The colors of tomorrow

A State of Mind (part 1)

2010-08-05T04:09:00.000-07:00

I decided some time back that I was not going to let my academics as a graduating student get in the way of my education. This was why I decided today to listen to Alex Lacson and Adel Tamano's talk about nationalism. Once again I got to hear about the little things that Filipinos can do for the country, about national pride and how to uphold it in our everyday lives, and about the need to instill a culture of excellence in our country. That last part in particular struck me. What is it anyway with us Filipinos and pegging our aspirations too low?

I used to hear that our culture has a preoccupation with sadness and tragedy. I used to term this as the "kundiman mentality", as a reference to our poignant traditional music. We celebrate so many defeats in our history (assuming we remember to celebrate), but not enough victories. We dramatize with gusto the Passion of Christ, and forget that we have to live in His resurrection. We discuss so many bad things on the news, but we pass by the uplifting items despite some attempts to call our attention to them. We revel in the pain, the beauty of loss and suffering, and simply get up to go on, but we have never really set our eyes on the idea of eventually triumphing over our tragedies.

Or is it possible too that our culture is still one in anticipation, where hope and ideals are approaching but we still perceive them to be far from our grasp? Think about it. Rizal's great novel "El Filibusterismo" has a sort of 'pending' ending; there is no telling what happens to the young characters who survive the novel, or to the destiny of Simoun's vaunted treasure. We cling on to the promise of EDSA as we sing "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo", and still somehow we forget that the point of that entire upheaval was a beginning, a means to an end so to speak. We anticipate without acting, such that we have learned mainly to expect without really working for it, or realizing to the fullest the true cost of the sacrifices we are called to make.

If culture is supposed to be destiny, according to Lee Kuan Yew, what kind of destiny are we writing for ourselves?

SONA 2010: not quite a statesman's speech

2010-07-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

When it came to this year's SONA, I will admit that I was ready to keep my expectations low. After all, it has only been a month since President Noynoy Aquino was sworn into power. There have been many issues for the new administration to investigate and settle, and many needs that have come up in the last few weeks. Despite all of these things, I did expect to hear what President Aquino had planned for the first year of his six-year stay in office. I hoped too that he would address in some detail different areas that he had not tackled in his inauguration speech, such as environmental issues, agrarian reform, and foreign relations.

Because of these hopes, I made it a point to secure a computer, earphones, and a large cup of coffee just to be able to watch the SONA on a live streaming site. Never mind if I was missing out on the free ice cream being given out on campus. When the internet connection slowed down, I immediately headed to where the SONA was being shown on a live feed to a discussion group. Sad to say, once the video coverage ended, I found myself sending a message to my mother that read, "Non solution nouveau" ---French for "no new solutions".

In the past few hours, there have been many who have lauded President Aquino's speech for his use of Filipino, complete with very up-to-date expressions targeted for the masses. There are already those who have already noted the lack of attention given to issues such as environmental problems, labor rights, agrarian reform, the reviewing of the Philippines' foreign treaties, and even the state of our health care system. All of these observations were indeed brought up in the one class I had that evening, during which the professor described the SONA as being "quite idealistic".

In my opinion, perhaps the better way of describing the SONA 2010 is not simply as "idealistic" but perhaps as being "not appropriate for a statesman". I say this because of the quality of some of the statements in President Aquino's speech. While he did take effort to put into some detail a few plans such as the proposed Fiscal Responsibility Bill and the putting up of yet another expressway, a great part of his speech either revolves around the exposing the ills of the previous administration, or in the use of rhetoric to gain the people's trust and sympathy. This is all well and good...for someone who is "manning the barricades" or the leader of a small faction, but not for someone who has been elected to the country's top executive post.

The use of motherhood statements and sketchy outlines of future projects is one of the oldest tactics of politicians who hope to win public support without making concrete promises that could compromise their credibility should they fail to follow through. It is tempting to appeal to public sympathies in a myriad of ways: making positive direct comparisons of one's self versus his/her predecessors, calling on the people's need to unify, mentioning God, mentioning duty, etc. When one is trying to win the people, it is expected that issues will be omitted and glossed over, "to be addressed at a later time" or to give less opportunities for one's detractors to speak out. This is how demagogues throughout history have managed to captivate the public: by the use of stirring language, logical fallacies, and strategic omissions.

However today's speech was supposed to be a State of the Nation Address, a means for the President to outline the country's conditions and what he intends to do to uplift it. So far, he has not given much substantiation as to how he will do it (like who is going to fund that new expressway idea of his?), and more importantly, he has omitted key issues that previous Presidents have made a point to at least mention. President Aquino should not just be a leader of a few, or a speaker aiming to win the minds and hearts of the masses. He is supposed to be a statesman, one who will make plans for the state to function, one who will concretize political ideals into sustainable projects. President Aquino can and should hang on to his ideals as he pursues his public policies. However, in the name of accountability, as well as to win not just the hearts of the Filipinos, but as well as their willingness, their mindsets, and even their outlooks towards the future, he must make it clear how he intends to get the people involved in his projects.

So many Filipinos are good at sympathizing, but they are not as good in committing to the arena of civic involvement simply because they do not see how their leaders want to work for them and with them. Sad to say, President Aquino had this one day to turn this trend around, and channel the people's confidence to actual participation. Today was a missed opportunity. Hopefully President Aquino will realize this soon enough, before SONA 2011 comes around.

The free, the unequal, and anything but fraternal

2010-04-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been basically full of major cognitive restructuring. Or in less psychological terms: thinking things over.

I will make a confession here: I am a citizen of my country, a patriot and advocate of the rights of the people...and unfortunately limited by virtue of having been counted among the 1% or so of the populace that can afford to finish a science degree in a university. Basically, I was raised among the elite. So naturally, many of my views and standpoints have been colored by this.

I was among those people who looked on with fear at the masses storming Mendiola days after former President Estrada was taken into custody. I turned up my nose with disgust at their behavior but mostly at their agitation to remove a president who was installed just a few months previously. What kind of country was this, where leaders could suffer from the shifting of loyalties of the great unwashed? I was twelve years old at that point, apt to be disdainful and self-serving. I thought I knew more than they ever could.

I am approaching my twenty-first birthday now. I have taken on the roles of a volunteer, student journalist, blogger, tutor, and other socially conscious names that a young woman can take. At various times, I approached these out of mere good will and good feeling, other times with the determination to improve the situation of those around me, and still on some occasions out of a sense of commitment to an ideal I called my country. Only on some occasions could I say that I truly understood, sympathized and considered myself in fraternity with the people around me---and even then only after plenty of time and effort. After all, there is some fear, apprehension, and distress that a pampered student can feel when being approached by a man with dirty hands, a woman with graying hair and a plastic cup, or an impetuous child hiding in santan bushes. Admittedly it takes time to get past these blockades in order to see the persons who deserve to stand hand in hand with us. What makes up this blockade? Fear of the unknown, perhaps. Fear of experiencing bodily harm or loss of personal property owing to negative experiences with unscrupulous individuals? Or perhaps pride---too much pride at being learned, gifted with opportunities, "wide" views, clean clothing, and full stomachs? We can make the mistake of thinking that we are born to such things, that we deserve such things. Are we really?

I was never aware of the barrier myself, till I began the long project of rereading and translating Victor Hugo's behemoth work "Les Miserables". I found myself reading up on and glorifying the struggles of the July Revolution leading up to 1832 and subsequent uprisings prior to 1848. I found myself sympathizing perfectly with the students and working men who raised the barricades of 1832 as a protest to the regime of Louis-Philippe. I could understand the republican sentiment, the anger at the denial of right, and the disappointment that fueled this uprising. I understood what Charles Jeanne had to be about. Yet somewhere in the middle of it all, I was confronted with this voice: "If you believe in 1832, what about EDSA Tres, an uprising too of the people?" I railed against this question, almost in an agony really.

Then I had to revisit my memoirs of that day, the first of May, 2001. Apart from being too young, I had been lacking in understanding. I knew that part of the blame for the event would necessarily have to lie with the rabble rousers (who are still enjoying the benefits of the politic) who raised and endangered the poor with their agenda. Could I blame the man who took several hundred pesos to be part of the mob...if it meant that he could feed his family? And could I blame those who were there out of true indignation, who felt that the government of EDSA Dos had betrayed them, or worse, had never been their government at all? Where was the will of the people, really? Did it lie in those who watched from the safety of walls and televisions, or the brazen throng that challenged a presidency they could not trust? Could I truly be angry at those who would want the political order turned on its side...when in a few years I would almost wish for it myself when the evidence of a certain damning phone call came to light? I had to come to the sobering conclusion that apart from my age, the reason I could not stand for EDSA Tres would be my lack of fraternity with those involved.

Would I still rush to the shrine and treat it the same way they had? Would I march to the Palace? Maybe not. But would I look on with disdain? Would I be so quick to point fingers and mock? Hopefully not. For a while, in January 2001, I too was a marcher, acting on emotion and anger, wanting nothing more than justice. Could I begrudge that to my countrymen in May 2001, simply because they were on the wrong side of a system?

We consider the aspirations and agendas of the underprivileged as being narrow, on the survival level, and petty. Yet the truth is, these are realities that our systems and leaders have failed, if not have had difficulty in addressing. Who are we to impose our lofty, "progressive" political philosophies and agendas on the poor if we cannot do the necessary thing of redeeming them from their difficulties and conditions? Why do we scorn the poor for putting their faiths in idols like former President Estrada who they perceive (even if mistakenly) as being able to redeem them from poverty? Have we tried to teach them to think otherwise? Or perhaps, have we put them in a condition to be able to consider such things? The elite can afford to ponder and debate questions of trade, policy, and economics because their needs are already addressed. We talk about development when our impoverished neighbor is in need of sustenance. We cannot expect a person to walk when her or she still has yet to find the strength and nourishment to stand up.

It is April 2010. Nine long years since those days. And I cannot yet find one prospective leader who will truly champion the cause of fraternity in this country. I am not sure what it will take for someone to truly rise from the masses, to guide them and educate them properly so that the will of the people may truly prosper in the direction of hope and progress. I am not sure what sort of leader it will be who can dispel the myopia of the rich and powerful, to force them to consider alternatives to this country's future besides the status quo, band-aid solutions, and the service of their own interests.

After all, this is meant to be the Republic of the Philippines, the nation of the Filipinos...and not just of a few families, or the Congress, or the 15th President of the Philippines beginning June 30, 2010.

