This is one story most fit for Halloween rather than Christmas. But experience such as this needs to be told to remind us of the Supreme Being who has power over all of us, God. Christmas is not just a celebration of Jesus’ birth; it is a celebration of (our) lives, a sheer manifestation of God’s eternal love and the beginning of our redemption. On a cold Tuesday night, I get to experience God’s love in the most endearing fashion fit for someone who isn’t even worthy of a second chance, yet in His forgiving eyes, He must have thought of the grand scheme of things He wants for me, so I’m back home writing this piece from scratch.
I normally stay at one of my favorite hotel in Manila whenever I had official business trips that require spending days at the big city. For me, this trip was an ordinary one just like the rest of the business trips I had for this year. I was working on my final presentation for the following day’s meeting when I suddenly felt sleepy about quarter past eight (8) in the evening. Feeling tired from the travel the night before, I placed my laptop just above my head and yielded to the call of the soft bed, relaxing music and jazzy ambiance of Room 79. Before falling completely asleep, I was thinking then that I’ll have to wake up early morning to continue my presentation.
In the darkest corner of my sleeping thoughts, I begun to hear typing sounds in my laptop’s keyboard, I remembered I opened my eyes to see from the mirror at the side of the room who was playing with my laptop but I didn’t see anyone. Then the typing noise continued and sounds of chairs being dragged on the floor engulfed the keyboard sound. I forced myself to get up to see who was doing it but I found myself incapable of motion. I remembered I was shouting “stop it!” for I wanted to sleep but the noise kept getting louder each minute.
Then the unthinkable happened. In my conscious effort to stop the noise, I had forced myself to get up. But each time my head reaches 30-40% angle in an attempt to get up (I was lying face up in the bed with my arms spread), I felt a sudden rush of electricity in my face which prevented me from rising up. I repeatedly attempted to force myself to rise but each time I get to that very same angle, there comes the rush of electric-like current from nowhere blazing in my face. On my third try, I managed to look back and was surprised to see myself (my body) in my deepest sleep. Right then I realized I was dreaming and the dream can turn bad. So I slowly lay back to my original form and prayed in silence the basic prayers thought to me in elementary. In a few minutes, I regained consciousness and woke up from the nightmare before Christmas.
I was so happy to see my family and my children again as I went home tonight. My children didn’t have a single inkling of the danger I was in days before and they may have never knew instantly the worst ending to that story. It send shiver to my skin while writing this piece. But if it takes to have one hell of a night for me to stop, look and listen to the beautiful things I must have missed travelling hundred miles an hour, then I’ll unlock my foot from the gas pedal and park at the side street. Eighteen (18) days before Christmas, God had given me the most precious gift anyone can only wish for in their dire need. Not everyone gets a second chance, I’m lucky (and blessed) to have gotten one.
Thank you, JC!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Christmas Letter
Ruth went to her mail box on Christmas Eve, and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:
Dear Ruth:
I’m going to be in your neighborhood this Christmas and I’d like to stop by for a visit.
Love Always,
Jesus
Ruth’s hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. “Why would the Lord want to visit me? I’m nobody special. I don’t have anything to offer.” With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets.
“Oh my goodness, I really don’t have anything to offer. It’s already Christmas Eve and the stores will be closing. I’ll have to run down out and buy something for dinner right away.” She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents.
“Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least.” She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk…leaving Ruth with grand total of twelve cents to last her until next week. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings of a Christmas dinner tucked under her arm.
“Hey lady, can you help us, lady?” Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans; she hadn’t even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.
“Look lady, I ain’t got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living here on the street, and, well, now it’s getting cold and we’re getting kinda hungry and, well, it’s Christmas Eve, if you could help us, lady, we’d really appreciate it.”
Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.
“Sir, I’d like to help you, but I’m a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I’m having an important guest for Christmas and I was planning on serving that to Him.”
“Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway”. The man put his arm around the woman’s shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley as a gentle snow began to fall. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
“Sir, wait!” The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. Look, why don’t you take this food. I’ll figure out something else to serve my guest.” She handed the man her grocery bag.
“Thank you lady, thank you very much!” “Yes, thank you!”
Ruth could see now that the woman was shivering.
“You know, I’ve got another coat at home. Here, why don’t you take this one?” Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman’s shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street …. without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.
“Thank you lady! Thank you very much! …. and Merry Christmas!”
Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn’t have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. “That’s odd. The mailman doesn’t usually deliver on Christmas Eve.” She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
Dear Ruth:
It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely Christmas dinner. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
Love Always,
Jesus
The air was still cold, and the snow was falling even harder, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.
- Author Unknown
Jesus doesn’t normally write us Christmas letters and drop it in our mailboxes at home or over the web. I have never heard of such divine notice sent, signed and delivered from the heavens on Christmas Eve or any time of the year at that. This Christmas story might have been told over and over again that you can tell the exact ending just by reading the opening lines. Nevertheless, as cliché as this letter | story may sound, it makes fair sense to stop for a moment and feel the cold air in the morning, listen to the season tunes played over the radio, watch the Christmas lights glow in the dark and share the spirit of the season with the rest of the world.
The morning TV news does a daily countdown until the Christmas. I remembered they begun the count as early as October of this year. As I watched them count the remaining days to Christmas everyday, I got lost in transition as to how many more days it is and while I am tangled in the daily operations, urgent processes and planning requirements at the office, I had completely forgotten that Christmas is indeed coming. In one of my short breaks last week and while checking my mails, it suddenly occurred to me that it is Christmas time once again so I sent few friends greetings so as not to forget. Better early than forgotten I said to myself.
I would not want to wish to receive a letter from Jesus this Christmas (literally or figuratively) for three (3) simple reasons. First, I don’t think I am ready to understand the words written and I may fall short decoding the message hidden between the lines. My Chinese wife thinks I’m dumb. Truth is, I am and I never will get tired of learning to fill-up my half-full left brain that stores my deficient logical, rational, analytical and objective thinking. Once-in-a-while I get to pretend I’m smart when she’s not around but then everything goes back to the normal dumb me back home.
Second, since I might fail the letter comprehension test and misinterpret the value of the message, I may be forever lost in my subconscious trying to figure out the difference between regret and taking chances. My Boss, Resty O. Bundoc told me stories sometime ago of why and how things, practices, cultures and emotions die a natural death. According to him, it is not the end that we should worry about, if not written in the stars (or destiny to some) it will soon come. What we should pay most attention on are the details of today without losing track of the big picture that’s about to happen tomorrow. The most important, lasting and redeeming lesson in situations of dying a natural death is facing the truth of today and appreciating (not suffering) the consequence of tomorrow.
Third, I don’t think I deserve such celestial memo right now as naughty kids don’t get toys from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. “Ignosce mihi, Pater, quia peccavi.” It means “Bless me, father, for I have sinned” in Latin. I knew I did countless time in the past until today and for personal penance (if it’s permitted for absolution in the spirit of Christmas) I would chose to sing a Christmas song over recital of repetitive prayers. Not that it’s easier to do but it’s something not given in the past by any priest yet by the virtues covering the Sacrament of Penance. It may not be in the book but it makes sense, a heavenly prudence in the season of faith, hope and charity.
“You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list, and checking it twice; gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake! Oh, you better watch out! You better not cry. Better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town.” Now done with the my distinctive penance, I wish to work hard to make this Christmas the most wonderful season for my family (kids and Chinese wife included), my friends, others that I don’t claim to be “mine”, the countless and the nameless people that I don’t know but in one-one-way or the other have been related to me by chance or intervention.
So help me Jesus.
-Rustico
Dear Ruth:
I’m going to be in your neighborhood this Christmas and I’d like to stop by for a visit.
Love Always,
Jesus
Ruth’s hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. “Why would the Lord want to visit me? I’m nobody special. I don’t have anything to offer.” With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets.
“Oh my goodness, I really don’t have anything to offer. It’s already Christmas Eve and the stores will be closing. I’ll have to run down out and buy something for dinner right away.” She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents.
“Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least.” She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk…leaving Ruth with grand total of twelve cents to last her until next week. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings of a Christmas dinner tucked under her arm.
“Hey lady, can you help us, lady?” Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans; she hadn’t even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.
“Look lady, I ain’t got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living here on the street, and, well, now it’s getting cold and we’re getting kinda hungry and, well, it’s Christmas Eve, if you could help us, lady, we’d really appreciate it.”
Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.
“Sir, I’d like to help you, but I’m a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I’m having an important guest for Christmas and I was planning on serving that to Him.”
“Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway”. The man put his arm around the woman’s shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley as a gentle snow began to fall. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
“Sir, wait!” The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. Look, why don’t you take this food. I’ll figure out something else to serve my guest.” She handed the man her grocery bag.
“Thank you lady, thank you very much!” “Yes, thank you!”
Ruth could see now that the woman was shivering.
“You know, I’ve got another coat at home. Here, why don’t you take this one?” Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman’s shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street …. without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.
“Thank you lady! Thank you very much! …. and Merry Christmas!”
Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn’t have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. “That’s odd. The mailman doesn’t usually deliver on Christmas Eve.” She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
Dear Ruth:
It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely Christmas dinner. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
Love Always,
Jesus
The air was still cold, and the snow was falling even harder, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.
- Author Unknown
Jesus doesn’t normally write us Christmas letters and drop it in our mailboxes at home or over the web. I have never heard of such divine notice sent, signed and delivered from the heavens on Christmas Eve or any time of the year at that. This Christmas story might have been told over and over again that you can tell the exact ending just by reading the opening lines. Nevertheless, as cliché as this letter | story may sound, it makes fair sense to stop for a moment and feel the cold air in the morning, listen to the season tunes played over the radio, watch the Christmas lights glow in the dark and share the spirit of the season with the rest of the world.
The morning TV news does a daily countdown until the Christmas. I remembered they begun the count as early as October of this year. As I watched them count the remaining days to Christmas everyday, I got lost in transition as to how many more days it is and while I am tangled in the daily operations, urgent processes and planning requirements at the office, I had completely forgotten that Christmas is indeed coming. In one of my short breaks last week and while checking my mails, it suddenly occurred to me that it is Christmas time once again so I sent few friends greetings so as not to forget. Better early than forgotten I said to myself.
I would not want to wish to receive a letter from Jesus this Christmas (literally or figuratively) for three (3) simple reasons. First, I don’t think I am ready to understand the words written and I may fall short decoding the message hidden between the lines. My Chinese wife thinks I’m dumb. Truth is, I am and I never will get tired of learning to fill-up my half-full left brain that stores my deficient logical, rational, analytical and objective thinking. Once-in-a-while I get to pretend I’m smart when she’s not around but then everything goes back to the normal dumb me back home.
Second, since I might fail the letter comprehension test and misinterpret the value of the message, I may be forever lost in my subconscious trying to figure out the difference between regret and taking chances. My Boss, Resty O. Bundoc told me stories sometime ago of why and how things, practices, cultures and emotions die a natural death. According to him, it is not the end that we should worry about, if not written in the stars (or destiny to some) it will soon come. What we should pay most attention on are the details of today without losing track of the big picture that’s about to happen tomorrow. The most important, lasting and redeeming lesson in situations of dying a natural death is facing the truth of today and appreciating (not suffering) the consequence of tomorrow.
Third, I don’t think I deserve such celestial memo right now as naughty kids don’t get toys from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. “Ignosce mihi, Pater, quia peccavi.” It means “Bless me, father, for I have sinned” in Latin. I knew I did countless time in the past until today and for personal penance (if it’s permitted for absolution in the spirit of Christmas) I would chose to sing a Christmas song over recital of repetitive prayers. Not that it’s easier to do but it’s something not given in the past by any priest yet by the virtues covering the Sacrament of Penance. It may not be in the book but it makes sense, a heavenly prudence in the season of faith, hope and charity.
“You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list, and checking it twice; gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake! Oh, you better watch out! You better not cry. Better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town.” Now done with the my distinctive penance, I wish to work hard to make this Christmas the most wonderful season for my family (kids and Chinese wife included), my friends, others that I don’t claim to be “mine”, the countless and the nameless people that I don’t know but in one-one-way or the other have been related to me by chance or intervention.
So help me Jesus.
-Rustico
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Isaw
Chicken has probably the most edible part (second to pigs | hogs) easily available in the market, much less ordinary food stalls and barbeque stands. The sight of chicken heads, wings, thigh, legs down to chicken feet (called adidas) in sticks are among the nightly ordinary menu of an ordinary barbeque stand. Frozen chicken blood cut in cubes also forms part of the mighty chicken menu repertoire which also includes chicken intestines or Isaw.
Isaw is a street food from the Philippines made from barbecued chicken intestines. The intestines are cleaned several times, turned inside out, and cleaned again and repeating the process several times until the chicken part has been thoroughly cleaned. After this preliminary process, the intestines are boiled then grilled on sticks for the masses to enjoy. Isaw has taken tremendous popularity in the Philippines especially now that feasting on a whole chicken at a dining table has become a privilege for the few, at least in the village where I came from.
A chicken’s intestine is probably about plus or minus two (2) feet long, this means one chicken accounts for about plus or minus three (3) barbequed Isaw sticks. Doing the math for the thousands of Isaw vendors all over the country, it is safe to assume that there are about over a million chickens being slaughtered everyday for food in the Philippines which eventually addresses the demand for everyday Isaw. It makes me wonder where in the world do these chickens came from? But then looking at United States consumption of chicken per day, it is said that in that part of the world, about twenty-six (26) million chickens are being slaughtered each day. Now do the math on how many barbequed Isaw could that possibly make!
Isaw has been one of my favorite “pulutan” back in college. My boardmates, classmates, friends and I would drop by downtown area after class to take out our favorite Isaw in one of the many Isaw stalls lined near the plaza. With every shot of Gin and an Isaw bite come endless stories of our daily exploits and misadventures told in a more exciting manner. Old stories and jokes sounded like new near midnights when sticks are what’s left of the delectable barbequed Isaw. Back then, Gin and Isaw are perfect combination for an in-house overnight drinking spree. While we knew that there’s still a class tomorrow, the gathering sometimes became extensions for classroom deliberations which Isaw even more intellectually useful.
