Shadow Love (1989)

EVAT, Pahirap na Naman

Batasang Pambansa, Manila- Detractors of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took turns in criticizing the 57-minute State of the Nation Address (SONA), which was filled with explanations of how eVAT will help the Philippines in coping with global economic crisis.

Senator Edgardo Angara, said the subsidies from e-VAT "though good, are not sustainable."

Activist lawyers, the Alternative Law Groups (ALG)- "was a very long defensive statement for e-VAT and a poor attempt at presenting success stories in various parts of the country." while the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in doubt due to unrealistic presentation of data and added that it was more of a political statement.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) disapproved- "spoken by someone who seemed to be from another planet and detached from reality."

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño added that Mrs Arroyo failed to articulate the aspirations of poor Filipinos in her latest SONA.

Bayan Secretary General, Renato Reyes said that it was "rediculous" and that eVAT is anti-people.

Leftist partylist representatives also criticized the SONA and then again, the people failed to hear the reforms they wanted from the government.

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said his group was disappointed because the President did not tackle the P125 wage hike; the P3,000 salary increase for government workers; and the junking of the Oil Deregulation Law and the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

*The VAT Reform Law gives the President the power to increase the VAT rate to 12 percent if (1) VAT collection-to-gross domestic product ratio for 2005 exceeds 2.8 percent or (2) if the national government deficit-to-GDP ratio for 2005 exceeds 1.5 percent.

Full text, State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2008 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO DURING THE 2ND REGULAR SESSION OF THE 14TH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, 28 July 2008

Thank you, Speaker Nograles. Senate President Villar. Senators and Representatives. Vice President de Castro, President Ramos, Chief Justice Puno, members of the diplomatic corps, ladies and gentlemen:

I address you today at a crucial moment in world history.

Just a few months ago, we ended 2007 with the strongest economic growth in a generation. Inflation was low, the peso strong and a million new jobs were created. We were all looking to a better, brighter future.

Because tough choices were made, kumikilos na ang bayan sa wakas. Malapit na sana tayo sa pagbalanse ng budget. We were retiring debts in great amounts, reducing the drag on our country's development, habang namumuhunan sa taong bayan.

Biglang-bigla, nabaligtad ang ekonomiya ng mundo. Ang pagtalon ng presyo ng langis at pagkain ay nagbunsod ng pandaigdigan krisis, the worst since the Great Depression and the end of World War II. Some blame speculators moving billions of dollars from subprime mortgages to commodities like fuel and food. Others point of the very real surge in demand as millions of Chinese and Indians move up to the middle class.

Whatever the reasons, we are on a roller coaster ride of oil price hikes, high food prices and looming economic recession in the US and other markets. Uncertainty has moved like a terrible tsunami around the globe, wiping away gains, erasing progress.

This is a complex time that defies simple and easy solutions. For starters, it is hard to identify villains, unlike in the 1997 financial crisis. Everyone seems to be a victim, rich countries and poor, though certainly some can take more punishment than others.

To address these global challenges, we must go on building and buttressing bridges to allies around the world: to bring in the rice to feed our people, investments to create jobs; and to keep the peace and maintain stability in our country and the rest of the world. Yet even as we reach out to those who need, and who may need us, we strive for greater self-reliance.

Because tough choices were made, the global crisis did not catch us helpless and unprepared. Through foresight, grit and political will, we built a shield around our country that has slowed down and somewhat softened the worst effects of the global crisis. We have the money to care for our people and pay for food when there are shortages; for fuel despite price spikes.

Neither we nor anyone else in the world expected this day to come so soon but we prepared for it. For the guts not to flinch in the face of tough choices, I thank God. For the wisdom to recognize how needed you are, I thank, you Congress. For footing the bill, I thank the taxpayers.

The result has been, on the one hand, ito ang nakasalba sa bayan; and, on the other, more unpopularity for myself in the opinion polls. Yet, even unfriendly polls show self-rated poverty down to its 20-year low in 2007.

