Monday, December 15, 2008

Bush and the flying shoes in Iraq

Watch as US President George Bush ducks as a journalist threw not one, but a pair of shoes right in the middle of a press conference.

The journalist is currently detained, and the Iraqi government calls it a shameful act and has demanded an on air apology from the station where the journalist worked. Some people in Baghdad, however, consider the journalist their hero.

I doubt if GMA would have the same reflexes.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Camp Explore featured on Jessica Soho

Are you looking for a different kind of Christmas with friends? Why not go back to the basic and rediscover the real meaning of Christmas and the simple joys of the holidays?

Interested? Watch this video of Camp Explore as featured in Jessica Soho show in GMA.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Juana Change: Cha-Cha

Wanna Change OR WALA na Change?


Friends, please, do me a favor. DO THIS COUNTRY A FAVOR. Please watch this video until the end.

"Bless the President, so that she will have the forebearance, good health, tolerance, to lead this nation up to 2010 and perhaps, who knows, even beyond..."

I am praying that God was asleep when this prayer was said. God, please bless this country.

Do we really deserve her? Should we take her challenge? The answer is up to us. Wake up Filipinos!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Today

Yesterday is History
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
Today is a Gift

That's why it is called a Present.

-From Kungfu Panda

Congressman Manny Pacquiao

PacMan is running as  Congressman after all. If this is true, I would have to say sorry for thinking that he would run as senator. Bu who knows? It is too early to say. What's established is that he is entering politics again.

Well, at the very least, if Pacman will win as congressman, he will be with peers. A house of stupid or greedy people, or both. Unlike the senate, he will be at home in the House of Rep. But I doubt if the intelligent people of Quezon City will vote for him. I promise to camapign against him, even if I am from a different district. Watch out PacMan. You are not the luckiest man alive, I tell you.

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is giving politics another shot in 2010, but this time it will reportedly for the congressional seat of Quezon City’s second district, incumbent Representative Mary Ann Susano said Monday.


If plan pushes through, Susano said she and Pacquiao would be the team to beat in the city, which the incumbent solon envisions as the "Dragon City."


Susano said a group of businessmen and politicians arranged a meeting between her and Pacquiao before the boxer left for the US to train for his Dream Match with Oscar de la Hoya.


At the meeting, Pacquiao was asked if he was interested in running for Congress. Asked if Pacquiao appeared inclined to accept the offer, Susano said, "Yes."

Click here to read the entire news report.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Crap! Pacman Won!

It's sad day in Philippine history for me. God bless this country!

From Inquirer.net:

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao stopped Oscar de la Hoya Saturday, defying a disadvantage in size with a brutally dominant performance in their welterweight showdown.


Pacquiao's speed, power, and precision were too much for De la Hoya, whose left eye was swelling shut as he declined to come out for the ninth round. With the technical knockout, Pacquiao improved to 48-3 with two drawn and 36 wins inside the distance.

Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Council lightweight champion, moved up two weight classes to take the lucrative bout with De la Hoya, a 10-time world champion in six different weight classes who fell to 39-6 with 30 knockouts.

Read related news here.

The Generous PacMan?

With Manny "Pacquiao’s penchant for charity, his inability to say no, and his belief that everything he does in the name of giving is in accordance with what God’s mission for him,"* Manny is giving away P35,000,000.Yes, 35 Million!

Great, right? Wait until you know where he is spending it.

Manny spent the 35M or about  "$700,000 to purchase tickets to the “Dream Match” against Oscar De La Hoya so he can give them out to friends and supporters."* Well, what can you expect from the great Pacman.

Well, Mr. Fake Hero, I can think of better ways to spend your 35 million, which is in fact a tiny fraction of your expected 489 Million income from this so called Dream Match.

How to spend 35M? Let me count the ways:

1. Pay the tuition of more than 200 college students in UP for a full 4 year course.
2. Support the entire operational cost of 15 midsize NGO's for 3 years.
3. Provide more than 30,000 sacks of rice for distribution to the poorest of the poor in the Philippines.
4. Train more than 3,500 villages on ecological solid waste management.
5. Build 350 treeless houses that are fire, flood and earthquake proof.
6. Provide more than 30 doctors for 5 years to the remotest villages in the country.
6. Provide capital support to more than 700 women to start their own small enterprise.
7. Build more than 100 new classrooms.
8. Hire and support 250 new public school teachers for 1 year.
9. Provide free internet access to over 3,000 public schools for the entire year.
10. Provide clean drinking water to over 2,000 rural villages.

And oh yes, if you ask GMA, 35M can also be used to:
1. Buy 70 governors to support the Charter Change initiative.
2. Buy 35 bishops to support her, or vote against a CBCP call for her to resign.
3. Buy 170 congressmen, enough to make sure that the impeachment complaint will be junked.
4. Buy 35 generals of the AFP to keep the military "insulated" from the "political noise."
5. Get the services of ALL the killers-for-hire in the country to murder any journalist or political opponents who gets in her way.

I could think of a lot more ways to spend his millions, I am just an email away if he needs more suggestions.

I'm sure he will also give to "real" charity, but I doubt if it is even half that amount. And I am wondering, will Chavit Singson and Mike Arroyo get free tickets too? Just asking.

Win or loose, Pacman will earn an estimated 489 million pesos - at least. And in an unfortunate event that he will win, he may even receive 1 MILLION PESOS from GMA in Malacanang as gift to our "hero!"

