Public transportation in Metro Manila

It's a hassle, even if you can afford a cab, it's dirty, and even if its air-conditioned, you'll find yourself gasping for air. I'm asthmatic and its my biggest problem in Manila. Now 90 percent of cabs are running on LPG, about 500 pesos more profitable per day according to some drivers, although some commuters tell me that there are leaking fumes or the smell of it, emanating from the trunk. Thank God,I have not experienced that yet... albeit a prelude to the gas chamber.
Take the bus and you take the risk of snatchers, you'll be afraid to even use your cellphone. However, its still the cheapest and most comfortable way to go sometimes. Jeepneys expose me to too much fumes. When riding them, stay away from the driver because you'll end up as the conductor, "bayad po"(here's my fare), and if there's change, "sukli po", (here's your change".
When you get off the bus, assuming they even make a complete stop, you have to be a triathlon athlete to go up the high and steep stairways just to cross the street, or transfer to take the MRT.
Don't worry about the carbon monoxide, its abundant and free for all of us to inhale, like it or not.

The first insider trading scandal

The first insider trading scandal was allegedly orchestrated by Citibank's highest ranking Filipino, who was Harvard educated ...iba talaga ang pinoy. The money allegedly was from one of the Philippines' most distinguished lawyers. The amount involved I believe was less than $100,000.

I used to see this Filipino lording over all the Filipinos studying and working in Manhattan,in another Filipino's 7th floor pad in the upper east side of manhattan,near Mayor Koch's official residence. This brilliant Filipino was recruited by American Express to set up their International Banking. He and his wife separated and married a former beauty queen. This was in 1978 or 1979 in New York City.

mar & dinggoy roxas

Sen. Mar Roxas had a younger brother who was being groomed, and was already in politics when he passed away at a very young age. I remember seeing him once at the United Nations in New York City, with his mother Judy Araneta Roxas He looked so cool, in slashed-in-the-knees faded jeans, and a blue blazer.

Mar went to Wharton, at the same time that Bonget Marcos and Le Antonio (now Lagdameo) were also there. I rememeber seeing Mar in the streets of Manhattan.He worked for Bankers Trust, maybe with a little help from Lin Ilusorio and Joanne de Asis (now Benitez), and perhaps, maybeee....the Araneta fortune. Well after all, Mar was from the Honors class of Ateneo and Wharton.

When Dinggoy passed away, Mar reluctantly had to step into his shoes.

Imelda's New York trial

Imelda was always on time...after a while, the marshalls and even the courthouse maintenance people were eating out of her hands...one even gave her flowers. I think she fainted three times, I even followed her to the hospital once with the Inquirer correspondent, my cousin Cristina Luz. Imelda had very long black, thick hair, when I saw her in the hospital. One day i bumped into her co-defendant, Adnan Kashoggi  in the men's room. and imitating the Blacks who recognize him in the subway, I said, "Yo, can I borrow a million bucks?" He just smiled. After every trial, arms dealer billionnaire Adnan Kashoggi would take the subway to the Waldorf-Astoria. In stark contrast, Imelda would arrive in a limousine and they would enjoy an afternoon tea.

Bonget Marcos hated their first lawyer, Spence. His loud western court antics rubbed off negatively, especially with the black-suited-white shirt clad New York lawyers. I think the judge didn't like him too. Later on the Marcoses would be represented by Kashoggi's lawyer.

When Rolly Gapud testified, half the jury was asleep, or falling asleep, or sadly just couldn't comprehend the international scope and magnitude of the Marcos financial picture being presented to them. I think this case was Guiliani's claim to fame as New York's District Attorney, well before his competent handling of the 9/11.

I recall Greggy Araneta in tears, when Imelda was acquitted on her birthday. Bonget fell in love with Lisa Araneta during the trial.

Jessica Hagedorn's best-selling novel "Dog-eaters" was released, and the New York Post had a daily front page picture of Imelda's "shoe- for- the-day".

more later....

Ninoy's Arrival at the airport

I was at the airport when Ninoy was shot. His supporters at the arrival area, I believe about 100, carried Butz Aquino on their shoulders, I think partly thinking he was Ninoy. There were two Avsecom vans with scramblers, so all our portable radios were garbled. We owned a transportation company at the Manila Internantional Airport, a monopoly then, simply because my dad thought of it first and none of the cronies were interested . . . yet. I had access to most restricted areas, even inside the plane if needed. I remember Doy Laurel rallying their 100 or so supporters, jumping and stomping his feet, unfortunately on top of one our parked service cars.

hello hello

welcome my friends, i shall share my experiences in government & private life to give you guys a view of what its like to be up and to be down...bilog talaga ang mundo..."ewankobamare" is self explanatory in tagalog, the preference for the female gender, "mare" is because ... I simply enjoy talking to women more than men in general...I also can't think of any other name that's still available and cool...