People Power for a better transport system

We have a right to an efficient  mass transportation system that is fast, adequate and convenient. Why we have not achieved such is statement about the kind of government and the level of public power that we have.

But transportation is such a vital matter in our life as a people and individuals. We should not leave this matter to government alone. We should all get involved and demand for a better transportation instead of making do with the decrepit and inadequate modes that we have.

An inefficient, inconvenient and inadequate transportation imposed on us is oppression and only we the people can relieve ourselves of this by being angry and making our voices heard.

People power should not be used to bring down a despot. It should also be used to build our country.

Cool 'cuyapo'

This tub was once filled with with cloudy bath water and teemed with mosquito larvae.

Following a tip from a gardener who is into biocontrol I introduced the plant called cuyapo into the tub and put in feeder fishes in the water. In a few days the water cleared up and the mosquito larvae disappeared.

My guess is that the cuyapo roots clean the water making it easy for the fishes to spot the larvae.

As we try to find ways to control mosquitos, especially the diseases carrying kind, using this combination of cuyapo and larvae eating fishes might be more effective than ovicidal trap being pushed by the Department of Science and Technology.

Changing signature

I find my current signature boring and so I want to change it. Problem though is that doing so may not be as easy as it seems. I have to get two official ids with my new signature. But to get those ids, I have to show the issuing offices ids with my new signatures.  Catch 22

Lumpan

Lumpia + pancit = lumpan.

Matanggap kaya ito ng mga tao na streetfood?

Nakuha ko ang ideya para dito sa Zamboanga. Medyo hindi ko nga dati nagustuhan dahil mamantika. Pero may paraan naman ng pagluluto para maiwasan ito.

Sa mga nakatikim ng sinubukan namin gawin, maganda naman ang feedback. Pero ang tunay na pagsubok ay kung handa ba itong bayaran ng mga tao.

Burnham's message

No excuse, no substitute for discipline

A reminder to myself: No excuse, no substitute for discipline. Just start. Just do it.

'Sili' matter

It is sad to learn from the news that farmers in Compostela Valley who tried planting hot chili peppers are having problems marketing their product. The farmers planted these chili peppers as a substitute crop for coconuts which were destroyed by typhoon 'Pablo'.

The plight and predicament of the farmers show that it is not enough for government to simply support the production aspect of an enterprise but more important, government must also support all the other aspects of sustaining an enterprise as well. 

Unfortunately the notion of livelihood assistance is usually confined to providing know how or production assistance with the assumption that beneficiaries can capably take care of the other aspects of the livelihood project. 

But this is usually not the case and what we get are - like in the case of the Compostela farmers- sad stories of failure and wasted efforts.

In facing up to this problem I believe the government should explore the idea of a build-operate- train and transfer of an enterprise wherein beneficiaries are completely trained first in all aspects of the business that they will ultimately own. 

This idea is in line with the Public-private partnership program of the government but instead of big business, the government will partner with the grassroots people. 

Quantity vs Quality accomplishment

There are people who find joy and take pride in achieving a "record" for the longest this or the biggest that. But I wonder what value there is in that title.

I would rather that we pursue quality instead of quantity. Excellence should be the only goal and we should not substitute it with mere numbers.

Solar Power to make bio char

It is said that bio char is a good way of sequestering carbon and therefore is helpful in preventing climate change.

The thing is, in order to make bio char, we have to burn bio mass that releases carbon into the air.

What I have in mind is to use solar heat to make bio char. If we can make a solar cooker big enough to attain the temperature needed to turn bio mass into bio char, then we can avoid the part of burning fuel to make it.

Chocolate pioneers

At the recently held Sikat Pinoy food fair at the Megamall, 25-28 March 2015, one  item that I bought was a chocolate bar made from local cacao beans. It the may not be the best tasting chocolate bar yet but I believe that someday our country can come up with high quality chocolate products.

Thanks to the chocolate pioneers.