screw the status quo. we need change and we need it now. we need not a leader who plays with words and public funds. we need not a leader whose years of service fall under the 'fiction' category. we definitely need not a leader who knows nothing. we require a leader who has conviction, who has the guts to change the seemingly unchangeable. we need... to prepare for 2007. Now.

Friday, February 27, 2004

Ahmad again wrote me an email which includes very good insights about the FPJ candidacy...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"One does not need to master the rules of logic to
realize how much fallacies have become a part of the
human way of living". My logic Prof told me this when
I was studying with him. Im obviously no master of the
rules of logic, but here is the best I have got, so
here it goes.....

5.) Most of the Phillipines population is comprised by
the masses, the masses want FPJ for president,
therefore he is the best choice.

Fallacies Committed: Appeal to emotion, Attack to
person(circumstancial), Irrelevant conclusion.

First of all never equate correctness with numbers.
Remember that long ago most people believed that the
world was flat and when the few challenged this belief
their statements were considered as blasphemous(but of
course now we know that the world is not flat).
Moreover this argument is suggesting that just because
you belong to the masses you should vote for FPJ!
aside from the obvious call to the people's emotion to
vote for him out of his popularity among the masses.

4.) To say that FPJ is not qualified is prejudism, we
do not know yet what he is capable of doing, lets just
wait and see when he gets elected.

Fallacies Committed: Appeal to pity, Appeal to
ignorance.

Of course we need to pre-judge every candidate in
order for us to come up with an intellegent vote.
Election is not a trial and error process, wherein we
can just wait and see if his leadership will work or
not. If he screws up, then we might have just opened
the pandoras box. This argument tries to put FPJ in
the underdog image so that voters can empathize with
him (Ernesto Maceda Admitted this). It also assumes
that the possibility that FPJ has no qualificatioon is
false, just because nobody can proove that its true
(YET).

3.) FPJ is and Actor not a Politician, He is likely
not to practice traditional politics, aside form the
fact the he has no political bagage.

Fallacies Committed: Attack to Peson (circumstancial),
Irrelevant conclusion, Assuming without prooving.

No Political baggage? Just because he is an actor that
does not really mean he is not capable of practicing
traditional politics, Just look at the people who
influence his descisions (Sotto, Angara, Maceda, Erap
etc.), they are all veteran politicians practicing
traditional politics. Besides look at some of the
Showbiz personalities that we have (Armida Sigiuion
Reyna, Rudy Fernandez, Joey de Leon) they are more
politicians than politicians (in my opinion at least).

2.) Art imitates life, FPJ is being beaten to death by
critics right now, but just like in his movies he will
always be victorious

Fallacy Committed: False Analogy

In real life, no one can dismantle a 45 pistol being
held to his head by a trigger happy villain. No one
can kill fifty goons with limited ammo, by himself
alone without getting a bruise or a scratch. No one
can do a gun battle at such a close range without
getting shot. No one can fist fight with ten Men
(Note; these men were as big as oxen) and manage to
live and tell his leading lady about it. Asiong
Salonga thought of the same thing..... Need I explain
more?

And finally (Drumroll)............


1.) Education is not really that Important to the
presidency. Just look at the past leaders that we had,
they are all educated but failed to solve the economic
problems of this country. With FPJ we can all be
influenced by him to unite for the common good of this
country.

Fallacies Committed: Appeal to emotion, Irrelevant
conclusion, fallacy of accident, fallacy of false
cause.

This ladies and gentlemen, is not only the biggest
fallacy pro-FPJ forces have given us, it is also the
biggest lie! By the end of Ramos Administration, the
Philippines was predicted (by Asia week and Time
mgazines) to be the next economic tiger, During the
term of President Ramon Magsaysay the Philippines was
wealthier than South Korea was. Hell! this country was
even more progressive during the Marcos administration
(too bad he abused it and became a dictator). If my
memory is correct all of these were achieved by
presidents who were not only educated but well suited
for the job. In fact GMA managed to increased our GNP
by 6% this year, its a small progress but it was
something that was never achieved by a college
drop-out president. I remember Boots Cadsawan
mentioned that Ho Chi Minh was just a gardener, but
managed to make Vietnam more progressive than us. The
political system of Vietnam is different form ours
therefore they should not be compared, besides
majority of progressive countries are undoubtly ruled
by skilled leaders.

