EXCLUSIVE: Cebu Bloggers with Mar Roxas Videos

Good day everyone! A few days ago, I blogged about the Cebu Bloggers Society (CBS) meet-up with Senator Mar Roxas last June 11, 2009 that was held at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, IT Park. Let me share to you these EXCLUSIVE videos taken by Mikyu Maglasang, fellow member of CBS member, during that event. Check out the videos below:

1. Why Padyak?


2. Mar and Korina in Wowowee


3. Hayden Kho - Katrina Halili scandal


4. Follow-up question on Hayden - Katrina scandal


5. Being No. 1 in Cebu


6. No. 1 problem of the Philippines


7. Wedding preparations


8. Federalism


9. Philippines as IT hub by 2016


10. Transfer of manufacturing firms to China and other countries


11. Platform of governance


12. Education reform

Saturday, June 20, 2009 | posted in bpo, campaign, cebu bloggers' society, cheaper medicines bill, chiz escudero, gibo teodoro, kevin ray chua, legacy group of companies, mar roxas, philippines, president, pulse asia | 0 comments [ More ]

Cebu Bloggers Society with Mar Roxas

UPDATE: Click here to check out the EXCLUSIVE Videos of the Cebu Bloggers Society Meet-up with Senator Mar Roxas!

Hello everyone! This one's an über-late post, but I really want to share to you the buzz about our bloggers meet-up with Senator Mar Roxas in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, IT Park last June 11. I was already suggesting this one since December 2008 to his staff, and finally, this day came. Thanks to Bon Moya!

Photo courtesy of Michael Sinjin Pineda

Roxas was in Cebu to attend a business forum organized by the Makati Business Club and the Cebu Business Club in the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. Also there was fellow senator and 2010 presidentiable Chiz Escudero. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro was also invited but turned down the invitation in the last minute because of a cabinet meeting. Bad move Gibo! You just missed a good opportunity!

Roxas was late but it was acceptable because Marco Polo Plaza was quite far from IT Park. When he arrived in our venue, SunStar Cebu was also there to make an article about the Cebu Bloggers Society (CBS) for their 2010 Yearbook. We had our group photo taken for the said yearbook and Roxas gamely joined us by squatting on the floor.

I was tasked by Bon to be the moderator. So, after ordered some tea from the counter, he got seated in front of me and I started the ball rolling.

Photo courtesy of Doyzkie Buenaviaje

I grabbed the opportunity to ask him on why the use of "padyak"? He told us that it symbolizes the "situation of Filipinos" nowadays. There was also a need to act on this problem so that we can move forward. He stressed on the importance of education in doing so.

Another question came from Jerry Gervacio, and he asked about Roxas' thoughts about the improvement of his ratings in the latest Pulse Asia survey because of the Wowowee event, where Roxas and ABS-CBN broadcaster Korina Sanchez announced their engagement. Roxas admitted that yes "because of Wowowee, they have seen my heart" and "it helped" in his survey rating but emphasized that it was a "combination of things". "They like what they saw," said Roxas. He also attributed it to his help with the Legacy scam victims, for cheaper medicines, and etc.

The CBS President Mark Monta asked Roxas on whether the Senate should investigate the Hayden-Katrina scandal. Well, Roxas believes that "guilty feet have got no rhythm", quoting a line of the song Careless Whisperer. He "feels bad for Katrina and the women" involved in this scandal. He's not a member of the Committee investigating it, but he lauded Senator Jamby Madrigal's performance on the committee hearing.

Guada Esmeña was asking about the importance of Cebu in the upcoming 2010 elections knowing that it's an administration bailiwick. It was also known that Roxas was the top choice in Cebu and in Visayas. Roxas told Guada that probably because Cebu saw his achievements. As Trade and Industry Secretary before being elected as Senator in 2004, he also served as Chairman of the Board of Investments and Philippine Economic Zone Authority. He helped Tsuneishi Heavy Industries in Balamban, Cebu which gave a lot of job opportunities in the province. As "Father of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry", he was also responsible in its boom in the Philippines. He also said that he was not fooling people or extorted them that sets him apart from other politicians.