My responsibility as President is to take care to solve the problems we are facing now and to provide a vision and direction for how our nation should advance in the future.

Many in this great hall live privileged lives and exert great influence in public affairs. I am accessible to you, but I spend time every day with the underprivileged and under represented who cannot get a grip on their lives in the daily, all-consuming struggle to make ends meet.

Nag-aalala ako para sa naka-aawang maybahay na pasan ang pananagutan para sa buong pamilya. Nag-aalala ako para sa magsasakang nasa unang hanay ng pambansang produksyon ng pagkain ngunit nagsisikap pakanin ang pamilya. I care for hardworking students soon to graduate and wanting to see hope of good job and a career prospect here at home.

Nag-aalala ako para sa 41-year old na padre de pamilya na di araw-araw ang trabaho, at nag-aabala sa asawa at tatlong anak, at dapat bigyan ng higit pang pagkakakitaan at dangal. I care for our teachers who gave the greatest gift we ever received – a good education – still trying to pass on the same gift to succeeding generations. I care for our OFWs, famed for their skill, integrity and untiring labor, who send home their pay as the only way to touch loved ones so far away. Nagpupugay ako ngayon sa kanilang mga karaniwang Pilipino.

My critics say this is fiction, along with other facts and figures I cite today. I call it heroism though they don't need our praise. Each is already a hero to those who matter most, their families.

I said this is a global crisis where everyone is a victim. But only few can afford to avoid, or pay to delay, the worst effects.

Many more have nothing to protect them from the immediate blunt force trauma of the global crisis. Tulad ninyo, nag-aalala ako para sa kanila. Ito ang mga taong bayan na dapat samahan natin. Not only because of their sacrifices for our country but because they are our countrymen.

How do we solve these many complex challenges?

Sa kanilang kalagayan, the answer must be special care and attention in this great hour of need.

First, we must have a targeted strategy with set of precise prescriptions to ease the price challenges we are facing.

Second, food self-sufficiency; less energy dependence; greater self-reliance in our attitude as a people and in our posture as a nation.

Third, short-term relief cannot be at the expense of long term reforms. These reforms will benefit not just the next generation of Filipinos, but the next President as well.

Napakahalaga ang Value Added Tax sa pagharap sa mga hamong ito.

Itong programa ang sagot sa mga problemang namana natin.

Una, mabawasan ang ating mga utang and shore up our fiscal independence.

Pangalawa, higit na pamumuhunan para mamamayan at imprastraktura.

Pangatlo, sapat na pondo para sa mga programang pangmasa.

Thus, the infrastructure links programmed for the our poorest provinces like Northern Samar: Lao-ang-Lapinig-Arteche, right now ay maputik, San Isidro-Lope de Vega; the rehabilitation of Maharlika in Samar.

Take VAT away and you and I abdicate our responsibility as leaders and pull the rug from under our present and future progress, which may be compromised by the global crisis.

Lalong lumakas ang tiwala ng mga investor dahil sa VAT. Mula P56.50 kada dolyar, lumakas ang piso hanggang P40.20 bago bumalik sa P44 dahil sa mga pabigat ng pangdaigdigang ekonomiya. Kung alisin ang VAT, hihina ang kumpiyansa ng negosyo, lalong tataas ang interes, lalong bababa ang piso, lalong mamahal ang bilihin.

Kapag ibinasura ang VAT sa langis at kuryente, ang mas makikinabang ay ang mga may kaya na kumukonsumo ng 84% ng langis at 90% ng kuryente habang mas masasaktan ang mahihirap na mawawalan ng P80 billion para sa mga programang pinopondohan ngayon ng VAT. Take away VAT and we strip our people of the means to ride out the world food and energy crisis.

We have come too far and made too many sacrifices to turn back now on fiscal reforms. Leadership is not about doing the first easy thing that comes to mind; it is about doing what is necessary, however hard.

The government has persevered, without flip-flops, in its much-criticized but irreplaceable policies, including oil and power VAT and oil deregulation.

