Basically Basic Asean Basic Document

Much has been said about ASEAN. The ASEAN charter is now on its way to be ratified by the member states, and series of consultations for the ASEAN basic document are being spearheaded to unite the differences and consolidate the interests of the ASEAN nations.

But there are several problems along the way. ASEAN leaders wanted the organization be a successful regional bloc, not only economically but politically in its faction in the globe. But this fast-tracking of ASEAN Vision 2020 (now ASEAN 2015), would be a dream more than reality if crucial issues of making ASEAN closer to the people of South East Asia will not be realized.

First, the level of awareness of the people in the region in the existence of ASEAN is still somewhat unfelt. The ASEAN has not yet been successful creating an ASEAN regional identity, or awareness that will reach its more than 500 million citizens on ASEAN benefits and gains. The question is, “how can ASEAN be more relevant to the individual citizens of each member nations?” For instance, how will ASEAN be interesting to the people in Myanmar in the present conflict there of Aung San Suu Kyi against the government of Myanmar? How will the ASEAN be more responsive to the pressing need to alleaviate poverty in young people of Cambodia and Laos? How will ASEAN help to improve the economic momentum of the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam?

Simply put, the citizens of the South East Asian states need to be more familiar with the workings and systems of ASEAN. The individual citizens, for instance of Laos, or Cambodia, Philippines and Thailand, among others, need to be acquainted with the notion of ASEAN and its primary objectives for the region and for its people. Meaning, ASEAN needs to be introduced, submerged and saturated within the mindset of every SouthEast Asian. Without, this I believe, no full integration can happen. The integration sought to be achieved by the leaders of this region would be like an elitist organization, perhaps, far from what it was originally conceived.

There must be strong efforts first to introduce ASEAN in its entirety and its importance, role and function in the lives, culture, economic conditions, and religious belief of every South East Asian. A strong campaign must be made in order to make ASEAN closer to its people, so that from the grassroots of the ASEAN society to the high economic perspectives of its leaders, true integration, harmony and cooperation can be fully achieved.
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MisEdukating the Young Pinoy

After so many years of being disillusioned with the difficult, taxing study of law, I went back to my old love, teaching. After hurdling it(and still hurdling law school) I rest a bit to go back to my old self—a teacher.

How did I land to this job? A friend of mine, told me that she is leaving the university life and would go to an industrial setting and find another pot of gold somewhere there, so she told me if I am interested. So, plunging like somersault backwards, again.

Teaching College Freshmen and Sophomores is not easy. I thought teaching college students would be mentoring skillful beings—but I made a wrong an assumption. It is also not as easy as I think it would be. I thought that after finishing high school, they should have learned the rudiments of Grammar---but lo and behold, their grammar and pronunciation even knowledge of basic things are inept. So scarce, so in want that you wouldn’t believe you are teaching College freshmen.

Redeeeming it a bit, I am enjoying every hour I am with them. I enjoy every minute sharing what I have and seeing that they absorb like sponge, as if, they in desperate need to learn something.

There are several observations I have noticed with our younger Pinoy students:

1. They could hardly express themselves in English. Terrible grammar, rambling statements and poor vocabulary. Communicative competencies are poor and inadequate.
2. They are not independent readers. They cannot understand 100% what they have read. In my own assumption, they can only understand less than 50% of what they have perused.
3. They are bad spellers and could hardly pronounce some common English words like receipt, receive, accommodate and some others.
4. The critical thinking skills were not developed fully. The usually fail to integrate, evaluate and infer information or concepts.

Nah. Do not ever think that I am murdering the abilities of our students. I too, am a teacher who wants that their knowledge be of the level of that of their instructors. The miseducation and inability of our students are just poor reflection of what kind of quality of education we have, what kind of teaching materials available to us, and what competencies our teachers possess.

Observing it closely, look at the books and workbooks and textbooks published in other countries. They are heavily-laid with activities, contained with much information and printed with quality paper. Are we shortchanging everything because we use the usable raison d’etre—we are the a third world countr? What a sweet escape to a bitter reality.

Ready for the workplace?

Are the Filipino Youth ready for the workplace? I don’t think they are. Nada. No, not now, and I don’t think they can later…I am not putting down the egos and or putting off the fire in our young students, but the idea of rigid study and scholarship are characters that lack among the young Pinoy today.

At one time, after I entered the class a lady student approached me trying to submit her assignment she told me in Filipino “Sir late po…kasi nalimutan” (sir, it was late, because it was forgotten”. I told the student, that I will only accept the assignment only if she offers her explanation in English. She smirked and said, “No sir, never mind, absent na lang po…” I want to die laughing, but I felt pity. Pity that has not crept into my being since the time I was born. What will happen to these young students? What will be their future?

How will they enter employment without even learning the basics of sentence construction? How will they compose structurally and expressive sentences in letters and memorandas? I just wonder how they will enter their jobs without familiarizing themselves with the basic spelling, and acquainting with business’ vocabulary words.

These people whom I am now teaching will be facing the workforce later, joining the throngs of men who will be builders of business and economy, so the question is, will they be useful to the workplace? Will they be able to communicate? Will they be able to express themselves? Have they learned all the skills they suppose to know to compete and to work in the real world?

And now looking at our students, I just hope that they will soon realize that they should improve their skills and hone their talents, more than they realized, that it was just enough.

Miseducating is more difficult I suppose than just educating them---at this stage.





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Is there a Bangsamoro Identity Crisis?

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The Road to ASEAN wellville

Much has been said about ASEAN. The ASEAN charter is now on its way to be ratified by the member states, and series of consultations for the ASEAN basic document are being spearheaded to unite the differences and consolidate the interests of the ASEAN nations.

But there are several problems along the way. ASEAN leaders wanted the organization be a successful regional bloc, not only economically but politically in its faction in the globe. But this fast-tracking of ASEAN Vision 2020 (now ASEAN 2015), would be a dream more than reality if crucial issues of making ASEAN closer to the people of South East Asia will not be realized.