God be with our country this May 2010.

a look at the automated election process

2010-03-02T07:30:00.000-08:00

Actually this is mainly a reaction to a whole section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer from March 1 (check section H1-H4). Hopefully Inquirer.net will put up relevant features of this section some time soon.

Top features of this section include:

-A step-by-step description flow of the automated election process: from the time the Board of Election Inspectors opens the PCOS machines up to the sending and processing of results (article by Kristine Alave)

-An article (by Marlon Ramos) about the views of an IT expert Gus Lagman on this scenario: what if the queues on May 10, 2010 prove to be so long that by 6:00pm, a lot of people have not yet voted. Would there be a contingency for this scenario? Or will this mean mass disenfranchisement?

-An article (by Kristine Alave) featuring more IT experts Jaime Garchitorena (of Youthvote Philippines) as well as Jun Lozada, discussing the fears of possible manipulations and bugaboos in the IT program being used for the election.

-A contribution by Winston A. Marbella about the use of surveys in campaigns, and why surveys can end up making the electoral process seem like a horse race (betting on the top runner) as opposed to a matter of dealing with issues.

This section is definitely one for us young voters to consider. For first-timers like me, we happen to be experiencing a double-whammy: first time automated elections during a crucial point (the ending of a 10-year regime). The implications of this scenario are massive

Here follow my reactions, one by one per article

On "Election in the Time of Automation" by Alave : Suddenly this makes the "May bilog na hugis itlog" ad sound so inadequate to describe the electoral process. There are tons of steps before and after the actual shading; all of which will take more than the 2-3 minutes supposedly being allocated per voter. And that is assuming that everyone knows what to do. Perhaps the COMELEC can do a lot more than just mailing sample ballots to the voters; providing better flow of the crowd during election day, or having a manual backup would be a good idea.

Another implication in this article is in the new role of pollwatchers in the automated scenarios. Traditionally, pollwatchers kept track of the tallies ongoing in classrooms and canvassing centers, guarded ballot boxes and made sure that they were delivered safely to the COMELEC authorities. They also kept a lookout for flying voters and other possible dirty tricks in precincts. In an automated scenario, where all the counting and canvassing is done digitally, pollwatchers will have to find other ways to keep up their quick counts. They will have to change the way they watch over the precincts, particularly in their manner of working with the other personnel manning the process. Pollwatchers as of now cannot do much about possible electoral fraud---the possibilities range from hidden programming in the machines, all the way to outright mechanical destruction by dirtying ballots. Pollwatching groups ought to train their volunteers to spot these tricks, without violating the secrecy of the individual ballots.

On "1000 voters to 1 machine in 11 hours not enough"by Ramos and "What Can Go Wrong" by Alave: These articles explore fears regarding several "bangungot"-worthy possibilities come election day, such as mass disenfranchisement, and manipulation of results. Jun Lozada makes a valid point by citing the lack of a system of receipts issued to voters after they put their ballots in the machine. How is anyone to really know that his or her vote was the one truly counted in the machine? Receipts could also be a way to safeguard against flying voters or other possible shenanigans in the precinct. It is surprising that the COMELEC hasn't thought of this yet.

The scenario though of voters not being accommodated by 6pm is even scarier. Now I do wonder if the COMELEC can have a way of monitoring the flow of people in different precincts so as to make any necessary adjustments to allow maximum voter coverage. Otherwise, things could go awry (possible scenarios range from riots among the voters to election results protests). Ideally people would go early to the precinct to get their votes in, but there's no guaranteeing this.

On "When Horse Races Surpass Issues" by Marbella: Ah those surveys: currently a bone of contention even among the intelligentsia. A good friend of mine (an Advertising major) made a good point in saying that surveys should NOT be published during campaign season, since the bandwagon that surveys cause can seriously be manipulated by any campaign-savvy individual to sway the vote. Anyone who's ever done his or her own statistics can enumerate ways to get "desirable" figures: surveying only certain populations, adjusting error levels, skewing distributions, outright elimination of data, etc. And yet our media and campaign personnel STILL insist on using surveys. I agree with Marbella's statement that surveys can reduce the electoral process into being a horse race. It becomes so much easier to back the perceived winning candidates than to back the candidates who will really run the country.

I had a particularly educational evening/cup of coffee while reading this set of articles. Food for thought for the first-timers, as well as seasoned voters. The automated election system have opened up a terra incognita for the Philippine electorate; a land that may just as well be as full of pitfalls as the process we are used to.

Party List Candidates

2010-02-22T07:13:00.000-08:00

FYI to my fellow first time voters:

-Apart from picking your district representative (your congressman/congresswoman), you are also entitled to pick ONE party-list group for Congress.

-What is a party-list? A party list is basically a large interest group representing different causes and sectors in society (labor groups, youth, women, LGBT, environment, etc). Party list winners are given a seat in the Lower House to be among the representatives for legislation, etc. Basically party-list representatives do not stand for areas, but rather for groups.

-The full list of Party List candidates can be found in the COMELEC website, or follow this link:
The Party List page

Victor Hugo had some good ideas

2010-02-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite books of all time is "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo. While he wrote the book partly to depict and admonish his fellow citizens in 19th century France, his ideas are somehow applicable even to our present situation. To further illustrate his point, I have taken the liberty of translating one chapter of the novel into Filipino. If we put our hearts and wills into change (not necessarily necessitating bloodshed), we can "realize the ideal". I have posted the Filipino version before the English. Note the parts I put in bold lettering. Text taken from Project Gutenberg and the MacAfee-Fahnestock translations.

Ang Kinabukasan Na Makikita Mula sa Tuktok ng Barikada

Ang mga pangyayari sa nasabing mapanganib na oras at ang mismong walang awang lugar ay mismong sanhi at wakas sa mapanglaw na kalooban ni Enjolras.

Na kay Enjolras ang galaw ng rebolusyon, ngunit siya ay may pagkukulang, ang pagkukulang na nakikita sas masyadong mga lubos. Mas nakikita si Saint-Just sa kanyang katauhan, at kulang naman yung kay Anacharsis Cloots. Pero sa kanyang pananaw, ang samahan ng mga Kaibigan ng mga ABC ay nagtatapos sa pagkakaroon ng isang paglalawak mula sa mga paniniwala ni Combeferre. Sa mga nagdaang mga panahon, dahan-dahan siyang lumilisan sa makitid na landas ng dogma at lalong pumapanig naman sa mas malawak na impluensya ng kaunlaran. Tanggap na niya bilang bahagi ng isang dakilang ebolusyon ang pagsulong mula sa Kahanga-hangang Republika ng Pranses sa mas malaking republiko ng sangkatauhan. Pag dating naman sa pinakakailangan na paraan na mamahagi sa karahasan, gusto niya na tumuloy sa pakikibaka. Sa punto na yon, di siya nagbago at kasapi pa rin siya sa magiting at matatag na pananaw na mabubod sa salitang “Eighty-Three”. Nakatayo si Enjolras sa hagdanan na gawa sa mga bato, pinapatong ang isa niyang siko sa hawakan ng kanyang baril. Malalim ang kanyang pagmuni-muni, at siya ay nanginig, parang may nahulaan. Ang lugar na panay kamatayan ay may ganitong epekto ng mga tripod. May isang nanahimik na alab sa kanyang mga mata na parang tumitingin paloob. Maya-maya, tumaas ang kanyang noo, at ang kanyang gintuang buhok ay nagmistulang sa buhok ng mga anghel. Siya ay nagbigkas:

“Mga mamamayan, ang inyong kinabukasan ba inyong minamasdan? Ang lansagan ng ating mga lungsod ay puno ng liwanag, mga luntiang sanga sa bahay-bahay, magkakapatid ang mga bansa, makatarungan mga tao, ang mga matatanda binibiyayaan mga bata, ang nakaraan nagmamahal sa kasalukuyan, may kalayaan sa pagiisip, ang mga nananampalataya pantay-pantay, ang rehilyon ay langit, Diyos ang siyang pari, konsensya ng tao ay banal, wala nang alitan, ang kapatiran ng mga trabaho at paaralan, katanyagan ang nagiisang parusa at gantimpala, trabaho para sa lahat, karapatan para sa lahat, kapayapaan para sa lahat, wala nang pagdanak ng dugo, wala nang digmaan, at masasayang mga ina! Ang paglupig sa mga bagay-bagay ay ang unang hakbang lamang, ang pangalawa naman ay ang pagsakatuparan ng nararapat.Balikan ang mga nagawa ng pagsulong. Dati, takot ang mga sinaunang tao na minamasdan ang hydra, ang kanyang hininga sa katubigan, ang dragon na nagsusuka ng apoy, ang griffin na dambuhala ng himpapawid, at lumilipad na may pakpak ng agila at paa ng tigre, mga nakakatakot na hayop na nanghahari sa tao. Pero ang tao ay gumawa ng bitag hango sa kanyang katalinuhan, at naamo niya itong mga dambuhala. Tinalo natin ang hydra, at ang tawag natin sa kanya ay tren. Matatalo rin natin ang griffin, hawak na natin at ipinangalan na natin na lobo. Sa panahon na natapos natin itong gawain na nararapat kay Prometheus, at ang tao ay ganap na naisingkaw ang tatluhang Chimaera ng nakaraan, ang hydra, dragon, at griffin, siya na ang amo ng tubig, apoy, at hangin, at para sa mga ibang kumikilos na nilikha, siya ang magiging kung ano sa kanya dati ang mga naglaho na mga poon. Tibayin natin mga loob at sulong pa!

