ayon sa post, noong ibinunyag ni Duterte ang nangyari sa GAA 2025 at pinalakas ito ng mga DDS supporters, agad umano itong tinawag na fake news. Ganito rin umano ang nangyari nang pangalanan ni Vice President Sara Duterte sina Martin Romualdez at Zaldy Co bilang mga “corruption masterminds,” na agad namang binasura ng mga kritiko. “Looking back, I hope you realize that it was never the DDS that’s the problem. It’s your hatred for the Dutertes that blinded you from seeing the real enemy,” ani ng netizen. Giit ng netizen, hindi ang DDS ang tunay na problema kundi ang labis na pagkamuhi sa mga Duterte na umano’y pumigil sa iba na makita ang ugat ng korapsyon.

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Lifted from PDP LABAN PAGE 28 September 2025 Kaufman: Family, Lawyers not informed after Duterte collapse in ICC custody Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte reportedly suffered multiple falls while in detention at The Hague, with one incident causing him to lose consciousness and prompting his transfer to a hospital for cranial and brain injury assessment. According to Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte's lead defense counsel, neither his family nor his defense team was informed of the incident in real time. They raised alarm over the lack of transparency and questioned the capacity of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ensure Duterte’s safety and well-being while in custody. "The former President has reported to me a couple of incidents when he fell in his cell. As a result of one of these incidents, he lost consciousness and was evacuated to hospital where he was assessed for cranial and brain injury. None of this was reported either to the Defence team or to the family...

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Lifted from Rob Rances 28 September 2025, Sunday  If they’re serious about the truth, they’ll let the testimonies come out. But if the agenda is a cover-up, you can bet the Senate hearing will be cut short—out of fear that more soldiers, like Guteza, will step forward to testify. What’s happening now carries an unsettling parallel to South Korea—soldiers dared to speak the truth. But like them, it’s on us to keep the fire alive with daily protests until justice breaks through.

27 September 2025 Saturday  Lifted from Cora Guidote "Don't mess up with the Marines and Special Forces" ~Joffre Balce  IT'S NOW BETWEEN ROMUALDEZ AND THE PHIL. MARINES. The Phil. Marines are an elite force trained to the highest level of protection and intelligence. They are known for their loyalty and solidarity.  Now that a Marine in the person of Master Sergeant Orly Guteza stood bravely in the Senate and named Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co as having received tons of cash on a weekly basis, his comrades are standing behind him and protecting him and his family.  That said, Romualdez and Co, together with the Remulla's are up against not just Guteza but also the Marines standing with and behind him.  Question: kaya ba sila patumbahin ni Romualdez and company, o si Romualdez ang tutumba sa tibay ng mga kasundaluhang binabangga niya?  ---------- IN THE NEWS: Former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor said that Orly Guteza, who claimed to have delivered cash-fi...

27 September 2025 Saturday  Lifted from Regal POV President Bongbong Marcos swiftly appointed Mayor Benjie Magalong to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, banking on his reputation to root out corruption. But once the spotlight turned to Martin Romualdez—Marcos’ own cousin—the President suddenly raised questions about Magalong’s “conflict of interest.” The timing is no coincidence. Is this really about justice, or is BBM scrambling to protect family secrets before they unravel? Let’s not be surprised if, when all is said and done, the President’s own name keeps popping up. After all, in Philippine politics, nothing says “clean investigation” like keeping it all in the family. But Magalong raced him to the finish line. He resigned. He saw that this Commission wasn’t as independent as it was named after all.  #RegalPOV 📸 Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lifted from OPTIC POLITICS 26 September 2025

26 September 2025 Credit to OPTIC POLITICS

Pop Life Philippines NEVER UNDERESTIMATE WHAT A BADJAO CAN DO 🎓 For years, the Badjao community has faced stereotypes and discrimination.  But four young achievers from Tawi-Tawi are proving that perseverance and education can overcome prejudice. Among them is Abdulkadil Jani, who graduated cum laude in Elementary Education, and Celine Malabong, also cum laude, with a degree in Secondary Education major in Mathematics.  Jurais Horen earned an Associate in Office Management and received an award for Performing Arts. Meanwhile, Roben Abella made history as the first Badjao magna cum laude at the Mindanao State University (MSU), later completing a Master’s in English Language Teaching. Their stories highlight resilience, sacrifice, and determination—showing that success isn’t just personal but also a triumph for their community.  These milestones shine as proof that no challenge can dim the will to rise and achieve. #PopLifePH #InspiringStories #BadjaoPride

