The news about the gruesome massacre in Maguindanao is all over the world. The BBC and Al Jazeera have reports with the footage of ABS CBN News. I personally do not like the news reporting of ABS CBN but they’re undeniably the largest in terms of reach. Well, if you’re talking about ABS CBN, then expect that all of these will again be blamed to PGMA. ABS CBN is very fond of demonizing PGMA. That’s where GMA News differs from ABS CBN, sa GMA News, walang kinikilingan, serbisyong totoo lang.
The massacre shouldn’t surprise us at all. Murders and massacres are just part of the election process. People die here and everywhere during elections. Not even a total gun ban could stop people from killing each other. People are dying in every parts of the country. How much more in Maguindanao where politicians have goons and private armies? I just wonder why the convoy does not have a military aid when they were gunned down. Instead, they have media as escorts. They must have thought that they’re safe if they’re with the media. Media and broadcast journalist in the Philippines are irresponsible so I can’t blame people if they want to kill them. When I was younger, some of the reporters of Bombo Radyo Iloilo are regularly gunned down.
I think that the massacre will never be resolved. The suspects, The Ampatuan’s are too powerful to be prosecuted. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mangudadatu clan retaliates. The sad thing in what happened is that these people are related by blood. Power and greed destroyed their family.
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.
25 November 2009
Eid Al Mubarak!
Everyone is excited because it’s the Hajj Holiday. The Hajj holiday is the last holiday in the Hijri Calendar. Ang daming plano talaga but my friends and I agreed that this time, we will not plan anything for the holiday. It’s a waste of time planning then nothing really materializes. Mas maganda talaga kung on the go na lang.
I have an outstanding invitation from a family friend based in Jubail. I really have to go there since I haven’t seen them in years. The two kids have grown up so fast and they really have to meet their uncle. I haven’t been a good uncle to them. I forgot their birthdays and owe them gifts. So, inshallah, I’ll meet them this Hajj holiday.
I’m also excited by the cleansing diet regimen that my cousin gave me. I hope I’ll keep my promise that I’ll go through another cleansing diet. Last Eid Al Fitr, I did go through with the cleansing diet but it only lasted 3 days. My cousin from the Q.C. told me that for it to be successful, I would have to do it in 7 straight days. I just hope that I can resist temptation (sa food lang naman).
I have an outstanding invitation from a family friend based in Jubail. I really have to go there since I haven’t seen them in years. The two kids have grown up so fast and they really have to meet their uncle. I haven’t been a good uncle to them. I forgot their birthdays and owe them gifts. So, inshallah, I’ll meet them this Hajj holiday.
I’m also excited by the cleansing diet regimen that my cousin gave me. I hope I’ll keep my promise that I’ll go through another cleansing diet. Last Eid Al Fitr, I did go through with the cleansing diet but it only lasted 3 days. My cousin from the Q.C. told me that for it to be successful, I would have to do it in 7 straight days. I just hope that I can resist temptation (sa food lang naman).
Tuta ng mga Kano
Tuta ng mga Kano! That’s what you’d always hear from the leftist and militants every time they’re on the streets condemning the present regime (actually, the previous regime too.. and the future regimes to come). In a way, there’s a reality to that accusation. Sino ba namang president ng Pilipinas ang hindi naging tuta ng mga kano? Lahat naman sila naging tuta ng kano. The thing is, if you’re the setting president of the Philippines, you don’t have a choice but to be America’s tuta. Whether you like it or not, you’ll bow down to US pressure. Or else, US will impose economic sanctions and you don’t want that if you’re a leader because your people will suffer. And if your people suffer from the economic embargo, you’ll be very unpopular and it could lead to a political crisis. The worst thing that could happen is that if CIA and the US State Department will come up with a coup plans to oust you from power. America had been funding coup plots not only in the Philippines but to several countries. The State Department has a budget for that, bringing down regimes that they don’t like, e.g. Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, several states in the Balkan to name the few. Even Erap Estrada’s ouster was a brainchild of the US. In fact, I really believe that whatever is happening to our country is one way or another influence by the US.
Yeah right, I love Hillary and can’t promise you guys that I’ll hate her, because I won’t. Political pundits are buzzing about the real reason of Clinton’s visit to our country. We Filipinos are even accused as being stupid when we praised and adulate her instated of letting her explain the reason behind her visit. Political pundits are saying that we should demand an explanation of the real US agenda in Mindanao.
As you guys all know too well, our country maybe poor, poverty stricken and calamity devastated but we’re strategically located. We’re in the heart of Asia, in fact, we’re the true Asia in the real sense of the word (not Malaysia). We’re very accessible to China and US could very well use us as fueling station if and when a war of US and China takes place. The sad thing is, we’ll also be the Ground Zero of the possible war. We Filipinos should know better, if we’re not allied to the US during the World War 2, we wouldn’t have suffered casualties from the war. Japanese killed us like animals but Uncle Sam couldn’t even pay the pensions of the millions of our veterans. We should never be the Tuta of Kano. But do we really have a choice? We’re not as oil rich as Venezuela. My personal hero Hugo Chavez can throw all the rhetoric he wants against the US because Venezuela has oil. Oil made US respect Venezuela. US would only bow down to us if we’re rich.
