Easy Caesar Salad
I have always expressed that I could eat Caesar’s Salad all day, and even everyday. My original favorite was TGI Friday’s Chicken Caesar Salad. Then I met CBTL’s yummy Caesar Salad and I was hooked and forgot the old fave.
I figured since I love it so much, I might as well learn how to make it. That way I don’t have to settle for the bottled sauce sold in groceries when I cannot go out to buy the real thing.
Did they just say “EMO-ish” Twilight Movie Sucks?
Here’s what USA Today has told the curious movie goers just a few days ago;
Read more here…
The Philippines could elect an independent president in 2010
(Second of three-part series)
What is certain in this country is that local politics is immune from events in the national political arena. This was especially true in 2007 after despite the President’s unity coalition’s humbling defeat in the Senate, she continued to maintain control of the House. In addition, during the 2004 elections, Fernando Poe Jr. managed to beat Mrs. Arroyo in not just a few but many provinces despite the clear handicap in terms of support in the local level since traditionally the administration maintains a stronghold in the local front.
In this scenario, the next president of the Philippines could be elected without massive support from the local politicians. The rules of elections have changed in these last few years. We are now seeing a decline the politics of patronage. In an election climate where the likely candidates for the presidency would come from the swing parties, this could be the best time for a third force to enter the fray.
Perhaps what will happen in 2010 will be the same of what happened in 1992 with the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, the most prominent political party at that time, that involved then Speaker Ramon Mitra and then Defense Secretary Fidel Ramos. Mitra got the party’s presidential nomination but Ramos continued his bid and founded his own party, Lakas.
Let us just assume that Estrada picks Villar as the standard bearer for the opposition. I truly believe this would not matter. Just like 1992, I believe that there is no clear advantage from any of the cast of candidates at this point. So a blessing or a non-blessing from any Vito Corleone would not decide the election. What will decide the election is what matters to every Filipino family at this moment- the economy.
(To be continued)
Nathan Andrada
nathanandrada.blogspot.com
nathanandrada.wordpress.com
ABS-CBN vs GMA Christmas Station IDs: Which One’s Better?
Christmas is fast approaching, and so the major rival TV networks from the Philippines, ABS-CBN 2 and GMA 7 have just launched their respective Christmas Station IDs. This post will actually fall under a new category I’d like to introduce here in my blog — VERSUS — a comparison of two or more things, events, persons, etc. And for my VERSUS Category primer post, it’s up between ABS CBN and GMA! You can watch the YouTube videos at ABS-CBN vs GMA Christmas Station IDs || Bunsoi Magazine, and you be the judge.
Jazz Up Your Photos with Dumpr
Tired of looking at boring photos? Jazz them up with Dumpr. This online photo editor has several effects guaranteed to inject pizzazz to your otherwise staid photos. Some of the cool effects are only available to paying members but there’s enough of the free ones for you to choose from. More importantly, Dumpr is very user friendly. Kids can make masterpieces out of lollipops if they wish to. Even your grandparents will have a fun time decorating their photos.
Photo samples courtesy of DiningCebu.com, a blog dedicated to Cebu restaurants and food in Cebu.
Click here to see more: Cebu Restaurants
CALLING ALL CALLBOYS AND CALLGIRLS
Calling all people working in the BPO/IT/Call center industry, I discovered a new forum us to share experiences about work and anything about life.
please do visit and join http://callboyscallgirls.org and mingle with us.
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The Philippines could elect an independent president in 2010
(First of three-part series)
The official word is that the Palace has declared President Gloria Arroyo would indeed step down after her term of office ends in 2010. The presidential election that same year will virtually make People Power 2 in 2001 come full circle. That event shifted the political landscape of this country from a loose multi-party system to a somehow solid two-party affair, although not exactly the way how the Nacionalistas and the Liberals did for almost 25 years since the end of American occupation.
For most part of this century, the spectrum of the political arena is divided between the followers of Joseph Estrada, who was kicked out by a popular revolt in 2001, and those loyal to President Arroyo. For six years, Arroyo almost had a firm grip in both houses of Congress. But that changed in 2007 when the people decided there should change in direction especially in the Senate although the President’s coalition party continues to enjoy filibuster-proof in the House of Representatives.
