New Standard Employment Contract (SEC) will be effective on October

by Jaswinder Singh

Filipino Household Service Workers (HSWs) will now be protected because of the new Standard Employment Contract (SEC) that Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Philippines agreed upon.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said she is positive about the Filipino workers in Saudi because of this.

“This will pave the way for the resumption of the deployment of HSWs to the Kingdom. But with the new SEC both parties have hammered out and agreed upon. In addition, to the strengthened policies and measures the DOLE and its agencies, namely the POEA, POLO, OWWA, and TESDA have set in place, we are very confident all Filipino overseas workers will get the protection they need and deserve should they find it still desirable to work in Saudi Arabia as HSWs,” Baldoz said.

The agreement was stopped for a while when the Arabian government prohibited it in March 2011, but the SEC was declared by Baldoz after the contracts recommencement, confirmation and authentication.

After waiting for the new contract to be verified, Baldoz ordered Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Administrator Carmelita Dimzon of the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Labor Attaches to Saudi Arabia Albert Valenciano, Alejandro Padaen, and Adam Musa, and Director Restituto dela Fuente of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) to prepare and work with qualified recruitment agencies and instantly generate vast public announcement and major campaign to educate workers both here in the Philippines and in KSA on the main changes of the new HSW Standard Employment Contract, the pros and cons and dangers and rewards of working as an HSW in Saudi Arabia.

“I have directed the widest dissemination of a simple question and answer manual on the very important provisions of this agreement, which should give us the opportunity to really deliver the message to Philippine recruitment agencies. Saudi foreign placement agencies and employers, prospective Filipino HSWs and the concerned Filipino public that we mean business when we say the deployment of HSWs is highly-regulated, with a very strong bias for welfare and protection,” Baldoz said.

She also persistently clarified that the welfare and protection of the HSWs should begin in their department. They should take advantage on the new agreement and make sure that there will be no HSW that will be abused by recruitment agencies, no HSW will be exploited and used for other peoples advantage.

To ensure that only qualified and with required competencies are allowed to be HSW in Saudi Arabia, Baldoz asked Administrators Cacdac and Dimzon to work with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), look into the Comprehensive Program on Training, Assessment, and Certification for HSWs, and review jointly the module on OWWA mandatory language and culture.

The “notoriously undesirables” should be cleared so TESDA together with POEA is tasked to work on a system that will regulate and monitor the training centers. She added that, “I also asked OWWA and the NRCO to vigorously promote the national reintegration program, including its livelihood components, such as the Balik-Pinay, Balik Hanap buhay Program, to provide our people a clear and better option to stay and not work abroad as a HSW.”

Baldoz explained, “On the other hand, the POEA should further tighten the screws on erring employers, as well as recruitment agencies–both local and foreign. It should go hard against any or all of them, not only those hiring HSWs, but [also] any OFW. It should simplify further its own processes and, as I have said last January, make it “easy to do” business for those who comply and “easy to go” for those who violate our rules,” “I have assigned Undersecretary Danilo P. Cruz, cluster head for employment, to be on top of all these sustained welfare and protection activities and measures for our HSWs.” she added.

The new SEC for HSWs, which contain 19 articles, spells out strong and exact provisions on income (minimum US$400) and the manner of its payment (bank account to be opened by the employer for the HSW in Saudi); rest hours (at least 8 hours of continuous rest) and rest days (at least one day per week); and paid vacation leave in the Philippines (30 days for every two years of service with free round-trip economy class air ticket).

Employers are required to give the HSW appropriate and clean home with suitable food, and when sick the employer should shoulder the expenses and let the HSW rest with continuous pay. Upon the end of the two-year contract and in case termination, free transportation from Philippines and back is also required from the Saudi employers.

The employer should repatriate the belongings and remains of the HSW to the Philippines in case of death. The employer should also be in charge of the HSW in the event of war, civil disturbance or major natural calamity. In addition, in case if the HSW became seriously ill or is medically proven that cannot work anymore, it will be the employer’s expense.

According to Baldoz one of the most significant protection and welfare assurance is the treaty and procedure on the clearance of disputes linking the HSW and the employer.

