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Government response: A case of my letter sent to my hometown Batuan in Bohol Province

The recent developments in the political scene of the Philippines made me wonder and realized how fast things can get or how the government can act fast if they really wanted to. Unlike the services we experienced since time immemorial, the government in fact has been known to be as slow as a turtle and can get out of their office faster and swifter than 4PM.

Noynoy Aquino paved a straight road (daang matuwid, his favorite) to persecute people especially those with links to ex-President Gloria Arroyo and then Arroyo herself. Not that I am against Arroyo’s persecution and prosecution, I was just amazed at how fast Noynoy waves his hands and everything followed in magic. Legalities were done in just a few hours where it used to be centuries. It’s like having a miracle, Alleluiah!

Unlike what happened to my letter to the Municipality of Batuan, my hometown in Bohol.

Exactly two (2) months ago, October 6, 2011 to be exact, I sent a letter to Mayor Francisco Pepito and the members of the Sangguniang Bayan care of Municipal Vice Mayor Antonino Jumawid who happened to be on leave at that time, asking explanation on why the Official Website of the Municipality of Batuan, Bohol plagiarized several articles posted in the said website. The website I was talking about bears the Official Seal of the Municipality of Batuan, Bohol and blatantly copied the Vision of the Municipality of Calape, Bohol and the Messsage of the Mayor of the Municipality of Mabini. To make matters worse, Hillary Clinton’s picture was in the Mayor’s Message.

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The supposed Message of Mayor Gregoria Pepito (who died long before her reelection came) which I copied from the website:

This is the official online portal of Mabini, (remember this is the official website of Batuan) the town, its government, and its people. Here you will find what promises to be Mabini's most comprehensive and authoritative one-stop informational clearinghouse on the net.

Facts and figures, news and features, details on and about Mabini in a consummately convenient compendium of instant and interactive content. Consider it your virtual guide to the municipality. Discover Mabini from its illustrious history to its unfolding story the splendor of its past, the dynamism of its present, and the promise of its future.

Learn about the Town and the gracious gifts of its geography. The municipality of Mabini and its many thriving barrios, its people, and its chosen leaders.

Experience the delightfully diverse boundless beauty and bustle that make up the colorful collage and the proud panorama that is Mabini.

Empower yourself: Make your mark and do your share in shaping the future of this, our vast and vibrant town: click on, sound off, be counted.

Finally, rich and colorful Calape (and then my town has shifted to another name) has found its home on the world wide web.

We hope you find it as much your home as it is ours: warm, well, and worth it.

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Fuming mad, I went to write the letter.

A few days later when I went home for a speaking engagement with the younger Batuanonons, Vice Mayor Jumawid approached me and talked about his development goals for our town but not even mentioning my letter. I pointed out to him about it and he told me he did not receive a copy of the said letter. (I sent him my letter a week after through his email address and got a long response after several technical glitches. I don't even believe it was an official response.)

Several of my neighbors who happened to be close to the mayor told me their own version of the things they did after receiving my official letter including the command to put the controversial website offline. I know their move was well-intentioned but still an official letter from a constituent deserved an official response from the municipal officials.  

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The supposed Vision of the Municipality of Batuan:

Experience the delightfully diverse boundless beauty and bustle that make up the colorful collage and the proud panorama that is Calape. Empower yourself: Make your mark and do your share in shaping the future of this, our vast and vibrant town: click on, sound off, be counted. Finally, rich and colorful Calape has found its home on the world wide web. We hope you find it as much your home as it is ours: warm, well, and worth it.

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Everyone told me the mayor was not even aware of the existence of that website, pity the mayor. He wanted somebody to call me but they could not find my magical business card. Magical in a sense since no one seemed to get hold my business card attached to the letter. Hence, nobody, not one, was able to contact me. Not counting that my parents and relatives are still very visible in my hometown.

For the information of my readers, I enclosed together with my two-page letter my business card and screen shots of the website I was referring to. But since my business card has some magic, nobody cared to call me up, send me text message or reply through my two (2) email addresses.

Now this is a very basic example of how SLOW government responses are. I was planning to make a follow-up letter but called it off. It would make no sense at all.

