OFFBEAT MAIL

How many of you have set foot in Manila? Not too many, I suppose. Then, why don’t you try so that you’ll feel how it’s like to enjoy the fun out there, and join the restless shadows of the night. I bet you won’t regret it. Unlike any other megalopolis in this world, Manila portrays a unique character that is distinct from the rest of highly urbanized centers, where amenities and conveniences are just within reach. Besides, the value for every dollar that you spend is worth more than enough to get you somewhere. Add to this the Filipinos’ way of pampering their foreign guests with lasting hospitality and warmth smiles. The best to start your nightlife is through the stretch of Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City. This street was named after the former mayor of the city, where big shady trees, a variety of restaurants and videoke bars dot the streets. In Manila, try visiting the Ermita District. It is here where a variety of business establishments, ranging from restaurants, hotels, souve...

It is so absurd to hear that unsuspecting professionals, especially those in the medical profession, are now being manipulated to sow terror, if only to realize the evils that demonize hatred for innocent people who knew nothing about what's going on around the world. At this point in time, nobody knows who really is doing right. And isn't it enough for restless people to just be concentrated on what they are exercising at the moment, if only to be called a real devotee of God. In the first place, why bother to pester other people's lives with bombings and other forms of intimidation, introducing chaos in place of harmony and peace. But why? If this is happening now, there should only be two reasons why some people are inclined to love terrorizing other people's lives. The closest suspicion that anybody could guess is perhaps, religion and money. Religion is a very complicated issue to tackle. If everybody is given a chance to discourse, it would be an endless harangue ...

It is only in the Philippines, where the longest-running elections take place. And it is also where politics has become commercialized at the seams. Why not? With billions in countrywide development funds at the disposal of each legislator, who wouldn't be tempted to dip his hands in dirty politics? And the politics of dynasty seems to be getting into the fabric of society. It's not only insulting to the wisdom of others, who like the scions of traditional politicians, have keen sense of appetite to serve the public, but downright frustrating to have public officials running public offices at the expense of taxpayers' money without doing anything but to fatten their stomachs, cheating on public funds that are supposed to be for projects. From the way it looks, as if nobody else in the Philippines is capable of dispensing quality service and intelligence as those being done by those already in power. As if the only ones qualified to become politicians are the sons and daught...

The Los Angeles Times today reported that the number of "overseas visitors to the U.S. has dropped 17% since its peak in 2000." In fact, this resulted to an estimated US$100 billion in lost visitor spending through 2005, it added. Travel and tourism analysts are not surprised at this development. They have observed that the sharp drop in the number of foreign visitors coming to the U.S. may have been the result of visa restrictions imposed by the U.S. Embassies in the different parts of the world, especially in the developing countries. But it doesn't mean that the U.S. Embassies abroad, especially those based in Asia, are not generating huge profits from the fees that tourist visa applicants pay, prior to the issuance of the said visas. And the painful truth is that these application fees are not refundable even if an applicant is denied of such visa. This means that huge fees from denied applications overseas continue to keep flowing, while the number of overseas visito...

Reading news reports on the illegal immigration crisis had all the more made many people worry. No doubt about that. As if the hands of God have not yet made a miracle, that will eventually put some of those against the alleged "Grand Bargain" into hypnotic trance, and finally change their meticulous minds by concertedly agreeing to the clamor of a lot of people to let it go to the House of Representatives for further scrutiny. On the other hand, it is not surprising at all if the latest poll was done successfully, with majority of the illegal immigrants surveyed saying they would comply to the proposed legislation by paying fines and fees and undergo background checks. Why can't any market research firm conduct a survey that will ask at least 2000 American citizens, to find out if they are in favor of legalizing the stay of about 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants now in the different parts of the U.S.? Or better still, include in the new survey those Americans who are ...

While the supporters of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are jubilant over the decision of the U.S. government to lift its economic and financial embargo against the embattled regime, many of the innocent Palestinians stranded in the Gaza City are now scrambling for whatever food they could have to fill up their hungry stomachs. And it is sad to know that many of the 1.5 million Palestinians have rushed to get out of Gaza City only to be blocked at the exit points by the Israel army, who sees to it that nobody is able to cross into Israel on their way to the West Bank, still controlled by the Fatah forces of President Abbas. In view of these developments, it only indicates that Hamas is not yet ready to fulfill its commitments to the Palestinians, some of whom had supported the terrorist organization's leader during the last election. The best option for Hamas to do is to loosen up its ideology and recognize Israel as a country that can provide food and other types of assist...

The conflict between Hamas and the Fatah Group of President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority seems to be on the brink of scaling back to its worst situation, knowing the mentality and ideology of the Hamas, now considered by western countries as a terrorist organization, whose aim is to erase Israel from the map, instead of working out a solution to co-exist with its Jewish neighbor. Supported by Iran in so far as weapons and financial resources Hamas doesn't seem bent on giving up its objective of showing off its might even further if only to justify its existence and cause which it is fighting for. Independent analysts believe that even if neutral Arab nations will work out a compromise that will make both parties sit down across the table to talk peace, it wouldn't be possible at all because Hamas' frame of mind is already dead set on something else. Now, that it has already took control of Gaza City, after defeating the Fatah forces, the more that its leader...