THE NEW chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will prioritize easing traffic congestion and flood control projects with the onset of the typhoon season.
After yesterday’s turnover ceremonies at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City, Francis N. Tolentino, three-term mayor of Tagaytay City (1995-2004), said he has ordered a review of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or number coding scheme and at the same time limiting exceptions, such as ambulances and the media.
Mr. Tolentino said flood control projects will be made more effective.
In a statement, Mr. Tolentino said his administration will involve the public in crafting new programs.
Part of this effort is the setting up of accounts on social networking Web sites such as Twitter and Facebook to help disseminate information on traffic, road accidents and flooding and other road incidents.
Mr. Tolentino also said in the statement that the MMDA will respect the rights of sidewalk vendors and will use restraint in dismantling structures of illegal hawkers.
The former mayor replaced Oscar A. Inocentes, a former judge, who filled in the post left by Bayani F. Fernando who ran but lost in the vice-presidential elections.
Previous MMDA chairmen included former Makati mayor now Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay and former election commission chairman Benjamin S. Abalos, Sr.
First called Metropolitan Manila Authority, the agency was created during the Marcos regime and was initially headed by then Metro Manila Governor Imelda R. Marcos.
Proposals have been filed in Congress to amend the MMDA charter, or Republic Act 7924, to give the agency more powers to craft and enforce laws.
At present, the agency functions based on a consensus among 17 local government units -- comprising 13 cities and four municipalities -- that form the Metro Manila Council, the highest governing body.
July 28, 2010
Getting A New XBox
I thought of giving my brother a new XBox because his old one just got broken. I knew he'd want it because he's been a bit depressed lately and really missing playing his games.
So I decided to check the Sunday paper to see if any local retailers had replenished their stock. Turns out that circuit city has listings of it in stock locally. So I went for that.
Anyway, I hope my brother will enjoy his new XBox. I'm giving it to him at the end of the month, just in time for his birthday. So now, I hope he's not reading my blog.
So I decided to check the Sunday paper to see if any local retailers had replenished their stock. Turns out that circuit city has listings of it in stock locally. So I went for that.
Anyway, I hope my brother will enjoy his new XBox. I'm giving it to him at the end of the month, just in time for his birthday. So now, I hope he's not reading my blog.
July 25, 2010
How Angelina Jolie Prepared For Salt
Angelina Jolie had to be in tip-top shape for her role as a kick-ass CIA agent on the run in the new action thriller Salt, opening today.
So what did the stunning A-lister do to prepare for the demanding part? She ate about five small meals a day and stuck to a diet of 70% carbs and 30% protein–and actually avoided cardio–to help "put muscle on without losing weight," says trainer Simon Crane, who worked with the actress to get in top form for the film.
On the hit list: No junk food, and alcohol only on weekends. And the most surprising thing about Angelina’s Salt diet? Carbs weren’t a mortal enemy. To build muscle and stamina for her role as CIA officer Evelyn Salt, Jolie was disciplined with her training regimen.
"She knew that she was going to suffer!" says Crane, who started the actress with two-hour training sessions, five days a week. Both strength and fight training helped prepare the star for stunts involving safety cables and wire rigs.
Once shooting began, they took training down a notch by squeezing in four weekly sessions over lunch breaks and weekends, and altered her diet to 60% carbs and 40% protein. And forget about any fear of heights: "She loves doing action," says Crane.
So what did the stunning A-lister do to prepare for the demanding part? She ate about five small meals a day and stuck to a diet of 70% carbs and 30% protein–and actually avoided cardio–to help "put muscle on without losing weight," says trainer Simon Crane, who worked with the actress to get in top form for the film.
On the hit list: No junk food, and alcohol only on weekends. And the most surprising thing about Angelina’s Salt diet? Carbs weren’t a mortal enemy. To build muscle and stamina for her role as CIA officer Evelyn Salt, Jolie was disciplined with her training regimen.
"She knew that she was going to suffer!" says Crane, who started the actress with two-hour training sessions, five days a week. Both strength and fight training helped prepare the star for stunts involving safety cables and wire rigs.
Once shooting began, they took training down a notch by squeezing in four weekly sessions over lunch breaks and weekends, and altered her diet to 60% carbs and 40% protein. And forget about any fear of heights: "She loves doing action," says Crane.
Roses Are Red
Roses are red,
violets are blue.
Sugar is sweet,
and so are you.
That's what the poem said that's attached to the bouquet my friend sent a few years ago to his girlfriend who is now his wife.
I was just reminded of it because today, I saw the movie trailer of Eat, Pray, Love and remembered how my friend and I had got first hand experience in finding cheap flowers online to send to her girlfriend who was at that time, in Paris.
It was her birthday and her parents gave her a Europe vacation as a gift. And my friend wanted to surprise her with flowers which I think sealed the deal for her because when she came back, she was all smiles and had only Yes as an answer when he proposed to her at the airport.
violets are blue.
Sugar is sweet,
and so are you.
That's what the poem said that's attached to the bouquet my friend sent a few years ago to his girlfriend who is now his wife.
I was just reminded of it because today, I saw the movie trailer of Eat, Pray, Love and remembered how my friend and I had got first hand experience in finding cheap flowers online to send to her girlfriend who was at that time, in Paris.
It was her birthday and her parents gave her a Europe vacation as a gift. And my friend wanted to surprise her with flowers which I think sealed the deal for her because when she came back, she was all smiles and had only Yes as an answer when he proposed to her at the airport.
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