New Traffic Penalties in Kuwait

Along 4th Ring Road (Salmiya-Hawally-Jabriya)

Road accidents are very common in this country. I remember the first time I passed 4th ring road to head out for a family dinner towards Arabian Gulf Street, we witnessed an aftermath of a car accident. It took us more than 20 minutes stuck on traffic that it caused but instead of being annoyed I felt sorry for the wrecked car (it was a small car hitting an SUV) and the people who were brought to the hospital by the ambulance team. But as I get myself immersed on the road etiquettes of drivers around this place, I was in shock. Seriously, who on their right mind would drive around with babies or toddlers on the driver's seat? Who would be sane enough by allowing their kids to play around the car windows while driving fast on the highway? Or who would be driving without knowing how to use car signals (tail lights for example) when overtaking or turning a different road? I'm definitely not an expert driver myself but I sure know the basics. But here..it's a totally different story. I have heard a couple of people (including my Dad) telling me that when you want to drive here, you need to always be on alert mode or else it's either you'll get hit or you'll be the one going to hit something.

Click to enlarge.

Anyway, since I thought this information is imperative when driving in Kuwait I do hope people would really find this traffic violations serious in order to minimize road accidents. It's obvious some people don't care much about the fines since this place is rich, but for the sake of those who wanted to live longer and avoid any accidents..I seriously hope and pray that drivers (everyone who has a car and license to drive here) will take this really, really, really, really seriously.


Image source credited to: q8hosp[dot]info

Eleksyon 2013

Bakit nga ba kelangan bumoto? Napakasimpleng tanong na mayroon din napakaraming sagot. Ngunit kung ito'y ating uunawain, isang bagay lamang talaga ang dapat isa isip. Ito ay isang karapatan.  

Registered Absentee Voter

Exercising my right to suffrage is something I have actively done since I turned 18. But since moving to Kuwait, this was the first time that I opted to become an Absentee voter to continue my participation in this national elections. The registration and transfer of my records from my previous local precinct took a couple of months (registered only late last year when I renewed my passport) but luckily it was approved without any hassle. So yesterday, I finally had my chance to be a part of this Overseas Absentee Voters program for Filipino Citizens living abroad. As per COMELEC rules, OAVs are given a month before the official election begins in the Philippines which will be on the 13th of May 2013.

Philippine Embassy in Faiha, Kuwait

Reminder posted at the entrance of the Philippine Embassy in Faiha

What's happening inside the Voting place

Trying out the PCOS machine. It looked old but still working.

The election was held at the Philippine Embassy in Faiha and in order to ensure that you're a registered voter or a Filipino citizen, you'll either need to show your OAV voters license or your original passport. The procedure is done through properly shading electronic papers and be fed under PCOS machines. Once the machine accepts the paper, the votes will be counted and should be wired through their main system. Not sure where the main system was located but hopefully it's in safe hands. Hopefully. *crossesfingers*

Just like what Dr. Jose Rizal said, "It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted in the field without becoming part of an edifice. The glory of saving a country is not for him who has contributed to its ruin. (El Filibusterismo)" This simply states that in order for us to achieve something greater, we must all do our part in our own little way. As this Senatorial election continues on, may we as proud Filipino citizens try our best to perform our right to choose wisely who we think should fill in the vacant seats in our democratic government. If we won't act, who else will?