I just hope that money was not from the tax payers. Mayber not, maybe it's from the fertilizer fund scam, or the ZTE kickbacks, or the Macapagal Boulevard overprice, or from the swine missing loans.

But wait, aren't all of those taxpayers' money?


*From Inquirer.net. Click here to read related news article.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

VoW: Olbermann to Bush: Shut the Hell Up


Wow! Why don't we have TV personalities with the same courage to tell a lame duck president (or in our case, a fake president!)

Why de la Hoya should win?

Or why would de la Hoya do a favor to the Philippines by defeating Manny Pacquiao?

As much as I admire Pacman as a boxer (A sport I don't understand by the way. When was it ok to hurt someone? When was it ok for thousands of people to cheer on 2 people killing each other? When was it ok for anyone to bet on who would suffer the most?), I can't bring myself to admire him as a person.

The way that he allowed himself to be used by the powers that be (and he will do it again!!!) in the name of Atienza and the Arroyo gang is enough reason to loose respect for the man. Speaking of Atienza, it still amazes me how he can provide a hero's welcome to a fake hero but ignore the real heroes in  his city - the teachers, the medical workers, etc. Manny, adopted son of Manila? So why did he hold his press conference in DENR and ignore the preparation of the City under Mayor Lim? It does speak of his character.

I also could not understand how the Church chose Manny to be their poster boy in their fight against the Reproductive Health Bill. The man is a womanizer for Christ' sake! He abandoned his own child from a mistress, and he makes kids every break from boxing! Manny for RH? Shame!

So why do I want Oscar to win?

Simple.

He needs to be humbled. Manny believes that if he can take de la Hoya, he can take the Senate next. Yes, he will allow himself to be used again by those crooked politicians. They need him in the senate to have another puppet, in addition to Revilla and Lapid of course. For who else who run under the administration ticket? Running is one thing, winning is another.

If Oscar will win, I hope it would be a wake up call for Manny. He cannot just take up any fight. There are fights that are beyond him. What will he do in the senate? Punch any senator who would object to his resolution making boxing the national sport? Where would he use his pork barrel, in building boxing gyms in every baranggay? Nice!

But honestly, I want him to loose for one more important reason.

I want his loss to be a wake up call for Filipinos. Manny represents a false hope to many of us. Young kids want to skip school and punch each other so they could be like their hero. And every fight of Manny, the country stops. Crimes go down. With every win, the entire country feels that we are ok.

But we are not OK. We have a corrupt government, poverty is not going down. If we can unite for one day to watch Manny fight, why can't we unite for one day to demand accountability from those in power? If people can spend thousands to bet on him or to watch him on live telecast, why can't we give to worthy causes. The theaters are packed every fight, but go to film festivals with enviornmental or social themes, and you will find an empty hall.

So yes, I may be alone in this country, but I am praying that Oscar will win. Manny's loss does not diminish my being Filipino. He was never my hero. He never will be, not unless he cut his ties with his crooked friends and distribute his wealth, even just a part of it, to the poorest in his province - but not as part of his campaign.

So Oscar, do my country a favor. But please don't make it too hard on him, let him reach the 12 round so the macho Filipino's can still claim that at least their hero fought till the end.

So we can continue to fool ourselves.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Just so we know who should suffer the death penalty

I am for capital punishment, if only for these people. They have betrayed us, and they will continue to betray us.

After 2010 (hopefully when we have a new president, but I know I am dreaming), then we will restore the death penalty. And those who voted (see list below) for dismissing the impeachment complaint should be lined up in Luneta and shot in the head.

Wait!

That is a great insult to Rizal. These people doesn't even deserve the gas chamber, that is too humane. They need to be cut into pieces and fed to the crocodiles. But I am not sure if the crocs will take them, even animals have taste you know. And these politicians do stench to the bones.

Are you represented by any of these bastards (and this is a very kind word for them)? Shame on you! Shame on you for not doing anything. Shame on Iloilo! I am ashamed of being Ilonggo, 4 of those who voted for dismissal are from Iloilo.

To all Ilonggos, are you proud of the people representing you? You have betrayed this country once by allowing yourself to be used by GMA in the last election (I am not sure if she cheated her way in Iloilo, or she was really voted by a lot of Ilonggos - but either way, it's disgusting! I am not sure which of the 2 is more disgusting!) and now look at what your "elected" officials are doing in your behalf. Will you vote for them again, if there will be an election indeed?

Prove to the world that Ilonggos are wise people. Dump these stupid offcials!

Now, check out this listing from Inquirer and see for yourself how you voted (because they represent you, unless you express your opposition otherwise):


Against Dismissing the Complaint
1. Minority Leader and San Juan Ronaldo Zamora
2. Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo
3. Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza
4. Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño
5. Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona
6. Makati Rep. Mar-Len Binay
7. Parañaque Rep. Rufus Rodriguez
8. South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio


For the Dismissal of the Complaint
1. Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro
2. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman
3. Baguio City Rep. Mauricio Domogan
4. Negros Oriental Rep. George Arnaiz
5. Iloilo Rep. Raul Gonzalez
6. Cebu Rep. Pablo John Garcia
7. Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco
8. Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier
9. Apec Rep. Edgar Valdez
10. Bohol Rep. Edgardo Chatto
11. Lanao del Sur Rep. Faysah Dumarpa
12. Leyte Rep. Eufrocino Codilla
13. Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Belma Cabilao
14. Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao
15. Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Antonio Cerilles
16. Masbate Rep. Rizalina Seachon Lanete
17. Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison
18. Bohol Rep. Roberto Cajes
19. Tawi Tawi Rep. Nur Jaafar
20. La Union Rep. Victor Ortega
21. Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong
22. Romblon Rep. Eleandro Madrona
23. Isabela Rep. Giorgido Aggabao
24. Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas
25. Quirino Rep. Junie Cua
26. Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga
27. Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Matugas
28. Sultan Kudarat Rep. Arnulfo Go
29. Manila Rep. Theresa Bonoan-David
30. Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas
31. Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita
32. Cebu Rep. Raul del Mar
33. Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong
34. Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia
35. Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor
36. Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin
37. Quezon City Rep. Bingbong Crisologo
38. Misamis Occidental Rep. Herminia Ramiro
39. Bukidnon Rep. Candido Pancrudo
40. Manila Rep. Zenaida Angping
41. Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Maranon (for Occidental Mindoro Rep. Amelita Villarosa)
42. Agusan Del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The Lion and the Lamb

Just finished watching the movie Twilight. It was in support of KaEskwela (see here). The movie was ok, but I would like to share this from the movie (not verbatim):

Edward: I feel like a lion falling in love with a lamb.
Bella: A stupid lamb.
Edward: ___ A masochist lion.

Nice! Hehehe I just doubt if indeed you can "unconditionally, irrevocably love someone," especially someone so different from you.

Sharing the movie trailer here.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

I am very angry!!!!

Today, the Committee on Justice of the Philippine's House of Representative's dismissed the impeachment complaint against GMA as insufficient in substance.

(You may read the news here.)

The vote was 42-8. What the hell????

Only a stupid person would think GMA is not guilty of any of the crimes enumerated in the complaint. Oh, I forgot. Maybe they are all stupid.

The report will now be forwarded to the plenary for adoption or rejection. Now we know that majority of the Committee on Justice members are stupid. Next, we will know if the entire House is composed of stupid people.

I believe only one third of the plenary is needed to transmit the complaint to the Senate. I hope this will not be reduced to a mere numbers game. Please, write your congressmen.

And finally, I would like to share this insight. With the allegations of 500,000 that was given to each of the congressmen, one is tempted to say "Mga buwaya talaga sila."

But my friends, I agree with my friends from the Crocodile Conservation in Isabela:  
It is a great injustice to the crocodiles!

Quote of the day

I just love this quote from Friedrich Nietzsche:

"Whoever aims publicly at great things and at length perceives secretly that he is too weak to achieve them, has usually also insufficient strength to renounce his aims publicly, and then inevitably becomes a hypocrite."

Happy Tuesday night everyone!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Time to lead

A comment from one of my posts, which I think is very important:

Last year, European government leaders agreed to a 30% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Now, with the downturn in the economy, that deal is under threat and they are offering a 20% percent reduction.

As a result, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and World Wildlife Fund through the coordination of the Climate Action Network (CAN) formed the campaign Time to Lead . Time to Lead is a movement that urges European citizens and organisations to act by contacting local legislators and issuing support of the 30 percent reduction in Europe’s own carbon emissions by 2020. Citizens act by joining the ‘call to action’ at http://www.timetolead.eu/.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

More on Plastic

Adapted from "The Green Guide" #77, The Green Guide Institute.

With all the recent press about plastics leaching harmful chemicals into food, we want to be sure we’re using the safest materials in our children’s lunchboxes.

Get the scoop on which plastics are safe to use right here:

Chemicals that leach from plastic containers into food include suspected carcinogens or endocrine disrupters, which have been linked to reproductive system harm. Plastic used for containers can be identified by their recycling codes, as listed in this article.

Most wraps on pre-packaged foods lack identifying symbols. Here is a great list from The Green Guide Institute from which you can tell at a glance the plastics that are safe for food storage and those that aren’t:

As a precaution, you can unwrap these foods and store them in nontoxic glass, ceramic or steel bowls, or Ziploc bags (made of LDPE). Heat promotes leaching:

To be safest, never microwave or heat foods in plastics.

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET): No known hazards.

2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): No known hazards.

3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or vinyl): Plasticizers are added to many PVC products to make them flexible. These include phthalates — suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), DEHA, another possible EDC, was found to leach from PVC cling wraps into cheese. Grocery stores commonly use PVC to wrap deli meats and cheeses. Reyonds cling wrap is PVC. Some waters and vegetable oils are bottled in PVC. Ad PVC’s manufacture and incineration produces highly toxic dioxins, as does the PVDC used in Saran Wrap, according to Consumers Union.

4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): No known hazards.

5. Polypropylene (PP): No known hazards.

6. Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam): Made from styrene, a suspected carcinogen, PS also contains p-nonylphenol; both chemicals are suspected EDCs. Do not consumer fatty foods or alcoholic beverages from Styrofoam containers; styrene can leach into these substances. Some opaque plastic cutlery is PS, as well.

7. Other Resins, including Polycarbonate (PC): Most clear plastic baby bottles and 5-gallon water bottles are made of PC. Bisphenol-A EDC in PC, has been found in water and heated infant formulas bottles in PC, as well as food cans lined with a plastic film.

For some more great tips on how and why to reduce your use of plastics –and for which ones are the biggest concern for your health and the environment — read these new guidelines from The Green Guide Institute .

