Google

Sunday, October 28, 2007

bE cOUntED... gO oUt anD vOtE!

I woke up today at 7:00 AM... and by 8:25 I was on my way to the polling precinct to cast my vote...this is the first time I did not join PPC-RV as a volunteer since 1986... but I went to the PPC-RV station to give my support to my fellow volunteers... nothing have change... still the same problem as the previous elections...

Name not on the list of voters while dead persons are still listed... names either misspelled or mixed up... room assignments given by Comelec is not the actual room assignment you will find... the different election offence that candidates and their supporters commit...

You'll still find the usual attitude of some voters who are still proud to shout "Hindi na ako boboto kasi ginagago na lang tayo ng Comelec!" ...or... "Wala pangalan ko eh di hindi na lang ako boboto"... as if the right to vote is an easy thing to give up... trying to help these kind of people for some is just a waste of time... but for PPC-RV volunteers helping them is an opportunity to make a difference... and to be able to persuade a "nawalang gana na" voter is a reason to celebrate... and a thank you or a tap on the shoulder is enough encouragement to continue serving for free... but mind you people... there are more "P#@*ng I@# nyo!" that we receive than TYs... a sad reality we face as volunteers...

I have long ago advocated to put more attention to Voter's Education than in Poll Watching... because I believe that most of the cheating is not done anymore on the precinct level but at the Municipal or City level... and the problem of vote buying can be addressed not on the precinct but on the grass root level weeks or even months before the election...

If more people are going to be trained to give Voter's Education and more funds to be allocated to this kind of a program I think we can do more in cleaning the election process we have... it is by educating the voters that we arrive in a wise vote and an empowered voter...

4 hours to go before the voting precinct closes... and before the evening news ends tonight we will know who have won... and then the preparation for the 2010 Election begins... and you can help in the efforts of cleaning our election process... enough of the apathy... stand up and be counted... make a difference... be a volunteer... be a Filipino... be a Hero...



Thursday, October 25, 2007

pAruSa sA pUSo...

I wanted to keep my mouth shut and my thoughts filled with nude women rather than speak about the granting of an Executive Clemency to a Plunderer... mas magiging productive utak ko siguro... or mas masaya siguro...

I'm sorry if I hurt the feelings of all Erap followers out there... or even the GMA believers... but you can't blame me... I just don't want to be trampled upon by your Idols... both of them are disgrace to the office of the President...

My heart is not yet ready to accept the decision of the Pre---... of GMA... and I confess... the decision made me cry... you know why?

Someone in Bilibid right now is serving a life sentence for a crime he only admitted for the love of his wife... he should be the one released and Erap... a Plunderer... be put in jail... kahit man lang sana isang linggo... kahit hindi ako pauuto sa isang ganuong pakitang tao ay matutuwa na rin ako... or maybe mangingiti na rin ako...

never mind... don't mind me... I will just keep quiet for now... but I hope not for long and not forever...

Monday, October 22, 2007

pAghAHanaP sA kATotoHAnaN...

I like to share to you a statement made by the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines regarding the alleged bribery or gift giving that happened in Malacanang recently. The issue was overshadowed by the Glorietta 2 explosion, GMA may call it a blessing in disguise, but we must not lose focus on the issue of corruption. We are not here looking for faults, all we ask is for the truth to come out. Among Ed Panlilio was quoted to have said the other day that the "gift giving" could be an illegal disbursement of public funds. As a tax payer I really want to know the truth, my hard earned money need not be used as "gifts" to elected officials, without proper documentations. I do not have anything against my tax being used to develop the countryside or my barangay, only if the disbursement is proper and legal. I remember the days when I was still a field technician, we are allowed to re-imburse transportation expenses provided we file a report a summary of the expenses we made. If for a 50 pesos transportation expenses I was made to make a report, then Public Officials should also make proper report on how and where they got the funds and where and how they have spent it. It is easy to say that the "gift" given away by Malacanang was to be used for the benefit of the People. How sure are we that it is going to be used for such? We do not have any way of checking if you will use the "gift" properly, because in the first place, the "gift" is not recorded being received and being given away, and up to know the source of the money is far from being known. You may not have the same take in this issue as mine. But the fact still remains, "paper bags containing money was given away as gift after a meeting with the President." You may say that no proof can be found that indeed the money came from the President, you're maybe right, but nothing also points to anything that would say that the "gift giving" is properly documented, legal, and moral. All that remain consistent with those who have received the "gift" is this, "it is for their development fund." If so, don't you think it should be properly documented?