My youngest daughter, Maria Theresa, loves Isaw at her early age. I didn’t know she was eating this exotic street food until her mother told me she saw her lined up in the barbeque stand next to the sari-sari store across the street. Her ate and kuya must have influenced her to try this bizarre delicacy. I would want to stop her from engaging in barbequed Isaw yet I don’t want to deprive her of the experience shared by millions of ordinary Filipinos. This early, I wanted Motet to remember the taste of Isaw. Isaw for me is not just an exotic food; it is a vivid representation of our state as a struggling country and a precise symbol of Filipino resiliency.
Go Motet, take as many Isaw as you want then in time I hope you’ll realize that Isaw is not the best tasting part of a chicken. The best tasting part of a chicken is the part you will give me in the future when I can no longer give you one.
Isaw is a street food from the Philippines made from barbecued chicken intestines. The intestines are cleaned several times, turned inside out, and cleaned again and repeating the process several times until the chicken part has been thoroughly cleaned. After this preliminary process, the intestines are boiled then grilled on sticks for the masses to enjoy. Isaw has taken tremendous popularity in the Philippines especially now that feasting on a whole chicken at a dining table has become a privilege for the few, at least in the village where I came from.
A chicken’s intestine is probably about plus or minus two (2) feet long, this means one chicken accounts for about plus or minus three (3) barbequed Isaw sticks. Doing the math for the thousands of Isaw vendors all over the country, it is safe to assume that there are about over a million chickens being slaughtered everyday for food in the Philippines which eventually addresses the demand for everyday Isaw. It makes me wonder where in the world do these chickens came from? But then looking at United States consumption of chicken per day, it is said that in that part of the world, about twenty-six (26) million chickens are being slaughtered each day. Now do the math on how many barbequed Isaw could that possibly make!
Isaw has been one of my favorite “pulutan” back in college. My boardmates, classmates, friends and I would drop by downtown area after class to take out our favorite Isaw in one of the many Isaw stalls lined near the plaza. With every shot of Gin and an Isaw bite come endless stories of our daily exploits and misadventures told in a more exciting manner. Old stories and jokes sounded like new near midnights when sticks are what’s left of the delectable barbequed Isaw. Back then, Gin and Isaw are perfect combination for an in-house overnight drinking spree. While we knew that there’s still a class tomorrow, the gathering sometimes became extensions for classroom deliberations which Isaw even more intellectually useful.
My youngest daughter, Maria Theresa, loves Isaw at her early age. I didn’t know she was eating this exotic street food until her mother told me she saw her lined up in the barbeque stand next to the sari-sari store across the street. Her ate and kuya must have influenced her to try this bizarre delicacy. I would want to stop her from engaging in barbequed Isaw yet I don’t want to deprive her of the experience shared by millions of ordinary Filipinos. This early, I wanted Motet to remember the taste of Isaw. Isaw for me is not just an exotic food; it is a vivid representation of our state as a struggling country and a precise symbol of Filipino resiliency.
Go Motet, take as many Isaw as you want then in time I hope you’ll realize that Isaw is not the best tasting part of a chicken. The best tasting part of a chicken is the part you will give me in the future when I can no longer give you one.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
To Motet on her 6th Birthday
Fathers would normally want to be just outside the delivery room eagerly waiting for their new born baby to come out. Then by instinct, he would accompany the nurses to the nursery, making sure that during that first encounter and short glimpse of his newly born baby, he would try to remember as much angelic features possible to ensure that the baby would be tagged correctly and won’t get lost in the crowded nursery of angels. That’s the generally common scenario but it was not the story on the night you were born.
As I have told you over and over again in one of those daughter and father story time, I had consumed my paternity leave days prior to your birth. Me and your mother must have been equally excited to see you that during that week I was on leave to welcome you to the family, you didn’t come, just yet. It was after I went back to work that I got news of how beautiful you were on that night your mother and aunties heard you cry. I must have scheduled my leaves to early and too late to take it back. Whatever it was, the truth of the matter is I waited eagerly more than any father would do and my spirit was just outside the delivery room so close to you.
I may not be physically present on the night you were born but I clearly remember that you were born on a Monday night. I remembered it because I left Naga on a Sunday evening to report back to work the following day. While at the office that day, your auntie texted me that your mother was about to gave birth to you so I spent the last few hours at the office thinking and praying that both of you be just fine. Before midnight I got the news that you were born so your Aunt Ruth spent the next hours describing your features to me thru text messages and I would paint pictures of you based on her descriptions in my mind.
Just like your brother and sister, we never really had the chance to see each other every day but I knew that you knew somewhere under the stars at night, there is a father not so far away missing half of his life having not to spend more time with you. The digital photos taken from the old sliding Nokia phone were the significant reminder of the bond that we and your ate and kuya share. Your first three (3) tender years were highlighted by your birthday get together and I have personally blocked the 23rds of November each year just to be with you. Just like your ate and kuya, you hold a special place in our hearts and you reminded me of hope, of faith and of God’s plan for us.
Today reminded me of the time (day) you were born. Ironically, now that I am just an hour-drive away from you, I got home tonight too late to catch you awake. For the second time, I wasn’t there to celebrate this wonderful day of our lives. You must have been too tired for the mini school party or simply got tired waiting for me, but just the same, while doing the last part of our planning session today, my spirit is home celebrating today with you. You are the “Princess” in the family and I fervently wish that you remain true to the meaning of that word in the years to come. In doing so, you are making the rest of us in the family Prince, Princes, Queen’s and King’s at our own right.
We love you Princess Maria Theressa!
As I have told you over and over again in one of those daughter and father story time, I had consumed my paternity leave days prior to your birth. Me and your mother must have been equally excited to see you that during that week I was on leave to welcome you to the family, you didn’t come, just yet. It was after I went back to work that I got news of how beautiful you were on that night your mother and aunties heard you cry. I must have scheduled my leaves to early and too late to take it back. Whatever it was, the truth of the matter is I waited eagerly more than any father would do and my spirit was just outside the delivery room so close to you.
I may not be physically present on the night you were born but I clearly remember that you were born on a Monday night. I remembered it because I left Naga on a Sunday evening to report back to work the following day. While at the office that day, your auntie texted me that your mother was about to gave birth to you so I spent the last few hours at the office thinking and praying that both of you be just fine. Before midnight I got the news that you were born so your Aunt Ruth spent the next hours describing your features to me thru text messages and I would paint pictures of you based on her descriptions in my mind.
Just like your brother and sister, we never really had the chance to see each other every day but I knew that you knew somewhere under the stars at night, there is a father not so far away missing half of his life having not to spend more time with you. The digital photos taken from the old sliding Nokia phone were the significant reminder of the bond that we and your ate and kuya share. Your first three (3) tender years were highlighted by your birthday get together and I have personally blocked the 23rds of November each year just to be with you. Just like your ate and kuya, you hold a special place in our hearts and you reminded me of hope, of faith and of God’s plan for us.
Today reminded me of the time (day) you were born. Ironically, now that I am just an hour-drive away from you, I got home tonight too late to catch you awake. For the second time, I wasn’t there to celebrate this wonderful day of our lives. You must have been too tired for the mini school party or simply got tired waiting for me, but just the same, while doing the last part of our planning session today, my spirit is home celebrating today with you. You are the “Princess” in the family and I fervently wish that you remain true to the meaning of that word in the years to come. In doing so, you are making the rest of us in the family Prince, Princes, Queen’s and King’s at our own right.
We love you Princess Maria Theressa!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Ice Cold Miami Heat
Much has been written about the Miami Heat from forcing to organize a group of overnight basketball champions at the expense of another franchise to having three talented players not knowing how to play with each other. The announcement of LeBron James in the offseason over live television of his plan on taking his talent to South Beach (I don’t even know where that is before, never been there) and from Paul Pierce’s Tweet of sharing his pleasure of bringing his talent to South Beach after his Celtics defeated the Heat twice in a row in the regular season has brought added color to the brewing rivalry of Boston’s Big Three and Miami’s Superstar Trio.
The two (2) consecutive losses were heartbreaking and ranking fifth (5th) this early in the Eastern Conference doesn’t justify the entry of Chris Bosh and LeBron James in the Miami Heat line up. The team was a consistent fifth (5th) placer last year with Dwyane Wade alone and judging from their early showing, it looked like James and Bosh were bunch of substandard investments for the Miami franchise. Can LeBron and Chris tow Miami for their second franchise championship ring or at the very least a finals appearance? Nothing can be said of the finals today but for as long as the Heat continues to loss games the way they did against Boston, Utah and New Orleans, they are only as good as the old Miami Heat squad.
So what went wrong with the Miami Heat in their first nine (9) games? Ironically, the glaring mistake which caused the team to loss against Boston, Utah and New Orleans are the very same guys they invested on to hand carry the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy back to Miami. Yes, LeBron, Chris and Dwyane did nothing to prevent the three teams from snatching the win from them. All they did was to rebound, pass and shoot the basketball. But hey, these are the best things to do to win basketball games why blame the trio? Well it’s simple, rebounds, passes and shoots doesn’t always guarantee a “W” especially if you’re playing against an equally talented squad!
Lebron, Chris and Dwyane are obviously confused of their roles in the team. They are not organized for an All-Star Games and therefore they should stop playing as if they are on an All-Star Game. Enough of the fancy passes and acrobatic shots, degree of difficulty in a shot doesn’t count double in a regular game. Why go for a difficult shot when you or your teammate can score for an easy, uncontested and high-percentage basket? The point is simple, piling up individual statistics in any department doesn’t really matter each time you loss a basketball game, statistics matters most in games won! So what if LeBron scored 35 against the Celtics and Wade 39 against the Jazz? The fact is that they lost the game and their efforts are futile!
How can they therefore start winning in a convincing fashion? First, the Superstar Trio should be able to define their individual roles in the team and accept them as it is. Wade doesn’t need to score 39 points only if he can share the basketball to open teammates more. With his brand of play, Wade can surely attract multiple defenders leaving one or two teammates wide open for an easy basket. In his first nine (9) games this season, Wade is averaging 3.3 assist per game and 3.7 turnovers, that’s close to saying he doesn’t share the ball that often and would rather go for a violation. He is the original star of the Heat but if they continue with their losing ways this season, he will soon be one of the countless blind stars of the NBA.
Second, LeBron James’ game is built to pull the trigger and unleash the killer punch. With his athleticism and skills, he is the most lethal player on the floor in close games. In the four (4) games lost by the Heat, LeBron was standing at the sidelines and never had the chance to touch the ball as time was winding down. Averaging 22.2 points in his first nine (9) games with the Heat is unacceptable for a king who never went below an average of 27.2 points in his last six (6) seasons prior to joining the Heat. Yes he shared the ball much more often now that never before, but he needs to be involved more in scoring for his team to gain more “Ws”. This can only happen if Wade starts sharing the ball the way he used to and setup the king to score.
Third, Chris Bosh should engage the boards much more often and collect more rebounds. His average of 6.0 in his first nine (9) games with the Heat is nothing compared to his average of 10.8 rebounds per game with the Raptors. Scoring in double figures will come as a bonus but scattering more rebounds is a must for Bosh. The Heat is one of the worst rebounding team early in the 2010-11 NBA Season and this only shows that Chris is not doing his homework. More rebounds basically means more ball possessions and more chances of scoring a basket.
So what went wrong with the Miami Heat in their first nine (9) games? Now it can be told in three basic basketball figures. First, the Heat simply just failed to score more basket than the opponent because the star (LeBron) who is expected to take care of burning the hoops has reluctantly pulled his trigger. Second, the star (Wade) who’s in the strategic position to share the ball more simply refused to trust his teammates and opted to gather turnovers instead. Third, the star (Chris) tasked to manage the boards allowed opponents to impose their will against his. They lost because they scored less, share the ball less and rebounded less than their foes. In their wins and losses entering their first ten (10) games of the season, they are the Ice Cold Miami Heat. Let’s just hope that the superstar trio live up to their team name called Heat before ice freezes over them.
The two (2) consecutive losses were heartbreaking and ranking fifth (5th) this early in the Eastern Conference doesn’t justify the entry of Chris Bosh and LeBron James in the Miami Heat line up. The team was a consistent fifth (5th) placer last year with Dwyane Wade alone and judging from their early showing, it looked like James and Bosh were bunch of substandard investments for the Miami franchise. Can LeBron and Chris tow Miami for their second franchise championship ring or at the very least a finals appearance? Nothing can be said of the finals today but for as long as the Heat continues to loss games the way they did against Boston, Utah and New Orleans, they are only as good as the old Miami Heat squad.
So what went wrong with the Miami Heat in their first nine (9) games? Ironically, the glaring mistake which caused the team to loss against Boston, Utah and New Orleans are the very same guys they invested on to hand carry the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy back to Miami. Yes, LeBron, Chris and Dwyane did nothing to prevent the three teams from snatching the win from them. All they did was to rebound, pass and shoot the basketball. But hey, these are the best things to do to win basketball games why blame the trio? Well it’s simple, rebounds, passes and shoots doesn’t always guarantee a “W” especially if you’re playing against an equally talented squad!
Lebron, Chris and Dwyane are obviously confused of their roles in the team. They are not organized for an All-Star Games and therefore they should stop playing as if they are on an All-Star Game. Enough of the fancy passes and acrobatic shots, degree of difficulty in a shot doesn’t count double in a regular game. Why go for a difficult shot when you or your teammate can score for an easy, uncontested and high-percentage basket? The point is simple, piling up individual statistics in any department doesn’t really matter each time you loss a basketball game, statistics matters most in games won! So what if LeBron scored 35 against the Celtics and Wade 39 against the Jazz? The fact is that they lost the game and their efforts are futile!
