Gibo, takbo! Andyan si Gloria!

It was a perfect plan, a perfect jump ship from the Nationalist People’s Coalition to the Lakas Party as the latter is the ruling party with the Chief Executive as Party Chairperson, indeed it was a perfect plan with the perfect people. So he thought. The election fever is now at hand and the campaign trail has been going on. The surveys are not getting any better, the sorties sans the much fanfare obviously the pack lacks the resource. The notable absence of the president GMA in the trail raised doubts. The financial backing of the party is also questioned, no doubt about it, even the vice presidential bet has not been seen in any television campaign ad only Sulong Gibo, a lot of planes he has lifted off. But no Papa Edu. He is sometimes nowhere to be seen in the sorties, others say he purposely never attended due to reason that the party lacks the proper backing. The talk about Villaroyo plans also leaked. It was said that Villar had the secret backing of Arroyo thus explaining why the Party Chair Emeritus did not do any campaign no even said a word in her speeches calling for support for Gibo and party. Days ago, Gibo resigned as party chair of Lakas, with the reason that he cannot concentrate on his campaign if he still acts as party chair. Tonight he said while in Maasin City , Southern Leyte that “hindi nahahati ang katawan ko”. But wait, Governor Migs Dominguez of Sarangani also followed suit and resigned as regional chair of the party followed by Secretary General of the party, Mr. Manglapus. Other party members are expected to follow, as the grapevine has declared. Indeed, Gibo has felt the pain in the neck. It is obvious in the goings on of the party. His ambition for the presidency is dimming, thanks to his fellow party members who has not shown any loyalty at all to the party like Zubiri of Bukidnon, a Lakas stalwart but threw his hat on Villar, Congresswoman Ruiz of Cebu also of the Lakas now supports Vilar, Governor Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur is with Lakas but her husband running with her as Governor while the wife as representative of the 2nd district is running under a different party to get a good catch of the manna from parties, the wife Lakas, the husband NPC and entertained also Villar and Erap when they came to the province. There are a lot who betrayed the ruling party and yet filed their candidacies in the name of Lakas. Others betrayed because they cannot accept newcomer Gibo to be standard bearer bypassing the others like Bayani who has been with the party for years. They also betrayed because they were not pressured by the President to support Gibo while Villar already poured in the much needed resource which is what the local leaders need. It is obvious that the party never made efforts to support the team because of the want of advertisements by the party and the leaders like Ramos and Arroyo have not been seen campaigning for them. Now, De Venecia also a Lakas stalwart who was against the merger of the Lakas Kampi party is now declaring that Lakas will name a candidate they will support after the declaration of Gibo and others. This is another blow to Gibo’s ambition. Gibo should accept the fact that the administration is not serious with him. He should find ways and means of pulling his act together and do an effective campaign and be truthful to the people, not defending the administration of their shortcomings and issues. Should he be truthful and be with the majority pulse, he could add up on surveys as the distrust of the people is high on the present sitting president and her allies. The administration is pulling him down and he should admit this fact. More so, the administration is not helping him and has in fact becoming more of a liability than an asset to his campaign. Gibo should switch gears. He should tell all. He should  fly his green plane without the baggage, the administration. He is too conscious of his defending GMA while the pulse of the people is against GMA. Admittedly, he has the brains for a president, education credentials are beyond question, the looks could kill, the verbal abilities very excellent. To push it all for the positive, ride on the pulse President Gibo before everything for you will be Gibo’s “bigo”. He could win if he decides. His wife Nikki is the 3rd richest congressperson last year. The President is not campaigning for you, she is for Villar and local leaders can attest to that, just ask them and they will be truthful to you. You just have to be truthful first. Tell all.

How could I say thank you, Brian?

It was the other year that I begun following a principled man on his blog. I wasn’t a techie person but I love reading. His was a fight for his rights and against a Filipino who stashed away his savings, unmindful of his present condition. He is HIV positive, good thing about it, he is proud and never let this challenge hinder his moving on.

He is Brian Gorrell and he is one of the reasons why I am also blogging. He has captured the attention of a lot of people and those who understood his plight and those who are against his former lover’s vices and alleged crimes, as well as his gang who is composed of some well to do and old clans in Metro Manila.