Jose Farrugia asked about any updates on Roxas and Sanchez' wedding preparations. Here's the Youtube video that I uploaded:



Then, came the gate crasher, who was not a CBS member but his question was quite good. Many have been asking me about this, but I never knew what Roxas' position on Federalism. Here's the video that I got:



Fellow blogger member Bryan Karl Yuson asked Roxas about what's the big problem that we've got on why we're not moving forward. Roxas said that it was "not just one" but if he was to choose one, it is "graft and corruption" which everyone of us agreed as the part of the problem. He emphasized that if it was to be minimized or even eliminated, then everything would follow.

Bert Padilla asked about his contribution to the BPO industry. Roxas said the it has "dominated today" and more people are on it. He also stressed that Philippines can never compete with China when it comes to cheap labor. He emphasized that while China has cheap products, the Philippines has products with value-added service like the clothes with "burda."

Atty. Ethelbert Ouano asked for Roxas' top 3 political agenda if ever he's elected as President in 2010. Roxas said that it's not just 3, "but it's 4."

1. Feed Ourselves
- It is important so that we can do the priorities that have been set out.
2. Education
- After being fed in our stomach, it's time to feed our mind. He stressed that it was the "biggest equalizer" in life because it narrows the gap between the rich and the poor.
3. Fairness and Justice
- When you have already a satiated people in stomach and in mind, it's time to implement fairness among them.
4. Economy
- After doing the previous things, it's time to spruce up the economy now that the foundations are already laid down (feeding ourselves, education, fairness & justice).

Lastly, Jobette Escobanas asked about Roxas' position on having an additional year in elementary and the increase on teacher's salary increase. On the first question, he is in favor of having a Grade 7 citing that other countries have an edge on us because they follow the 12 pre-college years which makes them more competitive. He also reiterated his call on not doing the things by "tingi-tingi" but by "bulto", meaning instead of "pleasing everyone" by giving a few of this and that, it's better to focus on one thing on that budget and another thing on the next budget. On that way, we can be able to solve at least one part of the problem rather that having partly solve one problem and having it partly fix in the next budget thus keeping us to move forward.

On the next question, he supports a P 9,000 increase on the public school teacher's salary but due to the current situation, he said that a P 6,000 increase might be better to boost the morale of our public school teachers.

Anyways, thanks a lot for everyone in CBS for attending this event that I organized and also to Team Roxas, especially Communications Director Bobby Capco and New Media Head Bon Moya for making this possible. P.S., I got my copy of the Philippine Tattler, with Roxas on the cover page, and his autograph. :)

Blog Posts:

1. Bloggers meet Senator Mar Roxas - Jose Farrugia
2. CBS in CBTL with Sen. Mar Roxas - Xerxes Bernadez
3. CBS meets Senator Mar Roxas - Vernon Go
4. CBS with Sen. Mar Roxas - Zyza Esmeña
5. Mar Roxas with Cebu Bloggers - Guada Esmeña
6. An hour with Senator Mar Roxas - Willand Cuna
7. Mar Roxas... A Goal Setter Beyond Economic Quandary - Bert Padilla
8. CBS meets Senator Mar Roxas - Galleca Baylon
9. Cebu Bloggers and Sen. Mar Roxas II - Mark Abitona
10. An interview with Mar Roxas - Doyzkie Buenaviaje
11. Mr. Padyak at Cofee Bean Tea Leaf, I.T Park - Jorich Ponio
12. Mar Roxas meets the Cebu Bloggers - Jorich Ponio
13. CBS asks, Mr. Padyak answers - Mark Monta
14. Mr. Padyak, ready for Pamanhikan - Mark Monta
15. Blogger Meeting with Mar Roxas- Jobette Escobanas
16. Mar Roxas answers to DepEd Teachers Questions - Jobette Escobanas
17. Senator Mar Roxas Meets Cebu Bloggers - Clarence Mongado
18. CBS meets Mar Roxas: Photoblogger's Politics - Evanjohnn Mendoza
19. Sen. Mar Roxas shared his time with Cebu Bloggers' Society - Kriztian Etulle
20. Cebu Bloggers sits with Senator Mar Roxas - Miong Tampus
21. Senator Mar looks better in person - Agnes Jimenez

Pictures:

