The Last Day of Sanity

What perfect timing it is that the day for Final Exams is the same day as the deadline for filing Certificates of Candidacy (CoCs) for the May 2010 Presidential Elections! More quaint still is the fact that Ambassador Villa had us answering questions that were geared toward the subject of the Presidency. The long and short of it, I (together with most of the class, if I may generalize) assessed PGMA's Foreign Relations poorly. I gave the future President my two cents worth on certain Foreign Relations Issues and I wrote against actively promoting a policy on Overseas Employment.

However, what I really wanted to do is speak my mind about the Millenium Development Goals(MDG) reported about in the last discussion and see how they can be addressed, in my point of view. So, after a quick stop at Verde Spa for an after-test pampering, here I am, home and nerdox again.

Below are 3 of the 8 MDG's that to me are the most important and are the keys to the Philippines becoming a progressive giant, should they be properly addressed.

MDG # 1 : Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

Immediately I noticed the word "extreme" and remembered the scene in Jesus Christ Superstar when they sing Everything's Alright and say: "Surely you're not saying we have the resources to save the poor from their lot, There will be poor always, pathetically struggling look at the good things you've got".

Though this may be a tad pessimistic, it may actually be very close to the truth. Poverty in itself will be extremely difficult, if not impossible to eradicate. The goal here is not necessarily to eradicate poverty just like that (though it would be nice), but to bridge the gap between rich and poor. The next president should be able to find a way to provide at least the basic goods and security to each household so that they can learn to fend for themselves without having to worry about the minor inconveniences that add upp to be great nuisances. I believe this is what Gang Badoy's RockEd is doing, together with the White Band Movement.

MDG # 2 : Achieve Universal Primary Education

Back in class, we were having a little argument on the definition of "Primary Education". Where I presented and perceived it to be the whole span of elementary education, I was contrasted with a definition that explained only the first few grade levels (1-4) to be included. So to be sure, I have consulted wikipedia which said that "Primary education is the first stage of compulsory education. It is preceded by pre-school or nursery education and is followed by secondary education. In North America this stage of education is usually known as elementary education.". Thus, my initial assessment on the coverage of such was correct.

Moving on, I believe this is a two-pronged process that the President-to-come must fully understand. He must develop the commitment and desire in Teachers, while enhancing the will and interest of the students to enroll and stay in school. As usual, the President cannot, despite all herculean effort, do this alone.

MDG # 7 : Ensure Environmental Sustainability

I think this is the goal which needs no further explanation. Basically, if you have no home in which to live, HOW CAN YOU LIVE?

The Philippines prides itself with all these "wonders of nature" such as Tubataha Reef, the Underground River, The Banaue Rice Terraces and such, and yet we more often take these things for granted. We would much rather go for what's convenient and profitable (i.e. plastic bags) over what's enviro-friendly (i.e. paper bags/cardboard)

What the future President obviously has to do is STRICTLY implement these green productivity practices beginning with Metro Manila. The MMDA is just wasting their time catching coding violators when they can turn their efforts to anti-smoke belching and broken mufflers.

Watch for VERDE SPA

Been under a lot of stress and pressure lately, what with all the work backlogging because of the typhoons, with all the (tiring but fun) relief operations, and with both my reports for Grad School falling on the same week.

I finally finished my oral report on "Philippine-American Relations" and its 10-page written counterpart yesterday, for Foreign Policy Class. After the 2&1/2 hour ordeal (an hour report, the rest was defense/discussion), I told myself I needed a massage (I hadn't had one for weeks, anyway). I didn't get it last night though, because I was too tired, so I got one tonight.

I had originally considered SPADA, where I had gone the past few times, but I remembered one of the attendants there saying that there would be a new spa opening next door. When I asked her then why she was telling me this, she said she had been recruited by the said place and it would be bigger than SPADA. Remembering her advice, I decided to see if it was already open.

As I turned right going towards Adventist Hospital from Taft, I spotted it. It is literally next door to SPADA on the same building, as she said. This new place is called VERDE SPA, and it has just begun to operate. When I entered the place, I could already see that the place was bigger than the other. The counter and couch areas did not feel too cramped, and there was even space for a wash area behind the counter.

VERDE has a designated locker room area, I believe one for males and one for females, while SPADA lets their guests change in the bedroom (something I found not too spa-like). VERDE also supplies towels and "massage clothes" (i.e. robe and shorts) with slippers, while SPADA only has robes and slippers.

Intrigued by the melon scrub that the counter attendant told me they had, I requested for a body wash prior to my massage. I also wanted to compare this area to that of the other spa. As of now, this area is still a bit empty,having no matting for the concrete floor. The scrub/wash bed is a big block of concrete lined with a cushion-layer for comfort. I'd have to say that SPADA's scrub bed is still more comfortable than this, as that was a real massage bed designated for wash, but VERDE's bed provides better neck comfort as they have the facehole in the concrete bed (SPADA's bed did not). Also, I noticed that VERDE's scrub/wash room was a bit dark,but I was told that there were lights for the area, they just havent been switched on (normally done by request).

As I finished my body wash, I went up to the massage area. On the way, I spotted a little wooden sauna room, though this was not yet operational. Immediately, I thought this is going to make a huge difference with SPADA. Another this I noticed was more showers and bathrooms (SPADA has one communal little, err, people's room). When I got upstairs, I could see the size difference again with SPADA as VERDE's upstairs space looked like a large hallway with 9 bed areas. I'm not exactly sure about SPADA's upstairs because I haven't counted, or gone beyond their wash area (which is upstairs), but it still looked very much cramped compared to VERDE's area).

One vital improvement I noticed with VERDE compared to SPADA was that the beds were elevated. This "feature" makes it easier for the masseur/masseuse to focus on the massage, as the client is much closer to the hands and arms of the masseur/masseuse without the latter having to bend down or kneel. The beds of VERDE also have the faceholes on them, which are very vital to the customer's relaxation and breathing.

After my massage, I got to talk to VICTOR, the proprietor of the place, as he was manning the counter. Apparently (for those who want to try), they are having their GRAND OPENING on Saturday, Oct. 17, where their services are 50% off! When asked what other differences VERDE had from SPADA, he answered that VERDE has a Sauna Room (which I had already spotted) and a mini coffeeshop, where customers could order some snacks and drinks while waiting for their massage or waiting to go home.

So, here's a new place to go to : VERDE SPA, located on the same building as SPADA. Their price is the same, but the place is bigger, and soon to look better.