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South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences
versão On-line ISSN 2222-3436
versão impressa ISSN 1015-8812
S. Afr. j. econ. manag. sci. vol.14 no.3 Pretoria Jan. 2011
The macroeconomic determinants of technological progress in Nigeria
Olusegun Ayodele Akanbi
Department of Economics, University of Pretoria
This study empirically examines the macroeconomic determinants of technological progress (total factor productivity) in Nigeria that is consistent with the endogenous growth theory. The estimations are carried out with time-series data from 1970 to 2006 using the Johansen estimation techniques. The study is distinct from most of the existing literature since it made an attempt in generating a time-varying technological progress. It employs the Kalman filter technique to determine the evolution of the Solow residual estimated from a Cobb-Douglas production function. The results conform to the existing literature that macroeconomic instability, the level of financial development, and the level of human development are highly significant determinants of technological progress in Nigeria.
Keywords: technological progress, macro determinants, kalman filter, cointegration, Nigeria
1 Introduction
The role played by total factor productivity in attaining sustainable economic growth and development is well recognised in the growth literature. A focus on achieving a rising growth in technology of any economy could be to a larger extent a driving force to increasing labour and capital employment of that economy. It is therefore, quite apparent that empirical research on technology performance is of great importance to the success of any country.
Based on the growth accounting literature, an economy's production function is explained by the inputs of labour and capital and any residual not explained by these inputs is considered as total factor productivity growth, which also measures technological progress broadly (Hayani, 2001). However, total factor productivity is a variable which accounts for effects in total output not caused by inputs. In the standard production function the constant parameter is regarded as total factor productivity, which can range from technology to human capital. This constant parameter has been measured mostly in the literature by the residual from the production function. Therefore, since technological progress is found to be one of the biggest components of total factor productivity, they can be used interchangeably.
Given the combination of factor inputs (labour and capital), the production function is increased by the improvement in productivity. The standard neoclassical growth models (i.e. Solow (1956), Ramsey (1928) and the overlapping generation models of Samuelson (1958)) see technological progress as exogenous in the long run growth determination. This line of thought has been challenged by the new growth theorists (i.e. Romer (1986) and Lucas (1988)), who consider technological progress as endogenous and the search for possible driving force. These possible factors have still not yet been established in the literature (Akinlo, 2006).
There is a large body of literature that has looked into the factors that determined technological progress across a number of countries. But there have been relatively few estimates of technological progress in Nigeria (i.e. Ogunleye & Ayeni (2008), Adenikinju (1998), and Okojie (1995)) and an attempt to explore the determinants of technological progress in Nigeria at the macroeconomic level has been rare. Akinlo (2006) explores the effects of macroeconomic factors on total factor productivity in 34 sub-Saharan African countries. Results from his panel econometric analysis shows that some macroeconomic variables (i.e. external debt, inflation and human capital) included in the estimation have a significant impact on productivity. Therefore, policies geared towards reducing the rate of debt accumulation, low inflation and improvement in human development will boost total factor productivity in the continent.
Other macroeconomic variables such as openness and trade orientation have been investigated by Miller and Upadhyay (2000) as potential determinants of total factor productivity in a panel of some developed and developing countries. Their results revealed that a higher level of openness and outwardoriented countries will experience a higher level of productivity. The level of human development is also found to have a positive and significant impact on productivity. Edwards (1998) and Gurney and Englander (1994) likewise suggest that more open economies will experience faster productivity growth.
Against this background, the aggregate determinants of productivity in an economy can be attributed to the level of macroeconomic stability, human development, the level of openness of the economy and the role which the financial sector plays in providing funds to the system. These factors, which have been investigated by Khan (2006) was found to have a robust and significant impact on total factor productivity. Following Khan (2006), this study attempts to establish the macro determinants of technological progress in Nigeria by incorporating the idea of endogenous growth theory. These factors are also identified as the level of macroeconomic instability, the country's financial development, and the level of human development. This idea is adopted since Nigeria and most developing economies still face these challenges in the race to achieving their developmental objectives.
The distinctive feature of this study is the attempt made in generating time-varying technological progress. A different approach is followed in this study by employing the Kalman filter technique to determine the evolution of the Solow residual estimated from a Cobb-Douglas production function. Existing studies on this issue have adopted the neoclassical growth accounting framework in measuring the growth in technology over time. This approach is based on the assumption that technological improvements are exogenously determined and grow at a constant rate over time. However, production models need to allow technology to improve over time in order to be able to explain growth in the presence of constant, increasing and decreasing returns to scale production structures.1
The results of the estimates are significant and consistent with theoretical expectation, revealing the impact of the selected factors on technological progress. Hence, the analysis tends to shed light on the direction which policy makers should take to improve productivity in the country.
The rest of the study is structured as follows. Section 2 presents some stylised facts on productivity performance in Nigeria while Section 3 analyses the sources of growth in the different major periods experienced by the country. Section 4 presents the empirical analysis, which contains the background of the production structure and technological progress in Nigeria, the theoretical model, the methodology and the description of the data used in the study. It also presents the estimation results. Section 5 concludes the study.
2 Nigeria's productivity performance: some stylised facts
This section presents the growth in productivity of labour and capital in Nigeria since 1970. Few basic trends have emerged over the past few decades with regards to the pattern of factor inputs growth.2
As shown in Figure 1, capital and labour productivity has been following a similar trend over the years since 1970. The average annual growth rate in productivity of about 3.5 per cent and 4 per cent were recorded for capital and labour respectively. With the exception of the outlier in 1973, the average annual growth in productivity of capital is found to be negative (0.5 per cent) while labour productivity recorded a positive growth of about 1 per cent in the same period.3 The outlier reflects the effects of the huge growth in GDP which was caused by the boom in oil revenue. However, the above facts indicate the low level of factor productivity in Nigeria over the past few decades as growth in productivity has been around zero in most years. However, is crucial to explore more deeply the nature and drivers of total factor productivity (technological progress) in Nigeria at this point. This analysis will enable policy makers to identify the optimal economic policy for long-term growth potential of the country.
3 Sources of economic growth: growth accounting exercise
The basic determinant of a country's economic performance and living standards is mainly that country's physical capacity to produce goods and services with its available quantity of inputs (factors of production). But a nation's output of goods and services does not only depend on the availability of its inputs (capital and labour) but also on the productivity of these inputs.
Empirical investigation of the various developed and newly industrialised economies for their sources of economic growth over a long period of time have shown explicitly how much the tangible inputs and their productivity have contributed to the long-term growth (Kim and Lau (1994), Lau and Park (2003), Tahari et.al. (2004), Senhadji (2000), and Dike (1995).
In an attempt to identify the structural changes that occurred in the Nigerian economy over the years, it is imperative to decompose the growth performance into its primary sources. The sources of the Nigerian economic growth from 1970 to 2006 is calculated according to the effectiveness with which capital and labour are used in the production process. The long run production function was estimated (under the assumption of constant returns to scale) with labour taking about 93 per cent share in total production while capital takes 7 per cent.
Following Solow (1956), a Cobb-Douglas production function using a constant return to scale technique was adopted in performing the simple growth accounting exercise.
To experience economic growth under the assumption of constant returns to scale, there must be growth in the accumulation of capital, labour and total factor productivity (technological progress). The growth accounting equation states that output growth is equal to the weighted sum of capital and labour growth, plus the growth in total factor productivity or technology. This is presented as:
where is the contribution of total factor productivity to output growth, is the contribution of capital to output growth and is the contribution of labour to the growth in output. The above equation is called the of total factor productivity to output growth can be derived from the equation since the growth rate of output, capital and labour are known. This is also called the Solow residuals, which is that portion of growth left unaccounted for by increases in capital and labour4.
By applying the growth accounting equation to decompose the sources of economic growth in Nigeria from 1970 to 2006, Table 1 presents the results of this analysis in four major periods experienced by the country5:
The pre-Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) [1970-1984].
The SAP era [1985-1993].
The period ofderegulation [1994-1998].
The return to democratic dispensation [1999-2006].
The long-term parameter estimates for labour (0.93) and capital (0.07) are used in decomposing the sources of growth for the four major periods.
Table 1 gives the summary of the findings of what growth accounting says about the sources of Nigeria economic growth. Over the period 1970-2006, the country's total output grew at an average rate of about 7 per cent per year. The contribution of labour to total output growth accounted for about 4.5 per cent per year. This may be due to the huge population of the country and the fact that more than one third of the population are in the labour force. Likewise is the high rate of the informal sector participation rate in the country, which may have contributed to labour taking a large share of the economic activities. However, the contribution of capital stock to output growth during this period is accounted to be 1.7 per cent per year. Therefore, combining the contribution of labour and capital gives the total inputs contribution which accounted for 6.2 per cent per year. Taking the difference between the total output growth (6.99%) and the contribution of total inputs (6.2%) gives 0.79 per cent, which represents the total factor productivity (technological progress) per year. These results are similar to the findings by Dike (1995) and Senhadji (2000).