First, the level of awareness of the people in the region in the existence of ASEAN is still somewhat doubtful. The ASEAN has not yet been successful creating an ASEAN regional identity, or awareness that will reach its more than 500 million citizens of ASEAN benefits and gains. The question is, “how can ASEAN be more relevant to the individual citizens of each member nations?” For instance, how will ASEAN be interesting to the people in Myanmar in the present conflict there of Aung San Suu Kyi against the government of Myanmar? How will the ASEAN be more responsive to the pressing need to alleaviate poverty in young people of Cambodia and Laos? How will ASEAN help to improve the economic momentum of the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam?

Simply put, the citizens of the South East Asian states need to be more familiar with the workings and systems of ASEAN. The individual citizens, for instance of Laos, or Cambodia, Philippines and Thailand, among others, need to be acquainted with the notion of ASEAN and its primary objectives for the region and for its people. Meaning, ASEAN needs to be introduced, submerged and saturated within the mindset of every SouthEast Asian. Without, this I believe, no full integration can happen. The integration sought to be achieved by the leaders of this region would be like an elitist organization, perhaps, far from what it was originally conceived.

There must be strong efforts first to introduce ASEAN in its entirety and its importance, role and function in the lives, culture, economic conditions, and religious belief of every South East Asian. A strong campaign must be made in order to make ASEAN closer to its people, so that from the grassroots of the ASEAN society to the high economic perspectives of its leaders, true integration, harmony and cooperation can be fully achieved.

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ASEAN Integration, soon or sooner?

The Association of South East Asian Nations, one of the most promising regional blocs in the world had spearheaded economic integration by 2015 (earlier date which was originally planned by 2020). This must be a welcome remark for all ASEAN nations, as the world prepares itself for stronger regional blocs to protect their own region against inflation threats, border security, counter-terrorism and further enhance regional peace, harmony and prosperity.

ASEAN in its concept is expected to promote stronger integration and unity among all the 10-member states so that the region can be a powerful house bloc as the EU, NAFTA or the Mercosur, as in all parts of the world. However, with all the regional blocs of the globe, ASEAN is the most promising to follow the steps of the EU and making it perhaps better, this is because ASEAN nations have more harmonious relationship than their European or Latin American counterparts.

There are several suggestions to this ASEAN integration among them:


1. Free Trade and single economic basket for ASEAN member nations. This is a welcome note and relatively acceptable because ASEAN has combined GDP of 896 Billion dollars. Our economy is not really on the downside because trading with our neighbors poses greater security, where our interests are closer and our economies more related than if we tie-up with nations stronger than we.
2. Borderless ASEAN, where, a single-visa for ASEAN is proposed, spearheaded by Thailand and Philippines, so that visitors may see ASEAN as single tourism destination, which will boost income on tourism.
3. Integration through open skies policies, liberalization in transport systems, by linking and creating modes of transportation by air, land and sea between and among the member nations.
4. Unification and standardization of laws which relate to ASEAN interests. This would spell out as common laws in areas of trade and economy, transportation, security and immigration, tourism and agriculture, among others. There must a be uniform law which will create a single ASEAN business and trade atmosphere among other tradesmen and businessmen within the region and those who would come outside the regional bloc.
5. The introduction of a common currency among ASEAN countries, whereby the currency will be a stronger currency against inflation against other foreign currencies. This is a lesson learned from the Asian Financial Crisis in the 90’s. The single currency (the earlier proposal is not really a currency but only a base currency)., will be the index for exchange, trade which will insulate the ASEAN against sharp depreciation of US dollars, or other monetary units.

However there are certain setbacks in the ASEAN integration among them are:

1. The various political conditions of each country. The military junta in Myanmar, the volatile democracies of Cambodia and Lao, the corruption raps in the Philippines and political situations (now restored) in Thailand are among of the key issues.

2. The different economic levels of ASEAN nations. The ASEAN is composed of nations from first to third world countries. The oil-rich Brunei Darussalam, and investment-hub Singapore, now emerging Malaysia are despairingly different from the economies of Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam, who have now promising economies, and the third group, Cambodia, Lao and Myanmar where economic progress must be encouraged well.

3. The protectionist economies of some member nations. The ASEAN, if it wants to succeed must create uniform laws on certain matters of transnational issues such as trade and tariffs, customs and borders, tourism and immigration and labour markets. With the integration, these issues and other will surely be touched down. No full integration can be achieved without these being discussed fully and liberalized in its most significant sense, for the protection of each member nation and for the further interest of the region.

4. The distance, borders and geographical features of ASEAN. Unlike in Europe, where EU nations are contiguous, ASEAN nations are separated by sea and land borders. However, these geophysical barriers can be eliminated by making free-travel and sky travel cheaper, and by introducing modes of transport that will link one nation to another.

5. Transnational issues of immigration policies, labor force, migration, residency and common issues that will confront ASEAN citizens. These realities may be well seen in the light of ordinary citizens of ASEAN. The security of employment, food security in the region, and security and peace are the most important issues to be discussed.

The Advantages of ASEAN and its viability to be self-sustaining


ASEAN can be a well-sustaining region unlike other regions in the world. First, ASEAN has geographical advantages and vast natural resources and to explore unlike other regional blocs in the globe. The efficient electronic systems of Singapore and its successful urban planning can be well integrated among all ASEAN countries, the agriculture and natural food resources of Thailand, Vietnam, and the agro-industrial produce of Myanmar, Cambodia and Lao. The electronic and human capital in the Philippines, plus all other hosts of industries, and the oil in Brunei and the rich supplies of raw materials such as rubber, wood etc in Malaysia make up a sustainable region. The vast and rich aquatic resources of Indonesia and the Philippines will all the more contribute within the food security in the region.

Peace and security is not at all a threat in the region. Its physical and geographical disadvantage is also its, an advantage. The physical attributes will not immediately affect other member nations, such as any untoward calamities (man-made or natural) will not directly affect the other member nations, that will not bring down the whole ASEAN system to collapse. The whole ASEAN also is only divided in 3 hours from 6:30 UTC to 9:00 UTC, this could be well united in one common time, +8:00 GMT, that is to unite the trade and all time differences necessary for tourism, exchange and communication.

