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Explosion rocks Manila’s millionaire row

May 31, 2013

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Robin Leonard, who lives in Serendra, posted this on Facebook: It looks like the condo next to ours exploded, walls blew out and totally destroyed an Abenson truck. Fortunately we weren’t hurt but saw a bright orange flash and a loud bang. Our door wouldn’t open and things are quite ‘bent’ inside the building. Now evacuated drinking beer in High St. Whew that was a close call. People are speculating bomb, but could be a gas explosion. Just after the blast we heard a male scream out a few times then go silent. Very scary. It was either a gas explosion or somebody planted a bomb in that poor guys condo… no terrorism here folks, even though we feel terrorized. 3 confirmed dead (probably from the abensons truck)

UPDATE: 3:15 PM, June 1, 2013

Robin Leonard, a Serendra resident and CEO of AllFamous Digital, posted more photos on his company website. Please click on this link to look at them.  My thanks @Cha for finding Robin Leonard’s website.

Posted on Twitter by Manny & Pie Calayan M.D.

A blast – strong enough to knock down a wall – rocked Manila’s millionaire row Friday night, just as the Philippine government announced a 7.8% growth of the economy in the first quarter.

It’s too soon to tell what has caused the explosion on the fifth floor of 2 Serendra in Bonifacio Global city – a gas range, an illicit drug laboratory, an altercation gone bad or an improvised explosive device.

UPDATE: The  government is taking the explosion very seriously. No less than President Benigno Aquino and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas have personally visited to inquire into it.  

Interesting – Mar Roxas himself is tweeting updates:

Serendra-explosion-mar-roxa

 UPDATE: 12:47 am, June 1, 2013

Ayala Land has just issued the following statement below [My thanks @jim ayson for reposting it on Facebook]: 

At least two three people who were inside a passing Abenson delivery van were instantly killed when debris from the blast fell on the van they were riding on.

UPDATE: Teresa Cerojano of the Associated Press quoted unnamed authorities as saying the blast was possibly caused by an appliance. to read Tess’ piece, please click on this link.  

As usual, instead of moving away from the blast, Filipinos move as close as they can to it. Photo posted by Skip dela Cruz ( @skipDLC ) on Twitter.

While the cause has yet to be established, this brings back to mind memories of the 1980s when explosions could bring down the economy in a heartbeat. – Raissa Robles

UPDATE: Blogger Andres Bisenio writes a first person account when he heard the KABOOM while eating in a nearby restaurant with his family:

Today , We went to Market Market to buy some shoes and my school bag.
After that , we went to eat in a restaurant.
I was just eating up as my parents were ordering some stuff when…..
KABOOM! The whole mall vibrated and turned silent.
Me: OMG OMG OMG WHAT WAS THAT!?!?!?
My Father: Calm Down .
Random Man: Maybe it’s over there , look , it looks heavy.
Random Woman: Oh yes look at tha——-
[A stampede of panicking people raced to the exit .Probably they watched fast and furious , felt the Xtra Loud Explosion and then created Fast and Furious 7 FREE 3D HD: Market Market Panic. LOL]

To read the rest, please click on this link.

Comments

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  2. Cha says

    June 12, 2013 at 11:27 AM

    Maligayang araw ng kalayaan sa lahat ng kapwa Pilipinong nagmamahal sa ating bayan! Mabuhay tayong lahatat lalo na si Raissa at Alan sa kanilang patuloy na pagpupunyagi at pakikipagpaglaban para sa ikabubuti ng isang malayang Pilipinas.

  3. raissa says

    June 12, 2013 at 12:38 AM

    Guys, I’m just finalizing a short speech that I’m to share at Thursday’s forum of the Philippine Press Institute.

    Here are the links –

    http://www.philpressinstitute.com/2013/05/25/ppi-to-re-examine-media-and-honor-best-regional-papers/

    http://www.philstar.com/psn-opinyon/2013/06/03/949489/ppi-49-taon-na-tema-watching-watchdog

    http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2013/06/02/ppi-to-re-examine-media-role/

    Thanks for all your support,

    Raissa

    • baycas says

      June 12, 2013 at 9:31 AM

      Thanks for the update.

      @raissa,

      I would like to believe traffic in this blog is fewer than, let’s say, the Corona “heyday”.

      Unfortunately, the database error is still showing. It may contribute to would-be readers’s (of this site) annoyance and may cause them not to proceed in visiting your blog.

      • raissa says

        June 12, 2013 at 11:32 AM

        Thanks for the heads up.