The people are clearly beginning to get wary of the President’s tax measures and corruption charges that are consistently being put under the rug. Despite losing seats in the Senate, however, time is on the Palace’s side since most senators are likely to take their positions next year in prep for 2010. That brings us to the elections. Clearly, Estrada and Arroyo will not be participating but this would be potentially the last time their respective parties, Puwersa ng Masa and Kampi, will face off in a political battle.
The problem is, neither parties do not have candidates directly from their stable that can be considered ‘presidentiable’. Look at the current candidates that have openly declared their intentions for the presidency: Mayor Jejomar Binay (PDP-Laban, Makati), Senate President Manny Villar (Nacionalista, Las Pinas), and Bayani Fernando (Lakas-CMD, Marikina). Even other potential candidates rumored to be interested in the position are affiliated with other parties such as Senator Mar Roxas (Liberal, Capiz), Loren Legarda (Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Manila), Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero (NPC, Sorsogon), and Vice President Noli De Castro (Independent, Mindoro).
Filipinos seem to have largely forgotten about the hysteria of 2001 and the furious run-off battles that it brought which divided the nation for over half a decade. What I am saying is, the 2010 polls could be a potential free-for-all and those candidates mentioned above could definitely win without the baggage of an Estrada-Arroyo rivalry.
(To be continued)
Nathan Andrada
nathanandrada.wordpress.com
Do GM, Ford and Chrysler deserve a Grand Auto Bailout?
Last night, the biggest three automakers in the US, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler ,also dubbed as the “Big 3”, went to Capitol Hill begging for a US$25 billion bailout from Congress. There has been a lot of opposition to this proposal because it still remains unclear where the money would be taken from to finance this another massive rescue plan.
I watched Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson last night in his hearing with the Senate Finance Committee and he reiterated to senators that the TARP was exclusively for the financial sector and does not include the automakers. There was no secret though that some lawmakers, especially from the Democratic aisle, are bent on getting the Detroit triumvirate a piece of pie from the TARP. Some argue, though, that the Big 3 should just use the US$25 billion granted to them in a separate legislation earlier this year for creating cleaner cars. And there are those who think that GM, Ford and Chrysler should simply declare bankruptcy and directly face the day of final reckoning.
For those who think that the auto makers should be left to file Chapter 11, they have a point. First of all, the business model of the Big 3 is not efficient and has hemorrhaged them for years because of the lopsided contracts they entered with the auto workers’ union and with the car dealers. How do you expect the American taxpayer to bail out a company and never hope to get their money back? Second, bankruptcy will eventually make these companies deal with their inefficiencies and will get them to trim down and be more competitive against the Toyotas and the Hondas, which have been pretty successful in the US.
It is understandable that politicians will look after the interests of their constituents and they will fight tooth and nail to keep the Big 3 afloat thus averting the situation of massive layoffs. However, the world has changed and the new rules point towards the survival of the fittest. The Big 3 are the now the dinosaurs of the auto industry. And we all know what happened to those humongous reptiles.
Nathan Andrada
nathanandrada.wordpress.com
Greenhills Christmas on Display (COD)
Last Friday, Novermber 14,2008, Christmas has officially started in the City of San Juan with the opening of the traditional “Christmas on Display” (COD) at Greenhills shopping complex.
This tradition started 51 years ago as part of the marketing strategy of the COD Department Store. And it became one of the most notable Christmas show in Metro Manila.
This years COD display adopts an environmental theme and it’s the first time that the automatons has their own dialogue. Before it was just lights and sounds show and the story being narrated. But the management is making it big and better this time.
FREE Treats at Delifrance
Get FREE Treats from My Secret Santa at Delifrance! From November 10 – 23, 2008 Delifrance is giving away Almond Star Cookies. And on November 24 – December 7, 2008, Delifrance is giving away the Chocolate Chip Biscotti worth P245. All you have to do is fill in your contact details and you will receive an email containing a gift coupon. Print out the coupon and surrender it to your nearest Delifrance branch! You can only claim one gift coupon per visit but you can claim it as many times as you wish during the promotion period. Visit mysecretsanta08.com (thanks to Armi for the info!)
