Pageant Result: Miss Asia Global 2025

The winners of Miss Asia Global 2025 from left to right: Neha Balqiz -United Arab Emirates - First Runner Up,  Angel Bianca Agustin- Philippines - Miss Asia Global 2025- Winner, Kavya Bali -India - Miss Asia 2025, Ashwarea Ullas Kuwait - Second Runner Up. The pageant was held in India last November 5 2025.

The Danger of Using Substandard Materials

 

The Danger Of Using Substandard Materials

This will be another black eye in the Build ... Build ... Build efforts in the last administration's record. Mother Nature continues to expose all the big and little examples of what substandard materials are capable of ruining the politicians' names, even though they have the noblest of intentions ... and the selfless concern to help others.

Well, after the most recent major bridge catastrophe ... the Piggatan Bridge in Alcala, Cagayan, Philippines, collapsed in October 2025 ... it was just the beginning. Who would ever expect Super Typhoon Uwan will steal the scene right up to our very noses when he made the unthinkable happen when the PNR Railway Bridge at Guinobatan, Albay tilted.

Mother Nature has done its homework... and it looks like it is giving the erring officials an ultimatum: "Unless you come clean ... and you stop lying and drop that innocent stance and posture ... more typhoons are coming your way."

Some people may shrug their shoulders and look at my statements with suspicion, and say my observations are preposterous. If it is not true, why on earth would Uwan leave the country and say He has some unfinished business and will come back to PI on Wednesday (according to Pagasa)?

Did you think He would come back to say sorry for the havoc it created ... or He plans to come back because he was not content with the outcome (the politicians and the government are not repentant), and Uwan is still planning to cause more cataclysm?

I asked Google for help, and this is what I got.

Substandard materials used in construction and DPWH projects can lead to immediate and long-term dangers, including structural failures, safety hazards like fires and collapses, and accelerated deterioration.

These inferior materials also result in high maintenance costs, environmental damage from waste and pollution, and a loss of public trust. Factors like greed, incompetence, corruption, and budget constraints are often the driving forces behind their use.

Dangers and consequences
-Structural failure: Inferior materials compromise structural integrity, leading to premature defects, cracks, and potentially building collapse.

-Safety hazards: Poor-quality steel, wiring, or pipes can cause electrical fires or structural failures. Some unregulated supplies may even be contaminated with harmful substances like asbestos or lead, posing health risks during installation and after.

-Accelerated deterioration: Buildings and infrastructure, such as roads, will degrade much faster, requiring frequent and costly repairs.

-Financial burden: In addition to high maintenance costs, owners and governments may face significant expenses for repairs, reconstruction, or disaster relief.

-Environmental impact: The faster degradation of low-quality materials contributes to increased waste and pollution. Frequent reconstruction also leads to a greater environmental footprint from manufacturing and resource consumption.

-Loss of public trust: When buildings fail, it erodes public confidence in the professionals, contractors, and governing bodies responsible for ensuring quality and safety.

Causes why we use substandard materials

-Greed and cost-cutting: Contractors may use cheaper, lower-quality materials to increase profits.

-Corruption: Unscrupulous individuals may be involved in the supply chain or oversight process.

-Incompetence: A lack of knowledge or skill can lead to the improper selection and use of materials.

-Client constraints: Owners may insist on using inferior materials to save costs upfront.

-Inadequate oversight: Lack of proper inspection and enforcement of building standards can allow substandard materials to be used.

A Dose Of His Own Medicine

The table was turned, and Divine Justice had its way of "reminding the abusers of their excesses." Heaven has its way of making someone remember their actions or behaviors that went far past the limits of what is considered acceptable, reasonable, or moral.

During the 2020 House hearings on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, Representative Rodante Marcoleta insisted that ABS-CBN had tax deficiencies and had not been paying the correct amount of taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). He claimed the network "hid" the right amount of taxes it owed, often through its subsidiary, Big Dipper. 

He continued his nonstop rant to please HIS Lordship in Malacanang, despite the BIR testifying in Congress that ABS-CBN was a compliant taxpayer, had paid all its taxes, and did not owe any for the covered periods.

Netizens flooded Marcoleta's Facebook with pleas —almost a supplication —to grant ABS-CBN its franchise (that was pandemic ... hello ... and a lockdown), and people depended only on ABS-CBN for news and entertainment.

But Marcoleta has a wooden heart, and that did not even touch his heart, nor did he show signs that he was moved and felt sorry for the people's dilemma. The people's request fell on deaf ears ... and there was not a single iota of compassion ... or sympathy (was seen coming his way) for the Filipino people's misery.

