By Raïssa Robles
In this post, I would like to do live-blogging of the State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino before Congress.
IN the end, I think PNoy’s message is – Ang sarap maging Pilipino sa panahong ito.
IN a way, yes. BUt in another way, life is much harder.
***
ANother thing that PNoy did not at all mention directly – the conflict in the South China Sea. THis was only hinted at in terms of the upgrades for external defense.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said it was “prudent” of the President to keep mum about it because of Manila’s pending case of arbitration on the issue before a United Nations body.
***
UPDATE: AS OF July 22, 2013, 6:49 PM:
You can read the English version of PNoy’s speech by clicking here.
First thing quite noticeable is the utter disconnect between what lawmakers are wearing and the topic of the SONA. How can they be listening to the gross poverty in our nation while wearing the most expensive designer outfits?
The way the lawmakers, their relatives and firends are dressed to the nines, you’d think this was the Oscar Academy Awards. Not a gathering of the nation’s leaders to tackle the nagging and very serious problem of poverty.
According to Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, the conditional cash transfer covers 4.3 million families. Assuming the traditional assumption that a Filipino family has an average of six members, that’s 24 million individual Filipinos who are very very poor.
And that’s equivalent to around a fifth of the current assumed Philippine population.
That’s a LOT.
***
An hour has passed since PNoy started his SONA. THere is as yet been no mention of the pork barrel and the FOI bill. HOwever, there has been mention of Philhealth for the poor, of informal settlers, of the peace agreement with Muslim rebels.
***
PNOy mentions the high 7.8% growth.
BUt why hasn’t this growth trickled down to the poor?
I recall a press briefing with an Asian Development Bank economist which I attended eons ago. I asked him how much the economy has to grow in order to reduce poverty.
He said Philipping GDP has to grow 7% for seven years in order to make a difference in the lives of the poor. RIght now, that kind of growth has been accomplished for three years. Four more years to go.
* * *
NOw he knocks the Bureau of Customs.
WHat is he about to say – interrupted by the clapping.
HE slams the way customs personnel are allowing drugs and arms and other contraband to get through.
HE issues a warning against rogue customs men. BUt he doesn’t say if his criticism includes the Customs Commissioner.
***
Will he mention the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo? NO mention yet.
HE praises Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario who went to Libya at once after being appointed to his post.He rescued many overseas workers caught in the conflict there.
AH. NOw he praises Jesse Robredo.
PNOy says –
PAano na sa 2016? Paano pag bumaba ka na. Mga Boss,isipin nga po natin:saan ba tayo nagmula?Kung may agam-agam kayo ngayon ano ba naman ito kumpara sa agam-agam natin nung 2010.”
***
HE suggests reviewing the Civil Service Code that guarantees civil service employees security of tenure.
* * *
Lawmakers are urging the amendment of the present 1987 Constitution in order, they claim, for more foreign investments to come in.
FIrst off, lawmakers should present a study showing FDIs WILL come in once we tinker with our Constitution.
My suspicion is that a lot of FDIs to Asia are coming from China. ANd the only way to attract China to pour in FDI here is to give them Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) and the Kalayaan Island Group. Would Filipinos want to do that?
***
Jeez. I’ve never heard such a “disintunado” (out of tune) choir on national TV.
***
Interesting. This is the first time when NO ONE in the presidentil palace leaked the contents of the President’s SONA piecemeal.
***
So far, the President has not said anything in his SONA that is newsworthy. YOu know, something with an OOMPH.
I mean, it’s true that electrification of more towns are good. BUt what is it that would make a VAST difference in the lives of the poor? IN the life of the nation?
***
NOw we get to the more substantial portion of his speech.
He just said the land distribution in Hacienda Luisita will soon start.
***
He said Philhealth will cover the poor.
ONe regional hosptial will be able to do open heart surgery.
***
NO wonder Congresswoman Imelda Marcos is not in Batasan right now. She has been rushed to the hospital after falling down the stairs at the Batasang Pambansa complex before the SONA.
But I just saw Senator Bongbong Marcos on TV. HE didn’t go the hospital with mum?
