We’re going upward

“The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.”

— Aristotle

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE are still the final masters of our own fate, for better or for worse, whatever the omen of our zodiac signs portends. 

The negative side of rabbit doesn’t and will not scare us even if the Chinese astrology believes it is a harbinger of more tranquil times ahead. 

Tranquillity means placid, serene, calm, peaceful. 

Like many pragmatists, I don’t believe in permanent defeat; I don’t believe in a perpetual slide in life.

We will not only live a peaceful life in 2023, we will also get a bountiful of blessings. There are signs why I believe in the prosperity 2023 will bring us. 

After two years of pandemic sufferings, the cycle of life might next ferry us to a positive dimension; meaning our life will slightly improve and we will not anymore slump economically. 

Money sent to the Philippines by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), for instance, jumped 4.3 percent year on year in August, as migrants took advantage of the peso’s weakness against the US dollar, according to the data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Cash remittances sent through banks reportedly stood at $2.72 billion in August, higher than the $2.60 billion a year earlier. The growth in remittances was the fastest since 4.4 percent in June, said the data from BSP.   

 

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Land-based OFWs sent $2.13 billion in August, up by 3.3 percent in the same month last year. Remittances from sea-based workers reportedly inched up 1.7 percent to $593.18 million in August from a year ago.  

For the first eight months of 2022, cash remittances jumped 3 percent year on year to $20.99 billion from the $20.38 billion in the same period in 2021, added the BSP data.

Here’s more. The Gross National Product in Philippines increased to P5324025.65 million in the third quarter of 2022 from P5132915.46 million in the second quarter of 2022 (source: Philippine Statistics Authority).

They were saying we are the “sick man of Asia.” Not anymore. We have recovered and progressed in one way or the other by leaps and bounds.

We have suffered so much. Nature won’t allow us to slide down permanently. It’s time to go up. It’s time to celebrate our own World Cup-like triumph. 

And 2023 is the year that will help expedite our march upward. 

With a positive mind, handwork, and determination, there’s no other way but upward. 

Happy New Year 2023.

 

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According to my regular informant, US chess master Marlon Bernardino, International Master Angelo Abundo Young will begin his bid for the crown at the start of the GMG Chess Open Rapid Tournament on Saturday, December 31, 2022 followed by the Sir Herky Del Mundo Memorial Open Rapid Chess Tournament on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.

Both tournaments will be held at the 2nd floor Open Kitchen Foodhall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan Street, Mandaluyong City.

Bernardino said the National Chess Federation of the Philippines-sanctioned tournament offers a total pot prizes P52,000 backed up by Coach National Master Gerald Ferriol, Fide Master Paolo Del Mundo in close cooperation with Mam China Aurelio and Mam Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen, organized by Bayanihan Chess Club and supervised by the Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation.

Bernardino said Young, an eight-time Illinois USA champion, figured in a triple tie with eventual champion International Master Michael Concio Jr. and International Master Ronald Dableo with similar 8.0 points during the 6th Edition of Kamatyas Rapid Invitational Chess Tournament 2022 dubbed as Chess Avengers was held at the 3rd floor, Building B, SM City Sucat in Paranaque City last Dec.10.

After the tie break points were applied, Concio took first, Dableo settle second while Young wound up third.

Expected to give Young a run for his money are Concio, Dableo, Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, International Master Barlo Nadera, International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Fide Master Alekhine Nouri, Fide Master David Elorta, Fide Master Jeth Romy Morado, Fide Master Edgardo Garma and Fide Master Robert Suelo Jr., among others.  

Antonio, whose international stint is supported by Hotel Sogo, is looking for a better finish after secured the ninth place honors in the 30th FIDE World Senior Individual Chess Championship 2022 (50+ and 65+ Open-men and women) held at the Hotel Cenacolo in Assisi, Umbria, Italy last Nov. 26, wrote Bernardino.

Antonio is on rigid training backed by Hotel Sogo for the much-awaited 2023 Bob Wade Masters and Challengers to be held on January 13 to 21, 2023 at the Howick Community Church Complex in Auckland, New Zealand, concluded Berbardino.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

Iloilo’s biggest shame in 2022

“Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country.”

