Ilonggo sa Desyerto

Brewing Revolution in the Philippines

2012-02-11T15:29:00.001+03:00

Peoplefrom the government of Dictator Abnoy has been floating the idea of declaring arevolutionary government should the Chief Justice be absolved of theaccusations filed at the Senate Impeachment Court. I think it is likely that he’ll do thatconsidering that he is very vocal of his dislike to the Justices appointed bythe then PGMA.

Thequestion however is, will this declaration of a revolutionary government besupported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines? History has witnessed several revolutions butits success is premised on the support of the Armed Forces. Without the AFP, the so called revolution isdoomed to fail. Besides, people havebeen weary of revolt. The 1987 EDSArevolution that installed the revolutionary government of Cory has failed theFilipino people. The 2001 EDSA Dos asthey say, installed Gloria into the presidency outside the constitution sinceErap was a duly elected president and he never resigned, neither theImpeachment proceedings against him was concluded. So, two EDSAs and we still haven’t achievedour goal. That’s the reason why peopleare tired and feed up of the revolutions.

EDSA1 and 2 was staged to replace a sitting President. There was never a time whena revolution was declared to replace a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Thepeople can’t and won’t be able to understand it. Carmen Pedrosa, a respected opinion writerwas right in pointing out that Dictator Abnoy was burning the house just tokill a rat. The metaphor is thatDictator Abnoy is practically burning the Philippines just to kill the ChiefJustice.

Ialso believe that declaring a revolutionary government is the only way thatDictator Abnoy can reclaim the Hacienda Luisita, the vast estate that hisfamily held that was decided by a majority decision of the Supreme Court todistribute. If he’s a revolutionaryleader, he can do anything he liked because if he is successful in declaringhimself a revolutionary leader, he’ll be able to dissolve the Judiciary, the Legislatureand the Executive. So, let’s be veryvigilant because what is happening right now in our country is not because ofGloria or Corona. It’s all aboutHacienda Luisita that the oligarch Cojuanco and Aquino family owned.

Let’snot be distracted by the propaganda that Dictator Abnoy and his minions in theMalacanang are saying. Neither should webe misled by the farce Senate Impeachment trial. They’re all for the show in order to misledthe people. The reason why these are allhappening is because of Hacienda Luisita. And capitalizing in his so called ‘Popularity’, Dictator Abnoy iswilling to declare a revolutionary government, for HACIENDA LUISITA.

Llamas Under fire

2012-02-01T17:18:00.000+03:00

PresidentialAdviser on Political Affairs, the obviously RED sympathizer, Ronald Llamas wascaught buying Php. 2,000 worth of pirated DVDs. If an ordinary Juan had bought it, it wouldn’t even make the news. Unfortunately, Llamas is a high rankingofficial of the Dictator Abnoy’s administration. I know that there’s a biblical quotation thatsays ‘He who has no sin should cast the first stone’. But I guess it’s different if you’re agovernment official. Llamas should haveasked his bodyguards of maids to buy the DVDs in his stead.

As usual, likemost of his KKKs, Dictator Abnoy easily dismissed criticisms against Llamas. He even had a press statement saying thatpiracy of DVDs is not a major concern of the Abnoy Administration. With that statement, I think that it’s hightime that Dictator Abnoy abolished the Optical Media Board (OMB). It’s just a waste of taxpayers’ money to payfor the salaries of their Chairman and its staff. Why keep an agency that that monitors piratedmedia stuff when the president said it’s not the government’s priority. Why spend a dime to the campaign againstpiracy when the president says it’s not a priority.

I know whatare this current dictatorship prioritized, it’s running after PGMA and uncrowningof CJ Corona. The current dictatorshipis only focused on one thing, getting back at his perceived enemies. He’s running after PGMA for unexplainedreasons and CJ Corona because of the SJ decision to give away Hacienda Luisitato the farmers.

Going backto Llamas, if he’s not so thick skinned, he should resign from his post. As a cabinet member, he sits at the pleasureof the president, Dictator Abnoy. However, he’s just adding to the current unpopularity of his boss. Take note that I used the termunpopularity. The biased survey firmsand yellow media may refute this but the fact that the SWS and Pulse Asia arepaid firms, and owned by people with relations to Dictator Abnoy, means theresults are not credible.

If dictatorAbnoy allows Llamas to serve as his political adviser, we’re really gearing toa failed state. I think Llamas and his cohorts,the REDS pretending to be YELLOWs, really want it. They want chaos. They want people not to trust thejudiciary. This way, they can put theiragenda forward, destroying our democratic institutions. Without Abnoy’s knowing, inaahas na pala siyang mga ulupong na nakapaligid sa kanya. The sad thing is, dictator Abnoy has no idea because he’s preoccupiedonly in one thing, going after PGMA and uncrowning of CJ Corona.

So even ifwe have the lowest growth in 2011 and in the Q1 of 2012, our government doesnot care. Sabi nga ni Abad, PGMAseconomic indicators does not matter because Dictator Abnoy is popular. It’s a misplaced metaphor. The economy matters. Sabi nga ni PGMA, ‘It’s the economy, Stupid!’.

Declaring Her Independence

2012-01-31T18:23:00.002+03:00

My sister Bam said she’d had enough ofmanaging our family’s farm. She’s declaring her independence on the 4^thof February. I can’t blame her becauseher life stopped the moment she took over the farm when my father passedaway. She left her lucrative and highprofile job with the Office of the President – Presidential Anti-Graft Commissionand even forgot to take care of herself. That explains why until now she’s unmarried, or laon in Ilonggo. Yet all these years that she’s toiling thefarm, she did not even became rich. Soilis a blessing but I’m just human, and this is how I see it, soil will hold youand suck all the life in you.

In farming, you’ll only get rich ifyou’re toiling hundreds of hectares of lands. That’s why the owners of Hacienda Luisita are rich. It’s a nice feeling to grow crops but farmingis not just about feelings, it’s a hard work. You’ll have to shell out a lot of money to maintain your crops. You need to give the plants fertilizers and thatit entails a lot of costs. Since mysister is into sugarcane farming, she’ll only get to harvest once a year. At the end of the cropping year, and afterpaying off her debts in the maintenance of the farm, she’ll not even breakeven. The problem is that it’s a cycleand you’ll never get out of the cycle. That’s the reason why I feel for the farmers. I know exactly what they’re up to and thechallenges they’re facing in farming.

She would have endured it but she’sjust human. Even if you’re patient, yourpatience will be tested and she just gave it all up. I can’t blame her and I don’t have the rightto. I mean, I was never really involvedin farming myself. I did have aninheritance from my late father but I never get to toil it. My sister did the toiling for me. It wasn’t that I’m not interested in it but I’maway most of the time. That’s why I knowwhy she’d made up her mind.

What triggered her to blow her top ismy younger brother who wants to have it all to himself. In the past, he did a lot of things thattested my sister’s patience. My brotherhas been consumed by greed. It’s badbecause he does not anymore consider the feelings of his family. He’s already blinded and consumed by greed. My mother who’s always blinded by her lovefor her favorite son, right away defended him.

So, I wasn’t surprised when last week,my sister said that she’d had enough. Itold her that it’s just fair that she walks out from farming. She’s still young and has a lot of yearsahead of her. I told her that when sheleaves, she shouldn’t look back. It’snot worth it.

I treat people the same. For me, it doesn’t matter if you’re a family,a friend or an acquaintance. If you area relative or a family, it’s just coincidental and it doesn’t give you theright to treat your family member or relative badly. It doesn’t give you the right to abuse yourrelations. They say that when your houseis full of trash and you decide to clean up, you’ll realize that there arethings that you don’t really need. You’llalso realize that you regained space that used to be consumed by the trash. You’ll realize na guminhawa ang iyongpaligid. It’s the same with friends,relatives and people in general. If youdon’t need them, you walk out on them. You’llrealize that gumaan ang iyong buhay. Isupport you Inday Bam and I will always respect your decision.

Defenders of Justice

2012-01-16T13:27:00.002+03:00

1. Justice Serafin Cuevas

Now 83 years old, he served asassociate justice of the Supreme Court during the Marcos regime from June 1984to April 1986. Prior to his appointment to the SC, he was a justice in theCourt of Appeals, judge in the Court of First Instance, and fiscal in Manila.

A product of the University of thePhilippines College of Law, he had four decades of teaching experience not onlyin the same institution but in other universities as well.

He was also one of the lead defensecounsels of deposed President Joseph Estrada during his impeachment trial in2000.

2. Eduardo de los Angeles

He is a former dean of the Ateneo deManila University - College of Law and a managing partner at Romulo MabantaBuenaventura Sayoc & De Los

Angeles Law Office, the thirdlargest law firm in the country. He finished Bachelor of Laws degree from theAteneo Law School in 1966, and a Master of Laws degree from the Columbia LawSchool of Columbia University in New York in 1970. He is also a formerpresident of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

3. Prof. Jacinto Jimenez

He is a resident constitutionalexpert and long-time professor at the Ateneo Law School, and also a partner attop law firm Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc& De Los Angeles. He finishedBachelor of Laws from the Ateneo Law School in 1964 with honors, and placedthird in the 1968 Bar with a grade of 86.8 percent.

4. Ramon Esguerra

A former Department of Justiceundersecretary, he was tapped to help retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.when he faced an impeachment complaint in 2003. He is managing partner inEsguerra & Blanco Law Offices and is also teaching criminal and remediallaws at the UP College of Law where he also graduated in 1979.

5. Dean Jose Roy III

He was former dean of the College ofLaw and president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He is anotherproduct of the Ateneo Law School.

6. Joel Bodegon

He is managing partner of BodegonEstorninos Guerzon Borje & Gozos Law Offices. He was also partner in AngaraAbello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices from 1982 to 1986. Hefinished his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines in 1974and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1975, beforejoining the Office of the Solicitor General as trial attorney.

7. German Lichauco II

He is from topnotch Siguion-ReynaMontecillo & Ongsiako Law Offices and described as “an intra-corporatedispute litigator whose expertise includes hostile corporate takeover andcontrol.” He had also handled “a wide array of cases that include heinouscrimes, medical malpractice, construction and commercial arbitration, personalinjuries and business tort or contractual controversies.”

8. Dean Tranquil Salvador III

A partner at top law firm RomuloMabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los Angeles, he was former Pamantasan ngLungsod ng Pasay law school dean and UP law professor.

9. Rico Paolo Quicho

A partner in Quicho and Angeles LawOffices, he is an expert in litigation who is also lawyering for embattledCivil Service Commission chair Francisco Duque III in a corruption caseinvolving Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) funds.

10. Karen Jimeno

She graduated cum laude from the UPCollege of Law before finishing her master’s degree in law at the prestigiousHarvard University in the United States.

11. Dennis Manalo

Also from the Siguion-ReynaMontecillo & Ongsiako Law Offices who volunteered for the chief justice’sdefense, he is described by the firm as concentrating on “criminal and laborlitigation [with] substantial experience in trial work and appellate practice.”

12. Noel Lazaro

He is also partner at Siguion-ReynaMontecillo & Ongsiako Law Offices. He is described by his firm as “a trialand appellate litigator with concentration in commercial, criminal and civildisputes.” He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the UP College of Lawin 1995.

Hacienda Luisita, Political Ambition and Personal Interest

2012-01-16T13:16:00.000+03:00

CJ Renato Corona’s speech earlier today:

“Ako raw ay hadlang – Tama! Malaki akong hadlang sa mganagnanais na hindi matuloy ang pamamahagi ng lupain sa mga magsasaka ngHacienda Luisita. Malaki din akong hadlang sa isang nagmamadalingbise-presidente na talo noong 2010," he said.

"At huwag na tayonglumayo, malaki rin akong hadlang sa isang nag-aambisyong maging chief justice.”

“Sila pong tatlo angnagsasabwatan upang ako ay mapatalsik sa puwesto. At higit sa lahat, isa akongmalaking hadlang sa isang diktatura,” he added.

Finally, CJ Renato Corona tellsit as it is. No more niceties. He was directto the point. The three people he wassaying are Dictator Abnoy, Putang Ina (Mar Roxas) and Associate Justice Carpio.

DictatorAbnoy was the brain child of the impeachment case against CJ Corona. It’s all because of the decision of theSupreme Court to distribute Hacienda Luisita to the farmers. It’s not about PGMA or his “Matuwid na Daan”. It’s all all because and it’s all forHACIENDA LUISITA.

PutangIna (Mar Roxas) who lost in the 2012 Vice Presidential race to VP Jejomar Binayhas an outstanding protest at the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. Mar Roxas of course is hoping for an Aquino friendlySupreme Court so that the SC will rule in favor of his protest. PI’s (Mar Roxas) camp, the LP and DictatorAbnoy’s camp feels that the SC will never rule in their favor. By removing CJ Corona and the rest of the AssociateJustices who they think are not for them, Dictator Abnoy can now appoint SCJustices who will toe their line. Theimpeachment case filed against CJ Corona is nothing more than serving thepolitical ambition of Putang Ina (Mar Roxas) who once dreamed of become aPresident, eventually slide down to Vice Presidency but unfortunately lost toVP Jejomar Binay. The desperate manresorted to desperate measures. I mean,there’s still more than 4 years in the term of Office of VP, who could blamePutang Ina (Mar Roxas) if he’s still hoping for miracle.

Ifyou remember, Mar Roxas was labeled as Putang Ina because he can swear likehell. Unfortunately for him, people didnot forgive him. That’s the reason whyhe lost the VP race. Since P.I. is amember of the Araneta clan, he can buy support so don’t wonder why you’ll oftenhear demonization of CJ Corona and the Supreme Court. His family can buy media influence. So people, be very vigilant.

Hoursafter CJ Corona was impeached, verified reports from media confirmed that someLeftist members of the House of Representa-THIEVES met at a condominium ownedby Associate Justice Carpio. In fact, itwas alleged that some of the accusations written in the Impeachment Complaintswere written by Associate Carpio himself. Carpio is identified with ‘THE FIRM’ and were once the legal consultantsof the Arroyo family until their falling out early 2005. Right after that,Carpio’s rulings were all against PGMA administration.

Carpio’sonly dream apparently was to become the Chief Justice of the SupremeCourt. Unfortunately for him though,PGMA was authorized by the Supreme Court itself to appoint Supreme Court ChiefJustice, a month before she stepped down from the Office. Impeaching CJ Corona is the only way forCarpio’s dream to be realized.

Threepeople are fighting against CJ Corona to impeach him for different reasons: HaciendaLuisita, Political Ambition and Personal Interest. Kayo na lang ang bahalang humusga.

It’s still Hacienda Luisita

2012-01-16T13:14:00.000+03:00

DictatorAbnoy would not have the Supreme Court Chief Justice Impeached if it weren’t forthe Hacienda Luisita decision that the Higher Magistrate made that wasunfavorable to the Cojuanco and Aquino Clan that owned the Hacienda Luisita. Hacienda Luisita made the Cojuanco and Aquinoclan powerful and they gained political clout and prominence. For the Cojuanco and Aquino Clan, losing HaciendaLuisita means, losing everything.

So, Idon’t wonder why Dictator Abnoy was so pissed off with the Higher Magistrate’sdecision to distribute Hacienda Luisita. Dictator Abnoy and his Yellowtards may state that they’re only doingthis to eradicate PGMAs influence with the SC. They may also try saying that the impeachment of the CJ was consistentwith the ‘Matuwid na Daan’ but I don’t buy that. It’s very obvious that Dictator Abnoy justwant to protect Hacienda Luisita, period.

I’mnot a lawyer but impeaching a Supreme Court CJ for a collegial decision isabsurd. The CJ is just one vote becausethe Supreme Court will always favor the majority rule. The Legal luminaries were right whey they saythat the impeachment of the CJ will weaken the Judiciary. It will because, the Dictatorship of Abnoywill threaten the remaining Justices with impeachment if and when the occupantsof Malacanang doesn’t like the decision that they’re rendering. We’ll have to exclude of course, Carpio whois salivating the position of CJ for the longest time and of course, Sereno whois also a Yellowtard by heart.

Filipinoswho are very fond of Teleseryes should not be swayed by the Yellow Media’sdemonization of Chief Justice Renato Corona. They should be very vigilant and listen only to all the evidence thatthe Defense team is presenting. Theyshould never be swayed by the Prosecutors of the House of Representa-THIEVES, Lolong’sdistant relatives, particularly the hollier than thou Tupaz, whose father wasaccused of Plunder. They should notlisten to the propaganda of the occupants from Malacanang and theyellowtards. From what I gather, theprosecution team has no evidence. Baselessaccusations don’t stand. Rules of Court willprevail and will be used in the Impeachment Court and presentation of evidenceis important. They may demonize PGMAmore and CJ Corona even more and it’s not because of ‘Daan Matuwid’unfortunately. They’re doing this toregain HACIENDA LUISITA.

More fun??

2012-01-11T15:31:00.003+03:00

Ithink it’s a misprint when they say ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’. What they mean I guess is that ‘It’s moreFAN’. Yeah, right. More fan because we’re in a tropical country,very high humidity and it’s very hot. Maybethey also mean ‘More Pan’ because we’re pretty much surrounded by bakeriesselling bread or ‘PAN’.

Thedictatorship of Abnoy is targeting 10 Million tourist arrivals for the year2012. That I think is a fairy taletarget because currently we only receive about 3.5 million tourists ayear. They include balikbayans so if youdo your math correctly, you’ll estimate that there are only about 1.5 million genuinetourists who arrived in our country.

Whatwent wrong? That’s the number one question that the former Ad agency executivewho now heads the Tourism Ministry should ask. First it’s not just about the slogan, logos and promotionalmaterials. It’s about branding andtaking good care of our brand. How canwe establish a good tourism brand when government changes their brand everytime there’s a new occupant in Malacanang. We need to build a brand that we can sustain. Something that would last that people theworld over can recognize.

Second,we don’t spend much on infrastructures like building good airports, hotels anddeveloping tourist destinations. Infact, NAIA being named as the World’s Worst Airport does not go well with ourtarget 10 million tourist arrival per year.

Alot of businesses are dependent on the Tourism Industry. If we can increase the tourist arrivals evenby 100% from the previous 3.5 million, it will help our economy a lot in the sensethat more jobs will be created as a result of tourism boom.

The onlydrawback with tourism boom is its ugly side, prostitution and sex tourism. Yes, you can say that it will support a lot ofpeople too, but flesh trade is a no no. I don’t want to be hollier than thou but if we can, we should avoid it. The challenge is how we can balance our nationalinterest over the welfare of our countrymen.

Is it really more fun in the Philippines?

2012-01-11T15:05:00.003+03:00

It's more fun in Switzerland

Personally,I don’t see anything wrong with the “WOW PHILIPPINES” campaign that theDepartment of Tourism launched during the time of the former Tourism MinisterRichard Gordon and the then PGMA. It’sjust that the current occupant of Malacanang just don’t want to be associatedwith the former administration’s program. "WOW PHILIPPINES” can stand side by side by Malaysia Truly Asia orIncredible India. It’s also very short,catchy and descriptive. The problem withthe Filipinos is we lack continuity. That’sprobably one of the reasons why we lag behind our Asian neighbors.

Lastweek, the current Tourism Minister who happens to be a former advertisingexecutive launched the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” slogan. Moments after it was launched, the cyberspacewas bombarded by the copy of Switzerland’s 1950s campaign “It’s more fun inSwitzerland”. People were so disgustedthat the government spent more than Php. 5 Million to pay BBDO Guerrero yet thefinished product was another plagiarized slogan. This is the second time that the Tourism wascaught red handed. The first one waswhen they launched “Pilipinas kay Ganda” with the then Tourism Minister AlbertoLim. It turned out that the logo was anexact replica of the Polish Tourism Campaign.

The dictatorshipof Abnoy should have retained the “WOW Philippines” if it could not come upwith a better slogan and campaign. Plagiarizing something is an insult to Filipino nation. We’re supposed to be the nation with creativetalents. Why in the world can’t we comeup with our very own and unique tourism campaign? The dictatorship of Abnoy even condemns SCAssociate Justice Mariano del Castillo for allegedly plagiarizing his rulingsyet he condone to plagiarism committed by the Tourism Ministry. It’s a classic example of hypocrisy in thehighest order.

Evenif the current Tourism Minister was caught stealing cookie in the cookie jar,he’s still insisting that what happened was just coincidental. What could be coincidental when there’sgoogle? Haven’t BBDO Guerrero googled“It’s more fun..? For sure, they’ll know that Switzerland has already launchedthat campaign 60 years ago.

TheTourism Minister once said that selling the Philippines is like selling ChickenJoy. Is this what he means when he say it? Copying and plagiarizing tourism slogans fromother countries and pass it on as original. The worst thing is, not admitting to mistakes and spending severalmillions of pesos as a consequence of their mistakes.

