Heaven or Hell is a State of Mind

Best-selling American author Dan Drown, in his latest novel Inferno, described Manila as the ‘gates of hell’—particularly emphasising “six-hour traffic jams, suffocating pollution, horrifying sex trade.”

Inevitably, this has earned a fury of backlash from patriotic Pinoys in defence of the Philippine capital city. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino, in an open letter to Brown, expressed his concern on the description, saying it failed to capture the good heart of the Filipino.

Netizens were likewise shaken. Even popular author Paolo Coehlo came in defence of the Philippines, tweeting “Dear Filipinos, your souls lead to the gates of heaven.”

Incidentally, incoming Mayor Erap Estrada used the dirty, derelict, polluted image of Manila in his election campaign ad — a patama to the incumbent government of Lim and earned him the mayoralty seat.

This brings to question: Why prosecute Brown? Because he is a best-selling author with a wide readership and we are afraid that the image of the Philippines will be tarnished among the global community? What do we think are we then — Paradise?

So why do we tolerate the same downbeat description in our films and celebrate their international recognitions? Sebis (Brillante Mendoza) Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag (Lino Brocka), Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (Chris Martinez)!! Poverty Porn! (Lourd de Vera has its spot on.) Even our teleseryes are set in slums, and we consider it art. But art imitates life. In literature we call it realism — a movement that speaks of how works of literature, fiction in particular, tends to mirror social realities. But the truth hurts, especially if we have a huge EGO.

In Tagalog, we say, “Bago mo pansinin ang kapintasan ng iba, manalamin ka muna.” We are angered by how we are described in a best-selling book, but we were damn proud how Bourne Legacy portrayed our slums, only with a consolation of a beautiful Puerto Princesa in the closing credits.

We can be proud about the Philippines, and we should be. We are in all ways a beautiful nation. That is a fact! But we have flaws, we must accept them also because they are real. And maybe Brown thought our flaws were a good material. That is, to turn something unsightly into the level of a literary masterpiece, a possible part of history: Art is not always the puffy clouds and serene seas.

Maybe this part also scared us — that many will look at us in a bad light. But who knows they (foreign eyes) become more curious about the Philippine and go visit? Bad publicity is still publicity.   

When they come, the more that we need to prove ourselves and what beauty there is in our beloved nation. This is the challenge: to change our negative reputation not by changing other’s perspective but ours. We can prove them wrong only if we want to. As they say, reputation is what others think about us and integrity is what we really are.

After all, whether we are in hell or in heaven is our choice, our own  a state of mind.

Fish Started it All

The Philppines is a small bangus up against whales: Then it was China and now it's Taiwan.

What happened? A Taiwanese fisherman, who allegedly crossed Philippine seas, was shot dead by Philippine Navy officials. Patriotism flamed up in Taiwan. (this article gives meaty insight http://asiancorrespondent.com/108038/philippines-taiwan-fisherman-dispute/) 

Does this mean animosity? But how can a third world country, whose economy relies much on the investments from its looming 'enemies' even stage a fight? Can the government afford to raise a red flag knowing that thousands of OFWs are exhausting blood and sweat in Taiwan- a main contibutor that makes the economy somehow afloat?

But we cannot discount the fact that small as we are, we have the power to fight for what rights we have as a nation, especially to safeguard our territories and our people. The officials, perhaps fulfiling the duties they have sworn into, were only acting as sentinels of the seas. After all, we ahve been bullied for so long.  

Diplomacy should have been an easy way to go about these things. But Taiwan wouldn't make it easy. Apologies were sent, and denied. One life is lost- does it need to be a tooth for a tooth?

Anyhow, the OFWs are at the most critical of sides and we wouldn't afford any great damages.

There are tons of fish in the oceans, but sometimes boats are sailing in different waves. In any case, meeting halfway spares us all of the heartbreak.    

  
 

Democracy is purple-colored word

Once in every few years, democracy means a purple manicure.

 

Suffrage is both a right and a privilege. It is a right because as Filipinos, we are entitled to choose leaders that we think would best lead the country to progress. On the other hand, not every Filipino is given the privilege to vote, say the children who will actually soon become either beneficiaries of refugees of our choices. Hence, the voting population must, cliché as it may sound, vote wisely. After all, we are registered because of the assumption that we are capable of discerning and making good choices.