— Karl Kraus

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE biggest scandal in Iloilo in 2022 does not involve public officials caught with their hands in the cookie jar for there was not a single known earthshaking expose made by investigative journalists; no more opposition firebrands in the local legislature willing to slug it out with capitol and city hall and capable of risking their political future fighting the political behemoths and dynasties.

It’s the P680-million Ungka II flyover project linking Jaro, Iloilo City and Pavia, Iloilo now facing uncertainty after being “temporarily closed” on September 18, 2022 due to “strange structural” behaviors.

Much has been written about this scandalous project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and it’s hard not to be infuriated as taxpayers since the money involved in the project was so colossal if not astronomical.

It could feed and shelter thousands of destitute residents if shifted into social welfare program, or build hundreds of school rooms and even public schools if spent in education. It could help finance the training of future world class athletes from the region if appropriated in sports program.

The flyover was done, in fairness to the contractor. At least it was not a “ghost” project like the P728 million fertilizer scam of Jocjoc Bolante during the Arroyo presidency. 

At least there’s a physical evidence of any infamy if the contractor and other involved parties will fail to remedy the situation.

 

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But the contractor has a lot of explaining to do here. It cannot escape scrutiny and accountability since the fund for this unique project had already been released according to the public works project bids and awards system.

If the money was not properly handled in this project and went only to the pockets of several corrupt individuals, it’s a total shame and a gigantic disgrace especially if members of the Houses of Representatives will not lift a finger to probe this brouhaha that made headlines and was reported prominently in the national media. 

So sad that we are about to bid adieu to 2022 and will wake up soon in 2023, yet not a single word was heard from any member of the House of Representatives to at least give assurance to the public that they will soon take up the matter in a formal inquiry.

Even before the Pavia Sangguniang Bayan endorsed a resolution calling for a House inquiry to be led by Iloilo solons, the story was already a veritable hot cake nationwide. Thus any solon should have volunteered to investigate the issue motu proprio even without any formal request from any local legislative body.

Are they beholden to the contractor who is reportedly known to be a big election campaign donor? 

 

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WIRELESS EYES. A team of MIT researchers has entered the race to develop an implant that can restore partial vision to the blind. Unlike other implants under development, MIT's system does not place electrodes directly on the retina, which can damage the eye during implantation. Instead, the device stimulates nerves near the eyeball that carry visual information to the brain.

LISTENING TO LEAVES. Western Washington University geophysicists are making localized air-pollution maps by tracking the magnetism of three leaves. Car and some industrial pollution contains particles of magnetic iron oxide that stick to the leaves, making them magnetic.

WARNING: There is an international boom industry in anti-aircraft missiles and warplanes that are designed to defeat U.S. stealth technology. Source: Popular Mechanics.

Conventional radar ranges are increasing, and that's just the start of the problem. Over-the-horizon radar can detect airplanes by bouncing signals off the ionosphere, 56 miles above Earth, while passive radar can provide enemies with rough tracks of an airplane's location, direction and altitude.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

Struggling peso

 “The economy is the start and end of everything. You can't have successful education reform or any other reform if you don't have a strong economy.”

— David Cameron  

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE may not have fully regained the momentum of our economy in the supposed comeback year for the world economy after the pandemic, but we are glad that the Philippine peso was able to slightly “recover” after nearly breaching the $1 to P60 in exchange rate in October and early November 2022.

At the remittance center in our borough in Queens on December 27, the palitan or exchange rate was $1 to P55. Meaning if we send $100 to the Philippines, the receiver will get P5,500. A year ago in almost the same period, the palitan was $1 to P48. If we sent $100 to our loved ones in the Philippines, they received P4,800.

After the Covid-induced economic crisis of 2020, consumer prices reportedly began to rise in 2021 as countries emerged from lockdowns and other restrictions.

Central bankers insisted that high inflation would only be temporary as economies returned to normal. But Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February sent energy and food prices soaring, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Many countries are now reportedly grappling with cost-of-living crises because wages are not keeping up with inflation, forcing households to make difficult choices in their spending.

“Central banks have played catch-up. They started to raise interest rates this year in an effort to tame galloping inflation—at the risk of tipping countries into deep recessions, since higher borrowing costs mean slower economic activity,” reported the AFP.

