tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17316206530758850902024-02-19T11:21:57.619+08:00Brain Bang<br /><br />Brain Bang serves as the blog of Mind Bullet Inc.<br />It is a major attempt at establishing relationships with netizens all over the world. Through Brain Bang, a lot of discussion will hopefully be generated on market positioning and public relations. No idea killers here. Only passionate dialectics.Eero Brillanteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508961553626619723noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-36077061662827925882011-03-11T04:24:00.001+08:002011-03-11T04:26:41.111+08:00Philippines to buy 200,000 tons of rice from Vietnam<div id="yui_3_3_0_1_1299788384523148" class="yom-mod yom-art-hd"><div id="yui_3_3_0_1_1299788384523147" class="bd"><a href="http://www.mb.com.ph/" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/tAVBpYP1G2MSnsOesDuwjA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9Zml0O2g9NDA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_ph/News/logo/mb/mblogo.jpg" alt="Manila Bulletin" title="" class="logo" /></a><cite class="byline vcard"><span class="provider org">MB</span> – <abbr title="2011-03-09T08:26:36Z">Wed, Mar 9, 2011 4:26 PM PHT</abbr></cite></div></div> <div class="yog-col yog-5u"> </div> <div class="yom-mod yom-art-content"><div class="bd"><p><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299706163_1">MANILA, Philippines</span> (Reuters) - Philippine Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said Wednesday that the state-run <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299706163_0">National Food Authority</span> (NFA) will buy 200,000 tons of rice from <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299706163_4">Vietnam</span> in a government-to-government deal.<br /><br />Alcala also said he wanted the tenders for private sector rice import rights to be held this month, with traders allowed to buy up to 660,000 tons of the grain.<br /><br />The government wants all shipments, including the NFA purchases, to arrive from late May and into June.<br /><br />"It will be a government-to-government deal. Vietnam has actually given us guarantee that they can supply our requirements," Alcala told reporters.<br /><br />He said private traders can also buy the entire 660,000 tonnes from Vietnam.<br /><br />"The private sector will be allowed to negotiate for their own purchases, but will not be obliged to buy solely from Vietnam. They can buy from other exporters if they can negotiate for a cheaper price," Alcala said.<br /><br />The Philippines has an existing rice supply agreement with Vietnam, which was extended to 2013.<br /><br />A trader in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299706163_2">Ho Chi Minh City</span> said: "It means they (the Philippines) also have rice shortage, unlike before when it seemed they were slow in their purchase."<br /><br />The Philippines' latest demand, coupled with a planned Bangladeshi purchase of 200,000 tons of Vietnamese rice, is small compared with Vietnam's output available for export from its current harvest of 3 million tons of milled rice.<br /><br />But once the deals are finalized, these could help halt a fall on domestic and export prices in Vietnam, the world's second-largest exporter of the grain after Thailand.<br /><br />The Philippines has approved rice imports of 1.3 million tons for 2011 but has indicated it wanted to limit shipments to about two-thirds of that, relinquishing its position in recent years as the world's biggest buyer of rice.<br /><br />For 2010, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299706163_3">Manila</span> imported a record 2.45 million tons.<br /><br />"We approved an import volume of 1.3 million tons to consider emergency purchases if we don't meet our production targets," Alcala said.<br /><br />The government wants the private sector to take over the country's rice purchases to reduce the NFA's financial burden.<br /><br />Such purchases are tariff-free, with the traders instead paying a service fee to the NFA for bringing in rice.</p><p>Source:<a href="http://beta.ph.news.yahoo.com/philippines-buy-200-000-tons-rice-vietnam-20110309-002636-106.html">http://beta.ph.news.yahoo.com/philippines-buy-200-000-tons-rice-vietnam-20110309-002636-106.html</a></p></div></div>meggihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257101750797540816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-56925831910572262222009-05-04T19:05:00.001+08:002009-05-04T19:08:28.804+08:00Manual on Election Campaign Management Now AvailableFor those who are running in the 2010 elections, nothing beats ample preparation and precise implementation. <br /><br />Eero Brillantes is author of the election manual “Election Game Changer: Strategy, Deployment, Victory”. <br /><br />A winning campaign strategist and public relations specialist, Brillantes was instrumental in the victories of national and local candidates in 2007. These included a senator, several congressmen, and various local candidates. <br /><br />The manual covers important topics including chapters on Rules of Engagement, Disposition of Forces, and Composing the Strategy Canvas. It also includes a workshop guide to facilitate actual campaign planning. Case studies on campaigns successfully handled by the author and an analysis of the Barack Obama presidential campaign are likewise included. <br /><br />Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Political Communications guru Greg Garcia provided the foreword for the book. <br /><br />Brillantes says that the challenge for 2010 is to find the winning formula in a playing field wherein traditional campaigns are being implemented by all. <br /><br /><blockquote>The challenge for candidates for the next elections and beyond is to sharpen methodologies on campaign management and look for that competitive edge. Campaigns must deliver the end result and that is to win. But this is easier said than done. Victory means looking at the election exercise as a methodological step by step process. Voter registration and profiling is as important as generating and protecting the votes. It also means knowing where to essentially allocate money and people to be efficient and effective. It has become a science whether the position up for grabs is local or national.</blockquote><br /><br />For those who are interested in getting a copy of the manual and avail of election campaign management expertise, please get in touch with Mr. Brillantes at 09276702831, 09182974803 or email at ebrillantes@mindbullet.org and mindbullet45@gmail.com.<br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />About the Author </span><br />Eero took up his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Communication at the University of the Philippines (UP). He pursued his Masters Program at the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC). His experience spans 18 years as communications specialist for various non-profits and government agencies. <br /><br /><br />On the political front, he provides media relations work and strategy to a Senator, three district congressmen, four incumbent party list groups, and spokespersons of two political parties. <br /> <br />Eero is the chief nurturer of Mind Bullet Inc., a marketing and public relations company. He handles account management and oversees the strategic activities at the office. He is the resident wordsmith of Mind Bullet.da writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605233852584696537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-26089857479160087162009-03-05T01:38:00.007+08:002009-03-05T08:52:57.921+08:00Articles on How Precinct Count Optical Scans Are Hacked and Used for Election Cheating<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The budget for election automation has been passed. It is at a whooping 11 billion pesos. Now the reality check. The technology being eyed, the Precinct Count Optical Scan has been widely criticized as easily hackable. Below are some internet sources which tells of compelling reasons on how cheating is done with this technology. <br /><br />There must be a reason for the last minute passage of the supplemental budget. It might be part of the script to stall then fastbreak the passage at the end of the congress session. So that there would be no more questions. One thing is for sure. The system being put up will provide so much advantage to those who will gain access to the counting machines before actual counting. The key is a cheating software embedded in the memory chip which self destructs after the counting is done. No traces whatsoever and the tally balances out with the actual ballots scanned. Definitely not fiction as the internet articles would show. We are fucked.