Responsibility of notifying the employer on the departure from the Philippines and arrival to Saudi Arabia of the HSW (the role of the Philippine recruitment agency and the Saudi recruitment agency); common respect; reportage of work (HSW to work solely for employer and immediate household); and expense of residence permit (iqama), exit/re-entry visa, and final exit visa, including renewals and penalties resulting from delays (the employer’s responsibility). Any deduction from the HSW’s salary is prohibited; passport and iqama should always be in the possession of the HSW; employers should allow the HSW to freely communicate with her family and the Philippine embassy. These are the eight special provisions of the new SEC. Baldoz gladly expressed her fulfillment with this new SEC and wants it to be a model and be applied to other countries that accept HSWs.

As Baldoz instructed members of the Philippine side, of the KSA-Philippines Joint Technical Committee, will continue its bilateral talks with the Saudi officials on other arrangements and areas of cooperation that remained unsettled.

She also wanted the unfinished items, as the signing of the bilateral agreement on HSW to be done hopefully by the end of the year.

After 60 years, Genghis Khan shows

by Micah Lucero

In line with the restoration and repatriation of the ‘Genghis Khan’ movie after it s turn over almost six decades ago, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and National Film Archive of the Philippines (NFAP) headed the film’s premier showing last September 30.

 FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos said that the repatriation of the old film would force the international archivist to return the Filipino film, which is still in their collections.

 The printed script of Genghis Khan was turned over to the National Film Archive of the Philippines for its preservation.

 This was conducted by L’lmmagine Ritrovata in Bologna, Italy, a world-renowned laboratory known as one of the best in film retrieval. Martin Scorsese, a film archiving stalwart and director, were among the famous personalities and entities behind the film’s retrieval.

 The event was attended by prominent personalities like President Benigno Aquino III, FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos, Venice Film Festival retrospective curator Stefano Francia di Celle, Director of L’lmmagine Ritrovata Davide Pozzi, NFAP head Benedict Olgado and Jun Urbano, representative of Urbano and Conde Family.

 This low budget movie, shown in the country last 60 years, was taken at the mountains of Agno, Rizal.

 The movie was about the struggles of Genghis Khan, a Mongolian leader, towards his assumption of the throne. The film was directed by Manuel Urbano, more commonly known as Manuel Conde .

Southern Tagalog joins protest in Mendiola

by Ashley de la Pena

40 years after the imposition of Martial Law, militants from Southern Tagalog joined sectors from National Capital Region (NCR) in the multi-sectoral mobilization held at Mendiola to protest the existing human rights violations under Aquino administration.

 The convoy, organized by the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Tagalog (BAYAN-ST), started with a program at the University of Santo Tomas and rallied to Mendiola.

 "Despite that Martial Law has already long ended, the citizens of Southern Tagalog is still experiencing Martial Law under the banner of Aquino's Oplan Bayanihan," said XL Fuentes, Secretary General of BAYAN-ST, in a press statement.

 According to Fuentes, “Until now, South Quezon and Bondoc Peninsula of Quezon Province are still militarized and the 8 battalions of AFP, PNP and CAFGU that were deployed there remains. Although there was no Martial Law declared, the presence of the 8 battalions and the human rights violations these state security forces committed are similar to that of Martial Law.”

 Karapatan, a human rights group, insisted that traces of the Martial Law are still evident up to this day. The alliance has noted 100 victims of extrajudicial killings, 170 illegally arrested and detained, 62 victims of torture, 11 desaparecidos and a total of 37,000 cases of human rights violations in two years under the Aquino administration.

 Karapatan-Southern Tagalog Secretary General Glendhyl Malabanan said that since after martial law, the region has never experienced stability due to the counterinsurgency programs of the government.

 The group said that the victims are still the Filipinos who aspire for freedom, democracy and justice.

 “Forty years and five presidents ago, the “democratic space” that was supposedly restored in 1986 remains a space for the landed, the rich and the powerful,” Karapatan said in its statement. “The poor are still poor, exploited and oppressed. Today, social justice remains elusive, and the culture of impunity prevail, like it was under martial law.”

Santiago lauds MVP in RH stance

by Christopher Tigno

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago praised business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan for supporting the Reproductive Health Bill during her speech at the UP College of Social Work and Development on September 25.

Santiago, an author and co-sponsor of the bill, commended Pangilinan for courageously declaring his support despite backlash from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

“My only prayer is that more people would be as independent-minded as Manny,” she said. 

“The RH Bill would be beneficial to our people, especially the poor. No one can help us but ourselves.”