Career Change

2012-01-03T16:37:00.003+03:00

A former colleague of mine,who’s already in his 50s resigned two months ago from his job as ExecutiveSecretary in the IT Department, moved to a small business unit and again quithis present post. Today, he sent anemail to our HR Manager requesting for a job. He wanted to join our organization but basing on our salary scale, he’stoo expensive. I doubt that we’ll evengrant him an interview.

Our recruitment policystates that we should be transparent in our recruitment process. We believe in selecting the right man for theright job. But business realities likethe salary budget are often considered in the recruitment process. In the case of my former colleague, he’s inhis 50s and his asking price is beyond the budgeted amount for the skills thathe can do. In fact, for his skills, weonly pay half of what he’s currently earning from his present job. Why would our organization hire him when themoney we will be paying him can pay for two staff?

If his skills aredifferent and specialized, there’s a possibility that he can get more. If you have specialized skills, the moreexperienced and mature you are, the higher your pay will be. If you honed your skills, chances arecompanies will be looking for you and not the other way around. Sadly it’s not the case for administrativeand clerical professionals. That’s thereason why if you’re an administrative and clerical professional, you shouldlearn new skills so you’ll be promotable.

One of the bestexamples in changing your career path is to enroll in the post graduatedegree. Actually it’s not just theacademic qualification but it also pays if you’re well read.

Going back to my formercolleague, I pity him because he had not realized that his greatestdisadvantage is his age and his asking price. Forgive me for saying this but because he has no specialized skills, nocompany will be willing to give him his asking price. The worst scenario is that he’ll file forfinal exit or accept a job that pays lower than what he’s currentlyreceiving. From what I’ve heard, heresigned from IT Department because of a little misunderstanding and he resignedfrom his present job because of workload. I think the only factor that made him resignfrom that job was his pride. He did notconsider a lot of things when he made the decision. He never realized that he’s already old. If companies have a choice, they’ll bring ina younger employee who’s still trainable, knows the latest technology and hasno preconceived notions.

Contractual Relationships

2012-01-02T17:32:00.000+03:00

The first time I’ve come across the so called‘Contractual Relationship’ was when I was still younger and doing part time jobin a major fast food chain the Philippines. They called it contractual since the relationship between the couplestarts and ends with their 5 months contract. I’m not generalizing but there are couples who ended up togetherforever, as in, getting married and starting their own families.

In the Kingdom of the Sands, having a contractual relationships are very common. People entered into relationships and end itwhen one of them decides to exit for good. Like the rest there are exceptions like there are couples who last longer than expected. But most of the couples in the Kingdom of theSands are fake couples posing as real married couples. Some of my coworker from my previous workplaceare involved in this kind of relationships. Some of them go to the extent of getting fake marriage licenses just sothe Mutawa “Religious Police” would not catch them for immorality. In theKingdom of the Sands, it is forbidden for men and women to go out in publictogether. If caught, you’ll be subjectedto severe punishment like imprisonment and eventualy deportation. Some are into live in arrangements and evengo to family events together. I know ofanother case where both of the couple have their own family back home, yet theydecided to start a family here. I wonderwhat arrangement they’ll make once their children grows up or if they’reavailing their annual vacation.

I don’t want to judge people but I see how my friend,an engineer, lived a kahabag habag existence. Like, he’s an engineer but he constantly runs out of money. Who wouldn’t when he’s supporting twofamilies, one in the Philippines and another one here.

… and the reason for all these, loneliness which I don’tbuy. Most of us OFWs by the way left ourcountry for the purpose of giving better life for our families. Betraying our love ones by entering into arelationship with another person, because we’re lonely, is not acceptable. It destroys the real purpose and the reason why we left in the first place. I think another reason for the betrayal is themacho image of the Filipino male species. We don’t mind this kind of relationships because it’s cool. That’s the reason why illicit affairs likethese are tolerated here.

I also think that being away from your family yougained the freedom that you don’t avail back home. If you’re lucky in the Kingdom of the Sands,you’ll end up in a place where nobody really knows you or recognize you. No former classmates, no friends, noneighbors which means, walang mga mata ni Angelita. The freedom of being unnoticed is dangerousbecause it will make you try things. In thecase of Filipinos in the Kingdom of the Sands, it’s having an affair and beingengage into a contractual relationships.

Wanted: Michael Quiliza, Dammam Carnap King

2012-01-01T12:38:00.001+03:00

Dammam Carnap King
Michael Quiliza

In my 2 December 2011 post,Victimized (http://braggito.blogspot.com/2011/12/victimized.html). I referred to Jong, the nephew of my friendwho was victimized by an ill meaning kabayan. We finally identified him as MICHAEL QUILIZA. We were also able to get his passport detailsand his two his latest pictures.

Here’s his passport details:

Name: MICHAELQUILIZA

Passport No.: KK452107 / 11 NOV 2002 /Issued in Legazpi City
Date of Birth: 14 September 1969
Place of Birth: Angeles City

Michael Quiliza
Dammam Carnap King

Per the records of the Saudi Arabiapassport office, his iqama is expired. His passport as you’ll notice has also expired. He’s technically a run away.

Details of the car carnapped byMichael Quiliza:

Rent A Car Office Name: Bin Naif

Telephone No.:                       0503878156
CarModel:                             Hyundai Accent(Colored Blue)
PlateNo.:                               3906 UVA

If you have any information concerning the saidperson or the carnapped car, you may contact Jeralo (Jong) at 0542235398 or the Bin Naif Rent a Car at 05003878156.

Death of an actor

2012-01-01T12:11:00.004+03:00

Tyron Perez

Nakapanghininayang. That’s the first word that I said when I heardthe sad news that the young actor Tyron Perez killed himself. He’s young, handsome, and has all thepotentials of being a good actor. If he hadn’tkilled himself, he could have made it big in the entertainment industry.

Nakakapanghihinayang. I believe that life is a gift. God gave us life and He’s the only one whocould take it. I don’t condemn him fromkilling himself, nobody should, nobody has the right to, but he wasted his life. There are people who pray to God to extendtheir lives. Some go to the extent ofgoing through extensive treatments and surgeries just so they could livelonger. When I went through near death experiencelast year, I thanked God for giving me a new lease of life. I don’t condemn Tyron but I pity him. I’ll pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

Nakakapanghihinayang. I couldn’t believe that he killed himselfbecause of the mistakes that he made. Weall commit mistakes. We all hurt ourlove ones. In his case, he may havebetrayed his wife by selling their belongings. Money can be earned back but a life lost is lost forever. I think his wife would still give him asecond chance, that is, if she truly loves him.

The death ofTyron should be a lesson to us all. Wecommit mistakes and betrayals. Weforgive, be forgiven and mistakes forgotten. We’re just human and we don’t have the right to end our own lives. When we marry and decide to love someone, webind ourselves to accept the person for who he/she is. We don’t change him/her but accept her forher past, present and future mistakes. Ithink that’s what you call love.

To Tyron,may your soul rest in peace.

City of Gold – Flooded

2011-12-20T17:42:00.000+03:00

I am not afan of watching Filipino TV for obvious reasons that they’re biased, they haveno worthwhile programs, and they dwell too much on sensationalism. By saying that, I think you’ve alreadyguessed that I’m referring to the Oligarch owned ABiaS CBN. That’s the reason why my first awareness ofwhat happened in CDO comes from Al Jazeera English. Marga Ortigas reported the damage and therising death toll of the tropical storm Sendong that ravaged the country.

The firstperson I can think of when I heard the news is my friend Erwin. He went for his annual vacation last 1December and he’ll be staying there for 30 days or until after the New Year’sholiday. I waited for 2 days for Erwinto be online but I was out of luck. Yesterday, I became worried so I posted a message in his FB wall, askingif his family is okay. Luckily, hereplied and said that they’re okay. Theflood did reach them but only on the knee length. Their major concern was the cleanup, thestinky surrounding and the mud.

I askedErwin whether they’d still celebrate Christmas despite what happened. He says that his family decided that Christmaswill push through regardless of the damage that the flooding caused. This year though, it would be celebrated lowkey and his family will attend a Eucharistic celebration. He is thankful that there was no casualty inhis family.

The Sendongflooding was not the first time that CDO was flooded. About two years ago, while my youngestbrother was still studying there, all his belongings were also swift away bythe flooding. When a city is flooded,there’s a big chance that it’ll be flooded again in the future. I’m not going to blame the people from CDOand its city government but they should’ve been prepared for the worst. Unfortunately for the 1,000+ people, it’s toolate for them. They’ve already losttheir lives, they’re dead. The survivingfamilies could only cry because they did not only lost one or two of theirloved ones, they’ve also suffered great loss in their properties.

The NASA haswarned the Philippine government of the Ondoy like rains in Mindanao but theydid not heed the advice of NASA. ThePresident was even partying while people in CDO are dying. It took him three days to make an appearance,as always, the president is the last person to arrive in the disasterarea. PGMA has been demonized and callednames but no one can deny that she had the balls. She showed to the rest of the country thatduring calamities, she’s there to support and comfort her people. People in Malacanang are now red faced becauseof the embarrassment that Abnoy is doing to the presidency as an institution,partying while people are dying.

Ourpresident should be start being the father of the nation. People are dying but he can only think of hisvindictiveness towards his perceived enemies. Not even Sendong or the Christmas holiday can stop him. But how can you expect a bachelor who can’teven make a serious commitment with a woman be the father of a nation? I say, too bad for Filipino people who didnot vote for him. It’s also worst forthose people who voted for him. President Abnoy’s partying while people are suffering is, the only thinkI can think of, is that’s too much insensitivity.

Thank you list

2011-12-20T09:15:00.000+03:00

Christmasnowadays (and in the Philippines) is too commercialized. In a way, it is better that I live here in anIslamic country where Christmas is not openly celebrated. It’s the only way I think to really celebratethe season in reflection and thanksgiving.

My relativeswould often ask how we celebrate Christmas in Saudi Arabia. I tell them that we do away with extravaganceand just enjoy the season. It’s ironicsince while we’re in a restricted environment, it is here where we trulyunderstand the significance of the event. If you are not anymore focused on receiving gifts and spending money tobuy them, you’ll come into realization that they’re not really necessary in thecelebration.

I’ve learnedthat doing away with extravagant spending and too much fanfare is good forone’s soul. Christmas after all is aboutcelebrating the birth of Christ. It’stime for soul searching and counting your blessings. This year, I will not have a Christmaslist. Instead, I have a thank you list.

1. Good Health. I thank God for giving me good health thisyear. Last year was the worst year butHe healed me.

2. Family. I thank God for giving me a caring and lovingfamily. I know that no matter what willhappen they’ll always be there for me. Ilove them for that.

3. Good Boss. I thank God for giving me an opportunity towork with the best boss in the world, HSS. I look forward to working full time with EMF next year.

4. Promotion. I thank God for another blessing that I neverexpected.

5. Good Friends. I thank God for giving me friends who neverfails to support me. I will not mentiontheir names because they already know who they are. I love you guys.

6. Good Colleagues. I thank God for giving me good workenvironment and colleagues. Please blesstoo.

7. Blessings. I thank God for all the blessings.

I’m verythankful for all the blessings that I receive this year. I am forever grateful.

MerryChristmas everyone!

CJ Corona impeached!

2011-12-13T15:45:00.003+03:00

Jailing hispredecessor is the only concern of the current administration headed byPresident Abnoy. For him, the SupremeCourt CJ is the hindrance of his ultimate goal. So, after ranting and spewing bad words against CJ Corona at the MBC andthe first Criminal Justice Summit, and after blaming the Supreme Court for the dismaleconomic performance, his alipores in the House of Representatives had justimpeached the CJ.

Atty. MidasMarquez earlier said in a press briefing that the house was cooking an impeachmentcomplaint against the CJ. What the SCpeople heard was true. It was reportedthat the House Speaker, Sonny Belmonte sent a text message to President Abnoysaying that the impeachment complaint was already sent to the Senate. Abnoy just sent back a thank you note.

The House ofRepresentatives (representa – thieves) is always a kiss ass of the seatingpresident. It’s because theserepresentatives needs their pork barrel allocation. They’ve always been controlled by Malacaṅang,whoever is in power. The question is, canAbnoy’s alipores in Senate muster enough votes to impeach CJ Corona? The Senate has been known to be independentfrom the tenants of Malacaṅang. As they say,all Senators are potential Presidentiables. Most of them, except for the kiss asses like Pangilinan and the SeboSebo Drilon will definitely not vote for it. I admit that an impeachment complaint is a political process and thus,whoever has the numbers, wins.

Abnoy isalways ill advised. He doesn’t know theimplications of his actions. By publiclylashing out the Supreme Court and CJ, now, supporting his ouster throughimpeachment, he’s undermining our democracy and our democraticinstitution. It’s like he’s saying that ‘nowthat I am in power, I can do anything I want’.

I am notsaying that public officials who have violated the laws of the land shouldn’t bepunished. There should always be dueprocess. The short cuts that the currentadministration is doing will compromise our democracy. Abnoy’s flight is not worth the fight if inreturn it will lead to constitutional crisis.

Abnoy’spenchant for the CJ can only be traced from the latest SC unanimous decision,the 14-0 votes distributing the Hacienda Luisita to the FWBs. It’s not anymore about the long addressedaccusations of the midnight appointment of the CJ. Neither it is about former President GloriaMacapagal Arroyo. The impeachment of theCJ was done primarily to get back at the SC because of the decision theyrendered. Hacienda Luisita means a lotto the Cojuanco and Aquino family. Tothem, Hacienda Luisita means power, money and influence. The latest Supreme Court ruling wouldvirtually strip them of everything they have. Worst, it could even impoverish them considering that they have to paythe FWBs billions of pesos aside from distributing their lands.

It’s a sadday for our democracy which my Arab friend said ‘Democrazy’. But like former PGMA, I still believe in therule of law. There’s still hope for ourcountry even if the president is paranoid. I can only hope that the Senate, except the kiss ass Pangilinan and Drilon,of course, will be fair in handling CJ Corona’s impeachment case.

Ladies on Board!

2011-12-07T15:58:00.001+03:00

I attended the presentation of an HR Director in one of ourPublicly Listed Companies. As you know, publiclylisted companies are first when it comes to industry best practices. They should be, and they’re expected to be,precisely because they’re a public company. His presentation was about the on boarding of women in theirorganization.

Our HR VP has appointed two ladies to work in our HRDepartment last year as HR Specialists. For now they’re on support bases until we moved to our new building,they’ll be full time. AMG’s plan (I’llcall the HR Director of our public company as AMG), however, is to hire womento work in the production lines. Theywill initially be trained to do the routine work in the production line withmale supervisors. Eventually though,they’ll appoint women supervisors specifically for the ladies section. It’s a grand plan that has been approvedalready by the public company’s board of director.

The purpose of his meeting our two women HR Specialists wasto roll out the same plan to the Group. It’s not going to happen anytime soon but the proposal was positivelyviewed. If that the plan happens, it’sgoing to be another success stories in the long history of our Group.

---oo0oo---

Will there be shakeup in the production line once this planis pushed through? There will be but it’snot going to be in the near future. Theimplementation of the on boarding of women in the production line takes a lotof time and resources. Resources couldmean investing on the new production line, recruitment costs for the womenworkforce and training costs. It’s goingto be a major challenge.

---oo0oo---

Hiring female in our workforce will not address any socialills in the Kingdom of the Sands. Itwill though, teach women to be self-sufficient and learn to stand in their owntwo feet. They will not anymore rely intheir male family member to support them. It will also not solve the high unemployment rate of women in theKingdom of the Sands. I think that issueshould be dealt with by the government sector. What we in the private sector could do though, is to set up a benchmarkof the program, a model for other companies in our Group to follow.

--oo0oo---

We’re not the first company to hire women in the Kingdom ofthe Sands but if the plan pushes through, given the go signal of the board ofdirectors, it’s going to be another legacy and success story for our Group. And it’s going to be an honor to be part ofits implementation.

Mo Twisted, the Kiss and Tell.

2011-12-05T11:49:00.001+03:00

Mo Twister in a Video

In the Filipino culture, kiss and tell guys are frowned upon. It’s just not acceptable to tell people what you and your girlfriend did in private. For us, it’s between you and your girl and people should never be told about it. It leaves a bad impression to the guy and sometimes people can be unforgiving.

Mo Twister’s video recently exploded in the social networking sites. In the video he was whispering and confessing that his ex-girlfriend Rhian Ramos aborted her pregnancy. Prior to that revelation, he was tweeting that there’s going to be a very big explosion. The problem with the ex-couple started after a bitter breakup. According to Mo, Rhian was forced to do an abortion to protect her career. He blamed the Rhian’s mother and her home network for the abortion.

My intial reaction to the brouhaha was, “Okay, sino ang mga starlet na ito?” I was never a fan of Mo Twisted because I find him too tsismoso for a guy. Neither am I a fan of Rhian Ramos since I don’t normally watch Filipino TV. That includes ABiaS CBN and GMA Network. Besides, according to the grapevine, Rhian Ramos has no talent. She was just casted in GMA shows because she happens to be the niece of Ida Henares, GMA Artist Center’s big honcho. So, a scandal between the couple did not even elicit any curiosity to me until Mo’s video came out.

What was Mo Twisted trying to prove when he exposed that video? Is he trying to be moral and that he was against abortion? If he’s trying to be moral, they shouldn’t have committed pre-marital sex in the first place. If they did not have sex, they wouldn’t have conceived that fetus that Rhian eventually decided to abort. I think Mo’s primary purpose in leaking the video is to embarrass Rhian Ramos, ruin her career and made her pay for breaking his heart. What he did was so typical of a kiss and tell guy.

What happened between Mo Twisted and Rhian Ramos is not shocking or earth shattering. It happens everywhere and every time in our country, considered as the only Christian nation in Asia. The only thing is, when pregnancy is aborted, the couple wouldn’t say a thing. Of course, they’re afraid of the backlash from holier than thou people in their workplace and respective families.

That’s the reason why I am for the RH bill. People should not be afraid to explore sex because it’s part of being human. People should have a well informed choice so that they will not suffer the consequences. If Mo Twisted and Rhian Ramos used contraceptive when they had sex, they wouldn’t have been confronted with the bigger problem, abortion.

To end, what Mo Twisted (because of his twisted head) did was tasteless and he should be sued for libel. Nobody woman deserved that kind of humiliation. He should have accorded Rhian with the respect he gave to his mother.

Chinese Execution

2011-12-04T16:22:00.001+03:00

I know that as Christians we should respect the right to life but we also have rules and laws here on earth that we should follow. In some countries, committing heinous crimes could mean death penalty. Our country has banned the death penalty with finality and there’s no chance that it’s going to be reinstated soon. The Catholic Church is so powerful that it can even dictate politicians on which laws they should pass all in the name that we’re a Christian country. Ironically, we are a Christian nation but we have the worst criminal rate statistics in the world. I think that’s because of the restrictions in our law, particularly on death penalty.

Speaking of death penalty, a Pinoy drug courier who was caught smuggling on 2008 bringing 1.5 kilograms of heroin, is schedules to be executed. Our Foreign Affairs Ministry sent several appeals to the Chinese government to halt the execution. VP Binay even wanted to personally appeal but his pleas were rejected because the Chinese Supreme court has ruled with finality.

This kind of situation has always bothered me every time there’s a Filipino executed abroad. I don’t intend to be rude to the Pinoy who claims to be a victim of the situation. On a general note, though. If a drug courier is caught in our country, chances are, he’s going to be jailed and will be faced with the maximum penalty prescribed in our laws. What is the difference then if a Filipino is caught carrying drugs outside the country? He’s supposed to face the law right? Why is it then that our government officials would go out of their way to help the alleged drug carrier? If the person committed a wrongdoing he should pay for it. The reasons why he did it should not even be dignified. Some would say that they just do it because of poverty.

Poverty should never be used as an excuse to commit crimes. I hailed from the province and have seen what poverty is but poor people in my community lived a decent and dignified life. They do not resort to illegal activities just to feed their families. I could be wrong though; there are poor people in the urban areas who completely forgot propriety because of poverty.

So going back to the execution of a Pinoy drug courier in China, our government should not intervene. There is nothing that they could do because the Chinese Supreme Court has ruled with finality the execution. The only thing that we should do is to help the family repatriate his remains.

Victimized

2011-12-04T15:35:00.001+03:00

My friend’s nephew Jong, a newbie in the Kingdom of the Sands was recently victimized by a fellow Kabayan. Last Ramadan (August 2011), he met the Kabayan who was very friendly and kwela. Since he is a newbie in the Kingdom, they instantly became barkada. The Kabayan asked a favor if he can lend Jong’s Driver’s license so he can rent a car. Jong willingly lent his driver’s license without ever doubting the character of Kabayan.