This article was reprinted from “The Green Guide” newsletter, a publication of The Green Guide Institute. Since 1994, “The Green Guide” has been a premier consumer source for practical everyday actions benefiting environmental and personal health. Want more practical solutions that benefit the environment and personal health? Subscribe online to The Green Guide.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Least Evil Among Plastics

Choose your water bottles very carefully in order to prevent chemicals in the plastic from leaching into your water.

Plastic water bottles are very convenient for carting water around when we are on the go, as they don't break if we drop them. However, it is worth paying attention to the type of plastic your water bottle is made of, to ensure that the chemicals in the plastic do not leach into the water. If you taste plastic, you are drinking it, so get yourself another bottle.

To be certain that you are choosing a bottle that does not leach, check the recycling symbol on your bottle. If it is a #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), or a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene), your bottle is fine. The type of plastic bottle in which water is usually sold is usually a #1, and is only recommended for one time use. Do not refill it. Better to use a reusable water bottle, and fill it with your own filtered water from home and keep these single-use bottles out of the landfill.

Unfortunately, those fabulous colourful hard plastic lexan bottles made with polycarbonate plastics and identified by the #7 recycling symbol, may leach BPA. Bisphenol A is a xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor, meaning it disturbs the hormonal messaging in our bodies. Synthetic xenoestrogens are linked to breast cancer and uterine cancer in women, decreased testosterone levels in men, and are particularly devastating to babies and young children. BPA has even been linked to insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes. For more of the science on the effects of BPA on our endocrine system etc. see these studies: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal. Nalgene, the company that manufactures the lexan water bottles also makes #2 HDPE bottles in the same sizes and shapes, so we have a viable alternative.

Unfortunately, most plastic baby bottles and drinking cups are made with plastics containing Bisphenol A. In 2006 Europe banned all products made for children under age 3 containing BPA, and as of Dec. 2006 the city of San Franscisco followed suit. In March 2007 a billion-dollar class action suit was commenced against Gerber, Playtex, Evenflo, Avent, and Dr. Brown's in Los Angeles superior court for harm done to babies caused by drinking out of baby bottles and sippy cups containing BPA. So, to be certain that your baby is not exposed, use glass bottles.
Check the recycling numbers on all your plastic food containers as well, and gradually move to storing all food in glass or ceramic.

Store water in glass or brass if possible, and out of direct sunlight.

From http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/2007/03/29/plastic_water_bottles

Friday, October 3, 2008

The Seven Types of Plastic

Why are most plastics marked with a number inside a recycling symbol? The simple answer is that each number represents the type of resin made to produce the plastic.

Because each resin is different, these numbers affect how and where you can recycle plastics. You don’t have to remember the name. Plastics are identified by numbers 1-7.

Here’s some common products you’ll find of each type:

#1 PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)*: soda bottles, oven-ready meal trays and water bottles

#2 HDPE (High-density polyethylene)*: milk bottles, detergent bottles and grocery/trash/retail bags

#3 PVC (Polyvinyl chloride): plastic food wrap, loose-leaf binders and plastic pipes

#4 LDPE (Low-density polyethylene): dry cleaning bags, produce bags and squeezable bottles

#5 PP (Polypropylene): medicine bottles, aerosol caps and drinking straws

#6 PS (Polystyrene): compact disc jackets, packaging Styrofoam peanuts and plastic tableware

#7 Other: reusable water bottles, certain kinds of food containers and Tupperware

*PET and HDPE are the most common forms of plastic, so they are the easiest to find recycling locations for

From www.earth911.org

Thursday, October 2, 2008

The Plastic Age

We currently live in the 'Plastics Age' with a total consumption of about 182 million tonnes of polymers per year. Of this, polypropylene is 24 t
o 25 per cent and all polyethylenes, about 40 per cent. This industry has grown phenomenally in the last century. Its growth within this period will be of interest to many.

Human race has always progressed by using raw materials around. Growth from 'Stone Age' to 'Plastics Age' has been very rapid. Use of plastics within the last century and in particular, after World War II has increased exponentially.

Plastic is not a uniformly defined term. Its origin is from the Greek word 'Plasticos', which means 'to form or mould'.
Plastics can broadly be defined or described as materials composed essentially of very large molecules (called macromolecules or polymers) which may be natural, semi natural (modified natural) or synthesised from small molecules, termed as monomers.

At times, plastics and polymers are used as synonyms in the colloquial world. Some prefer to differentiate the two by defining plastics as made by compounding polymer and additives. Polyvinyl chloride is a polymer, but when compounded with a plasticiser and the thermal stabiliser, it may be termed as a plastic.

Some polymers may not need any additives and these can be used as such in their virgin form. It is preferable to use the word polymer instead of plastic, as the word polymer denotes big or giant molecules. 'Poly' means many and 'mer' indicates substance.

Classification of Polymers

Polymers can be classified based on their end uses or origin of raw materials.

Classification based on End-uses

This type of classification also highlights different market and key properties depending upon specific use. Thus, adhesives need totally different properties from materials used as consumer goods like packaging films, ice cream cups, paints or moulded furniture.

Thermoset Polymers: Thermosets were the early polymers made synthetically. The first totally synthetic polymer, Phenol, Formaldehyde was, in fact, thermoset in nature, its moulding powder, polyurethane foams used in sofa seats, automobile seats or the 'setting adhesives' are examples of thermoset resins. Thermoset materials 'set' when heated (thermal effect). One can imagine boiling of an egg. The yolk becomes hard or it is 'set'. Once it is set, it cannot be reprocessed again. It does not become liquid again.