Brian is gay which I could also relate as I am also such and like him, I am proud to be gay. What makes him different from me is I am not HIV positive but what he taught me was to stand up and advocate against the spread of HIV and AIDS in the Philippines and that is the heart and soul of this blog. That is why you will find here articles regarding the basics of HIV, AIDS in the Philippines and other issues which admittedly are not talked about in circles and coffee tables because of embarrassment and other conservative outlooks in life which tends to sacrifice life itself. Discussing health issues and societal concerns should never be a taboo. We should not be scared or embarrassed to discuss “sensitive” things like this for after all, it is our health that is at stake. I would rather remain healthy than rich and beautiful, as my close peer once said. And i agree, with being healthy (and sexually active), I could reap riches with hard work and focus, don’t you think?

I wish to thank Mr.  Gorrell for the inspiration. I hope that a lot more of Brian’s kind will also share their pieces of life for after all, we can never survive the intricacies of this darn thing called life when we are alone.

Well, could I ask, have I put my message across? Sure do, I hope. I wish I could hug Brian, though and give him a pat in the back. Good luck mate! THANK YOU FOR BEING AN INSPIRATION.

P.S. Here is Mr Brian Gorrell. Sorry that I have to steal this photo of you,

Brian but you look gorgeous on this shot!

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To the NESTLE CEO and Makers of KitKat

Stop destroying rainforests for palm oil.

I am writing to express my deep concern at the role Nestle is playing in the destruction of Indonesia's rainforests, and the impact this is having on people, wildlife and the climate.

The palm oil you buy to make Kit Kats is often the result of forest and peatland destruction, which is speeding up climate change and destroying the home of the endangered orang-utan.

Despite your suspending direct contracts with Sinar Mas, you continue to be involved in the destruction of Indonesia's precious rainforests through using Sinar Mas's palm oil via other suppliers such as Cargill. You have also said that you can't yet rule out being supplied paper products from their notorious subsidiary Asia Pulp & Paper via third parties.

Sinar Mas continues to destroy rainforests to grow plantations, despite the negative impact on the people and wildlife that depend on it for their survival, and despite the fact that it is also accelerating climate change.

As the world's largest food and drink company, Nestl� could be using its influence to insist on positive changes in the palm oil industry that would have a real benefit for the rainforests of Indonesia. Your company uses over 320,000 tonnes of palm oil every year, which goes into a range of well-known products including Kit Kat. In the last three years, your use of palm oil has almost doubled according to your own figures.

Unilever and Kraft have already cancelled its contract with Sinar Mas due to its bad practices, whilst Nestle has failed to take the same action. Please stop turning a blind eye and instead immediately:

- Stop buying Sinar Mas palm oil and pulp products from third-party suppliers.
- Engage with the Indonesian government and industry to deliver a moratorium on forest clearance and peatland protection

In short, please give the rainforests and the orang-utans a break. I look forward to receiving your response in due course.

June

P.S. Greenpeace is doing this active campaign right now. Please do your share, repost this letter to your own blogs and tell Nestle that you care.

FACTS ABOUT TESTICULAR CANCER ON MEN

GUYS, IT'S TIME TO TAKE A HOLD OF YOUR TESTICLES, GENTLY DON'T BREAK THE FAMILY JEWELS. ASK ME FOR ASSISTANCE... 

THE PRICELESS EGGS THAT COULD MAKE A GENERATION...

A study done in 1998 proved that men living with HIV had a fifty times greater risk of testicular cancer than men without HIV. Each year in the United States, about 8,000 to 9,000 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer. Of those, about 300 will die. Luckily, testicular cancer can be successfully treated if detected early. There is a three-minute exam you can do that will detect testicular cancer early so you can be treated sooner.

Who's at Greatest Risk for Testicular Cancer?

• males between the ages of 15 and 34 years old
• those with an undescended testicle at birth
• those with a family history of testicular cancer or who have had testicular cancer before
• men who are HIV-positive

Symptoms of Testicular Cancer

• a lump or hard nodule in the testicle that may or may not be tender or painful
• enlargement of one testicle
• enlargement of breasts or nipples
• heavy sensation in testicle, scrotum, or groin

How to Do a Testicular Self-Exam

• after a warm shower or bath hold your scrotum and gently roll each testicle between your thumb and first two fingers
• examine your scrotum in the mirror noting any swelling
• be alert for any firm, hard, or fixed lumps or nodules inside or on the testicle
• locate the tube-like structure known as the epididymis; it will feel "bumpy"; this is normal
• in addition to doing a self exam each month, you should ask your doctor to examine your testicles yearly

