#SinTax today. #RHBill tomorrow.

The historic Sin Tax Bill that seeks to impose higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol products is finally on its way to becoming a law, after it a got full approval from both the Upper and Lower Houses today. This is great news.

For the longest time (well, I mean, after I first traveled abroad that is, in Bangkok, way back in 2004), I've been griping about how cheap our tobacco and alcohol products are compared to our neighboring countries. And when I started to ask, that's when I learned about sin taxes.  And we should totally do that in the Philippines. I told myself. And anyone who was interested. That and stricter labeling in cigarette packages.

I drink and smoke occasionally (very occasionally, socially is the term) myself, but I don't mind the jacked up prices. It keeps kids away. And I personally think that people waste too much money drinking and smoking. Especially those who are not particularly well off. Not judging, just saying.

So anyway, done with that. After that Sin Tax amendment scare. Phew! There's some consternation on some of its provisions, especially that it deals with money, and I mean, loads of money, but we just gotta keep an eye more.

So, tomorrow is the more pressing day. 12/12/12. Big deal. Yes, it's a big deal. Finally, the RH Bill will come to a vote. Oh yes, it will. Never mind the delayers. You're all goin down. 

The Reproductive Health Bill will be approved by both Houses tomorrow. 

Pizzaaaa!

I'm not really a fan of Alberto's Pizza. I think they're okay. I've eaten only about once. It was at their branch in Tagbilaran, near the airport. (or that's their only branch in Tagbi, is it? I know there's one in Alona, too.) So anyway, as I said, it's okay. For the price. And I've not really felt the need to crave for Alberto's since that first visit, which was prolly more than a year already? I can't tell. But that should say something.

But then earlier tonight, after missed appointments and basically accomplishing nothing today, I just wanted to stuff my face with junk and the first thing that came to my mind - pizza delivery! I actually thought about this other pizza place near HNU Dampas but I forgot the name and so I couldn't Google it. So, it was Alberto's then. The online search led me to their Facebook page and what do you know, they have a new e-delivery system. Woot, woot!

I was directed to the Alberto's Pizza website, whose ordering system was pretty straightforward and quite easy. And quite efficient actually. After confirming my order. I got a phone call like immediately to confirm my order. And then very shortly, I got another call again to confirm my order. I'm guessing the first one was from their call center in Cebu, with the distinct Cebuano accent of the lady on the other line, and the second was from the local branch here, with the Bol-anon accent this time. After another call for the specific instructions on how to reach our place, a few long minutes later - voila! -- one Hawaiian and pepperoni pizza apiece and a 1.5L Pepsi arrived at our doorstep, or err gate. Awesome.

I'm chowing on these while they're hot. Yum! Uhm, yeah, they're okay. ;)

J'adore! French Toast

I was cravin' for French Toast, so...

Voila! My super fluffy and super soggy French Toast -- just the way I like it! 

Post is alive!

And so my postcard from Ubud arrived! Woohoo!

After nearly 3 weeks, the postcard that I emailed myself back in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia arrived safe and in one piece. This is my travelling tradition, mailing a postcard to myself. It started in my first international trip (Thailand) back in 2004.

And I'm gonna keep doing this. Just because. ;)

Envi Planning: Let's do this!

Source

I'm thinking, I should take the Environmental Planner Board Exam, so I could become legit on that profession. As I'm currently scouring the web for scholarship programs for degrees on urban planning, sustainable architecture and the like (one of the reasons I came back really, to build my portfolio for a proper application for scholarship grants...) – and most of all, I'm passionate about environmental planning and all things sustainable, which is definitely way important, more than the "title" – I might as well take the leap. Made me think, why didn't I do this, this June? (exams are slated June each year) And I remember, I was out all of May for the research field work. So, there. Anyway, there's always next year. And I'm writing this and letting the universe in on my plans. 

Some information on the subject from PD 1308 (Environmental Planning Law):

Environmental Planning refers to activities concerned with the management and development of land, as well as the preservation, conservation, and rehabilitation of the human environment.

Scope of PracticeThe practice of environmental planning, within the meaning and intent of this Decree shall embrace, inter alia, professional services in the form of technical consultation, plan preparation, and/or implementation involving the following:

•  Development of a community, town, city, or region;
• Development of a site for a particular need such as housing, centers for activities concerned with research, education, culture, recreation, or government, industrial estates, agriculture, and water resources, including creating a spatial arrangement of buildings, utilities and communication routes;
• Land use and zoning plans for the management and development, preservation, conservation, rehabilitation, and control of the environment; and
• Pre-investment, pre-feasibility, and feasibility studies.

Source

Yep, I definitely, got to do this!

BUT THEN...  I may not be able to meet these requirements, just yet:

Applicants for environmental planner board examination shall, prior to the date of the examination, establish to the satisfaction of the Board:

1. He/she is a citizen of the Philippines.
2. He/she is at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
3. He/she is a holder of any of the following:

• Masteral degree in environmental planning, city and regional planning, or town and country planning, or its equivalent acceptable to the Board; 
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, city and regional planning, or town and country planning, or its equivalent, and with two (2) years of environmental planning experience certified by a registered environmental planner;
• Masteral degree in either architecture, civil engineering, economics, public administration or sociology, and with one (1) year of environmental planning experience certified by a registered environmental planner; or
• Bachelor’s degree in either architecture, civil engineering, economics, public administration, or sociology, and with two (2) years of environmental planning experience certified by a registered environmental planner.

So, I guess, I need to have that Master's degree first. ALRIGHT, then.

Source

Alright, one more time, let's do this!

DIY Guitar Capo

I discovered and (re)discovered some amazing music this past week, and I wanted to like play some of them with my guitar, well, you know, I wish, but I try anyway...

So, yah, I was watching Dear John the other week. I've watched it way before but it was on HBO several times a day practically so you are bound to watch it   <<< scratch this story. It's gonna be long and boring.

I googled for the guitar chords of this song and was in a fix because it required a capo. I knew there was one beat-up one somewhere in the house, but after a minute (!) of searching for it - I was on my desk googling DIY capo, instead. And voila! - a DIY capo that took me just 5 minutes to assemble (materials collating, included). It turned out good. Just as the song required. 

Korny Post Warning: Kettle Korn iz in town!

I love Kettle Korn. But only the Sweet 'n Salty variety. At BQ Mall today, after the media event at Bohol Divers in Alona, I was delighted to see a new food kiosk at the activity center - Kettle Korn. I'm mostly kinda broke these days, but I had to buy one! Yum.

a random lottery of meaningless tragedy and a series of near escapes

REALITY BITES, the seminal 90s film, however, is one of my favorite films. I don't ever get tired of watching it. I still get goosies in the critical Troy and Lelaina scenes.  And I still pine for my Troy Dyer.

"You and me, and five bucks."

"You want to be a band, then be a goddamn band!"

"Honey, all you have to be by the time you're 23 is yourself."

"I don't know who that is anymore."

"Laney, sex is the quickest way to ruin a friendship."

"I'm Nuthin'..."

Oh, Troy Dyer...  *swoon*

Sec. Robredo: Hope Floats

Still waiting for updates on the whereabouts of DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo and companions after hearing news of his plane crash near Masbate.

Two words: HOPE FLOATS.

Image sources: sea , sec. robredo

Here comes the sun...

So, there.

It's again come to this. I am at a precipice. I know, because I led myself here. It's time to get a move on.

It is time.

I'm bored.

Coffee, please!

Cappuccino and choco carrot cake by Bo's Coffee Club.

I could use a really strong coffee just about now. As in - now.