The breakdown of the data into 4 different periods as mentioned above explains in more details how the long-run sources of growth in Nigeria were achieved. Column (3) represents the SAP (1985-1993) period in Nigeria, and the contribution of capital stock to the total output growth during this period is found to be negative, while the average total growth for the period of deregulation is found to be negative. These are periods associated with continuous military rule, which coincided with huge mismanagement of the country's resources. In these periods not much capital investment (capital expenditures) could be made in the economy, but the return to a democratic dispensation since 1999 has improved the country's economic performance, and the contribution of capital stock to economic growth has increased by about 0.4 per cent from the previous period.
The period between 1970 and 1984 recorded about 9.5 per cent growth in total output per year but this was accompanied by a slowdown in productivity during this period. This was not really a surprise since empirical evidence has also revealed that most countries (especially the US) experienced a slowdown in its productivity almost at the same period. Although, no one is certain about the cause of the slowdown, many empirical studies related to the U.S economy (Baily & Gordon, (1988); Denison, (1985); Bishop, (1989); Nordhaus, (1982); Baily, (1982); Jorgenson, (1990); Greenwood & Yorukoglu, (1997); and Hobijn & Jovanovic, (2001)) have suggested some alternatives associated with measurement error, legal and human environment, technological depletion and slow commercial adaptation, oil price, and the beginning of a new industrial revolution. Some of these explanations may also be attributed in the case of Nigeria; one cannot debunk the possibility of these causes of slowdown in productivity, but may rather say that there are many factors that have contributed to it.
In the long-run, the sources of economic growth again confirm that productivity from labour and capital has been very low over the years. This gives an indication of why the level of human development has been deteriorating in Nigeria, which can have an adverse effect on the rate of productivity growth in the economy (Abel & Bernanke, 2005:215). Despite rising economic growth since 1999, real per capita income as at 2005 was about N1800 (local currency unit) which is similar to the 1970s level. This is a serious indication that the country is just breaking through from its past economic bondage of corruption and mismanagement but still facing a serious problem of severe poverty among its citizens.
4 Empirical analysis
4.1 Background: the production structure and technological progress
An attempt is made to model the Nigerian production function by employing the statespace model (Kalman filter) to determine the evolution of the Solow residual that is estimated from a simple Cobb-Douglas production function. The state-space model regained its popularity in the economic literature during the 1980s (i.e Lawson, (1980); Harvey, (1987)) and the development of these models were first seen in Wiener, (1949) and Kalman, (1960) who were control engineers in the technology of radar and aircraft.
The application of the state-space model with stochastically time-varying parameters (constant coefficient of the technological progress in the Cobb-Douglas production function is allowed to vary over time) is adopted in this study in order to endogenise technological progress. This technique differs and hence may be a better approximation than the conventional OLS estimation which uses the residual as a proxy for technology.
An extensive econometrics application of the state-space models can be found in Hamilton (1994:372-408).
The dynamic representation of the statespace model of a (nx1) vector y t , is given by the following system of equations:
where a(xt) describes an (n x 1) vector-value function, H(xt) an (rxn) matrix-value function, and F(xt) denotes a (rxr) matrix whose elements are a function of xt, is a (rx1) vector of unobserved state variables (i.e state vector). The (nx1) and (rx1) disturbance vectors wt and vt are assumed to be independent white noise. The first equation is known as the observation (or measurement) equation and the second is known as the state (or transition) equation.
The role played by technology in the growth process of a nation cannot be undermined. Technology has been seen as a catalyst to any country's economic transformation. The assumption that technological progress occurs at a constant rate is very common in the growth literature (especially the exogenous growth theory). This may not be a very realistic assumption. A time varying technological progress generated in this study using the Kalman filter procedure reveals the weakness of this assumption.
Figure 2 shows the upward and downward trend in the evolution of technology in Nigeria. Visual exposition revealed on average a similar trend with the technology from the growth accounting exercise calculated for each period as explained in the previous section.
4.2 The model
Existing theory on productivity growth (technological progress) has not provided a particular specification in determining the drivers of total factor productivity for an economy (Akinlo, 2006). Endogenising technological progress has not been very popular in the economic literature over the years. There is a large body of empirical literature that tends to explain the process of growth in a single or cross-country setting, but very little evidence has been found with respect to total factor productivity (Senhadji, 2000). In line with the endogenous growth theory, the problem of how best to represent technological progress was investigated by Budd and Hobbis (1989) who applied their analysis to the UK production function. Two main sources of technological advances were identified in their paper: (i) through domestic research effort; (ii) importing new technology from abroad. As mentioned earlier, Khan (2006) investigated the macro determinants of total factor productivity in Pakistan. These determinants are broadly categorised into macroeconomic stability, human resource development and financial sector development.6
It is expected that Research & Development (R&D) will go a long way towards boosting technology. More important, is the extent of macroeconomic stability playing a huge role in R&D. However, due to data limitation, the R&D factor in long-term technology specification could be captured by the level of macroeconomic stability as investigated in Khan (2006). In addition, the budget balance will also be an important determining factor in the long-term technological progress, but this effect could be broadly captured from the financial development activities as the level of gross savings and changes in reserves will have a great impact.7
As mentioned earlier, this study concentrates on the macroeconomic determinants of technological progress in Nigeria. Therefore, it does not debunk the fact that some institutional variables (i.e. political instability in the case of Nigeria) may also have a huge impact in the long run.
Against this background, which is in line with the new growth theory, Nigerian technological progress (tfp) is specified based on the standard Romer (1990) framework:
where mst a form of macroeconomic stability which is proxied by consumer prices (CPI), is the human development variable which is proxy by poverty level (povertydindex), fdt represent the level of financial develop-ment (finconstr).8 These variables are expected to influence the growth of technology in Nigeria since most developing economies are characterised by these factors. An in-creasing level of macroeconomic instability which could be reflected in the rise in price level will have a negative impact on aggregate technology. Likewise, will a rise in the level of poverty impact on the country's technological advancement. A positive development in the financial sector (i.e. availability of credit) will boost the aggregate technology in the country.
4.3 Methodology and data
This study modelled the Nigerian technological progress following Khan (2006). In line with the Johansen (1988) cointegration estimation technique, the reduced form Vector Autoregression (VAR) of Equation (6) is respecified as:
where Xt is a vector of variables:
Cholesky decomposition is utilised for orthogonalisation, which means that the Cholesky factor is lowered triangular. Therefore, the technological progress variable will be contemporaneously affected by all the other variables. The need to have a meaningful impulse-response function from the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) is dictated based on the ordering ofthe variables.
Based on the relationship that is captured in the long-run by the technology model specified in Equation (8), a VECM of the following form is estimated to see the short-run dynamics in the technological progress function.
The procedure used in estimation can be explained as follows. Firstly, the reduced form VAR in Equation (8) is estimated and all the diagnostic tests are performed. Secondly, the Johansen cointegration test is performed and the cointegrating vectors and loading matrices are identified. Thirdly, a VECM from Equation (9) is estimated and the entire diagnostic tests are performed.9 Lastly, impulse responses analyses are performed.
All the data used in this study were obtained from the IMF (International Financial Statistics), World Bank database: African Development Indicators and World Development Indicators, and the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin. Annual data series which cover the period 1970-2006 were used to estimate the parameters of the model and where appropriate the variables were transformed into real figures using the GDP deflator (2000 = base year). All the data used in the estimation process are in their natural logarithm form (ln). Graphical exposition ofall the data used in the study and their order of integration are presented in the Appendix.
In addition to the technological progress series generated, there is still a lack of availability of some time series data. Therefore, the following time series had to be derived for the variables used in the model:
Financing of gross domestic investment (financial constraint)
In a general equilibrium framework (i.e. system of national account), the financing of gross domestic investment equals total gross domestic investment (Du Toit, 1999). Therefore, the financial constraint variable is defined as an identity which enters into the system of equations in the form:
Financial constraint = gross domestic
savings + capital flows + changes in
reserves + depreciation value
This variable captures the financial sector development of the economy.
Rate of depreciation
The rate of depreciation can take different values for an individual country depending on the structure of that particular economy. In general, it is common to assign a higher rate of depreciation to developing or low-income countries. A higher depreciation rate of 20 per cent is adopted in this study since Nigeria allocates much lower revenues to maintenance expenditures (see Bayraktar and Fofack (2007), Beddies (1999), and Vera-Martin (1999)).Poverty index
There are multiple dimensions of the measurement of poverty in the literature. The poor are generally classified as those without an adequate income or expenditure to cover their basic necessities. An index of poverty is derived for this study following the basic Foster-Greer-Torbecke (FGT) indices as this is one of the most commonly used poverty indices in the literature.10 This measure has three components: (a) the incidence of poverty, which shows the share of the population that are below the poverty line, (b) the depth of poverty, which shows how far the households are from the poverty line, and (c) the severity of poverty which relates to the distance separating the poorest households from the poverty line. These indices are calculated as follows:
where N = Population, Q = % of population living below poverty line (Proxy = Poor population), Z = Poverty line (World Bank estimate), Y = Household Final Consumption Expenditure per capita, α = Poverty aversion parameter. α =0,1,2 for absolute, depth and severity of poverty respectively.
Since the incidence of poverty measures absolute poverty in an economy, this study adopted the depth of poverty as a measure of poverty gap.
