Saturday, September 30, 2017

Haemophilia Month Celebration?

There are several things wrong with the following picture.  Can you guess what they are?


"April is world haemophilia month celebration."

Let's break it down.

"April is world haemophilia month."

WRONG!

April is national haemophilia awareness month.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/686003/did-you-know-national-hemophilia-awareness-month
Apparently whoever made this sign did not know that April is national and not world haemophilia  awareness month.  In the USA, for example, haemophilia awareness month is March

However, April 17th is world haemophilia awareness day. 

https://www.wfh.org/en/whd
Month, day, anyone could mix that up quite easily.

"April is world haemophilia month celebration."

Really?  Haemophilia celebration?  No. April is national haemophilia awareness month and April 17th is international haemophilia awareness day. There is no celebration. Haemophilia is a disease where a person's blood does not clot so they keep bleeding if they are cut. A tiny cut could kill a person with haemophilia. What is there to celebrate about that?

The whole point is awareness.  
Sadly, there are many life-threatening medical conditions that many of us know little to nothing about, unless we happen to have a family member who suffers from such a condition. Thankfully, nowadays most people realize how very important it is to get the word out about various diseases in order to raise awareness about the difficulties some of those around us have to deal with every day. Hemophilia Awareness Month was created to do just that: shed some light on a condition that is still unknown to many, and find ways to help hemophiliacs who may feel all alone with their problems, or simply lack the financial means necessary to keep their illness under control. In short, hemophilia is a disease that prevents the blood from clotting after an injury, meaning that a sufferer simply bleeds on and on, something that can easily cause serious health consequences, or even death.
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hemophilia-awareness-month/
Granted the page linked to tells one how to celebrate haemophilia awareness month but there is still not a celebration and no one calls it World Hemophilia Celebration Day.  It's all to raise money for research to find a cure. Every disease has its month or day or week and the point of these days is to raise money for research.

"April is world haemophilia month celebration."

Everything about that statement is wrong.  April is national haemophilia awareness month here in the Philippines and April 17th is World Haemophilia Day. There is no celebration. Only awareness and fund raising.

The person who made this banner must be out of their head. The logo of the Haemophilia Advocates Philippines is prominently displayed which means they are likely responsible for the error. How is it possible that a group dedicated solely to raising awareness of haemophilia could mess up this bad? Hopefully they will correct the error before next year's Haemophilia Awareness Month rolls around.

Friday, September 29, 2017

Retards in the Government

Fake news spread via social media is polluting discourse everywhere. But in the Philippines it is an especially troubling problem.  In the USA there are no Senators relying on Facebook posts or dubious news sources to inform them. Certainly you won't find any U.S. Senators accusing their colleagues of plotting their political demise based on some tweet or post.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/933864/philippine-news-updates-social-media-cynthia-villar-risa-hontiveros-bam-aquino
Senator Cynthia Villar on Wednesday said “someone from social media” warned her about two minority senators who have been plotting to destroy their colleagues in the majority coalition of the Senate. 
Villar later identified them to be Senators Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros. 
Both Aquino and Hontiveros vehemently denied plotting against the Senate majority. 
“I just want to make a manifestation. It’s really somebody from social media who told me before long time ago that there are two senators who are going to destroy us,” Villar said during the Senate regular session.
First of all who talks like this? I want to make a manifestation? That is awkward and improper English.  I want to make a statement. I want to make a disclosure.  Both of those are correct.  I want to make a manifestation?  That is the speech of someone who is not very bright but wants to be seen as very bright.  She is using big words because big words equals smart.

If Sen. Villar wishes to come across as smart she would be better off shutting her mouth.
Proverbs 17:28: Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Second of all she is making a damning accusation based on nothing more than a Facebook rumour.  Who is this somebody who told Sen. Villar that two senators are going to destroy the majority? How long ago did they say this?  How exactly are two senators going to destroy the majority? 

Let's read some more of this article and try to follow her logic and reasoning process.
Before the session started, Villar said Aquino and Hontiveros were allegedly “out to destroy the majority.” The senator could not say what the intention was behind the alleged demolition job. 
She said this as she lamented about the criticisms thrown at her and six other majority senators for allegedly not signing a resolution urging President Duterte to stop the senseless killings, especially of children and minors. 
Villar and the rest of the six senators who did not sign the Senate Resolution No. 516, said the document did not reach their office. 
When the issue broke out, Villar said she surmised that “maybe this is the beginning” of the demolition plot.
But later in the session, she said she did not believe the warning she has been receiving against Aquino and Hontiveros. 
I didn’t believe it. It’s just that when I saw that blog, then I started thinking that it was really true and I want to clarify with Senators Bam and Risa they told me really that Senators Bam and Risa are trying to destroy us,” she said.
What happened is that a few Senators did not sign a resolution condemning the drug war killings. Those Senators were then criticised for this on a blog. Because Sen. Villar and the others were criticised she immediately thought "maybe this is the beginning" of a demolition plot that somebody on social media told her about "long time ago." And after airing her concerns that Aquino and Hontiveros are out to demolish the majority Sen. Villar claimed she does not even believe her own accusations are true!!!

