(No Hope?)

Typhoon Frank (Fengshen) ravaged the Philippines today. At least 80 people were confirmed dead as of posting but this number is expected to rise. A Sulpicio Lines passenger ship, MV Princess of the Stars, with more than 700 passengers capsized off Romblon. As soon as I read the news by sms from the Philippines, I hurriedly booted my notebook to check the PAGASA website and verify the typhoon status. PAGASA is the acronym for Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. PAGASA coincidentally means HOPE in the Filipino vernacular. The government office is supposed to be the forecasting authority in times of calamities such as typhoons, earthquakes and tsunamis in the country.

My jaw dropped when the laptop screen gave me this:

It read: “The connection has timed out/The server at www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph is taking too long to respond…Try Again.”

So I did try again, and again and again and again and again and again… After the nth refresh, I finally succeeded. The PAGASA site announced:

—————

Public Storm Warning Signals elsewhere now lowered.

Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes under typhoon signals are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under signals 2 and 3 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this typhoon.

Typhoon “Frank” will continue to enhance the Southwest Monsoon and bring rains over the Western sections of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5:00 p.m. today.

—————

How vague can a weather warning get? Where is elsewhere? What do “take all necessary precautions” and “take appropriate actions” mean? What should people do to make it “appropriate”?

I can’t help but compare PAGASA with its counterpart in Hong Kong, the HK Observatory. It is super hot here today. The HK Observatory through its website warned:

—————

VERY HOT WEATHER WARNING

Very Hot Weather Warning

The Very Hot Weather Warning is now in force.

The Hong Kong Observatory is forecasting very hot weather
in Hong Kong tomorrow. The risk of heatstroke is high.

When engaged in outdoor work or activities, do drink plenty
of water and avoid over exertion. If not feeling well, take
a rest in the shade or cooler place as soon as possible.

People staying indoors without air-conditioning should keep
windows open as far as possible to ensure that there is
adequate ventilation.

The Hong Kong Observatory advises that prolonged exposure
under sunlight is to be avoided. Loose clothing, suitable
hats and UV-absorbing sunglasses can reduce the chance of
sunburn by solar ultraviolet radiation.

Swimmers and those taking part in outdoor activities should
use a sunscreen lotion of SPF 15 or above, and should
re-apply it frequently.

—————

Now, that is very specific! People are instructed about what to do and what not to do. The advisory even gives suggestion to swimmers: use SPF 15 sunscreen lotion! My God, we have a killer typhoon in the Philippines. More than 80 are dead (and counting)… More than 20 typhoons hit the country every year, yet PAGASA can only advise to “TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION!!!”

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Read similar post at duskfading’s blog

Good News

The Philippine Central Bank reports an expected increase of about 10% in total cash remittances by OFWs from last year. Total remittance for 2008 will be around $16.45 billion; a real boost for the country despite the global economic slowdown.

Bad News

New illegal migrant rules in the European Union will affect more than 94,000 irregular OFWs. They will face expulsion, detention of up to 18 months and/or a five-year re-entry ban.

Questions

What will the Philippine government do to help OFWs facing expulsion from the EU? Will they always be quick on the math with regards to remittances yet slow in formulating action plans for OFWs in distress? WHEN WILL THE MILKING STOP?

References:

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20080621-143956/Central-bank-sees-08-OFW-remittances-at-1645B

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20080620-143800/New-EU-rules-may-affect-94000-irregular-OFWs-in-Europe

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7460007.stm

I got this from a forwarded email.

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Economic Models explained with Cows - 2008 update

SOCIALISM
You have 2 cows.
You give one to your neighbour.

COMMUNISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and gives you some milk.

FASCISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and sells you some milk.

BUREAUCRATISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and then throws the milk away.

TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM
You have two cows.
You sell one and buy a bull.
Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows.
You sell them and retire on the income.

SURREALISM
You have two giraffes.
The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.

AN AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows.
Later, you hire a consultant to analyse why the cow has dropped dead.