The whole thing was out of his mind. The last thing he learned was that the Kabayan moved to another place. He was just surprised one day when the Car Rental agency called him. The Car rental told him that he should settle his bills. Unknown to him, the Kabayan never surrendered the car and for more than three (3) months did not pay a single halala (cent) to the Car Rental agency. The sad thing is the car was leased to Jong. To the Car Rental agency, Jong is liable to pay the amount.

About two weeks ago, Jong asked me for an advice on how he should deal with his problem. I told him that he should report the matter to the police. The police can track the whereabouts of the car rented should they decide to conduct check points. Besides, the rental will snowball if the matter is not reported to the police. How the hell can Jong a low salaried man afford to pay for the rent? The last figure he gave me was SR. 2,950.00, approximately 3 times the salary he’s receiving monthly.

He asked if I can help in solving his problem which to me is to lend him some money. I however told him that I can only give him words of comfort. Well, I did give him SR. 100.00, something that can make him feel better but I can never give him SR. 2,950.00.

I asked Jong’s uncle if what he’s doing to help the kid out. He was upset about Jong and decided not to talk to him. He says that it’s better than scolding the poor kid who was obviously victimized by that unscrupulous Kabayan.

Last night I was able to chat with Jong on FB and he was still tuliro. Who could blame him? He’s facing the biggest problem of his life. How the hell can he pay that amount? I’ve tried talking to Jong’s uncle that he should be more understanding. It was obviously Jong’s fault for trusting too much without even checking the person’s character. I told him the situation should serve as a lesson to him.

KCs heartbreak

2011-11-30T12:49:00.001+03:00

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

2011-11-30T12:48:00.001+03:00

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…

2011-11-30T12:45:00.001+03:00

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…

2011-11-13T15:02:00.001+03:00

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

2011-11-13T12:04:00.001+03:00

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

2011-11-02T14:52:00.000+03:00

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

2011-11-02T12:27:00.000+03:00

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.

RAFI Triennial Awards calls on entries for blogging contest

2011-10-16T15:50:00.000+03:00

To promote the inspiring stories and work of recognized development workers in the Visayas and Mindanao, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) is calling on individuals between 13 and 35 years old based in the Visayas and Mindanao to join the RAFI Triennial Awards Blogging Contest.

The contest highlights the RAFI Triennial Awards and its awardees and finalists. Guided by the theme, “Shaping the big picture of change”, entrants are expected to do background research on the lives and works of RAFI Triennial awardees and finalists nearest their area.

The RAFI Triennial Awards is an awards program of RAFI given every three years to recognize the philanthropic, humanitarian, and holistic efforts of individuals and institutions in the Visayas and Mindanao in enhancing the quality of life of the communities they serve. It is now on its 5th run with conferment of awards in 2012.

To join the RAFI Triennial Awards Blogging Contest, individuals should register through www.rafi.org.ph. Entrants must have an existing and updated blog for at least six months.

All blog entries must be original and written in English, with a minimum of 1,000 words and maximum of 4,000 words. Entries should not have been entered or won in previous competitions. Writers must at the end of their blogs indicate, "This is an official entry to the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Triennial Awards Blogging Contest." and include a link to the RAFI website.

The criteria for judging include 50 percent for content (originality and alignment to the theme and research value) and 50 percent for writing style or composition (including technicalities).

A contest participant is allowed a maximum of three blogs that feature different awardees and finalists.

After posting their entries on their blogs, entrants should email application form, URL of the blog post, and electronic copy of at least one valid ID to ellen.red@rafi.org.ph with the subject header: Entry to the RAFI Triennial Awards Blogging Contest.

The blogging contest started last Sept. 30. Deadline for the submission of blog entries is Dec. 15, 2011.

Entrants must ensure that their blogs are accessible until winners are declared in January 2012.

First prize winner will receive Php 25,000; second prize Php 20,000; and third prize Php 15,000. All entries of winners and finalists will be consolidated and published into a book.

For more information on the RAFI Triennial Awards and to check on the awardee or finalist nearest you, visit www.rafi.org.ph.

For more information, please contact:

EVELYN NACARIO-CASTRO

Executive Director

Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

35 Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City

landline: (63 32) 418-7234 loc. 104

email: Evelyn.Nacario@rafi.org.ph

Hike on Saudi Arabian Housing Rate

2011-10-16T11:26:00.000+03:00

It was reported weeks ago that the Shoura Council, the legislative body of the Kingdom of the Sands, is thinking of revising its Housing Allowance policy for the State sector workers. Surprisingly, not all government sector workers are given Housing Allowance, unlike most of workers in the private sector. Some of those who are not given are the unmarried women.

This is where the problem starts. The Real Estate sector in the Kingdom of the Sands is thinking of increasing the rents should this proposal be approved. They don’t seem to care that the increase will only be for the government workers and not the private sector workers. The same situation happened in 2008 when both the Saudi government gave away 20% inflationary increase in salaries for the government sector workers. The prices of the basic commodities and the house rent increased drastically that the Private sector was forced to give away 20% inflationary increase in the salaries for the private sector workers. I hope that when that happens, the private sector will be perceptive enough and do more. It wouldn’t be good for an average white collar employee to subsidize his house rent. It would definitely cut down his earnings. If that happens, there’s no point in working away from home, especially if the white collar worker is a South East Asian Expat, considered as, Third Country National (TCN).

If you’re an average white collar employee who’s only expecting a 5% increase in your salary at the beginning of the year, you’ll be subsidizing your house rental. In reality, the 5% increase in salary is not really an increase but an inflationary increase because although you’ve gained 5%, the commodities also increased.

I believe that regardless if the proposal of the Shoura Council is approved or not, the Real Estate sector has already made up its mind. In the case of my apartment, for the 3 years that I’ve stayed there, I have never encountered any water shortage, never. Recently, and strangely, we’ve encountered several water cut-offs. The Real Estate office could not explain it and when asked about it, they’ll be in a defensive mode. D, a friend of mine who also lives in the same apartment building that I stay in, said that it’s their way of forcing us to move out so that they can increase the rent. If you can’t bear the pressure of having no water, you’ll leave, they win. Mark, a friend who works for Abdulla Fouad Holding Company couldn’t bear the water shortage any longer that he decided to move out last Wednesday. I think I’ll also follow him at the month’s end.

Utak wang wang!

2011-10-10T17:27:00.003+03:00

This is the problem with the present Abnoy Administration. They think that it’s alright to call their political enemies names, yet they absolved themselves of any wrongdoings. They think that they’re hollier than thou and people should see them as Saints, incapable of doing bad.

So ito na nga, they labeled the previous administration’s excesses as ‘Utak wang wang’, yet they and their cohorts are guilty of their own accusations. Just recently, Presidential Adviser Ronaldo Llamas’ escort details met an accident and were caught carrying high powered ammunitions and several handguns. The three headed hydra in Malacañang right away issued a press statement that the guns were licensed. It was discovered that the statement was a lie since bodyguards are not permitted to carry high powered ammunition, just handguns. The high powered ammunitions have no license and the security escort of Llamas refused any inspection from the MMDA and the Police. They also refused to hand over their guns to the Police.

Lacierda claimed that the Presidential Adviser is not liable because the guns were licensed, which in reality were not. When quizzed why they were able to get a license for the high powered ammunitions, Lacierda could not explain it. He just absolved Llamas right away because he’s President Abnoy’s KKK. Lacierda also justified that the Office of the Security Adviser is a very sensitive position that he requires high powered ammunitions. So, talaga lang ha? Akala ko ba this administration is against the culture of wang wang? Bakit yong mga kaalyado ni Pangulong Abnoy na nag aabuso ay abswelto kaagad?

So here we go again, the Communications Group will right away absolved people who are connected with the current administration. If that’s not an ‘Utak Wang Wang’, then I don’t know what you call it. George Bush used to say that ‘If you’re not with us, you’re against us.’ In President Abnoy’s case, if you’re not yellow enough, you’re utak wang wang. As always, Lacierda and the Lady Gaga in Malacañang – Valte were always quick in denying abuses of their cohorts even when they’re already in an embarrassing situation. What a bunch of hypocrites!

Philippine eagle, shot dead

2011-10-09T16:37:00.000+03:00

A report says that the two year old female Philippine eagle that was captured last May 2010 and was released back into the wild was shot dead. The Philippine Eagle Foundation tagged the bird of prey with a transmitter that enabled the foundation to track it down.

The news is heartbreaking because the Philippine eagle is an endangered species, meaning that in a few years, they could perish forever. We may only be able to see them through the films and pictures. The incident can be summed up to one thing, our inability to care. The trigger happy person who shot the Philippine Eagle has no idea what he did. I am sure that he doesn’t even regret doing what he did to the helpless bird.

We have a very beautiful country with abundance of nature but we just don’t know how to appreciate and respect beauty. We abuse nature and that’s the reason why nature is punishing us. When we’re helpless with nature’s unforgiving punishments, we cry for help, yet never learned from our mistakes.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation has been education people not only in Davao area of the importance of the eagle in our consciousness as a nation. It’s ironic however that the eagle was shot in Davao. It simply means that the PEF has to exert more effort in educating people in the nearby areas. We commend the PEF for all their efforts but more should be done in disseminating information on how we could protect the Philippine Eagle. I acknowledge the fact that PEF cannot be solely responsible in protecting our eagles. We ordinary citizens can do our share by educating our fellow Filipinos. The Philippine eagle is part of our national identity. We should treasure them.

Miriam to start campaign for ICC at The Hague

2011-10-04T12:36:00.001+03:00

This is a news report that I’ve taken in toto relating to the Ilonggo Senator's bid to the ICC.

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, the Philippines’ candidate as judge to the International Criminal Court (ICC) that prosecutes war crimes and gross human rights violations, had sought support for her candidacy at the tribunal’s headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands.

Santiago began her week-long visit with a courtesy call on ICC president Sang-hyun Song last Sept. 26, followed by meetings with ICC Registrar Silvana Arbia and Judge Kuniko Ozaki.

She also held one-on-one meetings with the ambassadors of ICC state parties and spent the next two days meeting with civil society groups.

The Hague is home to the ICC, an independent international body, separate from the United Nations system, and the first permanent international court that deals specifically with the gravest crimes facing humanity.

Elections for the six vacant seats for judges of the ICC will be held on December 12-21, during the Tenth Session of the Assembly of States Parties in New York.

In her meetings, Santiago shared her views on some challenges facing the ICC such as state cooperation and increasing the budget of the court to enable it to fulfill its mandate.

“The court must continue with what it is doing: building itself as an efficient and professional international organization, functioning as a credible international court and holding itself as a purely judicial, objective, non-political and neutral institution,” Santiago said.

The ICC has been active since 2002 and most of the cases referred to the court have been from the African countries of the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda.

Any state leader, member of national legislature, or government official at a similarly high level could be investigated and prosecuted by the ICC if he/she commits core crimes under the tribunal’s jurisdiction like war crimes or genocide.

Roxas eyeing 2013 house speakership

2011-10-04T11:54:00.001+03:00

Mar Roxas and Jejomar Binay

Sore loser Mar Roxas was reportedly eyeing the 2013 house speakership to start his bid for the 2016 presidential elections. Roxas will fight against the incumbent Feliciano Belmonte who will run for a fresh mandate in 2013. Sabi nga nila, hindi masamang mangarap. Well, Roxas can dream all he wants but it doesn’t mean that he’ll win. The reality is he still lost to Jejomar Binay to the VP race. He will again lose Jejomar Binay in the 2016 presidential election, mark my word.

Toto, a family friend of mine from Capiz said that nobody really voted for Roxas in Capiz. In fact, it was Jejomar Binay who won in the Province of Capiz. Roxas just claimed that he hails from Capiz yet he really is absent all the time. He is based in Manila and even look down on the Capizeños. Why won’t he, his mother is from the aristocratic Araneta family. I don’t think they’ll like being associated with the people from Capiz whom they considered bariotic.

One of the reasons why Roxas lost in the 2010 elections was because he’s BASTOS. Remember the cursing incident at a rally in Makati where he cursed at PGMA? People have not forgiven him because of that. People’s expectations from him were shattered. They thought that as a US educated man, coming from a pedigree family, he won’t be capable of cursing. And guess what? He can curse and swear like hell. That disappointed many people and that kept them from voting for him. That’s a good thing. We don’t need politicians who are not just matapobre but bastos pa!

As for Roxas’ plans in running for the speakership of the house, well he can dream on. He has to make sure though that he’ll first win the congressional seat in Capiz. Capizeños are not so fond of him so, Good luck to him.

Typhoon Damage at Php. 7 Billion

2011-10-04T11:52:00.001+03:00

Shamcey's 'Tsunami Walk'

There’s a joke that says that Shamcey Supsup’s ‘Tsunami Walk’ really brought the typhoon Pedring and Quiel to the Philippine area of responsibility. I say, we shouldn’t blame it on the Shamcey’s ‘Tsunami Walk’. She made us all proud and I know that won’t mean any harm.

Reports says that the extensive damaged caused by the two typhoons that hit our country could reach up to the whooping Php. 7 Billion. The severely affected are the rice production, crops and the fishery sector. The Abnoy administration should revise its 2012 budget which was hastily passed at the lower house.

I suggest that the 29 Billion cash dole out for the CCT project of the Abnoy Administration be rechanneled to support farmers and build the damaged infrastructures. Our government should spend on the rebuilding and rehabilitation. This way, people will have way to earn a living. Unlike dole outs, people will earn money with dignity. Dole outs will only make them lazy and mendicant. We’ve launched CCT program last year and even the corrupt peace bond scam lady, DSWD secretary Dinky Soliman could not properly account.

US Embassy Drowned

The saddest part was that during the devastation, President Abnoy was nowhere to be found. The lady gaga in Malacañang said that the president doesn’t want to be the center of attention during the calamity. That’s wrong since people expect him to be there. If he can’t provide immediate assistance, he can inspire people. I think that Abnoy’s alipores in Malacañang are just making excuses. The then PGMA was always there when calamity strikes to supervise relief and emergency operations. She’s always on top of the game and people expect her to. We’re still a centralized government and people look up to the presidency in times of calamity. President Abnoy will not leave the comfort of Malacañang palace, playing online games with his special nephew Joshua.

The flooding caused by Pedring and Quiel has started the blame game. We blame ourselves, everyone and the government. Unfortunately, we haven’t learned our lessons from the past. It still boils down to the abuses that we made to our environment. We throw garbage everywhere clogging the waterways. We also cut down trees without replanting. We need to change people. If we don’t we’ll be doomed.

Typhoon damage estimated at Php. 100 M

2011-10-02T14:54:00.001+03:00

The cost of devastation by both typhoons Pedring and Quiel was estimated to be close to Php. 100 M. If you can remember, President Abnoy donated USD. 1 M to a rich country, Japan. USD. 1 M is equivalent to Php. 50 M. If only he is capable of thinking, which he is not, he would have realized that the USD. 1 M is better spent with his constituents.

We are a third world country and we should not pretend to be somebody that we are not. Everyone knows our status. We should admit that we’re poor. The Japanese knows that we’re poor but they’re just too nice to refuse our donation. There’s no use bragging by donating a huge amount of money from the tax payer’s pockets. It would have been better if the money comes from President Abnoy’s own pocket. Unfortunately, it comes from the Filipino people.

There are ways to express our sympathy to the victims of the Japanese tsunami. We could send health care workers such as doctors and nurses. We could also send one unit of our Armed Forces to help the cleanup. But our President is incapable of thinking out of the box. And may I remind President Abnoy that we should help first ourselves before we help others. There’s nothing wrong with being generous but we should always ask ourselves if we can afford to be generous.

The flooding and heavy rains destroyed the livelihoods of the farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture says that they could not reach their target rice production for this year because of the calamity. This is one of the reasons why our farmers could not go out from the cycle of poverty. Scientists believed that the unpredictability of the weather is caused by the global warming. President Abnoy should make disaster preparedness and climate change initiatives a priority in his administration.

Sex Tourism

2011-09-27T10:56:00.003+03:00

You don’t have to be a Magna Cum Laude and First Placer in the Architectural Board Exam to know that most of the tourists visit the Philippines for sex. You don’t even have to be the Ambassador of the United States to know that. It’s an open secret and that’s the ground reality. Tourists visit our country not to visit the WORLD OF WONDERS or the Wow Philippines for that matter. They visit our country for sexcapades, period. Sexcapades nga mga pinoy, how much more mga tourist na may mga pera.

President Abnoy’s Tourism Secretary and his Presidential Spokesperson (Lady Gaga of Malacañang) are questioning the accuracy of the data of US Ambassador Harry Thomas. They’re in denial, period. As mentioned, it’s an open secret. Everyone knows it. Maybe they’re thinking that it’s not happening because of President Abnoy’s ‘Daang Matuwid’ ek-ek.

Ambassador Harry Thomas was right when he said that 40% of the male tourists coming to the Philippines are here for sex. As a US Ambassador to the Philippines however, it’s a diplomatic blunder. Regardless, he was right and he will always be unless we do something to correct the situation.

This is the right time for our publicity hungry Senators to conduct hearings in aid of re-elections, este, in aid of legislation pala. They can invite resource people from the hospitality industry, the local police and the suspected pimps. Unfortunately, this kind of Senate inquiry will not put them in the front cover of any Tabloids or Tabloids pretending to be broadsheets? ABiaS CBN will not cover it either. They’re more interested if the subject of the inquiry is the former PGMA and her family.

There’s no use denying the existence of prostitution because of the tourism. The most proactive thing that our government could do is to create laws and monitor its enforcement.

President Abnoy donated USD 1 Million to Japan

2011-09-27T10:55:00.000+03:00

President Abnoy donated USD 1 Million for the reconstruction of a local city hall in Japan devastated by the tsunami. I would like to believe that the intention is to be generous. But can we really afford it? Can we, a third world country, really really really afford it?

The Japanese people know that we’re poor and we’re better off using that money to other worthwhile projects for our own people. But they’re nice people and they will not tell it in our faces. Hence, they accepted the donation, with heavy heart, I guess.

I remembered when the Cotabato was flooded because of the Water Lily. President Abnoy went there without bringing any aid. He read his speech saying not to expect too much from him (the presidency) because he’s barely one year in the office. After reading his speech he help the Mayor of the City distribute goods which were prepared by the City. When the president and his entourage left the City, the Mayor and the LGU complained that the president did not bring any aid. President Abnoy was embarrassed by the Mayor’s statement that he even verbally abused the Mayor, calling him a liar. It was found out eventually that Abnoy’s DSWD secretary, the Peace Bond scam girl, did distribute the aid through the Congressman and the Vice Mayor who are allied to President Abnoy. Because of their politicking, the aid did not reach the people.

President Abnoy could not even help the people from Cotabato, yet, he donated USD 1 Million to the Japanese. I don’t know what his intentions are but I hope it’s noble. I’d like to believe that it’s good but I smelled something fishy. And I don’t buy the ‘Daang Matuwid’ and they’re ‘Malinis’. Abnoy and his alipores are the same.

Tropical Storm Pedring is wrecking havoc in our country right now. There will be deaths, displaced, and other things that our government should be concerned about. The USD 1 Million will come a long way if President Abnoy spends it for his people. What he’s doing is a misplaced priority. He can be generous but he has to start at home.

President Abnoy trampling Judicial Independence

2011-09-21T09:25:00.000+03:00

President Abnoy, his cohorts in Congress and the yellow zombies still believe that they have the monopoly of goodness. Now they’ve gotten worst. They want to trample the constitution and still want people to believe that they’re just cleaning the bureaucracy and they’re doing it for the good of the country. There is nothing wrong with being a reformist government but they should make sure that their reforms are within the law.

The issue started when the Abnoy government wants to take control of the Judiciary’s P1.25- billion fund for unfilled positions, saying it would release the funds only when new personnel were hired. SC Chief Justice Renato Corona warned that this violated the Court’s fiscal autonomy that was constitutionally guaranteed.

Because their proposed budget maybe declared as unconstitutional, Abnoy’s allies in the House of Representatives are now threatening to impeach the Justices who would vote for the unconstitutionality of the proposed law. Prior to that, House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman issued a statement that they would question before Supreme Court the stripping of the P1.25 billion Judiciary fund.

Like any other proposals of President Abnoy, the proposed law is bound to be junked by the Supreme Court. I believe that SC will insist on its independence. I don’t think that the mud sliding and PR war waged against them by Pres. Abnoy’s government will affect them. This is the beauty of democracy.

GoHotels.Ph Review

2011-09-13T14:50:00.000+03:00

Bed @ gohotels.ph

When I was planning my vacation, I intended to stay in Kabayan Hotel because they’re reasonably priced. When I booked online however, there were no rooms available. I have no other choice but to look for an alternative hotel. I remembered reading an article regarding a new hotel venture that the Gokongwei’s are into. I then searched the internet and found their website. So I decided to book with gohotels.ph at the Cybergate Plaza along EDSA Mandaluyong.

The price range is as affordable as that of the Kabayan Hotel and it looks clean too. I never hesitated to make a booking.

