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A Letter to Him (True Love Waits)

from the story of Larrily & Randy:

Loving a person is one of an unexpected moment of truth that you feel to your partner. It is just like a typhoon that you cant predict and prevent when it will happen either its too young for you to fall in love or too old that you don't know if it is okay that you'll feel that way. I know that every person here on earth really dreamed to love and to be loved like having someone who value your existence that gives purpose to your life but it doesn't mean that everyone fulfills that dream just because they dreamed but because It depend on how you planned and decide to the life you had. It is a matter of fact that every people has different story of their life.

The love I feel now and then, I know Its true even though it is not yet the proper time for us to say that were forever but deep inside my heart telling me that your free gift from above and I must say that I can wait until the perfect day comes. I thank God that He permits me to find you and love you even in a little moment, I get to know you and every moment I feel the unexplainable feelings which I found when I'm with you. Now that your leaving just remember that I'm here to stay for you even though you are not here by my side but you are already the part of my life.I know you are preparing for our journey soon and all I can do for you is my support because your dream is my dream and your promise will be also my promise. I'm telling you this not because I am sad but because I know that I will miss you.

Five years from now I can already portray myself wearing a wedding dress walking on an aisle and your standing their waiting for me to come. Uttering our vows, listening our wedding song with our families and friends celebrating with us. Loving you is one of a kind feeling that I wont forget. I accept you for who you are and yes! I will wait for you until your here in my arms again.

War on poverty not yet over by Janica Mahino

Malacañang yesterday said the war on poverty is not yet over as it vowed to “do better” in implementing programs to reduce poverty in the country in the wake of a survey result showing some 12.1 million Filipino families still feel they are poor.

The nationwide survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, it found that 55 percent of the respondents, equivalent to 12.1 million Filipino families, say they are poor, the same figures registered during the June, 2014, survey.

Some 12.1 million families claim they are poor despite the P62.6-billion budget for the Condition Cash Transfer (CCT) of the government this year.

However, SWS noted that the poverty rate remains three points above the 52-percent average for the four quarters of 2013.

ANTI-POVERTY EFFORTS

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda admitted the problem cannot be solved overnight but the government is determined to step up its anti-poverty efforts.

“We would always prefer to do better than what we have done now. And, therefore, the fight against poverty continues,” Lacierda told reporters in the Palace. “Regardless of what the surveys say, we have a focused approach to addressing poverty issues,” he added.

Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government shall continue to focus on intensifying programs for poverty reduction and social protection, including increasing the budget and coverage of the CCT program.

In the proposed P2.606-trillion national budget for 2015, Coloma said the government earmarked the biggest portion of the budget to social services at P967.9 billion or 37.2 percent.

“The proposed budget also focuses on delivering high impact projects in 44 provinces with high poverty magnitude where more job opportunities will be created: provinces with high poverty incidence that require adequate social safety nets and those which are vulnerable to natural calamities,” he said.

In the latest survey conducted last September 26-29, 1,200 respondents were asked: “Saan po ninyo ilalagay ang inyong pamilya sa kard na ito? (Where would you place your family in this card)?” A show card with the choices “hindi mahirap” (not poor), “sa linya” (on the line), and “mahirap” (poor) is shown.

Based on the survey, self-rated poverty in Metro Manila increased by six points to 43 percent, and by seven points to 52 percent in the rest of Luzon.

However, self-rated poverty was down by 10 points to 61 percent in Mindanao and by nine points to 65 percent in the Visayas.

43% FOOD-POOR

During the same survey period, 43 percent of Filipino families or about 9.3 million households claimed they are “food-poor.” This is higher than the 41 percent, equivalent to 9 million households who claimed they are poor, three months ago.

The question on self-rated food poverty was, “Tungkol naman sa klase ng pagkain ng pamilya ninyo, saan po ninyo ilalagay ang inyong pamilya sa kard na ito (Based on the type of food eaten by your family, where would you place your family in this card)?” A similar show card with the choices “hindi mahirap” (not poor), “sa linya” (on the line), and “mahirap” (poor) is shown to the respondents.

Self-rated food poverty increased by three points in Metro Manila (30 percent) and by five points in the rest of Luzon (37 percent).

Meanwhile, self-rated food poverty “hardly changed” in the Visayas, down only by a point to 53 percent but declined by three points to 52 percent in Mindanao.

The self-rates poverty thresholds defined by SWS as home expense budget in order not to consider themselves poor in general increased to median P15,000 from P12,000 in Metro Manila.

The amount stayed at P10,000 in the rest Luzon and Mindanao, while it fell to P8,000 from P10,000 in the Visayas.

SWS further explained that the home expense budget is less than the minimum income needed because it excludes work-related expenses like transportation.