Pangilinan, who has a close family ties with Santiago, had recently pulled out his support on Ateneo, which he financially supported in the past, due to the opposing views regarding the RH Bill and mining.

In a letter to Ateneo President Fr. Jett Villarin, S.J., Pangilinan said, “I do not agree with some of the CBCP’s pronouncements, including its recent stance on the RH Bill. At times, I believe the CBCP has taken positions contrary to the interest of our country.”

Along with co-sponsor Senator Pia Cayetano, Santiago is actively pushing for the passage of the RH Bill in the Senate.

Santiago is disappointed as the Senate leadership has yet to schedule the RH Bill for plenary amendments.

“The Senate has not taken up the RH Bill for weeks. Why are they dragging their feet?” she said. “Let’s just put it to a vote. The RH Bill is over ten years old; it is cowardly to keep postponing the decision.”

Congress approves national land use bill

by Jude Sulit

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill 6545 which seeks for the proper utilization and management of the country’s land resources.

The bill, authored by Akbayan Representative Kaka Bag-ao was passed last week, September 20, upon a unanimous vote before the Congress’ two-week recess.

To be known as the National Land Use Management Act, the measure further seeks to end the widespread destruction of land resources and ensure its optimum use.

As defined in the bill, the institutionalization of land use and physical planning as a mechanism for identifying, determining and evaluation for appropriate land use and allocation promotes and ensures the 54 percent forest cover to preserve the environment.

With the measure’s approval, land use will be defined under the following areas: protection, production, settlements development; and infrastructure development. Bag-ao, an agrarian reform advocate, said in a press release that the increasing demands, cases of abuses and misuses of the natural resources turned out to be the effects of the continuous growth of the country’s population within the limited characters of land.

The state’s intervention, according to her, would be of great importance to rationalize the utilization, management and development of land resources.

“Indiscriminate use of lands without regard to its adverse effect in society and the environment must be regulated in the interest of the general welfare of the present and future generations,” said Bag-ao in a news report.

One of the primary features of the bill is the creation of National Land Use Policy Council that shall head all affairs pertaining to the planning and management of land resources at the national and sub-national levels. The Secretary of National Economic and Development Authority is tasked to be the chief of this policy-making body.

Furthermore, the Act aims to define the scope and nature of the responsibilities that national government agencies should fulfill to completely execute the purposes of the bill.

Hit-and-run Driver Kills 50-year-old Woman

by Inna Patricia Lameyra


A speeding vehicle killed an old woman after she was sideswiped before dawn, Tuesday in Quezon City.

Special Police Officer 1 Edgardo Talacay of the Quezon City Police District’s Traffic Sector identified the elderly as Josefina Perez, 50, a resident of Barangay Old Balara, through a card found in her wallet.

The victim was said to be walking in the area at around 3 a.m. when the vehicle hit and haled her body across for several meters.

The police was not able to identify the vehicle due to its speed after it hit the woman.

The fatality was then found at the corner of Tandang Sora and Commonwealth Avenue, near an outpost of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Some bystanders rushed the body to East Avenue Medical Center, but it was declared dead on arrival.

G. Araneta-Quezon Avenue finally opens

By Mikaela Joyce Sarthou

Motorists found relief as G. Araneta-Quezon Avenue underpass finally opened for public use last September 28, Friday.

President Benigno Aquino III led the opening ceremony as he was on a 'drive thru'. He lauded the P430M total cost out of the original budget of P640M for the said road project in his 5-minute speech.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, councilors and other officials were also present during the inauguration.

The depressed road consists of four lanes, two per direction and stretches up to 440 linear meters.

The construction of the G. Araneta-Quezon Avenue underpass started on June 20, 2011 and was finished three months earlier than its expected 540-day completion on December 2012.

According to Danilo Idos, DPWH Project Director for Urban Road, "Rain or shine, we pushed to work 24/7 to finish the project."

The construction has a flood control system, which consisted of pump house located beneath the service road of Quezon Avenue and a powerhouse above a median island at the intersection of Quezon Avenue and G. Araneta.

Three units of submersible pumps were also installed, each with a capacity of 277 liters per second.

Idos said that the underpass was “completely flood-free” and even mentioned, “it did not go flooded as Habagat struck Manila.”

"We have modeled it to a number of underpass constructions and had it under a JICA study since 2004," Idos added.

Meanwhile, motorists like Higo Tusit finally spared a sigh regarding the traffic that took place upon the construction of the depressed road. Tusit is a member of a jeepney association, which drivers traverse from 5th Avenue to Quezon Avenue.