  4. Rene-Ipil says

    June 11, 2013 at 4:13 PM

    While explosion rocks Two Serendra, disunity rocks our Supreme Court. One year after CJ Sereno was appointed by PNoy, the senior justices of the Supreme Court cannot accept the fact that CJ Sereno is their superior. The Supreme Court has been rocked by palpable show of non-cooperation by the senior justices in attending the flag raising ceremonies. They even have the temerity to reverse well meaning administrative actions of CJ Sereno such as the decentralization of function of the Office of Court Administrator. And lately by publicly humiliating CJ Sereno in regard to the TRO issued on party-list matters.

    In the 112th founding anniversary today of the Supreme Court only five justices joined CJ Sereno during the anniversary program—Associate Justices Estella Perlas-Bernabe, Marvic Leonen, Bienvenido Reyes, Mariano Del Castillo and Jose Perez.

    Replacing Enrile, Estrada and Sotto was the immediate objective of electing Team PNoy senatorial bets to ensure enactment of laws promoting “matuwid na daan”. But there is an equally, if not more, important duty of the senate in the present period of our country’s history. That is the cleansing of the judiciary.

    The “Arroyo eight” and Midas Marquez are still with the Supreme Court. There are more corrupt than honest justices and judges in the lower courts, not to mention the incompetent. The executive and legislative branches of the government must weed out those “hoodlums in robe” to significantly enhance peace and order and stabilize economic conditions in the country. With the presence of these “hoodlums in robe”, no amount of excellent performance by the police and the prosecution service can improve our criminal justice system. And with the flip-flopping and transactional decisions of the Supreme Court, our economic efforts are doomed.

    Congress can start by impeaching and removing, after trial, corrupt SC justices. For one, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) can be tapped to document monetary transactions of the “hoodlums in robe”. SALNs are surely helpful. The president must appoint replacements of known probity, competence and independence. And the “new” Supreme Court under the tutelage of CJ Sereno can now overhaul the judiciary through voluntary resignation or indictment of notorious judges and justices.

    • Rene-Ipil says

      June 11, 2013 at 4:18 PM

      http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/424475/sereno-calls-for-unity-at-sc-anniversary-rite

    • Victin Luz says

      June 11, 2013 at 4:25 PM

      Maganda @Atty ,,,ang idea mo regarding SC… No mercy na sa KANILA….ang kakapal ng MUKHA , wala namang gustong magresign he he ,,, buti pa mga JUSTICES ni Marcos noon , tendered regination but only it was not accepted I think….

    • letlet says

      June 11, 2013 at 9:59 PM

      @ rene-ipil

      These hoodlums in robes are just thinking of their own selfish desires and serving their own agenda, nothing for the country and the Filipino people, which therefore, they are a TOTAL FAILURE in the delivery of justice for the people and to the people. THEY SUCKS, THROUGH AND THROUGH. They are not competent members of the Supreme Court of good character, integrity and judgement. They don’t even consider the impact of their decisions on the betterness of the country in terms of delivery of justice demographically, but only the impact of their decisions on the betterness of their grandiose ambitions. These hoodlums in robes are trampling us the Filipino people. SC Justice Carpio must be their leader, which shows that they just blindly follow him, so they are no longer independent thinking justices, so now they are just ROBOTS who move at the flick of SCJ Carpio’s remote control. Bloody hell, let’s kick them out – these parasites are bleeding our people’s money.

      • Victin Luz says

        June 12, 2013 at 4:07 AM

        [email protected]…. Kaya hindi ibinigay ni PNOY sa kanya ang CJ sa SC it was because during the Ramos presidency Carpio being the Legal Adviser of Ramos,,,,recommended and adviced Ramos the privatization of NAPOCOR and the approval of the EPIRA LAW which turn out or Handed Filipinos a higher power rates per kilowatts upon it’s privatization as against when it was under government control or NAPOCOR….

      • zamera says

        June 13, 2013 at 3:19 AM

        These “judges” are rude. Their actions and antics show they don’t deserve being called “kagalang-galang na hukom”. These leeches and maggots must go, no ifs and buts whatsoever.

    • moonie says

      June 12, 2013 at 5:30 AM

      this has gone on long enough. we can’t have justices behaving like hoodlums and harassing the one trying to do good. they have alienated our country by their constant disprespect of our flag raised at the front of the supreme court blg, not attending the flag raising ceremony despite repeated calls for them to be present. time we step in. time we put them in their place, time we ask congress to pass law requiring each justices to take turn at raising the flag. if sick or absent, their deputies or chief of staff can take over. these justices have done enough harm to our national pride and unity. time we let them know we are not please. time we kick their butts. let’s pass a law that requires these justices to be justices for once. they have a duty to serve.

      • moonie says

        June 12, 2013 at 5:41 AM

        and why must these hoodies/justices overturned serreno’s judgement? they are supposed to decide with her, raised concerns with her, talk with her, debate with her beforehand, not wait until she has made final decisions and then, in the glare of the media and the public, belittle her decision, reversed and overturned it. are the minds of these hoodies/justices cobwebbey? okay, let’s send them to pasture then. the job is getting too much for them, they can no longer cope.