That is why I wonder how fast the people of Noynoy Aquino could do things in just a week’s time. And it was not just replying a letter.

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Section 5 of Republic Act No. 6713 otherwise known as AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, TO UPHOLD THE TIME-HONORED PRINCIPLE OF PUBLIC OFFICE BEING A PUBLIC TRUST, GRANTING INCENTIVES AND REWARDS FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE, ENUMERATING PROHIBITED ACTS AND TRANSACTIONS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES states the Duties of Public Officials and Employees. - In the performance of their duties, all public officials and employees are under obligation to:

(a) Act promptly on letters and requests. - All public officials and employees shall, within fifteen (15) working days from receipt thereof, respond to letters, telegrams or other means of communications sent by the public. The reply must contain the action taken on the request.

(d) Act immediately on the public's personal transactions. - All public officials and employees must attend to anyone who wants to avail himself of the services of their offices and must, at all times, act promptly and expeditiously.

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Update: The website was taken down a week after I sent the letter, possibly a confirmation that they received it. Its address was- www.batuanbohol.solinog.com.

This is not about religion

The volatile Egyptian protests are now starting to boil with the announcement that Hosni Mubarak is not going to step down despite 30 years of mean police rule.

Because of this, Muslims and Christians in Egypt joined hands to show a force Mubarak could not ignore. Not anymore! No more! Such is their deep love for their country almost everyone: children, women, laborers, professionals; everyone, went out to make one big force to show their disgust for the widespread poverty, unemployment and corruption in the government.

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"That's why we have to destroy the system, which is based on the theory that people shouldn't speak out, that this country is their country, so it's not your right to ask. No, it is my right to ask you. If you're a minister, you are a civil servant, you are an employee of the government. With all due respect, my taxes pay for your salary." ~Wael Ghonim, Google executive & Egyptian protester

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But there is one touching scene I wish would happen not just in Egypt but also around the world: Christians forming a circle defending Muslims praying in Tahrir Square. Now, in return, Muslims are doing the same favor for the Christians who decided that doing prayers in the same square is a welcome option. Both the Christian cross and the Quran are raised together without fear, without prejudice, and sharing a common goal.

What a beautiful world.

Imagine.

Photo from Getty Images/AFP thru CNN

Former Defense Chief Reyes commits suicide!

Unlike the people of Egypt, we Filipinos lionize plunderers, even reelect them to public office. ~Leslie Lofranco-Berbano

My day started with a cold brush of air in the neck when I heard former AFP Chief and Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes committed suicide at the tomb of his mother in Loyola Park, Marikina City. I was in the jeep and the passengers had a heated argument on who was guilty or not. Everyone agreed the former secretary was guilty.

And I could not agree more. Reyes' death by suicide confirms speculations that he was one of the guilty party of the wealth amassed by retired generals of the Armed Forces in the Philippines. Retiring generals are alleged to receive millions when they left office. 

Upon investigation by the Senate, several generals suffered severe amnesia they forgot their wives bought around eight houses abroad. Whoah! No wonder the graft ridden AFP still adopt the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

Rest in peace Sir Angelo Reyes, but your death does not clean up the mess the AFP is now in. The people of the Republic of the Philippines still deserves full accounting of the money a few generals pocketed.

This is a deep blow to the ongoing investigation, for all members of the Armed Forces and the Filipino people's quest for the truth. In the light of this incident we hope Congress and the Senate can expedite this proceeding to ensure immediate enactment of laws in furtherance of good governance measures for the whole Armed Forces. ~ Brigadier General Jose Mabanta Jr., AFP spokesman 

Inquirer: Angelo Reyes commits suicide

Inquirer: General has houses in US
AntiPinoy: Reyes death does not absolve the institutions and policies that breed corruption
Photo: Malacanang Palace

Hosni Mubarak cares for his country?

"I was very unhappy about yesterday; I do not want to see Egyptians fighting each other."

"I don't care what people say about me. Right now I care about my country, I care about Egypt." (Mubarak in an interview with Amanpour's CNN)

 All pics grabbed from msnbc.msn.com

Barack Obama said-

WikiLeaks or Al Bouazizi? Who set the fires of the Tunisian revolt?