Moreover I do not believe that FPJ can influence the
Filipinos to be united. The Filipino is divided by the
idea of him running for president, the Filipino will
still remain divided with the Idea iof him being the
president. He could not even unite the opposition to
have a common presidential candidate, how the hell can
he unify the whole country?


Ahmad.

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Hey Ahmad, I'm impressed! Your professor in Philo... uhm... I forgot the course code... anyway,..... he must be very proud of you.


---end of entry----

Thursday, February 19, 2004



I've known the comedian Tado eversince he was in the University of the Philippines as an activist. I thought when I first saw him in Strangebrew and later in other ABSCBN comedy shows that he had gone astray from the path of activism. I'm glad he still has in him the authentic blood of the Iskolar ng Bayan, ever fighting for what is right and what ought to be in this country. And I'm even more glad to realize there are still people from showbizness who choose to use their fame in more meaningful deeds like this one...

Keep it up, Tado!

----end of entry----

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

ok... so, regarding that GMA ad asking us, viewers and voters, "Why does she do all these (her so-called accomplishments during her 2-year term as president)?" Her daughter, with that big Gloria smile that she definitely inherited from her mother, says, "...for all of us."

NO! My answer to that is... "Because it's her job." For all of us?! So does that mean she's running for another round in office FOR ALL OF US?! Yes... and I have an IQ lower than 10.

-------end of entry--------



This is the next movie to amaze everyone after the Lord of the Rings series and the Matrix Trilogy. There's too much hype going on in the States and elsewhere about this movie entitled "The Passion of the Christ". Even the Pope is endorsing this movie! Anyway... I'm watching it for a single purpose: It's perfect timing. In the midst of dehumanizing mudslinging, deception and senseless political propaganda, it's perfect that a movie about the only one who was true to us all would make us direct our attention- our minds and souls, included- to what all things really mean... that we must all be God-fearing. Yes, God-fearing people. I do think this breed of politicians is becoming extinct day by day. "The Passion of The Christ" will surely cleanse our minds and souls before we face the fate of our nation in the next coming years-which will be obviously decided in Election day.

I can't wait to get a hold of that premiere night ticket!

Monday, February 16, 2004

I've read this article which was sent to me by one of my friends in the Aksyon Kabataan group. Truth hurts, it says.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Forget the next 18 years?



DEMAND AND SUPPLY
By Boo Chanco
The Philippine Star 02/16/2004


In a recent social gathering, I found the guests no longer joking about what’s to happen to this country after the May elections. A columnist had written something that got to them, so to speak. Na-tauhan, ika nga. It is either FPJ or GMA for the next six years, then it is either Noli’s or Loren’s turn. Then it’s Bong Revilla’s, given that he is expected to top the senatorial polls. That’s 18 years, a real long time to wait for our political sense to mature and be more responsible.

Those of my generation can only shake their heads in disbelief. We certainly can’t wait 18 years for credible leadership to emerge in this country. No wonder a sense of helplessness has set in. When people get together these days, I inevitably get asked what currency they should convert their pesos to, US dollar or euro? Maybe, I tell them only half in jest, that they should also consider the yuan.

The futures market for the yuan is said to be bullish. Traders are betting that Beijing would allow even a token revaluation this year to placate the Americans, their prime export customers. In a sense, a bet on the yuan makes more sense than a bet on the euro. The upside in the Chinese economy appears more certain than that of Europe’s.

Seriously now, the drastic depreciation of the peso has specially disheartened those of us who plan on retiring within the next five to 10 years. Love of country aside, we have a duty to ourselves and our families to do what we can to protect the buying power of that retirement nest egg. This is why the prospect of having a showbiz president, one after the other, for at least the next 18 years, is so unnerving.

Ces Drilon, the head of the Business News Group of ABS-CBN tried but failed to get a glimpse of FPJ’s economic program last week. What she succeeded in getting was the televised ire of the presidential hopeful when Ces asked a personal question, more out of frustration over her failure to get FPJ say something substantive on the economy.