Patuloy na gagamitin ng pamahalaan ang lumalago nating yaman upang tulungan ang mga pamilyang naghihirap sa taas ng bilihin at hampas ng bagyo, habang nagpupundar upang sanggahan ang bayan sa mga krisis sa hinaharap.

Para sa mga namamasada at namamasahe sa dyip, sinusugpo natin ang kotong at colorum upang mapataas ang kita ng mga tsuper. Si Federico Alvarez kumikita ng P200 a day sa kaniyang rutang Cubao-Rosario. Tinaas ito ng anti-kotong, anti-colorum ngayon P500 na ang kita niya. Iyan ang paraan kung paano napananatili ang dagdag-pasahe sa piso lamang. Halaga lang ng isang text.

Texting is a way of life. I asked the telecoms to cut the cost of messages between networks. They responded. It is now down to 50 centavos.

Noong Hunyo, nagpalabas tayo ng apat na bilyong piso mula sa VAT sa langis—dalawang bilyong pambayad ng koryente ng apat na milyong mahihirap, isang bilyon para college scholarship o pautang sa 70,000 na estudyanteng maralita; kalahating bilyong pautang upang palitan ng mas matipid na LPG, CNG o biofuel ang motor ng libu-libong jeepney; at kalahating bilyong pampalit sa fluorescent sa mga pampublikong lugar.

Kung mapapalitan ng fluorescent ang lahat ng bumbilya, makatitipid tayo ng lampas P2 billion.

Sa sunod na katas ng VAT, may P1 billion na pambayad ng kuryente ng mahihirap; kalahating bilyon para sa matatandang di sakop ng SSS o GSIS; kalahating bilyong kapital para sa pamilya ng mga namamasada; kalahating bilyon upang mapataas ang kakayahan at equipment ng mga munting ospital sa mga lalawigan. At para sa mga kalamidad, angkop na halaga.

We released P1 billion for the victims of typhoon Frank. We support a supplemental Western Visayas calamity budget from VAT proceeds, as a tribute to the likes of Rodney Berdin, age 13, of Barangay Rombang, Belison, Antique, who saved his mother, brother and sister from the raging waters of Sibalom River.

Mula sa buwang ito, wala nang income tax ang sumusweldo ng P200,000 o mas mababa sa isang taon – P12 billion na bawas-buwis para sa maralita at middle class. Maraming salamat, Congress.

Ngayong may P32 na commercial rice, natugunan na natin ang problema sa pagkain sa kasalukuyan. Nagtagumpay tayo dahil sa pagtutulungan ng buong bayan sa pagsasaka, bantay-presyo at paghihigpit sa price manipulation, sa masipag na pamumuno ni Artie Yap.

Sa mga LGU at religious groups na tumutulong dalhin ang NFA rice sa mahihirap, maraming salamat sa inyo.

Dahil sa subsidy, NFA rice is among the region's cheapest. While we can take some comfort that our situation is better than many other nations, there is no substitute for solving the problem of rice and fuel here at home. In doing so, let us be honest and clear eyed – there has been a fundamental shift in global economics. The price of food and fuel will likely remain high. Nothing will be easy; the government cannot solve these problems over night. But, we can work to ease the near-term pain while investing in long-term solutions.

Since 2001, new irrigation systems for 146,000 hectares, including Malmar in Maguindanao and North Cotabato, Lower Agusan, Casecnan and Aulo in Nueva Ecija, Abulog-Apayao in Cagayan and Apayao, Addalam in Quirino and Isabela, among others, and the restoration of old systems on another 980,000 hectares have increased our nation's irrigated land to a historic 1.5 million hectares.

Edwin Bandila, 48 years old, of Ugalingan, Carmen, North Cotabato, cultivated one hectare and harvested 35 cavans. Thirteen years na ginawa iyong Malmar. In my first State of the Nation Address, sabi ko kung hindi matapos iyon sa Setyembre ay kakanselahin ko ang kontrata, papapasukin ko ang engineering brigade, natapos nila. With Malamar, now he cultivates five hectares and produces 97 cavans per hectare. Mabuhay, Edwin! VAT will complete the San Roque-Agno River project.