That is precisely the reason why the IMF and the World Bank was created to make the poor nations became poorer. Their so called economic experts would force the poor countries like us to yield to their whims (of course, with the blessings of America and the west). If we’re poor, they can easily control us. We’re still bounded by the US whether we like it or not. The presidentiables could say what they’re for or against but in the end, when they’re elected to the office, they’ll still be Tuta ng Kano.
Yeah right, I love Hillary and can’t promise you guys that I’ll hate her, because I won’t. Political pundits are buzzing about the real reason of Clinton’s visit to our country. We Filipinos are even accused as being stupid when we praised and adulate her instated of letting her explain the reason behind her visit. Political pundits are saying that we should demand an explanation of the real US agenda in Mindanao.
As you guys all know too well, our country maybe poor, poverty stricken and calamity devastated but we’re strategically located. We’re in the heart of Asia, in fact, we’re the true Asia in the real sense of the word (not Malaysia). We’re very accessible to China and US could very well use us as fueling station if and when a war of US and China takes place. The sad thing is, we’ll also be the Ground Zero of the possible war. We Filipinos should know better, if we’re not allied to the US during the World War 2, we wouldn’t have suffered casualties from the war. Japanese killed us like animals but Uncle Sam couldn’t even pay the pensions of the millions of our veterans. We should never be the Tuta of Kano. But do we really have a choice? We’re not as oil rich as Venezuela. My personal hero Hugo Chavez can throw all the rhetoric he wants against the US because Venezuela has oil. Oil made US respect Venezuela. US would only bow down to us if we’re rich.
That is precisely the reason why the IMF and the World Bank was created to make the poor nations became poorer. Their so called economic experts would force the poor countries like us to yield to their whims (of course, with the blessings of America and the west). If we’re poor, they can easily control us. We’re still bounded by the US whether we like it or not. The presidentiables could say what they’re for or against but in the end, when they’re elected to the office, they’ll still be Tuta ng Kano.
23 November 2009
Who’s it gonna be?
Political pundits are now cashing on survey results to validate their claims that the certain Presidential aspirant is indeed leading in the polls. I really do not believe in surveys because surveys are primarily sponsored by a certain individuals or organization. Aside from that, surveys do not represent the whole segment of society. In fact, most of the survey’s sample sizes are only limited to 1,000 respondents and are mostly conducted in Metro Manila, or are only limited to highly urbanized cities in the country. In short, they do not speak for the whole country. The margins of errors in the surveys are not mentioned.
Political strategists of would of course, promote their candidates. In the case of LP, they’re already feeding people with false information that Noynoy Aquino is indeed the leading candidate. I once heard JPE saying that the noise about Noynoy is farce since there was not even mention of Noynoy in his provincial sorties. I would have to say that Manny Villar is the most visible presidential candidate of them all. I was in the Philippines last August and September and I tell you, he’s been everywhere. He was in Davao, Cagayan de Oro and any part of the Philippines. He even sponsored some of the wowowee shows in the provinces. Bayani Fernando’s tarpaulin can also be found everywhere. When I was in Bukidnon, I was surprised to see his tarpaulin near Musuan Peak (Central Mindanao University) in Valencia, Bukidnon.
Manny’s Villar’s NP has the resources and could launch a grass root campaign. Gibo’s Lakas-Kampi also has the resources and its members are the incumbents in their respective LGUs. Noynoy Aquino’s LP presence is only in the highly urbanized cities and could hardly support a grassroots campaign. Erap Estrada will never be taken seriously since there’s a big possibility that his candidacy will be questioned.
So, who’s it gonna be? Well, it’s too early to say. The serious bets did not even file their candidacy yet. We still have 6 months before the presidential election. We will still hear the usual bickering and name calling from the candidates. It’s still up to us people to choose so we have to choose wisely.
Political strategists of would of course, promote their candidates. In the case of LP, they’re already feeding people with false information that Noynoy Aquino is indeed the leading candidate. I once heard JPE saying that the noise about Noynoy is farce since there was not even mention of Noynoy in his provincial sorties. I would have to say that Manny Villar is the most visible presidential candidate of them all. I was in the Philippines last August and September and I tell you, he’s been everywhere. He was in Davao, Cagayan de Oro and any part of the Philippines. He even sponsored some of the wowowee shows in the provinces. Bayani Fernando’s tarpaulin can also be found everywhere. When I was in Bukidnon, I was surprised to see his tarpaulin near Musuan Peak (Central Mindanao University) in Valencia, Bukidnon.
Manny’s Villar’s NP has the resources and could launch a grass root campaign. Gibo’s Lakas-Kampi also has the resources and its members are the incumbents in their respective LGUs. Noynoy Aquino’s LP presence is only in the highly urbanized cities and could hardly support a grassroots campaign. Erap Estrada will never be taken seriously since there’s a big possibility that his candidacy will be questioned.