<br /><br />Eero<br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:arial;" >1. </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: arial;" href="http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:Dv_Z9tFMeeAJ:www.bradblog.com/%3Fp%3D6641+precinct+count+optical+scan+cheating&hl=tl&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=ph&client=firefox-a"><i><b>" Al Franken's Razor-Thin MN Senate Race Counted on Flawed <b style="background-color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">Optical</b>-<b style="background-color: rgb(255, 153, 153);">Scan</b> Systems "</b></i></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:arial;" ><a href="http://www.hackingdemocracy.com/">2. Hacking Democracy</a> </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:arial;" >3. </span><a style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://itpolicy.princeton.edu/voting/">Security Analysis of the Diebold AccuVote-TS Voting Machine</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:arial;" >4. </span><a style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/tags/voting">NJ Voting-machine trial update</a><br /><br />5. </span><a href="http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:3a9pud_D0EgJ:www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00150.htm+precinct+count+optical+scan+cheating&hl=tl&ct=clnk&cd=17&gl=ph&client=firefox-a">Florida Plan Gives Citizens Real Paper Ballots</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2980&Itemid=51" class="contentpagetitle">6. Insecurities and Inaccuracies of the Sequoia AVC Advantage 9.00H DRE Voting Machine</a><br /><br /><br /><h2 class="nodeTitle"> </h2>Brainbanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030400842040887341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-48216117525054254282009-02-25T17:34:00.000+08:002009-02-25T17:36:15.752+08:00<h1 style="margin: 0pt 0pt 2px;"><br /></h1>http://www.gmanews.tv/story/150212/Minority-bloc-eyes-own-fertilizer-scam-report<br /><br /><h1 style="margin: 0pt 0pt 2px;">Minority bloc eyes own fertilizer scam report. www.gmanews.tv</h1><br /><div id="story" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 20px;"> <b>MANILA, Philippines</b> - The minority bloc in the Senate is set to come up with its own report on the multimillion fertilizer fund scam following the blue ribbon’s findings exonerating President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from the said anomaly.<br /><br />“We are preparing the minority report kung saan makikita na napakarami pang leads, witnesses na puwede pang ipatawag including the other contractors and suppliers and local government officials,” Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said Tuesday.<br /><br />[“We are preparing the minority report wherein we’ll show that there are still leads to follow and witnesses to summon including other contractors and suppliers and local government officials.”]<br /><br />“Though we empathize with the blue ribbon committee, the keyword is not submitting the whole report but exhausting all leads,” Cayetano added.<br /><br />Cayetano described the blue ribbon report, which was signed by 12 senators, as "hinog sa pilit (raw)" after it found no direct evidence linking President Arroyo to the P728-million scam.<br /><br />“This is premature to say that there is no evidence against President Arroyo,” Cayetano said.<br /><br />The blue ribbon report, which was released Monday, recommended the filing of a string of charges including plunder against former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante and several other individuals.<br /><br />Bolante was the alleged mastermind of the scam wherein some P728 million worth of fertilizer funds intended for poor farmers were allegedly diverted to President Arroyo’s campaign kitty in the 2004 elections.<br /><br />Blue ribbon committee chairman Sen. Richard Gordon admitted that President Arroyo, by an act of omission, committed the same crimes of her underlings but said his committee did not find sufficient evidence that would directly link her to the anomaly.<br /><br />Gordon said President Arroyo is liable under the "doctrine of qualified political agency," which provides that all executive and administrative organizations are adjuncts of the executive department.<br /><br />Gordon made the recommendation as he formally submitted the panel’s 130-page preliminary report after eight public hearings.<br /><br />Cayetano said Gordon’s panel should have invited to the hearing former Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin who was then responsible for releasing the fund.<br /><br />He also said the report “diverted” from the original purpose of the investigation, which is to find out if the money was used by the Arroyo administration to its campaign kitty during the 2004 elections.<br /><br />“I’m saying that it (report) was rushed, and it doesn’t give justice to the intent of the investigations which is to find out the whole truth,” Cayetano said.<b> - GMANews.TV</b> </div>Brainbanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030400842040887341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-88864703921012259742009-02-25T14:31:00.006+08:002009-02-25T14:44:26.581+08:00Election Game Changer out soon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnvQ19XlAM95rTgCCT_F-COgxiZAFKP2D0pTnLVKqjmDbGBnJISlE4O0I2aGcWZASV3qrISdvRw9nS2wNcOukT_f7v8_ZHHt9VkIiV2kMt8g5YmHrE46aHp6GNPcmmTUroyu9jK4lCmq7/s1600-h/jacket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnvQ19XlAM95rTgCCT_F-COgxiZAFKP2D0pTnLVKqjmDbGBnJISlE4O0I2aGcWZASV3qrISdvRw9nS2wNcOukT_f7v8_ZHHt9VkIiV2kMt8g5YmHrE46aHp6GNPcmmTUroyu9jK4lCmq7/s400/jacket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306620888487967154" border="0" /></a><br />Finally. Hopefully by the time I become 40 years old on March 15, 2009, my book "Election Game Changer" will be published and made available to the public. Its my way of celebrating 4 decades here on earth.<br /><br />As an added service, I will be available for speaking engagements, lectures, and orientation seminars on how to implement the book. I invite those running in 2010 to touch base and see what we can do to get you elected. You can email me at mindbullet45@gmail.com. <br /><br />EeroBrainbanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030400842040887341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-86258887456515365172009-02-22T22:21:00.002+08:002009-02-22T22:27:52.520+08:00Selected Philippine online media sourcesI do daily media scanning and news analysis. Simply put I track relevant issues so that I can provide risk assessment, competitive intelligence, and early warning to clients. The following are my staple of on-line media sources.<br /><br />1. www.inquirer.net<br />2. www.abs-cbnnews.com<br />3. www.gmanews.tv<br />4. www.sunstar.com.ph<br />5. www.dzmm.com.ph<br />6. www.pcij.org<br />7. www.newsbreak.com.ph<br /><br />You might want to add these to your list. <br /><br />EeroBrainbanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030400842040887341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-17077012163224484842009-02-22T21:59:00.004+08:002009-02-22T22:04:19.788+08:00Create your own social network online.If you would want to develop your own social network to loop in friends, visit www.ning.com. Its a free online service for you to have your own friendster of facebook type portal. Its cool. <br /><br />Another great online social networking tool is twitter. It is a simple on line program that makes you keep track of friends and them keeping track of you on a daily basis. Its located at www.twitter.com. You just post "what are you doing?" and you get posts from friends in return. Its cool too. <br /><br />Check these sites out.<br /><br />EeroBrainbanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030400842040887341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-74513078251211412522009-02-22T21:55:00.001+08:002009-02-22T21:55:32.586+08:00Brainbang election 2010 series 3Why Senator Ping Lacson should just shut up <br />AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR By William M. Esposo<br />The Philippine Star 2009-02-15 <br /><br />That headline is correct. If there is anyone who should shut up and stop commenting on the farcical manner the February 11 Senate hearing (on the World Bank Report on contract rigging) was conducted, it is none other than Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.<br /><br />But why, you might ask, should Sen. Lacson shut up and stop commenting on that controversial hearing on the World Bank (WB) Report when he has been the most aggressive Senator in identifying the people behind the alleged contract rigging?<br /><br />You might also ask: was it not Sen. Lacson who named First Gentleman Mike Arroyo as the alleged central figure in the WB contract rigging? Was it not Sen. Lacson who also dragged other politicians like former Representative Prospero Pichay et al to the WB contract rigging mess?<br /><br />Well, it is precisely for those reasons why your Chair Wrecker thinks that Sen. Ping Lacson should now stop commenting on this whitewash issue and just shut up. Simply put, Lacson lost the moral high ground to speak out on that farce of a hearing when he left it last Thursday just to attend to another appointment.<br /><br />Just what “other appointment” could be more important for Sen. Lacson that he has to leave the Senate WB hearing where he was instrumental in identifying the alleged bid manipulators? His Senate job is more important than any other appointment and that includes a possible appointment with a urologist in case he is now showing signs of erectile dysfunction.<br /><br />Don’t you agree that what Sen. Lacson did is no different from grabbing the basketball during a crucial point of a ball game — then, all of a sudden, hand it over to the opposing team? He took a lead role in pressing for this investigation and just when the accused were gathered, he takes a French leave.