ENRON VENTURE CAPITALISM
You have two cows.
You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows.
The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island Company secretly owned by the majority shareholder who sells the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company.
The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more.
You sell one cow to buy a new president of the United States , leaving you with nine cows.
No balance sheet provided with the release.
The public then buys your bull.

THE ANDERSEN MODEL
You have two cows.
You shred them.

A FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You go on strike, organise a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.

A JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.
You then create a clever cow cartoon image called ‘Cowkimon’ and market it worldwide.

A GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.

AN ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows, but you don’t know where they are.
You decide to have lunch.

A RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
You count them again and learn you have 2 cows.
You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.

A SWISS CORPORATION
You have 5000 cows. None of them belong to you.
You charge the owners for storing them.

A CHINESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You have 300 people milking them.
You claim that you have full employment, and high bovine productivity.
You arrest the newsman who reported the real situation.

AN INDIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You worship them.

A BRITISH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
Both are mad.

AN IRAQI CORPORATION
Everyone thinks you have lots of cows.
You tell them that you have none.
No-one believes you, so they bomb the **** out of you and invade your country.
You still have no cows, but at least now you are part of a Democracy.

A NEW ZEALAND CORPORATION
You have two cows.
Business seems pretty good.

A FILIPINO CORPORATION
You have two cows.
One is reserved for the wedding of your son
The other one you give as bribe to your politician.

(The House Along the Railroad Tracks)

I recently transferred to a new home here in Hong Kong. My wife and I were so excited to move because this is our first house as a couple. I did not mind doing some wall repainting by myself. In fact, I enjoyed it. This is me happily painting a portion of our kitchen wall.

With two rooms, a large living room, a spacious toilet, and a comfortable tub, the flat is perfect for us. Even better, I get to see the Westrail train pass by every 15 minutes or so. I developed this habit of staring at the speeding coaches with the trademark red and blue colors of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Corporation. Can’t explain why, but it relaxes me the way fishes calmly swimming in a glass aquarium do. My wife agrees 100%. I could stare all day and not get bored. It gets even better at night when the coaches are fully lighted.

Here is the view of the tracks from my kitchen window.

This makes me wonder about fellow Filipinos who squat near railroad tracks.

Do they also like seeing PNR trains go by?

What is our government doing to help them?

…we need long-term solutions, not quick fixes! Current government relocation efforts are superficial.

…more photos and insights by Sidney Snoeck at My Sarisari Store

The Senate and House versions of the bill on affordable medicines were finally married last 29 April 2008. It brings excitement to this cashcow’s heart. Will the “Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008″ finally give birth to cheap and quality drugs for us? I still believe it will. The only question now is when? As expected, the ‘generics only’ and ‘price regulatory board’ clauses in the House version were scrapped. Critics of the bill like Senate President Manuel Villar, say these two provisions could have made a bigger impact in drug price reduction. Rudy Coronel of Batangas City, commenting in the Philippine Daily Inquirer about the removal of the ‘generics only’ clause believes that the passing of this “puede na [good enough]” bill is “a triumph of vested interests.” For him, the giant multinational pharmaceuticals and greedy physicians were still able to preserve the “detailman-doctor unholy alliance”.

Come to think of it, the good man has a strong point. I am a bit ashamed—being a registered pharmacist myself—to have accepted this slap from doctors who do not want to let go of their source of “perks!!!” On the contrary, knowing these market savvy drug firms, what guarantee would we have that the “generics only” clause, in case it was included in the signed bill, would not cause a shift to a “detailman-pharmacist unholy alliance?” Perhaps that is why doctors were against it in the first place. They do not want to transfer or share the pharma booty with their supposed partners in healthcare.

Doctors also argued that it is wrong to require them to write generic names only because it is their ethical obligation to prescribe which drug they think is best for the patient. This sort of medical professionals continue to get around the ‘Generics Law of 1988′ by preaching their “branded-is-best” mindset. This is another reason why the growth of local generic manufacturers is hampered. Now I ask, can they really ensure their patient’s welfare by writing down the name of a branded product in a piece of paper? The bill does not make it illegal to verbally advise a patient to buy a certain brand, does it? Will this matter to a poor person who can’t even afford rice to feed his/her family? Is writing the brand name in the prescription a sort of documentary evidence needed by their big time pharmaceutical sponsors? Alas, I wish I was a doctor so that I would know the answers to these questions.