Regalo o Suhol?

"Sa patuloy ng pagdami ng mga mamamayan at mga samahang naglalayong malutas ang mga suliranin ng lipunan ayon sa katotohanan, higit silang lumalayo sa mga pag-abuso at kumikilos ng naaayon sa pangangailangan ng katotohanan. Ang walang pakundangang paggamit ng salapi ang siyang nagiging dahilan ng mas maraming mga katanungan, na mangangailangang magkaroon ng katapatan sa larangang pangsarili’t panglipunan." (COMPENDIUM OF THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH, No. 198.)

Mas maraming mga katanungang nagmula sa naganap na pamamahagi ng tig-kakalahating milyong piso sa mga gobernador, na kinabibilangan ng lumalabas na bayaning si Gobernador Ed Panlilio ng Pampanga. Ano ang layunin ng ipinamahaging salapi? Saan ito nanggaling? Sino ang pinagmulan ng salapi? Ang salapi bang ito’y para sa mga proyekto ng mga pamahalaang lokal? Ito ba’y para sa nalalapit na halalang pambarangay? Bakit mga kapanalig lamang ng administrasyon ang nabiyayaan? Bakit hindi naabutan ang mga mula sa oposisyon? Sino nga ba ang makikinabang sa salaping ipinamahagi? Ito ba’y mga regalo o suhol?

“Ang walang pakundangang paggamit ng salapi ang nagiging dahilan ng mas maraming mga katanungan, na higit na mangangailangang magkaroon ng katapatan sa larangang pangsarili’t panglipunan. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 198).

Ang panunuhol ay katagang ‘di katanggap-tanggap kahit na sa mga salarin kaya’t mas makabubuting tawaging “ala-ala o regalo.” Kaya upang makahinga ng maluwag at mawala ang bagabag sa konsiyensya, ang suhol ay tinatagurian ding “ala-ala o regalo.”

Sa ganitong mga nagaganap, patuloy na naghihirap ang bansa sa kakulangan ng magandang kabuhayan at kawalan ng paggalang at pagkilala sa kung ano ang tama’t kung ano ang mali, na nakalulungkot na nakikitang kagagawan ng ating mga pinuno. Nababahala kami sa mga kabataang tumitingala sa mga pinuno ng bansa bilang mga huwaran sa katapatan, integridad at kalinisan.

Mula sa usaping moral, hindi marapat at lalo’ng hindi matuwid na tumanggap ng salapi nang hindi nasasagot ang mga katanungan hinggil sa responsibilidad, pananagutan at katapatang kaakibat ng kasalukuyang usapin.

Kailangang ituloy ang balak ng mga kagalang-galang na Senador na magsagawa ng pagsisiyasat sa pamamahagi ng salapi sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan kamakailan.

ARSOBISPO ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO
Arsobispo ng Jaro
Ika-16 ng Oktubre, 2007

Thursday, October 18, 2007

pAglaLAgaLAg... sAMa ka

Nais ko sana na gumising sa isang umaga na tahimik at malayo sa ingay ng problema... ngunit sadyang pangarap ata lamang ang gumising sa ganuong kalagayan... lalo na sa ating Bansa na batbat ng kung ano-anong balita ng katiwalian... katiwaliaan mula sa sariling pamamahay natin hanggang sa opisina ng pinaka makapangyarihang tao sa ating Bansa...

Marami akong naka hanay na gawain sa araw na ito... mga lugar na aking nais na puntahan... mga taong nais na maka-usap... sana naman ay hindi ako maapektuhan ng mga kaganapan at magaganap pa
(ilang oras mula ngayon habang isinusulat ko ito ay may pagkilos na magaganap na maaari nanamang bumago sa tahimik na buhay ko dito sa opisina)... matagal na plano ko na itong aking paglalagalag na ito at hindi ako kayang awatin ng kahit isang coup de eta pa ang iharang sa akin...

