On my 28th birthday, I decided to bring my family, relatives and few close friends at an exclusive family resort in Samal Island. We brought along four children who basked in the sun, sand, and waters of the heavenly place.   I realized how true the saying is, that birthdays are really for the children. I enjoyed the whole thing especially when the kids told me how happy they were and couldn't wait for my next birthday. lol.

By the way, this is my first birthday sans papa .. physically, but I know in spirit he was always with me.

Remembering the best papa in the world

I will dedicate portions of this blog to remembering the memories of my great papa.

Tonight, my uncle who now lives in Canada sent me a chat message over facebook about my father's fave song which he posted in his wall. I can't stop crying over the memory of his great taste in music. One time, he had me searched and download his all time favorite songs and had them uploaded in the second hand ipod nano I gave him. I cannot forget the biggest smile in his face when at last I was able to fully load his ipod with all his requested music. He played his ipod over and over and each time he tells me stories or facts about these songs. He was almost high with his music. He had this love affair with his songs such that when he wants to relax he would sit on the lanai, had one glass of beer and just let the moonlight and his music serenade his thoughts.

I just love his good taste in music - from letterman, dennis yost and the classics iv, to Michael Buble!

I love you Pa!

The following link is one of papa's fave songs - Traces by Dennis Yost and the Classics IV.

Adoption of Resolution for the Ratification of MLC 2006

Last 17 October 2011 was an important date for the maritime industry. The tripratite sectors from government, management and labor gathered together at the Amosup Convention Hall in Intramuros, Manila for the plenary meeting of the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC). The meeting was also graced by no less than the Director of NORMES International Labor Organization, Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry.

The meeting focused on the progress of the Council's task of studying and providing implementing rules and guidelines on the ratification and adoption by the Philippines of the Maritime Labor Code of 2006 (MLC).

As of present time, there are now 19 country-signatories to this Convention and the Philippines is one of the much awaited country that will ratify it especially since the country is the biggest stakeholder being the foremost producers of seafarers in the world.

The meeting ended with the approval by the tripartite representatives of the MITC Resolution recommending the issuance of the Department Order for Domestic Seafarers and MITC Resolution endorsing the ratification of MLC, 2006.

This D.O. will now be endorsed by the Labor Secretary to the Secretary of DFA for review then to the Office of the President for its corresponding review and approval.

Hopefully, we would soon see the birth of this MLC as it would bring the much needed protection to our seafarers since it sets the standards for securing the best possible terms and conditions for them.

Hard knock life...

I can't seem to find happiness in the things I do.. I can't seem to find focus in everything I do...

Foul

The month of July has been the toughest month of my 27 years of existence. My father, the person dearest and most important to my heart passed away. I thought I am ok. I thought I have accepted it. But the longer the days passed since he left us the hardest for me, for my family. At night, I often wake up thinking about him. One night, I woke up telling myself that his passing is all just a bad dream. But no, despite how much I try to convince my self, the dream is simply that - a dream.

how is everything

Whew, a lot has happened in my life. Time flew so fast and I have officially stayed and worked in Manila for 11 months now. During this time, I was promoted to manage my own department, I was able to visit Iloilo for the first time for a work-related visit, I was able to fly back and forth Manila-Davao although this still did not vanish my fear in riding planes.

However, the saddest part during this same period of time is when I lost two of my best furry friends in Davao while I was here all too desperate to see, hug and take care of them.

Life is so damn short, so damn unpredictable. One day your all smiles, too flesh and blood, too alive. The next your existence can no longer be felt nor seen.

I just feel so lonely. Why they did leave so early.

Miss blogging

It's been a quite a while since the last time i blogged. I miss my site. I miss blogging. I simply had not enough time to write because of a crazy work schedule.

A lot has happened since I took my first job as a lawyer. In my fifth month I was promoted as manager for medical and legal claims. I am also teaching Maritime Law. I have under me two staff who are so helpful.

I still miss my family, I always will. I really miss my dogs. I miss my hometown. I hope I could go home soon again.