So, who’s it gonna be? Well, it’s too early to say. The serious bets did not even file their candidacy yet. We still have 6 months before the presidential election. We will still hear the usual bickering and name calling from the candidates. It’s still up to us people to choose so we have to choose wisely.
There’s Manny in Politics
I always had a hard time writing the correct spelling of Pacquiao, Manny’s family name. So to save myself from trouble, I often write Pakyaw instead. I wasn’t anymore surprised when I heard Manny Villar’s announcement that Many Pacquiao is NPs bet for the House seat in Sarangani Province. Manny once run for a House seat in Gen San but was defeated by a corrupt incumbent.
I would prefer that Manny remains apolitical. He’s already achieved so much. In fact, the name Manny Pacquiao is synonymous to fame and fortune. There are 101 ways to serve people than being a politician. Politics is dirty and if he’s not careful, it will only destroy his name. He could affiliate himself to several charitable organizations and NGOs. If he’s not satisfied with the programs of NGOs, he could establish his own foundation.
However, we could also not question Manny’s sincerity in his desire to serve our country. One thing’s for sure, Manny will never be corrupt.
I would prefer that Manny remains apolitical. He’s already achieved so much. In fact, the name Manny Pacquiao is synonymous to fame and fortune. There are 101 ways to serve people than being a politician. Politics is dirty and if he’s not careful, it will only destroy his name. He could affiliate himself to several charitable organizations and NGOs. If he’s not satisfied with the programs of NGOs, he could establish his own foundation.
However, we could also not question Manny’s sincerity in his desire to serve our country. One thing’s for sure, Manny will never be corrupt.
17 November 2009
Davao
Davao City is the largest, the greenest and the cleanest City in the Philippines. You can’t smoke and you can’t throw your garbage anywhere. It’s fair to say that it’s the city with the most disciplined people. The city did not just become what it is today overnight. It’s all because of the effort and the leadership of Mayor Duterte. In Davao, people of sinister characters are unheard of. Drug dealers and petty criminals just disappear without a trace. If they did appear, they’ll be soak in their own blood or are already dead. Killings are blamed on the Davao Death Squad which is just an allegation since nobody can really prove its existence.
We Filipinos are fond in complaining and we love to violate laws. We always have excuses for everything that we do. The irresponsible media loves to criticize but doesn’t help in nation building. Everyone protects their own interests. The poor will remain forever poor while the oligarchs become richer. Criminals thrive and ostentatiously display their wealth. Militants will always be in the streets of EDSA to protest, that’s what they’re good at, protesting. The hypocrites in the Catholic Church (Bishops, Priest and Nuns) have their own agendas like destabilizing our volatile country.
Our country really needs a leader like Mayor Duterte of Davao. His no nonsense style of leadership and the discipline made Davao what it is today. Our country needs somebody like him who can straighten up the Filipino people.
We Filipinos are fond in complaining and we love to violate laws. We always have excuses for everything that we do. The irresponsible media loves to criticize but doesn’t help in nation building. Everyone protects their own interests. The poor will remain forever poor while the oligarchs become richer. Criminals thrive and ostentatiously display their wealth. Militants will always be in the streets of EDSA to protest, that’s what they’re good at, protesting. The hypocrites in the Catholic Church (Bishops, Priest and Nuns) have their own agendas like destabilizing our volatile country.
Our country really needs a leader like Mayor Duterte of Davao. His no nonsense style of leadership and the discipline made Davao what it is today. Our country needs somebody like him who can straighten up the Filipino people.
To hell with the Militants!
I’m sure all of you, like me, love to hate the militants particularly the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, LFS, Gabiela, KMU, Akbayan and the Migrante. All they do is criticize but couldn’t offer any solutions to the national problems that we Filipinos encounter. In fact, they’re existence is primarily to create problems and destabilize our fragile nation. They’re only good in one thing actually, burning the posters and effigies of PGMA and Uncle Sam. In the absence of national issues that they could ride into, last week, they again, rallied with clenched fist against the US and Hillary Clinton. As with the usual, they ended their protests against the Americans by burning the flags and posters of Uncle Sam.
I’m not so fond of the United States but I like the American people in general. I’ve met so many of them in Aramco and any other social gatherings and they’re cool and nice people. They’re not as reserved, stuck up and cold people like the Europeans. When we were stricken by the killer typhoon Ondoy, Americans were there to help the evacuation and relief distribution. I’ve never heard anyone from Bayan, LFS, KMU, Akbayan or Migrante helping those who were caught up with the storm. Wala naman silang ginawa sa kanilang kapwa. Magaling lang silang mag rally at mag sunog ng effigies. Kung dinonate na lang kaya nila ang perang pinagawa nila ng effigies na iyan sa mga biktima ng bagyo, eh di nakatulong pa sila. I couldn’t imagine the enormous amount of money that they spent for those effigies. These people should be put to jail! Tingnan mo noong panahon ni Makoy, walang nagrarally kasi lahat takot. Kaya lahat disiplinado! We really have to overhaul our political system. It was the 1987 Constitution or Cory’s constitution that institutionalized these dissidents. They should never be allowed to seat at our Congress. Mas bagay sa kanila sa kulungan!
