The Downgrade of Philippine Aviation

Just recently, the Federal Aviation Autority (FAA) of the United States downgraded the Philippine aviation safety rating from Category 1 to Category 2. This downgrade means that the air safety measures being taken by the Philippines is below the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Among the FAA’s concerns were outdated aviation regulations, poor training programs for safety inspectors, sub-standard licensing for air frame and engine inspectors, and the shortage of personnels.

The implications of the downgrade is a big deal. The message beyond the assessment is that the Philippines is risking the lives of its air travellers by operating below the standards they set, casting a negative image of the Philippines as an unsafe destination with untrustworthy facilities and infrastructure. Nonetheless, no major air accident happened in the country for, I think, the last ten years involving commerical passengers.

Another effect of the downgrade hurt our country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines (PAL). FAA regulations provide for limits on US operations of airlines licensed in Category 2 countries. Of Philippine-licensed carriers, only PAL has flights in the US. Under Category 2 status, PAL can continue their current service to the US under strict conditions that the airline is prohibited from increasing its 33 flights a week to the US and its territories, changing the type or increasing the number of aircraft used on these routes and whenever PAL plane lands in its US routes,  there will be an FAA inspection of the aircraft. It will also have a negative impact on PAL plans to fly to San Diego, Chicago, New York and Saipan.

If it gives any consolation, we are not the only country downgraded by the FAA. Bangladesh, Cote D’ Ivoire, Ghana, Guyana, Indonesia, Ukraine, Serbia and Montenegro, the former Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe, and Nauru join the Philippines in the list with downgraded assesment. But knowing the list made me more crazy, with the likes of Zimbabwe, Guyana, Bangladesh and Ghana on our league isn’t funny.

The government should take the issue seriously and in full speed. Heads already rolled in Philippine Air Transportation Office (ATO) and the government is now in a hurry to regain its Category 1 rating. While politics should be out of this issue as it concerns the safety and security of the air travellers, some politicians gave malice to the downgrade. Statements like, "It’s US pressure to the Philippines to support US war against terror", "US telling Arroyo her days as president are numbered", "US blackmailing RP to swiftly allow Hawaiian Airlines to fly to Manila", etc. are irresponsible and uncalled for.  Why don’t we accept the fact that we really failed their assesment because we fared short to the criteria they set, which are really evident with ATO’s acceptance of some of the grounds the FAA mentioned - lack of manpower and poor infrastructure to name a few.

Too much politics can be blamed for the the downgrade. Both sides of the Philippine politics should stop throwing dirt to each other and just focus on resolving the problems instead of wasting their time looking for who to blame, afterall,  they are all (opposition and administration) accountable for this.

EDSA DOS: Remembering My Own Battle

The whole world already knows the chronology of events that led to the Filipino people uprising seven years ago. From the accusations of Senator Teofisto Guingona, the transmittal of the impeachment complaint from the House of the Representatives to the Senate led by Speaker Manuel Villar, the historic roles of the Senators then who acted as trial judges, the dramatic display of emotions of Senator Loren Legarda and unforgettable bop of Senator Tessia Aquino-Oreta that made her an instant “Dance Diva” when the Impeachment Court said “NO” for the opening of the envelope, the spontaneous build-up of people in EDSA, and all the who, what and when of People Power 2. But there are stories that were not written in the history and facts that were not known to the world. My story is one of those.

This is actually a response to the call of  Bloggers Kapihan in reminiscing EDSA People Power 2.

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Trinoma Food Tour Special: Reviews

Days after the Trinoma Food Tour for bloggers, a lot of entries have been posted online, reviews - some good, some bad, pictures and a lot of stories and sidelights of the event. Since I am no food critic nor a very good writer to come up with an ideal food review, let me present my personal observations and sentiments to those restaurants I visited in a concise and photographic way.

Featuring: 

Madisson Grill: Picturesque and Interesting
Haiku: The Art of Dining
TGI Friday: A Taste of New York
Italiannis: Master of Italian Cooking
Fish & Co.: Seafoods Feast
Bubba Gump: I Love It Here!
Mann Hann: Satisfaction Guaranteed
Marina: Someday the Prince Will Come
Mangan: Filipino Hospitality
Oki-Oki: New Found Treasure
La Maison: A Class of its Own
Conti’s: Thank God There’s Conti’s
The GoodEarth: Save the Best for Last

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Trinoma Food Tour Special: Foods, Fun and Friends

One hundred and Fifty Bloggers. Thirty Four Restaurants. One Mall.

Bloggers (myself included) from different walks-of-life, genders, professions and personalities troop to the newest mall north of Manila, the Ayala TriNoma Mall, for the TriNoma-Yehey sponsored event for bloggers this first quarter of 2008.

It was an afternoon of food and fun, of countless stories and experiences, good and bad. But in the end everybody walked home with full stomach, myriad memories and for sure new acquaintances. Thanks to TriNoma, Yehey and of course all the participating restaurants: Breadtalk, Congo Grill, Conti's, North Park, Bacolod Chicken Inasal, Bangus, Gilligans Island, Heaven and Eggs, Kamay Kainan, La Mesa Grill, Mangan, Mann Hann, Marina, Oki Oki, Pho Hoa, Sizzling Pepper Steak, Super Bowl of China, Teriyaki Boy, Cabalen, Crustasia, La Maison, Zong, Abe, Good Earth Tea Room,  Haiku, Hosseins Persian Kebab, The Madison Grill, Bubba Gump, Cyma, Fish & Co., Holy Cow Chop House, Italliani's, Jack's Loft and TGIFridays.

It was half past two when I arrived at TriNoma Mall. With an empty stomach, I went directly to the event's tent in the fourth level and I was just on time. I was nervous because I know no one personally but upon registration, there I saw UtakGago and I approached him. His company made me feel I belong with their welcoming presence. Thanks mga tsong!

Bloggers were divided into five groups and were given a color identification. - we were the blue team. With some small talks with my team mates, while enjoying the cocktail prepared by Yehey and TriNoma, I found my place in the group. I came to know LA, Sharri and his little brother Robby, Neil, Reyn, Billy, Rens and Jhed. After a while, the tour started and eventually met the other members of the group, JM, Karlo, Doc Tess, and others I failed to approach… sorry.

Then I finally met Benj in person (ooops, I already saw him twice na pala, in Rob Manila and during their gig/contest in UPM), fresh from Bangkok. He came late, but the good thing was he didn't experience the Madison thing. Hehe. Thanks for the red tie by the way, 'twas so kewl! Then of course there's Jeff, a colleague in IT industry and also a Sagada fan. For hours we did resto hopping and food tasting, enjoying the foods, the moment and our little stories, that ended up in a mini-concert by SOUND, with their pretty impressive performance.

We killed some more time in Coffee Bean. I was so tired. Eating made me tired that day. But when I tought everything was over, The GoodEarth approached our group and invited us for a round of unforgettable dining. Without time pressure and with complete meal and great ambiance, The GoodEarth made our day.

My short stay in the Coffee Bean, added Juice, Jehzeel and Coy of course to my list of new acquaintances.

It was six hours of  foods, fun and (new) friends. 

Blogger Food Tour

All the food you want under one roof for free…

Bloggers (which includes me) had the food feast of their lifetime as they savor the event, powered by Trinoma and Yehey, participated by dozens of restaurants mallwide. The Good Earth, Conti's, OkiOki, Mangan, Mann Hann, TGIF, The Fish Co., Itallianis, Haiku, Bubba Gump and more.

About Trinoma 

TriNoma Bloggers Food Tour 

Participating Restaurants