The Land Bank has quadrupled loans for farmers and fisherfolk. That is fact not fiction. Check it. For more effective credit utilization, I instructed DA to revitalize farmers cooperatives.

We are providing seeds at subsidized prices to help our farmers.

Incremental Malampaya national revenues of P4 billion will go to our rice self-sufficiency program.

Rice production since 2000 increased an average of 4.07% a year, twice the population growth rate. By promoting natural planning and female education, we have curbed population growth to 2.04% during our administration, down from the 2.36 in the 1990's, when artificial birth control was pushed. Our campaign spreads awareness of responsible parenthood regarding birth spacing. Long years of pushing contraceptives made it synonymous to family planning. Therefore informed choice should mean letting more couples, who are mostly Catholics, know about natural family planning.

From 1978 to 1981, nag-export tayo ng bigas. Hindi tumagal. But let's not be too hard on ourselves. Panahon pa ng Kastila bumibili na tayo ng bigas sa labas. While we may know how to grow rice well, topography doesn't always cooperate.

Nature did not gift us with a mighty Mekong like Thailand and Vietnam, with their vast and naturally fertile plains. Nature instead put our islands ahead of our neighbours in the path of typhoons from the Pacific. So, we import 10% of the rice we consume.

To meet the challenge of today, we will feed our people now, not later, and help them get through these hard times. To meet the challenges of tomorrow, we must become more self-reliant, self-sufficient and independent, relying on ourselves more than on the world.

Now we come to the future of agrarian reform.

There are those who say it is a failure, that our rice importations prove it. There are those who say it is a success—if only because anything is better than nothing. Indeed, people are happier owning the land they work, no matter what the difficulties.

Sa SONA noong 2001, sinabi ko, bawat taon, mamamahagi tayo ng dalawang daang libong ektarya sa reporma sa lupa: 100,000 hectares of private farmland and 100,000 of public farmland, including ancestral domains. Di hamak mahigit sa target ang naipamahagi natin sa nakaraang pitong taon: 854,000 hectares of private farmland, 797,000 of public farmland, and Certificates of Ancestral Domain for 525,000 hectares. Including, over a 100,000 hectares for Bugkalots in Quirino, Aurora, and Nueva Vizcaya. After the release of their CADT, Rosario Camma, Bugkalot chieftain, and now mayor of Nagtipunan, helped his 15,000-member tribe develop irrigation, plant vegetables and corn and achieve food sufficiency. Mabuhay, Chief!

Agrarian reform should not merely subdivide misery, it must raise living standards. Ownership raises the farmer from his but productivity will keep him on his feet.

Sinimula ng aking ama ang land reform noong 1963. Upang mabuo ito, the extension of CARP with reforms is top priority. I will continue to do all I can for the rural as well as urban poor. Ayaw natin na paglaya ng tenant sa landlord, mapapasa-ilalim naman sa usurero. Former tenants must be empowered to become agribusinessmen by allowing their land to be used as collateral.

Dapat mapalaya ng reporma sa lupa ang magsasaka sa pagiging alipin sa iba. Dapat bigyan ang magsasaka ng dangal bilang taong malaya at di hawak ninuman. We must curb the recklessness that gives land without the means to make it productive and bites off more than beneficiaries can chew.

At the same time, I want the rackets out of agrarian reform: the threats to take and therefore undervalue land, the conspiracies to overvalue it.

Be with me on this. There must be a path where justice and progress converge. Let us find it before Christmas. Dapat nating linisin ang landas para sa mga ibig magpursige sa pagsasaka, taglay ang pananalig na ang lupa ay sasagip sa atin sa huli kung gamitin natin ito nang maayos.

Along with massive rice production, we are cutting costs through more efficient transport. For our farm-to-market roads, we released P6 billion in 2007.