"It is on everybody's mind that the Arab spirit is broken. The Arab spirit is down by poverty, unemployment and the general decline in the real indicators of development." Amre Moussa, secretary-general of the Arab League

WikiLeaks' role in governments is very critical. They might be doing espionage, call it whatever you like, but like their battle cry, WikiLeaks opens governments. WikiLeaks keeps everyone on tiptoes which is a good thing. We no longer are ignorant of what these governments are doing or planning to do. No more lies however white.

The on-going revolution in Tunisia was otherwise triggered by technology some claims. The younger generation did their revolts in cyberspace, opening the eyes of Tunisians on the evil cause of poverty and injustice in their nation. With that info comes WikiLeaks exposure. WkiLeaks released diplomatic cables from the US embassy in Tunis "confirming" the Mafia-style regime of President Ben Ali. That diplomatic cable unveiled what Tunisians have already known and they were just waiting for the right move.

Burning issues

The right move came when an unemployed man, a college graduate who was selling fruits because he was unemployed but authorities seized his goods for lack of permit, set himself on fire right at the government's sight. Ben Ali's visit to his hospital bed was not able to faze off the 30 percent unemployed Tunisians. It gave them the voice. A fiery voice, indeed.

Heated demands

Tunisia is now inspiring its neighboring nations albeit acrid burning human bodies is not a good start. Already reports from Cairo confirmed that there are unemployed men setting themselves on fire in public to demand jobs, bitterly exposing long standing corruption in that region. Egypt's Mubarak is on alert and so is Sudan's Bashir.

Will Tunisia set the standards for Africa and the Middle East?

Read on-

• What's going on in Tunisia? 
• Tunisia revolt: Will it spread? 
• Tunisia revolt puts heat on Sudan 
• Excesses of Tunisia's "Imelda" fuel uprising 

We didn't start the fire / It was always burning

Since the world's been turning / We didn't start the fire

No we didn't light it / But we tried to fight it

~Billy Joel

Pic grabbed from CNN.com

Conspiracy theories on Obama's fight against terror and loss of his popularity

We're not gonna have a war, we're gonna have the appearance of a war. ~Conrad Brean, Wag the Dog

One night, while in Catbalogan, I met this British guy who has a diplomat of a wife. He was a sunny type of chap even if it was raining hard on that side of the globe.

Our discussions arrived at the news of packages as part of a terror plot against America. I liked the way he said DUH! I was never an Obama fan. I liked Hillary Clinton better because I would like to believe America is the land of the brave and the free and never in their history had they voted for a woman. It was supposed to be my kind of test for the Americans. But I disappointedly sighed. So much for gender equality. I am now convinced they are the most traditional just like any other countries around the world.

The intercepted package was in a cargo plane with a minute of a crew. Has it reached American soil? The Brit and I agreed more on the the funny side of our opinions. Was it to enhance Obama's losing battle for popularity in the US? Was it part of a drama to tell the world that they have more intelligence power therefore they are superior? Or was it again part of arm dealing business of America so they still can supply arms to other nations some of them are poor all in the guise of fighting terror? Go to war!

I was reminded of the film Wag the Dog starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert de Niro that tells about a spin-doctor and a film producer trying to fabricate a war in Albania to cover up the sex scandal committed by the president of America. Although Obama has not been into a sex scandal (Clinton, the president, has) but the plot seems likely familiar. Knowing the powers of America. Sometimes we can only sigh even if it's not a sigh of relief.

Well, we all have conspiracy theories. But always remember: When there is smoke, there is fire.

And note that the Philippine President seems to follow Obama's strategy albeit sans strategic directions towards Change.

We are all part of this comedy.