My friend Mike Romero, spokesman of the opposition group, gave a list of supposed economic advisers of FPJ. But three of those mentioned quickly disowned the "honor". Then there was the story about FPJ recruiting Vice President Guingona as an economic adviser.

Tito G is one of the great Filipinos of our time but he is known to have this hangover sentiment for protectionist policies masquerading as economic nationalism. In this era of globalization, it would be a disaster to retreat to such policies rather than work on improving our competitiveness in the world market. We’d be a democratic Myanmar if we retreat to protectionism.

My consolation is Serge Osmeña told me he has agreed to help FPJ on the economic policy side. Toti Chikiamco and Raul Fabella are also supposed to help out. That’s good news except that I wonder how influential will they be? Put another way, how much economics education is FPJ willing to take to get him up to speed? Remember how it was with Erap.

I am sure the business community does not expect FPJ to have a detailed economic plan for the campaign. But is it too much to ask for a glimpse of his basic economic philosophy? That would at least give a hint of what to expect in his administration. That, however, appears to be asking too much from the box office king, given his obviously limited appreciation of the complexities of the economic issues that a President must deal with, specially for a country with our kind of problems.

While GMA, a PhD in Economics, can be trusted to understand the issues at hand, we all had a first hand experience of how she has failed to handle the issues well enough in the last three years. She’s not decisive enough, allowing important issues to fester. Like NAIA 3. And how she resorts to populist policies for political expediency.

She talks free market one day but turns around and becomes populist the next. She has shifted positions so much, no one has a clear idea of what she stands for. This is precisely why she lost her middle class constituency and is now desperately trying to win over the masa with unadulterated patronage, courtesy of the taxpayers. And do not forget her horrible appointments to the judiciary and possibly the Comelec.

The dilemma people like us have today is, why give someone who failed, six more years of muddling through? On the other hand, why jump from the frying pan of GMA to the fire of FPJ?

But what’s the choice? A religious fundamentalist, albeit Christian? It is bad enough that religious leaders endorse candidates who are presumably voted blindly by their followers. Give these guys direct political power as well, and we may end up with a Christian Taliban regime.

That’s the problem they have in America today with George W. Bush. The religious right, the Christian fundamentalists, have taken over. That’s why their Middle East policy is all screwed up. These people could be very self righteous about their way being the only way. And I am always wary about people who, with a straight face, claim they speak directly to God and are conveying messages to us from Him.

Raul Roco appears to be the best of the lot, but even he had not been too articulate on his economic policies. His speeches have been designed more to inspire the way idealistic student leaders in our days would in an inter-collegiate oratorical contest.

When he had the chance to talk to business writers the other week, he was not able to flesh out how he plans to address the problems of our economy today. Maybe we just didn’t have enough time. Hopefully, we would, as promised, get details that spell out his economic agenda. At least with Roco, we have his no nonsense record at DepEd to hang our hopes on... that maybe that could be replicated for all of government if by some miracle, he wins.

Oh well... I guess there are weightier decisions to make between now and May… Right now, have to sharpen pencils on would it be dollar, euro or yuan? I am told that there is a Pinoy private banker in Hong Kong who has a Globe phone on all the time so that his Pinoy clients in Manila can call him and not worry about long distance charges.

Can’t blame those guys. After all, from the looks of it, the next 18 years may have to be written off. Who wants to be caught holding a bagful of depreciated pesos? We need to be connected to loved ones is a particularly strong motivation. But we all know you can’t live on text messages alone. We all have to eat somehow.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

aahh well....





Here are more campaign ads which can be found all over Malolos. I am particularly exasperated by that poster endorsing Jinggoy Estrada for senador. I mean, what the h*#@ is this clown still doing in the political scene? Ang kapal ng mukha! This ugly ape has no reason to run for any national position in this country. He has no place in this country at all! Remember how he acted sick (heart trouble, it seems) like a little sissie that he is just so that he can have time outside his prestigious prison on time? Never fails to make me almost throw up. Ah wait... he is in FPJ's party. Why am I not surprised?

DIRTY politics. Once of the reasons why I hate election season in the Philippines is this. The others... noise pollution due to lot of senseless crap coming from supposedly reputable people, and the fact that this is the season when Filipinos prove to the world how young we are as a country in dealing with democracy.