Proverbs 28 describes the Philippines THE PHILIPPINES IN DISTRESS: A LAWLESS NATION LEAD BY LAWLESS LEADERS Proverbs 28:2-4 Easy-to-Read Version 2 A lawless nation will have many bad leaders. But a smart leader will rule for a long time in a land where people obey the law. 3 A leader who takes advantage of the poor is like a hard rain that destroys the crops. 4 Those who refuse to obey the law promote evil. Those who obey the law oppose evil. *** The Bible condemns bad leadership, describing it as selfish, unjust, and detrimental to a nation and its people, leading to divine judgment for the wicked leader and the suffering of those they govern. The Book of Proverbs and the prophets like Ezekiel and Isaiah highlight the severe consequences, including the loss of trust, societal decline, and the downfall of leaders who abuse their power. The ideal leader serves God and the people with justice, as exemplified by Jesus' servant-style leadership, while wicked leaders act selfishly and u...

Lifted from VP SARA DUTERTE STATEMENT September 24, 2025 I have received disturbing information from Malacañang that a report about Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by the Philippine Embassy in The Hague. The officials entered the detention unit under the false pretense of conducting a "welfare check" and interviewed FPRRD. The said officials clearly abused the rule of the detention unit concerning consular visits. Since the month of March, there has always been at least a family member or two that visit Former President Duterte almost every day precisely to guarantee his well-being and humane treatment. The permission given by the ICC in allowing the agents of the very government that abducted FPRRD to intrude upon him, without seeking permission from family members who are in the Hague, places his life and safety in imminent danger. If such sham "welfare checks" are allowed to continue, then the ICC and the Phili...

Lifted from FB Trump ordered the US military to sink Venezuelan drug trafficking ships without trial, and Duterte ordered the Philippine police to shoot drug traffickers without trial. What's the difference between the two? At least Duterte's orders did not invade the sovereignty of other countries. But now Duterte is still in The Hague, and nobody discusses Trump should go to The Hague for trial. I said last year that sending Duterte to The Hague was an unforgivable mistake for Marco and a turning point for his political career. After that, nothing went well for him.  The domestic economy was in difficulty, and the conflict with China had no benefits, resulting in the loss of China's trade and investment. The United States also did not provide any benefits, but a 19% tariff. Marcos' main ally and his cousin, the Speaker of the House, was forced to resign due to corruption, and larger scale protests continued directly target himself...... I am quite sure that Marcos is...

Lifted from Jon Hermosisima "If you love money, you will never be satisfied; if you long to be rich, you will never get all you want. It is USELESS." (Ecclesiastes 5:10) *** That is why the PLUNDERERS become more depraved and craven with every coin that they stole. That is why the Plunderers become hungrier with every food that they seized from the plate of another man. That is why the Plunderers will never stop on their own accord. And this is how Plunder becomes a way of life. ----  "When plunder becomes a way of life, men create for themselves a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it" is a quote by the 19th-century French economist and political philosopher Frédéric Bastiat. It highlights his idea that when people in a society regularly engage in taking others' property without consent—through force or fraud—they will eventually create laws and justifications to legitimize their actions, thus turning it from individual wrongdoing ...

23 September 2025 Tuesday post Mass Protest  My general pessimism is not without cause. For over ten years, I had also served in government (in a technical capacity and up to middle management level) ~ where I found out that even daring and radical policy and legal reforms are not enough to turn the tide of our steady degradation into perdition (hurting the lowly and poor masses the most).   Which is why I had said again and again that laws, policies and principles for reform aren't nearly enough ~ because these things don't operate themselves. People have to implement them ~ either properly, erroneously, or even deliberately not at all! And then implementing these is one thing; actually complying with or following them is another. Our society is generally lacking at both sides of that spectrum. You know what I'm talking about ~ we've lived practically our whole lives observing the lackadaisical manner our entire system goes about our governance ~ from the national dow...

By Rob Rances THE BOARD IS SET The September 21 protests revealed the truth: the black king—BBM—sits surrounded not by loyalists, but by pawns who don’t even believe he’s innocent. The Pinks know the rot. They feel the stench of corruption. Yet they still guard him. Why? Because they fear the white queen—Sara Duterte—more than the king they pretend to oppose. THE GAME THEY’RE PLAYING So what happens? The Pinks become pawns, forced to hold the line, shielding the very king they despise. The bishops—their leaders—twist their principles into survival moves. The pawns march, the bishops preach, but all of it is to buy time for their black king. But here’s the flaw: In chess, pawns are disposable. Bishops can only block for so long. And the white queen always finds her opening. THE INEVITABLE ENDGAME Checkmate is not about if—it’s about when. The black king will fall. The only question is whether he topples because the pawns crumble, or because the queen forces her way through. And when it ...

