Barangay Officials

     The smallest political unit in the Philippines is the barangay, like a village in many other countries. Even urban centers are divided into smaller units called barangays too. Today these barangays are lead by elected officials every three years I think, and current barangay officials can be re-elected for three terms, after they can rest and run again after three-year hiatus or run for another post.

     Today Manny Piñol, an ex-government Secretary of Agriculture when Duterte started but he resigned and didn't complete the six-year term, posted in his FB something that I completely agree.

He urges for barangay officials to be appointed instead of elected 

     It's a lot of savings for the government because running an election incurs a lot for the government. It too will depoliticize the barangay level. I know the local government will definitely use politics in their appointments but it will minimize too much politics in the villages. It will be easier for them, responsible LGU, to implement programs to benefit the villages 

     This reminds me of Malaysia, a British inspired form of government. In there, these local governments are run by civil employees. They are therefore not politically aligned with any of the local kingpins. Thus they have minimal elections, less politicking and implement programs easier and faster. The parliament representatives may change but the local officials remain as employees of the government.

Belgium

     In my previous job, I had to go to Netherlands and Belgium for global meetings. In one of our global meetings, we met in Castle de Baak in Antwerp. After the marketing meeting, we proceeded to Louvain-la-neuve for technical training. I passed by Brussels on our way back after all the meetings. I returned to Asia via Frankfurt, Germany.

Global Marketing Team meeting in Antwerp

Leonardo hotel in Louvain-la-neuve where I stayed

With Chinese and Japanese colleagues in a dinner in Brussels

Mussels is like staple food in Belgium

Belgian chocolates and beers

Return to Asia with Lufthansa via Frankfurt 

Typhoon Karding

     Typhoon Karding(Noru, international name) had left the Philippines last night without much damage. It was touted to be the strongest typhoon this year and the people's fear based on Haiyan's experience in 2013 was imminent. Thanks God it has left the country for good.

     Unfortunate though it has flooded some northern provinces and killing some five rescue workers, one is still missing, who were trying to help local people.

One of the rescue workers who died

     They have offered their lives to save many in their efforts to rescue village people trapped by the floods. It is so sad to think the loss of five lives. They are heroic and their unselfish act caused them their lives.

Petronas Twin Towers

     I went to work in Malaysia in March 1993. It was the developing stage of Malaysia to what it is now, from a third world to a newly industrialized country. I saw how the government built a great nation in Southeast Asia then led by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, although some of my Malaysian friends don't really admire him.  I saw how they build their twin towers now an iconic symbol of the country.

The twin towers when I visited  it

     Malaysia I would say is my second country having spent almost twenty years in the country. I used to say I know it better that the Philippines geographically. It is a country where I have many memories I won't forget.

     I learned to speak Bahasa Malaysia because then in 1993 many of the locals didn't speak English. I had to learn the local language to survive. I learned how to drive a car too. I got my driving license in 1998 I think as driving your own car is like a must in Malaysia with no mass public transport. I got exposed to many religions - Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism - widening my views about religion, about people and culture.

 

     

Preikestolen in Norway

     A friend posted pictures of his trip in Norway, he is a seaman, and the places he was showing in social media were places I visited in 2010 after our internal meeting in Sandefjord, Norway, that time I was still with the Norwegian company Jotun Paints. Upon seeing his photos, made me look at photos of my own.

Almost at the peak of Preikestolen

     Hiking to the peak at cold temperature was arduous. Seeing structures like this was scary for the uninitiated.

The peak

     It was exhilarating to be at the highest peak overlooking the fjord. Some of my friends could seat at the edge of the cliff.

I could only peep crawling to the edge

     We had to hike for about four hours to reach the top. It was cold even with the sun shining brightly.

The nicest path on the way up

Otherwise it's all rocks

     After our hike, we had to spend a night at Stavanger, the jump off point to reach Preikestolen.  We spent going around the small city to see some interesting spots.

We stayed at Stavanger Inn

Passing through a lovely Catholic church

By the harbor at night

It was cold that even the bars provide blankets

Sköl

Funny painting in one of the walls around the city

Idol Philippines 2

     This weekend the top 3 to go to the finals next week will be known, based on public votes(50%) and judges rating(50%). There is one in the top 5 that I personally don't believe he should be there. It's Kice but maybe he comes from a rich family that his public votes probably kept him in the top 5.

     There are a few I like but to be sure Kice doesn't go into top 3, I'm putting all my votes on Khimo. I do hope he wins this competition. I was not actively voting in Season 1 like I am now.

The Top 5

Dubai

     When I was working with Jotun we had meetings all over the world and one was a meeting in Dubai. Technical people from the regional laboratories convened in Dubai to learn new teahnical matters as well as internal organization strategy from the chemists' point of view.

In our regional lab in Dubai with other chemists

     After our technical sessions, we had chance to go around Dubai and  see some tourist attractions in the city.

It is a must to have a photo with Burj Al Arab

    We also visited other places such as the Atlantis at the Palm man-made island that time was developing, I think the Dubai Festival Mall that time was newly-opened, and the Burj Khalifa that time was just erected then the highest structure in the world.

With Burj Khalifa