ASEAN is a promising bloc, with the help of the leaders today of ASEAN, this integration can fully equip the developing member nations and to strengthen the pillar economies of the region.

Photo Credits: The ASEAN Logo, ASEAN Publication, ASEAN Map were all taken from wwww.aseansec.org

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What is Marriage?

The State shares its belief in the concept of marriage that indeed, this God-designed, covenant is the highest form of any human relationship and with preeminence to any human partnership. This institution is not an ordinary institution, whereby, it can be dissolved through human means, but this insoluble covenant was indeed ordered to be so, for the protection of the family, then the community, then the nation, and the entire humanity.

In this belief, the State even the Church, in its legal proceedings recognizes this premise and design of marriage. The recognition of the Church marriage is then recognized by the Laws of the State and protected by it. In the same way, the Marriage duly solemnized in a civil ceremony, with all its completeness, is deemed acceptable and acknowledge by the Church, to support this idea, the documents for example necessary for the completion of marriage is tedious and safeguarded to avoid and to preclude fraud and deception.

The process in arranging marriage is considered as a legal process and parameters are required to be obtained. Marriage is believed to be the highest agreement any two capable individuals could decide, it is one of the highest sacrament endowed by the Church. With this view, the Church and the State do require all necessary other supporting evidences to prove the capability of the one who engages in this contract.

A pastor from a local church, while solemnizing a marriage ceremony had given a very beautiful re-description of marriage contract, he said “If I will be given a chance to change the caption or the title of this contract from its name ‘Marriage Contract’ to other name I will change it to become ‘Marriage Covenant’, because a contract has conditions and in some way can be dissolved, however, on the other hand, in its meaning, and essence the term ‘Marriage covenant, is more solemn and in its semanticity doesn’t have limitations and conditions, this is marriage”

It is indeed, agreeable for the pastor’s view of marriage, that marriage is the start of relationship and commitment, wherein, two individuals are to produce an offspring that shall be a member of their own family and the community and the nation. Contented and Happy individuals were conceived not by the good governance or any political system, but rather, in simpler explanation, a happy marriage and a happy family brought about these people. In this reason, if the marriage is family, the children of that happy marriage are indeed better individuals.

If the individual is more responsible, sensible rest assured the members of that nation, are responsible and sensible too. This simple reason, yet profound in reality is the simple clause why, without question, the institution of marriage is considered as the foundation of the society.
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The Migration Problem

Migration is a fact of life. Economies run, employment shortages in skills-level are filled up in migration. While, all of us disagree with ILLEGAL migration, we should think that the problem with this illegal entry to borders is NOT the sole fault of the illegal migrants

First, these illegal migrants only want to secure jobs (only jobs NOT drug-trafficking or any other human crime), they want to seek greener pastures like all of us. They want to feed their families, which their country or place cannot obviously provide. Perhaps, some people think so negative about migration because they have never lived in a "developing country" where opportunities are scarce or few.

The question here is, the illegal migrants cannot keep on coming, but are the borders REALLY SECURED? The problem is a two-coined situation. The attitude of the illegal migrants and the loopholes of the border security and immigration laws and processes of the receiving state. It is only fair that while many people rant over the illegal migrants crossing borders they should also pressure their government to make the borders as sturdy and high as they can.

USA, has spent millions (or even billions of dollars) in humanitarian aid, in war in Iraq, in various international concerns. Why not secure the borders in whole USA? The USA, being the only super-power left in the world, one of the richest nation in the globe, can SURELY make a way to secure the borders with their vast intelligence and sophisticated arms, and advanced technology.

IF they can send men to the moon and robotic explorers to MARS why not spend so much to secure their borders?

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Ka Bel

• Congressman Crispin Beltran of AnakPawis Party-List died yesterday. With his death, I wonder, "how will his proposed legislations, most of them pro-poor, get passed? The lowly representative lives in a very humble home. Perhaps, in layman's standard, just below the middle-class level, or even poor...Being in the position, for nearly 6 years (if I am not mistaken), he never acquired money or so much power to have his lifestyle changed.

• Ka Bel is truly a loss to the maralitang Pilipino, whom he served dearly. His demise, his life, his way-of-living must be challenge to all our power and money-hungry congressmen to re-think their politics and their lifestyles. Look at Ka Bel's home, it was just so simple, very much ordinary like all of us. No wonder he can relate to our needs better even wiser. While on the other hand, many of his colleagues own sprawling mansions in the suburbs of Metro Manila.
  

• I think Ka Bel must be proud with the way he died. He died as an ordinary man, worried about his home during the rainy season, typified a grandfather perhaps who worries his home during times that he has no work to do, he epitomizes the working class, the lowly-paid government servant, the humble labor leader and capsuled every single fiber of a Filipino in his daily struggle to survive, to seek for government reforms, demand for better quality of life, quest for political stability and yearns for a clean and honest government.
  

• For me, the death of Ka Bel, is no simple accident. It is poetic, it is symbolic. No rich Filipino would die falling from his roof because obviously his house is a mansion and he has servants to do it for him, but Ka Bel died fixing his humble abode. No rich congressman would live in a small house with the masses because they reside in high-walled Ayala Alabang or Forbes, San Lorenzo, or Corinthians.
  

• The death of typical man, with his great ideals. I salute Ka Bel for his life and for his service to the Filipino people.
  

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The Benefits of Being a Filipino Citizen

I don't know if my probability is correct, but I suppose 75% of Filipinos (or even larger margin) want to live and work in another country, preferably in a first-world country. Later perhaps (if the laws of their countries' of destination permit), our compatriots desire to acquire their citizenship.

