A KIND 2010

This time last year I was envisioning a LEGENDARY 2009. A year far greater than the previous ones, a year of wonder and joy. 

I was borrowing Barney's, not the purple dinosaur but the character from How I Met Your Mother, expression of how events he would plan would always be LEGEN--- wait for it--- DARY! :) That was the mantra, that was the hope and I was using what they say the book, THE SECRET, suggests - To verbalize the future you want while working for it. 

Honestly (and personally), 2009 wasn't (and hasn't been) the GREAT year that I had hoped it would be. It was I guess, to a certain extent "one for the legends" as it was filled with much news that would be retold in the future. Sadly though, most were sad and unfortunate news - news we could do without if we had a choice. Don't you think 2009 was just a bit UNKIND?

I will not re tell and in detail all the sad stories but the year for one took so many lives. Lives of people I have personally met and worked with; celebrities I have admired and have been sources of inspiration to millions of people; loved ones of people I consider as my loved ones because they are my friends; lives of innocent victims of calamities that hit the country; lives of innocent victims who were brutally murdered to death. (this paragraph is such a downer)

It wasn't very kind to the economy as well. I have heard of friends being laid off, because of economic reasons, both here in the country and those working abroad. I also know of small businesses that closed and declared bankruptcy.  A lot of controversies about supposed leaders and "models" were also reported making us question their integrity and having less people to look up to. 

Personally, I  was technically JOBLESS for the first half of the year. I had my own share of "Rejections" that not only bruised my ego but also questioned my past choices in life. I don't think I ever questioned my choice of course in college and my choices of past jobs much until 2009. I also got sick a few good times; one time I had a semi-dengue scare and needed to have blood test everyday for almost a week. In terms of my career; in term of my travel plans;  it wasn't the Kind of Year I was truly hoping for. 

On a lighter side - our greatest gift last year was my 2nd Nephew ZAYEED who was born on the 10th of July.  And we had little joys as well, which I didn't forget to be thankful for. 

Coming from 2009 though, as I usher in the new year, my first wish is that for this new year to be more KIND to us especially to those who have lost a lot this year. Just that, a KIND 2010. Then we can work from that, I'm sure with a Kind year, we can paint our and work toward our personal GREAT and FABULOUS NEW YEAR.

A Kind New Year to Us All! :) 

Of Politicians on TV (part1)

I haven't written in  awhile and would try to do so this long weekend. I am in the mood to mock and critique several people who have been on the tube these days, so take nothing about this entry so seriously. Or maybe you can, in the light of the elections coming very very soon.

I apologize for those abroad and do not have TFC or PinoyTV as some of the things I will be commenting on are ads you probably haven't seen. But if you have time and would want, I'm sure you can find them on Youtube or your friends in facebook might have uploaded them.

Please, before you raise your eyebrows, I haven't stopped disliking the early electioneering of these darn politicians - but what can I do - I can't stop them from airing their TV Ads, atleast until November 30, so I allow me to show my disgust by writing this piece.

Here it goes:

Manny Villar 
The problem with Manny Villar's political ads, although there are so many and quite obviously 'well produced' - by well I mean they obviously spent good amount of money for the cinematography, editing and airtime - are the following:

1) Music - I know 'interpretative dancing' seem to be back on variety shows today but interpretative MTVs are not. To actually show OFWs crying over the lyrics "Kanina pa kitang pinagmamasdan,.. malungkot ka na naman" and Manny Villar hugging them over "Sige lang, sandal ka lang." is just TOO LITERAL. Add the fact that that song was so 3 years ago. Can we at least use a more updated one?
 
And I understand the effort to get in touch with the younger crowd by using songs of various bands but I have to tell those who work for Villar that the whole 'band music' worked for Chiz in the past not only because the youth listen to that type of music but because he was/is relatively young. We Just don't see you that way Mr. Villar. You are just quite OLD for the music. So please if you can stop using them already?

2) Dear Manny Villar Campaign Manager/s - you have no CENTRAL THEME in all your ads. There's just too many taglines. Please be reminded of the thing in Marketing and Advertising called STICKINESS FACTOR. If you don't repeat what you want to say many times enough, we will not remember. So pick one and stick to it - if it's "Sipag at Tiyaga," put Sipag at Tiyaga in all your ads. If it's the whole "galing sa mahihirap" phrase, stick with it. Although BINAY is trying to compete with you on that and I have to say, he looks more "galing sa mahirap" (na corrupt kaya yumaman, sorry can't help it). You are wasting so much money in various taglines and campaigns, atleast try to exert some effort in all these early electioneering.

3) Can you atleast have some decency to include a more FORWARD LOOKING, ACTION, VISION theme in your ads? Other than because you were once poor and now you are filthy rich and you might just be able to make us all filthy rich as well, can you atleast give me/us something more tangible? - I guess this is applicable to all the Politicians with TV ads. 


Noynoy Aquino
No friends, I haven't decided yet if I'm voting for him so please do not (or Stop) inviting me to become his fan or to go to concerts to help him raise funds for his campaign. Because aside from being Cory and Ninoy's son, I have not found anything extraordinary/great about him that has convinced me to actually vote for him. Although I might say I haven't really researched much. But these I have to say:

1) STOP making it seem like he really/majorly needs our help for his campaign. At the end of the day please be reminded that he is KRIS AQUINO's Brother. Kris majorly supports him and therefore would mean HE HAS MONEY. Remember that she wears 18k/pair worth of jeans so she can surely spend millions for his campaign. And have we forgotten that he is a haciendero? puleezz.

Plus he will be under ABS-CBN's wings. Hello!?! Sagip Kapamilya's T-Shirts didn't suddenly become Yellow and Black just because they didn't have white shirts anymore. Seriously, tell me I'm not the only one who has noticed that. Sagip Kapamilya has long been a WHITE T-SHIRT group but not this year and must we wonder why?


2) MTV - oh the MTV that had me and I guess almost everyone thinking it was an ABS station ID until we realised there were just too many 'kapuso' stars too. So we thought, a new Regine song perhaps? What's up? Noynoy came out, 3x I think. I saw Regine Velasquez more. Again campaign managers - RECALL. Plus, there is such as thing as too crowded - that was just too much Showbiz Personalities for me, I don't know about you.

And I'm sorry, the song just didn't work for me. Especially how they really made sure to mention the names of Tita Cory and Ninoy. They could have just used a more generic, 'our parents' but NO, we have to use Cory and Ninoy because YES - for now that is his ONLY edge. Nothing more. I wish he had more charisma, I wish he spoke more of his Vision, I wish there were less Motherhood statements in the song - and I wish it had a better melody.

I saw YENG CONSTATINO launch her new Single on ASAP yesterday. It also had a "Di ka Nag-iisa" theme and if I were in Noynoy's Campaign team I better run for Yeng and use that song instead. It was less sappy than the one they used for his MTV.


Loren Legarda
I genuinely am sorry you lost your running mate, it must've been hard to hear over it through mediamen. He didn't even have enough respect to perhaps tell you the night before he was to give a press conference. I guess that says a lot about your "partnership," - it was really non-existent.