More readings:
Tony Bergonia: Aquino may follow Obama path, warns think tank 

Well, I have, too. Would you do it again...? Isn't that why you're here? I guess so. And if you go to war again, who is it going to be against? Your "ability to fight a Two-ocean War" against who? Sweden and Togo? Who you sitting here to Go To War Against? That time has passed. It's passed. It's over. The war of the future is nuclear terrorism. It is and it will be against a small group of dissidents who, unbeknownst, perhaps, to their own governments, have blah blah blah. And to go to that war, you've got to be prepared. You have to be alert, and the public has to be alert. Cause that is the war of the future, and if you're not gearing up, to fight that war, eventually the axe will fall. And you're gonna be out in the street. And you can call this a "drill," or you can call it "job security," or you can call it anything you like. But I got one for you: you said, "Go to war to protect your Way of Life," well, Chuck, this is your way of life. Isn't it? And if there ain't no war, then you, my friend, can go home and prematurely take up golf. Because there ain't no war but ours. ~Conrad Brean, Wag the Dog


Obama's picture from strangepolitics.com

Pacquiao and politics

I may be the only Filipino who is not going to watch Pacquiao's fight for the second time. Pacquiao has lost his appeal for me since the questionable and quite controversial deals he has done with Philippine television years back.

And every time Manny's politico-side is being fired up, he has to go training or go to some publicity stunts for another fight. Which gives me an idea that Pacquiao should only concentrate on getting rich through boxing and not trying hard to "help" people as an excuse in joining politics. (Pacquiao will run as a congressman in Sarangani province this May 2010.)

He may win against all boxers of any kind and race and standing, but in politics, he has no grassroot connections. Read- he does not feel with the people in his district. So I predict a loss in Sarangani, the place he suddenly adopts as his own because he could not face his opponents in his hometown of General Santos City.

Photo: socalboxing.files.wordpress.com

Politically damaged goods

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO. The Philippines' FIRST! A President runs for a Congressional Seat after the end of her term in 2010. What's really in politics that politicians could not resist fromserving their people? I am asking the wrong question.

JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA. The convicted plunderer wanted more. He claims he has not completed his service as President of the republic despite of the fact that people power toppled down his presidency. Should I say more?

IMELDA ROMUALDEZ MARCOS. Again. She's running as representative of Ilocos. Despite of.

based from Amando Doronila's Analysis

Pictures from these sites: afterthenews.wordpress.com, newshopper.sulekha.com, egreyes.blogspot.com

Manny After-Effect

I did not watched the fight. For obvious reasons.

But I was reading the news for a Manny after-effect. Like what some politicians/sectors did with Martin Nievera after singing the Lupang Hinirang. Remember? Was the case pursued? Nobody was singing his/her version this time, I supposed, since I did not hear any brouhaha two days after the fight.

But I saw this picture from the Inquirer.net of a man waving a Philippine flag in Vegas with letters on it. An early electioneering tag. (Oh my, will Pacquiao bit on this suggestion?) 

Is this not vandalism? Or we just excused him because of the euphoria the Philippines is having right now after so much corruption and calamities affecting the country? Or we could do nothing because he is in a foreign soil?

Am I whistle-blowing? Am I sour-graping? Have I turned into a politician?

Manny for president? DUH!

Dikit na kung dikit!

And when Pacquiao wins, surely everyone wanted to be seen up close and feeling very close. Photo op for future election matters, what else!

Photo courtesy of The Professional Heckler

There you go again The Professional Heckler!

On Gilbert Teodoro's choice of Edu Manzano as his running mate:

Former Game KNB? host, Edu Manzano admitted that he was hesitant to accept the ruling party’s offer to become its vice presidential bet. But when he saw Gibô for the first time in person last Wednesday, “all my qualms went out of the window.” It was love at first sight. (Awrrr!)

The Professional Heckler, The Search is Over

(Photo from The Professional Heckler's blog)

Erap will run...

... and knowing the mentality of Filipinos, this convicted plunderer might win again. God help us all.

In sum, the Court finds that prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt the commission by the principal accused former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada of the crime of plunder ...

WHEREFORE, in view of all the foregoing, judgment is hereby rendered in Criminal Case No. 26558 finding the accused, Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of PLUNDER defined in and penalized by Republic Act No. 7080, as amended...

