I avoid all php frameworks , use simple MVC

I avoid all php frameworks they all stink and fail on reimplementing RoR in a worse language They way to go keep it simple use a simple template language something like json template http://code.google.com/p/json-template/source/browse/php/jsontemplate.php and a simple NoFramework View Controller http://toys.lerdorf.com/archives/38-The-no-framework-PHP-MVC-framework.html

use a simple data abstraction layer that works mdb2 , pdo ... or if you want speed use the Firebird ibase functions directly Keep the model of the application in database , it is faster and better than any ORM crappy frameworks http://wiki.firebirdsql.org/wiki/index.php?page=Php+DB+wrappers+options

ps:I would avoid php in the first place and choose a better language: ruby, javascript(nodejs, gluescript), python ,freepascal