The problem with your ad, especially right now is that you look as STERN as ever. Perhaps it's your training in newscasting that has left you with a face that is just stiff and snobbish. You don't look friendly enough and we all know that to most of the voting population - you have to atleast look like somebody they can approach. But NO - you look like that teacher/principal we are so afraid of. SOMEBODY needs an ACTING COACH! or calling TYRA BANKS, teach her how to give a Genuine Smile. :)

Honestly though, I remembered your whole "PAG-ASA" theme in your ad, so kudos to that. And congratulations for sticking to the whole "environment,taking care of nature," atleast we have one who actually found a central theme and is sticking to it. I just don't think you earned votes by bringing with you camera men during your relief operations in the last typhoons that hit us. Clearly the clips were new and the thing we hated the most during the last typhoon relief operations was how Politicians like you took advantage of that situation. What a Shame.


This is getting long and I still have something to say about MAR (and his "love" for Korina by actually marrying her) and CHIZ' leaving his political party. And about ERAP and BINAY and how I think that "Arthro" advertisement is partly to be blamed about this decision of ERAP to "run" again. Oh well... perhaps a part 2 then.  

Mr.Kulit and Mr. Deadma(Supladito!)

Haven't been able to post these yet.

Taken last September while I was home for work. :)

Zee, the younger one, is much bigger now, I think. Or atleast his cheeks are much, much bigger. hihihi.

See how different they are, photos pa lang. One is in his terrible two stage (Aliq), while the other is 3mos old and only cares about one thing - MILK! :) I miss my babies.

Fondness of Baguio

I was planning to write a long blog about Baguio and all of my most memorable memories way back from college; and the sadness it brought me when I heard about how much it suffered from Typhoon Pepeng. But work duties has called me and actually drained me since Monday. I can barely find words anymore.

All I know is, I have Baguio in my thoughts the last few days.

You see, I've always been a Baguio person. I also like Tagaytay and driving to Tagaytay because it is much nearer, but I've always had great fondness for Baguio. My friend, Ate Maita, doesn't agree, but I just like the place.

Maybe because I only have the nicest and most fun memories of Baguio. (I wasn't there during the earthquake tragedy, I haven't been there too when that happened)... I have memories of Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal activities and meeting and making true and lasting friends from all over the country because of that/those events in Baguio. I have good memories of short trips with friends from JVP. I also have good memories of trips with family.

I have memories of freezing from early morning jogging near Teacher's Camp and freezing and scaring ourselves from late night walks around the center of Baguio. I Love Baguio Food! Fresh Vegetables, Grilled Squid and Corn, Pizza&Pasta, and my favorite Ensaymada from Good Shepherd. And Sinigang on a very cold night in Baguio. Aside from Bukidnon, it was in Baguio just January of this year that I experienced the coldest temperature in the country.

I admit to finding Baguio, its center/downtown area, a bit congested now. I have memories of it with less people and colder breeze.

I have Baguio in my thoughts and only have the warmest and best wishes for its people and for the city's speedy recovery.

Tell Me Why?

WHY? - did it take GLOBELINES more than a week to repair internet in our area? And during the height of the typhoon/s why was GLOBE cellphone signal so low when SMART wasn't that affected?

WHY? - has PAL stooped down to the level of Cebu Pacific and limited their domestic luggage allowance to 15kilos as well? Seriously, PAL is not a budget airline. I haven't used NAIA3 terminal because I haven't flown Cebu Pacific for about 3 years now. What will stop me now?

WHY? - does Climate Change have to take all the blame for all this flooding and death when truly WE have played a big role in our polluted air, streets and rivers? And do not even let me begin explaining how much damage people have done to our forests and mountains.

WHY? - will I let Ate Shawie not influence me in shifting to SMART Phone when GLOBE has continue to let me down? 12 years of loyalty and they have never really made me feel very important anyway. Do I still really want to keep my number, because that's the only thing that prevents me, really?

Panic at the Grocery

Sunday after the terrible Typhoon Ondoy, the lines at the grocery were crazy. People were paying in cash because Credit and Debit Cards were not working. Less cashiers and most people bought water and cleaning materials.

But the grocery was still full.

On Tuesday though, it was a different story. We were hoping to buy my cousin's favor of 'pansit canton' for when we visit her in Thailand, but it just wasn't possible.

This is the sight of most of the shelves in the grocery.

Especially for instant noodles and water.

Just a thought - because water was still lacking, I wonder how they'll cook the tons of instant noodles that were given as relief goods? And I can't believe they also bought those EXTRA HOT/CHILI Noodles. That won't be so easy to eat, especially if they do not have water to drink. Right?

 

 

 

 

 

Eerie Ortigas

Usually the cars from Lourdes School cause traffic

The streets are quiet. Very quiet, also in mourning.
The skies are still grey - please new typhoons, don't come our way just yet. We are already so down. :(

A Time to ACT

Before Saturday, I don't think I have experienced such great devastation so near me. ULTRA was one thing a few years back, but Typhoon Ondoy just brought major destruction over greater Luzon.

At 10AM on Saturday, I was still oblivious to the wrath of the typhoon. I went about my usual Saturday chores and anticipated the coming home of my sister from the gym at 1045AM. The sky was really dark and the rains didn't stop, but it wasn't new to someone who has been based in Manila for about 6 years now. We didn't and don't have typhoons in Davao where I grew up, but I have been used to it (although not appreciative of it) here in Metro Manila.

I got a text from my sister at around 1045 saying she was stuck along greenmeadows avenue, about a block away from our house because the gate to Acropolis was flooded. She was thinking of going back to her gym but I insisted for her to go home via White Plains as I felt the rains wouldn't stop. She did so and got stuck there as well. 12noon, preparing for lunch she texts that she might need to wait for the water to subside before she can get home.

I finally decided to turn on the news and found out the real story of the typhoon. Floods up to chest high and families already up on their roofs in Marikina and Cainta. Cainta Mayor has declared that 100% of his town has been flooded - no this is not your ordinary typhoon. As soon as my sister got home, I was relieved only to be reminded that our house in Project 8 is by a creek. We text dad and the water at the 1st floor of the house was chest deep. Then cellphone signal was gone until 2AM this morning.

Thanks to Internet,we were able to check on dad and a few other friends. But a few other friends and colleagues, we haven't heard from just yet.

As of 2PM yesterday, many people were still on their roofs waiting to be rescued. Death toll has risen to about 80people and a good number still missing. A friend's car also drowned in his basement parking. Friends families are still in Cainta, stranded on their 2nd floors. The sight of the news is very disheartening.

There is so much rebuilding to do now. RELIEF is number 1 on the list as MANY lost a lot or lost everything. And we start to Rehabilitate and REBUILD. Keep our positive spritis high and take each day one step at a time.

We also need to Heed the call of Mother Nature. Climate Change has seriously sent us a message. The Environment is our friend but we have seriously exploited it, and I say that about the entire country. It's not just about Luzon, it's about the entire Nation.

What does Kindness Involve

I believe Kindness involves honesty. Kindness also involves challenging the other to be better.

To be tolerant of a person's wrong doings and bad attitude is to be rude. Help her/him be more aware, help her/him to grow.