Ricelander’s remarks on my previous post “Quality Affordable Medicines; Now!” were also true. The country needs a working local pharmaceutical industry. We are mere compounders of IMPORTED raw materials and repackers of IMPORTED finished bulk drug products! India and China, like western countries, have long been producing their own active ingredients and excipients. In fact, the Philippines currently sources a significant amount of its pharmaceutical raw material requirements from these two countries. How come we can’t even manufacture pharmaceutical grade sodium chloride when the Philippines, being an archipelagic nation, has vast supplies of salt? We can also obtain dextrose from the ubiquitous cassava but no one is interested in exploring that on an industrial scale. Something is amiss. Government support in creating an environment suitable for the development of real local pharmaceutical businesses is next to nil.

Thus, in the long run, despite gains from this venerable bill, the local generic drug industry in the country could still be facing tremendous difficulties. Yes, drug prices will have gone down but what about the ‘new competition’? Some Indian companies, for example, have found a new “goldmine of opportunities” with the passing of the cheaper medicines act. We can expect more and more cheaper India-made drugs flooding the Philippine market soon. Now, where are the local generic manufacturers in that picture? The effects of parallel importation will be beneficial for now. But, when the playing field with the western multinationals is finally leveled, how will we fare in the generics game with great India, not to mention humongous China? We see mainland China products all over the Philippines nowadays, from food to clothing to mobile phones to plastic toys. Will cheaper priced China-made generic drugs make it to Philippine soil as well? Will the raw-material-importing Philippine drug industry survive the battle for the local markets against India and China?

I have so many questions and doubts… Oh well, with the type of leaders in our country right now, we can’t really have it all. Let’s just celebrate with the passage of this important bill… for the time being.

References:

http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2008/0430_roxas1.asp

http://www.gov.ph/news/?i=20797

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080429-133435/UPDATE-Congress-ratifies-cheaper-medicines-bill

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20080502-134017/Generics-war-Who-won-who-lost

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20080502-134019/Vested-interests-win-in-cheap-medicines-bill

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/editorial/view/20080430-133514/Just-DOH-it

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080502-134081/Villar-doubts-cheap-medicines-bill-will-work

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Indian_pharma_may_export_to_Philippines_/articleshow/3010252.cms

The proposed affordable medicines law was identified as an “urgent” piece of legislation way back year 2001. It is now 2008!!! After 7 long years, it seems that our dear leaders are finally pushing for the realization of this important bill which will greatly benefit the Filipino hoi polloi.

However, there are still two versions of the bill: House Bill 2844 and Senate Bill 1658. I find the senate version more diplomatic and safe while the house bill includes more drastic measures. For example, HB 2844 proposes the creation of a “Drug Price Regulation Board” which will dictate the maximum retail price of drugs subject to price regulation. SB 1658 on the other hand, “bestows on the President of the Philippines the power to impose price ceilings…under certain conditions, including calamities, public health emergencies, or widespread acts of illegal price manipulation.” Moreover, HB 2844 calls for the prescription of “generic name” only. This means that doctors will not be allowed to write the “brand name” of a drug in the prescription form if the house bill is approved.

The Congress, Senate and Malacañang are currently on a dialogue regarding the reconciliation of the two bills. The “price regulation board” and “generics only” provisions would be dropped probably. This move would definitely disappoint certain groups like the “Kilosbayan Para Sa Kalusugan” (KBK). The KBK feels that proposed amendments are still protective of the profits of transnational drug firms.

