For me, it’s a deliberate insult to the Lupang Hinirang, we always sing every now and then. We take for granted the basic meaning of what we stand for – and that is to protect and serve our nation. 

More than a question of who gets the natural resources and who will be earning from it, the issue here is propriety and territory. Let’s downplay it, a basic example would be when we were kids. You have a toy car, given to you by your father – another kid bullies you and wants to get it from you. Would you give it instantly, would you go down without a fight?

I was annoyed by some people who have a defeatist attitude regarding the matter. One Twitter person even told me that I should have not reacted about her tweet, that it was annoying and that she has her reasons why she believe that the Shoal should be given up.

But hey, didn’t it ever come across your mind that the time we let them get what they want, if we let them get what is ours – it is a true sign of weakness? If you’re thinking we could easily get defeated by the giant China, isn’t it an insult to our armed forces, to the government and to David (of David and Goliath) as well?

It’s simple. If we defend our rights and get what is ours, we win. If we don’t get it, at least we fought for it. We have our integrity to live by. It’s an insult to Rizal, Bonifacio and the set of National Heroes we have been praising since we were little. Have you ever thought of why it is important for us to know them? This person definitely lacks the spirit of nationalism.

One person even tweeted that the government will mishandle the land and other foreign entities will juice the money out of these territories. But then at least, they would pay tax.  And we are the makers of our country, we can do measures so things would go the right way. When we let China get what is ours, they get everything along with our integrity. Now, what does that mean? They can easily claim that all of the other territories in our border are theirs. And the fact that we have let them claim it gives them the notion that they can bully us IN EVERY SINGLE WAY.

Whatever happened to “Sa manlulupig, di pasisiil, ” and “Aming ligaya nang ‘pag may nang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo.”

You guys should go back to Kinder and analyze what you’re talking about.

Of course, more than the nationalistic tone of this article, I would really love for us to be able to claim these territories for ourselves because these have natural gas reserve opportunities that the Philippines can use and through sustainable development, by fellow engineers of the future, we can definitely make big things possible with it.

Let’s not be coward. It’s never practical to give up. This is our country’s fight. Let us uphold the rights of our nation. More than voting for Jessica Sanchez, or wasting money to vote for PBB Teen Edition housemates. Spread the word about the issue, listen to what people say about it, enlighten them. Make them realize the importance of having these territories. Let us educate more people and let us not be apathetic about the situation.

This is a serious matter, and really, it’s not something to joke about like what other people do in Twitter. Let us be relevant members of our nation. Please.

]]> http://rommelcopuyoc.com/on-the-panatag-shoal-and-the-chinese-invasion/feed/ 0 http://rommelcopuyoc.com/binibining-pilipinas-2012-live-updates-results-winners/ http://rommelcopuyoc.com/binibining-pilipinas-2012-live-updates-results-winners/#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:38:00 +0000 Rommel Copuyoc http://rommelcopuyoc.com/?p=113 Defeating twenty-nine girls for the crown,
Miss Philippines-Universe – 18 – Janine Tugonon
Miss Philippines-International – 8 – Nicole Schmitz
Miss Philippines-Tourism – 13 – Katrina Dimaranan
1st Runner-up – 15 – Elaine Kay Moll
2nd Runner-up : 29 – Annalie Forbes

Here is a live update of the results for Binibining Pilipinas 2012.

The girls introduced in yellow, pink and red!

Announcement of judges.

Binibining Friendship – 25 – Chloe Zanardi
Binibining Talent – 13 – Katrina Dimaranan

Best in Swimsuit – 8 – Nicole Schmitz
Best in National Costume – 8 – Nicole Schmitz
Manila Bulletin Reader’s Choice – 20 – Roxanne Tadique
Texter’s Choice – 21 – Giselle Munoz

Binibining Philippine Airlines – 9 – Mary Jean Lastimosa
Binibining Avon – 9 – Mary Jean Lastimosa
Binibining Photogenic – 1 – Karen Gallman
Best in Long Gown – 26 – Angelee Claudette delos Reyes

Top 12 Semifinalists
30 – Sherlyn Gonzales
29 – Annalie Forbes
16 – Liezel Alcantara
26 – Angelee Claudette delos Reyes
14 – Gina Joy Howell
13 – Katrina Dimaranan

09 – Mary Jean Lastimosa
08 – Nicole Schmitz
01 – Karen Gallman
15 – Elaine Kay Moll
18 – Janine Tugonon
07 – Patricia Lae Ejercitado

Miss Universe-Philippines – 30 – Sherlyn Gonzales
Miss International – Philippines – 8 – Nicole Schmitz
Miss Tourism – Philippines – 9 – Mary Jean Lastimosa
1st Runner-up – 15 – Elaine Kay Moll
2nd Runner-up – 29 – Annalie Forbes

Top 12
13 – Katrina Dimaranan
1 – Karen Gallman
5 – Rose Ann Aguilar
7 – Patricia Lae Ejercitado
18 – Janine Tugonon
14 – Gina Joy Howell

Other wildcards:
19 – Roxanne Jesalva
4 – Jayne Hidalgo
26 – Angelee Claudette Reyes
28 – Golda Soller
27 – Mia Arcenas
3 – Nicole Marable

You can also check this website out for more information, results and details about the pageant. Thirty gorgeous girls are vying for the Binibining Pilipinas crowns.

BINIBINING PILIPINAS 2012 LIVE STREAM ONLINE

BB. PILIPINAS 2012 LIVE STREAMING ONLINE

Install Microsoft Silverlight first

Well, it may be due to the fact that the life here in Olongapo is too steady. Everything seems too plateau. You do the regular things you do each day. You wake up, you eat, watch TV, do chores, work then, sleep. There isn’t really any variety in my world today.