 Self Exam for Testicular Cancer

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In the realm of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", there's been a substantial increase in information about prostate cancer. However, Testicular Cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 12-50, an age when we don't want to admit the possibility of illness. If detected early, it is among the easiest to cure. For men in this age group it is suggested a once-a-month simple self-examination. This can help catch this cancer at its early stage. The most convenient time to examine yourself if while taking a shower or bath. The most convenient time to examine yourself is while taking a shower or both. The warm water causes the skin to relax, making the examination of the underlying issues easier. First: Examine your testicles. Slowly roll each resticle between the thumb and fingers. Try to find any hard, nonsensitive lumps. Second: Examine the epididymis for lumps. This crescent-shaped cord is behind each testicle. This area is tender so do not be alarmed. Third: Evamine the VAS, the sperm-carrying tube which extends from he epididymis) of each testicle. Symptoms In early stages testicular cancer may be symptomless. When symptoms do occur, they include:

• Lump on testicle, epididymis or vas
• Enlargement of a testicle
• Heavy sensation in groin area or testicles
• Dull ache in groin or abdomen area

If you find a lump or have any of the above symptoms, see your doctor immediately for an accurate diagnosis.

Is Sexual Orientation Fixed at Birth?

The best overall summary of most respected researchers is that homosexuality (like most other psychological conditions) is due to a combination of social, biological, and psychological factors. Following are quotes from researchers in the field: (1) From Dr. Dean Hamer, the "gay gene" researcher, and himself a gay man:

"Genes are hardware...the data of life's experiences are processed through the sexual software into the circuits of identity. I suspect the sexual software is a mixture of both genes and environment, in much the same way the software of a computer is a mixture of what's installed at the factory and what's added by the user."

--P. Copeland and D. Hamer (1994) The Science of Desire. New York: Simon and Schuster.
(2) From psychiatrist Jeffrey Satinover, M.D.:

"Like all complex behavioral and mental states, homosexuality is...neither exclusively biological nor exclusively psychological, but results from an as-yet-difficult-to-quantitate mixture of genetic factors, intrauterine influences...postnatal environment (such as parent, sibling and cultural behavior), and a complex series of repeatedly reinforced choices occurring at critical phases of development."

--J. Satinover, M.D., Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth (1996). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
(3) When "gay gene" researcher Dr. Dean Hamer was asked if homosexuality was rooted solely in biology, he replied:

"Absolutely not. From twin studies, we already know that half or more of the variability in sexual orientation is not inherited. Our studies try to pinpoint the genetic factors...not negate the psychosocial factors."

--"New Evidence of a 'Gay Gene'," by Anastasia Toufexis, Time, November 13, 1995, vol. 146, Issue 20, p. 95.
(4) William Byne, a psychiatrist with a doctorate in biology, and Bruce Parsons (1993) carefully analyzed all the major biological studies of homosexuality. They found none that definitively supported a biological theory of causation. --W. Byne and B. Parsons, "Human Sexual Orientation: The Biologic Theories Reappraised." Archives of General Psychiatry 50, no.3.)

(5) Psychiatrists Friedman and Downey state that "a biopsychosocial model" best fits our knowledge of causation, with various combinations of temperament and environmental events leading to homosexuality. They say:

"Despite recent neurobiological findings suggesting homosexuality is genetically-biologically determined, credible evidence is lacking for a biological model of homosexuality."

--R. Friedman, M.D. and J. Downey, M.D., Journal of Neuropsychiatry, vol. 5, No. 2, Spring l993.
(6) From sociologist Steven Goldberg, Ph.D.:

"Virtually all of the evidence argues against there being a determinative physiological causal factor and I know of no researcher who believes that such a determinative factor exists...such factors play a predisposing, not a determinative role...I know of no one in the field who argues that homosexuality can be explained without reference to environmental factors."

Goldberg adds:

"Gay criticism has not addressed the classic family configuration"; it has merely "asserted away the considerable evidence" for the existence of family factors. Studies which attempt to disprove the existence of the classic family pattern in homosexuality are "convincing only to those with a need to believe."

--S. Goldberg (1994) When Wish Replaces Thought: Why So Much of What You Believe is False. Buffalo, New York: Prometheus Books.
(7) An article on genes and behavior in Science magazine says:

"...the interaction of genes and environment is much more complicated than the simple "violence genes" and intelligence genes" touted in the popular press. Indeed, renewed appreciation of environmental factors is one of the chief effects of the increased belief in genetics' effects on behavior. The same data that show the effects of genes also point to the enormous influence of non-genetic factors."

--C. Mann, "Genes and behavior," Science 264:1687 (1994), pp. 1686-1689.
(8) Among Jeffrey Satinover's conclusions in "The Gay Gene":

"(1) There is a genetic component to homosexuality, but 'component' is just a loose way of indicating genetic associations and linkages. 'Linkage' and 'association' do not mean 'causation.' (2) There is no evidence that shows that homosexuality is genetic--and none of the research itself claims there is. Only the press and certain researchers do, when speaking in sound bites to the public."