Capital stock
In the model, capital stock is derived through a perpetual inventory method. This means that the current stock of capital is equal to the investment in the previous period plus stock of capital from the previous period, net of depreciation. This is shown as:
where Kt is the capital stock, It is the gross domestic investment, and is the rate of depreciation.
Since the initial stock of capital is very important and this is not known, it is assumed to be about 1.5 of the gross domestic product for that particular period.
Labour employment
Due to lack of time series data on labour employment/unemployment and on any labour market variables (both formal and informal), labour employment is generated based on the activities in the labour force. Since a percentage of the labour force participates in the labour market, labour employment is derived as:
Employment () = Labour Force
Participation Rate (LFPR) x Labour Force
The LFPR on average is about 67 per cent per annum indicating about 33 per cent average unemployment in the country.
4.4 Estimation results
Based on the nature of the Data Generating Process (DGP) of all the variables, an appropriate model for technological progress in Nigeria is selected and the results of the trace and maximum eigenvalue tests are presented in Table 2. Following the Pantula principle of testing which version of the deterministic component should be used, the trace test identified one cointegrating vector while the maximum eigenvalue test found no cointegration for a model with trend and intercept in the cointegrating equation.
Using the cointegrating vectors from the trace test, the long-run part of the VECM is presented in Equation (12). The long-run cointegrating vector identified the technological progress which is the equation of interest in this study.
The estimated long-run technological progress equation is presented in Equation (11) with t-values in parentheses.
The entire coefficients are statistically and economically significant and are consistent with the theoretical specification in Equation (6). The results from the core specification confirm that macroeconomic instability, the level of financial development, and the level of human development are highly significant determinants of technological progress in Nigeria. The ' trend,' variable captures the possible upward trend in the time varying technological progress.
The general price level is consistent with the existing literature and implies that a 1 per cent increase in price level will lead to about 0.6 per cent decline in technology. The results shows that a rise in the level of financial development (i.e. a stronger financial system and availability of credit) by 1 per cent will lead to about 0.2 per cent rise in the level of aggregate technology in the country. The rise (5.22) in the level of poverty by 1 per cent causes aggregate technology to decline by about 1.3 per cent. The positive time trend in the longrun equation means that there was a general trend for technology to rise during the period 1970 to 2006. The magnitude ofthe coefficient of the human development sector reveals the importance of this sector in improving the level of productivity in the country.
Table 3 presents the short-run adjustment coefficient (α values or loading matrices) which shows the dynamic adjustment towards the long-run equilibrium path. As expected, the α values from the error correction estimates are all within the 0 to 2 range implying that all the cointegrating vectors enter into the shortrun determination of the Nigerian technological progress, and therefore they can be regarded as not being weakly exogenous (Ender, 2004:370).
The positive and significant signs of the loading factors in both the financial and human development variables show that they tend to push the system away from its long-run equilibrium path. The technological progress and consumer price variables are found to be negative but insignificant in the former (tending to bring the system back to equilibrium). This implies that the price level plays a significant role in returning the longrun technological progress back to its equilibrium path.
The graph of the estimated cointegrating relation in Equation (10) from the VECM is presented in Figure 3 below. The cointegrating relation is found to be appropriate since the graph reverts to equilibrium (zero).
Impulse-response functions
Based on the dynamic (lag) structure of the VAR, a shock to the i-th variable will not only directly affect the i-th variable but will also be transmitted to all the endogenous variables in the system. The impulse response reveals the effect of a one time shock to one of the innovations on current and future values of the endogenous variables. Using the othorgonalised Cholesky decomposition, the impulse responses are derived from the VECM as presented in Figure 4.
Figure 4 presents the responses of technology to a one standard deviation shock in the exogenous variables. The response of technology to its own shocks causes an upward revision of the forecast of technology over the 30-year period.
It is expected that technological progress declines as the level of macroeconomic instability rises. Macroeconomic stability plays a significant role in the determination of technology as revealed from a one standard deviation shock in the general price level. This led to a permanent fall in technology over the 30-year period.
A one standard deviation positive shock in the level of financial development causes technology to rise over the 30-year horizon and as the level of human development deteriorates (rise in poverty) by one standard deviation, the level of technology declines over the same horizon.
However, this confirmed the importance of the variables included in the VECM in explaining the movement in technology (factor productivity) in Nigeria over the years.
5 Conclusion
The aim of this study is to secure the macroeconomic determinants of technological progress in Nigeria. The idea of endogenous growth theory was adopted as the most suitable for estimating technology since it incorporates the human development sector as one of the drivers of economic growth.
The results from the study confirm that macroeconomic instability, the level of financial development, and the level of human development are highly significant determinants of technological progress in Nigeria. This is in line with the existing literature.
These results have critical policy implications if an increased productive capacity and future growth in technology are to be achieved in the Nigerian economy. There is an urgent need for policy makers to direct economic policies towards achieving a stable macroeconomic environment. The political environment needed to be more secure in order to attract private investment. The creation of access to credit facilities for both individuals and firms would not only enhance economic growth but also contribute significantly to the aggregate level of productivity in the economy (Khan, 2006).
Future research should attempt to correct some of the shortcomings of this study. The lack of available long-time series on most of the variables used can be overcome in the future and this may give a better parameter estimate of the effect of macroeconomic variables on aggregate productivity in the country.
1 Detailed review of the measurement and interpretation of total factor productivity can be found in Mahadevan (2003).
2 Labour and capital productivity are derived as the ratio of real GDP to employment and the ratio of real GDP to real capital stock respectively.
3 Labour productivity is expected to have been lower if accurate data on employment are available. See data description for detailed analysis.
4 Detailed explanations of the variables used are presented in the data description.
5 These periods can be regarded as crucial periods in the evolution of the Nigerian economy.
6 The structure of the Nigerian economy is closer to the Pakistan economy than to that of the UK.
7 See data description on financing of gross domestic investment.
8 The rate of openness is excluded from the specification since the country has not benefited much from the external sector. Over 95 per cent of its exports come from crude oil, while many of its imports are finished goods. This indicates a nondiversified economy. Therefore, openness as a variable is found to be insignificant and could not provide a correct a priori sign in the estimation process.
9 All the diagnostic tests performed are presented in the Appendix.
10 See Louw, (2008) for detailed analyses of poverty measures and indices.
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ROMER, P.M. 1990. Endogenous technological change. Journal of Political Economy, 98(5):71-102. [ Links ]
ROMER, P.M. 1986. Increasing returns and long-run growth. Journal of Political Economy, 94(5):1002-37. [ Links ]
SAID, S. & DICKEY, D. 1984. Testing for unit roots in autoregressive-moving average models with unknown order. Biometrical, 71:599-607. [ Links ]
SAMUELSON, P.A. 1958. An exact consumption-loan model of interest with or without the social contrivance of money. Journal of Political Economy, 66:467-482. [ Links ]
SENHADJI, A. 2000. Sources of economic growth: an extensive growth accounting exercise. Internationa l Monetary Fund Staff Papers, 47(1): 129-58. [ Links ]
SOLOW, R.M. 1956. A contribution to the theory of economic growth. Quarterly Journal of Economics , 70(2):65-94. [ Links ]
TAHARI, A., GHURA, D., AKINTOBY,B. & AKA, E.B. 2004. Sources of growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Monetary Fund Working Papers, No.176. Washington DC. [ Links ]
VERA-MARTIN, M. 1999. Long-run growth in Mali, Niger and Senegal. Unpublished. IMF, Washington [ Links ]
Accepted May 2011


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Information via TransAfrica Newsletter.
In recognition of Caribbean American Heritage Month in June, TransAfrica, Caribbean Association of World Bank and IMF Staff (CAWI), Caribbean Professional Network (CPN), Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) and AFI Silver is proud to present the DC Caribbean Filmfest, now in its 14th year at the AFI Silver Theatre. Support provided by the IDB Cultural Center.
Dates: June 13-15, 2014
Venue: AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Films featured: POETRY IS AN ISLAND, DEREK WALCOTT; COME WITH IT, BLACK MAN: A BIOGRAPHY OF BLACK STALIN'S CONSCIOUSNESS; YURUMEIN (Homeland);ABO SO (Only You); TULA: THE REVOLT; CRISTO REY; KINGSTON PARADISE;WOMANISH WAYS, FREEDOM, HUMAN RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY: THE WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT IN THE BAHAMAS 1948-1962; THE STUART HALL PROJECT; FORWARD EVER: THE KILLING OF A REVOLUTION; RESILIENT HEARTS; BLACK AND CUBA
Fri, Jun 13, 7:15PM Opening Night:
Post-screening reception commemorating the 35th anniversary of St. Lucia's independence, sponsored by the Caribbean Professional Network.
As a poet, playwright, painter and even filmmaker, Derek Walcott has been hymning the Caribbean for more than 60 years. This rousing documentary reveals an intimate portrait of the Nobel Prize winning Walcott, as it visits his art studio, his childhood home and his current residence on his beloved native island of St. Lucia. Discover the anger and frustration that the poet holds against the downtime of the arts as he speaks frankly about the meaning of poetry to him personally, and about the significance of art for humanity. Most importantly, this documentary is a celebration of the greatest gift Walcott has given the world: his poetry.
