I've just seen Philippine news on TV through the Pinoy Channel (thanks ABS-CBN!). I saw the actress Susan Roces, the wife of Fernando Poe Jr. crying. She said she cannot take the personal attacks on his husband (for not even finishing highschool and him being an actor just like Joseph Estrada). If I am to answer Mrs. Poe, this is what I would like to say.

I do not accuse FPJ for not finishing his basic studies. I am well aware that he had to work after the death of his father during his younger years. This may also be the condition of a million more Filipinos now who cannot afford education, and thus, are illiterate and unknowing of important affairs of this countyr. It is not his fault, nor the fault of those who share his fate, for not completing education, which is, unfortunately, luxury and not necessity for most of the Filipinos today. But his fault- that he takes a responsibility he admits he cannot handle effectively.

A reporter asked FPJ how he will handle current national problems like poverty, graft and corruption, and the presence of heinous crimes in the city. He said that he has no "plataporma" yet and he is yet to ask his advisers about this. Now, THAT is scary. Why would anyone declare he'd run for president without a political program at hand? And is he going to just listen to advisers if he wins? And who are these advisers? Does he even have the skill to choose which adviser is good or not? Don't tell me he has the purest of heart to perform his task.... for that is total nonsense. (Pardon the term. Note that this issue really makes me angry.)

I fear for the future of this country, for I know FPJ will win no matter what the minority of the Filipinos would do, unless a miracle happens. We will have a president who has none a skill in leading this country to a better status. We will have a president who cannot think, cannot act, cannot perform as president without the help of his advisers. Worse than that, I heard that even chinese businessmen would suggest that he should choose good cabinet members who can do his job instead. We need a president who can stand on his own, make his own decisions, author his own political program according to what is right. But, as I've learned in my philosophy classes way back in college, how could one do right (in any field or context) if he/she does not know what is right?

The end is near. I don't have to be a prophet to see what is in store for the Philippines now. Upon Fernando Poe Jr.'s official declaration that he WILL run for president of this poor republic, after the seamless insisting and lobbying by people who definitely had no time nor intellect to carefully study their deed, I don't see a bright future for this hapless country anymore.

I know what Mr. Poe is thinking. I know he is fully aware that he will win. "Bahala na, basta mananalo." That's what he is thinking. He does not care whether or not he knows anything about running a country (for he has no record of leading even a small town), as long as he satisfies his fans' wantings. He doesn't care what will happen to this country if he sits in Malacanang, as long as his fans are happy. For crying out loud, Mr. Poe, the ones clamouring for your candidacy are like babies who don't know what's good for them. They still need guidance. They still need to be educated. They still need to be thought and be made aware of the nature of politics and governance. Would you give babies everything they want if you are a responsible parent? Beginning today, Mr. Poe, you ceased to be a hero if you consider yourself as such. Think of the big picture, you betray us all, traitor!

You may be blind to whatever cause your decision would lead, Mr. FPJ, but some of us can see things clearly. I see darkness. I see laughable but painful and indignant repeating of the recent past. I see more people, having betrayed by whom they thought as their saviours, slipping into poverty and suffering. I see more people gnashing their teeth in dismay, more dreams unfulfilled. I see more cases of graft and corruption, of evil-doings in the government, of intentful disregard of the people's voice. I see clones of Erap's men returning to their posts, even people worse than Erap's men. I see a leader who does not know how to lead. I see what Jose Rizal's nightmare when he was in Dapitan in the eve of a revolution led by the unknowing masses- chaos, anarchy, senseless death.

Yes,... I see dead people. And all because you insist on running for President even though you know your not qualified to be one.

Obviously, ladies and gentlemen, the letter which I use on page one of this website is now useless. December's edition of HATEPHILIPPINES will focus on pleading for the people to really VOTE WISELY. Seriously. It's time for those who know, who REALLY know, who should lead this country FOR THE BETTER, MAKE YOURSELVES BE HEARD! If it will take one website to start waking up he people to that truth- that the only solution to the country's problem lies in the vote of the people embpowered with political awareness, so let HatePhilippines be that website!