<br /><br />After what he has exposed, after identifying the alleged culprits — Sen. Lacson cannot justify leaving that hearing for another appointment.<br /><br />That bizarre departure of Sen. Lacson from last Thursday’s hearing raises suspicions because he knows that the new Senate President that he was instrumental in installing — Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile — is a staunch defender of the administration. Lacson also knows that the Committee Chairperson, Sen. Miriam D. Santiago, is another administration defender.<br /><br />True to form, both Senators Enrile and Santiago managed to maneuver the hearing and make the WB the villain instead of the heroic whistleblower. Did Sen. Lacson expect Senators Enrile and Santiago to perform otherwise? Has Sen. Lacson forgotten how they tried to do the same to the other whistleblowers who testified against the evil regime in previous Senate hearings?<br /><br />Didn’t the “Top Cop” that Sen. Lacson has been touted to be sense the direction that the hearing will take with the actuations and pronouncements of Senators Enrile and Santiago days before the hearing? Many people, none of them with “Top Cop” credentials, sensed that a whitewash was in the works after Senators Enrile and Santiago extended super leniency to Mike Arroyo, announcing that they will not compel him to appear in the hearing.<br /><br />A lot of people who expected Lacson to carry the ball and frustrate the administration plot to clear the suspected WB contract riggers were shocked when he left the hearing. Many of them asked this Chair Wrecker for an explanation.<br /><br />One of them wondered if Sen. Lacson was afraid of being confronted by Prospero Pichay and the others who he linked to the WB contract rigging scandal. Another wondered if Sen. Lacson is already working undercover for the administration — citing surprise why Lacson was also siding with Enrile and Santiago in not compelling Mike Arroyo to attend the hearing.<br /><br />Another person said that Lacson is under the gun because of the Senator’s pending case in the Supreme Court and that this could be the reason why the “Top Cop” has been playing the administration line. This same person added that Lacson surprisingly sponsored the confirmation in the Commission on Appointments (CA) of controversial Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez who was rejected by the CA in the past.<br /><br />Sen. Lacson had the gall and the temerity to denounce the Thursday WB hearing — saying that it followed a carefully crafted script. Of course, it was a script. The editors and Op-Ed writers of the STAR agreed that it was a script. So too did many of the editors and writers of the other media.<br /><br />Santiago’s theatrical antics, Enrile’s issuance of a subpoena to the WB country director, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez’s admission (but only towards the end) that the WB did provide a thick file, the testimony of Mike Arroyo’s doctor that, in effect, the First Gentleman is fit for travel and golf but not to testify or clear his name, the letter of Mike Arroyo that his lawyer Ruy Rondain read — all that reeked of a scripted program that even the three government TV networks (that never covered a Senate hearing before) suddenly aired live.<br /><br />But didn’t Sen. Lacson play a lead role in that script by leaving the hearing and abrogating his task of pressing the issues? Sen. Lacson could have put Senators Enrile and Santiago in a bind by protesting the attempt to whitewash the case and make the WB the villain.<br /><br />He could have demanded for more time by saying that he was the only one who was conducting a real investigation. Santiago would have been hard pressed to deny giving Senator Lacson more time to question the accused.<br /><br />When he left the hearing, didn’t Sen. Lacson provide the wide space and elbow room for the pro-administration Senators to reverse the role of accuser and accused? Didn’t Sen. Lacson’s departure constitute the equivalent of a prosecuting attorney leaving the courtroom to allow the defense lawyer to press the defense arguments unopposed?<br /><br />Many would be inclined to call that deceit or hypocrisy.Brainbanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030400842040887341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-75714207856004886972009-02-22T21:52:00.000+08:002009-02-22T21:53:27.541+08:00Brainbang election 2010 series 2The Senate President that Ping Lacson et al created <br />AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR By William M. Esposo<br />The Philippine Star 2009-02-10 <br /><br /><br />Under normal circumstances, Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile (otherwise known as JPE) would not have been elected Senate President. Other than the expected support of Senator Gringo Honasan, the other Senators were lukewarm to the idea of a JPE Senate Presidency.<br /><br />However, because Senators Panfilo Lacson, Mar Roxas, Loren Legarda and Jamby Madrigal were so fixated on removing former Senate President Manny Villar as the third in the line of presidential succession, JPE became Senate President.<br /><br />Senators Lacson, Roxas, Legarda and Madrigal — all claiming to be Opposition members — were willing to install one of the biggest supporters of the Arroyo regime as Senate President just so that they can erode the presidential bid of Manny Villar. This is the bane of selfish, narrow minded Philippine politics that has stunted the development of this country.<br /><br />Lacson, Roxas and Legarda have a moist eye on the 2010 presidency while Madrigal is said to be positioning as the vice presidential running mate of Panfilo Lacson.<br /><br />Upon his election as Senate President, JPE expressed full support for the agenda of the four who manipulated his freak ascendancy. It was freak ascendancy because clearly the administration senators were outnumbered by the Opposition senators. JPE even mimicked the Opposition mantra of “NO to Charter Change via Constituent Assembly.”<br /><br />Well, last week JPE has changed his tune. Right after a compliant House of Representatives railroaded a Charter change bill, Juan Ponce-Enrile announced that he was open to Charter change pegged on instituting economic reforms.<br /><br />Are we surprised that Enrile did that? Was he not the same man who turned his back on Ferdinand Marcos, the political patron that brought JPE into the national political stage? Didn’t JPE also turn his back on Cory Aquino after he helped her remove Marcos? Didn’t JPE incite that May 1, 2001 crowd that assaulted Malacañang Palace — only to later join the very Malacañang Palace occupant they wanted to remove?<br /><br />From leading a solid Senate rejection of Charter change just a few weeks ago, how can Juan Ponce-Enrile now take the position that he is open to Charter change pegged strictly on economic reforms?<br /><br />Representative Victor Ortega, chair of the Congress committee that passed the Charter change bill for floor deliberations, was clear that once passed the bill cannot guarantee that term limits (extensions) will not be touched when the process gets underway. Is Juan Ponce-Enrile suggesting that a supposed legal eagle like him is unaware of this reality?<br /><br />Last Sunday, the STAR carried a story written by Aurea Calica that narrated how JPE blew his top when an unidentified radio listener responded to his new Charter change position via text message. JPE was being interviewed over radio station DWIZ when the program host, Cely Ortega-Bueno, read the text message to him.<br /><br />Enrile reportedly slammed the texter: “My question to the texter is this — so what is your answer to the current problems of the country? What? What is your plan? So what do you advise us to do, huh? I am asking you.”<br /><br />Enrile added: “If he (texter) wants he can come out and we can debate about this in front of the public, whatever he plans to do.”<br /><br />“Are we just going to neglect the people who lost their jobs? Are we just going to neglect the families who are hungry? That is foolishness. Tell him he is stupid.” JPE said.<br /><br />It is typical of our politicians to wave the “love for the people” flag when actually attempting to pull a fast one on unwitting Filipinos. Ferdinand Marcos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo — they all claimed to love and care for us. But look at where they all got us.<br /><br />These three have been the most destructive presidencies to infect our land and it is no coincidence that Juan Ponce-Enrile happened to be a staunch supporter of the three at different times in his career. Marcos created the political foundation for future abuse of power and suppression of democracy. Estrada worsened the effects of the Asia Currency Crisis with his mismanagement. Madame Arroyo is just about the sum of Marcos and Estrada and then some.<br /><br />JPE is peddling fallacies when he proposes to alleviate poverty and lost jobs with Charter change. The present Constitution provides the framework for spurring economic progress but fails to deliver economic benefits because of the politicians who control and manipulate the system.<br /><br />The truth is this: It is political reform and not economic reform that will improve the lives of many Filipinos. What our country needs is real democracy but can we expect the oligarchy that rules this country to institute the very reform that will eliminate their monopoly on power?