IF SHE DOES NOT EVEN BELIEVE IT THEN WHY DID SHE BRING IT UP????!!!!!

Dear reader, in the words of Sen. Villar, I want to make a manifestation. Philippine politics is a petty, no-good, circus side-show full of imbeciles, entertainers, corruption, and a blatant disregard for the best interests of the people in favour of the best interests of the politicians bank accounts. Sen. Villar and her ilk, which is to say every single one of her colleagues in the House, the Senate, and MalacaƱang is a retard.  Not a progressive one in the bunch. Every single member of the government from the elected official to the appointed bureaucrat is a retard holding back the Philippines from economic and social progress.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retard

Anyone with any sense would get up right now and go to the window, open it, and stick their head out, and yell: ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not gonna take this anymore!’


But truth be told Filipinos do not have much of any sense. Sen.Villar is a reflection of the people who voted her into office and sadly Filipinos appear to be the most gullible people group on the face of the earth. Facebook only worsens the problem with people quickly able to spread lies which easily fool the people.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/09/26/1742524/duterte-supporters-fall-gullible-posts-online-experiment-finds

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/09/15/1739394/lorenzana-social-media-coup-recruitment-expose-fake-news

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/09/24/1742213/scammers-sell-marcos-legacy-poor-filipinos

https://www.rappler.com/technology/social-media/183187-manila-times-quote-fake-news-nikki-haley

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/08/24/Police-admit-Kian-drug-links-confirmed-via-social-media.html


So much for gullible Filipinos who waste their time on Facebook sharing untruths.  But how can they trust any source of information when even the mouth of the president is a fount of lies?

https://www.rappler.com/nation/182730-malacanang-abella-duterte-trillanes-bank-account
Also asked about the propriety of the President giving out wrong information, Abella said that it is just Duterte’s “unorthodox” way of doing things.
Duterte is not a liar.  He's just unorthodox.  But to be unorthodox is to be a heretic. To be a heretic is to espouse lies.  So in the end Duterte is a liar no matter what term they wish to use to clean him up.

Duterte's methods are typical of Philippine politics. Petty, fearful, and ridiculous. Everyone is trying to oust everyone else.  There is no reaching across the aisle. There are only calls for impeachment and accusations of graft, conspiracy, and unethicallness.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/05/15/Duterte-impeachment-complaint-dismissed-House-Alejano-Magdalo.html

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/05/05/trillanes-files-plunder-case-against-duterte.html

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/05/10/1698631/sotto-faces-ethics-complaint-over-remark-unmarried-mothers

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/07/05/1716590/trillanes-unparliamentary-behavior-may-lead-ethics-probe

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/05/01/1578701/duterte-threatens-jail-time-trillanes

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-duterte-drugs/duterte-accuses-philippine-senator-probing-killings-of-taking-drug-money-idUSKCN1100UM

https://www.rappler.com/nation/154956-liberal-party-denies-oust-duterte-robredo-resignation

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/09/25/Former-customs-chief-Nicanor-Faeldon-wants-Senator-Sonny-Trillanes-suspended-or-expelled-from-office..html

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/20/17/house-panel-junks-impeach-raps-vs-comelec-chief-bautista

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/09/06/1736300/gordon-trillanes-swap-accusations

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/09/02/1735016/trillanes-dares-gordon-go-ahead-file-ethics-case

https://www.rappler.com/nation/181132-richard-gordon-ethics-complaint-antonio-trillanes-senate

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/624616/trillanes-to-slap-gordon-with-an-ethics-suit-too/story/

Sen. Trillanes features prominently in most of the above stories but he is not the only politician accusing others of misconduct and filing cases here and there and everywhere and making a mockery of the government while claiming to be fighting the good fight against corruption. Sen. Risa Hontiveros has  also recently had a complaint filed against her for kidnapping and wiretapping.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/933137/news-risa-hontiveros-jing-paras-kidnapping-wiretapping-obstruction-of-justice-ombudsman-vitaliano-aguirre
In an interview after the filing, Paras said he filed the complaint in response to a challenge posed by the senator. 
“Since she challenged us to file a case, pinag-aralan namin,” Paras said.
Since she challenged us?  It's all a game to these people.  I dare you. I double dare you! Oh yeah!  Same to you!

Well I triple double dog dare any Philippine Senator or member of the House to launch an investigation into the government's prior knowledge of the Marawi siege.


Go ahead.  I dare you!  Do it! What are you, some kind of chicken?  Bawk-bawk-bawwwwwwk!!!!

