First of all, I apologize for re-posting this without permission. This critique with a list of grievances about the Philippines was passed around and went viral within the Filipino community about two years ago (that was about the time that I received this). Besides the rants (which are certainly understandable), the part about pledging not to ever pay taxes, and the accusation that the Philippines is worthless, walang kwenta, I agree with the author’s criticisms and sentiments. I believe that as a responsible citizen of any country, one must pay taxes to support the country. Also, the Philippines is not worthless; all the people in power are. They are the ones with the hands in the country’s treasury, and stealing every centavo that they can get away with. Nangkukupit. Other than those, I believe that Jawbreaker’s points are valid. With regards to the current conditions in the Philippines, they are still very much valid today. For this reason, the message that Jawbreaker was trying to convey would have been in vain if ignored therefore I have re-posted it. What is even more disheartening is the total lack of change or even any sign of movement or initiative for change proves that Jawbreaker’s grievances along with everybody’s criticisms are not enough to cause any change. In other words, rhetoric is not enough. I, we, have joined and picked up the torch to continue igniting the fire of change with the intentions of making changes beyond fighting words, beyond criticisms. The corruption in the Philippines runs so deep and so wide that mere words are not enough to defeat and get rid of the cancer slowly killing the country. Unlike what Jawbreaker implies with his moniker, jaws are not the only things that will be broken. Drastic times require drastic measures.
Just like there were no French II, Bolshevik II, American II, Cuban II…there will also be no Philippine II. Forget EDSA I-IV, they were all mere sideshows of the current three-ring circus - Luzon, Visaya, and Mindanao - that is about to stop. Fellow katipuneros, the time is now and the place is everywhere. It is time to return the blood that was sucked for so long from our beloved Lupang Hinirang by the leeches that most of the so-called leaders had become. All trapos must be thrown away because they are trash. The sooner the Philippines is rid of garbage, the sooner it will improve. The end will certainly justifies the means to bring back that Pearl of the Orient that the Philippines could have been.
Walang Kwenta ang Pilipinas
By: jawbreaker. (isang ordinaryong office worker na ayaw na magbayad ng tax...ever!)
Hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko. Sukang-suka na ko sa mga nangyayari sa bansang 'to!
Walang katapusang corruption, walang kamatayang pangbabatikos, pagbabatuhan ng t@e at pagpapa-taasan ng ihi ng mga pulitiko sa bawat isa, walang tigil na imbestigasyon ng kung ano-anong isyu pero wala namang matinong resolusyon, walang puknat na pag-aagawan ng kapangyarihan sa pagitan ng mga partido, patuloy na pagdami ng tamad at t@ngang Pilipino, patuloy na pakikipaglaban ng ideolohiyang wala namang silbi.
Ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas, talo pa ang septic tank na hinihigop ng Malabanan - saksakan ng dumi at napakabaho. Kaya hindi nakakapagtaka na ang Pilipinas ang isa sa pinakamahirap at corrupt na bansa sa mundo. Kasi lahat sila bul%k, lahat sila walang kwenta. Lahat sila sugapa sa kapangyarihan at sa pera.
ANAK NG TETENG! !$#%q!&!* @!!!!!
kahit kristiyano ako, hindi ko mapigilang magmura at hilingin sa diyos( minsan nga pati sa d^m^nyo) na mamatay na silang lahat at i-bbq sila ng habang-buhay sa impierno.
sinong "sila"? eh di mga corrupt na government officials and workers, mga tambay na pilipino na ang lalaki ng katawan pero hindi naman nagtratrabaho at hindi nagbabayad ng tax, mga mayayaman at aristang tax evaders, pati mga aktibista, npa at iba pang ideological groups na hindi nagbabayad ng tax pero pang-gulo!!! mamatay na kayo!!!
lagi na lang sinasabi ng mga pulitiko: ipaglaban ang masa! tulungan ang masa! mahalin ang masa!p^nyet@! masa lang ba ang tao sa pilipinas? sino ba talaga ang bumubuhay sa p^nyet@ng bansang to? saan ba galing ang pangpagawa ng mga tulay at kalye? saan ba galing ang pork barrel? saan ba galing ang perang kinukurakot nyo?kami na mga manggagawa at middle class na bago pa makuha ang sweldo bawas na - kami ang bumubuhay sa walang kwentang bansa na 'to!!!!!!!!!bakit yang bang mga masang yan na lagi na lang sentro ng plataporma ng mga pulitiko eh nagbabayad ba ng tax???!!!!f**k you! kahit isa sa mga nag-ra-rallying mga squatter na yan, kahit singko hindi nag-re-remit yan sa bir! pero pinapakinggan ba kami ng gobyerno? lagi na lang opinyon ng masa ang iniintindi ng gobyerno.
kung sino ang nag-ra-rally, sa edsa, sila ang nasusunod.kung sino ang mas malakas sumigaw pero wala namang economiccontribution, sila lagi ang focus pag may problema.sila lagi ang bida.kaming mga ordinaryong office workers, ofw's, laborers at iba pangnag-tra-trabaho at nagbabayad ng tax - kami ang nagpapakahirap parabuhayin ang pilipinas. kami ang mga tunay na bayani ng bansa!!!tuwing nakikita ko ang payslip ko, nag-iinit ang ulo ko at gusto kongmaiyak sa inis. napakalaki ng tax na binabawas sa akin pero ginagamit lang sa walang kwentang bagay ang perang pinaghirapan ko. lahat ng pagtitipid ginagawa ko para suportahan ang sarili ko, pamilyako at ang p^nyet@ng bansang to.
ni hindi ako makabili ng chicken andspaghetti meal sa jollibee kahit gutom na gutom na ko. nag-tya-tyaga ako sa waffle na tig-p10, o kaya pag may konting pera, junior bola-bola siopao sa mini-stop sa halangang p20. eh kung yung pera ko na pinapangbabayad sa tax sa kin na lang napunta, eh di sana nakakapanood pa ko ng sine at least 2 beses sa isang buwan. nakabili na sana ako ng bagong rubber shoes. nakapagpagawa na sana akong sarili kong bahay.
yung tax na binabayad ko, karamihan nun derecho sa bulsa ng mga corrupt na mga government officials at workers. habang hirap na hirap akong i-budget ang pera ko, sila naman nagpapakasarap sa mga mansyon. suv's at luxury cars pa ang dina-drive nila, samantalang ako sa pedicab lang sumasakay! p****** ina!
pera ko yang pinapagpapasasaan nyo!!!!!yung tax na binabayad ko, pinapangsuporta sa mga mahihirap. saan bagaling ang pera pangpagawa ng housing at pagtulong sa mga mahihirap, diba sa mga manggagawa na nagbabayad ng buwis! pero karamihan ng mahihirap, kung umasta kala mo inaapi sila ng sobra. sa totoo lang no, kaya ang mga mahihirap lalong naghihirap kasi mga tamad! ang daming mga tambay sa kalye na walang trabaho pero ang laki ng katawan. eh kung sila ba nagkargador sa pier eh di sana may pera sila. tapos wala na ngang pera, anak pa ng anak!p^nyet@! lalo nyo lang pinapadami ang tamad at t@nga sa mundo!!!!!