Inflation has finally started to slow down in the United States and the eurozone.

 

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I visited cancer patient Lorna Tolentino (not the Philippine actress) at the Burnaby General Hospital in Burnaby City, British Columbia on December 28, 2011. She was dying of ovarian cancer. It my three straight Christmas in Canada and third meeting with a cancer patient already “scheduled” to join the Creator. 

In December 2009, I visited a 27-year-old female caregiver at the Vancouver General Hospital and interviewed her before she died. In December 2010, I visited another 27-year-old male patient in the same hospital before he died. My Christmas in Canada had been always dedicated to dying cancer patients. Bless their souls, oh Lord.

WHAT SCARES THE AIR FORCE. A pair of binoculars and a cellular phone can threaten modern warplanes. In 1999, Serbian airplane spotters watched U.S. aircraft leave an airbase in Italy. The spies alerted anti-air-missile battery crews in Serbia to aim their long-wavelength radar overhead, enabling the crews to destroy a stealth F-117A nighthawk.

ANTHROPOMIMETIC MACHINES. No matter how closely a robot resembles a human on the outside, if we crack it open, the jumble of wires is unlikely to bear much resemblance to our insides. A group of European researchers aims to bridge that gap--its robot prototype is anthropomimetic, making it mimics the human form.

SIM CARD REGISTRATION LAW. A statement from “Ka Eric” Celiz, a former leftist rebel cadre who is now helping the government fight against the CPP-NPA-NDF, on the mandatory sim card registration issue.   

“This  mandatory sim card registration law is already long overdue law enforcement enhancement need of our government in order to protect our people from terrorists, scammers and all sorts of criminal elements who are hiding behind their use of unregistered and easily disposable non-personal linked cellular numbers... especially the leading terrorists operators and enablers as well as the conspirators of the CPP-NPA-NDF

The RULE OF LAW IS SUPREME AT ALL TIMES.

ANG LAHAT NG MGA KALAYAAN AT KARAPATAN NG MGA INDIBIDWAL AY DAPAT NAKABATAY SA PAG-IRAL AT PAGIGING PANGUNAHIN NG BATAS! When rights, freedom and liberty are abused in order to advance a political agenda that aims to disrupt and weaken the democratically established state and with the aim to subvert and overthrow the system of governance, the most reasonable adjudicator and balancer is the RULE OF LAW. It should always be emphasized as a means to protect and preserve the state, and our society against all threats to our security, including those coming from the local communist terrorism and their sponsors and benefactors as well as their colluders...”

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS. Some of the main reasons why our relationship with our neighbors--rich or poor-- has always been chaotic and hostile are:  A. Envy (both parties) B. They know our dark secrets (vice versa) C.  Jealousy (both parties) D. Territorial dispute. Some people are always uncomfortable when they see their friends talking to their neighbors.

DELAYED DECISION. Some of our important choices have a time line. If we delay a decision (to get married, to work abroad, to transfer residence, to change career, etc) the opportunity is gone forever. Sometimes our doubts keep us from making a choice thus an opportunity may be missed. Let's think, decide and move.

LOVE TO OUR PARENTS. Our parents, like new-born babies, are gifts of God. Let us give them respect, love and support up to their last days on earth. Let us never turn our back from them; let's give them the best attention and care at the time when they need it most.

YULETIDE SEASON MESSAGE. Christmas is a season of love and forgiveness. So even if we are not aware of it, holding a grudge against someone who has done wrong cripples us. Our energy is consumed by hatred and ill-feelings rather than being spent on worthwhile endeavors. Better to forgive but don't forget. Happy New Year 2023!

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

A book about modern science, mental health

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.”

— Melody Beattie

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THOSE who regularly visit the bookstores, especially the ones selling old and second hand books and magazines, will probably agree that L. Ron Hubbard’s Dianetics can compete with the Holy Bible and Webster’s Dictionary in terms of visibility and probably number of copies displayed and sold.

In major book sales, Dianetics was always dominant and affordable; sometimes it costs an incredible P9. (In some areas in California, copies were distributed for free but you have to listen first to the “lecturers” in coat and tie who would expound the topic about Scientology in a casual conversation. I personally experienced this in downtown Los Angeles.)      

