COALITION AGAINST CORRUPTION SEVERES TIE WITH PACC

In photo: Former DOLE Usec. Nicon Fameronag of Lilac Center for Public Interest stresses a point during the joint Press Conference with Kilusang Pagbabago and the Coalition Against Corruption (CAC) represented by its Trustee Monalie Dizon held at the Max Restaurant in Maria Orosa, Manila.

Fight Against Corruption In Doldrums With PACC Inability To Take Action

Lukewarm treatment by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on several graft and corruption complaints lodged before them, has dampened the enthusiasm of whistle-blowers to come out with information on graft and corruption in all sectors of the government agency. Putting the lives, safety and protection of the witnesses and whistle-blowers in jeopardy.

Monalie 'Alie' Dizon, Secretary General of Kilusang Pagbabago and Trustee of the Coalition Against Corruption (CAC) and Nicon F. Fameronag, President of the Lilac Center for Public Interest, jointly made this observation in a press conference where the CAC announced it is ending its cooperative ties with the PACC.

“We announce today that the CAC is severing its alliance with the PACC as a private sector partner and watchdog of the government to fight corruption in all aspects of governance but we will continue to support President Duterte’s war on graft and corruption,” Fameronag said.

Media coverage held at the Max Resto in Orosa, Manila.

“We are no longer cooperating with the PACC. Instead, we encourage whistle-blowers to directly go to the Ombudsman if they have strong and sufficient information on graft and corruption anywhere in government,” he added. According to Fameronag, who is also the CAC’s vice president for internal affairs, the CAC arrived at the decision after Chairman Jimenez and another commissioner, Manuelito Luna, inhibited themselves from the deliberation on the PACC’s investigation of the graft and corruption complaint filed against

DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III by two overseas recruitment agency owners.

“First, Chairman Jimenez told us the lie that the complaints were already up for resolution late last year and later, that the resolution was already on the President’s desk for his action.
These were false because we learned just recently that he and Commissioner Luna inhibited themselves from the deliberation for unknown reasons,” Dizon explained.

Dizon also accused the PACC, particularly "Commissioner Greco Belgica, of sitting on the complaints of Duty Free Philippines’ employees against its management, also for graft and corruption, harassment, and executing contracts disadvantageous to the government", Ms. Dizon was quoted in a Press conference.

“We are disappointed that the PACC has not lived up to its mandate under Executive Order 43 which is “to directly assist the President in investigating and or hearing administrative cases primarily involving graft and corruption against all presidential appointees,” Dizon said.

“When we were assisting the complainants and going out of our way to help the PACC gather witnesses and information on those complaints, we were assured by the PACC that it will act on these complaints with dispatch. Now, we are at a loss on the status of these complaints. The PACC has failed the President and the Filipino people,” Dizon further said.

The fall out between the CAC and the PACC has led the former to call for the resignation of Chairman Jimenez and Commissioners Luna and Belgica and for the President to fire them if they refuse.

“The credibility of the President’s anti-graft and anti-corruption campaign is on the line. The PACC has become useless and we would like the President to know this'', Dizon said. (TeddyChoBlogs)

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS & HIGHWAYS BUILDS A NEW HOME FOR THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES IN BGC, TAGUIG

DPWH Starts Building of

New Senate House in Bonifacio Global 

City

Construction of the New Senate Building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City formally started Monday, March 18, 2019 with a ground-breaking ceremony led by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. 

Also present in the ground-breaking ceremony were Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto; Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri; Minority Leader Franklin Drilon; Senators Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Gregorio Honasan, Nancy Binay, Sonny Angara, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Joseph Victor Ejercito.

The 40-month construction of the new Senate building is set to be completed in 2022 with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) overseeing the construction and implementation of the project.

“After much planning and review, we are glad to finally start the implementation of the new Senate Building. The project is in line with the Senate’s Vision – Bagong Senado Sa Ika-Dalawang Siglo, which is to build a permanent home to the upper house as it commemorates its hundred-year legacy and ushers in its next centenary,” said DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar in a message read by DPWH Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo.

DPWH Undersecretary Bernardo assisted the Senate President and the distinguished Senators in the ceremonial placing of the following documents inside the capsule before it was lowered inside the hole: Masterplan of Senate Building; Committee Report 170 “Construction of Senate Building”; Senate Resolution No. 293 “Resolution Creating an Ad Hoc Committee Tasked to Conduct a Feasibility Study on the Construction of A New Senate Building and Relocation of the Senate Thereto”; Adopted Senate Resolution No. 110 “Resolution Confirming the Winner of the Global Conceptual Design Competition for the New Senate Building of the Senate of the Philippines”; the History of the Senate; first page of newspapers of the day; and copy of keynote message of Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III.