naaawa ako sa mga batang pakalat-kalat sa kalye at namamalimos. imbes nanag-aaral, dumadagdag lang sila sa bilang ng mga future criminals sa pinas. hindi ako magtataka na yung batang nakita kong namamalimos sa cubao, pagkatapos ng ilang taon cellphone snatcher na. yung mga magulang naman dyan, common sense lang! hirap na hirap na nga kayo sa buhay, mangdadamay pa kayo ng iba?! paparamihan nyo pa lahi nyo! palibhasa walang mga trabaho at walang pinagkaka-abalahan, kaya nagkakalabitan at nagsusundutan na lang maghapon, magdamag. sa totoo lang, nakakabilib. kasi kahit sa ilalim ng tulay o sa kariton lang, nakakabuo pa rin ng bata! ibig sabihin, maabilidad ang mga pinoy. kung gugustuhin, gagawan ng paraan. kahit sa makipot, mabaho at maduming lugar - solve!
isa pang mga grupo ng tao na nakakainis, yung mga aktibista, npa at kungano-ano pang ideological political groups. sabi nila, mahal na mahal nila ang pilipinas kaya pinagpalalaban nila ang kanilang mga adhikain.p^nyet@!
eh hindi rin kayo nagbabayad ng tax! ang kakapal rin ng mgamukha nyo! mga ipokrito! mahal daw ang pilipinas ayaw naman magbayad ng buwis! bakit may bir collector ba sa gitna ng mendiola at edsa?! may tax collection ba sa bundok?! wala din naman kayong mga trabaho! kung may trabaho talaga kayo, hindi kayo mag-ra-rally dahil sayang ang sweldo nyo pag absent kayo! paano nyo maipapakita ang pagmamahal nyo sa pilipinas kung wala na kayong gawang matino kundi mag-rally at mamundok??!!!
isa pa yang mga mayayaman at mga artista, na nangdadaya at hindi nagbabayad ng buwis. ang kakapal ng mukha nyo! ang dami nyo na ngang pera nangdadaya pa kayo sa tax!!!! hindi nyo naman madadala sa impierno yang mga kayaman nyo. masusunog lang dun yan. kaya lalong bumabagsak ang negosyo dito sa pilipinas, kasi mga negosyante mandaraya. pati showbiz industry, bagsak na din. karma ang tawag dyan. mga balasubas kasi.
sana magkaron ng political and national cleansing. alisin (mas maganda kung patayin na lang) ang lahat ng pulitiko at political families sa puwesto. tibagin ang lahat ng mapanirang organizations at grupo. itapon sa malayong isla o kaya i-pwersa ng hard labor ang mga sobrang tamad na mga pilipino. ihiwalay ang mga bata sa kanilang mga tamad at t@ngang magulang upang makapag-aral sila at maturuan na maging mabuting tao at mamamayan. magkaron ng bagong lider na walang political ties at utang na loob sa kahit sino. at higit salahat, dapat tax payers lang ang pwedeng bumoto!
kung kinakailangang magka-giyera para magtino ang mga pilipino, ayos lang. masyado na kasing matigas ang ulo ng mga tao dito. gusto ngkalayaan, pero hindi naman handang panagutan ang responsibilidad ng pagiging malaya. meron daw pinaglalaban na prinsipyo at adhikain pero takot namang mamatay para dito
(sa mga nakaka-alam sa anime na gundam wing, yan ang inspirasyon ko sa new pinas hehe. i love you zechs! i love you treize!)
hangga't hindi nagkakaron ng radical change, patuloy na walang kwenta ang pilipinas at patuloy na magiging t@nga ang majority ng mga pilipino. sa dami ng nag-mi-migrate na pilipino sa ibang bansa, dadating ang panahon na minority na lang ng population sa pilipinas ang may utak. yung mga magagaling na pilipino, malamang maubos na. sobra na kasisilang na-fru-frustrate at na-de-depress sa mga nakikita nila. ilang taon pa at aalis na rin ako sa pilipinas. wala kong balak namagkaron ng pamilya sa isang bansa na hindi pinapahalagahan ang kontribusyon ng mga taong tunay na bumubuhay dito. kawawa naman ang magiging anak ko kung dito sya mabubuhay. sa totoo lang, brokenhearted ako. minahal ko din ang bansang ito. pilit kong pinagtatanggol kahit bul%k. nakarating na ko ng ibang bansa, pero pinili kong bumalik. pero ngayon, ayoko na. suko na ko. sayang lang ako sa bansang to. simple lang naman ang hiling ko. gusto ko lang mabuhay ng tahimik at maayos. gusto ko na kahit paano eh maipagmalaki ang pilipinas. pero wala eh. doomed to be jologs ang bansang to. alam ko marami pa ang umaasa at naniniwala sa pagbabago. good luck and god bless! sana tama kayo at mali ako.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Gaya-gaya Puto Maya
Orig yan! This is a common saying in the Philippines that refers to the authenticity of a product made in the United States especially clothes. This statement is usually followed by showing off the inside tag or label of that particular piece of clothing to prove that it is truly an original American brand and made in the United States. This focus on the importance of authenticity of an American product is a small evidence of the Filipinos’ continuing obsession with American made products. Lately, this obsession has come to the point that they have started to sacrifice their identity as Filipino people. In addition to their strong desire for material things and the presence of the remnants of the US legacy in their government, they are now imitating anything and everything American. Many especially those in the public arena – political and entertainment - are trying so hard to act like Americans and have even made permanent physical alterations to look more like Americans. This imitation of another culture has now become a perversion and in a way a rejection of their own culture. But what the Filipinos do not realize is simply imitating the Americans will not make them Americans. For that matter, no culture can become another just by mimicking the other. Ironically, the people and culture they are imitating are also from the country they love to hate. Looks like somebody is envious.
This shameless behavior of imitating Americans or anything American is prevalent in the Filipino culture. Lahat ginagaya. It is not difficult to notice it. It is so obvious. It is all over the mass media, from prints, to radio, to movies and television. It seems like that every American TV show, especially reality shows, has a counter show complete with counterpart cast members. Everything is imitated from the look down to the mannerism. It is beyond absurdity. It is vomit-inducing. And the participating ‘celebrity’ judges are definitely something else. The judges themselves, the so-called stars, are no different than most of the contestants they are judging. Most of them have no talent at all, definitely lacking any form of ability that can be considered entertaining. They have qualified as ‘stars’ in the Philippines mainly because they are: first, light or fair-skinned; two, has Caucasian or Roman-like nose; and third can lip-synch the first couple of lines from a song. Maputi, matangus ang ilong, at ma-alam magkunyaring kumanta. Many of the so-called celebrities are basically untalented, wannabe white people. Incidentally, Koreans and Chinese that are descendants from the Han Dynasty that are now living in the Philippines, as well as Filipinos born from mixed parents (usually a Filipina mother and a white father) are given celebrity status and finding success in entertainment – talented or not - just because of those physical features. Those traits are also the main reasons why there are so many products in the Philippines developed strictly for whitening the skin. And for the many unlucky ones not born with those desirable traits, whitening products and a couple of trips to a particular doktora’s clinic (shamelessly advertised and thanked in many shows) can alter their natural features to make them an instant celebrity. It’s quite a compliment to the Americans to have their inherent physical features desired and copied by Filipinos as they make permanent alterations on their own natural features.
