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, December 24, 2004

Parol


Merry Christmas, everyone!

I saw in the Inquirer that most of the Filipinos are having a happy Christmas this year. I hope the stats are right. It's been a long difficult year for all of us, and it feels soothing to know that, kahit once a year, we all get together as a nation and celebrate with the world the birth of Jesus Christ. Somehow, it's good to know that Peace is possible, kahit isang araw lang...

I'll be with my family on Christmas eve. It's been a while since we got together to celebrate something. The last time I went to Simbang Gabi was four years ago. And it was the last time I had bibingka and hot tea for breakfast. Sigh. For someone who have gone almost everywhere in the world, HOME is really where the heart is.

Christmas is blue, because I'm still missing Elmo. Where are you? When can I see you again? Only you can tell...

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

A Letter to Susan Roces


I have been observing the past events, Im Im telling you Im afraid it might go out of hand. From Sunsan Roces's harsh statements and the subtle refusal of the opposition leaders for reconcillation, Im afraid something might be cooking up. Anyway, I made this letter and this is what I would have wanted to say to her.


Dear Ms. Susan Roces,

We are ordinary people, with no political alliances of whatsoever, and we firstly would like to extend our sincere condolences to the untimely death of your husband. Arguably, he will remain an important institution to the Philippine cinema as well as an icon in Philippine culture. For all that, we acknowledge and honor his invaluable contribution thereto. It was unfortunate however, that we had some differences regarding the issue of your husband’s presidential candidacy during the recently concluded national election, in which this country was once again painfully divided.

We were also aware of the proposed reconciliation process which was brought about in view of the recent events that just happened, and this is what our country badly needs right now. However, due to certain circumstances that has been happening we fear that this might not come into reality. The overwhelming emotions of bitterness, of despair, and of anger might even widen our divisions and cause us another violent revolution. Even Congressman Escudero made mention that reconciliation is already too late since Mr. Poe has already passed away. On the other hand, our country is in a midst of a crisis, that it badly needs unity among us. Altogether, we must face this crisis, for united we stand and divided we shall fall. We understand how much pain, the issues raised against your husband’s candidacy, must have caused not only your family, but the overwhelming masses that supported him. This pain, perhaps might have worsen, due to his untimely death.

We remember your husband once talking about “pagkakaisa”, this is a noble cause that we can achieve as a country. But every noble cause requires a great sacrifice as well. And what would be a greater sacrifice than for us to set aside our political differences, in order to finally uplift the masses whom your husband cared for the most? We urge you to be cautioned by the people who might use these circumstances in order to achieve their own selfish political agenda. The masses adore you and your husband so much, that they will be willing to start a violent revolution at your command. We fear that this is the exact scenario, might be used as an advantage by people with selfish political interests. If this scenario does happen, it will surely be the masses who will firstly suffer the consequences of such action. And therefore, our leaders must stop using them for any selfish agenda.

We ask you to encourage this people to fight a more noble cause that leads towards national unity and recovery. Remember that the cause of one man, is nothing compared to a cause of a dying nature such as ours. We believe even your husband would not allow any selfish action that might jeopardize the very same people that supports him. We hope that we can find within our hearts to set aside our differences, to learn to forgive and forget. Because it is only through this that our nation shall stand again.


Sincerely,

Ahmad et al. and the concerned filipino.

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Hail to Da King!


This is one essay I thought I would never write. Time flies by so quickly, and it seems it was only yesterday when we were bashing FPJ, for making the decision to enter politics. I am one of those who greatly feared the outcome of his victory in the presidential election. I remember being worried about his possible attempt at another election. But now that he is gone, I guess the bashing and all that stops. I mean there is no longer any point. Sure there are there are certain showbiz and political personality that I wished to be better off dead. But with all honesty I tell you FPJ was not one those people.

But nonetheless, all things said and done, it was made clear, that we never in anyway attacked Ronald Allan Poe as a person. We only attacked the issue of his candidacy. In fact in several occasions we made mention that of how valuable he is as a personality in Philippine history. And how essential it is that we maintain that status quo.

I for one watched some his movie (during the hey days of Philippine Cinema) and enjoyed them. Come on people, we cannot deny that FPJ was a one of a kind action star. He was an action star that was destined to define what a Filipino action star is. Who among our action star wannabe, was not influenced in one way or the other by FPJ movies. And yes, he helped many people in and out of the e tertainment industry. It is also true, that unlike many politicians, he helped a lot of people in a low profiled manner. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why some of us never wanted him to enter politics. Yes, we made fun of his candidacy, but we all know that if he did enter politics the system would have corrupted his mind.

Come to think of it, maybe we shouldn't be blaming him too much for the decision he made. Maybe all he really wanted was to help a dying country (at least that may have been part of his intentions). I still would look forward to vaporizing Angarra and the other pin head politicians who poured poison in his ears. Come on! They obviously used him for their political survival. Oh but of course, how can I even forget to mention that fat bastard Erap? who would have benefited a lot from FPJ's victory? And now of course we see these pin heads mourning his death. But it makes me ask a question. Do they mourn for loosing a good man and a pillar of an institution? Or do they mourn because they wont have a chance at being executive secretaries, or being acquitted at graft charges? If they were true friends as these @ssholes claim to be, then why did they ever pull him into something he wasn't prepared for. I remember Actress Hilda Koronel saying, "Mahal namin si Ronnie, kaya ayaw naming gamitin siya ng mga Pulitiko para sa kapakanan nila". I'll tell you she was perhaps one of FPJ's true friend. Besides, we all know that FPJ was never interested in politics. If he wanted to run, he could have done that long ago. Time and again he refused temptations, but I guess this time it was difficult for him to say no to a friend.

