KCs heartbreak

KC and Piolo happier days

Last night while I was sending money at Quick Pay, I overheard a Kuya talking about the gender of Piolo Pascual. The Kuya was well informed on Piolo Pascual’s previous relationships like that of Yul Servo, Sam Milby and the current Mark Bautista. What made me smile was when the Kuya commented that ‘Tang ina, ang gandang lalaki pero bakla!”.

I haven’t watched KCs interview with the magazine show since I don’t normally watch TFC. Yes, I have a TFC connection, I pay D. monthly for that connection but I just don’t prefer watching TFC. I don’t like the biased news reporting of the Kapamilya Channel so rather than mag ugtas, I just avoid watching them. I was however bombarded by several forwarded emails from friends on this issue.

The KC-Piolo break up is a distraction from the never ending vindictive saga that the Abnoy Administration is orchestrating against his predecessor. Like me, people are fed up with the mud sliding and politicking. We’re not even in an election period yet, Abnoy is still in a campaign mode.

I don’t have a gender bias neither I have a comment on the sexual preference of Piolo. What I don’t like about him though, is his penchant in courting beautiful ladies just to cover his true sexuality. That for me is deceit and most relationships that are subjected to deception are always torn apart. He could have been honest to himself by not entering into a heterosexual relationship. He ended up ignoring the girl. KC said that he could not even give her the basics of relationship, and that to me is SEX.

I understand KCs heartache. It was painful when you learn that the third party is Mark Bautista, a man! I just couldn’t imagine the reaction of Manay Lolit these days. She was forced to give public apology before for the column that she wrote about Piolo - Sam affair. Looking back, I think she’s vindicated.

Victory for the Farmers

The victory of the farmers toiling the lands of Hacienda Luisita is a bitter pill for President Abnoy to swallow. It is a bitter pill because regardless if he already gave up his shares on the Hacienda, it’s his family’s land holding. They (Conjuanco’s and Aquinos) practically held it despite efforts from previous administration to distribute it. It’s going to very painful for their family.

And since Aquino’s family is in pain, just expect more vilification and demonizing of the high court coming from Abnoy’s yellow mobs. They accused the Justices who were appointed by the then PGMA as biased towards her. If that’s their gauge, then, we can also apply that those appointed by Abnoy is also biased towards him. Now we’re hearing senators calling for the SC Chief Justice to step down. For a vindictive Administration, we should brace ourselves for more mud sliding.

Look at what they did to Gloria. Di nga ba, hindi niya nga mapatawad si Gloria? I wonder what PGMA do to him to deserve humiliation. They should at least give her the proper treatment befitting a former head of state. But Abnoy’s vindictiveness has no sense so he can’t feel.

Despite denying that he no other intention and no interest in Hacienda Luisita, President Abnoy declared that the Hacienda Luisita owners deserved just compensation. Okay, it’s given that they should receive just compensation. The big question is how much? Will the Department of Agrarian Reform offer a fair price to the farmers? Take note that DAR is an agency under the Executive Department. DAR secretary reports directly to President Abnoy. He can bloat the price if he wants just so his family could get the just compensation that he’s asking.

A left leaning organization says that 1 Peso for the Hacienda land owners is a just compensation. I don’t normally agree with the left leaning people but this time, I agreed with their assessment. 1 Peso is a just compensation considering that the land holdings were procured using government resources. The initial agreement was that the lands should be distributed to farmers and tenants 10 years after the acquisition. Years had passed and the Conjuanco’s and the Aquino’s grew richer but they never complied with the agreement. Not even during the time of the first Aquino presidency whose principal program is land reform. Given that they did not comply with the agreement, I think 1 Peso is a just compensation for them.

All because of Glory…

I never had an opportunity to update my blog recently. I was so caught up with workload that I can’t even write something. Whenever I open my fb, I made it a point to write down my thought on the most pressing issues.

Yes it is confirmed, it is now fashionable to ignore the SC. Abnoy’s administration through Ate Leila did that. They also vilify and demonize the high court just because they’re not getting any favorable decisions recently. They don’t need to say it but what they’re saying is that ‘it is alright’ to defy the high court now. So what else is stopping ordinary Filipinos from doing the same?