Besides the physical alterations, they also like to clothe themselves like Americans beyond practicality, preferring and wearing American brands of clothing. The Philippines is just several degrees north of the Equator so its climate is tropical throughout the whole country. The annual average temperature is fairly warm, around 82-84 F and decreasing slightly during the rainy, monsoon season, the only other season – wet or dry. It is hot and humid most of the time. It’s quite a sight to see many of those so-called Filipino celebrities donning cold weather clothes that are more suitable for winter in New York, and not break out a single drop of sweat. Now that’s talent!
It is not unusual for institutions of the Philippine government to be similar to that of the United States. The US established the foundation of the Philippine government, and the Philippines was under the American tutelage for several years before and during the commonwealth period. But despite of the similarities between the two governments, they are in the names and structures only, not its workings and principles.
From departments of government to branches of military and to committees in the Senate, the Philippines has copied the United States. They have the NBI; their version of FBI. Department of Interior, the NSA, and the Ethics Committee are a few more examples. Even the branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; they also have the Army, Air Force, Navy, and the Marines. To have this kind of military make up implies that the country is capable of some kind of offensive operation, battle-ready. But then again, the Philippines is only about names and structures. The world witnessed the offensive capability of the Philippine army as one platoon, a mere platoon that President Arroyo committed to the Coalition Forces against the war on terror, boarded a bus so they can go back to the Philippines even before participating in any mission. Talk about losing face to the international community. Arroyo succumbed to the demands of the terrorists when they kidnapped a Filipino citizen and threatened to behead him; the kidnapped-then freed-and returned to the Philippines Filipino went back to work in Iraq soon after he was released. Looks like Iraq is still a better place than the Philippines.
Its Air Force, though the name implies air power, has neither air nor force. Whatever planes (decommissioned US planes that were used in Vietnam) they have are not flight-ready, let alone combat-capable, because they are poorly maintained and usually do not have the parts and fuel. The Navy is even more pathetic. It consists of a small group of shore patrol boats that are essentially floating rust buckets. They are decrepit and stained with all shades of brown to burnt orange, deteriorating from rust. Its sad state is even worsened by its own sailors, its crew, taking away any remaining sign of dignity of a naval unit. The decks of those corroding boats are normally used for drying out washed clothes. At any time, it is not unusual to see shabby uniforms along with undergarments hanging on clothes lines flying on its decks rather than its flag and maritime colors. Considering the appalling condition of the boats, conducting the traditional mission of amphibious landing with the Marines appears to be an extremely daunting task. But at the very least, the Navy and Marines will have uniformity in colors. The colors of rust on the boats will match that of the equally poorly maintained rifles and machine guns. It’s no surprise that Abu Sayyaf can escape to an open sea from Palawan to Jolo. And good luck reclaiming the Spratly Islands.
Even traditions in the United States with long-standing history have been taken, and oddly enough injected in the proceedings of the Philippine government. One example is the State of the Union address, a formal speech given once or twice a year by the current American president to discuss his agendas, the overall state of the country, and the direction where he wants to lead the country. The Filipinos have taken this American government tradition and dubbed their version as SONA, State of the Nation address. How original! Gaya-gaya na naman. But it does not have to be called that. For the acronym-loving Filipinos, there is a more appropriate name and an actual Tagalog translation. It can be called Pahayag ng Kalagayan ng Bansa or PaKaBa for short. The headline would probably read, “Kinakabahan ang Buong Bansa sa Gaganapin na PaKaBa” o “Magpa-PakaBa ang Pangulo Mamayang Gabi”. Such name for the speech is more accurate and descriptive since nothing changes in the Philippines anyway no matter what comes out of the president’s or the rest of the politicians’ mouth. It should continue the concerns and worries of its citizen. Nakakakaba talaga.
Normally someone or something is imitated because it is admired or respected. It provides some kind of influence or motivation, hopefully positive, to cause improvement of someone or something. Throughout the history, styles of earlier works ranging from arts to literary and musical compositions and artistic performances have been imitated. Acts of men as well as ideas have also been followed, causing and inspiring other people to do both magnificent and terrible things. Those imitated are normally the established standards that are desired to be equaled or surpassed.
It would appear that the Filipinos are expressing their admiration for the Americans as they imitate them. This is true to a certain extent but the main underlying reason has nothing to do with their admiration for the Americans. It is all about economic and social dominance over other Filipinos. Starting with wearing American brands of clothes, they try show to fellow Filipinos that are better off financially because they can afford the much more expensive American products. And since the American products have limited availability, their social status is also elevated by having access to such exclusive things. They want to show their privileged status as portrayed by the many so-called celebrities. One such typical behavior is exhibited by one of the Philippines’ most popular ‘celebrities’, an extremely tacky and tactless award-winning actress/talk show host, as she openly and constantly boasts about all the things she can afford and buy in the US. She’s the extreme example for such vulgarity of trying to act like an American. But sadly enough, her crude behavior is admired and imitated by most Filipinos. Pure madness.
Because the government of the Philippines is essentially patterned from the US, it would appear that its public and economic systems would have some resemblance to that of the US. This is the farthest from reality. The Filipinos turn everything the Americans gave them on its head. As a result, the Philippines never progressed and has been in the state of a Third World country since. There is no hope in sight. Its leaders are corrupt to the core and only interested in being part of the bureaucracy to rob the national treasury. Because they are incompetent and do not have the capacity to appreciate the workings of a civilized society, they continue to imitate American institutions and public programs but only for their names and not for the purposes they are intended to serve.
It seems that when the United States gave their form of democracy to the Philippines, the first thing the Filipinos did was check the inside tag, the label, the brand. They soon found out that it was orig, ‘Made in America”. And that moment cemented the fate of the Philippines to where it is now today. They imitated it immediately, but unfortunately just the name.
This shameless behavior of imitating Americans or anything American is prevalent in the Filipino culture. Lahat ginagaya. It is not difficult to notice it. It is so obvious. It is all over the mass media, from prints, to radio, to movies and television. It seems like that every American TV show, especially reality shows, has a counter show complete with counterpart cast members. Everything is imitated from the look down to the mannerism. It is beyond absurdity. It is vomit-inducing. And the participating ‘celebrity’ judges are definitely something else. The judges themselves, the so-called stars, are no different than most of the contestants they are judging. Most of them have no talent at all, definitely lacking any form of ability that can be considered entertaining. They have qualified as ‘stars’ in the Philippines mainly because they are: first, light or fair-skinned; two, has Caucasian or Roman-like nose; and third can lip-synch the first couple of lines from a song. Maputi, matangus ang ilong, at ma-alam magkunyaring kumanta. Many of the so-called celebrities are basically untalented, wannabe white people. Incidentally, Koreans and Chinese that are descendants from the Han Dynasty that are now living in the Philippines, as well as Filipinos born from mixed parents (usually a Filipina mother and a white father) are given celebrity status and finding success in entertainment – talented or not - just because of those physical features. Those traits are also the main reasons why there are so many products in the Philippines developed strictly for whitening the skin. And for the many unlucky ones not born with those desirable traits, whitening products and a couple of trips to a particular doktora’s clinic (shamelessly advertised and thanked in many shows) can alter their natural features to make them an instant celebrity. It’s quite a compliment to the Americans to have their inherent physical features desired and copied by Filipinos as they make permanent alterations on their own natural features.