There are some loyalists, who are still angry with GMA , the administration, and the elitists. Unfortunately we sometimes get branded with those kind of people. In fact if they knew I was one of the EDSA-2 crowd, they will probably not let me go near within a thousand feet of St. Lukes medical center. We can still hear them expressing their hate (for GMA mostly). We can store bitterness some more. But the wise thing to do is take this as an opportunity for us to reconcile. The wounds of divisions has caused us a lot, and will we let it cause us some more? When FPJ run for president, what he wanted mainly was "pagkakaisa", his life didn't achieve that, but then maybe his death will. Right now, there are more important things going on than his death. As much as people mourn for him, people must now unite to deal with the crisis. Or like the fools that we are we can keep fighting each other and go down on thick flames.

If I had an opportunity to say something to him in person, that would have made him change his mind into running for president it would be... "You are one of the few people who inspires people in an unthinkable way. Every time you go down (in your movies) and rise again triumphing against all odds, you send a subtle message to the Filipino to keep on fighting no matter what. No other person in this country can do it the way you do. This is your calling, this is your destiny, this is how the Filipinos need you." But I guess his untimely death only proves my point that he wasn't destined to become a president. But a King of Philippine movies he will always be. Unlike Erap who disrobed himself of any honor, because of his hedonism, FPJ will still die with honor. Maybe we had some differences, but ill give him that honor at least. Hail to the King of Philippine Movies! -Ahmad.

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

real

I just hate it when people doubt my existence. Why, people? Am I just too good to be real?

"Ikaw ba talaga yan?"

"Totoo bang ikaw si Katie?"

"How would I know if you're the one who's in the blog?"

I don't need to prove myself. For those who'd send me a message (through Yahoo! Messenger, Friendster or email), if you're up to the challenge of proving whether or not I exist, then go take your questions with you and get a life!

GRRR.

Friday, December 03, 2004

THE MOST CORRUPT AGENCY IN THE PHILIPPINES IS THE OPERATION DEPARTMENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF MAKATI.


And there's no amount of rage in this world could compare to what I'm feeling right now, after all the shame and dismay the evils of the Makati Operations department has given me.

I've had a share of unfortunate experiences as one of the poor victims of the evils of the Philippine government, but I swear this last one is the worst of all.

I would make everyone sick until they heave their innards out if they see how low the Makati traffic enforcers could get, just to take advantage of the poor clueless motorists. The pus that infects the mucus that cruds up the fungus that feeds on the pond scum are all over Makati, wearing yellow uniforms and riding their stinking towing service trucks.

What happened? I was in Makati, and I got out of my car with the engine still running on one side of the road. Walked around five steps away from the vehicle, to a sari-sari store to buy load for my cellphone. Two minutes later, I turned around and saw these men from JJVS Towing services (Satan's Little Helpers) installing chains on my car's bumper.

Of course, in panic, I ran towards the car and remained ignored by those vultures while I'm screaming out loud what's happenin here! The pus, wearing yellow uniform, got out of the towing truck, looking at me in a maliciously manner (I could see in his eyes what he's thinking... and it's sleezy.), and telling me (in a rude manner which is so unbecoming of a government officer, comparable to how drunks would talk to a young lady) that I have left the car parked on the sidestreet UNATTENDED. (And so drivers are expected not to leave their cars, even in emergencies.) And there's no way for me to get my car back than to report to their headquarters.

Of course, like anyone who gets disoriented by an unlucky circumstance, I begged the officer that I'd pay just to have them leave my car alone (and besides, I'm on a tight deadline that day, and I needed the car to go to work). The bastard said, as professional as he is in extortion in the name the Makati government, "Sige, bigyan mo na lang ako ng sanlibo." I swear to God that I saw Satan in front of me, and I was completely terrified by his presence.

The little fiends from JJVS were even so supportive to their distinguished master, though it is obvious that from my one thousand pesos would be a part which they could use for their selfish objectives. We all have the right to earn a living, but not this way. NOT BY WAY OF DELIBERATELY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE BY USE OF FORCE / MISUSE OF THE LAW. What if they have singled out someone who needs money to buy medicine for her sick husband? I doubt that they would believe his claims, since their minds (and lives) are obviously totally succumbed to darkness by now. And who knows if this still hadn't happened before. Those poor souls...

God knows I tried to reason out. I told them that my car was NOT left unattended. I was just a few feet away from it, the engine's still on, my light's even blinking. I know the rules, and I know I'm right. Feeling that they might get into trouble because I might assert what's right, the yellow demon says, "Sige, kung ayaw mong magbigay, sa impound mo na lang kunin yan."

I know that legal transactions are made in government offices, and that all transactions should create corresponding documentations, like receipts. I insisted that, at least, I get a receipt. But what I got is a piece of paper with my name of it, but with no trace of identity of whoever they are who took a good day away from me. And they were even unwilling to give me a receipt. I asked for the yellow succubus's name, (he was covering his nameplate with pieces of paper on his uniform's pocket), but everytime they feel I'd be asking questions thinking that I'd probably get back to them, they'd insist on taking my car away from me...

People are now telling me that this has happened to almost everyone who attemted to STOP on the side of that particular street in Makati. Who knows how many people had been victimized by these legions of corruption. Who knows how much more horrible corruption is at a higher level. I HATE THEM ALL. I'M CURSING THEM ALL, DOWN TO THE SEVENTH GENERATION OF THEIR CLAN. They will remain the sons and daughters of the pus that infects the mucus that cruds up the fungus that feeds on the pond scum that they are. They will not be happy. They will suffer my curse!

And I'd salute Jejomar Binay for taking care of these rotting men. Thank you for being one of those who deserves a proper beating from the poor Filipino people.