"The floods are not an act of god...

... they were caused by man's inaction."

And with those lines Arch. Jun Palafox stole the show at the executive briefing on the environment headlined by former congressman and current senatoriable Dr. Neric Acosta, author of the Clean Air Act. Before Ondoy hit, the briefing was supposed to highlight ecolabeling and the "Green Choice" seal but given the situation, the people's interests were piqued by what the urban planner had to say. And while the speakers and reactors generally kept to the topic, the issue du jour was Ondoy and global warming.

Acosta showed simulations of areas that will be flooded should the ice caps melt and the sea level rise by 12 meters, quipping "what the opposition cannot do, global warming will." In his computer simulations Malacanang will be buried underwater. "Unfortunately, congress is on high ground" [rimshot].

But on to Palafox's presentation, which wasn't part of the program (he spoke during the open forum) but shut a roomful of CEOs and government officials up because it was really very interesting.

In the 70s, he said, when they were planning Metro Manila, the geological surveys suggested the creation of several floodways that are supposed to divert water runoff to larger bodies of water. Manggahan floodway leads all the water to Laguna Lake, while the proposed Paranaque spillway was supposed to run to Manila Bay. Palafox did not elaborate why but the spillway was never built, hence the water has little recourse but to spill over to the streets, which, being parallel to the waterways, served as alternate channels.

But then the conversation turned to carbon credits and greenwashing and other topics. Which was only fair. But given what most of us learned that morning, I'm sure everyone would spare another morning listening to what Palafox has to say further.

* * * * *

EDIT: To add this link to the Inquirer interview.

If he were to redesign Metro Manila, Palafox said he would take a “big eraser” and wipe out parts of Metro Manila in the east, north and south, where development did not conform to standards, particularly the construction of housing below the flood lines. “Government knows what the flood lines are. Why did developers of subdivisions allow construction of housing projects below the flood lines?” he asked.

If Neil Gaiman takes me prisoner...

Gaiman's home library. (Image ripped from Shelfari)

...then I'd want to be incarcerated in his basement. Because he'd need no restraints to keep me in here for a year or so. Check out the high-res photos Shelfari took (yes, you can read the titles and compare).

But we have always been at war with Oceania

The NCCA does a little more dagdag-bawas. This time with the guidelines for nominations. Butch Dalisay has screencaps of the rules on the site before it was changed. haven't they learned anything from Katrina Halili? Once it's out there, it's out there.

Oh really now...

Akbayan endorses dancing surfboard and wannabe pedicab driver Mar Roxas for president, tries to justify decision. Short version: we're not whores, we're just people who take money for sex. Mahiya nga kayo.

If all you can say in defense is that this decision is "a result of a long internal process and consultation with its local membership, national leaders, and allied mass movements," then there's something wrong with that. A process that results in a progressive party endorsing a trapo like Mar Roxas is a shitty process.

Carlo J? No way!

Here's how the two National Artist singits responded to their critics. I respond in kind.

Alvarez:

“Before you make a judgment, read my achievements first as an artist. Was I an idiot before I became a National Artist?”

No, but you're an idiot now for accepting it while chairing the very organization that recommends recipients.

Caparas:

“I don’t understand why people are making a big fuss about this. It’s sad that they have to resort to this tactic. It’s because it’s the first time for a National Artist to have such a long title."

No, you idiot, the only reason the title is so long is because you haven't really had any achievement in the regular fields so they had to make one up just to accommodate you. And even then you still aren't worthy.

Caparas:

"The past winners are not well-known. ’Di nila mapalutang ang award na ito. Ngayon lang ulit napapag-usapan (They can’t make this award shine. It’s only now that it’s being talked about again),”

Your capacity for idiocy is bottomless.

Caparas:

“I ask this question of other National Artists: Have you helped anyone in your work? I think this is not about the National Artist award anymore. It’s a personal attack on me.”

It doesn't matter, moron. It's not an award for humanitarian effort.

Caparas (on F. Sionil Jose):

"“He writes for a school. Not everyone knows about his work. Does that mean people not familiar with the things he does should also protest his being a National Artist?”

Two things: (1) F. Sionil Jose doesn't just write "for a school." If that's all you know about him then you're really an idiot. (2) we're protesting your nomination because we ARE familiar with what you've done.

Caparas (still on Jose):

“He said he walked out on my movies. But while he was walking out, millions were arriving to watch ‘The Maggie de la Riva Story.’ Who has the problem—the only one who walked out or the millions of viewers who came to watch my film?”

Uhhh, Philippine cinema?

Caparas:

“The population of Metro Manila at that time was 10 million. Four million people came to watch my film. Ask the film’s producer, Viva Productions, if you think I’m lying to you.”

And those four million are stupider because of that. Your films kill brain cells. Oh, and we believe you're telling the truth. Which is sad because you think the fact that your films are popular qualifies you to be a National Artist.

Take that, Ledger.

Science Fiction blog io9 has just discovered Joey de Leon's "Alyas Batman en Robin" (one of my demented personal favorites). Anyway, scroll down to the comments. The pinoy there is right: Rene Requiestas is the first Joker tragedy.

Oh, and Bat-Milk isn't the dirtiest drink he offered. Tagalog speakers know it's the Bat-Tea.

The Hodg-man further on nerds v. jocks

Hodgman elaborates on his speech in front of Obama.