Ano nga ba ang aking plano sa araw na ito at sa loob ng isang taon simula ngayon... nais ko na maglagalag at kilalanin ang aking Bansa na sinasabi kong mahal ko... isang paglalagalag na pagkukunan ko ng inspirasyon upang magpatuloy sa aking ginagawang pagmumulat lalo na sa mga Kabataan... at marahil ang iba sa mga makababasa nito ay magiging kabilang sa aking paglalagalag na ito...

Kuwarenta... ang Pagpapatuloy ng Paglalakbay

Kinakabahan ako... ngunit kailangan ko itong gawin... ayaw ko na mawala sa mundong ito na hindi ko man lamang nakamit ang isa sa pinaka-payak na pangarap ko sa buhay... oo... napaka-ordinaryo ng aking mga pangarap... hindi ko pinangarap kasi ang lumipad patungong ibang bansa hanggat hindi ko man lang nalilibot ang Pilipinas
(hindi naman yung libot na lahat ng lugar ay mapupuntahan... bilang lamang ang aking bibisitahin) ... katangahan kung tutuusin... o mas magandang sabihin na kayabangan... pero sige tatanggapin ko na tanga ako at mayabang... pero hindi ko talaga mapilit ang aking sarili na gustuhin ang magtungo sa ibang bansa eh... pex man mamatay man ang lahat ng kuko ko sa paa...

Ngunit hindi ito nangangahulugan na ayaw ko talagang makapunta ng ibang bansa... pangarap ko rin naman makapunta ng India upang puntahan ang lugar ng kapanganakan ni Santa Teresa at ni Ghandi... nais ko ring marating ang Argentina... alam na ninyo kung bakit... at higit sa lahat ay ang lugar ng kapanganakan ng aking Tagapagtalaga - ang bayan ni Hesus...

Pero bago ang mga iyan ay ito munang madaling libutin ang aking pag-uubusan ng panahon at yaman
(hindi materyal na yaman - kaibigan)... hindi lang ako mapalad na magkaroon ng La Poderosa na magdadala sa akin sa ibat-ibang lugar ng Bansa... ngunit may Air Philippines naman si Kiko eh... hahaha.... oh ano... umpisa na ng paglalagalag... samahan ninyo ako... at hihintayin ko rin po na ako ay inyong anyayahan sa inyong mga probinsaya... pangako na pauunlakan ko ang inyong mga paanyaya... sino ba ang tatanggi sa libreng tirahan at pagkain... ayan... alam na ninyo ang halaga ng imbitasyon niyo... mura lang siba... teka... magsisimba lang muna ako...

Teka... ano nga bang magaganap mamaya... ewan ko... abangan na lang ninyo... walang kuwenta ito... kahit naman sabihin ko hindi naman kayo makikisangkot eh... manalangin na lang na huwag mauwi sa karahasan ang mga katarantaduhan ng ating mga pinuno... at huwag na sanang umepal pa ang Militar at Kaliwa... hayaan na lang ang Taong Bayan na siyang kumilos... sa panahon at paraang alam niya... malalaki na tayo... alam na natin ang ating dapat na gawin...




Wednesday, October 17, 2007

pURo BugSO LanG nG DaMDaMin...

Hindi ko alam kung mababasa ninyo ang nakakabit na larawan na iyan... pero kung nais ninyo ng maayos na kopya ay huwag tabloid ang bilihin mo ... Inquirer ka muna tuwing Miyerkules at Biyernes para sosyal ka sa mga araw na ito at para naman mabasa mo ang mga artikulo ni Ambeth R. Ocampo... (hindi po ako pr ni Ambeth... isang tagahanga lang po ako) itong artikulo na ito ay inilathala ngayong araw na ito... ika-18 ng Oktubre...
Nagandahan lang ako sa kanyang obserbasyon... masakit man pero totoo ang kanyang sinasabi tungkol sa ating "Pagkakaisa" bilang mga Filipino... Nagkakaisa tuwing kailangan na magkaisa... maganda diba... nakabibilib... sumasalamin sa isang bansang buo... Pero ang tanong nga lang ay "gaano katagal ang pagkakaisa na ito?" Pagkatapos ng "pangangailangan na magkaisa" balik na tayo ulit sa dati... kanya-kanya na ulit... watak watak nanaman...
Ngunit hindi pa naman tayo dapat mawalan ng pag-asa... habang may mga taong natututo sa mga aral ng ating kasaysayan... may pag-asang maging makatotohanan at pang matagalan ang ating pagkakaisa bilang mga Filipino...

