MikeLigalig.com

Quote from: hubag bohol on November 26, 2013, 01:37:24 PM

the final solution if the banana republic forgets to do this to me: no car.  better yet, have a doorless car.

maj. gen. carlos b. holganza (ret.), one of our own, now blogs to share his ideas and opinions.  the address: http://cbholganzablog.wordpress.com/ 

WSJ: What can be learned from past recovery responses here? The Philippines is no stranger to disaster, so how has it recovered in the past? Are the challenges it faces now typical? Do they highlight a larger problem in the Philippines?

Mr. Holganza: The main lesson is that today’s disaster management plans will have to be redone so that past worst case scenarios are upped. I’m sure there will be protests on some observations given here, but the fact remains that the government needs a better communications effort to make people understand that efforts are being done â€" heroically, nobly, and in unity â€" to assuage the sufferings of our countrymen. A simple picture of the president shaking hands with the mayor of Tacloban will have a tremendous effect on the relief effort.

People should simply start working together, trusting each other. Positive criticism provides the wake-up call to do better next time, and to provide not just “ordinary service” to the people, but a truly professional service that’s compassionate and fair to all.


http://cbholganzablog.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/qa-philippine-lessons-in-post-disaster-recovery/

WSJ: When do you start thinking to the long-term and consider how to rebuild?

Mr. Holganza: The short answer there is, we should start working on the long-term plan now, so that as we rebuild these initiatives are already embedded. There are great opportunities here for new community concepts to flourish â€" using green technologies, and more energy-efficient and environment-friendly processes. National and local leaders should gear their future reconstruction plans along these lines and not according to what is traditionally done in the Philippines, which is: we will go for whatever costs least.

WSJ: It has been more than two weeks since Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. What happens now? Food aid is getting out, but what do people need most at the moment, and how do you start providing that?

Mr. Holganza: The basic disaster needs remain the same. First is the effort for more food, water, clothing and temporary shelter to come in. Second is the recovery ops, to ensure that disease doesn’t set in. Then there’s the re-establishment of the peace and order system; the clean-up drive to ensure easy access thru roads and bridges; the construction of evacuation shelters and housing facilities; the trauma therapy most particularly for the children; the establishment of new livelihood opportunities.

The next problem will be how and when to wean them away from the “victim mentality,” so they will no longer depend on the relief centers but will be ready to stand on their own again. This is where the livelihood opportunities are most needed. The government’s cash-for-work project is one such great move in this area, as people are mobilized to join clean-ups or home-builds, etc.

On other needs and initiatives. The [Department of Energy] DOE should have immediately studied and reallocated power barges to help restore order in the beleaguered government centers, and the [Department of National Defense] DND could have immediately sent additional troops into these areas. If tattoo artists can provide free tattoos as incentives for those willing to provide donations, I can’t see how our big government institutions can’t be as creative as that.

Basically there was a system failure. As the local government units â€" the first responders in our disaster response program â€" became themselves the victims of the catastrophe, the national government should have reacted fast enough to take more responsibility. The problem lies in the grey area â€" when does one fade out and the other step in. That started the unfortunate blame-game.

On coordination. The destruction/absence of communication facilities made coordination a big challenge. The government should have had redundant systems to ensure no communication breakdown would hamper any project or activity. If they were destroyed as well, then government should have moved swiftly to restore these.

Other factors: Politics. The fact that the mayor of Tacloban comes from the Marcos camp [a political rival to current President Benigno Aquino III] became a stumbling block. People have developed a great distrust for government, especially in the light of massive corruption at the national level. Stories of grandstanding politicians, repacking of relief goods ready for distribution, etc. make matters even worse.

WSJ: Aid distribution following Haiyan has been slow, why? Is it because of problems with logistics, coordination or just because the need is so great?

Mr. Holganza: At first, I had argued that this was a case of overwhelming needs. I must say now that it is a case of all three, and more.

On logistics. At the seaport of Matnog, in the Bicol region, [lines of] vehicles filled with relief goods have stretched [for] up to 10 miles … [because] there weren’t enough barges to bring them across the strait. The government should have been able to immediately utilize private company barges for this purpose. Still, the logistics of bringing relief to an archipelago like the Philippines is quite challenging.

