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July 06, 2005

I JUST read the article "Number of OFWs in '05 breaches 500,000 mark." I want to make a response to the following comment made by acting Labor Secretary Danilo Cruz: "We are confident that our goal to deploy a million OFWs globally continues on a firm and stable track."

My response is why do Cruz and the Department of Labor continue to focus so much of their time and effort on making sure there are more OFWs abroad rather than focus on the more important tasks of attracting more industries and creating new jobs in the Philippines? It seems to me that the Philippine government should try to encourage the creation of more industries and jobs in the Philippines itself so that the country's economy will improve on its own rather than have to rely on the help of OFWs, who go overseas to find a better life for themselves.

The whole OFW policy is misguided and short-sighted and is more of a bandage solution to a much bigger problem. It's time for President Arroyo and her government to come up with better ways to improve the Philippines' economy... without having to depend on the remittances of Filipinos working overseas or raising taxes on everyone, which Arroyo currently wants to do. Otherwise, the Philippines' sovereignty will erode as the country becomes an economic dependency led by a impotent president who is chiefly concerned with saving herself and her family from scandal than being concerned.

-- Kye Parsons, Maryland, USA, via e-mail

I WOULD just like to give a suggestion. I am a nurse working here in England and I am quite upset that our economy is going downhill. The only way I can think of for us to improve it is if we advertise our tourism more, particularly to Western countries such as the United Kingdom.

Westerners, especially the British, are crazy over sunshine holidays. They would go as far as anywhere in the world to get it. I was amazed that Phuket in Thailand was voted as one of the world's 10 best beaches and apparently it is Southeast Asia's best beach?

I could not agree with that. I have been there and I must say its nothing compared to Boracay. And the night life we have in Manila is much, much better as well. If only our Department of Tourism will try and advertise our beaches, resorts, cities (Manila, Tagaytay, Cebu, etc.) I'm sure we will be able to attract Westerners to come and visit our country.

I would love to see the name of the Philippines being advertised on the travel pages of all the papers here in the UK as much as I see Thailand. Malaysia is starting to be acknowledged now, and it's not far from our country. Why can't we do the same? I hope that, in a way, this e-mail will be something worthwhile to think about.

Thank you very much for your time.

-- Verna Manaois, Essex, United Kingdom, via e-mail

June 28, 2005

Gloriagate (Winners and Losers)

CONVENTIONAL wisdom tells us who are winning and who are losing.

Philippine Economy. 50-50. Peso down versus the dollar. Businessmen are jittery. Amazingly however, the full impact initially thought the Gloriagate scandal will bring to the economy hasn't happened (yet!).

Filipino People. 50-50. Call it people power fatigue. Call it political maturity. Call it apathy. Call it pragmatism (no-better-alternative-syndrome). The Filipinos are more discerning now of issues and are aware who is taking advantage of what. Either that, or we are pathetically dulled already not to react anymore to series upon series of scandals inflicted upon us.

PGMA. 50-50. It is of great irony that the same type of charges hauled by her camp against Erap a few years ago (jueteng and integrity) are now being used against her. Sabi nga ng commercial… Bilog Ang Mundo. Her simple aspiration "not to be a great president but be a good president" has failed so soon. And her betrayal (once proven true) will be more hurting because she once epitomized our ideals and our hope for our country. She is lucky though that the confluences of the lack of anger of the Filipino people, the still-loyal military, the sober Susan Roces, the rainy season, the school season, the not-so-photogenic whistle blower that is Sammy Ong, and the not-so-conducive for revolution Guadalupe bridge are working to her advantage. But for how long? As Randy David said "if you will ask me if she will be president next week… I will say yes."

Noli de Castro. Winner. Some sectors are already courting him to replace PGMA. To his credit, he has not bitten the bait… yet. (God help us when this happens -- Canada, here I come!)

Susan Roces. Winner. For being the picture of grace, sobriety, and common sense. For showing us the decent face of show business after our exposure for the longest time to the likes of drug-using Ate Guy, tax-evading Richard Gomez, kidnapping-linked Dennis Roldan, almost pedophilic Kris Aquino, and the general antics of Annabel Rama, Boy Abunda, and Christy Fermin. These creatures who inflict their disgusting presence on us. All of them pale in comparison.

