Hainrihi's Discoveries: Philippines

Gearing Towards A Fast and Efficient Government With National Telecommunications Commission

9:11 AM

The Philippines is undergoing chaos now, what with all the issues happening. It’s hard to think that our country can come back up.

But for me, I believe things can change for the better if we start small. Sometimes, it can begin in a small organization that would serve as an inspiration to make things better. And this is the case with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), headed by Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordova.

When it comes to government agencies, Filipinos think of long lines, getting passed on from one staff to another, “masungit” staff, and waiting for hours just to process one card or document. But, NTC is trying to change that by being orderly and thinking of Filipinos’ times.

An appreciative citizen reported a great customer service that NTC did to him. Sam Florentino, a resident of Metro Manila, took the Radio Operator Examination at the agency. Since he knows how government agencies work, Sam expected the process and everything to be slow. But he was surprised that the moment he got to the NTC seminar/orientation, it started at exactly 8:00 am.

Not only that. After two weeks, he took the exam that also started on time. Then, when he came back for the results, Florentino was given a number and he didn’t need to wait for so long. In other words, everything was so smooth-sailing that he wasn’t so used to it. Florentino actually appreciated everything.

I wouldn’t be surprised about Florentino’s reaction because I would react that way too. In fact, I experienced a rare time of having fast and orderly processes in a certain government agency. I was so surprised that everything was done that I was not even sure. Before I knew it, I already got the document that I needed.

Anyway, all of the NTC’s good efforts did not go unnoticed as Florentino reported their excellent service to the CSC Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB) as a way to say thank you. According to him, “Parang nasanay na ko sa magulong sistema sa mga government office na napupuntahan ko. But this time, I told myself I need to commend these government people for a job well done. We all need such appreciation.”

This is the kind of news that should be spread around because it just shows that government offices can improve in time in their customer service. Florentino congratulates all the government personnel who looked after him during the times he was in NTC. It was very refreshing to see positivity in a government agency and he made sure that everyone knew it.

At times when our country is on the verge of chaos, it’s always great to hear good news--- no matter how big or small. Even if this excellent service came from just one government agency, it can help other offices to improve on their staff and services. It’s high time that both government staff and Filipinos respect each other’s time and effort, so that we can have an efficient and orderly system that will make everyone’s lives easier.

We know it is not easy to change the old, ugly ways of the government offices. But if we just see one agency set an example, at least we can say that the journey to improvement is coming and change can happen. If Filipinos get the same service as what Florentino experienced, then Metro Manila (and soon, our country) can be a better place.

A Delicate Balance: Batanes Food

Press Release | A Delicate Balance: Batanes Food, Ecology and Community

5:35 AM

A new book about old food speaks to future food security

When I look at my travel bucket list, one of the places that I have always wanted to go is Batanes. Every time I look at its photos on blogs and travel sites, I always ask myself when Marc and I can go there for a vacation. But while that time hasn’t come yet, I think we’re good with viewing Batanes on the internet.

The popular images of Batanes are those of breathtaking verdant landscapes and blue waters that are alternately agitated and calm. These northernmost Philippine islands have long been part of a traveler’s must-go-and-experience list. But Batanes is more than just a weekend getaway.

This beautiful Philippine tourist destination has more things to offer, especially when it comes to food and nature. One way to discover them is by reading“A Delicate Balance: Batanes Food, Ecology and Community”. A project of The Museo ng Kaalamang Katutubo (MusKKat), this informative book explores how food, ecology, nature, and tradition have shaped the Ivatan way of life in the last 4,000 years.

Written by Corazon S. Alvina and Marian Pastor Roces, and complemented with insightful photographs by Neal Oshima, the book displays the intricate but robust relationships within the Ivatan communities. It also shows how traditional Ivatan food is interconnected with its microsystem.

“A Delicate Balance: Batanes Food, Ecology and Community” was launched November of last year at the Bayanihan Center and was attended by members of the academe, arts, cultural, and culinary fields. In her welcome speech, MusKKat Executive Director Alvina acknowledged and thanked those who collaborated and contributed to the making of the book. This work of art is a result of the collaboration and the consolidation of the substantive research work of archaeologists, anthropologists, boat makers, botanists, Ivatan cooks and nutritionists, a professional urban chef, geologists, sea current specialists, and zoologists.