WSJ: How are you currently involved with the relief and recovery effort, and can you tell us a bit about your past experience providing post-disaster relief in the Philippines?

Mr. Holganza: I was the AFP’s operations chief when the twin typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng flooded vast areas of Metro Manila and Luzon in 2009. We were in the thick of the massive relief and rehab operation initiated at that time. I was also the National Development Support Command commander when Typhoon Sendong devastated Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in 2011. NADESCOM [the army’s main development arm] then was not just involved in providing crucial water systems for the relief ops, we were heavily involved in the immediate repair and clean-up of roads and bridges, retrieval ops, construction of evacuation centers and resettlement areas.

My efforts have been purely through initiatives of private groups. The views here are based on my observations, readings and discussions with people on the ground.

the following is an interview with boholano maj. gen. carlos bustrillos holganza (ret.)


November 26, 2013

Q&A: Philippine Lessons in Post-Disaster Recovery



by: Ms Josephine Cuneta

From: The Wall Street Journal (November 25, 2013) http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2013/11/24/qa-philippine-lessons-in-post-disaster-recovery/

The rush has begun to rebuild parts of the Philippines destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest typhoon ever to hit the country. More than 5,200 people have died and at least 4 million have been displaced. The United Nations’ Office of Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs says 2.5 million people are in need of food aid, and millions of children are in danger of acute malnutrition.

Since the storm struck two weeks ago, on Nov. 8, many disaster relief experts have poured into the country, along with aid supplies and money. At the same time, Filipinos who have responded to past recovery efforts in this disaster-prone country are again chipping in.

To better understand some of the lessons from previous natural catastrophes, The Wall Street Journal spoke to former Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza, who oversaw several post-disaster infrastructure and community development projects during his 38 years in the Philippine  Armed Forces. He shared his thoughts via e-mail.

you have my sympathy.  daghang supervisor ingon ana.  di masabtan morag wa mag-agi ug gi-supervise pod.  dat is why when your time comes as supervisor, ayaw na lang ipasa ang karma.  meantime, smile.

Quote from: islander on November 26, 2013, 10:14:38 AM
left to right: lorenz, islander, hubag

aka yoda, snow white, batman

Quote from: hubag bohol on November 26, 2013, 09:59:38 AM
Way to go! Three scoops for Fr. Chic!

left to right: lorenz, islander, hubag

rightly so.  credit where credit is due.  some chimps i believe are more intelligent than humans.  don't ask me how i knew.  just take my word for it.

nothing beats this messenger.  more salud, fr chic! 

if i were the tv news reporter, this would have been one of my best scoops. 

wow!  congratulations, fr chic!  salud!

puslan man...




http://inkblotsandicebergs.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/once-upon-a-tragedy-a-photostory-of-when-haiyan-struck-the-philippines/

it's more fun, and funnier in the philippines


Filipino news reporter Atom Araullo braving the cruel winds and heavy downpour of Haiyan in Tacloban to bring the latest update on the calamity as it happened (Nov. 8,2013) Screencap from ABSCBNNews Youtube video

news reporter atom araullo became...


typhoon hero ATHORM!



http://inkblotsandicebergs.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/once-upon-a-tragedy-a-photostory-of-when-haiyan-struck-the-philippines/

benjie, the street urchin in butuan city, donated to the typhoon victims what he had begged for 


http://inkblotsandicebergs.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/once-upon-a-tragedy-a-photostory-of-when-haiyan-struck-the-philippines/

Image courtesy of Gen. Charly Holganza/Willy Ramasola retrieved via Facebook


a great read: http://inkblotsandicebergs.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/once-upon-a-tragedy-a-photostory-of-when-haiyan-struck-the-philippines/

ich wünschte ich könnte, hof, aber es gibt noch keine konkreten pläne. zu schlecht.

(hihihi, google translation ni.  seven years in hamburg, 2 rounds of german language classes, no practice, and deutsch went the way of my waray language---only the pleasant memories remain.)