--Jeffrey Satinover, M.D., The Journal of Human Sexuality, 1996, p.8.
(9) Says brain researcher Dr. Simon LeVay:

"At this point, the most widely held opinion [on causation of homosexuality] is that multiple factors play a role. "In 1988, PFLAG member Tinkle Hake surveyed a number of well-known figures in the field about their views on homosexuality. She asked: 'Many observers believe that a person's sexual orientation is determined by one of more of the following factors: genetic, hormonal, psychological, or social. Based on today's state-of-the-art-science, what is your opinion?'
"The answers included the following: 'all of the above in concert' (Alan Bell), 'all of these variables' (Richard Green), 'multiple factors' (Gilbert Herdt), 'a combination of all the factors named' (Evelyn Hooker), 'all of these factors' (Judd Marmor), 'a combination of causes' (Richard Pillard), 'possibly genetic and hormonal, but juvenile sexual rehearsal play is particularly important' (John Money), and 'genetic and hormonal factors, and perhaps also some early childhood experiences' (James Weinrich)." (Page 273)

--Simon LeVay (1996), in Queer Science, published by MIT Press.
(10) The American Psychological Association says:

"Various theories have proposed differing sources for sexual orientation...However, many scientists share the view that sexual orientation is shaped for most people at an early age through complex interactions of biological, psychological and social factors."

--From the A.P.A.'s booklet, "Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality"
(11) The national organization P-FLAG ("Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays") offers a booklet prepared with the assistance of Dr. Clinton Anderson of the American Psychological Association. Entitled, "Why Ask Why? Addressing the Research on Homosexuality and Biology," the pamphlet says:

"To date, no researcher has claimed that genes can determine sexual orientation. At best, researchers believe that there may be a genetic component. No human behavior, let alone sexual behavior, has been connected to genetic markers to date...sexuality, like every other behavior, is undoubtedly influenced by both biological and societal factors."

FROM: www.narth.com
             NARTH (National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality)

Negative Side Effects Of Masturbation

My penis is mad at me. How could I write an article on the negative side effects of masturbation? He thinks I’m a traitor and switched teams. I hope he doesn’t take it out on me and be a passive-aggressive limp noodle for my next sexcapade. But how much do we really know about masturbation and its side effects? Sure, we know masturbation feels good -- that’s a gimme. But what else can it do to us? Playing with ourselves can help us fall asleep, reduces headaches and stress, anxiety and tension, it’s great for immune functioning, increasing endorphin production, and is so good for our prostates. But is there anything else we should be looking out for besides Kim Kardashian’s next Carl’s Jr. commercial?

The negative side effects of masturbation your parents believed

There’s a lot of history behind the negative side effects of masturbation. Since man could grab his pecker and stroke it, people have been coming up with myths that it’s bad for you. Will masturbating cause acne? If it did, 95% of guys would be walking around with a face full of zits. Masturbation must cause sterility right? While it’s true having consecutive ejaculations will reduce your sperm count and the volume of semen compared to the first ejaculation, your testes are a factory for sperm production and masturbation isn’t going to close this factory down. Does masturbation cause hairy palms? I don’t even understand this one; is semen miracle grow? The same can be said for blindness, insanity and a whole host of other myths that have been proved false by medical science.

So there has to be some negatives right? Masturbation itself is harmless and there are no proved long-term physical issues with moderate masturbation habits. However, we can all experience some side effects, whether they are short-term, long-term or related to chronic masturbation habits.

Touching breeds unwanted familiarity

One side effect of masturbation is subsequent ejaculations will take longer. If you masturbate a few times before a date and, hopefully, proceed to have sex, you’ll probably find more difficulty reaching climax. Thankfully, giving our penis a day or two to recharge should do the trick. In addition, we each know the secrets to getting ourselves off. Masturbating can sometimes create an individual orgasm effect where we train our bodies to respond to our own familiar touch and have a reduced response to other people’s touch, resulting in a tougher time reaching climax with others. A lot of guys can relate to this.

Our hard-ons may also be affected by masturbation as well. After each ejaculation, you’ll notice the firmness of the next erection may get slightly softer and spongier, depending on how close apart the erections are. There’s little evidence that too many erections or masturbation will have an effect on your erection in the future. There’s a wealth of evidence that points to age, diet, smoking, and cardiovascular health as factors that affect your beat-meat getting stiff. Another side effect of masturbation is abrasions or swelling of the penis. Some people have rough hands, calluses, use vigorous strokes, or don’t use lube. Ouch!