Isang hamon sa pagkakaisang ito ay ang usapin ng Bribery...este...Development Fund pala... na kinahaharap ng Palasyo ngayon... tingnan natin kung magkaka-isa ang Bansa natin sa usaping ito...

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

hUbAd Na LAraWan Ng bAbAe...

Natanggap ko na ito sa email nuon pa ... ito ay isa sa mga kumakalat na chain-emails... kanina natanggap ko nanaman mula sa isang kasama... (teka... sorry.. nagkamali ako... ibang blog pala yung tungkol sa nude pictures... hehehe) maganda ang intensyon ng aking kasama na ito ay ibahagi rin namin sa iba... at sa pagkakataon na ito ay ipakakalat ko ito hindi sa pamamagitan ng email... ayaw ko kasi makisali sa mga chain emails na iyan eh... dito na lang sa blog na ito... sa mga makababasa marahil nakita na rin niyo ito... siguro maganda na ilagay rin ninyo sa inyong mga pahina upang mabasa rin ng mga tao sa inyong network... sana nga ganito rin manalangin sa ating Senado... lalo na sa Opisina ni GMA... dagdagan na lang nila... "We have legalized Bribery and called it Fund for Community Projects."


"Heavenly Father,

We come before you today
To ask your forgiveness and
To seek your direction and guidance.

We know Your Word says,
"Woe to those who call evil good"
But that is exactly what we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium
And reversed our values.

We have exploited the poor and
Called it the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness
And called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists
And called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children

And called it building self esteem.

We have abused power
And called it politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions
And called it ambition.

We have polluted the air
with profanity and Pornography
and called it freedom of speech and expression..

We have ridiculed the time
Honored values of our forefathers
and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God,
And know our hearts today;

Cleanse us from every sin
And set us free.

Amen!"

Saturday, October 13, 2007

tALentONg PUP... uNanG bAHaGi.

Isang walang magawang Sabado ang dahilan kung bakit ako naglagalag sa Glorieta sa Makati at Trinoma sa EDSA kahapon. Ngunit may isang nakatutuwang karanasan ako sa Trinoma. Habang ako ay naglalakad at namamangha sa dami ng tao, na kasama ko marahil na wala ring magawa, ay may nakapukaw ng aking atensyon. Hindi kasi mawaglit sa isip ko na malaking bahagi ng mga lagalag na ito ay mga Kabataan, at sa isang bahagi ng Trinoma ay may napansin akong isang grupo ng mga Kabataan. Nakaupo at parang ginawang tambayan at palamigan lamang ang bahaging iyon ng Trinoma. Hindi ko masyadong binigyan ng pahalaga, inakala ko kasi na mga kabataang lagalag nga lamang sila at umuubos ng pera na ibinigay ng kanilang mga magulang. Pero nang ako ay papalayo na sa grupo ay bigla kong nakita ang isang poster, at sa poster ay nakatatak ang isang pamilyar na imahe. Tama! Nakita ko na ang tatak na iyon! PUP!!!

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko at daliang nilapitan ang poster upang basahin. Polytechnic University of the Philippines! Korak! Mga kabaro ko pala ang mga tambay na ito! Pero ano ba ang kanilang ginagawa sa Trinoma?

Sila pala ay mga mag-aaral... teka... mas mabuting itama ko ang pagpapakilala sa kanila...sa amin... sa ating mga P-UPs students... sila pala ay mga Tunay na Iskolar ng Bayan! Pero ano nga ba ang kanilang ginagawa duon?