Sent by DIANA AMAMIO ANZALONE 21 September 2025 Sept 20, 2025- Saturday *AS IT UNFOLDS JUST TODAY, THE MULTI-BILLION FLOOD CONTROL ISSUE IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG & TALKS ONLY OF THE “EXCESS PROJECTS” BEING GIVEN BY ROMUALDEZ & ZALDY CO TO THEMSELVES AND KEY ALLIES. In the vital info today gathered by Intelligence Officers from the AFP & PNP, this is the scale of the inter-agency organized syndicate we now call the Philippine Government. We thank our active Gov’t Troops who are assigned as Security Details to Congressmen for this vital piece of information on this large-scale government syndicate:* (Vital info that will unite all Filipinos of different colors, even followers of the LP, left, & every Filipino, with the AFP & PNP, to fight and finally recycle Congress-Malacanang tomorrow) *During the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Appropriations Committee (National Budget) Chairman Zaldy Co, & House Accounts Committee (Funds for Congressmen) Ch...

Source: Saga Sphere The Forgotten Pangtaktak of Cebuano Households Long before washing machines and modern detergents became part of daily life, families in the Visayas—especially in Cebu—relied on the pangtaktak, a flat wooden paddle, as their trusted laundry companion. The pangtaktak wasn’t just a tool; it represented rhythm, resilience, and routine. Women would bring their bundles of laundry to the nearest river or communal washing spot. With strong hands, they used the pangtaktak to beat wet clothes against smooth stones, driving out dirt and stains. Each strike produced a sharp, echoing sound that could be heard from afar—almost like music blending with the flowing water and laughter of families gathered by the riverbanks. This simple household object symbolized community bonding. Neighbors met during wash days, children played along the riverbanks, and stories were exchanged while laundry was being done. For many, it was not just about cleaning clothes—it was about building relat...

Lifted from Saga Sphere The Philippines: Living on the Pacific Ring of Fire Daily Earthquakes in the World's Most Seismically Active Archipelago The Geological Reality: The Philippines sits directly on one of the most geologically active regions on Earth - the Pacific Ring of Fire. This horseshoe-shaped belt of volcanic and seismic activity circles the Pacific Ocean, accounting for approximately 90% of the world's earthquakes and 75% of active volcanoes. Daily Seismic Activity: The Numbers The Philippines experiences an extraordinary level of seismic activity: Average of 20 earthquakes occur daily across the archipelago Most earthquakes register below magnitude 3.0 on the Richter scale The majority are imperceptible to humans without seismographic equipment Only earthquakes above magnitude 2.0-3.0 are typically felt by people Why So Many Earthquakes? The Philippines' unique geological position creates this constant seismic activity: Tectonic Plate Convergence: The country l...

Lifted from Rob Rances 21 September 2025 12.01am [Reposting] AN OPEN LETTER TO GENERAL ROMEO BRAWNER  General Romeo Brawner Chief-of-Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines Dear General Brawner, sir,  We write to you not only as wives of the enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but also as mothers, daughters, and ordinary Filipinos who love this nation. With every sunrise, we carry both the pride of being families of soldiers who dedicate their lives to protecting our people, and the heavy pain of seeing the country we love fall deeper into despair. General, it is no secret that corruption continues to eat away at the very soul of our nation. It spreads like a disease—massive, blatant, and shameless. And what pierces our hearts most is not just the injustice itself, but the silence of those who wear the uniform—the very men whom the people expect to be their last line of defense. Your silence, Sir, has been deafening. When Filipinos feel abandoned by politicians,...

Lifted from Gerry Cacanindin 19 September 2025 Friday  How DPWH engineers and insiders Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and Henry Alcantara turned flood control projects into their personal cash machine. The playbook is simple but effective. It starts with the real big boys. DPWH, DBM, DepDev, Malacañang, and Congress deciding the budget. This is where senators and congressmen sneak in allocations for their districts or their pet projects. Insertions can happen anytime, even at the last minute during bicam talks. Once the money is locked in, politicians make sure it lands in areas where they have “friendly” district or regional engineers. If their guy isn’t there, they pressure DPWH to reshuffle engineers until DPWH assigns the preferred one. With a trusted engineer in place, the funds can keep flowing to that area year after year. Enter the “BGC Boys”. They don’t decide the budget, but they execute. They draw up the technical plan, run the bidding, and release the funds.  Fir...