But I just want to ask, are there still benefits to be a Filipino Citizen? Here are some of the benefits, I can think of and probably, their little downside:

1. The right to vote and be voted. Only Filipino citizens can exercise the right to vote and run in any public office (of course! ). Imagine, FPJ fought for his citizenship and a host of other local and national politicians just to get that "treasured" elective post!

2. The right to own property here in the Philippines. In our laws, foreigners cannot own real properties or even engage in "nationalized" industries, for instance, mass media. But if you are a Filipino, you can win the lotto and buy a radio or TV station without a hassle.

3. The right to practice one's profession. Yes, only here, where else??

4. The right to possess a Philippine Passport. Well, our passport is actually not so much to boast of, but at least, we are visa-exempt from all ASEAN countries, selected countries in Asia, Latin America, Israel and some handful more ( i have a separate blog entry for this), but I think, 95% of the time, Philippine passport holders are required to have visas in many countries.

5. The rights and privileges of appurtenant to a Filipino Citizen. I don't know what are these, so far we do not have a good system of subsidized housing, we currently have a lousy social security system and presently, we do have so many loopholes in our security and finally, our country is crowded, not to mention, litters.

But before I get cursed, let me say that having at least, a nationality, a citizenship is something to be proud of. It is hundredfold better to be a Filipino citizen, than to be a stateless person. Our economy, education and training are most of the time, recognized worldwide, than our African, Asian and even European counterparts.

While many still think and contemplate to change their citizenship, remember this: never forget that this country, we probably loathe, is the same mother who nursed us, defended us, protected us and gave us and identity peculiar to any other known people on earth.

We should be proud that we are Filipinos.
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Condoms in lieu of Food (Is the Church too hypocrite?)

Filipinos are now more or less 90 million, trying to fit in these small islands with barely 300,000 square kilometers. Further, these 90 million Pinoys are struggling for food which in actuality can only feed around 50 million or less.

The reason why we have food shortage, other than there is a little supply of rice, is that we are overly-populated. The food we produce is too little for our consumers. Just imagine if a tree can produce 5 fruits a day, the would-be eaters is 50, how on earth do you think that will suffice? The jobs we produce cannot even sustain our ballooning population, what more food?

Condoms in lieu of Rice?

Recently, the government announced that it will allocate funds for contraceptives, viz: the use of condoms. But the church vehemently disagreed with this proposition. For the Church, the money to be used for condoms must be used for food instead. The opposition is holy on its face but as sinful as rubber sheaths. For me, it is even hypocritical than sacrificial.

Suppose the government agrees. The condoms are discarded, instead food are bought. My next question is, "How does that help the future of the country", "Does it stop the overcrowding numbers we have---now almost NINETY MILLION? The Catholic Church spokesperson said, that the government should focus on housing and food security. I agree. But while it may be true that social services must always be part of the government's program, I believe it is also part that the government should control the uncontrollable growth of population. The government cannot just produce food and allow the population to rise like rushing tides by the shores.

I firmly believe, it is not just food or housing that the government should provide. They should also provide measures to see that basic commodities are equally distributed and fairly abundant. In this thought: proportionality, equality and abundance can only be achieved if there are fewer people to struggle for jobs, food, housing and use of commodities.

The Church wanted the government to buy food instead of condoms. Why don't they start with their own backyard:

1.) Why not distribute their large tracts of land as housing for the poor?

2.) Why not sell their vast expensive collections for the charity they boast they serve?

3.) Why not put all the money offerings and offerings of goods be donated to the poor 100% instead of giving to the priests?

4.) Instead of beautifying churches, why not establish more orphanages, home-for-the-aged, livelihood centers?

5.) Why not allow Catholic schools like Ateneo, La Salle, UST admit more poor scholars from poorer communities, better open more free Catholic schools in BASECO, Tondo, Payatas and other slum areas?

6.) Why not open their private hospitals for the poor, they own Cardinal Santos, La Salle Hospital and St. Luke's right? Or yet, provide for better schemes to admit more charity-sponsored patients in Catholic hospitals...

7.) Why not use their shares in many corporations and donate the earned dividends for food security?

8.) Why not use their monasteries as farmlands and food be donated to charity?

The Lord said, "by the measure you use, there you shall be measured". Why pinpoint the sins of others, when you cannot practice what you preach? Is the Church too good to see other's mistakes but cannot see its own flaws? Are they becoming too much of a Pharisee and Sadducee?

Just thinking aloud. click to continue...

rant, rant, rant no. 1

The politicians and the ordinary Filipino workers

• Ordinary Filipino workers work for 8 hours a day (and even more) some were even overworked and underpaid. They try to earn as little as 365 pesos, while our politicians do not even come to sessions in Congress to work yet they are being paid, with no deductions and would even receive more than that---about millions of pesos.

• Ordinary workers work under inhumane conditions, crowding their offices, or factories but the stupid congressmen sit doing nothing in the halls of Congress, either listening to nonsense debates or grandstanding speeches of their more stupid colleagues

Taxes of Politicians and Taxes of Workers

• The lowly politicians never mind paying taxes BUT the ordinary workers are automatically taxed, witheld from their salaries. At the end of the month, they are being deducted of an amount while the politicians would even evade paying their own taxes, worst, stealing millions of pesos from our own coffers and kick-backing on government projects at the expense of the poor Filipino.
  

• Businessmen and Politicians evade millions of pesos in taxes, even billions. But the poor ordinary workers can't even get their thousand-peso tax rebate.

Politicians and Visas

• The government officials and congresmen (and all politicians at that), can enter other countries visa-exempt using diplomatic passports or can easily apply for visas while the well-deserving Filipino worker who deserves to have a vacation abroad for years of work, cannot even obtain a tourist/ single-entry visa elsewhere. The politicians would hide their ill-gotten wealth and laundered money from the country to their choice destinations, normally in states where bank secrecy laws are stricter, to deposit their amassed treasures.