Today's Zaman, published in Istanbul, Turkey


http://www.philstar.com/

The Straits Times, published in Singapore



The Sun, published in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Guardian, published in London, UK



The Nation, published in Bangkok, Thailand

Liberation, published in Paris, France



Tages-Anzeiger, published in Zurich, Switzerland

Irish Times, published in Dublin, Ireland



La Stampa, published in Torino, Italy

Gulf News, published in Dubai, UAE



Haaretz Hebrew Edition, published in Tel Aviv, Israel

El Pais, published in Madrid, Spain



Gulf Madhyamam, published in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

de Volkskrant, published in Amsterdam, Netherlands



Der Tagesspiegel, published in Berlin, Germany

China Daily, published in Beijing, China



Dagens Nyheter, published in Stockholm, Sweden

The Royal Gazette, published in Hamilton, Bermuda



Cape Times, published in South Africa

Herald Sun, published in Melbourne, Australia



Het Nieuwsblad, published in Brussels, Belgium

Sydney Morning Herald, published in Sydney, Australia



USA Today, published in McLean, USA

Los Angeles Times, published in Los Angeles, USA



Estado de S. Paulo, published in Sao Paolo, Brazil

El Mercurio, published in Santiago, Chile



La Nacion, published in Buenos Aires, Argentina

The New York Times, November 11, 2013, published in New York, USA



Brunei Times, published in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

GALLERY: The Philippine tragedy in world's front pages

By Camille Diola (philstar.com)
November 21, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Monster typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) ripped through the Visayas on November 8 and continued its onslaught on November 9 leaving a trail of destruction so grave that it merited space in the front pages of the world's newspapers.

The story of the Philippines' tragedy immediately became part of the globe's history as the devastation, lost of lives and property, and the victims' often moving experiences were documented in various languages days after Yolanda, known to the world as Haiyan, hit land.

The coverage may also explain the rush of foreign aid into the Philippines--nations scampering to send rescue and relief teams and collect tons of food and relief items.

go, huda, go!  follow-up reports unya, hubs, to this developing story, okay?  ka-thrilling ani uy.

i love being a filipino, hof, but i truly admire this german way.  and german ordnung.  even elections and campaigns are so orderly there.  posters of candidates are seen only in assigned places.  post-election, everything is neat again; they don't insult by leaving any litter behind. 

i won't hesitate to say that of all the places i've lived in or been to so far, germany still tops my list as the best.

how much does that robot cost? urhm, i can afford... oops, the robot just slapped me.

so how is 3-year-old me-ann?  this story suddenly made a left/right turn and nothing more is said about me-ann.  hey, even news features need closures (i.e., resolutions...) 

yeheeey!  after the earthquake and typhoon yolanda, this is one good news, lorenz.

you gave yourself time to mourn your "loss"; didn't jump from one relationship to another.  and now you sound like you're out of the morass.  way to go!

your emotional maturity is admirable.  i can't help but believe you and taga tigbao are of the same caliber.

ayo-ayo, wards. i don't see any advantage in lack or even absence of electricity, but i hope you will find some joy in the darkness.

sige lang.  bawia na lang sa porma.

on their way to the slaughterhouse.

may they die less painfully.

Underdog has been taken to the local vet for a thorough check-up. Hensburg says the animal's condition is surprisingly good, "Considering what it has been through, the dog does not show any signs of dehydration or starvation, nor did we see any injuries."

The dog, which didn't have any signs of an owner, is now up for adoption, but he won't be homeless for long. There is no shortage of people who watched Underdog's rescue who are willing to bring him into their home and several of the team members responsible for saving him have indicated their eagerness to give him a permanent home--and a permanent name.

Hensburg suggests he should be named Captain Seeley, after Warrant Officer John Seeley, who convinced the pup to join him back on solid ground.


http://gma.yahoo.com/

At daybreak today, a team of paramedics and police search and rescue officials rappelled down the open mine, an operation that took five hours.

