Netizens: NO TO RA 10175!

Netizens show cyber protest against the controversial RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act) through an all-out "blackout" or replacing their profile pictures with a plain black.

PHILIPPINES - Uproars from national and international netizens and human rights groups immediately followed after the passing of the controversial RA 10175 or The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 which took effect last October 3 after having been approved by the Congress and the President himself.  While the law addresses to digital crimes such as child pornography, human trafficking, and other online crimes, clamor sparked after the alleged "insertion" of the libel clause by Sen. Sotto which clearly infringes Filipinos' freedom of expression. In addition, Section 19 of the law authorizes the Department of Justice to issue an order to restrict or block access to "computer data" immediately even without a court order or due process. 

Accessnow.org is among several online groups that started campaigns (see picture below) against what has been called as the "Cyber Martial Law". Meanwhile, US-based Freedom House "urges the (Philippine) government "to heed the calls of concerned netizens and repeal several provisions in the bill that could curtail Internet freedom."

Anonymous Philippines, an underground organization of hackers known to be involved with WikiLeaks and Anonymous International, has made several attacks on government websites throughout the week as protest against the said law. Accordingly, such attacks would continue and would even worsen until the law will be repealed.

However, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago believes that RA 10175 "should be declared unconstitutional and that fellow senators should have read and reviewed the bill first before they approved it." In some twist of events that somehow pacifies the noise from furious protesters, several senators who voted in favor of the law promised to amend it.

Related articles:

http://www.freedomhouse.org/article/cybercrime-prevention-act-could-curtail-internet-freedom-philippines

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/10/03/12/pinoys-roar-out-defiance-cybercrime-law-takes-effect

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/276434/scitech/socialmedia/digital-martial-law-10-scary-things-about-the-cybercrime-prevention-act-of-2012

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/senators-flip-flop-on-cybercrime-law.html

EdCriBA Conquers CeC Palaro 2012

After 5 days of athletic, academic, and musical competitions during the CeC Palaro 2012 last September 25-29,  EdCriBA Team (Education, Criminology and Business Administration) made a historic win against its 4 competitors-- MEAN (Marine Engineering and Nursing), IIAS (Informatics), Navigators (Marine Transportation), and HMD-Theology. To note, it is the team's first time to emerge as the Palaro's over-all champion making the victory one of its greatest achievement.

Garnering a total of 22 gold, EdCriBA indeed had a close competition with MEAN (21 gold) and IIAS (20 gold). However, considering the number of silver and bronze medals it earned, it is evident the team is the CeC Palaro's rightful champ.

CeC SSC President Benito Lopoy Jr. presents the P5,000 cash prize to the leaders of EdCriBA Team.

Bernadeth Abuhan (Education Dept Gov), Carlo Guivencan (Criminology Dept Gov), and Melvin Salinasal (Business Ad Dept Gov and Team Chairman) receives the P5,000 cash prize with the SSC Vice President Orlando Saplot.

Members of Team EdCriBA celebrates their momentous victory after 5 days of athletic, academic, and musical battle against 4 teams during the CeC Palaro 2012 held last September 25-29.

Sponge Bob Wins!: The Official Logo of EdCriBA Team which seems rejoicing for a destined victory.

Araw ng Kagitingan (The Day of Valor)

The Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) is a national non-working holiday celebrated in the Philippines every 9th of April to commemorate the heroism of more than 76,000 brave men which included Filipino, Chinese-Filipino, and American soldiers who were forced to take a 90-mile (about 145 kilometers) hike to Camp O’Donnell in San Fernando during the fall of Bataan. Thousands of POW's (prisoners of war) died during the course of the infamous Bataan Death March due to dehydration, starvation, infected wounds, diseases, execution, and attempts to escape. It left the street sides with lifeless bodies of soldiers and only around 54,000 men were able to survive the dreadful march making it one of the most horrific war crimes committed by the Japanese empire during the Second World War.

Photo taken from: http://www.fecgp.org/html/bataan_memorial.html

Shortly after the conquest of Bataan, Corregidor fell under Japanese control. Despite the horrible defeat, the brave soldiers emerged as unforgettable heroes of the World War II. Bataan and Corregidor slowed down Japanese advancement in Southeast Asia giving enough time for the American forces to prepare. On February 8, 1945, the US and Filipino liberation forces retook Bataan and shortly thereafter followed the Japanese surrender which marked an end to the greatest and most bloody war the world has ever witnessed.

