The global financial crisis has affected many Overseas Filipino Workers and Professionals, with fears of massive layoffs in Macau, Taiwan, the United States, Europe and in many other countries. Due to the unavailability of jobs in the Philippines that gives “decent pay” to its citizenry, Filipinos have been known to be one of the large groups of people looking for jobs in other countries.

This exodus of professionals have benefited the host countries since Filipinos are known to be skilled, diligent and effective at what they do. But on the other hand, it has benefited the country whose economy have been partly dependent on the inflow of cash remitted from overseas foreign workers.

But a few days ago, while I was checking for the Nov 2008 Nursing Board Exam results in Google, I spotted a news over at ABS-CBN online reporting that Queensland, the second-biggest state in Australia is needing 120,000 skilled workers.

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I just can’t help it but blog (and rant) what I saw today on Philippine TV. At long last, former Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante appeared before the Blue Ribbon Committee of the Philippine House of Senate.

The Committee is chaired by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano - who refused to inhibit from “chairing” the Investigation at the request of Senator Panfilo Lacson - citing the fact that Senator Cayetano was one of the alleged beneficiaries of the 728-Million peso “Fertilizer Scam“.

The Senate Investigation started with Senator Cayetano explaining to JocJoc that the Senate presumes his innocence and that the Senate is not out to convict him - a rather confusing statement when in fact the Senate already convicted Bolante and even issued a warrant for his arrest.

Then Bolante was allowed to speak and surprisingly, thanked the Senate for its humanitarian and fair handling of his case - amusing and amazing, when in fact he accused the Senate of being vindictive and politically inclined before the US Courts when he applied for political asylum - which was eventually rejected.

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In less than 24 hours, the US Presidential Election has been decided in favor of Barack Obama. Even though some US States are still counting votes, John McCain already conceded as Obama already gathered 338 Electoral Votes, more than the 270 Electoral Votes needed to win the US Presidency.

Whats amazing with the US Presidential Election is that, even if you lose in the Popularity Votes, but reach 270 Electoral Votes, you still become the most powerful man in America, perhaps the World. This election however, Obama still won in the Popularity Voting with just a few margin of less than 5% over McCain’s. Latest official tally from Yahoo, based on the results provided by AP and several networks shows that Obama gathered 55,396,945 votes, or a total of 52% (equivalent to 338 electoral votes) and McCain got 50,660,787 votes, or a total of 47% (equivalent to only 141 electoral votes).

If compared to the Presidential Elections in the Philippines, that less 5 million vote difference will surely trigger widespread protests and charges of cheating on both camps - perhaps accusing a Presidential candidate to have done a Garci strategy.

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It was a fantastic weekend for me. I was a bit busy last week due to some project commitments, and I was really looking forward for the holidays. There was less traffic, and Sunday was a special day as well. Anyway, this post is probably one of the most talked about subject whether online or offline: After Death, What Comes Next?

Allow me to ask this question again and even though believing or not believing will probably depend on one’s religious, social and personal views, those thoughts certainly are worth the time to read and be shared.

Let me tell you a story of 4 boys from a small town who were classmates in grade school. They grew up as friends however, after graduation, went separate ways. Bobby went on to take a medical course in college and became one of the country’s best surgeons. RIco started his own business, was involved in some smuggling activities, became rich and later was elected Mayor of the town. Andre became an Internet Marketer and was earning thousands of pesos even when he’s sleeping - although he was scamming lots of people online.

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On Tuesday, November 4, 2008 (Wednesday in Manila), Americans will hold its 56th quadrennial United States Presidential Election. So in a few days, the world will see a new U.S. President - more likely to be Barack Hussein Obama rather than John Sidney McCain?

Many people, especially those not from the United States predicted Obama to be the next U.S. President. They maybe right, as the latest polls conducted by AP-Yahoo! still put Obama on top of the contention 51 to 43. So while Arnold Schwarzenegger saw the need for Democrat Barack Obama to beef up his “skinny” legs and pump up some muscles by joining his regular muscle and body building programs, he might as well advise Republican McCain to beef up his campaign and win in bigger States.

Still, Republicans are hopeful and predict that McCain still got a great fight ahead. Recently, a poll in Alabama (with 9 electoral votes) showed McCain is leading at 52%, while Obama got 25% with the undecided at 23%. Also, based on the recent poll study of AP-Yahoo!, one in seven voters, 14 percent of the total — said they were undecided or might yet change their minds.

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