"Initially, when [Officer] Seeley reached the dog, it tried to get away from him," said Albert Hensburg, the spokesperson for ER24, the emergency service company in charge of the rescue. "But he kept on talking to the animal and eventually calmed it down enough to slip the harness over its body."

Further endangering Underdog's life, the bottom of the pit was filled with water. He was swimming around and then found a rock ledge to rest on.

"Luckily the water isn't poisonous," says van der Westhuizen. Instead it provided the pup with needed hydration.

The rescue would be a challenge. As night fell it was considered too dangerous for emergency services personnel. So instead they made plans to begin "Operation Underdog" Saturday morning.

Underdog captured the heart of rescuers after he miraculously survived the monumental fall, tumbling the equivalent of 50 stories deep into the mine several days ago. It's unclear how the dog fell into the Big Hole, as it is known in South Africa's Northern Cape province, but tourists spotted the animal on Thursday.

From such a distance observers initially thought he must be a meerkat. But then came the realization it was a lonely little dog that wouldn't survive on his own down there.

"He must have been extremely hungry and tired," says Mario van der Westhuizen, from The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

'Underdog' Rescued From Plunge into Open Pit Diamond Mine

By LANNA ZAK and LIEZL THOM
ABC News
24 November 2013


ABC News - 'Underdog' Rescued From Plunge into Open Pit Diamond Mine (ABC News)

It was a daring rescue involving seven first responders and a rig suspended over the deepest hand-dug pit in the world, an open-pit diamond mine in Kimberley, South Africa.

At the bottom was their treasure: not precious gems, but a little brown Labrador the public has nicknamed "Underdog."

@WhiteHouse/Twitter

President Obama's Vine

"Way to go Miles. Way to save Gotham," President Obama said in a Vine video to the young superhero. The video was the president's first ever Vine on Twitter.

Click here https://vine.co/v/htbdjZAPrAX to see it.

Miles Scott, dressed as Batkid, second from left, raises his arm next to Batman at a rally outside of City Hall with Mayor Ed Lee, left, and his father Nick and brother Clayton, at right, in San Francisco, Nov. 15, 2013. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo)

A San Francisco police officer escorts 5-year-old leukemia survivor Miles Scott, also known as BatKid, after arresting the Riddler, Nov. 15, 2013 in San Francisco. (Ramin Talaie/Getty Images)

Crowds gathered as San Francisco turned into Gotham City, Nov. 15, 2013 as city officials helped fulfill Miles Scott's wish to be "Batkid." (ABC News)

Miles Scott, dressed as Batkid, center, walks with Batman to save a damsel in distress on the Cable Car line in San Francisco, Nov. 15, 2013. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo)

Batman assists Miles Scott, 5, dressed as Batkid, as he prepares to save a damsel in distress in San Francisco, Nov. 15, 2013. Miles is a leukemia survivor from Tulelake in Siskiyou County and after battling leukemia since he was a year old, Miles is now in remission.To celebrate the end of this treatment, the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area granted his wish to become Batkid for a day. (Gary Reyes/Bay Area News Group/AP Photo)

The crowd cheers as Miles Scott, 5, dressed as Batkid, rides inside the Batmobile in San Francisco, Nov. 15, 2013. (Gary Reyes/Bay Area News Group/AP Photo)

Miles Scott, 5, dressed as Batkid, waits in a Lamborghini "Batmobile" as he and Batman get ready to stop a bank robbery in San Francisco, Nov. 15, 2013. (Gary Reyes/Bay Area News Group/AP Photo)

more batkid moments
from http://abcnews.go.com/


Police escort 5-year-old Miles Scott, also known as BatKid, and Batman after they arrest the Riddler, Nov. 15, 2013 in San Francisco. Scott is a leukemia survivor from Tulelake in Siskiyou County and after battling leukemia since he was a year old, Miles is now in remission. To celebrate the end of this treatment, the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area granted his wish to become Batkid for a day. (Ramin Talaie/Getty Images)

Roni Bintangâ€"Reuters
Nov. 19, 2013. A hibiscus flower is seen on a volcanic ash-covered plant at Mardingding village in Karo district, Indonesia's north Sumatra province. http://lightbox.time.com/