So, maybe in the next few days… I will try to fill this up with random thoughts or probably picks for the next Idol performance show. Well, there is The Voice, too, just to add some variety.

As of now, I’ve committed to two writing jobs. I entered this rackets because I think it looks promising in the future. I’ve also committed to updating a daily blog for PBB Teen Edition 4 (I know, how bakya!) but I enjoy doing this and I really love seeing the traffic go overboard. I’ve never seen such huge traffic in a website I own for a long time. So… yea. This summer shall be fun.

First of all, last night, when I went to church, I suddenly felt rejuvenated. Once again, I felt the energy rush through my veins. I felt that I am ready to take on any challenge laid on the platter. I began to think that maybe God pushed me to take the September 2012 Mechanical Engineering Board Examination so I can be better prepared for it. Who knows! Maybe it’s God’s way of saying study harder and you are still capable of clinching a Topnotcher spot in the next board exams.

Secondly, I want to do this for my family. My father is my main motivation. Although he passed away, the fire in me that keeps telling me to go forth and reach my dreams is there. I know my father didn’t leave us in a bad scene. He had done everything to provide us of our needs. Even up to the last minute, he had saved so that he can send me money for review school. I owe everything to him and I know that he is happy that I have not failed him. Now, it is my responsibility. I know he’ll be more proud if I finish the board exams in flying colors.

And so.

Today, I just finished reviewing Algebra part. Tomorrow, I will be solving problems so whatever kind of question I will encounter in the Board Examinations, I will be able to answer them.

I have also made a time table on how I would spend the rest of my summer reviewing for the Board Exams. I have decided that I would finish all the review materials I had from the previous review sessions by last week of April.

By May, I would re-enroll myself in PRIME Review Center. I know everything is possible with God.

I was thinking of two things.

I have several job opportunities in stall for my summer. These are big companies I am very interested in working for. Not to mention, it would boost my earnings if I take a summer job. I need not depend on my brother or mother for my refresher course for the upcoming September 2012 Mechanical Engineering Board Examinations. It would really take much burden off their shoulders.

Secondly, I am fearful that I would be missing a lot in the happenings in the city. I am holding back as I really don’t know if everything will feel the same when I return.

However, I chose not to be selfish. I have to make this sacrifice. This decision is the best for the family. And whatever happens, it is my family’s security that means the most to me. I wouldn’t want my mother feeling lonely all the time. I wouldn’t want my sister to carry these burden alone.

And when I made the decision to stay here for a month or so, what I did is just to get accustomed to what I should have done for the past years, what I missed in the times that I was not here. I prayed to God for us to survive this trialing stage in our life.

I became optimistic. I saw this as an opportunity for me to reconnect with my mother and my sister. I saw this as an opportunity to get closer to my nephew. I want to be there, to teach him the fundamentals of math which my father used to teach me back when I was in Kinder. I want to be there, to guide him in living a good life, life free from judgments of others, life that is truly inclined to the teachings of our Lord. I want to be there, to be the source of strength of my family. I want to be there, when they feel weak and that it’s me they could only run to.

Yes, I want to work. I want to be an engineer, a great one at that. I want to succeed. I want to be a businessman. But most of all, I want to be a good brother, and a good son. And all these would follow. I know in my heart.

Things happen for a reason, and I know that this decision comes along with the reason why all these things happened. And I know I will never regret having to spend more time with my family  these next few months.

Now, I’m not furious – I’ve decided to take everything one step at a time. Things will get better, I know.

I rose from the grave. How many months would suffice for the negligence of these creative abode. I know my blog had beaten the cats’ nine lives but what the hey, blogging is fun.

Now that I have more time in my hands, I know I can let my blogs prosper. My aim? More quality posts and earn passively from blogging for the next few months!

Upon searching the internet for the best Youtube downloader, I found some which are worth the try. I was able to successfully download episodes to my computer so I am very much satisfied.

When I got up from my bed, I immediately went to the bathroom and prepared for my review session this afternoon. It is very important that I come on time today since we rarely have coaching sessions. However, I had to go to Western Union to do a favor for a friend.

I have scheduled a meet-up with a friend at 4PM today so I hurried up with my coaching session and was able to finish all six booklets in one go. When I went back to the dorm, I fell asleep and upon knowing that my friend had fallen asleep, too and that he would be late for our meet-up, I decided to rest first before going to SM North.

It was past six when John told me he’s already in SM North, while I was still stuck in a street jam at G. Araneta Avenue. He waited for an hour and I was finally able to meet him. John and I have known each other for a year or two. We go to the same church locale whenever I return to Olongapo City. And so, I told him I was very hungry so we grabbed a bite at Sisig Hooray! at the SM Foodcourt. Though I was willing to take him at a better food place, my craving for sisig ruled everything out. Good thing, he’s okay with it.

We went to the cinemas but we found out that Enteng ng Ina Mo was shown early half of the day, we went to Timezone instead and I sang three songs. Gawd. I really want to sing those songs so he wasn’t able to stop me! Then, he told me he needs rest and so we went back at the dormitory so he can go sleep and he will be very busy the next day.

We ended up talking our night away to sleep. I told him he was jinxed because when he visited, it was the only time the dormitory internet was down. When we landed our feet at the dormitory, he wanted to surf the internet right away! It was kind of cute seeing him experience new things. He told me it was his first time to go to Sampaloc, and he felt glad he saw FEU, UST and UE-Manila during our side trip. It was also his first time to go to Trinoma!

It was cool for me, in the sense that, I have a new friend to whom I can talk a lot of things to. And I know that I can trust him, too. So I know we’ll be good friends for a long time. I certainly hope so.