Lifted from OPTIC POLITICS EDITORIAL | The Candle That Burned Out: The Collapse of Martin Romualdez’s Speakership OPTIC Politics | September 17, 2025 Power, in a democracy, is never permanent. It is borrowed, conditional, and answerable to the Constitution and the people. Yet Martin Romualdez believed otherwise. For three years, he built his speakership on the illusion of invincibility, mistaking political arithmetic for public trust. Today, that illusion has collapsed, and his resignation marks not just the fall of one man, but the implosion of an entire machinery of arrogance. Romualdez’s downfall was not sudden — it was the natural result of years of abuse. His speakership will be remembered as a textbook case of how not to lead a legislative chamber. Under his watch, budget insertions and flood-control scandals surfaced, billions in taxpayer money allegedly redirected and repackaged with suspicious precision. Congress, endowed by the Constitution with the power of the purse, wa...

Lifted from Paulino Mesa Please care enough to share this powerful message. THANK YOU. CTTO.  OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mga Ginoo at Ginang ng Gobyerno, Enough of the polite lies. This letter is not wrapped in diplomacy, because you no longer deserve it. This is anger in ink, disgust in words, a mirror of the nation’s fury you pretend not to see. Each of you swore an oath — not to yourselves, not to your dynasties, but to the people. Yet what have you delivered? Endless committee hearings that go nowhere, speeches bloated with hot air, budgets swallowed whole by ghost projects and cronies. You strut like statesmen but you crawl like parasites. You treat government not as a sacred duty, but as your personal ATM. Look at Nepal. Look at Indonesia. Do you think their governments ever imagined their palaces shaking from the fists of their own people? They too believed they were untouchable, that their greed could dr...

Lifted from Dose of Disbelief Did you know that the Philippines’ national dish, adobo, isn’t really Spanish at all? 🍲 While the word adobo comes from the Spanish adobar (“to marinate”), the technique of stewing meat in vinegar and salt was already being practiced by Filipinos long before colonization. This method wasn’t just for flavor—it was a natural way to preserve food in the tropical climate. Historians also note that Chinese traders influenced its development by introducing soy sauce, which later blended with vinegar to create the adobo we know today. So while Spain gave the dish its name, the recipe is a true Filipino original with deep pre-colonial and Asian roots.

Lifted from Salvador H Laurel Museum via Celia Diaz Laurel page with due credit.  "IF THIS NATION IS TO SURVIVE..." Trust in government is crumbling fast. Filipinos are fed up, and the latest wave of corruption in government projects is only making it worse. PLEASE CREDIT: Courtesy Salvador H. Laurel Museum & Library

Lifted from Saga Sphere Kudkuran: The Coconut Grater of the Filipino Household. When we talk about the forgotten household treasures of Filipinos, one of the most iconic yet fading tools is the kudkuran—the humble coconut grater. Imagine this: a low wooden bench, usually hand-carved from sturdy wood, with a serrated metal blade sticking out on one side. At first glance, it looks ordinary, almost like a small stool. But for centuries, this simple tool has been the heart of Filipino kitchens, especially when preparing our most beloved dishes and desserts. 🥥 Daily Use in the Ancient Kitchen The coconut has always been called the “Tree of Life” in the Philippines, because every part of it is useful—from the leaves to the husk, from the shell to the fruit itself. And the kudkuran? It was the bridge between the coconut and the Filipino table. Back in the day, whenever families needed coconut milk (gata) for dishes like ginataang gulay, laing, bicol express, or kakanin, the process was almos...

Lifted from Saga Sphere The Heat of the Pugon: Ancient Filipino Clay and Stone Ovens Long before modern kitchens were filled with stainless steel gas stoves, ovens, and electric appliances, the heart of the Filipino household pulsed with the glow of the pugon—a clay or stone oven that once defined our ancestors’ way of cooking. The pugon was more than just a cooking tool; it was a bridge between cultures, a sign of resilience, and a centerpiece of community life. In this story, we’ll rediscover its history, its uses, and why it remains a powerful reminder of Filipino ingenuity. The Origins of the Pugon The earliest forms of the pugon were believed to have come from Asian neighbors like China and India, where clay ovens had long been used. When Spanish colonizers arrived, they brought their own version of brick and stone ovens for baking bread and pastries. Filipinos, as always, adapted. They combined native clay and volcanic stone with Spanish design, creating ovens that could handle b...