The penalty imposable for the crime of plunder under Republic Act No. 7080, as amended by Republic Act No. 7659, is Reclusion Perpetua to Death.  There being no aggravating or mitigating circumstances, however, the lesser penalty shall be applied in accordance with Article 63 of the Revised Penal Code.  Accordingly, accused Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada is hereby sentenced to suffer the penalty of Reclusion Perpetua and the accessory penalties of civil interdiction during the period of sentence and perpetual absolute disqualification.

pictures from johnryanrecabar.wordpress.com, karlomongaya.wordpress.com; text of Sandiganbayan's decision on Erap's plunder case from chanrobles.com

Birds of the same feather are birds of the same feather

The Arroyo administration, according to Thelma Chiong, is criminal friendly. (See Influential Criminals, Inquirer.net Editorial, 8 September 2009) A clear indication that even in the criminal world, there are a priviliged few. They have money and political clout way above and beyond the top echelons. And they have the reasons to rejoice. Among them, as enumerated by Inquirer.net-

Lance Cpl Daniel Smith- released "in the dead of the night" to gain the necessary "support" from the US government because Arroyo's integrity and credibility is waning, according to Archbishop Oscar Cruz.

Claudio Teehankee Jr was also released "in the dead of the night" despite serving only 14 years of the double life sentence slapped on him.

Romeo Jalosjos, the rapist of an 11 year-old girl was released after serving a few years of his double life imprisonment sentence.

And now, Paco Larrañaga of the Osmeña clan in Cebu, who is also considered a citizen of Spain, will be transferred to a penal colony in that place, raising a question why a prisoner-exchange treaty between Philippines and Spain was suddenly signed.

If you ask why these people differed from the rest, their family names and influence would give you an idea why.

The editorial summarizes everything in question- These cases support the claim of Chiong that the Arroyo administration is “criminal-friendly.” But it mollycoddles criminals and convicts only if they are rich or politically or socially powerful. Hundreds of other convicts who may have more reason to enjoy a commutation of sentence but who do not have any financial, political or social clout could rot in prison, for all Ms Arroyo cares.

Terrorists in our midst

I really hate politics!

Recent events in the country that also focused on the issue of the Visiting Forces Agreement is getting dumb and dumber. Come on, kill me for airing my side.

My ignorance about this VFA shit might be glaring. Who cares? But I am asking- Who would help us eradicate the Abu Sayaff and other stray Muslim extremists? Congressman Palparan? First Gentleman Mike Arroyo?

The government has promised the Filipino people that it would annihilate specifically the Abu Sayaff. That remains a promise. We could not even get hold of a small band of leftists called NPA. They are ill-equipped since I was not born but until now they are there, another reason for the government military to become corrupt.

Are we willing to be terrorized everyday in our lives with these bandits because of our national "pride"?

Or we just love seeing these people below disturbing our peace and be willing victims of their selfish cause all in the name of pakikibaka? Have they defended us against terrorists?

(pictures from banbalikatan.wordpress.com, China Economic Net, salikodngtabing.wordpress.com, marinecorpstimes.com, themustardseed.wordpress.com)

Here's a really hard rub for Malacanang

I am not a Tagalog fan and rarely speaks Tagalog but I enjoyed reading this opinion from one of my favorite columnists at Inquirer. I copied this from inquirer.net, emphasis is mine.

SANA MAINTINDIHAN NYO YAN TAGA MALACANANG.

May araw din kayo

Conrado de Quiros

Tatagalugin ko na nang makuha n’yo. Kahit na lingwaheng kanto lang ang alam kong Tagalog.

Tutal Buwan ng Wika naman ang Agosto. Baka sakali ’yung paboritong wika ni Balagtas ay makatulong sa pag-unawa n’yo dahil mukhang ’yung paboritong wika ni Shakespeare ay lampas sa IQ n’yo. Kung sa bagay, ang pinakamahirap gisingin ay ’yung nagtutulug-tulugan. Ang pinakamahirap padinggin ay ’yung nagbibingi-bingihan. Ang pinakamahirap paintindihin ay ’yung nagmamaangmaangan. Bueno, mahirap din paintindihin ’yung likas na tanga. Pero bahala na.