How do you continue to be kind to someone who refuses to listen is a different story. But I also think that it is not kind enough to just let things be if that is the case. Because whatever his/her mistake is, it is then bound to happen over and over again. Perhaps the kind thing to do is go above the level of reprimand, even if it'll hurt the person.

Kindness at work should always go beyond friendship. You need to remind colleagues that at work, it most of the time not an attack on you but on the value of your work and the attitude that goes with it.

It is most kind for a person who works in a team, to think always of the team and how his/her work (or her refusal to do her work) affects everyone and team's end product. For a single person can ruin everyone else's hard work by not doing his share and not giving it his/her all.

hmmm

A Year Ago Today

A  year ago today, I was an evacuee.
Excerpts from my post:(click for full post)

"By 1145AM, as soon as we reached Bulua of Cagayan de Oro City, I considered myself and the rest of our GX Team (71) as evacuees. And although I do not know exactly yet how I'm feeling, I do know it doesn't feel very nice and very peaceful."

"Everything is still so surreal and everything seemed so fast. "

"I've been in a similar situation when the pier was bombed 10 minutes after JVP Batch23's arrival in Davao City. But that was my home and there was nowhere to "evacuate." It's a different case this time around, as we are all not from Iligan. And it wasn't just an isolated bombing of one place - there were series of bombings and exchange of gunfire between the rebels and the military in the nearby town."

"If there's a prevailing sadness, and worry, in me, it's for the people in my area/exact community in Robocon, Linamon, Lanao del Norte. They are, once again, caught in the middle of the crossfire. And we thought in our interviews and visits to them, that after the 2000 major armed conflict - they are finally healed and ready to start thinking about sustainable livelihood plans."

"I am an Evacuee; a helpless individual amidst a major peace crisis."

Last week, while I was with about a hundred PNP head officials, with no opportunity to watch the news as we were working until midnight, more than 20 soldiers were killed in the crossfire in Basilan. And although I am not privy on the story behind the all out "war" there, I remain very skeptic if the said combat was necessary. I remain in my stand that Violence can never lead to Peace.

The sad thing is, I think we all are, in one way or another, still "Evacuees amidst the Crisis we are facing." For this is not the country we deserve to live in; this is not the state of life the young generation deserve to grow up in; most of our current government officials are not the leaders we deserve; the disease of graft and corruption reeks in our nation - like diseases that easily spread in evacuation centers etc. etc.

But like an evacuee, we cannot forever be dependent on dole-out relief and donations if we want genuine restoration. We have to go back to our home, Learn How to Rebuild Our Lives and Really Work Hard On it. We work with what we have plus work hard to get what we need in our restoration efforts. We cannot sit on our backs and expect our homes to be rebuilt for us. It just doesn't work that way, We All Know That. 

Prudence President, Prudence

When in doubt, practice prudence. It's very simple really, you do not need to have a PhD to know this. And if you are in management, I believe this is one of the basic things you must know.

Seriously, and I say this in a calm manner because I do not even have the energy to scream in disgust, first $15,000 (Bobby Vans) in Washington then $20,000 (Le Cirque) when you get to NY? What are you trying to say? And please, please, please tell your office of the Press Secretary, it doesn't matter if you didn't pay for it, it doesn't make it any less evil. Please tell them to stop using that as an excuse. It actually says something about how you simply allow yourself to be dragged by people for free stuff, when isn't it part of our Code of Conduct in Public Service to turn down gifts? Most especially you President, and most especially when you can sense that the gift is lavish.

And again, office of the Press Secretary - you say that when one offers you free supper you don't ask questions anymore, you just go. Really, not even the President whose security you must always think of? What if there's poison in the food that will be served or there is a death threat coming from that area, you don't check? You just go because it's free anyway? (napaka PATAY GUTOM naman ng dating ng Presidente!) And you don't ask anything? You are the President but you are shy to ask because you are not paying?  Shouldn't our president have enough courage to ask simple questions like, "Where are we eating? Would it be too expensive there because I do not want to burden you nor would I want my people to think I'm being too lavish?"  The most powerful person in my country cannot ask simple questions like that yet she feels she can govern us all? And is even thinking of extending her term to govern us all?

You also just told the whole nation that in first world countries most restaurants look alike and look so simple that you wouldn't think that eating in a simple restaurant would cost so much as $15,000. Most of us may not be well traveled, but we are not that stupid. In this internet age and the many foreign movies shown here in the coutry, we know that not all restaurants abroad look alike and EVERYONE knows that a proper STEAK is expensive. Even McDonald's is expensive for the common Filipino who only earns a meager Php142/day (minimum wage in small cities and municipalities).

Lastly Office of the Press Secretary, you had the audacity to ask us during your presscon if we will just allow the President to eat at hotdog stands? Ofcourse we would! And it's part of their culture, it would be nice to allow our president to experience that. And as long as it's clean and the hotdog doesn't cost the same as building 2 classrooms and feeding about 750,000 children. Please resign already and go somewhere where there are no people because your level of intelligence is a further insult to us. Or better yet, since I'm sure you are corrupt yourself, why don't you buy somebody to actually listen to you because you do not deserve any form of conversation with us. If I wasn't so aware of the many things this administration is doing {which I (we) do not agree with} I'd say I'm surprised you haven't been sacked yet.

I no longer doubt that you are evil President, but I guess the educated person that I am felt you still had some ounce of conscience and 'delikadesa.' Now, I think you really don't have any anymore - because you were able to easily digest such an expensive meal without any thought for the hungry back in your country. I probably would have let it slip if you were just an ordinary rich 'kababayan' who simply wanted to treat herself to a 'good' meal (your hard earned money, your call), but you are the HIGHEST LEADER in our nation so I ask  -  Must you really devour that expensive meal while the poverty incidence in your country is so high? And did you by any chance think of those who died and lost their livelihood in the recent typhoons that hit the country  when you drowned yourself in that expensive wine? Perhaps you did, in a celebratory manner, on how NONE of us would be able to taste that steak and that wine because you just doubled your assets by stealing our money.

I sincerely hope you enjoyed your meals, enjoyed it so much that you are still CONSTIPATED up to now and that the Chef was in a bad mood that night and decided to pee on your soup. I sincerely hope so.

--Postscript--
I am beginning to think that the people working closely (Office of the Press Secretary is one)  for the President are either Extremely Stupid (because I already know that they are stupid) or are secretly plotting to Destroy her (not that she is not yet destroyed in the eyes of the many) with these mistakes. But there you go Ms. President, atleast with some of your staff, YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE - Basura! 

Teddy Boy Locsin's Eulogy for President Cory Aquino

I caught the replay of the late President Cory Aquino's necrological service last night. I had to shed a tear when Mayor Lim gave his last salute by her coffin. I finally broke down during her bodyguard's (Mel Mamarin) eulogy and when he gave his last and quite long salute to Cory Aquino. I also couldn't fight back the tears during Peping Cojuangco and Ninoy's Sister Maur's eulogies. But the last one, TEDDY BOY LOCSIN left me in awe, in great sadness and again in tears.

Since President Aquino's death last Saturday, people have been quoting her speeches when she was President. I quickly researched who her speech writer was and realised it was Teddy Boy Locsin. Admittedly I find him "pogi" and when he used to be more active in the media before, find his writings really good. Although much credit ought to be given to Tita Cory for delivering her speeches really well, with such generosity and passion, I believe we ought to give a hand to Teddy who wrote those words and allowed for Tita Cory to deliver them and inspire us Filipino people.