In walking the guests through the book, Pastor Roces said that while “A Delicate Balance: Batanes Food, Ecology and Community” is a food book, it does not necessarily talk the delicacies. Food is only an access point into the Batanes man-in-biosphere ecosystem.

Dr. Fe Hidalgo, former secretary of education and one of the book’s key resource persons, expressed her gratitude for its conceptualization and development. An Ivatan herself, Dr. Hidalgo shared her own experience living and growing up in the Batanes, and how the Ivatan have managed to remain true to their culture and traditions.

Unilab EVP and COO Benjamin O. Yap shared his own experience of Batanes, where the islands and the Ivatan captured his heart. When he set foot on the islands for the first time in 2015, it is as if time stood still and the poetry of the islands stole his heart.

Each chapter of “A Delicate Balance: Batanes Food, Ecology and Community” is keyed with an Ivatan word that sets the tone of the storytelling. Then, it explores and elaborates domains beyond food, such as biodiversity and sustainability.

“A Delicate Balance: Batanes Food, Ecology and Community” is now available for purchase at www.phfoodecosystems.com for P3,850.

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Photo Challenge/Personal | Love Local With Tagaytay

2:21 AM

One of the best things last year is Janis of Untouristing and I formed a group of bloggers in our office team. We have always wanted to form a bloggers group with our team of writers and editors for so long and we finally did it. Apart from sharing our blog posts, giving tips, and commenting on each other’s entries, we created challenges so everyone would be motivated to write in their blogs.

October was three posts a week (which I realized was very hard). November was movie, book, games, comics, and music reviews (where I did a review of Doctor Strange). And December was a #BlessedDecember post where I wrote about the blessings that 2016 gave me.

For this January, we’re doing photo challenges and this week is all about “Local”.

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When we’re talking about “local”, of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the Philippines. I was born here, this is my home country, and the place that I want to explore. But upon analyzing the word, I realized that “local” is about the wonders of our country. It’s not the whole Philippines per se, but it is about the beauty of our islands, provinces, communities, beaches, and cities. In fact, we show everyone how beautiful the Philippines is through our local wonders.

Last year, I rarely got out of Metro Manila due to budget and time constraints. But the very, very few times I went to different provinces, I made sure to take photos of their local wonders. By doing so, they will always remind me how beautiful our country is.

Tagaytay – Taal Volcano

One of the beautiful places that I went to last 2016 was Tagaytay. For someone who rarely goes to provinces, I deeply appreciate the beauty of Tagaytay.

It also now holds a special place in my heart because this is where one of my high school friends got married last year. Not only was Tagaytay the place where Joy and her fiancé, Jayson made their union official, but it was also where the barkada got together after a long time. Since three of my friends work abroad, we rarely see each other. So the wedding was an opportunity to catch up.

Going to Tagaytay won’t be complete without taking a picture of the famous Taal Volcano.

Just seeing the Taal Volcano from a restaurant balcony while eating bulalo is enough for me to love this small but wonderful province. I believe Tagaytay is one of the local places that makes the Philippines a beautiful country.

I don’t think Tagaytay will ever be removed from my travel list. I’ll be going back early this year AND later this year for the special events in my life. I can say I won’t ever get tired of going there because of its breathtaking sites, cool breeze, and local wonders.

~ Hainrihi

Have you visited Tagaytay recently? Let me know your thoughts about it in the comments section below. You can also reach me via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

causes

Some Typhoon Yolanda-Related Posts in Facebook and Tumblr

10:40 AM

food

Ice Scramble!