Besides the physical alterations, they also like to clothe themselves like Americans beyond practicality, preferring and wearing American brands of clothing. The Philippines is just several degrees north of the Equator so its climate is tropical throughout the whole country. The annual average temperature is fairly warm, around 82-84 F and decreasing slightly during the rainy, monsoon season, the only other season – wet or dry. It is hot and humid most of the time. It’s quite a sight to see many of those so-called Filipino celebrities donning cold weather clothes that are more suitable for winter in New York, and not break out a single drop of sweat. Now that’s talent!
It is not unusual for institutions of the Philippine government to be similar to that of the United States. The US established the foundation of the Philippine government, and the Philippines was under the American tutelage for several years before and during the commonwealth period. But despite of the similarities between the two governments, they are in the names and structures only, not its workings and principles.
From departments of government to branches of military and to committees in the Senate, the Philippines has copied the United States. They have the NBI; their version of FBI. Department of Interior, the NSA, and the Ethics Committee are a few more examples. Even the branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; they also have the Army, Air Force, Navy, and the Marines. To have this kind of military make up implies that the country is capable of some kind of offensive operation, battle-ready. But then again, the Philippines is only about names and structures. The world witnessed the offensive capability of the Philippine army as one platoon, a mere platoon that President Arroyo committed to the Coalition Forces against the war on terror, boarded a bus so they can go back to the Philippines even before participating in any mission. Talk about losing face to the international community. Arroyo succumbed to the demands of the terrorists when they kidnapped a Filipino citizen and threatened to behead him; the kidnapped-then freed-and returned to the Philippines Filipino went back to work in Iraq soon after he was released. Looks like Iraq is still a better place than the Philippines.
Its Air Force, though the name implies air power, has neither air nor force. Whatever planes (decommissioned US planes that were used in Vietnam) they have are not flight-ready, let alone combat-capable, because they are poorly maintained and usually do not have the parts and fuel. The Navy is even more pathetic. It consists of a small group of shore patrol boats that are essentially floating rust buckets. They are decrepit and stained with all shades of brown to burnt orange, deteriorating from rust. Its sad state is even worsened by its own sailors, its crew, taking away any remaining sign of dignity of a naval unit. The decks of those corroding boats are normally used for drying out washed clothes. At any time, it is not unusual to see shabby uniforms along with undergarments hanging on clothes lines flying on its decks rather than its flag and maritime colors. Considering the appalling condition of the boats, conducting the traditional mission of amphibious landing with the Marines appears to be an extremely daunting task. But at the very least, the Navy and Marines will have uniformity in colors. The colors of rust on the boats will match that of the equally poorly maintained rifles and machine guns. It’s no surprise that Abu Sayyaf can escape to an open sea from Palawan to Jolo. And good luck reclaiming the Spratly Islands.
Even traditions in the United States with long-standing history have been taken, and oddly enough injected in the proceedings of the Philippine government. One example is the State of the Union address, a formal speech given once or twice a year by the current American president to discuss his agendas, the overall state of the country, and the direction where he wants to lead the country. The Filipinos have taken this American government tradition and dubbed their version as SONA, State of the Nation address. How original! Gaya-gaya na naman. But it does not have to be called that. For the acronym-loving Filipinos, there is a more appropriate name and an actual Tagalog translation. It can be called Pahayag ng Kalagayan ng Bansa or PaKaBa for short. The headline would probably read, “Kinakabahan ang Buong Bansa sa Gaganapin na PaKaBa” o “Magpa-PakaBa ang Pangulo Mamayang Gabi”. Such name for the speech is more accurate and descriptive since nothing changes in the Philippines anyway no matter what comes out of the president’s or the rest of the politicians’ mouth. It should continue the concerns and worries of its citizen. Nakakakaba talaga.
Normally someone or something is imitated because it is admired or respected. It provides some kind of influence or motivation, hopefully positive, to cause improvement of someone or something. Throughout the history, styles of earlier works ranging from arts to literary and musical compositions and artistic performances have been imitated. Acts of men as well as ideas have also been followed, causing and inspiring other people to do both magnificent and terrible things. Those imitated are normally the established standards that are desired to be equaled or surpassed.
It would appear that the Filipinos are expressing their admiration for the Americans as they imitate them. This is true to a certain extent but the main underlying reason has nothing to do with their admiration for the Americans. It is all about economic and social dominance over other Filipinos. Starting with wearing American brands of clothes, they try show to fellow Filipinos that are better off financially because they can afford the much more expensive American products. And since the American products have limited availability, their social status is also elevated by having access to such exclusive things. They want to show their privileged status as portrayed by the many so-called celebrities. One such typical behavior is exhibited by one of the Philippines’ most popular ‘celebrities’, an extremely tacky and tactless award-winning actress/talk show host, as she openly and constantly boasts about all the things she can afford and buy in the US. She’s the extreme example for such vulgarity of trying to act like an American. But sadly enough, her crude behavior is admired and imitated by most Filipinos. Pure madness.
Because the government of the Philippines is essentially patterned from the US, it would appear that its public and economic systems would have some resemblance to that of the US. This is the farthest from reality. The Filipinos turn everything the Americans gave them on its head. As a result, the Philippines never progressed and has been in the state of a Third World country since. There is no hope in sight. Its leaders are corrupt to the core and only interested in being part of the bureaucracy to rob the national treasury. Because they are incompetent and do not have the capacity to appreciate the workings of a civilized society, they continue to imitate American institutions and public programs but only for their names and not for the purposes they are intended to serve.
It seems that when the United States gave their form of democracy to the Philippines, the first thing the Filipinos did was check the inside tag, the label, the brand. They soon found out that it was orig, ‘Made in America”. And that moment cemented the fate of the Philippines to where it is now today. They imitated it immediately, but unfortunately just the name.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Relevant Issues
Most of the candidates in the upcoming election in the Philippines have not presented any kind of platform or offered plans for the country to improve its current appaling state. At the same time, the Philippine media are either too afraid to ask or incapable of scrutinizing those candidates about their lack of agenda for the country. Even the masses, ang masa, have remained silent. Maybe they got used to and have accepted their hopeless condition. Nasanay at nawalan na sila nang pag-asa. But as long as there are sparks to fight for the Philippines, not everything is lost. And before the long battle for reformation begins, the problems and those responsible for them must be brought to the world's attention. The initial fight for reform is to prevent electing incompetent leaders that are corruptible and would perpetuate corruption. The sheer ignorance and incompetency of the people running the country must be exposed to the world. And the best way to expose them is to question them about how to solve the country's problems, and then holding them accountable for their proposed plans. Based on the current conditions in the Philippines, here are a few questions that should be asked and requiring answers from all the candidates:
1. Infrastructure- What are the plans to improve the poor condition of the roads and highways? Storm drainage and sewage system to prevent flooding? Sanitary and safe drinking water?