        • letlet says

          June 12, 2013 at 11:09 PM

          Let’s start with SJ Carpio – being the leader of the hoodlum pack controlling the Supreme Court -, who has utterly no desire to utterly deliver justice for people and to the people, we the people has to ask President Aquino and Congress to look into SJ Carpio’s SALN before and during his reign of Supreme Court. Napatalsik natin si Corona, magagawa din natin kay Carpio yan. Also, I wonder how much he was paid by the lobbyists ( under the table) to approve the privatization of NAPOCOR, after which it entered contracts with various foreign and local independent power producers (IPPS). There should be a thorough investigations on this matter. What properties he owns in the Philippines, USA, Europe, etc. Are they in his name/ wife / children’s / relatives name? Where is his hometown, how many properties owns there? Carpio, if you don’t bloody care about us, we don’t bloody care about you. LINTA, YOU ARE SUCKING OUR BLOOD.

    • baycas says

      June 12, 2013 at 7:46 AM

      Finally, pouring rain…after a very long drought…

      IN WHAT MANY are hoping could be the end of a two-decade drought of information in the judiciary, the Supreme Court en banc approved an August 2012 request by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) for the release of the statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) of all the sitting Supreme Court Justices from the time they were appointed to the high tribunal until 2011.

      A notice issued by Supreme Court Clerk of Court Enriqueta E. Vidal and released to the PCIJ states that the SALNs and Personal Data Sheets (PDS) of Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and 13 other Associate Justices would be released to the PCIJ upon payment of the required fees. The SALNs to be released to the PCIJ would include all SALNs filed by the sitting justices since they were appointed to the tribunal until the year 2011.

      The PCIJ however has not yet received official or formal notice from the court that its August 14, 2012 petition for the release of the SALNs has been approved.

      The tribunal’s decision was seen by freedom of information advocates as a major victory in the fight for transparency in the judiciary. The asset records of the judiciary have been kept secret since 1992, through a series of self-serving resolutions and decisions by the Supreme Court virtually exempting it from a provision in the Law on Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees requiring that the asset records of government officials be made public.

      The PCIJ has been filing yearly requests for access to the SALNs of the Supreme Court Justices, but the requests have been mostly ignored. In August last year, the tribunal opened the door a little when it granted the request by Solar News Television for the 2011 SALNs of the Supreme Court Justices.

      http://pcij.org/blog/2013/06/11/sc-approves-pcij-request-allows-release-of-salns

      • curveball says

        June 12, 2013 at 2:09 PM

        ito ang isa sa pinakahihintay natin na malaman.
        kung sino-sino sa mga “magigiting” na ito ang yumaman at sobrang naging mayaman (na hindi kapanipaniwala) mula ng manungkulan.
        abangan ang susunod na kabanata

    • vander anievas says

      June 12, 2013 at 12:20 PM

      kelan pa matatapos ang kabuktutan nila? pilipinas magkaisa at bunutin ang tinik sa ating lalamunan. kung impeachment ang lunas, magtulung-tulong tayo upang masampahan ng kaso ang lahat ng hindi karapat-dapat sa kanilang katungkulan…

    • curveball says

      June 12, 2013 at 2:13 PM

      ang mga “matatalino” na hukom na ito.

      sa sobrang talino pati ang dapat na sundin na pinuno ay sinisuwag.

      di ba dapat ipakita nila sa atin na maganda ang samahan nila? bakit sila pa mismo ang sasalungat sa pinuno nila?

      teka di kaya meron silang hidden pinuno sa labas ng SC?

    • jorge bernas says

      June 12, 2013 at 2:51 PM

      @ Rene – Ipil,

      Tama ka pare, Dapat nang buwagin ang mga walang kuwentang “Hoodlums in Robe” na patuloy na sumusupil sa paghahanap natin nang tunay na katarungan at demokrasya…Ang ayaw nang magandang pamamalakad ni c.j. sereno sa supreme court ay dapat magresign na para hindi madamay ang ibang may magandang hinahangad para sa kabutihan nang nakararaming mamamayan…At ang ayaw magresign na mga tiwaling justices sa korte suprema ay dapat ma impeach para magsilbing halimbawa at leksiyon at nang hindi na pamarisan…

      Bakit patuloy pa rin nakaupo mga walang kuwentang justices na ito samantalang lantaran/garapalan na ginagawa nilang pagpapahiya sa kanilang mga sarili? Hindi man ako sing dunong at talino nila pero alam ko kaya hindi pa sila umaalis diyan dahil hinihintay pa nilang sila na ang paaalisin na kahiyahiya sa lahat, Bayad Utang or KARMA ang mangyayari sa mga walanghiyang mga justices na ito na matuloy na nagpakaTUTA…

  5. leona says

    June 11, 2013 at 11:25 AM

    …off tangent…”5 immigration staff face raps for ‘escorting’ Korean fugitive

    by Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News
    Posted at 06/10/2013 7:21 PM | Updated as of 06/10/2013 7:34 PM
    MANILA – Five persons have been recommended charged with various criminal and administrative charges for the unauthorized and unrecorded departure from the Philippines of South Korean fugitive Sungjun Park last March 19.”