<br /><br />This promise of attracting foreign investors when we open land ownership to aliens and foreign companies is an illusion. China and Vietnam do not allow foreigners to own land in their country but they lead in attracting foreign investments.<br /><br />Foreign investors have not asked to be allowed to buy land here. What turns them off is the corruption, the unpredictable judiciary, the predators in all branches of government and so forth. <br /><br />Clearly, it is the type of politicians that needs changing and not the Constitution.<br /><br />The problem Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile is political. It has always been political. And we do not trust you and your ilk to usher in the era of political reform in this country which is why we Filipinos are wary of people like you when you mouth economic reform.Brainbanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030400842040887341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-10366578506733840672009-02-22T21:46:00.000+08:002009-02-22T21:49:29.965+08:00Brainbang election 2010 series 1You might unknowingly vote for a GMA 'clone' in 2010 <br />AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR By William M. Esposo<br />The Philippine Star 2009-01-29 <br /><br /><br />The support for Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) fluctuates from survey to survey between the low 20% to the last high of 29% in the SWS net satisfaction ratings released last December. Over 70% of Filipinos either rejected GMA or were wary of her in that last survey.<br /><br />However, because of the multi-party system that is now in place, we have been getting a spate of presidents elected by a plurality. Unfortunately, we don’t have runoff elections to ensure that the winner is elected with a majority vote.<br /><br />Even Joseph “Erap” Estrada who was considered to have been popularly elected in 1998 could only muster 38% of the total votes cast. Fidel V. Ramos was elected president with only 22% of the votes cast in 1992. In 2004, many of us even doubt that GMA really got the winning plurality.<br /><br />It cannot be ruled out that, despite remaining extremely unpopular, GMA still has a good chance that her ‘clone’ could end up winning the 2010 presidential elections. Five Opposition presidential candidates running against one administration candidate could easily result in an administration victory — even without cheating.<br /><br />The 70% anti-GMA voters divided by five Opposition candidates will average to a mere 14%. The average 25% pro-GMA voters will still win. Easily, there are Manny Villar, Mar Roxas, Loren Legarda, Panfilo Lacson, Joseph Estrada, Chiz Escudero and Jojo Binay from among the Opposition who are eyeing the 2010 presidency.<br /><br />In fact, even if the Opposition miraculously manages to rally around one presidential candidate, people may not know it that the Opposition candidate could be a GMA ‘clone’ in sheep’s clothing! This Chair Wrecker thinks that there is one such ‘Opposition’ presidential candidate who perfectly fits the bill — Loren Legarda.<br /><br />Why does this Chair Wrecker think that Senator Loren Legarda has the makings of a perfect GMA ‘clone’? Let me assure you that the coincidence that both Loren Legarda and GMA are women has not even been factored in that assessment.<br /><br />First of all, let’s set the parameters for seeing a 2010 presidential candidate as a potential GMA ‘clone’. Won’t you agree with this Chair Wrecker that a person’s character and values form the best gauge for determining that?<br /><br />Our actions are determined and influenced the most by our character and values. Compare, for instance, the character and values of Cory Aquino and GMA. Is it any wonder therefore that Cory Aquino spent her entire term stabilizing and preserving the institutions of our democracy while GMA spent hers eroding and destabilizing these democratic institutions?<br /><br />Now what exactly has Loren shown us to be perceived by your Chair Wrecker as a potential GMA ‘clone’? Allow me please to explain.<br /><br />A good gauge of character and a person’s values is that person’s loyalty to a cause. How do GMA and Loren rate in that department?<br /><br />From LDP when GMA ran in 1995, she has since raised the political banner of Kampi and Lakas in 1998, the People Power Coalition in the 2001 elections, K4 in 2004 and Team Unity in 2007.<br /><br />Who were with GMA when she came to power in 2001 and how many of those are still with her? She owed her ascendancy in 2001 to the civil society groups who clamored for REFORM AND JUSTICE. Well, did we get reform and justice?<br /><br />Loren Legarda was with Lakas and actively prosecuted Joseph Estrada during his impeachment hearing in the Senate. She even did the ‘crying lady’ bit when the pro-Estrada Senators killed the opening of the Jose Velarde envelop.<br /><br />From Lakas, she jumped to the Estrada-associated Opposition and ran as Fernando Poe’s Vice President in 2004. To do that, she had to eat humble pie and eat her own words. Loren renounced her role as an EDSA II player in order to be accepted by the Estrada forces and have a shot at being Fernando Poe’s Vice President.<br /><br />After having lost the 2004 elections for Vice President to Noli de Castro and after winning in the 2007 midterm elections as an Opposition candidate, she did another GMA ‘jump ship’ stunt and joined the NPC (Nationalist People’s Coalition) of Danding Cojuangco — a no ifs and buts GMA supporter.<br /><br />In the recent Senate coup, Loren Legarda was among the four chief plotters from the Opposition bloc (Panfilo Lacson, Mar Roxas and Jamby Madrigal are the other three) who allowed an administration man — Senator Juan Ponce Enrile — to sit as Senate President. The coup plotters did this in order to unseat Manny Villar who leads in the 2010 presidential polls.<br /><br />Are you surprised that when Cory Aquino made that ill-timed joke last December 22, Loren Legarda was quick to support the so-called apology to Estrada whose endorsement she seeks in 2010?<br /><br />Legarda was quoted as saying that Aquino did the right thing. “There is nothing wrong in saying sorry. In fact it shows your humility, it shows your humanity,” she added.<br /><br />GMA and Loren, Loren and GMA — tell me just what exactly the difference is! Is it not obvious that they share the same values? I called the years of GMA in Malacañang Palace as the era of Harlot Politics, the era when allies and causes were scandalously traded for political gain. Tell me why we should not extend the era of Harlot Politics if and when Loren Legarda occupies Malacañang Palace?<br /><br />If you were driven to cynicism by GMA, just why will you think that Loren will bring you and our country any hope?</p>Brainbanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030400842040887341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-56643386691293484912009-02-22T21:25:00.002+08:002009-02-22T21:28:13.696+08:00HOW TO TARGET FILIPINO AMERICAN VOTERS TO GO OBAMA-BIDENIn the recent electoral exercise in the US, I became a member of the my.obama.com social network. I posted the following piece and would want to share it with readers of this blog.<br /><br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <div class="pagination"> </div><br /><p>Eero Brillantes www.mindbullet.org www.brainbang-mindbullet.blogspot.com</p><br /><div class="body"><p>Understanding the election mindset of Filipino Americans, thoughts for the Obama-Biden Ticket. As the US presidential elections enter fever pitch, let me share some thoughts on how to target the four million Filipino-American (FILAM) voters. Apart from the usual demographic profiling of this voting constituency, there needs to be a concrete grounding on deeply rooted Filipino psychology and how it plays into the electoral arena. </p><p>First and foremost is to understand America from the point of view of immigrant Filipinos. A lot of the immigrants entered the United States and worked 2 to 3 jobs. The impetus for this is a zealous commitment to succeed and help relatives at home. Usually, when these folks go home to the Philippines, they try to project themselves as success stories despite the hardships experienced in the US. There has to be a real affirmation on the part of the Democratic Party and its standard bearers OBama and Bidden that FILAMS are a positive economic and political force. In other words, a pat on the back and showing that the Democratic Party cares in specific and not in superficial terms would endear the immigrants. Moreso, since majority of FILAM immigrants are Catholic, they frame their life experiences as part of their journey towards physical and spiritual salvation. For them, the United States represents the promised land and salvation and deliverance from the hardships of their lives in the Philippines. </p><p>Second is to leverage the value system of immigrants in targeting succeeding generations of FILAMS. Succeeding generations of FILAMS, or those who are born in the U.S. are already acclimatized along American values and for all intent and purposes are mainstream Americans already. The core message for succeeding generations of FILAMS is that the Democratic Party by and large is the political