A Friend Victimized by the Highway Patrol Group

A Friend Victimized by the Highway Patrol Group

As I was settled on my sofa reading the Philippine Star’s editorial over a cup of coffee this morning, I was shocked to read about my friend Francis Abraham in Cito Beltran’s April 11, 2011 CTALK column entitled “A prior victim writes about HPG”.

Francis, a professional advertising photographer, has been a friend for the past 37 years ever since our days in the Ateneo de Manila Grade School Kalatog Pukpok rondalla club. We saw each other spasmodically over the decades but it wasn’t only until 2006 that we started bonding again in various bars and cafes in Greenhills, Metrowalk, and at Café Ysabel with Henry Palacios, Randy Cepeda, and Owen Carsi-Cruz. By that time, Francis was already speeding around in a BMW motorcycle. Proof of his success as a lifestyle photographer. Somehow, I never expected that Francis would be victimized by the same HPG that harassed Arnel Ignacio last week. So with the indulgence of Cito Beltran and Francis Abraham, I’m sharing Francis’ edited letter to amplify the public’s growing peace and order concern. I hope that President Aquino and the attendant officials would take note of the matter so that it may be addressed with alacrity:

Despite Crises, WOW Philippines Campaign Made 2003 Tourism Succeed

Philippine Rugby Team Rampaging to the Rugby World Cup

In another “non-basketball sport”, Filipinos have started to make a name for themselves much like the Azkals in soccer. Rugby, which is fast gaining popularity and recognition, in non-Commonwealth countries, is in the fact the ancestor of American Football and basketball. Like cricket, it is the the favorite game of the old boys from exclusive public schools like Eton and Harrow.

Communication Plan for IT School

A communication plan presented by Agency to attract more enrollees to the AMA Education System (AMAES) locally and internationally in order to increase profitability and enhance reputation. (2005)

‘Balanced Fertilization’ Increases Rice Yield By Marvyn N. Benaning, Manila Bulletin 3 April 2011

April 3, 2011 Manila Bulletin article reported that practitioners of balanced fertilization have been harvesting 30 percent more rice from inbred and hybrids in the past several years and progressively reducing the share of commercial fertilizers from 10 percent to 50 percent.

Considerations for Defense Secretary Reyes Meeting with Secretary Powell

Recommendations and briefing from agency to client (Dept. of National Defense) on upcoming meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell. (August 2002)

Pointers for Secretary Reyes Meeting With Vice President Cheney and Secretary Powell

Recommendations and briefing from agency to client (Dept. of National Defense) on upcoming meeting with US Vice President Richard Cheney and Secretary of State Colin Powell. (August 2002)

The Action Heats Up at the Business Climate Action Summit

At the plenary session of the Business Climate Action Summit, Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE) Pres. Howard Belton stressed, “The Philippines is very vulnerable to climate change. Business needs to take the lead!” The Summit was attended by hundreds of CEOs/ Senior Executives and industry participant across all sectors. I was fortunate to attend the Summit as a delegate representing Agricultural Inoculant Corp (AIC) upon the invitation of Unilever’s Chito Macapagal and Joy Isla.

Philippine - US Defense Relations -The Way Ahead

This paper’s assessment is that transnational threats, energy geopolitics, and environmental concerns will define Philippine-US defense relations for the first three decades of the 21st century. The preoccupation of the US military will be defense of the US itself and control of international terrorism, which will rightly be perceived as more of a threat to world peace than the conventional armies of the major nation states. The US will naturally retain particular areas of special interest, for example in the Middle East and in Latin America, and it will retain an overall interest in stability in the rest of the world.

Talking Points for PGMA and Sec. Reyes with Sec. Powell

Recommended talking points for the President and Defense Secretary Reyes with US Secretary of State Colin Powell. Submitted to the Defense Secretary for consideration in 2002 prior to Washington trip.

Column Feed for Extending Pagcor Franchise (2006)

Column feed listing the benefits that the Philippine tourism industry can gain from Pagcor, specifically the new Pagcor City based on the Integrated Resort Concept (IRC).