The issue of PGMA being allowed to leave the country for treatment is a human rights issue. Every human being, he doesn’t need to be a former president, has the right to travel, right to life and right to choose her own doctor. If the government can stop a former president from leaving the country, despite SCs decision to allow her to travel, just imagine what they can do to an ordinary Filipino. The irony of it all is that Leila de Lima used to be the head of the Commission of Human Righst.

The Yellow mob maybe celebrating today but as in the case of all leaders, powers do not last. It applied to the Marcoses, the first Aquino Presidency, Ramos, Estrada and eventually to Gloria. Abnoy and his yellow minions who are showing their vindictiveness today has no guarantee that they will not be persecuted in the future. Sabi nga nila, what goes around comes around.

The hasty decision of the Comelec and the lightning speed filing of case against the former president and the fastest raffling of the case, issuance of warrant of arrest were done by Abnoy government just so Gloria could not go. They said that the TRO that SC issued is now moot and academic. They were wrong because the majority of the magistrate of the SC voted that PGMA was free to leave, majority also voted that the TRO is in full force. The SC should speed up it’s disciplinary action against the Lady Injustice. They should disbar her and jail her too for defying the high tribunal’s order.

President Abnoy’s vindictiveness to PGMA is a disservice to our country. He could have focused on the economic issues of our country. This year’s third quarter economic growth is at 3.5% only. That’s because of underspending on the part of the Abnoy government and focusing too much on persecuting the Arroyos.

Like the rest of the Filipino people. I am for justice and punishing those who committed crimes. But they (government) should make sure that they follow the law. They have to follow due process, the laws and rules of court. We are after all a government ruled by laws and not by mob.

My belief is that, because the government filed the charges against Gloria in haste, their evidence may not be that strong. Their case may be dismissed due to technicalities and worst due to lack of evidence. If that happens, their efforts to humiliate the former president will go down the drain.

Power does not last. Abnoy is obviously nalunod sa isang basong kapangyarihan. Let’s see how his successor will treat him once he steps down from power. He still has four and a half years left, yes, he can still shower our country on his vindictiveness towards his perceived enemies. But then again, power doesn’t last.

A year on…

Tomorrow’s the anniversary of my near death experience. What I’ve been through was the most painful experience I’ve ever encountered in my life. When I was a child, I was never admitted into a hospital. I’ve never ever experienced the IVs, syringes and let alone being subjected to frequent blood extraction. A year on, I’ve forgotten the pain, the scars have disappeared but I won’t forget the feeling of being alone and the agony of waiting.

I thank God that he healed me. If it weren’t for God’s mercy, I would’ve joined him already in heaven. That is, if I’ll go there (LOL). But I still believe that going to heaven is through God’s grace and compassion. This is my second life already and I am very thankful for the new opportunity to prove to our Almighty that I am trying to be a good person. I’m not saying that I’m that good but I’m getting there. I’m still the person I was but I’ve been kinder, I guess.

My family’s prayers and love also helped a lot in my recovery. I am also fortunate to be blessed with true friends. If it weren’t for them, I would’ve succumbed to depression. I did have few episodes of self pity but I recovered right away. I have always been emotionally tough and I don’t like the feeling of being weak and helpless.

I’ve moved on but I will never forget the lessons that I’ve learned out from that predicament. The suffering that I went through made me think through a lot of things. I’ve also realized that when you’re near death, nothing else really matter. You won’t even think of the most precious positions that you have. You’ll only feel grateful, even in pain, that there are people who value and love you. I guess, being given a second life, will truly help me become a better person.

A year on, I’ve recovered. Thanks to God, my family and select friends. I love you, guys. I’ll forever be grateful to you.

World’s worst airport

NAIA Terminal 1
World's Worst Airport

I’m surprised that the Filipino media just found out how bad NAIA is. Isn’t it ironic for an irresponsible Philippine media who thrived in sensationalism and tabloid type of reporting? If you’re an OFW or you travel frequently, you don’t need CNN’s report to know that NAIA is the worst airport in the world. I’ve blogged about how bad NAIA was before and even ranted several times. I also don’t think that a president who’s averse to micro managing should inspect the facilities of NAIA (Terminal 1) just to prove that it’s indeed the worst airport in the world. Well, maybe he was there for photo ops.

