I caught this bit on the Philippine Star newspaper's website:
Monday, June 30, 2008 A total of 50 personnel of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have been trained on the operation of the automated counting and voting machines that will be used in the Aug. 11 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Ah, the automated counting and voting machines. Yes, I remember these. I think that some of these were meant to be used in the last presidential elections. But something happened, and they weren't - not ready or controversial or both.
I'm all for these things. This way, cheating won't waste so much paper.
The full story can be found here.
Not Quite Indiana Jones
According to the news articles found here and here, a historian / researcher did not believe, like Indy did, that some things belong in a museum.
This individual was sentenced by the court to 10-20 years imprisonment for stealing and selling historical documents, including letters from Jose Rizal, documents concerning the Katipunan, and other related items of historical import. Among the documents that have been recovered are: "the manuscript of Andres Bonifacio's trial, the Declaration of Independence, the Pact of Biak-na-Bato and Leonor Rivera's letter to parents of national hero Jose Rizal dated December 10, 1893".
This individual was sentenced by the court to 10-20 years imprisonment for stealing and selling historical documents, including letters from Jose Rizal, documents concerning the Katipunan, and other related items of historical import. Among the documents that have been recovered are: "the manuscript of Andres Bonifacio's trial, the Declaration of Independence, the Pact of Biak-na-Bato and Leonor Rivera's letter to parents of national hero Jose Rizal dated December 10, 1893".
Snippets of Philippine History
Those Sneaky Japanese
Before the Japanese invaded the Philippines, they did their spadework. Imperial Japan had the very sneaky tactic of sending immigrants into our young country, and having them work as different types of shop owners. They were very friendly, constantly asking questions like, "how's business?" and "how old is your son now?" and "aren't you related to...?" and "any news from your father who's in the armed forces?"
When they finally invaded, many of these unassuming spies were contacted. They provided lists and some even oversaw the rounding up of scions from the prominent families, family members with ties to the military, and people with important jobs and useful intelligence.
Interestingly enough, this little bit came from an American who lived in the Philippines at the time and experienced this first-hand.
Benjo-Boy
My grandfather's nickname was "Benjo" which is Japanese for bathroom. He knew its meaning, being quite well versed in Japanese (he had a gift for language), and wore it with pride. During the war, he had been assigned as the "benjo boy", the one assigned to clean up the bathroom. Apparently, the Japanese felt sorry for him and so gave him greater latitude than the other prisoners in that Fort.
Naturally, he used this surprising relaxation of rules to send messages back and forth between the imprisoned soldiers to their families (and perhaps other interested parties), endearing him to many of them.
From my father and ninong's recollections of my lolo's history.
Before the Japanese invaded the Philippines, they did their spadework. Imperial Japan had the very sneaky tactic of sending immigrants into our young country, and having them work as different types of shop owners. They were very friendly, constantly asking questions like, "how's business?" and "how old is your son now?" and "aren't you related to...?" and "any news from your father who's in the armed forces?"
When they finally invaded, many of these unassuming spies were contacted. They provided lists and some even oversaw the rounding up of scions from the prominent families, family members with ties to the military, and people with important jobs and useful intelligence.
Interestingly enough, this little bit came from an American who lived in the Philippines at the time and experienced this first-hand.
Benjo-Boy
My grandfather's nickname was "Benjo" which is Japanese for bathroom. He knew its meaning, being quite well versed in Japanese (he had a gift for language), and wore it with pride. During the war, he had been assigned as the "benjo boy", the one assigned to clean up the bathroom. Apparently, the Japanese felt sorry for him and so gave him greater latitude than the other prisoners in that Fort.
Naturally, he used this surprising relaxation of rules to send messages back and forth between the imprisoned soldiers to their families (and perhaps other interested parties), endearing him to many of them.
From my father and ninong's recollections of my lolo's history.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)