Politicians Privilege, Misfortune of Ordinary Workers

• The politicians would not experience the grand and majestic Metro Manila traffic because their cars would have tens of convoys (or hagads) while the poor worker who needs to go to the office early suffer (otherwise, his salary will be deducted or get a disciplinary memo), because they got blocked by the convoys of the government officials who just go to the office to grandstand. I suggest these politicians take jeepney for a change, so it would be more real, don't you think?

More rants to come... click to continue...

Food Shortage in the Philippines?

What happened to:

Rice supply- before we are the leading producer of rice and the center of studies in Rice propagation. Now, we are not just underdog but we lack supply even unable to sustain our own needs.

Suggestion: A police power to order moratorium in converting ricelands to subdivisions. Fund the IRRI and strengthen the cultivation of rice in our fields, for the next 5 to 10 years. Enhance hybrid rice. Search for unused, unirrigated rice paddies and irrigate them. For the next 10 years, no ricefield shall be sold for land development other than planting rice or crops. IF we can make use of more than 1,000 ha of rice fields, we can at least sustain our supply. What happened to National Irrigation? IRRI?

Philippines as an Agricultural country- we should stop dreaming to be like the US. Let us admit it, Food is the new gold mine for economies of the world. We have lands, we have the seas...if we can use all these resources as food production machineries. We can approximate the development in other major agricultural countries. We can increase our exports and lower the
level of inflation and trade deficit.

Agricultural jobs- with the effort of the government, they can spearhead the creation of food companies tilling lands, post-harvest facilities, raw food production factories and others. We should encourage agricultural jobs than call centers, I think. The capital may come from the billions and billions of pesos given as budget to our Congressmen, which unwisely used, in short wasted in nonsense waiting sheds and non-stop repainting of already painted streetwalls. Hay life!

Sustainable Environment- Stricter, harsher penalty for environmental crimes. What happened to the oil spill in Guimaras? What happened to the mining contamination in the waters of Mindoro? to the trash in Bulacan water systems? We should do something.

Farm-to-Market roads- Let us admit this. We have so much produce like eggplants, onions, corn and various fruits from all provinces in Mindanao, Northern Luzon and the Visayas but none of them reach Manila. If we have facilities to cater to the delivery of these foods all over the country the prices will go down, because supply is up.

Suggestion: Pursue the toll-free passage of delivery trucks for food, encourage ships and airlines to deliver food with the incentive of giving the company tax exemption or tax cuts. Organize the local food councils to gather their produce and distribute their excess to other markets in all cities and provinces. Delivery might be done by army vehicles. And what will they do with their ships, planes and loaders? Fill them with ammunition? Why not use them for food, anway there is no war...but there is war on hunger and food security. They should be part.

Ambitious? Well, in some sense yes. But with the growing population, with the growing need for food. We need all suggestions to combat this threat. We do not want Filipinos having so much food around and yet still hungry, wouldn't that be too pitiful to see? click to continue...

Wedding Proposal Recipe

Ingredients:

1 kg of courage
1/2 kg of creativity
1/2 cup of sentimentality
1/4 cup of traditional proposal lines, cut into words
1 ring white gold with diamond (price varies)
your fiancee to be
yourself, remove all the nervousness inside.

Procedure:

1. Plan your wedding proposal ahead. Several circumstances will hinder you, in my case, distance and opposition from family. But I am determined to pursue my love and follow God.

2. Ask yourself and pray for it intensely. You have to ask God and yourself "are you sure?" Put all your 1 kg of courage in a bowl.

3. I planned my trip to Singapore, in your case, in any place. Mix your 1/2 kg of creativity in your 1 kg of courage. Mix it well. Add little water, tea or a coffee break. I planned that it will be under a tree because 6 years ago, I opened my feelings for her under a tree in a building facade so at least I have to replicate the scenario. Let your imagination and creativity run well.

4. Before that, on a separate occasion. I brought a simple white gold ring for her with a simple 2nd rate diamond (not really expensive but genuine). I tried so many jewelries store back home. I couldn't find my piece, until I bumped into one within my budget and fit my taste and my fiancee's personality. I asked the girl to give me the ring, and she gladly gave me a discount---lucky charm.

5. Mix in slowly the 1/2 cup of sentimentality bring her to the lanes of your sweet past and your promised future.

6. We were walking down the "rainforest" inside the Singapore Botanical Gardens that Sunday afternoon after going to Church, we were surrounded by numerous big trees. Tall and strong...like my love 8 years ago that sprung from a seed, the tree is now big to bear fruit. I must preserve it.

7. When we stopped before a tall and huge 'balete' tree. I stopped. Took my ring out, and while she is fixing the camera. I presented to her the ring. She was confused or shocked, why there is a ring---or why I am giving her a ring, did I just picked it up somewhere?

8. Dash it with your traditional wedding proposal lines. I faced her, kneel in front of her and asked her, "Will you marry me?" Will you be my wife? Will you be the mother of my children?
She said, "Of course" at first. Not really convinced, she might be overwhelmed or confused, I repeated just in case, she did not understand. Then she finally said, Yes.

9. I kissed her and we embraced. Serve this proposal with sweet toppings of hugs and kisses.

10. When we went out of Botanical Gardens, I know I planted a seed of love in our hearts. And finally, and officially, she is now my fiancee.

NOTE: Serves only 2. click to continue...

100 days Apart

This is my 3rd time coming over to SG. I learned to love the place. I learned to be familiar with sights and people.

I brought with me, a can of bagoong, laing, mangoes and several Filipino grocery items like: Sinigang flavor mix, paksiw mix, Mang Tomas Sarsa, Chocolate tablet, fish bagoong and whatever you can think that is Filipino.

I saw her after almost 100 days of being apart. Our relationship literally became a virtual relationship. We only see each other through webcams and chat online and made many phone calls. For us, and like many other virtual relationships, the internet is heaven-sent innovation. Webcams is the meeting place, and phone calls is the regular chatbox. Being separated is difficult.

I really planned my trip several months before my expected arrival. After my first visit last December, I promised myself to return...and I did. The long wait is over. I am coming over and would be staying. I hope to stay for good but our dreams won't permit me as of this time.