Rez Cortez. Loser. Opportunist leech. Rez, please don't leave the job you are very good at: playing goon, bum, rapist, murderer, arsonist… and yes, Judas. You have become to PGMA what Amay Bisaya was to Cory. (No offense to Amay!). Unsolicited advice to the government: first thing in your agenda should be to uplift the movie industry so that unemployed actors like Rez and Niño Muhlach will have worthwhile things to do other than dip their hands into politics.

Samuel Ong/Sandra Cam. 50-50. While they may be telling the truth, their initials make me suspect their true motives and characters. S.ONG and S.CAM. One sings a not so perfect tune and the other is attempting to stage a scam.

Secretary Bunye: Loser. The most unenviable position in the land. Super ang dapa na una ang mukha. To be caught lying, fumbling and mumbling on national television at that. If I were Secretary Bunye, I would demand a salary raise for all the humiliation I've experienced.

Garci. Winner. Instant celebrity. Maximum exposure for minimum effort.

Globe/Smart/Sun Telecoms: Winners. Text messages and ring tones galore. Panalo. Whoever made the "Hello Garci ring tone" should be honored with a Magsaysay Award next year.

Sgt. Doble. 50-50. Doble, meaning double. In his case, double-faced. The dramatic rescue by his wife through the help of texts will remain to be one of the comic highlights of this incident. This again proves how pusong mamon our soldiers are. Bring in the crying wife, the wailing mother, and the wide-eyed innocent children… and whatever attempt to grab power dissipates.

NTC/DOJ. Losers. For having no balls to make good of their threat to arrest anyone in possession of the tape and ring tone. Suggestion: Arrest Secretary Bunye first.

Nene Pimentel. Loser. Give it a rest Nene while we still have an ounce of respect for you. Please do other worthwhile things for yourself like having your huge eye bags removed. Same goes to Ping Lacson, Kit Tatad and all those who are obviously trying to maximize for their own benefit this scandal. May you all rest in peace.

Cardinal Jaime Sin. Winner. For supporting two successful people power movements, and for having the presence of mind to die and not witness what people power has been reduced to.

The Arroyo Men. Losers. Losers. Losers. Gloria, these men are literally the rust that will destroy the steel that is you. The mere physical appearance of Mike Arroyo (despite the cosmetic surgery) is repulsive enough. And Mikey Arroyo has the guts to have a movie shown at the height of the jueteng and Gloriagate scandal. Pity to the movie producers and more pity to the moviegoers. The Arroyo Men are simply walking human rights violations.

San Carlos Seminary. Loser. This is definitely no EDSA Shrine. There is nothing photogenic about this place and it is hardly the venue to inspire another people power. True, the "Filipino can stop military tanks" in 1986, but this time no amount of courage can make us stop smoke belching flying buses driven by a maniacal drivers along EDSA. While the EDSA Shrine has the prominent statue of the Virgin Mary, San Carlos Seminary has the big Mesolipo advertisement billboard of Dra. Belo.

Will there be EDSA 4? As Melanie Marquez would say "you can fool me once, you can fool me twice, you can even fool me thrice… but you can never fool me four." This is the story of our lives. Same shit, different politicians. It constantly amazes me how resilient, humorous, masochistic, and patient we are as a people. God bless the Philippines.

-- Jobus, via e-mail

June 14, 2005

BRAVO to the OFW group for refusing to be pressured by a preposterous and very irresponsible request by the Migrante group. It further shows that the welfare of the OFWs and their families is not the top concern of Migrante. It is so obvious that Migrante is driven by political greed and partisanship. If only Maita Santiago really knows the economic and financial effect of OFW remittances both to their respective families back home and the country's economy, she would have thought about her absurd request. She should be held accountable for what can be called economic treason/sabotage. I am fed up with people like her, who on face value pretend to fight for the common people's ground, but whose actions say otherwise. I am fed up with their reasoning that their free speech is guaranteed by the Constitution and that we all live in a democratic country. Well, next time they exercise their freedom, maybe they should think also of exercising their duties and responsibilities.