Sabi mo, Cerge Remonde, alangan naman pakanin ng hotdog ang amo mo. Bakit alangan? Hindi naman vegetarian ’yon. At public service nga ’yon, makakatulong dagdagan ng cholesterol at salitre ang dugong dumadaloy papuntang puso n’ya. Kung meron man s’yang dugo, kung meron man s’yang puso.

Bakit alangan? Malamang di ka nagbabasa ng balita, o di lang talaga nagbabasa, kung hindi ay nalaman mo ’yung ginawa ni Barack Obama at Joe Biden nitong nakaraang Mayo. Galing silang White House patungong Virginia nang magtakam sila pareho ng hamburger. Pina detour nila ang motorcade at tumuloy sa unang hamburgerang nakita nila. Ito ang Ray’s Hell Burger, isang maliit at independienteng hamburger joint.

Tumungo ang dalawa sa counter at sila mismo ang nag-order, hindi mga aides. Nagbayad sila ng cash na galing sa sariling bulsa at kagaya ng ibang customers ay pumila para sa turno nila.

Ito ay presidente at bise presidente ng pinakamakapangyarihang bansa sa buong mundo. Kung sa bagay, ’yung amo n’yo ay hindi naman talaga presidente. Di lang makita ang pagkakaiba ni Garci kay God kaya nasabing “God put me here.” Pekeng presidente, pekeng asal presidente.

Sabi mo, Anthony Golez, maliit lang ang P1 million dinner kumpara sa bilyon-bilyong pisong dinala ng amo mo sa bansa.

Ay kayo lang naman ang nagsasabing may inambag ang amo n’yo na bilyong-bilyong piso sa kaban ng bayan. Ni anino noon wala kaming nakita. Ang nakita lang namin ay yung bilyon-bilyong piso—o borjer, ayon nga sa inyong dating kakosa na si Benjamin Abalos—na inaswang ng amo n’yo sa kaban ng bayan. Executive privilege daw ang hindi n’ya sagutin ito. Kailan pa naging pribilehiyo ng isang opisyal ang di managot sa taumbayan? Kailan pa naging pribilehiyo ng isang opisyal ang magnakaw?

Maliit lang pala ang P1 million, ay bakit hindi n’yo na lang ibigay sa nagugutom? O doon sa mga sundalo sa Mindanao? Tama si Archbishop Oscar Cruz. Isipin n’yo kung gaano karaming botas man lang ang mabibili ng P1 million at karagdagang P750,000 na nilamon ng amo n’yo at mga taga bitbit ng kanyang maleta sa isa pang restawran sa New York.

Maliit lang pala ang P1 million (at P750,000), bakit hindi n’yo na lang ibigay doon sa pamilya ng mga sundalong namatay sa Mindanao? Magkano ’yung gusto n’yong ibigay sa bawat isa? P20,000? Sa halagang iyan 50 sundalo na ang maaabuluyan n’yo sa $20,000. Pasalu-saludo pa ’yang amo n’yo sa mga namatay na kala mo ay talagang may malasakit. Bumenta na ’yang dramang ’yan. At pasabi-sabi pa ng “Annihilate the Abus!” Di ba noon pa n’ya ’yan pinangako? Mahilig lang talagang mangako ’yang amo n’yo.

Bukod pa d’yan, saan ba nanggaling ’yung limpak-limpak na salapi ng mga kongresista na pinansisindi nila ng tabako? Di ba sa amin din? Tanong n’yo muna kung ayos lang na i-blowout namin ng wine at caviar ang amo n’yo habang kami ay nagdidildil ng asin—’yung magaspang na klase ha, ’di yung iodized. Ang tindi n’yo, mga p’re.

At ikaw naman, Romulo Macalintal, tapang ng apog mo. Maiisip mo tuloy na sundin na lang ang mungkahi ni Dick the Butcher sa “Henry VI” ni Shakespeare: “First thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.” Pa ethics-ethics ka pa, pasalamat ka di nasunog ang bibig mo sa pagbigkas ng katagang ’yon.