I booked for 3 nights (upon arriving in Manila 11-13 August) and another 2 nights (before leaving Manila 4-6 September). Booking with gohotels.ph is very easy as long as you have a credit card. Instantly a receipt of the transaction will be sent to your email including the electronic confirmation form.

You can also request the hotel for an airport pick up, just as long as you’re staying for more than 82 hours.

Rooms are priced at Php. 1,288 (+Taxes) per night. You may choose Queen Size or Double Bed depending on your needs. Gohotels.ph has AC, LCD TV, Wifi, Hot and Cold Shower, Bath Towels, Soap & Shampoo and a Safety Deposit Box as complement of your stay.

Actual Stay

Toilet @ gohotels.ph

I was not picked up by AVIS, the limousine company that gohotels.ph has a tie up. There was confusion in their arrangement that I was not able to avail of the services that I paid for. When I arrived at the hotel, the Hotel Manager just apologized to me but never offered any alternative solution, like for example, issuing a debit note to me. I did not insist since it was only Php. 625.00 and I earn more than that in the Kingdom of the Sands. It’s not fashionable to argue or create an argument for a very small amount of money. If I were to choose between the Php. 625.00 and my dignity, I’ll choose dignity.

When I arrived at the hotel I’ve noticed that the hotel lobby was very clean. It’s not well lighted and has no AC, however. I think they’re going green so I didn’t mind. The most important thing is that the place is clean. Check in time is at 2:00 PM so if you’re there earlier than the check in time, you’ll have to wait. You have to sign several papers before they’ll give you your Access Card. The drawback with the Access Card is that once you leave the room, the centralized AC will automatically shut down.

The Floors that serves for guests occupancy are the 5th and 6th. The 2nd and 3rd are for the parking spaces and Office spaces of Call Centers that renting in the Cybergate Plaza. Just like in the hotel lobby downstairs, the Elevators have no AC. I wasn’t surprised when there was also no AC at the 5th Floor Lobby. There were air vents and AC ducts so I assume that they’re just saving energy. I have no complaints since it’s all for our environment.

Shower @ gohotels.ph

I was given a room with a view on EDSA. I love the view and the room. The room is very clean and welcoming. It’s just that the Centralized AC could not really counter the heat of the sun that’s facing the window. I have no complaints because I slept well and was well rested because of the room.

The only disadvantage in checking in with gohotels.ph is that you’re not allowed to eat inside your room. You can eat your food at the 5th Floor Lobby or at the Cybergate Mall nearby. It’s not also for smokers because they ban smoking. They have smoke detectors everywhere. I am not a smoker so I don’t have problem with their regulation.

The location of gohotels.ph is along EDSA Mandaluyong. It’s very near to the Boni Station of the MRT. If you’re an OFW, it’s just a bus / MRT ride away from the POEA. The nearest mall is the Cybergate Mall, just beside Cybergate Plaza where gohotel is located. You can also go to Megamall through bus or just by walking. The only problem is if you want to go to Mall of Asia, it’s going to take a lot of time to get there. The airport is also farther but if you’re going to take the hotel limo, you’ll get there within 30 minutes.

Housekeeping is done from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. You’ll be impressed because they’re very keen on cleanliness.

If I were to rate gohotels.ph, I’ll give it a 9/10.

What’s Sup?

2011-09-13T09:27:00.000+03:00

Leila Lopes - Angola
Miss Universe 2011

Just like the Filipino nation, I’m also proud of Shamcey Supsup’s achievement in the recently concluded Miss Universe 2011 Pageant. Placing 3rd Runner up is not an easy task. Countries with strong delegates such as Venezuela, Colombia, and the USA did not even made it to the top 10. I was also delighted to learn that Shamcey Supsup earned the finalist slot through hard work and not through online voting. It was Portugal who won the online voting.

Shamcey was born an achiever. She graduated with honors and even topped the 2010 Architectural licensure examination. Binibining Pilipinas Pageant was her first and she won the right to represent our country in the Miss Universe Pageant. She made us all proud.

I know that there will be critics out there who will never be satisfied by Shamcey’s placement. To you guys, be thankful of Shamcey’s placement. It is not often that a Philippine delegate is given a chance to be in the Semi Finals. Let’s celebrate her winning and be proud of her. Let’s give her the love that we gave Venus Raj.

Filipinos are divided by religion, political belief and by regional affiliation. It’s not often that one Filipino can unite the nation. It used to be Manny Pacquiao, Venus Raj and now it’s Shamcey’s turn.

Congratulations to Shamcey Supsup, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2011 and to Ms. Lea Salonga for being in the celebrity panel of judges.

---oo0oo-----

Shamcey Supsup
Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2011

Brazil is positioning themselves as the world leader in staging international events. They’ve spent millions of dollars in staging the Miss Universe 2011 Pageant. They’re scheduled to host the Olympic and the World Cup in the coming years.

Skinny and anorexic ladies were left out this year. I think the judges went to women with curves.

Shamcey Supsup is definitely a total package, beauty and brain.

Right time for Charter Change

2011-09-12T12:37:00.000+03:00

Since President Abnoy says he’s not going to cling to power, I think now is the right time to propose for a Charter Change. It’s right because people will not think that he’ll use the Charter Change to further his political interest. Besides, if we’re going to change into a Parliamentary Form of Government, President Abnoy will never be voted by the MPs as the Prime Minister. He doesn’t have the leadership potential, period.

These are the points in the constitution that needs to be amended according to the Charter Change proponents:

1. From protectionist to Free Market Economic System.

2. From Centralized to Federal Administration.

3. From Presidential to Parliamentary System of Government.

The Philippines has been left behind by its neighbors because of our protectionist constitution that hindered investments in any form. The present government of President Abnoy does not help in our image because of him, we are known throughout the world as the country that does not honor contracts signed by previous administration. We have a long way to go before we can even compete.

We have proven that a centralized government never worked for us. The ugly side with the centralized government is that all development is concentrated only in the Imperial Manila. You’ll see progress in the big cities but the poor community in the other part of the country remained poor. If we are federalized, our leaders can formulate economic policies that will help attract investments in the region. We will also determine on how we could best use our resources.

The presidential system does not work for us. We need a total system overhaul. We’ve used it since our independence from the United States and it brought us to our current state, poverty. The United States has an interest why it wanted a Presidential form of government for the Philippines, it’s because it’s easier to deal with one person (in a presidential system). Whereas, it’ll have to deal with the ruling party and a lot of MPs (in a parliamentary system).

Cutting Budget on SUCs

2011-09-12T12:35:00.001+03:00

Cutting the budget of the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) makes it obvious that that the Administration of President Abnoy does not prioritize education. He instead wants to concentrate on giving a band aid solution to the problem of poverty in our country through his CCT program. Yes, it’s a band aid solution because it will never ease or get rid of the poverty in our country. I am very against the CCT program because it encourages the culture of mendicancy. People will not anymore work for their living because they’ll wait for their monthly stipend from the government. Instead of giving large chunks of its budgets on the CCT program, President Abnoy’s government should invest on infrastructure building that could pump up economic activity and create jobs for many.

However, President Abnoy has been underspending that triggered the economic slowdown. If he spent on infrastructure, he could have avoided building the culture of laziness in our society. As the philosophers would say, “Teach man how to fish and you’ll feed him for lifetime”. People should work for their bread and giving them money is not sustainable. There will be a question in the future on where they should get the taxes to sustain the CCT program. Unfortunately, there’s even a glitch in its implementation.

With the current trend of cutting the budgets for the SUCs, don’t be surprised if we have low quality of graduates. Our Universities could not even make it to the Top 100 Universities in the world anymore. The misplaced priorities of the current administration will not help either.

President Abnoy’s CCT program is his political tool to survive. It is his way of bribing the poor people to support his government. The problem with this program is that he’ll alienate the middle and the upper class tax payers. Remember, most of these poor people who are beneficiaries of the CCT programs do not pay taxes. Why reward individuals who do not pay taxes and punish the taxpaying citizens by giving them the burden of additional taxes.

Imposing ban on subsidy

2011-09-07T20:17:00.000+03:00

The title is only suited for government funded projects but it some ways, it is also appropriate to my posting. Before leaving to the Philippines for my annual vacation, my sister Neneng Girl told terrible news. She said that my younger brother Nonoy has been asking money from my mother, quite often that she ended up having no money to buy her medicine. I’m a single guy and I don’t have a family to support. I however felt that I have a duty to my mother so I send her money on a monthly basis.

The purpose of that subsidy as they call it is for her to have money to buy her medicine, allowance for the household expenses and an emergency fund. When I learned from my sister that she has no money left in her bank account, I wasn’t upset actually but I felt that the purpose why the money was sent to her in the first place was defeated.

My younger brother was given 3 opportunities to earn a living but he blew them all out. My parents enrolled him to a Marine Engineering School but after four years of studying in a two year course program, he quit. When my Dad was still alive, he almost went to Taiwan to work there but took the placement fee and eloped with his girlfriend. Two years ago, he decided to go back to school but after a year quit decided to quit. He is now a family man with two kids to feed but has no income. He farmed the five hectares that my father gave him as a legacy but couldn’t afford the operating expenses of his farm.

This is where my mother enters the scene. She loves her youngest son too much that she felt that she had to support him. The problem is, she’s not just supporting Nonoy’s farm but she also supports the two children’s education. I was always against the idea of my mother supporting Nonoy’s children’s education. It’s not a grandparent’s responsibility to send their grandchildren to school, period. The parents had done their part in giving education to their children. If their children (in our case, Nonoy) did not study well, it’s not their fault. Even God said that he will help only those who help themselves. Nonoy has been so dependent and abusive to the point of dictating which school his children should be enrolled. I don’t know why he was so against sending his children to a public school when school is not an issue. Being sent to a private school is not a guarantee to success. Besides, there are so many successful people who only went to a public school. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is the best example of those sent to a public school but excelled. As for the farm, my mother gave money but during harvest, she never receives anything. The least that she could receive is returning the money that she gives away. However, nothing of that sort happened.

My mother is generous but because of that she was abused. How could a retiree who receives monthly pension from the government and from me lost all her money? She could not answer me where her money went. She’s still protecting her beloved youngest child. I’ve come up with the conclusion that the best way for me to deal with this issue is to stop her monthly subsidy. If I stop sending her the monthly subsidy, she’ll only have a pension. She will not be able to support Nonoy and his children. She’ll be forced to say no. I am doing this because I love her. I have to be cruel in order to be kind. I felt responsible for my mother that’s why I’m doing this.

My plan now is to still send the money but this time to my Sister Bam’s account. I told her to keep the money and save it for emergency. My mother is now 68 years old and we have to have money in case she’ll be hospitalized. It’s better that we have the money in hand rather than Nonoy spending them all.

Prayer and Thanksgiving

2011-09-07T20:11:00.000+03:00

Redemptorist Church Baclaran

I consider this year’s annual vacation as very special. It’s the only time of the year where I get to rest and give thanks to our Almighty for all the blessings he has given me. I went through a very horrible experience but thanks to God, friends and my family, I was able to get through it.

My doctor said that it’ll take 2-3 months before my will get rid of all the medications that I took for at 9 months. It wasn’t easy, believe me, aside from being hospitalized, taking medication every day is a lot tougher. I was thankful that it was all over. I just hope that with God’s help, I will be healthier. I also promise that I’ll lead a healthy lifestyle.

I know, I’ve been a critic to the CBCP and the priests who wanted to meddle with politics. However, as a born catholic, I have no intentions of breaking away from my faith. I can express my belief in my own terms without necessarily agreeing to what the people of the church are dictating. So, when I arrived in Manila on 11 August, I made it a point of visiting Quiapo and Baclaran Churches. I went to Quiapo on a Friday so it was a jam-packed crowd. I murmured a prayer and then went out to visit the Black Nazarene to give thanks to all the blessings he has bestowed upon me. The following day I went to Baclaran Church to visit Our Mother of Perpetual Help. I also thanked her for the blessings. I never had an opportunity to attend a holy Eucharistic celebration at that time. I promised though that I will attend one before flying back to the Kingdom of the Sands.

I am very grateful and I owe it all to our Father. I thank him for all the blessings and I promised to be a good son. I know that being human is never an excused but nevertheless, I asked for his understanding and forgiveness. Lord, maraming maraming salamat po sa blessings.

911- A Decade On

2011-09-07T19:53:00.000+03:00

A decade after the 911 twin tower bombing and I still believe that the US deserved to be bombed. My opinion may not be popular but that’s what I believed in and I’ll stand by my opinion. The US has been for several years prior to the bombing, been meddling with the affairs of other countries. They’ve waged war to those that they considered are not friendly to them. They’ve utilized their CIA to conduct covert operations to replace sovereign governments. They even went out of their way to influence the policies of sovereign nations. If there is discord, chances are, the US is involved.

The 911 incident should have humbled the United States but it never did. George Bush waged war in Iraq and Afghanistan to topple the so called terrorist. They never thought that Iraq and Afghanistan will be their headache. It was a good press for George Bush then, when he waged the war. Americans volunteered to be soldiers for the so called ‘patriotism’. However, fast forward 10 years, the Americans are exhausted. They are now experiencing the economic difficulties that they never imagined would happen.

The whole world is fed up with the blood bath and the senseless deaths that the US troops caused. In the later part of the Bush presidency, he wanted to involve other countries in his so called war on terror. Unfortunately, he never received an overwhelming support. The Philippines, treated as an unequal ally by the US, unequal because they never see us as equal to them, was forced to send troops to Iraq. PGMA however, pulled out the troops when a Filipino driver was abducted in Iraq. George Bush was upset when PGMA pulled out the Filipino troops and that explains all the bad press that PGMA received after that incident. Only the CIA has the capability to wire tap a presidential telephone line. Sources say that it was the CIA who leaked the ‘Hello Garci’ recording in order to bring down Gloria. It was also the CIA that funded destabilization campaign against her. Fortunately for our country and for PGMA, the AFP did not withdraw their support. Yes, that’s how the US works, covert and treacherous.

Cancellation of Ro-Ro Projects

2011-08-06T13:12:00.000+03:00

President Abnoy, announced that he’s cancelling the Ro-Ro, flagship projects of PGMA. Knowing President Abnoy, he’s allegic to anything PGMA. The bad thing is, we could be sued at the international courts because of this breach. President Abnoy however said that he’s willing to be sued. He did not even consider the monetary consequences of his acts. It may not have occurred to him that we’re a third world country and money should be better spent on important stuff. Litigations could drag on for years even after his term ends and it would entail cost to the country. Being sued is not a win win situation for us since win or loss, we’ll still gonna lose.

His penchant for cancelling legitimate contracts entered into by previous administration has already affected the investor’s confidence in our country. No investors in their sane mind are now willing to invest in our country. Our constitution does not help either because it prohibits investors to invest in our country. Having the notoriety to cancel legitimate contracts is not a good indication.

I thought President Abnoy is an economics major. For obvious reason, he never learned economics from his former professor, PGMA. When an investment enters our country, it will affect the lives of the people. Economic activity will increase since if people have jobs, their purchasing power increases. The money is then circulated. That will benefit not just the investors but people, businessmen and the government as well since it will also generate taxation.

Okay lang sana if he has an alternative project in mind but unfortunately wala. He did not even have an economic master plan. His government is also under spending that made the economy slow down. I don’t want to be alarmist but I think we’re doomed. The yellows elected President Abnoy but we’ll sink and swim with him. If another mediocre President is elected on 2016, God help us!

De 5 apologized to FFG

2011-08-06T13:10:00.000+03:00

Lady Injustice - Laila De Lima

Another problem with the current administration of President Abnoy is their penchant for media mileage. In the case of the Injustice Secretary, Laila de Lima, she issued statement to the yellow media that Former First Gentleman did not go through the immigration counter and somebody might have helped him escape. She gave the statement without checking with the BID. The result, kuryente!

The Lady Injustice is so engrossed with her Senatorial Ambition that she’ll get all the media mileage she can just to be remembered by people. As they say, good or bad, it’s still publicity. De 5 has no political clout or a family name that could get her elected to the Senate. Press statements are the only way for her to be recognized. Senator Arroyo was right when he said that President Abnoy’s administration is being run as a Student Republic. Daming palpak ang daming sablay. Abnoy has now the notoriety for his KKK, drooling, being a gifted child but also as the Hari ng Sablay. Siguro kung kada sablay ay may bayad lang, dami na nilang fine.

Again, Abnoy’s alipores has the nerve to claim that they have the monopoly of goodness and virtue. They won’t even admit mistakes or apologize for their mistake. In fact, the apology of the Lady Injustice gave to FFG was her first. Siguro nahiya na rin siya.

If President Abnoy is really serious about his straight path (or zigzag path?) agenda, he should compose a team to investigate the Lady Injustice. As a lawyer she should know better. Statements should not be done in haste especially if they’re unverified. Did she ever read the Cory Constitution that says that everyone is innocent until proven otherwise by the court of laws? Unfortunately, because of the absence of hard evidence against their preserved enemies, they’ll be contented by the trial by publicity. Total, they can always rely on the yellow media. De 5 is the classic example and she personifies the Dayukduk.

Casualty at the DBP

2011-08-06T13:09:00.000+03:00

DBP - Philippines

President Abnoy’s continuous witch hunt against his predecessor and alleged cronies has caused another casualty in the death of the DBP corporate lawyer, Atty. Pinpin. According to Atty. Pinpin’s suicide note, he was forced by the current DBP chairman to issue falsified affidavits in order to pin down on the previous occupants of the DBP. In the absence of concrete proof, the yellow zombies are now manufacturing evidence to pin down their enemy.

This is what’s wrong with the current administration. The Yellow suckers, with the intention to be on the good side of President Abnoy, would go to the extent of violating the law, just to get some dirt against Pres. Abnoy’s nemesis, former President GMA. Atty. Pinpin, obviously is the casualty because his conscience could not take it anymore. They’re just a bunch of hypocrites. After doing all these dirty tricks, they still believe that they have the monopoly of virtue. President Abnoy is like George Bush whose philosophy is ‘If you’re not with us, you’re against us. If you’re not with us, you’re dirty and corrupt’. He never realized that the people who surround him today are the same people who were with Gloria. You won’t be a clairvoyant to guess that in another six years, when his term ends, the same people whom he considers as friends will turn against him. That’s the kind of politics in the Philippines we have.

Now, President Abnoy issued a statement and ordered the DBP management to conduct a thorough investigation on the death of Atty. Pinpin. How moronic is that? He’s ordering the same people who violated the laws to conduct an investigation? I’m sure alam ninyo na ang result, whatever the outcome of the investigation is, President Abnoy will still protect his KKK.

Power corrupts but Abnoy and his alipores shouldn’t forget that there’s still God.

Ramadan Kareem!!!

2011-08-03T12:41:00.000+03:00

Ramadan Kareem!!! My greeting is three days too late but what the heck, it’s still Ramadan and according to the hijri calendar it’ll last for 29 days. I love Ramadan because it’s the only time of the year where you’ll not be stressed. During Ramadan there are no phone calls, no work and no nothing. The office is at a standstill. Everyone is so kind, and they’ll share everything.

It’s like Christmas for Christians but the positive side with Ramadan is that it’s not so commercialized. People fast, pray and sacrifice. It’s still maintained the spirituality of the occasion.

I love Ramadan because I can go home early, as early as 3:30 P.M. I have nothing to do at home but I just love it when I arrive home early. It’s also the only time where I can concentrate on stuff and activities that makes me healthy. I can jog earlier too and I get to meet a lot of new people. Most of the shops give discounts so it’s the best time of the year to do the shopping.

On a serious note, Ramadan should be our time to reflect and meditate. I’m saying this not only for Muslims but also for non-Muslims. It’s an opportunity for us to think of the good and not so good things we did last year and do penance for them. It is never too late to ask God for forgiveness. Coming from a near death experience last year made me think through a lot of things. Material things do not matter anymore in death. You’ll think of your family and friends and the people who touch your life. You shouldn’t miss out on that.

So before I become too preachy, let me once again greet you all Ramadan Mubarak!

SONA - Feel A Good Speech

2011-07-27T10:57:00.003+03:00

When Pres. Abnoy was declared the victor in the 2010 presidential elections, he becomes the president of the Filipino nation. Whether we like it or not, he’ll stay in power for 6 years. Pres. Abnoy however, chooses to be the president of the yellows, by the yellows and for the yellows (KKK). Proof, he’s still wearing the yellow ribbon which is a divisive symbol to the Filipino people. Instead of calling for reconciliation in this very divided nation, he waged war against his perceived enemies. I think you’ll guess who his number one enemy is, former President GMA.