He was callous ... he showed no concern or sorrow for the people's suffering, even though the COVID atmosphere was stifling and the potential for suicide was great. What was important for them was that the President was happy, and he kept true to his vindictive promise.

Well, the tables were turned. He looks like he is getting now a dose of his own medicine. Kung nakita natin kung gaano ka-estrikto ang Lolo ninyo sa ABS-CBN kahit SAGIP representative siya ... wala man lang siyang SINAGIP sa mga tao ... when everybody was bored sa kanilang pagkakulong sa bahay at inip na inip na sila dahil wala man lang magawa ... pati ba naman ang paboritong estasyon ng bayan ipapasara na lang ... dahil utos ng mayor?

BIR na nagsasabi na walang tax problem ang media mogul ... kung anong utang ang kanyang pinagsasabi? 

Well Bilyonaryo News Channel is now asking questions na si Marcoleta lang ang makasagot tungkol sa kanyang SALN.

He declared a net worth of P51.9 million in his 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.

Yet when he ran as senator this year, his official campaign report was another story, as he spent P112.8 million, all declared as his personal money, and take note ... he has not received a single contribution from anybody, whether cash or in kind.

So Bilyonaryo is now asking: How did Marcoleta spend P112M with a meshly 52M net worth?

Ayan ... ayaw mo noong mabudol ka ng ABS-CBN noon sa taxes at sa BIR... pakisagot lang ang Bilyonaryo kung may pambubudol din ang iyon SALN?

It just doesn't add up!

Definition

There is a new buzzword in the flood project scams of DPWH in the Philippines.

BID RIGGING in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Philippines is a form of collusion among contractors to manipulate the outcome of a public bidding for a project. 

Instead of competing, contractors secretly conspire to fix prices, share contracts, or limit competition, resulting in higher costs for the government and taxpayers.

This practice undermines the goal of achieving the best value for public money, often leading to higher project costs, lower quality outcomes, and the misuse of taxpayer funds.

What is an example of bid rigging?

For example, if one member of the bidding ring is designated to win a particular contract, that bidder's conspirators could avoid winning by not bidding ("bid suppression") or by submitting a high bid ("cover bidding").

• Definition: Bid rigging occurs when competitors secretly agree to manipulate a bidding process rather than compete fairly.
• Impact: It undermines the purpose of public bidding, which is to get the best value for money.
• Consequences: This can lead to higher project costs, lower quality of goods and services, and the misuse of taxpayer money.
• Illegality: It is illegal under the Philippine Competition Act (Republic Act No. 10667) and carries severe penalties, including imprisonment and significant fines.
• How it happens: Competitors may agree on who will win the bid and that others will submit higher, non-competitive bids, or they might agree to submit "dummy bids".

Tattered Jeans Tale

Bago ako magkwento tungkol sa kung anong nangyari sa aking tattered and torn jeans i-define ko muna ito. So far ito ang kanyang mga synonyms.

Distressed Jeans -This is a common and more modern term for jeans that have been intentionally torn or worn to look worn-in. 

Tattered Jeans - These synonyms emphasize the state of being worn and damaged, with holes or rips. 

Frayed  Jeans - This term specifically describes jeans where the edges of the fabric are worn into loose threads, often around the hems or tears. 

Ragged Jeans - This is a classic adjective for clothing in poor condition, with rips and tears. 

Worn-out Jeans - This describes jeans that have been worn so much that they are no longer in good condition. 

Scruffy Jeans - These words describe clothing that is shabby or messy in appearance.

• Ito na ang kuwento. Dumating kasi ang pasalubong ko galing America ... bigay ng aking kapatid. Isang shabby and scruffy denim jeans. Sabi ko at my age susuot pa ako ng ganito?
• Inilagay ko muna sa sofa ... at mag-grocery muna.  Pagbalik ko ... laking gulat ko.  Nagawa na pala ang pantalon.
• Nakialam na naman ang Lola. Imagine ginawa niya ang kanyang huling obra maestra. Patching daw ang tawag niya.
• As she explained, it is a technique that involves using a separate piece of fabric to cover a hole or a tear. 
• The patch is put on the jeans to cover the damaged area and strengthen the fabric. 
• Gusto ko mang magalit sa kanyang pakialam -pero alam kong ginawa lang niya iyon dahil mahal niya ako. Ayaw niya sigurong makita ako na gula-gulanit na ang suot ko.
• At the back of her mind siguro iniisip niya na hirap na hirap na ako sa buhay at hindi man lang ako makabili ng bagong trousers.
• Down-hearted man ako - pinasalamatan ko na lang si Lola - at nang maka-moved on na.

