This was e-mailed by Atty. Gerthie Mayo-Anda of the Environmental Legal Assistance Center, where I spent my Summer 2007 Legal Internship. Since we spent our entire 1st semester '08-'09 on exploring the nuances of creating a mining moratorium ordinance, the developments in Palawan seems like welcome news to those who're hoping for more changes in environmental regulation. A minor victory, but a triumph nevertheless. Yay!
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Dear colleagues and friends,

I just want to share some news ----
Last November 18, 2008, our Provincial Board passed a RESOLUTION
"Declaring a 25-year Moratorium in the Issuance of Indorsements for New
Applications for Small Scale Mining Activities in the Province of Palawan
and Declaring further its Firm Resolve to Oppose at any time any New Large
Scale Mining Application or to Press for the Nullification of existing
mineral agreements and the cessation of their mining operati...

Editorial 

Astute hunters in 19th century Europe matched their cunning against wolves using an ingenious tool–sharpened knives dipped in layer upon layer of blood and frozen in snow. The unwary wolf, ears pricked and hungry, licks the edge of the blood-covered knife until it melts. As the wolf licks more urgently, it cuts its voracious tongue and spills its own blood. The wolf continues to lick, not knowing that it is feasting on its own blood. Eventually, the wolf dies from blood loss as it feeds its insatiable appetite, its entrails dried out by its own greed.

Such is the case of how the Philippines is slowly killing itself through ingenious traps that prey upon a propensity to be greedy. Greed, a rapacious desire for wealth and possessions while denying the legitimate needs of others, is a necessary foundation of the laissez faire capitalist system. How greed presently manifests is a reflection of why, as a deadly sin, it kills not just the impoverished so...

This December... let's join THE BLACK CHRISTMAS PROJECT!
[reposted from the Philmusic forums; I know, I'm such a fangirl. But I've been such a diehard Wolfgang loyalist since 5th grade so I really can't help but plug this. Hehe. All my best gig memories have involved Wolfgang at one point or another so, to all fellow aficionados: see you there! :-P ]

featuring WOLFGANG
(with line-up Basti Artadi, Mon Legaspi, Manuel Legarda and drummer Francis Aquino)
special guest, RAZORBACK!
introducing POWERSPOONZ!
It is also the album launch of Wolfgang's 6th album, VILLAINS.
Gig Dates:

MANILA- Dec. 10 2008 @ Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City
    
Copies of Wolfgang's VI LLAINS, the VI th album ...released VI years after Black Mantra & Wolfgang merchandise will be ON SALE at the venue.

Tickets ARE NOW ON SALE  via TicketNet (Dial 911-5555)
Ticket prices are at P1000 (50 tickets only)/ P800 / P500 (plus 5% tax.)

Stay tuned... keep your ears and eyes here at Philmusic for more hot news ...

Don't you just hate it when some people can't seem to control the little subconscious fillers in between their sentences? Anyway, here are some of those verbal tics (I mean this not in the sense of people with Tourette's Syndrome, whom I sympathize with, nor the Japanese anime pa-cute catch phrases, but the "normal" expressions we often take for granted):

3. "Po" - Using "Po" and "Opo" is understood as a Tagalog trait, since Filipinos from other regions aren't really trained to use "Po" and "Opo" in their native dialects. It's an important sign of respect to the elderly or to persons in authority. However, when people my age or older than me start using "po" and "opo" as a pa-cute or a sarcastic gesture, it really makes me want to hurl. It comes out sounding more disrespectful and totally inappropriate.

For example: "Hu u po?" "Kasi po, miss ko na po kayo, eh." "Opo, señorita, parating na po."

2. "Ano" - How many times have you encountered people who punctuate their sentences with "Ano"? ...

Dahl Recipe
From: "Pete" (International Vegetarian Union)

[N.B. My favorite is really the one made by Dolly Chotrani's family but I also enjoyed the Dahl served at the International Rice Research Institute's cafeteria. I cooked a 500gram batch of Dahl for Papa's birthday following this recipe and it was a hit! The modifications I made included adding more salt, since American versions of recipes are generally bland (sorry!), and Assad Store sold yellow, not red lentils. I didn't skin the tomatoes, either, but I added butter instead of margarine. Enjoy!]

Don't know how 'Indian' it is, but here is my favourite. Haven't met a person yet who doesn't like it.

• 200 g red lentils
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 tomatoes, skinned and chopped
• 900 ml water (4 cups)
• 1 tsp coriander
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 onion, diced
• 25 g margarine
• 1 tsp garam masala

Cook lentils, turmeric, cumin, potatoes and ...