How can they therefore start winning in a convincing fashion? First, the Superstar Trio should be able to define their individual roles in the team and accept them as it is. Wade doesn’t need to score 39 points only if he can share the basketball to open teammates more. With his brand of play, Wade can surely attract multiple defenders leaving one or two teammates wide open for an easy basket. In his first nine (9) games this season, Wade is averaging 3.3 assist per game and 3.7 turnovers, that’s close to saying he doesn’t share the ball that often and would rather go for a violation. He is the original star of the Heat but if they continue with their losing ways this season, he will soon be one of the countless blind stars of the NBA.
Second, LeBron James’ game is built to pull the trigger and unleash the killer punch. With his athleticism and skills, he is the most lethal player on the floor in close games. In the four (4) games lost by the Heat, LeBron was standing at the sidelines and never had the chance to touch the ball as time was winding down. Averaging 22.2 points in his first nine (9) games with the Heat is unacceptable for a king who never went below an average of 27.2 points in his last six (6) seasons prior to joining the Heat. Yes he shared the ball much more often now that never before, but he needs to be involved more in scoring for his team to gain more “Ws”. This can only happen if Wade starts sharing the ball the way he used to and setup the king to score.
Third, Chris Bosh should engage the boards much more often and collect more rebounds. His average of 6.0 in his first nine (9) games with the Heat is nothing compared to his average of 10.8 rebounds per game with the Raptors. Scoring in double figures will come as a bonus but scattering more rebounds is a must for Bosh. The Heat is one of the worst rebounding team early in the 2010-11 NBA Season and this only shows that Chris is not doing his homework. More rebounds basically means more ball possessions and more chances of scoring a basket.
So what went wrong with the Miami Heat in their first nine (9) games? Now it can be told in three basic basketball figures. First, the Heat simply just failed to score more basket than the opponent because the star (LeBron) who is expected to take care of burning the hoops has reluctantly pulled his trigger. Second, the star (Wade) who’s in the strategic position to share the ball more simply refused to trust his teammates and opted to gather turnovers instead. Third, the star (Chris) tasked to manage the boards allowed opponents to impose their will against his. They lost because they scored less, share the ball less and rebounded less than their foes. In their wins and losses entering their first ten (10) games of the season, they are the Ice Cold Miami Heat. Let’s just hope that the superstar trio live up to their team name called Heat before ice freezes over them.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tao
Ang awiting ito'y para sa lahat ng minahal natin
Ito'y para rin sa lahat ng mga nagmahal sa atin
Tulad ng isang ibon
Tao ay lumilipad
Pangarap ang tanging nais
Na marating at matupad
Bakit pa luluha
Bakit maghihirap
Ayaw mang mangyari
Ay di masasabi
Minsan tayo ay nalilibang di natin napapansin
Oras na lumilipas ang pilit nating lilingunin
Sana'y nasabi ko sana'y nalaman niya
Sana'y nung giniginaw ay hawak ko ang palad nya
Ngunit naisip ko ngayon ay mas dinig
Kahit isang bulong kahit na isang pintig
Ng puso pag sinabi mong sya'y mahalaga
Asahan mong sayo'y ganon di ang kanyang nadarama
Isip ay nalilito
PAg nakakita ng bago
LAhat ng bagay sa mundo
Ay isang malaking tukso
Sasaktan mo lamang
Puso ay hwag sugatan
Ito'y laro lamang
Sa mundong makasalanan
Matapos ang lahat isa lang ang aking napatunayan
Huwag mong hayaan na parang alikabok sa langsangan
Na nililipadlipad at tuluyan ng mapahalo
Pag umula'y magiging putik sa kanal na bumabaho
Sabi nga nila ang buhay ay siguradong hindi
Lahat ay nakatakda pero di ka pwedeng mamili
Kaya't kung may pagkakataon mahigpit mong yakapin
Dahil baka bukas sayo ay bigla lang agawin
Tubig ay natuyo
Bulaklak ay nalalanta
Araw ay lumilipas
Sa gabi rin ang punta
Sasaktan mo lamang
Puso ay hwag sugatan
Ito'y laro lamang
Sa mundong makasalanan
Salamat sa pagkakataong kayo ay makasama
Salamat sa mga araw may luha man o tawa
Salamat sahil nalaman ko ang aking pagkukulang
Pero sa kabila nito ako'y di mo kinalimutan
Salamat dahil akoý tinuring mong kaibigan
Salamat at hanggang sa susunod naing kamustahan
Gloc-9 (feat. Cookie Chua of Color It Red)
Ito'y para rin sa lahat ng mga nagmahal sa atin
Tulad ng isang ibon
Tao ay lumilipad
Pangarap ang tanging nais
Na marating at matupad
Bakit pa luluha
Bakit maghihirap
Ayaw mang mangyari
Ay di masasabi
Minsan tayo ay nalilibang di natin napapansin
Oras na lumilipas ang pilit nating lilingunin
Sana'y nasabi ko sana'y nalaman niya
Sana'y nung giniginaw ay hawak ko ang palad nya
Ngunit naisip ko ngayon ay mas dinig
Kahit isang bulong kahit na isang pintig
Ng puso pag sinabi mong sya'y mahalaga
Asahan mong sayo'y ganon di ang kanyang nadarama
Isip ay nalilito
PAg nakakita ng bago
LAhat ng bagay sa mundo
Ay isang malaking tukso
Sasaktan mo lamang
Puso ay hwag sugatan
Ito'y laro lamang
Sa mundong makasalanan
Matapos ang lahat isa lang ang aking napatunayan
Huwag mong hayaan na parang alikabok sa langsangan
Na nililipadlipad at tuluyan ng mapahalo
Pag umula'y magiging putik sa kanal na bumabaho
Sabi nga nila ang buhay ay siguradong hindi
Lahat ay nakatakda pero di ka pwedeng mamili
Kaya't kung may pagkakataon mahigpit mong yakapin
Dahil baka bukas sayo ay bigla lang agawin
Tubig ay natuyo
Bulaklak ay nalalanta
Araw ay lumilipas
Sa gabi rin ang punta
Sasaktan mo lamang
Puso ay hwag sugatan
Ito'y laro lamang
Sa mundong makasalanan
Salamat sa pagkakataong kayo ay makasama
Salamat sa mga araw may luha man o tawa
Salamat sahil nalaman ko ang aking pagkukulang
Pero sa kabila nito ako'y di mo kinalimutan
Salamat dahil akoý tinuring mong kaibigan
Salamat at hanggang sa susunod naing kamustahan
Gloc-9 (feat. Cookie Chua of Color It Red)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Who’s Afraid of the Terror Threat?
France became the 6th country in the world to issue a travel advisory to its citizens about the risk of terror attack in the Philippines. These series of alerts and advisories came in span of just about a week after the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand issued theirs for their citizens who might have plans of travelling the country. “Risk of terrorist attack exists on the entire territory of the Philippines, particularly in urban areas (airports, shopping centers, places of worship, hotels and places frequented by foreigners, etc.)," said an English translation of the recent France travel advisory.
In a live interview last night over at ABS-CBN, the Philippine President, Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III maintained that there is no adequate basis to the travel advisories that have been issued by the six countries. Aquino said reports on possible terror threats in the country were "blown out of proportion" because the travel advisories were likely based on "raw" data that still had to be validated. He also maintained that the supposed threat against two ambassadors and certain security officials was not consistent with the actions of the terror group from which the threat supposedly comes from.
Granting that the supposed terror attack is verified, more than the denials and the downplaying of news to calm tourists and citizens, the more valid question should be; Is the country ready for a major terror attack? I don’t care if the terror plot pushes through or not, as an ordinary citizen, I am more concerned on the level of readiness of our government. The magnitude of trainings our police and military forces have in this kind of pre and post scenario and the degree of armaments our Department of Defense has in its possession to uphold the sovereignty, support the Constitution and defend the territory of the Republic of the Philippines against all enemies, foreign and domestic; promote and advance the national aims, interests and policies; and plan, organize, maintain, develop and deploy its regular and citizen reserve forces for national security.
There’s an interesting twist in the series of travel advisories against the country allegedly caused by an impending terror attack. Truth is, if you have been residing in the Philippines for the past several decades now, terror attacks (or its equivalent in economics and extent of destructive powers) have been quietly and masterfully orchestrated by our friends in government. When GMA and her crony of greedy politicians attempted to rig the ZTE Broadband deal that could have virtually given all Filipinos access to real time information, they have, so to speak terrorized the country.
Terrorism is defined as the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. The United Nations Secretary General described terrorism as any act "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act.” When Joc Joc Bolante (and his cohorts) diverted millions of fertilizers funds intended for the farmers back in 2004 to ensure victory of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, they have caused not just death but famine in the country side.
Terror and terror attacks is an everyday thing in the Philippines. We might have been so used to it that we haven’t really minded it has been happening all along. Not even our Armed Forces, the civilian augmentation forces and the courts have stopped it from happening. Early this year, the entire archipelago was rocked by the Ampatuan Political Strategy of killing innocent civilians to get perpetual hold of their political powers, which is a classic example of a terrorist attack done not by foreign terrorist but by Filipinos to their own race. Is there anything more cruel than that? Is there anything more terrorizing than the Ampatuans and the Arroyos? But then they got elected (and re-elected) in power!
Terrorism is an institution in the Philippines tasked to legislate, arbitrate and execute law and orders. We see terrorist everyday in their dazzling coat and tie fashion for their regular media appearances. Only a handful of those in power today can really be called leaders, legislators, judges, police officers and executives. The rest are terrorists in their Armani suits and Ferragamo shoes. Why be surprised and why deny such plot? The most difficult thing to admit in a democratic world is finding out that the enemies (terrorist) are within us.
In a live interview last night over at ABS-CBN, the Philippine President, Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III maintained that there is no adequate basis to the travel advisories that have been issued by the six countries. Aquino said reports on possible terror threats in the country were "blown out of proportion" because the travel advisories were likely based on "raw" data that still had to be validated. He also maintained that the supposed threat against two ambassadors and certain security officials was not consistent with the actions of the terror group from which the threat supposedly comes from.
Granting that the supposed terror attack is verified, more than the denials and the downplaying of news to calm tourists and citizens, the more valid question should be; Is the country ready for a major terror attack? I don’t care if the terror plot pushes through or not, as an ordinary citizen, I am more concerned on the level of readiness of our government. The magnitude of trainings our police and military forces have in this kind of pre and post scenario and the degree of armaments our Department of Defense has in its possession to uphold the sovereignty, support the Constitution and defend the territory of the Republic of the Philippines against all enemies, foreign and domestic; promote and advance the national aims, interests and policies; and plan, organize, maintain, develop and deploy its regular and citizen reserve forces for national security.
There’s an interesting twist in the series of travel advisories against the country allegedly caused by an impending terror attack. Truth is, if you have been residing in the Philippines for the past several decades now, terror attacks (or its equivalent in economics and extent of destructive powers) have been quietly and masterfully orchestrated by our friends in government. When GMA and her crony of greedy politicians attempted to rig the ZTE Broadband deal that could have virtually given all Filipinos access to real time information, they have, so to speak terrorized the country.
Terrorism is defined as the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. The United Nations Secretary General described terrorism as any act "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act.” When Joc Joc Bolante (and his cohorts) diverted millions of fertilizers funds intended for the farmers back in 2004 to ensure victory of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, they have caused not just death but famine in the country side.
Terror and terror attacks is an everyday thing in the Philippines. We might have been so used to it that we haven’t really minded it has been happening all along. Not even our Armed Forces, the civilian augmentation forces and the courts have stopped it from happening. Early this year, the entire archipelago was rocked by the Ampatuan Political Strategy of killing innocent civilians to get perpetual hold of their political powers, which is a classic example of a terrorist attack done not by foreign terrorist but by Filipinos to their own race. Is there anything more cruel than that? Is there anything more terrorizing than the Ampatuans and the Arroyos? But then they got elected (and re-elected) in power!
Terrorism is an institution in the Philippines tasked to legislate, arbitrate and execute law and orders. We see terrorist everyday in their dazzling coat and tie fashion for their regular media appearances. Only a handful of those in power today can really be called leaders, legislators, judges, police officers and executives. The rest are terrorists in their Armani suits and Ferragamo shoes. Why be surprised and why deny such plot? The most difficult thing to admit in a democratic world is finding out that the enemies (terrorist) are within us.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
To Xavier on his 9th Birthday
What can I say? We must have been so blessed that we are again celebrating your birth date on its ninth consecutive years already. This means you are already nine (9) years old and me nine (9) years older since the time you were born. We will never get to the time where your age meets mine all at the same time but I’m sure, from where you are standing now at your tender age, things are much better and brighter than I was your age. At your age, I was adjusting to the ways of a Paulinian being a transferee from a public school back at the mountains we both dearly love today. Now, you are much accustomed to being a Paulinian having spent the last five (5) years of your time loitering the corridors of the Elementary Building.
At nine, I wanted you to understand the three (3) simple things a nine year old kid should be able to comprehend in this digital information age. Today, these might look awkward or tricky or grueling, depending on the mindset you are in, but trust me, being the ONLY boy in the family just like me, this can lead you to live the best years of your life without having the need to pass through the boundless mistakes I encountered in my prime. They say experience is the best teacher, now these pieces of advice will be worth hundred thousands of pesos if taken in formal undergraduate program.
1. Life’s a journey, not a destination.
This is a line from Aerosmith’s 1993 hit single entitled “Amazing.” Steven Tyler must be a visionary for having been coined this phrase. This simply means that I don’t give a damn if you pretend to be sick and wanted to miss all classes whenever your grandma and grandpa are here for a visit. I’m sure you’ll bear the consequence of missing a day in school, but for whatever reasons you got for wanting to let go of a structured classroom learning in favor of an ice cream or a trip to nowhere, make sure to enjoy every moment of it. As you do, you got to learn to enjoy the red marks on your report cards. Once you get used to the red marks and gets bored seeing your report cards in bloody red color tone, strive for the black ones. Those that spells eight, nine or even a hundred in their first digit. As a father, I would understand seeing your seventy-fives (75s) today, that’s part of your journey, but I would better appreciate if you try to turn them into eighties (80s) and nineties (90s) for that is your destination.
