Last Monday 27 July 2009, PGMA delivered her valedictory State of the Nation Address (SONA). She said that she will step down on 30 July 2010 as mandated by the constitution. She promised to work more for the Filipino nation until her term ends.
I was elated when PGMA started to get even and hit back on her most bitter detractor particularly Erap, Mar Roxas and JDV. She has always been at the receiving end of the attacks, lies, innuendoes, nasty accusations and criticisms for the past 8 years. I am fed up from hearing bad words from these people and it’s about time that she retaliates.
PGMAs term of office ushered a stable Philippine economy amidst the global economic downturn. This is her greatest legacy to the presidency.
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 July 2009
Man on the Moon, Woman of the Universe
On 20 July 1969, the world watched as the first manned moon landing took place. On the same date, Gloria Diaz was crowned as the first Filipina Miss Universe. Forty years had gone by, Neil Armstrong the first man to walk on the moon is now a grumpy old alcoholic man. Gloria Diaz is still Gloria Diaz, the most beautiful animal in the planet. I wonder why she doesn’t grow old (salamat sa doctor?). Her daughter Isabel pales in comparison.
The moon landing was phenomenal but people had moved on. It didn’t excite us anymore. Even NASA suspended all their moon projects for decades. That raises the question from the skeptics that the moon landing was just a hoax. According to reports, the moon landing was just taken from a movie set in Hollywood. There are several evidences that proved the point of the biggest cover up on earth.
The United States and the first world countries can do what they want with their money. But I believe that the money spent in space exploration should instead be spent on poverty reduction and alleviation. It's a shame that first world countries would rather spend billions of dollars in space exploration than helping feed the hungry.
The moon landing was phenomenal but people had moved on. It didn’t excite us anymore. Even NASA suspended all their moon projects for decades. That raises the question from the skeptics that the moon landing was just a hoax. According to reports, the moon landing was just taken from a movie set in Hollywood. There are several evidences that proved the point of the biggest cover up on earth.
The United States and the first world countries can do what they want with their money. But I believe that the money spent in space exploration should instead be spent on poverty reduction and alleviation. It's a shame that first world countries would rather spend billions of dollars in space exploration than helping feed the hungry.
Cory
It’s all over the news that Cory’s health is declining. Any moment from now, Cory will meet her creator. She is after all a very religious woman.
Cory could have been a good president. However, she’s meek as a lamb, listens only to her advisers and does all things that her advisers tell her to do. She ended up as a rubberstamp and very weak president. To her credit, she’s honest and incorruptible. I used to admire her but when she tried to side with the oppositions who tried to oust PGMA, I lost interest in her. As a former president who is revered by the Filipinos, what she did was unforgivable. She should’ve stayed away from politics.
PGMA had moved on, had survived all the attempts to outs her from the presidency. She attended a mass for Cory and even offered a prayer for her before delivering the SONA. I felt that it’s also the time for me to forgive Cory. I’ll pray for her like what other of our kabayan did. Prayer is the only thing we ordinary Filipino can offer to her.
Cory could have been a good president. However, she’s meek as a lamb, listens only to her advisers and does all things that her advisers tell her to do. She ended up as a rubberstamp and very weak president. To her credit, she’s honest and incorruptible. I used to admire her but when she tried to side with the oppositions who tried to oust PGMA, I lost interest in her. As a former president who is revered by the Filipinos, what she did was unforgivable. She should’ve stayed away from politics.
PGMA had moved on, had survived all the attempts to outs her from the presidency. She attended a mass for Cory and even offered a prayer for her before delivering the SONA. I felt that it’s also the time for me to forgive Cory. I’ll pray for her like what other of our kabayan did. Prayer is the only thing we ordinary Filipino can offer to her.
Nelson Mandela’s Legacy
On 19 June 2009, Nelson Mandela celebrated his 91st birthday. Nelson Mandela is the living symbol of the anti apartheid movement in South Africa. He was convicted for several crimes and was jailed for 27 years by the S.A court. In 1990, he was released from prison, supported the reconciliation and negotiation for the transition to the multi racial democracy in South Africa. He won the 1993 Nobel peace price for advocating peace and reconciliation.
Nelson Mandela inspired many people all over the world for his peaceful advocacy in bringing together South Africans regardless of the color of their skin. Instead of fighting back, he forgave his jailers and accusers. That earned the respect of people around the world. His virtues made him a larger than life living legend. Nobody could surpass is achievements.
If Filipinos and its leaders can only emulate Mandela, by the grace of God, maybe we will become a better nation.
Nelson Mandela inspired many people all over the world for his peaceful advocacy in bringing together South Africans regardless of the color of their skin. Instead of fighting back, he forgave his jailers and accusers. That earned the respect of people around the world. His virtues made him a larger than life living legend. Nobody could surpass is achievements.
If Filipinos and its leaders can only emulate Mandela, by the grace of God, maybe we will become a better nation.
11 July 2009
What’s with Randy?
For me the David family is the most hypocrite and ingrate family in the Philippines. Did Randy David forget that it was PGMA who appointed his wife Katrina to the Civil Service Commission? Now, just to gain media mileage, he’s challenging PGMA! Is Randy David crazy or what? He doesn’t stand a chance.
He has no political machinery and no name recognition. People do not know him at all! There were reports that say that his brother run against Zeny Cruz Ducut but lost. His mother couldn’t even win a seat in the Barangay Council.
I really do not believe that PGMA would run for a lower post. It’s just not worth it. However, if she does, her Cabalen will be there to support her.
He has no political machinery and no name recognition. People do not know him at all! There were reports that say that his brother run against Zeny Cruz Ducut but lost. His mother couldn’t even win a seat in the Barangay Council.