Thermoplastic Polymers: Thermoplastic materials melt when heated and can be shaped as desired. They can be reheated and melted several times. Polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon, polyester and PVC are examples of thermoplastic polymers. Today, production of thermoplastic polymer is several times that of thermoset polymers.

Rubber: Rubber can be natural or synthetic, such as styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber or isoprene. The high impact is the key property for rubber.

Fibers: Polymers for fibers need different properties as compared to rubber or thermoplastics used in furniture or in milk packaging. Fibers have textile and non-textile applications. For textile applications, dyeability, washability, lightness and comfort on feel are major properties; while that for non-textile use, solvent resistance or tenacity may be of importance. Polyester and nylon are commonly used in textile applications, whereas polypropylene has properties suitable for non textile use.

Adhesives: These polymers must have a good adhesion between different substrates and good bonding strength. It should be easy to apply on the surface. Poly vinyl alcohol, epoxy polymers or cyno acrylic polymers are examples of adhesives.

Paints and Inks: These polymers should have a film forming ability, good flow properties and sufficient tack to the surface on which they are applied. They should be able to incorporate large quantities of pigments. Inks on paper or plastics have different properties. Alkyd polymers, polyesters, epoxy polymers or amino polymers are common examples.

Classification of Polymers based on Origin of Raw Materials

Polymers can be classified based upon their origin, as:

Natural Polymers: These occur as macromolecules or polymers in their natural form. Cellulose, starch, sugar, lignin etc. have plant origin. Other materials such as shellac, wool etc. have animal origin. All these materials are natural polymers. They exist in nature. It is interesting to know that different starches behave differently due to difference in their spatial structure although their chemical formulae are the same.

Semi-Natural or Modified Natural Polymers: Most natural polymers cannot be used in their virgin or native form, but can be chemically modified. Thus, cellulose when treated chemically (acetylated) yields cellulose acetate, which can be spun into fibre, extruded or injection moulded. Carboxy methyl cellulose, CMC, dissolves in water but cellulose itself does not. Thus, cellulose acetate or CMC can be classified as semi-natural polymers.

Synthetic Polymers: These are made from monomers through a chemical reaction, called polymerisation. Polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polyester etc. are examples of synthetic polymers. Although synthetic polymers outnumber natural polymers, the total quantum of natural polymers is far greater than synthetic polymers.


(Source: Prof. D.D. Kale, Ex-HOD, Polymer Department, UICT, Mumbai)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Thank you, CIC!

I recently gave a talk on Environmental Protection and Preservation to the faculty and students of College of Immaculate Conception in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. It's a month long celebration of CIC's Social Responsibility with the theme "Kalikasan Ating Kinabukasan... Kilos na! (KKK).

It was a challenging talk. I usually have my trusted PowerPoint Presentation with me, but this time, I have to do without it... almost. Because there were about 2000 students, the only venue that is available is the open gymnasium with broad daylight that made LCD projection almost impossible. But, as one teacher aptly put it, it was a blessing in disguise as the students were forced to use their creative imagination as I describe my set of photos.

What I initially feared as a challenging talk turned out to be one of my most memorable talks to ever give. The students were all excellent, they were all cooperative and participative despite the technical glitches and the heat.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire CIC community for the warm welcome you have afforded me. I hope something positive will come out of this event. I'm looking forward to seeing CIC be the first plastic-free school in Cabanatuan and in Nueva Ecija.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

GMA and my capacity to hate

I've been hurt for so many times, and yet I hate no one. I initially thought I am not capable of hating anyone. Be angry yes, often in fact. But hate? No way!

We might fight today, but next week, I won't even remember what we fought about.

That is until there is GMA. You have to give it to her. Even the most Christian among us would find it hard not to see all the evil deeds that she has done. From stealing our votes, corrupting our bishops, buying our governors and mayors, killing our journalists and those in the opposition, desecrating our constitution, selling our land to the Japanese (JPEPA), stealing from public funds (duh, as if this has to be mentioned), abusing our very basic human rights, to telling us that she is the best person to lead this country! The list is endless. And these are the general ones. Of course, we have the macapagal boulevard, NAIA 3, north rail, ZTE, etc!

How the other 80 million great Filipinos were not insulted when she said that she is the beast, the best I mean, person to lead this country is beyond me. I wanted to puke when I heard it!

I was initially sorry that I wasn't able to join EDSA 2 (because I was in the province) but now I am just glad I wasn't part of those who put her in power. Of course, I'm not blaming those who went to EDSA 2. I'm sure they all had good intentions, except probably for GMA and her cronies.

Who could have known that the Vice President that was so silent until it was sure that Erap will be ousted did make her stand and offer herself as an alternative. The nerve!

At least, Erap was elected. In a democracy, you deserve the leaders that you elect. But in GMA's case, she rigged the elections and stole the vote (Hello, Garci? I am sorry...), we do not deserve anything that she could give us.

She is not my president. And God will understand me for hating GMA with all that I am. Anyway, I have no desire of killing her. That would be too nice and easy. Yes, she doesn't deserve the death penalty - she's far too worst than that.

What could be worst than living until you're 80, inside a solitary cell, with 80 million Filipinos hating you?