2. Agriculture – What are the plans for land reforms? Government land redistribution to relocate squatters from Manila and other major cities? Benefits and fair compensation for hacienda workers? Laws - i.e. no elected official can buy or acquire land while serving in office - to prevent land grabbing by government officials?
3. Taxation – Open record of the country’s projected and actual collected taxes. Open record of the country’s total revenue. Open record of the taxes paid by large corporations, companies, haciendas, and especially all wealthy individuals and elected government officials?
4. Economy, and trade and commerce – Plans to create new businesses and jobs? Plans to develop the manufacturing industry, and modernize agriculture including cattle and animal husbandry, and fishing industry? Initiatives to attract foreign investors? Child labor protection law? Job discrimination law? Minimum or standard wage?
5. Emergency planning – Evacuation plans and medical assistance for victims of yearly occurring natural disasters such as earthquake, volcanic eruption, and flooding from typhoons?
6. Epidemics – Plans to eradicate and combat malaria, dengue, tuberculosis, and potentially avian/bird flu?
7. Overpopulation – Plans to combat overpopulation resulting in high infant mortality from early childhood diseases and malnutrition, and high number mentally deficient children that had suffered from malnutrition during their early development? Birth control? Limiting the number of children couples can have especially for those that cannot provide the basic means for a healthy living standard?
8. Abuse of natural resources and pollution – Plans to stop illegal logging and mining of precious metals, minerals, oil, and white beach sand and rare marine life? Plans to stop illegal fishing? Plans to curb the pollution from jeepney emissions especially in major cities? Plans to clean and revive natural bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and beaches that have become dumps for toxic chemicals and garbage?
9. Unification and national identity– Plans to unify the country and prevent regionalism by having a common national language such as English?
10. Restructuring of the military – The Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and the Philippine Constabulary were all patterned after the United States. They can never be equipped, let alone, function like the US military. Plans to consolidate the different branches and modify their roles and functions to better serve the country?
1. Infrastructure- What are the plans to improve the poor condition of the roads and highways? Storm drainage and sewage system to prevent flooding? Sanitary and safe drinking water?
2. Agriculture – What are the plans for land reforms? Government land redistribution to relocate squatters from Manila and other major cities? Benefits and fair compensation for hacienda workers? Laws - i.e. no elected official can buy or acquire land while serving in office - to prevent land grabbing by government officials?
3. Taxation – Open record of the country’s projected and actual collected taxes. Open record of the country’s total revenue. Open record of the taxes paid by large corporations, companies, haciendas, and especially all wealthy individuals and elected government officials?
4. Economy, and trade and commerce – Plans to create new businesses and jobs? Plans to develop the manufacturing industry, and modernize agriculture including cattle and animal husbandry, and fishing industry? Initiatives to attract foreign investors? Child labor protection law? Job discrimination law? Minimum or standard wage?
5. Emergency planning – Evacuation plans and medical assistance for victims of yearly occurring natural disasters such as earthquake, volcanic eruption, and flooding from typhoons?
6. Epidemics – Plans to eradicate and combat malaria, dengue, tuberculosis, and potentially avian/bird flu?
7. Overpopulation – Plans to combat overpopulation resulting in high infant mortality from early childhood diseases and malnutrition, and high number mentally deficient children that had suffered from malnutrition during their early development? Birth control? Limiting the number of children couples can have especially for those that cannot provide the basic means for a healthy living standard?
8. Abuse of natural resources and pollution – Plans to stop illegal logging and mining of precious metals, minerals, oil, and white beach sand and rare marine life? Plans to stop illegal fishing? Plans to curb the pollution from jeepney emissions especially in major cities? Plans to clean and revive natural bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and beaches that have become dumps for toxic chemicals and garbage?
9. Unification and national identity– Plans to unify the country and prevent regionalism by having a common national language such as English?
10. Restructuring of the military – The Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and the Philippine Constabulary were all patterned after the United States. They can never be equipped, let alone, function like the US military. Plans to consolidate the different branches and modify their roles and functions to better serve the country?
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Qualifications, are they required?
Would you let an actor playing a role of a surgeon operate on you? No, right? Papayagan mo ba ang isang aktor na gumanap lang na doktor na mag-opera sa iyo? Hindi, di ba? What about an athlete, let’s say a boxer? Of course! Oo, mahusay at magaling siya. Tama! Mahusay at magaling siya pero sa loob ng boksing ring. Hindi sa pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno at gumawa ng mga patakaran. For a country that has no credibility in the international community, the possibility of its own local actors and athletes becoming the country’s leaders and representatives will not help that cause. The Philippines might even lose whatever little face it has left. It appears that the Filipinos did not learn anything when they elected Joseph Erap Estrada. No country and its leader acknowledge him. And they had every right not to give him that recognition. No self-respecting head of state will dare associate himself with an idiot, president of a country or not. It would have been an instant loss of credibility just by association.
Entertainment mixing with politics is a very troubling trend for the Philippines. But then again, politics is very entertaining in the Philippines. Just listen to the way the president and all the politicians talk during interviews and in political discussions, they are extremely laughable. It is automatic that the content or the subject matter that they are talking about is gibberish. Or sometimes they make profound statements like calling the pot black or the water wet. It is mind-numbing. Then of course the language(s) of choice and its usage add another level of hilarity. Many try to speak in English. They would start fairly strong sounding very educated. Bumabanat. At sige banat! But then all of a sudden, they would start mixing Tagalog words with English and eventually just end up talking in Tagalog. Nauubusan ng Ingles. It’s a classic. It’s an unadulterated slapstick by members of the highest level of the government. Incidentally, this utter mediocrity of the leaders in the Philippines is what sets the tone of the reputation of the Philippines and all Filipinos, and how it is perceived by the rest of the world. As a result, all Filipinos are lumped together as ignorant and uncivilized. Just like the world-wide perception that all Filipino men are either seamen or general laborers, and all Filipina women are domestic helpers, care-givers, or the ever popular ‘entertainers’.
It would not have mattered whether a politician spoke in English, in Tagalog, or in the mongrelized hybrid, Taglish. Most of the population do not understand English or speak other dialects other than Tagalog. But even if most of the people understand both languages, a proclamation of president, a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, or the latest law passed by the legislation has no relevance or no effect to the majority of the population. For example, ‘the president repealed the sales tax’ – as a result, the buying power of 9 pesos just increased to 10 pesos but most people are living on 50 pesos or less a day. ‘The Department of Education is distributing an additional 1 million textbooks to all the schools’ – instead of 10 students sharing a textbook, only 5 will share now. ‘The Congress just approved 10M pesos to subsidize the cost of farm fertilizers in Manila’ – most of the working farms are in the provinces, not in Manila. ‘The Department of Health will distribute malaria medication to all infested areas’ - the people there will be saved from malaria but they will all die from dengue. ‘The Supreme Court upheld a recent ruling of a lower court preventing Senator Onggoy to get married in Manila Zoo’ – who the hell cares. It does not really matter.
