Wednesday, October 26, 2005

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW

This information is from Greenpeace Southeast Asia: Food Safety is an important concern of all societies. Consumers anywhere in the world are wary of the rpesence of pathogens, pesticide residues, and other toxic chemicals in their food. There are especailly serious concerns about the safety of eating Genetically Engineered (GE) Foods. Because Genetical Engineering is based on the random insertion of genes, it can produce unintended and unexpected effects. The long term implications on human health of eathing GE Foods are also not known (and have not been investigated).

According to the Royal Society of London, a prestigious group of independent scientists, babies and infants are especailly vulnerable to allergies and changes in the nutirtional composition of their diet. A mandatory labelling system allows consumers to avoid these risks.

Sadly, Numerous bills on labelling are found in both our hosues of congress. However, these have never progressed beyond their filing, and to dat, no committee deliberations have been done to inform consumers about the items they are buying.

Need more info? Log on to www.greenpeacesoutheastasia.org

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Some Restored Drawings of Clan Houses by My Grandfather Tomas

Note: All the drawings below were drawn by the then 83-year old "Lolo Chief" (My grandfather, Tomas Torre Banares). All were Drawn in March-April 1979 in their home in Bacacay, Albay.
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The above drawing shows the house of Tomas & Crispina Banares where teir son Onesimo (Oning) was born.
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Friday, October 14, 2005

SUPPORTING EMERGENCY RULE

Talks are ripe about Malacanang's alleged plan to use the power of the president to dclare emergency rule. This plan has been criticized by members of the opposition and the militant groups who are now afraid of the very ghost they created. I for one support this plan to impose emergency rule for several reasons: (1) this is to show that congress and the opposition are not int he position to dictate their whims on the commander-in-chief; (2) That the presidency is still equipped to utilize available means of controlling the country's continued downspiral due to the opposition's unabated thrist for power; and (3) to show that the constitution (yes, the Cory constitution) has given the president such remedies, the same powers which Cory and her gang of power-hungry cronies are now eager to condemn. Damn! Corazon Aquino and Susan Roces have gone far in their lives only to be pushed back into the primeval ooze by those politicians who have decided to crawl out and wreak havoc on our poor country. The likes of Lacson, Pimentel et al belong in jail and if I am the president, order their immediate arrests and summary execution. to hell with these destabilizers. The country is losing so much because of some oppositionists' lust for power --- even going to great lengths such as spying on other foreign powers just to destabilzie the government. i say kill all destabilizers on the spot. And to those civilians who are rumored to be arming themselves to protect GMa should she be forced out of office through extra-constitutional means, remember the words of Paul Revere: To arms! To Arms! We should be ready... armed and ready to fight for the country against these power-hungry destabilziers.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DOCTOR KHO

Doctor Lorenzo Kho of Sto. Domingo, Quezon City celebrated his birthday on the day of the Feast of the Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Nuestra Senora de Santissima Rosario de La Naval de Manila) on October 9. Doc, as he is known to most of his friends and acquaintances, opened his house to friends and relatives around luch, serving food and drinks to guests. The party went on until early morning of October 10. From the barkada, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOC!

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Prof. Astrologio laid to rest

It was a rainy Saturday morning. Friends, family and students of Prof. Crispin Astrologio gathered at the Royal Chapel of St. Peter Funeral Homes in Quezon City to pay their last respects. I headed the necrological service which followed the morning mass. The day before, i received a fax from Vice Governor Vicnent Villaluna of Catanduanes. He said he could not make it to the service, but he sent his eulogy via fax, which i read. It was a touching eulogy honoring the man who has inspired many of us, his former students, to do well. After the service, a convoy of about fifteen vehicles traversed the long road from Quezon City to Loyola Paranaque. Rain was pouring down hard on the convoy of cars led by the hearse. The rain let up a bit as the convoy entered the memorial park. As the group of people attending the burial gathered around his casket for the last time, i looked around. Familiar and unfamiliar faces alike were crying as his casket's lid was closed. As his casket was being lowered into the damp earth, a slight drizzle marked a final farewell to the man we called Astro.