Make Everyday Earth Day

"Beer is still cheaper than gasoline; so just drink, don't drive." That was an SMS message sent to me the other day. It's sounds funny, but it is true. Why are gasoline prices on the rise almost every week (or every day, in some places)? I guess this could be the one million dollar question for all of us.

Nobody seems to really know why gasoline prices are on the rise. We are putting the blame on almost everybody: the oil companies, the government, the dollar market, and whomever we could easily point our fingers to.

The sad thing about all these is that it is affecting almost everybody, government and private sectors alike, and the prices of almost all our basic commodities are also on the rise. Sad to say, that the only thing that never change are the salaries of every working individual. And another sad thing is that there are shortages on some of our basic commodities. Like for example, here in the Philippines, we are experiencing shortage on rice. I am not quite certain if this has something to do with the increase on gasoline prices, but I'm sure that somehow there is a connection.

I guess the only consolation we get from all of these is that it is a worldwide problem and not our own respective countries only. But is there something we can do to stop and reduce these continuing price hike? I just find it so unfair that the some people are getting richer from all these price increases, while the consumers, are all working hard but slowly finding it difficult to make ends meet.

It is also sad that most of the producing countries, whether they be considered a first world or a third world country, are geared up in finding ways to improve their so called “national defense systems.” Nuclear bombs, long range rifles, high calibre weapons, weapons of mass destructions are more in production than school books and other much needed infrastructures. Every country seems to want to overdo the other. People would rather get their messages through by means of war and destruction.

Why can't anybody stop and think that all the resources we have on Earth are meant for all human beings? Humans, withersoever dispersed, of any age, race, sex, religion, beliefs, skin color, and language, are all the sole owner of these natural resources. These are all gifts from the Supreme Being, our Great Artificer of the Universe, and we should all share these gifts with one another and use it for our daily needs, as this is in accordance with His plan for us here on Earth. They are all given to us to improve ourselves and not destroy one another.

Has anybody ever ponder that Earth may be the only planet in our Solar System where humans can live, survive and co-exist with other living things? It is so sad that we only celebrate Earth Day once a year. Earth Day should be everyday, which is “intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment.” We celebrated it last May 28^th all over the world, but then all of a sudden we forgot about our Mother Earth, and continued on our sorry and sad existence.

We should all take part in improving the way we look at our Mother Earth. Share with one another the gifts given and provided for us by the Almighty. Learn to live and co-exist peacefully with our neighbors. This is my prayer.

Republic Act 8491

Not a lot of Filipinos know about the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, also known as Republic Act 8491, which states that every year, from May 28 (National Flag Day) to June 12 (Philippine Independence Day), all private and public facilities are enjoined to display the Philippine flag visibly in their premises throughout this period. This is to give respect and reverence to our country's highest symbol of national sovereignty and solidarity.

Let us all take part in this endeavor and display our country's national symbol in any way possible. You may do so by wearing a Philippine Flag lapel pin on your clothings, placing bumper stickers or purchasing miniature flags for your car, and show that you are a PROUD FILIPINO.

But let us also treat our flag accordingly, by following these simple rules as stated in our Flag Code:

• The National Flag shall be displayed in all public, squares, and learning institutions from sunrise to sunset. If it is to remain flying at night, it must be illuminated.

• The Flag should never be used to salute or compliment any one, except when used for exchanging courtesy as an official act between parties.

• If the Flag is flown on a pole, the blue field must be on top during peace time and the red in times of war. If it is hanging, the blue field must be on the observer’s left side during peace time and the red if otherwise. *Remember: R-R (RED on the RIGHT).

• The Flag must be hoisted to the top of the flag pole that is situated at a prominent place with a commanding position. If the pole is attached to a building, it should be on top of its roof, and if it is at a window, the pole must project at an angle pointing upward.

• When the National Flag is used with other flags, it must always be on top, at the right, or at the center of the others. If it is to be paraded with other flags, it must be in front of the center of the others.

• When the flag is being paraded, the people should halt, stand at attention, uncover their heads, and salute.

• The Flag shall be displayed on national holidays and other historic and special occasions, as the President may designate, in all government structures, and if possible, even in private homes and buildings.

• No part of the Flag must touch the ground and it must be handled reverently. During Flag Ceremonies, the people around the vicinity must accord due respect to the Flag.

• The Flag may be hoisted at half-mast in sign of mourning before it is lowered. It must again be hoisted to full-mast then lowered during sunset.

• The Flag shall never be decorated and must be given utmost respect over and above any individual’s image.

