A Possible Solution To The MRT Problem

With the MRT trains failing frequently, why is the government in such a rush to build another MRT project from Quezon City to Bulacan? Shouldn't the government address the current situation and stabilize it first before beginning a new endeavor? Otherwise, you'll have another mess when the new MRT project starts failing after a few years of operations.

People want the current MRT fixed, but also want uninterrupted service. Sometimes, you have to shut the system down to overhaul a system. If a car breaks down, you have to use other means of transportation while the car is being repaired. But in a capital which is heavily reliant on the MRT for its commuters, shutting down this mode of transport might only happen if no trains are no longer available. And with 7 trains remaining in operation, that day might come sooner than expected.

Perhaps a long term solution to this problem is developing our own competency in train operations. I think U.P. Diliman tried doing this when they built a mini-MRT model on their campus, but I've yet to see a train going around the campus - perhaps because the line has not even come full circle yet. But if the premier university in the Philippines cannot do it, perhaps it should be done by schools and private institutions collectively. Bring the best and brightest minds from the academe, government, and private sector and build a Fellowship of the MRT (ala Fellowship of the Ring). And we might have some experts in the PNR and LRT systems that might also be able to lend a hand in this mess.

Develop local competency in building our own trains - because you can't fix what you don't know how to build. This will take a lot of time, perhaps decades, to achieve. But if we become experts in the train transport field, then maybe we can export our own train technology to other countries in the future. We should not continue relying on foreign countries for materials and spare parts to fix our problems. We could initially ask them for help in education, but we should learn to develop our own technology.

I've seen old steam locomotive trains still running in Japan up to this day. Those trains are decades old, but they have been reliably maintained. If Japan and other countries can do it, I think Filipinos can do it, too.

San Miguel Beermen Loses to Black Water Elite

Learning from Ginebra's strategy of throwing multiple big men at Jun Mar Fajardo, Magnolia tried to do the same, and would have won if not for the heroics of Chico Lanete. Black Water Elite utilized the same strategy, throwing Eram, Marcelo, and Sena at Fajardo, with the occasional double team from a guard or small forward. And this time, it appeared to have worked. Or has it really?

I would say Fajardo is tired. Perhaps fatigue from the game is setting in considering he is part of the Gilas pool cramming for a showdown against Australia and Japan later this month. The four-time MVP wasn't churning out the usual numbers.

San Miguel is also missing Alex Cabagnot due to an injury. With Cabagnot on the floor along with Lassiter, Santos, and Ross, the Beermen have four potential three-point shooters well spaced on the floor. This is probably the reason why Lanete was effective against the Magnolia game. The three-point shot is an integral part of the Beermen's offense. But if shooters like Pesumal, Lanete, and Heruela are missing their shots, then it becomes more difficult for Fajardo to operate in the paint. The double teams will keep coming since they know that the Beermen have no reliable outside threat. Only Santos and Lassiter made shots from the perimeter. Black Water actually used the Beermen's strategy against them, with Eram being the inside threat, and DiGregorio, Maliksi, and Palma shooting from the outside. Palma appears to be a promising new comer, with a shooting touch and an ability to slash to the basket.

Ganuelas-Rosser should develop his three-point shooting ability. I actually thought they would develop him as another point guard like Ross. But it seems they are utilizing him as a power forward, due to the Beermen's lack of depth at the 4 position. Espinas is still out, so they have to put someone else at that spot for the Philippine Cup.

Santos is better at the 4 spot than at the 3 spot when Rosser is playing. So, I would rather see three additional guards with Santos and Fajardo, then subbing Mamaril or Rosser for Santos. Hopefully, this loss will teach the Beermen a lesson. Better to lose now than get knocked out of the playoffs.

Credit Card Calculations

Tried crunching some numbers using a spreadsheet. At a monthly interest of 3.5%, and assuming you only borrowed money at the beginning, and only paid the minimum payment per month (here, assumed at 4% of the outstanding balance), it would take 77 years for you to reduce the borrowed amount by 99%. 77 years to nearly pay-off the original money you borrowed. It takes more than the average lifespan of a human being to pay-off a debt. And by that time, the bank would have earned about 693.18% or nearly seven times the amount you initially borrowed off monthly interest charges.

Also, during the first year, the bank would have earned more than 40% of the borrowed amount just because of interest charges, and you would have only reduced the balance by roughly 6%. Compare 40% with 0.1%, the annual interest rate that depositors charge banks to lend the banks their money. That gives the bank a net profit of 39.9% by simple being the middle man.

By the second year, the bank has already earned about 80% of the borrowed amount via interest charges and you would have only reduced the outstanding amount by 11%.

The lesson here is that it's unwise to only pay the minimum required payment per month. Try to reduce the outstanding balance to zero by the end of every month if you want to utilize a credit card effectively. Otherwise, you are better off with cash because credit card interest rates are oppressive. I would advice my friends against using credit cards at all.