Turning Point 2016

In the life of every nation as in the life of any person, there is a turning point when that life is defined and headed towards what is perceived to be as "success". 

There are milestones which are bound to happen. For an individual, there is puberty, adolescence, marriage or death. For a country, one can think of agricultural development, industrialization and prosperity. For a nation, like the Philippines, it's colonization, independence and global economic prominence.

So the question would be - where are we now as a country and as a nation?

The Philippines is perceived to be making headways in its fight against graft and corruption. Thanks to a national leadership which is committed to change the course of history through a straight path and by exercising political will and instituting reforms. 

Consistency in vision and policies have  allowed President Aquino to have a firm grip on the affairs of government and in leading our nation. It is noteworthy that the Philippines is a country ravaged by a super typhoon, a consequence of climate change, territorial disputes in the high seas, wars and unrests in foreign lands that could spell unemployment for OFWs, global crisis affecting economies, inefficiency in the government service, ideological struggles, threats to the peace process and the continuing problem of poverty. Yet, despite all such concerns, the Philippines is able to move on.

As Filipinos, we are expected to do our part as responsible citizens. Simple things when put together can already make a difference. For instance -

Say no to corruption.

Promote peace.

Obey the laws.

Go environmentally green.

Pay your taxes.

Be vigilant.

Save money.

Give to charity.

Respect the elders.

Protect the children.

Strengthen the family as an institution.

Above all, pray to God.

Aware of the good and the bad things that are in our midst right now, and having done our part as responsible citizens, 2016 must be the turning point for our country and our nation. We've had enough of practically everything which people would not wish for.

2016 is election year and we must insure that it should be the turning point for the Philippines. We know that our vote counts during elections. Our vote should be the embodiment of our hopes, aspirations and our efforts for a better Philippines, and therefore, our vote is sacred and can neither be bought nor swayed by mere popularity of a politician.

We must be vigilant and intelligent enough all throughout this 2015, to distinguish the truth from lies, and facts from fiction. In this way, we can make learned decisions that we will not regret. 

Sustainable "Way of Life"

Sustainability. We often hear and read this, yet nobody seems to pay attention to it. Why? Some people continue to throw their garbage along canals or esteros, others just ignore the importance of waste segregation, vehicles continue to be ill-maintained with so much toxic emissions, carbon footprints in houses are disgusting, and many more that are responsible for climate change that we all suffer and endure today.

Our country had the shock of its life when Typhoon Ondoy came, submerging metropolitan cities under muddy water, and Typhoon Yolanda which flattened regions and rendered millions homeless, jobless, hungry and countless others missing or dead.

After all these years, what have we done to prevent or at least mitigate the effects of global warming and brace up ourselves against future devastations?

Maybe a lot but hardly significant, maybe little and definitely without impact, or maybe none at all - due to sheer indifference.

Change should start from us. From each one of us who cares for the future - particularly those of our children, the future generation. We are responsible for the world of tomorrow that we create today. We cannot ignore the fact that we are stewards and guardians of the future earth. 

Let us begin by looking at every nook and corner of our homes. We can find a lot inside that requires our attention. Old fridge, rotting wood, rusting metals and gadgets, plastics clogging sewerage and canals, and other useless items that contribute to emissions and polluting our own environment with particulates, among others.

Our house systems must be checked likewise. Waste segregation, and the things we buy which must be Eco-friendly, from its simple packaging to becoming a biodegradable waste, and from its production or manufacturing processes to its manner of use or consumption. These may be little things, but they are things that matters and which cannot be ignored. 

Build a sustainable future, be resource efficient and climate change proof our houses and property. 

Act now, lest be disabled later.