    …some ‘more’ engaging in ‘Escort Services’ …collektion! FUN! dating at aalis sa ‘Pinas!

  6. baycas says

    June 11, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    PHASE 2: BLAME

    So far until we establish legal liability, it’s just one theory versus another,” Roxas said.

    http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/06/10/13/serendra-blast-whose-fault-it

    Scientific approach to the investigation, parallel expert opinion, and conclusion has been done and is still ongoing.

    This kind of systematic methodology will eventually point to human error and/or system error. Human error oftentimes defies safe systems that are actually in place especially with the shortcuts and runarounds some people perpetuate, be they private or government.

    This will definitely take time because the testimony of San Juan is vital and it will probably be the final piece in the “jigsaw puzzle”. Perhaps, some phenomenon may also leave doubt especially if physical evidence is lacking and inconclusive.

    • baycas says

      June 11, 2013 at 8:07 AM

      So far, I don’t have answers to my “gas dryer theory” (#22), “static electricity as igniter theory” (somewhere below #10) and “dust cloud theory” (immediately below #27.1). The first two are consistent with a gas explosion and the third a dust explosion.

      The Gas Dryer Theory was bolstered when we saw that the renovators transferred the washer/dryer cabinet to an area beside the cooking range/oven at the far end of the kitchen (#28). The original location near the center of the condo unit promotes the use of an electric dryer.

      A “Y-piping” might have been provided from the gas outlet to feed the cooking oven and the laundry “oven”. Moreover, gas dryers often make use of natural gas (methane) that is why special fittings must be used to convert fuel source into petroleum gas (propane + butane). Two origins of gas leak are now advanced with the idea of a gas dryer.

      Disturbing safe systems may prove dangerous. Human factors are almost always present in disasters.

      Well, we’ll just have to initially rely on the word of Fortun that gas pipelines were not disturbed during the renovation. So, the gas leak may only be sourced from the cooking range/oven and fittings.

    • baycas says

      June 11, 2013 at 8:08 AM

      The triad of an explosion, experts say, is fuel + oxygen + ignition.

      Unit 501b occupant already entered and exited the room in the morning of May 31 but the right mixture of the elements for an explosion only happened at 7:59pm. It may mean gas may have been present even before San Juan arrived but the amount of oxygen is not yet sufficient to cause a blast.

      Though a modified electrical design and installation were expected in the renovation and there was power maintenance on that day, static electricity or ESD (electrostatic discharge) was advanced as an ignition source inasmuch as the account of San Juan as relayed to Ochoa was that he felt electrocuted during the blast.

    • baycas says

      June 11, 2013 at 8:08 AM

      It may be a farfetched idea to advance a Dust Explosion that occurred on May 31 at Two Serendra. However, dust explosion can only be attributed to a dirty room. If the electrical system is functioning well without short circuits, the normal operation of turning on and off of light switches produces a spark to ignite combustible dust with the right amount of oxygen. Even ESD is also a possible igniter.

      The Dust Cloud Theory as explained in #27.1 is consistent with the presence of fuel (combustible dust) + oxygen + ignition. This time, dispersion of the dust with confinement were added to the elements for an explosion to happen.

      Dust may have accumulated during the renovation and was dispersed in the air (electric fan at first then later the aircon unit) in the confined condominium setting waiting for combustion to occur.

      Chemical Safety Board (CSB) explains how dust explodes here:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz89_swHtCg

    • baycas says

      June 11, 2013 at 8:12 AM

      B omb explosion was decidedly ruled out by the investigation as well as parallel expert opinion when gas explosion was ruled in.

      Further investigation will still push through as promised. Human lapses and/or system errors will eventually be proven and perhaps court litigations will arise.

      In a gas explosion, several human errors as well as system errors may be suggested and concluded. One thing that may be readily offered now is that the fail-safe system of the gas-piping structure is very much in place because there was NO flame p ropagation that occurred.

      Unit owners’ negligence as well as building administrators’ shortcuts and runarounds are possible human errors.

      Gas leak is presently the focal point in the investigation. Suggesting a possibility of another kind of explosion, however unbelievable it may be, will provide reasonable doubt as to the certainty of a gas leak. In a legal battle, ideas may be advanced in order to favor one.