The 2013 Midterm Elections is over. The die is cast. The political cockfights and mud-slinging should also be buried to peace. The people have given its mandate to the winners. The losers should concede.

 A few notes.

*The PNP has called the Elections “generally peaceful” with very few and minor incidents reported.

*Voting turn-out for the OAV (Overseas Absentee Voting) was low at around 20% in some areas. It is sad that, the OFWs who support our economy cannot exercise their rights, not because they are deprived but because it is materially difficult to travel miles to the embassies and cast. It could be time to harness technology, experts say.

*By a major surprise, FPJ’s Daughter Grace Poe emerged as Senatorial topnotcher in the still ongoing canvassing — topping out survey leader Legarda. Interviewed by media, Poe attributed about 80 to 90% of her victory to her late father. Aptly, her run and win was an attempt to vindicate FPJ’s loss in 2004. Credit is given to where it is due.

*At least 9 of the Magic 12 Senators are from Team PNoy, with Nancy Binay settling for a sure spot and her stable-mates battling for seats 10 to 12.

*Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao, Aga Muhlach, Vilma Santos, other celebrities won in their respective positions. But Anabelle Rama didn't make it.

*Former President Erap is the new Mayor of Manila, replacing friend-turned-foe Fred Lim.

*Meanwhile, let us enjoy memes that circulated on social media. Just for the laughs. The #IpasoksiDick hashtag trended on Twitter, followed by several double-meaning twits about the Senatorial aspirant who was at an awful 13^th position based on partial results.

*Another meme showing Sen. Santiago supposedly getting a headache over the triumph of soon-to-be senator Nancy Binay. Netizens are definitely not a fan of Binay's color.

By now, the dust of the political boxing is starting to clear out. Rubbish is everywhere. The candidates, winners or otherwise, should prove their good promises and start by cleaning our streets. That should be a good start. Otherwise, what will the next three years be?

Everybody is excited about next Monday because it will be a non-working holiday and we can splurge into some summer activities before summer ends.

But why is it a holiday anyway? It’s the polls— the time when schools become precincts where we name, through a sacred ritual called election, who will our next leaders be. In other words, we decide for our future.

The process is simple—shading names in a ballot, dropping it in the infamous PCOS machine and leaving without worrying about tomorrow. All this seems so easy as if it’s like choosing which channel to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon. But the repercussions are serious and bold!

However, we would rather go watch Goin’ Bulilit than worry. We cannot blame ourselves for not taking the elections like it’s between life and death. Maybe we did at first, but we grew tired of hoping and waiting for change— the same thing we always hear when a new one comes out. We have put our bets on these kinds of people and hoped, they were gleaming with great promises but someday so soon, the system erased all of those.

It’s the system. As they say, once you join them, you be like them. Of course, this is a hasty generalisation and an insensitive observation. But this is the common notion and a fact to be told. The Philippine Trust Index, in fact, found that only 15 percent of Filipinos trust the government.

To be fair, there are surely good leaders out there. But how do we name them? Or more appropriately, how do we know an apple from an orange or a duhat? Which leads me to asking, what qualities of a leader do we need?

Enter campaign jingles and ads! Do we believe in the candidates’ supposed credentials and achievements? Do we take them seriously or do we just enjoy the gimmicks, the songs, the endorsers who are paid? But these ploys work for the candidates— so we’ll recall their names come Election Day.

Enter what money can do. Vote-buying is a reality even the Graders know about and see in broad daylight. Politics is business so entrants need to invest and at a later time, reap results. If only we would be so wise not to vote for those that insult our dignity. Sadly, some votes are so cheap.

We are told to vote wisely, but at the end of it all, we vote with our conscience and wait if anything happens. This sound hopeless, can’t help it.

NO TO BULLYING (Katulad Ng Iba - Gloc-9 ft. Zia Quizon)

Education is part of life but it is not life

It is hard to debate whether an Education is still a right or a mere privilege in this present-day Philippines. The government would always argue that it has found ways to provide equal chances for all, regardless of social stature, gender, age and ethnicity, to attain education, or in simpler terms literacy. Education is free in public schools and universities; there is Alternative Learning System (ALS), distance education, aside from an overhaul in curriculums recently.

