IF “Bread Talks”, and a “Tipsy Pig” shows the way, would you have a date with a “Romantic Baboy?” Of course, there’s no pen at “Penshoppe”, nor can you sit at “Bench”. But you chat all you want at “Chatime” and dance the day away at “Chachago”! Alright, alright! Just starting light today. Sorry.
One more. Stand in front of the “MIRROR” and you see a “Pilipino”! There. I’m done.
vvv
Monitoring the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) press release, Barangay Igbon, Concepcion, Iloilo, will be the focus of the sustainable management project of “kasag”, the much sought-after blue swimming crab.
BFAR Director Remia Aparri said the island barangay will be the site of the pilot project to tag the crustacean using barcode technology “to identify the village where they come from” as well as standardize the size of the harvested crabs.
This is essential to pass the stringent regulations of importing countries including the United States. The 3-year partnership between BFAR and kasag fishermen auger well for the country’s foreign trade.
More than that, it underscores the fact that aquaculture is a lucrative business, and with the able assistance of an appropriate government entity, the returns will be greater!
vvv
Like the US Spring Break, it’s the season for “team building” here in the country. Human Resource (HR) departments are lining up for the next available slot in beach resorts.
Actually, the 2 nights-3 days break can do wonders: patch up differences, let off steam, re-connect inter-department chasms, and realign certain objectives not quite possible in the office formal setting.
Getting an effective motivational speaker can also make the furlough a memorable one.
vvv
Alright, do you recall our earlier discussion about going into business? Yes, that one. That one about planning! Let’s add a bit more today.
So, there’s this OFW who labored many years in the Middle East and decided to come home, and start a business with his hardearned riyals. It was that era when the FX Tamaraw was king of the road and the bentebente, point-to-point was very lucrative. He buys a brand-new unit and, as one familiar with hard work, drives it himself for 12 hours a day. The initial 6 months was great; he was earning more than enough to pay for the monthly amortization, gas and oils, rent, utilities, food on the table, and enough to pay for his 3 young kids to a Catholic-sounding corner private school.
And then, wham! One morning, as he turned the ignition on, the engine didn’t crank at all.
No sound. Nothing. A couple of turns more, still nothing. Oh, no. the battery’s dead!
He jumped out of the van and ran towards a neighbor’s tricycle waiting for his turn in the queue, and demanded that he be brought to the nearest battery shop. He managed to buy one on PYL (pay you later).
In a blink of an eye, he was connecting the cable onto the 2 poles with his open no.10 wrench.
He was ready to go! He turned the ignition and it cranked. He was ecstatic when he heard the asthmatic sound of the regular fuel-fed engine come to life. But lo, the beast still wouldn’t budge. The steering wheel lamely swung to the left, then to right, but the front wheels were not responding at all. And time was running out: it was already 9:30! No time to waste.
He sped out of the house and ran towards the highway where there was a spattering of makeshift auto repair shops. “Mechanic! Mechanic”, he cried! There was no one. It was the same feeling of helplessness when he was working abroad with no one to turn to. His hear sank. Tearfully, he walked back home, a beaten man. He saw his wife standing in the doorway of their modest 2-room apartment wiping her hands with the messy apron around her waist. He looked at her and pled: “We have to plan our business to make it successful!”
WHAT???
vvv
I wish the authorities would do something about motorcycle riders on the road today.
Even on a defensive driving mode, the way the helmeted wizards weave in and out of every yard of road space can get any 4-wheeler driver intimidated to reach his destination in the city. According to some statistics, accidents where motorcycle riders figured last year account for 23.85% of the total road accidents in the metropolis. I will not be surprised that a majority of the victims are those engaged in transport of goods and people rushing to complete the delivery.
The MMDA reported that there were at least 7.8 million registered motorcycles in the Philippines with about 1.4 million in Metro Manila (MMDA, 2022). With enforcement devolved to the MMDA and the seventeen LGUs, the task can be formidable.
No, I do not have any bright ideas to recommend, but for whatever it is worth, I have personally observed that riders outside Metro Manila behave differently. Metro Iloilo is one. They are less aggressive and more conscious of traffic rules and observe road courtesy. Great traffic flow and safety on the road! Maybe 1-Rider Party List can look into this?
Something New for An Old Dog: No need to be crass, nasty, or obscene just to increase the number of views. Spend a little. Pay for the FB booster.