At Subic

The perks of having a title is slowly unfolding before my eyes. Last 25th and 26th of November I was invited to take part in a Dialogue before the crew and principals of Vroon Ship Management, a Dutch shipping company who employs all-Filipino crew on board their livestock vessels. The Dutch principals decided to have the dialogue outside of Manila and have it at Camayan Resort in Subic. I was invited to speak about RA 10022 or the Amended Migrant Worker's Act and the new POEA-Standard Employment Contract (SEC) since my president said that I would be competent to discuss it having been part of the negotiations for the passage of this employment contract. Well, I did deliver the report on the new employment contract and I just cross my fingers that they understood it. The Dutch General Manager approached me during dinner and said my report went well and that he was enlightened about the new law as well as the new contract.

My report was only for one day but I was asked to stay with them for two days so that I can just relax in my own suite, with unlimited food. After some serious discussions we also had some fun time playing beach games and eating barbecue. The entire two days was a much needed rest and recreation for everyone.

Lapid and his proposed bill

I think one of the many problems that we as a country face is the numerous laws that we have but the weak and toothless implementation of these laws. When I was still working with the city government, I was asked to draft an ordinance banning establishments to serve liquors to minors. I was pretty sure that there is already an ordinance of the same context. So I searched the archives and there I found that age old ordinance.

We have all kinds of laws, ordinances, rules and regulations but what we lack is their proper enforcement. We have to violate them first before we are reminded that a law violates such and such actions.

Earlier, I was reading in the inquirer another bill that is being proposed by Senator Lito Lapid, who by the way is one of those actor turned politician who have admittedly contributed some sound laws during his earlier term as a senator. Here's an excerpt of that article:

Lapid has filed a measure titled “Maintenance of Parents Act of 2010,” which will enable parents to ask the courts to require their children to provide them financial support.

In the explanatory note to Senate Bill No. 2519, the action-star-turned-lawmaker observed that “the incidence of elderly people neglected by their children is becoming not uncommon.”

“The onset of urbanization and commercialization has brought with it certain factors that tend to erode Filipino family ties and values,” Lapid said.

“This bill reinforces the duty of children to care for their elderly parents, providing elderly persons … recourse to the law,” he said.

Right to demand support

SB 2519 tackles a serious subject matter that runs deep in Philippine culture—respect for the elderly.

“The state shall provide legal assistance to elderly people in the enforcement of their right to demand support from their relatives,” it reads in part.

Section 4 of the bill states that “children shall maintain and support their father or mother or other direct ascendants who are in need.”

It seeks to enable the elderly to file a court petition with the assistance of a representative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. During trial, the petitioner will also be represented by the Public Attorney’s Office “and shall be exempt from all charges and fees.”

In ruling on a petition, the court “shall take into consideration the financial resources of the child/children and his obligation to maintain his own family before it orders the maintenance and support of the elderly member,” according to the bill. -newsinfo.inquirer.net

Somali Pirates

Working in a manning agency makes me aware of the conditions, sacrifices and dangers that seafarers in general face while on board ocean-going vessels. And boy these sacrifices are no laughing matter. They go months on board without their families (loved ones) and facing all types of natural and man-made threats and dangers. And one of the on-going problems that seafarers, their families, and even employers/p[principals are facing is the threat of piracy on the high seas. And just recently was another vessel-hostage taking incident off the Gulf of Aden with 20 Filipino seafarers on board.

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently coordinating with the local manning agency of the 20 Filipino seafarers kidnapped by Somali pirates in the coastal city of Mombasa in Kenya.

In a press statement, the DFA said the Pinoys were abroad the MV Izumi, a Panamanian-flagged merchant vessel owned by Japanese shipping company NYK-Hinode Line Ltd.

The ship was travelling to Japan from Mombasa when it was hijacked by Somali pirates on October 10.

The DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs (OUMWA) said it is working to secure the safe and early release of the seafarers.

DFA-OUMWA also instructed the Philippine Embassies in Nairobi and Manama to monitor the situation and coordinate with the Combined Task Force based in Manama, as well as the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo to keep track of the negotiations being undertaken by the vessel's principal, Fair Field Shipping Corp.

To date, there are 101 Filipino seamen on board 7 vessels still held captive by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. -abs-cbnNEWS.com