Marami mang sugapa rin sa aming mga taga media, di naman kasing sugapa n’yo. At di naman kami sineswelduhan ng taumbayan. Wala naman kaming problemang sumakay sa PAL at kailangan pang bumili ng P1.2 billion jet. Anong sabi n’yo, kailangan ng amo n’yo sa pabyahe-byahe? E sino naman ang may sabing magbabyahe s’ya? Ngayon pang paalis na s’ya—malinaw na ayaw n’yang umalis. Bakit hindi na lang s’ya bumili ng Matchbox na eroplano? Kasya naman s’ya ro’n.

Lalo kayong nagpupumiglas, lalo lang kayong lumulubog sa kumunoy. Di n’yo malulusutan ang bulilyasong ginawa n’yo. Para n’yo na ring inagaw ang isinusubong kanin ng isang batang nagugutom. Tama si Obama at Biden: Sa panahon ng recession, kung saan nakalugmok ang mga Amerikano sa hirap, dapat makiramay ang mga pinuno sa taumbayan, di nagpapakapariwara. Sa panahon ng kagutuman, na matagal nang kalagayan ng Pinoy, at lalo pang tumindi sa paghagupit ng Typhoon Gloria, dapat siguro uminom na lang kayo ng insecticide. Gawin n’yo ’yan at mapapawi kaagad ang kagutuman ng bayan.

Sa bandang huli, buti na rin lang at ginawa n’yo ’yung magpasasa sa P1 million dinner habang lupaypay ang bayan sa kagutuman—di lang sa kawalan ng pagkain kundi sa iba pang bagay—at pagdadalamhati sa yumaong Ina ng Bayan. Binigyan n’yo ng mukha ang katakawan. Katakawang walang kabusugan. Mukhang di nakita ng masa sa usaping NBN, mukhang di nakikita ng masa sa usaping SAL. Mukhang nakita lang ng masa dito sa ginawa n’yong ito. Sa pagpapabondat sa New York habang naghihinagpis ang bayan.

At buti na rin lang mayroon tayong sariling wika. Di sapat ang Inggles para iparamdam sa inyo ang suklam na nararamdaman namin sa inyo. Di sapat ang Inggles para ipakita sa inyo ang pagkamuhi na nararamdaman namin sa inyo. Di maarok ng Inggles ang lalim ng poot na nararamdaman namin sa inyo.

Isinusuka na kayo ng taumbayan, mahirap man sumuka ang gutom.

May araw din kayo.

What would Cory say if she could have said something?

If Cory could have said something...

Like in this moment...

And this...

And finally- this.

What would it be?

In the island of the lie

The moon struggles to fight its dominance
The sun fiercely declares contention
The wind, the rain coerced
We live here, we inhabit, we never settle.

But in the land of flying isles nobody wins
Not even the veil-cloaked men that worship their gods
Keep running, keep floating, the winged black things
Keep the fight fair and unchanging.

The sun, the moon, the pious men that hold steadfast
The winged evils and the rainbow-colored rides
The brown little stones that scatter in your head when you sleep
The green flora that give everything songs of dubious cause
They too, every one of them, will fall apart in due time.

We live a lie of eternity, the potion of perpetual youth a joke
We insist we conquer everything and conquered nothing
The struggle against dominion and power effervesce
For all we are just fleeting moments of eternity
Beyond that, we die.


Zumarraga Island, 13 June 2009

The New Face of Manny Pacquiao

And the 5 peso bill is just a kind description of what Manny Pacquiao really is and what he wants.

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Dollywood says- When Manny Pacquiao unceremoniously bolted GMA 7 and went back to ABS-CBN, it hit me that, although the “Pambansang Kamao” unites the country during his boxing fights, he divides the networks all the more.

Shouldn’t a national icon like himself give access and rights to air his matches in all networks? Or does it all boil down to money for Manny?

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Pacquiao cornered by ABS-CBN, GMA 7, Solar

Then he changed his mind.

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Tommy Manotoc says- I’d like to look at Pacquiao’s actions in a different context, in a different light. He was inclined to do such things because circumstances forced him to do so.

I’m not apologizing for him, but in trying to understand his actions, I have come to one conclusion: Even for a fighter of his caliber, he cannot win everything.

Pacquiao has become a victim of his own selfishness, his own greed. Not for money, mind you, but for power and attention—things that some people simply cannot live without.