When Pres. Abnoy minions and presidential mouthpieces say that the SONA was a feel good speech and that they want to change the attitude of the Filipinos, I just can’t believe it. If the president wants to change the attitude of the Filipinos, he as their leader should be the first to change his ways. In fact, the president is the source of negativisim that he’s accusing his countrymen of. Abnoy could not live the day without maligning former PGMA. He made sure that his minions, KKK, yellow zombies and yellow media attacks PGMA. The latest are the PCSO where they obviously want to implicate PGMA and the electoral fraud in 2004.

Because Abnoy is so consumed with his vindictiveness and fixation with PGMA, he forgot why the people elected him in that office. As president he’s responsible directly or indirectly in the welfare of his people. I can’t believe how a president could be so clueless. Until now, it’s not clear where the country is heading. He did issue motherhood statements but he forgot that he’s not in the campaign anymore. SONA should give details on his plans, how to accomplish them and those that he failed to accomplish. His speech writers only dwell on the wang wang because it’s the only major accomplishment he had in his first year in office.

I didn’t expect much from Abnoy. Abnoy was underachiever when he was a house representative and a senator. We can’t expect him to just change his work ethics overnight because he became the president. He’s been in the office for a year already and yet he’s still making up excuses. The presidency of Abnoy was only decided by 15 Million people yet it affected the 90 million Filipino people. Emil Jurado was right, we sink and swim with Abnoy whether we like it or not!

No case vs PGMA

2011-07-27T10:57:00.000+03:00

Abnoy’s minions in Malacañang admitted that until now, they don’t have case that could pin down PGMA. The funny thing is, they still continue their war through trial by publicity, courtesy of course with their partners, the yellow media. PGMA has been maligned, accused, demonized and vilified by these people who couldn’t even give a proof of wrongdoing. With Abnoy’s instructions, they continue to wage the media war and trial by publicity over their perceived enemies.

For goodness sake, PGMA has stepped down from power and she doesn’t have the presidential immunity. She can be sued anytime. The problem here is that they don’t have anything on their plate. So they decided that it’s better to accuse PGMA of anything that they can imagine. It’s ridiculous that even the tabloids who pretended to be broadsheets would entertain it.

As far as I can remember in my Political Science course, you can’t just accuse anyone of anything without proof. They found a way of expressing their accusations through the yellow media who would gladly headline the accusations. The yellow media would then claim that they’re just doing this in the spirit of balanced news. If their attention is called, they’ll claim of harassment. This is how things work in the Philippines.

Trial by publicity is the only way they can do with the help of the yellow media because their lawyers are of LESSER LEGAL MINDS. They know that they’re not capable and could not really win their case in the court. They may win some now with the installation of Carpio Morales as the Ombudsman. She’ll definitely thread Abnoy’s path. She was known for her bias before and that’s precisely the reason why she was appointed. Maybe, with Aquino friendly Ombudsman, the lawyers of Abnoy, the lawyers of LESSER LEGAL MINDS might win a conviction of PGMA.

Answers to Rigoberto Tiglao's Queries on Saudization

2011-07-23T11:01:00.002+03:00

From: braggito

Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 10:23 AM

To: Inquirer email [mailto:tiglao.inquirer@gmail.com]

Subject: RE: Query on Saudization

Dear Mr. Tiglao,

Thank you for your email. I used to see you only on TV, briefing the media on the programs of the then PGMA, the best president our country has ever produced.

Saudi Arabian government banned the entry and visa processing of the household workers because they could not agree on the minimum wage. The Philippine government is asking the Saudi Government to impose a USD. 400 while the Saudi Government could only give USD. 200. I think it was around Ramadan last year that the ban on deployment started. The Saudi government only formalized it on 2 July 2011. The ban on deployment of household help has nothing to do with the Saudization program of the Saudi Arabian Government. I work in the Human Resources so more or less I know that household workers are not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labor. Arbitration or other arrangements are handled by the Price (Governor) or every Saudi Provinces.

Saudization on the other hand is the program of the Saudi Arabian Government, through the Ministry of Labor to impose quotas on Saudi Nationals to be hired in the Private Sectors. Quotas are imposed depending on which sector the business is operating. Saudization has been going on from around 2005 or 2006 but private sectors could not meet the quotas imposed by the Ministry. Again, the ban on the deployment of Household workers has nothing to do with Saudization. I think, the Saudi government only wants to put pressure on the Philippine government so that they will agree to the USD 200 minimum wage. For your information, they also impose ban on the Indonesian household workers because of the similar issue, the minimum wage.

To give credit to the Philippine government, the POLO has been validating contracts between the Saudi employer and the Filipino maids. Sadly, the contract is only a piece of paper since it’s the Philippine agency (Agent) who would tell the Saudi employer to put USD. 400 in the contract but in actuality they’d only pay the maid USD 200. I have a contact with an agent for a household worker in Manila and I can honestly say that they’re partly to blame why our household workers are paid less.

The ban on the deployment of the household workers for Saudi Arabia was a welcome development for us, skilled and professional workers. We are happy because maids are the most vulnerable to abuse. They are helpless because they’re working in the house of their Saudi masters. I don’t want to generalize but I know one Vice President in our company who never feeds his Filipino maid. There are a lot of horror stories too. In Saudi Arabia, a young man could be kidnapped and raped how much more for a female domestic worker who has nowhere to go. If we, the skilled and professional workers are not paid our salaries we can go to the Saudi Ministry of Labor. The household workers have nowhere and no one to turn to. That’s the reason why there are so many runaway maids.

This deployment ban should be an eye opener for the Philippine government. They should just send skilled workers because they’re much more protected than the household workers are. And if they still want to send household workers, it’s better if it’s not in the Middle Eastern countries.

Do you think it's not right for Ph to require such level of wages?

I think that it’s just right for our country to demand a minimum wage for household workers because the Saudi Arabia does not have a minimum wage law. They can pay you whatever amount they like as long as you agree to it. The host country should also be sensitive to the maid’s reason why she decided to work outside her home country. She leaves everything behind, her family and friends. Minimum wage could be abused and it’s been abused over and over again but at least there’s minimum.

What will be the impact on deployments of Filipinos in Saudi?

There will be no new arriving household workers but the private sectors are still hiring skilled workers. Manufacturing industries and skilled workers such as welders, AC technicians and machine operators are still in demand. In fact, we just received our visa block to hire additional Filipino, Indian and Nepalese workers. I don’t think that the ban on deployment of household workers will affect the inflow of remittance in our country.

Filipino maids are known to be industrious, hardworking and neat. I also hired Filipino maids for executives in our company and they’re the most preferred over other nationalities. They’ve raised babies, cook meals and clean the houses of the Saudi families. For sure they’ll be missed. However, it’s an opportunity for our country to first look into the safety of our domestic workers.

As for the question on the status of skilled and professional workers, I say that it’s not a cause for concern. Like our household workers, we’re the most preferred nationality because of the quality of work that we can produce. Our government should capitalize on this edge and improve our curriculums and technical trainings.

The reason why Saudization failed to reach the target is not because the program is flawed. It’s because Saudi Nationals refused to do the work. Companies have no choice but to hire foreign workers or else their production will suffer. Private companies invest more when they’re hiring Saudi Nationals because they are paid three times more than their foreign counterpart yet the quality of their work is NIL. Young Saudi professionals on the other hand want to be promoted to a managerial level right away. If they’re not promoted, they leave the company as they please. It’s different for foreign workers because the company holds into our documents and we can’t move to another company as we please because of the sponsorship issues.

Is a way out of this stand-off in the offing or impossible at this point.

As far as I know, the Saudi Government is sticking to the USD. 200. I know that they’re just putting pressure to the PHL government. In fact, they’ve also announced that they’ll be hiring Bangladeshi household help instead of the Filipinos and Indonesians.

Our government should be firm on the minimum wage issue. The ban is a blessing in disguise for the Filipino household workers. This way, they’ll not be abused.

Is there a way out? I think so. PHL should not beg and just let the Saudi Government go on with the ban. In the end, they’re losing a priced Filipino household worker and we get to ensure their safety too.

Again, thank you very much for the opportunity.

Regards,

braggito

Queries on Saudization by Mr. Rigoberto Tiglao

2011-07-23T10:57:00.001+03:00

Today 23 July 2011, Former PGMA spokesperson and now PDI columnist sent me an inquiry on Saudization. Here's his letter. My answer was on the next blog posting:

---oo0oo---

From: Inquirer email [mailto:tiglao.inquirer@gmail.com]

Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2011 11:23 AM

To: braggito

Subject: Query

Dear Mr. Braggito,

I'm a columnist at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and I chanced upon your letter to the Manila Times online clarifying why Saudi Arabia has started restricting the entry of Filipino workers (i.e.., that this had nothing to do with the Saudization program, nor Nitaqat).

I'd appreciate your views:

1. How did this stand-off (Phil requiring $400 wage, while Saudi $200) come about? Did Phil authorities decide to implement suddenly some regulation? I suppose this wage level was not only required of the Philippines. Have Phil authorities start to inform other countries to tell them this is the policy?
2. Do you think it's not right for Ph to require such level of wages?
3. What will be the impact on deployments of Filipinos in Saudi?

4. Is a way out of this stand-off in the offing or impossible at this point.

I'd appreciate your comments.

Thanks

Rigoberto Tiglao

On Ronquillo’s “Saudization? It might be a blessing” piece

2011-07-23T10:51:00.000+03:00

My letter to the editor of the Manila times was published today 23 July 2011. Here's my letter:

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On Ronquillo’s “Sau-dization? It might be a blessing” piece

Published : Tuesday, July 19, 2011 14:20

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/2225-on-ronquillos-sau-dization-it-might-be-a-blessing-piece

Article Views : 93

Dear Marlen V. Ronquillo:

I think you are ill informed of the Saudization program of the Saudi Arabian government and the reason why they stopped hiring domestic workers from our country. You should have at least called the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and asked information from the POLO before you wrote your column. Saudization is the Kingdom’s policy that compels companies in the private sector to hire Saudi nationals. Quotas are given by the Labor Ministry depending on the which sector the business is operating in. Saudization does not include the household workers.

The Saudi government banned deployment of the household workers from the Philippines after they and the Philippines could not agree on the salary scale for household workers. The PHL government is asking for USD 400 minimum wage for a Filipino domestic worker while the Saudi Government only wants USD 200. This has nothing to do with the Nitaqat program.

I’m disappointed considering that you call yourself an opinion writer. The least you could do is research before you write something. I’m also appalled why your editor even published your column,

Regards,

braggito

[Editor’s note: Once the editors have chosen a writer to be a Times columnist, we allow him to stand or fall on what he writes. We do not censor our columnists. And we rely on alert readers like yourself to make the correction or amplification. If we do not get a reader’s reaction to a columnist’s error after a couple of days, a Times staffmember would then write a correcting piece and an amplification.]

Wannabe columnist wrote a piece on Saudization

2011-07-13T09:33:00.001+03:00

My blood pressure went up early this morning when I read the article of a wannabe columnist from Manila Times named Marlen V. Ronquillo. It’s not enough that you know your grammar to be a columnist. The least that you could do is to check on the facts before you write something. I haven’t been to journalism school but I think that’s the least that you could do before writing an opinion piece. However, this wannabe columnist wrote something that Saudization was the reason why domestic workers are barred from entering the Kingdom of the Sands.

That’s what you call ignorant and ill informed. That actually made her ridiculous, really. Saudization and the stop on deployment of domestic workers are two different stories. She should have at least called the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the POLO to check on the facts before she write something. Saudization is the Kingdom’s policy that compels companies in the private sector to hire Saudi Nationals. Quotas are given by the Labor Ministry depending on which sector the business is operating. Saudization does not include household workers.

The Saudi government banned deployment of the household workers from our country after they could not agree on the minimum wage for the domestic workers. The Philippine government asked for USD 400 while the Kingdom wants it to be only USD 200. The ban has nothing to do with the Nitaqat program.

It was just disappointing when wannabe opinion writers in our country write a crappy column without checking the facts. They owe it to their readers to at least do the research before writing their column. It’s also appalling when the editor publish those crap.

Sa highblood ko, I wasted 2 hours today just write a nasty email to the writer and her editor.

Panic Mode and Haka Haka on the Nitaqat (Saudization)

2011-07-13T09:30:00.000+03:00

Receiving forwarded emails from different people is the first order of the day in the office. I resented it but can’t do anything about it. Finally I just ignored it. That’s the best thing that you could do to unsolicited emails. Lately, emails regarding the horror stories of vacationing OFWs whose passports were stamped exit only visas at the immigration circulated like wild fire. I read it but deleted the email right away. However, my inbox were full within hours of the same emails forwarded over and over.

The email spread like wild fires and some of my friends even called me that they’re postponing their vacation for fears that their passports will be stamped exit only at the immigration. I told them that the story was already denied by the Passport Office. The Minister of Passport Office said that the immigration officer could not issue an exit re-entry or exit only visa. Their duty is only to stamp entry on arrival and exit on departure. That’s it and the circulating emails are just rumors.

I thought that the horror story would just die a natural death. Unfortunately, print and even visual media from the Philippines published the same story and even quoted the leader of a militant group Migrante in the story. According to the Migrante leader, 4 engineers called him and they told him that their passports were stamped exit only visas at the immigration. Names and companies of those so called engineers were not given. It caused another series of forwarded emails from Pinoy friends. Fortunately, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh issued a press release denying the rumor. The good thing is that the Embassy has a direct access with the Ministry of Labor and the issue was clarified.

I think it was irresponsible for the Philippine media back home to just run the story of the militant group Migrante without checking with the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. If I am not mistaken, the horror story was a press release from the militant group just to gain media mileage again. It works because most of the print media and broadcast media covered it.

The punching Mayor

2011-07-04T13:13:00.003+03:00

I understand why Sara Duterte punched Abe Andres, the Davao City Sheriff. It all boils down to politics. We all know that Mayors are the number one reason why we have squatters. Yes, they’re squatters and to hell with the euphemisms calling them informal settlers instead. They cuddle those squatters because they can count on their votes during the election season. They’re also the reason why LGUs could not address the issue of professional squatting.

I’m not an expert on laws but what I know is that squatting is illegal and against the law. In fact, it was only during the Ramos Administration that it was decriminalized. The good Sheriff, an officer in the court, is just performing his duties and the court order. It is not his personal wish to get rid of the squatters. He’s just following the court order. If the Sheriff will not implement the court order, he’ll be in trouble and could be charged administratively.

Sara Duterte’s attitude towards people in the judiciary is a microcosm of what is happening in the national scene. President Abnoy has been bullying and tarnishing the image of the higher magistrate whom he even called the Arroyo court. He’s against the SC primarily because they’re all appointed by President GMA. The composition is actually 14/1 and 14 of those are Arroyo appointees. It is not PGMAs fault that she gets to appoint the majority of the SC Members. It is not her fault that she ended up holding the presidency for 9 years. If President Abnoy will look closely, it’s his Mother’s (Tita Cory) constitution that’s at fault. The constitution fails to look into the possibility that a Vice President may rise to presidency and then wins a new term as president.

So going back to the fist fighting incident, Duterte may have won the admiration of the leftist, people who claims to be protector of Human Rights but she may end up regretting what she did. She could be disbarred and stripped of the rights to practice law. She could also face administrative cases and the list could go on. The worst thing that could possibly happen to her is losing the mayoralty seat.

As a local leader, a mayor should set an example. She should not only be the protector of her people but the law as well. That’s why we have laws in the first place, so that there will be order and not chaos in our society. As a lawyer, she should know better. It’s alright to protect your people but she should have weighed the consequences of her actions.

If President Abnoy is true to his daang matuwid ek-ek, he should punish Sara Duterte, a known ally of the Aquinos. However, considering how President Abnoy protects his KKK, punishing Duterte remains to be seen!

Kingdom of the Sands stops Filipino DH deployment

2011-07-02T11:00:00.003+03:00

Good news! The Kingdom of the Sands stops issuing visas for Filipino Domestic Helpers. Effective 2 July 2011, the Kingdom will stop issuing visas for household helpers. The Kingdom imposed the deployment ban to protest the monthly wage increase from USD. 200 to USD. 400 being sought by the Philippine government for Filipino maids.

I think that this ban is a blessing in disguise. Our maids are the most susceptible to abuse and rape. They’re hardly treated as human beings by their employers too. I’ve been advocating for this ban and finally, it happened. The ban did not come from us but from the Saudi government directly. I hope that our government will also stop deployment of Domestic Helpers to other GCC States. I’ve also heard a lot of horror stories from these countries and I think that it’s about time to put a stop on this.

Our government should send out skills workers instead. Skilled workers whose employers are companies (not individuals) are in better situation than the domestic workers. The companies are also under the Labor Office so abuse skilled workers can anytime file a complaint. In the case of the Domestics, they’re under the jurisdiction of the Prince. The Prince is either the Governor or Mayor of the Province or City.

We may lose remittance of the domestics but I think it’s all worth it. The government has the duty to protect its citizens. The increase in number of runaway maids in the Kingdom is already alarming. I think it’s that the ban is in the right timing. If we’re smart enough, we can make this ban work for our advantage.

War with water hyacinths

2011-06-28T17:50:00.000+03:00

President Abnoy should have declared war with the water hyacinths clogging the Cotabato River not with the City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. People in that area need immediate help not political speeches, photo ops and short term solutions like giving away goods. What disappointed the people is when President Abnoy said that he’s still thinking of ways to solve the problem and that people should not really expect anything because his administration is barely one year old.

When President Abnoy’s entourage left, Mayor Guiani confirmed that they never received any assistance from Malacañang. That includes the 7 million worth of relief goods stated by the corrupt head Dinky Soliman. In the end, the corrupt Dinky Soliman admitted giving the assistance to the politicians closer to them, the Vice Mayor Muslimin Sema and Congresswoman Sandra Sema and only gave 2,000 bags to Mayor Guiani.

President Abnoy and his mouthpieces slammed mayor and even went out of their way to call him a liar. The President in fact did not bring with him additional aid and did not even offer solutions to the problem. The problem with people in Malacañang is, the more they protect their boss, the more they became vulnerable.

Over 40,000 people are said to be displaced from their homes because of the flooding. In fact, the 7 million budget given by the DSWD is not enough. Malacañang should be less confrontational when accused by the local leaders in Cotabato. They should know that the mayor is in the frontline and the firing line. People expect him to deliver and he can’t do that by himself. He can only do so much and he doesn’t need President Abnoy there if he can’t do anything to help the people in distress. Calling the good mayor a liar was way below the belt.

Philippine alliance with untrustworthy United States

2011-06-28T17:49:00.000+03:00

War with China should not be an option. We can’t win and that’s reality. Reality sucks and reality bites. We can’t even patrol our shores because we lack resources. We are nothing compared to China in terms of military might. We’re poor, they’re rich and there’s nothing we can do about it. Some analyst says that we have the US mutual defense treaty on our side. I think that involving the United States in our mess would only create another chaos. The United States will not do favors for free. We’ve been unfairly treated by the United States since time immemorial.

Just so you can remember, the United States snatched our independence from Spain and even killed more than a million Filipinos. They’re also the reason why Manila was 80% destroyed during the World War 2. They’ve treated us unfairly in several times and occasions. We kicked them out of our backyard before and now, we’re singing a different tune? To be an independent nation we have to do away with the United States.
Hillary Clinton and the US Department of State may sing a different song but I don’t really buy it. China is the US biggest creditor and business partner. They’re also involved in several Wars around the world. I don’t think that they’ll engage another war with China. If there’s one good thing this tension will bring, that is, another opportunity for the US to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea. They can even build a new base in our country considering how our politicians considering the idea nowadays.
For this mutual defense treaty to work, the United States should learn to respect us. They should afford us with the respect they gave to the Koreans, Japanese and Germans where they have an alliance and bases. They treat us as insignificant because we allow them to.

The best solution in resolving this issue with China is through a diplomatic means. Diplomacy will not cost lives because we can avoid going to wars. We should fight for our claims to the United Nations. That’s the best option because we’re helpless in terms of military might. We can never win a war against China and that’s a fact.

Aquino’s first year in office, what went wrong?

2011-06-28T17:48:00.000+03:00

When President Abnoy was installed in Office last year, jubilant Yellow Zombies celebrated as if there’s no tomorrow. One year on, and, I guess they’re still in the dreamland. Majority of Filipinos have already woken up from their nightmare, electing the wrong man to the presidency. They are now realizing how pathetic they are for voting the Abnoy in the 2010 elections.

President Abnoy’s government that started in euphoria is now facing a problem not unique to presidents of the Philippines, decline in ratings. President Abnoy is the only person to blame in the decline of his ratings. He talks about accountability, transparency but in the end, he’ll go out of his way to cover, protect and even absolve his KKK (Kabarilan, Kaibigan at Kakampi). The three headed hydra, presidential mouthpieces are of no help either.

The Rizal Park hostage crisis will forever hunt President Abnoy’s presidency. It just showed how unorganized and leaderless we are as a nation. His indecisiveness during the crisis caused the loss of several lives. He even has the nerve to smile in front of the cameras which, by the way, is the biggest insult you could ever haul to the grieving families of the victims.

