This is a prepared text of the Commencement address delivered by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, on June 12, 2005. Read the rest of this entry »

“Even the mighty fall, Mom,” my son remarked as he looked out into our garden and saw that the huge traveler’s palm tree that had stood as an imposing presence on our lawn since he was a baby was now lying prostrate on the ground. Read the rest of this entry »

A tourist wanders into a back-alley antique shop in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Picking through the objects on display, he discovers a detailed, life-sized, bronze sculpture of a rat. The sculpture is so interesting and unique, that he picks it up and asks the shop owner what it costs. Read the rest of this entry »

Two weeks ago, I wrote about how great the Filipino people were, and how this is what we should sell to the world.

Today, I’d like to raise a few points that, if addressed, can ensure that advantage can be turned into wealth gain for everyone. Read the rest of this entry »

There are those who were outraged by what I wrote last fortnight about us being shallow.

Let me reply by analogy. I like bagoong — salted fish sauce to you out there who are unaware of the food of the poor. I like caviar, too, on those very rare occasions that I am privileged to eat it. The uninitiated does not know the difference but this difference means nothing to me because I like both. How I wish caviar were available to more Filipinos — not just to the very rich. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear PAO,
I want to seek for your advice regarding the situation of my uncle. He has been in the hospital for almost two months. He was rushed there early part of May because he was complaining about pain in his abdomen. There were gallstones found in him; doctors took them out. He recovered after two weeks. When my aunt informed the hospital that they wanted to go home, the hospital insisted that they settle their bill first. My aunt told the liaison officer in the billing section that she can only pay for half of the amount and negotiated to pay the other half of the bill in installments. But she was denied. Is there anything that they can do? Every day they spend in the hospital only adds up to their financial obligation. I hope you can advice us on this matter. Thank you and more power.
Tin Tin Read the rest of this entry »

I was visited by an old Asian friend who lived here 10 years ago. I was floored by his observation that though we have lots of talented people, as a whole, we continue to be shallow. Read the rest of this entry »

Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) rejected as “a stupid idea” the proposal to impose a four-day, 10-hour work week nationwide, both for government and the private sector. Read the rest of this entry »

REAL wages in the Philippines have stagnated over the past two decades as the monopolies have been taking advantage of the large supply of job seekers fighting for a few jobs in the country, the Asian Development Bank says in a report. Read the rest of this entry »

July 27, 2011, Manila–”There is no other appropriate, fair and meaningful path toward sustainable development than green jobs and decent work”, emphasized Mr. Rafael Mapalo, TUCP’s Director for Education, who presented TUCP’s sustainable development initiatives during the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development’s (PCSD) 1stNational Forum on Countdown to Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development on July 27, 2011, Manila, Philippines.

He said that the occasion reminded him of 2007 when TUCP affiliates and members decided to carry out non-traditional (trade unions’)ambitious sustainable development actions and activities.

“We wanted to engage in practically everything”, Mr. Mapalo said.TUCP had planned to lead unions in growing of crops on idle public and private lands for local and export markets; reforesting parks, watersheds, denuded hills and planting trees; residuals management (pollution control);environmental sanitation programs; and building communities through sustainable livelihood projects, training and employment placement programs.

“We recognized that implementing these plans will not be easy. But through the combined efforts, resources and expertise of our affiliates and partners, we were able to realize what we set out (in 2007) to achieve and more”, exclaimed Mr. Mapalo.

Some of these modest accomplishments include TUCP affiliates’ projects in conservation of marine ecosystems, reforestation and tree planting; filed and co-authored five (5) measures — on integrated coastal management, proper disposal of asbestos, regulating the production, importation, sale, use and recycling of plastic bags, establishing the people’s survival fund, and promoting soil and water conservation technologies; free skills training through the TUCP Workers’ College (for in-demand jobs); employment facilitation assistance for trainees; socio-economic (sustainable livelihood) projects for members and their families; and environmental education and capacity development for workers.

“These are just a few examples of how unions, despite meager resources,are making real, concrete and sustainable solutions to some of the country’s environmental problems”, Mr. Mapalo noted.

He added that alongside sustainable development, TUCP is giving an equal attention to ensure that our and actionsand practices of others should be guided by the principle of “Just Transition” –a wholistic, inclusive, and sustainable process that covers and addresses vulnerability assessment, social protection, decent work, policies, training and education towards green jobs and greener practices and adaptation/mitigation measures for vulnerable communities and sectors.

“We were told that we have too ambitious goals, but TUCP refused to remain a bystander. And just as we proudly did in 2007, we will not let this momentum pass without renewed action”, Mr. Mapalostressed.

In closing, he called upon the tripartite sectors, including civil societyand other stakeholders to rise to the challenge as one united body. “The trade union movement is committed to supporting more ambitious actions towards a truly sustainable development where social dimensions and broader environmental challenges are also addressed”, he concluded.

Other discussants include representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Climate Change Commission (CCC), Lingkod Tao Kalikasan (civil society), and Philippine Business for the Environment (business).