• The Flag shall never be used for any purpose other than as a symbol of our country. However, it can be draped over an honored deceased person’s coffin but must be removed before the coffin is buried.

• No markings must be placed on the National Flag. Neither shall it be used as clothing.

• The Flag shall not be displayed where hilarity is prevailing and in places where vices abound.

• The Flag should never be touched by anyone and must be displayed as it is especially during the singing of the Pambansang Awit (National Anthem); some misguided people spread the Flag to show its colors.

The YIELD Sign

YIELD is a traffic sign which simply means "Give Way" or "Proceed with Caution". YIELD signs are usually displayed on road intersections or when you are approaching a heavy traffic area. The symbol for which is an upside down triangle, which in the international traffic rule means "SLOW DOWN" or "REDUCE SPEED." The upside down triangle is usually bordered in red to symbolize "STOP" (as shown in the picture).


In most parts of the US, the yield sign is an upside down yellow triangle, where the color yellow denotes "CAUTION," and in most European countries the yellow triangle is bordered with red. The more elaborated symbol of it is an upside down white triangle bordered with red and with the word "YIELD" in the center.

It seems that it should be an integral part of the international traffic rules, but for some reasons unbeknown to me, we do not yet have much of these signs posted here in the streets of Davao City. I believe that these signs should be present, especially in intersections, and in industrial areas where big and heavy machineries are present. They are useful to add security and as safety precautionary mediums.

Although there is one traffic sign we use here in Davao which has the word "Yield" on it, and it is the sign posted beside the traffic lights on most of our heavy intersections - "LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN". It is very helpful, but one thing I noticed is that nobody seems to know what "YIELD" means, and sad to say, our traffic enforcers do not have any clue of it whatsoever.

Our heavy intersections are equipped with a green left-turn light, which allows left-turning traffic to make a legal left turn when it is on. After a few seconds, the green left-turn light becomes yellow, which should alert the left-turning vehicles to slow down and prepare to stop. After which, it turns into a red left-turn arrow or simply a red light, which of course means "Stop." But everybody seems to be ignoring that the sign still says "LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN." What does that mean? It simply means, "Left-turn (vehicles, must) Yield on green." Simply put, if you are a left-turning vehicle, it is permissible for you to still make your left turn provided that the oncoming traffic is clear; oncoming traffic has the right of way since they have the solid green light.

I have driven in other countries, and I came across this sign several times, and the reason for this blog is that somehow, paricularly here in Davao, the rules have changed. I believe our so-called "reliable" traffic enforcers must have misplaced their traffic rule book, because even with this sign, they would not allow you to make your left turn if you do not have your left-turn green light. Thus, the left-turn lane gets congested due to these misinformed traffic enforcers.

I have been so proud to tell my friends from outside that the Davao City streets are now equipped with traffic lights and other necessary traffic signs and symbols, and have had the high hopes that soon our traffic will improve with all these new addition. Well, I guess we can't have everything. Let us just hope that we will all get it right someday.

Drive carefully, yawl!!!

A short joke
Man1: How do you TOP a car?
Man2: I don't know.
Man1: You TEP on the brake, TUPID!

Bermuda

I have shared this story several times with most of my family and friends, so I thought of sharing it here as my second blog.

I was a Rotary International Exchange Student (or ROTEX for short) in 1984 to 1985, and I feel very proud and lucky to have had the opportunity of becoming one, and being in a country that not a lot of people in the Philippines have heard so much about – the Bermuda.

After I graduated from high school, my parents asked me if I would like to study in the United States. I said “yes” of course, because I was sure that was the correct answer at that time; had I answered differently I'm sure I would not hear the end of it. They seem to have prepared for my “yes” answer because as soon as I did, my Dad took out an 8-1/2” x 11” brown envelope from his atache case and handed it to me. When I opened it, it contained a 12-page Rotary International Exchange Student Application form.

The first few pages were personal data sheet, and the next few pages were essay questionnaires, which I did not even know how to answer, because I knew a little about my country and about my hometown, Davao City. I asked my parents what the form was, and since my Dad was a Rotarian at that time, he explained to me what it was all about. Actually, I already knew then what it was, because I have met several international students in my school who were also exchange students from the United States, but I still asked my Dad just for the sake of asking “What is this?”

I filled out the personal data portion, but, I have to confess, my mom answered the essay questions for me just so I will not answer anything “incorrectly” and she made me memorize her answers, so that when I will be asked I will know what to say. Quite a teamwork, wouldn't you say? I submitted the forms after two days, and went for my interview, where I found out that four other students from my school also applied for the same program.