Column Feed for Extending Pagcor Franchise (2006)

Agricultural Inoculant Corp. (AIC) Organic Fertilizer Efficacy Test on Region 4 Rice

The Department of Agriculture's efficacy test of AIC organic fertilizer on Region 4A rice resulted in 14% increase in yield and 53% reduced cost in fertilizer input.

AIC Organic Fertilizer Efficacy Test on Region 4 Rice

AIC's Excerpts From "Rapid Composting Technology in the Philippines"

Agricultural Inoculants Corp. wants to share excerpts from Dr. Virginia Cuevas' book shows that pilot testing of the rapid composting technology in different parts of the Philippines have shown clearly the benefits farmers can get if they follow the program…In terms of crop yields, combined use of compost + 50% inorganic fertilizers resulted in increases in crop yields which were 13% - 16% higher than in fields where chemical fertilizers alone were used.

AIC's Excerpts From "Rapid Composting Technology in the Philippines"

Presentation for the AFP's Communication and Lobbying Plan for the US Congress

Presented to Defense Sec. Angelo Reyes in 2002, the communication and lobbying plan was approved and implemented successfully. As a result, the US Congress approved $93-M in military assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Presentation for AFP's Communication and Lobbying Plan for the US Congress

Communication Plan for the AFP to Gain US Military Assistance

The communications plan is more than just giving the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) a face-lift; it is ultimately geared toward one goal: to reposition the AFP as a professional, self-motivated and highly-trained organization, hence a key player in national development.

The point is to show the US Congress that while the AFP lacks hardware, it is abundant in good people. This is evident in the way it has undergone a paradigm shift in including transnational & non-military threats, disasters, and nation-building as central to its mandate. If the AFP’s heightened nation-building thrust actually improves the quality of life of Filipinos, then international media and organizations will notice it.

When the US Congress sees public opinion on the side of the AFP, and government sees the importance of having strong military capabilities in the whole equation of national development and socio-economic progress, they would have no other recourse but to provide the AFP with vital logistical support. Approved and implemented in 2002, it achieved its objective through increased military assistance from the US.


Communication Plan for the AFP to Gain US Military Assistance

Business Plan for Philippine Mining Development Corp

This is a business plan that the president of Philippine Mining Development Corporation - the government corporation in charge of mining assets - requested our consultancy firm to present to them in 2007. I drafted this way-forward plan for Four Star Consulting and it recommends the development of the Mt. Diwalwal area and the setting up of a digital gold currency trading operation.

Business Plan for Philippine Mining Devt Corp

Strategic Communications to Achieve Public Diplomacy Goals

Strategic communication - as a process with a goal - helps public diplomacy goals to be achieved. This was the thrust of the State Department at the height of the Global War on Terror in 2005 to repair the US' badly-tarnished reputation worldwide. As such, the Peace and Prosperity for the Philippines Foundation (3PF) was guided by this gameplan.

Strategic Communications to Achieve Public Diplomacy Goals

Concept Paper for a Public Diplomacy Foundation

At the request of members of the US State Department in 2004 at the height of the Global War on Terror, we were asked to form a foundation. The purpose of the Peace and Prosperity for the Philippines Foundation (3PF) is to combat terrorism through strategic communication. Public diplomacy was designated by the State Department as the main tool for discouraging moderate Muslims from joining rebel/ separatist/ terrorist groups.


Concept Paper for a Public Diplomacy Foundation

Philippine Biofuel Industry Primer

The primer was meant to familiarize foreign investors with the 2008 Philippine biofuel industry environment. It appropriately includes:

I. Acronyms for Vital Linkages and Reference
II. Other Jatropha Projects
III. Competitive Biofuel Crops and Companies
IV. Government Statements on Biofuel/ Jatropha
V. Legislative Initiatives
VI. Scientific Findings/ Research & Development
VII. Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) for funding
VIII. Biofuels Act (RA 9367) and Implementing Rules & Regulations (IRR)
IX. Department of Energy (DOE) Programs
X. Tree Plantations
XI. Carbon Credits
XII. Anti-Biofuel Groups


Philippine Biofuel Industry Primer for Investors

Agricultural Inoculant Corp Compost Analysis Interpretation Guide

Agricultural Inoculants Corp. guide for interpreting compost analysis for organic fertilizer production.

AIC Compost Analysis Interpretation