***
Policemen are getting their homes.
Soldiers are going into farming in several camps.
HE’s batting for an increase in soldiers’ pension.
***
He also wants to raise what we pay for our monthly SSS and GSIS pension.
If Congress does that, it should also raise penalties on SSS and GSIS commissioners as well as other government officials who lean on SSS and GSIS to buy certain stocks in exchange for commissions and payoffs.
And both pension funds should be more transparent with the way the their respective boards use pension money to invest and give loans to themselves. THeir disclosures should be as stringent as those imposed on listed corporations at the stock market.
***
PNOy airs warning against rogue cops.
He personally praises model policemen who did their duty.
***
Now he talks about the negotiations between the government and the Muslim rebels. Hr predicts more good news is coming.
He promises that whatever is forged would be implemented by the government
HMmm. Why is the clapping by the lawmakers on this issue so limp?
***
He wants the “cabotage law” amended.
Cabotage refers to transportation by air, sea and land . Click on this link.
***
Now he talks about external defense of the country.
***
And from there he talks about expenses the state shoulders for MRT and LRT passengers in Manila.
He wants to raise MRT and LRT fares equivalent to the aircon bus.
But what about the commercial rights already given to those occupying commercial space within the MRT and LRT system? Do these rights stay with the original MRT concessionaires? Is that fair to the public?
***
PNOy states why Iloilo is blessed now with government projects.
He notes that the new Senate President is from Iloilo.
And that is what is distinctly wrong with the Senate. Unlike in the US Senate, Philippine senators are not geographically distributed. Most senators are really from Metro Manila. No one is from the Muslim region in the south. Only two claim to be from Mindanao. But really now, do you think Senator TG Guingona grew up there? Along with Sen. Koko Pimentel?
And this is one reason why development in the Philippines is so lopsided – in favor of Metro Manila.
****
As a journalist, I think the problem with the President’s speech is that it is filled with details but there is no over-arching idea to tie them altogether. I get a sense of a long laundry list being ticked off. Not a whole idea, a vision.
But hey, I’m glad he’s not corrupt.
***
NO MENTION OF PORK BARREL YET.
***
Or at all.
Tomas Gomez III says
There has got to be a reason which hopefully will be known or at least become apparent soon enough why certain topics/issues were not mentioned. These are most probably concerns whose solutions are being kept close to his chest, in the meantime. PNoy deserves all the encouragement……let the cheering squad be heard loud and clear. Unfortunately, the reformist transformation we all hanker for cannot be achieved with one presidential term. Huwag sana tayo magkamali sa pagpili ng kasunod!
AS Ninoy would say when he was still alive…”‘padre, two generations ‘yan…” The correction devoutly to be wished for and to be implemented will take much longer….. The moral fiber of the nation has been abused so profoundly not just by the Marcos dictatorship but some more recent presidencies… Faith in the personal integrity of the President is a good beginning…..half-way, already….but he must be encouraged and urged to do more.
This culture of impunity that has been embedded in the national psyche will require the assistance of the Freedom of Information Law among others and for starters.
And insofar as the frivolous display of frock….hey, this is a democracy. They can enjoy the “high” that comes with their insensitive flaunting of material wealth… but we can also exercise our right of free expression to shame these “fashionistas” and harshly condemn their narcissistic behavior.
raissa says
Well said.
moonie says
tomas gomez III, agree ako sa comment mo specially the one about display of frocks. those gowns looked terribly high class but may not be that costly. these ladies, may mga suki sila and prob’ly got discounts from fashion houses. some designers are quite willing to lend their gowns for free in exchange for publicity. and have their masterpieces displayed and seen widely in national t.v., how very well made they were, how flattering and how good they made the ladies looked.
nanay was wearing patadyong while watching sona on t.v. so patriotic.
Joe America says
Senator Pia Cayetano looked downright elegant. I originally was going to write “hot”, but edited this to project a higher class of commentary.
filipino_mom says
hahaha… in my opinion, the winner was bai sandra sema who wore a traditional muslim outfit in inaul fabric plus a handwoven headdress. the dimaporo women as well.