1. Cebu Bloggers Society Meet-up with Senator Mar Roxas - Kevin Ray Chua
2. CBS meets Sen. Mar Roxas! :) - Mikyu Maglasang
3. An Interview with Mar - Doyzkie Buenaviaje
4. Meet Up with Senator Mar Roxas - Jose Faruggia
5. CBS meets MAR - Sinjin Pineda

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 | posted in bpo, campaign, cebu bloggers' society, cheaper medicines bill, chiz escudero, gibo teodoro, kevin ray chua, legacy group of companies, mar roxas, philippines, president, pulse asia | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas statistically tied for first; gains big in the latest Pulse Asia Survey

Wait, it's not yet time to celebrate that much because there's still 11 months before the May 2010 Presidential elections, but as of now, this one is a good news. According to the latest Pulse Asia Survey dated May 4 to 17, 2009, our presidential bet, Senator Mar Roxas, is now on the circle of 5.

Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News

Roxas was the biggest gainer in the latest Pulse Asia survey for the period February to May 2009. He was also statistically tied for first given the survey error parameters of +/- 3%.

In his press statement, he said:

"Nararamdaman na ng taumbayan ang aking pakikipaglaban para sa mahihirap. Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong naniniwalang mababago ko hindi lang ang kanilang mga buhay kundi ang pamamalakad ng ating bansa."

Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News

Roxas was also number one in the Visayas region, where my place Cebu is in and my province Biliran is in too. But let us remember that we must not be put all our effort in one or few provinces. We must get every single vote in all of the provinces in the Philippines to be able to win. No matter how small or big that province is, every vote should count for us. In that same press statement also, Roxas thanked the people of Visayas for their continued support on him:

"Malaki ang utang na loob na tinatanaw ko sa taumbayan, lalo na sa aking mga kababayan mula sa Visayas na patuloy na sumusuporta sa akin," he said.

As Stella Arnaldo puts it on her blog post:

"Anything can still happen between now and May 11, 2010."

Indeed. Roxas has been saying that no matter what the result of these surveys are, there is only one survey that would matter, and that's the 2010 presidential elections. If we succeed, then good. But if we won't, then we must look back on where we got it wrong. But I know we don't want to fail. Do you?

This is the third straight poll showing an increase for Mar Roxas who in 2004 garnered almost 20 million votes when he topped the 2004 senate elections. The vote garnered by Mar Roxas in 2004 was and still is the highest number of votes garnered by any candidate in the Philippines.

Veteran political columnist Ellen Tordesillas also shared her thoughts on this good news:

"Looks like Sen.Mar Roxas “padyak” ads are effective in making people notice him. Or maybe because of his crusade against Legacy owner Celso de los Angeles whom he accused of swindling thousands of plan holders. Or it could be the "Korina Sanchez" factor."

I really don't know where exactly Roxas hit the right note because there has been so much fuss about his Padyak TV Ad. His public engagement also with Korina Sanchez was called distasteful to some even other accusing the host of Wowowee, Willie Revillame, of being bribed to have them on the show which is so untrue. The Legacy issue has also been a good aspect of Roxas' pursuit for justice to those who are being fooled by people like Celso de los Angeles. Whatever it is, I know these contributed a lot to Roxas' poll ratings.

But here's one point that blogger Ding Gagelonia has observed that might have boosted Roxas' poll ratings:

"I am making the observation after also having closely tracked his performance in the first episode of the ABS-CBN Leaders Foum during which Mar projected a clear vision of what he wanted to do."

Oh! Why would we forget that. The ABS-CBN Leadership Forum was a good avenue to get to know more him and his vision for our country. That surely helped a lot.

As what I have said earlier, the piñata hasn't been broken and we still don't know what's inside it. It's still a wide open race for the potential presidential candidates, unless some of them slide down. We should do all our best to make Mar Roxas succeed. We must do our part, because if not, then this is just a piece of nothing that we are doing.

Please pass this good news to your family members, friends and relatives here in the Philippines and abroad. Lalaban Tayo dahil Mahalaga Ang Pilipino! Mahalaga Ang Tao!

Oras Na! Roxas Na!

Monday, June 1, 2009 | posted in campaign, chiz escudero, erap, manny villar, mar roxas, noli de castro, philippines, president, pulse asia | 2 comments [ More ]