You tell me.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Brain Damaging Habits

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level.
This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.


6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.


8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain

(Oh NO! I'm guilty of Numbers 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. My excuse? They say, for our brain cells, it's also the survival of the fittest. Meaning, when you do these things, you kill the cells that are not halthy, and you are left with good and healthy cells only. Haha... Yeah, right!)

How do we change the world?

One Act of Random Kindness at a time.

- Evan Almighty

(Just finished watching the movie - credits still showing as I type this entry with God issuing a new Commandment: Thou shall do the dance!)

Wow! I can't believe I cried again. From this movie no less. Especially when God spoke to the wife after they left him to build the ark. One story that I learned, or relearned I should say, is that:

When you pray to God for patience, He wouldn't give you patience but rather He would give you the opportunity to be patient.

When you pray for courage, He will not give you courage but will give you the opportunity to be courageous.

Nice, right? I am currently rediscovering my Faith and this movie is very timely.

A very wonderful movie to watch on a lazy Saturday. 4.5/ 5

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Trivia 1

The amount of garbage dumped in the ocean is three times the weight of the fish caught in it.

Think again.

(From National Geographic)

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Quote 2

One doesn't recognize the really important moments in one's life until it's too late.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Agatha Christie

I now know who Agatha Christie is. Shame on me. Am I the only one who doesn't know her?

Apparently, she is the "Queen of Crime" - not for the crimes she committed but for the crime novels, plays and short stories she wrote.

The Guiness Book of World Records, among others, calls her the best selling writer of books of all time, and one of the best selling writer of any kind (along with William Shakespeare!!!). She has sold more than four billion copies, and only the Bible has outsold her. (From Wikipedia)

Wow! Now I want to grab a copy of any of her books. Anyone kind enough to lend me one? Hehe

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Quote 1

I was browsing my own site (since no one else does hehehe) and I found this interesting quote from Agatha Christie (I still don't know who she is) and I think this is worth sharing.

"I didn't want to work. It was as simple as that. I distrusted work, disliked it. I thought it was a very bad thing that the human race had unfortunately invented for itself."

I guess I have to agree, huh? How about you?

Joke Time: The State of Philippine Criminal Affairs

The NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), and the PNP (Philippine National Police) get into an argument over who is the best at apprehending criminals.

The President decides to test them. She releases a rabbit into a forest and each of them has to catch it.

Continue reading here.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

20 Great One Liners

 I came across this email while I was cleaning my Inbox and I thought this is worth sharing. Enjoy!

1. Regular naps prevent old age... especially if you take them while driving.
2. Having one child makes you a parent; having two makes you a referee.
3. Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other is the husband!
4. They said we should all pay our tax with a smile. I tried- but they wanted cash.
5. A child's greatest period of growth is the month after you've purchased new school uniforms.
6. Don't feel bad. A lot of people have no talent.
7. Don't marry the person you want to live with, marry the one you cannot live without... but whatever you do, you'll regret it later.
8. You can't buy love. But you pay heavily for it.
9. True friends stab you in the front.
10. Forgiveness is giving up my right to hate you for hurting me.
11. Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.
12. Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.
13. My wife and I always compromise. I admit I'm wrong and she agrees with me.
14. Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.
15. Ladies first. Pretty ladies sooner.
16. It doesn't matter how often a married man changes his job, he still ends up with the same boss.
17. They call our language the mother tongue because the father seldom gets to speak.
18. Saving is the best thing. Especially when your parents have done it for you.
19. Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools talk because they have to say something.
20. Real friends are the ones who survive transitions between address books.

How many do you agree with? Leave a comment :)

A lousy blogger...

I admit, I am a lousy blogger.

Before, I didn't like blogging, in fact, I hated blogging.Only because I hate writing (or typing, as the case maybe), just the same way I hate texting! Just let me talk for hours, even the entire day, I'm game. Or let me read 24 hours straight, I'm game - just don't let me write.

I think it has something to do with my thoughts being too fast that my hands can't catch up. And it really frustrates me. I am also not a good typist. In fact, I am known for my typos when chatting (taht you cam read tihs is amazign).

So what am I doing here?

Oh well, I have always wanted to share my thoughts - in fact I enjoy doing it so much that's why I enjoy giving talks and seminars here and there and everywhere.

Again, I wish to emphasize, I am here to share so if I have typo errors, grammatical errors, or whatever error that may be, I hope you can forgive me. I am a lousy blogger and writer for one reason: I don't like re-reading and reviewing what I have written, so there will be errors along the way.

But then again, I'm here to share so I hope you can forgive those errors.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Look Ma, No Straw!

The straw is the most stupid invention, and only stupid people use stupid invention.

 
Straw is made out of plastic, and just like all other plastics, it would take thousands of years to disintegrate. Come to think of it, why would you use straw to drink a glass of ice tea? Is the glass dirty? Is it heavy that you can't lift to your mouth? People lived for thousands of years without straw, but why do some of us feel that we can't live without straws?

One friend asked before, "How about my Starbucks?"


Well, as the two pictures would tell you, it is possible. Yes, indeed it looks "jologs" or cheap, but I'd rather be cheap than stupid! What else would you call someone who knows one thing is not right and yet he/she keeps on doing it?