"So far, I think it was good. We [drivers] cannot fully tell its functionality as of now. It's too early to tell," Tusit said.

During the underpass construction, the average traveling time from 5th Avenue to Quezon Avenue was 45-50 minutes, since motorists bulge up from the streches of Maria Clara Street up to Quezon Avenue. However, until the inauguration, the initial travel time of 30 minutes was retained.

Marker for QC’s ‘Killer Highway’ Victims

By Paula Ariola

The Quezon City government will install a marker to commemorate “Killer Highway” victims, near the spot where journalist Chit Estella-Simbulan died in a vehicular accident almost two years ago.

The installation of the marker was in accordance to Resolution No. SP-5581. This is to honor the people who died in one of the most dangerous roads in the country.

“The death of Chit was catalystic in a way, since she was very prominent in education and media. And we all know that prior to her death, mortality rate in the Commonwealth Avenue was already high,” said District 4 Councilor Ivy Lim-Lagman, proponent of the resolution.

The marker would also recognize the partnership of the Quezon City government and University of the Philippines to prioritize road safety along Commonwealth Avenue, now labeled as the country’s “Killer Highway.”

“Before, there were three accidents a day. But this year, there were vehicular mishaps but no casualties reported after the implementation of speed limit and deployment of MMDA along COA,” Lagman added.

“To symbolze Quezon City’s advocacy to make Commonwealth Avenue one of the country’s safest thoroughfares and to recognize the concerted efforts of the city and of the University of the Philippines,” a portion of the resolution read.

The resolution, approved on September 3, 2012, was requesting the Mayor to put up a marker in front of UP Ayala Techno Hub, the site where Simbulan died.

Simbulan, a journalism professor at the University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Mass Communication and a co-founder of VERA Files, died on May 13, 2010, when two reckless bus drivers collided with the taxi she was riding.

Her untimely death has spurred the Quezon City government to promote road safety a priority.

Professor Roland Simbulan, the widower, with the help of UP President Alfredo Pascual made the content of the marker.

The proposed marker will have the following words inscribed on it: “This Marker is in memory of the late U.P. Professor Ma. Lourdes Estella-Simbulan and to the lives which were cut short catalyzing the Quezon City Government and the University of the Philippines to ensure that not a single life has been lost in vain.”

The Quezon City government was expecting the marker to be installed in November, according to Lagman. 

“Jam Steps” maneuvered diseases away

by Micah Lucero

The Department of Health led an aerobic dance exercise campaign entitled “Jam steps” which aimed to promote healthy lifestyle in the country in the Quezon City Elliptical Circle last September 21.

The campaign, headed by DOH Secretary Enrique Ona, also aims to prevent Filipinos from acquiring non-communicable diseases such as Asthma and Diabetes.

Director Eduardo Janairo of Center of Health Development of National Capital Region (DOH-CHD-NCR) also participated in the said campaign.

The World Health Organization said that about 90% of Filipinos suffer from diseases like hypertension, obesity, diabetes and others as reported on the sixth National Nutrition and Health Survey conducted on 2003.

Ona suggested that healthy lifestyles must be promoted specially to the youth to prevent them from smoking which may cause smoking-related non-communicable diseases. Moreover, Director Janairo explained that this movement was a support to the passage of the Sin tax Bill, which aims to reduce the mortality rate brought about by tobacco consumption.

Further more, Janairo emphasized that this kind of campaign can be effective without rallying on the streets. He pointed that this will serve as an invitation to every Filipino to change the phase of their lifestyles.

This aerobic dance was developed in Bacolod City and performed by “Ang batang Pinoy Movement” to demonstrate that youth can be advocates of healthy living even at their young age.

This activity also calls on the children to have healthier preferences to prevent diseases.

According to Director Janairo “Leading a healthy lifestyle can do more than prevent diseases. It can make our body strong, stay healthy, more alert, fight stress and live longer life. We are able, in preventing diseases and enjoying at the same time.”

New iPhone now with over 5 million users

By Alfredo Navarro

Apple Inc. announced yesterday that they had sold over five million units in just three days after the launch of its newest product, iPhone 5.

The company also released their most advance mobile operating system, iOS6, where more than 100 million iOS devices have updated.

“Demand for iPhone 5 has been incredible and we are working hard to get an iPhone 5 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO in a news report.

