Reward given to fishermen catching ‘fish from hell’

There is a drive now undergoing in some parts of America to eliminate by any means possible a type of fish that is said to be wreaking havoc the ecosystem of its lakes, ponds, and streams because of its invasive nature and insatiable appetite.

Dubbed the ‘fish from hell’ or “fishzilla”, as called by the National Geographic, this mean-looking fish with a snake-like head which is a native to Asia and Africa has now been found in seven states across the country and is already a menace to other fish.

What is bizarre about this mutant fish is its tenacity to survive up to four days on land, reaching about 400 meters (435 yards) in between bodies of water, by wriggling on their fins. They can also grow more than two feet long.

It is believed that the “fishzilla” has made its way to the US through Asian seafood merchants.

To purge the pest or at least control its population, the state of Maryland, for one, is offering $200 gift card and other prizes as a reward for catching and killing the fish.

“This initiative is a way to remind anglers that it is important to catch and remove this invasive species of fish,” said Don Cosden, from the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

To enter the contest, anglers must catch, kill and then post a picture of themselves with a dead snakehead caught in Maryland on the DNR’s website.

Call to boycott “Made in China” product ridiculous

Albay's Governor Joey Salceda

Just because there is nothing the Philippines can do against a bullying Goliath, in connection with the Spratly Islands brouhaha, a known political ally of President Benigno Aquino and Albay’s Gov. Joey Salceda is calling on all Filipinos to boycott products made in China.

“Let us boycott ‘Made in China’ products. Buy Filipino. Let us hurt them where it counts,” Salceda said in his Independence Day speech at the provincial hall in Legazpi City.

I find this urging so ridiculous because it is simply impossible to do it.

The world, practically, has been made the dumping ground of Chinese products, ever since this behemoth of nation has awaken and found once more their potential, that everywhere you look is something made in China.

Rich nations have given up producing goods in their own backyards because they find it more profitable having China produce it for them.

China is now the world’s top manufacturer. That said, it also means that China is the largest exporter. Name it China has it, for distribution all over the world. It does not only cater to the rich, but mainly to the poor because of its affordable prices.

But, that is neither here nor there. The issue is about the Spratlys that China is claiming in whole.

There is just no way in the world that we, as people, can carry the “boycott Chinese product” stick to clobber them to giving up what history tells them is theirs.

This is the price we have to pay for being poor, weak and globally known to be a corrupt nation.

This is the price we have to pay for indulging in politics too much, which is the very reason that has made the Philippines  the basket case in Asia.

Instead of nation building, politicians build their own castles first and the worst thing is that this deplorable ways has rubbed on even the core of the military hierarchy that has been mandated to protect the land, air and sea security of this nation.

But, nothing is lost yet. We simply have to bond with the rest of the small nation claimants of the Spratly Islands and, united, fight diplomatically the ugly designs of China over this area.

We can only hope and pray that we get support and assistance from other powerful countries, other than the US, in thwarting the hegemonic ambitions of China.

Acclaimed sin cities of Asia

Easter Sunday has barely passed glorifying the resurrection and salvation of man and here we are again talking about indulges of sin by man and where it can be found in Asia.

But, then what is new for man, but go back to the old ways, for it is the most natural thing to do.

The seven evils enumerated below are the reason why these acclaimed sin cities exist.

1. Gluttony : Taipei, Taiwan has everything to offer to make one commit this sin. The city is said to have 18 streets dedicated to nothing other than food with prices running around US$1-2 per selection.
2. Indolence: Seoul, South Korea has been ranked the 15^th laziest country in the world by The Daily Beast. It also makes them number 1 in Asia. Seoul’s digital technology and addiction for computer games and videos like those of Hordes of Orcs has made their citizens practically glued to their seat and if not for hunger and the call of nature, nothing would make them move.
3. Pride: Manila, Philippines male citizens, according to study from Synovate, a global market research company, are the most narcissistic in Asia. A big number of Filipinos, 48 percent, think of themselves as sexually attractive compared to Singapore’s 25 percent, China’s 17 percent and Hong Kong’s 12 percent. Not only that. Survey also showed that 9 out of 10 Filipinos say they like to look good for themselves and not for anyone else. (Whoa! What’s happening here? Is this the effect of eating too much chicken?)
4. Greed: Shenzhen, China is one of the fastest growing cities in the world with a reported Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US $42 billion. While everybody else was reeling from the economic crisis, the city kept on pumping out billions of dollars of high-tech products. This is the place where one can find a million millionaires and still counting!
5. Lust: Tokyo, Japan is known for its sex industry estimated at US $30 billion, second only to the country’s car industry. Tokyo delivers whatever tickles your fancy or your erotic imagination, they say. Tokyo is like a dirty old man in a teenager’s body.
6. Envy: New Delhi, India has, reportedly, the worst case of pasture-is-greener-on-the-other-side syndrome. According to the World Bank’s Migration and Remittances Factbook 2011, more Indians emigrated in 2010 than any other nationality except for Mexicans.
7. Anger: Pyongyang, North Korea leadership can’t seem to have peace with their South Korean neighbor. They are forever pugnacious, belligerent and quarrelsome. They have no qualms sinking ships and shelling neighboring islands. They want their emaciated people to believe of the “invincible power” of their army and the strength of their nuclear capability. As if all these rhetoric could substitute for the scarcity of food.