Seeing SG for the 3rd time is not new, the Terminal 1 is impressive. My thoughts run wild, and I have to see her. See her and embrace her. And when the moment I gazed my eyes on her and saw her waiting outside the airport doors...I suddenly felt, I was home, I suddenly felt complete.

My home is in Singapore now. My heart is here...my life is here...and I will always return so long as my other part remains here. Singapore had a new meaning to me. It means new life, new beginnings and new future for me. click to continue...

My Bestfriend's Wedding--The Male Maid of Honor

My bestfriend Jen tied the knot last April 7. Actually, she is actually not my bestfriend because she is like a sister to me. Knowing her long before I learned to write my name on a paper, and knowing her like the back of my hands, her marriage to her long-time boyfriend, Ferds, become a special day to me as well.

We are breaking the tradition. I am her Matron of Honor, in lieu of a traditional Maid of Honor. Actually, we already planned this "name" long before she had serious relationships with any other man. She told me, since I am her closest friend, and a male at that, I will certainly not qualify for a "Maid of Honor", so I told her, you could either use, Matron or the Bride's Butler....so we choose Matron, the masculine form.

So, there I was, I took the line of the procession, as the male 'maid of honor'. It was such a lovely event, teary because my only female non-blood sister is getting married, but happy because finally she has found the love of her life.

Many things come to my mind: our fondest and cheerful childhood days together, our grade school days, where she would fight for me, whenever I will be teased, she would brace herself against the dogs I fear along the streets. She included me in her valedictory speech when she graduated Valedictorian in high school, and now, I am her Maid of Honor. Truly we've been part of each other's lives.

She might not come in my own wedding but I know, she will be my female, "bestman".

To my sister, friend, prayer partner, gangmate, confidante, childhood buddy, my best wishes. Be rest assured my love for you and your husband Ferds and your cute boy, Kier. Farewell, and see you soon! click to continue...

A Beauty Queen, without brains?

Everyone is blogging and everyone is buzzing about Janina San Miguel's answer to the Binibining Pilipinas Pageant. Millions of Filipinos are reacting to her grammatically incorrect statements before the audience---the entire viewing public of the Philippine archipelago.

I rememember wayback in College, my English Professor told us, that it is pardonable for a Korean or Japanese for not learning English but it is an unpardonable sin for a Filipino not to learn or speak any English word at all. Well, the reason is not really about being "nationalistic", In fact, our very own Constitution provides, that our "national language is Filipino, unless otherwise provided by law, English". The framers of our fundamental law did not see it as anti-thetical to be a proud English-speaking Filipino. Without prejudice of course, to Rizal's admonition, "Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa sa mabaho at malansang isda". But our very own brainy Pepe, must admit that learning other tongues and speaking them fluently are not, on its face, being unationalistic. He too, speaks fluent Spanish, German, English, Deutsch and Japanese and more. He is a polyglot in the truest sense of the word. I believe, that the acid test of being nationalistic is being able to speak other languages but still having the tongue of Filipino native speaker. Our knowledge and fluency in the English language are our competitive advantage among the rest of the modernized and newly modernized nations of the world.

But what makes Janina looks so stupid? In my observation it is not really her "grammar". She did not only violate rules in grammar but sense in logic as well. Watching her closely and listening to her answers, I have noticed that her statements have no logical connection between and among them. What is the relationship between being 17-year old girl and a neophyte beauty contestant for not being able to answer the question straightly? The question is simple. In fact, it is actually a give-away, so to speak.

I believe, being ungrammatical does not make one, utterly senseless. You can be ungrammatical but still make sense. For instance, if one say " I be going to Manila, to gave the very very delicious mangoes for my sister in laws". This glaringly ungrammatical statement makes sense. In other words, "I am going to Manila to give these delicious mangoes to my sisters-in-law". The grammar did not affect the sense and logic of the statement.

But lo and behold, Janina's answers were not just grammatically incorrect but purely illogical. As I see, she neither heard nor understood the question posed to her. Get her hearing aid!

When we send our beautiful girls abroad to compete in various beauty pageants, would it be also great to send those who can make us proud? For Janina, it is not too late. She can still learn the rudiments, basic grammar and elementary logic before she competes for the Miss World. I will surely watch her there...

But seriously, isn't this a reflection of the quality of education we have in the country? Just asking... click to continue...

Wanted: Philippine State Leaders

The Philippines, an island-archipelago, lying beneath the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, a nation with almost 90million people, with 7, 107 islands, flowing with abundant natural resources, beautiful coastal areas and scenic mountainside, is in GREAT NEED of any potential leaders who can lead this nation forward.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must be a Filipino Citizen;
2. Must have proven integrity, honesty and unbesmirched reputation;
3. Must have good track record of public service;
4. Must be "incorruptible" not greedy and power-hungry;
5. Relatives must be disinterested in any profit-making business or any politics;
6. Must be God-fearing and nationalistic;
7. Must be a statesman, intelligent, educated and a potential diplomat;
8. Must have a wife/or a husband (or may be single) who will not intervene with government;
9. Must be able to lead this nation and propose policies for the betterment of the nation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Will lead the nation to moral recovery, propose programs to institute moral reforms. Must be able to lead by example;

2. Will execute/make laws impartially, implement sound economic decisions, ratify treaties, agreements and other similar documents with the interest of the Filipino in mind, at all times;

3. Will administer, supervise the works of the government, oversee the functions and make sure all programs are well-implemented;

4. Lead the prosecution of corrupt officials, remove from office all those who will be found unfit for service, suspend all officers who are charged with graft, nepotism and other crimes;

5. Must be able to represent this nation in the world. Diplomacy must be his advocacy;

6. Will institute reforms on economy, trade, tourism, education, land acquisition of/for the poor, housing, employment (job creation), and push for Upward Agenda, call the Congress to pass laws if necessary for the realization of these plans.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE/S:

Compensation shall be in the form of grateful hearts of all the Filipino people.
He/She will be imprinted in the history books for all time.