-- Rainier Masa, via e-mail, USA


----- Original Message -----
From: James Cipriano <mailto:tvp@hadeed.com.sa>
To: Breaking News <mailto:feedback@inq7.net>
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2005 3:02 AM
Subject: BETA FEEDBACK Migrante's Disobedience Call

I JUST want to express my opinion on Migrante's recent request to all OFWs to stop sending remittances or send it through door-to-door remittances to the Philippines. The people of Migrante should stop wasting their time trying to oust GMA and instead accept that she is already our President! FPJ is already dead! Wait for the next presidential election! Migrante should concentrate its effort on addressing the problems and needs of OFWs and not Philippine politics! Those Migrante members who are in the Philippines should start applying and working again abroad, rather than wasting their time in rallies! I'm just wondering where they get their money to support their family without really having a job!

-- James Cipriano, via e-mail, Saudi Arabia

WALA kaming pakialam kung sino ang maging presidente sa Pilipinas. Ang pinaka-importante sa amin ay maipadala ang pera namin sa mga mahal namin sa Pilipinas. Imposible yang sinabi nila na huwag mag-remit ng pera. Ano sila -- hilo? Bakit -- hawak ba nila ang bulsa at utak namin? Ang mga presidente sa mga organisasyon, akala nila kong sino sila na basta magsabi sa mga members, eh ano na kaya ang ipagagawa nila sa members nila if ang taong ito'y maging
presidente sa Pilipinas, hehe. Baka maging kurap din.

-- Raymund Sagadol, via e-mail


RELATED STORY:
OFW group rejects Migrante's call to suspend remittances

April 5, 2005

Re: Wilfredo Rodolfo III article "Koreans told: Behave in Cebu"

DEAR Mr. Rodolfo,

If you want to do something good for your tour guides in Cebu, contact the Tourist Board and [Cebu City] Mayor [Tomas] Osmeña and tell him about the unemployed Filipino tour guides when the Korean tour companies took over and placed their own tour guides in Cebu. Something like this should never happen!

In the past only Filipinos had the license and were allowed and trained by the board of tourists. Just wait and see what bola-bola happens now with some Filipino tour guides! The Koreans misuse the Filipino hospitality.

What is saddening [is] that such a discussion can only initiated through a famous person like Mrs. Osmeña. Mortals like you and me do not have such an important lobby. Check out this bola-bola and try and change this trend!

Your admirer of the good Philippines.

-- Wolfi Meister, via e-mail

RELATED STORY:
Koreans told: Behave in Cebu

March 29, 2005

Re: Mistreated Filipinas

I AM a US military police officer and I have been following the stories of the Filipinas working abroad all over the world. It is known throughout the world of how kind and simple Filipinas are and how they will sacrifice all
to support their family.

They are offered a wonderful opportunity to support their family and provide a better life for themselves. However, as soon as they arrive in the host country they are met with negative results. They should have better protection just as any VIP from another country. Every Filipina I have talked to agrees that if they had one "bodyguard" in the general area for their safety, things would be much healthier for them.

For example, here in Korea I work in protective services as a "bodyguard." A lot of the Filipinas know this and they request my services all the time. Just having my presence around when they are out walking around or when they have to be around other people gives the girls a sense of safety and [serves as] a deterrent to the "bad guys."

I am not always around them but they know how to get hold of me and the other people know this so they refrain from doing any harm, knowing that when we find out, the situation gets reported quickly and actions stop. My thought is that in each area where these girls are working, there should be a "bodyguard" that they can report to for protection.

This is the only answer to prevent rape, abuse, abductions and human Trafficking. The promoters and managers are not good; [for them] the money [is more important than] their responsibility to take care of the women.

-- SGT Thomas Garrard, South Korea, via e-mail

RELATED STORY:
Solon wants envoys' heads for failing to help OFWs

March 16, 2005

EddieGul's stand is not our stand

ROMANTICIZATION aside, it is an established virtue of the Visayanians to always work in consortium with the Gullases in undertakings that would contribute to the realization of UV's philosophy of love and service to the humanity.

But on the issue of value-added tax, a multitude of UV students and alumni, represented by VATikon ka!, do not share Congressman Eddie Gullas' view that raising it from 10 percent to 12 percent will solve the country's fiscal woes. Numeric logic dictates that it adversely affects none other than the already impoverished people as VAT is primarily levied on their basic needs like food, shelter and clothing.

To recall, the government collects VAT from the end-consumers of products and services such as food, medicines construction materials, electricity, rent and telecom services. It's a regressive form of taxation which when increased will have a jolting blow to those who are clamped with meager wages or who are not earning at all like the students and the youth.