2. Si Nanay si Tatay di ko babayaan
You’ll prefer listening to Justin Beiber or humming the High School Musical Series songs over this timeless Bicolano classic. But let me tell you this. No matter where your seventy-fives (75s) or ninety-nines (99s) will take you in the future, there are two individuals (living together or not) that have put all their faith in you and trusted that you become better than what they are today. Your family is both an inspiration and a challenge. Inspiration for you to keep your hopes high in the most difficult test that you still have to face and a challenge for you to outdone what they did when you too gets the chance to raise a family of your own. You won’t get billed for your education nor will you be required to pay them off, just make sure to live a life that completely reflects both the philosophies you learned in school and the values you acquired back home.
3. Never say never.
Yes. This is Justin Beiber’s original hit. More than the title implies, it communicates the biggest reality of them all - the world has no place for quitters. If you think passing the 3rd Grade is next to impossible, bear in mind that you still have eleven (11) long years ahead before finishing college and two (2) more years will be added from it if DepEd’s K12 proposal is signed into a law. Do not stop learning. I have no plans of stopping you from learning to drink beer, once you’re done with the 6th Grade we can probably talk about it and you might get my approval. Until then, I want you to focus on your studies and give us the relief of seeing you deliberately scan your notes after class hours NOT to tear a page and turn it into a paper plane but start writing something on them so you have something to read after class.
At nine, I wanted you to understand the three (3) simple things a nine year old kid should be able to comprehend in this digital information age. Today, these might look awkward or tricky or grueling, depending on the mindset you are in, but trust me, being the ONLY boy in the family just like me, this can lead you to live the best years of your life without having the need to pass through the boundless mistakes I encountered in my prime. They say experience is the best teacher, now these pieces of advice will be worth hundred thousands of pesos if taken in formal undergraduate program.
1. Life’s a journey, not a destination.
This is a line from Aerosmith’s 1993 hit single entitled “Amazing.” Steven Tyler must be a visionary for having been coined this phrase. This simply means that I don’t give a damn if you pretend to be sick and wanted to miss all classes whenever your grandma and grandpa are here for a visit. I’m sure you’ll bear the consequence of missing a day in school, but for whatever reasons you got for wanting to let go of a structured classroom learning in favor of an ice cream or a trip to nowhere, make sure to enjoy every moment of it. As you do, you got to learn to enjoy the red marks on your report cards. Once you get used to the red marks and gets bored seeing your report cards in bloody red color tone, strive for the black ones. Those that spells eight, nine or even a hundred in their first digit. As a father, I would understand seeing your seventy-fives (75s) today, that’s part of your journey, but I would better appreciate if you try to turn them into eighties (80s) and nineties (90s) for that is your destination.
2. Si Nanay si Tatay di ko babayaan
You’ll prefer listening to Justin Beiber or humming the High School Musical Series songs over this timeless Bicolano classic. But let me tell you this. No matter where your seventy-fives (75s) or ninety-nines (99s) will take you in the future, there are two individuals (living together or not) that have put all their faith in you and trusted that you become better than what they are today. Your family is both an inspiration and a challenge. Inspiration for you to keep your hopes high in the most difficult test that you still have to face and a challenge for you to outdone what they did when you too gets the chance to raise a family of your own. You won’t get billed for your education nor will you be required to pay them off, just make sure to live a life that completely reflects both the philosophies you learned in school and the values you acquired back home.
3. Never say never.
Yes. This is Justin Beiber’s original hit. More than the title implies, it communicates the biggest reality of them all - the world has no place for quitters. If you think passing the 3rd Grade is next to impossible, bear in mind that you still have eleven (11) long years ahead before finishing college and two (2) more years will be added from it if DepEd’s K12 proposal is signed into a law. Do not stop learning. I have no plans of stopping you from learning to drink beer, once you’re done with the 6th Grade we can probably talk about it and you might get my approval. Until then, I want you to focus on your studies and give us the relief of seeing you deliberately scan your notes after class hours NOT to tear a page and turn it into a paper plane but start writing something on them so you have something to read after class.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Long Wait
The long wait will soon be over for Bicolano youth who wanted to experience complete real life college education only STI can offer with the imminent completion of the new, bigger and better STI College Naga Campus. Located at the Central Business District II of Naga City, the new STI College Naga Campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities in Hotel and Restaurant Operations, Tourism Management, Engineering and Information and Communications Technology programs. After 9 months of intensive, scrupulous and round-the-clock construction operations, the new campus is set to formally open November of this year.
The STI College Naga Campus project was propelled by both the vast opportunities presented by the market and the recorded consistent enrollment increase of the Institution since new management took full control of its operations back in April of 2007. Aligned with the grand vision of its President Atty. Monico V. Jacob, to transform all STI campuses from the conventional rented buildings into having their own buildings and campuses, the new STI College Naga campus is a powerful manifestation of the Institutions commitment of delivering the highest degree of Academic instructions by providing a more conducive learning environment.
Cited by no less than the former City Mayor of Naga, and now DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, for contributing greatly to education development in the City by raising the standards of Academic Excellence especially in the fields of Information and Communications Technology, STI College Naga has been commended by the then City Mayor in his Letter of Appreciation send to Atty. Monico V. Jacob last June of the same year.
Close to a thousand students enrolled in various Businesses, Engineering and ICT programs of the Institution shared the same amount of eagerness, enthusiasm and anticipation as they await for the official transfer to the new campus in a month time. The towering 4-storey building along the CBD II access highway will soon be the new home of STI students of current stature and the many that are yet to come in the very near future.
The long wait will soon be finally over. Bicolano youth need not go the distance to complete their Collegiate Degrees, STI College is already here at the hub of education in Bicol,the Heart of Bicolandia. By building better avenues for real life education, STI has raised the bar of academic standards.
The STI College Naga Campus project was propelled by both the vast opportunities presented by the market and the recorded consistent enrollment increase of the Institution since new management took full control of its operations back in April of 2007. Aligned with the grand vision of its President Atty. Monico V. Jacob, to transform all STI campuses from the conventional rented buildings into having their own buildings and campuses, the new STI College Naga campus is a powerful manifestation of the Institutions commitment of delivering the highest degree of Academic instructions by providing a more conducive learning environment.
Cited by no less than the former City Mayor of Naga, and now DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, for contributing greatly to education development in the City by raising the standards of Academic Excellence especially in the fields of Information and Communications Technology, STI College Naga has been commended by the then City Mayor in his Letter of Appreciation send to Atty. Monico V. Jacob last June of the same year.
Close to a thousand students enrolled in various Businesses, Engineering and ICT programs of the Institution shared the same amount of eagerness, enthusiasm and anticipation as they await for the official transfer to the new campus in a month time. The towering 4-storey building along the CBD II access highway will soon be the new home of STI students of current stature and the many that are yet to come in the very near future.
The long wait will soon be finally over. Bicolano youth need not go the distance to complete their Collegiate Degrees, STI College is already here at the hub of education in Bicol,the Heart of Bicolandia. By building better avenues for real life education, STI has raised the bar of academic standards.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Serenity Prayer
Lord, grant me the grace of Serenity to accept things I cannot change,
The Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference.
Patience for the things that take time,
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles.
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.
-Reinhold Niebuhr
The Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference.
Patience for the things that take time,
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles.
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.
-Reinhold Niebuhr
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Breakfast at Mc Donald’s
A story e-mailed by a friend. Author Unknown.
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile."
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.
Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.
As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.
I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss," because that was all they could afford (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm). Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said, "Thank you." I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."
I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.
I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we, as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and to be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.
I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE. Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to "LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE."
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile."
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.
Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.
As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.
I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss," because that was all they could afford (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm). Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said, "Thank you." I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."
I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.
I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we, as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and to be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.
I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE. Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to "LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE."
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
There’s Victory in Defeat
My heart goes to my friends (yes, there were plenty of them) who lost in the recently concluded synchronized barangay elections. I for one didn’t think anyone of them would suffer defeat in the hands of few much younger and seasoned local politicians. Seeing these friends not often as friends should, I relied much on their information on how in their own capacity runs their individual offices. I say individual offices since two of them are running again, one for a higher position and the other for the same title. I would like to believe that I knew them better than our voters do so I indisputably put my faith, my hope and my vote in them without any reservation in mind. After casting my vote, I went back to my place confident that all eight (8) of the candidate-friends I voted would eventually assume office December 1, 2010. Today I got the (shocking) official result, of the eight (8) candidate-friends I voted for, ONLY two (2) won a seat.
Series of open-ended questions came rushing through my mind. All of these questions can be summed-up into one simple understatement, “How the hell did it happened?” I really didn’t know where and how to find the answer now but I would guess that the perfect answer lies hidden in the abyss of my candidate-friend’s consciousness. I voted for my candidate-friends because I completely trusted them to have the right mind-frame for our barangay but how in the good heavens name that majority of my fellow voting-kabarangays saw otherwise? One can contest it’s because of the last-minute hundred thousand peso worth of vote-buying funds of other candidates, but a closer look at this justification creates a deep scar in our communal intelligence.
Much of the anguish I felt on the news of their eventual defeat, I can tell that they are suffering hundredfold of pain not because they lost the election, but the thought of having majority of their kababaryo choose “other” candidates over them is like putting their heads (and the reasons for their existence) on the ground for the vulture to feast on. The challenge of crafting ones political strategy to win the elections is much easier to do than finding the courage to concede and gracefully exit. After all, no one in his right frame of mind would blissfully want to step down, relinquish power and be among the common tao. Only a saint can do that and no one from our barangay I suppose has ever dreamed of becoming one, not even my seminarian nephew.
I have experienced defeat on several occasions. My abrupt political exposure as candidate for MYS Presidency, my professional career and my complicated personal preferences are traces of failures and defeats. It bothered me then but through time, I’ve learned to accept and look at failures not as misses but as opportunities not to miss again. We all have second (and third, and forth, and so on) chances and opportunities DO NOT knock once. In each time that we failed comes another set of unique opportunities for us to take advantage of. All we need to do is to distinguish defeat (failure) from the opportunity, the right from the wrong, left from the right and the truth from our lies.
Just because you lost today doesn’t mean you cannot win tomorrow. Thomas Edison is considered as the greatest inventor of all time. He tested Over 3000 filaments before he came up with his version of a practical light bulb. As shocking as it may seem, this was not his greatest invention. Imagine if he had given up when the first one did not work! In his own words he said, “I haven't failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Owen and Lolo, it’s not the end of the world, there’s an amazing sight left to be discovered than fret over things past and you cannot control. So what if we lost today? The very thin line that defines victory and defeat is the manner we spend our lives to the fullest without any doubt, fear, hatred and arrogance after the fact. Let today be part of our wisdom so we can be more wiser when the sun rises again.
Series of open-ended questions came rushing through my mind. All of these questions can be summed-up into one simple understatement, “How the hell did it happened?” I really didn’t know where and how to find the answer now but I would guess that the perfect answer lies hidden in the abyss of my candidate-friend’s consciousness. I voted for my candidate-friends because I completely trusted them to have the right mind-frame for our barangay but how in the good heavens name that majority of my fellow voting-kabarangays saw otherwise? One can contest it’s because of the last-minute hundred thousand peso worth of vote-buying funds of other candidates, but a closer look at this justification creates a deep scar in our communal intelligence.
Much of the anguish I felt on the news of their eventual defeat, I can tell that they are suffering hundredfold of pain not because they lost the election, but the thought of having majority of their kababaryo choose “other” candidates over them is like putting their heads (and the reasons for their existence) on the ground for the vulture to feast on. The challenge of crafting ones political strategy to win the elections is much easier to do than finding the courage to concede and gracefully exit. After all, no one in his right frame of mind would blissfully want to step down, relinquish power and be among the common tao. Only a saint can do that and no one from our barangay I suppose has ever dreamed of becoming one, not even my seminarian nephew.
I have experienced defeat on several occasions. My abrupt political exposure as candidate for MYS Presidency, my professional career and my complicated personal preferences are traces of failures and defeats. It bothered me then but through time, I’ve learned to accept and look at failures not as misses but as opportunities not to miss again. We all have second (and third, and forth, and so on) chances and opportunities DO NOT knock once. In each time that we failed comes another set of unique opportunities for us to take advantage of. All we need to do is to distinguish defeat (failure) from the opportunity, the right from the wrong, left from the right and the truth from our lies.
Just because you lost today doesn’t mean you cannot win tomorrow. Thomas Edison is considered as the greatest inventor of all time. He tested Over 3000 filaments before he came up with his version of a practical light bulb. As shocking as it may seem, this was not his greatest invention. Imagine if he had given up when the first one did not work! In his own words he said, “I haven't failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Owen and Lolo, it’s not the end of the world, there’s an amazing sight left to be discovered than fret over things past and you cannot control. So what if we lost today? The very thin line that defines victory and defeat is the manner we spend our lives to the fullest without any doubt, fear, hatred and arrogance after the fact. Let today be part of our wisdom so we can be more wiser when the sun rises again.
Monday, October 25, 2010
COMELEC Failed the Filipino People Today
By virtue of Republic Act 9340, Republic Act 9164 was amended and created the new synchronized date for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) from July 15, 2002 to the last Monday of October beginning in 2007 and every three years thereafter. The Republic Act was a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2000 and House Bill no. 3742 was finally passed by the Senate and House of Representative on September 20, 2005 and was signed into law by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on September 22, 2005.