      Maintaining a dirty apartment is probably not c riminal for who would think that it would cause an explosion?

    • baycas says

      June 11, 2013 at 8:15 AM

      (Note: The last part of my Comment No. 35 is still in the cloud.)

    • baycas says

      June 12, 2013 at 5:12 AM

      During the course of an investigation, one cannot help imputing blame to another party in order to be absolved…

      No spot checks

      According to the email reply of Castillo’s interior designer, Castillo’s contractor asked Serendra’s engineer on May 29 “to inspect the unit before they leave but [the] engineer declined because they need the as-built drawings.”

      The interior designer said the contractor had tried to ask for an exception, and requested for an ocular inspection at least. He promised to send the as-built plans at the soonest since Angelito San Juan, Castillo’s family friend, was planning to borrow the apartment in two days. But the engineer declined.

      “He was firm he needed the as-built plans first before they can make an ocular,” the email said.

      The interior designer also said no Serendra personnel ever checked on “the watermark on the ceiling” which they noticed even before construction began, despite Castillo’s April email.

      “According to [the contractor], as far as when the workers were present and in control of the unit, the engineer never showed up. Even the cracks at your balcony, he said he would check but never came…. according to [the contractor], the engineer never came up to visit [the] site to check,” the interior designer’s email said.

      Serendra’s reply

      Ayala Land Inc (ALI) spokesperson Jorge Marco was brief in his response to Rappler when asked about the issue.

      “Serendra property management can best help the unit owners if such matters are taken up directly with them,” he said in a text message.

      In the email, the interior designer also said “the contractor did not make any repiping, they just repainted the ceiling.”

      According to Castillo’s counsel, Raymund Fortun, the only renovation made in the apartment was to transform the 1-bedroom unit into two bedrooms. He said the kitchen, where the gas pipe is located, was never touched.

      Despite the lack of final inspection, however, Serendra management allowed the 9-day stay of San Juan in the unit from May 31-June 9.

      It was his first day in the unit when the explosion occurred, hurting San Juan himself. San Juan is currently being treated for burns in St Luke’s Taguig.

      The whole rappler article (with supplied links for further readings):

      http://www.rappler.com/nation/31093-serendra-never-checked-unit-501b-renovations

    • baycas says

      June 12, 2013 at 6:33 AM

      In this Investigation Phase 2 of attributing blame, it is important to note the whole thrust of the process:

      “Kaligtasan, Katiyakan” slide presentation…

      http://www.scribd.com/doc/146259394/DILG-Two-Serendra-Presentation-June-7-2013

      “Katiyakan.”

      DILG differentiated the two types of explosion; ruling in DEFLAGRATION and ruling out DETONATION.

      Now, the investigators and experts need to differentiate the several types of deflagration. It will be used in court when litigations will take place.

      “Katiyakan.“

      • Victin Luz says

        June 12, 2013 at 10:28 AM

        My comments on the DILG-SERENDRAs slide worded presentation was that: the lever arm (gate valve) as shown on the typical cabinets for GAS FLOW was to STOP or to regulate the distribution of GAS before the METER ( to record your consumption of gas ) going to your CONDO – unit.. What we are LOOKING HERE is a check valve or in HOUSEHOLD grammar a REGULATOR wherein even if there is a LEAK on the pipeline after the METER or a LEAK by not turning OFF your gas range will automatically SHUT OFF/SHUT DOWN the flow of GASSES onto the open area/space of the CONDO. WALA po ata silang ginawa or provision nito @sir Baycas……… ang logic nila dito ay kung papabayaan mo na sumingaw o bukas ang cooking range mo na hindi ginagamit o walang apoy di bahala kayo dahil may METRO naman na lumalakad at kung ilan ang nakunsumu ninyo di iyon ang bayaran ninyo……

        One thing more CPMERs….if they can install a fire alarm on a BLDG… they can also install SMOKE or GAS alarm thereat in case there is a LEAK…. A methane gas as concluded on their slide presentation are flammable so that the chemical characteristics of the particular GAS infused to the pipeline must be taken into consideration to determine the amount of HEAT or TEMPERATURE that may ignite the gas to EXPLODE…..physical characteristics of the laid pipes and it’s appurtenances must also taken into consideration because in that particular accident those pipes or pipeline HOUSES the flammable GAS that triggers the explosion. There are so many kinds of pipes that varies not only the COST/MARKET PRICE but the most IMPORTANT are the STRENGTH of each pipes..

  7. letlet says

    June 10, 2013 at 12:25 AM

    Off Topic

    Taxman to gain access to overseas accounts
    Source: Steven Swinford, The Daily Telegraph, May 22, 2013

    HMRC ( Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) could gain access to overseas bank accounts of all Britons to check they are not hiding money from the tax office under a Europe-wide agreement to be set out by David Cameron today.

