The Plunderer Runs for President

Convicted plunderer former president Joseph Estrada, who was ousted from office in 2001 has announced his presidential bid with Makati Mayor Jojo Binay as running mate. It was the last performance of my life, said the womanizer. Is he and his handlers mocking his conviction and the penalties imposed by the Ombudsman? The nerve of this person whom the great and illiterate masses love come what may. The country's problems--poverty, political robber barons--can be traced to the poor people and the political elite who elect into office corrupt officials like Estrada. Fawning at his feet are brilliant personalities like Juan Ponce Enrile who, according to people from Lasam Cagayan, said okinnam, referring to Gov. Lara, when he was in the town campaigning for his protege Antonio, and the rest of the politicians who benefitted during his (Estrada) reign and who expect to share the votes of the great unwashed.

Journal of October 23, 2009

Classes in the elementary and high school levels suspended yesterday in Isabela. Probably, on orders of the provincial public education officials. But it was good weather yesterday morning. The students were milling around a tricycle stand, waiting for rides home. Earlier, they have reported to their school nearby but were made to go home. Isabela in under storm signal number 2 along with Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and the rest of the northern provinces except Cagayan (n0. 3) where storm Ramil is expected to landfall today. It is cloudy today. No rains. Earlier, I went down past 4:00 AM and had my coffee--one half 3-in-one in sachet and a table spoonful of real coffee without any sugar or mild.

Journal of October 18, 2009

Typhoon Ramil probably did not landfall in Cagayan Valley. It was drizzling early this morning but e weather improved as the day wore on. Bienvenida party for our Abalayans--Nenita and Mauricio--in San Mateo, who are flying to Canada on November1. Paning and Henrick went with us. Food served include a whole lechon chopped to small bits, patatim, salad of cabbage, yellow corn kernels; chicken chopped to pieces. Cola drinks and alkaline water, which I choose. Had more than a half glass of Matador brandy with no ice. It's quarter to three PM. In the recently- formed Asian Basketball League, Singapore Slingers clash with RPs Patriots at 4'oclock in Singapore. There will be a live telecast.

Authorities are now removing communities built in high-risked areas--mountainsides, along rivers, creeks. This, in the wake of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng that devastated towns and cities in Luzon, notably Metro Manila, Cagayan, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Baguio, Benguet and other localities in the Cordilleras. Relocating people is the most sensible thing to do. Forest should forest grow without hosting houses and other structures.

Journal of October 9, 2009

Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng were the most destructive weather disturbances that smashed the Philippines in decades. It practically destroyed the whole of Luzon with floods and landslides and brought deaths to hundreds--at least 580 perished in the floods and the landslides especially in Benguet and the resort city Baguio, where more than 40 people where buried when the mountainside where they built their houses in Asin crashed down because of the relentless rains.

Rescue efforts are still being done especially in Pangasinan where more than 1000 people were stranded at the SM Rosales mall. Acces to Baguio is still difficult. There were landslides along Marcos highway while the Sison bridge was destroyed. The Ilocano Bible Centennial Celebration will be held at the Burgos gym of the Saint Louis University in Baguio on October 17. I will be delivering a 3-minute talk on my experiences as a translator of the whole Bible (Naimbag a Damag Bible) including the apochrypha of the Catholics.

Journal of October 3, 2009

It is 3:35 a.m. The Pag-asa says iti will raise storm signal today regarding Storm Pepeng which will smash into Northern Luzon tomorrow. It is a very calm morning with no winds, but as the day unfolds, there could be strong winds. I fear that the storm with more than 200 kilometer per hour winds hits the province, the rundown house where we have been living for the past 20 years could go down. Adda miting ti Timpuyog dagiti Mannurat iti Iluko iti Filipinas inton Domingo idiay Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. The Gervacios may be hosting the event. I hope the storm will not affect the meeting with the agenda: 2nd TMIF-Global International Literary Convention and the next issue of Timpuyog Journal, where Darwin, Australia expatriate Lady Fele Javier Mann will be guest.