Sunday, February 15, 2004









On the side of the big gate in front of our house in Bulacan, there's this nice Meralco post which was once blue and clean. Now look at it... tsk.


This is the first campaign ad ever posted in front of our house during this campaign period. Neato huh. Somehow, this poster tells us, residents of our humble abode, that they'd do everything, even destroy our neatly-kept posts in front of our yard, just to say "Hey! Vote for us! We're regular violators of one of the simplest law made by COMELEC- Post campaign ads only in designated areas!" If they can't follow simple rules, how can we expect them to abide by anything ethical/moral/legal when they assume their positions. I'd say, don't vote for these greedy chimpanzees.

Come to think of it, how come Herrera, once famous as a politician, ended up as one of FPJ's running senator? Goodness! How easy is it nowadays to throw away principles (in Filipino, that's "prinsipyo"- it's heavier in meaning that way, actually) for votes? This is the reason why the party system in the political scene in the Philippines is almost useless. What are they running for anyway?

I mean, hello, Mr. Herrera! Have you ever considered that compared to FPJ, you're even more qualified to be president. (Ah well, he'd not win anyway, so why not run as his senator, and have all the benifits of being in his popular party.) If Herrera really really thinks FPJ, as his presidential bet, should win, that would make him, together with other politicians using FPJ as their bait to victory... lesser than their presidential candidate, right? I'm not accusing 'em of anything here, friends. Just applying Vulcan Logic.

Damn. If these posters cost more than five pesos a piece, sayang lang.



Saturday, February 14, 2004

Oh... random thoughts are here again... la la la...

1. Thanks to Ahmed who wrote me a letter just today. He is totally right when he mentioned that some of us are really getting tired of being treated as people who have IQs lesser than 70 by politicians. Like me, he is almost to retire from being a couchpotato- got tired of everything seen in Philippine TV. We both agree that teledramas, animes, bad things seen in the news, etc. are some of the main reasons why life as a Filipino has become ridiculous nowadays. Yey, I'm not alone, indeed!

2. I think these are the reasons why Jamby Madrigal did not and will ever ever not make it to a position in the government: First, I think her choice of wardrobe sucks. Please get rid of that big kwelyo, Ms. Madrigal! Second, he smile is soooo irritating. Third, she uses campaign styles (like using cheap tricks, e.g. Judy Ann). Fourth, she contradicts herself as clearly as the sun in a sunny afternoon. (KONTRA POLITIKA?! What the hell does she REALLY mean by that?! I mean, in the first place, she's running for a political position, right?!) Fourth, like Loren, Maceda, and the rest of the useless politicians standing alongside FPJ, she definitely chose the wrong person to campaign for. And lastly, her overall image just isn't fit for the Filipinos' taste. But I guess she's not ready to admit that. So let her spend a lot more money this elections.

3. Driving in EDSA, all you can see are faces. I miss those days of long ago when one could still see big structures that looked like really big Silver Swan soy sauce or Ajinomoto bottles.... You see food in food ads. You see cars, batteries, engine oil when these billboards advertise these products. Now, all you see are people waving their hands, people smiling, people endorsing products or themselves... My point? In Quezon City or in Manila, you can't see the sky anymore. All you see are faces. Faces.

4. I'm tired. Gotta sleep early.

---end of entry---

Monday, February 09, 2004

my thoughts for today... hmmm...

1. You are not enjoying your job when you spend two or more hours of your weekend reading the classified ads, hoping that you'd find a better one. Get the picture, elmo?

2. Campaign period for presidentiables and senatoriables is almost 30 minutes away. I guess I'd be hearing more campaign jingles and stuff that will surely be clogging in my ears until May. Good thing I always have my CDman with me. Oh... did I mention I'm back in the Philippines again? Well... kakainip kasi sa States, walang masyadong political mayhem. hahaha!