The “green, secure, functional and iconic” P8.9-billion new Senate Building project will rise in the 18,320 square meter parcel of land at the Navy Village in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

The future Senate complex will consist of four (4) towers with eleven (11) floors each and three (3) basements with a minimum of 1,200 parking spaces to accommodate the required functions and operation of the Senate and its constituents.

The state of the art design of the building was conceptualized by architectural firm AECOM Philippines after being declared the winner of the Global Conceptual Design Competition conducted by Senate Committee on Accounts chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson, which was tasked to pursue the relocation and oversee the eventual construction of the new and permanent home of the Senate.

Beyond the aesthetic design of the building which will be clothed in Barong Tagalog to herald the Philippines iconic symbol for honor and Filipino culture, the New Senate Building will be a model of energy efficiency and will also be the cornerstone of the new development of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City known as the Bonifacio South Pointe.

Others who attended and participated in the historic groundbreaking rites are Taguig City Representative Pia Cayetano, BCDA President & CEO Vince Dizon, Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, DPWH Assistant Secretary Antonio Molano Jr., DPWH National Capital Region Director Ador Canlas, DPWH Project Director Johnson Domingo and Project Manager Jose Aguinaldo of Buildings Management Cluster-Unified Project Management Office,  and other government officials. (VerGarciaBlogs)

P200 MILLION STATE OF THE ART SPORTS COMPLEX IN ZAMBOANGA CITY NOW OPENS

Residents of Zamboanga City can once again enjoy sports and other recreational activities as Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar announced the completion of the 57,500-square meter sports complex rehabilitation project at Barangay Baliwasan, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte.

DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar, DPWH Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Operations Maximo L. Carvajal together with DPWH Region 9 Director Cayamombao D. Dia, Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and other DPWH and Local Government Officials led the ceremonial opening of Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex which underwent rehabilitation after it was severely affected when it served as an evacuation center for more than 23,000 displaced families during the 2013 Zamboanga Siege.

Secretary Villar expressed his appreciation to the implementing office of DPWH-Region 9 for the completed project that will promote healthy living and active lifestyle, encourage Zamboanga City to host more local and national sports competitions with its world-class facilities and serve as a training ground and venue for Filipino athletes to enhance and showcase their skills in sports that will contribute to the country’s recognition on the world stage.

The P199.22-million worth project which started in 2016 involves the construction of the oval track, ball game courts, playing field, bleachers, toilet and shower and other facilities. It also includes general painting works for the entire building and roofs, replacement of lighting fixtures, installation of roll-up doors, upgrading of plumbing systems, construction of new septic vault and new gates along the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) and R.T. Lim Boulevard.

The state-of-the-art sports complex has been home to the 1992 Palarong Pambansa and served as the main venue of the National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Games in 2005 and Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) National Sports Olympics in 2007.

          The multi-purpose sports complex will once again be fully accessible to the general public starting February 26, 2019. (VerGarciaBlogs)

SAMIRA GUTOC A NAME THAT YOU CAN TRUST..

A BRIEF OF BACKGROUND OF SAMIRA GUTOC

By Ver M. Garcia (Blogger /News Editor) and Teddy Cho (Photo Journalist) 

 Samira Gutoc spearheading women's advocacy and

 fighting for women's right.

Education is the key to improve the socio-economic life

 of the people and Samira proves that she had what it

 takes. 

Election time on May 2019 is fast approaching and we need to complete our list of Senatorial candidate that we will vote this coming May election. Don't forget to include Madam Samira Gutoc Tomawis in your list of Senatorial aspirant.

Samira Gutoc Tomawis obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication at the University of the Philippines, Diliman where she also earned her Master's Degree in International Studies before acquiring her law degree at the Arellano University School of Law. Another laurel in her hat was when she received her fellowship from the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies. An awardee of N-Peace Award for her unflinching effort in her advocacies in the Asia -Pacific region, granted by the United Nations Development Programme in 2018.She exhibited her outstanding leadership qualities during her stints as the first lady president of the UP Muslim Students Association and the Metro Manila based Muslim Youth and Students Alliance.