I found the transcript of his eulogy in Jessica Zafra's blog and would want to share this to people as well. There's a tinge of jealousy I believe for I hope that when I die someone can write and share a beautifully written eulogy such as this.

Rest in Peace Tita Cory. May you bring us ever closer to Mama Mary - to God.

---

Teddy Boy Locsin's Eulogy

Throughout thirteen years of martial law, until I laid eyes on her again, I never thought that I would ever see the end of it. Least of all that my father would survive it. I am not much given to prayer or pious reflection but when I could set aside my anger, I prayed my father would see democracy again.

Late one afternoon, in San Francisco, I got a call. It was from Cory Aquino, for whom I had written one speech after her husband’s assassination. She said she had accepted Marcos’s challenge in a Snap Presidential Election. I put down the phone, and packed my bags, and reported to her at the Cojuangco Building.

I knew then she was the answer to my prayers. What I did not notice was that the closer we came to victory, which is to say the farther the prospect receded that the Marcos regime would survive, the less I felt the anger inside me. As each day passed, bringing me closer to the day I could get even, the less I felt the need for it as I spent more time with the woman who alone could make it possible.

I did not notice, but I was no longer looking back in anger, or looking forward even, to victory and vindication. Only now do I see. I had lived with my anger so long, only for the day to come when it no longer mattered to me. The only thing that counted was that I was living every day to the fullest, bringing out the best in me—for someone else. A dream I hadn’t had since I was a boy, feeding on stories of chivalry, had been achieved. I was serving a woman who was every inch a sovereign, all the more for scorning the slightest pretension to the role.

I did not realize it, even when I was already in the Palace, by the side of the President—among all her advisers, I like to think, the one who loved her most.

It never again occurred to me that I had scores to settle. And not until today, that I had passed up every chance to get even.

From the moment I came in from the airport and reported for duty, and she gave me in return the same smile she gave me on her deathbed, I never noticed… Not when I was with her in the campaign when she corrected me for not looking at the people I was waving at… Nor when I was with her in the presidential limousine looking intently, for her benefit, at the crowds at whom I waved… I never noticed anything. Except that I was with the only person that I would ever want to be with.

I certainly never noticed that I had left my anger behind. I don’t know how it happened. Except that Cory Aquino ennobled everyone who came near her. I have tried to say it publicly but never could finish. If you saw me as I felt myself to be, anyone would fall in love with me. I saw myself in that hospital room, a knight at the bedside of his dying sovereign, on the eve of a new Crusade, oblivious to the weight of the armor on his shoulders for the weight of the grief in his heart.

And because she always doubted my ability to be good for very long… Indeed, when my wife told Ballsy that I prayed the rosary at Lourdes for her mother’s recovery, Cory said, “Teddy Boy prayed the rosary? A miracle! I feel better already.” Because she doubted my capacity for self-reformation, she made it effortless for me by being herself. I did not notice that I was doing right by serving a woman who never did wrong. I am not sure how to take this moral self-discovery. It is so unlike myself. But if it will bring me before her again, I am happy.

Of This Year's Deaths (so far)

It seems the weather is in mourning too.

The sun came out a bit this morning but the skies are once again gray. The rain is pouring and the wind is blowing, although not so strong. The sun is peeking a bit, perhaps telling people it's okay. She lived a full and good life.

Heaven must be rejoicing though, as it seemed to be filled with many good and interesting people lately. I wonder if FrancisM , Susan Fernandez and MJ are leading a welcome party for Tita Cory? And if they are finally making her , Tara (traffic accident victim last year who died recently after almost a year in comma) and Mrs. Buntag (A friend's mother who died recently of cancer) feel comfortable and painless. Joel (ate maita's brother) must also be happy having these people around. I feel a bit jealous of the wonderful conversations he'll be having with them,especially with Francis M and Cory Aquino. And finally, I wonder if Fr. Joey is still celebrating masses there or if he is just rapping and dancing with the crowd.

I AM PROUD OF my friend MAILA

Her name is Maila Manalang-Mitra and a friend since High School. But we became closer and very good friends in College.

We didn't exactly come from the same crowd in HS but we were in the same org/club, which was the school paper called BLUE KNIGHT (geek! hahaha). She was the artist, I was the layout artist. Our club is kinda exclusive, just a few members/staff and we have our own room, under the stairs which was both cool and creepy. We often had meetings and overnight type of work finishing our stories and layout, which was so cool when you were 13-14yrs old. This artist/painter side of Mai is something I've always known in the past though it wasn't what people knew of her then.


Mai has always been more known to be a SINGER than being a Visual Artist. She would sweep school wide (and interschool I believe) singing competitions and she never failed to wow the crowd. In my opinion, she has one of the best and cleanest falsettos although some people have said the whole falsetto is not very good for a singer. Nevermind them, hahaha. Anyway, this JULY, Mai was fortunate enough to represent the country in the WORLD Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA). By the way, Mai is the one sitting at the leftmost in this picture. Pretty Hot for a Mother of 2 noh?

This is a talent that Philippine Idol ignored, so I guess some talents are just really bound to be shown in Bigger Competitions. hehehe. I wanted her to win the grandest prize of course. But even if she didn't, she still represented us well and she will be going home bringing 1 GOLD MEDAL - Gospel for the song “His Eye is On the Sparrow” and 4 SILVER MEDALS - Broadway (”Meadowlark”); Open (”Defying Gravity”); Pop (”Weekend in New England”); Rock (”Cryin’ “).  She made it to the SEMI-FINALS of the World Championships. Good Job Mai!

I know you probably won't be able to read this until you get home on the 29th but CONGRATULATIONS. I am so proud of you. I am so proud that you are my friend and you are my kumare. Except that I'm such an absentee Godmother. hahaha. I promise to be better at it lagi. Seriously though, I know how much you love singing and so I know that this means so much to you. CONGRATS Talaga! I miss hearing you sing.. Videoke tayo minsan. ang jolog! hehehe.

I AM PROUD OF my cousin Migs

I think I will start a series of random blog entries that starts with this title - I AM PROUD OF. Because I believe we need to read more positive and inspiring writing. I believe we, I, have so much to be proud of and it would be so nice to share. So I'm starting with an entry about My Cousin MIGS.

For those of you who have been reading my blog entries, you know him already. He is my cousin, one of the 4 boys (we girls dominate) in my mother side. I will re introduce him and give more details about him to make you understand why, TODAY in particular, I am so proud of him. 

Migs or MIGUEL ANTONIO GOMEZ is my beloved cousin who is in person, very shy which in effect is quite mysterious and I think that has resulted in many girls having a crush on him (since HS pa!). He is now in 3rd year college (tama ba Migs?) and a designated driver of his mom, my mom and our grandparents. He is one of the most patient drivers I know because he remains quiet amidst my tita's (his mom's) backseat driving (all the time, hehehe). In grade school, until early HS, he's one of the most famous Basketball players in the school but he never let that get into his head. He was the tallest in the varsity but would always play nice and would try not to hurt his opponent in every game. Because of his quiet personality, people think he doesn't have anything to say or that he doesn't care. Even some people in our family think that he is just this easy-go-lucky person who will just sit in one corner and the world pass him by. But he is not!