party cognizant of the immense contribution of immigrants to the country’s wealth and power. Emphasis is to be given on a long track record of making sure that immigrants benefit from a strong educational, health care, and welfare system that empowers FILAMS to be productive citizens. </p><p>Third is to send a clear message of doing concrete steps for the betterment of Philippines. The Veterans bill is a start, although it is not as compelling as it was once before. Simply put, a lot of the veterans of world war 2 have died and the base of support is dwindling. A more compelling argument for the Obama-Bidden ticket is to help bring actual peace to the Philippines, a strong commitment parallel to what they are espousing in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. There must also be a strong push to empower the Armed Forces of the Philippines. An increase in Aid and Investments with an end in view of having a strong economic and development alliance between the two countries envied by others in the region must be put forth. Nothing excites FILAMS more than seeing the motherland again becoming a strong political, economic, and military ally of the US. The operative word is “Decisiveness”. FILAMS needs to feel that the Philippines is at the center of the South East Asia or even the Asian stage as a major power. In other words, the Philippines must be part of the Obama-Bidden dinner table. </p><p>Fourth is to appeal to the Filipinos in the Philippines to ask their relatives in the States to vote Obama-Biden. Nothing beats direct appeal to the locals in the Philippines to endorse an Obama-Biden ticket to the ones in the States. The strong ties that bind Filipinos across the continents is the very foundation of support that moves the diaspora forward. Information Technology like text messaging, phone calls, e-mails, would be the main driver of communication. Folks from both countries are now conversing everyday through text and email. The use of media outlets in the Philippines to place ads on what the Obama-Biden ticket will do for the Philippines and FILAMS and an appeal to locals to get in touch with their loved ones in the States is a powerful methodology. There are media outlets in the Philippines and in the States which specifically reach the FILAM audience. The operative word for this methodology is “personalize”. The Obama-Biden ticket must be part of the FILAM dinner table. On a practical note, US citizens in the Philippines, numbering around 200,000 still have to see the Democratic Party reaching out to them. </p><p>In a closely contested match between the Republicans and Democrats for the white house, the need for personalized micro-targeting will have a big sway on the turnout. Florida, California, and Nevada, all swing states, all with a sprawling mass of FILAMS. </p><br /></div>Brainbanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030400842040887341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-61474248269642712032008-10-09T10:31:00.001+08:002008-10-09T10:32:52.698+08:00A GUIDE TO PUBLIC RELATIONSWhat is public relations?<br /><br />Public relations is a group of activities aimed at influencing people's attitudes about your community or attraction with the ultimate goal of getting them to vacation there.<br /><br />Public relations is one "tool" in the marketing toolbox that you can use to promote yourself as a vacation destination. Advertising is another marketing tool, perhaps the best known one. A key difference between the two is that advertising is paying the media to run your message and public relations is providing your unpaid message to the media without control over it and how they run it. You must rely on the creativity and value of the information you are presenting to get the media to carry your message to the public. Successful public relations creates an extremely credible third-party endorsement.<br /><br />In this section of the workbook, we'll review tips and techniques for successful public relations, including how to write a good news release, how to "pitch" information about your community or attraction to the media, and how to develop and maintain relationships with reporters. We'll also cover how to develop a public relations plan and how to use public relations in the management of a crisis or specific issue. .<br /><br /><a href="http://agency.travelwisconsin.com/Programs/es98e.shtm">read more...</a>meggihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257101750797540816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-11456980723912981322008-10-04T13:44:00.003+08:002008-10-04T13:54:24.106+08:00Mindbullet's creative graphic artist named finalist in Toyota Art Edge Competition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFnudrcdDOA3P55voAO1unMsqvDlzK-BSxx0L5_QbGBjNS82M1u8QZivD9-Y6Xrk3OCKKYK_KAzP-Ljai4n7dimRyfQT-zPbSW0eX5MG5e_1smXZ_wz3ptcYPiAroU6UBN3FDeBkfRg/s1600-h/DSC01609.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFnudrcdDOA3P55voAO1unMsqvDlzK-BSxx0L5_QbGBjNS82M1u8QZivD9-Y6Xrk3OCKKYK_KAzP-Ljai4n7dimRyfQT-zPbSW0eX5MG5e_1smXZ_wz3ptcYPiAroU6UBN3FDeBkfRg/s320/DSC01609.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253170947844895602" /></a><br /><br />Mindbullet's creative artist Achilleus Coronel and his entry Vitruvian Maiden is selected as one of the Top 20 Finalist in the Toyota Art Edge Digital Art Competition. Close to 500 entries from amateur and professional graphic artists in the country joined this event in celebration of Toyota's 20th Anniversary in the Philippines.da writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605233852584696537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-74935338094630430672008-09-29T11:36:00.001+08:002008-09-29T11:38:11.336+08:00Blogs Will Change Your Business<span class="deck">Look past the yakkers, hobbyists, and political mobs. Your customers and rivals are figuring blogs out. Our advice: Catch up...or catch you later...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_18/b3931001_mz001.htm">read more...</a><br /></span>meggihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257101750797540816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-91424620236627705342008-09-22T10:01:00.004+08:002008-09-22T10:06:00.915+08:00Traditional PR Still Remains Strong<span style="font-style: italic;">Even in the wake of online media, some fundamentals hold fast.</span><br /><br />by Steve Simon<br />SSPR Public Relations<br /><br />About a year ago, numerous blogs were discussing the ostensible "death" of traditional PR. The dialogue centered on the idea that the competition and pressure of online media technology, like blogs, pod casts and RSS feeds, was slowly rendering this kind of PR obsolete.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://aboutpublicrelations.net/ucsimon2.htm">read more...</a></span>meggihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257101750797540816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-57003304228428920642008-09-17T16:39:00.000+08:002008-09-17T16:40:49.433+08:00excerpt from 13 Ways to Use Your Blog to Improve Your Sales Process<p>The numbers don't lie. But, here's some antecdotal evidence and examples of how I have used blogs to move my sales process along.</p> <h3>1. Subscribers Sell Themselves.</h3> <p>Sometimes, by the time I talk to one of our blog subscribers, they know what they want, know why they need it and know that HubSpot provides it. They are <a class="" href="http://www.objectivemanagement.com/BaselineSelling/MonthlyTips/whatclosingfeelslike.htm" mce_href="http://www.objectivemanagement.com/BaselineSelling/MonthlyTips/whatclosingfeelslike.htm">ready to buy</a>. These people have typically struggled for some time trying to figure all this stuff out on their own, they've paid expensive consultants to do it for them; and/or they've struggled hobbling together a bunch of expensive solutions to accomplish the same thing HubSpot provides in one integrated marketing platform. These educated buyers have spent their time reading through the HubSpot website, reading and commenting on our blog posts, attending our <a class="" href="http://www.hubspot.com/marketing-webinars" mce_href="http://www.hubspot.com/marketing-webinars">internet marketing webinars</a>, downloading our <a class="" href="http://www.hubspot.com/internet-marketing-kit" mce_href="http://www.hubspot.com/internet-marketing-kit">internet marketing kit</a> and reading our <a class="" href="http://www.hubspot.com/internet-marketing-case-studies" mce_href="http://www.hubspot.com/internet-marketing-case-studies">online marketing case studies</a>. Then, they usually request an <a class="" href="http://www.hubspot.com/products/demo" mce_href="http://www.hubspot.com/products/demo">internet marketing review of their website</a>.</p><p><a href="http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/4061/13-Ways-to-Use-Your-Blog-to-Improve-Your-Sales-Process.aspx">read more...</a><br /></p>meggihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257101750797540816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-18598525838951503952008-09-09T13:48:00.001+08:002008-09-09T13:48:57.503+08:00Targeting Filipino-Americans to go Obama-BidenUnderstanding the election mindset of Filipino Americans, thoughts for the Obama-Biden Ticket.<br /><br />As the US presidential elections enter fever pitch, let me share some thoughts on how to target the four million Filipino-American (FILAM) voters.