"Mga mamamayan, saan ba tayo tutungo? Papunta sa agham na naging pamahalaan, ang mismong pwersa ng mga bagay-bagay ang siyang tumutulak sa publiko , sa natural na batas na may likas na batayan at parusa na pinapatibay pa ng ebidensya, at sa bukang-liwayway ng katotohanan na katumbas na rin sa bukang-liwayway ng araw. Sumusulong tayo patungo sa pagiisang-dibdib mga lahi, umaasenso tayo patungo sa pagkakaisa ng sangkatauhan. Ang mga sibilisasyon ay magpupulong una sa tuktok ng Europa, tapos rin sa gitna ng mga kontinento, isang malawak na parliamento ng mga isip. Dati may nangyari na parang ganito. Dalawang beses sa isang taon nagpupulong ang mga amphictyon, una sa Delphos na trono ng mga poon, at yung pangalawa sa Thermopylae, dambana ng mga bayani. Magkakaroon ng mga amphictyon ang Europa, ang buong mundo ay magkakaroon ng kanya-kanyang mga amphictyon. Itong mataas na kinabukasan ay nasa dibdib na ng Pransya. Ito na ang pagbubuo ng ikalabin-siyam na siglo. Ang ginawang balangkas ng Griceo ay karapat-dapat na tapusin ng Pransya. Pakinggan mo ako, lalo na ikaw Feuilly, matapang na mangagagawa, tao ng sambayanan. Saludo ako sa iyo. Malinaw ang tingin mo sa kinabukasan. Nawalan ka ng ama at ina, Feuilly, pero naituring mo ang sangkatuhan na ina at ang katuwiran bilang ama. Mamatay ka dito, pero masasabi rin itong tagumpay. Mamamayan, anuman mangyari dito, sa ating pagkatalo maging rin sa pagtagumpay, ang nililikha natin ay isang rebolusyon. Ang pagaalsa ay nagiging liwanag sa mga lungsod, at sa parehong paraan rin ay ang rebolusyon ay nagiging liwanag sa buong sangkatauhan. Anong uri ng rebolusyon ang ililikha natin? Nasabi ko na, ang Rebolusyon ng Katuwiran. Mula sa pananaw ng pulitika, may isa lamang prinsipyo: ang kasarinlan ng bawat tao sa kanyang sarili. Ang kasarinlan ko sa sarili ko ay tinatawag na Kalayaan. Pag pinagsama ang dalawa o tatlong ganitong kasarinlan, doon nagsisimula ang estado. Ngunit sa bawat kasarinlan walang pagtitiwalag sa sarili, sapagkat bahagi lamang ng bawat kasarinlan ay isusuko upang mabuo ang pangkaraniwan na karapatan. Pare-pareho ang isusuko nating lahat. Nitong pagsusuko na ginagawa ng bawat isa para sa lahat ay tinuturing Kapantayan. Ang pangkaraniwang karapatan ay ang paggalang sa lahat na nakasalalay sa karapatan ng isa’t isa. Ang paggalang ng lahat sa bawat isa ay tinatawag na Kapatiran. Ang punto kung saan nagsasama-sama ang lahat ng binuo mga kasarinlan ay Lipunan. Itong pagsasama ay salikop, at ang punto ay buhol. Kaya ito tinatawag na kasunduang panlipunan. May nagsasabing kontratang panlipunan, at pareho na rin, dahil ang salitang kontrata ay may pinagmulan sa ideya na may kasunduan. Intindhin muna natin ang Kapantayan, dahil kung ang tuktok ay Kalayaan, Kapantayan naman ang pundasyon. Ang Kapantayan, mga mamamayan, ay hindi ang pagkakapareho ng mga halaman, ang mga matatangkad na damo katabi ng mga pinaliit na puno, magkakasamang inggitan na nagwawalang-bisa sa isa’t isa. Ngunit sa sibil na larangan, lahat ng kakayahan ay may parehong pagkakataon, sa pulitika naman lahat ng boto ay may parehong bisa, at sa rehilyon naman, lahat ng konsensya may parehong katuwiran. Ang kapantayan ay may daanan: walang bayad at panlahat na edukasyon. Ang karapatan na magamit ang alpabeto, doon tayo magsisimula. Ang mababang paaralan ay obligasyon para sa lahat, at ang mataas na paaralan ay bukas para sa lahat, dapat iyon ang batas. Mula sa pantay-pantay na edukasyon magsusulong ang kapantayan sa lipunan. Oo, edukasyon! Liwanag! Liwanag! Sa liwanag lahat nagsisimula at babalik rin ang lahat sa liwanag. Mga mamamayan, dakila ang ika-labingsiyam na siglo, pero ang ikadalawampung siglo ay magiging mapayapa."

"Hindi na mauulit ang kasaysayan ng dati, hindi na mangyayari na parang sa kasalukuyan, pangamba dahil sa pagsasakop at paglulupig, ang pag-agaw sa kapangyarihan, ang pagiging karibal mga bansa na hawak ng sandata, ang panggulo ng sibilisasyon dahil sa pag-aasawa ng mga kaharian, o ang pagsilang sa minamanang mga tyranismo, o ang paghati ng mga tao dahil sa isang kongreso, o ang pagwawatak dahil sa pagbagsak ng isang pamilya, ang paglaban ng dalawang naghaharapan na rehilyon, parang dalawang usa sa dilim, sa tulay ng walang hanggan. Hindi na tayo matatakot sa paggutom, pagkakalayo para magtrabaho, prostitusyon dahil sa karalitan, poot mula sa pagkawalan ng trabaho at pagkaroon ng pagbitay, karahasan, laban, at ang walang-bahalang kilos ng tadhana sa gubat ng mga panahon. May magsasabi na wala nang mga pangyayari. Lahat naman tayo ay mapayapa. Matutupad ng sangkatauhan ang kanyang batas sa paraan na tinutupad nitong mundo ang sarili niyang batas, babalik ang pagkakatugunan ng kaluluwa sa mga tala, lalapit ang kaluluwa sa katotohahan tila ang planeta na umiiikot sa liwanag. Mga kaibigan, nitong panahon na inilalaan ko ang mga ito ay isang malubhang panahon, pero ito ang nakakatakot na halaga ng ating kinabukasan. Ang rebolusyon ay mabigat na alay. O, ililigtas ang sangkatauhan, itataas, at mahihilom! Itinataguyod natin ito sa ating barikada. Saan pa ba manggagaling nitong sigaw ng pagmamahal, kung hindi mula sa kataasan ng pagsasakripisyo? Aking mga kapatid, ito na ang punto ng pagbabago, para sa mga may malay at para sa mga naghihirap; itong barikada ay hindi gawa sa mga bato, o mga kahoy, o mga pirasong bakal. Ito ay binuo ng dalawang tumpok: tumpok ng mga kaisipan, at tumpok ng pagdurusa. Dito nagkikita ang pagluluksa sa nararapat. Niyayakap ng araw ang gabi at nagsasabi, ‘Ako ay papanaw, at ikaw ay sabay ko ulit na masisilang’. Mula sa yakap ng pagdadalamahati ay lumulusong naman ang panananampalataya. Dito dinadala ng mga pagdurusa ang kanilang mga hinagpis, at mga ideya naman ang kanilang walang-hangganan na buhay. Magsasama pa lang itong hinagpis at walang-hangganan na buhay para mabuo ang ating pagpapanaw. Mga kapatid, ang sinuman mamatay dito ay papanaw sa liwanag ng kinabukasan, at papasok tayo sa puntod na puno naman ng bukang-liwayway.”

Napahinto si Enjolras sa halip ng nanahimik. Gumagalaw pa rin ang kanyang mga labi parang nagpapahayag sa kanyang sarili, at siya ay minamasdan ng lahat para marinig kung ano pang ang kanyang sinasabi. Walang pumalakpak, pero matagal sila nagbulong-bulungan. Kung ang pagsalita ay parang hininga, ang pagkaluskos ng malay ay tila kaluskos ng mga dahon.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

The situation of all in that fatal hour and that pitiless place, had as result and culminating point Enjolras' supreme melancholy.

Enjolras bore within him the plenitude of the revolution; he was incomplete, however, so far as the absolute can be so; he had too much of Saint-Just about him, and not enough of Anacharsis Cloots; still, his mind, in the society of the Friends of the A B C, had ended by undergoing a certain polarization from Combeferre's ideas; for some time past, he had been gradually emerging from the narrow form of dogma, and had allowed himself to incline to the broadening influence of progress, and he had come to accept, as a definitive and magnificent evolution, the transformation of the great French Republic, into the immense human republic. As far as the immediate means were concerned, a violent situation being given, he wished to be violent; on that point, he never varied; and he remained of that epic and redoubtable school which is summed up in the words: "Eighty-three." Enjolras was standing erect on the staircase of paving-stones, one elbow resting on the stock of his gun. He was engaged in thought; he quivered, as at the passage of prophetic breaths; places where death is have these effects of tripods. A sort of stifled fire darted from his eyes, which were filled with an inward look. All at once he threw back his head, his blond locks fell back like those of an angel on the sombre quadriga made of stars, they were like the mane of a startled lion in the flaming of an halo, and Enjolras cried:

"Citizens, do you picture the future to yourselves? The streets of cities inundated with light, green branches on the thresholds, nations sisters, men just, old men blessing children, the past loving the present, thinkers entirely at liberty, believers on terms of full equality, for religion heaven, God the direct priest, human conscience become an altar, no more hatreds, the fraternity of the workshop and the school, for sole penalty and recompense fame, work for all, right for all, peace over all, no more bloodshed, no more wars, happy mothers! To conquer matter is the first step; to realize the ideal is the second. Reflect on what progress has already accomplished. Formerly, the first human races beheld with terror the hydra pass before their eyes, breathing on the waters, the dragon which vomited flame, the griffin who was the monster of the air, and who flew with the wings of an eagle and the talons of a tiger; fearful beasts which were above man. Man, nevertheless, spread his snares, consecrated by intelligence, and finally conquered these monsters. We have vanquished the hydra, and it is called the locomotive; we are on the point of vanquishing the griffin, we already grasp it, and it is called the balloon. On the day when this Promethean task shall be accomplished, and when man shall have definitely harnessed to his will the triple Chimaera of antiquity, the hydra, the dragon and the griffin, he will be the master of water, fire, and of air, and he will be for the rest of animated creation that which the ancient gods formerly were to him. Courage, and onward"

"Citizens, whither are we going? To science made government, to the force of things become the sole public force, to the natural law, having in itself its sanction and its penalty and promulgating itself by evidence, to a dawn of truth corresponding to a dawn of day. We are advancing to the union of peoples; we are advancing to the unity of man. No more fictions; no more parasites. The real governed by the true, that is the goal. Civilization will hold its assizes at the summit of Europe, and, later on, at the centre of continents, in a grand parliament of the intelligence. Something similar has already been seen. The amphictyons had two sittings a year, one at Delphos the seat of the gods, the other at Thermopylae, the place of heroes. Europe will have her amphictyons; the globe will have its amphictyons. France bears this sublime future in her breast. This is the gestation of the nineteenth century. That which Greece sketched out is worthy of being finished by France. Listen to me, you, Feuilly, valiant artisan, man of the people. I revere you. Yes, you clearly behold the future, yes, you are right. You had neither father nor mother, Feuilly; you adopted humanity for your mother and right for your father. You are about to die, that is to say to triumph, here. Citizens, whatever happens to-day, through our defeat as well as through our victory, it is a revolution that we are about to create. As conflagrations light up a whole city, so revolutions illuminate the whole human race. And what is the revolution that we shall cause? I have just told you, the Revolution of the True. From a political point of view, there is but a single principle; the sovereignty of man over himself. This sovereignty of myself over myself is called Liberty. Where two or three of these sovereignties are combined, the state begins. But in that association there is no abdication. Each sovereignty concedes a certain quantity of itself, for the purpose of forming the common right. This quantity is the same for all of us. This identity of concession which each makes to all, is called Equality. Common right is nothing else than the protection of all beaming on the right of each. This protection of all over each is called Fraternity. The point of intersection of all these assembled sovereignties is called society. This intersection being a junction, this point is a knot. Hence what is called the social bond. Some say social contract; which is the same thing, the word contract being etymologically formed with the idea of a bond. Let us come to an understanding about equality; for, if liberty is the summit, equality is the base. Equality, citizens, is not wholly a surface vegetation, a society of great blades of grass and tiny oaks; a proximity of jealousies which render each other null and void; legally speaking, it is all aptitudes possessed of the same opportunity; politically, it is all votes possessed of the same weight; religiously, it is all consciences possessed of the same right. Equality has an organ: gratuitous and obligatory instruction. The right to the alphabet, that is where the beginning must be made. The primary school imposed on all, the secondary school offered to all, that is the law. From an identical school, an identical society will spring. Yes, instruction! light! light! everything comes from light, and to it everything returns. Citizens, the nineteenth century is great, but the twentieth century will be happy."