3. I saw Agot Isidro in OK Fine! Whatever tonight. Goodness! She hasn't changed since the last episode of Oki Doki Doc! I have a crush on Ms. Isidro, actually. Which makes Elmo really go "ewww..." everytime we talk about it. If I'm going to be a lesbo, I'd prefer Ms. Isidro as my girlfriend. Another weird thing is that my elmo got a big crush on Ms. Agot, too! He even still has her "Everyday" cassette hidden in his aparador. In fairness, we both love "Everyday" and "Sa Isip Ko" from that album. Oh... and "Sandali na Lang"! Very cute song. Agot has this unique malambing voice kasi, says my elmo. Yep. I know, Elmo. I see you sigh everytime you hear her sing. Much more whenever you see her on TV. I can imagine you dreaming about Agot again. Hmmm... sabayan kaya kita? HAHAHA! Ewww elmo. Eww.

4. Somebody from UA&P wrote me an email about the site. Right now, she's involved in a campus project that aims to help fellow students gain more info and awareness about the election process, our duty to vote, and to know whom to vote first before doing this duty. I'm glad to know that UA&P is not actually filled with people who are oblivious of what's really going on out there, like others would say. To these people, keep it up and let's save the Philippines!

5. I REALLY NEED TO UPDATE THE WEBSITE. I REALLY HAVE TO CHANGE THE NAME. I'm still thinking whether to change even the website address (hatephilippines) if I'm going to change the name of the site itself, or retain the website address and just put a new title in the index page. Ah well... gotta think fast. May is fast approaching.

6. I got this short chat with Al dela Paz. He's a Filipino working in Hollywood as Computer Technical Manager or something beginning 2001. His family is left in the Philippines. His wife, a doctor, is currently pursuing a Nursing degree cuz we all know how nurses do in the States better than doctors. It's quite weird that nowadays, Medicine, as a college degree, has turned into a pre-Nursing course. (I got the pun from the speech of the current UP Manila Chanecellor during the commencement address last year.) Sabi nga, baligtad na ang mundo.

7. My eyes hurt whenever I see those showbiz people showing their support for FPJ. We see them sitting there, all smiles, as if expecting blessings from their showbiz colleague and so-called President Poe if he wins the next elections. Yes, that's what they all are- blood suckers. FPJ actually is surrounded by blood-suckers and vultures. Showbiz people bloodsuckers, all hungry for unique priviledges to come when FPJ wins. Vultures like Angara, Legarda and Sotto who wait for their prey to die a slow death, before consuming every bit of power he has. Nice analogy, eh?

8. We should not vote those candidates who just couldn't wait till Feb 10 to do campaigns. If they can't follow simple COMELEC rules, how can we be sure they'd follow any rule at all. Anyway, if we boycott all of em in the elections, sino pa ang matitira para iboto? Nice.

9. Raymond Pagdanganan, please stop annoying me with those ugly posters of your face. Please, magsuklay ka naman before taking any picture that will go public. And please stop doing that infuriating smile. Eurobake must have lost lots of customers for having your big picture put up behind their branch. Annoying talaga. Specially that thumbs-up poster with your dad. Yuck. Has NEPOTISM written all over it.

10. Seen the latest ad on Channel 7 lately? That one boasting how GMA7 allegedly tripped ABS-CBN off the ratings. See how their charts say "Magpakailanman" is better than "Maalaala Mo Kaya"? I was able to watch the two simultaneously last Thursday (thanks for the universal remote control, of couse!). Two stories, which is better? That of Rey Valera, or of that artist who sang "Bawal na Gamot"... who was that? Ah... Willy Garte. (Notice why people with the name Willy never got any good break on Philippine hollywood.) Basing on the presentation of the plot, the choice of actors to play the different roles, artistic presentation of the different scenes, etc. etc.... I'd say ABSCBN still has the magic over GMA7. People! Just look at GMA7's Artist Center! Trying hard losers. Even their station ID sucks.

Goodness! Ten thoughts in fifteen minutes! I've been thinking too much of old stuff again. Gotta release all the negative aura and start tomorrow with a smile again. I should refrain watching too much TV. I should, since there's not much to watch anyway.

---end of entry---

Tuesday, February 03, 2004

Again and again, I ask this question: What's happening in the Philippines now? Surely, no one will complain if one lives with equanimity. But equanimity resides in the dreams of every Filipino, and it seems that it will remain as such for a very long time.