The angry voices and clenched fists that you witness when Hillary Clinton visited our country is just a pretence concealed as patriotism daw!
I’m not so fond of the United States but I like the American people in general. I’ve met so many of them in Aramco and any other social gatherings and they’re cool and nice people. They’re not as reserved, stuck up and cold people like the Europeans. When we were stricken by the killer typhoon Ondoy, Americans were there to help the evacuation and relief distribution. I’ve never heard anyone from Bayan, LFS, KMU, Akbayan or Migrante helping those who were caught up with the storm. Wala naman silang ginawa sa kanilang kapwa. Magaling lang silang mag rally at mag sunog ng effigies. Kung dinonate na lang kaya nila ang perang pinagawa nila ng effigies na iyan sa mga biktima ng bagyo, eh di nakatulong pa sila. I couldn’t imagine the enormous amount of money that they spent for those effigies. These people should be put to jail! Tingnan mo noong panahon ni Makoy, walang nagrarally kasi lahat takot. Kaya lahat disiplinado! We really have to overhaul our political system. It was the 1987 Constitution or Cory’s constitution that institutionalized these dissidents. They should never be allowed to seat at our Congress. Mas bagay sa kanila sa kulungan!
The angry voices and clenched fists that you witness when Hillary Clinton visited our country is just a pretence concealed as patriotism daw!
15 November 2009
Manny’s nth victory
Well, marami na naman ang nanalo sa tayaan. Filipinos always see an opportunity to make money. Good luck sa mga nanalo at bad luck sa mga natalo. There are people who condemn the gambling that go with the boxing fight but they never realized that the promoters staged the boxing to gamble. I am not against the gamblers as long as they can support their lifestyles. As you are well aware, most of the gamblers are the poor and vulnerable people. They always believe in the game of chance. Kahit na wala ng makain, they’d still bet. I once spoke to a close friend of mine who is a habitual gambler. He told me that gambling is addictive. It’s the only thing that comes to your mind. You’ll go crazy if you can’t gamble. It’s really a psychological disorder.
Kung hindi naman nagsusugal nagbibinta naman ng CD or DVD of the fight. In fact, mamayang gabi if you go to Al Khobar, entrepreneurial pinoys there will be selling the CD of the fight. There will also be people like me who would buy them.
Manny’s victory is an income generating opportunity for most our fellow kabayan. Ingat lang mga kabayan kasi betting (gambling) and selling pirated CDs are illegal activities. Nasa huli ang pagsisisi.
Kung hindi naman nagsusugal nagbibinta naman ng CD or DVD of the fight. In fact, mamayang gabi if you go to Al Khobar, entrepreneurial pinoys there will be selling the CD of the fight. There will also be people like me who would buy them.
Manny’s victory is an income generating opportunity for most our fellow kabayan. Ingat lang mga kabayan kasi betting (gambling) and selling pirated CDs are illegal activities. Nasa huli ang pagsisisi.
Pose dito, Pose dyaan
Pose dito, Pose dyan. OFWs based here in the Eastern Province can now enjoy taking pictures without restrictions. Nobody would ever think that about a decade ago, you just can’t do this kind of stuff here. There was even a time when phones with cameras are banned here in the Kingdom of the Sands. Things have improved here. Besides, we’re at the Eastern Province, authorities here are not as strict as they are in Riyadh.
Going back to taking pictures, the primary purpose in taking photos now is to upload it into the social networking sites (such as Friendster, Facebook or Myspace) and blogs. Nowadays, you just don’t upload your photos raw. You need a little retouching and air brushing. People with darker skin become lighter. Si taba nagiging slim and sexy. Yong maitim ang mga lips dahil sa kaka yosi nagkakaroon ng red and kissable lips. Grabe, you could hardly recognize your friends and family members because of the extensive photoshops and touch ups done to their photos.
Do you know that in Korea, kids go to professional studios just to have their photos taken? Some of them have beauty, daring, sexy and supermodel themes. It only shows how culture change and evolve because of technology. I love taking pictures and being in the picture. I admit I’m also guilty of touch up and air brushings. It feels great to look good even in the pictures.
Going back to taking pictures, the primary purpose in taking photos now is to upload it into the social networking sites (such as Friendster, Facebook or Myspace) and blogs. Nowadays, you just don’t upload your photos raw. You need a little retouching and air brushing. People with darker skin become lighter. Si taba nagiging slim and sexy. Yong maitim ang mga lips dahil sa kaka yosi nagkakaroon ng red and kissable lips. Grabe, you could hardly recognize your friends and family members because of the extensive photoshops and touch ups done to their photos.
Do you know that in Korea, kids go to professional studios just to have their photos taken? Some of them have beauty, daring, sexy and supermodel themes. It only shows how culture change and evolve because of technology. I love taking pictures and being in the picture. I admit I’m also guilty of touch up and air brushings. It feels great to look good even in the pictures.