Rotary Day came and the four of us were invited, and we had the pleasure of meeting two ROTEX Students of the Philippines who just came back from their one year stay abroad. They were asked to present some slides or pictures from their host State, and to tell a little story about their experiences there. Each of them showed photographs of places they have been to, and one spoke about California and the US west coast, and the other about New Jersey and the US east coast. Two of my schoolmates already knew that they are bound for California, because they have relatives there, and their parents were able to request for it. But two of us still did not have an idea where we were going. But we knew for sure that we were all going somewhere in the United States.

After that evening, I went home thinking how I wish my travel would be different from theirs. Two of my schoolmates were already bound for California, and for sure when they come home they would be talking about almost the same thing. So I was hoping that mine would be different, that I would be sent somewhere where no one has gone before (no, that's not the famous line from Star Trek). I don't have anything against being in the US, but it's just that we hear about the US all the time. So, I prayed, hoped and wished that my host country would be different from the others, it could be in the US but maybe somewhere in the central, the southern or the northern States.

It was summer, around April, when I was still waiting for the approval of my application. I stayed home and watched TV all day. You see, my Dad was an anchorman in one of the local TV networks in our city, and our one and only Sony Trinitron 19" color TV at home was set on his channel only; he took out the channel knob to prevent us from changing the station. Well, he did not know that I had kept a long-nose pliers somewhere nearby just for that purpose. Anyhow, I got bored watching his channel, so I got the pliers and flipped the channels; during those years, we only had three TV stations and no cable yet. When I turned on the “wrong” channel, they were showing a concert by Anne Murray with Engelbert Humperdinck in BERMUDA.

BERMUDA? I have heard of Bermuda grass, Bermuda shorts and most especially the Bermuda triangle, but I have never known about the country Bermuda. So, I watched the show, and in that show Anne and Engelbert took the viewers in a sneak peak tour of Bermuda, and I fell in love with it instantly. How I wish I could go there, I said to myself. Ahhh...wouldn't that be something.

A week have gone by and I still have not heard from the Rotary International. I was beginning to think that my application was rejected or worse, that I failed my interview. I told my Dad that I would just enroll for college while waiting for the results of my application, and so I did. The following week, I received a letter from the Rotary International saying that they have received my application and that it was accepted by the Rotary Club District of New York, and to await a letter from my host Rotary Club. Wow, the Big Apple...I am finally going to see New York! But much to my surprise, two days after, I received a letter stating that I will be hosted by the Rotary Club of St. George, Bermuda! What? Could this be true? I am actually going to BERMUDA! I later found out that the Rotary Club of St. George Bermuda was under the Rotary District of New York.

31st August, 1984, I finally arrived in Bermuda, it was the happiest, most memorable moment of my life. I couldn't believe I was there. What seemed to be an unreachable dream came to reality. I never knew dreams could come true, but it sure does. So to all of you dreamers out there, keep on dreaming...it's tax free...and it can come true.

Labor Day Holiday

The following blog was posted in my Friendster Blog last May 2nd, and you can also view it at:
http://jmcsapaula.blogs.friendster.com/the_inconvenient_truth/.

"This is my very first blog. I don't know quite how to start one, but I was told that it is where I can share my thoughts, opinions, stories, favorite music, movies, and anything under the sun. I have always had the problem on deciding what to share...until yesterday.

Yesterday, was May 1, 2008, Labor Day Holiday here in the Philippines, as it is in most countries in the world. But in some countries they celebrate Labor Day on the First Monday of May, and in Canada and the United States, they celebrate it on the First Monday of September. In some parts of Australia, Labor Day falls on the first Monday of March, and in the Bahamas it's on the First Friday of June. I can go on and give you all these dates, but you can easily research all these yourself in Wikipedia...hahaha.

I pondered about it, and thought wouldn't it be beneficial and convenient for us here in the Philippines if we celebrate Labor Day on the First Monday of May instead of May 1? Because in this way, we could enjoy a 3-day weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday), or for those who still work on Saturdays could have a two-day weekend (Sunday and Monday). Because look at this week, we worked from Monday through Wednesday, then take a holiday on Thursday, and then back to work again on Friday. If your family live out of town, am sure you could have enjoyed your Labor Day Holiday with them, if you did not have to come back today to work.

I hope that someday somebody would have the courage to ask our President or anybody with authority, if they would look into this and maybe reconsider changing our Labor Day Holiday. Besides Labor Day is for all laborers like us, so why not give us a Holiday which we all can enjoy.

Well, this is all I want to share. Like I said it's my first blog and I hope you like it. Please send me comments. Thank you."