Tomas Gomez III says
In ‘banketa’ and ‘talipapa’ talk…[email protected]….”na kana mo!”
I was really never a kanto boy but almost! How many of you fellow CPMers can reminisce of happenings sixty years ago, enjoy and sing like Bob Hope…”thanks for the mammaries, er censored, I meant ‘thanks for the memories!!!”
parengtony says
“na kana mo” !!!, Joe…Senator Pia was fabulous. And beyond hot.
Joe America says
:)
Tomas Gomez III says
@ Sra. Robles…..Te aprecio su reconociemento….muchisimas gracias……Tomasito
(not quite 80 but practicing ‘panyol anew………never too late to try something new, all over again…….immersion is essential because Spanish I, II, III & IV back in the early fifties did not really help. Que lastima! But I am not quite ready to say…Adios, patria adorada, besides I am no JR!!! I am proud to say though that I was very close to the one who was, in the Philippine pantheon, closest to JR…….and that was BSA! About a week before his assassination, before leaving Boston,,,,I was in Honolulu…he told me, “pag ka ako tinepok…ako na ang bagong Rizal.”
Rene-Ipil says
Right after the SONA, Ruffy Biazon offered his resignation.
President’s reply: “RUFFY we both know the difficulties in the agency you are trying to reform. My confidence in you remains the same.”
So I thought that PNoy still trusts Biazon as I listen to the SONA. PNoy needs Biazon to reform the Bureau of Customs and re-orient its mission from revenue collection to trade facilitation like most European countries do. Meaning that collection of customs duties would not be necessary because tariff rates are almost nil.
BOC would now refrain from examination of import and export cargoes in the ports and, if necessary, do it in the bonded warehouses outside the port. No more incentive for smuggling because no more substantial customs duties are payable. Cargoes are released soon as they are unloaded or delivered in the piers. No more technical smuggling to cover shady deals. So that the BOC could concentrate against entry of contrabands or pure smuggling.
The above strategy would of course need amendment of the Tariff and Customs Code. In that case PNoy would need the full support of the lawmakers. Thus, the PDAF remains as his effective tool.
The BOC veterans from the lowly janitor to the head of a collection district a.k.a. Customs Collector, are so corrupt that such corruption is already their way of life. The culture of corruption in the PNP, BIR, City Hall, legislative and judiciary combined pales in comparison to the BOC. People now in BOC will never change. Changing all the present employees of BOC without changing the present rules would lead to same culture of corruption in due time.
Rene-Ipil says
Today, Commissioner Biazon said that a “major move” is in the offing that
will affect the entire Bureau of Customs on top of a revamp. He said that this move will need amendment of the Tariff and Customs Code.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/450993/major-move-in-the-offing-to-reform-boc-says-biazon
leona says
@Rene…the Code – Tariff & Customs…has 3, 704 SECTIONS…amendments not yet included thru the years hence…let’s include them…might be 4,000+ SECTIONS!
…amend it again?…add another 500 sections!
…no wonder, a ‘commissioneer’ can’t read the Code and remember it!
…why call it “customs”? What ‘customs’ should be tariffed? Why not ‘costumes’? Or ‘costUMPS’?
…revamping the Code…will just produce more ‘bumps on the heads’! Headaches amended!
Suggestion: Absolutely Anything imported/exported – taxed so much….P____.00
Anything with absolute weight imported/exported – same – taxed etc.
As many times as the ‘item is in numbers’.
…read the Code…Many sections can run 1KM long! …with ‘exceptions to the exceptions to the original exceptions! and so on and on. Same with BIR Tax Code. Yet, we can’t get the ‘Quota’ of revenues as predicted!
…in short, really I hope we simplify the provisions of these Codes for faster collections, easier collections, etc etc. Who originally thought how these Codes [ we copied the US versions] should be ‘worded’ must have been thinking of corruption all the way and got so rich with it. RIP originator!
…who wants to be a commissioneer? Many!