President Abnoy says that he doesn’t micro manage. That’s his style of leadership but you can’t just implement a management style without changing the culture. That’s why we have change management even in the companies. As a leader you may delegate the authority but regardless of what your management style is, the Filipinos still believes that authority still resides in Malacañang. A leader has to do what it gotta do. President GMA did that in her 9 years in power.

No doubt, the hostage crisis is also a big embarrassment to us as a nation. It’s because the crisis, is the microcosm, a mirror of our broken nation, leaderless, helpless law enforcers, and mindless local politicians.

Last week, PGMA accused Malacañang of “nobody home” presidency and failure to build on the economic gains of her 10 years in office. Instead of addressing the issue, the Presidential mouthpieces throw accusations on the former leader. They resorted to name calling because they themselves knew that they could not answer PGMA. This is the kind of leadership Aquino is giving the Filipino people. By voting him into the office, I guess, we all deserve it.

Ipagbunyi ang lahing kayumangi! Maligayang Kasarinlan mga Kabayan

2011-06-14T16:21:00.000+03:00

I was supposed to compose this entry on the 12th of June but haven’t had the time to do it. Nevertheless, it’s better late than never. It’s been 113 years since the Philippines declared its independence in Kawit, Cavite. As Filipinos, we should commemorate the day and be proud of being children of an independent nation.

China’s intrusion to our national territory is a threat to our sovereignty as a nation. The West Philippine Sea conflict will test our resolve as a nation. Are we going to allow the Chinese to mock us in our own territory? Our heroes fought for our country in the battle against Spain, the United States and Japan. I think we need modern day heroes to defend our country against China.

However, we don’t only need soldiers who are willing to die for our motherland. We need weapons, sophisticated weapons for us to engage in a battle with the intruders. Our Armed Forces admitted that they don’t have the capacity to fight with China. United States, our so called ally stated that they will not intervene. We ended up filing a diplomatic protest since our very own President Abnoy is scared of the Chinese. If we’re going to be like this, China will just build more structures around the contested West Philippine Sea. We will end up crying one day losing our islands to the Chinese.

A senior Senator said that the only way that the Philippines can strengthen itself is to have economic power. That’s a disturbing reality. We will not be able to achieve economic powers because our current constitution has several anti investors’ provisions. Our political situation is not also friendly to the investors. We are also a country that does not honor our contracts with the international investors. If we are realistic and if we’re serious enough to chance our current system, it will take us 5 decades to achieve economic empowerment. By that time, China would have built communities and cities in all the Spratly Islands.

I think we’re doomed and just like in the case of Sabah, I think we’re going to lose the Spratly group of islands as well.

Let us congratulate ourselves and commemorate our independence. Ipagbunyi ang lahing kayumangi! Maligayang Kasarinlan mga Kabayan.

Carbon Footprints

2011-06-07T13:07:00.003+03:00

Yesterday, swarm of emails on the recent winners of Miss Earth Philippines pageant flooded my inbox. I wasn’t at all too happy to receive them since I’ve already read the news the moment I logged on to my PC. I was never a fan of Miss Earth Philippines since it started. It’s because of its very hypocritical advocacy. Don’t get me wrong. I support clean and renewable energy and anything green. What I don’t like is when a profit focused organization claims to be green for the sake of making money.

I haven’t watched the broadcast of the pageant but it was criticized by people who watched it. Just like the recently concluded Bb. Pilipinas 2011 Pageant, the organizers focused too much on the Q&A. May I remind the organizers that MEP is not a quiz bee? It’s still and forever will be a beauty pageant. The most beautiful woman should win regardless.

As for the organizers advocacy on nature, I don’t buy it. I haven’t seen anything worth mentioning in the reigns of their former queens. Even the winners of the ME doesn’t do much either. In the end, it would still boil down to money (sponsorship fee, etc.). If they're serious, can they please tell us the carbon footprints for staging the event?

Grant lands at the Kalayaan

2011-05-29T12:57:00.003+03:00

A few weeks ago, the Chinese intimidated our Armed Forces in our very own waters, particularly the Kalayaan Group of Islands. Chinese wanted to be seen as the big bully who can do whatever it wants in other country’s territorial waters. Strangely, President Abnoy, the AFP and the Foreign Ministry would just investigate it. They could have filed a diplomatic protest but I guess they were scared of China. If they continue to do that then, we’ll end up one day being driven away but the Chinese. They’re now occupying the Kalayaan bit by bit.

It’s a given fact that most of us Filipinos are living below the poverty line. The government is even exacerbating the problem because of their program ‘Conditional Cash Transfer’ that encourages the poor and lazy people to double their laziness. Why would you find a job when the government will give you money on a monthly basis? The urban zones are also filled with squatters or euphemistically called informal settlers by the leftist pressure groups.

Because of the number of squatters in our urban areas, our government should grant lands at the Kalayaan Group of Islands. Tax incentives and monetary rewards should be given to those who would want to resettle there. That way, they can create new community that will help establish our presence in those islands. The government should also establish LGUs, Schools, Hospitals and Churches so that people will be persuaded to move there. If President Abnoy has political will, he can create this law as urgent. The money to fund for this land grant and monetary rewards can be taken from the Pork Barrels of our corrupt Congressmen and Senators.

The government could also declare it as free zones for squatters. We Filipinos are known as squatters nation so I don’t think we will have problem looking for people to squat every inch of the islands.

Kaya nga lang, the question is, if our congressmen are willing to let go of their pork barrels or even willing to listen to my suggestion. I don’t know why President Abnoy’s so called consultants and cabinet ministers weren’t able to come up with the same idea. Mahirap din talaga kung walang utak at duwag pa ang ating pangulo.

The Amazing Massage Chair

2011-05-28T15:45:00.003+03:00

Last Thursday, 26 May 2011, I went to my dental appointment with Saudi Swiss Dental Clinic near Rashid Mall. I had an interim dental appointment with them to check on my sensitive teeth but I never had the chance to come back since the day where I was supposed to visit them, was the day that I was admitted to the hospital. That was November of 2010. The last thorough cleaning I had was during my vacation on August 2010.

It was actually A. who made the appointment with the clinic. I just went with him since I thought I had nothing much to do really. Besides, my last thorough cleaning (prophylaxes) was more than 6 months ago. As far as I know, dental appointments should be done at least two times a year. We were on time actually but the lady dentist was very busy since it’s Thursday that our appointment was pushed for another 30 minutes.

While waiting for our appointment, I became so curious of the massage chair in the waiting area. At first, I really don’t want to try it but my curiosity caught up on me. I finally decided to take a seat and operate on the chair. I could not express how I feel at first because the mechanical stuff underneath the leather case of the chair’s weird. I giggled like a small child initially but eventually I feel so relaxed. The good thing in this chair is that it also massages your two feet as well. I was so lucky that day I guess because my swollen feet were able to relax. The extra pounds that I gained because of the steroids in the medication that I am taking put a great burden in my two feet and knees. The few minutes I spent seating in the massage chair made a great difference. For a moment, I forgot that I was in pain. That being said, I’ve vowed that I will buy my own massage chair. I don’t know when and I haven’t started canvassing the prices but sooner or later I’m going to get one of that for myself.

D. has been telling me that I can’t even buy the microwave oven that I planned to buy (handom kag dumot) for years, how much more the massage chair that cost more than 100 microwave ovens? Well, let’s just see. Who knows, I’ll finally be able to move to a new company that’ll pay me more. As they say, vision is important. I’m keeping my eye on that target and hopefully, in the near future, I’ll be able to buy that massage chair!

The blame game

2011-05-24T11:16:00.003+03:00

President Abnoy’s Communication Group must have gotten tired of blaming former President GMA that they are now blaming the Media, particularly the columnists for the drastic slip of President Abnoy’s survey results. The three headed hydra Communications Group says that President Abnoy did a lot of things but the columnists failed to visit their webpage. President Abnoy also defended himself saying that he’s hardworking because there was an instance where he woke up early in the morning to attend the funeral of two LP members somewhere in the South.

President Abnoy will turn one year in office yet he has not done anything. The people did not feel anything contrary to what the Communications Group has been claiming. The routine activities such as attending funerals, cutting ribbons and delivering speeches does not mean anything to the people. The President in office is expected by the people to work.

For ordinary Filipino family, they just want to put food in their table, send their kids to school and affordable cost for food, transportation and things necessary to survive. In fact, people don’t really care about Press Releases because in the end, they’ll judge the President on his ability to change their lives.

On the other hand, it’s not President Abnoy’s fault that he can’t deliver. We all knew what kind of Legislator (Congressman and Senator) he was before we elected him into the Presidency. We should not expect something from a person who’s lazy to change overnight. We should blame ourselves for electing a lazy person into Malacañang. We have several alternative candidates but we opted for the son of democracy icons, Ninoy and Cory. We let our emotions overpower our judgment and one year on, we’re disappointed.

I hope that President Abnoy has the political will to reorganize the Communications Group into what it was before. Appoint just one Press Secretary, period. I also hope that with that political will, he should also work hard and show his people that he’s fit for the job. People expect so much from him and it’s also his opportunity to build his legacy, rather than being tag all his life as the son of Ninoy and Cory, two democracy icons.

Flores de Mayo memories

2011-05-11T13:16:00.003+03:00

When I was a child, my Aunt whose husband works for the then PC-INP at the Camp Delgado in Iloilo City would often bring us to the Flores de Mayo organized by the spouses of the PC-INP personnel. As a child, you don’t attend a Flores de Mayo because you feel like going but because you don’t have a choice. Adults often impose their beliefs on their children or extended family members. I could not forget the agonizing wait for the novena to be over. I could not also forget the torture of kneeling until the novena is over.

The only fond memory that I can think of during the Flores de Mayo is the food that the PC-INP Spouses prepares and that’s it. I however, regretted being unable to go with my family to SM Delgado. My family don’t dictate us whether we want to participate in Flores de Mayo or not. For my parents, there’s no issue if you go or not. They also have the same opinion on going to the Church on Sundays. Don’t get me wrong but my mother’s active in the church.

The point in writing this entry is that sometimes, adults imposing their beliefs to their children or extended family could be an abuse issue. I would never force my child, nephews or nieces on the things or activities that they don’t like. The abuse would be from the context that you force the child to kneel which is by the way, very painful if you do it on an extended period. You could also be abusing the child because of the boredom that you subjected him / her into. Leaving the child without the choice is also a form of abuse.

I’ve watched the movie Matilda and the old man would often say:

“I’m big, you’re small”.

“I’m smart, you’re dumb”.

“And there’s nothing you can do about it”.

Forcing children to do the stuff that they don’t like is bullying and therefore a child abuse.

John Paul II’s Beatification

2011-05-02T15:20:00.001+03:00

I have always been a vocal critic of the Roman Catholic Church. There are things that I don’t like and agree with the faith. Their institutionalized veneration of Saints and their ostentatious display in everything they do, Priests committing sexual abuses, Bishops with holier than thou arrogance, to name the few.

Yesterday, the Vatican, the seat of the Roman Catholicism beatified the late Pope John Paul II. I’ve watched TV Patrol and their exaggerated news reporting. Filipino people who were blinded by their Priests (faith) were also celebrating the late Pope’s beatification. In Roman Catholicism, beatification is a step closer to being a Saint.

Saint John Paul II
My view on this is that John Paul II is just a human being. He may have been elected to the Papacy by his fellow Cardinals but he was a human being. The fact of the matter is, he died of old age and the Parkinson’s disease. I was born a Catholic but I really don’t agree in venerating a person and elevate him into sainthood. He’s just like one of us so there’s no reason why we should worship him. I believe in God, one God and no other. There are prophets that foretell God’s coming but they’re not gods and they themselves say it in the scriptures.

Sexual abuses of the Priest during the term of John Paul II were prevalent and he never did anything about it. In fact, the present pontiff did more because he acknowledges the sins of his Church. I may not agree with the Church’s policies and some of its belief but I still consider myself as a part of it. It’s like being a Filipino. I may not agree with President AbNoy’s government and policies but I am still a Filipino. Not by choice but by birth, unfortunately.

Wedding of the Decade

2011-05-02T15:19:00.001+03:00

I’ve watched the extensive coverage of the Royal Wedding through BBC 1 last friday. I must admit that I was fascinated by the beauty and pageantry of the event. The Brits knows how to strut their stuff as they say. The bride looks like a real princess, although The Queen never bestowed the title ‘Princess’ to her. Instead, she was granted title as Duchess of Cambridge. Nevertheless, she was a beautiful bride. Prince William on the other hand has no matinee idol looks or appeal. In fact, his younger brother looks better and registers better in the TV than him. But since he’s the heir to the throne, despite having the unfortunate balding hair, he’s still attractive to some.

I’ve watched several comments over the BBC about their dislike for the monarchy and their criticism on the enormous amount that David Cameron’s government spent on the wedding. I ignored it and so were the Brits who just enjoyed the event. The UK was able to capitalize on their monarchy and made it one of their tourist attractions. People the world over are also interested and fascinated in them. Prince Harry’s rock star status is just an example. The new Duchess will certainly have her place in the history and I doubt that she’ll be the next Princess Diana, target to paparazzi and tabloid press. She’s in her early 30s and wiser I guess than when Princess Diana married Charles.

For five hours I’ve forgotten my own problems, the world peace, hunger in Africa, the Arab World Awakening and just enjoyed the show as it unfolded in my TV. I was even moved when the bride walked down the aisle (LOL).

Marcos Burial

2011-04-26T12:01:00.000+03:00

One of the most controversial issues nowadays is the burial of the remains of Ferdinand Marcos, former President and one of the best Presidents we’ve ever produced. President AbNoy who doesn’t want to decide on the issue passed it on to VP Jejomar Binay. The issue is very simple. Anti Marcos and those who claimed to be human right victims (otherwise known as NPAs) during the Marcos era says that he doesn’t deserve to be buried in the Heroes Cemetery. Pro Marcos and others who want to move on argues that being the former president, Marcos deserves to be buried there.

I think that regardless if we’re pro or anti Marcos, we should decide this issue once and for all in order for our country to move forward. Marcos maybe demonized by the yellow zombies but he wasn’t really tried in a proper court. That means that all issues hurled against him are purely accusations. If I’m not mistaken, the 1987 Constitution, otherwise known as the Cory Constitution, states that a person is not guilty unless proven otherwise by the court of laws. So, for the yellow zombies, isn’t this a double standard?

It’s been 25 years since the failed EDSA revolution and I think that it’s about time that our country should move forward. We should let go of our vindictive attitude. Ferdinand Marcos deserved to be in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Allowing his burial is not rewriting the history. It’s correcting history. There are ills in Marcos’ administration but Filipinos suffered more during Cory’s time. We are bound to suffer more today under the administration of President AbNoy. We claimed to be Christians yet we can’t forgive, forget and move forward. I think it’s about time that we allow his burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

… at a crossroad

2011-04-26T11:23:00.000+03:00

I’m not really into sentimental stuff. Alright, sometimes, I do a lot of soul searching but most of the time, I don’t. So I think being senti from time to time doesn’t really count. That’s why I consider myself as a sensible person, most of time. You may not be able to understand what I’m mumbling. Even I don’t seem to understand myself lately. I’ll turn 34 come August and I think that I’m in a crossroad.

Early this month I’ve consulted my family and asked them if it’s alright with them that I go home for good. My mother said that she doesn’t mind if I go home. She’ll be happy to embrace me back into the family. Being away for almost a decade is like being in a bubble. Your life becomes a make believe and everything doesn’t seem true. What I mean is that, I maybe earning enough money to sustain the family but I’ve lost so much in return. I’ve lost the moments where we as families should bond. Kids grew into adolescents without me even noticing it. The saddest part is Dad’s dying without me being there. There were a lot of things that I missed that money could not buy. I was so touched when my mother said that I don’t have to prove myself anymore. She also said that my father left me something to live on and that I won’t starve to death should I decide to return home for good. That was really reassuring.

I’ve been sending feelers (LOL parang celebrity ano?), that I’ll go on exit. Friends and colleagues raised eyebrows saying that it’s just a phase that I’d soon hurdle. I guess I got tired of the dog eat dog world that I’m in. At this point, I’m at a dead end of my career. My boss is retiring and has no career path plans for me. It’s either I’ll go on exit, look for another company or stay in my current company and end up a bitter and broken man. I don’t really think that my future is bright in our organization. If a new boss is appointed, I won’t be able to get a release. If I’ll decide to stay in the Kingdom, I really would have to work in another company. I may not grow there professionally but I’ll get the financial rewards. If I stay in the company, as I’ve said, my future is gloomy because I will be stuck. I may have the yearly merit increases but there’s really no prospect of career growth.

If I go home, I view things differently. I would have to learn farming and it’s going to be difficult at first. However, farming doesn’t mean that I’ll have to do the leg work. I’ll hire people and just learn the supervisory stuff from my siblings. I think it’d only take a year or two for me to establish myself as a farmer. I was not born to be a farmer but people can learn. My brother went to an Engineering School but succeeded in farming. In fact, he build a fairly descent house, owns an SUV and a truck. My sister went to a Law School, worked in Malacañang but now ended up farming and she’s good at it. So, yes, farming is my fallback. The soil will be gentle to me because I have my father’s blood in my veins.

I’ve considered a lot of things like the loss of an income. I’ve also been used to living in comfort for almost a decade and if I’m not earning, I may have to let go of a lot of things and convenience. I however felt that it’s time to let go. I kept on thinking that successful people have sacrificed and risked before they became successful. You won’t get rich in a 9-5 work. I don’t dream of being very rich though. When you’re growing old, you only wish for good health and enough money for you to get by. I don’t think I’d be happy too if I’ll be rich. My near death experience last year just triggered my resolve. I have a lot of months ahead of me to think things through. I’ll go home for my annual vacation this coming August and I think that being away from the craziness of the situation will help me decide.

Should I stay or should I go? Whatever my decision is, it’s really up to Him. He’ll know what’s best for me and I’ll just pray for his guidance.

Have a Blessed Holy Week Po!

2011-04-20T15:05:00.000+03:00

President AbNoynoy is still fixated on attacking his predecessor, former President GMA. My take on the issue is, Abnoy just want to start the blame game in order to avoid the issues that he failed to address despite being in the office for almost a year. His popularity is declining too and he now questions the credibility of the survey firms that conducted the survey on his performance.

The Filipino people need action. They just want to president to act on their well being. The economy should be his top most priority rather than demonizing the former administration. You’re now in power, for goodness sake, work! The Filipino people are fed up with your rhetoric. You’re voted by the people to work your ass off. Mas madaldal ka pa kesa babaeng pinalitan mo sa pwesto. In fact, mas may bayag pa iyong aleng pinalitan mo kesa sa iyo because of her achievements. The election is over my dear, stop those unnecessary rhetoric and just work! The problem is, he doesn’t have an accomplishment so he sticks to his rhetoric to avoid the issues.
Holy week na naman and our president should reflect. He should be forgiving and stop being so mayabang. It just shows na wala siyang alam dahil sa pagyayabang niya. He should follow the teachings of Christ who died in the cross to save the mankind. He may not be able to save the Filipino nation but he should at least reach out to his enemies. He is the only president who did not call for national reconciliation and unity. He’s a world on his own. I wonder what would happen to him in the future when his ratings will keep on going down? Wala naman siyang achievement na ipagmamalaki so ewan.
One year na sa pwesto ang ating hinalal na mga politico pero walang nagbago. In fact, mas somobra pa ang corruption sa ating bayan. When AbNoy calls for change, people voted for him. However, AbNoy and his galamays are not the change that we are yearning. They don’t represent change. Change comes from within and if we want to change we have to change everything from the bulok constitution that’s holding us to move forward to the consciousness of each and every Filipino. That’s when change would come.

Ngayong Holy week paano tayo magbabago? Simple lang, ang isabuhay natin ang mga aral ni Kristo.

Goodbye, AJ Perez

2011-04-17T15:11:00.002+03:00

Death is a taboo in all conversation most of the time my friends and I would avoid it. The topic about death however is in the right time since we’re in the season of lent. For us Christians, particularly the Catholics (and returning Catholics like me), death of Christ plays a significant part in our religion. As Filipinos, faith is embedded in our culture. Christ died for us to save us from our sins and resurrected after three days. The promise of Christ resurrection strengthens our faith in Him. His death is just a way of saying that ‘kung may bukas meron pang pag asa’. That’s why regardless of how painful the death of our loved ones, relatives and friends are, we should learn to accept it. We should learn to let go, lift our sorrows to God, pray and move on.

I woke up at around 3:00 AM KSA time to get a leak. I then check if I have messages in my iPhone. Ewan ko when suddenly I went to ABS CBN News app and was so shocked to learn that AJ Perez died. The first thing that comes to my mind is ‘SAYANG’. Nakakapanghihinayang kasi ang bata bata pa niya! He’s too young to die. He could have been the next superstar in the Philippine TV and movie industry pero ayon, kinuha na sya ni Lord.