On September 28, 2011, our late lawyer and philosopher friend, Ernesto Dayot, got a hardbound "anniversary issue" for only P12 in a book sale in Atrium Mall in Iloilo City. A brand new copy was priced at P375.

Dianetics is a set of ideas and practices regarding the metaphysical relationship between the mind and body that was invented by the science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard and is practiced by followers of Scientology. 

Hubbard coined Dianetics from the Greek stems dia, meaning through, and nous, meaning mind.

It explores the existence of a mind with three parts: the conscious "analytical mind," the subconscious "reactive mind", and the somatic mind. 

The goal of Dianetics is to remove the "reactive mind", which Scientologists believe prevents people from becoming more ethical, more aware, happier and saner. 

The Dianetics procedure to achieve this is called "auditing". Auditing is a process whereby a series of questions are asked by the Scientology auditor, in an attempt to rid the auditee of the painful experiences of the past which scientologists believe to be the cause of the "reactive mind".

 

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Dianetics grew out of Hubbard's personal experiences and experiments and has been described as a mix of "Western technology and Oriental philosophy," according to Wikipedia. Hubbard stated that Dianetics "forms a bridge between" cybernetics and General Semantics, a set of ideas about education originated by Alfred Korzybski that was receiving much attention in the science fiction world in the 1940s. 

Hubbard claimed that Dianetics can increase intelligence, eliminate unwanted emotions and alleviate a wide range of illnesses he believed to be psychosomatic. 

Among the conditions purportedly treated against are arthritis, allergies, asthma, some coronary difficulties, eye trouble, ulcers, migraine headaches, sex deviations and even death. Hubbard variously defined Dianetics as "a spiritual healing technology" and "an organized science of thought."

Dianetics predates Hubbard's classification of Scientology as "applied religious philosophy". Early in 1951, he expanded his writings to include teachings related to the soul, or "thetan". Dianetics is also practiced by independent groups, collectively called the Free Zone. The Church of Scientology disapproves of Free Zone activities and has prosecuted them in court for misappropriation of Scientology/Dianeticscopyrights and trademarks.

 

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Hubbard always claimed that his ideas of Dianetics originated in the 1920s and 1930s. By his own account, he spent a great deal of time in the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital's library, where he would have encountered the work of Freud and other psychoanalysts. 

In April 1950, Hubbard and several others established the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation in Elizabeth, New Jersey to coordinate work related for the forthcoming publication. Hubbard first introduced Dianetics to the public in the article Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science published in the May 1950 issue of the magazine Astounding Science Fiction. Hubbard wrote Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health at that time, allegedly completing the 180,000-word book in six weeks.

The success of selling Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health brought in a flood of money, which Hubbard used to establish Dianetics foundations in six major American cities. The scientific and medical communities were far less enthusiastic about Dianetics, viewing it with bemusement, concern, or outright derision. Complaints were made against local Dianetics practitioners for allegedly practicing medicine without a license. 

This eventually prompted Dianetics advocates to disclaim any medicinal benefits in order to avoid regulation.

Hubbard explained the backlash as a response from various entities trying to co-opt Dianetics for their own use. Hubbard blamed the hostile press coverage in particular on a plot by the American Communist Party. 

In later years, Hubbard decided that the psychiatric profession was the origin of all of the criticism of Dianetics, as he believed it secretly controlled most of the world's governments.

 

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The antics of a 35-year-old congressman-elect from one of our districts in Queens, New York who lied about his resume and family background remind us of a young member of the Philippine congress who also faked her credentials. 

But the Filipino House member neither denied nor admitted the deception by opting not to answer the issue during the campaign period. Because of her silence, no one has brought up the issue again.

New York Post wrote on its headline, “Liar Rep.-elect George Santos admits fabricating key details of his bio” in an “exclusive” story dated December 26, 2022.

Santos’s professional biography was called into question earlier this month after the New York Times reported that he misrepresented a number of claims, including where he attended college and his alleged employment history with high-profile Wall Street firms.

The sad part was he admitted that he lied.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

 

 

 

Frozen in New York

 

“The most amazing thing about the winter is that even a frozen world may be perceived as a heaven!” 