Primary public education is free, supposedly. But we still pay for many things as primary graders. It may not be true to others, but from where I come from, were paid sums of up to hundreds in elementary school, including PTA projects, raffle draw tickets, school paper fees and more. These were supposedly voluntary. However, you need to pay for them if you want your clearance signed, which is another way of saying that graduating is also voluntary.

In high school, the same things happened- only you need a thicker pocket to pay on top of what you used to pay as a grade-schooler. There are club fees, intramurals fees, year level organisation fees, student org fees, ID fees, library card fees...

Let me be clear, I did not complain about the system because I always thought I was lucky enough to be sent to school. Coming from a low-income family, there were times (most often than not), that I had to pay for these things beyond the deadline. The system was considerate. I never thought I was being denied of my rights anyhow.

On to college, an organisation graciously accepted me as one of its scholars. They paid for my tuition and other miscellaneous fees. Others I had to pay on my own. Of course, my parents had to shoulder the transportation, uniforms, a lot of projects, thesis expenses... so on. I am grateful that my father, though he was a humble construction worker, was able to send me to school without having to neither sell any of his organs nor get buried in debt. That is why I am lucky to graduate and find a work soon in order to pay them back.

I believe a lot of students have the same stories.

So it came to me as a shock how Kristel, the UP student, had to take her life just because she was allegedly denied a loan to pay her tuition fees. At first, I thought the media was just sensationalising the issue, but it turned out it was also what her parents thought. And the events went on like a chain, to students burning school equipment in PUP, to UP admin revising its student loan rules, to the Oblation wearing black cloth.

I cannot judge Kristel, or her parents, for being impatient with the system and with life. Maybe she had big dreams and lost hope early. She forgot that her dreams should have made her more driven, more patient to continue no matter what. The parents may have come short to provide her assurance that they will do what they can so she can continue her dreams. They may have understood each other in the process.

I can’t help but put myself in the situation. There were also times when I thought of stopping midway in a sem because of short budget, but never did it come to me that I should kill myself. Education is part of life but it is not life. I always talked to my family and friends about my problems, and got good advice. My parents were assertive and optimistic that we will carry on, they gave hope. And friends, they can always make you feel that you are not alone because they might just have the same sentiments or even bigger loads on their shoulders, and yet not losing hope.

The key therefore is to rise above the world. No matter how hard it may be, there will always be a shining beam of light on the horizon.

But then again, we only know a page of Kristel’s life. She was surely more than what we know about her. We may not even know what were running in her mind when she decided to go. And our guesses, opinions and conclusions may be far from hers. Only she knows. She and God.

Clearly, having an Education is a right, but it is a privilege to have an access that right. But more than anything, having an education is a CHALLENGE, you either accept it or take another way.

Halo-Halo for Senator!

The heat is on.

Hale falling in Quezon City aside; it is officially summer (or technically Dry Season) in the Philippines according to PAG-ASA. Well, the agency actually need not declare it since a lot of fire-related and fire-inspired incidents were enough proof that it was indeed the start of the season.

FIRE-RELATED. March is Fire Prevention Month in PH. I don’t know if it was by intention, but incidentally, March is also the time when consecutive cases of fire are reported. It could work two ways: March is the peak season of fires (if there is such), or the media knows fire would make a good headline within the month.

FIRE-INSPIRED. By this, I mean bangayan ng mga nagbabagang bato.

Round 1: Migz Zubir accused Koko Pimetel of physical abusing his (Koko’s) ex-wife. Zubiri claims the said ex-wife admitted this herself (and when it was Zubiri’s opportunity to divulge in public during a TV debate, he did so). Not long enough, the wife dismissed claims. And Zubiri was apologetic. The fire was a false alarm? Pimentel will ignite the smoke once more, I strongly believe.

