Let us focus on Mr. Baldomero “Toto” Olivera. Here’s a short biography:
Baldomero M. Olivera was born in the Philippines, received his early education there and received a B.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of the Philippines, a PhD in Biophysical Chemistry from Caltech and did Post Doctoral work at Stanford. His early research contributions included the discovery and biochemical characterization of E. coli DNA ligase.
His laboratory initiated the identification and characterization of the biologically active peptides found the venoms of predatory cone snails; this led to a broad involvement with molecular neuroscience, particularly the functional role of ion channel and receptor subtypes in nervous systems.
The Conus peptide project has raised wide ranging biological questions, from mechanisms of protein folding and post-translational modification, to gene organization and mechanisms of speciation; several Conus peptides discovered in Olivera’s laboratory are being developed as therapeutics and one is approved as a commercial drug.
Pretty deep stuff. So what does it mean? It’s obvious that our country can produce effective citizens. If we are to believe the biography, then it’s clear that Mr. Olivera spent his formative years in the Philippines.
The problem is that with the lack of quality opportunities here, Filipinos who are destined for great accomplishments have no choice but to move abroad. So much potential, so little options, as was probably the case with “Toto”.
It’s official: around noontime today, Filipino pugilist Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao secured a split decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez. The judges scored it 115-112 and 114-113 for Pacquiao, and 115-112 for Marquez. Pacquiao is now the WBC super featherweight champion!
No doubt, some questions remain about who really won the bout. Both fought really hard, but I really feel that Pacquiao kept up the pressure and shrugged off any retaliation Marquez was able to muster. The really really bad cut above Marquez’s left eye was a clear indicator for me, though you could chalk up my opinion to patriotic bias.
In any case, I’m sure we’ll be seeing a rematch between the two diminutive but deadly fighters. Many great boxing rivalries become trilogies, and you can be sure that Pacquiao’s handlers and boxing promoters will want to take advantage of the rubber match’s potential for profit.
But that’s probably a few months away, at the very least. For now, let us congratulate Manny Pacquiao. Mabuhay Manny! May more Filipinos learn from your perseverance and never-say-die attitude!
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is gazillions. At least, di siya nagpapatalo!
Have you ever noticed that, thanks to our infatuation with English, we insist on answering western beauty pageant questions without the help of translator? Even if we are fluent, wouldn’t our beautiful women gain a huge advantage if they had the time to think of the answer while the question is translated into Filipino? (or Bicolano, Cebuano, etc.)
The foreigner even shouted, “You Filipinos are (expletive) lazy. That is why you are poor!” according to the immigration officers.
Such activity caused Dutch national Jenifer Sharmila Kalka to be booked to the first available flight out of the country. Immigration chief Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said it real well: “A foreign tourist who exhibits arrogance and rude behavior upon his arrival in the Philippines should be turned back right away for he does not deserve the hospitality of our country and people.”
Looks like Filipino Renaldo Lapuz is about to go viral, all thanks to his audition video on American Idol:
What really struck me was the fact that Mr. Lapuz seems to be one of the few American Idol rejects who had nothing but kind words for the judges, especially Simon Cowell. Perhaps he’s a perfect example of Filipino kindness?
“Questions arose about whether the 1,500 Filipino jailhouse rockers were enjoying some well-choreographed creative expression or suffering abuse at the hands of prison officials with MTV aspirations.”
is whether or not getting people cooped up all day to dance is abuse.
TechCrunch reports that social networking site Multiply has scored a multi-year ad deal with ABS-CBN, a big local media network: “Under terms of the agreement, ABS-CBN interactive will sell advertising and mobile services for Multiply’s Filipino users, with the two companies sharing revenues.”
Filipinos eagerly use many US-based online services, particularly social networking sites. The top 10 most visited sites in the Philippines (according to Alexa) are all founded or based in America. Friendster has long been the local champ, while Multiply steadily attracts converts and new users. MySpace comes in at #14.
This isn’t the first time that US-based businesses have found more success abroad. Kenny Rogers Roasters survived in the Philippines while it closed many locations and underwent major restructuring back home. And while Friendster is past its prime, as far as a Google buyout is concerned, it still scores a healthy amount of traffic from its Filipino users—which has driven a regular rise in its Alexa rankings.
Ok ok, so Metro Manila’s MRT lines (a system of elevated and sometimes underground electricity-driven trains) have nothing on a completely subterranean transit system like London’s Underground.
But here’s some good news: bidding is now open for a Php 6.4 billion project to build a connection between the end of the blue and the end of the yellow line. What’s really great about this is that a record 20 firms are submitting proposals.
Hooray! If the interest of many firms in a mass transit project isn’t a sign of this country’s improving fortunes and reputation, then I don’t know what is. I only wonder though how long it will take to achieve this.
Find out more about the MRT system here (still under construction apparently), here (needs a little updating) and here.
I only have one suggestion for you, but I think it’s really important: Could you make Happy Slip easily available in the Philippines?
Could you find a local, Philippine-based distributor for the DVD? I’m sure your many fans back home will appreciate seeing high-resolution versions of the videos that made you the 5th most subscribed YouTube user of all time as of this writing.
Of course, you can use only Amazon or any other major online retailer to ply your wares, but having something shipped from the US is quite a killer, and American websites usually don’t accept non-US-issued plastic.
By selling Happy Slip in the Philippines, you might even gain new fans in the motherland. People who are just discovering the wonders of the Internet and YouTube, and who’ll eagerly subscribe to your feed once they find out how.
Oh wow, I can’t believe it! This blog network is a finalist in the 2007 Philippine Web Awards! Congratulations to fellow bloggers Abe (a partner of this network), Noemi, and Ferdz for being our co-nominees.
The judges will decide the final winners of each category (fittingly enough, the BBN’s under “Blogs”). But dear readers, you can still make a difference by helping us win the People’s Choice Award!
You can vote for us in two ways: on the 10th PWA website (signup required) or through SMS.
Texters should send WEBBYS VOTE 15 to 2973 for Globe/Touch Mobile or 210 for Smart/Talk N’ Text. The charge is a nominal Php 2.50 per text.
The organizers will accept votes up until November 22, 2007, 11:59PM Philippine Time, so get voting!
Thanks for 
