‘Heaven and Earth’ movie is one of the most unforgettable movies I’ve ever watched. It’s the story of a woman from a rice farming community in the war torn Vietnam. She led a normal life until the war broke out. She was raped, her family was displaced and her friends were killed. She ended up in a Saigon brothel and married an American GI. Her American husband brought her to the states. She worked tirelessly and eventually succeeded in business. She is Vietnamese by heart and her children who were born and raised in America could not understand her. She just wants to give everything she could only dreamed of to her children but she ended up fighting with them. Her husband became a burden when he started demonstrating syndromes of ‘war shock’, a psychological disorder. He eventually killed himself. In the last part of the movie, the heroine and her children returned to the land of her birth. She paid homage to her ancestors, forgave the people who did her wrong including herself, that’s when she came full circle.
Oriental belief teaches us that we have to suffer difficulties, experience joy, another set back before we achieve total happiness. It’s a cycle that we have to go through because we need to learn a lesson from it. The current crisis that we are experiencing right now is just a cycle. Oil prices that went up did come down. It’s the law of nature that whatever goes up must come down, eventually.
Ilonggo sa Desyerto (Ilonggo in the Desert) – A blog containing insights, opinion and analysis by the author on life, work, religion and events he personally experienced.
29 December 2008
22 December 2008
RP the deadliest place for journalists
The New York based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that for 2008, RP is listed as amongst the deadliest place for journalists despite being the freest in Asia.
It’s alright for CPJ to report such killings but they should know why these journalists are killed in the first place. Filipino journalists thinks that having a FREE country means they are entitled to say what they want to say and destroy other people’s character. The libel law is not properly implemented. There are no recent reports and statistics that suggest that people filing cases against these journalists are prospering. There’s even a new ruling under SC that says ‘Libel sentence for journalist must be commuted’. In that case, victims of these abusive and irresponsible journalists have nowhere to turn to, not even the law. When the victims are desperate and have nowhere to turn to, they will resort to extra judicial killings.
I am an advocate of free journalism with boundaries. Journalist should follow the law and ethical standards befitting a journalist. They should never resort to character assassinations. Irresponsible and greedy journalists have no place in our society. I couldn’t care less if they’re eliminated, even through extra judicial killing.
It’s alright for CPJ to report such killings but they should know why these journalists are killed in the first place. Filipino journalists thinks that having a FREE country means they are entitled to say what they want to say and destroy other people’s character. The libel law is not properly implemented. There are no recent reports and statistics that suggest that people filing cases against these journalists are prospering. There’s even a new ruling under SC that says ‘Libel sentence for journalist must be commuted’. In that case, victims of these abusive and irresponsible journalists have nowhere to turn to, not even the law. When the victims are desperate and have nowhere to turn to, they will resort to extra judicial killings.
I am an advocate of free journalism with boundaries. Journalist should follow the law and ethical standards befitting a journalist. They should never resort to character assassinations. Irresponsible and greedy journalists have no place in our society. I couldn’t care less if they’re eliminated, even through extra judicial killing.
17 December 2008
Pinoy Org Abroad
When I was new here in Saudi Arabia, a Saudi veteran told me to refrain from joining Filipino Organizations. I took the older guy’s advice at heart and never joined any group. Last year, I met a fellow Ilonggo (Let’s call him Mr. Popular) who was at that time running for the post of Board of Directors in a Regional organization (in Eastern Province). Mr. Popular pleaded several times before I relented to his request that I sign for membership. The Org membership is the only way I could cast my vote for Mr. Popular. Mr. Popular won by a very large margin and he was voted number two out of the 12 Board of Directorial seat.
According to the by laws of the Org, the 12 BOD are automatically in contention for the Presidential and other posts. The Mr. Popular who was popular amongst the Org members turned out to be unpopular to the old dogs. He ended up not winning any position at all since nobody nominated during the BOD election. The whole group was against Mr. Popular because he’s young and idealistic.