"Then, there will be nothing more like the history of old, we shall no longer, as to-day, have to fear a conquest, an invasion, a usurpation, a rivalry of nations, arms in hand, an interruption of civilization depending on a marriage of kings, on a birth in hereditary tyrannies, a partition of peoples by a congress, a dismemberment because of the failure of a dynasty, a combat of two religions meeting face to face, like two bucks in the dark, on the bridge of the infinite; we shall no longer have to fear famine, farming out, prostitution arising from distress, misery from the failure of work and the scaffold and the sword, and battles and the ruffianism of chance in the forest of events. One might almost say: There will be no more events. We shall be happy. The human race will accomplish its law, as the terrestrial globe accomplishes its law; harmony will be re-established between the soul and the star; the soul will gravitate around the truth, as the planet around the light. Friends, the present hour in which I am addressing you, is a gloomy hour; but these are terrible purchases of the future. A revolution is a toll. Oh! the human race will be delivered, raised up, consoled! We affirm it on this barrier. Whence should proceed that cry of love, if not from the heights of sacrifice? Oh my brothers, this is the point of junction, of those who think and of those who suffer; this barricade is not made of paving-stones, nor of joists, nor of bits of iron; it is made of two heaps, a heap of ideas, and a heap of woes. Here misery meets the ideal. The day embraces the night, and says to it: `I am about to die, and thou shalt be born again with me.' From the embrace of all desolations faith leaps forth. Sufferings bring hither their agony and ideas their immortality. This agony and this immortality are about to join and constitute our death. Brothers, he who dies here dies in the radiance of the future, and we are entering a tomb all flooded with the dawn."

Enjolras paused rather than became silent; his lips continued to move silently, as though he were talking to himself, which caused them all to gaze attentively at him, in the endeavor to hear more. There was no applause; but they whispered together for a long time. Speech being a breath, the rustling of intelligences resembles the rustling of leaves.

Candidate Personals Ad

2010-02-15T06:52:00.000-08:00

WANTED FOR THE COUNTRY: A CANDIDATE WHO HAS THE MEANS AND THE HEART TO ADDRESS:

1. Educational Reform: Implementing standards for achievement tests--and requiring our schools and students to meet these standards. Making primary education compulsory. Offering incentives to keep children in school. Adding an extra year to our educational system to bring our standards up to international requirements. Improving technical-vocational education options to pursuing university education. Improving the qualifications of our public school teachers. Making sure that textbooks meet international standards!

2. Health System Reform: Accessibility to basic medical services in rural areas. Educating communities in basic health care. Giving incentives (continuing development, better hospitals, etc) to make the best of our young doctors and nurses stay in the Philippines! Licensing and monitoring our health service providers. Promoting natural/herbal medicines (and research on these substances) in lieu of resorting constantly to synthetic drugs.

3. Proper approaches to reproductive health issues: Promoting natural family planning instead of contraceptives. Educating the masses about natural family planning and the need to properly space/plan births. Getting it straight that we do not have a population problem, but rather we have a density problem in the cities---thus furthering the drive to improve rural areas so as to decongest urban neighborhoods. Revising the approach to sex education: emphasis on values and personal development instead of focusing solely on contraceptives, anatomy, and the sex act.

4. Promotion of mental wellbeing: Promoting awareness and understanding of psychological conditions in order to foster understanding and support in communities. Offering opportunities for people with learning impairments and other mental disorders to be able to cope with the effects of their conditions and enhance their potentials. Using the Sanggunian Kabataan as a force to implement more structured, holistic activities for youth development. Advocating wider and more comprehensive support systems for the elderly. Employing mental health practitioners more in the field, particularly in handling crisis cases, disaster management, familial support, and community planning.

5. Agricultural Reform: Not land reform, but rather the improvement of agricultural technology and practice in the rural areas. Updating existing technology and teaching the farmers to use these innovations. Promoting agricultural research. Realigning agricultural goals to be able to cope with climate change.

POSITIONS OPEN:

PRESIDENT
VICE-PRESIDENT
12 SENATORS
1 CONGRESSMAN (per district)
1 PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE
1 GOVERNOR (in the provinces)
1 MAYOR
1 VICE-MAYOR

COUNCILORS

APPLICATION PERIOD: February 9-May 9 2010
DELIBERATIONS: May 10, 2010 (7am to 6pm)

INTEGRITY, PRINCIPLES, CREDIBLE TRACK RECORDS, LOVE FOR THE FILIPINO PEOPLE and a FEASIBLE POLITICAL PLAN are a MUST. Parties who are out for personal vindication, to amass more wealth, or who have no set plan for the next 6 years are strongly discouraged from pursuing their applications.

Campaign Day 1

2010-02-10T05:13:00.000-08:00

Dateline: 7:20 am
Place: EDSA, corner Estrella, Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City
Violation: Motorcade using 4 ambulances with sirens/wang-wang. Ambulances have Red Cross insignia and name of candidate:
Candidate in question: Dick Gordon

STRIKE ONE! And that's not even eight hours after the campaign period officially opened.

About hijacked lyrics

2010-02-02T22:19:00.000-08:00

Of course there are advantages to using songs for one’s campaign infomercials. This practice helps ensure that a candidate’s projected image will stick in the minds of the electorate, thanks to that phenomenon called “Last Song Syndrome”. It is difficult to forget the faces that come to mind when humming a certain jingle, “Nakaligo ka na ba….” It’s all the more endearing (in its own strange way) if the tune is something thoroughly original, something that can be directly and solely associated with the candidate concerned.

However, “endearing” is not the attribute I would dare use for the practice of using already familiar songs in campaigning for a person. Just yesterday, my siblings left the television on. From where I was working, I could hear the familiar strains of a song “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.”, originally by Francisco Santiago That sound brought back great memories of the “Sandaan” compilation of historically significant ballads, as well as flag retreat back in my alma mater. This idyll was shattered though when my sister shouted, “Hey! Guess who used this song?!” Imagine my disappointment when I rushed to the TV and found the overly familiar face of a candidate juxtaposed with the song.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had a perfectly good, patriotic song ruined by a personal agenda. I can’t even listen to “Posible” anymore without recalling the face of another candidate, and the furor caused by the song’s original creator for the unauthorized use of it. I can only wonder how many anthems will go the same way in the next few months. Sure, it seems like common sense to use uplifting, stirring lyrics that can raise national consciousness towards lofty ideals, as some of our music is wont to do. It’s not that there’s anything illegal or morally wrong with it. However it does seem like a quite selfish, almost presumptuous thing to take a well-loved, otherwise uplifting work and reinterpret it for political purposes.

For one thing, this practice smacks of laziness; it would be just as profitable for candidates to commission good songwriters to create a wholly new jingle for their purposes, instead of borrowing already existing lyrics. One needs to pay songwriters for the rights to even use the song; surely paying a little extra for a completely original work would not be a problem for some of our future leaders. It’s been done. And it works.

Another problem with “politicizing” idealistic lyrics is in matching the spirit of the songs to the image of the person borrowing them. This wouldn’t be such an issue if our candidates all had good track records and unstained characters, or if they were all as patriotic as the songs make then out to be. However there just seems to be something ironic, if not wrong with using such positive lyrics to describe a candidate who leaves so much to be desired, or who has no intention of espousing these ideals once in office. It is a serious musical, if not literary injustice.

A third issue I have with suddenly “hijacked” music is the guilty by association factor. Before a song gets tagged by a candidate, it is the people’s property, something to be enjoyed by the multitude barring only differences in genre. Once a song gets used for campaigns, suddenly it becomes difficult for a few months (or worse, for a few years) to sing a suddenly politicized song in public, lest one be mistaken as supporting a politician’s campaign or agenda. Sure, one can say, “I just like the song, okay?” but the damage has already been done. Good music cannot carry a message for everyone anymore; it has to be sold by someone. Whatever happened to ideas for ideas’ sake? Why do we need faces to market our principles?

Oh yes, that’s politics for you.

I earnestly pray and hope that our candidates will stop hijacking our already abused musical repertoire in order to win a few more votes. If they must give us Last Song Syndrome, let it be with something created specifically for that purpose. If this is done, our good music can be left in peace while candidates can stop forcing badly rhyming achievements and twisted meters into our eardrums. We can stop deleting songs from our playlists, and we can freely teach these lyrics to our children without them getting too politicized. We want to create citizens of the Philippines, not citizens for ___(insert name of candidate here). After all, there is a reason why “Noypi” was touted as a “second national anthem” for some time, and not as the anthem of so-and-so.

Youth2010 forum!

2010-01-29T05:50:00.000-08:00

DLSU students are no strangers to long lines: adjustment, basketball tickets, and the occasional large event. None of these queues though ever measured up to the sheer length and breadth of the line to get into the Youth2010 Presidential forum. Considering the touted apathy of the youth today, it was almost surreal to see a whole line of students stretching all the way from the elevators in Yuchengco building....to around the Velasco Building. (Note that it's about a hundred meters or so from point a to point b).