“While we have sold out of our initial supply, stores continue to receive iPhone 5 shipments regularly and customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date. We appreciate everyone’s patience and are working hard to build enough iPhone 5s for everyone,” he added.

iPhone 5 is the thinnest, lightest, longest, brightest, and fastest iPhone ever. It features a stunning new 4-inch Retin display, an Apple-designed A6 chip for blazing fast performance and ultrafast wireless technology. It is available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK, and will be available in 22 more countries on September 28 and more than 100 countries by the end of the year. 

Church to intensify Pondo ng Pinoy

By Paula Ariola

Archdiocese of Manila said that there is a need to strengthen the information campaign for Pondo ng Pinoy (PnP) in the 8^th anniversary celebration of the Catholic Church-based community foundation last September 2.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said, in the celebration held at the University of Santo  Tomas’ Quadri-centennial Pavillion, that Pondo ng Pinoy collection drops by P5 million.

 “In the past eight years, Pondo ng Pinoy collection increased. But this year, a little but significant decrease were noticed,” Bishop Pabillo said in an interview.

Pabillo said that although the decrease was relatively small and imposed no negative implications to the church’s poverty-alleviation programs, they are worried that the collection might continue to drop.

There were speculations that the decline in the collection was prompted by the retirement of its founder, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.

“I don’t know if the decrease [in the Pondo ng Pinoy collection] was related [to Cardinal Rosales’ retirement] or it was just a mere coincidence,” Pabillo added.

The Manila prelate said on earlier reports that it is possible that the public might have thought that the community foundation has already ended following the retirement of its founder.

Pondo ng Pinoy is a community foundation launched in 2004 by the former Manila Archbishop Rosales to fund different Church-run programs for the poor, such as the ‘Hapag-asa’- feeding programs for children below six years old; education and housing projects. The funds were generated from 25-centavo coins donated by the parishioners.

Rosales retired last December and was succeeded by Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle.

“PnP is not just the program of Cardinal Rosales but of the whole archdiocese. And Archbishop Tagle was part of the program since its launching,” Pabillo added.

He added that the enemy of PnP was the people’s “Ningas-Cogon” habit. They were interested to support the program at its initial stage but as the program progresses, their energy and enthusiasm diminished.

“That’s why there are promotional programs, as well as educational programs, so as not to make the PnP a fad that will soon be forgotten by the faithful,” he said.

Mercado said that their campaign to intensify their catechism is to regain the public’s support in PnP.

Pabillo also clarified that “[Pondo ng Pinoy] is not a fund-raising. It builds character and teaches the value of generosity. It’s a continuous process.” 

Comelec rejects party-list groups

By Matt Zate

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) rejected 17 party-list groups who applied for certification for May 2013 polls.

One of the 17 groups dismissed is the group of traders with the head name similar to that of the Philippine football team Azkals, Asosasyon ng Mangangalakal (ASKAL). Moreover, the group of addicts and alcoholics called Addicts and Alcoholics Carrying the Message Association (AACMA, INC) were also not accepted.

Other party-groups that were removed from the list were Ako at ang Basura Movement (AKO BA), Aniban ng Magtutubig ng Pilipinas (Ama ng Pilipinas), Sararong Bicolnon, Mahirap (AMIN), United Philippine Transport Tricycle, Trisikidad, Habal-Habal Operators and Drivers Association (UPTHODA).

In addition the groups Alliance for Democracy and Morality-Bantay Pasahero (ADAM-BANTAY PASAHERO), Aurora Integrated Multi-Purpose Cooperative (1-AIMCOOP), Bangon Mangingisda (BM), Philippine Banana Pioneer Foundation, Inc and  Vendors Aggruption (@1Vendors) were also disqualified.

The Comelec Resolution No. 9513 stated the groups that were dismissed at the division level might still appeal their case at the Comelec en banc.

Furthermore, the party-list groups that have been qualified at the division level shall precede to the review and affirmation of the commission en banc.

289 party-list groups have filed for application in the 2013 poll.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said they will try to announce the first batch of ousted party-list groups before the end of the month and those who will pass the accreditation will be released in early to mid-October.

Youth rallies for Martial Law anniversary

By Christopher Tigno

Kabataan Partylist organized a peaceful rally to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines Last September 21.