    The Prime Minister will travel to Brussels for a European Council meeting where he will try to secure the support of all 27 member states for greater sharing of tax information.

    Under the agreement, the taxman would be able to obtain details of UK residents with foreign-based accounts. Financial institutions which failed to disclose information would face higher taxes.

    Britain signed a bilateral deal with the US to share banking information last year, and more recently reached similar agreements with France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

    Britain has also reached accords with the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey, alongside crown dependencies such as the Cayman Islands, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
    …………..

    I wonder if the Aquino government could also reach bilateral agreement , like David Cameron, first with US, then reach same/ similar agreement with Hongkong, Japan ( I read Mike Arroyo has visited these countries twice while Gloria is under house arrest), to be followed with an agreement with Britain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, etc. to share banking information on the Filipinos- politicians, government officials, very wealthy businessmen and sportsmen with foreign-based accounts. These agreements could become a lifeline/ lifesaver to our farming / fishing industries, education (for more teachers, classrooms and books), for ship building, etc.

  8. Rene-Ipil says

    June 9, 2013 at 11:57 AM

    Another theory as to the source of gas leakage in relation to the comments of Andrew and Baycas @10.

    “Bonifacio Gas also offers energy efficient air-conditioning system that can be used for commercial and residential establishments. Endorsed by the Department of Energy, the air-conditioning technology is said to reduce energy costs of users by almost 58%.”

    http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/173-power-and-energy/30852-fast-facts-the-firm-that-provides-fort-gas

    San Juan complained of much heat in the room despite the air conditioner. If the piped in gas powered the appliance, there must be a leak on the system that caused the inability of the air conditioner to cool the room. Due to the lack of power, the compressor failed to operate and produce the cold air.

    The electric power in my place is supplied by a local cooperative. The power fluctuates always so that several times the air conditioner’s compressor fails to operate due to low voltage. In other words, there is electrical failure or “leakage”.

    • Victin Luz says

      June 9, 2013 at 1:36 PM

      Atty @Rene …the GAS used in an air-conditioning units was FREON … Although GAS , FREON is not IMFLAMABLE…. An AIRCON will not BLEW COLD AIR if ,,marumi ang unit or the strainer kaya dapat linilinis lagi if window type sya….or ….. the power supplied by MERALCO or the cooperative in an area ay mahina , that can not sustain the ENERGY/power needed to run all your households furnishing like the AIRCON…. You can PUT ON that unit pero hindi nya kayang paandarin ang MOTOR ng unit to his DESIRED horse power to circulate the FREON together with INPUT AIR coming from the outside , at pag BUGA nya sa loob ng ROOMs ay MALAMIG na sya…….. ang FREON naman pag nag leak sya Hindi sya NASINDI kasi IMFLAMABLE sya……at SIERENDRA I think it is supposed to be centralized air-conditioning unit….. With an AIR-DUCTING from the chillers to the UNITS or rooms…….Kung ang sabi nila mainit ang BUGA sira ang motor ng aircon or the POWER was not sufficient to run the MOTOR… But it has nothing to do with the GAS BLAST except mga sa sinasabi ko na ang GAS ay may also BLOW even without a leak if the TEMPERATURE was too HIGH….sobrang init at COMPACT sya , a possible COMBUSTION and EXPLOSIOn might occur….and…..a short circuit in an electrical wiring might ignite an increase/unbalance motion of the GAS to EXPLODE…..FREON ay pinapalamig nya ang tubig o kaya ang hangin….. Ang leaked FREON MALAMIG iyan SIR.

      • Victin Luz says

        June 9, 2013 at 1:55 PM

        In other places abroad sometimes the COST of a CENTRALIZED AIRCON-UNIT is 50% of the COST of the BLDG [email protected]….kasi …what you are paying here is the COMFORT given to your Custumers especially in HOTELs ,,,lalo na LOBBY nila wala sigurong milyonaryong GUESS na nagpapahid ng PAWIS habang naga CHECK IN sa counter…he he…. Usually sa mga ganitong unit it can last up to 25years without changing your MOTOR/CHILLERS. Unlike sa window type 7years is long enough not to change the whole UNIT…. at it needed to be maintained regularly..