People were camping out as early as before 8am just to get into the Yuchengco auditorium. For those who couldn't get in, they had the option of watching the event broadcast in the classrooms in the SJ building. Watching at home was also an option, since ABS-CBN televised the event. A good number of my friends (including my sister) resorted to this, completing their forum experience with loads of snacks. As for me, I did end up sitting right on the steps of the 8th floor balcony. It wasn't the most comfortable place to be, but at least the view was great.

So here's the rundown on the major players in today's auditorium:

The panelists (students from DLSU-Manila, other DLSU campuses, Benilde, UA&P, and St. Scholastica) : Kudos to the students for coming up with good questions for the forum. It was great to hear queries that were not run-of-the-mill or generic, but rather specific for each candidate's known platform and campaign situation.

The audience: Quite responsive, and varied too---in contrast to what I remember of most presidential forums. Though of course sometimes there were lapses in decorum. I also love how eager some people were to rush up to Gibo and Noynoy after the forum. Mga Lasalyano talaga!

Ted Failon: Maybe he's not everyone's first choice for a host in a political forum, but at least he did his job. And tried to keep a straight face throughout most of it. It was good that he was able to remind some of the candidates to answer the questions properly, or to clarify their points. Kudos to him for trying to extend the students' attention span as well.

Now for the Presidentiables (in order of seating arrangement!)

Noynoy Aquino: For a man who has a fair chance at being the hero of the hour, he was considerably less than stellar today, especially when compared to other candidates. All of a sudden his position on the RH bill somehow changed (consider this in the light of his defending it on more than one occasion in 2009). He was considerably defensive with regard to questions regarding his accomplishments, such as in the arena of fighting graft and corruption. Although he is clear on his position about holding the current administration accountable for his deeds, he still shows a clear lack of a concrete platform as well as the "ground" knowledge to properly explain his stand.

JC De los Reyes: A considerably pro-life, pro-Catholic, moral stance, actually. At least he had enough evidence to explain his views regarding population and more. As a slightly conservative writer, I agree with some of his views. What I don't agree with is his stance about sex education---I do not think that "sapat na ang natural na kaalaman". Now the truth is that a lot of Filipino parents are not comfortable with their kids discussing questions about sex. I believe that schools have a very important role in sex education, particularly in the scenario when one or both parents is unwilling or worse, unavailable about the topic. The objection though to the modules about sex ed is well-founded however: too much emphasis on acts regarding sex, and not enough character formation or teaching about maturity with regard to this intimate topic.

Dick Gordon: Ever the crowd-pleaser, apparently. Maybe it's because of his confidence: "They are ready for Dick Gordon". Or maybe it's his very expressive way of talking. His "manner" (as we used to say in debate parlance) is great. I am not so sure about the "matter" or content aspect. Although his suggestion of raising teachers' salaries to 40,000 was much applauded, his idea of giving the Kindle e-book device to schools may not be so feasible. It's much too expensive to procure, much more maintain in our public school system.

Jamby Madrigal: If there was someone who knew how to ride on the emotions of the crowd, it was her. Unfortunately a lot of her speeches became tirades against big institutions like multinationals, and worse yet, slightly pointed attacks against her opponents. So much for "konting personalan" She did mention a point about bringing resources straight to those who need it, like farmers and small and medium industries. She didn't say how she'd do it though.

Joseph Estrada (who should have taken center seat): Story has it he was filming his infomercial today, so he deigned not to show up for the forum. Now while this saved him from the potential risk of becoming today's comic relief (admittedly a number of LaSallians turned up in hopes of watching him struggle through the forum), this might have serious adverse ratings on his campaign. Especially as he was pointed out to be the only candidate not to make an appearance.

Nick Perlas: Unfortunately this man suffers from a case of obscurity in the eyes of many young voters. Still he did raise a few points such as the need to conduct language education for children in an age-dependent manner (first the vernacular, then Filipino, then English). He ended up beating around the bush though with the question about call centers, preferring to expound on his knowledge of the agricultural sector before bringing it in a roundabout connection to the call center industry issue. Not a good move.

Gibo Teodoro: Clearly he was quite confident in this forum (and not just because it was on home turf). Although he did rankle a good many students with his safe answer about President Arroyo's accountability post-election, he did have a point in saying that he would be unable to answer the question fairly at this time. Even if Jamby Madrigal and the others ganged up on him (which was not fair). Despite this, he demonstrated a thorough knowledge of legislation, government procedures and other aspects of leadership. And he had the support of all of his fans (who nearly whisked away my camera in their enthusiasm). If he continues to display a growing backbone and make the right steps, he might stand a chance of winning the votes of even the non-university crowds.

Eddie Villanueva: Word for the day in his vocabulary: moral bankruptcy. While of course many Filipinos do appreciate and share his stance regarding credible leadership, the same may not always be said for his penchant for quoting from the Bible. He also quite failed to address the more practical points of governance (or maybe because no one asked him much about these things) And by the way, he ought to check some of his quotes. Quezon said, "My loyalty to my party ends where my DUTY to my country begins." And it's LaSallians, not LaSallites.

Manny Villar: First time he showed up in a forum. And maybe if today's experience was unnerving enough, it might be a cause for him to reconsider any further appearances. If ever, he did receive quite a number of catcalls from the crowd. He also unfortunately acquitted himself quite poorly in some of the questions, particularly the one about his platform for the rich and middle-class voters. "High tide...low tide?" What did have to do with anything? Clearly he underestimated the DLSU audience.

Analysis

Of course it is easy for the candidates to come up with answers for fora. Usually the questions are easily anticipated (unless one is caught off-guard the way that Villar was). The best way that one can use political fora as a means for gauging candidates is to check for matter and consistency. Do candidates actually expound on their points or resort to motherhood statements? Do they insult or degrade their opponents instead of pitching themselves well? Do they have a consistent stance on issues? Is their platform feasible?

Gordon definitely wins in terms of charm and appeal to the crowd. In terms of matter though, I'd have to go with Gibo. Admittedly he argues his points concisely, without resorting to technical terms or defensive measures. In terms of "below the belt factor", referring to meanness on stage, Jamby gets my vote. She spent a lot more time putting down institutions or individuals as opposed to making a case for her presidency. Noynoy lost a good bit of shine today--more than I've ever seen compared to the other fora I've followed. How far can Cory magic get him?

This forum is all well and good for LaSallians, but I do wonder how (or even if) it can impact the majority of the electorate. Sure, Gibo is the choice of a good many of my schoolmates. But outside campus, a different story holds. Green sure isn't the color of the electorate...it could be yellow, or both shades of orange.

Still, if there had been a polling machine in DLSU today, it would have been a hard race between Gibo, Gordon, and Noynoy. And if a backhoe and several tons of refuse were allowed on campus, some open space might have been dug up for some candidates to contemplate, or stay in till the storm passed.

Back in time for the action

2010-01-27T22:05:00.000-08:00

Seems like it's a good time to get commenting again.

I know I'm supposed to be finishing up work, but this business of refurbishing the blog couldn't really wait. After all, I don't know if I'll have time to tweak layouts after tomorrow.

What's tomorrow? Presidentiables forum at De La Salle University. Like a good many people, I'm planning to turn up early on campus just to score a good seat in the event. Actually I don't care if I end up sitting on the floor of the balcony, for as long as I get to hear what's going on and just what the candidates have to say (or what they don't have to say) for themselves

Rumor has it that at least 4 of the notable candidates confirmed their attendance tomorrow. Somehow I wonder whether about one or two of them are being prudent in deciding to come to De La Salle University. It will take serious restraint on the part of some of the students attending the forum to keep their reactions in check. At least my friends and I were just joking about borrowing a certain infamous backhoe to dig a hole in the middle of the football field to fill up with all the trash from the landfills in order to show a certain point to a particular candidate.

This slightly sordid joke though is just a symptom of one thing that some of the candidates (especially the presidentiables) should take into account: there are just some people who aren't amused, much less persuaded by cheap gimmicks and catch jingles anymore. Has the young electorate begun to be more critical and discerning with regard to their choices?

out of the pea soup

2009-11-15T05:34:00.000-08:00

After having a well earned lead in NaNoWriMo (one month to write 50k words...am at 30k already), I finally have time for this sort of blogging again.

Never before have I been so ambivalent about politics. The lines getting blurred:

-No one having a clear stand on issues such as the RH bill, disaster relief, mental health, etc. So far, the same old problems are being tackled in the same old ways.

-Candidacies and eligibility issues. So can Erap run? Bayani Fernando? Who else may be disqualified?

Sometimes I wonder how many red herrings, big bad wolves, dark horses and balimbings will come up.

more COMELEC horror

2009-10-29T01:34:00.000-07:00

Even as I type this, I'm listening to my schoolmates discussing the terrible registration process. Apparently, a friend of mine tried to register earlier today. He got to the COMELEC office at about 8am, only to find out that there was a 1000-person cutoff that day!

So the date is October 29. I really wonder if the higher-ups in the COMELEC know what's happening in some precints...

voters and mental health

2009-10-23T22:28:00.000-07:00

I know, this isn't something that is always on candidates or voters' minds when election period comes up. Still, it's something worth considering. Are there candidates who will make it a point to promote mental health and wellness in the Philippines?

I mean this in several ways. Firstly, there is the need to provide better interventions and support for various sectors in our society who have difficulties with cognitive-psychological matters. I refer to the differently-abled both young and old, the elderly in our hospitals, hospices, and homes for the aged, those diagnosed with psychological disorders, people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder due to trauma from calamities or violence, and people who need reintegration in their communities following displacement, release from prison and other circumstances. Our doctors, nurses, community workers, staff in mental-health institutes and wards, teachers and even caretakers need to be taught how to help these individuals achieve what they can in our society. Opportunities need to be created for people who are differently-abled and the elderly so that they can adequately contribute to society instead of being somehow shut away at home or in special institutions. Our local government units need to provide systems to help families and groups rehabilitate themselves using their own resources and capabilities instead of relying on hand-outs.

We also need candidates who will understand the need for holistic health-care, employment and educational systems that will not just equip Filipinos with the rudiments for survival, but also encourage them to develop their full-potentials (self-actualize as psych people like to say). Our health-care needs to address not just disease prevention and cure, but even familial and community attitudes towards communicable diseases, mental disorders, and physical disabilities. We are so used to marginalizing and stigmatizing those who are unwell. We are steeped in ignorance about how to properly care and support those are on the road to recovery. We need to integrate the Filipino moral and spiritual beliefs with ongoing scientific practice to promote the overall welfare of the sick.