I put up this website to wage war against what I hate about the Philippines, but I never lost faith that my country, my fellow Filipinos, will someday be awakened from this nightmare we're all having right now. I put up this website as a wake-up call. Starting next month, I'm raising the wake-up call's volume to maximum level.

I am a sane person. Though not proud, I am a Filipino. I WILL NOT VOTE FOR FPJ.

Some thoughts today...

1. Tapos na pala ang 6th Philippine Web Awards... and unfortunately, I wasn't even nominated. The website's name wasn't even mentioned, I heard. It's because my site's not good enough. Damn. I swear- next year, I'll get that trophy. I gotta start reading that Flash MX book I bought from Amazon. I gotta finish reading my Dreamweaver book. I gotta but that Macromedia Studio MX for Dummies book. And most of all, I gotta practice, practice, practice. Why am I even thinking of being nominated? Well, some guy from friendster thought my website is just cool enough to make it there. Elmo... you owe me a lot! That definitely got me excited... grr....

2. Thank God tokong's out already in the Filipino fashion scene! I thought it'd never gonna be noticed back home. Goodbye, sporty pants. I never really liked wearing em anyway.

3. I heard from relatives back home that although it's not yet campaign season, several campaign banners and materials are already out in the streets of Malolos City. There are big streamers bearing messages like "We love you, Eggie" or that of the son of the former Bulacan Governor Obet Pagdanganan (his name is Raymond- what a wuss) advertising his unknown TV show (yeaaah sure). My cousin- and avid fan of Hate Philippines (THanks, Vane!)- even sent me a picture of that "I love Egie" banner. HAHAHA! The woman concealing her desperate desires for public office is just like Mr. Arroyo- FAT! HA HA HA! For die-hard election candidates who just can't hide the itch- GOOD LUCK WINNING MY VOTE!

4. I don't feel well these past few days. I'm sick, actually. But I don't let the thought put me down. I'd rather hang on to whatever strength I have left, rather than just sit here and frown till... well,... death. To my friends, don't worry. It's not that serious. I'm ok, and enjoying my vacation here in the land of milk and honey with mom. It's just that there are now too many people- relatives, specifically, asking why I'm here, when I have a good job and life there at home. There, it's out in the open. The fear I have is that whenever whatever news come out in our country, there's a big possibility of it being blown out of proportion... thus, needing more explanations. But I won't tell anything until I get home this Christmas season. YES, I'm going home soon.

5. Guingona is quitting politics. Sayang. Anyway, he has this BANGON! movement now. I'm sure this is better than that of Jamby or Ping Lacson (Huwag Matakot, Stop Kurakot... ngyek ngyek ngyek...). I can see no hidden motive here since he had declared he's not running for office anymore. Here's another man who should hold office in the Philippines. (The others are Davide and Salonga.)

6. I heard two of the leading telenovela in the Philippines, by ABSCBN, had already quit TV. Yey! But then, the Tagalized "24" comes after. Wow. And I thought ABSCBN's taste for primetime got better. 24, in it's original dubbing, is obviously better. But then, there was Meteor Garden. Same old tricks. Hay naku.

7. BEERKWATRO is out in local bookstores! YIPEE!!!! Congratulations, Lyndon Gregorio- for I heard your book's selling a lot! Well, it's not that surprising because this hunk's previous books, BEERKADA and BEERKADOS, became bestsellers as well. Now, if I could just have a copy as soon as possible so I could provide an Katie-style review... Will it also land in Amazon.com's shelves? Abangan... meoow.

8. whoa... Brad Pitt to star as Hector in Troy? With Orlando "Legolas" Bloom (I forgot the character he's playing)? That's another movie worth the long wait. Another reason not to die for the next couple of months. teeheehee...