This means that the Commission on Election (COMELEC), the government agency tasked to carry out this law knew for a fact that after the National Election last May, the synchronized local election will also come late in October. Now that they knew about it, they should have done all the necessary preparations to make the synchronized local elections as timely, credible and organized as it should be all over the country. What happened today mirrors the incompetence of people from the COMELEC which resulted to the postponement of elections in more than one thousand seven hundred (1,700+) villages.
Two days prior to Election Day, the COMELEC has declared postponement on about five (5) municipalities in the north which were badly hit by typhoon Juan. Nothing unusual about it and it’s just a proper act to do considering the gravity of the damages in schools where polling will be done. Other than the predetermined area, the COMELEC has assured the Filipino people that the synchronized election will persist as scheduled. This was the same statement they issued in last night’s news. When I woke up today and saw the polling precincts at the elementary school like a ghost town at seven in the morning, I knew that people from the COMELEC must have woke up later than I did and were surprised to know that it’s election day today!
To cut the long morning wait short, the COMELEC representatives (teachers) came back from the town (municipality) with the election paraphernalia around twelve (12) noon already. The five (5) hour delay in the official start of casting our votes is so annoying for voters who still need to travel back to their places. It’s even more annoying to see our dear teachers (as part of COMELECs Board of Election Tellers) scramble the process of accommodating the voters to go inside the polling precinct and cast their votes. It took them about twenty (20) minutes per voter to handle the voting process. Meaning, a voter who is about to cast his|her vote should wait for the other voter who is about to drop his vote at the ballot box before her gets his|her official ballot.
I’m one of the few early voters in line at Precinct 56-A as early as 12:25 but I managed to cast my vote at around 1:35 in the afternoon. That’s more than an hour at the line on a rainy Monday afternoon outside the polling precinct and getting wet by the intermittent drip from the busted school roof. The turtle-like process movement was attributed by the BET to the absence of light inside the polling center but I simply won’t bite it! Just like the COMELEC, our teachers knew that their classrooms will be used for election today; they should have checked and fixed the lights for they will surely need those.
Despite the disappointing process, I found out we were still lucky to have casted our votes today. Our neighboring towns in CamSur were forced to re-scheduled their synchronized election for tomorrow. The reason being was primarily because of the delay in the arrival of election paraphernalia. Lucky or not, I still think we deserve a system something better than this. The Filipino people came out today READY to cast their votes. Unfortunately, the agency whose website tag says “protecting the sanctity of the ballots since 1940” didn’t live up to our expectations. If I have to give a grade to their performance, the COMELEC wouldn’t get anything higher than F. Today, the COMELEC failed the Filipino people.
This means that the Commission on Election (COMELEC), the government agency tasked to carry out this law knew for a fact that after the National Election last May, the synchronized local election will also come late in October. Now that they knew about it, they should have done all the necessary preparations to make the synchronized local elections as timely, credible and organized as it should be all over the country. What happened today mirrors the incompetence of people from the COMELEC which resulted to the postponement of elections in more than one thousand seven hundred (1,700+) villages.
Two days prior to Election Day, the COMELEC has declared postponement on about five (5) municipalities in the north which were badly hit by typhoon Juan. Nothing unusual about it and it’s just a proper act to do considering the gravity of the damages in schools where polling will be done. Other than the predetermined area, the COMELEC has assured the Filipino people that the synchronized election will persist as scheduled. This was the same statement they issued in last night’s news. When I woke up today and saw the polling precincts at the elementary school like a ghost town at seven in the morning, I knew that people from the COMELEC must have woke up later than I did and were surprised to know that it’s election day today!
To cut the long morning wait short, the COMELEC representatives (teachers) came back from the town (municipality) with the election paraphernalia around twelve (12) noon already. The five (5) hour delay in the official start of casting our votes is so annoying for voters who still need to travel back to their places. It’s even more annoying to see our dear teachers (as part of COMELECs Board of Election Tellers) scramble the process of accommodating the voters to go inside the polling precinct and cast their votes. It took them about twenty (20) minutes per voter to handle the voting process. Meaning, a voter who is about to cast his|her vote should wait for the other voter who is about to drop his vote at the ballot box before her gets his|her official ballot.
I’m one of the few early voters in line at Precinct 56-A as early as 12:25 but I managed to cast my vote at around 1:35 in the afternoon. That’s more than an hour at the line on a rainy Monday afternoon outside the polling precinct and getting wet by the intermittent drip from the busted school roof. The turtle-like process movement was attributed by the BET to the absence of light inside the polling center but I simply won’t bite it! Just like the COMELEC, our teachers knew that their classrooms will be used for election today; they should have checked and fixed the lights for they will surely need those.
Despite the disappointing process, I found out we were still lucky to have casted our votes today. Our neighboring towns in CamSur were forced to re-scheduled their synchronized election for tomorrow. The reason being was primarily because of the delay in the arrival of election paraphernalia. Lucky or not, I still think we deserve a system something better than this. The Filipino people came out today READY to cast their votes. Unfortunately, the agency whose website tag says “protecting the sanctity of the ballots since 1940” didn’t live up to our expectations. If I have to give a grade to their performance, the COMELEC wouldn’t get anything higher than F. Today, the COMELEC failed the Filipino people.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
James Carlos Yap Unmasked
B-Meg Derby Ace finally barged into the win column last night with an unsatisfactory win over the Meralco Bolts 75-71. Ironically, their first win for the conference came at the expense of their former head coach, the eloquent Ryan Gregorio, who joined the come backing Meralco franchise during the off season. Players from the Llamados and the Bolts were tangled in forty-eight (48) minutes of high octane basketball game to get the much needed victory each of the team has been dearly missing. One significant sign of improvement in the much depleted line up of the Llamados came in the second quarter. As if totally disgusted with the way his face mask has been getting in the way of his game, James Carlos Yap entered the playing court without his mask and finished the game exposed.
Two-time MVP James Carlos Yap had a surgery to remove a polyp in his nose prior to the start of this conference. According to his attending physicians, team doctors and conditioning coach, it will take few more weeks to get back his wind, stamina and groove. The protective mask he has been wearing in their previous games was designed for his to have proper breathing (in spite of the operation) during the game and to reduce chances of aggravating his condition for an immediate healing process. Last night, the man must have chosen winning over healing, putting his team interest over his personal prerequisite and showing his former coach the kind of warrior he has made him of.
The man with the million moves was visible groping in form with the way he executes his shots but the gracefulness in the way he drives to the basket or pumps for a perimeter jumper is a reminiscent of the great Michael Jordan. A basket made is even more immortalized in the innate human memory when it is done in the most amazing fashion only MJ and James Carlos Yap can deliver. One epic moment in last night’s game was in the fourth quarter when James Carlos Yap eluded the defense of Mac Mac Cardona and while in mid-air, Big Game James changes his shot from a jumper into a scoop layup. The ball crawled from the board to the bottom of the net and brought the house down! The shot was ever more amazing on repeated three-angle slow motion replay.
The hard-earned win was even made more possible with the superb performance of sophomore and Rookie of the Year winner Rico Maierhofer. His overall performance particularly on the defensive end of the floor was a nightmare of the Bolts. Maierhofer collared fourteen (14) rebounds and blocked five (5) shots in twenty-six (26) minutes of action. His five (5) block shots are enough to overshadow the two (2) block shots registered by the Bolts. The untiring Maierhofer was practically everywhere last night and his energy on the floor was enough to silence Asi Taulava, gunner Mac Mac Cardona and coaches Ryan Gregorio and Ronnie Magsanoc. And I have to mention that for an Atenean that I am, Maierhofer is thus far the the best La Salle player in the B-Meg Derby Ace franchise. Jun Limpot earned the same citation in the old Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants time.
James Carlos Yap and his team have found ways to win tonight. Xavier was watching the game with me via Solar Sports last night and he was visible ecstatic with the win. It somehow compensated the lost game last Saturday only that we were not at the scene of the live game to savor the victory. Yap top scored for his team with 13 markers on a measly 19% field goal shooting but he managed to pull down six (6) rebounds, dished out two (2) assists and blocked three (3) shots. The shooting woes of James Carlos Yap continue but now that his face mask has been retired, fans and PBA followers alike will be expecting the habitual dominating performance he delivers.
Two-time MVP James Carlos Yap had a surgery to remove a polyp in his nose prior to the start of this conference. According to his attending physicians, team doctors and conditioning coach, it will take few more weeks to get back his wind, stamina and groove. The protective mask he has been wearing in their previous games was designed for his to have proper breathing (in spite of the operation) during the game and to reduce chances of aggravating his condition for an immediate healing process. Last night, the man must have chosen winning over healing, putting his team interest over his personal prerequisite and showing his former coach the kind of warrior he has made him of.
The man with the million moves was visible groping in form with the way he executes his shots but the gracefulness in the way he drives to the basket or pumps for a perimeter jumper is a reminiscent of the great Michael Jordan. A basket made is even more immortalized in the innate human memory when it is done in the most amazing fashion only MJ and James Carlos Yap can deliver. One epic moment in last night’s game was in the fourth quarter when James Carlos Yap eluded the defense of Mac Mac Cardona and while in mid-air, Big Game James changes his shot from a jumper into a scoop layup. The ball crawled from the board to the bottom of the net and brought the house down! The shot was ever more amazing on repeated three-angle slow motion replay.
The hard-earned win was even made more possible with the superb performance of sophomore and Rookie of the Year winner Rico Maierhofer. His overall performance particularly on the defensive end of the floor was a nightmare of the Bolts. Maierhofer collared fourteen (14) rebounds and blocked five (5) shots in twenty-six (26) minutes of action. His five (5) block shots are enough to overshadow the two (2) block shots registered by the Bolts. The untiring Maierhofer was practically everywhere last night and his energy on the floor was enough to silence Asi Taulava, gunner Mac Mac Cardona and coaches Ryan Gregorio and Ronnie Magsanoc. And I have to mention that for an Atenean that I am, Maierhofer is thus far the the best La Salle player in the B-Meg Derby Ace franchise. Jun Limpot earned the same citation in the old Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants time.
James Carlos Yap and his team have found ways to win tonight. Xavier was watching the game with me via Solar Sports last night and he was visible ecstatic with the win. It somehow compensated the lost game last Saturday only that we were not at the scene of the live game to savor the victory. Yap top scored for his team with 13 markers on a measly 19% field goal shooting but he managed to pull down six (6) rebounds, dished out two (2) assists and blocked three (3) shots. The shooting woes of James Carlos Yap continue but now that his face mask has been retired, fans and PBA followers alike will be expecting the habitual dominating performance he delivers.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
P1,500 for an SK vote. Anyone?
Really?
That was my initial reaction when my friend told me about the cost of a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) vote today. The cash was given two (2) weeks prior to election day and a promise of an additional cash will be given a day prior to the election has also been made by the camp of the candidate. This vote-buying scheme is a BIG slap on the face of today’s youth. A BIGGER slap is likewise intended to the residents of our town, Presentacion, where this reported vote-buying activity has transpired, worst, the involved candidate is part of an influential family who dreamed of installing his own political dynasty in this fifth class municipality.
During our time, a vote doesn’t cost a dime but it’s being paid with service, integrity and honor. Ah. That was fourteen (14) years ago and the previous two (2) SK elections must have changed the way how youth casts their votes today. The picture of this political exercise of the youth is gradually emulating the harsh color schemes of our veteran traditional politicians. It will only take a matter of few more elections before we can surely witness the genesis of SK election vote result rigging, massive SK vote-buying and SK candidate killings happening right before our very eyes.
Now I’m beginning to understand where DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo was coming from when he proposed the abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan. According to him, there is a need to abolish the SK council since it has not proven itself to be functional and effective in delivering its services under the Local Government Code. Being a former SK Chairman myself, I posed strong objection to this initiative by the good secretary, but now that I have come to know how this fundamental youth right have been largely contaminated by culture and traditional habits, drastic measures need to be implemented to re-align the direction of the youth.
Our accidental national hero was right in saying that the youth is the hope of the fatherland not because we are next in line (in terms of leadership) but because we (the youth) are in the RIGHT and TIMELY position to create and influence change. There’s little we can do about what we have now with our current leaders, the youth, particularly the SK leaders have practically longer time in the world to be the change that the world needs to have. What we have with our current leaders are reflections of their contemporary ideologies when they were teens. Our youth today surely have something better to offer in the future.
I’m calling on the sanity of my fellow kababayan who are running and will be voting this Monday for the barangay election. If you think P1,500 to compensate for the development that we and our community urgently need, then you are equally accountable for the current state our municipality and barangay is in. You are as liable as the one you voted for. When was the last time you felt a certain degree of satisfaction on the service any elected official has given you and the community? I bet you can’t recall any. It’s not amnesia, it’s because you have been bought.
P1,500 for an SK vote. Anyone? Think again.
That was my initial reaction when my friend told me about the cost of a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) vote today. The cash was given two (2) weeks prior to election day and a promise of an additional cash will be given a day prior to the election has also been made by the camp of the candidate. This vote-buying scheme is a BIG slap on the face of today’s youth. A BIGGER slap is likewise intended to the residents of our town, Presentacion, where this reported vote-buying activity has transpired, worst, the involved candidate is part of an influential family who dreamed of installing his own political dynasty in this fifth class municipality.
During our time, a vote doesn’t cost a dime but it’s being paid with service, integrity and honor. Ah. That was fourteen (14) years ago and the previous two (2) SK elections must have changed the way how youth casts their votes today. The picture of this political exercise of the youth is gradually emulating the harsh color schemes of our veteran traditional politicians. It will only take a matter of few more elections before we can surely witness the genesis of SK election vote result rigging, massive SK vote-buying and SK candidate killings happening right before our very eyes.
Now I’m beginning to understand where DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo was coming from when he proposed the abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan. According to him, there is a need to abolish the SK council since it has not proven itself to be functional and effective in delivering its services under the Local Government Code. Being a former SK Chairman myself, I posed strong objection to this initiative by the good secretary, but now that I have come to know how this fundamental youth right have been largely contaminated by culture and traditional habits, drastic measures need to be implemented to re-align the direction of the youth.
