The "Lion of the U.S. Senate" is gone (1932-2009)

The last of Rose Kennedy's men dies. Ted Kennedy passes on to the next life after being afflicted with cancer. He was 77.

Despite his many flaws, including those of his more historical brothers, the liberal part of the globe can not help but feel admiration for these brothers. Despite Chapaquiddick, and many other Kennedy life tragedies, Senator Ted it seems, were able to weather it all.

And now the last of them is gone. His remains lie in the Kennedy sanctuary, Hyannis Port in Massachusetts.

Reports say he will be buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Fake Mobile Phones with Voice Altering Feature

Fake cellphones from China are circulating the black market. These phones are said to have voice altering feature: from male to female to child's.

I saw it on Unang Hirit awhile back. It was tested on cam by the program host and an NBI officer. The officer is saying that the phones can be used for unscrupulous pursposes if not crimes; hard to trace because they are smuggled, therefore not registered with the local National Telecommunications Commission.

I saw a site saying that India is flooded as well with these mobile phones. The site even spells out the models of the phones.

So what are they coming out with next?

Confidentially though, I like to test the gadget :-) joke!

Cheers everyone!

PS

I hope I can afford to stay hopeful today. my neighbor's car is not on her street garage again and someone left very early for an early morning appointment; i am afflicted with paranoia again... :-(

Cory! Cory! Cory!

Finally, I was able to locate a copy of post EDSA TIME with Tita Cory on the cover, which I purposely bought for posterity. This issue is dated January 5, 1987. Only too glad to have kept it all this time.

I am very sure Tita Cory is in heaven now! Will I see you there when my time comes? :-)

The Marikina City Lapel Pin

My partner gave me this lapel pin, a shoe emblem representing the industry for which Marikina is known for. Our Mayor MC Fernando gave him and his Korean business partners a couple of these pins, during a visit to the Mayor's office. The visit was about a business proposal offering the City with LUMINA eco-friendly and energy saving lighting systems. The proposal will save the city lots of money in terms of energy savings.

Seguey to getting the pin: I got curious about its history, where it was first used, etc. Also, I remember my partner also giving me the Mao-Tse-Tung pin which he got from a Vietnam trip, way, way back. I know I still have it somewhere in one of my memento boxes.

This is what Wikipedia says about lapel pins which I share:

"A lapel pin (also called "button" or "badge") is a small pin often worn on the lapel of a dress jacket. Lapel pins can be purely ornamental or can indicate the wearer's affiliation with an organization or cause; for example, American Flag lapel pins became very popular in the United States, especially among politicians, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001".

"Lapel pins are frequently used as symbols of achievement and belonging in different organizations. Fraternities and sororities use lapel pins as the primary symbol for their organizations. Members wear the pins to meetings and special events to show their belonging to the organization. Lapel pins from the organization are often collected by members and non-members alike".

"Businesses also use lapel pins to designate achievement and membership. Lapel pins are a common element of employee recognition programs, and they are presented to individuals as a symbol of an accomplishment."

For more about lapel pins, see it here.

A Tasteless episode at the famous Le Cirque

While we were all busy trying to do unselfish and heroic acts, feeling sympathy and acting good as Filipinos for Former President Cory Aquino, President Arroyo and her party was in New York enjoying a blowout dinner at the very famous Le Cirque restaurant. It's a dining place where you experience a 'Table in Heaven', according to it's website.

Apparently, the dinner accompanied with caviar and champagne cost almost a million pesos. To me, this is ill-timed and "ill-conceived" as Merriam Defensor said in an interview.