Samira Gutoc exposure to the Senatorial slate is her first but she has a very distinctive experience in Government service being a member of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's legislative assembly in 2012 and was a member of the expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission that crafted the Bangsamoro Organic Law(BOL). She was tasked to be a mediator and drafted the terms of the Bangsamoro Autonomy immediately after the 2014 Peace agreement between the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). She's also a non-supporter of re-imposing the Death penalty in drug related crimes.

In a recent caucus, Senator Ralph Recto estimated that the implementation of the BOL will cost P109 billion in the first year, P369 billion in the first three years, and will reach P1.981 trillion for a period of 10 years.“Failure” to peg the costs of the BOL may risk the law of “becoming an unfunded mandate” the Senator warned. But, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno  some P100-billion allocation for BOL was not included in the proposed P3.757-trillion 2019 national budget.

An advocate of Peace and  Education which according to her starts with the primary level, where young children can learn  to accept other children, where they are taught that they can make a difference and learns to appreciate the Cultural/ ethnic biodiversity of our country.  "Cultural diversity" in our country, workplaces and schools increasingly consist of various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. One can learn from each other,  first we must have the same level of understanding about each other in order to facilitate collaboration and cooperation. She's also a supporter of teachers for the barrios and quality education for the rural areas by making the teachers accessible in the rural areas and far flung regions. 

In conclusion, we need a representative from Mindanao that advocates peace, Mindanao Development, Youth protection and poverty alleviation.(VerGarciaBlogs)

A Taste of Real Japanese Ramen Noodles.. It's Now in the Philippines

TOMOCHAN RAMEN EXPRESS LEADING THE WAY TO THE BEST RAMEN IN TOWN.. NOW AVAILABLE FOR FRANCHISE..

By: Ver M. Garcia (Food & Lifestyle Blogger) &Teddy Cho

TOMOCHAN RAMEN EXPRESS EXECUTIVES.. In photo from Left is 

Ms. Akiko Okamoto, President & CEO of Tomachan Ramen Express and 

Ms. KanakoTakizawa, Gen. Manager of Tomachan Ramen Express. Have 

a taste of Real and Authentic Ramen without going to Japan.. you can 

find the real taste of Tomachan Ramen Express at the 11th floor LKG 

Tower, Ayala Avenue in Makati.  

(Photos & Videos Credited to Teddy Cho)

It was known as the Japanese  home made Traditional Ramen.. and has it's own 
Chinese origins. The main two theories are: that it came from the Chinese term 
'la mian', meaning 'handmade noodles' or from the term lao mian, literally meant 
ancient noodles'. Other names for Ramen are 'shina soba' and the more common 
'chuko suba'.

In 1945,  returnees from China began 
opening Ramen stalls throughout the 
whole country. Ramen was cheap, 
delicious and nutritious, so it became 
a household name for fulfilling the 
needs of a poor and the needy era.

Japanese Restaurants specialising  in 
Ramen are very common in Japan. 
Some of them have tables that faced
or surrounded the kitchen space, so
that you can see the Chefs working
while enjoying your Ramen noodles. 
The main ingredients of Ramen are
wheat noodles and broth. The noodles
are usually made of wheat flour, eggs,
 water, salt and 'kansui' (a kind of mineral water).

The soup is usually made with chicken or pork stock. Common Ramen
ingredients are shiitake mushrooms, katsuobushi (skipjack tuna flakes),
kombu (kelp), niboshi (dried baby sardines), beef bones and onions.
Soy sauce and miso are used to flavor the soup. 

A lot of toppings can be added to the soup, like sliced pork meat, leek, 
boiled eggs, nori, corn, butter and others.

Nowadays Ramen is incredibly popular and many regions have created 
up with their own unique variety. Here are some of them:

1. Sapporo Ramen  2. Kitakata Ramen  3.Yokohama Ramen  4.Tokyo
 Ramen  and 5. Hakata Ramen.

Please remember to make loud slurping sounds while eating Ramen 
because in Japan, it’s considered to be an art of appreciation for the 
meal! Here comes the beginning of the era of Ramen Empire Journey.