Hillary visits the Philippines
I’ve always been a fan of Hillary Clinton. I was so distraught when she lost her bid for the presidency at the Democratic Party primaries. Even when she’d moved on, I still could not. Nevertheless, I am very happy for her. Her current role as America’s diplomatic czar suits her well. She’s the only redeeming figure in the now unpopular Obama administration. Obama as you all know, is ALL TALK. Probably, he’s the best ORATOR of our times. He’s intelligent, right, but he could not deliver. He could not close a deal. That’s the point of Hillary during the preliminaries! Obama could not close a deal.
Hillary the ever diplomatic woman would of course, wouldn’t say a word against the Obamas. She will just perform her duties as the Secretary of State. After all, that portfolio is the most visible and most sought after portfolio in the American politics.
My close friends are asking about my fascination with the Clintons. I would usually shrug off their questions without really addressing it. The funny thing is, I really don’t know. Hillary radiates something that I couldn’t explain. She has this larger than life persona and she’s strong. Maybe, I just admire her because she’s a strong woman.
I’ve watched the coverage of Hillary’s visit to the evacuation center in Manila. The mood there is filled with excitement as children meet Hillary Rodham Clinton in person. She’s like a movie star and people there were all fascinated. We’ve been visited before by diplomats and royalties but we’re never like this. Hillary can make an ordinary visit extraordinary. Did we really care about the purpose of her visit? I guess we don’t. For us, her visit is enough because for once, it made us special, it warmed our hearts.
Hillary the ever diplomatic woman would of course, wouldn’t say a word against the Obamas. She will just perform her duties as the Secretary of State. After all, that portfolio is the most visible and most sought after portfolio in the American politics.
My close friends are asking about my fascination with the Clintons. I would usually shrug off their questions without really addressing it. The funny thing is, I really don’t know. Hillary radiates something that I couldn’t explain. She has this larger than life persona and she’s strong. Maybe, I just admire her because she’s a strong woman.
I’ve watched the coverage of Hillary’s visit to the evacuation center in Manila. The mood there is filled with excitement as children meet Hillary Rodham Clinton in person. She’s like a movie star and people there were all fascinated. We’ve been visited before by diplomats and royalties but we’re never like this. Hillary can make an ordinary visit extraordinary. Did we really care about the purpose of her visit? I guess we don’t. For us, her visit is enough because for once, it made us special, it warmed our hearts.
14 November 2009
Huwaaatttt?? Si Edu???
Huwaaatttt?? Si Edu??? That’s my initial reaction when I learned that Gibo selected Edu Manzano as his running mate. I thought at first that he’s running under Erap’s Pwersa ng Masa ticket. It never occurred to me that it’s going to be Edu. I thought that Gibo’s going to give the Veep position to Lakas stalwarts like Bayani Fernando or Hermogenes Ebdani but he never did.
I believe that Edu will have a tough time in campaigning against the overly ambitious Plastic Queen ‘LOREN LEGARDA’. She’d topped two senatorial races in the past. Manny Villar also anointed her as his running mate so she has the machinery. Lakas however, had the grass root support base. That’s where most of the votes would come from.
It’s too early to predict whether he’s going to win. I don’t believe in surveys so we may have to wait for the 2010 election. Win or lose, he still has a TV career to go back to.
I believe that Edu will have a tough time in campaigning against the overly ambitious Plastic Queen ‘LOREN LEGARDA’. She’d topped two senatorial races in the past. Manny Villar also anointed her as his running mate so she has the machinery. Lakas however, had the grass root support base. That’s where most of the votes would come from.
It’s too early to predict whether he’s going to win. I don’t believe in surveys so we may have to wait for the 2010 election. Win or lose, he still has a TV career to go back to.
Scrap the Oil Deregulation Law
Deregulation laws are legislated so that the market will determine the price of basic goods, commodities and services. The deregulation law in the telecommunication sector paved the way to successful business ventures and new players / telecom providers in the country. The consumers benefited to improved services and competitive prices. The law worked well in the telecoms sector and it helped catapult Philippines as the SMS capital of the world (self proclaimed).
This is not true with the oil deregulation law. The greedy politicians particularly the Congress (which is composed of the Senate and the House of Representative) succumb to the bribery of the huge oil companies. Oil companies would say that their prices are based on the world market. They pocketed so much because once the prices of oil in the world market increases, oil companies in the Philippines couldn’t wait to increase their prices as well. They did not consider that the inventory that they are selling was purchased a month back. When the oil prices are down, they are so slow to roll back their prices. The Energy Minister once discovered in an audit that oil companies profited even when the price of the oil was so high last year. Our congress could not repeal this law as money from the oil companies is too tempting to refuse.
Sabi nga nila, ‘If you’re in the payola of the oil firms, you’ll do what they say, you’ll even lick their asses if they tell you to do it.’ Now that it’s election season, not one of our legislator would even dare to raise the abuses that oil firms make to the consumers.
The series of disasters that struck the country forced PGMA to issue Executive Order 839 otherwise known as the Temporary Price Control mechanism in response to the calamities. Big businesses who in one way or the other have interest in the major oil companies were the first to react and condemn PGMA. These people are a bunch of heartless individuals. They never realized that in times of calamities, the victims and the poor are the first to experience the effects of the overpricing of basic commodities. They have so many claims like the price control would only lessen the inventories of the big oil companies that could also lead to hoarding. Big businessmen would never listen to the rationale behind the price control.
