CONGRATULATIONS!

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA --- Regardless of one's political views and affiliation congratulations is in order to all the successful candidates of the recent May Elections.  I am no political analyst but it would seem that the electorate in Zamboanga City has come of age. 

The results to me seem to indicate that the people have learned how to play politics as well and it could not have come too soon.  Leading up to election day, reports on the unsuccessful candidate Lepeng Wee's "generosity" were constantly grazing the news.  His generosity was vote oriented of course and judging from the results it had not worked for him.  It is obvious that the people were quite happy to encourage the likes of Lepeng Wee to spend big during the campaign but rightfully told him in the polls - thank you but you are not the man for the job!  It is also quite possible that the people have started to take note of Mr. Wee's alleged illegal business dealings coupled with his almost instant wealth.  None of the claims have been proven as yet but perhaps in the minds of the people they may have some probable foundation.  As they say, "where there is smoke there is fire".

As for Vitaliano Agan this may be the time for personal reflection.  Mr Agan has had his day in politics and if the recent result does not clearly reflect the feelings of the people, let me say this - I think Mr Agan has had his chance to serve the people of Zamboanga City and the record show he has failed the people and the City abysmally.  To put it bluntly, Mr Agan's leadership in the past had been synonymous to regression NOT progression!

I am very interested to see how the two female councillors will perform this term.  Female politicians are no longer a rare commodity but we need to even the equation.  I hope that more female go-getters will be encouraged to join in the "boys club".  With a female leader at the helm I hope they could bring some positive and lasting changes to the City.

What do you think is the average age of the new government?  I don't know myself either but it is promising to see a more youthful face in the form of newly elected Vice-Mayor, Mr Herbie Fabian.  With due respect to the aging Mrs Lobregat, the City also needs young leaders who would hopefully contribute to new and innovative ideas.

Congratulations once again to all the winners!  But don't rest on your laurels just yet.

Zamboanga City is your showcase to prove to the people that you are worthy of the job you have been entrusted to do.

Fake soaps flooding RP

5/27/01 - The Philippine Star

The Detergents Association of the Philippines (SDAP) has sought the help of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in curbing the entry of fake bath soaps and shampoos in the country. 

Members of SDAP claimed fake shampoos and soaps are imported, repacked as local brands and sold door-to-door at cheaper prices. 

"The special offers are only a come-on. The products are fake since they do not actually clean," SDAP said, while adding that fake soaps and shampoos may even result in the unwanted darkening of the skin due to the chemicals used. 

In response, Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II assured members of SDAP of the department’s support in conducting an information campaign on the hazards of using fake products. – Marianne Go

I don't know about you but I find the preceding news report rather amusing as to me it represents the Filipinos' obsession for "white skin"!  Nothing irritates me more than listening to Filipinos, women in particular, discuss in earnest their beauty regime with the purpose of keeping their skin fair or how to peel and bleach their skin to be white! 

The Filipino male are no help either for they seem to encourage such unhealthy behaviour by perpetuating the "dark beauty" as an almost sub-beauty!  How many times have you heard Filipino male excusing the beauty of their girlfriends or crushes by "morena lang"!

I am a proud "morena" myself and not so long ago a male friend told me he once had a crush on me but would not pursue me because I was "morena".   How could anyone be so blind, shallow and stupid?  It seems so incredible when Filipinos seem to become ignorant as to their roots and their genes.

Vanity may be the reason for such an obsession but there is probably more underlying reasons why Filipinos share this national obsession.  Perhaps it is a society where people suffer from the LACK OF SELF-ESTEEM or SELF-WORTH.

As clearly illustrated by the report if authorities really want to discourage people from buying "fake" soaps it is not to inform them of the real health risk but rather that it can cause "unwanted darkening of the skin due to the chemicals used"!  For a society who seem to value their worth by chemically whitening their skin the health hazards would indeed be incidental.