Our accidental national hero was right in saying that the youth is the hope of the fatherland not because we are next in line (in terms of leadership) but because we (the youth) are in the RIGHT and TIMELY position to create and influence change. There’s little we can do about what we have now with our current leaders, the youth, particularly the SK leaders have practically longer time in the world to be the change that the world needs to have. What we have with our current leaders are reflections of their contemporary ideologies when they were teens. Our youth today surely have something better to offer in the future.
I’m calling on the sanity of my fellow kababayan who are running and will be voting this Monday for the barangay election. If you think P1,500 to compensate for the development that we and our community urgently need, then you are equally accountable for the current state our municipality and barangay is in. You are as liable as the one you voted for. When was the last time you felt a certain degree of satisfaction on the service any elected official has given you and the community? I bet you can’t recall any. It’s not amnesia, it’s because you have been bought.
P1,500 for an SK vote. Anyone? Think again.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The Night Naga City Cheered in Silence
The crowd anticipated a blistering spectacle of James Carlos Yap fireworks display inside the packed Big Dome of the South, but Big Game James must have mistakenly loaded his arsenals with blank bullets as he kept shooting bricks all game long from all angles none of which hit the button of the net for a bull’s eye. The B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados suffered their third consecutive loss at the hands of the Air21 Express, in front of the thousands of Bicolano James Carlos Yap fans, me and my son Xavier included.
I decided to cut class (again) in my MBA program this afternoon to catch the PBA On-Tour game between the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados and the Air21 Express at the new Naga City Coliseum. As previously agreed back home, I have to meet my son Xavier at SM City by three (3) in the afternoon then we will proceed to the Big Dome located just across the shopping mall. A big basketball fan that he is, I can feel Xavier’s abounding excitement to finally see his idol live, in flesh, up close and personal. We bought tickets to the game on the first day it was made available in the market and we have chosen the best upper box seat to catch a better glimpse of the players and his basketball hero.
With a Happy Meal tagged around his arms, a twister fries on one hand and a glass of soda on the other; we walked straight to the venue. Each small step taken that lead us closer to the gates are coupled with endless anticipative questions from the height of the players to their jersey numbers and from Kris Aquino’s separation issue to Baby James’ attendance. From the outside of the arena, fans in B-Meg Derby Ace shirts lined the entrances and the shaded corners to catch the arrival of their favorite players.
I was told by the police officer manning the gate that foods and drinks are not allowed to be brought inside the venue. Lighters, cigarettes, ball pens and any pointed objects are likewise left at the entrance. Xavier finished consuming his twister fries and his drink just as we reached the gates and the fatherly police officer advised me to just keep the burgers deep inside my sling bag so inspectors won’t find them. I willfully emptied my pockets of my half-consumed cigarette pack and my mini-lighter but I told the inspector at the gate that I can’t leave my sign pen (a gift given to me by a friend sometime ago) behind. He agreed then there we rushed to find our designated seat.
While waiting for the game to begin, I provided Xavier little insights on how the teams will do their pre-game drills, the number of basketballs in the court all at the same time during routines, the role of the coliseum barker and the number of basketball minutes per quarter. While chatting, players from the Air21 squad gradually entered the basketball court to do just what I have told Xavier what they will do. He was obviously amazed and was tempted to ask how I came to know those things. I told him watching the PBA games live is what I usually do during weekends back in Manila.
The B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados entered the playing court fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the game. Conspicuously last to enter the floor was Big Game James. Fans surrounded as he emerged from the dugout each wanting to take pictures of and with him. I can see that Xavier was closely watching his every move during the pre-game routine. He would clap every time James Yap makes a basket and would slowly comment words such as “kulang” and “sobra” when he misses. The crowd cheered wildly as the buzzer sounded to signal the formal opening of the basketball extravaganza.
I saw an opportunity to transfer to a much convenient, near the court seat when everyone stood for the opening prayer. The lower box section in front of us had lots of empty chairs and people from our row started some sort of a mass evacuation to occupy the better seat in front. I told Xavier to go with the crowd and find the best spot for us and I will follow shortly. He did just as what I told him and we ended up approximately six (6) rows away from the playing court. What a beautiful spot. At this location, we can see the players better and could probably hear what they are saying if not of the continuous audio being played to add more drama and excitement to the game.
B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados opened up a blistering 9-0 run highlighted by the back-to-back offensive conversions of Rommel Adducul. James Carlos Yap was visibly looking for his rhythm in this quarter as he struggled to convert field goals and has used the benefit of the free throw line to score a basket. The Llamados looked to be heading for a blowout win in the first quarter but point guard Joshua Urbiztondo and shooting guard Ronjay Buenafe towed the Express within striking distance to finish the initial quarter trailing by two (2) 16-18.
Don Allado, Jonas Villanueva, Jondan Salvador and Jerwin Gaco provided the extra muscles for the Llamados in the second quarter. But their efforts were not enough to put the Express away for good. Costly turnovers committed by Roger Yap and James Yap in consecutive stretch allowed the Express to gain needed momentum to cease the lead for good. Making the matter even worst for the Llamados were the judgment lapses committed by the referees officiating the game. An all important game for both squads is threatened to be maligned by obvious officiating errors that can drastically change the complexions and outcome of the game. The Llamados kept the lead for the last time at the end of the second quarter at 33-36.
The shooting woes of James Carlos Yap continued in the second half. The defense thrown at him by alternating defenders, the face mask he is wearing to protect his nose, the air-condition less coliseum temperature and the expectations of his thousands of fans in attendance waiting to erupt in jubilation the moment he connects from beyond the arc must have added significant pressure to his game. By this quarter, the express has taken the lead away from the Llamados and the fans just seat in silence as they watched James Carlos Yap being pulled on and off the court by the coaching staff, hoping that each re-entry would trigger a spectacular scoring run. In the silence of the crowd, Nonoy Baclao, Ronnie Matias and Marcy Arellano of the Air21 Express took the center stage. The third quarter ended with the Air21 Express on top 53-49.
After thirty-six (36) minutes of intense basketball and deafening silence from the Llamado crowd, the James Carlos Yap believers refused to throw the towel down. Each ball possession for the Llamados are still filled with heavenly hopes that at any given moment from now, James Carlos Yap will hit his target and the crowd will go ballistic to welcome the B-Meg firepower. With less than two (2) minutes left in the final quarter, Rico Maierhofer, Niño Canaleta and Peter June Simon conspired to make a final stand by clipping the Express’ lead down to three (3). Wynne Arboleda and Wesley Gonzales each hit timely three-point baskets to extend their lead. After a successful defensive stop in the ensuing possession, B-Meg took a time out to draw a strategic offensive play to cut the lead to a manageable one. Everyone in the arena believed that B-Meg can pull the play off successfully and everyone expected James Carlos Yap to take the long distance shot. The expectations were right except that James Carlos Yap didn’t make the shot that could have put the house down and drive the crowd to ecstasy. There was unspeakable silence as James Carlos Yap’s final shot bounced off the rim into the hands of their mighty opponent. The Express grabbed the game away from the Llamados 77-69 was the final count.
When the buzzer sounded at the end game, a warm Bicolano applause echoed inside the walls of the venue in recognition of a hardly fought basketball battle. Then there was silence again as everyone in the stands find their way to the exit with their heads bowed down. The night Naga City cheered in silence was the night James Carlos Yap failed to bring his potent offensive arsenal for his Bicolano fans to witness (come to life) in the very arena that’s made to symbolize the Bicolanos tremendous passion for the game universally called basketball.
I decided to cut class (again) in my MBA program this afternoon to catch the PBA On-Tour game between the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados and the Air21 Express at the new Naga City Coliseum. As previously agreed back home, I have to meet my son Xavier at SM City by three (3) in the afternoon then we will proceed to the Big Dome located just across the shopping mall. A big basketball fan that he is, I can feel Xavier’s abounding excitement to finally see his idol live, in flesh, up close and personal. We bought tickets to the game on the first day it was made available in the market and we have chosen the best upper box seat to catch a better glimpse of the players and his basketball hero.
With a Happy Meal tagged around his arms, a twister fries on one hand and a glass of soda on the other; we walked straight to the venue. Each small step taken that lead us closer to the gates are coupled with endless anticipative questions from the height of the players to their jersey numbers and from Kris Aquino’s separation issue to Baby James’ attendance. From the outside of the arena, fans in B-Meg Derby Ace shirts lined the entrances and the shaded corners to catch the arrival of their favorite players.
I was told by the police officer manning the gate that foods and drinks are not allowed to be brought inside the venue. Lighters, cigarettes, ball pens and any pointed objects are likewise left at the entrance. Xavier finished consuming his twister fries and his drink just as we reached the gates and the fatherly police officer advised me to just keep the burgers deep inside my sling bag so inspectors won’t find them. I willfully emptied my pockets of my half-consumed cigarette pack and my mini-lighter but I told the inspector at the gate that I can’t leave my sign pen (a gift given to me by a friend sometime ago) behind. He agreed then there we rushed to find our designated seat.
While waiting for the game to begin, I provided Xavier little insights on how the teams will do their pre-game drills, the number of basketballs in the court all at the same time during routines, the role of the coliseum barker and the number of basketball minutes per quarter. While chatting, players from the Air21 squad gradually entered the basketball court to do just what I have told Xavier what they will do. He was obviously amazed and was tempted to ask how I came to know those things. I told him watching the PBA games live is what I usually do during weekends back in Manila.
The B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados entered the playing court fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the game. Conspicuously last to enter the floor was Big Game James. Fans surrounded as he emerged from the dugout each wanting to take pictures of and with him. I can see that Xavier was closely watching his every move during the pre-game routine. He would clap every time James Yap makes a basket and would slowly comment words such as “kulang” and “sobra” when he misses. The crowd cheered wildly as the buzzer sounded to signal the formal opening of the basketball extravaganza.
I saw an opportunity to transfer to a much convenient, near the court seat when everyone stood for the opening prayer. The lower box section in front of us had lots of empty chairs and people from our row started some sort of a mass evacuation to occupy the better seat in front. I told Xavier to go with the crowd and find the best spot for us and I will follow shortly. He did just as what I told him and we ended up approximately six (6) rows away from the playing court. What a beautiful spot. At this location, we can see the players better and could probably hear what they are saying if not of the continuous audio being played to add more drama and excitement to the game.
B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados opened up a blistering 9-0 run highlighted by the back-to-back offensive conversions of Rommel Adducul. James Carlos Yap was visibly looking for his rhythm in this quarter as he struggled to convert field goals and has used the benefit of the free throw line to score a basket. The Llamados looked to be heading for a blowout win in the first quarter but point guard Joshua Urbiztondo and shooting guard Ronjay Buenafe towed the Express within striking distance to finish the initial quarter trailing by two (2) 16-18.
Don Allado, Jonas Villanueva, Jondan Salvador and Jerwin Gaco provided the extra muscles for the Llamados in the second quarter. But their efforts were not enough to put the Express away for good. Costly turnovers committed by Roger Yap and James Yap in consecutive stretch allowed the Express to gain needed momentum to cease the lead for good. Making the matter even worst for the Llamados were the judgment lapses committed by the referees officiating the game. An all important game for both squads is threatened to be maligned by obvious officiating errors that can drastically change the complexions and outcome of the game. The Llamados kept the lead for the last time at the end of the second quarter at 33-36.
The shooting woes of James Carlos Yap continued in the second half. The defense thrown at him by alternating defenders, the face mask he is wearing to protect his nose, the air-condition less coliseum temperature and the expectations of his thousands of fans in attendance waiting to erupt in jubilation the moment he connects from beyond the arc must have added significant pressure to his game. By this quarter, the express has taken the lead away from the Llamados and the fans just seat in silence as they watched James Carlos Yap being pulled on and off the court by the coaching staff, hoping that each re-entry would trigger a spectacular scoring run. In the silence of the crowd, Nonoy Baclao, Ronnie Matias and Marcy Arellano of the Air21 Express took the center stage. The third quarter ended with the Air21 Express on top 53-49.
After thirty-six (36) minutes of intense basketball and deafening silence from the Llamado crowd, the James Carlos Yap believers refused to throw the towel down. Each ball possession for the Llamados are still filled with heavenly hopes that at any given moment from now, James Carlos Yap will hit his target and the crowd will go ballistic to welcome the B-Meg firepower. With less than two (2) minutes left in the final quarter, Rico Maierhofer, Niño Canaleta and Peter June Simon conspired to make a final stand by clipping the Express’ lead down to three (3). Wynne Arboleda and Wesley Gonzales each hit timely three-point baskets to extend their lead. After a successful defensive stop in the ensuing possession, B-Meg took a time out to draw a strategic offensive play to cut the lead to a manageable one. Everyone in the arena believed that B-Meg can pull the play off successfully and everyone expected James Carlos Yap to take the long distance shot. The expectations were right except that James Carlos Yap didn’t make the shot that could have put the house down and drive the crowd to ecstasy. There was unspeakable silence as James Carlos Yap’s final shot bounced off the rim into the hands of their mighty opponent. The Express grabbed the game away from the Llamados 77-69 was the final count.
When the buzzer sounded at the end game, a warm Bicolano applause echoed inside the walls of the venue in recognition of a hardly fought basketball battle. Then there was silence again as everyone in the stands find their way to the exit with their heads bowed down. The night Naga City cheered in silence was the night James Carlos Yap failed to bring his potent offensive arsenal for his Bicolano fans to witness (come to life) in the very arena that’s made to symbolize the Bicolanos tremendous passion for the game universally called basketball.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The Writings On The Wall
Learnings taught inside the classrooms come in full circle with Industry Immersions Programs which allow the students to observe, validate and experience contemporary theories in real-life applications. This has been the primal objective of the recently concluded Company Visit of Masters in Business Administration (MBA) students of Ateneo de Naga University’s Graduate School Program. Students from the Marketing Management, Development of Enterprise, Management Information Systems, Strategic Management and Management of Change subjects pulled their actions and resources together to come up with the biggest number of united delegations for an integrated industry exposure experience.