Therefore, it said the median poverty threshold “is the home expense budget that would satisfy the poorer half of the poor households.”

SELF-RATED POVERTY THRESHOLD

The pollster found that the September 2014 median self-rated poverty thresholds in Metro Manila, rest of Luzon and Mindanao are at the highest levels ever reached in those areas, while the latest figure in the Visayas was previously surpassed in June 2014, when it was at P10,000.

SWS has also noted gains with regard to self-rated food poverty threshold, or the monthly food budget that food-poor households need in order not to consider themselves food-poor.

Self-rates poverty thresholds in particular were: P8,000 from P6,000 in Metro Manila; P5,250 from P5,000 in the rest of Luzon; and P5,000 from P4,500 in Mindanao. Meanwhile, it dropped to a median of P3,550 in the Visayas from P5,000 recorded three months earlier.

SWS noted that the latest median self-rated food-poverty thresholds in Mindanao and the rest of Luzon are the highest levels ever reached in those areas, while the current level in Metro Manila was previously surpassed in September 2013 at P8,250. In the Visayas, the highest level recorded, so far, was P5,000 last June.

While recognizing the “slight rise in the self-rated poverty and self-rated food poverty,” Coloma highlighted a government survey that showed a reduction in poverty incidence in the country.

Based on the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) of the Philippine Statistics Authority, Coloma said poverty incidence has eased to 24.9 percent for the first semester of 2013 compared to the 27.9 percent in the same period in 2012.

“On the other hand, the same FIES also showed subsistence incidence or the proportion of extremely poor Filipino individuals who could not afford to meet basic food requirements, also declined during the period from 13.4 percent in 2012 to 10.7 percent in 2013,” he said.

Church, academe, media have highest trust ratings in survey; gov’t least trusted by Janica Mahino

What are the three institutions Filipinos trust the most?

The Church, academe, and media, according to this year’s Philippine Trust Index (PTI) survey.

       The Church is still the most trusted with a 75 percent trust rating, followed by the academe with 53 percent and media with 33 percent.

        The government remains the least trusted institution with 11 percent. Non-government organizations had 12 percent in the survey. Business had 13 percent rating,

The survey, undertaken by EON Stakeholder Relations from May to June this year, had 1,626 respondents

Now on its third year, it aims to examine trust levels and drivers among the six institutions surveyed.

          Face-to-face interviews with respondents from urban and rural areas in NCR, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao were conducted, to gain a better understanding of the various factors that contribute to Filipinos’ trust in institutions.

           The Church and academe have enjoyed increases in trust ratings since 2012. The Church saw a significant increase of 21% among informed publics in urban areas.

          On the other hand, the government experienced the opposite, with trust ratings among government agencies dipping since 2012, with the largest drops observed for the Office of the President and the Senate.

            The latest PTI shows that an overwhelming majority of respondents regard communication as a crucial trust driver, with 9 out of 10 Filipinos thinking it is “very important” for government, businesses, NGOs, and media to communicate to its stakeholders.

            At least 6 out of 10 Filipinos also stated that they need to hear information about the government, business, NGOs, and media at least two to three times, in order to believe it.

           However, almost half of the respondents need to hear information about the Church only once in order for them to believe it.

            “The results show that trust is dynamic and that it can be built and eroded. It also highlighted that for Filipinos, trust can break communication barriers and is a tool that grounds relationships, which is why it will always be worthwhile to invest in building trust,” said Malyn Molina, EON assistant vice president for business development and strategic planning, during the presentation of the survey in Makati City Monday morning.

                 For the government, integrity is the foremost trust driver, dwarfing competence, performance, and leadership. Four out of 10 Filipinos in the survey said that “not being corrupt” is the most important driver for them to trust government. However, less than 2 of 10 believe that the government is not corrupt, said in the report.

Based on the findings, trust in media remained constant for the two consecutive study periods. TV commanded the highest trust level among the general public, especially in rural areas, followed by radio and newspapers.

Within the business sector, the industries of healthcare, water, IT/telecom, tourism, and pharmaceutical industries were accorded the highest trust levels, while the mining, alcohol and tobacco, and real estate industries garnered the lowest.

How business treats its employees also emerged as a very important trust driver among both the general and informed public. About 3 of 10 say that they trust businesses that give fair salaries and benefits.

“The 3rd Philippine Trust Index clearly shows that trust-building is a never-ending process and commitment that all institutions should take seriously. The value that trust brings to a relationship is limitless, which is why EON has always made trust-building the cornerstone of stakeholder relations,” said Junie del Mundo, EON chairman and CEO.

San Beda Red Lions reigns in NCAA Season 90 Basketball Champion

            San Beda Red Lions outshined their fith consecutive NCAA basketball title after defeating Arellano University chiefs in Game 2 89-70, last Oct. 22 2014.