By regressive, we mean that people are taxed not based on their ability to pay but based on a fixed rate which is fairly accommodating to the rich, but intolerable to the poor. Simply put: rich and poor pay the same VAT for a particular product or service, but the rich actually pay a lesser amount compared to his or her income. This phenomenon questions the foundation of democracy and equality which our government supposedly champions.

The Filipino people have long before known that the proposed legislation to increase VAT is just an imposition of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to creditor states such as Philippines. It is not actually wished for to increase the budget for social services such as education. If the Arroyo government is really sincere in solving the fiscal crisis and budget deficit, it should run after those big capitalist tax evaders like Lucio Tan who still owes the government P25 billion in unpaid taxes; thereby sparing the already impoverished people of onerous taxes.

But Malacañang and its stooges in Congress are determined to follow the foreign dictates at the expense of the people. They are turning a deaf ear to the widespread clamor of different sectors to junk HB#3555, HB#3705 and other similar legislation that would redound to the increase of VAT.

It is said that elastic things have its limits. Same with patience. Even the most moderate of the youth are now motivated to join the widespread opposition protests against VAT increase, because if such legislation would be passed, it would mean an additional burden to them who are already fraught with the rising cost of education.

Although we at VATikon ka!-UV fully respect Congressman Gullas' stand, our stand is in accord with the ordinary people who would be greatly affected by the increase of VAT should the bill is passed. We stand in solidarity with the numerous sectors and progressive groups to expose and oppose this anti-people and anti-youth tax measure of the government.

-- Victor Amogues III
Convenor
VAT Increase Kontra sa Kabatan-onan! (VATikon ka!-UV)

League of Filipino Students (LFS)
Christian and Muslim Students' Alliance for Freedom and Equality (CAMSAFE)

February 2, 2005

Re: Drug Trafficking

I UNDERSTAND what Mr. Manio and his family are going through because of the death penalty that was imposed on him for bringing into Thailand prohibited drugs, but that is the law in that country. Since he himself admitted that he brought the drugs with him from Amsterdam and knew full well that it is illegal in Thailand and he still did it, then he should face the consequences.

If only the Philippine government can do the same thing, then we will have fewer drug-related problems in the country. Pero alam na naman natin na walang nakukulong na drug pusher o kung may makulong man nakakalaya o nakakawala naman dahil sa walang talagang sinabi ang ating mga nanunungkulan. Dapat nga ang mga ito ang ikulong nang maging example sila. We should no longer interfere with the laws of other countries because we won't like it too if they will interfere in ours. Let's just pray for the soul of Mr. Manio and may this be a lesson to our kababayans.

-- Esmeraldo Deang Cato, New York

MALAYSIA has stricter laws when it comes to drug-related cases. The Philippines has conducted raids and buy-bust operations and apprehended many, but there has been no conviction of big-time drug lords -- like the Cuadra case, this fellow is known for drug trafficking ever since.

I hope the Philippines can set an example to rid of these elements, but money talks and everyone walks.

-- Ed, Ontario, Canada

I KNOW how sensitive the Philippine government is on issues concerning overseas Filipino workers being prosecuted in foreign lands. But are they being mindful about what this man was tried for? He was charged by the KL court of drug trafficking, and under their law this is punishable by death. Hello? Is anyone in Malacañang paying anymore attention to details? I understand the value of a human life, but I definitely do not condone drug trafficking either. What signal [is this sending and what] would this [do] to the image of the Philippines? That crime does pay?

-- Ted Calvero, Honolulu, Hawaii

January 25, 2005

I AM planning and preparing to retire in the Philippines. But my only concern is that the Philippine government has so many restrictions and unnecessary regulations regarding balikbayans.

Upon our retirement, my wife and I will have a fixed income for life of no less than $5, 000 from all sorts of retirement income such us Social Security, pension plan, 401K from work, life insurance and annuities, plus personal savings and the future proceeds from real estates properties which we own.

The Philippine government should carefully look for all those Filipinos who are now retired and almost retired, to encourage them to retire in the Philippines. It will help the Philippines if we retire there. Our biggest concerns are the following: security, health and sanitation. For the last four years I have been going back to the Philippines planting mangoes and looking forward that by the time I retire, these will be fruit-bearing trees. We can help a lot of Filipinos and practice charity back home.