Colloge of Architectures and Fine Arts, Bachelor in Interior Design. At nasa Trinoma sila upang ipamalas sa lahat ang kanilang angking galing sa pagdidisenyo. Kahangahanga ang kanilang mga likha, o mas tamang sabihing, mga disenyo. Hindi ko masyadong kayang ipaliwanag ngayon ang kanilang mga likha, ngunit masasabi ko na ito ay tunay na kahanga-hanga. Likha ng mga Kabataang pinatutunayang kaya nilang maging kapakipakinabang sa panahon nila. May mga makulay na bukas ang kanilang angking talento na ngayon pa lamang ay hinuhulma na ng maganda.

Pangako ko na bibigyan ko sila ng espasyo sa aking Blog upang makilala sila ng mga kakilala ko rin. Hihintayin ko ang kanilang pagpaparamdam. Sa ngayon ito muna...

Hangang October 15 sila sa Trinoma, sana makabisita rin kayo.

Monday, October 8, 2007

fArEweLL...

The day came when my mother took all of us to the house where he was. There we met a strange-looking man, bald, wearing glasses. He said he was Spanish and that his name was Ramon, and he said he was a very close friend of our father's. My father always sat at the end of the table... when the Spaniard sat there I rushed over to tell him that it was my father's seat, and that when he wasn't home I sat there... My mother told me later how proud he'd been that his five-year-old daughter should have reacted like that.

Then he poured himself a glass of red wine. My father used to mix it with mineral water... I asked him: "how come, if you're such a good friend of my father's, you don't know how he drinks his wine? Here let me show you." And I mixed his wine with water, which delighted him even more.

A little later on he gave some sweets, a box for each of the girls and one between the boys.

When my father died, my mother showed me a photo of "Ramon the Spaniard", whom I remember well. I remembered him taking my mother by the hand and talking to her with his head against hers. I said: "Mummy, what were you doing with that man who wasn't my Daddy?" She replied: But he was your Daddy..." (Interview with Aleidita, by Il Tirrenor Italian Newspaper, 1987)


Dear Hildita, Aliusha, Aleidita, Camilo, Celia, and Ernesto,

If one day you must read this letter, it will be because I am no longer among you. You will almost not remember me and the littlest ones will remember nothing at all. Your Father has been a man who acted according to his beliefs and certainly has been faithful to his convictions.

Grow up as good revolutionaries. Study hard to be able to dominate the techniques that permit the domination of nature. Remember that the Revolution is what is important and that each one of us, on our own, is worthless.

Above all, try always to be able to feel deeply any injustice committed against any person in any part of the world. It is the most beautiful quality of a revolutionary.

Until always, little children. I hope to see you again. A really big kiss and a hug from Daddy. (Farewell Letter to his 5 children, 1966)

Sunday, October 7, 2007

cHe: rEvolUTiONary... a fATheR


The last few days (before the Bolivian revolutionary expedition) had been emotional for everyone, but the most poignant were Che's final encounters with Aleida and his children, who were brought out to the finca to see him. But Che did not reveal himself as their father. Instead he was "Uncle Ramon." He told them he brought news of their father who had been away for such a long time, that he had recently seen him and was there to pass on his love, along with little pieces of advice for each of them. They ate lunch together, with Tio Ramon sitting at the head of the table, just like "Papa" Che used to do.

For Borrego*, Che's final visit with his three-year-old daughter, Celia brought separately to see him, was one of the most wrenching experiences he had ever witnessed. There was Che, with his child, but unable to tell her who he was or to touch her and hold her as a father would, for she could not be trusted to keep the secret. And of course, it was also the ultimate test of his disguise: If his own children could not recognize him, nobody would.**

The most Che could do was ask his children to give him a kiss so that he could pass it own to their father. During another visit, five-year-old Aliusha came up to give him a peck on the cheek and then ran back to Aleida's side to exclaim in a loud whisper: "Mama, I think that old man's in-love with me." Che overheard the comment, and at that instant tears welled up in Che's eyes. Aleida was devastated but managed to contain her own tears until she was out of sight of the children.

