On the Spratly Dispute.

An Archepelago of small islands, with the biggest at approximately 37.2 hectares and islet that shows on and off as the tide rises and decline. An archipelago that the Philippines once claimed-a part only, then neglected until a giant economy wants to take it by whole.

Spartlys Group of Islands is located at the South China Sea-now called as West Philippine Sea, is composed of 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands. Nearest to the Philippines is the Kalayaan Group, inhabited by Filipinos and is approximately 194 miles from the shores of Palawan. Other ‘part’ and whole claimants were Brunei which based their claim on their 200 mile EEZ, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and China.

The Claimants.

Nansha Islands as what the Spratly is known to the Chinese. Their claim is based on an map with a ‘9-dash line’ that asserts its teritorial claim over the whole of the South China Sea. The map was first used to challenged the claim made by Vietnam and Malaysia over their extended continental shelves on the said body of water. Aside from the said map, they also base their claim on historical manuscripts stating their ownership-which the Chinese written by themselves, and on artifacts found on the islands.

Vietnam claims the archipelago as part of the empire of Annam in the 19th century. Also, during the French colonization, in 1933, French annexed the Spratlys, making it part of their possessions. Vietnam says the islands are theirs as they are the inheritors of the French. In 1973 they declared that Spratlys were part of the Phuoc Tuy province. For Vietnamese, the archipelago is known to them as Truong Sa Islands.

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I’m writing because my mind tells me to do such. I’m no writer and doesn’t know to be one and to be a good one.  My writings were just merely an expression of  the things on my mind. My mind is then the source of my writings and contains more thoughts and ideas which are always gone when I grab a pen and face a piece of paper. There are ideas on my mind that keeps on coming but ain’t that easy to express.

Before I write, my mind plays some scenes of what is to put into the paper, what will it contain, how will the idea flow, how will it be presented and how will it came-out. But putting them into words, for me, is ain’t an easy thing to do.  I admit that  my knowledge in this field is limited and I can’t address that dilemma easily for I’m committed to a field who demands great time on focus.

I love to write. I love to express what’s on my mind. I love to share writings to people and hear their sides.  Aside from this blog, I used to maintain some other blog sites, broken handle which speaks my emotions and har! har! which contains my commentaries and rants to different personalities and issues, but I decided to have them deleted from the web. Now, I only have girva!. I miss writing, I miss myself in the crowd of people who talks, read and expresses their stand through writing.

However, writing is now a small part of me. I must live on the field that I have chosen. Though I only insist my self in that field, I know that that field will bring something good to me.

It’s comming!

For all Kagay-anons who longged for him, He’s coming very soon!

Starbucks Cagayan de Oro, the company’s 166th store in the country will open its first Mindanao branch this coming September.                                                                                             According to news reports, Ma-Ann Rabino, recruitment specialist of Rustan Coffee Corporation, owner of Starbucks franchise in the country. was quoted as stating that the store will be located at Limketkai Center.                             -Progress Watch

Upon reading that post posted on PROGRESS Watch, I almost shouted for joy inside the  internet cafe where I was surfing the web. I know many Kagay-anons and city dwellers have waited for this moment- the opening of a Starbucks  branch within the city. The awaited moment is still coming [soon] yet knowing that it will come next to a few flip  of the calendar, the anticipation is hard to put into words.

Jejemon and the Society

It is a phenomenon in the Philippines and it’s popping up everywhere; from cellphone messages (SMS), social networking sites and it even invaded the fashion trend! Since it is truly widespread, Jejemonism and Jejemons has merited both acceptance and hatred from the Filipino society.

A column from The Philippine Daily Inquirer by Harvey Marcoleta, describes jejemons as “a new breed of hipsters who have developed not only their own language and written text but also their own sub-culture and fashion”.

Jejemonism have gain wide acceptance and is “very” contagious to the hip and young minds. Yet, hatred and rants from those people who value good communication and proper usage of the language.

Earth Day 2010

April 22, 2010 is the 40th Earth Day celebration. First celebrated in the United States on April 22, 1970. Earth Day aims to to remind us of our social responsibility towards our only Earth.

Our only Earth because no matter how great the effort we will exert in finding our second home, we will never find a another planet that will provide everything like the Earth does.

We all know and we are all aware of the present condition of our only Earth. In our country, our government have created many law that could help save the environment yet the implementation is not that efficient. Many programs have done in effort for us to be educated and to be awaken and reminded of our social responsibility yet we are only good at the start.

Pornography and Sexual Violence

Northern Mindanao was shocked when the news about a nine year old girl molested by four minor boys came-out.  It was found out that the group were watching sexually explicit movie when the molestation happened.

Pornography is rampant nowadays and its the internet that provide the total accessibility. Downloaded and pirated sexually explicit movies had found its way illegally to  the market and anyone who wants it can have a copy. Media sharing is technologically available via bluetooth  enabling easy share.

Bajao in the City

Tagged as “Gypsies of the Sulu and Celebes Seas”, the Sama Dilaut, commonly known as badjao have now invaded the city streets in search for a better life.

Poverty and inadequate attention of the government for the minority group are sighted as the major reason.

Cagayan de Oro (CdO) is one of the many urban sites that have become the new home for the oppurtunity seeking bajao. Agora Tabacoan, located in between of the Agora Market and of the modern shores of the city became their refuge. With its location, the site is a perfect niche to the new city comers.

Barangay Assembly and Transparency

“I challenge you all! Pa-imbestigahi ko. Do it, do it, do it!”

Those words were just part of a statement made by a Barangay Councilor in an interrogation during the Barangay Igpit Assembly last October 24, 2009.

Filipino People are given the right to access to information regarding government acts and transactions. This is vested to the people through the Doctrine of Transparency, Article III Section 7 of the Philippine Constitution.