Our employment system needs to look beyond the aspects of fair compensation and benefits, but also at the possibility of human resources development. We need to train our workforce to achieve more than just competency, but also a sense of purpose and a willingness to know more and improve in their chosen occupations. We need to improve our vocational and technical training so that opportunities and advancement will still be possible for those who will be unable to pursue anything beyond a high school degree. We also need to look into the social support that our overseas workers and their families receive. Along with the need to protect and care for our OFWs, we also need to help their families cope with the stresses caused by separation from their loved ones, and ensure the integrity of the family even over distances.

Our educational system also needs to acknowledge the various strengths and capabilities of individual Filipino children, and use these good points to prepare them to become sound, contributing individuals to society. From an early age, we need to encourage children to develop confidence in their own academic abilities, to ask questions, investigate for answers, and interact cooperatively with their peers instead of worrying about what facts they know and how they measure up to other students. By increasing their thirst for knowledge as well as giving them the logistical, material, and mental means to critically and constructively examine the world, our young people will eventually be able to pick up the knowledge they will need in their academics. In a country where teachers may not always be present, it is important for those already in the field to give our children the means to become their own teachers, in a more experiential, practical way. Our educational system also needs to examine the reasons for our high dropout rate, and look at practices that will care for students as whole individuals who will be willing and able to pursue their studies. We need to consider family factors, community difficulties and mindsets, and even physical problems that may deter the youth from studying. Otherwise we will be looking at our youth as merely statistics and test scores.

Lastly, but definitely not the least, mental health and wellness can be promoted by upholding the roles of psychologists, psychiatrists, psychometricians, social workers, SPED teachers, and other specialists concerned with the mental and psychological growth and interventions in the lives of Filipinos. We need to regulate our mental-health practitioners and ensure they are properly licensed.We also need to provide means for our specialists to deepen and broaden their knowledge in psychology, sociology, and other related fields--not just in the Philippine context. Development and added education should be available to people who seek to pursue a life in this form of helping profession. There is a need to extend the mental-health practitioner's role to more than just crises intervention (e.g. post-Ondoy scenario), but also as a part of an individual's or a community's overall growth. Our practitioners need to be able to contribute in making our social systems more humane and productive for Filipinos.

I have yet to hear of a candidate who will see these points clearly and uphold them in his or her platform. I call on my fellow psychology students, and even already practicing teachers, psychologists and specialists to please consider these things when choosing which candidates to vote for. Although our society does not place a direct emphasis on mental health, this component is nonetheless essential to the lives and continued sustainable development of the Filipino people. In these times rife with calamity and unrest, our role is not just in conflict management and distress mitigation, but it should progress to rehabilitation, reintegration and eventually adaptive development in these new circumstances. We will need political will to make this feasible---and we will need the support of our public servants to make all of this a reality.

A vote for mental health? I hope we can count on it!

nation building

2009-10-10T08:51:00.000-07:00

Of course I'm going to write about the typhoons. I'm not planning to make this entry about the presidentiables' actions during recent events, or about the speed and quality of the government's response. I prefer to write though about the opportunities that this situation presents.

I don't just mean the opportunities our public servants now have to improve urban and rural planning, curb illegal logging, reduce Manila's trash, and relocate squatters. What I mean are the opportunities to sustain the best in the Filipino people. In the past three weeks, I've seen and heard of many stories in the relief centers, in the devastated communities, or in odd places which were spared. Some of the stories appalled me with the knowledge that some people can be so self-serving or even brutal in times of need. More often though, I heard stories of people who had little to begin with in terms of material possessions, but gave what they could to their suffering neighbors. I have met people who spent days and nights in the relief centers, packing and sending out goods to many communities. I have run into individuals who dared to go into the flooded communities even when the waters had yet to go down, just to save lives, run medical missions, or give much needed help and support. I have even heard of those who gave up their lives that others may live.

These stories cut across all classes and divisions. Distance didn't matter---help came even from abroad. From the cousin who sent part of her savings all the way from overseas to an aspiring scholar from a GK village who lost no time in hurrying to a flooded community to help clean it up, I saw heroism everywhere. And it is this heroism that our future leaders should nurture and protect.

Imagine if our so-called politicos could emulate, inspire, and uphold this nobility of spirit. Imagine if we Filipinos could feel such love and dignity each day because the leaders of our land work to make sure we will have cause to hold our heads up high. Imagine if our public servants could unite communities instead of playing "divide and conquer" just to stay in office.

Sure, our politicians can and should work out the logistics of rehabilitation to prevent a reprise of this kind of disaster. Sure, our leaders should prove that they are capable of setting communities back on their feet, free from mud and raging waters. However, these leaders should also decide what is it that they represent to their constituents. Are they the kind of servant-leader who will be in solidarity with those who suffer, who will not only comfort them in their hour of need, but give them the opportunity to use their diligence and effort to bounce back from calamities? Or are they the sort of politicians who will exploit such a dire scenario to make their names known, to grandstand in front of the media and whitewash their names just to give an illusion of altruism?

If our effort becomes self-serving, then it can hardly be called heroism at all. We are a country that coined the term "bayanihan". The act of heroism, or becoming a hero. Which is what we need nowadays.

of infomercials

2009-09-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

It's funny I'm only able to really write about infomercials now. Maybe it's because I'm a little tired of the pseudo-campaign noise coming from my TV. Or maybe it's because of the news coverage with Senator Defensor-Santiago actively opposing these ventures. Or maybe it's because of my lessons in sensory psychology (hint: not-so-subliminal messages).

One thing is for sure though: those infomercials have to go, at least till the campaign season officially kicks off. These infomercials are still considered as media exposure. And we all know what media exposure can do for viewers and voters.

Originally, I wasn't planning to attend a forum being conducted by Senator Defensor-Santiago all about the infomercials issue. But well, my friends ended up going and I figured I may as well go and see what was going on. Now that was the first time in my 3 years in De La Salle University that I saw our auditorium packed with students attending a political/sociocivic event.

A good thing I attended the forum; I learned about the legal side of the infomercial controversy. Apparently it is not only unconstitutional for these presidentiables to be prematurely airing these infomercials, but it can also be illegal. The unconstitutionality stems from the inequality of exposure that comes with the lengthy running of these infomercials; only the very wealthy can afford to pay for months upon months of airing 30-second infomercials. Thus, less affluent candidates who cannot shell out millions for this kind of endorsement end up losing out on the exposure factor they may need to garner votes.

The illegal side of the issue is thornier however. According to Senator Defensor-Santiago, if a candidate's friends or patrons are the ones funding these infomercials, this can still be construed as an election violation and a breach of the anti-graft law that states that public officials should not receive substantial gifts or favors from other parties. And if a candidate is funding these infomercials out of his or her pocket, well that might be a matter worthy of investigation especially if this candidate is only supposed to be receiving a modest amount as his or her salary as an elected official.

All the loopholes in the laws about elections as well as in our Constitution have put us in this mess. Since no one seems to be eager to do something about those pitfalls, the only solution left seems to be that of critical choice: realizing that some of our wannabe leaders may have things they need to clear up before we can fully trust them with public office, and from there having the voters make informed choices.

PiNOY power!!

2009-09-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

I first heard about the PiNOY Power concert through my friend Carmel, but I honestly wasn't sure if I could make it, mainly due to the distance. However, my older cousin happened to mention it over dinner on Sunday, so my sister and I agreed to go.

This awareness + fundraising concert for Senator Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas starred a delightful mix of old-timers (APO Hiking Society, Bayang Barrios, The Dawn, etc) and newcomers (All Stars, Paraluman, Aiza Seguerra, etc). And the UP theatre was quite filled up. One of the more remarkable performers was Mae Paner (aka Juana Change!) who gave a piece about her need to take a stand on the issues of change and governance, albeit by supporting a candidate. There were video tributes and presentations, as well as song parodies (Bohemian Rhapsody election style) that also had the crowd cheering.

I love how all the guests were able to get the crowd to participate (whether it was by standing up and singing along, or simply flashing the L sign. Everyone was just so enthusiastic about the entire thing, regardless perhaps of motivations for being there.

One of the most powerful moments for me was when everyone began singing "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo". Maybe that song has become a little trite for my generation, but its message is all the more clear nowadays. Even if we won't take to the streets, I think we can still unite via the ballot. Which we have to safeguard.

finally!!

2009-09-18T06:11:00.000-07:00

After a grand total of 3 attempts, my sister and I managed to register for the 2010 elections. Yes, three attempts. Attempt number one, I've already described (see my entry "COMELEC horror"). The second attempt was on September 10. We went to the COMELEC only to find that the office was closed since the staff were running the voters' registration at University of Makati. Admirable, yes, but isn't this the same office that laughed at the idea of DLSU giving out registration forms?

That aside, here is attempt number 3.

Thanks to perhaps the ever-approaching deadline, the COMELEC office was pretty much swamped today with new voters and transferees filling out forms. Sure, the space was limited, but someone didn't have the foresight to provide chairs or even just a table for everyone who had paperwork. And once again, the staff were not quite as accomodating to the people who were coming in with questions or inquiring about the status of their registration.

-A lady had receieved a letter from the COMELEC regarding some discrepancy in her personal information (she got married and changed her surname). She went to the distrit office to ask if her name was on the voters' list,considering that she applied for some sort of affidavit some months ago. The officer who handled her case was being quite brusque, answering her questions with the roundabout "you registered in 2006, it's 2009 already", and generally making the inquiry process difficult.

-A couple was asking about the requirements their child would need to register. AGAIN, the COMELEC officials requested a billing statement as proof of address! (again, a problem since the child still lives with the parents, thus the statement would be in the name of the parents, not the child) My mother overheard this and ended up having to help this couple clear up their problem regardin requirements. Apparently either the COMELEC officials assume that even college kids can pay the electric and water bills at home, or they haven't thought through their list of requirements.

-It was 10:30 am. One of the officials said that the picture taking for the voters' IDs would most likely be at 1pm for everyone in the queue (supposedly because the staff still has to verify residency, forms have to be filled out, etc). Naturally a lot of people were upset--who wants to spend three hours in line on a busy Friday? And truth be told, the queue, the biometrics-taking, and picture taking process didn't take that long. My sister and I were finished with our registration by 11:30.

This entire process, victorious as the outcome was, is frankly quite discouraging. Why must voters jump through hoops just to be able to exercise their civic duty? Instead of facilitating suffrage, it seems as if this office may even discourage it.