Sa totoo lang, PGMA is in a very difficult situation. If she won’t issue an Executive Order for price control, may mga militante na naman na magra rally sa Edsa condemning her (as always naman). Now that she issued the EO, may mga big businessmen na naman na pinupuna naman siya. Ano na lang gagawin nya? We Filipinos pa naman are quick to criticize but we’re not contributing to the society.
This is not true with the oil deregulation law. The greedy politicians particularly the Congress (which is composed of the Senate and the House of Representative) succumb to the bribery of the huge oil companies. Oil companies would say that their prices are based on the world market. They pocketed so much because once the prices of oil in the world market increases, oil companies in the Philippines couldn’t wait to increase their prices as well. They did not consider that the inventory that they are selling was purchased a month back. When the oil prices are down, they are so slow to roll back their prices. The Energy Minister once discovered in an audit that oil companies profited even when the price of the oil was so high last year. Our congress could not repeal this law as money from the oil companies is too tempting to refuse.
Sabi nga nila, ‘If you’re in the payola of the oil firms, you’ll do what they say, you’ll even lick their asses if they tell you to do it.’ Now that it’s election season, not one of our legislator would even dare to raise the abuses that oil firms make to the consumers.
The series of disasters that struck the country forced PGMA to issue Executive Order 839 otherwise known as the Temporary Price Control mechanism in response to the calamities. Big businesses who in one way or the other have interest in the major oil companies were the first to react and condemn PGMA. These people are a bunch of heartless individuals. They never realized that in times of calamities, the victims and the poor are the first to experience the effects of the overpricing of basic commodities. They have so many claims like the price control would only lessen the inventories of the big oil companies that could also lead to hoarding. Big businessmen would never listen to the rationale behind the price control.
Sa totoo lang, PGMA is in a very difficult situation. If she won’t issue an Executive Order for price control, may mga militante na naman na magra rally sa Edsa condemning her (as always naman). Now that she issued the EO, may mga big businessmen na naman na pinupuna naman siya. Ano na lang gagawin nya? We Filipinos pa naman are quick to criticize but we’re not contributing to the society.
Erap, disuniting the opposition
There’s a saying that says ‘If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen’. That’s the reason why Erap in 2001 stepped down and give way to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s presidency. He can’t bear the pressure that he had to quit. I can’t understand the logic of Erap’s stepping down. He may be a minority president but he was after all a duly elected one. The Supreme Court was very quick to issue a ruling that the presidency was vacant and it legalized PMAs installation as the country’s second woman president.
Have you ever wondered why Erap never set foot in a real jail? He was detained at the Veteran’s Hospital and his Mansion in Tanay Rizal but not in Munti like any other criminals. Erap was then subjected to a dramatic trial at the Sandiganbayan that lasted years until his conviction. Just days after he was convicted he was given a conditional pardon.
I’ve heard rhetoric from Erap’s family against the Arroyo’s but they were never harsh. Jinggoy, Erap’s son even formed an alliance with the majority of the Administration party at the senate. Erap was even blamed why the UNO did not win at the 2004 elections and the 2007 mid-term elections. When he declared his candidacy for the presidency, many people believed that it was done to disunite the opposition rather than unite it. With several presidentiables from the opposition, the chance of winning is very slim.
I’ve always have a hunch that Erap is doing PGMA and her allies a favor. Erap may criticize the present administration in the media but deep inside they have a deal. The fact that PGMA gave Erap a conditional pardon says it all. Nothing is impossible in the Philippine politics. Deals are done under the table. What our irresponsible media is feasting right now as a major news item is in fact, nothing but a charade.
Have you ever wondered why Erap never set foot in a real jail? He was detained at the Veteran’s Hospital and his Mansion in Tanay Rizal but not in Munti like any other criminals. Erap was then subjected to a dramatic trial at the Sandiganbayan that lasted years until his conviction. Just days after he was convicted he was given a conditional pardon.
I’ve heard rhetoric from Erap’s family against the Arroyo’s but they were never harsh. Jinggoy, Erap’s son even formed an alliance with the majority of the Administration party at the senate. Erap was even blamed why the UNO did not win at the 2004 elections and the 2007 mid-term elections. When he declared his candidacy for the presidency, many people believed that it was done to disunite the opposition rather than unite it. With several presidentiables from the opposition, the chance of winning is very slim.
I’ve always have a hunch that Erap is doing PGMA and her allies a favor. Erap may criticize the present administration in the media but deep inside they have a deal. The fact that PGMA gave Erap a conditional pardon says it all. Nothing is impossible in the Philippine politics. Deals are done under the table. What our irresponsible media is feasting right now as a major news item is in fact, nothing but a charade.