Round 2: Lim vs Erap. This is a classic best friends-turned-best-enemies tale. We know history and we know they are now up against each other for Manila mayoralty. We know they dissed each other in public not once, but twice on separate, consecutive incidents. Fire was not out easy, it exploded again. Apparently, Erap accused Lim of crying in front of him back then just so the latter could join Erap’s senatorial slate. Lim, on the other hand, dug issues on Erap’s Corruption. Clearly, this is not fire-out either.

These are actually just ash coimared to the humungous fireball that is politics in the Philippines. And most are, if I may say, repetitive. Well, history is really boring (for more part than not).

And summer will start and end again soon until it rains. Well. It’s just starting so let’s go to the beach and the polls! Let’s vote Halo-Halo for Senator!

A New Pope: A New Hope?

On the third attempt, the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church (through the conclave) have elected a new Pope to occupy the vacated seat of Benedict XVI. Following report is from abc:

New Pontiff Is Pope Francis of Argentina
The new leader of the Catholic Church is the Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio who has taken the name of Pope Francis.
Bergoglio, 76, is a Jesuit from Buenos Aires and is the first pope from South America. He is also the first pope to take the name of Francis.
The new pontiff stepped onto the Vatican balcony dressed in white to address the roaring crowd in St. Peter’s Square where he humbly and calmly asked for the peoples’ prayers.
“Let’s pray always for each other. Let’s pray for the whole world. May there be a great brotherhood,” Pope Francis said in Italian.
He wished that the “voyage with the church that we begin today” be “successful in spreading the gospel.”
A hush fell over the crowd when the pope said, “Let us pray silently in this prayer for me,” and bowed his head.
Pope Francis recited the Lords’ Prayer and the Hail Mary before making the sign of the cross to bless the crowd estimated to be more than 100,000 people.
“Brothers and sisters, I leave you. Thank you so much for the warm welcome. Pray for me and we’ll see each other soon. Tomorrow I want to go pray to the Madonna. And I want to wish to all of Rome. Goodnight and good rest,” Pope Francis said with a laugh and a wave before leaving the balcony among cheers and bells ringing….
PLEASE SEE FULL REPORT at abcnews.

Tracing the roots under a foreign soil

It's in the headlines but I completely have no idea why the Philippines (although not collectively) is caught in yet another territorial dispute, this time with the Malaysian government. So I searched all over and tried to absorb what-write-ups.

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/editorials/42573-filipinos-support-the-sultanate-of-sulu
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/66031/14-dead-in-sabah-assault
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/03/04/915533/sabah-uprising
http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/news/top-news/10011-100-kiram-loyalists-still-holed-up-in-lahad-datu-after-shootout

Turns out, the dispute over Sabah traces centuries back when the British colonisers 'awarded' Sabah to Malaysia (although the Brits were only leasing the land from PH). Malaysia is firm to believe that it now owns the island, albeit still pays a "rent" to the sultanate of Sulu.  therefore, the main conflict is ownership: to which Malaysia and Ph have claims over.

“Sabah is the patrimony of the Filipino Nation,” says Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who is leading his clan consisting 300-plus people from Sulu. Reaching the disputed land by water, Datu Kiram is now in physical combat with Malaysian forces to claim what they believe should be theirs.

However, PNoy himself is not keen over the claims, and in fact has urged the clan to go back into safety, but to no avail. Reports said 12 from the Sultan's camp were shot dead in Friday's encounter.

Sulu has ever since been a territory of its own, somehow departing from the bigger nation that is Philippines. This is just another proof. It's sad that the government does not wish to support Sultan Karim's fight to what, history tells us, should have been ours.

Nonetheless, we cannot blame the government for taking the passive raod to peace. After all, we are quite underdog, sadly. This is pretty evident given how our claims to Spratlys are going so far. Another claim may be too much.

To where theis shall end- we shall wait.

Remembering EDSA

We are what we are today because of what our predecessors fought for.
This can put the history of the Philippines in a nutshell.  Through the decades, our country has passed through great adversities- political and social dilemmas -  that stood as a test of our resilience and unity.
We have been colonised and our first heroes set us free. In recent history, the individual Filipino now knows how to make a hero out of himself.
What great example would be more fitting than the iconic EDSA People Power Revolution, which aptly displayed what the power of the people can do. They fought and shaped the future. We are what we are because they fought, with peace, with prayer and with patriotism.