Rene-Ipil says
Leona @14.1
You are correct. The best recourse is simply to simplify the tariff law or Book One of the TCCP, particularly Section 104 of the Import Tariff or Title One of Book One. Actually, only said Section 104 contains what you term as the kilometric portion of the TCCP which deals with the voluminous description of rate of import duty and the list of all conceivable import goods or materials.
Indeed, the whole TCCP consisting of Book I for Tariff Law and Book II for Customs Law could be read completely in about 20 to 30 minutes excluding the rate of import duty and the subheadings, headings and chapters under Section 104, Title I of Book I. In other words, the substantive provisions of the Code comprise few pages.
http://www.chanrobles.com/presidentialdecreeno1464.htm#.Ue8SGssaySN
Cha says
Maybe the speech reads better than the actual presentation. I didn’t get to hear the Presidnt’s delivery and only got to read the full text online, and I must say it’s a well written speech and quite inspirational especially towards the end. It did ramble on with the lengthy enumeration of his administration’s accomplishments, but I’m happy to indulge the man who’s been working tirelessly for this country in the last three years.
I also did find an overarching idea that ties everything together and that is that the Filipino people are the ones responsible for all the accimplishments of his administration, for it is they who voted him into office, it is they who continue to support him and the programs of his administration. And it will also be them who will define what happens next after his term.
And in the full text, the PDAF was indeed mentioned (I don’t know if this made it to the actual speech). What he was supposed to have said is that just because he hasn’t said anything about it (and a couple of other issues) doesn’t mean he hasn’t been doung nything or don’t have plans to address the issue. So maybe he just needs a bit of time to put all the pieces together and plan his next move, like the billiard player Raissa once compared him to.
Overall, I’d say the President’s performance thus far speaks for itself. The SONA is really just a covering letter.
Joe America says
Yes, I agree. Highly inspirational to me. The closing was spectacular.
However, in the interest of supporting the Philippines latest ag product, the exporting of nits, I would note that in your paragraph 2, line 4, you used the pronoun “them”. In the context of the sentence, the correct word should be “they” as it is a predicate nominative standing in for the subject “it”, and is not the object of the action. You correctly used “they” two times in the sentence just prior to that, so I know it was probably just caused by typing fast as you were composing. No harm, no foul. And I will hold the spelling off “accimplishments” to the fact that your keyboard was likely made in China.
Have a g’daye,. :)
Cha says
:)
andrew lim says
Raissa,
Ruffy Biazon of Customs just tweeted that he has offered his resignation. He’s a clean guy, but that’s really the good move. He just couldnt hack it.
Vibora says
the President’s reply, “RUFFY we both know the difficulties in the agency you are trying to reform. My confidence in you remains the same.”
vander anievas says
pnoy, 9 out of ten ka sa akin…keep up…
Joe America says
This was a very long, very substantive speech. You’d have said something different, I’d have said something different, and President Aquino said what he believes is important. It was a masterpiece in my opinion. Describing a nation on the mend and on the rise. He is true to his first calling, to break up the corruption and self dealing that makes the Philippines a place incapable of solving problems forthrightly.
This is one extraordinary President. I hope y’all realize this, and get beyond nitpicking over what he said. What he said was down right beautiful.
andrew lim says
Joe,
Picking nits is a national pastime.
But not to worry, majority of Raissa’s commenters are not the self-destructive ones. They know how to build rather than destroy. They expect a lot, but they recognize the more important things in nation building.
They are different from the extreme leftists, the CBCP, the remnants of the Marcos, Arroyo and Estrada regimes and corrupt civil servants. These are the ones who are the obstacles to good governance and economic progress.
Joe America says
Yes, nits should be an agricultural export of the Philippines. It would really give the budget a boost.
There is nothing wrong with criticism. Usually it is constructive. But I rather see that the Philippines has a magnificent president. Not just a good one. Why, if we are interested in propelling the Philippines to a leadership position in Asia, would we want to be dragging our frictional feet by expecting a guy who has the best interest of the Philippines deeply in his heart, and is working hard on our behalf, to do it OUR way? EVERY single fricking WORD our way?
