Follow traffic laws. Follow the law. (A FOLLOW-UP!)

Obeying traffic rules can be really difficult and frustrating especially if you have no idea what the rules are.

You should not take pictures of yourself while driving

Determined to do this first little thing as suggested by Mr. Alexander Lacson on his book: "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country", I started reading on the updated Republic Act (RA) 4136, a.k.a the Land Transportation and Traffic Code for some time now. Though the update has not yet been passed, I think it is still a must read.

The draft copy of the updated RA 4136 can be downloaded from the Automobile Association of the Philipipnes website: Updated RA 4136

The original RA 4136 passed in 1964 can be viewed here: Original RA 4136

It pretty much sums up traffic laws that we should be aware of. But the updated act is still vague. The act does not tackle about the issues of U-turn slots, use of hand-held devices when driving, license confiscation, ticketing, concrete barriers, among others. But I am hopeful that after the passage of this act, our streets would be safer and more efficient. Less traffic, less accidents! (Who would't want that?!) The government should have the will to effectively impliment this. And yes, the law may be there, but if we would not be aware of it and not follow it, then this act is crap. (Yeah i feel like rappin!) Drive safe!

Onchie
We Can Change.

Follow traffic laws. Follow the law.

In case you haven't read the book "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country" by Alexander Lacson, then you are missing a lot. Indeed, every Filipino should observe the 12 little things Mr. Lacson had pointed out.

12 Little Things by Mr.Lacson are as follows:

1. Follow traffic laws. Follow the law.
2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.
3. Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino.
4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country.
5. Respect your traffic officers, policemen and soldiers.
6. Do not litter, dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.
7. Support your church.
8. During elections, do your solemn duty.
9. Pay your employees well.
10. Pay your taxes.
11. Adopt a scholar or a poor child.
12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and to love our country.

Since I bought the book, I have been more cautious when driving. Though I was not trained at a driving school, I forced myself to read and learn more about defensive driving which is NEVER practiced here as I see it. What I have read is very far from reality, but I still believe we can change that. I loathe driving in Manila, but I am very optimistic and hopeful that if we drive defensively and follow traffic rules, everything will change. Transportation and driving will be safer, efficient and stress-free for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Here is how every Filipino should drive. Follow this link: http://www.lto.gov.ph/tips.html, download the document and print it out. Put a copy on your car, around your house and read it. Drive safe!

Onchie
We Can Change.

Rosaryong Makabayan.

The answer to our problems (well, figuratively)! Need i say more?

I got this from the school supplies of Don Bosco Makati. These are carefully handcrafted by my former techer, Sir Jay, kaya special ang bawat isa. Grabbed a couple of these and gave each to my sister and mom. They both loved it and I think I need to go back and get some more. Haha. Sir Jay malakas ang demand!

Onchie
We Can Change.

Biodegradable Plastics?

Have you ever wondered why the plastic bags from ShoeMart have the word “BIODEGRADABLE” on it? I also noticed this with the plastic bags used by National Bookstore, Max’s Restaurant and some shops in Hong Kong and Singapore. I was curious about it, because from what I know, plastics are not biodegradable (others say it is but will take thousands of years in the process).

I looked it up on the net and found out some things. The EPI company who manufacture plastics for Max’s uses Totally Degradable Plastics Additives (TDPA™), which enables plastics to degrade and in most cases biodegrade when discarded, into environmentally benign products within a few months to a few years as compared to decades or longer for the same products made without the benefit of the technology.

So yes it is biodegradable, but will still take time. It will still end our at dumpsites. I am still unconvinced about this because Filipinos have a voracious consumption of plastic bags. This may have been a good start in the part of retailers like SM, Max’s and National Bookstore but it is still up to the people to use them responsibly. We have to do our part in recycling, reusing and reducing plastics.