Vincent Thianâ€"AP
Nov. 17, 2013. Buddhist monks prepare to release sky lantern after a blessing ceremony during the Loy Krathong Festival at a temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand. http://lightbox.time.com/

David Zalaznikâ€"AP
Nov. 17, 2013. A Washington firefighter peers into the home of a fellow firefighter whose home was destroyed when a tornado swept through Washington, Ill. http://lightbox.time.com/

Carmelo Imbesiâ€"AP
Nov. 16, 2013. Mt. Etna, Europe's most active volcano, spews lava as smoke billows during an eruption as seen from Acireale, near the Sicilian town of Catania, Italy. http://lightbox.time.com/

Roni Bintangâ€"Reuters
Nov. 18, 2013. A woman looks on as Mount Sinabung spews ash, as pictured from Sibintun village in Karo district, Indonesia's north Sumatra province. http://lightbox.time.com/

we can be sure the embassy won't make much fuss of this. 

i'd expect such silence as deliberate, probably in keeping with the way germans do things.  there, the rich and famous do everything they can to stay out of the limelight and the headlines.  here, the rich and famous and especially those who want to be rich and famous do everything to keep themselves in the limelight and headlines.  with reason.  look at the kind who wins elections. 

eeekkk, too expensive.  can't afford.  never bought a dog anyway.  i'd rather pick up a stray and make it healthy.

got us a shi tzu.  but it was given because, well, out of 4 puppies, she's the ugliest and biggest.  how can i refuse?  now she turned out to be the most intelligent and most affectionate of the siblings.  (they get to meet for their april birthday celebration every year, hehe.  with their mother, of course.  don't ask about the father.  we don't know him.)

touching.  one of the many reasons why the u.s. deserves respect, if not awe, or so i believe.  honest.

Quote from: islander on November 24, 2013, 02:47:29 PMUS President Barack Obama praised the mini-caped crusader in a video from the White House, saying: "Way to go, Miles! Way to save Gotham."

wowie!  all the way to the white house... only in the u.s. of a.!

We salute you, Batkid


http://www.bbc.co.uk/

Batkid takes a moment to accept the gratitude of the cops for his services to Gotham

In real life, Miles has defeated an enemy even more ruthless than Batman's nemeses - he is presently recovering from leukaemia, with which he was diagnosed at 18 months old.


Miles Scott is now in remission following treatment for leukaemia

His mother, Natalie, said Friday was a "celebration" of her son's completion of treatment in June.

"This wish has meant closure for our family and an end to over three years of putting toxic drugs in our son's body," she wrote in a statement on the foundation's website.

His father, Nick Scott, thanked the charity and everyone else who took part.

"All the doctors, nurses and all the other parents that have to deal with the same thing we're going through, I hope they get a conclusion to their illnesses like we're getting," he told KGO-TV.

'Military operation'

The US justice department even prepared an indictment for the Riddler and the Penguin.

Towards the end of the day San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee gave Miles a key to the city.


The San Francisco Chronicle transformed its masthead into the Gotham City Chronicle to honour Miles, with a front-page story penned by "Clark Kent"

US President Barack Obama praised the mini-caped crusader in a video from the White House, saying: "Way to go, Miles! Way to save Gotham."

An estimated 7,000 people turned up to help make Miles' wish come true.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation said the event was "on the scale of a military operation".

Miles also travelled to AT&T Park to rescue the San Francisco Giants baseball team mascot by disarming a fake bomb planted by another classic Batman baddie, the Penguin.


Holy smoke! The Penguin's trying to make Giants mascot Lou Seal a Los Angeles Dodgers fan - a crime justice officials said was "in violation of all laws of Gotham City". And he almost got away with it...


...until Batkid showed up


Batkid speak to a fan at AT&T Park on 15 November 2013 And as he leaves the Giants stadium, Miles explains to a fan how he did it

A San Francisco Chronicle live blog of the day's events showed hundreds of people cheering Miles on during the "rescue".