Next up: Monitoring the campaign.

mga tanong tungkol sa pagiging rehistrado

2009-08-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

Siyempre ba naman, pumasok ako kanina. Hindi mapakali dahil sa nangyari kahapon sa COMELEC. Tamang tama, pagkarating ko sa eskwela, nakasalubong ko ang ilan sa mga kaibigan na nakarinig sa kwento ko kahapon.

Nagtanong-tanong kami ng kapatid ko kung anu ano ang nangyari sa kanila nung sila nagpa-rehistro para maging botante. Ito ang ilan sa mga kwento nila:

-Nadalian dahil kilala ng mga taga barangay ang kanyang ama.
-Ang ginamit na ID ay ang alumni card ng pamantasan. Tanggap pa rin.
-Nagdala ng lisensya. Yun lang.
-Nagdala ng ID tsaka clearance sa barangay.

Halata ba naman na hindi pare-pareho ang mga karanasan...pero halos magkasinedad kami, nagiiba lang ng isa o dalawang taon. Bakit kaya nagkakaganito? Wala bang sistema ang COMELEC sa pagrehistro? Bakit nagiiba-iba sya kada lugar?

Kailangan siguro na ayusin ang sistema. Gawin pantay pantay ang lahat ng mga kinakailangan at gagawin pag pupunta sa COMELEC para magparehistro. Makakatulong ito sa mga botante, at siguro mas maaeenganyo sila na makilahok sa mga nangyayari gamit ng kanilang boto. Kung aalagaan ng sistema ang bawat mamamayan, mas ipapahalaga ng bawat Pilipino ang kapakanan ng bayan.

Sana ganon lang. Babalik ako sa COMELEC pagkatapos ng buwan. Magtatanong-tanong muna kung ano ang nangyari. Baka sakali masolusyunan ang isyu na ito

COMELEC Office horror

2009-08-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

So today was supposed to be the day: voter's registration. As in, I blocked off my calendar and all. I was told that all I needed were a valid ID and my voter's registration form. So I brought my DLSU ID and my passport and the registration form being distributed at school. My mom and my sis did the same.

I didn't count on the COMELEC office somehow thinking otherwise. Actually, I had a bad feeling upon entering the premises within the Makati fire station. The place looked like something straight out of "Left for Dead": dark, twisting and nothing like the office of an institution seeking automation...

We were pointed towards this dirty, yellowing list of requirements taped on the wall. Okay, so apparently I needed proof of billing to "support" my student ID and my passport (telephone or water bill). Apparently, since my passport does not have my address, and my ID does not list it either (I study in Manila, not in Makati), I had to present the additional documents. Problems: I still live with my parents so of course the proofs of billing are NOT addressed to me. Either that or a birth certificate to prove my address.

The guard said we had to present photocopies of our IDs. Again, something I don't ecall. So we had to go all the way downstairs to get the xerox done (at an unusually high price mind you!!). Then we decided to go in to inquire about the entire procedure and the documents. Now the guy at the desk said that our forms wouldn't do. We had to use *their* forms.

Okay, I would have let that slide were it not for the fact that I had seen photocopied forms being used in satellite registration elsewhere in the city.So does that mean that *those* people have their registrations jeopardized? And the forms I had with me were official COMELEC forms. If the forms at the desk were computer scannable, I'd understand the need to use them. But they weren't.

Now the desk officer said that our IDs wouldn't do since we needed proof of billing or our own postal addresses. Again, I'm a legal age dependent. My mother pointed that my sister and I are still students and therefore we don't pay our own bills or have our own addresses. Then the election official backed down and said that all we had to do was prove that our parents were registered in the district, and to bring our birth certificates.

Now I don't recall that being part of the voting requirements presented at school. And my experience does not go with the guidelines listed here: (Source: http://www.comelec.gov.ph/contreg_/2010_elections/gi.html)

Section 8. Application Forms for Registration (CEF-1A). - Application forms for Registration (CEF-1A) are available, free of charge, at the Office of the Election Officer, or may be downloaded from the COMELEC website, www.comelec.gov.ph, a sample of which is attached hereto as Annex “A” (CEF-1A – Application for Registration)..

In the latter case, the applicant shall print the application form and accomplish the same in three (3) copies, to be signed and thumbmarked only in the presence of the EO..
Section 9. Procedure for filing of applications for registration..

a.The applicant shall personally appear before the EO, state his name and exact address, specifying the house number, name of street, area, district, purok or sitio, and barangay where he resides, or a brief description of his residence, and present any of the following current identification documents that bears applicant’s photograph and signature:.
1.Employee’s identification card (ID) with the signature of the employer or authorized representative;
2.Postal ID;
3.Student’s ID or library card, signed by the school authority;
4.Senior Citizen’s ID;
5.Driver’s license;
6.NBI/PNP clearance;
7.Passport;
8.SSS/GSIS ID;
9.Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID;
10.License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC); and
11.Any other valid ID.
In the absence of any of the abovementioned identification documents, the applicant may be identified under oath by any registered voter of the precinct, or by any of his relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity who are registered voters of the same city/municipality..

Community Tax Certificates (cedula) or certifications/identification cards issued by barangay officials shall not be honored as valid identification documents..

If the identity of the applicant cannot be established by any of the aforementioned methods, he shall not be issued an application form. In case of downloaded application forms, the same shall not be accepted..

b.The EO shall then verify from the National List of Registered Voters (NLRV) if the applicant’s name is found therein. If the applicant is found to be registered in the same city/municipality he shall be advised that he need not apply for registration. If he is found to be registered voter in another city/municipality, he shall be advised to apply for transfer for registration pursuant to Section 10 hereof..

c.If the applicant’s name is not included in the NLRV, the EO shall, using the barangay precinct map, verify whether or not the address given by the applicant is located within the territorial boundary of any of the precincts within the jurisdiction of the district/city/municipality..

If the applicant is not a resident, the EO shall advise the applicant to proceed to the OEO of the district/city/municipality where he resides..

If the applicant resides within the territorial jurisdiction of the district/city/municipality, the EO shall:.

1.Inform the applicant of the qualifications and disqualifications for registration;.
2.Determine the precinct where the applicant belongs by referring to the barangay precinct map. The applicant shall be assigned temporarily to the mother precinct comprising his residence. The precinct assignment shall be finalized after the approval of the application. Daughter precinct(s) shall be created to accommodate approved applicants in excess of the 200-voter per precinct limit..

In case of boundary dispute, the EO shall maintain the status quo..

3.Indicate the precinct assignment of the applicant at the upper right-hand portion of the application form; and.
4.Issue the prescribed application form in three (3) copies..
d.Upon receipt of the application forms, the applicant shall personally accomplish the same separately in his own handwriting and submit the accomplished application forms to the EO. TITLES SUCH AS REVEREND, DATU, ATTORNEY, SULTAN, DOCTOR, HADJI, ENGINEER, BAI AND OTHERS SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED..

e.If the applicant has a downloaded and duly-accomplished application form, it shall be signed and thumbmarked in the presence of the EO..

f.After ensuring that the application form has been filled up correctly, completely and legibly, the EO shall write the Application Form Number. The Application Form Number shall consist of four parts. The first two (2) digit represents the province code, the second two (2) digit represents the city/municipal code, the third two (2) digit represents the Data Capture Machine (DCM) Number, and the last seven (7) digit represents the control code starting after the last code number assigned..

g.The EO shall return the application form to the applicant and direct the applicant to proceed to the DCM Operator for data capturing..

The application form of an applicant who refuses to submit himself for the live capture of his biometrics data shall not be accepted and deemed not filed..

h.The DCM Operator shall proceed to capture the complete biometrics data of the applicant, affix his initial below the space provided for the EO’s signature in Part 2 of the application form and direct the latter to go back to the EO..

i.The EO shall:.
1.Administer the oath;.

The application form of an applicant who refuses to take the oath shall not be accepted and deemed not filed..

2.Affix his signature in the appropriate space on the forms;.
3.Retain the three (3) copies; and.
4.Cut the bottom portion of the application form (copy for EO) and give it to the applicant to serve as Acknowledgment Receipt and proof of fact of filing of his application..

Right away, upon leaving the COMELEC office, my sister texted a friend of hers who registered in Paranaque. According to him, the only ID he needed was his school ID. So it seems that the procedures in different offices aren't standard?

Something needs to be straightened out with the offices for the sake of our future voters.

grabe naman ito...

2009-08-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

Nakuha ko ito sa blog ng kaibigan ko. Kung totoo ito...may dapat mahiya dito.

http://www.newmedia.com.ph/jamby-madrigal-defiles-cory-aquino-memorial-service/

tungkol sa kantang "Bayan Ko"

2009-08-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

Naririnig natin siya pag nagluluksa ang bayan, pag may krisis sa bansa, at pag may nananganib sa kalayaan ng Pilipinas. Sa mga nakaraang araw, paulit-ulit siyang kinakanta alay sa yumaong dating pangulong Aquino at ang kanyang ipinaglaban. Alam kaya natin ano ang totoong ibig sabihin ng kantang "Bayan Ko"?

Susubukan ko suriin at tignan ang mga linya nitong kanta para lalo pa natin maintindihan ano ang kahulugan ng mga ito para sa ating lipunan.

"Ang bayan kong Pilipinas
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
Pag-ibig ang sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag"

Ito: mga dahilan na ipagmalaki natin ang sarili nating bayan. Itong bansa natin ay isang lugar na maraming likas na yaman, at marami rin mga pagkakataon para matupad ang pangarap. Hindi na kailangan na palaging mangarap umalis ng bansa para umunlad. Pero ang isa sa mga pinakamagandang yaman ng Pilipinas ay ang Pilipino mismo. Kung titignan natin, kakaiba ang ugali ng mga Pilipino. Hindi lang tayo mapagtanggap, masayahin at rehilyoso. Tayo ay isang mapagmahal na lahi. Kung hindi tayo mapagmahal, di mangyayari ang EDSA, ang GK, at kung anu ano pang mga pangaraw-araw na milagro na nagiging mga ilaw sa ating bansa. Bakit nga ba tayo nahihiya dito?

"At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka
Nasadlak sa dusa".