The Marketing Management class of Dr. Debbie Adriano acted as the lead proponent of this one-of-a-kind industry exposure activity. Robin Williams Jessup, the class designated leader stayed on top of the coordination activities all throughout and his efforts were replicated with the dedication and eagerness of the rest of the class members and non-formal members to make the activity come to life. Dr. Malu Barcillano and Professor Juan Raul Ll. Relloso’s on-hand and meticulous involvement in the planning process guided everyone from the ideal concepts down to the depth of questions the class would be throwing to speakers from various companies. To show ADNUs commitment to the holistic developments of its MBA students, the Office of the Graduate School under Dr. Alfredo Fabay (Dean) provided additional significant financial resource to ease the burden out from the students and push through with the valuable out-of-class learning experience.
With the communications to the different companies sent, confirmed and approved, the class embarked on an eight (8) hours journey from the famous Four Pillars of Ateneo to the legendary hot springs of Mt. Makiling in Laguna. Four spacious vans were rented to take the group to the different pre-determined companies and at quarter past eight of that starry Thursday evening they passed the gates of ADNU enroute to their destination. The group will rendezvous at a modern resort in Pansol, Laguna before proceeding to their designated company stations at Zenith Corporation (The Commissary of Jollibee), Nestle Philippines Infant Nutrition Center, Gardenia Bakeries Philippines and Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines Incorporated all located in the Province of Laguna.
More than the spiels each speaker will deliver during the scheduled company visit, as an observant and peculiar MBA student that I am (we are), there are other silent factors I am more interested in to find out. The unspoken culture, the unblemished core values, the hushed individual goal-orientations and the writings on the walls of each company and their employees speaks more than what their leaders may be saying. For this trip to be superbly exciting and worthwhile, I have added another objective on top of the class’ objectives, which is to decode the writings on the wall and benchmark the target company’s practices and status with that of my organization for progressive comparison.
You may e-mail the author to request for the full transcript of this document.
The Marketing Management class of Dr. Debbie Adriano acted as the lead proponent of this one-of-a-kind industry exposure activity. Robin Williams Jessup, the class designated leader stayed on top of the coordination activities all throughout and his efforts were replicated with the dedication and eagerness of the rest of the class members and non-formal members to make the activity come to life. Dr. Malu Barcillano and Professor Juan Raul Ll. Relloso’s on-hand and meticulous involvement in the planning process guided everyone from the ideal concepts down to the depth of questions the class would be throwing to speakers from various companies. To show ADNUs commitment to the holistic developments of its MBA students, the Office of the Graduate School under Dr. Alfredo Fabay (Dean) provided additional significant financial resource to ease the burden out from the students and push through with the valuable out-of-class learning experience.
With the communications to the different companies sent, confirmed and approved, the class embarked on an eight (8) hours journey from the famous Four Pillars of Ateneo to the legendary hot springs of Mt. Makiling in Laguna. Four spacious vans were rented to take the group to the different pre-determined companies and at quarter past eight of that starry Thursday evening they passed the gates of ADNU enroute to their destination. The group will rendezvous at a modern resort in Pansol, Laguna before proceeding to their designated company stations at Zenith Corporation (The Commissary of Jollibee), Nestle Philippines Infant Nutrition Center, Gardenia Bakeries Philippines and Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines Incorporated all located in the Province of Laguna.
More than the spiels each speaker will deliver during the scheduled company visit, as an observant and peculiar MBA student that I am (we are), there are other silent factors I am more interested in to find out. The unspoken culture, the unblemished core values, the hushed individual goal-orientations and the writings on the walls of each company and their employees speaks more than what their leaders may be saying. For this trip to be superbly exciting and worthwhile, I have added another objective on top of the class’ objectives, which is to decode the writings on the wall and benchmark the target company’s practices and status with that of my organization for progressive comparison.
You may e-mail the author to request for the full transcript of this document.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sulat ni Nanay at Tatay
Sa aming pagtanda, unawain at pagpasensyahan mo sana kami, anak. . .
Kung makatapon kami ng sabaw sa hapag kainan
O kaya makabasag ng pinggan
'Wag mo naman sana kaming kagagalitan
Dala lang yun ng kalabuan ng mata at ng namamanhid naming mga daliri. . .
Pinagalitan ka man sa mga baso't pinggang iyong nabasag noon bata ka pa,
Iyon ay dahil ayaw naming masugatan ka.
Kung ang mga sinasabi mo'y 'di maintindihan at madinig
'Wag mo naman sana kaming sabihan ng "Bingi!"
Humihina na talaga ang aming pandinig
Pakiulit lang nang malakas-lakas na 'di naman kailangang sigawan
Upang tayo ay magkaunawaan.
Kung mabagal na kaming maglakad at 'di na makasabay sa mabilis mong paglakad
Pakiantay sana at alalayan—mahihina na ang aming mga tuhod
Alalay na tulad sana nung musmuos ka pa at nag-aaral ka pa lang maglakad
Tuwang tuwa ka naming pinagmamasdan.
Kung minsang makulit at paulit ulit ang aming sinabi na parang sirang plaka,
'Wag mo sana kaming pagtawanan o kainisan
Ganyan ka rin kakulit noong bata ka pa at nag-iiyak pa--
Kapag nagpapabili ng kung anu ano’y di kami tinitigilan
Hangggang ang gusto mo'y di naibibigay.
Kung kinatatamaran namin na maligo at nag-aamoy lupa na
'Wag mo naman sanang pandirihan at piliting maligo. . .
Mahina na kasi ang aming katawan pag nalalamigan.
Natatandaan mo ba noong bata ka pa at kahit anung dungis mo
Ay masayang-masaya ka naming hinahalikan
At mat'yagang hinahabol sa ilalim ng kama upang paliguan?
Kung palagi kaming masungit at nagsisisigaw
Dala na siguro ito ng pagkabagot sa bahay
At pagkadismaya na wala nang magawa at wala nang silbi.
Ipadama mo naman sana na may halaga pa rin kami sa mundo mo
Katulad ng pagpapadama namin noon ng pagpapahalaga
At pagtutuwid sa kamalian at katigasan ng iyong ulo.
Kung may konti ka mang panahon mag kwentuhan naman sana tayo. . .
Alam kong abala ka sa hanapbuhay pero sabik na kaming makausap ka.
Gusto kong malaman mo na interesado pa rin kami sa mga kwento mo
Tulad n'ung pagbibida mo sa eskwela noong bata ka pa.
Na kahit pautal utal pa ang salita mo,
Nakikinig kaming masaya tungkol sa iyong mga laruan.
Kung kami man ay maihi o madumi sa higaaan dahil hindi na makabangon
'Wag mo sanang pagagalitan o pandididrihan.
Katulad ng walang reklamo naming paggising nang kahit anong pagod sa gabi
Upang linisin at palitan ang iyong lampin para maginghawa kang makatulog
Hindi na baling kami ang mapuyat.
Kung kami’y maratay sa banig ng karamdaman
'Wag mo sanan kaming pagsawaang alagaan
Gaya ng mat'yaga naming pag-aalaga noong musmos ka pa.
Bawat daing mo noon ay hirap na dinadala sa aming kalooban
Pagt'yagaan mo naman sana kaming alagaan sa aming mga huling sandali
Kami naman ay di na rin magtatagal.
At kapag dumating na ang takdang panahon ng aming pagharap sa Dakilang Lumikha. . .
Ibubulong at hihilingin ko sa Kanya.
Na pagpalain ka dahil naging mapagmahal at maalaga kang anak sa iyong ama’t ina.
Adopted from Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles
Kung makatapon kami ng sabaw sa hapag kainan
O kaya makabasag ng pinggan
'Wag mo naman sana kaming kagagalitan
Dala lang yun ng kalabuan ng mata at ng namamanhid naming mga daliri. . .
Pinagalitan ka man sa mga baso't pinggang iyong nabasag noon bata ka pa,
Iyon ay dahil ayaw naming masugatan ka.
Kung ang mga sinasabi mo'y 'di maintindihan at madinig
'Wag mo naman sana kaming sabihan ng "Bingi!"
Humihina na talaga ang aming pandinig
Pakiulit lang nang malakas-lakas na 'di naman kailangang sigawan
Upang tayo ay magkaunawaan.
Kung mabagal na kaming maglakad at 'di na makasabay sa mabilis mong paglakad
Pakiantay sana at alalayan—mahihina na ang aming mga tuhod
Alalay na tulad sana nung musmuos ka pa at nag-aaral ka pa lang maglakad
Tuwang tuwa ka naming pinagmamasdan.
Kung minsang makulit at paulit ulit ang aming sinabi na parang sirang plaka,
'Wag mo sana kaming pagtawanan o kainisan
Ganyan ka rin kakulit noong bata ka pa at nag-iiyak pa--
Kapag nagpapabili ng kung anu ano’y di kami tinitigilan
Hangggang ang gusto mo'y di naibibigay.
Kung kinatatamaran namin na maligo at nag-aamoy lupa na
'Wag mo naman sanang pandirihan at piliting maligo. . .
Mahina na kasi ang aming katawan pag nalalamigan.
Natatandaan mo ba noong bata ka pa at kahit anung dungis mo
Ay masayang-masaya ka naming hinahalikan
At mat'yagang hinahabol sa ilalim ng kama upang paliguan?
Kung palagi kaming masungit at nagsisisigaw
Dala na siguro ito ng pagkabagot sa bahay
At pagkadismaya na wala nang magawa at wala nang silbi.
Ipadama mo naman sana na may halaga pa rin kami sa mundo mo
Katulad ng pagpapadama namin noon ng pagpapahalaga
At pagtutuwid sa kamalian at katigasan ng iyong ulo.
Kung may konti ka mang panahon mag kwentuhan naman sana tayo. . .
Alam kong abala ka sa hanapbuhay pero sabik na kaming makausap ka.
Gusto kong malaman mo na interesado pa rin kami sa mga kwento mo
Tulad n'ung pagbibida mo sa eskwela noong bata ka pa.
Na kahit pautal utal pa ang salita mo,
Nakikinig kaming masaya tungkol sa iyong mga laruan.
Kung kami man ay maihi o madumi sa higaaan dahil hindi na makabangon
'Wag mo sanang pagagalitan o pandididrihan.
Katulad ng walang reklamo naming paggising nang kahit anong pagod sa gabi
Upang linisin at palitan ang iyong lampin para maginghawa kang makatulog
Hindi na baling kami ang mapuyat.
Kung kami’y maratay sa banig ng karamdaman
'Wag mo sanan kaming pagsawaang alagaan
Gaya ng mat'yaga naming pag-aalaga noong musmos ka pa.
Bawat daing mo noon ay hirap na dinadala sa aming kalooban
Pagt'yagaan mo naman sana kaming alagaan sa aming mga huling sandali
Kami naman ay di na rin magtatagal.
At kapag dumating na ang takdang panahon ng aming pagharap sa Dakilang Lumikha. . .
Ibubulong at hihilingin ko sa Kanya.
Na pagpalain ka dahil naging mapagmahal at maalaga kang anak sa iyong ama’t ina.
Adopted from Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Voters Education: Transformative Response to a Societal Challenge
I was forcibly asked to deliver my thoughts on this issue, and for the next three hours, I would be sharing with you insights on Voters Education, Transformative Response and Societal Challenge. This is such a boring issue for people your age, when I was your age, I’d rather talk about girls and the one hundred and one ways to court them, make them fall and leave them stranded. I paid little attention to transformative response and societal challenges back then, so it’s my fear that you feel the same and ignore what I’m saying.
I would like to begin with a true story. Five (5) year ago today, the greatest Philippine President we could ever have died of prostate cancer. His name is Raul S. Roco. He aspired to be our President twice back in 1998 and 2004 Presidential Elections. Prior to these dates, Sen. Raul S. Roco has been consistently topping surveys and was poised to be the next President primarily due to his unblemished track record in public service, landmark legislations and unconventional advocacies. But as what is now written in the history books, he lost on both occasions where he could have won had we, the voters, took full notice of three important aspect of the electoral process. Those are Voters Education, Transformative Response and Societal Challenges.
Most if not all of you might not have enough knowledge on the life and works of the Great Bicolano, Raul S. Roco, but your older folks would agree with me when I say that he indeed could have the greatest Bicolano President we could ever have but will never be. In a season where winning is largely dictated by political machinery and widespread vote-buying, the youth then have watched in silence and regretted as the eventual winners, Erap and GMA, squandered millions of pesos in midnight deals, brought down the standards of our political system and damaged the perception of neighboring countries of our once proud race. In a season where we could have avoided it all by electing a genuine leader in Raul S. Roco, we chose to be fooled by the organized political system whose main intention is to keep themselves and their party in authority for the longest period of time.
Now a new era has dawn before us. We have been witnesses to the evolution of our electoral process as it embraced technology and brought us the first ever automated election in the country. And this month, a new breed of public servants are about to get their first taste of politics at their tender age. This coming Barangay and SK Election offer both HOPE and CAUTION to all candidates and electorates as one. Hope that a new breed of leaders would eventually come alive having enough courage to question the system and caution that these new leaders will eventually succumbed to the corrupt majority taking full control of the legislative and executive process.
Let me formally begin my talk with Voters Education. Voters’ education is absolute, non-negotiable, and essential to the elimination of “trapo” politics. “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” Knowing that different issues resonate with different people, efforts should be made – preferably by nonpartisan groups – to present “the big picture” to as many voters as possible. We need a place that provides that information without the candidates’ spin. Something like this forum. With the advent of the Internet, it becomes increasingly obvious that an impartial website that provides information about candidates’ stands and track records will be crucial to the credible election of a credible Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan Leaders.
