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"To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand Utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents. And to live now as we think human beings should live in defiance of all that is bad around us is itself a marvelous victory." -Howard Zinn
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No photo yet, but there will be one soon.
I am back! And I have officially adjusted to GMT +8. I’ve taken a bus, gone on the MRT, and hailed a cab from the South to the North. Despite the monsoon rain, I haven’t been stuck in traffic, although SLEX (South Luzon Express Way) is undergoing major construction for an extended Skyway. There are two cases of N1H1 virus at De La Salle University - Taft, classes are suspended until June 14th. Exchange rate is about 47 pesos to a dollar. Spices for cooking are so much cheaper here: a dollar or two per bottle! Skin whitening products are still on billboards, print ads, and tv commercials. (Upper Middle Class - Upper Class) Kids are forgetting to speak in their mother tongue.
What do you want to know about (living in) the Philippines?
In Sacramento, California, today, 106 Filipinos renounced their Filipino citizenship and pledged allegiance to the United States of America. We were third only to India (123) and Mexico (120). All other countries - from the UK to Honduras - had only 1 to 5 representatives each. It’s not altogether surprising to have such a high number of Filipinos since we were an American colony for a while, but it’d be interesting to delve deeper into the socio-cultural/psychological implications of these numbers.
* Nuclear power is not the answer to climate change. Renewable energy and energy efficiency deliver much larger reductions in carbon emissions.
* Nuclear power is dangerous. From the mining of radioactive uranium fuel, to its transport and use for nuclear power, and finally up to its disposal, nuclear power creates a radioactive and toxic cycle, which up till now there are no solutions.
* Nuclear Power is expensive. Building, operating and maintaining nuclear power plants cost more than most renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
* Nuclear power is not the solution. The key to energy security and climate change is Renewable Energy and energy efficiency. And the best thing about it is: we already have a renewable energy law - so we don’t need to revive outdated technology like the BNPP!
I need to read up more on nuclear power, but an inevitable question is, “Why oh why would you build it near a fault line???”