DIR/PROD Ida Does. Netherlands, 2014, color, 80 min, digital presentation. In English. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
Fri, Jun 13, 9:30PM
"I always have my ears on the ground-level…I just take it from you and bring it back to you…" This independent feature-length documentary digs deep into the consciousness of the Black Man himself, legendary calypsonian Dr. Leroy Calliste, better known as Black Stalin. Featuring the big man's music and performances as well as interviews with Trinidad's top entertainment and academic names: Kees, David Rudder, JW and Blaze, Nadia Batson, Dr. Roy Cape, Denyse Plummer and Dr. Patricia Bishop.
DIR Tamara Tam-Cruickshank. Trinidad and Tobago, 2012, color, 60 min, digital presentation. In English. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
Sat, Jun 14, 2:00PM
YURUMEIN (Homeland) Tickets $5!
This powerful documentary recounts the painful past of the Caribs on St. Vincent and the extermination of scores of their ancestors at the hands of the British, while building an intimate portrait of Garifuna culture in-transition today. It presents firsthand accounts from both Carib descendants who remain on the island of St. Vincent and voices of returning descendants whose ancestors were exiled to Central America—where Garifuna traditional culture was able to survive and flourish. As Garifuna from around the world come together to remember and celebrate the lives and resilience of their shared ancestors, they also begin to discover possibility and hope for the future of Garifuna culture and a greater worldwide community.
DIR/SCR Andrea E. Leland. US/St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 2014, color, 50 min, digital presentation. In English. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
Sat, Jun 14, 3:15PM
ABO SO (Only You)
This musical tells the story of Tatiana (Raphaela Mahadeo), an intelligent, conservative young woman who moves with her mother and brother to their aunt's house in the neighborhood known as Seroe Patrishi. There, she meets Santiago (Miguel Genser), a quirky young man of Latin origin, who can't take Tatiana's diva attitude. Yet secrets are revealed. They discover compassion for one another, out of which a beautiful love grows. This almost impossible love will test them both. Featuring the songs of legendary Aruban musician Padu del Caribe. Official Selection, 2013 Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival; 2014 Curaçao International Film Festival Rotterdam.
DIR/SCR/PROD Juan Francisco Pardo. Aruba, 2013, color, 72 min, digital presentation. In Papiamento with English subtitles. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
Sat, Jun 14, 5:00PM TULA: THE REVOLT
Based on the true story of the slave uprising in 18th-century Curacao, this epic drama follows the enslaved Tula, who led his colleagues in revolt. Upon hearing of the emancipation of the slaves in Haiti, Tula decides that he needs to take charge to change the situation in Curacao. While his pleas for freedom go ignored by his masters, Tula finds support among his fellow slaves, and they decide to strike. Dutch troops quickly arrive at the plantation, and though Tula dreams of a peaceful agreement, he soon finds out that he has no option but fight with the other enslaved people for freedom, equality and brotherhood. Starring Danny Glover, Obi Abilli and Natalie Simpson.
DIR/SCR/PROD Jeroen Leinders; SCR Curtis Holt Hawkins. Netherland Antilles/Netherlands, 2013, color, 100 min, digital presentation. In English and Dutch with English subtitles. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
Sat, Jun 14, 7:15PM CRISTO REY
The universal legend of Romeo and Juliet provides a compelling framework for Dominican director Leticia Tonos to explore the recent escalation in historic tensions between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Janvier, a mixed-race Haitian-Dominican teenager, maintains an uneasy presence in crime-plagued Cristo Rey, a slum barrio of Santo Domingo that he calls home. When he gets the chance to make some extra cash by protecting the beautiful Jocelyn, the young sister of Cristo Rey's controlling drug kingpin, he takes it, hoping to be able to reunite with his deported Haitian mother. But when he becomes romantically involved with Jocelyn, the tensions rumbling below the surface erupt. (Note courtesy Miami International Film Festival). Official Selection, 2013 Toronto Film Festival.
DIR/SCR Leticia Tonos; SCR Alejandro Andújar; PROD Sergio Gobbi. Dominican Republic/Haiti/France, 2013, color, 96 min, digital presentation. In Spanish with English subtitles. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
Sat, Jun 14, 9:20PM KINGSTON PARADISE
"Your choices matter first of all." Rocksy (popular Jamaican entertainer Christopher "Johnny" Daley), a small-time hustler, journeys into chaos to steal a car while his lady friend Rosie (Camille Small) hangs a watercolor painting in their modest room and dreams of peace. The fight to survive their broken dreams and aspirations compels them to commit a crime that changes their lives forever. Shot on the streets of Kingston where poverty, beauty and desperation collide, this Jamaican story transcends its island locale to become a universal story of people whose poverty seems to trap them in a life where reckless acts appear the only road to an elusive better life. Winner, Best Diaspora Feature, 2014 African Movie Academy Awards.
DIR/SCR/PROD Mary Wells; PROD Sajoya Alcott, Frances-Anne Solomon. Jamaica, 2013, color, 83 min, digital presentation. In English. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
Sun, Jun 15, 1:10PM
Exploring the riveting story of the women's suffrage movement in the Bahamas, this documentary focuses on five of the central figures in the movement. In their singular "womanish ways," these women worked tirelessly to redress discrimination and to advance and expand the cause of democracy in the Bahamas. Through archive footage and interviews with the women and men who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the founders of the movement, filmmaker Marion Bethel sheds light on this important period in Bahamian history.
DIR/SCR Marion Bethel; DIR Maria Govan. Bahamas, 2012, color, 73 min, digital presentation. In English. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
Sun, Jun 15, 2:45PM THE STUART HALL PROJECT
Born and raised in Kingston, Stuart Hall is one of the most influential and esteemed cultural theorists of his generation. A thinker and commentator, he is one of the intellectual giants of the last sixty years. Ghanaian filmmaker John Akomfrah's sweeping and majestic feature length documentary takes the viewer on a roller coaster ride through the upheavals, struggles and turning points that made the 20th century the most important period of global political change to date. The story is told through the ideas of Stuart Hall and heard through the sonic landscape of the music of Miles Davis. Official Selection, 2013 Sundance Film Festival.
DIR John Akomfrah; PROD Lina Gopaul, David Lawson. UK, 2013, color, 103 min, digital presentation. In English. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
Sun, Jun 15, 5:00PM
The invasion of Grenada by U.S. forces in 1983 echoed around the world and put an end to a unique experiment in Caribbean politics. What were the circumstances that led to this extraordinary chain of events? This comprehensive, gripping and revealing documentary tells the story of the Grenada revolution as never before. The film features extensive, previously unseen file footage, as well as old and new interviews with many of the key players of the time. Award-winning filmmaker and Caribbean film scholar Bruce Paddington has crafted a landmark documentary that aims to educate and continue the process of healing and reconciliation in the region. Official Selection, 2013 Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival.
DIR/SCR Bruce Paddington, Luke Paddington. Trinidad and Tobago/Grenada, 2013, color, 113 min, digital presentation. In English. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
Sun, Jun 15, 7:30PM RESILIENT HEARTS
This documentary was inspired by the catastrophic earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010, and left the country and its people devastated. Directed and written by Haitian-American actress Claudine Oriol, who left Port-au-Prince one hour before the earthquake, the film unfolds through the eyes, lives and spirit of the Haitian people, giving voice to the voiceless. Through a variety of narratives, Oriol sheds light on Haiti's unique and rich history, conveys the resiliency of the Haitian spirit and shows the strength and power of a community united. Filmed entirely in Haitian-Creole (with English subtitles), this project is an ode not only to Claudine's fellow Haitians, but to the international community and everyone impacted by this natural disaster.
DIR/SCR Claudine Oriol. Haiti, 2013, color, 74 min, digital presentation. In English, Creole and Haitian with English subtitles. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
Sun, Jun 15, 9:40PM BLACK AND CUBA
This edgy and artful documentary follows a group of predominantly black, street-smart students at Yale, who feel like outcasts at the elite Ivy League university, as they band together and adventure to Cuba to see if revolution is truly possible. While filming their poignant encounters with AfroCuban youth, breathtaking sites and moving hip-hop performances, the travelers confront realities behind myths of color-blindness and social mobility. This chronicle of their journey uncovers renewed hope for equality and human rights. The film is the feature directorial debut of Dr. Robin J. Hayes, international human rights advocate and scholar. Official Selection, 2014 Pan African Film Festival.
DIR/SCR/PROD Robin J. Hayes. US/Cuba, 2013, color, 83 min, digital presentation. In English. NOT RATED
Click here for ticket information.
For more information: www.transafrica.org; or call 202.223.1960 ext. 137 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
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subset: commoncrawl


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When you hear two of the state's most powerful interest groups claim to be on the side of the angels, remember this: the only Angels in this state play baseball in Anaheim.
Two of California's most powerful interests -- its largest teachers union and the state chamber of commerce -- are about to engage in a big war over a ballot initiative to reverse $2 billion in corporate tax cuts negotiated last year during the heart of the economic process. You'll hear plenty of moral claims -- the union, the California Teachers Assn. (CTA), will talk about how it wants to restore cuts to schools, and the chamber of commerce will talk about how reversing the tax cuts will cost the state jobs.