04 November 2009
Ang Aga Aga
I instructed our driver today to get the NC2.1 Questionnaire and Answer sheets that I borrowed from the Recruitment Department of one of our Operating Companies. When he reached the Industrial City, he was told by the Recruitment Officer (a Filipino) that the documents I borrowed are not ready. Our driver was busy with other tasks so I told him to come back some other time. Five minutes after, I got a call from our driver and I spoke to the Recruitment Officer and he says that he’s sending the documents. Two minutes later, I also received an email that says that the documents are with our driver. I just thanked him in my reply and I thought it would end there.
Thirty minutes later I received this email:
“Umagang umaga pini-pressure ako ng Driver niyo. Masyadong nagmamadali eh may kausap akong employee re dependents processing. Pina-uupo ko muna at tatapusin ko pa ang kasong kausap ko ng maharap ko siya ng maayos eh aalis na agad….
Honestly, na inis ako kase umagang-umaga at ang daming gagawin at my meeting ako ng 9am and to think na wala naman kayong pasabi na pick apin yang items na hinihingi niyo……
Hay buhay….”
I called our driver right after I received the Recruitment Officer’s email and asked him the full story. It turned out that he really did not do anything at all. He just said that if the documents are not ready, he’ll come back some other time. Our driver could have invented an alibi just to cover his ass. I however believe that if the driver made a scene, he should have scolded the driver. Why would the Recruitment Officer let his day turn bad just because our driver’s mistake? If the driver displayed a diva attitude, it doesn’t follow that I’m a diva too! In Filipino, kung mataray ang driver namin, hindi ibig sabihin mataray din kami.
I was told that the Recruitment Officer is BITTER because he wasn’t able to achieve his dream of becoming a Recruitment Manager. He’s the classic victim of ‘Life’s a bitch syndrome’. They call it life’s a bitch syndrome because this person realized that ‘Life’s a bitch and he became one’.
Oo nga, yeah right, ang aga aga kaya I told myself not to be affected. The negative energy will really bring you down and I don’t want that to happen to me. I don’t want to ruin my day because of him. Ayaw kong maging bitter sa buhay ko. If I we cross our path in Al Khobar in the near future, I’ll just display my POKER and nonchalant FACE! Anyways, I only please one person in the entire company, my boss! Kasi at the end of the day, it’s my boss who will give me raise and promotion. They can say and do whatever they want and it won’t change a thing.
Thirty minutes later I received this email:
“Umagang umaga pini-pressure ako ng Driver niyo. Masyadong nagmamadali eh may kausap akong employee re dependents processing. Pina-uupo ko muna at tatapusin ko pa ang kasong kausap ko ng maharap ko siya ng maayos eh aalis na agad….
Honestly, na inis ako kase umagang-umaga at ang daming gagawin at my meeting ako ng 9am and to think na wala naman kayong pasabi na pick apin yang items na hinihingi niyo……
Hay buhay….”
I called our driver right after I received the Recruitment Officer’s email and asked him the full story. It turned out that he really did not do anything at all. He just said that if the documents are not ready, he’ll come back some other time. Our driver could have invented an alibi just to cover his ass. I however believe that if the driver made a scene, he should have scolded the driver. Why would the Recruitment Officer let his day turn bad just because our driver’s mistake? If the driver displayed a diva attitude, it doesn’t follow that I’m a diva too! In Filipino, kung mataray ang driver namin, hindi ibig sabihin mataray din kami.
I was told that the Recruitment Officer is BITTER because he wasn’t able to achieve his dream of becoming a Recruitment Manager. He’s the classic victim of ‘Life’s a bitch syndrome’. They call it life’s a bitch syndrome because this person realized that ‘Life’s a bitch and he became one’.
Oo nga, yeah right, ang aga aga kaya I told myself not to be affected. The negative energy will really bring you down and I don’t want that to happen to me. I don’t want to ruin my day because of him. Ayaw kong maging bitter sa buhay ko. If I we cross our path in Al Khobar in the near future, I’ll just display my POKER and nonchalant FACE! Anyways, I only please one person in the entire company, my boss! Kasi at the end of the day, it’s my boss who will give me raise and promotion. They can say and do whatever they want and it won’t change a thing.
Thanks, Pure and Simple
I always thank people in any way I can. It’s the least that I can do for people who went out of their way to help me. I’ve learned to give thanks to people when I first work at the food service industry at the age of 17. In the food service industry, crews may be robotic because it’s the store’s policy to say thank you. However, there are people who work there that really mean what they say. I am thankful that I did not outgrow my habit of saying thank you.
Thank you is a gift of gratitude. If somebody ‘thank you’ for what you did, you should acknowledge it since you deserve it. There are people who would say ‘It’s nothing .. It’s no big deal’. Those are dismissive remarks that could potentially hurt the person giving thanks. He could say ‘thanking you’ is a big deal to me but not to you?
Saying thank you is free of charge. I assure you, you’d feel better once you’re used to saying thank you. Give thanks to God for the abundance of grace you receive. Give thanks to people who clean your house, wash your dishes and collect your garbage. Give thanks to your family and the people who love you. Gratitude will make you happier.