<br />Apart from the usual demographic profiling of this voting constituency, there needs to be a concrete grounding on deeply rooted Filipino psychology and how it plays into the electoral arena.<br /><br />First and foremost is to understand America from the point of view of immigrant Filipinos.<br />A lot of the immigrants entered the United States and worked 2 to 3 jobs. The impetus for this is a zealous commitment to succeed and help relatives at home. Usually, when these folks go home to the Philippines, they try to project themselves as success stories despite the hardships experienced in the US. There has to be a real affirmation on the part of the Democratic Party and its standard bearers OBama and Bidden that FILAMS are a positive economic and political force. In other words, a pat on the back and showing that the Democratic Party cares in specific and not in superficial terms would endear the immigrants. Moreso, since majority of FILAM immigrants are Catholic, they frame their life experiences as part of their journey towards physical and spiritual salvation. For them, the United States represents the promised land and salvation and deliverance of the hardships of their lives in the Philippines.<br /><br /><br />Second is to leverage the value system of immigrants in targeting succeeding generations of FILAMS. Succeeding generations of FILAMS, or those who are born in the U.S. are already acclimatized along American values and for all intent and purposes are mainstream Americans already. The core message for succeeding generations of FILAMS is that the Democratic Party by and large is the political party cognizant of the immense contribution of immigrants to the country’s wealth and power. Emphasis is to be given on a long track record of making sure that immigrants benefit from a strong educational, health care, and welfare system that empowers FILAMS to be productive citizens.<br /><br />Third is to send a clear message of doing concrete steps for the betterment of Philippines.<br />The Veterans bill is a start, although it is not as compelling as it was once before. Simply put, a lot of the veterans of world war 2 have died and the base of support is dwindling. A more compelling argument for the Obama-Bidden ticket is to help bring actual peace to the Philippines, a strong commitment parallel to what it is doing to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. There must also be a strong push to empower the Armed Forces of the Philippines. An increase in Aid and Investments with an end in view of having a strong economic and development alliance between the two countries envied by others in the region but be put forth. Nothing excites FILAMS more than seeing the motherland again becoming a strong political, economic, and military ally of the US. The operative word is “Decisiveness”. FILAMS needs to feel that the Philippines is at the center of the South East Asia or even the Asian stage as a major power. In other words, the Philippines must be part of the Obama-Bidden dinner table.<br /><br />Fourth is to appeal to the Filipinos in the Philippines to ask their relatives in the States to vote Obama-Biden.<br />Nothing beats direct appeal to the locals in the Philippines to endorse an Obama-Bidden ticket to the ones in the States. The strong ties that bind Filipinos across the continents is the very foundation of support that moves the diaspora forward. Information Technology like text messaging, phone calls, e-mails, would be the main driver of communication. Folks from both countries are now conversing everyday through text and email. The use of media outlets in the Philippines to place ads on what the Obama-Biden ticket will do for the Philippines and FILAMS and an appeal to locals to get in touch with their loved ones in the States is a compelling methodology. There are media outlets in the Philippines and in the States which specifically reach the FILAM audience. The operative word for this methodology is “personalize”. The Obama-Biden ticket must be part of the FILAM dinner table. On a practical note, US citizens in the Philippines, numbering around 200,000 still has to see the Democratic Party reaching out to them.<br /><br />In a closely contested match between the Republicans and Democrats for the white house, the need for personalized micro-targeting will have a big sway on the turnout. Florida, California, and Nevada, all swing states, all with a sprawling mass of FILAMS.<br /><br /><br />Eero Brillantes<br />www.mindbullet.org<br />www.brainbang-mindbullet.blogspot.comEero Brillanteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00508961553626619723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-41046829097425788172008-08-30T09:07:00.000+08:002008-08-30T09:09:09.559+08:00UP Mass Comm holds alumni homecoming on September 27Are you a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (CMC)?<br /><br />Do you want to make money from (or just simply share) your old memorabilia? Do you want to hook up with old friends? Do you intend to know the answer to bugging questions like who among your classmates still loves you after all these years? <br /><br />The UP CMC will hold a grand alumni homecoming titled <blockquote>UP Mass Comm and You: Photographs and Memories atbp.</blockquote> on September 27 (Saturday), 1 p.m. at the CMC Plaridel Hall in Diliman, Quezon City.<br /><br />Special prizes await those who will bring interesting CMC memorabilia like old class cards, papers and blue books of CMC courses taken, as well as Form 5s, graded papers, course syllabus, student ID and library borrower’s card, among others.<br /><br />There will also be a variety program showcasing the talent of CMC students and alumni. <br /><br />If you want to bring back memories of your academic pursuits in the college (as well as ensure that your secrets will remain hidden!), the CMC will be selling to you for P1,000 your “student record jacket” consisting of your form 5s (admin copy), dropping slips, requests for reconsideration and other documents related to your stay of four years (or more) in the college. Please note that you can only buy your own student record jacket, not your classmates’.<br /><br />The college will also have an exhibition area for any collection of objects you may want to share.<br /><br />For details, please contact Dr. Arminda V. Santiago at (632) 920-6867 / (632) 920-6863 or Ms. Katkat Ramos / Ms. Chrissie Macaraig of UP CMC at (632) 920-6864 or email upmasscom@gmail.com / staff_upcmcfoundation@yahoo.comda writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605233852584696537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-5808545323063548612008-08-19T12:25:00.002+08:002008-08-19T14:01:59.694+08:00ELECTION OPS E-BOOK<span dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" property="dc:title" href="http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/InteractiveResource" rel="dc:type">Preparing for Elections: Analyzing the Disposition of Forces in Election Campaigns </span> by <a property="cc:attributionName" href="http://brainbang-mindbullet.blogspot.com/www.brainbang-mindbullet.blogspot.com" rel="cc:attributionURL" cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#">Eero Rosini P. Brillantes</a> is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ph/" rel="license">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Philippines License</a>.<br /><br /><object codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="doc_22265308305886" name="doc_22265308305886" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" align="middle" height="500" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://documents.scribd.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=4879005&access_key=key-1oq2wu4yqcuconmc8e49&page=&version=1&auto_size=true"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="play" value="true"> <param name="loop" value="true"> <param name="scale" value="showall"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="devicefont" value="false"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="menu" value="true"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="salign" value=""> <embed src="http://documents.scribd.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=4879005&access_key=key-1oq2wu4yqcuconmc8e49&page=&version=1&auto_size=true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" play="true" loop="true" scale="showall" wmode="opaque" devicefont="false" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="doc_22265308305886_object" menu="true" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" salign="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" height="500" width="100%"></embed> </object><div style="font-size:10px;text-align:center;width:100%"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/4879005/ELECTION-OPS-EBOOKexcerpt">ELECTION OPS E-BOOK-excerpt</a> - <a href="http://www.scribd.com/upload">Upload a Document to Scribd</a></div><div style="display:none"> Read this document on Scribd: <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/4879005/ELECTION-OPS-EBOOKexcerpt">ELECTION OPS E-BOOK-excerpt</a> </div>meggihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257101750797540816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-38518789396952489812008-08-14T21:17:00.005+08:002008-08-14T22:42:18.072+08:00Tornado in Los Banos, Laguna<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_U-A2PO2YOc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_U-A2PO2YOc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-uvQLkTplXw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-uvQLkTplXw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br />A tornado formed in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines on 14 August 2008 around 4 to 5 in the afternoon. Heavy clouds were present in that afternoon then residents observed a twister forming. Trees are uprooted and buildings are destroyed. When the tornado dispersed, Los Banos was wrapped with heavy rains with strong winds.