A Christmas song for Raymond

If I’d make a wish for Christmas Each day would be like Christmas night When we put aside our fighting Find the warmth that comes from giving When the rushing world slows down for once To share a song of joy Then the noise will fade Weary hearts will find themselves at ease Throughout the world, all men will learn To live in Christmas peace If I’d make a wish for Christmas Each man would be more like a child Hearts that marvel at the small things Love and laughter everlasting And a worldwide wonder as we raise our eyes To a million shining...

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Reclaiming public water

A water rate hike in Metro Manila is upon us and Ek Sonn Chan is on my mind. There is something that water managers, providers, consumers, conservationists, activists and worriers, etc. might need to read. It is “Reclaiming Public Water: Achievements, Struggles and Visions from Around the World.” It is about wide-ranging approaches in reforming urban public water systems that are being practiced in developing countries. It’s about vision and against-all-odds innovation. I don’t have the book but I have the abstract and lengthy discussion paper...

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Climate change, the bigger enemy

While the Philippines was reeling from its yearly dose of typhoons, the worst of which struck recently, something related was happening elsewhere. The Twelfth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Second Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol was taking place at the UN office in Nairobi, Kenya from Nov. 6 to 17. Kenya’s vice president Moody Awori told the delegates: “We are gathered this morning on behalf of humankind because we acknowledge that climate change is rapidly emerging as one of the...

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Puta man o santa man

Man's discovery that his genitalia could serve as a weapon to generate fear must rank as one of the most important discoveries of prehistoric times. From the prehistoric times to the present, rape has played a critical function. It is a conscious process of intimidation by which all men keep all women in a state of fear. -Susan Brownmiller, Against Our Will I used the above quote last year shortly after the rape of “Nicole” landed in the news and created a furor. I use it again now that a conviction has been made. Puta man o santa man…. Whore...

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