Masturbation and guilt

Masturbation can also have a negative psychological impact on a person. Many people feel shame and guilt because of their masturbation habits. Whether it’s a cultural, religious or moral issue, people can be very hard on themselves. The tug of war between what feels natural and pleasurable versus what they were told to refrain from can have lasting harmful effects on a person’s self-esteem, confidence and self-love. Psychosomatic effects can also occur, where physical symptoms are the result of psychological factors (feeling shame, guilt, anxiety can manifest into things like headaches, back pain, chronic pain, etc).

The problems with chronic masturbation

Biologically, chronic masturbating can affect our brain and body chemistry because it can overproduce sex hormones and neurotransmitters. This overproduction impacts each person differently, and can range from fatigue, pelvic pain, vision changes, lower back pain, testicular pain, or hair loss. There is current research that states increased testosterone production is linked to DHT production, which is associated with male pattern hair loss.

However, we have to be careful of the conclusions we extrapolate from research. I still need more evidence to believe hair loss because correlation doesn’t imply causation. Did you know large consumptions of alcohol reduce testosterone production? So does this imply that drinking booze will reduce my testosterone levels, subsequently DHT levels, and stop my hair from falling out? Doubtful -- I’d just be bald and drunk. If you notice any of these effects, try cutting back on your masturbation habits for a few months and see if it helps alleviate your symptoms. If the symptoms are still there, you might as well keep tugging away and see a doctor for a medical checkup.

Compulsive masturbation can also negatively affect a person. What’s compulsive masturbating? There’s no set number of times; it’s associated with a person having difficulties in his life resulting from his masturbation habits. One guy masturbates six times a day and feels productive and great while the other feels the exact opposite. Compulsive masturbation can negatively affect your work, relationships, self-esteem, finances, social support, and have legal problems if you’re not able to find a balance between being responsible in life and satisfying your pleasures and desires.

Where do you get off?

I hope I didn’t turn you off from masturbating. It’s a wonderful thing and one of the greatest gifts you can offer yourself. There are positives and negatives to everything in life: sex, singlehood, driving a car, being in a relationship, and working. We have to make sure the good outweighs the bad to find happiness. World Orgasm day is December 21st, you better get practicing.  (by: Dr. Hernando Chaves, Sexologist at http://www.askmen.com/)

P.S. Blogger's note: Don't stop masturbating, it relieves you from stress. PLAY ON!

Feelings....

Doing facebook and my very nice blog (i said it.), there really are too many things in mind and today, came a rushing and elating news about Ricky Martin (yes, living la vida loca Ricky) openly admitting that he is gay and is very fortunate that he is. I am happy for you Mr. Martin, you never failed my adoration for you, your music and your masculine physique (hmmm.. why should people like you admit that you're gay...LOL).

What do I get from this blog? Nothing, just a sense of pride that I am doing something and expressing my views about society, people and HIV and proudly saying to the world that I am like Ricky Martin, gay. Magkalevel na kami, hahahaha.

Aside from Ricky Martin admitting that he is like me, here are other things that strike me today:

1. The fall of Villar in the surveys which is expected in my own analysis. He has been a consistent liar and people have discovered it courtesy of many crawlers, worthy of my praise.

2. The fact that our local politicians are not sincere, except for the Liberals, that they are choosing who to campaign and support outside their political parties. (i.e. Gibo Teodoro for President and Loren for Vice-President) Courting trouble should I say.

3. The not so surprising surveys in Pagadian that Ariosa leads comfortably in online polls and other informal surveys versus Tony Cerilles. People in Pagadian and nearby municipalities really knows the man, ug kinsay kusog mamatid, managpa, manginsulto ug muistorya murag walay kamatayun. Again, good choice..

4. The statement of Victor Yu that he is media shy. Yes, he said that in one of the media gatherings! Question is, what is he doing in a public office that considers media as a primary partner in the delivery of services and programs from the office he is into? Ang maayo niya, magnegosyo na lang, at least walay media ug dili siya angay mag shy...

5. Unsa pa ba? SUNOD NA PUD. KAPOY... At least, I have started typing in what I feel and what I perceive, my primary purpose of making this blog, gay and proud to be.

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Ricky Martin is Gay!

Letter of Ricky Martin:

A few months ago I decided to write my memoirs, a project I knew was going to bring me closer to an amazing turning point in my life. From the moment I wrote the first phrase I was sure the book was the tool that was going to help me free myself from things I was carrying within me for a long time. Things that were too heavy for me to keep inside. Writing this account of my life, I got very close to my truth. And thisis something worth celebrating.