A couple of more actors are going to become politistas (actor, artista-turned politician). The actors are throwing themselves in the mix as potential senatorial candidates in the upcoming election, and a political party has already reserved seats for them in their ticket. Goodness! This is a total abomination of the legislative system and a searing insult to all true civil servants all over the world. The Philippines is already a laughing stock of the world when it comes to its government and institutions; its corrupt and incompetent government officials. This politista phenomenon just adds to the world-wide common perception that most Filipinos are ignorant. At the basic level, they lack the capacity and understanding of becoming a civilized society. The continuing practice of choosing incompetent candidates to head their country proves that they are incapable of ruling themselves.
What made them think that as actors, they can be good public administrators, law-makers, and leaders? What made them think that they are qualified? Are they qualified?
Do they even have the qualifications other than the age and citizenship requirements? Does it really matter if they are qualified or not? It appears that job related qualifications are not required and definitely not an issue. No one in the media is scrutinizing them about it. No one is asking from the several groups championing reforms. No one is asking at all.
Those actors will most likely be elected simply for being famous regardless of their qualifications. Like all the other politistas, they will prove themselves to be just as incompetent. And like all the incompetent law-makers now, they will create and pass new laws that will either be ineffective or useless. As a result, the Philippines will remain in its dismal state.
By electing those unqualified and incompetent candidates, the Filipino people will prove themselves to be ignorant. Yes, they are so ignorant that they will get an operation from an actor that had played the role of a doctor. Get ready to be butchered.
Entertainment mixing with politics is a very troubling trend for the Philippines. But then again, politics is very entertaining in the Philippines. Just listen to the way the president and all the politicians talk during interviews and in political discussions, they are extremely laughable. It is automatic that the content or the subject matter that they are talking about is gibberish. Or sometimes they make profound statements like calling the pot black or the water wet. It is mind-numbing. Then of course the language(s) of choice and its usage add another level of hilarity. Many try to speak in English. They would start fairly strong sounding very educated. Bumabanat. At sige banat! But then all of a sudden, they would start mixing Tagalog words with English and eventually just end up talking in Tagalog. Nauubusan ng Ingles. It’s a classic. It’s an unadulterated slapstick by members of the highest level of the government. Incidentally, this utter mediocrity of the leaders in the Philippines is what sets the tone of the reputation of the Philippines and all Filipinos, and how it is perceived by the rest of the world. As a result, all Filipinos are lumped together as ignorant and uncivilized. Just like the world-wide perception that all Filipino men are either seamen or general laborers, and all Filipina women are domestic helpers, care-givers, or the ever popular ‘entertainers’.
It would not have mattered whether a politician spoke in English, in Tagalog, or in the mongrelized hybrid, Taglish. Most of the population do not understand English or speak other dialects other than Tagalog. But even if most of the people understand both languages, a proclamation of president, a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, or the latest law passed by the legislation has no relevance or no effect to the majority of the population. For example, ‘the president repealed the sales tax’ – as a result, the buying power of 9 pesos just increased to 10 pesos but most people are living on 50 pesos or less a day. ‘The Department of Education is distributing an additional 1 million textbooks to all the schools’ – instead of 10 students sharing a textbook, only 5 will share now. ‘The Congress just approved 10M pesos to subsidize the cost of farm fertilizers in Manila’ – most of the working farms are in the provinces, not in Manila. ‘The Department of Health will distribute malaria medication to all infested areas’ - the people there will be saved from malaria but they will all die from dengue. ‘The Supreme Court upheld a recent ruling of a lower court preventing Senator Onggoy to get married in Manila Zoo’ – who the hell cares. It does not really matter.
A couple of more actors are going to become politistas (actor, artista-turned politician). The actors are throwing themselves in the mix as potential senatorial candidates in the upcoming election, and a political party has already reserved seats for them in their ticket. Goodness! This is a total abomination of the legislative system and a searing insult to all true civil servants all over the world. The Philippines is already a laughing stock of the world when it comes to its government and institutions; its corrupt and incompetent government officials. This politista phenomenon just adds to the world-wide common perception that most Filipinos are ignorant. At the basic level, they lack the capacity and understanding of becoming a civilized society. The continuing practice of choosing incompetent candidates to head their country proves that they are incapable of ruling themselves.
What made them think that as actors, they can be good public administrators, law-makers, and leaders? What made them think that they are qualified? Are they qualified?
Do they even have the qualifications other than the age and citizenship requirements? Does it really matter if they are qualified or not? It appears that job related qualifications are not required and definitely not an issue. No one in the media is scrutinizing them about it. No one is asking from the several groups championing reforms. No one is asking at all.
Those actors will most likely be elected simply for being famous regardless of their qualifications. Like all the other politistas, they will prove themselves to be just as incompetent. And like all the incompetent law-makers now, they will create and pass new laws that will either be ineffective or useless. As a result, the Philippines will remain in its dismal state.
By electing those unqualified and incompetent candidates, the Filipino people will prove themselves to be ignorant. Yes, they are so ignorant that they will get an operation from an actor that had played the role of a doctor. Get ready to be butchered.
The Days of Sabong - Cockfigthing are Numbered
A big change is looming for the Philippines but not from the expected total economic collapse or from all the infightings from the different political factions. The big threat is naturally occurring, and it will not discriminate nor spare anyone once it arrives. It is the H5N1 virus, the deadly strain of avian flu virus that has already infected and had prompted the slaughter of millions of birds, mainly from the poultry industry, all over the world. The Philippines is on the path of several migratory patterns for birds traveling back and forth from Australia and Asia and even for a few species crossing the Pacific Ocean. So far, the Philippines has been spared from the recent outbreak that occurred in the mainland China a few years ago. But it only takes one infected bird to cause an outbreak, and the current conditions in the Philippines and its culture are a perfect combination for such occurrence.
An avian flu outbreak in the Philippines would be catastrophic with far-reaching effects. The scenario for the initial infection is set. And the Philippines’ lack of contingency plan to deal with - contain - an outbreak will prove to be disastrous.
Doves and pigeons are kept as pets in the Philippines. They are housed in home-made birdhouses and cages kept in back and side alleys and on rooftops all over many densely populated areas. The scenario of one or even multiple infected wild birds (from a migrating flock) infecting many doves and pigeons all over the city is a strong possibility. The initial infection alone has a wide range. And just like the doves and pigeons, the chickens are also kept in cages within the same proximity of each other in those same back and side alleys. It would not take very long for the infected doves and pigeons to infect those chickens including roosters that are bred for cockfighting, sabong. This is where a bad-turn-to-worse situation will quickly turn to worst as it starts involving humans.
Filipino men love cockfighting. It is the national pastime that can occur at any place and any time. With just two roosters in hand, a cockfight with betting can take place in someone’s yard. It is that easy and that common. Making a couple of common domestic fowls fight to the death is an integral part of the Filipino male culture. Filipino men love their roosters. So if an avian flu virus outbreak occurs, many Filipino men will try to save his treasured cockfighters by any means possible. The most effective way to contain and stop the outbreak is to slaughter all suspected birds including chickens, hens and roosters. This particular method of stopping the spread of the avian flu virus is not an option when it comes to the prized cockfighters. They will hide and protect them in their well guarded haciendas. As a result, those prized cockfighters will be the new source of the virus and will continue its propagation. And the longer a virus stays in a host, the longer it will remain infectious and possibly increased the possibility that it will mutate. The virus will not be contained and most likely spread to many other bird species throughout the Philippines.