        POWER consumption ng centralized ay sobrang TIPID kasi , pag labas mo ng kwarto , automatic shut down ang power mo …and the COOLNESS can be STORED while it is not yet needed in a particular area of an Hotel example and if there will be BROWN OUTs , advantage ka dahil may restored FREON and AIR to be distributed to the needy areas…

        • Victin Luz says

          June 9, 2013 at 1:57 PM

          GUEST not GUESS he he sorry

  9. Joe America says

    June 9, 2013 at 6:05 AM

    To my point in 11 below, I see that another 12 Filipinos have been killed in a vehicle accident on remote mountain roads. Add this to the 15 killed in Biliran a few months ago, mostly children, and we have a trend line that ought to be weighed against the amount of headline space given to a Manila gas explosion. Please don’t let these 12 disappear, too, without thorough investigation and consideration of what can be done. The poor ought not be “throw-away” whilst we stand in awe about a rich Manila accident.

    http://www.news.com.au/world-news/bus-falls-off-philippine-cliff-12-dead/story-fndir2ev-1226660734157

    • Victin Luz says

      June 9, 2013 at 8:47 AM

      I agree @ka Joe with you,..the media , the press, the journalist ay dapat lahat ay TINITIGNAN NILA even only in CONSTANT MOTION at wag TINITITIGAN LANG after one or two NEWs publication.

      Kagaya sa SUNUG na nangyari sa OZONE DISCO before where HUNDREDs died…. MEDIA is also the BANTAY ng BAYAN , wala ba tayong update to all these tragedies?

      • letlet says

        June 9, 2013 at 4:08 PM

        @ Joe @ Victin Luz

        The media…….. press, journalists and most important of all the government, national and local, should make a thorough investigations on accidents and incidents that befall the rich and the poor alike to prevent the occurrences ( of these accidents) time and again, thus saving more lives. Indeed, it looks as if the government is may tiningnan lang at may tinititigan, which it gives an impression that the national and local officials are more concerned on the plight of the rich but not the poor people’s predicament and dilemma. We are calling on you people of the government to be fair and equal in the treatment of the rich and the poor. As one said “give a damn to the poor, so they give a damn to you ( especially during election)”.

        • Joe America says

          June 9, 2013 at 6:08 PM

          Agree for sure.

        • moonie says

          June 10, 2013 at 4:03 AM

          the poor has different needs. the families of the two poor victims of two serendra explosion that died are not filing charges against ayala land inc. probably because they can’t afford lawyers and cannot meet financial burden of court case. someone ought to tell them that there are government lawyers that work for the public free of charge. they may have to pay for their own incidentals though, like fare and accommodation, baon at pagkain while the case is ongoing. if they take days off work, how will their families survive? who’ll feed them? sometimes, helping the poor, means going all the way, maybe helping them financially too. and if they lost the case, lawyers are free, but they might be oblidged to pay the defendant and the cost involved. how will the meet this? sell the only nipa hut they owned and be homeless?

        • moonie says

          June 10, 2013 at 4:13 AM

          my classmates in sociology lamented that justice is a myth. you’ll get it, if you can afford it. it may even swing against you.

    • raissa says

      June 10, 2013 at 4:55 PM

      You are right, Joe.

  10. letlet says

    June 9, 2013 at 4:14 AM

    I noticed chemical engineer, mechanical engineer and structural engineer are mentioned in some of the posts, but no mention of the gas engineer. Do we have gas engineers in the Philippines?

    In Great Britain (UK), the best route to becoming a successful and qualified Gas Engineer is to take one of the Plumbing Academy’s Gas Course, known as Gas Engineer Course. From completing this gas course, you will move on to become Gas Safe Registered. Gas Safe Register is the official body for gas safety in UK. Successful completion of the course will lead to you becoming a fully qualified Domestic Gas Engineer.

    Below are some of the qualifications you will receive upon successfully completing the course:
    – NICEIC Certificated, Basic Gas Utilization
    – City and Guilds Certificated, 6084 Energy Efficiency
    – ACS Certification, Core Gas Safety (CCN 1)
    – ACS Certification, Domestic Central Heating And Central Heating Boilers (CEN 1)
    – ACS Certification, Water Heaters (WAT 1)
    – ACS Certification, Cookers and Hobs (CKR 1)
    – ACS Certification, Space Heaters – Fires (HTR 1)
    – ACS Certification, Flue Gas Analysers (CPA 1)
    – Part P Defined Scope Electrical Qualification
    ACS (Accredited Certification Scheme)

    Before you can take any ACS assessment, you’ll need to build a portfolio of gas work based evidence under the supervision of a Gas Safe Engineer. Rest assured, our fully qualified gas lecturers will provide you with all the technical knowledge and practical skills you need to become competent Gas Engineer

    link: www. trade-jobs.info/gas/g-qualification
    ————-

    Are those who installed the gas pipeline in the whole condo equipped with these qualifications (from taking the above courses or SIMILAR COURSES). You will notice that the lecturers and mentors from the Plumbing Academy are all fully qualified as Gas Safe Engineers As Condos are rising up like mushrooms in the Philippine’s big cities, the government has to be doubly strict in implementing gas safety regulations to prevent explosions and thus, saving lives. Condo developers and contractors have to hire those with expertise but are those mechanical engineers fully qualified and competent to handle the instalment of gas pipelines? They have to think long and hard before hiring the mechanical engineers or respective engineers to do the job.