A BIT OF HISTORY OF RAMEN

The first time a Japanese person tasted Chinese noodles it was in the 
Year 1665 in the domain of Hitachi Mito Domain in Tokugawa Shogunate 
in Northern Japan. It was the second Daimyo of the area, Tokugawa 
Mitsukuni. There are records of Confucian scholar Zhu Zhiyu who 
was a friend with Mitsukuni, brought back the soup and noodles in his 
own turf. The dish was also created and recorded as Mitohan Ramen 
and it can be eaten in Ramen Restaurants throughout Mito-Shi in Ibaraki 
and soon it became popular.

Travelscope Newspaper Magazine Reportorial Group in a video interview 
speaking in Nihongo language. Shown in photo is  the Owner & CEO of 
Tomochan Ramen Express Ms. Akiko Okamoto.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF TOMOCHAN?

TOMOCHAN RAMEN 
EXPRESS was founded 
and organized by Ms. AKIKO
OKAMOTO (President 
and CEO). She wants to
share the authentic Japanese
delight and taste to the
Filipino community and to the 
rest of the world at a very
reasonable price without
sacrificing its quality and taste.
Ms. Okamoto took the bold
step of the journey by opening
its first store in Angeles City, Pampanga on July 2017.
She believes that Tomochan Ramen Express will be the New 'Daily Ramen' that
every individual would consider as their ultimate comfort food.

The company thought of something new that will be endeared to the public as
 'Solid Friendship' and a bond of endearment.

'TOMO' was derived from the word Tomodachi, which is a Japanese term for 
a 'friend'.

'CHAN' is being used for Miss/ 
little children/ close friends and 
sometimes even used for 
couples and  loved ones. Thus,
TOMOCHAN is a solid
friendshipthat promotes love,
loyalty and dedication.

Seichoyo Group Inc. envisioned  
Tomochan Ramen Express to 
become the next symbol of
Japanese culture  in the
Philippines as the company
believes  that establishing Tomochan will further cultivate and strengthen the
JaPinoy friendship by making authentic Japanese cuisine
more affordable and reachable for every Filipino.

An authentic Japanese Ramen right at the heart of the busiest district of Makati..
To all Japanese Ramen food lovers, if you're craving for a taste of Japanese
Ramen we advise you to find time to taste and experience the Tomochan
Ramen Express. Creaminess, spicy taste, plump yet soft and tasty noodles
garnished with onion leeks, runny soft boiled eggs that heightened the
gastronomic experience. Thinly sliced pork loin, so tender and yummy,  juicy
and at times spicy stimulates the inner cravings for more.

Ramen combined with Pork or chicken Tonkatsu with salad dressings a perfect, 
delightful treat for children and adult with delicate taste buds. Appetizer wets the 
taste buds whereby cravings and the hearts desire become as one just to satisfy 
what the mind expresses.. I WANT TO TASTE MORE!

Nowadays, instant Ramen Noodles abound especially in a fast-pace world it 
may solve hunger but nothing is more complete and healthy than the
Tomochan  Ramen Express, it's cooked and prepared the natural way to suit
you're lifestyle and impeccable taste at a very affordable price. Cooking staff
are well-trained to cook and prepare the food in a traditional Japanese way.

Now ready for Franchising, for details please contact and text the
following nos. (045) 304-4353, 0977-0635706, 0915-4826019 or E-mail us 
at: franchisetomochan@gmail,com or like us on Facebook and Instagram: facebook.com/tomochanph : tomochanph. (VerGarciaBlogs)

Photo Galleries:

Tomachan Ramen Express Executives Ms. Akiko-San Okamoto and 
Ms. Kanako-San Takizawa. 

 Food Blogger Ver Garcia got a taste of Tomochan Ramen Express. 
So delicious.. it's yummy.

 Ms. Romela Nullas a well trained kitchen staff.. courteous and smiling.

 Tomochan Ramen Express Logo.

 Tomochan Ramen Express sets of meals for you to choose from at a very 
affordable price.

 Add-Ons meals of Tomachan Ramen Express.

 Spicy Miso Tantan Ramen Special Soup..

Miso Ramen Special with thinly sliced pork and egg with vegetables.

Chicken Karoage with Shredded Cabbage and Mayonnaise.

Miso Special with one whole egg, 4 slices of pork, onion leeks with 
veggies and sea weeds.

 Combination of two meals.. Tonkatsu and Spicy Miso Tantan.

 Special meals for those in a hurry a signature comfort food of Tomochan 
Ramen Express.

A journey has began.. and make it a Tomochan Ramen Express 
experience.. It's now ready for Franchising. What are you waiting for.. 
Call now.. (VerGarciaBlogs)

KIDDIEYUPH KIDS PRESENTS..