On their final visit, Tio Ramon waved goodbye to his wife and children. It was to be their last sight of one another, and, as he had once predicted in his farewell letter***, the youngest of them would retain no memory of him at all. (Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life, Part III, Chapter 28, Number X, Page 699-700)


* Orlando Borrego, Che's hardworking protege.
** Hildita, his child to his first wife Hilda Gadea, was the only one of his children Che did not see. She was ten years of age, old enough to see through his disguise.
*** Next blog


Monday, October 1, 2007

cHe GueVAra: a REvoLuTioNAry LifE



A friend gave this to me, she knew that I am a Che book reader. Together with the Guerrilla Warfare written by Che himself, she bought this through the internet.

A good read if you are looking for some authentic information about the man called Che. Most of the information given here came from Che's Aleida March and daughter Aleida and some of his brothers in arms.

It is a good read, a book that will bring you closer to a man loved by many and despised by the US. know him better, and maybe you will understand why his memory is being kept alive by those who believes in him.

Viva el Comandante!

9 October 1967 - 9 October 2007

aBalos reSigNs...

Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. Salamat at dumalo kayo dito sa press conference na ipinatawag ko upang mai-pahayag sa ating kababayan ang kabuuan ng niluloob ko patungkol sa mga isyu at kontrobersiya na insinasangkot ang aking pagkatao at ngayong ay nakaka-apekto ng hindi lamang sa trabaho at katungkulan ko bilang Chairman ng COMELEC kundi pati na ang pribasiya, katahimikan at iba pang karapatan ng aking pamilya.

It has been almost a week since I appeared at the Senate Committees investigating the NBN Project. I did so against the advise of my counsel and closest of friends, driven by what I expected would be the inherent fairness of a Senate inquiry and the statesmanship of our Senators.

I was sorely mistaken. I was not treated fairly. My declarations were limited to only those that most of my interrogators wanted to hear.

In these few days of reflection and consultation I’ve had with my family and closest friends, I have come to the painful determination that the time has come to separate my person from the office I now occupy, and the institution I head.

I am resigning the Chairmanship of the COMELEC effective immediately.

Let not my detractors feast on this declaration. I am not admitting guilt for any wrongdoing. Neither am I giving up on my crusade to clear my name and reputation. I made this decision to spare the COMELEC from the vicious maliciously concocted attacks on my person. On the 29th of this month we will have another election. It is my intention that with my resignation today I shall have detached the COMELEC from the controversy in which my person is currently embroiled.

In this same way, my resignation should dispel the claims of my detractors that I am dangling so-called “political debts” dispensed when I was supposedly “king” during election period as a shield to fend off moves to oust me from office.

And finally, my resignation negates the accusation that this Administration is out to protect me and my incumbency.

40 years ago, I entered public service fired with the ideals of promoting the welfare or our people and placing public interest above mine at all times. It is for this very reason that I have resigned, subordinating my personal interest in completing the last few months of my term to the higher public interest of saving Congress from engaging in a complicated and long-drawn out impeachment process that would inevitably take its toll on the nation.

I take this opportunity to thank my colleagues in the government for the mentoring, the assistance and the comfort they have given me in my years in public service. Their thoughts and goodwill have become the founding elements of the wisdom that I bear as I return to private life.

I wish to thank likewise, my family, friends and most especially the people of Mandaluyong. I thank them for bearing with me, for the aid and comfort they have given me through all these years, particularly during these trying times.

I must repeat, however, that I have not given up the fight. Having rid myself of the impression of using my office for personal ends and the burden of keeping my office and the COMELEC away from the vicious attacks on my person, I am all the more determined to carry on my crusade to clear my name and reputation and exposing the lies and malicious claims thrown at me.

Sa aking pamamaalam sa serbisyo publiko, ay naroon ang aking pananalig na anumang haba ng gabi, ay mayroong bukang-liwayway. Sa patnubay at gabay ng ating Maykapal, malaki ang aking pananalig na tayo’y muling magkikita, taas-noo, sa bagong umaga.

As I bow out of public service, I find comfort in the thought that at the end of even the longest of nights, the dawn will break. With the grace of the Almighty, I am confident that I shall see you once again, head unbowed, at daybreak.

Maraming salamat po.