If a non-human infecting virus will mutate and adapt itself to a human infectious form, it is the H5N1, and it will occur in the Philippines. The densely populated, squalid slums all over the Philippines are the perfect place for a non-human virus to inject its DNA - its gene to the human genome and create a human strain. As the virus spreads through the bird populations, including chicken, it will make those birds sick before the virus kills them. Those dying chickens will be available to those people living in those slums. And because they are poor, hungry, and desperate, they will take a chance and eat those avian flu-infected chickens. Sayang din naman - wasted chance or opportunity. It would be such a waste not to eat (or throw away) a ‘perfectly’ good chicken especially for someone who is starving and has been living off from food scraps and garbage that he digs up from the dump. And as he eats the diseased chicken, the avian flu genome is introduced in the human genome. Nature then will take its course and insert the viral gene in the human genome. The infected human will then make infectious viral particles. And just like any other subtype of the influenza virus, its mode of infection is through air, the air that the infected person breathes out. It will be airborne. Unlike the HIV-AIDS, a human adapted avian flu will be more infectious and just as potent because it will not require direct contact or exchange of bodily fluids. Infection will occur just for breathing the same air that the infected person breathes out. And since the slums are heavily populated and the people living there are not in the best health condition, the infection will spread rapidly just like the way it spread in the bird population. The overpopulated slums teeming in cesspools of unimaginable waste and human excrement have now become the major source of infection for the rest of the population. The viral infection will soon reach pandemic proportions since there is no effective treatment or vaccine for the flu, human or bird type.
Just in Metro Manila alone, there are several slums that stretch from Caloocan all the way to Muntilupa. As the viral infection progress from the slums, it will spread throughout the whole city. It will not discriminate. It would not matter whether the person lives in Wack Wack or Balic Balic. It will move though the population infecting anybody and everybody – artistas, politicians, rich, poor. Social or political status will not matter. It will not spare anyone. In a way, people living in the forgotten and neglected slums will get their revenge on the people that enslaved them there.
It is certain that the very wealthy and the very corrupt politicians will try to escape the epidemic because they have the means. They will try to escape to Australia, Canada, and the United States but they will be denied entry. The Philippines is a group of islands that can be easily isolated. And that is what the rest of the world will do. Flights will not even be allowed to leave the country once there is an outbreak just like when SARS started in mainland China. The Filipinos will be left to deal on their own. And since they have not made any preparations as evident of their lack of plans today for dealing with malaria, dengue, and the flooding from the annual typhoons, hundreds of thousands, if not millions will die. Heavily populated areas such as the major cities will sustain most of the casualties. It would appear that such devastation will be bad for the Philippines. But such drastic change is what might save the Philippines if such epidemic will claim all the corrupt politicians.
There is still hope for the Philippines. Pray for that sick little bird to fall from the sky.
An avian flu outbreak in the Philippines would be catastrophic with far-reaching effects. The scenario for the initial infection is set. And the Philippines’ lack of contingency plan to deal with - contain - an outbreak will prove to be disastrous.
Doves and pigeons are kept as pets in the Philippines. They are housed in home-made birdhouses and cages kept in back and side alleys and on rooftops all over many densely populated areas. The scenario of one or even multiple infected wild birds (from a migrating flock) infecting many doves and pigeons all over the city is a strong possibility. The initial infection alone has a wide range. And just like the doves and pigeons, the chickens are also kept in cages within the same proximity of each other in those same back and side alleys. It would not take very long for the infected doves and pigeons to infect those chickens including roosters that are bred for cockfighting, sabong. This is where a bad-turn-to-worse situation will quickly turn to worst as it starts involving humans.
Filipino men love cockfighting. It is the national pastime that can occur at any place and any time. With just two roosters in hand, a cockfight with betting can take place in someone’s yard. It is that easy and that common. Making a couple of common domestic fowls fight to the death is an integral part of the Filipino male culture. Filipino men love their roosters. So if an avian flu virus outbreak occurs, many Filipino men will try to save his treasured cockfighters by any means possible. The most effective way to contain and stop the outbreak is to slaughter all suspected birds including chickens, hens and roosters. This particular method of stopping the spread of the avian flu virus is not an option when it comes to the prized cockfighters. They will hide and protect them in their well guarded haciendas. As a result, those prized cockfighters will be the new source of the virus and will continue its propagation. And the longer a virus stays in a host, the longer it will remain infectious and possibly increased the possibility that it will mutate. The virus will not be contained and most likely spread to many other bird species throughout the Philippines.
If a non-human infecting virus will mutate and adapt itself to a human infectious form, it is the H5N1, and it will occur in the Philippines. The densely populated, squalid slums all over the Philippines are the perfect place for a non-human virus to inject its DNA - its gene to the human genome and create a human strain. As the virus spreads through the bird populations, including chicken, it will make those birds sick before the virus kills them. Those dying chickens will be available to those people living in those slums. And because they are poor, hungry, and desperate, they will take a chance and eat those avian flu-infected chickens. Sayang din naman - wasted chance or opportunity. It would be such a waste not to eat (or throw away) a ‘perfectly’ good chicken especially for someone who is starving and has been living off from food scraps and garbage that he digs up from the dump. And as he eats the diseased chicken, the avian flu genome is introduced in the human genome. Nature then will take its course and insert the viral gene in the human genome. The infected human will then make infectious viral particles. And just like any other subtype of the influenza virus, its mode of infection is through air, the air that the infected person breathes out. It will be airborne. Unlike the HIV-AIDS, a human adapted avian flu will be more infectious and just as potent because it will not require direct contact or exchange of bodily fluids. Infection will occur just for breathing the same air that the infected person breathes out. And since the slums are heavily populated and the people living there are not in the best health condition, the infection will spread rapidly just like the way it spread in the bird population. The overpopulated slums teeming in cesspools of unimaginable waste and human excrement have now become the major source of infection for the rest of the population. The viral infection will soon reach pandemic proportions since there is no effective treatment or vaccine for the flu, human or bird type.
Just in Metro Manila alone, there are several slums that stretch from Caloocan all the way to Muntilupa. As the viral infection progress from the slums, it will spread throughout the whole city. It will not discriminate. It would not matter whether the person lives in Wack Wack or Balic Balic. It will move though the population infecting anybody and everybody – artistas, politicians, rich, poor. Social or political status will not matter. It will not spare anyone. In a way, people living in the forgotten and neglected slums will get their revenge on the people that enslaved them there.
It is certain that the very wealthy and the very corrupt politicians will try to escape the epidemic because they have the means. They will try to escape to Australia, Canada, and the United States but they will be denied entry. The Philippines is a group of islands that can be easily isolated. And that is what the rest of the world will do. Flights will not even be allowed to leave the country once there is an outbreak just like when SARS started in mainland China. The Filipinos will be left to deal on their own. And since they have not made any preparations as evident of their lack of plans today for dealing with malaria, dengue, and the flooding from the annual typhoons, hundreds of thousands, if not millions will die. Heavily populated areas such as the major cities will sustain most of the casualties. It would appear that such devastation will be bad for the Philippines. But such drastic change is what might save the Philippines if such epidemic will claim all the corrupt politicians.