On our nautical highways. RORO boats carried 33 million metric tons of cargo and 31 million passengers in 2007. We have built 39 RORO ports during our administration, 12 more are slated to start within the next two years. In 2003, we inaugurated the Western Nautical Highway from Batangas through Mindoro, Panay and Negros to Mindanao. This year we launched the Central Nautical Highway from Bicol mainland, through Masbate, Cebu, Bohol and Camiguin to Mindanao mainland. These developments strengthen our competitiveness.

Leading multinational company Nestle cut transport costs and offset higher milk prices abroad. Salamat, RORO. Transport costs have become so reasonable for bakeries like Gardenia, a loaf of its bread in Iloilo is priced the same as in Laguna and Manila. Salamat muli sa RORO.

To the many LGUs who have stopped collecting fees from cargo vehicles, maraming, maraming salamat.

We are repaving airports that are useful for agriculture, like Zamboanga City Airport.

Producing rice and moving it cheaper addresses the supply side of our rice needs. On the demand side, we are boosting the people's buying power.

Ginagawa nating labor-intensive ang paggawa at pag-ayos ng kalsada at patubig. Noong SONA ng 2001, naglunsad tayo sa NCR ng patrabaho para sa 20,000 na out of school youth, na tinawag OYSTER. Ngayon, mahigit 20,000 ang ineempleyo ng OYSTER sa buong bansa. In disaster-stricken areas, we have a cash-for-work program.

In training, 7.74 million took technical and vocational courses over the last seven years, double the number in the previous 14 years. In 2007 alone, 1.7 million graduated. Among them are Jessica Barlomento now in Hanjin as supply officer, Shenve Catana, Marie Grace Comendador, and Marlyn Tusi, lady welders, congratulations.

In microfinance, loans have reached P102 billion or 30 times more than the P3 billion we started with in 2001, with a 98% repayment record, congratulations! Major lenders include the Land Bank with P69 billion, the Peoples' Credit and Finance Corporation P8 billion, the National Livelihood Support Fund P3 billion, DBP P1 billion and the DSWD's SEA-K P800 million. For partnering with us to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit, thank you, Go Negosyo and Joey Concepcion.

Upland development benefits farmers through agro-forestry initiatives. Rubber is especially strong in Zamboanga Sibugay and North Cotabato. Victoria Mindoro, 56 years old, used to earn P5,000 a month as farmer and factory worker. Now she owns 10 hectares in the Goodyear Agrarian Reform Community in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay, she earns P10,000 a week. With one hectare, Pedro and Concordia Faviolas of Makilala, North Cotabato, they sent their six children to college, bought two more hectares, and earn P15,000 a month. Congratulations!

Jatropha estates are starting in 900 hectares in and around Tamlang Valley in Negros Oriental; 200 in CamSur; 300 in GenSan, 500 in Fort Magsaysay near the Cordero Dam and 700 in Samar, among others.

In our 2006 SONA, our food baskets were identified as North Luzon and Mindanao.

The sad irony of Mindanao as food basket is that it has some of the highest hunger in our nation. It has large fields of high productivity, yet also six of our ten poorest provinces.

The prime reason is the endless Mindanao conflict. A comprehensive peace has eluded us for half a century. But last night, differences on the tough issue of ancestral domain were resolved. Yes, there are political dynamics among the people of Mindanao. Let us sort them out with the utmost sobriety, patience and restraint. I ask Congress to act on the legislative and political reforms that will lead to a just and lasting peace during our term of office.

The demands of decency and compassion urge dialogue. Better talk than fight, if nothing of sovereign value is anyway lost. Dialogue has achieved more than confrontation in many parts of the world. This was the message of the recent World Conference in Madrid organized by the King of Saudi Arabia, and the universal message of the Pope in Sydney.

Pope Benedict's encyclical Deus Caritas Est reminds us: "There will always be situations of material need where help in the form of concrete love for neighbour is indispensable."