Palabas Lang?

Isang earth-shaking na balita - Si Bong Go bumibili ng balot at mani?

What can one really earn with this political ploy? Nothing except pagtatawanan lang siya.Haven't we had enough self-respect left in our bodies? Si Mr. Malasakit ang the number 1 senator last election ... the butt of jokes?

I was reading the commenters' reactions, and it's almost 100 percent unsavory, tasteless, and offensive.

Other senators involved in flood control scams have been criticized for saying Kadiri (disgusting) to the corrupt government engineers when it looked like he should be saying this to himself complained one podcaster.  

Another senator had been badmouthed for his outright denials of his involvement, and his Senate antics and histrionics were pooh-poohed and were given the moniker - the Best Actor Award.

And now this?  Imagine being told, "Bumenta at kumita na yan."

Another one was singing with sarcasm, " Oh yes ... you're the great pretender."

"Talaga lang naman ... isang billionaire ... kumakain ng ganyan."

"Style mo bulok."

"Kailangan pa talaga may baong photographer?

"The biggest photo-op."

And one even give him a pep-talk: Hindi kami interesado  sa pagbili mo na mani at balot. Mas interesado kami na humarap ka sa imbestigasyon. 

Deserve ba?

Ghostly and Ghastly

It is All Souls' Day - can you blame us if we talk about GHOST STORIES ... not necessarily the paranormal or the supernatural kind ... but with the corruption being given a 24/7 coverage ... the kind of money wasted and the lives ruined and squandered gives unsuspecting Pinoys a reaction like they HAVE SEEN A GHOST?

With the insatiable thirst of our politicians and people working in the government for money and more dough ... their righteous indignation (that leads one prominent politician to say, "Kadiri kayo." You're disgusting! Pero hindi niya nakita ang sarili niya kasama na pala siya sa akusado) ... elected officials who can look at you in the eye, invoking religion and Supreme Power na siya ay kapitag-pitagan, walang kasing linis at hindi makabasag pinggan. Tapos akusahan ninyo lang na corrupt?

Marami sa kanila walang delicadeza. may  mga nag-planta ng whistle-blowers and false witnesses ,.. may mga nag-doctor ng kanilang mga SALN making them the poorest elected officials in town pero galante kung magbigay ng regalo ... may mga nagtatalak at regular ang mga commentaries about corruption ... pero sino ka ... sila ang poster model ng pagnanakaw ... may amnesia ba sila?

Hindi kaya ayaw magpaawat si Mother Nature na magpadala ng sunod-sunod na bagyo, ulan, baha, landslides, earthquakes at mga  nagaalburotong mga bulkan dahil hindi na siya makatiis at naabot na niya ang pisi ng kanyang pasensiya?

The last time we saw her, she was as PALE AS A GHOST sa sobrang galit. Her Sphymomanometric reading had reached an all-time high. Not even a powerful tandem of Hydrochlorothiazide and Amlopidine can appease her nanggagalaiting bllod pressure.

Kaya tuloy ang mga ecological disasters and natural disasters kahit nagmistulang GHOST TOWN na ang apektadong mga lugar at nagmistulang na itong dagat-dagatan at malapit na rin angkinin ng mga Tsekwa. 

Tuloy ang Divine Intervention ... kasi kahit nahuhuli na ang mga salarin patuloy pa rin ang kanilang denial at rebuttal.  Can you imagine nandito sila para magsilbi sa taong bayan ... teka nga pagsisilbi ba yong pinagnanakawan mo sila?

Other GHOST PHRASES and terms na nagiging viral lately:

1. GHOST  PROJECT: A form of corruption where the government project is declared finished and paid for, even though it is incomplete or non-existent.

2. GHOST OMBUDSMAN: Isang kaibigan defined it as an ombudsman na napakatahimik ang kanyang watch - walang anomalies, puno ng acquittal at walang conviction. Some others define them as a non-working government official.

3. GHOST EMPLOYEE/GHOST SOLDIER/GHOST STUDENT - Non-existent individuals who are on the official payroll ... often a part of a fraudulent scheme to siphon funds.

4. GHOST FROM THE PAST - Someone or skeletons in their closet that have just risen from the grave. It can be something dreadful or someone unwanted that is haunting the person in his sleep ... now they are exhumed to make their final return.

5. GHOST TOWN - A town or province wrecked by floods or typhoons. They have a substantial population, but with the advent of rains and floods, it is giving us the impression that the place will soon be deserted.