There is still hope for the Philippines. Pray for that sick little bird to fall from the sky.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Another Reason Why the Philippines Is Not Progressing, No 2
The international community has now expressed concerns in the so called ‘extrajudicial killings by the so called ‘death squads’ in the Philippines. Because the foreigners - local concerns would not have mattered - are now involved, Arroyo will most likely take actions. Investigations will soon follow. But just like anything else in the Philippines, the investigations will not result in anything. It will not be surprising for the investigations to come to an inconclusive conclusion. They will make a mockery of the court.
This is the Philippines so it’s not difficult to figure out what’s going on. It’s quite lucent to see through all the layers of events since the victims are all political activists and their sympathizers. There is no need for an investigation at all. It will be a waste of time and money but the politicians will waste them anyway. It will be a circus of political grandstanding as they try to come across as ‘intellectuals’ making points and arguments in broken English. It’s quite a vomit-inducing, mind-numbing spectacle!
Most Filipino politicians butcher the English language. They will try to speak in English when they do not have the command of the language at all. They misspeak or outright misuse words resulting in gibberish comments that the media will print. As a result, the media will then be accused of misquoting or misrepresenting a particular statement of a politician resulting in another media circus of just trying to explain a misquoted statement that should not have been said and printed in the first place. Truly idiotic!
The victims are political activists so who’s best interest is it for them to be eliminated? The only and obvious answer would be the corrupt politicians. They certainly have the motive and the means. They have the most to gain or not lose by getting rid of the persons making noise about them. The politicians were most likely about to be exposed for their crooked dealings therefore they needed to eliminate the threats. And since this is the Philippines, it would be very easy to order somebody to do the dirty deeds by calling out any person for his unpaid debt of gratitude, utang na loob. From the president to the ranks of the top government officials to the armed forces all the way down to the poorest farmer in the province, there are many unpaid personal debts that can be called upon anytime. Any high ranking government official, let’s say a senator, is probably owed many personal favors – debts of gratitude – within the ranks of the military. The unpaid dues are in return for favors ranging from promotions, money, or just being honored as the sponsor or ninong for a son’s or daughter’s wedding. It would not be unusual for someone in power or just in an advantageous position to have this kind of relationship with a subordinate or one in a lesser position. It’s a mutual donor-benefactor relationship. And once the favor is returned, it not only strengthens the bond but it also endlessly perpetuates the exchange of favors. Both persons involved help preserve each other in his respective position as each one continue to gain personally – incidentally, nothing for the Philippines or its people. The partnership is casual and simple but binding and very intimate, forging unwavering loyalty to each other – not to the country. It is also very efficient and quite effective for getting things accomplished. But unfortunately for the Philippines, only the participants benefit.
An arrangement to eliminate those political activists would go something like this:
Senator: General, kumusta na ang mga inaanak ko sa kasal? Kailan ka ba nila bibigyan ng apo? (General, how are the newly weds that I sponsored? When are they going to give you a grandchild?)
General: O Senator, may plano pa lang. Pero siguradong isa sa ma-uuna na makaka-alam ang kanilang ma-alalahanin at mabigayin na ninong. (Senator, I think they are just planning. But I’m very sure that their thoughtful and extremely generous god-father will be one of the first to know.)
Senator: Mabanggit ko nga, may mga ma-i-ngay yata sa lugar mo o malapit sa kampo mo? (By the way, I think some people are making a lot of noise in your area or somewhere near you.)
General: Pabayaan mo Senator, ako mismo ang mag-aasikaso no-on. Ma-areglado ka-agad. (Let them be Senator. I will personally handle it. It will be taking care of in no time.)
Easily, the order to eliminate political activists is issued and accepted in a very casual conversation. Corruption continues. The suffering the Philippines continues too.
This is the Philippines so it’s not difficult to figure out what’s going on. It’s quite lucent to see through all the layers of events since the victims are all political activists and their sympathizers. There is no need for an investigation at all. It will be a waste of time and money but the politicians will waste them anyway. It will be a circus of political grandstanding as they try to come across as ‘intellectuals’ making points and arguments in broken English. It’s quite a vomit-inducing, mind-numbing spectacle!
Most Filipino politicians butcher the English language. They will try to speak in English when they do not have the command of the language at all. They misspeak or outright misuse words resulting in gibberish comments that the media will print. As a result, the media will then be accused of misquoting or misrepresenting a particular statement of a politician resulting in another media circus of just trying to explain a misquoted statement that should not have been said and printed in the first place. Truly idiotic!
The victims are political activists so who’s best interest is it for them to be eliminated? The only and obvious answer would be the corrupt politicians. They certainly have the motive and the means. They have the most to gain or not lose by getting rid of the persons making noise about them. The politicians were most likely about to be exposed for their crooked dealings therefore they needed to eliminate the threats. And since this is the Philippines, it would be very easy to order somebody to do the dirty deeds by calling out any person for his unpaid debt of gratitude, utang na loob. From the president to the ranks of the top government officials to the armed forces all the way down to the poorest farmer in the province, there are many unpaid personal debts that can be called upon anytime. Any high ranking government official, let’s say a senator, is probably owed many personal favors – debts of gratitude – within the ranks of the military. The unpaid dues are in return for favors ranging from promotions, money, or just being honored as the sponsor or ninong for a son’s or daughter’s wedding. It would not be unusual for someone in power or just in an advantageous position to have this kind of relationship with a subordinate or one in a lesser position. It’s a mutual donor-benefactor relationship. And once the favor is returned, it not only strengthens the bond but it also endlessly perpetuates the exchange of favors. Both persons involved help preserve each other in his respective position as each one continue to gain personally – incidentally, nothing for the Philippines or its people. The partnership is casual and simple but binding and very intimate, forging unwavering loyalty to each other – not to the country. It is also very efficient and quite effective for getting things accomplished. But unfortunately for the Philippines, only the participants benefit.
An arrangement to eliminate those political activists would go something like this:
Senator: General, kumusta na ang mga inaanak ko sa kasal? Kailan ka ba nila bibigyan ng apo? (General, how are the newly weds that I sponsored? When are they going to give you a grandchild?)
General: O Senator, may plano pa lang. Pero siguradong isa sa ma-uuna na makaka-alam ang kanilang ma-alalahanin at mabigayin na ninong. (Senator, I think they are just planning. But I’m very sure that their thoughtful and extremely generous god-father will be one of the first to know.)
Senator: Mabanggit ko nga, may mga ma-i-ngay yata sa lugar mo o malapit sa kampo mo? (By the way, I think some people are making a lot of noise in your area or somewhere near you.)
General: Pabayaan mo Senator, ako mismo ang mag-aasikaso no-on. Ma-areglado ka-agad. (Let them be Senator. I will personally handle it. It will be taking care of in no time.)
Easily, the order to eliminate political activists is issued and accepted in a very casual conversation. Corruption continues. The suffering the Philippines continues too.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
To all Filipino journalists
True, This! —
Beneath the rule of men entirely great,
The pen is mightier than the sword.
Act I, Scene II of Edward George Earl Bulwer-Lytton's Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy
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