Thank you is a gift of gratitude. If somebody ‘thank you’ for what you did, you should acknowledge it since you deserve it. There are people who would say ‘It’s nothing .. It’s no big deal’. Those are dismissive remarks that could potentially hurt the person giving thanks. He could say ‘thanking you’ is a big deal to me but not to you?
Saying thank you is free of charge. I assure you, you’d feel better once you’re used to saying thank you. Give thanks to God for the abundance of grace you receive. Give thanks to people who clean your house, wash your dishes and collect your garbage. Give thanks to your family and the people who love you. Gratitude will make you happier.
02 November 2009
Morbid Thoughts
“Hindi ninyo lang guid ko pag pa mahjongan kung hindi kalagon ko guid kamo”. Those are the words I said to my family when death was mentioned in one of our conversations. I live far away from my family and I only get to see them during my annual vacation. I’ve always been open to the possibility that I may die here in the Kingdom of the Sands. I’ve witnessed several friends, other people who died from several causes.
That’s the reason why I told my Mom that she should religiously pay for my SSS premium so that when, ‘KNOCK ON WOOD’, something might happen to me, she’ll get a pension from the SSS.
I hate the Filipino culture of embalming the dead and display them to mourners for viewing. Most of the dead are displayed for at least 7 days before burying them. My sister said that 7 days is enough for viewing since it also buys them time to construct the ‘Nitso’ or concrete where you put the coffin. I also hate the fact that the neighbors would then construct tents, put on tables and chairs outside the house of the dead and start gambling. I don’t believe that those people are there to condole. They’re there to gamble and drink coffee. Of course, there are genuine people who means well.
I am more interested in cremation than the traditional Filipino burial. A news report recently featured cremation. The cost of cremation is only Php. 12,000.00 a lot less than the embalming and procuring coffin. Did you know that coffins could are priced as high as Php. 100,000.00? It’s one of the reasons why pre-need funeral plans like St. Peter’s is thriving. If you consider the price, cremation is a lot less expensive even if you buy a high-end urn for the ashes, the cost is still comparably lower. However, funeral parlors wouldn’t like this since it doesn’t cost much and it’s not good for their business. Cremation may be the answer to the overcrowded cemeteries in the major cities in our country.
That’s the reason why I told my Mom that she should religiously pay for my SSS premium so that when, ‘KNOCK ON WOOD’, something might happen to me, she’ll get a pension from the SSS.
I hate the Filipino culture of embalming the dead and display them to mourners for viewing. Most of the dead are displayed for at least 7 days before burying them. My sister said that 7 days is enough for viewing since it also buys them time to construct the ‘Nitso’ or concrete where you put the coffin. I also hate the fact that the neighbors would then construct tents, put on tables and chairs outside the house of the dead and start gambling. I don’t believe that those people are there to condole. They’re there to gamble and drink coffee. Of course, there are genuine people who means well.
I am more interested in cremation than the traditional Filipino burial. A news report recently featured cremation. The cost of cremation is only Php. 12,000.00 a lot less than the embalming and procuring coffin. Did you know that coffins could are priced as high as Php. 100,000.00? It’s one of the reasons why pre-need funeral plans like St. Peter’s is thriving. If you consider the price, cremation is a lot less expensive even if you buy a high-end urn for the ashes, the cost is still comparably lower. However, funeral parlors wouldn’t like this since it doesn’t cost much and it’s not good for their business. Cremation may be the answer to the overcrowded cemeteries in the major cities in our country.
All Souls Day ‘Fiesta Minatay’
Ilonggos celebrate ‘Fiesta Minatay’ on the 1st of November while most of the Bisaya and Mindanaoans celebrate it on the 2nd Day of November. A priest at the University of San Agustin once said that the actual celebration should really be on the 2nd day of November as it’s the feast of all Souls.
The original intention of the celebration was to pay homage to our dear departed ones. Marketing people though, knows better than everyone else. For them, it’s the time to sell candles, scary costumes and of course, candies for the trick or treat.
Our family does celebrate the occasion but not as grand as other families do. We visit our dead as often as once a week so when the ‘Fiesta Minatay’ comes, we just lit a candle and pray. For people like us who have Chinese blood, we believe that the living should take good care of their ancestors. It’s not surprising why the Chinese people are successful in all fields. It’s because of their love for their ancestors and in return, their ancestors take good care of them.
Visiting the graves of our family members who left the earth long ago is our culture. The new generation just added color to the celebration. However, the essence of the celebration is still there, paying homage to our dearly departed family member.
The original intention of the celebration was to pay homage to our dear departed ones. Marketing people though, knows better than everyone else. For them, it’s the time to sell candles, scary costumes and of course, candies for the trick or treat.
Our family does celebrate the occasion but not as grand as other families do. We visit our dead as often as once a week so when the ‘Fiesta Minatay’ comes, we just lit a candle and pray. For people like us who have Chinese blood, we believe that the living should take good care of their ancestors. It’s not surprising why the Chinese people are successful in all fields. It’s because of their love for their ancestors and in return, their ancestors take good care of them.
Visiting the graves of our family members who left the earth long ago is our culture. The new generation just added color to the celebration. However, the essence of the celebration is still there, paying homage to our dearly departed family member.
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