He writes, if not about being inspired by someone special or about a song he loves, Migs would write his angsts. Pretty normal for a guy his age and for someone in our family (kahit ako angsty di ba?). What he doesn't know is he writes well and he seem not to accept the fact that he makes a lot of sense. 

--

Last weekend he wrote an entry about his angst with our politicians. How he thinks they all suck and that he hates them. But in his entry, he would still be his usual self and apologize every now and then. He would repeatedly say that what he is writing is his personal opinion and he doesn't want people to think he is an activitist, etc. His usual apologetic self despite his anger toward 'fake, insincere' politicians. I will not post his entire entry because he might hate me (don't migs, I am just so proud of you).

The gist of this is that even if he thinks this entry is so Angry toward the world and the politicians, even if he is saying he doesn't care .. it actually shows HE CARES and that HE IS SERIOUSLY THINKING about what is happening in the country, especially DAVAO in particular. He is sharing his point of view to his friends and family and that for me says a lot. Even if for now, he doesn't believe in Elections anymore and I think he doesn't want to register/vote, this proves that he is still thinking if that will be his final choice. .  It's SIMPLE but what he doesn't know is that people who read his blog, are affected by this and they too Start to Think More and hopefully WORK MORE.

Here are some of his writings and replies to my replies to him too. Do not attack his opinion if you don't agree with him, we are entitled to our opinions. I AM PROUD of YOU MIGS and I see so much growth in you as a person. You are truly no longer that little boy that I use to help Mama take care of. I'll see you very soon and hopefully bring some hope in the government system in you. I love you!

--

hello there..i heard that the cheesy election is fast approaching and people are becoming too hot about it.

politics starts in school, like student leaders, student body or whatever they're called..they're stupid, of all my years in school, every year there's always this student body or leaders, and all i know is that nothing happened/ is happening....pretending to care about their fellow students..b

so, let us go to the "real" politics..politics in our country, shall i say:

honestly, i don't care about this garbage, i don't want to know who the candidates are, it's really more like a beauty pageant than being a good leader..stupid promises, that's what those politicians are good at, they are full of crap and they are crap, always making promises, plans or whatever, but they can't seem to back up their words..and when a controversy like sex scandal videos happen, they seem to be too much into it, like it's a very big deal, like it's a "major blow" to our economy.

in this coming elections, whoever wins is not considered a winner..all of us our losers here, i'm a loser, you are a loser, we are all losers..we can only consider ourselves winners if we work together in doing the right thing..i mean right things... 

HIS REPLIES TO ME

"yes, i am angry but i don't want to sound like an activist or something..and i think more than half of our population hate politics, and my opinion is nothing new.."

"but what i'm really stressing is what the "people of edsa" did in 1986..we don't need go out of our homes, gather ourselves and squeal for change or the infamous: "sobra na, tama na."..we need to change ourselves too, and the politicians as well...once they feel inequality, they go out and rally..isn't that laziness? why can't they just continue with their work and do something worthwhile, they're disturbing other peoples daily lives for all they know."

HIS LATEST and BEST REPLY

"basically, i just want justice..this journal entry of mine is like saying "where is justice?" trying to listening to the song 'And Justice for All"...i always relate my favorite music to happenings in life or realities of life..not the cheesy-ness of life"
--
 
How can you not be proud?!

I Do Not Believe

For almost 1 month I've been reviewing a Social Protection project of MMDA. I'm currently writing the final report and have no choice but to visit their website. I need some factual information which we didn't necessarily require in the forms we asked from them and even from my interviews. So I need to get them from their website.

What will welcome you when you visit their site is this "wonderful" picture and MMDA's mantra.

I've seen a billboard version of this somewhere in the Metro and I've long wanted to post something about it because I find it so distracting and cluttered. The picture says KAAYUSAN, from the word AYOS or MAAYOS. But with the layout and the cluttered pictures as a background, I REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

Kaya naman pala ang gulo gulo ng lansangan eh. Kung ganito ka kalat ang konsepto nya ng kaayusan, hanggang ganyan na lang din kakalat at gulo ang daan sa metro manila araw-araw. Kamusta naman?!

I don't believe you. *bow*

 

 

RAIN/ING Babies

The second one has come!

 

A bit of delayed news since last weekend felt so fast, but my 2^nd nephew was born last Friday, July 10. Yahoo! He will be carrying the name ZAYEED meaning ‘growth’ or ‘to grow.’ Full name, ZAYEED ABDEL-HAKEEM SONZA ALUG (parang ang daming E noh?).  I am proud to say that I researched Zayed/Zayeed a couple of weeks before my sister’s delivery. I wanted him to have a name that starts with letter Z for some reason. Wow, I co-named my nephew!

 

My mom, my brother in law and my eldest sister say Baby Zai (pronounce in British or Australian accent please) looks very much like his older brother Aliq but he has slighty different nose and a rounder face. From the MMS my sister sent, he looks more ‘angelic’ than Aliq’s newborn pictures. Hehehe.

 

I can’t wait to see my favorite nephews by the end of the month! I am yet to finalise my schedule.

 

--

I had dinner with good friends Ate Maita and Ate Pia last Friday and they talked about visiting Baby Raffy (Alikpala) recently. They were talking about how Raffy walked in his diapers most of the time, flaunting his thighs and legs. I was so jealous! I’ve been imagining biting and squeezing Raffy’s thighs, arms and cheeks since then. I have to see him soon. Yum, yum, yum!  

 

--

My good friend/roomie Pat finally found out what she and husband Ian are expecting come October. . . And it’s a Baby Girl! Finally a girl amidst my numerous baby boys. I am claiming her baby to also be mine. I can't get enough of them.hehehe

 

--

I was feeling lazy at work last Friday afternoon and decided to search for free yahoo games (I know, I feel terrible for doing that during office hours. But my officemates assured me, the break was ok, I had a go signal. hahaha). I discovered a game which I would love to have on my phone, my old phone which is still busted. It's from the same makers of my phone obsession 3 years ago, Diner Dash. It's called DIAPER DASH.

 

Ok this might be an old game but I just discovered it and I love it. I love how cute the babies are in the game and that they really 'smell' when you change their diapers. Dex and/or Bugsy can you put this game on my phone? When we see each other that is. hihihi

 

--

 

Oh the rain. This morning, less than a minute before I was to get off my sister Tetet's car the rain poured hard and strong, with heavy winds. My feet and slacks were drenched as soon as I got off her car, annoying! I have rescheduled my working hours to 830 (from 8AM) so I can save up a bit on taxi expenditures in the morning and just take the FX. But the rain asked me to jump into the first cab I saw, and even that took me 10mins to wait for. To add to my luck, the taxi had a bit of a rigged meter, I paid 10peso more than usual. 

 

And as if the weather wasn't having enough fun, when I got into my desk, I could see from the window that the rain calmed down and people easily walked along the sidewalk. Hmp!  

