Archive for March, 2009

Parañaque's New Liquor Ordinance

“This regulatory measure is also necessary to lessen criminality, preserve peace and order in the community, and to compel strict compliance with the prohibitions against selling and serving liquor or any intoxicating beverages especially to minors or those below 18 years of age,” Bernabe said.

Parañaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr already signed the City Ordinance that requires all businesses that manufacture, distribute, sell and serve alcoholic drinks to secure another license and a corresponding permit so that they can operate their business. In layman’s terms, another tax for entrepreneurs in this kind of business.

Under the ordinance, the licensee must see to it that only legal aged persons should be sold or served liquor. Proof of age should be demanded, in case of doubt. (Correct me if I’m wrong, I think we have national law about this.)

Businesses were categorized based on their declared capital in financial statement issued by a Certified Public Accountant.
Micro – capital investment of not more than 3 million pesos
Small – capital investment of 3 million to 15 million
Medium – capital investment of 15 million to 100 million
Large – capital investment of more than 100 million
Is this real? Paranaque City maybe a big city but in my opinion, I don’t think it is as progressive compared to other nearby cities with this figures. We may have business with these investments and can be found mostly along SLEX (South Luzon Expressway) or Roxas Boulevard but most businesses here are considered as micro and small.

The ordinance aims to regulate the establishment and operation of the liquor businesses in Paranaque. Bars, cocktail lounges, pub houses, beer gardens, night clubs, karaoke bars and other amusement places have liquor permit could sell alcoholic drinks from 10 am – 12 midnight and those who have special permit can operate from 12 midnight to 5 am. Selling and serving is strictly prohibited from 5am – 10am.

Applications for liquor licenses and special Mayor’s permits can be filed at the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) for a filing fee ranging from P10 to P100, depending on the category and classification of the business establishment. Liquor license and special permit fees depends on the business’ category. A friend of mine who recently opened a small KTV bar with Php 400,000 capital investment in Baclaran told me that BPLO billed her for 15,000 for liquor tax and special permit. If this is true, there could be another revisions of the ordinance after the last hearing in January and before it was signed by Mayor Bernabe recently.

2nd District Councilor Enrico T. Golez is the author or proponent of the said ordinance. For the record, during the last session, we have 16 councilors in 2 districts, there were 2-4 vacant seats (for absent councilors). After a short recess, there were only 5-8 councilors left in the session hall. The only Councilor who voted against the ordinance was Councilor Eric Olivarez.

Pinoy Teacher For CNN Heroes 2009

Another Proud Pinoy teacher in the person of Efren Peñaflorida of Cavite City was first nominated for CNN Heroes 2009 in Championing Children category. A native of Cavite City, the 28 year old nominee grew up near the city’s dumpsite where he spent most of his younger years playing and swimming in the garbage beach. It shows in his character that he believed in our national hero, Jose Rizal’s “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan” (the youth is the hope of our nation). Formed in 1997 in Cavite by Efren Peñaflorida, its mission then was to keep the youth away from trouble and vices. “Nakita namin yung pinaka-ugat ng problema na nanggagaling sa mga slum areas kung saan ginu-groom yung mga future gang members, gang leaders, so kaya nag-start kami noong 1999 na mag reach out sa mga bata sa slum area, para dun pa lang ma-guide na namin sila na di sila sumama sa mga ibang klaseng activities,” said Kuya F (as he is fondly called). I agree! Street gang is the most common problem now in the society.

Although Efren Penaflorida is no longer a teenager, in his own way, he stood up and make a difference by being a founder of Dynamic Teen Company where volunteers who believed in his vision go out and reach out for street children to teach them. Armed with “Kariton Klasrum” (wagon classroom) loaded with a blackboard, books, papers, pencils and other educational materials and go to slum areas of Cavite. They didn’t choose a place as their classroom, they did their teachings even in a cemetery as long as there are youth who wants to learn. Actually, they started doing this in 1997. After seeing DTC website and read how it all started and the sacrifices for giving education to less fortunate children, I am really impressed. The dedication to help the needy doesn’t need to be a politician, Kuya F proved that he knows the true meaning of being nationalistic and love for his countrymen… a true role model for todays’ youth. Being a nominatee and recognized by CNN Heroes 2009 will somehow make a lot big difference. How I wish there are more pinoy like him and DTC volunteers. Its too early to say but you already earned a space in heaven for doing those things especially in this time that the poor became poorer. The awards he received:

• Regional Winner, Outstanding Volunteer Awards (NEDA – 2008, Calamba, Laguna)
• Outstanding Caviteño in Public Service (2008, Independence Day Celebration, Cavite)
• Finalist for Global Youth Awards (2008, Southhampton, UK)
• Official Nominee for Right Livelihood Award Foundation (2005, Stockholm, Sweden)
• Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Kabataang Pilipino Regional Winner (2004, ABS-CBN Studio 1, Quezon City)
• Golden Anahaw Awardee as Outstanding Community Servant (2004, CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, Cavite City)
• Role Model Awardee (2004, City Gov’t Award for CAVITE CITY WEEK, City Hall, Cavite City)
• Most Outstanding VBS Staff (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 , Club 8586 Center, Cavite City)
• Excellent Member Awardee (1997, LDES Multi-Purpose Hall, Club 8586 INC. Cavite City)
• Model Sunday School Student Award (1995, 1996, 1997, Club 8586 Center, Cavite City)

I saw some of DTC (Make A Difference) youtube videos, this one is my favorite.

Presidential Medal Of Merit For Francis Magalona

I’m still not feeling well and watching news when I heard that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will give the late Francis Magalona the Presidential Medal of Merit for his contribution to music industry. Among his popular songs were “Mga Kababayan Ko (My Countrymen)” and “Kaleidoscope World” that promoted love for country. He also released various cultural and social problems in the country, such as “Halalan (Elections)” which deals with politicking; “Mga Praning (Paranoids)” for drug addiction; and “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy (We Are Filipinos),” which tackles colonial mentality.

Most of his rap music were nationatistic. I wonder, isn’t it too late for Kiko’s works to be acknowledgement by the government now? They should have acknowledge him whe he was still alive. After all, deep in our heart, Francis Magalona still is the model of a true filipino in this generation. No wonder if many politicians will ask for Magalona family the right to use some of his song in the coming election.

Farewell Francis Magalona

Who doesn’t know Francis Magalona? Although I know that he was suffering from Leukemia, I still can’t believed the txt message informing us that Francis Kiko Magalona passed away this afternoon. It maybe another bad joke in SMS so I confirmed it first.

Francis “Kiko” Magalona (October 4, 1964 – March 6, 2009), son of late Philippine movie screen legends Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. The late Senator Enrique Magalona was his grandfather. In August 8, 2008, he was diagnosed with Leukemia (acute myelogenous leukemia with Mixed Lineage) or MLL. He passed away in March 6, 2009, 12:20 pm at 44 yeras old, succumbed to multiple organ failure after having been rushed to the hospital the night before. He had undergone several chemotherapy sessions since he was diagnosed with leukemia and had been expected to undergo a bone marrow transplant. The announcement was first made on the television variety show Eat Bulaga!, which he had co-hosted.

Did you know that I used to have a cassette tape with his hit single “Mga Kababayan”. I save money from my daily allowance to bought one, I was in college back then. I don’t usually patronize OPM and not into love song either. That time, that was the start of rap music introduced by Francis Magalona. He earned the tag “Master Rapper” for introducing rap music in the Philippines. But this song, especially the lyrics made me love my country more. Its not just being a nationalist but the lyrics encouraged Filipinos to believe in ourselves. For the record, Cold Summer Nights was my favorite on that tape.

My son told me that Kiko could be the surprise guest for tomorrow’s Eraserheads concert. We will miss you, Kiko! God bless.

DZMM Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan 2009

Takbo para sa kalikasan project of DZMM is on their 10th year. I remember Pia Cayetano’s interview (or commercial?) about the event for the rehabilitation of La Mesa Watershed. FYI, La Mesa Watershed supplies water to 12 million Metro Manila residents. I’m sure there are other known personalities in the event. I haven’t tried joining a fun run like this, I want to join but I think I’m not in good condition to finish the race… no practice and stopped working out last year. I’ll ask my friend if he could join me. Its a good start to drive the stress away and to stay healthy.

You can download the registration here or to any of the following venues:

• DZMM Aksyon Center,
• Eugenio Lopez Drive (inside PBB concert hall)
• Vasquez Madrigal Building, Anapolis Street, Greenhills

Registration is from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm with Php 150 only registration fee. There are 3 categories: 3K (6-12 yrs. old), 5K (13 yrs. old & up) and 10K (13 yrs. old & up).

Mark your calendar, 10th annual DZMM Takbo Para sa Kalikasan at Quirino Grandstand, Luneta on March 8, 2009 at 4am. I really want to have a finisher shirt.