Pinagsasama-sama natin ang mga programa ng DSWD, DOH, GSIS, SSS at iba pang lumalaban sa kahirapan sa isang National Social Welfare Program para proteksyonan ang pinaka-mahihirap mula sa pandaigdigang krisis, and to help those whose earnings are limited by illness, disability, loss of job, age and so on—through livelihood projects, microfinance, skills and technology transfer, emergency and temporary employment, pension funds, food aid and cash subsidies, child nutrition and adult health care, medical missions, salary loans, insurance, housing programs, educational and other savings schemes, and now cheaper medicine—Thanks to Congress.

The World Bank says that in Brazil, the income of the poorest 10% has grown 9% per year versus the 3% for the higher income levels due in large part to their family stipend program linking welfare checks to school attendance. We have introduced a similar program, Pantawid Pamilya.

Employers have funded the two increases in SSS benefits since 2005. Thank you, employers for paying the premiums.

GSIS pensions have been indexed to inflation and have increased every year since 2001. Its salary loan availments have increased from two months equivalent to 10 months, the highest of any system public or private—while repayments have been stretched out.

Pag-Ibig housing loans increased from P3.82 billion in 2001 to P22.6 billion in 2007. This year it experienced an 84% increase in the first four months alone. Super heating na. Dapat dagdagan ng GSIS at buksan muli ng SSS ang pautang sa pabahay. I ask Congress to pass a bill allowing SSS to do housing loans beyond the present 10% limitation.

Bago ako naging Pangulo, isa't kalahating milyong maralita lamang ang may health insurance. Noong 2001, sabi natin, dadagdagan pa ng kalahating milyon. Sa taong iyon, mahigit isang milyon ang nabigyan natin. Ngayon, 65 milyong Pilipino na ang may health insurance, mahigit doble ng 2000, kasama ang labinlimang milyong maralita. Philhealth has paid P100 billion for hospitalization. The indigent beneficiaries largely come from West and Central Visayas, Central Luzon, and Ilocos. Patuloy nating palalawakin itong napaka-importanted programa, lalo na sa Tawi-Tawi, Zambo Norte, Maguindanao, Apayao, Dinagat, Lanao Sur, Northern Samar, Masbate, Abra and Misamis Occidental. Lalo na sa kanilang mga magsasaka at mangingisda.

In these provinces and in Agusan Sur, Kalinga, Surigao Sur and calamity-stricken areas, we will launch a massive school feeding program at P10 per child every school day.

Bukod sa libreng edukasyon sa elementarya at high school, nadoble ang pondo para sa mga college scholarships, while private high school scholarship funds from the government have quadrupled.

I have started reforming and clustering the programs of the DepEd, CHED and TESDA.

As with fiscal and food challenges, the global energy crunch demands better and more focused resource mobilization, conservation and management.

Government agencies are reducing their energy and fuel bills by 10%, emulating Texas Instruments and Philippine Stock Exchange who did it last year. Congratulations, Justice Vitug and Francis Lim.

To reduce power system losses, we count on government regulators and also on EPIRA amendments.

We are successful in increasing energy self-sufficiency—56%, the highest in our history. We promote natural gas and biofuel; geothermal fields, among the world's largest; windmills like those in Ilocos and Batanes; and the solar cells lighting many communities in Mindanao. The new Galoc oil field can produce 17,000-22,000 barrels per day, 1/12 of our crude consumption.

The Renewable Energy Bill has passed the House. Thank you, Congressmen.

Our costly commodity imports like oil and rice should be offset by hard commodities exports like primary products, and soft ones like tourism and cyberservices, at which only India beats us.

Our P 350 million training partnership with the private sector should qualify 60,000 for call centers, medical transcription, animation and software development, which have a projected demand of one million workers generating $13 billion by 2010.

International finance agrees with our progress. Credit rating agencies have kept their positive or stable outlook on the country. Our world competitiveness ranking rose five notches. Congratulations to us.

We are sticking to, and widening, the fiscal reforms that have earned us their respect.

To our investors, thank you for your valuable role in our development. I invite you to invest not only in factories and services, but in profitable infrastructure, following the formula for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.