ANC Leadership Forum (Part2)

5 JUNE 2009

Early this week I saw an advertisement of a part two of the forum sometime this week. They were going to interview a new set of possible 'presidentiables.' I couldn't remember when it would be aired but good thing I was watching the news this PM that I found out the forum was simultaneously being aired on ANC. Switch channel!

(Toxic at work and I really don't have time to write. So sincere apologies if this will be so random and will involve a lot of ranting. Can't help it eh. This new set of people in the part 2 of the Forum asked for it)

Ping Lacson opened the ANC Leadership Forum to announce his backing out for the Presidential Race come 2010. He gave some reasons,mainly about not having money for the campaign, which for the most part I didn't listen to, I can't stand looking at Ping on TV for more than a couple of minutes. Whatever he was saying, it seemed to have been replaced by "Mancao is home!Mancao is home!" (I'll leave you to judge for yourself)

I'll give my observations in bullet points:

ERAP - 'made sense'
* From the last forum, I overheard that questions were given before the forum itself, so I guess former President Estrada came prepared. But he surely did make a lot of sense.
* Questions were more focused on 'past' issues and didn't dwell much on platform and plans so it wasn't really helpful should he run.
* He made a lot of sense. I just have to repeat that, mainly because I wasn't expecting it.
* He couldn't help but bring out the actor in him when he constantly made jokes. And what was disturbing I guess by how 'amused' the audience were. He was funny but must we really be so amused during an event like that? It wasn't stand up comedy, it was supposed to be a LEADERSHIP FORUM

LOREN LEGARDA - 'owned the forum' (she didn't belong with the 3)
* transparency and without batting an eyelash.
* There's admiration in how clearly she knew her net worth and doesn't seem to hide it.
* Although similar to Erap, questions were more about past issues, she was wise enough to share what she wants to do - platform was quite clear.
* Despite being really smart, I couldn't help but have snippets of those ads she randomly aired late last year about corruption and how much I wanted to puke for the early electioneering.
 

BINAY - 'piggery' issue.
* He didn't have just a piggy bank when he was young, he had a piggery. Bongga!
* Could puke on his lecture about corruption. There was a point when he said something about the importance of curbing corruption in present governance. If I could enter the TV screen I will not only scream at him, I'd probably vomit. "You still have a pending case of corruption on hospital beds you F**K!. 250,000/bed instead of 25,000?! How dare you lecture!?
* He kept using his tagline 'Kami sa Makati.' Can somebody remind him Makati is a special case! You are the central business district, if you were handling a poorer city, some of your projects wouldn't have flourished.
* And some people do not like Makati, hello! Kung Ganyan kayo sa Makati, some people Don't Care.

BAYANI FERNANDO - 'Ewan!'
* Answer to question what will you do 100 days after you get elected as President?
 - first 100 days is to communicate to people where he wants us to go. After being elected that's when you tell? What if i don't want to go with you!? That leaves me with no choice anymore because you've already been elected. 
* Waste of airtime really. Sorry 'bayani/marikina' fans but it was such a sad occassion for him as he came out extremely 'bobo' during the whole forum. Erap looked/seemed waaay smarter than him.
* And it didn't help that he wasn't listening well to questions, he repeatedly said YES to the question "If he was ABOVE the LAW." Finally, after 10 years!, he corrected himself and said, He Abides the Law.

QUESTION and ANSWER portion
1) OFW and Migration (lessen number of OFWs and Migration to other countries because it is a source of 'brain drain' and lessens family values)
*Loren's answer very direct, no nonsense and no political agenda but focus on an actual possible economic solution.
*Erap - Agriculture, strengthen agriculture
Binay - kept on speaking about Makati, grr.
Bayani - i can't even remember, he so doesn't make enough sense and recall to me.

2) What Core Values Do you Possess and Do you think a Good Leader/President must possess?
*Loren - Kakayanan, Compassion, Tenacious/Relenting and Work Ethic/Integrity
*Erap - Love of God, Love of Country and Love of Country
* Bayani - What I will Give to Youth, I will give to All! (Ano daw!?!)
   - wala ata syang core values, hindi nya sinagot ha.
* Binay - Perform Well, Competent and provide the leadership needed by the country. .. Obviously di naman talaga mahalaga ang Integridad sa kanya. It's all about competence, kahit walang sense of honesty, walang vision, di forward looking. Ayoko sa ganyan!

3) Vitug Asks about CONASS issue in relation to Supreme Court who will now handle the issue. A Supreme Court Justice should have competence and what?
* ERAP - unquestionable integrity. When he was president, he reviewed data and very careful about appointment. 'And I never talked to anyone in the SC when I was a President.'  (di ba, made sense!)
* BAYANI - productive? "I will have to call IBP to help me out." (Ano daw?! Sabi sa inyo eh, walang kwenta. no wonder ang gulo gulo din talaga ng traffic sa manila, i wonder how he makes decisions with MMDA"
* BINAY - "ang mabuti ay yung kaya nyang panindigan sa Diyos ang kanyang mga desisyon." That's not a quality? And how the crap can you measure that? That is between him and his God
* LOREN - Character. Unquestionable Integrity and Work Ethic that the job demands. But for all elected and appointed officials of the government.


It's quite obvious who I dislike right? But it's only LOREN who is making me think twice. I have made up my mind about the 3, seriously. Maybe that's also the reason why I just didn't bother to give so much effort to write this entry.

Testimony2, Love and Politics

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Music
Genre:	Other
Artist:	INDIA ARIE

Ever since Kuya Mark Lopez introduced INDIA ARIE to me in 2003, I've been a fan. Each new album, each new song has allowed me to become an even bigger fan. :) So thanks for the gift of India Arie Kuya Mark.

I don't even know what genre she belongs to, to be honest. hahaha. But she is truly a joy and an inspiration to listen to. Her songs are always one of those that you wish you were the one who wrote it, or you wish you knew her so you can ring her and tell her that you can totally relate and you feel it speaks to you.

I tried for find her album earlier, but as always, artists like India Arie are hard to find even in Metro Manila. Hope to find this album soon. A BEAUTIFUL DAY is my favorite song in the album TESTIMONY, Love and Politics. :)

I would've given this a rate of 4.5 but they don't have it. I'm not too sure yet if I'll love the whole album as much as i did ACOUSTIC SOUL. We'll see, when I get the whole album :)

Enjoy the lyrics of A Beautiful Day! ;) It's positively powerful song. Thanks India Arie (if you can only read this) hahaha

---
A Beautiful Day


Life is a journey,
Not a destination,
There are no mistakes,
Just chances we've taken
Lay down your regrets cause
all we have is now

Wake up in the morning
And get out of bed
Start making a mental list in my head
Of all of the things that I am grateful for

Early in the morning
it's the dawn of a new day
New hopes new dreams new ways
I open up my eyes and
I open up my mind and
I wonder how life will surprise me today
Early in the morning
it's the dawn of a new day
New hopes new dreams new ways
I open up my heart and
I'm gon’ do my part and
Make this a positively beautiful day

La la la la la la la la la [x3]
it's a Beautiful Day [x3]

Life is a challenge not a competition
[ Find more Lyrics on www.mp3lyrics.org/cAmL ]
You can still smell the roses
and be on a mission
Just take a moment to get in
touch with your heart
Sometimes you feel like
you've got something to prove
Remind yourself that there's only one you
Just take a moment to give
thanks of who you are
Early in the morning
it's the dawn of a new day
New hopes, new dreams, new ways
I open up my eyes and
I open up my mind and
I wonder how life will surprise me today

Early in the morning
it's the dawn of a new day
New hopes, new dreams, new ways
I open up my heart and
I'm gon’ do my part and
Make this a positively beautiful day

ANC Leadership Forum (Pinoy Makialam!)