The fight starts now as CTA turns in signatures on an initiative, likely to qualify for the November ballot, to reverse the corporate tax cuts. The CTA can make a case that it's a little strange to be cutting taxes at a time when the state is broke. This corporate tax cut also has a strange providence. It was not part of a full budget review. Instead, it was a demand that minority Republicans, using their own under the two-thirds supermajority requirement for budget bills, made in the final hours of the February 2009 budget deal. (As such, it's an example of how the 2/3 requirement costs the state money).
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
It's clear that these corporate tax cuts would be good for companies' bottom line. It's far from clear that the tax cuts will produce jobs.
The cuts are not targeted incentives to hire. Instead, the cuts consist of three changes in policy -- one that allows companies to pick one of three formulas for how they should be taxed; another that allows companies to transffer credits, and a third that allows them to "carry back" today's operating losses to previous tax years (and thus claim new refunds on their old taxes) -- that make balance sheets look better.
By the same token, it's far from clear that any money recovered by reversing corporate taxes will restore arts programs, sports and other extras that have been hit hard in budget cuts. Over the past decade, all new money that goes to schools has been gobbled up by teacher salaries. In fact, nearly every category of education spending in California is down in this new century -- except teacher pay. It's fine to pay teachers more, but higher pay doesn't produce better results, at least in California, because the law prevents tying higher pay to results. Another problem: when money goes to teacher pay, such money creates new long-term costs, in the form of pension and retirement obligations.
So for all the talk you'll hear during this fight about kids and jobs, this campaign is a fight over where the money goes -- either to corporate bank accounts or teacher bank accounts.


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I'm pleased to share that Adobe is once again featured on the "Streaming Media 100 (SM100): The One Hundred Companies that Matter Most in Online Video in 2013." Now in its third year, we're thrilled to be recognized on the SM100 alongside so many respected industry players as "doing the most interesting and innovative work in streaming video." With Adobe Primetime, we're helping MSOs and programmers reach viewers on any IP-connected screen, creating more value for pay-TV service and strengthening brand affinity for content owners. The Streaming Media judges noted that the SM100 recognizes companies with "online video in their DNA" and that definitely holds true for Adobe given our industry-leading video solutions – from our video creation tools within Adobe Creative Cloud to Adobe Primetime. Thanks to Streaming Media for recognizing Adobe for the third year in a row with a spot on the SM100.
If you're attending Streaming Media West next month in Huntington Beach, California, stop by my panel on Tuesday, Nov. 19: "The State of Over-The-Top Video and TV Everywhere Rollouts." I'll be speaking on the panel with DirecTV, LG Electronics, and Sling Media about the state of over-the-top (OTT) and TV Everywhere rollouts. It should be an interesting and engaging discussion so I hope to see you there!


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Get your teams of 1 – 5 players together. $2 per player. We begin at 6:30 PM (seats fill up fast, so get here early).
Of course, there will be prizes!
— 1st place walks with the cash in the pot
— 2nd place: Our host, Will, buys your first round of beers at the next trivia night!
— 3rd place: Pick the theme for one of four rounds at the next Trivia Night
Come prepared to answer trivia of all types during rounds 2, 3, and 4!! But the third place team picked the theme of round 1 and it's a mystery!


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Talk:Nodal Point
I think we should be a bit less equivocal in the perennial debate about "front nodal point" versus "entrance pupil". I had always favoured the front nodal point as the centre of perspective and centre of rotation, but have recently changed my mind.
As David Jacobson's Lens Tutorial says, "Nodal points are the two points such that a light ray entering the front of the lens and headed straight toward the front nodal point will emerge going straight away from the rear nodal point at exactly the same angle to the lens's axis as the entering ray had. Certainly one ray of the pencil of rays coming from an object will behave in this way, but this is not necessarily the ray which is heading for the centre of perspective.
On the other hand, all rays which form the image must pass through the aperture stop, which will approximate a point when the lens is fully stopped down. Since the entrance pupil is the front image of the aperture stop, it follows that the centre of perspective is the entrance pupil.
The authoratative view of the late great Rudolf Kingslake that "the entrance pupil of the lens is the center of perspective" is quoted by John Bercovitz in an email archive. Dr Kingslake confirmed this in a personal letter to John Bercovitz, and suggested a practical experiment which confirmed the theory. You can read the relevant passage in "Optics in Photography" using Amazon's "Look Inside!" feature at Amazon
Jaunary 23, 2006. Done. Please see the revised article No-parallax point and the associated paper linked in it, Theory of the "No-Parallax" Point in Panorama Photography.


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Emmitsburg, Md. (March 16, 2014)—The Northeast Conference Champion Mount St. Mary's men's basketball team was announced as a No. 16 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament and will face another 16 seed, Albany, in the First Round on Tuesday, March 18, at 6:40 p.m. The Mount's First Round game versus the America East Champion will be held in Dayton, Ohio.
Playing in the South Region, a win in the First Round would propel the Mount into a Second Round matchup with No. 1 overall seed Florida on Thursday, March 20, in Orlando, Fla.
This is the Mount's fourth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, joining the teams from 1995, 1999 and 2008. The Mountaineers have been a No. 16 seed in each of their four appearances. In 1995, the Mount lost to top-seeded Kentucky in the First Round, and in 1999, the Mount fell to top-seeded Michigan State in the First Round. In 2008, the Mount defeated Coppin State in the Opening Round game before falling to No. 1 seed North Carolina in the First Round.
Mount St. Mary's earned its spot in the NCAA Tournament by defeating Robert Morris, 88-71, in the Northeast Conference Championship game on Tuesday, March 11. The Mountaineers (16-16) were the fourth seed in the NEC Tournament, and rallied to defeat St. Francis Brooklyn in the quarterfinal round before besting second-seeded Wagner on the road in the semifinals.
Tickets will be available through the Mount St. Mary's Ticket Office beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 17. The ticket office phone number is 301-447-5700 and tickets are $60.00.


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If people think flagships or famous former flagships fare better than the rest of their fleet, well, don't be too fast in conclusions. Empirical evidence might not support that and these tales might make you wonder and think. This selection is limited to post-World War II ferries. This is also limited to liner shipping companies and the bigger regional shipping companies. For the latter, I limited it to flagships at the moment they were lost.
The TSS Mayon
The Mayon was the flagship of the recomposed fleet of the Manila Steamship Company Inc. after World War II. She was the second ship acquired by the company after World War II (she is a different ship from the prewar Mayon of Manila Steamship Co.). The first was not really acquired but returned. That was the Anakan which was a prewar ship of the company that fell into Japanese hands during World War II and pressed into the military effort on their side. It was fortunate to survive the Allied campaign against Japanese shipping during the war. When the war ended and Japanese ships were surrendered she was returned by the Allies to the company in 1945.
The Mayon was built as the Carabobo in 1923 by the New York Shipbuilding in Camden, New Jersey, USA for the Atlantic and Caribbean Shipping and Navigation of Delaware, USA. In 1938, she was sold to the Northland Transportation Company of Alaska, USA. In 1946, Manila Steamship Co. which was also known as the Elizalde y Compania acquired this ship and she was fielded in the Manila-Iloilo-Pulupandan route of the company. Originally classified as a refrigerated passenger/cargo ship, she had luxurious accommodation because that meant airconditioning and cold drinks were available and those treats were rare in that era. With cabins and lounges, she was considered a luxury liner of her days.
However, on a charter voyage from Jakarta to Manila on February 18, 1955, an explosion and fire hit her and she was beached off the western coast of Borneo island. This incident so shook up Manila Steamship Co. that they withdrew from shipping the same year and they sold all their vessels to other companies except for the very old Bisayas, the former Kvichak which was sold to the breakers. Most of the these sold ships were former "FS" ships. Manila Steamship Co. never went back again to shipping. Elizalde y Compania was one of the biggest companies in the Philippines then and its founder Manuel Elizalde Sr. was one of the richest men in the Philippines during that time and he was known as a financial backer of presidential candidates.
The MV Dona Conchita
This was the first Dona Conchita that was the first flagship of Carlos A. Go Thong & Co. when they were first able to acquire a Manila route after they bought out the Pan-Oriental Shipping Company of the Quisumbing family. The ship was named after the wife of the founder of the company and this was a legendary ship during her time.
The ship was actually not an ex-"FS" ship as many thought. She is actually a former "F" ship that was lengthened by National Steel and Shipbuilding Corporation (NASSCO) in Mariveles, Bataan. Her origin was actually as a sank ship by a storm off Cavite that was bought cheap and salvaged by Carlos A. Go Thong & Co. and re-engined for she had no engines. Her replacement engines were a pair of Gray Marine diesels with nearly double the horsepower of the ex-"FS" ships and so instead of running at only 11 knots she was capable of 16 knots and thus she was able to claim as being the fastest in the Manila-Cebu route then.
