He scrapped plans to build what would have been the world’s tallest casino in Las Vegas. Now James Packer is about to sign a deal to build a US$1.5 billion (AUD1.6 B) hotel and casino complex in the Philippines.

According to the South China Morning Post, the announcement was made by Rafael Butch Francisco, President and CEO of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

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I think the root problem of many Filipinos is that their frustration at their inability to climb out of the poverty hole has been replaced by acceptance and resignation. They don’t really care about the coming of THE messiah. They care more about what giveaways the self-proclaimed messiah-of-the-month will be tossing their way. They don’t even give a hoot who this messiah might be, as long as he/she has dole-outs to give. This is another version of the “isang kahig, isang tuka” mentality, as the chook would scratch the soil hoping to find an earthworm.

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After a meal, I usually yearn for a hot cup of cappuccino. It somehow gives me that satisfying feeling of relief. It also keeps me awake. At WestPoint Shopping Centre, I usually go to Gloria Jeans because they give me a ten per cent discount upon presentation of my Seniors Card. I therefore pay a discounted price of only $3.00 for a regular cup instead of the regular retail price of $3.35.

On top of that, Gloria Jeans has a Frequent Sippers Club Card that gives a Free Regular drink after a customer buys ten drinks. They simply punch the card every time it is presented.

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At first, many Filipinos in Western Sydney thought that the news about Welda Bacolod was plain rumour. She was a well-respected Conference Organiser of Swissotel in Market Street, Sydney. She was in fact, one of the candidates of Mrs. Australia – Philippines Quest in 2003.

For the past several years, she has been accepting reservations for special functions at the hotel but strictly on cash basis.

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by Benjie de Ubago

The Blacktown Street Parade at the end of May kicked off a busy period for the community.  At the festival, I followed a group of men in suits and found myself sitting up on stage watching the parade go by.  But I made a few friends along the way and even got invited to lunch.  Little did I know, that somebody else had the same idea and gate-crashed the VIP stage, waving a flag.  As the Filipino contingent went past, one councillor said: “That’s a big contingent of Filipinos in Blacktown, but by the looks of it, they’re all divided.”  I should have given him a prize for saying that!

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