TRAVEL ADVISORY FROM AMERICAN EMBASSY MANILA Regarding Piracy

I’ve received this email not once but many times from different sources. As I’ve searched, the advisory was released last October 7, 2007 by Thess Q. Sula, U.S. Commercial Service of American Embassy, Manila. I didn’t know about the advisory not until I’ve read one of the chain emails I’ve received. Actually, I knew about the pirated CD, VCD, DVD, burned CD two years ago… the Human Resource Manager of the company where my brother works (waiter in an international luxury cruise company) informed me when I’ve tried to send burned CD to his co-employee that was bound to deploy. The burned CD (should I say home made CD) came from my sister in law that my brother requested.

According to the manager there were instances at that time (two years ago) that the passenger got problems with the “pakisuyo” and “padala” when they got there beacause of pirated items. It’s a good thing that other concerned filipinos made this chain email so that all pinoy will be aware of the advisory. If I’m not mistaken, I’ve seen in a local TV News program this week that a Filipina got deported because of the pirated CD she had on her luggage.

Its odd though that chain emails circulating among Filipinos have different versions and some parts are omitted. Sad to say, I can’t find the source or I cant find it in the US Emabassy Manila website.

Please be informed that the American Association of Publishers (AAP) has also alerted the American customs officers to check out for pirated books. This information was given to me by Patricia Judd of the AAP.

Please warn all nursing graduates who plans to take the NCLEX and CGF exams in the states not to bring in these pirated books because there will be a penalty of automatic deportation as violation of intellectual property rights.

Not only pirated VCD/DVD are on the hot list. Please be informed that the American Association of Publishers (AAP) has also alerted the American customs officers to check out for pirated
books. Please warn all nursing graduates who plan to take the NCLEX and CGF exams in the US not to bring in these pirated books because there will be a penalty of automatic deportation as violation of intellectual property rights.

If you know anyone going from the Philippines and coming back to the USA with “pasalubong and padalas”, please read this important enclosed advisory from the American Embassy in Manila. Please share with your friends.

Just a friendly reminder: if you have plans of going to the U.S., please take precautionary measures on all “padalas” especially those containing fake/pirated compact discs/DVDs. US Embassy employees have been given an advisory that “as US Gov’t employees, we should abide by the U.S. laws, including Intellectual Property Rights (anti-piracy) laws. As an additional
incentive, the Consular Section recently received a report that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) searched the bag of a Filipino entering the U.S. on NW 72 in Detroit. During the search, 70-80 compact discs, 30-40 empty DVD jackets and 10-20 DVDs were found. Since the travelers were not American Citizens, their visas were canceled and they returned to the Philippines. If they had been Americans, they could have been subject to arrest and criminal
prosecution in addition t o civil fines and penalties.”

Please remember even ONE pirated item can jeopardize your trip.

Also, the fingerprinting system has successfully been instituted in all port of entries. I suggest you bring extra identification cards in addition to your passport to facilitate your entry in the US Immigration. I hope this is helpful to you.

news travel

What's Behind The Joroan Shrine?

We’re on our way to Joroan, Albay to visit Nuestra Senora De Salvacion Church until I saw her image along the highway. Its not normal seeing an image in a highway, I’ve told my brother to pull over. I don’t know why but there’s something in me that I want to take a better look at her. I got out of the SUV and climb up the stairs. After I took a closer look and offered her a short prayer… I climbed again reaching for the top of the stairs, thinking what can be seen at the back of the wall of the shrine. And this was what I saw… let the pictures speak for themselves.


I thought I was only dreaming seeing this beautiful view with my own two eyes. The week long Bicol vacation was indeed a good idea and seeing such a wonderful place made it worthwhile. I’m thankful that I brought along my children to made them see the beauty of the Philippines. I don’t want them to become strangers on our own country.

Blue Lights For Diabetes World Day

I’ve watched the segment the yesterday at TV Patrol. Many countries participated, they’ve lighted their known places using blue lights. It was really beautiful. The blue light campaign is part of a worldwide effort celebrating Diabetes World Day backed by the United Nations. After seeing the entire list made me wonder, where’s Philippines? Based on a WHO study conducted last year, the Philippines is in danger of being the ninth out of the 10 countries in the world with the most diabetes cases by 2030. It said the country may have 7.8 million diabetics if preventive measures are not observed.

Our participation to Diabetes World Day focuses on Filipino children. Actually the campaign is for public awareness, a wake up call for all of us. Children belonging to low-income families are the most affected because the medication is expensive. The statistics is very alarming, the government should do something focusing to the wellbeings of the Filipino people. I hope they start with public awareness campaign, to all parts of the Philippines. If they already have, I think its not enough, many are still ignorant with their condition.

I know many people who are suffering from diabetes including my father in law, friends and some relatives. My father used to be a diabetic before he had a kidney failure. My mother found out last year that she is also a diabetic. I don’t know if diabetes is hereditary but in my case, I believe it is. Therefore, having my both parents diabetic and my father in law, there’s a big risk to my children to have it. It runs with their blood and it worries me a lot.

Some pictures here of the event.

My Equitable PCI ATM Is Now BDO!

I was waiting for a cash deposit to my Equitable PCI Bank yesterday. The person who supposed to deposit a sum of money to my account informed me that my account had converted already to Banco De Oro account meaning my Equitable account doesn’t exists anymore. This was what the teller told him. duh! If this so, why was that I haven’t received any notice from my branch? Imagine the hassle? If I knew this beforehand, I would not advise that person to deposit it to my Equitable account, I should have use another way of money transfer.

I’ve called up the Equitable hotline (fastphone) immediately, they’ve informed me that eventually the conversion of Equitable accounts to BDO accounts will take place soon, 100%. My branch had converted their accounts last November 10 as what the call center agent told me. She also asked me if I change my mailing address. I did not.

Its confusing already that my account number had changed. I will go to my Equitable Branch first thing in the morning on Monday to know my new BDO account number. I don’t know if they will replace my ATM card… what I know as of the moment is that I’ll go to the same branch I had my account regardless if BDO branch is nearer to my place. Depositors to converted Equitable account should make their deposit transactions to the nearest BDO branch. I wasn’t aware about the BDO and Equitable PCI Bank merge not until yesterday.

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Dollar Blessings!