This ship then did various routes for the Carlos A. Go Thong & Co. but always her first port of call from Manila was Cebu before proceeding to other ports. During those years there were no dedicated Manila-Cebu ships only (that came during the era of the fast cruisers starting in 1970 with the Sweet Faith of Sweet Lines). Because of that once, a week sailing was the norm then except for the very long routes (i.e. Davao) and the very short routes (i.e. Capiz, Mindoro, Romblon).
When the Dona Conchita got older sometimes she was not sailing. I heard her Gray Marine engines were not that durable compared to the General Motors engines of the ex-"FS" ships. Then on one of her voyages, she caught fire off Mindoro sometime in 1976 or thereabouts. There was no precise way of confirming the dates or exact location as she does not have an IMO Number and therefore she was not in the international maritime databases.
The M/S Don Juan
In 1971, Negros Navigation Company brought out their best and biggest liner yet, the M/ S Don Juan. The ship was named in honor of Don Juan L. Ledesma, eldest child of Don Julio and Dona Florentina Ledesma, one of the founders of Negros Navigation. M/S Don Juan was a brand-new ship built by Niigata Engineering Company, Ltd. in Niigata, Japan for P13,650,000 from a design of Filipino naval architects. She was the fifth-built brand-new liner of Negros Navigation Company after the Princess of Negros (1962), the Dona Florentina (1965), the beautiful Don Julio (1967) and Don Vicente (1969). This luxury liner became the new flagship of Negros Navigation Company and she was used in the Iloilo and Bacolod routes of the company from Manila. She was fast at 19 knots and she brought an end to the reign of MV Galaxy as the speediest ship in the Manila-Iloilo route.
However, on one voyage from Manila to Bacolod she was struck on the portside by the tanker Tacloban City of the Philippine National Oil Company on the night of April 22, 1980 near the island of Maestre de Campo in Tablas Strait. Such collision proved fatal for the ship and she listed immediately and went down fast. The confirmed number of dead was 121 even though the tanker immediately tried to rescue the passengers of M/S Don Juan and even as other vessels in the vicinity tried to help in the rescue effort too. It is thought many of the dead were passengers of the cabins trapped by buckled doors and those injured by the impact. This incident triggered a mourning in Bacolod as most of the passengers who perished hailed from that place.
The wreck of the ship lies in deep waters estimated to be some 550 meters and so salvage and/or recovery is out of question as far as local resources is concerned. Maybe the RORO ferry Santa Maria, acquired by Negros Navigation Company in 1980 was the replacement of the ill-fated M/S Don Juan. But I am not sure if she was considered a flagship of the company.
The MV Cebu City
The MV Cebu City of William Lines Incorporated was a sister ship of the M/S Don Juan of Negros Navigation Company. She was also built by Niigata Engineering Company Ltd. in Niigata, Japan but her date of build (DOB) was 1972. Having a slightly bigger engine she was slightly faster than her sister since she can do 20 knots. Maybe they purposely ordered a bigger engine so she can battle in speed her would-be main rival, the Sweet Faith of Sweet Lines Incorporated in the prime Manila-Cebu route. Sweet Faith was the fastest liner then in the Philippines since her fielding in 1970. The battles of Cebu City and Sweet Faith both made them legends in Philippine shipping and remembered decades after they duked it out.
MV Cebu City was the second brand-new ship of William Lines Inc. after the MV Misamis Occidental and she was the flagship of William Lines Inc. from 1972. As the flagship, MV Cebu City exclusively did the Manila-Cebu route twice a week and so followed the pattern set by Sweet Faith. She was the flagship of the company up to the end of 1979 when the new flagship of the company arrived, the equally legendary Dona Virginia which was also involved in another tight battle with another flagship, the Philippine Princess of Sulpicio Lines Inc. After she was displaced as the flagship MV Cebu City sailed various routes for the company.
On the night before the morning of December 2, 1994, while hurrying after a late departure from Manila North Harbor, MV Cebu City encountered the MV Kota Suria, a container ship of Pacific International Lines (PIL) near the mouth of Manila Bay before reaching Corregidor island. On a collision course, the Kota Suria asked for the customary port-to-port evasion maneuver. However, MV Cebu City turned to port because maybe she was intending to "tuck in" near the coast, a practice of smaller ships when near then Cavite coast to save on running time. Maybe MV Cebu City thought she had enough clearance but they might have misjudged the speed of the MV Kota Suria. She was rammed by the much bigger MV Kota Suria on the starboard side which caused her to list and to capsize and sink in a short time.
About 145 people lost their lives in that collision. The Philippine Coast Guard later held that MV Cebu City was mainly at fault but Philippine authorities also detained MV Kota Suria (but she later escaped). The wreck of MV Cebu City now lies under about 25 meters of water.
The Dona Paz
The world-infamous Dona Paz was born as the Himeyuri Maru of the Ryukyu Kaiun KK (the RKK Line). She was built by Onomichi Zosen in Onomichi yard in Japan in 1963 and she plied the Okinawa route. In 1975, she was sold to Sulpicio Lines Incorporated. She was refitted and remodelled for Philippine use with the primary intention of increasing her passenger capacity. In Sulpicio Lines, she was renamed as the Don Sulpicio and she was the new flagship of the company starting in 1975.
As the flagship of Sulpicio Lines, Don Sulpicio did the Manila-Cebu route exclusively twice a week. This was the first time Sulpicio Lines did this exclusive assignment and that was following the footsteps of Sweet Lines and William Lines which had flagships doing the Manila-Cebu exclusively. On one voyage in this route on June 7, 1979, she caught fire and she was beached in Maricaban island at the edge of the mouth of Batangas Bay. Her whole superstructure and cargo holds were consumed by the fire.
Against expectation Sulpicio Lines had her repaired but the repairs took nearly two years. Meanwhile the Dona Ana, the later Dona Marilyn took over as flagship of the company and did the Manila-Cebu route until the new flagship of Sulpicio Lines arrived, the Philippine Princess. After repairs, in her refielding in 1981, Don Sulpicio was already known as the Dona Paz. Maybe the renaming was done to avoid reference to her previous tragedy. There were also changes in her superstructure after the repair.
After her refielding, the Dona Paz was assigned to the Manila-Tacloban and Manila-Catbalogan-Tacloban routes of Sulpicio Lines. However, on one voyage from Tacloban and Catbalogan she was involved in a collision with the tanker Vector on the night of December 20, 1987. The fuel of the tanker exploded and both vessels were engulfed in fire. There were only 26 survivors in the collision and there was a claimed 4,386 dead and that was affirmed by the clueless and out-of-jurisdiction Supreme Court. That was big enough to place the Dona Paz as the worst peacetime maritime tragedy in the whole world. However, the official casualty according to the Board of Marine Inquiry placed the number of dead at only 1,565 but that was what can be only counted and might be an underestimation too.
The casualty figure was clearly bloated because the Governor of Northern Samar then, Raul Daza had people sign up claims against the company and the number from his province was about 2,200. That was an impossibility since passengers from that province going to Manila generally take the bus already and that was cheaper and faster. Going to Catbalogan is actually going farther and the limited number of buses then going from Catarman to Catbalogan can only take hundreds at most. It was clearly a con game by the Governor in a scheme to bilk Sulpicio Lines. Imagine a passenger total greater than those from Leyte and Western Samar when the ship did not dock in Northern Samar! The ship was clearly overloaded but the casualty figure was really artificially bloated.
Much later the Supreme Court completely absolved Sulpicio Lines from liability in the tragedy. It was on a technicality because Vector had an expired license when it sailed. The Dona Paz wreck lies between Marinduque and Dumali Point of Mindoro near the town of Pola. The distance of it from Marinduque is twice its distance from Mindoro.
The Dona Marilyn
The Dona Marilyn was the first known as the Dona Ana in Sulpicio Lines Incorporated and she is actually a sister ship of Dona Paz. She arrived in 1976 for Sulpicio Lines and they were the first fast luxury cruiser liners of the company and so they were advertised by Sulpicio Lines as the "Big Two". As mentioned before, as Dona Ana she replaced the then Don Sulpicio as the flagship when it caught fire in 1979 and she fulfilled that role until the Philippine Princess arrived in 1981.
The Dona Marilyn was born as the Otohime Maru in Japan. She was also built by Onomichi Zosen for Ryukyu Kaiun KK (the RKK Line) in 1966 for the Okinawa route. When she was sold to Sulpicio Lines in 1976 there was no change of flagship designation although she is the newer and ship. She was instead fielded in the Manila-Cebu-Davao express route of the company. Maybe she was sent to that more stressful (for the engines) route because she had the newer engines. Incidentally, the engines of the two sister ships were identical but Dona Ana was rated faster than Don Sulpicio and that might be the second reason why she was assigned the long Davao route.
In 1980, the ship was renamed as the Dona Marilyn. In 1981 when the new Philippine Princess arrived she was assigned not assigned again her old Davao route because Sulpicio Lines had two new fast cruisers that came in 1978 and one of that, the Don Enrique (the future Davao Princess and Iloilo Princess) was already holding that route. She was then assigned to the new Manila-Estancia-Iloilo-Zamboanga-Cotabato route of the company.
