I awoke this morning with hot news on apparent smuggling of vehicles in Cagayan de Oro Port where cost of second-hand vehicles are totally low. The companies operating in this port maintain that these vehicles have complete papers, won in auctions in Japan and was transported in the Philippines legally.

If you have seen the news, you would marvel at the different types of vehicles that’s “on sale” on the port. There were vans and cars with power steering rack and many more. Many of these vehicles are even right-hand drive and have mechanical problems when they arrived at the port. The car assemblers in the port totally refurbish them and make them look like new and sell them at prices that even buyers from Manila would go as far as Cagayan to purchase.

The senate is grilling LTO on this one, blaming them for issuance of registration certificates and official receipts of smuggled vehicles and probably, for playing in cahoot with BOC. More news in the days ahead.

Taken by Jabey, my favorite Marikina Valley photog, at the World of Butterflies in Marikina City. Model: Vinzer, another handsome member of MV.

The State of the Nation’s Address (SONA) of the president yesterday was again successful in creating hubbub among the Filipino people. Top issues includes, would you believe, the cost of text messages which the president said would be lowered by 50 (fifty) cents. Oh yes, this “national program” is definitely worth praising mentioning in a SONA. The texting capital of the world is indeed in high spirits by now.

After the announcement though, mobile users began to wait when this spectacular event would happen but hours later, it is still not effective. At least not in the way consumers thought it would be. Why not, the telecommunication companies (telcos) are against it. Why lower the price when they are making such good profit, many Filipino mobile users are so addicted to texting that even even bad jokes and chain messages were popularized.

The question is up again. Is the announcement effective already? No. Only Smart Communications expressed recognition of the request of the president but even Smart played this price-cut by introducing a promo to subscribers. A promo okay, not a permanent or regular rate.

The promo is just like any other promo by Smart, Globe, and other networks where you get to text more if you’re texting someone within the same network as yours. Registration is needed of course to avail of this promo. Briefly, this is how it goes:

It’s a no classes day today in account of Bagyong Igme. It rained heavily too yesterday which prompted the Marikina river overflow. Wondering how the river look like during heavy rains? See these photos below taken by my favorite MV photographer, Jabey dela Paz, at the time of Bagyong Frank last June 22, 2008.

I caught the bug just like everybody else, I have started my collection of the limited edition 2008 Beijing Olympics Glasses. It was after my friend Beth marched in the office holding these beautiful glasses inscribed with Coca Cola logo (their proud partner) and a sport category insignia at the back. The iconic contour glasses are available in five designs rendering to these five sports: archery, athletics, basketball, swimming, and volleyball. I still need one to complete my collection.

You may buy these glasses at P20.00 for every McDonalds value meal. The glasses are pretty, suddenly made me forget my collection of promotional pens I got as freebies from different events. Check out this photo of the Olympics collectibles:

Staying fit is the most important issue about my wanting to go on a diet. Dieting though is just one facet of losing weight. The others includes exercising, eating the right food, and staying vice-free.

In this article, we’ll talk about exercising and how to motivate lazy bones (like me) to actually like moving and going to the gym. A year ago, I was really inspired by some friends to sign up for gym membership. The first days ran smoothly but the next few days were ordeal. I have realized that just trying to get and stay motivated to exercise on a regular basis is a challenge in itself. No matter how attractive the gym is or the package or even its promises, exercise can be downright boring and even tedious.

Some months back, the Marikina City’s Environmental Management Office (formerly Waste Management Office) has initiated the Clean Water Project of Marikina in partnership with USAID, an international organization.

The target of the project is to protect the groundwater resource of the city and to revive the Marikina river. Among the strategies includes campaign on septic tank construction, desludging and maintenance. In communities that are still under development, the city is recommending the construction of communal septic tanks for the residents. This design is most ideal for communities with less space. In Marikina, houses in high-density areas or communities average between 20 to 16 sq.m. with no areas for backyards or parking. Households with individual septic tanks are encourage to desludge theirs once every three to five years.

Oh yeah, I’m not staying wordless today, I got to explain a bit about this photo I’m featuring for today’s WW.

This was taken in Baguio City, a building that is just across the house where we stayed in. I was totally amused with the structure, it seem a victim of earthquake that hit Baguio almost twenty years back but it’s not. It’s actually new, with even some parts still undergoing construction. If you’ll come to Baguio, I suggest you see it for yourself. It’s close to the Mines View Park and Teachers’ Camp.

Healthy lifestyle is becoming popular these days. There seem to be a growing population of vegetarians these days. You would also notice the influx of print and TV ads on multivitamins and supplements. Lately, I was approached by a lot of people charming me to support and sell health and beauty products. I really think its becoming one of the most profitable business today.

I say, why not? Health is a major issue that everyone should be concerned about. I am now thinking seriously about a health plan for myself since the last months, I have experienced traumatic health scares that made me depressed for a while. Part of my health plan is undergoing series of lab testings and diagnostics. My primary concern is cutting on the Cs (calories and carbs) since I have a high-risk for heart diseases.