No no no. Respect that this guy is good and grant him the confidence and support to do his job to the best of his ability. Back him, don’t drag him down. Volunteer, you know? Let go of ourselves for a change.
parengtony says
well said.
impex123 says
I agree. Just like Teddy Locsin said in his Teditorial: “He is the president we need. He is the only president who cares for the people and for the Philippines. We will miss this man after his term.” Naiiba sya sa mga naging pangulo natin. Let us support him, this is the right time.
parengtony says
Amen.
Rene-Ipil says
[email protected]
I think the SONA is tailored for nitpickers. It is detailed enough so that usual critics have no option but either to accede or belie the stats mentioned. And I believe that nobody could contradict the achievements that PNoy said.
Joe America says
I smile in some amusement because many of the critics claim he only criticizes Arroyo and brags about himself. Tell that to Customs.
begalon says
Joe,
You write good things about the Philippines and writes constructive criticism although it hurts. I like to read your blog, so will you or anyone here provide me your link?
Thanks
Joe America says
Sure, begalon. Thanks. I’ve leaned a lot, too, and am striving to be less insensitive. Sometimes my Mother’s Dutch dogmatism takes over though.
http://joeam.com/
begalon says
Thanks a lot Joe. ;)
begalon says
Joe,
Very long and kept me glued to the TV throughout and I wanted more. haha…
The best President we ever had. He is for the people.
Joe America says
Yep. Agree. I hope you caught the Rappler article about his management style. If not, there is a link in the right column of my blog.
begalon says
Okedok. Will do.
vander anievas says
imo, tama lang hindi nya nabanggit ang pdaf. kitang kita naman sa mga kasuotan ng ating mga magigiting na mambabatas ang ibang pinaglalagyan ng pork barrel.
tiyak na bilib na bilib na naman sa karen d at baka tumutulo pa ang laway niya kasama si ratatat lima.
malungkot si boy corona tonyo. baka galing sa tabernakulo…
parengtony says
I like your insights. I do think that PNoy should make a definitive statement about the Pork Barrel… in words and/or in deeds. The executive is as involved in it as the legislative.
andrew lim says
MY RANDOM COMMENTS ON THE SONA
1. Former TESDA head Augusto Syjuco who was mentioned for alleged corruption in his previous post is the father of Miguel Syjuco who partially exposed Sotto’s plagiarism. They have long been estranged. The nerve of Augusto Syjuco, who voted no to the RH bill, and recited the Apostle’s Creed in the explanation of his vote to be involved in corrupt activities! (Di baleng corrupt, basta kakampi ng Bishop!)
2. If you have only an hour and a half, you cannot satisfy every listener with your speech. There will always be something lacking. But the integrity stands out, and that is a great thing to have!
3. Who’s standing in the way of continued progress?
a. corrupt civil servants
b. remnants of the old order – Marcoses, Arroyos, Estradas.
c. CBCP (for blocking the RH law, Pres. Aquino thanked Congress for passing the law)
d. extreme leftists who made a mess of Commonwealth ave.
Continue to marginalize them!
4. Pnoy should endorse his candidate for 2016, and pummel the opposition.
” Kung gusto niyong matuloy and tuwid na daan, ihalal si _____”
” Huwag hayaang maging madilim na daan ang tuwid na daan!”
erwin says
@ andrew lim,
” Huwag hayaang maging MADILIM na daan ang tuwid na daan! ” Italics are mine.
I think, only ha, that you are insinuating to somebody here. Ako ay takot sa madilim na daan kasi malapit ang disgrasya roon…..di ba?
andrew lim says
Oh yes, I am referring to a particular person there. But the thing is, a credible candidate has to be put up against him.
vikkycab says
I must have been lulled to sleep for a few minutes.Did PNoy ever mention anything about the the huge pork barrel? Does he agree with legislators acting as padrinos for so many projects that should be implemented directly by the various departments esp education, health and social service?
leona says
@vikk…PNoy won’t do that. That’s corruption in a separate Body of gov’t…not in the Executive Dept.!