For many years, there has been only one place where I am in touch with my emotions fearlessly and that’s the stage. Being on stage fills my soul in many ways, almost completely. It’s my vice. The music, the lights and the roar of the audience are elements that make me feel capable of anything. This rush of adrenaline is incredibly addictive. I don’t ever want to stop feeling these emotions. But it is serenity that brings me to where I’m at right now. An amazing emotional place of comprehension, reflection and enlightenment. At this moment I’m feeling the same freedom I usually feel only on stage, without a doubt, I need to share.

Many people told me: “Ricky it’s not important”, “it’s not worth it”, “all the years you’ve worked and everything you’ve built will collapse”, “many people in the world are not ready to accept your truth, your reality, your nature”. Because all this advice came from people who I love dearly, I decided to move on with my life not sharing with the world my entire truth. Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage. Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions.

If someone asked me today, “Ricky, what are you afraid of?” I would answer “the blood that runs through the streets of countries at war…child slavery, terrorism…the cynicism of some people in positions of power, the misinterpretation of faith.” But fear of my truth? Not at all! On the contrary, It fills me with strength and courage. This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where born with. Enough is enough. This has to change. This was not supposed to happen 5 or 10 years ago, it is supposed to happen now. Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment.

These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn’t even know existed.

What will happen from now on? It doesn’t matter. I can only focus on what’s happening to me in this moment. The word “happiness” takes on a new meaning for me as of today. It has been a very intense process. Every word that I write in this letter is born out of love, acceptance, detachment and real contentment. Writing this is a solid step towards my inner peace and vital part of my evolution.

I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.  

RM

Source Ricky Martin

The fortunate homosexual, as he called himself in his letter. Indeed, so fortunate.

"I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am."

Credit Card Woes: UNCIVILIZED COLLECTORS

I came across a blogsite (www.equalizerpost.com which for me is a very informative and refreshing blog which I am asking you to visit) which discussed about the harassment made by collection agencies representing credit care companies like Bankard, Mastercard and others.  Believe it or not, there are other collectors who call you up in the middle of the night reminding you of overdue accounts and demanding immediate payments. (NOTE: SARADO AND BANGKO, MAGPATULOG NAMAN KAYO!)  

He said that debt collectors have been the most complained-about people in the credit card business . And abuses by out-of-control collectors appear to be getting worse.
 

HERE IS THE FULL TEXT OF HIS WRITE UP WHICH I WANT TO SHARE TO YOU AS IT REALLY HELPS, ESPECIALLY ME THAT I AM ALSO A VICTIM OF THESE HEARTLESS AND RUTHLESS AGENTS. READ ON: (taken verbatim from www.equalizerpost.com)

Debt collection harassment and abuse can take a particular toll on vulnerable older consumers.  The good news is that there are Central Bank regulations that are intended to protect consumers from debt collection and harassment.  These laws apply regardless of whether the consumer owes money on the debt being collected.  The bad news is that many collectors still do not comply with the law.

The information below will help advocates counsel clients about what a debt collector can and cannot do and how consumers can protect themselves.  It is also important to work with older consumers to help them evaluate which debts are highest priorities and what the possible consequences might be if they are unable to repay all of their debts.

What Can a Debt Collector Really Do? (TAKE NOTE)

A debt collector working on behalf of a creditor can do little more than demand payment.  If the creditor has not taken the client’s house, car, or other property as collateral on a loan, then legally the creditor can only do three things:

1. Stop doing business with the consumer.
2. Report a default to a credit bureau.
3. Sue the consumer in court.  This threat may not be as serious as many consumers think.  Many creditors do not follow through on their threats.  Even if they do, consumers can raise defenses to paying the debt.  And even if the creditor obtains a judgment, this judgment still does not force the consumer to pay the debt.  It only gives the creditor the right to try to seize part of a consumer’s wages or property.

Here's an actual case:

The law office of a former member of Congress (Simplicio Domingo Jr. of Isabela, 1987-1992) is sending silly collection letters on long expired credit cards...PCIB BANKARD of the 1980s.

Modus Operandi:

Let's say you officially cut-off with PCIB Bankard in 1984 or 25 years ago. 

They dig up your very old files and see an uncollected P750 renewal fee for your already cut-off membership. They use this as the basis to intimidate you with legal action after 25 years. 

The P750 membership becomes P60,000 after 25 years in the fake overdue account! (P750 x20% annual interest fee (compounded daily)x25 years = 57237.73 +P3000 collection fee=P60k! 