In 1988, the new Cotabato Princess arrived and she was relieved from that route and she was assigned the route vacated by the loss of the Dona Paz, the Manila-Catbalogan-Tacloban route and Manila-Tacloban route. On October 23, 1988 while there was a typhoon brewing, the Typhoon "Unsang", Dona Marilyn tried to hightail it to Tacloban when the storm was already off the coast of Samar island on the way to Bicol. "Unsang" was a fast-gaining storm in strength and the ship being new in that area maybe did not know how fast the seas there can become vicious in so short a time (even squalls there can be dangerous for smaller crafts). The ship was swamped by the seas that gained strength from Signal No. 2 to Signal No. 3 and she listed and capsized some 5 nautical miles off Almagro island which is part of Western Samar. Only 147 people managed to survive the tragedy and some 389 people perished.
[There is a coming Part 2]
[Photo credit of MV Don Sulpicio: Times Journal and Gorio Belen]


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Your Trusted Havre De Grace Plumbers
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We are a full-service plumbing company ready to provide you with top-notch solutions to meet your needs. From hydro jetting to sewer repair to emergency plumbing, we offer the best in residential plumbing repairs and installations.
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A building cannot function properly without the essential services of a plumber. Safe water for use in the building and safe disposal of waste will give the users of a building a clean environment in which they can go about their activities in Havre De Grace Maryland. Appliances in the building which use water like sinks, showers and toilets can sometimes get blocked and a plumber will ensure that blockages are quickly resolved. There are different types of plumbing which address various needs and commercial plumbing takes care of the plumbing needs of commercial buildings.
About Commercial Plumbing
Commercial plumbing involves installing and maintaining large scale systems for the supply of water and removal of waste for different types of businesses, industries, and large buildings. A commercial plumber will address the plumbing needs of these facilities for instance installation and repair of pipes or unblocking clogged drains.
Commercial plumbing involves a lot of emergency work whereby any plumbing problem like a water leak which disrupts business is quickly addressed. When a commercial plumber gets to your premises, he will assess the problem and give you a quote of how much the repair work will cost. He will then get down to work in order to resolve the problem. This ensures that work will continue in the premises uninterrupted thus getting rid of the risk of losses.
Types Of Commercial Plumbing in Maryland
Hot water plumbing is an important aspect of commercial plumbing as broken down heating systems can be repaired to ensure that hot water runs in the premises uninterrupted. Businesses which use large machines require regular servicing and repair.
There are commercial plumbers who are skilled in dealing with commercial machines and will be able to identify the problem in the machines and repair and service them. In premises where gas is used as a source of energy, commercial gas fitters will be needed to install, repair and maintain appliances that use gas for instance commercial ovens or industrial equipment.
Role Of Plumbers
The work of the commercial plumber is to ensure that the water supply system is functioning properly and that the waste pipes are draining properly. When the plumber is installing a water supply and drainage system, he has to dig up trenches and lay out the pipes. He then has to connect them to the local water and sewage system.
While laying out the piping in Havre De Grace, the plumber has to ensure that the water supply system is kept away from any contamination. Once the outdoor plumbing system has been properly laid out, the indoor plumbing of the building is done. Internal plumbing of the building may include installing water fountains, kitchen and bathroom sinks, toilets, showers and fire sprinklers.
An important aspect of commercial plumbing is the maintenance of the water and drainage systems of the building, including the heating systems. A plumber will have to ensure that the drains in an establishment that deals with food are clear from food or grease which can easily cause a blockage.
The plumber also needs to know the health regulations so that he can comply with them. He needs to ensure that the standards of water supply and waste drainage are as per the local codes and regulations of commercial buildings.
Plumbing and Heating Services in Havre De Grace Maryland
Having a reliable home heating system ensures a better quality of life. You may not realise the importance of well-functioning gas, plumbing and heating systems until something goes wrong, especially during the colder months. The good news is finding a plumbing and heating company in local area is easy when you know who to call. When it comes to plumbing and heating, you want a true professional with a lot of experience. Someone with the proper certification to do the job properly and of course, that they are insured.
What are the Gas Plumbing and Heating Services?
There is a variety of services and products that will effectively heat your home. When you are looking to increase your energy-efficiency, you can have a new boiler installed or perhaps get your old boiler serviced/repaired. The same goes for hot water heating and central heating; The plumbing and heating company can do the installation for you. In the event you need a Landlord and Gas safety inspection certificate, a certified technician can do this as well. If your pipes are clogged, there are professionals that do power flushing in that area. You'll want a company that specialises in working with your home's plumbing system. Make sure the plumbing and heating company you use is fully insured and comes with plenty of industry experience. This goes for services like boiler installation in whole area.
Boiler Installation in Havre De Grace 21078
If you're not getting hot water or it takes a long time, it may be timing to think about replacing/upgrading your boiler. It's always best to find a reputable company for your boiler installation in local area. Doing so will make sure a long-lasting system that will be more energy- efficient.
What are the Benefits of Power Flushing in local areas?
Power flushing can be a cheaper alternative to installing a brand new system in your home. You might be surprised at how much faster your home warms up. If you're experiencing noisy or slow radiators, it's could be a sign that there is airing and corrosion inside your unit. Power flushing services can remove these problems so your radiator runs smoothly again. You're also going to have a more energy-efficient system which saves you money.
What to Look For in Your Gas Plumbing and Heating Service Expert
Whatever your needs are in and around the local area, make sure your service professional are gassing safe registered, fully insured and come with a lot of experience. Boiler installation in local area along with water installation, plumbing, power flushing or leak detection is no small matter. Getting fast service by those with the highest industry standards can save you money for years to come. Repairs, servicing and installation can dramatically cut down your energy bills while warming up your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plumbing Pipe Repair in Maryland
If you think your home is in need of a major plumbing overhaul, the first fact you should know is that a state-licensed master plumber is the only person certified to provide safe and effective plumbing pipe replacement and repair. They will have the knowledge, training, experience, and resources to implement accurate plumbing service completely up to code. Continue reading to review some of the most frequently asked questions about re-piping and plumbing repair, and better understand your property's plumbing needs in Havre De Grace MD.
When is it Time for Pipe Replacement?
Usually, if a home is older than 50 years, there is a good chance its pipes are not in very good condition. Houses these old usually have systems made of an inferior metal or material, such as lead. In this case, pipe replacement would be the wiser and more beneficial remedy. In the case of a serious disaster, like a tornado or hurricane, a home's plumbing pipes may also need entirely replaced since there is universal damage.
When Do I Need Pipe Repair?
If your home's plumbing system has an isolated issue or defect, pipe repair is the proper course of action. Since all other parts of the system are in good condition and functional, only the damaged or defective area of the plumbing system would need to be fixed. This, of course, is also the cheaper, more cost-effective solution to pipe problems.
What Can I Expect With Pipe Replacement Work?
In the case that your home requires pipe replacement, you can expect your daily routine to be affected in some way or another. This type of work, after all, is intrusive and invasive, so you will have to temporarily adjust to a little clutter and discomfort. Plumbers usually work on one area at a time, so you can usually live in your home while the work is completed. But often times, families leave their homes and rent a hotel room while the work is being performed. This makes it easier for all parties involved.
How Long Does Pipe Replacement Take?
The total amount of time it takes for a contractor to complete a re-piping job depends on several factors. These include the property's size, grade, soil condition, number of staff, level of experience, and much more. When a contractor has to work around a home, the job takes longer. If a home's walls have already been taken down or not yet constructed, the job goes by faster. Expect the project to take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.
Who Should I Hire for the Job?
Always look for a plumbing company with extensive experience and premium insurance. The more experience they have, the more proficient their skills as a plumber should be, while insurance shows they are a professional company in Havre De Grace MD 21078. Also look for state-licensed master plumbers. There is a big difference between a standard plumbing contractor and a master plumber.
Areas Around Havre De Grace MD 21078Hydrojetting Service Havre De Grace MD 21078
Reverse Osmosis Repair Aberdeen MD 21001
Hydrojetting Service Rising Sun MD 21911
Bathroom Shower Plumbing North East MD 21901
Clogged Garbage Disposal Abingdon MD 21009
Hydrojetting Service Bel Air MD 21014


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Beer here: Tomorrow is the Albuquerque leg of the N.M. IPA Challenge!
New Mexico's ninth annual cage fight de hops (¿cómo se dice "cage fight" en español?) started at High Desert Brewing in Las Cruces on Tuesday, traveled up to Santa Fe Brewing company Thursday, and settles in for the final stop in Albuquerque tomorrow. The gloves come off at Chama River Brewing (4939 Pan American W Fwy NE, 342-1800) from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
You, citizen drinker, just pay $20 for a tray of samples from all the participating local brewers—11 of em!—and vote on your favorite. The exciting twist is that the tasting and judging is done blind: You won't know who's who until all the votes are in and tallied. There are some extra niceties as well, but let's get right to the breweries (copied and pasted from nmbeer.org, which flickered on again after an almost yearlong hiatus. Welcome back!):
Blue Corn Cafe & Brewery, Santa Fe
Chama River Brewing, Albuquerque
Hallenbrick Brewing, Albuquerque
High Desert Brewing, Las Cruces
Il Vicino Brewing, Albuquerque
Marble Brewery, Albuquerque
Santa Fe Brewing, Santa Fe
Second Street Brewery, Santa Fe
Rio Grande Brewing, Moriarity
Three Rivers Brewing, Farmington
Turtle Mountain Brewing, Rio Rancho
Even if you can't make it, pick up next week's Alibi for ABQ Beer Geek's recap of the challenge and its bitter winners and losers (hops are bitter, you see, so the winners and the losers ... oh, never mind). And be sure to check www.ABQBeerGeek.com for even more constantly updated beer wisdom. On tap right now: The Beer Geek reports that it's Il Vicino Tap Room's last night at their current location. (Look for the new place at 2381 Aztec NE sometime in or after September.) He has pictures, too.