    In UK, it is the Gas Engineer who assesses, installs, inspects, (for any gas leakage), and repairs gas pipelines (for gas leakage), gas cookers and hobs, heating boilers, water heaters and central heating. He also uses a spray to determine the exact spot of gas leakage in the pipelines. The spray changes its colour in the spot where there is a leakage. I have seen it before.
    –

    • Victin Luz says

      June 9, 2013 at 6:23 PM

      Chemical Engineers and Chemist we have so as Petroleum Engineers @letlet ,,, pero sa ating bansa wala except it was placed on the burden of a mechanical engineers and Chemical Enguneers…if we are talking about GASES chemical properties ….. At any rate it can also be STUDIED WELL for the MAGNITUDE – F by civil engineers on the subject MECHANIC of FLUIDs or HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING…a major subject for CE students……specific study of GASSES only wala pa dito sa tingin ko.

    • Victin Luz says

      June 10, 2013 at 7:18 AM

      @letlet….. Professions in the Philipppines were being PROSTITUTED and not properly RATIONALIZED…… kahit hindi DOCTOR or SURGEON – nag oopera na kahit kakaunti lang ang natutunan Nya sa MEDICINE .. And even a surgeon-urologist whom I’ve known personally dahil PERA nya at bldng. Nya ang ginagawa , hired a CIVIL ENGINEER and assumed as Project Manager of the Project , monitoring the progress reports at physical accomplishment of the project he he may natutunan Lang syang kaunting construction sa bahay Nya sa USA , acted as an engineer na sya…..ALL OF THESE HAPPENED para… MAGTIPID at pinapayagan naman ng ating mga Government Officials who are obliged to monitor the practice of every profession in our COUNTRY……a carpenter foreman especially in the BARANGAYs ONLY secured the SIGNATURE of an ENGINEER compare or friend sa mga building permits THEN sya na ang gagawa ng project , ilagay nya ang BASED on his experience sa pagtatayo ng bahay doon sa nayon nila , kahit Hindi Nya alam mag compute ng LOADINGs or STRESSES ng DESIGN of an POSTE ( column ) Hala larga sila ng larga,,, pagdating ng malakas na BAGYO,,,lipad si bahay kasama ang yero at trusses ng bahay ,,,, ano ang ginagawa ng gobyerno natin ? Di relief goods were distributed , fundings for the reconstruction of their house are released and SAME PROCEDURE AGAIN for the reconstruction of their dwellings,,,, si FOREMAN kaya na Nya iyan , matagal ng nagawa ng bahay iyan at Hindi na natin kailangan ang engineer na at MAPAPAMAHAL pa ang HALAGA ng bahy mo,,,, ayon pag dating uli ng BAGYO ,,,,lipad lipad na naman ang kaluluwa ng kabahayan nila ….ONLY in the Philippines @letlet…..kahit Hindi electrician KABIT ng KABIT ng electrical wirings kaya tuloy minsan o malimit , NAKURYENTE si tatay , PATAY….no problem dahil may libre namang kabaong si MAYOR at may pangkape pa……Professions must be properly RATIONALIZED in our country and STOP the PROSTITUTION of our careers/endeavors……. LISENSYA dapat ang dapat mayrroon sa mga mangagawa at dapat bayaran ng sapat/katapat na sweldo ang ating professionals …….. Imagine an EXAMINER of BIR a Certified Public Accountant CPA — chief examiner receiving only P 24,000.00 a month…. GROSS….. ANO ANG GAGAWIN NYAN PAG MAYROON PAGKAKATAON NA UMASENSO NG ISANG IGLAP? he he guess @letlet. …only in RP…

      • letlet says

        June 10, 2013 at 9:49 PM

        Only in RP, but the devastating effect on the socio- economic life of the Filipinos from all walks of life is disastrous / catastrophic, as it causes more sufferings to the people instead of alleviation from their dilemma. Why people can’t learn from their mistakes especially in the construction of the house. Pagawa ng pagawa ng bahay at repair, tapos ipad ng lipad ang yero ng kabahayan at bagsak ang kabahayan, at the end of the day, they spend more money sa pagawa sa bahay nila,. di sila nakakatipid. It’s better to hire the right person to do the job and pay the right money, cuz in so doing when the job is done properly, the house can withstand any storm blasting it.

        It’s so sad some people have this kind of attitude and thinking as their lives are not going forward but going two or three steps backwards. Kaya walang asenso sa buhay.

« Older Comments
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist Then they came fof the Trade Unionists, and I did not out speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me— And there was no one left to speak for me. —Martin Niemöller (1892-1984)

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