In the very rare occasion that I am inside a coffee shop (often for a meeting as I would never pay 180+ for drink voluntarily!!!!), I make sure that we use spoon. Yes, we do get some stares when we use spoon in our refreshments, but for us it is also a way to educate others about our advocacy. 
(And I would like to add, I do feel it is a crime against humanity to spend 150 pesos ($3+) for a cup of coffee when millions of people worldwide can't even drink a glass of clean water and thousands more die because of hunger. Your cup of coffee is more expensive the what most people spend for their entire meals for a day. And with your three cups of coffee, you can already sponsor one child for a month with World Vision.)


They say people use straw for convenience. I say people use straw out of selfishness. We'd rather pollute our one and only earth, destroy the habitat of other species and leave a legacy of garbage to the future generation than the inconvenience of not using straw.
 
With fellow Add Up! volunteers, Ryan and Cris
We don't need to change the world, let us be the change that the world needs. 
Join Add Up! Volunteers LAST STRAW CAMPAIGN! Be counted.

I am going home

I am in a crossroad. I am about to make one of the biggest decisions of my life.

And for this, I need to take some time off to reflect on what I really want and where will I be in the future. I am going home. I have been to so many places but there's no place like home - Guimaras and Iloilo.

And I am very excited to take this break. I am free. I need to be free.

I recently resigned from Mother Earth, from Camp Explore and from all of my other commitments. Tomorrow, I will be ending a two year relationship. I am crazy, I know that. But I need to do all of this. I need to be free. Only when I am free that I can make the right decisions.

I know I made a lot of people sad. I am truly sorry. But this is something bigger than all that I have right now. I can't share it yet, maybe when I have made that choice already I can share it here. But not now. I guess I can tell you that it is a choice between living a life that I want or living a life that I should. Soon.

I am excited. I am scared. But I know, once I made that choice, there's no turning back. Wish me luck!

Monday, July 7, 2008

How much paper have you used today?

In the US, the per capita paper use is 297/kg /person/ day while those in Cambodia use 2kg/person/ day. The world average is 54.

Watch the video and know these and other surprising facts here.

Paper or Plastic?

Choose REUSABLE! Why? Watch this video and see why.



Sometimes we assume that when choosing between paper and plastic, paper is the better choice. Yes, better may be but definitely not the best choice. Yes, paper comes from a renewable resource and is biodegradable - traits no shared by plastics. Still, we have to remember that these things all came from somewhere. And do we know where? Please do watch this video and discover these amazing facts:

World's Paper use has increased five fold since the 1960's
Per capita paper use is (kg/day/person) 324 in Finland, 297 in the US, 50 in Thailand and 2 in Cambodia (World average is 54)
Half of all the paper produced is used for packaging
Only 1/3 is used for writing or printing, mostly for advertising
In the US alone, 20 billion catalogs are being distributed every year and
90 billion Junk mails are being sent ot every year
The Pulp and paper industry is No. 1 in freshwater use
5th industry in energy use
3rd industry in emitting green house gasses

And a lot more!

So the next time you use a piece of paper, remember these facts.

How can we help? Well, aside from forcing the government and the industry to change, we can helping our own little way by:

1. First and foremost, reducing our paper use.
2. Second, reuse what we can. The other side maybe, or that envelope? Everything!
3. Recycle after. In the Philippines, we have to import used paper for recycling because not many people segregate their waste paper for recycling. Remember, keep it dry and clean!

Watch out for specific tips on how to reduce your paper waste in my next posts.

Greatest Love Story (1)


This has got to be the best story I've ever heard!

I've watched this video over 20 times and I still cry every time. As I've read in one of the comments, if only all the dads in the world are half a dad or half a man that Dick Hoyt is, the world will be a great place indeed!

This Dad and Son Team is one of my personal heroes. Indeed, YOU CAN!

This is a salute to all the great dads in the world. This is also a salute to the greatest man in my life, my dad - Frisco.

I love you Tatay!

Strange

What you see may not be what it is you think you are seeing. Try this one.


If you watch the above images from your seat in front of the computer,
Mr.Angry is on the left, and Mrs.Calm is on the right.
Get up from your seat, and move back about eight feet!!
They switch places!!
This illusion was created by Phillippe G. Schyns and Aude Oliva
of the Univiversity of Glasgow.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

8/11: My Cry

This is a repost from my Friendster blog.

I wrote this article when my beloved hometown - the island of Guimaras was struck with the worst oil spill in Philippine history. This article was subsequently published in some national newspapers, reposted on various websites and blogs and passed around various egroups.

***

I will forever be proud of being a Guimarasnon. More than the sweetest mangoes in the world and the most pristine beaches, more than the rich marine resources and endangered species like the turtles and the dugong, I take pride in the warm and resilient people of Guimaras.

I always dream of letting the world know of my beautiful hometown, of reading it the headlines of news papers, and of seeing on TV. But I never thought that this dream would turn into a nightmare. Finally, we are on the news. In fact, we are the news. We finally have a place in the history of this country – for having one of the worst (or the worst, incase the remaining oil would leak out) oil spill in the country.

I cried when I heard the news. I am not sure if I cried because of the oil spill and its effects, or because of how everyone reacted (or their silence). It’s sad when some would worry about the possibility of the spill reaching Boracay, when they have a disaster in front of them. It’s sad to know that our Coast Guard does not have the capabilities to respond to these emergencies. It’s sad to know that it would take more than a week for our national government to respond, only to say this is more than we can handle.