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVy7rPeMHoEKPxuLbMoV0hNG-dJLSgrPeK2UfxZr0QDuFDGdwziOd5Zv0KN1pdT_OnN1Ycveg2c0v02jkQ_-znVetnDvsBaA-uBNuDF-0FUV2KKAca2_mPpPxWFP5f1qUbrFGY1DP5w/s1600-h/100_9514.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVy7rPeMHoEKPxuLbMoV0hNG-dJLSgrPeK2UfxZr0QDuFDGdwziOd5Zv0KN1pdT_OnN1Ycveg2c0v02jkQ_-znVetnDvsBaA-uBNuDF-0FUV2KKAca2_mPpPxWFP5f1qUbrFGY1DP5w/s320/100_9514.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234362770509840658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibprKmWk63eCS4qsWTPb0fyy5y-4k4Co1SRsRgl5VW5cSp3sEEGC1zTq62VowFzxiiEZNrq5DVZrKC1iwwnu28kNr5OORgEEbG7YGLgAWXcowTv1KInFQpuFyrR5_IeJ5CNwy7_GLImw/s1600-h/100_9515.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibprKmWk63eCS4qsWTPb0fyy5y-4k4Co1SRsRgl5VW5cSp3sEEGC1zTq62VowFzxiiEZNrq5DVZrKC1iwwnu28kNr5OORgEEbG7YGLgAWXcowTv1KInFQpuFyrR5_IeJ5CNwy7_GLImw/s320/100_9515.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234362774318673506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3z71oWXk31T56Z_aYA3zfQLSLP73U2Qudpi82z_tRssxBFGzPL_piAvd0CyUM3YWED7xDPP0sRuabbIaTRtZF0PMy_o91IaW6tZyXTPawbk8EQv_yUVtxPY_qJiT2op8FSlv4FGNBA/s1600-h/100_9522.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3z71oWXk31T56Z_aYA3zfQLSLP73U2Qudpi82z_tRssxBFGzPL_piAvd0CyUM3YWED7xDPP0sRuabbIaTRtZF0PMy_o91IaW6tZyXTPawbk8EQv_yUVtxPY_qJiT2op8FSlv4FGNBA/s320/100_9522.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234362778100333810" /></a>da writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605233852584696537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-25580536992501566332008-08-14T10:24:00.002+08:002008-08-14T11:33:16.528+08:00MANAY GINA DE VENECIA LAUNCHES ADVISORY BLOG, INSPIRES NETIZENS TO COPE WITH LIFE'S CHALLENGES<p>Manay Gina De Venecia, life counselor, radio drama producer, and wife of former speaker Jose Devencia Jr., walks on the mild side by launching her blog, www.manayginadevenecia.blogspot.com.</p> <br /><br /><p>The blog focuses on issues pertaining to women, family, love and life. She describes herself as a "Quintessential Filipina", and gives advice on a range of issues considered essential in the course of a woman's life. She also showcases her advocacies and activities, especially the Haven for Women, Haven for Children, and the Ina Foundation.</p><br /><br />In her daily blog work, she posts quotable quotes she finds on the internet which appeals to her sensitivities. These include quotes for mothers, children, prayers on peace and understanding, and faith. <br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Comments and quotes have been pouring in, mostly about musings of everyday struggle of people</blockquote>, Says Eero Brillantes, who developed the creative and technical content for the blog of Manay Gina. <blockquote>If you would read the comments on the blog, you can see the potential for a powerful outlet to propagate hope. Tagos sa puso ang mga naka post. So much emotion is involved. All of us try so hard to find our patch of good earth. </blockquote> <br /><br />Of particular interest to a lot of her blog visitors is the post on the "Miracle of the Shoes" which talks about the loss of a loved one. The De Venecias lost a daughter to a fire accident at their home. <br /><br />A blog post from a certain Maria Isabelle had this to say: <blockquote>Losing a loved one is never easy. My Mom once told me that there is nothing more heartbreaking than losing a child. She said it with tears in her eyes. My Mom, like you, is a strong woman. She lost twins about two decades ago..And like you, she turned to the Lord and prayed for her two prayed for her two boys…I cried with you and your family. KC and I are of the same age and I felt you pain when I saw the footage on TV. Looking back, I see that you have come a long way from the shocked parent I saw. What I see now is a strong woman who believes that her beloved daughter is at peace with the Lord. <br />Pairs of shoes are amazing. In your case, it is more than amazing. It is miraculous. Keep praying.</blockquote><br /><br />Another post comes for a certain Ann Margaret and tells of her own life and death experiences as her comment:<br /><br /><blockquote>As I read Manay Gina's blog on "Miracle of Shoes," I felt the void inside my heart like her because I also lost my grandmother. It was so hard to accept that she's gone because I don't have enough courage and strength to endure the pain of losing her. Her death was so sudden. But it would still take a life time for me to say "I'm ok." Her blog really touched my heart; it is very sentimental. I burst into tears while reading it. Losing someone we love is never simple; it would crash our hearts into million pieces, feeling as if the world is on your back. Though we cry so hard, it would never bring them back to life. Yes, I also believe that prayers are the best way to ease the hurt, because through prayers we can talk to them solemnly and in peace. Prayers are the best channel to communicate with God and to the soul of our departed ones. It would also help their soul to find their way to heaven. Let's face the fact that they left us because they are now in the arms of God. Just be strong and have faith. Because everything happens for a reason.</blockquote><br /><br />Manay Gina also writes on life learnings from her interaction with Former President Corazon Aquino, who she fondly calls "Tita Cory".She says that <blockquote>To the world, she (Cory) will always be the symbol of a bloodless revolution. To me, she will always be my Tita Cory -- a role model in integrity, the glow of reason in times of darkness, and someone who finds strength and perseverance in prayer. I believe the Lord has blessed Tita Cory with the gift of His peace — an inner tranquility that calms the heart and soothes the soul.</blockquote><br /><br />The blog also features her own showbiz activities and in the process incites comments on the importance of her work in the field. "Nagmamahal, Manay Gina" has so far garnered two Catholic Mass Media Awards. Says Enzo Emmanuel, <blockquote>Showbusiness has become a tool of influence and change in society. because information is given at the same time as entertainment, the messages can easily get across. Manay Gina has used this to promote her advocacy which made a difference and lots of troubled women were given help</blockquote>.meggihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257101750797540816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-42656422394442475272008-08-13T15:43:00.003+08:002008-08-13T15:48:22.032+08:00Nacionalista Party Stand on Cha Cha<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSA342EheFXB6BtB_Wlz8HjQCiA0wWpojuv7X1ncr5gG8lFd68BdlDS3_YCahyK0WQfzeFjR2typUcAwBLgrPyYraAQVg0vT_eomz9rMR8FNzz_FC_PbmlffPhyphenhyphen7jNlCJclaOSHwUjjFf/s1600-h/gilbert.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSA342EheFXB6BtB_Wlz8HjQCiA0wWpojuv7X1ncr5gG8lFd68BdlDS3_YCahyK0WQfzeFjR2typUcAwBLgrPyYraAQVg0vT_eomz9rMR8FNzz_FC_PbmlffPhyphenhyphen7jNlCJclaOSHwUjjFf/s320/gilbert.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233905784615970786" border="0" /></a>Press Release: Nacionalista Party<br />From: Office of the Spokesperson<br /><br /><br />For More Info: Gilbert Remulla, gcremulla@yahoo.com<br />Date: August 12, 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirviBZUY9OAUY9OzlVhuABZ285_3IHa2jn1YrHqhDBOewvGnei8UQ3hKhIps2DAT-FD_5MXQUw8_hOA3D-R_I8cVjYw5eMIbOCGZQTEVtP7WAnZyZG3BaTKvWrgrrdogmyiH6B6wFUUMkh/s1600-h/gilbert.jpg"> </a><br /><br />NP Spokesperson Gilbert Remulla: No Amendments to the Constitution Before 2010<br /><br />The Nacionalista Party, headed by Senate President Manny Villar, reiterates its commitment to policy debates on how to further develop the Constitution. It recognizes that the Constitution, being the mother law that governs the nation, must be responsive to strategic issues of national interest. It supports the initiative of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel to open the doors of debate on federalism as a pro-active course of action in bringing peace to Mindanao.<br /><br />Having said that, the Party categorically opposes any move to change the Constitution before 2010 as part of peace building in Mindanao. It believes that this will further divide an already polarized society. The immediate task is to build a climate of understanding between and among stakeholders to true peace in Mindanao. And this means getting the pulse of the whole nation, sincerely involving our democratic institutions, and respecting our democratic processes and laws.