 As we commemorate one of the most significant parts of Philippine history that happened 70 years ago, we remember not their defeat but their selfless courage and gallantry all for the love and protection of national liberty. We salute the veterans as well as the heroes who fought for our country and its people. May they continue to inspire us and ignite our nationalistic spirit. Let us not forget their sacrifices and prove that we are still the "Filipinos worth dying for".

Let freedom reign in our dear motherland! May God bless the Philippines!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Pilipino!

“To those who look upon us from afar, it must seem that the Filipino people have now descended into hell—into the valley of death. But we know that the patient and watchful men who said their simple prayers this morning in the hills of Bataan have not lost faith. . . . We, too, shall rise. We shall rise in the name of freedom, and the East shall be alight with the glory of our liberation! Until then, people of the Philippines—be not afraid!”

~ Voice of Freedom broadcast, Easter Sunday, 1942

It's Summer!

The bright sun shining over the horizon, the cool sea breeze gently touching your skin, the sweet scent from fresh blossoming flowers, the excitement of children flying colorful kites gleefully into the air, the aroma from a delicious roast from over the corner, no more busy schedules, projects, or exams...........and yes, suddenly, it's summer!

White sand beach at Panglao, Bohol

Of course, how could a summer vacation be complete without a dive into the beach?

If what you want is to relax, enjoy, and experience the leisure of island life, you should definitely consider one of the Philippines' major tourist attractions--the white sand beaches of Panglao, Bohol.

You should definitely experience this paradise life before everyone does!

Have a great summer vacation!

Beyond Excellence: Ce-C Welcomes a New Era

Cristal e-College’s quest for excellence has gone way farther than it had been before. ISO accreditations, CHED and TESDA approval and commendation of high standard programs, constant boost of sponsors and investors coming in, continuous increase of population, overwhelming improvements of facilities, name it all. Ce-C got it all for you!

Recently, Ce-C acquired another addition to its first-class facilities—an estimated P7.5 million ship simulator, designed for education and procedural training for Deck and Engine Cadets. It allows trainees to survey and learn safety procedures before it is done in real life like maneuvering ships at different environments and locations. The simulator is ideal for collaboration and teamwork training in the same manner to expose them in actual modern vessel setting. 

Among the 93 maritime institutions in the country, Ce-C enlisted itself as the 7^th to acquire the new technology, with the most advanced and modern in terms of hardware and software. This state of the art equipment is expected to give Ce-C maritime students an edge in the MSAP examination not only in the written test but also in the actual assessment in simulator operation. In an interview of The Phoenix with the Maritime Superintendent Capt. Teresito Alon, MM, he stressed that the college is really dedicated to provide world-class facilities to promote the school’s dictum of Excellence in Global Education. Capt. Alon added that the college’s aim is to make it to the top 5 maritime colleges (from 9^th place) in the said exams. Furthermore, the administration is acquiring an approval from the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) for official licensed Deck and Engine simulator training. If approved, the school will be offering these trainings even to other Maritime schools. Ce-C also boasts its well-trained instructors and is planning to add more in preparation for the upcoming semester. “We are expecting a considerable increase in the maritime department’s population by the next academic year, hence, the need for more proficient instructors is being taken into consideration”, Capt. Alon remarked. Asked about his vision for Cristal e-College, he responded with a confident smile, “Probably by the next 3-5 years, Ce-C will already be able to acquire its own training vessel”—a vision not impossible to achieve for an institution with the passion for excellence.

(The Phoenix: Official School Publication of Cristal e-College by Melvin Salinasal with Hannah Adellit Rodriguez)

The 1st Global Baptist Youth Congress, Cebu City

The 1st Global Baptist Youth Congress to be held on April 2-5, 2012 at Bible Baptist Church, 55 Katipunan St., Cebu, is a gathering of hundreds of young people from Baptist churches all over the Philippines and the globe. It is an annual youth event and a ministry of Bible Baptist Church, Cebu and its youth arm--the Katipunan Youth Alive (KAYA Ministry) for more than 30 years led by their pastor, Dr. Armie Jesalva and Youth director, Rev. Jun Lumagbas. Through this event, thousands of young people has been changed and has dedicated their lives for the ministry of  spreading God's Word.

Enjoy the fellowship with Christian believers, meet new friends, participate in exciting activities, and  hear life-changing messages from people who seek to impart the burden to the delegates to surrender their lives  on carrying the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ throughout all nations.

We are for Youth Congress, Are You?

Last day of the 1st semester 2011! Yipeee!

Happy Sem break Vacation!

Had great time with some friends at the Bohol Quality Mall, Tagbilaran City!