I ask business and civil society to continue to work for a socially equitable, economically viable balance of interests. Mining companies should ensure that host communities benefit substantively from their investments, and with no environmental damage from operations.

Our administration enacted the Solid Waste Management Act, Wildlife Act, Protection of Plant Varieties, Clean Water Act, Biofuels Act and various laws declaring protected areas.

For reforestation, for next year we have budgeted P2 billion. Not only do forests enhance the beauty of the land, they mitigate climate change, a key factor in increasing the frequency and intensity of typhoons and costing the country 0.5% of the GDP.

We have set up over 100 marine and fish sanctuaries since 2001. In the whaleshark sanctuary of Donsol, Sorsogon, Alan Amanse, 40-year-old college undergraduate and father of two, was earning P100 a day from fishing and driving a tricycle. Now as whaleshark-watching officer, he is earns P1,000 a day, ten times his former income.

For clean water, so important to health, there is P500 million this year and P1.5 billion for next year.

From just one sanitary landfill in 2001, we now have 21, with another 18 in the works.

We launched the Zero Basura Olympics to clear our communities of trash. Rather than more money, all that is needed is for each citizen to keep home and workplace clean, and for garbage officials to stop squabbling.

Our investments also include essential ways to strengthen our institutions of governance in order to fight the decades-old scourge of corruption. I will continue to fight this battle every single day. While others are happy with headlines through accusation without evidence and privilege speeches without accountability, we have allocated more than P3 billion – the largest anti-graft fund in our history – for real evidence gathering and vigorous prosecution.

From its dismal past record, the Ombudsman's conviction rate has increased 500%. Lifestyle checks, never seriously implemented before our time, have led to the dismissal and/or criminal prosecution of dozens of corrupt officials.

I recently met with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a US agency that provides grants to countries based on governance. They have commended our gains, contributed P1 billion to our fight against graft, and declared us eligible for more grants. Thank you!

Last September, we created the Procurement Transparency Group in the DBM and linked it with business, academe, and the Church, to deter or catch anomalies in government contracts.

On my instruction, the BIR and Customs established similar government-civil society tie-ups for information gathering and tax evasion and smuggling monitoring.

More advanced corruption practices require a commensurate advances in legislative responses. Colleagues in Congress, we need a more stringent Anti-Graft Act.

Sa pagmahal ng bilihin, hirap na ang mamimili – tapos, dadayain pa. Dapat itong mahinto. Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na magpasa ng Consumer Bill of Rights laban sa price gouging, false advertising at iba pang gawain kontra sa mamimili.

I call on all our government workers at the national and local levels to be more responsive and accountable to the people. Panahon ito ng pagsubok. Kung saan kayang tumulong at dapat tumulong ang pamahalaan, we must be there with a helping hand. Where government can contribute nothing useful, stay away. Let's be more helpful, more courteous, more quick.

Kaakibat ng ating mga adhikain ang tuloy na pagkalinga sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Iisa ang ating pangarap – maunlad at mapayapang lipunan, kung saan ang magandang kinabukasan ay hindi pangarap lamang, bagkus natutupad.

Sama-sama tayo sa tungkuling ito. May papel na gagampanan ang bawat mamamayan, negosyante, pinunong bayan at simbahan, sampu ng mga nasa lalawigan.

We are three branches but one government. We have our disagreements; we each have hopes, and ambitions that drive and divide us, be they personal, ethnic, religious and cultural. But we are one nation with one fate.

As your President, I care too much about this nation to let anyone stand in the way of our people's wellbeing. Hindi ko papayagang humadlang ang sinuman sa pag-unlad at pagsagana ng taong bayan. I will let no one – and no one's political plans – threaten our nation's survival.

Our country and our people have never failed to be there for us. We must be there for them now.

Maraming salamat. Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat.