Voters education is always essential and doing so in this modern age should never be difficult than doing the teaching 10 years ago. Today, with the advent of new technologies easily accessible to both young and old, the playing field to define the authentic change flat forms from those traditional once have been fairly flattened. Mediums such as the internet and social networking sites have become powerful tools to advance once agenda. Now, more than ever, education and learning entered into a new dimension, all of us, candidates and the electorates must take full use of these to ensure that the next three (3) years of Barangay Leadership falls into the right hands, persons with wisdom, integrity and accountability.
Integrity in government begins with personal integrity. Values begin at home, and if we continue to remain apathetic to our country’s situation, as far as I’m concerned, that speaks volumes about where we are headed as a nation. If we watch out only for ourselves, we can expect the same kind of fragmented disillusionment to remain in our mindsets for generations to come. For the Philippines to move forward, the Philippine political system must adopt, as US President Barack Obama puts it, a “politics of common sense, of common purpose, of shared sacrifice and shared prosperity.” A public servant whose heart is in the right place will not tolerate corruption; a private citizen cannot afford to turn the other cheek when something wrong is being committed right before his or her eyes. S/He will not bribe his way to convenience; s/he values her/his name so much that s/he will not allow corruption or tolerance to take place. No to moderated greed and tolerated corruption!
Just what are the challenges facing our country today that needs to be properly addressed in Voters Education? Is Voters Education enough to spark transformation in society face with various challenges? How ready are we as a society to embark on a change that can ultimately dictate the shift of power from the elite to the common “tao” which President Aquino calls his “Boss”.
Below are few Societal Challenges that can spur Societal Transformation but only if substantial amount of political will is exercised not just by our leaders but by the people they (leaders) are accountable for:
1. Middling of the Church in affairs of the state
The impending passage of the RH Bill is an example of this affair. While it is true that poverty is not caused by over population alone but more so by corruption, the church must have misread the bible when it says “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it.” According to a Senate Report published July of 2009, it stated that In the Philippines, maternal mortality rate (MMR) remains high at 162 per 100,000 live births while infant mortality rate (IMR) and under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) are 24 and 32 per 1,000 live births, respectively(FPS 2006).
Around the world, 1,500 women die every day from complications of pregnancy or childbirth, while 10,000 babies die daily within the first month of life. Most of these deaths occur in developing countries and most are avoidable. The RH bill is more than just managing population, it offers a solution to all families properly be accountable for the welfare of their children. Besides, the Bishops and the Priests are in no possession to give us lectures on family, family planning and sexuality for they themselves haven’t raised a single family and by prohibition, have never engaged in any sexuality. Unless they admit they are, then we could probably re-align our outlook in favor of our church leaders.
2. Tolerated Corruption
Vote buying is the primary manifestation of tolerated corruption. If we allow our votes to be bought then we open the doors for our leaders to be corrupt. A corruption not only emanates from us ordinary citizens, the church from where we belong has some cleaning to do to be able to curve the corrupt ways of our leaders. The church being the primal beneficiary of large political dole outs have exposed our leaders to avenues where they can venture into extraordinary deals just to please the few and powerful religious leaders.
In early 2000, the World Bank estimated that corruption was costing the Philippines government $47M a year - or a massive $48 B over the 20-year period to 1997. Corruption, said the hard-hitting World Bank report, undermines development, hurts the poor, diminishes the quality of public services and raises the price of goods and services. The report said private industry shared a responsibility for this state of affairs by its attempts to bribe politicians.
To this day, the battle to end corruption is still tops the governments priority programs. The only way for us to win this battle is for everyone to STOP begging for unnecessary help from politicians and START asking whatever happened to our taxes to make them feel accountable for every centavo spent. After all, it’s not their money, it’s our money.
3. Moderated Greed
At the height of the ZTE Scandal, Bicolano whistleblower Jun Lozada admitted to have received an instruction from the infamous NEDA Director Romulo Neri to moderate the greed of Mike Arroyo and Benjamin Abalos. Today, as we begin the journey of these young leaders set test the political waters of their Barangays, we dare them to say NO to greed. While still young and beaming with bright ideas, let us not allow this new generation of leaders to be exposed to occasions where there is call to be greedy. Let us all be vigilant for them and our society. Greed is the highest form desire. When there is greed there is always corruption and where there is corruption there are always people below the line who are essentially short-changed either of service or product. There is no way people can moderate their greed, as human nature dictates one to have the most.
Greed and Corruption are two deadly combinations for they breed poverty. One way to eliminate the latter is to put an end to these two menacing cultures. Greed and corruption looked at human suffering and oppressions with a blind eye. What’s even worst it the fact that these two knows no master, the next victim could be you, me or the person seating next to you. We won’t know until it has stricken us and we can’t tell if it is striking us already. Only time will tell, but if we act now, then we can still save our future.
4. Political dynasty
One of the most ambitious policies of the present Constitution is expressed in its Art. II, Sec. 26, which says, “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” It is also the most ignored by Congress for obvious reasons. Across the country, the same political clans are winning. Reports and allegations of fraud and violence, often meant to prevent people from voting and to disrupt the counting of votes, also show that their methods of holding on to power remained the same.
5. Passivity of the voting populace
The real challenge for the candidates and the voting populace begins not in the Election Day, in fact it is after the winners have been declared. How can we do our part to ensure that the country is kept in the right tract? How little or how much do we react to the misgivings of the winning candidates? How do we involve ourselves in the transformation process. We should dare to ask and ask to dare our leaders.
Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people. This being said, there is a call for everyone inside this room to exercise the true meaning of democracy starting today until the rest of our lives. Let us now allow another Raul S. Roco to slip by without having the chance to stir the country into greater heights when we could have done so. Democracy is knowing what is best for our people without the threat of coercion, oppression or power of money. Democracy resides in us, democracy is us. What we intend to do with ourselves and our future today will reflect the kind of democracy will be enjoy or despise tomorrow.
Created for Glen de Mateo in exchange of a kinalas bowl and lunch.
I would like to begin with a true story. Five (5) year ago today, the greatest Philippine President we could ever have died of prostate cancer. His name is Raul S. Roco. He aspired to be our President twice back in 1998 and 2004 Presidential Elections. Prior to these dates, Sen. Raul S. Roco has been consistently topping surveys and was poised to be the next President primarily due to his unblemished track record in public service, landmark legislations and unconventional advocacies. But as what is now written in the history books, he lost on both occasions where he could have won had we, the voters, took full notice of three important aspect of the electoral process. Those are Voters Education, Transformative Response and Societal Challenges.
Most if not all of you might not have enough knowledge on the life and works of the Great Bicolano, Raul S. Roco, but your older folks would agree with me when I say that he indeed could have the greatest Bicolano President we could ever have but will never be. In a season where winning is largely dictated by political machinery and widespread vote-buying, the youth then have watched in silence and regretted as the eventual winners, Erap and GMA, squandered millions of pesos in midnight deals, brought down the standards of our political system and damaged the perception of neighboring countries of our once proud race. In a season where we could have avoided it all by electing a genuine leader in Raul S. Roco, we chose to be fooled by the organized political system whose main intention is to keep themselves and their party in authority for the longest period of time.
Now a new era has dawn before us. We have been witnesses to the evolution of our electoral process as it embraced technology and brought us the first ever automated election in the country. And this month, a new breed of public servants are about to get their first taste of politics at their tender age. This coming Barangay and SK Election offer both HOPE and CAUTION to all candidates and electorates as one. Hope that a new breed of leaders would eventually come alive having enough courage to question the system and caution that these new leaders will eventually succumbed to the corrupt majority taking full control of the legislative and executive process.
Let me formally begin my talk with Voters Education. Voters’ education is absolute, non-negotiable, and essential to the elimination of “trapo” politics. “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” Knowing that different issues resonate with different people, efforts should be made – preferably by nonpartisan groups – to present “the big picture” to as many voters as possible. We need a place that provides that information without the candidates’ spin. Something like this forum. With the advent of the Internet, it becomes increasingly obvious that an impartial website that provides information about candidates’ stands and track records will be crucial to the credible election of a credible Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan Leaders.
Voters education is always essential and doing so in this modern age should never be difficult than doing the teaching 10 years ago. Today, with the advent of new technologies easily accessible to both young and old, the playing field to define the authentic change flat forms from those traditional once have been fairly flattened. Mediums such as the internet and social networking sites have become powerful tools to advance once agenda. Now, more than ever, education and learning entered into a new dimension, all of us, candidates and the electorates must take full use of these to ensure that the next three (3) years of Barangay Leadership falls into the right hands, persons with wisdom, integrity and accountability.
Integrity in government begins with personal integrity. Values begin at home, and if we continue to remain apathetic to our country’s situation, as far as I’m concerned, that speaks volumes about where we are headed as a nation. If we watch out only for ourselves, we can expect the same kind of fragmented disillusionment to remain in our mindsets for generations to come. For the Philippines to move forward, the Philippine political system must adopt, as US President Barack Obama puts it, a “politics of common sense, of common purpose, of shared sacrifice and shared prosperity.” A public servant whose heart is in the right place will not tolerate corruption; a private citizen cannot afford to turn the other cheek when something wrong is being committed right before his or her eyes. S/He will not bribe his way to convenience; s/he values her/his name so much that s/he will not allow corruption or tolerance to take place. No to moderated greed and tolerated corruption!
Just what are the challenges facing our country today that needs to be properly addressed in Voters Education? Is Voters Education enough to spark transformation in society face with various challenges? How ready are we as a society to embark on a change that can ultimately dictate the shift of power from the elite to the common “tao” which President Aquino calls his “Boss”.
Below are few Societal Challenges that can spur Societal Transformation but only if substantial amount of political will is exercised not just by our leaders but by the people they (leaders) are accountable for:
1. Middling of the Church in affairs of the state
The impending passage of the RH Bill is an example of this affair. While it is true that poverty is not caused by over population alone but more so by corruption, the church must have misread the bible when it says “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it.” According to a Senate Report published July of 2009, it stated that In the Philippines, maternal mortality rate (MMR) remains high at 162 per 100,000 live births while infant mortality rate (IMR) and under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) are 24 and 32 per 1,000 live births, respectively(FPS 2006).
Around the world, 1,500 women die every day from complications of pregnancy or childbirth, while 10,000 babies die daily within the first month of life. Most of these deaths occur in developing countries and most are avoidable. The RH bill is more than just managing population, it offers a solution to all families properly be accountable for the welfare of their children. Besides, the Bishops and the Priests are in no possession to give us lectures on family, family planning and sexuality for they themselves haven’t raised a single family and by prohibition, have never engaged in any sexuality. Unless they admit they are, then we could probably re-align our outlook in favor of our church leaders.
2. Tolerated Corruption
Vote buying is the primary manifestation of tolerated corruption. If we allow our votes to be bought then we open the doors for our leaders to be corrupt. A corruption not only emanates from us ordinary citizens, the church from where we belong has some cleaning to do to be able to curve the corrupt ways of our leaders. The church being the primal beneficiary of large political dole outs have exposed our leaders to avenues where they can venture into extraordinary deals just to please the few and powerful religious leaders.
In early 2000, the World Bank estimated that corruption was costing the Philippines government $47M a year - or a massive $48 B over the 20-year period to 1997. Corruption, said the hard-hitting World Bank report, undermines development, hurts the poor, diminishes the quality of public services and raises the price of goods and services. The report said private industry shared a responsibility for this state of affairs by its attempts to bribe politicians.
To this day, the battle to end corruption is still tops the governments priority programs. The only way for us to win this battle is for everyone to STOP begging for unnecessary help from politicians and START asking whatever happened to our taxes to make them feel accountable for every centavo spent. After all, it’s not their money, it’s our money.
3. Moderated Greed
At the height of the ZTE Scandal, Bicolano whistleblower Jun Lozada admitted to have received an instruction from the infamous NEDA Director Romulo Neri to moderate the greed of Mike Arroyo and Benjamin Abalos. Today, as we begin the journey of these young leaders set test the political waters of their Barangays, we dare them to say NO to greed. While still young and beaming with bright ideas, let us not allow this new generation of leaders to be exposed to occasions where there is call to be greedy. Let us all be vigilant for them and our society. Greed is the highest form desire. When there is greed there is always corruption and where there is corruption there are always people below the line who are essentially short-changed either of service or product. There is no way people can moderate their greed, as human nature dictates one to have the most.
Greed and Corruption are two deadly combinations for they breed poverty. One way to eliminate the latter is to put an end to these two menacing cultures. Greed and corruption looked at human suffering and oppressions with a blind eye. What’s even worst it the fact that these two knows no master, the next victim could be you, me or the person seating next to you. We won’t know until it has stricken us and we can’t tell if it is striking us already. Only time will tell, but if we act now, then we can still save our future.
4. Political dynasty
One of the most ambitious policies of the present Constitution is expressed in its Art. II, Sec. 26, which says, “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” It is also the most ignored by Congress for obvious reasons. Across the country, the same political clans are winning. Reports and allegations of fraud and violence, often meant to prevent people from voting and to disrupt the counting of votes, also show that their methods of holding on to power remained the same.
5. Passivity of the voting populace
The real challenge for the candidates and the voting populace begins not in the Election Day, in fact it is after the winners have been declared. How can we do our part to ensure that the country is kept in the right tract? How little or how much do we react to the misgivings of the winning candidates? How do we involve ourselves in the transformation process. We should dare to ask and ask to dare our leaders.
Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people. This being said, there is a call for everyone inside this room to exercise the true meaning of democracy starting today until the rest of our lives. Let us now allow another Raul S. Roco to slip by without having the chance to stir the country into greater heights when we could have done so. Democracy is knowing what is best for our people without the threat of coercion, oppression or power of money. Democracy resides in us, democracy is us. What we intend to do with ourselves and our future today will reflect the kind of democracy will be enjoy or despise tomorrow.
Created for Glen de Mateo in exchange of a kinalas bowl and lunch.
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