I looked at the restaurant's menu, which accordingly cost 25$ for lunch and 35$ for dinner, consists of the following entree choices:

Appetizer Choices

Fluke Crudo
Basil, Cavaillon Melon, and Chipotle
White Almond Gazpacho
Smoked Paprika Shrimp
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Ciliegine and Olive Brioche
Grilled Octopus Salad
Chorizo Aioli and Fingerling Potatoes
Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gnocchi
Wild Burgundy Escargot, Summer Vegetables, and Bagna Càuda

Main Course Choices

Diver Sea Scallops
Shiitake, Turnips, and Barley
Salmon Filet
Caramelized Cipolline, Fennel, and Hazelnut Vinaigrette
Chicken Breast
Local Corn, Wood Ear Mushrooms, and Basil
Pavé of Veal Breast
Zucchini, Tomato, and Pecorino
Bavette Steak
Oyster Mushrooms, Artichoke Mousseline, and Sesame Seeds

Dessert Choices
Brownie with Milk Chocolate Chantilly
Lemon Meringue Pie
Crème Brûlée Le Cirque
Mixed Berry with Vanilla Custard

Check out Le Cirque here.
Thanks to this site for the restaurant image.

Cory Aquino is on TIME again

Who would not be proud of this woman? Some one so simple and yet noble in her aspirations not only for herself but for her faith, beliefs and country. I pray that God gift us soon with someone as good as Cory.

Former President Cory Aquino is on TIME's Aug 17, 2009 Asian Edition (Vol 174 No 6) cover again. "Corazon Aquino 1933-2009: The Saint of Democracy"

The article extols Cory Aquino's contribution in restoring democracy in the Philippines. It highlights the virtues she exhibited starting from the day, Ninoy Aquino, her husband was assasinated at the tarmac of the then Manila International Airport.

Thanks to Time's image I liberally borrowed.


P.S.

My observations during the week that Cory was lying in state:

1. We heard nothing from El Shaddai, nor INK nor JIL
2. The Catholic Church gained so many pogi points as the days went on
3. That Kris might have been reared and loved by Cory but is not her daughter in terms of lifestyle choices; but the rest of the sister brood, I think are ( NO offense to Kris, please)
4. Delicadeza is really not in the vocabulary of some politicians who used the opportunity to advance their candidacies
5. Someone who used to be big is trying to use and hide behind Cory's legacy to perhaps, parry what seems to be coming in his direction
6. Why do some "political activists need to use Cory for their own political ends? Delicadeza, again please.
7. The military and the police may have earned pogi points as well. I hope it lasts
8. I salute the two Marcos siblings for their Christian but 'humbling' act of sympathy for the Aquino children
9. The networks, it seemed wanted to outdo each other in their respective media coverage. But the again, it's okey. We Cory followers benefitted.

Cheers for Cory!!!

For God and Country

Ninoy and Cory dreamt the impossible and was surprised that with God anything is possible

As a tribute to a couple who in life and in death gave their all, I borrow this song -- considered I believe, as the national anthem of the Ninoy Aquino Movement previously, and now I think also appropriate for anyone or everyone, who dare dream the best for our country....

God
Country
Country Men
Fellow Humans
Family
Self
The perfect heirarchy of life.

And the Song ...

To dream the impossible dream

To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star

Unity for Filipinos in Cory's Death?

Just now, I saw on tv, Bongbong (plus wife), including Imee Marcos, attend the wake of former President Cory Aquino at the Manila Cathedral. Later, I saw Ballsy Aquino (I think), shaking their hands, perhaps as a thank you and welcome gesture.

I can't help but feel warm inside. As a Filipino, I have longed to see the day of real, honest to goodness unity. These gestures both from the Marcos and Aquino families might just be the start towards that end. Sana naman.

I know, deep in my heart that we can only move forward as a nation if we are all united.

To me, to move forward is to see the lesser among us have a better life.

Though my life is far from perfect, I sincerely hope that majority of Filipino families will enjoy what we had and have, and more:

-- like good education for their children. (I even have one, gone to and finished college for free {almost} at UP, and two, both finished, and one almost graduated [lacks 9 P.E. units]. hur

-- employment or small entrepreneurial activities for all or most family members
-- a clean, decent, comfortable and warm place to stay
-- 3 or more meals a day

Living condition more than all this is gravy.
Mababaw lang kaligayan ko. Translation: Material things don't matter much to me :-)