9. Yup. I did like Matrix Revolutions, but not that much. Mas pinawisan ako sa Reloaded. I like the premise of how it all have ended (having Neo and The Source go against the real threat, Agent Smith), but I think the ending was just too... well,... cheesy. At least, Niobe rocks. That's all. Next in line, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Shrek 2 and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabhan. I'm sooooooo excited about this last Lord of the Rings movie. I have read the two books, but I chose not to read that concluding part so that when the third movie comes, I'm all prepped up to see it. Whoooo... I even downloaded the two trailers. Whoooo... chills, chills, chills. Del, I remember your One Ring replica... goodness, I'll do anything to have that! Precioussssss..... come to Katie. teeeheeeheee...

10. This entry is getting too long, and still, no sign of Heath Ledger. *sigh*

Yesterday , I was driving to Los Angeles with my Mom, when the usual conversation diverted to Philippine politics. Here's a list of what we have agreed upon:

1. Congress is filled with selfish stupid businessmen who knows nothing of what a "regular" Filipino life is like...

2. Hilario Davide is only ONE of the members of the Supreme Court, not the Supreme Court himself, as some politicians would say.

3. Pres. GMA is doing her job well... her husband sucks as First Gentlepig... er, man.

4. Mikee Arroyo should stay out of politics, and showbusiness as well.

5. FPJ will not do good as president, but he will win, anyway.

6. If FPJ wins, Hawaii will be my sanctuary.

7. Philippine politics need to be "overhauled." Filipinos should be taught what true and honest-to-goodness leadership is, and they should be made aware of the GREAT difference between SHOWBIZ and POLITICS. Thus, education to the poor is the key to it all.

When we reached LA, Mom suddenly exclaimed, "Katie! Katie! Look! It's Arnold Schwarzy! The Terminator! There... do you see him?" We saw Schwarzenegger as we passed by cityhall, rushing out of his cedes to probably one of his meetings. Schwarzenegger. Really.

Isn't life ironic?

Here's my favorite song right now. Don't worry, oh Mr. L... this isn't for that guy, for whom I dedicated the Oct. 30 entry. This is for someone else.... *wink wink* :op

It's from the movie, Hercules, which I happened to see last week with my favorite pamangkin Zsarina. I don't know why this song got stuck in my mind eversince. Every morning when I wake up, this is the song I hear. I don't know... hmm...

And whenever I hear this, I always think of... him. (I won't say it...)

Are the Muses talking to me, too?

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I Won't Say I'm In Love
by Disney

(Meg)
If there's a prize for rotten judgement
I guess I've already won that
No man is worth the aggravation
That ancient history,
Been there done that

(Muses)
Who'd'ya think you're kiddin'
He's the Earth and heaven to you
Try to keep it hidden
Honey, we can see right through you
Girl, ya can't conceal it
We know how ya feel and
Who you're thinking of

(Meg)
No chance, no way
I won't say it, no, no

(Muses)
You swoon, you sigh
why deny it, uh-oh

(Meg)
It's too cliche
I won't say I'm in love

I thought my heart had learned its lesson
It feels so good when you start out
My head is screaming get a grip, girl
Unless you're dying to cry your heart out
Oh

(Muses)
You keep on denying
Who you are and how you're feeling
Baby, we're not buying
Hon, we saw ya hit the ceiling
Face it like a grown-up
When ya gonna own up
That ya got, got, got it bad

(Meg)
No chance, no way
I won't say it, no, no

(Muses)
Give up, but give in
Check the grin you're in love

(Meg)
This scene won't play,
I won't say I'm in love

(Muses)
You're doin flips read our lips
You're in love

(Meg)
(Shoo doo, shoo doo)
You're way off base
I won't say it
(She wont say it)
Get off my case
(Shut Up, shut up)
I won't say it

(Muses)
Girl, don't be proud
It's okay you're in love

(Meg)
Oh
At least out loud,
I won't say I'm in love

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I think among all Disney flicks, Hercules has the nicest soundtrack. Next to it is, of course, The Little Mermaid. I love Sebastian.