A RISING STAR IS BORN
By: Ver M. Garcia (Entertainment Blogger) and Teddy Cho (Photo Journalist)

Beautiful proud parents of KiddieYuph kids from left to right: Madam Vilma Quezon Moulic, Madam Hermie Lawan and Madam Marites Refat.(VerGarciaBlogs) 

Here's the good news.. The stage is set for this Young talents on their way to Stardom. To the Moms of these Bright and Talented Kids, if you think your kids have what it takes, the Self-Confidence, Competence, Poise and Grace as an entertainer, comedienne, local child star or even a world class young star. Then your kids have a great future to become a star.. to be born.

These Kids showed a Flair and Passion for Music needs vocal training to polish their talent. Attend some acting workshops to hone-up on their natural God given talents. Life in the Showbiz has it's own ups and down. Its rewarding after so many challenges that he or she encounters. Your family, friends and colleagues can be your source of inspiration and strength but most of all God is always at your side. He is just a prayer away.

They have decided to make and nurture KiddieYuPh,  their launching pad to Stardom with amazing Director Jun Ibasco's  noblest ambition and a legacy in life is to help Young Talents among them, the Bloggers Association of the Philippines so proud to introduce the following rising stars:

1.) Sara P. Refat, a 7yr. old second grader a talented, graceful, gentle, outgoing, expressive face. The love of their lives of parents Mr. Amin Saad Refat and Mrs. Marites  Prino Refat. She is a good and natural singer, can dance gracefully and can act naturally. A young bright and talented kid is managed under the wings of Beyond Metaphor.

2.) Camella Wright Chee, 6 yrs. of age. According to her Mom Marilyn Chee she can sing and dance at an early age of 2, it's so extraordinary, fantastic and so amazing. They have recorded and uploaded her performance in the YouTube. She can dance spontaneously on call. She is oozing with talent and quite an adventurer which she apparently got from her Dad Mr. Stephen  Anthony Nichols, a sports personality in soccer who works as a reserve coach for the ASKALS. Young Camella was able to attend several Fashion shows and has the poise and grace to be a young fashion model. She is also under the wings of Beyond Metaphor.

3.) Christine Joy Moulic, 11 yrs. of age. She's talented, fast learner, it was her mother Vilma Moulic who discovered her talent at the age of 3. The girl has the  capacity to learn fast, she got interested in singing and dancing at an early age, no one taught her to sing and dance and yet she was able to teach herself when participating in the School gatherings. Her favorite stars and idols are Ms. Sarah Geronimo and Casey Tandingan.

4.)  Nokie Lawan, 5 yrs. of age and her mother's name is Hermie Lawan and the youngest kid of the KiddieYuPh talents. Nokie can sing and dance at the age of 3, apparently inspired by the TV series "Ang Probinsyano" and wants to be a Law Enforcer someday.

Helping the poor but Bright and Extraordinary young talents find their way to stardom at a very young age is a lifetime commitment especially if the competition is tough. But for the young and brilliant talents who have the beauty and brains most of all the passion and focus to achieve stardom, the task becomes challenging and an obstacle that can be overcome with good training, team work, cooperation, coordination and of course obedience and discipline the passport to success in any career you have chosen.

 

What a surprise.. our interview with the Kiddieyuph kids coincided with the announcement that the Miss Universe 2019 is the most talented of them all and very alluring Miss Catriona Gray of the Philippines and was announced as the winner.. We also viewed the hilarious show of Kiddie Yuph's Exotic Story with their excellent performances and you will surely enjoy their antics. Please watch and you will surely be entertained. Starring: Sara, Ichiro, CJ, Charles, Jewel and equally supportive are: Ali, Nokie, Queency, Sheila and Ceilo. The Kiddie Yuph Show is under the supervision of Director Jhun Basco and credited to Beyond Metaphor Studio. (VerGarciaBlogs)


Photo Gallery:

Kiddie Star Sara Refat all smiles for the Holiday cheers.

At the lobby of Acacia Estates with Bloggers Association of the Philippines Reportorial Team.

 Nice Lobby of Acacia Estates were the KiddieYuph stayed.

 Great posing of KiddieYuph Camille Wright Chee.

KiddieYuph Sara Refat in a beautiful colored blue gown.

The Acacia Estates in Taguig City were the shooting and launching of KiddieYuph push through.

(VerGarciaBlogs)