I guess most of us would say the same thing. Nakapanghihinayang ang kanyang paglisan. He has a bright future ahead of him but sadly hanggang doon na lang siya. God has a reason for everything. What can we do except to accept His plans? I admit that although I am not related to the young kid napaluha ako. I feel for AJ Perez family. Let’s all pray that AJs soul will rest in peace.

Japan after the storm

2011-03-28T17:07:00.000+03:00

After the devastation of the Earthquake, Tsunami and now the nuclear disaster, the Japanese people remain calm and dignified. I couldn’t imagine what our reaction will be should the same thing happen to the Philippines, God forbid. For sure, grabe ang ating atungal especially if the media is covering us. You can never see it in Japan. Their media showed restraint, no irresponsible reporting just like in the Philippines.

Despite the tragedy, you’ll be impressed by the Japanese capabilities to build strong buildings that did not fall despite the magnitude of the earthquakes. If the same thing happens in the Philippines, God forbid again, the first buildings to fall are the government built infrastructures. Do I have to say it loudly why they’ll fall? Everyone knows naman dahil sa corruption, for sure, substandard ang mga materials.

The Japanese are crazy about the order but it works for them because people tend to respect other people’s belongings. There’s no looting, robbery or people taking advantage of the situation. People wait for their turn in the queues and there are no exceptions. Children and the olds know what they should do and they did it.

There was a time in the history that the Japanese people were the most hated race in the world. They’ve learned from their mistakes from the past. The tragedy that struck the Japanese affected so many people the world over. It however brought the best out of the Japanese people. It will take years for the victims and Japan to recover. But with the Japanese resilience I know that they’ll recover. I just can’t say when but they will and I will be praying for them.

Riyadh Trip

2011-03-27T18:04:00.003+03:00

I went to Riyadh on the 15th of March to renew my passport. In my almost a decade here in the Kingdom of the Sands, this is the first time that I ever visited the place. It’s not the first time that I renewed my passport here in the Kingdom but because of the sophisticated passport system that is currently in place, I have to be at the embassy. Previously, we only have to fill out the application form and attach our latest photo and send it to Riyadh and the people at our Riyadh Office will take care of everything from filing to claiming.

The train left Dammam at 12:20 P.M. and reached Riyadh at 5:20 P.M. I would have to say that I enjoyed the travel. It was fun riding the train for the first time. What I did not anticipate is that Riyadh was a lot colder than the Eastern Province. It’s probably because Riyadh is in the middle of the desert. I shivered the moment I disembarked from the train because of the light jacket that I wore.

Riyadh is an Arabic haven and taxi drivers there are mostly Saudis who do not speak English. It was so difficult for me because I can hardly speak Arabic. I ended up being overcharged by the taxi driver when I hired one to bring me to Batha.

The first impression I had when I stepped on Batha is ‘PANGIT’. I was not impressed at all by the series of old buildings surrounding the area. The streets are crowded and filthy. I don’t know if they have ‘Baladiyah’ but I’m sure they don’t have one. The only good thing with Batha is that they have several low cost hotels in the area. It’s low cost but not necessarily low standard because it’s clean and decent. I was met by my friend Niel who works as a supply in SABIC Riyadh Office. We went to his place and then checked in at the nearest hotel. I don’t want to bother him you know. After that, we went to a Thai restaurant and then naggala gala sa Batha.

Niel and I went to the Diplomatic Quarters where the Philippine Embassy is located the following day (16 March). We just took a cab going to Diplomatic Quarters. It’s located in the outskirts of Riyadh. You’ll feel that you’re in the desert or maybe it was just landscaped to look that way. The beauty with Diplomatic Quarter is that all the embassies from all over the world can be found there. So security wise, it’s the safest place in the Kingdom. I could also be wrong because it may also be the target of thugs and terrorist because everything else is there. We reached the Philippine Embassy at around 8:45 A.M. and finished our passport renewal at exactly 9:00 A.M. We were told that the releasing will be after 3-4 weeks from the day the passport is filed. They’re also high tech now because they’re posting the passports to be released in their website. So my passport renewal was stress free. I didn’t wait for a very long time and we were not in a queue.

To document our first ever trip to the Philippine Embassy at the Diplomatic Quarter, we had taken several photos inside the embassy. I felt very free when I was at the embassy. We took several shots but nobody even told us to stop. We were only stopped by the National Guards when we were outside taking photos of the Philippine Embassy emblem. I don’t know what the fuss was over the photos. They even checked my digital cam just to make sure.

We have all the morning to ourselves because we finished very early. Just to have the taste of what Riyadh was, we went to Riyadh Gallery. It’s a very huge mall with expensive shops. We just strolled all over the place but did not buy anything. We left the mall at around 1 PM and then went back to Batha to take our lunch at the Quiapo Restaurant. I’ve heard so much about it before but wasn’t impressed when I get to eat there. It’s old, dirty and bad selections of food. There was one rude food server, baka hindi napasahodan kaya masungit.

I bid my goodbye to my friend Niel at around 3:00 P.M. because my train to Dammam leaves at 4:20 P.M. What’s surprising is that I only paid SR. 15.00 by the taxi driver. So I confirmed that I was indeed overcharged by the old taxi driver when I arrived the day before. The train arrived in Dammam on schedule and I was in my place in Al Khobar at around 10:30 P.M.

I went to Riyadh on a weekday and was out of the office for a day and a half (PAID). I reached Al Khobar Wednesday night so I get to spend another 2 days weekend. It’s all thanks to my boss who never asked me to file a Leave Request Form. Not bad, right?

Alarmist Filipinos

2011-03-19T15:59:00.002+03:00

Last week I have been receiving forwarded emails spreading fear and alarm to the OFW community in the Kingdom. I want to ignore the emails as much as I want to but I just can’t because of the volume of the identical emails I received from my friends and colleagues. One of the emails I received contains the list of the community leaders otherwise known as people who wants to receive the ‘Bayaning Filipino Award’. Aside from that, there’s also a form attached to it asking for your contact information. The thing is, it’s not even confirmed that it came from the Philippine Embassy.

I was in Riyadh last Wednesday 15 March 2011 to renew my passport and did not see anything extraordinary there. We weren’t asked to fill out forms of any sort. And what’s up with the forms? If it’s really true, why ask for our information when our info is readily available with the POEA? So that gives me the idea that those forms are just forwarded to scare people. That’s why I call these people spreading these forms and contact information as Alarmist. They wanted to create fear amongst the OFW community in the Kingdom. It’s not the most outrageous thing that our fellow Filipino did but they also spread rumors and baseless haka haka on the protests within the Kingdom.

What bothers me is that even the ABiaS CBN through its cheap and amateurish program ‘Balitang Middle East’ and ‘Kwentong Disyerto’ gave importance to it. It’s baseless and unconfirmed yet they cover it. If that’s not irresponsible journalism I don’t know how you want to call it.

So, ngayon, anong masasabi nila that nothing happened? Aren’t they ashamed of themselves? May hiya pa ba silang naiwan sa kanilang katawan? We should put a stop to this or else, masasanay ang mga taong ito na gumawa ng kalokohan and taking us all for a ride.

Turmoil in the Island Kingdom

2011-03-19T15:58:00.002+03:00

Bahrain used to be the hub of business in the Gulf. It also prided itself as an open state where democracy thrives. The events of the recent weeks however shattered that myth. The peaceful protesters were killed by the Bahraini forces which are mostly composed of non Bahrainis. Why kill your own people? Protests in any democratic countries are a natural occurrence and are part and parcel of the democracy. The police and military should never kill or fire towards its own people.

The Bahraini government has been saying that they have to disperse the crowd in order to start a dialog. I don’t buy that argument. How can you start a dialog when you’re already killing your own people? The families of those innocent victims will never allow it. They’ve already created so much animosity that it’s difficult to forget and let go.

The problem with Bahrain is not sectarian but political. The minority composed of the ruling Sunni family is only 30% of the population while the Shiites majority comprised 70% of the population. The 70% of the population is marginalized in employment, economic status and are often discriminated. With the makeup of the Bahraini population, the ruling minority has a lot to fear for. They fear of losing control particularly if a fair election is made. The ruling minority should make an effort to reach out in order to solve the problem. The issue is political and can never be resolved by firing weapons against them.

Power they say is intoxicating and history and recent events have proven it once and again. Elected presidents with fixed terms have no intentions of stepping down. How much more for the unelected monarch who do not have to go through the election process?

When nature strikes…

2011-03-12T12:16:00.000+03:00

We don’t know yet the casualty of the recent Japan tsunami but it’s going to be nasty. The live footage of the tsunami seems surreal. You may even think that the houses, boats and buildings are just models because of how easy the water swift them away. In fact, tragedy movies are more horrifying than the actual tsunami itself. I’ve watched the footage over and over through NHK and I’m once again reminded that we’re just human beings and we’re powerless over the nature.

It’s difficult to predict our death but maybe in that situation, you’re going to think that death is coming. What else would you do if you are faced with a ten meter wave over your head? If the buildings are powerless over them, how much more human beings like us? It’s only God’s will that you’ll survive in that situation. Although what happened yesterday was a disaster, we still have a lot to be thankful for that it happened during daytime. I guess there will be more casualties if it happened at night. Aside from that, we would have missed the drama while the tsunami unfolded if it happened during the nighttime.

Tectonic plates around the ring of fire are a reality. It’s been there for millions of years. Over the years, hundreds of people have died through volcanic eruption, earthquakes and tsunamis. This recent catastrophe is not the last one. There are more to come and maybe in a different place. This is the nature’s way of reminding us that we’re insignificant and we should mend our ways. I don’t want to be preachy but we’re all guilty in harming our environment, the Mother Nature. Things like these happen because nature has its way of cleansing.

When nature strikes, we’re helpless and there’s nothing we can do about it. We may just accept our death because whether we like it or not, we all die in different circumstances. It’s not too late for us to mend our ways. Our children deserved a better world. We should protect our environment and stop harming it.

An interview of a lifetime

2011-02-27T16:33:00.001+03:00

Thoughts of moving to a greener pastures have crossed my mind several times in the past months. In fact, last January, I spoke to Mr. AAM, the HR Manager or Aminat and concurrently GSI. He promised to look into my application but he never really gave his commitment. He did reply to my email though and that’s fine with me. It’s not that I’m not happy with where I am today. I’ve been working for my current company for almost a decade and I want new challenge.

Last week was really a surprise since an Executive Search firm tried to contact me. I gave them my Training and later on my HR profiles. Last Wednesday, 23 February 2011, the Executive Search firm arranged an interview for me with the VP for Shared Services for an Industrial Group in Riyadh. I was hesitant at first since moving to Riyadh did not really cross my mind. Aside from that, I’ve heard horror stories about Riyadh. They also asked me to appear on skype which incidentally, I don’t have an account much less know how to operate it. I had to drag A. with me to an internet café in Al Khobar on that day.

The interview started very well until the third phase. I was able to answer all the questions they asked to me intelligently. It’s quite surprising actually considering that I haven’t been subjected to an interview for so long. I’ve been doing series of interviews as part of my role in recruitment but I was never the subject or the applicant. Experience is a very good teacher as they say since I just answered practically from my experience. I also knew that I had it and that the job was for me. They were wrapping up the interview when suddenly the VP for Shared Services asked me an illegal question. For the information of people who are not HR practitioners, illegal questions are questions that are unprofessional, unethical and discriminatory and are totally unrelated to the requirements of the position. As an HR practitioner, I was appalled by the question that was thrown to me. Nagpantig ang tenga ko so I just told the interviewer that “That is an illegal question. In the States, you could go to jail for that. It’s demeaning and discriminatory. I don’t think I’m interested in your company anymore, Sir.”

The interviewer was shocked when I told him that. Actually his face was frozen in the skype screen. I then told A. to turn off the camera. I never thanked them and he did not say anything. We just turned off the screen and walked away. I never regretted telling him that. As an HR practitioner of his stature, he should know better. We don’t do that kind of practices in our company. We are very professional in our dealing and I guess we embody our Core Values.

What the interviewer did to me is that he put me on the spot. I was on a lose-lose situation. Whatever my answer is, I would still be rejected. If I answered no, I’ll be lying to myself. If I say yes to his question, I’ll be doomed. Good thing my mind is sharp and I was able to retaliate right away. I was able to remember that what he asked me was an illegal question. I told him exactly how I felt that what he asked was an illegal question. I know that by doing so, I’ll also lose my opportunity to be hired in his company. I did not regret what I did. I turned the table very well and I rejected them before they could reject me.

What that company never realized is that I never applied to them. I was called upon by an executive search firm. I was not in a desperate situation where I would lie just to get the job. If I lied to them and was hired on the process, I don’t think I will be happy. I will never be happy in their company.

I consulted my friend D. before I underwent with the interview. He told me to just go through the process. How would you know that you have what it takes if you don’t try? So I head his advice and went through with the interview. There’s one thing I learned with that interview. I’ve learned that I was sharper than before and that my experience will be very helpful. If the interviewer would be fair, I am confident that I’ll pass it with flying colors.

If given another opportunity to be interviewed in the future, I would still say yes. There’s no harm in trying and I guess, interviewing skills is like a knife, the more you hone it the more it becomes sharper.

Insider Trading in our Cooperative

2011-02-23T10:36:00.002+03:00

I’ve written a very lengthy email to the Board of Directors of our Credit Cooperative just to tell them know how frustrated I was with the dividend that I received. Of course, I did not admit it in my email (LOL). If there’s one thing that frustrates me most is when I felt that I was shortchanged on something. I know that life’s not fair but the Cooperative should be professionally run. It should never favor just one person particularly if the person happens to be an officer of the Finance Committee. They may think that their actions are innocent but it’s really tantamount to corruption. Corruption starts from small penny or action. It’s been proven once and again that power is intoxicating. It’s really sad that the action of very few members of the Cooperative is destroying the things that the Cooperative stands for. Here’s my email:

I raise this issue not because I’m not happy or bitter with the outcome of the dividend that I received but because I want to understand how the things work in our Cooperative. I am not questioning the shares of stocks owned by the founding members (pioneers) of the Cooperative. You guys worked for it and you deserved it. What I’m questioning is the shares of stocks owned by Mr. JBB who is currently the Finance Manager of the Cooperative. I want to understand how he was able to acquire so much shares (60,000) in just a short period. I once informed Mr. RE of my intentions to increase my shares. In fact, he sold the shares of Lorna Benitez me. I was happy because of the generous offer. I was however informed that no new shares will be sold because the Coop is applying for an increase in capital from the CDA.

The ownership of a bigger share is very important since the computation of dividend would greatly depend on it. I would like to know whether there were lapses or rules violated when Mr. JBB procured those shares. I don’t want to blame everybody including the Board who may have approved the acquisition of shares in good faith. I just felt that there was an absence of transparency since a lot of members including myself are interested in buying additional shares. If he bought those shares from terminated members, it should have been offered publicly to all the members first. The finance team should have made an announcement that shares are open for the public. I think this is where the lapses started since the person in question has access to financial records and with the intention to acquire more shares as well. In this case, I felt that Mr. JBB was given priority over everyone else. Was it because he had an access to the financial records? If he has not violated any rules because there are no rules in place on shares acquisition, I think it’s about time to create a rule or policy. What is important is that the rule will not just favor one person.

I still have faith in our Cooperative. I’ve met wonderful people here including you guys. I hope that this complaint will not be taken against me. That’s the reason why I want this complaint to be confidential. I hope you won’t mention my name if and when this will be discussed.

Thank you and God bless.

Happy Valentines!

2011-02-15T14:43:00.001+03:00

I’m sure everyone knows that celebrating Valentines in the Kingdom of the Sands is a taboo. In fact, when you’re caught wearing red or carrying flowers on Valentine’s Day, you’ll probably be slapped or end up in jail. Those who are not in the Arab world may wonder how we celebrate our valentines. We’ll we Filipinos have our ways of getting away with restrictions. As they say, ‘laging lulusot ang pinoy’. Just like in the rest of the world, only those who have partners celebrate their valentines. What’s the use if you’re ‘Bingkong’? Ahhh … alam ko na, bingkongs like me celebrate the day with ourselves.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I really don’t want a commitment. At the moment, I just felt that I’m too sick to be into a relationship. The medication that I’m taking would consume all my energy that I’m always exhausted before the day ends. I don’t want to call myself stupid because there’s a person who offered to start a relationship with me but I refused. I wasn’t really interested, for now at least. I guess it’s not the right time but believe me, I have no regrets.

Can we be happy without a valentines date? We can I guess? In the Kingdom of the Sands, time flies so fast that you can barely notice anything. Valentines, like the Christmas and New Year are treated like ordinary days. The absence of commercialism on the occasion makes it all more forgettable. If you’re a person like me, who’s still single and without a partner, you’ll probably wouldn’t even think of the significance of the day. But yes, we can still be happy, with or without a valentine date.

The first thing that I would probably do tomorrow is to call my Mother and my siblings to greet them. I would also call Heart, my 8 year old niece to greet her happy birthday. I will still report to the office and go on with my daily routine. I will probably receive tons and tons of emails containing Valentine’s Day greetings. If I’m in the mood, I’ll probably reply. Being single will not stop me from enjoying the day because I still believe that happiness comes from within us all. We decide to be happy for us to be happy on Valentine’s Day. Sa mga bingkong na katulad ko, Happy Valentines.

Mubarak deposed

2011-02-15T14:42:00.002+03:00

I was tuning in to the continuing coverage of Al Jazeera English when the presenter announced that Hosni Mubarak, president of Egypt stepped down. The Egyptian people were shouting, singing and crying in jubilation. I myself was thankful that finally, the Egyptians got what they wished for. In fact, I shed a few tears of joy myself.

I had a feeling that Hosni Mubarak doesn’t really want to stay. He was just forced by the United States to hold on to his seat. As you are well aware, US invested heavily in Egypt in term of Military Aid. They’re afraid that when Mubarak leaves, they’ll have to deal with new Egyptian head of state may not be very friendly to the US and Israeli’s interest. The US has been supporting dictators all over the world just to further their interest. They are also known to depose leaders that don’t support them. It happened to Marcos and Saddam Hussain. In the end, the Egyptians were able to topple a dictator without the pressure and interference from the US and the western world.

So, what’s next after the greatest Arab uprising in the history? It is still unclear what’s going to happen after Mubarak handed over the power to the Army. There will definitely be election and hopefully, a free and fair one. People Power has evils. It’s not entirely a fairy tale. It did not work in the Philippines because fast-forward 25 years after the EDSA revolution, we’re still poor and corrupt. We still elect unqualified and corrupt leaders. Hopefully, Egypt will learn from us. Inshallah!

Losing a friend

2011-02-06T09:30:00.004+03:00

I’ve been through hell and back but it still hurts to lose a friend. While I was still in the hospital last year I’ve heard from the grapevine that J. has been spreading rumors about my illness at our office. He was in fact reprimanded by the person who overheard him. I felt sad when I heard the news but I took it with a grain of salt. I told myself what is the worst thing that could happen to me when I’m already in hell. I told some of our common friends about it and was so surprised when I suddenly received an SMS from J. asking me whether I have issues ‘tampo’ about him. I never replied to his SMS because for me, it doesn’t merit any reply. I just pretended that nothing happened.

When I reported back to the office, he welcomed me and even gave me a dried mango from Cebu. He did not enter my office and on several occasions, he would keep his distance away from me. I was offended of his actions because it’s obvious that he dreaded ‘nandiriri’ being near me. I told some people close to me about J’s attitude towards me and they said that I should just ignore it. So I never reached out because I thought that the awkwardness we have for each other would just end.

Well, the awkwardness did not end because I finally realized that I’ve just lost a friend. Last Friday, I called him to pay for A’s remittance. J. asked me who’s calling him. I concluded that he had already deleted my number from his contacts. Yeah, it hurts to learn that the person you consider to be your friend has already deleted you from his contacts. The question I’m asking myself now is ‘should I just move on and forget or pick up and mend the pieces?’

People Power in the Nile

2011-02-06T09:30:00.003+03:00

I’m a fan of Al Jazeera English so most of my news source would come from this channel. I also from time to time watch BBC World News and France 24 but I would never watch CNN for known reasons that they’re biased towards their country and everything the West stands for. One time Ayman Moheldeen was reporting at the Tahrir Square (Liberation Square) in Cairo when suddenly a man from behind (him) started shouting that ‘No More Eid Mubarak’. At first I was about to laugh but suddenly I realized the enormity of the anger the Egyptian people towards their president, Hosni Mubarak that they wouldn’t want allow others to use Eid Mubarak as a greeting.

