Category Archives: International

PHILIPPINES BAGS ANOTHER WORLD RECORD: TWEET CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

Tweeting inside SONA
Tweeting inside SONA

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The Philippines is unstoppable in laying claim to world records, and this nation of 100 Million people just added another feather to its cap.

First, the country was declared selfie capital of the world, particularly Makati City, recording the highest (per capita) number of selfies posted on social media.

Just last weekend, the Philippine Arena with a capacity of 60,000 was inaugurated. It is now considered the world’s largest indoor arena, putting to shame Los Angeles’ Staples Center and New York’s Madison Square Garden.

On Monday, the Philippines broke another world record and was named the Tweet Capital of the World.

Twitter records show that worldwide, people send an average of 500 Million tweets a day.

On Monday, Twitter recorded 1 Billion tweets in the Philippines alone, twice the worldwide daily numbers. Monday, of course, was the day that President NoyNoy Aquino delivered his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Filipinos were tweeting at a rate of  one per five minutes, commenting on Aquino’s  almost two-hour rambling as well as critiquing  the gowns worn on the red carpet by lady senators, congressmen, spouses and SONA guests. Even senators, congressmen and government officials were caught on camera, tweeting away while inside the Assembly Hall, oblivious of the man at the podium they have come to listen to.

We say again, ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines!’

REALITY CHECK: PRESIDENT AQUINO’S STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS IN PICTURES

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – As a public service to our readers and followers, The Adobo Chronicles is highlighting key points of President NoyNoy Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday. We are quoting Aquino’s message in its official English translation and have decided to interpret them through photographs:

On Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)

Capture“Your government wasted no time in responding. We immediately cleared the airport, which is why, within 24 hours after the storm, three C130s were able to bring in aid. On that same day, we were also able to set up a communications hub to hasten the flow of information. On the second day, the Department of Health’s Rapid Health Assessment teams arrived, as well as additional soldiers, policemen, and BFP personnel from other provinces. Likewise, workers from DSWD lead relief operations—in the distribution centers in Eastern Visayas or in repacking centers all around the country.”

On Poverty

Children Search Squatter Camp Garbage Dump, Philippines “We are investing in our most valuable resource: The Filipino people. Data from the National Economic Development Authority attests to our success. According to them, the 27.9 percent poverty rate during the first semester of 2012 went down to 24.9 percent for the same period in 2013. These three percentage points are equivalent to 2.5 million Filipinos who have crossed the poverty line.”

 

lack-of-classroomsOn Classroom Shortage: “The inherited backlog in books, chairs, and classrooms: erased; while we are working to fulfill the new needs brought about by the implementation of K to 12.” Students “no longer have to study in overcrowded classrooms.”
interphoto_1405356192On Government Spending of Taxpayer Money: “In addition to the national integrity we have restored is the world’s recognition of a new Philippines. The nation’s coffers, which come from the sweat of our citizens, are being spent only for their benefit.”
fortune-tellerOn Disaster Preparedness and Modern Forecasting System:  “Let us remember: God proposes, but man disposes. This is likewise the idea behind our efforts for disaster preparedness. We are strengthening the capabilities of our LGUs, (Local Government Units) who are the frontliners in times of disasters, through a modern and comprehensive forecasting system. “

ANDERSON COOPER TO TESTIFY AT AQUINO IMPEACHMENT HEARING

 

Cooper reporting on typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) - file photo
Cooper reporting on typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) – file photo

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – In less than 24 hours since NoyNoy Aquino delivered his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA), the beleaguered Philippine president is facing yet another impeachment complaint. This time it is from the Philippine Senate.

The new complaint is based on what senators called “presidential lies” in connection with Aquino’s claim during his televised speech that in less than 24 hours, the government and the Aquino administration were on the ground in Leyte and other Cental Philippine cities and towns, providing assistance and relief to victims of typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The strongest typhoon ever to hit landfall left thousands dead and homeless and resulted in billions of pesos in damage to public and private property and infrastructure.

“Aquino violated his presidential oath to tell the truth and nothing but the truth to the Filipino people, and that is an impeachable offense,” the senators said.

A senate hearing on this new impeachment complaint is scheduled later this week. The first witness to testify will be CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper who was among the first among international journalists to report on Haiyan from ground zero.  Cooper’s reports and first-hand accounts pointed to the exact opposite of what Aquino said in his SONA.

Here is one of CNN’s broadcasts in which Cooper describes what he saw on the ground in Tacloban, Cebu and other cities.