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.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
more COMELEC horror
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...
So the date is October 29. I really wonder if the higher-ups in the COMELEC know what's happening in some precints...
Friday, October 23, 2009
voters and mental health
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!
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!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
nation building
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.
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.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
of infomercials
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.
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.
Monday, September 21, 2009
PiNOY power!!
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.
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.
Friday, September 18, 2009
finally!!
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.
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.
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