ten pesos

Here is Uncle Sam’s latest take on the Republic of the Philippines,  for Yankees intending to visit it:

“November 6, 2009

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:

The [Republic of the] Philippines is an emerging economy [it's an economy?] with a democratic system of government.  Located in Southeast Asia, the archipelago consists of more than 7,000 7,107 islands, of which over 800 are inhabited.  The major island groupings are Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the center and Mindanao in the south.  Tourist facilities [What are they?] are available within population centers and the main tourist areas.  English is widely spoken [how does one speak widely?] in the Philippines, and most signs are in English.  »→

A 78-year-old Irish priest was abducted by gunmen from his home in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur Province in Mindanao, Philippines.

Police say that six armed men forcibly took Father Michael Sinnott, a priest of the Missionaries of Saint Columban then fled in a minivan and a boat. Police found the van abandoned and burned at the coast.

No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. The Philippine Army has been fighting the Abu Sayyaf Muslims in the region, and Police Chief Angelo Sunglao told reporters: “We can’t speculate yet on who is behind the kidnapping, but the Abu Sayyaf is known to be operating near the area.”

Parma, which was a Tropical Depression, then a Tropical Storm, later a Typhoon, then downgraded to a Tropical Storm, and is now a Tropical Depression, has passed over Luzon three times since it October 3! North and Central Luzon are very waterlogged. 17 Filipinos (or more) have died. I’m glad that I’m not in Baguio City!

The Philippines government reports that 240 people are known to have died in severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana.

The country has appealed for foreign aid to deal with the disaster which has displaced more than 450,000 people, including 375,000 people who are in makeshift shelters. »→

American Citizen Services section of U.S. Embassy in Manila

Phones (632) 301-2000, extensions 2246 & 2567

Mondays through Fridays
between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. »→

Jeepney’s seventh issue, Tired of War, is now available from all Jeepney vendors in Manila.

 Jeepney magazine vendors are in Park Square 1 for two weeks, on the first floor, near the Nokia shop from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Also look for vendors on Katipunan, Intramuras and UP.

If you’d like to check out Jeepney magazine and perhaps to subscribe, yet can’t get to a vendor in Manila, visit the website: www.thejeepney.com.  †