― Mehmet Murat ildan

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

NEW Yorkers felt frozen over Christmas weekend as a sprawling storm emptied airports and shut down major highways even as death toll reportedly rose to 17 as of this writing.

Tens of thousands of residents remained without electricity as of December 25 (US time) evening. We’re lucky in the Big Apple electricity wasn’t interrupted and our portable heater served us well for straight 72 hours. 

I monitored the storm’s wrath on news channels where I heard New York Governor Cathy Hochul describe the storm as “worst of the worst.”

Since December 23 (Friday), I “sought refuge” in the Lower Manhattan and although we certainly had to bundle up, the temperatures recorded over the weekend still reportedly were far from the coldest ever in New York City.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz reported 12 deaths in Erie County that ranged from people ages 26 to 93 during a press conference December 25 (Sunday) evening. Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia told the Buffalo News later on another four deaths were confirmed in the city to bring that total to 10 fatalities.

New York City did experience record cold temperatures on Christmas Eve but it only hit 16 degrees Fahrenheit at John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport, Laguardia Airport (LGA), Islip and Bridgeport, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) as reported by PIX11. 

 

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In Newark, NWS said, it only reached 17 Fahrenheit. Those were all record low maximum temps for Dec. 24. In Central Park, the high was 15 Fahrenheit.

The coldest day ever in Central Park, New York City was on Feb. 9, 1934, according to the NWS. On that day, a temperature of -15 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded. 

That February was actually the coldest month ever in New York City, with an average of 19 degrees Fahrenheit in Central Park over the course of the month. 

Outside of the five boroughs, temperatures have gotten even colder in New York. On Feb. 18, 1979, the National Weather Service station in Old Forge, recorded a temperature -52 Fahrenheit.

Highs in the 20s and wind chills in the teens are forecast for the area around New York City for Christmas Day. Conditions were expected to be a bit warmer December 26 with more seasonable temperatures returning December 27.

A 27-year-old man was also killed in neighboring Niagara County after he was overcome by carbon monoxide from snow blocking his furnace, WGRZ reported.

The number of storm-related deaths could keep reportedly growing.

 

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I found this very interesting piece, a Merry Christmas greeting in different languages, in an email (not the social media) message sent by a friend in 2011:

Portuguese - Feliz Natal!

French - Joyeux Noël

Italian - Buon Natale!

Arabic - I'd Miilad said oua sana saida

Chinese - (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan

Croatian - Sretan Bozic

Danish - Glædelig Jul

Dutch - Vrolijk Kerstfeest

Filipino - Maligayang Pasko

Finnish - Hyvaa joulua

German - Fröhliche Weihnachten

Greek: Kala Christouyenna!

Indonesian - Selamat Hari Natal

Irish - Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Japanese - Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto

Korean - Sung Tan Chuk Ha

Maltese: IL-Milied It-tajjeb

Russian - Pozdravlyenie s Rozjdyestvom i s Novym Godom!

Swedish - God Jul

Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou

Urdu - Naya Saal Mubarak Ho

Welsh - Nadolig Llawentworthy

 

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From Christina Engela: “Death was right on time. He staggered backward on legs of ether. He could see it—a dark shadowy shape. His stomach turned with terror. What remained of the bridge lighting seemed to be fading away. It was there—not the frightful illusions the others had seen—but the thing itself, unmasking itself to its last victim. Somehow the reality was much more frightening. It advanced on him, the rhythmic click of Death. If he were to start screaming now, he knew he would go irretrievably mad. Instinct had left him cold, frozen.”

(PG 13) Super-lover Casanova (1725-1798) used condoms to protect himself from disease and to avoid getting his lovers pregnant. They were made from animal guts and tied in place with a pink ribbon. Yes, condoms existed even before Jose Rizal was born.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

My own taste of ‘once in a generation storm’

“The more violent the storm, the quicker it passes.”

— Paulo Coelho

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

TWO hours after the effectivity of New YorK Governor Kathy Hochul’s declaration of a State of Emergency for the entire State of New York, I would be on the streets.

From the Upper Manhattan’s East 68 Street and Park Avenue, I would walk for some 30 to 45 minutes going to the Midtown Manhattan’s East First Street and 51^stAvenue. 

