San Miguel plans RP’s first bullet train project

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has set its sights on what could probably be its most ambitious and expensive project to date as it spearheads the Philippines’ bid to become the first country in Southeast Asia to build and operate a bullet train.

As planned, the bullet train railway will run the Laoag-Manila-Bicol route. As for the right-of-way acquisitions, Ang said this will be up to the government.

He revealed that they hope to submit their unsolicited proposal to government by the end of the year.

Travel

from Manila to Laoag takes around 12 hours by land. The Philippine National Railways (PNR) has a train service that runs the Manila-Bicol route – the Bicol Express which carries as much as 20,000 passengers daily – although it has not been operational for three years due to heavy damage wrought by typhoons. There are plans to resume operations before President Arroyo’s term ends.

Both the Manila to Laoag and Manila to Bicol lines are also currently accessible by air and there are public buses that ply the two routes.

Running speeds of as fast as 300 kilometers per hour, a bullet train can cut travel time to the far ends of Luzon from Manila significantly. Fares are also expected to be cheaper than plane fares but higher than bus fares.

With SMC’s plan, the Philippines will be pitted against Vietnam in the bid to build Southeast Asia’s first bullet train.

The Vietnam project is estimated to cost $56 million and may choose either the group of Sumitomo Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, or Itochu Corp. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, all Japanese companies, for the project. The two groups currently run lines in Japan similar to what would be built in Vietnam. (article by Mary Ann Reyes, philstar.com)

Well, I just hope this project will eventually push through. I am a bit confident since the project will be facilitated mostly by the private company. Im so tired hearing delays and red tape stories on several mothballed government projects in the past that have created so much negative images about the Philippines

Be Part of Earth Hour 2010!

   In 2009 hundreds of millions of people around the world showed their support by turning off their lights for one hour.

Earth Hour 2010 will continue to be a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up, to show leadership and be responsible for our future.

Last year, I was in Pasig city when I witnessed a huge part of the area taking part in this global initiative. I felt so amazed at how Filipinos regard this as an important event. There were even reports that the Philippines became one of the largest participants of Earth Hour 2009. I just wish that this happens twice or maybe thrice a year.

Hopefully, more Filipinos will become even more aware and cooperative in this significant human contribution to our planet. We may only switch one or two bulbs next week, but it’s the commitment we have for a better Earth that matters most.

Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders do it the La Diva Way!

I am one zillion percent sure that most of you have watched last weekend’s Pacquaio fight against Joshua Clottey held in Arlington, Texas. It was absolutely one of the most boring fights I’ve ever seen. Agree? I only needed to watch the first three rounds and I was out already in our sala room. Anyways this post is not going to tackle about the battle (much has been blogged and said about that, honestly). One part that I always excitingly wait whenever Pacquaio fights is the singing of the national anthem. This time, I was actually not going gaga over Arnel Pineda ( coz I do really like ladies doing the “birit” part instead of the guys), but the moment I saw these three beautiful sexy ladies, the so-called Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders being introduced,I was like, are they gonna sing the Star Spangled Banner the La diva Way? Looks like they were inspired by La Diva. Yeah, they really were. And I’d like to give them two thumbs up for a wonderful job!!

Here is their video singing America’s national anthem. I also have here La Diva’s performance of the PHilippine national anthem performed during Pacquaio’s fight against Miguel Cotto late 2009.

Love of Siam, one of the best I’ve seen!!

 I am so in deep regrets after downloading 17 episodes of Love of siam on Youtube and watching them for 2 full hours. I said, “Bakit ngayon ko lang ‘to napanood?”  I am “totally” in love with this movie!! (or should i say with Mew and tong) i just can’t believe that perhaps I am the last person in this world ever to see the movie. Tong!! Mew!!! I am badly wanting to see you guys..

I have seen a couple of movies about gay love and this is definitely the “best” I’ve seen so far.  And i am pretty sure I am just one of the millions of fans here in the Philippines wanting more of Mario and Witwisit. I am craving for more!!! As in! I am actually thinking of more posts about these two cute guys. I hope they can read this. haha.  How i also wish that our fellow folks can also produce another movie, ( of course gay movie) which will bring out our own LOS, something that we can be really proud of.

My most favorite part in the movie, the part that really gave me so much goosebumps and “kilig” was when Tong helped her mother decorate their Christmas tree. I was completely breathless with Tong’s decision to choose the male Christmas decor. (While Tong was helping his mom, he’s got two small Xmas decors in his hand, one male puppet (i don’t know what to call that) and another female puppet.) His mom told him that he must decide for himself, choose what’s best for himself. Tong just followed his heart. He chose the male one. Believe me, I played that part for nth time already!

I hope to see more of these guys!!!  Amo Love of siam!!

"PILIPINAS GOT TALENT"- A CERTIFIED HIT!

 Many people have been so curious whether this new ABS CBN show will be a certified hit among televiewers especially at these times when other rival networks are also fielding big and great shows to capture the chunk of TV ratings. After a couple of episodes since it started, Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) is undeniably one of the most talked about Tv shows today! Seriously. And I am pretty sure you’ve seen and followed the show not only on TV but also on Facebook, Twitter and of course Youtube. Imagine this, my condo mate told me about this 16-year old (very young huh!) guy from Batangas who performed “Highway Run” during his audition. I didn’t get the chance to watch him on TV but gawd, youtube has it! And as of this writing, Jovit Baldovino, the soft-spoken guy who sells siomai during his spare time, has been a shocking testament of how popular this show is right now. He’s already gotten 1 million + hits or views on YT after only one week since the posting of the video!!! that was wow!!!

Just recently, I have also viewed other hit videos from the talent show and I was absolutely surprised to see different talents and unique performances from our fellow folks. At this time, i am already a fan of, aside from Jovit, Josephine from Cebu, (the one who sang i Believe), the cute guy who sang “Hush hush”, Hello World, Sarah’ impersonator, Oldies but goodies and the three guys who happen to be good dancers (the ones who flew from Thailand)