Everybody is complaining. I heard my Tito Ronnie (who regrets having a nickname similar to FPJ's) complaining about how hard life is in the Philippines. I heard my Tita Faye complaining about how high prices of basic commodities are back home. My cousins complaining that their P100 baon isn't much to buy anything anymore. My pamangkins telling me how they are simply disturbed by what they see in the news. To think that these people are members of the middle class. How much more do the people in the lower ranks suffer and are miserable having these numerous ridiculous problems in the society. My Dad, just a few hours ago, was complaining that the Philippine peso has become cheap, waaay so cheap that the money she sends to our relatives does almost no financial assistance at all.

Life in the Philippines is the lowest in terms of quality nowadays. I asked my Tito Danny, who always claims that he survived Martial Law, how life was during the Marcos days. According to him, life was much much better then than now. Although people's liberty and rights were almost withdrawn, at least people then don't complain that their lives were totally miserable. Now? Miserable life can be seen anywhere. Every aspect of life for an ordinary Filipino is miserable mentally, physically, socially, politicaly and, of course, financially speaking. This is where I am sometimes forced to conclude that the EDSA Revolutions failed miserably. Revolutions are percursors to societal change... for the better, not for worse. What's happening to the Philippines after the two people's revolution is merely against any form of logic or reason.

For instance, my cousin, Fitz, has been working in BSU as part-time instructor for three years. She feels that, deep inside, she didn't grow in the wretched institution as a professional and as a devoted teacher. Who'd grow in such a place where its leaders act as though they are politicians, not responsible educational administrators. Who would expect for any professional growth in a workplace where opportunities to grow and develop one's self are made available only to those who have "connections"... or to use the Tagalog term, "malakas sa taas"? Yes, she has a choice, one would say. But in this third world country where high inflation is concealed amidst obvious clues of widespread unemployment, she has no choice but to stay there. If she goes out, if she resigns, she has nowhere to go but to her impending doom of despicable hopeless life of being out of work. To think that she is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila. How much more hopelessness do graduates of ordinary, specially provincial schools, feel nowadays?

The people's view, mentality and attitude on and towards politics have to change in the Philippines, even if it means using drastic measures if truly needed. The Filipinos should be re-educated. I mean not to sound like subversive, but I think it truly is the solution. Filipinos, including ordinary people, should learn that leaders are not datus or kings who should be worshipped or looked up to. They should be treated as servants of the people, for they ARE servants of the people. It is quite unfortunate that we, Filipinos, could not escape this long-time habit of treating political leaders as kings. That's why in this country, doing one's job as a politician, or at least showing effort to do one's job, is such an accomplishment. Isn't it that this is why everytime a new road system, or a government project, is finished, you see billboards bearing the names of those politicians who allegedly took part in completing this task, IN BIIIG BOLD LETTERS. This is a project of Gov. so-so... Sa kagandahang loob ni Pres. this and that... Whenever I see these signboards, I have this big desire of firing a bazooka at them. It's their job to provide us with good infrastructures. It's their job to take care of us citizens. It's their job to return the taxes we pay the government for services. This is, again, the reason why graft and corruption and abuse of power is eminent in this country. The psychology of the people gives way to these problems.

Again, I remember RIzal, when he said that it is better to live under the rule of a tyrant or a colonizer, as long as the citizens live happily and with liberty, than living free yet miserably and hopelessly deeply dipped into poverty and abuse under the rule of the abusive few. I remember the 80s when a group of people clamoured on having the Philippines annexed to the US as a state, only to be bombarded by, of course, nationalists who claimed that the Philippines need no assistance from other countries. I fear that the same pride would be the reason for this country's iminent fall in the future, if this deplorable situation still continues.

Whenever I see my young pamangkins, I could not help but be sad for them. This is the reason why I've never entered a serious relationship for a long time. I fear that my child would be forced to live and grow in a country where lawlessness, grievances, political mayhem, and where good deeds have become so rare that when one happens to find one, one considers it as a miracle, and is worthy of being featured on TV. What kind of a country are we to give them? A country like this one we have right now? Do these people in the government who seem like they don't care about anyone or anything but making themselves filthy rich, think about their children? I thinkl capable of doing so.

Sing: What's wrong with the Philippines, momma? People acting like they ain't have no mommas...