The right to live in the Palace for 6 years, or office in the Senate or House of Representatives (without any extension), attractive salary, travel in various countries to promote the nation, the title "Excellency" or "Honorable" shall be accorded. Plus, in the lawful performance of duty, immununity from suit shall be given.

CAVEAT:

We are in desperate need, right now. We want you to join us, ASAP. click to continue...

2, 397 Miles

I

This is the space between us
And those are the words
I have to create to fill the gap.

II

Two worlds and the borders are waters
If only there is a bridge that comes
Between us
Yet even that would be too long to cross.

III

The distance is not the same,
Even if you are far
Even the clock ticks
Or time stands still;

IV

This is the measure of space
That creates the wall
In our midst
And the borders are waters;

V

Two places, from where I stand
Where you sleep,
And where you dream with me… click to continue...

Pieces of Wisdom

There were so many things I have learned these days, few of them can be capsuled in simple words. Indeed, closely contemplating them will bring truth and reality in perfect harmony.

Here are some, take a bite:

• One is not required to explain to all. Your friends don't need it, and your enemies won't listen anyway.
• Judging people is admitting that you are ignorant of other people's condition.
• What we see is fake. What we don't see is real.
• Genuine people don't brag what they are, as genuine bills don't label its security features, "I am genuine", in fact they are hidden.
• He who wants to be great must be the servant of all.
• Life is not about abundance, its precisely about "contentment".
• Peace is defined as the condition of the very center of a whirling tornado.
• We are foolish. We scourge ourselves to death and blame God for our wounds.
• He who controls his tongue spares His life.

These are the gems I have learned lately. And I am bound to keep them.

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What's with Boredom

Kung walang nangyayari sa buhay mo sa tagal ng pag-aaral, paghihintay minsan iniisip mo, nakakabore hindi ba?

Everyone wants to find his pot of gold under the rainbow. But before finding the pot, you have to find the rainbow, and where is that rainbow?

Was it because you sleep and slumber? What does it mean to get a life?

As for me, I don't know. Perhaps, marrying the girl, I love.

Leaving my highest dreams and live a happy quiet life.

Happily bored. click to continue...

Coming to See Her Again

I went back to Singapore, after 5 months. The trip was not excruciating as it was before. With the help of medicine and doctor’s tip to neutralize the pressure in my ‘Eustechian tube’, I manage to go down the airplane with no pain in my ear whatsoever. The trip was tiring, first, the queue for checking was too long because there is only one counter that receives all the incoming/outbound passengers from MNL to SG. My flight was suppose to be 8:30p.m. but we left the airport at 10:30. The expected time of arrival was 11:30 p.m. but because of 2-hour delay, I arrived in Singapore at 1:30, and after immigration check, I went outside the Singapore BT, shortly before 2:00p.m. Donna was already waiting outside to take me in her room for a short nap before I go to my own destination in a hotel or hostel as the case may be.

Digressing a bit, when I was on queue waiting for my passport to be stamped with entry, I noticed two Filipinas, my kababayan, questioned (rather politely) by the ICA officers on duty that early morning. Of course, the counter was too far from where I stand so I cannot hear what was being asked of her, the immigration officer, checked some details on the computer as I see him, and fold the Pinay’s passport and called the immigration police. The scene was not hysterical. The Filipina was slowly ushered, again very politely as I see it and escorted to the ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority) room in the terminal. I saw two of them getting inside the white mezzanine. Were they refused entry? I am not really sure.

But Singapore, as one our of the strongest ASEAN partner, does not require visa to Filipinos, who would enter as Social Visitor. In fact, upon entry, most of our Kababayan tourists were given 30-day period social visit pass, again with the discretion of the ICA officers upon entry to any port. Normally, when things are clear and without any complication, you can enter Singapore hassle-free. At least, that is what I have experienced coming over, twice already. I presume the two ladies violated some Immigration rules on their last trip, or that they have been sensed to most likely violate Singapore Immigration law, that I am not sure. But all countries in the world, have the right to refuse entry to any foreigner, whether with valid visa, or entering visa-exempt, if the immigration officers upon their assessment, strongly believe that the entering foreigner will be violating any immigration law or had already violated any entry rules during his previous entry. I pity the plight of the two Filipino ladies…I hope they will just there to answer some questions. But commendably, the ICA officers at the airport, managed to guide and escorted the two girls in the most courteous manner way possible, at least very acceptable at that in the eyes of a foreigner.

Donna and I saw each other after 20 days. I will be spending Christmas and New Year holidays with her in Singapore. Her condition was generally okay, as I have seen she is somewhat adjusted with the things around. SG and the PH have no time difference, only that, 7:00 p.m. in SG is still as bright as 5p.m. in Manila. Actually, Singapore is delayed 2 hours from Manila. But during the time that Malaysia decided to unite the time between East and West, following the +8 GMT zone, Singapore being an island between the two territories, found it rational to follow the decision of Malaysia’s adopting the united +8 GMT time. Thus, the Manila, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Perth Australia, Taiwan, larger part of Indonesia, have the same time clocks.

Donna rented out a room with a Filipino couple with a grandmother and cute little boy. Her room was aptly big for one person but I think enough to hold her things while she resides here for work. The unit was on the 2nd floor of HDB housing community in Bukit Panjang, a suburb area outskirts the Singapore City. The unit was very modest, it has modern amenities like centralized gas system, H/C shower, internet connection, laundry facilties (meaning, she can use the family’s washing machine) and usually, the family includes her in their meals. The rent was inclusive of the internet connection, PUB (spelled out as utilities: water, electricity and telephone for local calls). So, generally speaking, she was living in a very comfortable home with a Kababayan. The only downfall I think of the place is its somewhat remoteness from the City or rather, its distance from where Donna works. But, it was a considerable and tolerable distance, I must qualify. Singapore has virtually no long-standing traffic jams and bus services are by far very efficient. The housing community is also very near the LRT station where one can transfer LRT’s to MRT’s anytime of the day. Living in 1-2 hours ride from the city is not a difficult situation if you are in Singapore. It has efficient mass transport system, train and bus services that will eliminate almost all your fears of getting late or being stuck in a whole-day traffic affair like in Manila.