Jay Del Rosario, a UP Los Banos student and leader in the rally, said that one of their goals is to raise awareness regarding the Education Act of 1982 and to “remind the current generation of what happened 40 years ago.”

“10 years after the declaration of Martial Law, the Marcos regime started weakening. That’s when [former President] Marcos passed the Act of 1982 to gain the support of the owners of universities in the Philippines and to suppress student rights,” Del Rosario said. “He even gave universities the power to raise enrollment fees without going through the consultation and the regulation of the government.”

The rallyists rendezvous site and starting point was under the Espana overpass in front of the University of Santo Tomas. Police officers flanked the rallyists as they spread out banners on the concrete and waved tarpaulins to passers-by and vehicles.

Students from other universities - Colegio Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Philippine Women’s University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, and University of the Philippines - also joined the protest.

Majan Lazo, a sophomore in UST, said that their protest was not just some stunt to turn heads their way.

“The problems faced by the youth in the past are still the same problems that we’re facing right now. We’re fighting for change,” she said.

Police officers assured that the rally would be peaceful but will still watch over students for safety measures.

“We are going to make sure that nothing dangerous happens not only to them but also to their audience,” a police officer said.

Rallyists travelled on foot toward the Mendiola Bridge. When asked why they chose the bridge as their protest site, Del Rosario said: “During the Martial Law era, youth freedom fighters and the police clashed on that bridge. There is already a historical background to the place, which makes it a great spot to let our voices be heard.”

The Benefits of Studying Abroad

By: Lu Yiming

We all know it can be frustrating – and sometimes, painful to study in a foreign country, with its different language and culture. But while studying overseas has its drawbacks, the difficulties are far outweighed by the advantages.

26 year-old XieJing, hails from China and loves studying in Europe. As an international student with experiences of living in Sweden and now France (she is part of a student exchange program), she shares her opinion why she chose to study abroad. 

After having worked for a biotechnology firm in China for almost four years, Xie Jing felt a ‘little limited’ by her bachelor’s degree. It was then that she decided to ‘take a step up’ and enroll in a master’s program. Her decision to undertake a degree abroad rather than from her home country China was a conscious step towards gaining international exposure and studying in the homeland of her childhood role model Carl Linnaeus, the renowned Swedish botanist. 

While at Sweden, where she spent her first year of the program, Xie Jing was impressed by the affability of the Swedish people. “They were very friendly and accepting towards foreigners,” she says, adding that this helped her adjust easily in the new country. She utilized the fika (Swedish for ‘coffee time’) to interact with the faculty and bond with her classmates in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. “Social life at Uppsala University has been absolutely fantastic. I had the opportunity to integrate with students from different parts of the world. The enthusiastic Swedish celebration of foreign festivals such as the Chinese New Year has been one of the most memorable for me,” she says. However, what impressed her most was the dynamic classroom atmosphere, where students were encouraged to think independently and ask questions. It was something new for her and she refreshingly welcomed it. “Great ideas are encouraged to sparkle here. The inter-disciplinary approach has extended my knowledge in focus areas,” she says. 

Xie Jing is now in France, preparing to do her thesis from UniversitéCatholique De L'Ouest in Angers, as part of the student exchange program in the second year of her Master’s degree. She is also taking a course in French from Centre International D'ÉtudesFrançaises (CIDEF) to help her have a smooth stay in the country. Although she finds the education systems of Sweden and France vastly different, there are things she hugely admires about the both of them. While Sweden revealed to her the vast scope of toxicology, she was amazed by France’s advanced knowledge in biomarkers. Thus, being exposed to the European world’s superior scientific awareness, she feels confident that the decision to do her master’s abroad has been a right one and hopes to learn much from the whole experience. “I look forward to promoted scientific views. It is a great learning experience for me as I’ve had a chance to work with people from various disciplines and cultural backgrounds and countries,” she says.  

CFLs: New Strategy to save money by DOE

by Micah Lucero

On September 22-28, the Department of Energy (DOE) will distribute free compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) to electricity consumers to propose a new strategy in conserving the consumption of electricity.

These CFLs will be distributed to 188 districts and 51 party list representatives with 10,000 beneficiaries. This allocation is mandated by the Memoranda of Agreement of DOE with Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP).

The purpose of this project is to help the consumers to lessen the consumption of electricity by using compact fluorescent lamps. It does not only use less amount of electricity, it can also result to less expenditures.

