Bikoy.Net
Victor Villanueva » Initial observations of the 2011 Aquino budget
President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III (photo from www.gov.ph) The Aquino Administration submitted its budget proposal for 2011 to Congress this week. It is through the budget where one can see the priorities of the government, in how much it intends to spend on various programs of government. For 2011, the government under the Aquino administration intends to spend P1.645 trillion. … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » After flu, random thoughts
Last night, I was supposed to get a respite from my usual evening classes in law school. I went home from our House of Representatives office in the middle of the afternoon after going through a check-up at the Congress’ medical facility. I hadn’t been feeling well since I woke up that morning. I remember waking up in the middle … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » First week in UST
It’s been over a week since I started attending classes at the University of Santo Tomas. The feeling of being a clueless freshman wandering around campus without having the privilege of knowing anyone, it’s an amusing but all too familiar feeling. It brought back memories of being a high school freshman in Ateneo and a college freshman in UP Diliman. … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Kabataan Partylist Rep’s Oath-Taking
Kabataan Party-List Rep. Raymond 'Mong' Palatino, flanked by his family and national officers of Kabataan Party-List, takes his oath as re-elected Congressman before Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero Last Friday, we had our first nominee, incumbent Congressman Mong Palatino take his oath as re-elected Representative of Kabataan Party-list before Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, one of the more prominent legislators closest to … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » First day of school
More than two hundred youths from different universities and communities in Metro Manila marched yesterday, June 15, 2010, to the gates of Malacanang to protest the worsening crisis in education Yesterday was the first day of classes for most schools, colleges and universities in the country. As millions flocked to their respective campuses, more than 8 million of our fellow … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » On rules prescribed by the Catholic university of the Philippines
Upon enrollment at a law school of a Catholic university in Manila, I was made to sign a conforme prescribing the kind of conduct and discipline the university imposes on all its students. At the onset, I was taken aback. Not only because I had come from a relatively more liberal environment in the University of the Philippines, but I … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » On Kabataan Partylist’s “unsightly” graffitis
A few days ago, an anonymous reader left a comment expressing disappointment over graffitis spray-painted across the city during the election campaign period by members of Kabataan Partylist. These are the graffitis that read “Edukasyon Karapatan!” and “Tutulan ang Tuition Increase!” among others. The comment also asked me to condemn such forms of expression and dissuade our members from executing … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Bohol Trip w/ Family 2010 (Part 2)
A standard landscape snapshot of the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, Bohol, taken from the viewdeck where all the other thousands of tourists take their snapshots Our second day in Bohol was spent going around the usual tourist spots in the province. With just a day, we could only cover so much. Our first destination was the world-famous Chocolate Hills, a … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Bohol Trip w/ Family 2010 (Part 1)
Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol Almost a month ago, my family spent a weekend in Bohol. We availed of the usual tour package, a two night stay at a Panglao island resort and a day tour around the usual tourist spots in the island-province. I’ve never been to Bohol till then, but because much has been written about it as as … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Labor Day in Manila 2010
Thousands of workers marched on the streets of Manila together with hundreds from other sectors of society to commemorate Labor Day More than two weeks ago, I marched in my third Labor Day rally in Manila, together with thousands from different sectors of society, to commemorate international workers’ day. Being the last Labor Day celebration under the Gloria Arroyo government, … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Elections are over! Is it, really?
Elections are over. Though most of the apparent victors are obvious, I would still like to suspend my complacence and hold back my sigh of relief until all the votes have been counted. The past two days saw the sudden slow-down in the electronic transmittal of votes from various precincts. I hope nothing mysterious happens in the five or so … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Just a week to go
I’ll catch up with my blog entries after this intense election season is over. Till then. [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Why the Hacienda Luisita issue is not just a Black Propaganda campaign
“Hindi kailangang sulsulan para mag-welga ang sinumang binibigyan lamang ng P9.50 isang araw bilang sahod sa maghapong paggawa.” [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Lakbay Norte 2010: Lingayen, Pangasinan
The historic Pangasinan provincial capitol in Lingayen, beautifully lit at night A visit to the Hundred Islands can be complemented by a visit to the provincial capital, Lingayen, a historic town east of Alaminos. January 28, 2010. The provincial capitol complex in Lingayen boasts of newly renovated historical buildings that date back to almost a hundred years and saw important … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Lakbay Norte 2010: Hundred Islands, Pangasinan
A view of the Hundred Islands in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, taken from the top of Governor's Island January 29, 2010. It is rare to find a Filipino, young or old, who is not familiar with the Hundred Islands. Along with the Mayon Volcano and the Banaue Rice Terraces, the renowned group of islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan has always been a … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Why I’m shading #33 and #37 for senators in my ballot
In a field of more than five dozen candidates for senators, it is hard to distinguish senatoriables from among each other. At a time when the focus of traditional and new media are the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, the majority of the electorate are left largely with familiarity as basis in choosing their 12 bets. This trend is manifested in … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Lakbay Norte 2010: Stop over at Masinloc, Zambales
The controversial coal-fired power plant sits along a bay with half a dozen marine sanctuaries and coral reserves January 29, 2010. From Pangasinan, we drove southwards along the South China Sea into Zambales. Before proceeding to our next stop, Subic, we stopped over the town of Masinloc. Masinloc may sound familiar to some of us, as the town plays host … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » The campaign for greater state subsidy continues
Friends and supporters of the "PUP 5" jubilantly welcomed the five student leaders as they were released from detention at the Manila Police District HQ It’s been almost a week since the tuition-hike saga of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines concluded with the successful junking of the proposal. It was formalized at the meeting of the university’s Board of … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Ampatuan’s “rebellion” designed to exonerate suspects
“We have expected this. The rebellion case filed against them was designed and programmed to exonerate the Ampatuans at the onset. The rebellion case served as their defense against multiple murder charges. This is Arroyo and her allies at work,” said Kabataan Partylist Secretary General Vencer Crisostomo. Last Monday, March 29, right after our victory and protest action at Manila … [Link]
Victor Villanueva » Opportunist Roxas claims victory where he did nothing
Roxas never even posted a Twitter or Facebook message to support the students. Mar Roxas photo from Wikipedia In an unprecedented press release, the office of Senator Manuel Roxas II claimed that it was because of the Senator, and current vice-presidential candidate, why the almost 2,000% tuition hike in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines was shelved. If that was … [Link]