                National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 90 finals,, Basketball federal, with Players of San Beda Red Lions and Arellano University chiefs, in men’s basketball championship, Wednesday 22, 2014 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

                Anthony Semerad scored 10 points making four of his eight triples and grabbed six boards. Baser Amer gets the rout started in the first half with his masterful control of the game en route to a 13- assistant performance as the Red Lions completed a sweep of the best of three series.

                “ I was  really surprised by how they stated, but I told my boys that whatever will do, we just have to stick to the system”, said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez, after the game.

                San Beda took a double- digit lead in the second quarter and was never really troubled by Arellano, who could not get their offense on track and missed several point-blank lay-ups that could have changed the complexion of the game.

                The San Beda lead ballooned to as large as 20 points late in the final quarter, 88-68 as Arellano got into penalty situation early and the free throw line.

                Moreover. Anthony Semerad was named the most valuate player of the finals series  after averaging 22 points in the two games of the series.

                “You cannot question Anthony. He’s been there all year long, he’s been one of my top defenders, and he’s transformed from an offensive player to a defensive player as well”, said Fernandez.

Quarter- Scoring: 22-14, 39-25, 63-52, 89-20.

                “I do credit Arellano” said Fernandez. “They will not be here in the finals if they’re a so-so team.

They’re a very strong team. It’s probably championship sitters that took over them in the finals they’re a strong team”.

All Saints’, All Souls’ Days likely to be cyclone-free, PAGASA says by Janica Mahino

         Expect light rains over Northern Luzon due to northeast monsoon or hanging amihan continues to be the dominant weather system, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday.

The northeast monsoon o is the cold wind from Siberia that blows into the country, usually from October until March.

           He added Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly over the eastern sections.PAGASA weather forecaster Chris Perez said due to northeast monsoon Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera and Ilocos regions will be cloudy with light rains while Bicol region and Quezon province will be cloudy with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms.

He said the country will continue to be storm-free until the end of the month of October.

He said the agency is not anticipating any cyclone to affect the country until All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

              In its advisory, PAGASA said winds will be moderate to strong from the northeast to east over Luzon, where coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to east with slight to moderate seas.

The weather bureau also issued a gale warning as the strong to gale force wind due to northeast monsoon now affecting the seaboards of Northern Luzon.

“Fisherfolks and those using small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the said seaboards”,”PAGASA warned. (PNA)

 Spurs Back on Top as NBA Returns by: Sheila Mae E. Rapal

The San Antonio Spurs are already one.

         No big changes were necessary for the Spurs, who simply kept the gang together. They brought back nearly every piece from the team that annihilated James and the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals for their fifth championship.

         James set off shortly after for a new start in his old home, where he will renew the quest for a championship that's eluded Cleveland's pro teams for half a century. The Spurs on Tuesday will begin chasing about the only thing that's escaped them in the Gregg Popovich-Tim Duncan era: back-to-back titles.

"We know that every team is going to come out and give us everything they've got," Spurs guard Danny Green said. "We've got a bigger target on our chest now and that's what we want. ... We've got to take on the challenge and be the ultimate competitors that we are."

         Teams will be coming just as hard at the Cavaliers, who didn't win much more than draft lotteries after James bolted for Miami in 2010. But they were elevated to instant Eastern Conference favorites when James joined Kyrie Irving, the MVP of the All-Star game and the Basketball World Cup, and Love, the longtime Minnesota Timberwolves star.

          Neither of those guys has even played in a postseason game, but inexperience — or anything else — won't work as an excuse now that James is back in his familiar No. 23.

"It's going to be a different challenge for them," James said. "They were so accustomed to being the prey sneaking up on the predator. Now it kind of changes."

          James and the Spurs could meet for the third straight June, a familiar NBA Finals plot with a new stage and co-stars. But both face significant challenges just to get there.

Derrick Rose's return could lead a running of the Bulls right to the finals. Maybe Oklahoma City, once MVP Kevin Durant recovers from a broken foot, or the Los Angeles Clippers, looking to pay back record-spending new owner Steve Ballmer with a championship, could stand in the Spurs' way.

          "I don't see it as a big question mark in the East. LeBron and Love and Irving will be in the Eastern Conference finals. I think Chicago will find their way there if their 2 and 3 hold up and if Rose is Rose again," ABC/ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy said. "But out West, to me there are like five teams you could say, 'I could see them advancing to the finals.'

         None has the continuity of the Spurs, who brought back 14 of the players who had confetti falling on their heads after Game 5. They won't be in top form for a while because of injuries, especially NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard's eye infection, but they still stand out even among the other top teams in the loaded West.

          

         "I think we're all right next to each other — other than the Spurs," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "The Spurs are better than all of us. I don't think there's any question about that and so we have to catch the Spurs."