OFFBEAT MAIL

The Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) is trying its best to push for an initiative that will unify the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). This after MNLF chair Prof. Nur Misuari has threatened to file a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after it was left out in the negotiations where the Philippine government panel agreed in principle to form the frameworks for the creation of the Bangsamoro governent, in place of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The MNLF rose up against the government during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos until the reign of power by former President Fidel V. Ramos who successfully brought the MNLF leadership on the peace negotiating table, which led to the establishment of the ARMM. Miisuari said the abolition of the ARMM would mean violation of the Tripoli Agreement.  Prof. Nur Misuari Some political observers interpreted the government's acco...

The month of October should be remembered well as the time when the first wave of Filipinos  settled and worked across the United States. To reckon with,  it was in Oct. 17, 1587 when the first wave of Filipino seamen arrived in Morro Bay in California. Called "Indios Luzones", they were the first group of documented workers aboard a Spanish galleon ship named Nuestra Senora de Buena Esperanza, on orders of the Spanish king at that time to claim the land in California. However, it wasn't until 1763 when the Filipino immigrants established the first settlement in the bayous and marshes in the state of Louisiana. "As sailors and navigators on board Spanish galleons, Filipinos -- also known as "Manilamen" or Spanish-speaking Filipinos -- jumped ship to escape the brutality of their Spanish masters. They built houses on stilts along the gulf ports of New Orleans and were the first in the United States to introduce the sun-drying process of shrimp.," th...

As the deadline for the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) is closing in, the Philippines Commission on Elections (Comelec) has been transformed into a chaotic arena where many celebrities scamper to run for public office. As if they are the ones who could alleviate the sad plights of the poor from poverty. Now, it is up to the people as to whether to vote for them or not. But can the popularity of these celebrities really push them to the edge of victory? This is a big question that could be gauged once the national elections in May 2012 come to reality. In Metro Manila alone and some cities in the suburbs like the Calabarzon area, scions of political kingpins have been launched into the political limelight, thinking that they are the cream of the crop whose extra political talents could solve the economic and social problems of their constituents. How come all this development is coming into the picture? Why the rush to join the political bandwagon when they are still yo...

Philippine government peace negotiators and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed in principle to lay down the frameworks for the creation of the Bangsamoro government, in place of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which will automatically be abolished once a new Muslim government is created in Mindanao.  Government forces in action Political observers said once and for all, the agreement is expected to put an end to the hostilities that already killed at least 150,000 people since the insurgency started in Mindanao many decades ago. They said that this political initiative will largely contribute in stabilizing the peace and order situation in the country. Lawmakers explained that the provisions of the law that will establish the Bangsamoro will be deliberated in Congress. Then, it will be resolved through a referendum. It is now up to the Filipino people as to whether they are sold out to the idea of allowing the MILF to run its own autono...

Saving money isn't always easy, but putting aside a few dollars here and there can add up.  International Frugal Fun Day, October 6, is the perfect time to begin the habit of making small adjustments so you can have a frugal fun night and put the savings toward something even bigger later.  "Being financially responsible includes setting priorities on how to spend and how to save, but being responsible, doesn't necessarily mean being boring," said Mary Brockhaus, Senior Regional President, BMO Harris Bank. "With a little creativity, it's possible to have fun with family and friends and still stick to your budget that should include saving toward specific goals." Here are some suggestions from Brockhaus on how to be frugal but still have fun. Rent a movie. Before spending a small fortune to see a recent release, rent a movie you forgot to see before it left theaters. Spend $15 on the rented movie and snacks from the grocery store and put the remain...

The nation's economic recovery has proven tepid, especially when it comes to job creation. However, new analysis by the National Restaurant Association (NRA) shows that the restaurant industry continues to post solid job growth at more than double the rate of the overall economy. Since the employment recovery began in March 2010 , the restaurant industry has added 645,000 jobs, including nearly 16,000 jobs in September. Eating and drinking places added nearly 71,000 jobs in the third quarter, bringing the total number of industry positions created this year to more than 185,000. In the 12 months ending September 2012 , eating and drinking place employment jumped 2.9 percent, more than double the 1.4 percent increase in total U.S. employment during the same period. Restaurants have been the third largest private sector job creator since the employment recovery began, with current industry staffing levels standing 263,000 jobs above the pre-recession peak. The re...

"It's midnight. You're standing in the middle of a remote desert in Central Asia, surrounded by over a million lights, and you just think 'Wow'." The world record for the largest light picture using LEDs has been smashed using over a million lights spread across over three quarters of a million square meters - the equivalent of approximately one hundred full-sized soccer pitches. The successful attempt broke the previous record of 50,010 lights. The light picture, a full scale plan of an energy plant, used 1,012,840 lights and needed twenty four kilometres of lighting cables, fourteen kilometres of power cables and 302 kilowatts of power from three generators, a railway station and a nearby gas plant. At the award ceremony in London, Guinness adjudicator Jack Brockbank described the achievement as: "The perfect marriage of engineering, technology and creativity." The new record was set at Shurtan in southern Uzbekistan as part o...