Wanted Niche Blogs on: Politics and Governance; and Photography

I AM IN THE PROCESS of organizing my blogroll. Since I already have 2 niche blogs on the following topics:

1. Photography
2. Public policy and governance, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development,

I would like you to be part of my world. In this way we could easily exchange ideas.

For my existing links, do not worry. You will not be forgotten. Your links will be transferred to the appropriate blogs that I have. Those who will not fit in to the above topics will be retained here.

So if you have a niche blog purely on either of the two, or discuss these topics in your blog, you are invited to link. Just leave a comment together with your URL.

What's the catch? Can I ask that you link me too....(smile!) I hope that's not too much to ask, right?

Read More

Full, free and unconditional pardon

AS A FOLLOW THROUGH of my previous blog about this issue, I always make it a point to watch the news regarding the conviction of Former President Joseph Estrada for the crime of plunder. While watching him on the news yesterday, I realize once again that he did not only make himself lesser credible, but made him rather pathetic as he has, again, brazenly demonstrated his rude audacity.

Continue Reading

Read More

First Mindanao Blogging Summit (MBS)

The first Mindanao Bloggers Summit is one event that a Mindanao Blogger should not miss. Its theme: Spotlight Mindanao: Blogging for Culture, Identity and Understanding, seems a tall order for many bloggers. But with this event, the organizers hope to achieve something--one step at a time and this summit would be the first.

I would have wanted to join them in their first activity, but some circumstances prevent me from doing so. All I could do for now is to send Blogie Robillo and the rest of the "usual suspects" my advanced congratulations for organizing this big blogging event.

Mabuhay kayo!

Click this LINK for the MBS Site

Spotlight Mindanao:Blogging for Culture, Identity & Understanding
Date: 27 October 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Venue:

4th Floor, NCCC Mall, Ma-a, Davao City

Registration Fee:

FREE!(Instead, you’re required to post on your blog that you intend to join the Summit. Instructions are emailed after registration.)

Organized by:

The Usual Suspects

Read More

E-flowers for Glorietta victims' families

IN AN earlier post, I called for prayer and sobriety. At least there is one who positively responded to this call--that is Señor Eric who posted the prayer of St. Francis in his blog, then followed by Rhodora who posted a very beautiful prayer.

Waiting for a few hours, and when no one heeded my call to show sympathy to the bereaved, I asked 3 of my Flickr groups (Semana Santa Filipinas, Pinoycentric, and Pinoy Kodakero) to post their flower photos as a sign of sympathy to the bereaved. I was surprised with the response. I believe these people are very busy, yet they found the time to post something for the Glorietta victims' families. Many have already responded, and I hope there would be more in the coming hours/days. I never thought it is possible. We usually/ normally send real flowers. But this time, we realize e-flowers will make it possible!

Here are the links to the groups:

Pinoy Kodakero
Pinoycentric (no posters yet)
Semana Santa Filipinas (sorry no link since it is exclusive to group members, so I am posting the links of the members):

rouel-tofe
geto
bekbeklozada
eric celudo
celso capili (private photo)
pauloruiz
bleak 1
bleak 2
kabuki ph
lenareh
lulot ruiz
Never sleep, never die (no link)
jemuel paulino (no link)

By Pinoy Bloggers:
Requiem by Deeper Shade of Blue
E-flower for Glorietta Victims by ApplesH
Flowers for Requiem by Echo
E-flowers for innocent victims of Glorietta Blast by Tom
E-flowers for families....by Nadine

We may not be able to send real flowers to the families. But through the internet, we, photograhy enthusiasts, have shown sympathy in our own little way. The message is clear--we are one with them.

_____________________________
UPDATE AS OF 10-24-07, 8:30pm

This just came in!

Earlier I have called for prayer and sobriety, which was followed up by my call for photographers to post a flower for Glorietta victims and their families.

It was not expected, but fellow blogger Erwin Oliva, who happens to be a PDI writer, too, noticed my blog. Honestly I did not know how I could show these photos of flowers (read: show of sympathy) to the family of the victims. Rhodora, who posted a really nice prayer suggested television. But I guess, that would be self-promoting. Erwin Oliva is a blessing in disguise.

Below is the link to the article he wrote, entitled:
Virtual flowers offered to Glorietta mall blast victims

This is already a great leap from this lowly blogger to get the message accross the country and the entire globe. You are still welcome to share your prayers and keep on posting your flower photos (even if it was taken only with a celfone camera).

God Bless!


Related Post:
A call to Pinoy bloggers for prayer and sobriety
Summary of supporters

Read More

Romblon Chronicles Part 2: Facing fear

IT TOOK ME ONE HOUR to reach the town of Calatrava via a big version of jeepney. The road was in good condition except for some unpaved parts. It was fortunate that the rain the previous night spared me from heat and dust. Actually, it was a fine day, when you could smell the sweet morning breeze, the scent of freshly mowed grass, appreciate the newly plowed rice fields waiting for new seeds to be planted, the people were nice, and most of all, seeing the sun rays peeking through the mountains and trees along the road.

Continue reading

Read More

A call to Pinoy Bloggers for prayer and sobriety

We have all witnessed the Glorietta 2 Tragedy. I wanted to discuss this in my blog and share a piece of my thought and inject my analysis.

However, something prevents me from doing so. It is not just right banking on this issue just so I could write something on my blog. Moreover, I would only be adding confusion to the issue which is still baffling, after all.

What is important for me right now is that rooting for the victims of this inhumane act.


So this blog calls for all Filipinos to blog for prayer and sobriety. Never mind the link. You can cut and paste this one.

Another blogger typing (or cutting and pasting) the Prayer of St Francis will somehow ease the pain and the sorrow for the families of the bereaved and those who were hurt and are still recuperating in their hospital beds.

Let this be a call for national prayer and an action for Pinoy bloggers. Let us forget first pinpointing as to who the culprit is. Let us join the families of those [9] persons who perished, and more than a hundred to help them heal their wounded body and spirit.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love with all my own.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

God Bless!

Note: Pease signify your joining this simple blog action by leaving a message under this post. and ask your readers to do the same when you repost your own blog. Thanks


Please see related posts:

e-flowers for Glorietta victims' families by Inkblots
A call for peace by Señor Enrique
Let peace reign by Rhodora
Let there be peace by ScroochChronicles
May you find peace by Nerdluck
Peace on earth by Aura
In Memoriam by Beachbabe

Please see Summary for the Complete roster of supporters to this cause.


UPDATE AS OF 10-24-07, 8:30pm

This just came in!

Earlier I have called for prayer and sobriety, which was followed up by my call for photographers to post a flower for Glorietta victims and their families.

It was not expected, but fellow blogger Erwin Oliva, who happens to be a PDI writer, too, noticed my blog. Honestly I did not know how I could show these photos of flowers (read: show of sympathy) to the family of the victims. Rhodora, who posted a really nice prayer suggested television. But I guess, that would be self-promoting. Erwin Oliva is a blessing in disguise.

Below is the link to the article he wrote, entitled:
Virtual flowers offered to Glorietta mall blast victims

This is already a great leap from this lowly blogger to get the message accross the country and the entire globe. You are still welcome to share your prayers and keep on posting your flower photos (even if it was taken only with a celfone camera).

God Bless!

Read More