 

Bankard is now owned by the Yuchengco Group of Companies (of the PACIFIC PLAN "fame"). We wonder whether the Yuchengco Group knows about this scam! 

 

 Bangko Central Ng Pilipinas On Unfair Credit Card Collection Practices:  

"False representation or deceptive means to collect any debt or obtain information concerning a cardholder." 

Unfair Collection Practices. Banks, subsidiary/affiliate credit card companies, collection agencies, counsels and other agents may resort to all reasonable and legally permissible means to collect amounts due them under the credit card agreement: Provided, That in the exercise of their rights and performance of duties, they must observe good faith and reasonable conduct and refrain from engaging in unscrupulous or untoward acts.  

Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this Subsection:  a)    the use or threat of violence or other criminal means to harm the physical person, reputation, or property of any person;  b)   the use of obscenities, insults, or profane language which amount to a criminal act or offense under applicable laws;  c)   disclosure of the names of credit cardholders who allegedly refuse to pay debts, except as allowed under Subsec. X320.9 and 4301N.9;  d)   threat to take any action that cannot legally be taken;  e)   communicating or threat to communicate to any person credit information which is known to be false, including failure to communicate that a debt is being disputed;  f)    any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a cardholder; and  g)   making contact at unreasonable/inconvenient times or hours which shall be defined as contact before 6:00 A.M. or after 10:00 P.M., unless the account is past due for more than sixty (60) days or the cardholder has given express permission or said times are the only reasonable or convenient  opportunities for contact.

WHERE TO FILE YOUR COMPLAINT?Complainants should send email to BSP:  consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph

BSP requires the following:

1.   The full name of the complainant  and the financial institution (FI) being complained of:

2.   The signatory to the complaint should be the transactor or his/her authorized agent.

3.   Contact information and address of the complainant

4.   Copies of relevant documents that support the complaint.

5.   The facts of the harassment case.

We also have researched the following for you to write should you be a victim of this unethical behaviour

MS. MARIA BELINDA G. CARAAN

Acting Deputy Director/Head

Financial Consumer Affairs Group

Central Supervisory Support Subsector

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Mabini, Manila

TERESITA P. LISAMA

Assistant Manager

Consumer Assistance and Policy Initiation Division

(under the same Group)

We hope that this has been a help to you, dear followers.

Famous Gay Quotes

I'd rather be black than gay because when you're black you don't have to tell your mother. ~

Charles Pierce, 1980

There's this illusion that homosexuals have sex and heterosexuals fall in love. That's completely untrue. Everybody wants to be loved. ~Boy George

If Michelangelo had been straight, the Sistine Chapel would have been wallpapered. ~Robin Tyler

The Lord is my Shepherd and he knows I'm gay. ~Troy Perry

Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for the truth. ~Benjamin Disraeli

When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one. ~Epitaph of Leonard P. Matlovich, 1988

The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362 admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexuals. It's just that they need more supervision. ~Lynn Lavner

Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands? ~Ernest Gaines

Homosexuality is god's way of insuring that the truly gifted aren't burdened with children. ~Sam Austin

The History of the Rainbow Flag

From: http://www.nanaimopride.org/

Gilbert Baker displays the very first Gay Pride flag in 1978 

The Rainbow Flag made its first appearance in the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade in 1978. Its symbolism was borrowed from the hippie and black civil rights movements. Artist Gilbert Baker from San Francisco, our own gay Betsy Ross, created the flag as a symbol that could be used year after year.

Along with about 30 volunteers, two gigantic prototype of the flag were hand-stitched and hand-dyed. The original flag had eight stripes, with each color representing a particular component of the gay community: hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sun, green for nature, turquoise for the arts, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit.

The following year, as a result of extraordinary demand for the flag, Baker contacted San Francisco Paramount Flag Company to inquire about the possibility of mass-producing his flag for use in the 1979 parade. He was surprised to learn that due to production issues and the fact that hot pink was not a readily available commercial color, his original eight colors could not be used. The fact is that he had hand-dyed the original colors. Hot pink was removed from the palette and the flag was reduced to seven stripes, with indigo being replaced by royal blue.

     New York City - 1994

ORIGINAL 8-COLOR FLAG

6-COLOR FLAG

The second change to the flag came after the assassination of San Francisco's openly-gay commissioner, Harvey Milk. To manifest the community's solidarity in the aftermath of this tragedy, the San Francisco Pride Committee elected to use Baker's flag in honor of the slain Milk. The turquoise stripe was eliminated so that the colors could be divided evenly on the parade route, three colors on one side of the street, and three colors on the other side.