This is true perhaps, but I still support the bill because of the following articles:

1. Parallel importation and international exhaustion of intellectual property rights for patents - Importation of much lower priced identical drugs without the consent of the patent holder will be allowed.
2. Early working - This will allow Filipino generic companies to study and test for regulatory approval of a generic version of a drug before its patent expires. Thus, they can start the manufacture and marketing of a generic drug as soon as its patent expires.
3. Government Use - In certain conditions, like “a national emergency”, the government may use a patent without the consent of the patent holder for the benefit of the public.
4. Strengthening of the Bureau of Food and Drugs - The bureau will be allowed to retain earnings for use in its operations.
5. Amendments to the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines - Changes in the IP code to prevent multinationals from exploiting the Philippine patent system.

I know that it is no easy task to pass a bill and that it requires in-depth analysis and consultation. Thus, the process is understandably lengthy and arduous; but I believe we can no longer dilly-dally given the increasing population and worsening conditions of the impoverished in the country. So, to our beloved legislators, PLEASE HURRY UP!!!

References and recommended readings:

http://www.pcij.org/stories/2008/cheaper-medicines.html

http://www.bulatlat.com/2007/12/cheaper-medicine-bill-still-no-access-low-cost-essential-medicine

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/90745/Bicam-group-inching-towards-final-version-of-cheaper-drugs-bill

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080424-132435/Solons-mull-removing-price-board-from-cheaper-medicines-bill

I got married last February 2008 in the Philippines. It took my wife and I about a year to plan and prepare. We did not hire a wedding planner because I have always thought that organizing a wedding is a no-brainer. You just got to know who the good vendors are and everything will fall right into place. You know what? I am proud to say that I am correct. It was a very good wedding (walang halong kayabangan, konti lang). Too bad I can do it only once in my lifetime (masarap pala kasi ang feeling artista ka buong araw). Well, not that I want to get married again. I love my wife and she is purrrrrrrfect!!!

The Tagalog-freak in me wanted a wedding invitation in unadulterated Tagalog so I did some internet research but was utterly disappointed. Searching for a Tagalog version of the wedding entourage through the web was as futile as hunting for a dodo bird or a tasmanian tiger (or maybe asking GMA to resign)! So what did I do for plan B? I copied a sample of the lone Tagalog invite in a wedding shop located in a mall somewhere in Manila (secret na kung saan). Actually, my wife and I memorized the wording and wrote it down when we left the shop. Yes, we were that desperate!

We did not like all the Tagalog words they used in the sample invite so I did some tweaking and presto, our customized Tagalog wedding entourage. Oh, my mother helped out too! She was quick in pointing out some of our mistakes. I am posting it here in case there are still some engaged couples out there who, like us, are proud of our heritage and are planning to have a Filipino twist in their wedding program. I only request that you link to this site or leave a simple comment. (Note: I only included the major titles. If you want details, just send me a message. My misallete is also 100% Tagalog.)

Ang Aming mga Magulang - Our Parents

Pangunahing Saksi sa Sumpaan - Primary Sponsors

Piling Ginoo - Best Man

Binibining Pandangal - Maid of Honor

Pangalawang Saksi sa Sumpaan - Secondary Sponsors

Tagasindi ng Tanglaw ng Kinabukasan - Candle Sponsor
Tagapaglambong ng Belo ng Paguugnay - Veil Sponsor
Tagapagtali ng Bigkis ng Pagkakaisa - Cord Sponsor

Mga Ginoong Abay - Groomsmen
Mga Binibining Abay - Bridesmaids

Tagapagdala ng Bibliya - Bible Bearer
Tagapaghatid ng Aras - Coin Bearer
Tagapaghatid ng Singsing - Ring Bearer

Mga Tagapagalay ng Bulaklak- Flower Girls

Oo aaminin ko na sige na! Na-adik na rin ako manood ng American Idol. Nagsimula ito nung Season 5 nang bigla ko natipuhan saksihan ang mga audition episodes. Nakakaaliw naman talaga kasi makita ang mga wannabees na gumigimik ng kung anu-ano para lang magpapansin. Waepek rin naman! Kadalasan pa, sila itong mga sablay at sintunado! Kung bata-bata lang ako at nakatira sa US e malamang nag-audition na rin ako (hmmm ano kaya ang bagay na costume sa akin?). Pero heto, nasa kabilang panig ako ng mundo ngayon kung saan hindi uso ang American Idol. Galit yata ang mga Intsik sa mga Amerikano ewan ko ba. Hindi katulad nating mga Pilipino na kulang na lang e humalik sa puwet ng mga Kano para lang mangopya ng kanilang pop culture, mas magtangkilik ng produktong stateside, atbp… Kailan kaya mahuhugasan ang colonial mentality ni Juan dela Cruz?