When Mr. Popular was accused by somebody who’s an adopted member of the Org (Let’s call him Mr. Singing Bee), the whole group turned their back on Mr. Popular. The group pressured Mr. Popular into admitting guilt without a due process. Mr. Popular stood his ground and was never affected by the pressure. They blindly believe what Mr. Singing Bee told them without hearing Mr. Popular’s side of the story. In the end Mr. Popular realized that the Org is not worth it. He finally resigned as the member of the BOD. He was thankful that he learned early on that he really doesn’t need popularity and recognition. He finished his contract, exited the kingdom and resumed his banking career in the Philippines. Mr. Singing Bee on the other hand, who was so arrogant, was terminated from his job.
Mr. Popular was promising but the old dogs in the Org are threatened by him. He’s fresh and he symbolizes change. I still believe that regardless of what the people do to you, they can never really bring you down unless you allow them to. Mr. Popular was smart enough not to be affected. He knows that he’s stronger that what others think.
According to the by laws of the Org, the 12 BOD are automatically in contention for the Presidential and other posts. The Mr. Popular who was popular amongst the Org members turned out to be unpopular to the old dogs. He ended up not winning any position at all since nobody nominated during the BOD election. The whole group was against Mr. Popular because he’s young and idealistic.
When Mr. Popular was accused by somebody who’s an adopted member of the Org (Let’s call him Mr. Singing Bee), the whole group turned their back on Mr. Popular. The group pressured Mr. Popular into admitting guilt without a due process. Mr. Popular stood his ground and was never affected by the pressure. They blindly believe what Mr. Singing Bee told them without hearing Mr. Popular’s side of the story. In the end Mr. Popular realized that the Org is not worth it. He finally resigned as the member of the BOD. He was thankful that he learned early on that he really doesn’t need popularity and recognition. He finished his contract, exited the kingdom and resumed his banking career in the Philippines. Mr. Singing Bee on the other hand, who was so arrogant, was terminated from his job.
Mr. Popular was promising but the old dogs in the Org are threatened by him. He’s fresh and he symbolizes change. I still believe that regardless of what the people do to you, they can never really bring you down unless you allow them to. Mr. Popular was smart enough not to be affected. He knows that he’s stronger that what others think.
Misa de Gallo
For the Filipinos, Misa de Gallo, Simbang Gabi or the Pre Dawn Mass is the start of the Christmas Celebration. It is celebrated yearly on 16 up to 24 December. Our history book says that the Spanish priests during the colonial period started the tradition of conducting the dawn mass so that farmers could attend Christmas Eucharistic celebration.
I have a fond memory of the ‘Simbang Gabi’ as a child. I would often try to complete the 9 day dawn mass because of the belief that wishes could come true. The belief is childish and innocent. We should cherish this value and do away with the materialistic Christmas.
I have a fond memory of the ‘Simbang Gabi’ as a child. I would often try to complete the 9 day dawn mass because of the belief that wishes could come true. The belief is childish and innocent. We should cherish this value and do away with the materialistic Christmas.
Hail to Muntadar Al Zeidi
Outgoing US President George W. Bush was target of an Iraqi journalist’s (Muntadar Al Zeidi) shoes last Sunday as he spoke in a press conference in Baghdad during his last trip to Iraq. Muntadar Al Zeidi shouted “This is a farewell kiss, you dog.” while throwing his shoes at Bush. Soles of shoes are considered the ultimate insult in Arab culture. After Saddam Hussein’s statue was toppled in Baghdad in April 2003, many onlookers beat the statue’s face with their soles.
Meanwhile, some journalist present during the press conference stood up to apologize. Bush however said that he isn’t bothered by Muntadar’s gesture. Al Bagdhdadia Channel, Al Zeidi’s network was unapologetic about Zeidi’s behavior. They were only pressing for the release of Zeidi as they are afraid of his safety in the hands of the Iraqi authority.