Climate Change

Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution ofweather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions, or in the distribution of weather around the average conditions (i.e., more or fewer extreme weather events). Climate change is caused by factors such as biotic processes, variations in solar radiation received by Earth, plate tectonics, and volcanic eruptions. Certain human activities have also been identified as significant causes of recent climate change, often referred to as "global warming".^[1]

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change

Greenhouse Gas

A greenhouse gas (sometimes abbreviated GHG) is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect.^[1] The primary greenhouse gases in theEarth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane,nitrous oxide, and ozone. Greenhouse gases greatly affect the temperature of the Earth; without them, Earth's surface would average about 33 °C colder, which is about 59 °F below the present average of 14 °C (57 °F).^[2][3][4]

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas

Tips When Buying A House

So finally you made a decision to buy a house, probably for the first time, or maybe a second one. Whether it is your first or second, or even more than that, the same principle applies when buying a house. Make sure what you are getting is clean and will not get you into any trouble.

So let us check on the brass tacks.

1) To prevent compulsive decisions, list down what you need : (a) its location (b) brand new or otherwise (c) minimum lot area (d) minimum floor area (e) number of rooms and toilets/baths (f) capacity of garage (g) preference for lawn or garden (h) model and style (i) concrete or steel fences (j) gated and guarded area or open location (k) required facilities and amenities in the area (l) future plans for the property (m) access to major roads and public transport system and (n) price range of the property.   

2) Make sure you have the following basic information : (a) location of sewerage tank (b) condition of electrical, water and drainage systems (c) supply of potable water (d) availability of electrical and telephone connections (e) barangay or city/municipal ordinance governing home ownership (f) condition of any creek making sure it's not silted or clogged (g) fire escape system (g) house plan as approved by the LGU engineering department (h) existence of termites and other pests, and means adopted to control them (i) flood alerts (j) soil or land upon which the house was built, to watch out for possible sink holes (k) earthquake fault (l) crime rate in the area (m) background check on your future neighbors (n) if it be in a subdivision or condominium unit, the status of the homeowners association, its financial statement, political and administrative history, and its officers and members as well as rate of monthly dues and contributions, and (o) barangay hall, officials including location of hospital, police station, fire station and gas (p) health status in the are like being prone to dengue, measles, rabies, and other contagious diseases (q) zoning information, current and future (r) taxes due and (s) cost or expenses for minor adjustments or repairs, if any.

3) Engage the services of a licensed broker as he or she may have the information you need or your desired property for sale in his or her listings. It is best to seek professional help since you are about to release your hard-earned money to buy your dream house. 

4) Check on the legal documents : (a) original or transfer certificate of title, with certified copy thereof (b) co-owner's duplicate of the title, if any  (c) tax declaration, with certified copy thereof (d) realty tax receipts (e) location / survey map showing lot description (f) LGU treasurer's clearance, to insure realty taxes are updated and property is not included in the public auction list (g) barangay clearance that the property is not involved in any dispute (h) court clearance (i) summary of property history and information checked with RD records (j)  special power of attorney as certified by the notarial section of the court in the area (k) deed of extrajudicial settlement, if any (l) if inherited, ask for a family tree outline showing all the heirs and that appropriate authorization have been obtained and (m) the TIN, cedula and 2 government issued IDs of the sellers 

5) Review the annotations inscripted on the certificate of title. Make sure that there are no unreasonable restrictions and conditions, existing loan or mortgage and encumbrances. Should there be any such encumbrance, it has to be clarified on how and when it will be removed and by whom.   

6) Get a warranty and representation from the sellers that the property has not been sold to any other person and which may not have been registered.

7) Be assured by the seller and any person claiming any right, that the property will be vacated at a certain date or prior to the closing of the sale, and peaceful and absolute possession thereof will be given and transferred at such agreed date and time. You may require that payment shall be made only upon such transfer of possession.

8) When signing any deed of absolute sale or any document pertaining to the sale, require that all parties must be present before a notary public to acknowledge the act personally. Verify the authority or the commission of the Notary Public which must be within the jurisdiction of the place where the document is being signed, and which must be valid at the time of notarization. 

  

9) Before letting go of your money, be sure you have seen the property, you are in possession of the property and you have all the documents with you and that they are all in order. Have the sale registered immediately. Get a new title, a new tax declaration, register with the barangay as a new resident, register with the homeowners association as a member, and physically secure your new house. 

10) Give a prayer of thanks at every stage of the transaction and always for as along as you live.