I really do not believe that PGMA would run for a lower post. It’s just not worth it. However, if she does, her Cabalen will be there to support her.
G8 Summit
The G8 Summit is just a propaganda machinery of the first world countries. They wanted the world, particularly the developing countries to believe that they care. The G8 is only concerned on their own agendas. They are the reason why the developing countries remain poor. As the proponents of the WTO, their initiatives are anti progressive and only favor their own interests.
The world should not believe in any of their baloney and media releases. Developing countries should stand up against them. That's the reason why Hugo Chavez is popular among his people, the South America and the world. It's because he has the balls to stand up against what the G8 stands for.
AJE / Your Views Posted on Monday, 06 July 2009, 03:04 PM KSA
The world should not believe in any of their baloney and media releases. Developing countries should stand up against them. That's the reason why Hugo Chavez is popular among his people, the South America and the world. It's because he has the balls to stand up against what the G8 stands for.
AJE / Your Views Posted on Monday, 06 July 2009, 03:04 PM KSA
What now for Iran?
A government should be able to discipline its people. People should never be allowed to go to the streets to protest because they feel like it. It scares away the investors and bring bad signal to the world. Of course, it’s a major cause of traffic jam which has a great effect on the country’s economic activities.
I salute the Iranian authorities for curtailing the violence that the post election protest generated. According to the Iranian authority, the rallies are funded for by the CIA. The primary purpose of the United States in funding the rallies is to destabilize the country, embarrass the Iranian government, thereby bringing regime change. The regime change should of course favor US agenda. Again, US have been involved in the past by overthrowing the democratically elected Iranian government. It should not be a surprise if they would do the same thing. Sadly, the United States never learned the lessons that history thought them.
AJE / Your Views Posted on Monday, 06 July 2009, 03:14 PM KSA Time
I salute the Iranian authorities for curtailing the violence that the post election protest generated. According to the Iranian authority, the rallies are funded for by the CIA. The primary purpose of the United States in funding the rallies is to destabilize the country, embarrass the Iranian government, thereby bringing regime change. The regime change should of course favor US agenda. Again, US have been involved in the past by overthrowing the democratically elected Iranian government. It should not be a surprise if they would do the same thing. Sadly, the United States never learned the lessons that history thought them.
AJE / Your Views Posted on Monday, 06 July 2009, 03:14 PM KSA Time
05 July 2009
Murder Case in Al Khobar
There’s a latest development concerning the murder case in Al Khobar involving a Filipina woman. The victim was identified but for the sake of respecting the dead and her family’s grief, I would rather not mention her name. The Al Khobar police, according to reports were able to capture the suspected killer. Contrary to the ‘Filipino Grapevine’, the killer is a Filipina, a ‘Kumare’ of the victim for 20 years. The suspect confessed to the Police with a sworn in affidavit authenticated by the Al Khobar court for the crime that she committed. The victim and the killer were in an argument when suddenly the suspect went to the kitchen, took a kitchen knife, and stab the victim several times.
The earlier reports that circulated in the emails were exaggerated. Filipinos were fast to accuse the natives ‘Katutubo’ of committing the crime. I salute the authorities for solving the crime within days. I hope that the soul of the victim will finally rest in peace. It would also be a closure to the victim’s family. In the Kingdom of Sands, crime doesn’t pay. I am pretty certain that the suspect will receive a death penalty.
The earlier reports that circulated in the emails were exaggerated. Filipinos were fast to accuse the natives ‘Katutubo’ of committing the crime. I salute the authorities for solving the crime within days. I hope that the soul of the victim will finally rest in peace. It would also be a closure to the victim’s family. In the Kingdom of Sands, crime doesn’t pay. I am pretty certain that the suspect will receive a death penalty.
04 July 2009
Al Khobar Corniche (Makeshift Vendors)
I started visiting the Corniche since I settled in Al Khobar a couple of years ago. For the information of those who are not familiar with Corniche, it refers, in general to seaside coast or waterfront promenade. It stretches from Al Khobar to Dammam with elaborate gardens, playgrounds, fountains, walkways and jogging alleys. People from all walks of life, different nationalities and gender converge at Al Khobar Corniche mostly on weekends. People go there to relax, be with their families, play football or cricket, jog or even fishing.
These past few years, I observed a new trend at the Corniche. There is a rise of the makeshift stores selling toys, snacks, water, juice and tea. These makeshift vendors are a peculiar sight at the Corniche since people are never used to seeing them. It is definitely an illegal activity but authorities turn a blind eye on them. It is because the vendors are mostly children, elderly or middle aged ladies. I don’t condemn them because they are a great help to people who are thirsty and hungry.
I actually admire those vendors because they are trying to earn a decent living. We all know that in the Kingdom of the Sands, ladies are not allowed to work. Selling at the Corniche may be the only way they can help alleviate their family income. Judging by the people to buy their stuff, I may not be the only one who has a high regard for them.
These past few years, I observed a new trend at the Corniche. There is a rise of the makeshift stores selling toys, snacks, water, juice and tea. These makeshift vendors are a peculiar sight at the Corniche since people are never used to seeing them. It is definitely an illegal activity but authorities turn a blind eye on them. It is because the vendors are mostly children, elderly or middle aged ladies. I don’t condemn them because they are a great help to people who are thirsty and hungry.
I actually admire those vendors because they are trying to earn a decent living. We all know that in the Kingdom of the Sands, ladies are not allowed to work. Selling at the Corniche may be the only way they can help alleviate their family income. Judging by the people to buy their stuff, I may not be the only one who has a high regard for them.
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