People Power in the Arab world by now becomes a trend after the Tunisians drove their president away. The Tunisians gain the respect and admiration from the Arabs World that Egypt and Yemen want to imitate them. In the case of Egypt, I think that it’s about time for Hosni Mubarak to go. He himself admitted that he’s tired and fed up and would really want to leave the office but fears chaos if he leaves abruptly. I believe that he really wants to leave but then, American doesn’t want him to. The US wants status quo and fears that the new Egyptian leadership may not be very friendly to them. They also fear that the balance of power in the Arab world will be altered once Mubarak is deposed.

People Power which eventually installs a revolutionary government would not work unless it’s followed by genuine reforms. In the Philippines, we had two People Power revolutions yet we’re still a failed state. We just got rid of the corrupt regime and replace it with the same people, in terms of their greediness level at least. The current also do the ill doings of their predecessors that it becomes a cycle. I think that was the reason why another call for People Power during the term of the then President GMA did not work out. People got fed up because it’s the psyche and system that should be changed first. Tunisia should learn from us and they should fare better than us. If Mubarak is ousted today, they also learn the lessons of the ills of People Power.

The question that the Arabs should ask now is what’s next after people power? Will they be able to muster enough support to persecute Mubarak, his family, et.al? Will Tunisians be able to recover the billions worth of gold smuggled out of the country by Bin Ali’s first lady? You see, it should not only be about people gathering and protesting. Every People Power should have a closure for the country to move forward. God Bless Egypt! God Bless Tunisia! God bless the Arab people.

AbNoynoy’s New Ride

2011-01-18T13:34:00.000+03:00

The media went gaga over the president’s new ride. You won’t be able to understand the media hype over AbNoynoy’s new toy if you’re in the western world or first world countries. Porsches and Bentley’s here in the Kingdom of the Sands are just ordinary. I don’t own one but they’re pretty common to cause a commotion. Of course, if you’re driving a Porsche or a Bently, you’ll get envious stares from onlookers but it’ll never cause commotion. It’s a lot different if you’re in a third world country (like the Philippines) and if you’re the president at the same time.

My take on this issue is that everyone is entitled to buy whatever material things he wants as long as the money he spends is from his own pocket. Yes, even if the person buying happens to be the president of the country. The only thing that isn’t right here is that the president may come across as insensitive since most of his constituents are poor. So I guess, I agree with Senator Maceda that buying the Porsche is wrong timing.

Lozano’s death: Politically Motivated

2011-01-18T13:33:00.000+03:00

When I was watching TV last Sunday, the media only reported that Emerson, the son of Oliver Lozano, a Marcos Loyalist was kidnapped. Yesterday, it was confirmed that the Emerson was kidnapped and then burned to death. His body was then dumped near the mega dike in Pampanga. It was reported that Emerson and his driver were supposed to meet a car buyer but failed to go home.

There are other reports about similar incidents happening especially to car salesmen. But I don’t buy the police theories about the so called modus operandi of the syndicate. I think that Emerson’s death is politically motivated. He’s the son of Oliver Lozano for goodness sake! We all know that Oliver Lozano’s a Makoy loyalist. The person in power today, the person who seats in Malacañang is of course a well known anti Makoy. If you put two and two together you’ll know what I mean.

Who says that the current administration is not capable of liquidation job? Who know? Makoy killed his enemies. Tita Cory’s Administration started out promising until the Mendiola Massacre. President GMA administration ended with the Maguindanao Massacre as a highlight. In fact almost all of the administrations were accused of human rights violations. So it’s very likely that the current administration will also fall to the same predicament as its predecessors. If I’m not wrong, human rights violations are only used by the reds when accusing the military. If they torture or kill our gentlemen from the AFP, it doesn’t constitute a human rights violation at all.

I’m not sure if President AbNoynoy and his speechwriters are aware of this but the president always comes across as arrogant and vindictive. If he’s always like this and would remain this way, he’s capable to do thing that could harm his critics.

My so called …

2011-01-11T11:31:00.002+03:00

I told myself that I really had to post something on my blog for the New Year. I think for the first time in my life, I run out of idea. If I were a writer, I mean a serious writer that is, this episode is called ‘running out of creative juices.’ It’s funny really because I consider myself as smart alec, never runs out of idea, opinion and of course, sarcasm.

While I was still in confinement, my friend D forwarded my 2011 fortune reading to me. According to the fortune, the year 2011 will be bad for the Snake people. I tried my best to ignore it since my New Year started with a big bang. I was discharged on 2 January and it’s a good sign right? My friend however sent a disclaimer that says that the effectivity date of that fortune will start on Chinese New Year. So shanawa! LOL.

My boss told me that my Performance Evaluation will only be for 8 months since I was out of the office for almost two months (50 days) from 14 November 2010 – 2 January 2011. I just gave him a smile because I know that he’s only kidding. I realized that I am not in the position to complain. I was out on an extended sick leave and believe me, I really thought that they’re gonna let me go. Yet they never did. They paid my salaries upfront without delays and I was able to get my job back. So what more can I ask? I think demanding for a promotion or a hefty increase is being too greedy. I’ll just be thankful if they decide to give me an increase but I would never demand. The days I spent at the hospital were grueling. I know that I had to get well but I can’t put aside the thought that I may lose my job. At some point, I asked my boss if I still have the job to go back to after my discharge and he assured me that I still have it. Fellow Pinoys in our office were spreading rumors that I’ll be sent home. I wonder how they reacted when I reported to the office last 4 January? It turned out that my fears were unfounded, I still got a 96.7% in my Performance Evaluation.

I really hate the awkward moments when you’re reporting for the first time either from an annual vacation or extended sick leave. The first thing that your colleague would do is to ask you how you were and the standard niceties. Of all those who greeted me, I was so touched by one of my colleague Moeenudden who went out of his way to hug me. I really felt the fatherly warmth and sincerity. I tried to stop the tears from falling. I failed but easily regained my composure.

If there’s Moeenudden and the others who radiate warmth, there are people who were not too happy to see me and they have hard time concealing it. Naeem came to my office just to ask me how I was doing but his expression betrayed him. He was pissed off I guess that I reported back to work. I’ve heard from Andrew before that it’s not just Filipinos but the Pakistani’s were also spreading insinuations and speculations about my illness.

I know, I know, I kept talking about myself lately. I apologize but I guess I won’t stop or else there’s nothing to write about in my blog.

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-09T15:08:00.000+03:00

Hello guys! I was discharged from the hospital on 2 January 2010. Thank you very much for all the love and prayers. God bless us all!

Near Death, Life Changing Experience

2010-12-08T13:29:00.004+03:00

On the first week of my hospitalization I suffered two internal bleedings. Though the doctors never discussed it with me, I know that the problem were my lungs. The nurses gave me two injections to stop the bleeding and I was also given a CT Chest. It never recurred but I was forbidden from sleeping sideways.

The first thing that came to my mind when I was bleeding was that day’s going to be my last. I didn’t take my internal bleeding lightly because it is very harmful to internal organs. At first I was hesitant to let my family know about my situation but that bleeding changed everything. Thinking that was dying, I right away called them to let them know the situation that I was in. I skipped out some of the details of my illness just to protect them. You don’t have to tell them everything you know.

I don’t want to sensationalize my illness. Sensitive as it is it may be misunderstood by many. I prefer to keep my mouth shut rather than being misunderstood. People could be mean and others have been mean already so there’s really no point in discussing it. The most important thing is that I’m being treated and in time, I’ll be discharged.

I’ve been through hell literally and I’ve been through near death experience. Of course, it could only be in my mind but I really thought at that time that I was going to die. The first thing that comes into my mind was that I don’t want to die here and I want to be with my family. My mind became empty and I was unable to think of anything, not even my most priced earthly positions. I didn’t even think of my job and my company. When you’re in the brink of death, you’ll only think of the most important things in life and for me, they’re my family, friends and hope.

I can still remember what Nurse Sushil told me. She said that all of us are going to die. My illness takes a lot of time to be cured but it’s curable. She told me to think of Kuya at the ICU who was burned because the gas tank leaked. He wasn’t given an opportunity to bid farewell to his family. Think of the victims of hit and run and accidents. I shouldn’t lose faith and I should pray and reconcile with my creator. Nurse Sushil made a big difference in my stay at the As Salama Hospital. I used to be biased towards our kabayans when it comes to nurses’ qualification and training but Nurse Sushil made an impact. I’ll forever be grateful to her because if it weren’t for her, I would have given in to self pity.

My illness made me think through a lot of things. I’ve thought of the things that I’ve done in the past and my plans for the future. I’ve also decided to make peace with myself and with my God. One of the things that I’ve realized is that I’m just human. And human beings are created to take ownership and spread power of hope.

Friends in Need, Friends indeed!

2010-12-07T15:46:00.003+03:00

I don’t want to be melodramatic but in the past week, I guess I’ve had too much of the Teleseryes that I also thought that it’s alright for everyone to cry as long as the scene calls for it. Actually, I’m just making excuses for my weakness. I’ve experienced an emotional roller coaster in the past weeks that I’ve been confined. This isn’t me and even I can’t recognize myself. I considered myself as strong and crying is a weakness.

I think the best thing that ever happened to me while I’m in this situation is that I was able to identify who my true friends are. It’s a blessing in disguise in a way. It’s true what they say that you’ll only know who your true friends in life and death situation. What I’m been going through is not a life and death situation yet I’ve identified few people who truly care. I’m no celebrity but with so many Filipino in our workforce, my illness has brought so much speculation. The sad thing is, they don’t even know what I’ve been going through and not one of them have spoken to my doctor. I’m no stranger to intrigues since its part and parcel of working in the Human Resources Department but what I can’t accept are the things that people whom you think are your friends say about you. I know that people could be mean sometimes. I’ve been mean myself and maybe its God’s way of telling me that ‘You did that to other people before’.

If you ask me if I was hurt, of course but I won’t dignify those speculations. I won’t give away press statement (LOL feeling celebrity) just so I could clear the intrigues. They’re better left unanswered since your true friends don’t need explanations and your enemies won’t hear it anyway. There’s no point in explaining yourself, really.

I think the best thing that I should do is to get better and convince the doctor that I’m ready for discharge. People will just stop talking when they see you healthy and report back to work. I am looking forward to be discharged and probably celebrate a very low key but meaningful Christmas with my close friends.

The Enemy Within

2010-12-06T10:41:00.003+03:00

Today is the 23rd day of my isolation, Saudi Arabian style. I felt that I’ve already recovered. My full recovery however will be determined by the doctors and laboratory tests results. I was very thankful that my company decided to move me to Chest Hospital after spending 16 grueling and agonizing days in solitary confinement at the As Salama Hospital. The situation at the Chest Hospital is way better than in the Isolation Room in As Salama. They euphemistically called the Isolation Room as Negative Pressure Room but it’s just actually a room with an AC outlet and an exhaust fan. There’s really nothing special about it.

Being in an isolation chamber makes you think a lot about the things in your life that you’ve taken for granted. In my case, it’s my health and my relationship with God. When I look back, I tried to exercise by jogging everyday but it doesn’t count since I don’t eat healthy. My immune system wouldn’t have suffered if I chose a healthier diet. But there’s no crying over spilled milk so I’ve promised myself to eat healthy when I’m discharge.

There was a point in my life that I’ve been pious but that was before I decided to work abroad. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I’ve forgot to call Him. Though, being human would always be our excuse when we commit mistakes, I’d still invoke the same excuse. It’s because I can’t think of anything else. Being in isolation gives me ample of time to think things through though. I’ve think things through and now my mind is clearer. The forgiveness of our sins is through the mercy and compassion of God. I think that as long as you’ve asked for forgiveness and promised to change your life completely, he’ll welcome you back in his fold.

However, despite my being a level headed person, from time to time, I still encounter ‘The enemy within’ or what we simply called ‘Self Pity’. I know, I’ve heard enough from my friends that it’s counterproductive but there are times that I just can’t completely brush it off. There are moments that I would shed a tear or two when I think of my situation. This week, I’ve had two negatives and I was very hopeful that the last test would be negative as well. I was very disappointed when the result came out and it was positive. I cried like a baby but only for a moment. I regained my composure right away. I’m only here for three weeks and I still have another series of test to look forward to next week. That thought consoled me. I’ve also accepted that it’s God’s will. I’ll be discharge in God’s time and for that I’ll wait patiently.

Superman No More

2010-11-21T19:05:00.001+03:00

I really thought that I was going to stay young and strong forever. It never occurred to me that like the rest of us, I’m just a human being and I’m no superman. I started working very young and I never stopped working since then.
I never thought that a simple consultation with the doctor would be a nightmare. The doctor diagnosed me with a lung infection. In Saudi Arabia, lung infections are treated like a high risk disease that infected individuals are held in the hospital until they’re fully treated. So, like the rest of the guys whose lungs are infected, I have to endure being in the isolation room. Yes, I am currently in the isolation room like a political prisoner. I didn’t know that it’s going to be this hard being sick in Saudi Arabia. To begin with, this is the first time that I was actually admitted in the hospital. So, needles and I.V.’s are very new to me. When you’re sick here, you have no one to turn to but your close friend. He has to do all the errands that you left behind for you. In my case, I never thought that I’m going to be held here forever so I haven’t prepared anything.

The event of last week makes me look back and reflect on what I did with my life during the past 10 years. For the last 10 years or so, I’ve worked my butt off to provide for my family. I think I forgot to take things slowly and that’s the reason why I am in the hospital today. I was never late, absent or sick and I am always a constant fixture in the office. People turn and look for me when they could not see anyone else. I got so used to the daily grind that I forgot to relax and unwind. Believe it or not, I would usually go for a 2-3 week vacation every year and would not even remember if I enjoyed it or not. Yes, it sad but I think I forgot about myself. Works is good but I forgot myself in the process. I forgot to leave something for myself and in the end, I have no other to blame but myself.

It is never too late to change so my resolve after this ordeal is to take all things easy. I decided to take a 15 day vacation back home just to relax. I won’t be spending anything. It’s not going to be grand. I’ll just go home to take my badly needed rest and be with my family. It’s also the right time to pay tribute to the dead in my family. I also promised myself to cut my sugar and carbohydrate intake and of course, lose at least 10 more kilograms. In about a week, I am hopeful that the doctors will give me a clean bill of health. I pray for my speedy recovery.

Cold gentle breeze of winter

2010-11-07T11:13:00.000+03:00

You won’t be surprised nowadays when you’re surrounded by people who are sneezing and coughing. That’s because the weather in the Kingdom of the Sands is changing. The cold gentle breeze signifies that it’s winter time already. Yes, we do have our share of winter here also. However, we don’t get to have the snow falls. Nevertheless, it’s a big change from the conviction oven temperature that we have to endure for 6-8 months a year.

Wardrobe Change
When I first arrived here at the Kingdom of the Sands, I wasn’t aware that there’s winter in this part of the world. The agency that deployed us never even mentioned that to us. I was only wearing a t-shirt at that time so I trembled when I came out of that airport. Times are tough then because I am still converting every Riyal I spent here to the Philippine peso. An inexpensive sweater or jacket could still amount to something that I wouldn’t dare to buy. So, I decided that I’ll wait until the winter ends but I got sick in return. A colleague of mine bought me a very chic looking cardigan which I still have to this day. I can’t dispose it no matter how I tried. It’s a remembrance from somebody who went out of his way to buy it for me.

Whether we like it or not, we really have to change our wardrobe for the duration of the winter. We have to do away with our light shirts that we use to wear during summer time. The good thing being here in the Kingdom of the Sands is that we can wear light jackets. We won’t be constrained in wearing big and outrageous winter outfits that they (people) wear in the West. So, figure conscious people can still flaunt their sexy bodies in light jackets.

Amongst the winter gear that I hate to wear is the bonnet. I hate it because it destroys my hair. Yes, I’m kind of vain when it comes to hair. So, I’d rather suffer from hypothermia than damage my hairstyle.

Christmas
Winter could also mean Christmas. I used to be touchy and sentimental during Christmas but I’ve gotten over that. I’m too old for melodramas. It’s just unfortunate that I am not with my family during Christmas but that’s that. Besides, if I’m there and not here, who would send money for their merriment? Calling your family during the day and greeting on the joyous occasion is enough to compensate of your absence. Besides, if I’m not with my family during the holidays, I’m with my friends. Friends for me are precious because they know you, they care for you and you are with them most of the year. In one way or the other, our friends are our family away from home.

So what’s the big fuzz with this cold winter wind? It’s the change. It’s a welcome change because of the hot weather that we have to endure all throughout the year. It also bring smiles to people’s faces.

AbNoynoy’s version of diplomacy

2010-11-01T12:22:00.001+03:00

Guess what? Another member of the P-AbNoynoy’s PCG family, Assistant Secretary Carmen ‘Mai’ Mislang, his speech writer caused major diplomatic blunder. Mislang went with P-AbNoynoy’s delegation to Vietnam. While she was there, she was of course invited to a state dinner sponsored by the Vietnamese government. Mislang, probably used to the taste of French wines did not like the Vietnamese made wine served to her. She then twitted her displeasure over the internet. That’s not all, she also twitted foul statements against the Vietnamese people and she was quoted as saying: “Crossing the speedy motorcycle-laden streets of Hanoi is the easiest ways to die. You think you’re safe on the sidewalk? Think again!”

Mislang’s arrogance is not just plain ignorance of diplomacy but a total disregard to the hospitality extended to her by the Vietnamese people. The Vietnamese government should consider her as persona non grata. P-AbNoynoy for his part should kick Mislang out of the Malacañang if he’s true to his calls of ‘Daang Matuwid’. Mislang is a classic prototype of a fly on the top of a Carabao. Just because, P-AbNoynoy’s trust rating is high, Mislang thinks that she can lay claim on the high trust ratings of the President and believe that she can also get away with everything.

Vietnam started producing grapes and they’re in their initial stage of producing wines. Their wines may not taste as good as that of the French made wines but at least they are trying to build an industry out of it. She should be ashamed since we (the Philippines) could not produce grapes and because of that we could not also produce our own wines. We’re still stuck with the cottage industry and the best we could do is to produce lambanog out of the coconut sap.

As for twitting the craziness of the streets in Vietnam, Mislang may have forgotten that our streets with our jeepney’s, tricycles and padyak are equally or crazier than in the streets of Vietnam. In fact, she should be ashamed not because she’s part of P-AbNoynoy’s government but because while Vietnam has consistent economic growth, we’re still in a third world country. Maybe it wasMai Mislang who wrote P-AbNoynoy’s speech claiming that the strengthening of the Philippine Peso is because of his ‘Daang Matuwid’. P-AbNoynoy, who has no mind of his own, just read the speech without checking the facts. Everyone knows that the strengthening of Peso is the result of the continuing US economic slump.

Mislang did the most unforgivable thing and embarrassed not just herself but the whole Filipino nation as well. She should’ve controlled herself because she’s part of P-AbNoynoy’s delegation. If she’s not thick skinned, she should just resign her post.

The Indolence of the Filipino and CCT

2010-10-31T18:04:00.001+03:00

The DSWD chaired by Dinky Soliman, one of the most corrupt member of P-AbNoynoy’s cabinet (Remember the Peace bond and the CODE NGO?), budgeted Php. 21 Billion for the government’s program Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT). First and foremost, we are not a Socialized Country so I am not in favor of subsidizing the poor people’s daily needs. Second, the Php. 21 Billion is better spent on infrastructure or subsidy to Education and Military. Third, it will only escalate the Filipino people’s laziness and indolence. Fourth, it will not address the causes of the poverty.

Truly, we are not a Socialized country where we provide basic services to our people. We are democratic country on a market economy. We are dependent on the taxes that we collect from the people, businesses and institutions. The sad part of this Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program is that most of the beneficiaries do not even pay taxes. I think it’s unfair to the ordinary employees who diligently pay their taxes who obviously can never be a beneficiary of the CCT. Giving them (the poor) money will not address the causes of their poverty. Poverty can only be addressed if and when people are given education. If they are educated, they’ll be able to look for a job. If they have a job, they will be able to earn money and support their families. In turn, they will be able to send their children to school. So, government resources should better be spent on Education and not on Cash dole outs that do not address the cause of poverty. Our government should have a Job Creation program instead of the CCT. Creating jobs instead of giving financial dole outs. This way, they’ll not depend on the government for everything. Teach the man how to fish and not just giving him the fish.

I will not go far in looking for example. My family for instance, they don’t want to work and would rather drink Tanduay starting at 4:00 PM till dawn. If they receive cash dole outs from the government, they’ll just spend it on buying more Tanduays. Being drunk and all make them a nuisance to the society. Filipinos are generally born lazy. I think it’s because we’re in a tropical country where we have beautiful weather all year round. We’re also dependent on our extended families who would always feed us regardless if we deserved to be fed or not.

The Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program of P-AbNoynoy will only promote the culture of laziness and will not solve the poverty problem in our country. In fact, the CCT will be an avenue for corrupt government officials (e.g. Dinky Soliman) to fill their pockets in order to prepare for the next elections.