Thanks.

-- Bill San Ramon, Illinois, via e-mail

January 18, 2005

I'D like to share our disappointment over TFC's (The Filipino Channel) live airing of Sinulog 2005.

We watched the airing here in Pasadena, California last Saturday night (started 10 p.m., our time). Our expectations were high that we had to make sure we didn't have any events scheduled that night. We ate dinner early and made sure chores were done early.

It started nicely; we were ecstatic. Then it started, the litany of comments from the anchorpersons. It went to the point of interrupting most of the presentations by different contingents.

The anchorpersons were just so annoying with their lengthy comments. They lost the true value of airing the Sinulog. Presentations were cut, interrupted, or were not shown in their entirety!

For us, it was just promises full of disappointment. We just went to sleep, never finishing the
Sinulog coverage.

[Cebu City] Mayor Tomas Osmeña should do something about this and coordinate with the management of ABS-CBN.

We just wanted to have a feel of home through watching Sinulog 2005. We hope that next time it would be better! Better editing, scripting and timing. And no more lengthy comments!

Maybe GMA 7 can do better! Pit Senyor!

Thanks.

-- Alfred Almeda, Pasadena, California, via e-mail

I LIKE Cebu. I think [Cebu City] Mayor [Tomas] Osmeña should not be worried having the image of "Dirty Harry." Our legal process here is very slow, to the point that justice is being denied. What the mayor is doing may seem despicable to some people -- especially for criminals, but for me, it will definitely help the economy in the long run. We need security to attract tourism, investments and new business partners who will be willing to come here without fear. This is the truth. Tough times call for tough people like our mayor to make tough decision. It may not be the most popular one, but we need to stop playing politics and do something about it. I totally salute your efforts.

Traffic. I am wondering what has happened to the tough enforcers who will not tolerate minor traffic violations. The first time I visited here in 1996, I was not allowed to drive by my friends because the laws here are so strict compared to Manila. The good thing though was that everyone was so disciplined that you can't help but admire how the administration was running things. This is laughable, but because of the cars trying to save time cutting in lanes, it makes those who lined up look stupid as they wait for their turns. Two lanes become three lanes and everything resulted in chaos. Try to observe AS Fortuna, Banilad intersections. I am not sure what the [Alvin] Garcia administration did, but I am hoping our mayor would bring back the glory days.

Pirated DVDs. We want to be the IT hub of the Philippines? Let's be the first city that would respect intellectual rights. This could serve as a strong selling point for this drive. Recently, pirated DVDs are so rampant that it is not isolated to downtown areas anymore. Distributors have appeared everywhere to the point that buying one is as easy as buying candy from the sari-sari store. The amazing thing is that these stores do not need marketing to attract customers. Everything is done through word of mouth. Take for example the store located in Foodland Room 208 which just opened about two to three months ago. Today, if you go there, it is as busy as the stores downtown. If the Optical Media Board will not do anything about it, I am counting on the mayor to act on it.

I like Cebu and I think it is the best city that can compete globally as it possesses all the right resources. And I still believe that Osmeña may just be the person to lead it.

-- Phillip Gullermo, Cebu, phillipgullermo@yahoo.com

I READ online that several groups and a few known individuals have been airing out and showing their protests against the summary killings of convicted criminals through newspaper interviews and street marches. The protesters also like to accuse the mayor (Cebu City Mayor Osmeña) or [PO3 Adonis] Dumpit and the hunter`s team of being responsible for the killings when the truth is that no one really has a clue who has been doing the killings.

And yet even without solid evidence, they are sure that the police or the mayor are responsible for the murders. Are they psychic? They cry out for due process for the convicted felons but they too do not offer due process when the protesters accuse our mayor or our police of the summary executions. It does not mean I feel no sympathy for human life when I say that I do not know if it really is the mayor or the police. I just don't like to point fingers because I have no proof that points to them. There are no witnesses. Everyone is innocent until proven otherwise, right? That includes the police and the mayor.

So instead of marching on the streets, causing more traffic than we already have in the city, why don't we do our homework instead and gather facts. Or better yet, stand guard at jeepney stops and help chase robbers. I think that's more constructive.