It’s sad to know that this oil spill is partly caused by an incompetent ship captain – causing damage to an island where some people are successful sea farers abroad. And it is sad for Petron to say that technically it is the responsibility of shipping company to clean up the mess. It sounded as if the people of Guimaras owe it to Petron for helping in the clean up of this mess. They are willing to share in the profits, but we owe it to them when they respond to the consequences of their negligence.

And the saddest story of all, after a few weeks of publicity, the world will forget the story of Guimaras. And we will forget whatever lessons we have learned from this tragedy – despite the fact that we have to pay a very high price to learn this lesson. Will the people of Guimaras get justice? Will we pass legislations to ensure that this never happen again? The future is darker than the oil spilled on the beaches of this island.

What is for sure is that the affected communities will definitely suffer for years – from lost livelihood to health problems, and for a home ravaged to point where it never will be where it was once. We are a happy people in a poor province. We see our roads paved one kilometer every election year, if we’re lucky. We have a barangay that does not have a budget, and thus no health center, no day care and other social services. We have seen our lands and beaches sold to foreigners. But we will always have hope, and we will remain to be just like our mangoes – the sweetest in the world.

I cried. But that’s not the end of it.

Froilan Grate

10 Little Things you can do for the Environment

1. Use a glass when brushing your teeth. Every year, we are wasting billions of liters of fresh water by simply not using a glass when brushing our teeth.

2. Don’t use straws. As they say the straw is the most stupid invention. They are unnecessary and only add to our waste problem.

3. Say NO to plastics when shopping. Bring your own reusable bags when doing your grocery. When buying single items like a book or cd, a plastic bag or even a paper bag is unnecessary.

To continue reading the post, please click here.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Birthday Video

A friend of mine prepared this video for my birthday. What a wonderful gift! And I'm happy to share this with you.



Video Courtesy of Jo B. Thank you very much :)

Contact Me

Thank you for your interest to contact me. I would love to hear your comments or your questions.

Below are the ways that you can reach me:

By email: froilan[at]greenminds.net
(substituting [at] with @, just my way of avoiding thousands of spam)

By YM: dnonconformist

Keep them coming.

About Me

You don't really have to read this post unless you want to know me more.



OK, if you're really interested, here it is. Don't tell me I didn't warn you :)



My name is Froilan, but you may call me Froi. I'm Poy to my close friends.



I am an environmental educator, trainer and consultant. I am also a businessman and and a web developer.



Currently, I am connected with the following organizations:



Add Up! Volunteers, as its Chairman and Founding member. If you want to know more about Add Up!, please visit our website here.



Mother Earth Foundation, as its Vice President for Special Projects and as member of the Board of Trustees. If you want to know more about MEF, click here.



Camp Explore, as its Program Director and Head of Environmental Education. For more information, please visit the website here.



I am also a member of various environmental organization, if you want to know more, please visit my other blog Inside a Green Mind where I will showcase my advocacies.





I am a proud Ilonggo, growing up in Jaro, Iloilo and Guimaras where I had the best time of my life.



I studied elementary and high school in Colegio de San Jose - one of the oldest schools in Iloilo and the Philippines.



I spent my first year of college in UP Visayas, where we climb mountains and go the the beach to celebrate flunking our Algebra exams.



On my second year, I transferred to UP Diliman where I met some great people who are friends up to now.



My first job was with the Center for Environmental Awareness an Education. I will be writing a separate post on this experience.



What else can I share?



Oh well, I know I'm a bit crazy. I am a non conformist, a hard headed bull - being the taurean that I am. I enjoy traveling, whether alone or with friends (visit my travel blog - Lonely Pinoy Traveler).



I enjoy reading, from the newspaper used to wrap dried fish to novels by John Grisham and Ayn Rand, to Readers Digest and Time Magazine, to National Geographic - whatever I can lay my hands and eyes on.



I enjoy eating, from home cooked comfort foods to Thai and Viet Cuisine, to cakes and salads to Chocolates, I love them all. I used to not like Jap and Chinese foods thinking they are full of meow hairs, but now I ply the Chinatown and I super dig california maki! Yumm!



I don't like to party the traditional way. I don't like going to the bars. I would prefer to host a small party at home. I rarely drink and I don't smoke. (I will be writing a separate article on smoking soon.)



I love the beach and the mountains. I climb mountains regularly and I get my tan (or sun burn hehehe) the natural way - by spending countless hours under the sun.



I hate texting! I would rather talk with someone face to face.



That's it for now. If there are other things you want to know, I would love to hear from you. Otherwise, please keep coming back to this site and get to know one crazy guy and his take on things.



Padayon!

Welcome

Hello!

Welcome to my site and thank you for visiting.

This is my first post here. This site will be a collection of articles from my other two blogs (Inside a Green Mind and Lonely Pinoy Traveler) as well as select articles on other issues and topics that I am interested in. I will also be posting some personal stuff on this site.

My name is Froilan, and if you want to know more about me, I will be posting my profile in my next articles.

I will also be posting articles about my other two blogs later, but to sum it up, here is a brief description:

Inside a Green Mind
In this site, I will be writing about my advocacies, namely environment and volunteerism. To find out more about these advocacies, please check out the above blog.

Lonely Pinoy Traveler

In this site, I will be writing about my travels. Wondering about the title? Find out in my next posts or by visiting the blog.

I hope you will enjoy your visit and hope to see you back soon.

Padayon!
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