It's all to be expected from a nation where any actor with no training in the law or politics can run for office and win simply because he or she were part of a popular love team everyone loves. 

http://www.famousfix.com/list/filipino-actor-politicians

Or where convicted felons can openly run for office and still have the support of the people.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-07/the-convicted-felons-running-for-office-in-the-philippines/7392202

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/783379/jail-no-barrier-to-political-career-in-philippines

The following last bit of information is from 2013 and concerns the 2012 elections. But what has changed substantially in 5 years? Has a system been set in place to weed out convicted criminals and those with criminal cases against them from being able to run for elected office? For all Duterte's talk about rooting out corruption has he even broached this issue of criminals being allowed to run and be elected to office? What kind of nation is it when criminals are allowed to run the government?

http://pcij.org/stories/sandiganbayan-files-256-poll-winners-have-graft-crime-cases-17-convicted/
The database of the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court on cases filed from 1979 to 2012 shows that at least 504 candidates who ran in last month’s elections are respondents in 1,883 cases for graft and other crimes. 
Of the 504 candidates with cases, 256 were elected or re-elected in the latest balloting, which drew a total of 45,147 candidates for all positions. 
The charges against the 504 candidates range from plunder to malversation of public funds, usurpation of duties, giving undue advantage to favored or unqualified private parties, soliciting gifts in exchange for favors, and entering into contracts disadvantageous to the government, among others. 
A handful of other cases imputed grave crimes against these candidates who are supposed to combat crime: unlawful arrest and arbitrary detention, threat and coercion, physical injuries, obstruction of justice, bribery, estafa, malicious mischief, slander, nepotism, illegal use of alias, and even robbery, homicide, and murder. 
Of the winners, 17 had been convicted, while six others had pleaded guilty of the charges leveled against them. 
On appeal, however, the Supreme Court subsequently acquitted five of the 17 convicted. In separate rulings though, the high court and the Court of Appeals sustained the conviction of three other candidates. 
Of the accused, at least 256 won elective positions, including 19 who ran unopposed. They are respondents in 1,124 cases before the Sandiganbayan. 
Among the winners, too, are 77 more candidates with pending cases and still undergoing trial before the Sandiganbayan.
Philippine politics is beyond a joke. And the people love to have it so.
Jeremiah 5:30: ¶A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;

Jeremiah 5:31: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Bawal Umihi Dito 1

Bawal Umihi Dito!!!!!


That means: "Don't piss here."  Public urination is a problem here in the Philippines. Men, and also women but not as often, simply turn towards a wall or walk towards a bush and start pissing whenever they feel the urge to go.  What a public health nuisance.  It is impossible to take a picture of a smell so look a these photos and just imagine the horrid, overpowering stench of urine after it has been drying on the sidewalk in the sun.


Dried urine on the sidewalk
Gross!  It might not be so bad if these guys pissed in the dirt since the urine would be absorbed into the earth instead of just sitting there stinking up the area. Its not enough that there are literally packs of roaming stray dogs fouling up the roads and sidewalks but grown men are also acting like dogs and pissing wherever they please.

This will be the first of many posts dedicated to documenting this phenomena of public urination in the Philippines.





Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Alchemical Honey Purity Test

In the Philippines buying a bottle of honey is not as simple as going to the store and buying a bottle of honey.  It's a bit more complicated.  Most of the honey sold in stores is fake honey-flavoured syrup. But you wouldn't know that unless you examine the bottle real closely.


No way is that a liter of real honey. 

http://www.fda.gov.ph/attachments/article/411762/FDA%20Advisory%20No.%202017-033.pdf
Ha! Told you so! How was someone able to purchase this bottle from a store when there is an FDA warning about consuming this product?

In the Philippines whenever you buy honey you have to test it to make sure it is the real deal. Testing the authenticity of honey involves calling on the powers of the elements, specifically water, air, and fire. You can't rely solely on your sense of sight or taste.

Which one is real and which one is fake?
First element: Water.

If honey is poured into water it will not dissolve. If the honey is fake it will dissolve. But if real honey does not dissolve in water then it won't dissolve in coffee. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of buying real honey which is to sweeten my coffee? On with the test.




Conclusion: The honey dissolved so its fake!  Right?  Wrong. The test was inconclusive because I put a few drops of real honey in a glass of water and it too dissolved. I did not document that test.

Next element: Air.

If you put fake honey in the refrigerator the cold air will cause it to thicken.  Real honey won't be affected.





The contents of the bottle of "Organic Wild Raw Honey" have thickened considerably after spending a night in the cold refrigerator air.  The contents of the smaller bottle of real honey are still rolling around in the bottle as if they have been unaffected by the cold air of the refrigerator.

Conclusion: The bottle of "Organic Wild Raw Honey" is likely fake. I say likely because these tests are in no way scientific. This is alchemy!

Next element: Fire.






Result: Failure. The match covered in "Organic Wild Raw Honey" took nine strikes until it burned.  





Result: Success!  "Just one!"  Just one strike and this match covered in real honey burned.

Conclusion: The bottle of "Organic Wild Raw Honey" is likely not real honey. It's almost certainly fake. There is enough reasonable doubt to acquit this bottle of honey from being pure.

Real Conclusion: This is ridiculous! Why do I have to go all Harry Potter and use alchemical wizardry to determine whether or not the bottle of honey I just bought is real or fake? No!  I am not a wizard, nor was meant to be.  I want to buy a bottle of honey and not have any doubts in the back of my mind as to its purity.  But this is the Philippines and it is the land of the fake. Fake diplomas, fake attorneys, fake dentists, fake doctors, fake cures, fake rice, and fake honey.

Fake honey is just a symptom of a much larger problem in the Philippines: the willingness to swindle people for a quick profit.