“This simple action of switching from incandescent bulb to energy efficient CFL, which also form part of the Bright Now! Do right. Be Bright Campaign, will help reduce peak demand, thereby avoiding the use of expensive fossil-based power plants, hence, reducing the average cost of power generation,” DOE Undersecretary Loreta G. Ayson said.

In relation to this, Ayson, who is also the director of PEEP, reminded each districts to inform their target beneficiaries to bring necessary documents, such as electrical bills, in claiming the CFLs. She also encouraged the districts and party-list to inform the consumers on the venue of where to claim then CFLs because they will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

Furthermore, Undersecretary Ayson also allocated 1.2 million CFLs to National Poverty Reduction Strategy and Countryside Partnership a program by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The DOE already distributed CFLs in 2009, which resulted to reduction in electricity consumption and reduced carbon emissions. This conservation by using CFLs helped the consumers and even the country to save P 830.06 million converted in monetary unit.

The mission of this project is dual in purpose. To promote conservation of energy and reducing the use of excessive energies which initially cause environmental problem.

Again, Pacquiao to square with Marquez

By: Rijel R. Reyes

After three fights of sensational boxing that all etched close and controversial decisions; once again, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will hunt for either man’s avowal of who’s the other man’s waterloo as both future hall-of-famers intend to end their long-rooted rivalry in December 8, 2012 at MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.

“I want to erase the doubt of the last three fights… I want to knock him out,” Pacquiao told Associated Press in a public interview in Beverly Hills, California.

The 8-division world champion and congressman from Saranggani, Philippines want to get rid of the common nuisance that Marquez should be the winner in all their encounters.

And the same energy came from Marquez.

“He will have a tough fight on December 8^th,” Marquez told Fight Hype about the anticipated fourth clash.

The last three meetings were showered by roars of the crowd for its non-stop action and rare dull moments; featuring knockdowns, storms of combinations and decent display of boxing techniques.

Todd DuBoeff said in a press conference, ''People ask me whether it's going to be hard to sell a fourth fight. Did you see the first 36 rounds? There wasn't a dull moment.''

So with longtime HBO analyst Larry Merchant, in his interview with examiner.com, Merchant said “They fought three good fights. Good and close. There’s an old saying that ‘too much of a good thing is a good thing’. Even though we think we’ve seen that fight before, those are damn good fights.”

Clashed in 125, 130 and 144 pounds; now, the fourth and might be the final fight between Pacquiao and Marquez is set at straight welterweight at 147 pounds.

Pacquiao and Marquez first brawled in 2004 ending in a controversial draw. In 2008, Pacquiao escaped with a split-decision in a fascinating 12 rounds of non-stop action. And the last fight, in 2011, ended in a controversial majority decision with Pacquiao benefited by the second win.

Donaire eyes ‘undisputed’ title

By: Rijel R. Reyes

“The Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire Jr. aims to unify three belts in the super bantamweight division against the Japanese veteran Toshiaki “The Speed King”Nishiokain Carson, California on October 14, 2012 (Philippine time).

The 29-year old Donaire (29-1) faces a tough adversary against 36-year old Nishioka (39-4-3) who was undefeated for the last eight years. At stake are Donaire’s WBO (World Boxing Organization) and IBF (International Boxing Federation)super bantamweight titles and Nishioka’s WBC (World Boxing Council)title.

“When you have three out of the four [titles], that’s undisputed to me. One more belt and I’m good to go to 126,” said Donaire in a public interview.

The long dominance of Nishioka in super bantamweight gave him the respect as the best in his division and one of the toughest guys in the sport.

In the official web page of WBO, Donaire said that “Not only does he have speed, power and experience, but he’s also a southpaw. So there are a lot of factors as far as his style that I have not seen in other opposition.”

Meanwhile, featherweight champion Billy Dib said in Fight Hype that “Nonito has the skill set and smarts to beat Nishioka in a tough bout.”

Donaire won his WBO super bantamweight title against Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. last February and gained his IBF title against the tall Jeffrey Mathebula from South Africa.

Nishioka, who is ending his long absence since his title defense last year, is currently on a 16-bout winning streak and eyes to extend his reign and dominance in the division by defeating the Filipino fighter.

Ranked and etched in the same level as Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Andre Ward and Sergio Martinez, Donaire who is the top five pound-for-pound fighter according to RingTV, is on his own way in printing his greatness in the sport after consecutive promising victories in his last fights.