Some say that the executions are only short-term solutions. So what? Do they have a better, long-term solution? All protesters and critics do is complain, complain and complain how things are done but they never lift a finger to help improve the situation in the city. So where's the Human Rights Commission and other cause-oriented groups for Atty. Arbet [Yongco] the slain lawyer? Did they hunt down the culprit or help look for witnesses?

I would really like to see the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Commission on Human Rights, Karapatan, [Cebu Archbishop Ricardo] Cardinal [Vidal] and other cause-oriented groups make a plan on how to make Cebuanos safer rather than give orders and complain to people who are doing everything against all odds to get results, short-term or not.

I would like to see them or their members patrolling the streets and running after snatchers. And then, maybe to me they would have the right to be a critic. The problem is, most of the critics do not go through what we ordinary Cebuanos have to everyday. They do not ride PUJs everyday to work; they do not walk on the streets. They sit in the comfort of their private air-conditioned transportation with escorts or bodyguards. So you know what... I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mayor Tommy... good job and keep it up!

-- Kevin, Delray Beach, Florida, via e-mail

January 12, 2005

GOOD day to you! The streets of Cebu are not what they used to be. Some blame the economy; some say these are not locals but people from other places. Whatever the reason, I believe that what is being done right now by "vigilante groups" is one option. I believe that life is to be cherished and we should try to preserve it as long as possible.
But protection of those who cannot protect themselves is important also.

I asked my wife to relocate to Cebu because I told her that Cebu is similar to Manila, with a lot more to offer and fewer hassles. One of the other benefits was that you hardly hear of a major crime being committed in Cebu. I used to walk in the streets holding my phone. Now I have to conceal it. It is just like riding the bus in Manila! Where people get held up on the bus, and there was even a time a whole busload of passengers was taken hostage and a girl was raped while the hostage taking was ongoing. These things happen in Manila, but in Cebu that was hardly heard of.

To [Cebu City] Mayor Tommy [Osmeña], what you're doing is great. Just keep things in check so that things will not get out of hand (innocent people could get hurt or people could use this method of execution as a cover).

-- Mario, Labangon, Cebu City, whiskey_boy1@yahoo.com

January 4, 2005

I'M a dormer and my main mode of transportation is a tricycle to get to school. I despise some of the drivers of those tricycles because they tend to overcharge. I am usually late for my classes because each day I have to bear with the traffic jams, even though my dorm is just a few blocks away. What should've been a five-minute ride would turn out to be a 20-minute wait. Walking to school may be an option but pickpockets and holduppers are rampant even in broad daylight that I have to constantly be on my guard. So what am I trying to point out? Well, the Philippine population has gone out of hand. This may sound like the complaint of an unsatisfied and bitter student -- and even a farfetched one. This claim of mine may seem absurd and completely irrelevant to what I've said. But if one thinks about it more, the country's overpopulation is one of the main causes of poverty and, as we all know, poverty drives people to commit crimes of all sorts -- from petty theft to murder. The traffic jams also attest to the problem of overpopulation. It's time for the government to take action.

I had come upon Mr. Michael Tan's article ("Papayas, Mangoes and Population") concerning population last August and it helped me a lot in understanding the so-called two-child policy. Media has indeed overpublicized and placed too much emphasis on the bill's stated preference for two children. What the bill does lack is incentives. Hopefully, the incentives provide the Filipino people with a relatively better lifestyle. Although the bill has in mind the welfare of the country as a whole and its intentions are good, it could make do without bringing into the picture the possible use of contraceptives. Personally, it is against my ideals and values and, more important, against the Church. And I strongly disapprove of the use of contraceptives, seeing the capitalist side of it. What I think the government should ultimately do is create programs that would educate the people and make them aware of the population problems of the country, as well as what they could do to help, such as getting married at a later age and wider birth spacing between the children. The government should also provide women with more job opportunities and should see to it that children are provided with basic education.

As a student I am greatly affected by the population problem. It is ubiquitous and it is happening even though many aren't aware or remain unaffected. I know it's easier said than done and it's not that simple, but nothing is ever simple if we want to progress. The government should not just make laws and be complacent and say they did what they had to do. No, they should carry out the laws, enforce them, and do whatever it takes to make things happen for a change. The Philippines does have the best laws. I wish it had the best government to enforce those laws.

Thank you.

-- Margaret Lapid, Philippines, pyschedelique86@yahoo.com