Imeldific

I had the chance to watch a documentary in Dubai One last night about the world famous Filipina, Imelda Romualdez Marcos. I forgot the title of the said documentary but it documents Imelda’s rose to power. I will have to admit because of cosmetic surgeries, she’s still very beautiful to this day.

We’ve heard several accusations against the Marcoses in the past. At first, I just want to take in all the negative things thrown to the Marcoses. As I grow older though, I’ve realized that the Philippines was better during the Marcos era. People are disciplined and our country was clean and beautiful. There were accusations against Imelda that her beautification projects are just covering the true state of the nation. They said that poverty still exists and the Marcoses are in denial. There were also accusations that they’ve enriched themselves at the expense of the Filipino people. Well, they might have but life during the Marcos era is still better than today.

When the Marcoses were overthrown by the over rated EDSA revolt, the succeeding governments were not able to address poverty. In fact, Cory Aquino’s tenure as a leader saw a ballooning increase in population and poverty. It’s because of Cory’s ineffectiveness as a leader and her faith as a devoted catholic. It’s alright to be prayerful but it affected her decision on reproductive health. The Catholics are against birth control and it’s the root cause of poverty. Cory’s incapacity to lead put our country into downward spiral.

Imelda Marcos maybe ostentatious, flamboyant and out of touch to the reality but she really did develop Filipino’s cultural identity. She built the CCP after all. Her butterfly sleeved Filipiniana ternos can be seen all over the world. In New York, an exclusive shoe store there has a roll up saying “Everyone has an Imelda in us”. It only goes to show that she’s known in New York. Good or bad, the news that Imelda generate had put our country in the map.

To her detractors, she’s called Imeldific that means ostentatious display of wealth and power. Imelda said that she’s ostentatious to the non believers of beauty. She said that if you’re religious you lit candles and incense and decorate your altar with flowers. For her, or for the believers, doing all those stuff is not ostentatious. But for none believers of beauty it is. She doesn’t see any point of arguing with people her beliefs. She just wants beauty in everything.

Imelda’s extensive art collections, thousands of shoes, tons of jewelries and hoards of money can never be explained. I doubt that our generation can even trace their origins. We may like or dislike the Marcoses but there’s no doubt that Imelda Marcos will always be a part of the Philippine history.

Northwest Flight 253

A Nigerian man failed to blow up the Northwest Flight 253 bound for Detroit Metropolitan Airport. He ended up with severe burned limbs. He’s now being charged by the US Justice Department for terrorism.

There is nothing new with the profile of the accused. It’s pretty stereotypical. He’s from the African continent, well educated and comes from a reasonably rich family. The question now is why would this young man join the terror organization? Americans should seriously answer this question if they don’t want another attack.

For me, the Americans should address the cause of hatred amongst people all over the world. These are just few of the reasons why people hate America:

1. The havoc that they created in Iraq and Afghanistan

2. Abuses in Abu Ghariab and Guantanamo Bay detention centers were not addressed.

3. America’s continued support to the Israeli Government and Israeli Occupation in Gaza and West Bank.

4. Imperialistic policies in the Third World Countries and its ambition of world dominion.

5. Discriminatory treatment of Muslims in the United States after the 11 November attack.

Barack Obama should keep his mouth shut and show to the world that America is indeed serious in revising their policies. If America would not change, they’ll be confronted with several problems in the future. Other countries lost their respect for America. In fact, other countries do not want to deal with them anymore. Unfortunately for the Third World Countries, they have no choice but to follow what America says since they’re dependent from the American Aid.

Andres Bonifacio, the real National Hero

Filipinos should seriously consider replacing Jose Rizal as the national hero. Writing books and dying a dramatic death at the Bagumbayan does not make one a hero. It’s like what our politicians did to Ninoy Aquino. Being assassinated at the MIA tarmac is not heroism. Worst, the politicians who are sip-sip (sucker) to the then President Cory Aquino renamed MIA into NAIA and made Ninoy Aquino a hero.

Going back to Rizal, we’ve been celebrating Rizal day every 30th of December since time immemorial. Rizal doesn’t deserve any of our celebration. Rizal never fought in battlefield and that makes him a coward. Andres Bonifacio, the real national hero fought and won in battles. There were reports before that Americans specifically selected Rizal to be the Filipino national hero not because he’s intellectual but because he never fought in battlefield. Rizal’s cowardice would not inspire rebellion to the occupying power (U.S.). If they (U.S.) selected Andres Bonifacio, it would be another story.

Rizal comes from a rich family and is highly educated. He could even be called a snub. Andres Bonifacio on the other hand comes from a working class family, poor and is less educated. He represents 80% of the Filipinos today who are mostly poor, exploited and marginalized. He’s like every ‘Juan’ of us. His bravery is amazing! He’s truly an amazing freedom fighter. He established the Katipunan and fought against the Spanish using his bolo.

The year that was …

‘Those who don’t know how to look back have nowhere to go’.

December 26, the day after Christmas is the most appropriate day to look back on the stuff that happened to me this year. Unlike the previous year, this year is full of fond memories that I’ll forever cherish in my heart.

I’ve been really blessed during the year and I am very grateful for all the blessings. I just wish that the coming year will be a very good year for me too. I promised myself to always count my blessing. I believe that if you count your blessings, you’ll forever be grateful and your heart will have no room for bitterness and regrets.

The world experienced the global financial crisis at the beginning of the year, courtesy of the US. Luckily, our economy was able to withstand the economic downturn. Thanks to the effort of PGMA. To her detractors, please learn to acknowledge PGMAs hard work. Don’t just dwell on your hatred. You’re pulling our country down with you. But despite our economic resilience, we were struck by several devastating natural calamities thought to be the result of Global Warming, again, courtesy of the highly industrialized nations (e.g. US and EU). The good thing that comes out of all those calamities is that we showed to the world that we (Filipinos) can unite and shun politicking during the crisis.

I hope that the Filipino will choose the right person to lead our country. We should not just vote for somebody because he’s Ninoy and Cory’s son or because he’s Tetay’s brother. Admit it, he doesn’t have what it takes to lead our country. We’re better off with Teodoro or Villar. We should also not vote for somebody just because their family owned the Araneta Center. That guy can swear like hell! We’re better off with Fernando or Manzano. As for the Senate, you can select the people you like but just don’t forget to put Inday Miriam in your list. The Senate is no fun without Inday Miriam in it.