Wishing to demonstrate the gay community’s solidarity in response to this tragedy, the 1979 Pride Parade Committee decided to use Baker’s flag in honor of Milk. The committee eliminated the turquoise stripe so they could divide the colors evenly as they walked the parade route, three colors on one side of the street and three on the other.

This updated six-color version of the rainbow flag quickly spread from San Francisco to other cities. Soon, it was universally known and accepted as a symbol of gay pride and diversity. And it is recognized officially by the International Congress of Flag Makers as such. During New York's Gay Pride celebration in 1994, over 10,000 people carried a 30-foot-wide by one-mile-long rainbow flag through the streets of Manhattan, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

In 2004 at the Key West Pride Festival, Gilbert Baker unveiled a re-creation of his original eight-color flag. Said Baker, "We lost two of the original colors, pink and turquoise. It’s time, however, to restore the original design. First, it is simply more beautiful and more authentic. Moreover, when we lost the pink, we lost the symbol for our sexual liberation. The missing turquoise honors Native Americans and the magic of life. Both colors are needed to embrace our history."

Save the dolphins from Denmark's cruelty

Denmark is a big shame The sea is stained in red and its not because of nature, this is man made pool of blood.

It's because of the cruelty that the human beings (civilized humans) killing hundreds of the famous and intelligent Calderon dolphins.

This happens every year in Feroe Island in Denmark and other islands in the country. In this cannibalistic act, the main participants are young teens. WHY? To show that they are adults and mature.... A rite of passage, so to speak.

In this big celebration, nothing is missing for the fun. Everyone is participating in one way or the other, killing or looking at the cruelty “supporting like a spectator” in a basketball match.

Is it necessary to mention that the dolphin calderon, like all the other species of dolphins, is in its near extinction and playful as they are, they get near men to play and interact.

They don’t die instantly; they are cut 1, 2 or 3 times with thick hooks, causing the dolphins to produce a cry  compatible with the cry of a new born child.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We will send these photos until these gets to the concerned, we won’t only read. That would make us accomplices, viewers.

http://bluepanjeet.net blog owner said that

the owner of this photograph (above) posted this pic on his flickr account and seems to be proud of his achievements because he even justified that people are going and commenting on his photos because they are fantastic. What this amateur photographer doesn't know is that he is being branded by people all over the world as sick, insensitive and barbaric just like most of his fellows in Faroe Island.  I dont know what  this photographer will feel like if instead of bloodied whales lying on the shore, its their own ghastly bodies that are slaughtered to pieces.

Why are they Killing the Whales and Dolphins?

Whale and Dolphin hunting has been the tradition of the inhabitants of Faroe Islands (located in Denmark) since the 10th century. And most of the descendants of the medieval whalers have passed this tradition from Generations to Generations. For the record, there are 17 villages in the Island that have these kind of scenario every year which are authorized to conduct such massacre. After killing the whales in methods so gruesome, the villages parttake the meat of their hunt and distribute them among the inhabitants. And because sometimes meat are abundant, some carcasses of the killed whales and dolphins are laid to waste and rot over the shores. The inhabitants use the whale meat for food because it is one of their staple diet. But recently, a law was passed in the area stating that whale meat consumption must only be once every two weeks because of high levels of mercury, insecticides and other poisons contained in it.

This Tradition has met worldwide outrage and criticism that even Greenpeace Activists tried to stop this from ever occurring again. But the islanders insist that the outsiders doesn’t know the implication of this tradition to their identity and culture as Faroe islanders. Activists however argued that during the medieval times, Faroe islanders have shortage of food compare to this time of ours that food is abundant already in the Island and that using tradition as an excuse for the slaughter of these gentle animals is truly unacceptable. If they were sharks, I don’t think they stand a chance in staging such massacre. I am reminded by this of primitive Mexico prior to the apparition of the Virgin in Guadalupe, wherein people are sacrificed on the altar and their hearts taken from their bodies as a “traditional” sacrifice to the serpent god. The only difference between Mexico and Faroe Island is the time and era. But practically they have the same kind of barbarism in their blood.

Being a Franciscan at heart, we were taught that all animals are our brothers and sisters and that men should show love for all things and creatures created by God. If St. Francis were alive today, he would probably preach on the shores on Faroe island with whales and dolphins as his listeners. For truly, Faroe islanders are more bestial than the gentle beasts themselves.

BTW, I forgot to mention, newly born and baby whales and dolphins are also not spared from this massacre.
Take care of the world, it is OUR AND THEIR home!

PLEASE HELP ME STOP THIS TERRIFYING AND NONSENSE CRUELTY! PLEASE REBLOG.