First of all, I’d like to remind people that this is MY blog and will therefore carry MY opinions and criticisms. I understand that some of you may not agree with me and that’s fine, I would like to hear your opinions as well. A healthy dose of debate is always nice.

And because I welcome other thoughts and opinions, you can also react to them. But please practice RESPECT for other people’s views and do not reply for the mere sake of attacking that person. Yes, you can curse but kindly put them in place and temper them as my younger cousins are in my network (and so is my mom and aunts. Ok! hihi)
---

Here it goes, 364 days before 2010 election, ANC decided to hold a “Leadership Forum” inviting possible Presidentiables for a “getting to know you and your platform cum meeting de avance session” of some sort. Some of the invited guests have already been vocal about running for the post to the point of releasing early advertisements, etc; one hasn’t really made a statement about it yet, while another is undecided.

For those who weren’t able to watch, the proceedings were 2 parts. The fist part was a 10-minute individual interview by the hosts (Tina Monson-Palma and Ricky Carandang) and the second was a group discussion of some sort where questions were thrown one at a time, and everyone gets to answer them.

For this entry, I’ll focus more on the 1st part, the interviews. You might see a lot of quotes from the “presidentiables” and a lot of my opinions interjected as well. (Bullet points para mas simple)

1)    First on the Chopping block was CHIZ ESCUDERO
•    Tina Monson-Palma interviews and she starts with a grand intro of Chiz being the youngest among the group and someone who belongs to the Youth Sector
    – Hep! This early on I just have to react. Come on! He is already 39 years old. I’m not even part of the youth sector anymore according to the UN and most youth organizations limit the age of the Youth to 35. He is young but can we not force the idea that he is still part of the generation of the Youth? (pasintabi to those who still work for the youth and youth development who are above 35 - you are still Young but I don’t hear you forcing yourself to still be part of the youth sector.) Akin lang, wag ipilit.
•   He said he only spent about 7M (or was it 70M) during his Senatorial Campaign and most of which didn’t come out of his own pocket. And he swears to have properly audited and accounted for his donors and expenses. He also stressed that he knew all of those who contributed to his campaign but that he is not in debt for their support. – GOOD JOB!
•    I listen to him speak and his tone is sometimes just irritating, don’t you think? But Gosh is He a Sweet Talker!? That tongue is just good, and in both English and Tagalog. I am yet to find out more though how far the words from his mouth have gone down to the hands and feet and in real action. And sometimes, when you listen really closely to what he is saying, you realize there’s just nothing there. Walang laman, maganda lang pakinggan.
•    I do have a love and hate relationship with Chiz. There are days (and Senate inquiries) that I just adore him and respect him (and his staff for properly researching), but there are days when he’s just too SHOWBIZ. And I hate how he always joins the bandwagon in those ralllies, for calls to impeach, etc etc.
•    I still have to review what he has done in Senate, aside from getting a vey high media mileage.


2)    Ricky Carandang interviews RICHARD GORDON
•    I have to admit that I am a Richard Gordon fan – in a lot of things he has done in Subic, in Olongapo and in the Department of Tourism.
•    I do not appreciate the media mileage with the ICRC volunteers kidnapping because 1)There is a part of me that questions his sincerity and 2)He heads PNRC and not ICRC and a good friend works for ICRC and he is not very happy with him right now and feels they can do better without him talking so much to the media.
•     During the entire forum, a bit of his being elitist might have come out (hehehe) but I admire his clear vision for the country and his idea of what leadership ought to be – Moral Leadership with a Vision to Change not forgetting about history, culture and values.
•    I love his subtlety (or not) in making "parinig" to some of his other opponents in the forum by using the taglines they have used in their ads to start his answers to some of the questions. I think someone wants a proper debate?
•    I have a long list of quotable quotes (lumalabas na ang biases ko!). But for the quotes alone, he won the forum. Here are some of them –
        o    “Di mo na kailangan ulit-ulitin na mahirap tayo, kawawa naman tayo, alam na ng tao yan. What this country needs is a creation of a new face. A new Philippines that we can be proud of. “
        o    “The President sits on the pulpit therefore what he does and what he says is very powerful. So his sense of leadership must be leadership by example.”
        o    Speaking about his past experiences and how that can contribute to his presidency – “Gaya ng mga slogan at ginawa naming sa Olangapo. Bawal ang TAMAD, Bawal ang TANGA. May alam ka, gamitin mo. Walang kang alam, mag-aral ka.”
        o    “The big A word is not Arousal, it should be Assertion. And I think I have always been assertive of the changes I want and I’ll continue to be so. Dapat ang Pinoy, kung alam nya na tama sya, assertive.”
        o    4Vs- Vision, Values, Volunteerism = Victory (parang masyadong cheer to end with Victory!ahahaha)
        o    When asked about his age because he was the oldest among the 5 guests – “I am the Youth of Old Age. “ hmmm


3)    GOV. ED PANLILIO
•    His slant is “Stand up Against Bad Governance”
•    I know a good number of people (a few are my friends even) who are convinced that he should run and that he will bring about the Change and Development we have long desired. But I’m sorry, I really am not convinced. I’m still waiting for him to really show me his track record, for him to provide me with his concrete plan and for him to make a stronger stand on his decision to run. It cannot be, as what he has said, dependent alone if the people will move together to ask him to run. I would want my President to be more decisive and actually WANT to be there. I neither appreciate his indecision nor his dependence on others.
•    Appreciated his answer on the question on why so many of his colleagues in Pampanga dislike him and that they are questioning his ability to work well in a team, etc. His main point was his wanting to work with “People who will not compromise their principles just because the majority wants it.” – KUDOS TO THAT!
•    On the questions of Family Planning and Mining, if his Catholic/Priestly background will greatly affect his stand – he came out so much of a priest to me and actually, even with the answer that there is still a need to dialogue and exhaust the topics and solutions, gave me his stand. I just wish, he just said it out loud, plain and simple. I would’ve given him more respect for making a stand on National television (regardless of what it was, whether I was for or against it) rather than beating around the bush.
•    I don’t know, after the interview I am even more convinced that He is just not the One yet.