<br /><br />The peace in Mindanao must be addressed head on if we are to move forward as a country. We hope that any initiative to bring peace to Mindanao must be done with utmost transparency and accountability. Any move to pursue a political settlement among contending parties in Mindanao under a cloak of secrecy and political maneuverings will not prosper.<br /><br />This also means a commitment to a peace process that de-escalates the conflict. This starts with the immediate cessation of hostilities and veering away from a climate of fear and armed confrontation. Our ordinary brothers and sisters are the ones suffering. The displaced are already around 160,000 and still increasing. Add to this those who are being brought back to the Philippines from Sabah by Malaysian authorities, and those OFWs going home due to armed conflicts in many parts of the world.<br /><br />Let us all redirect our energy towards strengthening our republic. At the end of the day, we would like to see a Philippines that is strong politically and economically. Let us strive to be a prosperous and powerful nation, worthy of respect in Southeast Asia and the rest of the world. xxxmeggihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257101750797540816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-78068847297434365172008-08-13T15:37:00.002+08:002008-08-13T19:36:35.820+08:00Young Generation of Politicians Barnstorms Schools, Connects with the “Internet Nation”Press Release: August 11,2008<br />For more info: Eero Brillantes, 09276702831, mindbullet45@gmail.com<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Young Generation of Politicians Barnstorms Schools, Connects with the “Internet Nation”<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6pXBiZv2Y9ki-ZHnhFmzvn0RmiV2kPFU68mgHxhQivt7uF2vMlZ37bWjagWkjh11Pdp7q566fn3ENAju-W1ZqSxqy07IwDEsn__UF3ViCwPXu4NC7nbGlM4_CEIvLfcRX86YSP5q62MX/s1600-h/young.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6pXBiZv2Y9ki-ZHnhFmzvn0RmiV2kPFU68mgHxhQivt7uF2vMlZ37bWjagWkjh11Pdp7q566fn3ENAju-W1ZqSxqy07IwDEsn__UF3ViCwPXu4NC7nbGlM4_CEIvLfcRX86YSP5q62MX/s320/young.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233904416180523106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A multipartisan political group called the “Young Turks” led by Genuine Opposition Spokesperson and Pamantasan Lungsod ng Maynila President Atty. Adel Tamano has started to go the rounds of colleges and universities all over the country. Tamano, along with other young political personalities Nacionalista Party spokesperson and former congressman Gilbert Remulla, Ateneo English Professor Danton Remoto, Congressman Erin Tanada, Congressman TG Guingona and San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito are doing the rounds of campuses advocating for youth involvement in governance.<br /><br />The kick-off started at Silliman University in Dumaguete City last July 10-11, 2008. Tamano described the event. “The bright students of Silliman University asked questions and we tried to answer them with substance and with style, with wit and cheer and laughter intact. It is because their questions seemed to deal with lack of hope, of being betrayed by their leaders, of abandonment. I hope we kept the spark plug of hope alive. We spoke in a chapel, a presentation room for business students, and the great church — all in one day. We hope the Sillimanians had a grand time, the way we did too, in our first campus tour.”<br /><br />Eero Brillantes, CEO of Mindbullet Marketing and Public Relations, who maintains the young turk’s blog <a href="www.oppositeofapathy.wordpress.com">www.oppositeofapathy.wordpress.com</a>, says that the blog has become hyperactive after the Silliman activity. Based on site metering, he noted interest in what the group has to say. “The blog has just recently been put up. Yet it has already been visited almost 10,000 times. It is currently ranked number 13 for politics and government by <a href="topblogs.com.ph">topblogs.com.ph</a>. Its just one notch lower than the “Mar Roxas for President 2010 blog which is at number 12. The blog definitely has momentum. With the campus tour catching fire, the blog is poised to be a prominent fixture in new politics for the country. The Young Turks and the Internet Nation has become properly introduced.”<br /><br />For his part, Remoto was upbeat about the launch and how the internet was able to disseminate the event exponentially. “Skycable showed the complete proceedings that night of July 10, and we also had coverage from two radio stations, two newspapers and the Sillimanian college paper as well as its website. Not to mention the many blogs of the bagets from Silliman, which are now being read and re-sent and re-read all over the borderless world of cyberspace. “<br /><br />Moreover, Congressman Tanada emphasized the need for dialogue between the young batch of political leaders and the youth. He said that it is important for the youth not to lose hope and for them to assert their rights. Remulla asserted that there is still hope and it resides in the youth, and the young generation should not be afraid to stand for what they believe in.<br /><br />On August 26, 2008, the Young Turks will visit the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance from 1-5 p.m. This will be followed by a tour to University of the Philippines at Los Banos in September. xxxmeggihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257101750797540816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-74534587092305237972008-08-11T13:26:00.003+08:002008-08-11T13:35:15.824+08:00Audience researchThe audience is the receiving end of any message that we want convey. Any product, advocacy, endorsement, activity or message that need to be promoted and sold has its own set of audience. The behavior of audience can only be predicted through an intensive, methodogical, objective and scientific research. To get help in doing audience research, its theory and practice should be studied both in the theoretical and practical perspectives.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpI5Bw92a-v-7RBKhQk7cCpS8J9BU8SSB28XK4C8eWIHNX8DcKQOqkm26IzR5IvvvRSEoz4qId0ypbY7vm-1OfAT8HZJgBOUwEAzHr9nf2eYUsqO7e6D6Nb3x-dqmmTGdwL3dBApP1Hw/s1600-h/ratings+analysis.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpI5Bw92a-v-7RBKhQk7cCpS8J9BU8SSB28XK4C8eWIHNX8DcKQOqkm26IzR5IvvvRSEoz4qId0ypbY7vm-1OfAT8HZJgBOUwEAzHr9nf2eYUsqO7e6D6Nb3x-dqmmTGdwL3dBApP1Hw/s320/ratings+analysis.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233127614531881250" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Ratings Analysis: The Theory and Practice of Audience Research written by By James G. Webster, Patricia F. Phalen, Lawrence Wilson Lichty, provides a thorough and up-to-date presentation of the ratings industry and analysis processes. It serves as a practical guide for conducting audience research, offering readers the tools for becoming informed and discriminating consumers of audience information, from broadcasting to cable to the World Wide Web. In its third edition, this essential volume:<br /><br /><li>illustrates applications of audience research in advertising, programming, financial analysis, and social policy;</li><br /><li>describes audience research data and summarizes the history of audience measurement, the research methods most often used, and the kinds of ratings research products currently available; and</li><br /><li>discusses the analysis of audience data by offering a framework within which to understand mass media audiences and by focusing specifically to the analysis of ratings data.</li></p><br /><br /><p>Appropriate for all readers needing an in-depth understanding of audience research, including people working in advertising, electronic media, and related industries, Ratings Analysis also has much to offer academics, critics, policy-makers, and students of mass media.</p><br /><br />Taken from <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=-cLdXacsV50C&printsec=frontcover&dq=audience+research&sig=ACfU3U0WEICW8xORk2C2sYxl1i3EqLy8Lw">google books</a><br /><br />You may buy this book from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ratings-Analysis-Practice-Audience-Research/dp/0805854096/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1218432639&sr=11-1">amazon.com</a>da writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08605233852584696537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731620653075885090.post-35591707945696347622008-08-04T18:33:00.000+08:002008-08-04T18:35:11.610+08:00Seven Great PR Tips for Winning Press Coverageby: Robert Deigh<br /><br />Reporters are always looking for compelling stories. You can help them and, at the same time, win press coverage for your products, services, organization or cause. Every organization, including yours, has newsworthy information. Sometimes you just have to dig a bit to get to it. Here are seven suggestions that will help you find the stories within your organization that you can pitch to get positive press attention and boost your public relations:<br /><br />1) Identify trends in your industry - use your organization/product/issue as an example of a trend -- and pitch them as story ideas to the magazines, newsletters and Web sites your customers and prospects read.<br /><br /><a href="http://changingminds.org/articles/articles/seven_great_pr_tips.htm">click here to continue reading...</a>meggihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257101750797540816noreply@blogger.com0