Ang malungkot na isipin: mas nakikinabang ang mga dayuhan sa atin mga gawain kaysa sa sarili nating mga kababayan. Ang mas masaklap pa ay ito: mas nakikita ng mga taga-ibang bansa ang mga kakayahan ng mga Pilipino kaysa tayo mismo. Oo, sinakop ng mga Kastila, Amerikano at Hapon ang Pilipinas nang napakahabang panahon. Hindi natin yan maitatakwil. Sinulat nga ni Jose Corazon de Jesus ang kanta ito sa panahon na tayo ay sinakop ng mga Amerikano. Pero maari nga ba na iba na ang bumibihag sa atin? Maari na iba ang nananakop ngayon---hindi sa lupa, pero sa isipan at puso ng bawat Pilipino? Baka hindi lang neo-koloyanlismo: pwede rin ang korupsyon, kawalan ng disiplina, pagiinggit, kulang sa pagmamahal sa bayan o kulang sa pakialam. At dahil tayo ay tumitigil lamang sa pagdusa at pagiyak, di pa ba natin nakikita ang sarili nating lakas na bumangon nang husto mula sa nakaraan?

"Ibon man may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag
Ang di magnasang makaalpas?"

Karapatan ng bawat Pilipino na manatiling malaya. Nasa Saligang Batas natin yan (baguhin man ito, hindi ito mawawala sa Bill of Rights). Ang kalayaan ito ay may mga implikasyon: dapat malaya ang bawat Pilipino na mabuhay ng mapayapa. Ang bawat Pilipino ay may kaligtasan sa ilalim ng ating mga batas. Hindi siya pwedeng apihin ng sinuman na wala sa dahilan. Ang bansa natin ay may pagkakakilanlan: Republika ng Pilipinas, malaya sa pananakop at pagaari ng iba mga maykapangyarihan. Ang Pilipinas ay hindi ang pamamayari ng iisang tao o pamilya o grupo. Dapat ang ating pamahalaan ay maglilingkod sa kabuuan ng bansa at di lamang sa interes ng iilan. At dapat ang mga mamamayan ay kikilos sa mga paraan na makakaangat sa dangal ng ating bayan. Mahalaga na itaguyod natin ang karapatan ng bawat Pilipino at ang pagkakakilanlan ng bayan. Kung sa maliit na bagay gaya ng ating sariling buhay tayo ay may paki, mawalan ng konting kalayaan dahil sa trabaho o pagaaral o kahirapan tayo ay umaangal, bakit di natin kaya ipaglaban rin ang kapwa at bayan?

"Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha ko't dalita
Aking adhika
Makita kang sakdal laya!"

Sa mga kababata ko: ito ang minimithi ng ating mga ninuno panahon pa nina Rizal hanggang sa ating mga magulang. Ang isyu ng kalayaan ng ating bansa ay hindi pwedeng pabayaan. Sa isang simpleng analohiya: ating mga karaniwang buhay, hahayaan ba natin na aangkinin ng iba ang sarili nating mga tahanan? Hindi naman siguro. Kung ipapalalim pa natin ito, makikita natin na ang kalayaan ng ating bayan ay may kinalaman sa ating mga katauhan. Di natin maihihiwalay ang pagiging "Pilipino" sa ating mga indibidwal na buhay. Kung may nagbahid sa itong bahagi ng ating katauhan, maapektuhan ang kabuuan nating pagkatao. Mahirap (hindi imposible) na matamasa natin ang kabuuan ng ating dignidad at dangal kung nahihiya tayo sa ating pinanggalingan: ang bayang Pilipinas. Bahagi ng ating pagsibol bilang mga tao ay ang pagtulong sa ating bayan at sa lipunan na naghubog sa atin. Kung hindi, habangbuhay tayo mananatiling naguguluhan sa ating kalagayan sapagkat hindi natin nagagawan ng paraan na gawin mas makatao ang ating konteks at panahon na natatangi sa atin.

Ito ay ilan lamang sa mga kuro-kuro at saloobin na maaring mabuo mula sa kantang ito. Pero hindi nga kataka-taka kung bakit hanggang ngayon ito ay nagiging daan na mailabas ang matinding pagmimithi at pagdadalamhati ng mga Pilipino. Pangarap ko na sa henerasyon natin maitutupad ang hiling sa huling bahagi nitong kanta, na magiging katotohanan ang "makita kang sakdal laya!"

tribute post

2009-08-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

She is one of the people who ensured that I and my contemporaries are free to write like this. If it were not for Corazon "Cory" C. Aquino, it may very well be that young Filipinos could still be deprived of the rights to free speech, suffrage, and so many other liberties we take for granted.

I never knew her personally. I was only a toddler when her presidential term ended. The younger ones of my generation know her as the lady in yellow, the first Filipina president, the first president to step up because of a revolution, the lady whose name is synonymous with People Power and freedom, and the person who helped bring democracy back to our country. Our teachers and textbooks tell us so. I knew a little about her from my parents' stories of working first in the opposition pre 1986, then later working in the new government. Yet being a young child myself, I could not understand why Cory Aquino did all of that.

I remember being eleven years old when I first caught a glimpse of who she was to my fellow Filipinos. It was January 2001. After the sudden suspension of the impeachment trial of then president Estrada, so many Filipinos had taken to the streets in outrage. We were angry at the impediments to justice, at the corruption that had riddled our political system, and at our leaders who had turned against the values we cherished. In the middle of the crowd that was still rallying at EDSA Shrine that Saturday morning, there was suddenly a stir. Government officials were coming on stage. Among them were then Chief Justice Davide and then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. And with them too was Cory. Her mere presence was what spelled the difference, what told us that history was about to happen. In a few minutes, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was to be sworn in as President. Davide was there to make it constitutional, but Cory made it acceptable. And if she could trust our President, then so could we.

In the years that followed, I would learn more about Cory Aquino. Admittedly, I was a little critical of certain things in her administration, and even of some of the causes she was for, or against. However, I knew that she was one of the living symbols of Filipino democracy. Just for saving my country from martial law in all but name, I could look up to her. I could never imagine what life would be like under martial law. Maybe one could accuse me of being brainwashed by my parents and my school into believing so much in democracy and freedom. However I had cause to believe: by the time I was eighteen, I had experienced being censored in writing, I had experienced seeing what violence could do, and I had seen what our election system really was (and how it could be tampered). And I knew that if there was injustice, Cory would be one of the first to speak about it.

As I got older and watched national events unfold, I really began to wonder if there would be anyone who could rise up to unify our country. And even then, what kind of unification would that be? I wondered how in the world could I, a girl and a seemingly ordinary person, do anything substantial for my country. However, as I got to learn more about Cory (either from reading, or from hearing from people who knew her), I began to have a clearer picture of what kind of mother, public servant, and leader she was. And maybe, what kind of leader could win the hearts and minds of the Filipinos again.

It has only been in the last few months that I have come to realize that this life I and so many others live would not be possible in a trapped regime. Imagine being unable to write or speak one's views for fear of being detained. Imagine a Philippines where the vote is devalued. Imagine being unable to hold your head high since one's people are being oppressed by their own leaders...and everyone in the world community knows about it. Imagine being powerless to do something for your nation. Yet because Cory stepped up to be a leader...these things are not realities for my generation.

It has been in the last few days as I saw the public outpouring of love and gratitude that I realize why Cory lived for the same people her husband Ninoy died for. She saw what was good in the Filipino. And it was because of this that she empowered the Filipino people with a gift: the freedom to rise up for their own country. For me, this is a debt that my generation will never be able to repay in full. The best we can do is to carry on the legacy, not just in our storytelling but in exercising our rights to suffrage, in becoming not the leaders we want to be, but the leaders our country needs.

To Tita Cory: thank you. Thank you for being the President who set a whole new bar for public servants. Thank you for sacrificing so that my family and so many others could live without fear. Thank you for giving me my civic voice. You are loved and are sorely missed.

gusto kong bumoto para sa....

2009-08-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

Sa una, naaliw lang ako gaya ng karamihan ng mga kamag-aral ko. Pero hindi ko aakalain na mapapabili rin ako. Ngayon may tatlong pin sa aking bag, lahat na may salita, "Gusto kong bumoto para sa...."

Maganda ang panukala ng mga kamag-aral ko na magbenta ng mga pin para maeenganyo ng mga tao na bumoto. Mas maganda ang mga nakasulat sa mga pins:

-Gusto kong bumoto para sa KALIKASAN
-Gusto kong bumoto para sa KABATAAN
-Gusto kong bumoto para sa KABABAIHAN
-Gusto kong bumoto para sa KALUSUGAN
-Gusto kong bumoto para sa EDUKASYON
-Gusto kong bumoto para sa KATOTOHANAN
-Gusto kong bumoto para sa KARAPATAN
-Gusto kong bumoto para sa SINING
-Gusto kong bumoto para sa LGBT
-Gusto kong bumoto para sa PILIPINO

Kapansin pansin na lahat ng mga ito ay mga bagay na dapat ipaglaban. Ito ay ang mga nagiging basehan ng mga plataporma, at dapat rin mga desisyon ng mga botante.

Pinili ko na bilhin ang pins para sa EDUKASYON, KABABAIHAN, at SINING. Isa na rin dahilan ang pagkaubos ng pin para sa mga PILIPINO, pero dahilan rin ang pagpili sa mga "advocacy" na ipinaglalaban ko sa buhay. Ito ay ilan sa mga hahanapin ko bilang botante: kaya ba ng kandidato na ipaglaban ang paniniwala ko?

Magtanong na, mga kasama. :D

Ito na mismo

2009-08-03T07:48:00.000-07:00

Maligayang araw sa inyong lahat.

Talaan ito ng mga karanasan at saloobin ng isang bagong makikilahok sa lipunan bilang botante. Hindi ko alam bakit di ko naisip na maging botante noon pa man. Di ko rin alam kung bakit ngayon lang ako makikilahok, magsusulat at mangangarap. Siguro panahon na rin na gawin ko ang mga ito.

Ang ilan sa mga itatala ko ay susulatin ko sa wikang Ingles, sapagkat ito ay ang wika na nakasanayan ko na. Susubukan ko pa rin na magsulat sa wikang Pilipino, dahil itong talaan ay para sa mga kababayan ko. Saan man ito aabot, sana dinggin ninyo.

May konting kaugnayan ito sa mga ginagawa ko sa ilan mga dyornal at sulatin sa iba't ibang mga lugar. Pero konti lang. Oo, gumagamit rin ako ng Multiply, Facebook, Plurk, Twitter, at kung anu ano pa. Pero ang mga yun ay para makipagkulitan, sawsawan, asaran, palitan, at iyakan ng mga kasama ko sa komunidad at maging sa aking unibersidad. Pero nais ko na itong talaan ay di para lang sa mga nakikilala ko sa pang araw araw na galaw ko.

At dito tayo magsisimula: sa isang kwento.