Dito sa flat ko sa Hong Kong, walang cable channel na nagpapalabas ng American Idol kaya sa internet na lang ako sumasagap ng mga pinakabagong episodes. Ayun na nga, may Pilipino na naman sa season na ito pero natanggal din ngayong linggo. Magaling si Ramiele Malubay kaso mukhang mali nga lang yata talaga ang timpla ng mga pinipili niyang kanta bukod sa marami ring magagaling na ibang kalahok (Archuleta o Cook ang pusta ko) . Tuwang-tuwa pa naman ako kapag naririnig ko si Ryan Seacrest na pinipilit bigkasin ng tama ang apelyido ni Ramiele, “…here is Ramiele Maloooooobaay.” Parang nakaganti na rin tayo sa mga Kano kapag naririnig ko si Seacrest na hirap na hirap bumigkas ng Tagalog maski isang apelyido lang yun. Aba’y ang lagay e tayo na lang ba ang laging maghihirap mag-ingles? hehe.

Pero hanggang dito na lang talaga ang byahe ni Ramiele sa palabas na American Idol. Sigurado naman ako na taos-puso siyang tatanggapin sa Pilipinas katulad ng ginawa ng mga Pinoy kay Jasmine Trias. Ano kaya ang unang ‘commercial’ na gagawin niya sa Pinas palagay mo?

Mga cash cows may bagong pakana ang POEA. Medyo superficial and approach, pero sounds good to me. Better than doing nothing… or better than passing nonsensical memos like MC-04. At least nabawasan ang pipilahan natin sa airport.

The following advisory was lifted from the POEA website (http://www.poea.gov.ph/):

“The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration is dropping the validation of documents of OFWs leaving through its labor assistance counters (LAC) at international airports to further streamline processes in the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Starting March 24, 2008, departing OFWs shall present the exit clearance or overseas employment certificate issued by the POEA directly to the airline counters, terminal fee counters, and the Bureau of Immigration counters.

The POEA labor assistance counter shall remain open 24/7, but its services shall be limited to assisting OFWs with documentation problems, issuing overseas employment certificates (OEC) to OFWs leaving the country within 24 hours, and dissemination of information and education materials to OFWs and families.”

Last Black Saturday my friends and I went to Sai Kung to see Clear Water Bay beach (wala kasi kami magawa dahil hindi kami umuwi ng Pilipinas para sa Mahal na Araw maski pa bakasyon dito ng 4 days). When we think of Hong Kong, it’s easy to imagine high-rise structures, the famous harbor, Jackie Chan and noodles perhaps. Few foreigners know (kasama na ako dun nung bagong dating pa lang ako dito) that there are beaches in Hong Kong. Unlike the Philippines however, beaches here are absolutely free and accessible (pero siyempre mas maganda pa rin ang mga beach sa Pinas!). Armed with my trusty old digicam (I wish I had a DSLR now!!!), I made the most out of that chilly but pleasant Saturday afternoon. Here are some of the pictures I took.

It was too cold for a swim. Temperature forecast was 19-21°C that day. We stayed at Clear Water Bay Second Beach .

At this time of the year, Clear Water Bay is like Tagaytay and Puerto Galera rolled into one… Where clouds and hills meet the sea.

“Sai Kung Man”… There were plenty of seaweeds to collect.

I will go back to Clear Water Bay beach this summer. Wanna come too? Tayo nang mag-swimmeennnggg!!!