As an ordinary citizen of our God forsaken country, I can’t seem to grasp why MIAA did not upgrade NAIA’s facilities. Where did the travel taxes and the terminal fees that they are collecting from travelers go? It’s the only international airport that uses tabo because it doesn’t a have running water. The toilets are also stinking. In fairness to MIAA, when I went home last August, they refurbished the interiors, changed the carpets but did not do anything with the toilets.

Airports are supposed to be the windows and doors to the outside world. It should leave a good impression when a tourist arrives or leaves the country. It’s not the case in the Philippines. We come and go but it’s still the same. If you’re away for over a decade, you won’t even see the difference. Most of the travelers, especially the OFWs don’t really mind the bad infrastructures of the airport. They’re more interested in seeing their loved once than mind the dilapidated NAIA. NAIA is not also the safest place to be. There are several incidence of robbery few steps away from the airport.

I think that it’s about time to rename NAIA back to Manila International Airport. Ninoy was never a hero, he was a dissident and a friend to the reds, like his son Abnoy. Rebranding or renaming the facility will truly help in changing the image of the airport.

Kalag Kalag

Today, 2 November is the All Souls Day. It’s the day to honor our dear departed ones as well as friends who have already rested in peace. Although I made it a point in visiting the graveyard of my family when I go home on vacation, it’s the nth years that I haven’t been in the country to celebrate the event. All Souls Day is a low key event in my family. We celebrate their memories and pray for their souls.

Working for almost a decade in the Kingdom of Sands has its ups and downs. Family celebration like the All Souls Day is missed. Worst, you can’t even practice it openly. But I don’t think you need to be open in honoring your dead. A simple prayer and lighting a candle will do, I guess. The most important thing is your prays for them.

The Chinese people believe that when you take good care of your ancestors, they’ll take good care of you in return. I think that’s the reason why most of our Tsinoy friends are rich. They’re blessed by their ancestors. That’s also the reason why China, the once sleeping giant in the east is now the riches country in the world.

There’s nothing wrong in following our culture. Most of the time, the teachings of the olds have wisdom. We don’t even have to follow our culture for us to honor our dead. If we really love our family members who have rested in peace, we’ll honor them and pray for the eternal repose of their souls.

Family Business Conference

Dr. Ivan Lansberg et Moi

I was overwhelmed by the preparations for the ‘Family Business Conference’ on 30 October 2011 at the Mövenpick Hotel Al Khobar which was sponsored by our company. My boss and I both organized the event but I did all the groundwork. Two weeks prior to the event was hell. I guess I’m just growing old. I used to do the stuff, preparing for an even bigger even than the FBC. The move to another house added to the stress. I got sick right after and until now, I am still suffering from colds and flu.

I was just happy to see that the event went well. Practically half of Saudi Arabia’s wealthiest people were present. Our Managing Director was even featured in all Saudi dailies the day after the event. Of course, we wrote the PR and provided the photos (LOL). As usual, though our guests are rich, they’re all down to earth people. It’s true what they say in the richie rich circle that it’s not fashionable to flaunt your wealth. I had the privilege to meet them and look forward in meeting them, or probably work for them in the future (LOL).

Our speaker was Dr. Ivan Lansberg (Venezuela and United States), a lecturer of Family Business Enterprise Program at the Kellogg School of Management in Northwestern University. He’s also a Senior Partner at the Lansberg, Gersick & Associates. He was assisted by Ian Partridge (Switzerland) of Loedstar S.A. Both gentlemen are well Family Business experts. It was also an honor working for both of them.

Ian Partridge et Moi

This is the 2nd Annual ‘Family Business Conference’ that was sponsored by our company. It’s our CSR event. Our company, just like most of the companies in the Kingdom of the Sands are family owned. They also face several common issues like Ownership, Governance, Handing over and letting go, and Succession. Family owned companies are force to reckon with not just in the Kingdom of the Sands but the whole world as well. Most of the top companies are family owned businesses. Unlike the Public companies, family owned businesses tend to focus more on people rather than profit. But most of the best practices in the industry are from the Public companies.

The Family Business Conference will be very memorable to me since this will be the last event that I’ll be handling. Next year, I’ll be given new responsibilities and assignment at the HR Programs. I’m just excited at the prospects of doing an entirely another job that will prepare me for a bigger role in the future. Thanks to my two mentors, HSS and EMF.