4:20 PM

Philippines

Sangalan ng Misa

3:32 PM

This article can be seen in the Definitely Filipino Blog: http://www.definitelyfilipino.com/blog. I decided to try and write in Filipino as this topic is best expressed in this language. :)

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Mga magkakatabing magkaibigan na nagdadaldalan, pagkatapos pagtingin mo sa kaliwa sa may bandang gitnang upuan ay may lalaking natutulog. Tingin ka pa sa kanan sa may pangalawang upuan at may tatay na nagte-text sa cellphone. Hala! Biglang may batang tumakbo sa harap ko at nakita ko ang yaya o nanay yata na biglang kinuha ang bata. May iba namang nanay na pinapatahimik ang isang bata. Yung iba naman ay tulala. Aba’y tignan mo pa ang paligid! May mga naka-backless, spaghetti strap, sando, t-shirt, mini-skirt, shorts, at pantalon na kapag umupo ay kulang na lang ay makita ang kuyukot ng mga pwet nila! Naka-tsinelas, sandalyas, sapatos. Kulang nalang maghubad sila sa mga suot nila. Ano kaya ito? Party? Meeting? Eskwela? Hindi. Nasa lugar sila na dapat na dapat nire-respeto, matahimik at nakikinig sa nagsasalita sa harap. Isang lugar, kung saan, dapat ay mataimtim tayong…nagdadasal. Ito ang selebrasyon ng Diyos. Ito ang…MISA.

Habang nakikinig sa sermon ng pari na nakatayo sa pulpito, hindi maiwasan ng aking mga mata na mapatingin sa mga tao sa loob ng simbahan na nagmi-misa. Bilang isa sa mga taong nasa harap dahil nagpapakita ng mga titik ng mga awitin, nakikita ko ang mga iba’t ibang gawain nila. At hindi ko akalain, pagkatapos ng Misa, na sa mismong bahay ng Diyos ay pinapaliban ng mga nagsisimba ang pagdadasal para lang magawa ang gusto nilang gawin.

Hindi ko tuloy malubos maisip: ganito na ba nating nakalimutan ang Diyos, na gumawa sa atin, dahil lang sa mga gusto nating magawa na hindi akma sa Misa? Mas nanaisin pa ba natin kausapin ang katabi kaysa sa Diyos? Bakit? Natutulungan ba tayo ng katabi natin sa LAHAT ng mga problema natin sa buhay? Masyado natin binabalewala ang Santa Misa. Para sa iba ay okey na yung simba lamang, at hindi na iniintindi ang kahalagahan nito. Kulang tayo sa kaalaman nito. Narito ang ilan sa mga halimbawa kung paanong masasabi na balewala na sa iba ang misa

change

Filipinos on News Events Part 2: Reaction to Daniel Wagner’s "The Philippine Bus and Miss Universe"

12:55 AM

2010 Philippine Elections

Thoughts on the upcoming 2010 Elections tomorrow

7:09 PM

In less than 12 hours, voters from all over the country will flock to their precincts to vote for a new president after a decade of PGMA reign. Election 2010 is going to be a historic and memorable elections, no matter what the results will be. And the good thing (or the bad thing?) about these elections is we actually can't predict what will happen in these elections. That's either exciting or nerve-wracking for us.

For five months, I have been thinking on who to vote for. I had to research each and every candidate in terms of their qualifications, track record on public service, things they have done, etc. Heck, I even volunteered to be a Researcher for one of the candidates in GMA 7's "Kandidato" because I was so impressed by his track record. And talking and having lunch with him without the camera was actually inspiring and has led me to actually vote for him.

Then I resigned from GMA7 because of one of the reasons that I REALLY want to vote instead of being assigned to another place and cover the voting process in that place. Yes, I may be one of the front-runners for one of the most historic elections to ever happen in the Philippines. But then, nothing can stop me from voting and I know that I will never be able to vote if I'm in the media. In other words, I love to vote.

Of course, there were times when I had the inkling to change my vote and go for the one who is more popular. It was a struggle for me because I wanted to stick to the original. Plus, there were other aspects that led me to want to vote for the most popular. That four months were my struggling months in who to vote.

Finally, last May 7, 2010, Friday, I do not know if I can call it divine intervention or something, but it just suddenly struck me who I NOW want to vote. I was so decided already that I placed stickers of that candidate in my room, as well as other paraphernalia. Some of you may know, some may not. But all I can say is I am proud of my vote and I cannot wait to wake up at 6:00 in the morning tomorrow and go to my precinct to cast my vote.

And also, I made a cheat sheet already from the National to Local Candidates so I won't have to take long to look for their names. Have you made your cheat sheet already? If not, then do one now.