However, the trip will most of the time, make you stand inside the buses, or MRT’s; rush hours in Singapore is not really different from Manila but experiencing Manila for almost 10 years, the chance of getting a bus or MRT is much higher than getting a bus ride if you are working in Manila. Now, talk about talking a bus from Cavite to Lawton, or Cavite to Makati, the experience of taking a bus ride from Bukit Panjang to Singapore’s City junctions is easier. You have to stand for the 30-40 minute ride, but that is more bearable than sitting in 3-hour traffic journey in Starliner buses from Bacoor to Manila, which I hurdle everyday, since 1998 to present. I like the Public Transport system here in SG.

One great thing (though most countries have their downfalls), about this great City Country is its disciplined drivers (or at least the one that I chance to get along the streets), they would usually stop FIRST, if you are crossing on a pedestrian lane. No matter how big and small they are.

I have also noticed that the way of life here, especially grocery prices are more stable than way back home. You can buy vegetables as low as 30 cents, sometimes 20 cents. Pieces of meat would cost 1.50-3.00 S$ and fish would cost 1S$ to 5S$ per 100 grams. I mean, if you have around 15-20 S$ you can already buy a day’s meal or two. Complete with fish, meat and vegetables and fresh fruits on the side. If a family earns 1,500 per month, surely they will survive in this city. It may not be luxurious but for sure, they won’t go hungry. Local hawkers’ restaurants would cost, S$2 per meal. Well, if you love pork or chicken noodles or rice with curries or sweet sour pork, a hawker’s night out will be the place for you.

I know I shouldn’t compare. This Lion City has a GNP even higher than any nation ten times its size, but I couldn’t imagine, Philippines has better and even more profound natural resources, greater if not equal to its ASEAN counterparts. We have ricefields that can feed a nation (the land statistics, I don’t know), we have vast fisheries and fishponds large enough perhaps to supply our consumers. I mean, food is generally abundant back home. But the problem is, I suppose, farm-to-market roads; fast and efficient systems of transporting goods and farm products to the markets. For instance, the abundant fruits in Mindanao could reach Manila, if cheap air jumbo jets will transport the produce. The vegetables in Baguio might be fresher, and cheaper when it reaches Manila if the roads will be widened and certain highway passes and toll fees will be reduced if not exempted for those food exporters. Food is what the country needs. If they are cheap, everybody can at least afford to buy to feed their hungry stomachs. I agree with one pastor, when he said the problem is not the scarcity of food but the unequal distribution of it. And now may I add, ineffective distribution and supply of it. I have heard Mangoes in Mindoro were abundant but they cannot reach the busiest Markets in Cavite or Manila, or Batangas. The great catch in island provinces cannot be bought to wider market options because of, ultimately the lack of government’s will and planning.

But I must confess, if only everyone back home will forward, Philippines is not too far to be rich. We have what it takes, and I know, every Filipino abroad will agree. Our conditions are little off right now, but certainly possibilities are greater than our pitiful situation. Economy may not be vibrant enough to be felt by the ‘masa’ but if the government will prioritize food production, distribution and supply, housing and creating jobs (as it has been its priority as they claim), our country will be one of the top economies in Asia.

Our people are talented, that is what I have noticed. We have the trait of resiliency and adaptability. We can easily learn language and we can, almost in a jiffy blend with the locals in any part of the world we are in. Filipinos are hardworking, in fact, they work like machines, without stopping or pausing for their loved ones back home. We have strong sense of filial loyalty and devotion, something that we are far best among our Asian neighbors. Had it not been to the number of Indians and Chinese in world’s population, for sure, we will get ahead of them in terms of remittances.

Going to another place and seeing our weaknesses and our strengths, I cannot help myself but to ask.

But I have to cut this now…it’s getting late and I need to sleep, I’m counting the days before I go back to my home sweet Philippines.

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Birthday Blog

My birthday was not that special, of course, I wasn’t greeted with cheers and balloons with cakes and lollipops, I didn’t expect anything. But the following people greeted me:

Dec. 4, 1:40 p.m. - Donna with her early gift because she will be leaving the next day.
Dec.13, 1:28 p.m. - Ate Noemi Sabino through SMS
Dec 13, 10:33 p.m. - Jenibeth G. through SMS
Dec 14, 12:00 a.m. - Donna called from Singapore to greet me.
Dec 14, 12: 02 a.m.- Len greeted through SMS
Dec.14. 12:08 a.m. - Cen Cenon (SMS)
Dec.14, 7:18 a.m. - Jo Santiago (SMS)
Dec.14, 7:22 a.m. - Erwin B (SMS)
Dec.14, 8:05 a.m.- My Parents and sister Kamille
Dec.14, 9:10 a.m. - Jeng Sabino (my sis-in-law)
Dec.14, 11:10 p.m.- Cheez DeVillar (SMS)
Dec.14, 11:14 p.m. -Gayle Sabino (SMS)
Dec.14 12:51 p.m. Karen DC (SMS)
Dec.14 2:10 p.m. - Tata, my bro (phone call)
Dec.14; 3:15 p.m. - Bogs (SMS)
Dec.14 3:45p.m.- Ching A. (SMS)
Dec.14 3:48 p.m. Jenny B (from Dubai, SMS I-Chikka)
Dec. 14. 4:00 p.m (classmate/s from Remedial Law Class)
Dec.14. 4:05 p.m. Dek StaCruz (SMS)
Dec. 14: 8:45 : Tita Sylvia B. (donna’s Mom)
Dec 15 12:41 p.m. - Babylyn Rodriguez (SMS)
Dec.15 5:57 p.m. - Kaye B. (SMS)

Thanks to everyone who cared to greet me on my birthday. Thank you for being there with me all through these times. God bless all of you! click to continue...