Miles was ferried from events in one of two "Batmobiles", or black Lamborghinis with Batman removable stickers, which were escorted by police.


The mini-caped crusader leaps from the Batmobile for his next caper

Later, he foiled a faux robbery in the city's financial district with the help of an adult Batman impersonator.

Authorities who participated in the day's events pretended to apprehend the villain, the Riddler.


Kapow! Take that, the Riddler. That'll teach you to mess with Batkid

According to local television, the youngster thought he was just on his way to get a Batman costume so he could dress like his favourite superhero.

Miles nabs villains

But then he heard a broadcast from San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr appealing for help from "Batkid".

Next, the pint-sized superhero saved a "damsel in distress", tied to cable car tracks along a major urban street.


Batkid is hugged by a "damsel in distress" he has just rescued

Thousands of people in San Francisco have turned out to help a boy recovering from leukaemia fulfil his wish to be Batman for a day.


Miles' adoring public are lost in admiration for his indefatigable heroics

Miles Scott, five, participated in events across the city including fighting mock crimes and receiving an honour from the mayor.

Make-A-Wish Foundation, which organised the event, received pledges from more than 10,000 people to lend a hand.

Miles, in treatment for several years, is now said to be in remission.

San Francisco rallies for 'Batkid' Miles Scott, leukaemia survivor

Miles Scott got to pretend he was Batman for the day, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as Claire Brennan reports


Crime never stops, but thankfully neither does Batkid - here's the pint-sized superhero, aka Miles Scott, on his way to foil another dastardly deed

ingon akong sis arang sabaa gyod kuno tungod sa generators.

patoo gyod diay si manny nimo, don.

glad to know through these images that cabawan innocents look healthy and clean.

might as well eat coconut which is not a nut, from a coconut tree which is not a tree.

got to hit the sack now, lorenz.  it's 4 a.m. here.  at least i'll be asleep during pacquiao's fight some hours from now.  i hate boxing.

guten morgen.

goodness.  it helps against cancer but invites arthritis in.

oh, well, we can't have it all...

walnut

i mean, do nuts cause arthritis and gout?

how strong are nuts for arthritis and gout, lorenz?

almond

pistachio

peanut

“I want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn; the more you kill and burn, the better it will please me... The interior of Samar must be made a howling wilderness..."
                                - Gen. Jacob H. Smith



General Jacob Hurd Smith (January 29, 1840 â€" March 1, 1918) was a United States Army officer best known for ordering an indiscriminate retaliatory attack on a group of Filipinos during the Philippineâ€"American War after more than forty American soldiers were defeated in a surprise attack on the Island of Samar. His orders included, "kill everyone over the age of ten" and make the island "a howling wilderness." Court-martialed for the incident, he was dubbed "Hell Roaring Jake" Smith, "The Monster", and "Howling Jake" by the anti-imperialist press as a result. (wikipedia)

Quote from: islander on November 24, 2013, 01:59:45 AMThe benefits were seen from peanuts as well as from pistachios, almonds, walnuts and other tree nuts. The researchers did not look at how the nuts were prepared â€" oiled or salted, raw or roasted.

this nut for nuts loves you all, nuts.

At a heart association conference in Dallas this week, Penny Kris-Etherton, a Pennsylvania State University nutrition scientist, reviewed previous studies on this topic.

"We're seeing benefits of nut consumption on cardiovascular disease as well as body weight and diabetes," said Kris-Etherton, who has consulted for nut makers and also served on many scientific panels on dietary guidelines.

"We don't know exactly what it is" about nuts that boosts health or which ones are best, she said. "I tell people to eat mixed nuts."


http://www.philstar.com/

Compared with people who never ate nuts, those who had them less than once a week reduced their risk of death 7 percent; once a week, 11 percent; two to four times a week, 13 percent; and seven or more times a week, 20 percent.

"I'm very confident" the observations reflect a true benefit, Bao said. "We did so many analyses, very sophisticated ones," to eliminate other possible explanations.

For example, they did separate analyses on smokers and non-smokers, heavy and light exercisers, and people with and without diabetes, and saw a consistent benefit from nuts.