Category Archives: International

Human Interest, International, Politics, The Media

WHY PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT AQUINO WILL NOT BE NOMINATED FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE THIS YEAR

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imageManila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The rumor mill in Manila has started to rock and roll, thanks to allegations that the Aquino government has lobbied for the Philippine president’s nomination for the prestigious 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.  Naturally, the presidential palace went into full gear: deny, deny, deny.

Among previous Nobel Prize winners were Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi and of course, Barack Obama. According to sources, Aquino is being nominated for his consistent policy of rhetoric over the use of force – military and otherwise – in dealing with the country’s territorial dispute with China, the Muslim rebel movement, the pork barrel scandal, and yes, even his decision on naming National Artists.

The Adobo Chronicles can now confirm that indeed, Aquino will NOT be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year. The reason? His staff were late in submitting his nomination which was due on January 31.

According to the Nobel Prize rules:

“Nomination forms are sent by the Nobel Committee to about 3,000 individuals, usually in September the year before the prizes are awarded. These individuals are often academics working in a relevant area. For the Peace Prize, inquiries are sent to governments, members of international courts, professors and rectors, former Peace Prize laureates and current or former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The deadline for the return of the nomination forms is 31 January of the year of the award.”

So blame it on Filipino time. Or, maybe, Aquino’s staff were too busy preparing statements and press releases denying every single allegation or criticism lodged at the president.

Till next year.

 

Festivals, Human Interest, International, LGBT, Politics, Travel

NO ‘DYKES ON BIKES’ IN THIS YEAR’S SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE PARADE

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imageSan Francisco, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – San Francisco is home to the world’s largest lgbt pride parade and celebration, attracting anywhere from half a million to a million spectators each year, depending on who is counting.

Every year, the June parade kicks off with the iconic dykes on bikes- lesbians outrageously dressed or in some cases, underdressed, who ride some of the most gorgeous  motorcycles one could ever imagine.

This year, however, there will be no dykes on bikes, thanks to a decision by the San Francisco Pride Committee to begin the annual parade with the mikes on bikes, the male counterpart of the motorcyle riders. The committee decided on the change as a way to celebrate the equality movement that is sweeping the country in as far as same-sex marriage is concerned.

“We didn’t want to be perceived as being biased or partial towards lesbians,” the committee said, “and we wanted to give equal opportunity to all who support the lgbt movement, by making the mikes this year’s opening act for the pride parade.”

As a result of the pride committee decision, the dykes on bikes decided to boycott this year’s pride parade. They will still participate in the dyke march scheduled on the eve of Pride Sunday.

Business, Economy, Health & Medicine, Human Interest, International, Language, Technology, Travel

PHILIPPINES OVERTAKES INDIA AS CALL CENTER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, THANKS TO NURSES

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imageManila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – If you try to call customer service to inquire about your credit card or online product orders, chances are you will be speaking to someone from India or the Philippines, the top countries where U.S.-based companies have outsourced their phone services via call centers.

Until recently, India was considered the call center capital of the world. Not anymore. With an estimated 400,000 Filipinos working in call centers, the Philippines has displaced India from the top spot, thanks to Filipino nurses. Say what?

Nursing has become one of top courses and professions in the Philippines, with local universities graduating anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 every year.

With the very limited number of local hospitals and more stringent requirements for nursing graduates seeking employment in the U.S., it is now estimated that close to half a million licensed Filipino nurses are unemployed or underemployed.

But no worries. Filipino nurses are now being hired by the growing number of call centers in the country, and this has attracted many foreign companies to outsource their services to the Philippines. The reason? Customers who are connected to the Philippine call centers get an extra perk: free medical advice.  Calling the centers is like calling Kaiser Permanente or Blue Cross Blue Shield and speaking to an advice nurse.

After answering customer queries about their credit card or online orders, Filipino call center representatives will ask, “and how are you doing today, healthwise?” The caller can then proceed to ask health-related questions.

So the next time you are connected to a call center in the Philippines, don’t forget to ask about the side effects of your medication or what over-the-counter drug you should be taking for your allergies.