…legislators acting as ‘padredemonyos’ on many projects was indirectly covered in the detailed SONA natin!
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
If you chose to SLEEP during the Professor’s lecture, bahala kang maghagilap ng sagot sa mga tanong mo, hahaha! ;)
Vibora says
lol…
BFD says
Lol
moonie says
leona, I understand that PNoy has his own pork barrel too, not just the senators. he uses it as emergency fund. I’ve read somewhere that the senate has the power to stop issuance of pork barrels. I think it was senate pres drillon who said that. all they have to do is not fund the pork barrel at the next CAA meeting, that’s committee on appropriation – act? PNoy does not really have much say on who gets what as he is also recipient of pork barrel, but he can make noise about its abuse.
chit navarro says
did you read na the write-up on the President’s Management Style in rappler?
finally, one writes about him having a great management style…. detailed, specific and documented… (backed up by facts and statistics).
that’s in addition to his being not corrupt…!
chit navarro says
. Or perhaps give the management of these 2 funds – the SSS & GSIS – to professional fund managers and not use the directorships as payoffs for political patronage… :)
chit navarro says
let’s wait for his take on the P10B PDAF scam… you think he will touch on the pork?
baycas says
@raissa,
It’s not only the SONAfavic (pronounced sanapavich) dresses…
Don’t forget to spot the “Giuseppe SONAttis” they are wearing.
raissa says
:)
Hiddendragon says
This is what had always bothered me about the SONA. The disproportionate attention given to what the lawmakers are wearing. And they do not disappoint by dressing up like they were going to a Kahirup ball. The mainstream media, and not only their lifestyle editors, report on them, and we lap it up like tonight’s dinner depended on it.
Seriously, can the lawmakers really concentrate on what the President is saying AS THEY SHOULD with all complications their attire imposes on them? Does it matter more what Risa Hontiveros is wearing this time, rather than what PNoy says he has accomplished versus what he actually accomplished.
As much as the American Congress is seriously flawed these days, at least when they have their SONA, they all come in business attire. And no one talks about what they wore.
That this is happening in the Philippines says much about the legislators we have. And the kind of electorate we are. No wonder one of them attempted suicide.
Cha says
I think the media is also to blame for drawing too much attention to what those people are wearing. Philippine Star posted a photo of CJ Sereno on Facebook with the caption explaining her choice of the color purple because it is the olor of the judiciary. Boy, did they get some very angry comments on that one.
Someone said something like “nagkakagulo sa labas yung mga nagpoprotesta sa SONA at ang importante sa inyo ay kung anong kulay ng suot ng kung sinu-sino?”. Another one lamented that the money spent on the lavish gowns could have been givn o the poor instead. And so on.
I hope PHILSTAR and the other media learn their lesson from this.
Cha says
Oops, I spoke too soon. Looks like those geniuses at Philstar are really clueless. After Sereno, they have now posted a photo of Nancy Binay. The poor girl is getting pilloried as a result.
There is a plea from a commenter for Philstar to stop posting those kinds of photos lready. Will they listen?
andrew lim says
cant stop laughing at that comment saying it’s a good thing Nancy didnt wear a maroon dress, that would make her look like the Nazarene. ha ha ha
pro-rh si sereno! ha ha ha
moonie says
I said the same to the militants, they have wasted money on banners and effigies na sinusunog lang naman, adding more air pollution. they could have given the money to the poor too. they could have helped clean up the esteros as well. most of the militants are from UP, yes? their studies subsidized by the government.
leona says
Right! I noticed some ladies-lawmakers. Are they real and expensive? Maybe not. How about the ladies-news-casters, also what are they wearing, real and expensive? Again maybe not. Mahalaga ang pera ngayun. Saw too the cleavages…dark ‘n pale browns skins.
I saw PNoy …slight ubo ubo pa rin. I just hope he takes something a-soothing candy so as not to ubo during his speech.
Why so many many rallyistas ‘n policemen? PNoy landed via helicopter…streets flooded…with ’em. Not safe anymore to go to Batasan for a SONA? Sad. Why of all days? Who ‘paying’ all these rallyistas’ organizers?