Hochul’s State of Emergency started at six o’clock in the morning on December 23 (Friday). I would hit the street at eight o’clock in the morning and have my own taste of the “once in a generation storm” as what weather forecasters have been drumbeating since December 21.   

A subway train from the 68^th Hunter College station to the 51^st and Lexington Avenue station could shorten my trip, but I still needed to walk to reach my destination. Another option was to take a yellow cab or Uber, something I haven’t done and would not do in the Big Apple—unless it’s a matter of life and death.

According to weather forecast, the major storm will bring heavy rain and flooding to New York City ahead of coldest Christmas in years.

“We're on Red Alert with a storm expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds, followed by a sharp drop in temperatures,” screamed the CBS New York. “It comes as millions of people are traveling for Christmas weekend. Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York.”

By 8:22 in the evening December 22 (Thursday) as I wrote this article, CBS New York reported that “there is rain, wind and a threat of flooding ahead of the Christmas holiday.”

 

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A state of emergency goes into effect for New York and Gov. Phil Murphy announced all New Jersey state offices will be closed Friday.

The winds were getting stronger and it was getting wetter and chillier in Ridgefield, New Jersey on Thursday night. Drivers at the Vince Lombardi Service Area were rushing in to get what they need, added CBS New York.

Hochul’s move was a preparation in advance of a significant winter weather system forecast to bring a mixed bag of hazards across the state beginning December 22 (Thursday) evening and continuing through December 26 (Monday). 

Heavy rain and snow, strong winds, coastal and lakeshore flooding and flash freezing are all possible in various regions across the state throughout the holiday weekend. 

In addition, lake effect snow is expected to impact areas along Lakes Erie and Ontario beginning December 23 night and continuing into December 26 with total snow accumulations forecast to reach up to three feet.

"With Mother Nature throwing everything she has at us this weekend, I encourage New Yorkers who are considering traveling for the holidays to do so before Friday or after Sunday to stay safe," Governor Hochul said. "Our agencies are well prepared, coordinated and ready to deploy assets and equipment if needed to respond to the storm. We want all New Yorkers to get where they need to go safely to celebrate the holidays with loved ones."

December 22 into 23F, rain, snow showers and strong winds are forecast for most of the state with rainfall amounts of up to three inches possible in some places. 

Moderate to major coastal flooding (1-2 feet) is possible December 23 morning due to rain and strong winds, and lakeshore flooding up to three feet above flood stage is possible off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario due to rain, snowmelt and strong winds.

 

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Starting December 23 and continuing into December 25 (Saturday) morning, much of the state is expected to see strong winds up to 60 miles per hour or more as temperatures will drop quickly and significantly, by more than 35 degrees in some regions, causing flash freezing, below zero wind chills and icy road conditions. 

This will reportedly impact the December 23 morning commute in Western New York and the evening commute for the rest of the state. Winds on Friday and Saturday will be strong enough to cause downed trees and power lines.

Friday night and continuing through Monday, lake effect snow will reportedly impact areas off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and strong winds are expected to cause blowing and drifting snow with near zero visibility and localized blizzard conditions. 

The Buffalo and Watertown areas could reportedly see up to three feet of snow through Sunday night. Below normal, freezing temperatures with low wind chills are expected to persist through Monday for upstate regions.

Hochul urged New Yorkers to take all necessary precautions, if traveling this week, and plan ahead for significant weather impacts. 

Blizzard Warnings, Coastal Flood Warnings, Lakeshore Flood Warnings, High Wind Warnings, Wind Chill Warnings, and Winter Storm Warnings are all in effect this weekend throughout various counties across the state, according to the National Weather Service. 

Merry Christmas to everyone.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

Desperately Seeking Susan

 

“Boredom: the desire for desires.”

— Leo Tolstoy

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THOSE who have watched the 1985 American comedy-drama film Desperately Seeking Susan will probably understand when we suggest to stop blaming instantly the notorious riding in tandem motorcycle killers every time somebody was found dead in or outside his car with a bullet wound on the head.

There must be more than meets the eye in the cases of some VIPs and executives waylaid by killers outside their homes. 