“It serves him right” those are the words that I hear from all my Saudi friends. I totally agree with them and I can’t blame them for saying that. In fact, George Bush deserved more than that. Barack Obama and the United Nations should consider filing a case against him for war crimes and genocide. He is responsible for the quagmire that Iraqi people are experiencing right now.
Zeidi became an overnight sensation in the Arab World. He became a hero by standing up to what he believed in. To Muntadar Al Zeidi, you make your people and the whole world proud of you. Kudos!
Meanwhile, some journalist present during the press conference stood up to apologize. Bush however said that he isn’t bothered by Muntadar’s gesture. Al Bagdhdadia Channel, Al Zeidi’s network was unapologetic about Zeidi’s behavior. They were only pressing for the release of Zeidi as they are afraid of his safety in the hands of the Iraqi authority.
“It serves him right” those are the words that I hear from all my Saudi friends. I totally agree with them and I can’t blame them for saying that. In fact, George Bush deserved more than that. Barack Obama and the United Nations should consider filing a case against him for war crimes and genocide. He is responsible for the quagmire that Iraqi people are experiencing right now.
Zeidi became an overnight sensation in the Arab World. He became a hero by standing up to what he believed in. To Muntadar Al Zeidi, you make your people and the whole world proud of you. Kudos!
Another Sea Tragedy
Twenty three (23) were confirmed dead, Thirty one (31) are missing and Forty four (44) were rescued after the ferry boat MV Mae Jan sunk in the Calayan-Appari route on Sunday evening. It was said that the weather was fine when the ferry boat left Calayan port at 4PM but due to a tropical depression boiling in the South China Sea, Pacific Ocean and Cagayan Straight, the weather turned ugly. It was also reported that the boat was overcrowded.
Our government should regulate the operations of these vessels if it intends to see an end to maritime disaster. It should prevent disaster from happening rather than resort to rescue missions which often have many casualties. The death of the Twenty three (23) passengers means sad Christmas for their families.
Our government should regulate the operations of these vessels if it intends to see an end to maritime disaster. It should prevent disaster from happening rather than resort to rescue missions which often have many casualties. The death of the Twenty three (23) passengers means sad Christmas for their families.
03 December 2008
Thai court ruling brings down government
Thai court dissolved the ruling government and banned the present Prime Minister from politics for 5 years. Thai constitutional court ruled that the ruling Party should be banned since the House Speaker and former deputy leader of the People Power Party were involved in electoral fraud. The ruling was the only signal that the protesters (anti government) were waiting before they allow international flights to resume operation.
Flight cancellations resulted to loss in profit for the Thai tourism industry. The instability of the fragile Kingdom is expected because People Power Party has a mass base in the rural area of the country.
Anti Thaksin believed that the mass could not be trusted to elect national leaders since their votes can be bought and manipulated. They are suggesting that MPs must be appointed by the King instead.
Thailand is in serious trouble because people are divided by their loyalty to their King and to Thaksin and his party. The insurgency in the southern part of Thailand composed mostly of the Muslim population is exhausting the resources of the kingdom. Thailand is a country that mainly depends on the tourism industry. The recent surge in instability of the country is not a welcome development. It also undermined the democratic selection of leaders since the suggestion of anti-Thaksin faction of appointing MPs could mean no elections.
Flight cancellations resulted to loss in profit for the Thai tourism industry. The instability of the fragile Kingdom is expected because People Power Party has a mass base in the rural area of the country.
Anti Thaksin believed that the mass could not be trusted to elect national leaders since their votes can be bought and manipulated. They are suggesting that MPs must be appointed by the King instead.
Thailand is in serious trouble because people are divided by their loyalty to their King and to Thaksin and his party. The insurgency in the southern part of Thailand composed mostly of the Muslim population is exhausting the resources of the kingdom. Thailand is a country that mainly depends on the tourism industry. The recent surge in instability of the country is not a welcome development. It also undermined the democratic selection of leaders since the suggestion of anti-Thaksin faction of appointing MPs could mean no elections.
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