4)    Tina Monson-Palma with MAR ROXAS
•    Can I just say that Tina didn’t do a good job last night? Poor questions, poor questions. And she talked too much; she ate so much of the time of the speakers.
•    Her questions were so bad, that MAR came out as a mere TRAPO last night. That’s all he was to me. Ew!
•    Of the 10 minutes must you really eat up about 2mins to speak about your lovelife? Seriously!?! I don’t care about Korina and how your family has accepted her. I want to know your vision, your plans, your platform, your track record not your wedding plans.
•    I do agree with you that you probably did a lot during your time at DTI and if you focused more on that, in relation to your platform I would have been impressed. But you didn’t. Instead you made sure to put in your slant – “Kampi sa Api” and “Para sa Mahihirap” And must we really stress on the Visayan term for the padyak – TRISIKAD as the main theme of your Ad? Is that an attempt to get more votes from us of the Visayas and Mindanao? I almost wanted to puke.
•    I think if Ricky were the one who interviewed you, you probably had a better chance to show and say something that matters. This forum along with your grand PDA at Wowowee was a disaster for you! Kung pwede lang ako pumasok sa TV, tumayo at magsalita- sabihing – Utang na Loob, wag naman tayong magGaguhan! Hindi po kami tanga, hindi kami bobo, ano ba talaga ang plataporma mo? Anak ng!

5)    GILBERT TEODORO (gilbert teodoro who?)
•    Perhaps the least well known among the 5 but lately also made an Ad to slowly ease himself in the knowledge of people.
•    Secretary of Defense – according to him is the most complicated department to handle and this has helped hone his managing skills.
•    What can I say about our defense strategies?Hmmm... First of all, Do we really have one? What is it, our defense STRATEGY I mean? And when you go claiming how successful you have been in restoring peace and order in Mindanao – have you forgotten to include in the area of Mindanao the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga? Because the last I heard teachers are still being randomly kidnapped in Zamboanga for a ransom as low 5,000Php. Surely you must have restored some peace in some areas in Mindanao, but kindly just state them specifically rather than generalizing our island like you normally do.
•    And what’s up with the word “BALANSYADO!?” Ano?! If there already is a proper Tagalog word for it, let us not create new words for it.  I hate it when people do that, laziness to learn the proper term. It’s not rocket science, it’s BALANSE.
•    If you are a continuity voter, Teodoro was very honest in admitting that he is with the current administration.
•    “Institutions shape Behavior.” – may punto nga naman sya. And all throughout his interview, the businessman in him came out. Perhaps, in these trying times of global economic crisis, we do need the mind and strategy of a businessman. But does he have to be the President? Or can he just be an economic adviser?

---

In as much as my comments make it seem that I already made a decision on who to vote, I haven't. I do not vote based on one forum alone, I am quite proud to say that I have always been a responsible voter. I study who my candidates are, I read the paper, I watch forums like these, etc. I applaud ANC for the forum as early as yesterday. 

I just really hope that a lot of the voters watched it and would watch more forums like it. I also hope it has ignited the spirit of responsible voting. There is a great need to study the candidates before we decide who to vote... Now if only we can make sure that forums like this become easily accessible to more people (ANC is a cable channel) and use a language that is simpler for all people to understand. 

Honesty and CheCheLazaro

No, they do not have a great relationship to one another. Or do they? hmmm

Of Honesty
A friend's boredom Thursday last week, ended with an invite to catch a non-thinking, chick flick in the nearest mall, Eastwood. Despite Signal #1, we got into the mall with about 5minutes to spare before the published screening time at 1:55PM. We forgot though that there are already 2 malls in the area and the movie we were seeing was on the new mall.

Not really rushing, we walked to the other mall. We knew we would be able to easily catch up with the movie even if we missed the first 10minutes or so. She had 1k, I had 200 so I gave her my payment and she used her 1,000Php bill to pay for our tickets. We were a bit excited to be catching our first film in the new mall/new cinema so we were chatty while paying and walking toward the cinema.

Fast forward to about 4 hours later, my friend texts me if I noticed if the cashier gave her change and honestly I couldn't remember. She only had 200 in her wallet, which was the money I paid her so that easily means, the ticket seller wasn't able to give her, her change.

Yesterday, my sister was going to the gym across the same mall and I decided to go with her to do some errands. I kept our movie tickets and the name of the teller was in it so I thought maybe I ought to see her and ask if she remembers not giving 650php change last Thursday. She was on break when I first went so I came back 30minutes after.

I showed her our tickets, told her what happened,etc etc. There were only about 5-6 people in the cinema who watched with us so she might just remember us. Her side of the story was, she gave us our change because her accounting of the past days earnings were always balanced. She didn't go "over" so she feels she's given us change. I don't believe her.

I knew I had slim chances of getting back my friend's change, but I thought it was imperative that the ticket seller knew that we know that she failed to give us our change. And if she had some greater sense of honesty and integrity, she would have come after us inside the cinema or called us back when we passed by the ticket counter after the movie. It was a very slow day last Thursday.  I'm not saying it wasn't partly our fault because we were not paying attention, but still it wasn't her money and I have always disliked people taking other people's money.


Of Cheche Lazaro
She is definitely one of the very few people in the media industry whom I respect and idolize.

I was waiting for my sister to finish when I read an article about her supposed warrant/bail. It was a commentary though, of a writer I don't even like and who I feel is totally overrated, but since it had CheChe Lazaro's name in the title, I read it.

The allegation, more the case filed against Ms. Lazaro, was her violation of Republic Act 4200, otherwise known as the Anti-Wiretapping Act. The law declares it unlawful for any person, not being authorized by all parties to any private communication or spoken, to knowlingly possess and such record, or to replay the same for any other person, or persons, or to communicate the contents thereof, either verbally or in writing, or to furnish transcriptions thereof, whether complete or portion, to any other person.  (What a long sentence and too many ORs. Sometimes I really wish our laws can be rewritten simpler and in shorter sentences. The common tao will understand it more easily and perhaps follow it more if they did)

Anyway, the case was filed by GSIS VP for PR and Communications Office, Ella Valencerina. This was with regard to a cellphone conversation she and Ms. Lazaro had last November 10 in relation to a story PROBE was doing on the complaints of public school teachers against GSIS. I don't know the full story, but Ms. Lazaro claims that she warned Ms. Valencerina that the conversation they were having was being recorded - "I'm telling you that we are recording this," Lazaro said.  

On that issue, I think it is quite clear that no "secret" recording of the conversation happened. I think the more pressing question is if there was approval of the airing of the said recorded conversation. Early on, GSIS refused an on cam interview be done because of prior negative experiences with the channel where PROBE airs. The whole transcript of their conversation is in the possession of Branch 47 in Pasay so we don't really know if there was consent on Ms. Valencerina's end for the conversation to be aired.

I do not have a particular stand on this yet, especially since I have very limited knowledge on the case, etc. I still have the highest respect for Ms. Lazaro and I sincerely believe she has more than enough experience and intellect to know what the law permits and that she knows what lines not to cross. But I also know that all people are capable of making mistakes, making wrong decisions or even taking things easily because they have done it before and ending up missing an important step or two.

I guess this news left me at a point of reflection on the lines media crosses just to get to the bottom of things and be able to deliver the most comprehensive investigative piece on air. I also remember how I dislike most news on TV now as they have managed to make reports too dramatic and feature like - I like my news Straight and just the facts!  I'm thinking now if shows like Imbestigador and XXX, even if they do exposes are already too aggressive and have managed to step on the citizens' civil liberties. And I wonder if the hosts think of themselves as people who can be above the law because they are seen on TV catching the "bad guys."  

I have always been particular on the major role that media play in educating the public. Despite the proliferation of internet social networking sites, the telly still beats them in terms of influencing the people, especially the Masang Pinoy. *thinking*