Some are murdered because of business rivalry, a personal grudge, or act of vendetta. Different motives and angles; sometimes it’s a crime of passion, a dalliance that started in the work place and went awry: an attractive and gullible female officemate falling for a playboy colleague or playboy boss. Suspicious wife stumbles into the affair and the lovebirds’ world gets smaller day by day.

In the movies and in real life, somebody younger, sexier, prettier always wins the cat and mouse game.

It’s imperative to let the police investigators do their job in any sensational murder case and refrain from making premature conclusions or speculations in the absence of concrete pieces of evidence.

Meanwhile, let’s listen to Madonna’s (Susan in the movie) song “Into The Groove”, the film’s soundtrack:

Music can be such a revelation

Dancing around, you feel the sweet sensation

We might be lovers if the rhythm's right

I hope this feeling never ends tonight

Only when I'm dancing can I feel this free

At night, I lock the doors, where no one else can see

I'm tired of dancing here all by myself

Tonight, I wanna dance with someone else

 

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We’ve been warned that no matter if we’re traveling in New Jersey, the days leading up to Christmas could feature some treacherous periods of winter weather. 

According to Josh Bakan of Patch, forecasters expect a combination of rain, powerful winds and potential flooding on December 22 (Thursday) and 23 (Friday), leading into what could become the coldest Christmas in decades.

While widespread snow in the state now appears unlikely, the impending storm will likely cause trouble in New Jersey, Philadelphia and New York City, according to AccuWeather. 

The weather platform updated its Thursday travel outlook from "poor" to "fair" for Thursday in the area. But Friday remains a poor travel day in AccuWeather'sforecast.

The widespread storm will have severe impacts throughout the nation, forecasters say. Several major travel hubs, including New York City, face significant disruptions, according to AccuWeather. 

Affected aircraft and crews could spark ripple-effect delays throughout the nation.

Meteorologists reportedly disagreed on when the precipitation may begin Thursday in New Jersey. But the earlier it starts, the higher the chance of a combination of snow, rain and freezing rain, according to Bakan.

"But overall impacts from any snow or ice are not expected to be significant," said Tuesday morning's forecast discussion from the National Weather Service's Mount Holly office.

Bakan reported that the rain could get heavier overnight Thursday into Friday morning. 

With just more than an inch of rain falling during that window, localized flooding may occur, the National Weather Service says. There's a slight chance of snow showers Friday, but the agency generally expects 1-2 inches of rain overall during the storm.

Strong winds will pick up Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Gusts could reach 40-50 mph inland and exceed 50 mph along and off the coast.

 

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NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR NEW YORK-BASED DAMAYAN. Niña Cabardo, Damayan Migrant Workers Association (DMWA) media liaison, sent this press release via email on December 21:

Last weekend, Damayan Migrant Workers Association officially introduced its new Executive Director (ED), Riya Ortiz, at the Damayan 20th anniversary and Annual Holiday Party and Fundraiser at The People’s Forum, Manhattan. Ortiz has been a long-time organizer and case manager with Damayan for many years, and served as the Director of Programs when she applied for the ED position this fall. As a daughter of a domestic worker who was forced to migrate to the US to provide for their family, Ortiz has experienced the painful impact of family separation and forced migration. “My family’s experience on forced migration and years of organizing and activism convinced me to embrace the mission and vision of Damayan”, Ortiz expressed.

Co-founder and outgoing Executive Director Linda Oalican is set to transition out in the first quarter of next year, after two decades of providing critical services, educating, organizing, and mobilizing Filipino migrant workers in New York and New Jersey. With her leadership, Damayan is now a sustainable workers-based and workers-led organization and a sanctuary for Filipino migrant workers, especially for labor trafficking survivors and their families. Damayan has also become a leading Filipino grassroots organization in the fight against labor trafficking and modern day slavery and in building the domestic workers movement in New York.

The ED transition is a culmination of a thoroughly-executed open application and candidate selection process led by the Damayan Succession Planning Committee composed of Board members and key staff. Through the funding support of the New York Foundation, the executive transition received guidance and support from its consultant, Community Resource Exchange (CRE), to ensure that the transition process is with transparency and integrity.