What’s the beef-speech to be … soon?
leona says
I don’t like the singing of the Nat’l Anthem…wala sa tune yun iba! Dami nila pa sintunado.
raissa says
YOu noticed too.
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
The Americans had our golden voiced singers Jessica Sanchez in Washington DC and Charice sing their anthems in some baseball openings. Why must we be made to suffer tympanic sickness with DISINTUNADO schoolboys and not LEA SALONGA or ZENDEE ROSE out there? Kawawa talaga tayong mga Pinoy!
leona says
…baka grabe ang pag ka binge ng Maestro ng Choir! hahaha…low bat hearing aid siguro –
leona says
Yes, Raissa. Binge pa ako…dinig ko pa! hahaha
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
Will someone please tell me if PNOY used a TELEPROMPTER or an IMPLANTED COCHLER EAR RECORDING during his SONA speech? His non-stop recital of concrete, specific — not generalized — statistical governmental figures is TRULY IMPRESSIVE!!
leona says
@AUGUST….PNoy has a good RAM….latest ePhone.
kajames239 says
Mukhang napuna din ni PNOY…sa tingin ko isiningit lang ang choir group na yun…ala gaano practice. May “agpadaya” may “agpalaud”! :)
moonie says
thank the lord! akala ko ako lang ang wala sa tuno. but I sang with all my heart though, putting my soul into it while watching all on t.v. I’m just not The Voice material no matter how hard I try.
raissa says
A chiffon gown is always expensive.
IT’s difficult to cut and to sew and to form.
MY mom used to make such gowns and sometimes I was collared in as unpaid help :)
raissa says
THose with beading are even more expensive.
leona says
Sitting on that seat for 1hr 10 minutes [minus the 5 min. for power pow-wow] must have been painful for ladies-solons…sitting on those thousand beads! Darn! Sakit puit ko!
Yes, Raissa…no ‘over-arching to tie them up to a whole idea’. Still, I give PNoy for speaking that long long 1 hr. 10 minutes…apat lang na ubo!
I longed to hear PNoy speak on pork barrels in the Senate, etc. Roll the barrels then!
kajames239 says
@leona: PNOY might as “slap” each of the senators and congs if he included the pork barrels shites in his sona. Besides investigation regarding the issue is still on-going/still to be done.
filipino_mom says
read somewhere that one of the designers said his dresses cost 25K and up to 250K for a gown. sounds about right. now let’s all get our collective calculators and figure out where the payments for THAT came from.
baycas says
Smoker’s cough.
vander anievas says
nakaka-distract ang ubo nya. malalim…
baycas says
Cough Of PNoy Deep…
Hmmm…
Sakit sa baga ang tuwid na daang hahantungan. Maaaring basahin dito:
Smoking + COPD
moonie says
babies cough too, children as well. coughing is good, it’s reflex action that clears the airways of pollutants. all the ladies gathered in one place, their expensive and exotic perfumes also nagpasiklaban, wafting in the air, their chemical composition medyo nakakahilo. buti kamo he did not sneeze, his eyes watery.
plus the sona was long. all that talking, must have dried the throat, made him cough. professors at lectures ay inu-ubo rin. and he smokes too. a drink of water with lemon and honey would be soothing.
jorge bernas says
Mga rallyista ay nagpapagulo lang kayo sa ating lansangan at marami kaming naperwisyo ninyo kahapon at nakakahiya ginawa ninyo, Sinabihan na kayong mga Rallyista kong hanggang saan lang kayo puwede pero sinira at giniba ninyo ang barrikada nang mga Pulis at buong tapang na lumalaban sa mga PULIS, Nakakahiya ang ginawa ninyo kahapon? Kong naging mahinahon lang sana kayong magpakita nang inyong gustong iparating sana ay walang nasaktan sa magkabilang Panig? Dapat nang sinira/giniba nang Rallyista ang barikada ay may bumberong nakaambang para matauhan silang lahat at umuwi… NagpapaGULO lang kayo doon kahapon at marami kaming naperhuwisyo….