With garbage dumps overflowing and our oceans getting filled up with plastic products, we need to do our part to save our future. For plastic bags alone, it is estimated that some 430,000 gallons of oil are needed to produce 100 million pieces of these omnipresent packaging items on the planet. We need to reduce the demand for plastics to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide that will be the byproduct of the manufacturing process. Even if we make use of the "biodegradable" plastics, it is still not the best option.

I personally believe that we should NOT use plastics anymore but utilize "green bags". Locally, we have our "bayong", but you need not be old school to help. When I buy some things, I usually ask the cashier not to pack my items. I just put it in my backpack, in that way I am able to help decrease the demand and I know that i will be leaving less carbon footprint for my children.

Consumers can also lobby local and national authorities to pass ordinances and laws that will ban plastic bags like what China and San Francisco did, or impose tax on plastic bags like that in Ireland that resulted to a 90 percent drop in plastic bag use during the past five years.

At the Senate, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago filed Senate Bill No. 1443 or the Plastic Bag Recycling Act, while Sen. Manny Villar filed Senate Bill No. 1802 requiring malls and stores to use environmentally-friendly shopping bags in place of plastic bags.

But we must not wait for these bills and laws to be passed, and we must act by reliving our "bayong" days and saying NO to plastic now if we would want a better world to live in.

Onchie
We Can Change.

I am hoping to see these in our streets.

I had fun exploring this site: streetfilms.org. I am really amazed on how different countries' traffic systems are improving, providing cleaner, better and safer roads to pedestrians and motorists alike.

Tell me why we can't do this in our cities:



The only place I know where there are car-less days is Fort Bonifacio, where the military offices are located. They have their car-less days on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as I can recall.

Bus Rapid Transit in Bogota, Columbia:



Kamusta naman yung bus dito satin, barubal, parang joke. That's why I loathe driving here in Manila. If this is the vision of Manila's future.. count me in.

Here is a direct link to the site: StreetFilms

Onchie
We Can Change.

12 Little Things

What can I do for my country?

Last week, I bought this book entitled "12 Little Things A Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country" written by Alexander Lacson. It has been out for a couple of years already and I regret to have it just now. This 108-page book is quite small and short but is packed with a lot of mind-opening and interesting reads. His "Little Things" are things we must know and do as a Filipino. Though at first it may seem difficult, but we can do this all together.

The book is endorsed by a lot of important people. He also added giving out this book to others as a challenge, that is why I will be giving out some this Christmas. I really believe in this book and what it can do to our country. I have been practicing some of it now and I find it really patriotic and fun (believe me!). Only if all Filipinos had the chance to read this book.

I will do a series on these 12 little things in the near future to emphasize on the importance of these little things. That is what I can do to help my country.

Onchie
We Can Change.

“The answer is in us as a people; that hope is in us as a people.” -Alexander Lacson

Check out the book's site here.

Just like CPR.

Yey! I am back at blogspot after a verrrry long time. The last entry I made was dated February 2005, approximately 47 months ago. Funny thing is that I forgot that I already have an account here! I was trying to sign up but could'nt use the url onchie.blogspot.com, so I searched it up and found out that it was mine! Voila! I didn't have to sign up for another account but I have to "revive" the account that I have made long time ago, just like CPR.

JC started his blog and was inviting me to do so. But I was telling him that I had nothing to blog about. But after a few re-considerations, I managed to suck it it all in and found an inspiration. Our Existence. That is why I entitled my blog, "Im An Existentialist". By definition, existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual in a hostile and indifferent universe and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for consequences of one's acts. Existentialist is a person who believes and practices this philosophy.

I have also been very concerned of our country. I am being socially aware and responsible now. I try to update myself on different social issues like Charter Change, Fertilizer Fund Hearings and The Impeachment Complaint. Since I came home from Singapore 2 months ago, I realized the potential of the Philippines, the Filipinos. We can be great, we are great.

I will be sharing my opinions and insights on different matters regarding our Country and how we can change it for the better. I am hoping that I, WE can change. We have the freedom of choice and responsibility for our actions. Let's all work on this together now. Just like CPR, we can revive the glorious days of the Philippines!

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