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Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.
The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ's second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord's birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas).
Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season. Our Advent calendar above can help you fully enter in to the season with daily activity and prayer suggestions to prepare you spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ. More Advent resources are listed below.
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South Korean rapper PSY is still scheduled to perform at Sunday's "Christmas in Washington" concert at the National Building Museum after he apologized Friday for performing songs with anti-American lyrics at a concert protesting the U.S. military presence in South Korea during the early stages of the Iraq war in 2004.
The 34-year-old PSY, born Park Jae-Sang, said he was "deeply sorry" for performing the song "Dear American," a song written by the South Korean metal band N.E.X.T. In reference to American soldiers, the song includes the lyrics "Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law, and fathers/Kill them all slowly and painfully." At another concert, PSY smashed a model of a U.S. tank on stage.
"While I'm grateful for the freedom to express one's self, I've learned there are limits to what language is appropriate and I'm deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted," PSY's statement read, in part. "I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused by those words."
U.S. & World
As a young man, PSY attended college in America, studying first at both Boston University and then Berklee College of Music, but he later returned to South Korea without earning a degree.
PSY recently shot to unexpected stardom after the music video for his song "Gangnam Style" went viral and became YouTube's most-accessed video ever. The song itself, which is performed almost entirely in Korean, has also earned heavy radio play in the United States.
The "Christmas in Washington" concert, which the First Family is expected to attend, will be filmed Sunday for broadcast December 21 by TNT. Representatives for the network, which has final say over the selection of performers, told NBC News that PSY would perform as scheduled.
The program is hosted by Conan O'Brien. Other scheduled performers are Diana Ross, Demi Lovato, Megan Hilty, Scott McCreery, and Chris Mann.


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From picking to eating and carving to decorating, all season long we get to enjoy pumpkins a plenty. The superb superfood is a staple for any Fall Feast and as any foodie knows, pumpkin is a health powerhouse (low in calories, high in fiber and packed with beta carotene and potassium). So with Pumpkins on the brain, I wanted to share Pritikin Executive Chef Anthony Stewart's super easy recipe for Roasted Pumpkin Wedges – a low calorie (only 35 per serving!) appetizer, snack or side dish that I think your readers will love!
- 1 medium-sized pumpkin (about 5 pounds)
- Generous pinch of cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon apple juice concentrate (Look for 100% apple juice concentrate in the frozen food section of your market.)
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Peel pumpkin the same way you would peel melons like honeydew. Cut off top and bottom so that pumpkin "stands" steady on your surface. To keep pumpkin from moving, a wet towel underneath is helpful. Then, going from top to bottom with a sharp knife, filet the skin off. Next, cut pumpkin into long wedges. Remove pulp and seeds.
3. Season your wedges with cinnamon and apple juice concentrate.
4. On a large nonstick baking sheet, bake for 25 minutes or until browned.
5. Serve hot.
Chef Anthony Stewart, Executive Chef
Chef Anthony Stewart has won accolades worldwide, including five gold medals in top culinary competitions, for his masterful use of foodstuffs like fresh seafood and tropical fruit from his native Jamaica. When not in the kitchen, he's in the classroom, and has inspired thousands of Pritikin guests "to have some fun!"


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Authors on Artists: Amy King on Leonor Fini, Leonora Carrington, and Frida Kahlo
Paint Is the Abyss' Law, Living the Accent: Marginalia on Absorption
Paint Is the Secretion of Scene on Leonor Fini's Set
I now confer status on you. As in, everything is as
good as the next thing. Better yet, in this season,
I am implicitly requesting your death
on a platter. That said, should I begin without
interrogating the
great mystery that separates
dark matter from the everyday? Dive into beauty untinged by
the detritus of degenerative mechanics? But...


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Hsipaw, BurmaKirsty Turner
Also known as Thibaw, this tranquil town in the Northern Shan State is a great place to relax and unwind for awhile. Surrounded by natural beauty, many people travel to Hsipaw for trekking, and there are a number of well trodden trails leading through Shan villages to picturesque spots such as hot springs, water caves, waterfalls and forests.
There are a number of interesting places to visit in and around Hsipaw. Top of the list should be the Shan Palace, which is located to the north of town and was the former residence of the Sawbwas of Hsipaw, who lived here for many generations until the last one was forced to flee during the military coup of 1962.
Another interesting place to visit is the Bawgyo Paya, a large Shan Pagoda about 5 miles out of town. Here you will find not only Buddha statues but also Hindu statues outside the temple and the journey to and from the town is very scenic.
Just before sunset climb to the top of Sunset watching at Five Buddha Hill or Nine Buddha Hill, both of which are located just over a mile outside Hsipaw. Hire a bicycle and reach the top of the hill for spectacular views over the town and surrounding countryside.
A massage is a great way to soothe aching muscles after a day of hiking and there are a number of massage parlours and basic spas scattered around Hsipaw. The city is located near the banks of the Dokhtawaddi River, and it is possible to take a short boat trip here to see the countryside.
The morning riverside market is a great place to get a bite to eat and sample some of the region's delicious fruit and handmade sweets. A large percentage of the population here are Chinese and there are a good variety of Chinese dishes to try. You can also shop for souvenirs here and exchange friendly banter with the stall holders.
The Bawgyo Paya Pwe festival is held in Hsipaw in late February or early March and the somewhat sleepy town really comes alive during this time, celebrating with traditional songs, dancing and storytelling.


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[PIC] Shocking Image Exposed
| I wanted to give you a heads up of something the National Gun Owners Association is releasing in the next few days...
But thought you'd enjoy the heads-up before it's released...
It's a G700 LED Flashlight..!
This picture does more justice for the flashlight than any words I can put down on paper..!
(see image below)
They just received their shipment around an hour ago which is the reason for the e-mail.
Last year - they sold their entire st ock in 2 days!
Don't miss out on this rare opportunity!
Click here to claim your G700 Flashlight!
PS. If you reply to this email two days from now telling me they are all gone and asking how to get one - don't be mad when I tell you,.. you'll have to wait till next year!
Grab your G700 - You'll Love It
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Original Sin and Dog Biscuits
Collected Works of Samuel Beckett
A member of the Swedish Academy said of Samuel Beckett's winning the Nobel Prize: "In the realms of annihilation, the writing of Samuel Beckett rises like a Miserere from all mankind, its muffled minor key sounding liberation to the oppressed and comfort to those in need."
Grove Press has made this benison the signature tune of their Collected Works of Samuel Beckett: sixteen times it sings to the reader from as many blurbs. "Important, if true," said Kinglake of the Christian religion, and this is rather the sentiment that is stirred up in us as we ponder the Swedish call to faith for the sixteenth time. Certainly, at first glance, it seems preposterous, for surely Beckett has never come even to one conclusion that could excite a spirit of liberation or comfort in anyone at all. Surely, even the wonderfully funny music-hall lines that flash like UFOs across his bogs are only intended to show that there is nothing like a little cheerfulness to enhance the misery of things, and that no suffering can look really poignant if the victim does not take to malarkey for refuge?
Chekhov, who dealt with much the same material as Beckett, felt so strongly in this matter about his own plays that he left emphatic orders as to the need for cheerfulness in the presentation of despair: "Don't make a mournful face in a single act. People who have borne a grief in their hearts for a long time, and are used to it, only whistle and often sink into thought…."
No director of Chekhov has ever paid any attention to these instructions. They are too difficult to digest and even more difficult to direct; they ask that the characters play in apparent contradiction to their condition, that they show in real lightheartedness the full gravity of their sorrow. And most of us take the same line as Chekhov's directors; we hate to spoil what seems a perfect agony by dousing it with splashes of fun. We like our sorrows straight: to cry "Lord, why hast Thou given me this cup to drink?" and only find that some joker has dropped a frog in it spoils the whole booze-up for us.
But the poor artist, who has made tragicomedy his precious medium and knows it to be the subtlest of art forms, is bound to deplore such insensitivity. The happiness he obtains from spicing wretchedness with dashes of happy poison is willful, perverse, and even morbid, but it is perfectly genuine and full of wonderful dramatic possibilities. For tragicomedy is not just a temperamental kink, it is the result of many years' hard work, and if the work is not presented properly, the whole point of it is lost. If the tragedy is stressed too lugubriously (as it always is in productions of Chekhov), the result is commonplace and ponderous. If the comedy is allowed…
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