Demonstrating their approval of the new ED and growing support for Damayan, members, supporters, and allies donated generously enabling Damayan to exceed its fundraising goal of $20,000! This support will go a long way for the community. Donations are still welcome, and we can keep the momentum going. Donation link is open until December 25. To donate: www.damayanmigrants.org/HolidayParty

Damayan, together with the community, are looking forward to this new milestone of leadership within the organization.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

Fallacy of a perfect crime

“What do you expect me to do about it?”

— John Dillinger

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THERE is no such thing as perfect crime, according to a conventional wisdom. 

Even the most macabre crimes in human history that slumbered for decades for lack of immediate solid pieces of evidence and credible witnesses have been solved eventually even after the passing of time.

Forensic science played a major role in the belated solution of many of these almost forgotten but sensational crimes. 

Although the case of the three murdered young Iloilo businessmen: Paul “JP” Bosque, Chrysler Floyd Fernandes, and Mark Clarence Libao is now on the brink of melting down after the Iloilo provincial prosecutor’s office dismissed the murder charges filed against the accused “for lack of probable cause”, it didn’t mean the bridge will now tremble over a troubled water. 

For sure, the investigators will immediately buckle down to work, reevaluate their case, reload and mount a Plan B to pursue and nail down the perpetrators. 

If the principle of law that says no one can be subjected to a double jeopardy applies in this case, then the police will have a big problem here if they persist in running after the same set of suspects.

But who was it who said that crime doesn’t pay?

 

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True crime writer Robert A. Waters said one of the most obvious fallacies ever foisted on long-suffering true crime readers is the notion that “there is no such thing as a perfect crime.”  

While we can debate the meaning of a “perfect crime,” he said, “to me, it is one in which the identity of the perpetrator(s) is never learned and they are never brought to justice.”

He cited a few of the hundreds of thousands of perfect murders that were never solved: Then there are the un-caught serial killers:  The so-called Cincinnati Ripper, the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run, the Toledo Clubber, the Axeman of New Orleans, the Zodiac Killer, etc. 

The unfortunate victims in these and thousands of other unsolved murders deserved justice, according to Waters. 

But utopia does not exist, and while it is comforting to think that there are no “perfect crimes,” the evidence to the contrary is overwhelming.

 

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Those who haven’t seen the “live” telecast of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final match between Argentina and France on December 18 should look for sports channels that show the replay. Or purchase the complete episode of that game on Netflix (if it’s available now) and other cable channels that continued to chronicle that great final showdown between to FIFA heavyweights.

It’s a must see even for those who are not soccer fans or sports buffs. As what I told some friends who were sleeping when the match happened, it was the best and most thrilling ever FIFA World Cup final tussle in history; and they missed one third of their life if they missed the championship match that ended in another heart-rending penalty shootout.

NEW HPV THREAT. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, has long been linked to cervical cancer in women. New research in the journal Head & Neck reveals that in the United States, HPV may also be the most common cause of cancer of the tonsil and base of the tongue. The cancer is starting to appear more in younger men and in nonsmokers; the shift may be associated with high-risk behaviors.

TWILIGHT INSIGHT AND OUR YOUNGSTERS. Why are teens fascinated by these fanged creatures? "Vampires are alluring. They're neither completely human nor dead; they don't belong in either world. Teenagers identify with them because they often feel like outsiders, too, as they transition from childhood into adulthood," says Dr. Kathy Ramsland, author of The Science of Vampires.

(PG 13) Consider aiming compliment below the belt. Women who have a positive attitude about their genitals reach orgasm more easily during oral sex than women who don't feel so hot about them, says a new study in the International Journal of Sexual Health.

CRUNCH TIME. Holiday shopping may flatten our wallet but it could also trim our belly. As we comb the racks, let's stand tall and squeeze our stomach muscles for five seconds (pretend we're bracing ourselves to lift a heavy box). We've just done the equivalent of one sit-up, says physiologist Pete McCall, of the American Council on Exercise.

OUR ABILITY TO BUILD MUSCLES. Thirty grams of protein are needed to maximize our body's ability to build muscles. University of Texas Medical Branch scientists found that eating 30 grams of protein at one meal helps muscle growth as much as taking in 90 grams does. Let's try smaller meals (3 to 4 hours apart) for a more efficient approach to repairing our muscles.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)