Holy Spirit

HOLY SPIRIT, HOLY SPIRIT, THOU WHO MAKE SEE EVERYTHING AND SHOW ME THE WAY TO REACH MY IDEAL. THOU WHO GIVE THE DIVINE GIFT TO FORGIVE AND FORGET THE WRONG THAT IS DONE TO ME AND WHO ARE IN ALL INSTANCES OF MY LIFE WITH ME. I, IN THIS SHORT DIALOGUE, WANT TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND CONFIRM ONCE MORE THAT I NEVER WANT TO BE SEPARATED FROM YOU NO MATTER HOW GREAT THE MATERIAL DESIRES MAYBE. I WANT TO BE WITH YOU AND MY LOVED ONES IN YOUR PERPETUAL GLORY. AMEN.

Pray for 3 consecutive days without stating one's wish after the 3rd day your wish will be granted. No matter how difficult it may be promise to publish this, as soon as your favor has been granted.

Duyan

Ako’y nauuhaw
Sa pag-ibig ni Ama,

Nang marinig niya ang aking tangis
Ako’y napawi at nabuo,

Nang ako’y muli humiling,
Si Inang Likas inawit ang uyayi,

At ang pagod ko’y nagwakas
Kasabay ng habambuhay na

Paghimbing.

Never Give Up

Walang Iwanan

Walang Iwanan...

Gaano tayo katatag sa ating paninindigan? Gaano tayo katagal sa pagtitis sa ating kinasasadlakan? Kailan ka nagmuni-muni kaibigan para sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan? Dili kaya'y sarili mo lamang ang iyong iniisip, pansariling kapakanan, pansariling pangarap...

Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa kapuwa. Ang ating mga anak, bilang regalo ni Bathala ay hindi kailanman atin kundi sila'y mga hiram mula sa Dakilang Maykapal upang ipunla sa mabuting lupa at payabungin hanggang sa sila'y makapagbigay ng binhi ng kabutihan.

Ang Pilipino ay hindi isinumpang lahi. Hindi tayo isinumpa para manatiling alipin ng mga dayuhang walang hinangad kundi pairalin ang kanilang batas na sila lamang ang sumulat. Alalahanin natin na ang sagradong dugo at pawis ng mga bayani ay bumuhos sa lupang Hinirang upang ipabatid ang mensahe na tayo'y may sariling pagkakakilanlan. Tayo ay buhay. Tayo ay nabubuhay hindi para yumukod sa mali at baluktot na paninindigan. Tayo ay lumuluha, hindi lamang dahil sa sakit ng katawan kundi sa katotohanang gusto nating sumigaw ng malaya at dumaan sa tahak na hindi niyuyurakan ang ating pagkatao. Ang panahon ay ngayon at ang ngayon ang nagbabadya sa hinaharap.

Where do we go as a Nation?

Planet Earth: Balance of Power. @ Yahoo! Video

Is it in me?

I'm a writer, motivated by Educators whom I catch their attention. I didn't know why? I thought being introvert was cool enough to shield myself from walking with the world but these keen eyes were able to dig me out from my shell. I was trying to mimic the ordinary but the more I tried, they seem to think I am extraordinary. Too much applaud could be addicting. I left the zone only to trap myself from the fact that I belong to this craft. During my life's struggles, I paid homage to Rizal and I still believe in his crap. I tried to switch to Boni not for a change but to abandon the first until I finally discovered how parallel they were. Rizal may not be in congruence but his ideas lead the Revolution. Destiny is hard to cue, it is a matter of timing. Yeah, timing is everything and I'm pretty sure it always works when we keep track of the time. I am ordinary. That's what I know about myself. Being perceived as the other side is a matter of auto-suggestion. Have you tried questioning if I deserve such exaltation? Examine thyself. You could be wrong. I am simply, Igmedio. I am a friend. I can be your nightmare. It's good to be clever but stupidity can save lives most of the time. I can swallow my pride and admit my wrongs. Though I can seriously express how sorry I am for such things I may have caused, it doesn't happen all the time. I am me and I am a walker. I am my speech and I am my free mind.

LETTER OF SUPPORT TO LH FROM FORMER EIC

LH peeps!

I am Karen Michelle Calacal, former editor. In high school we were repressed (LI/Usbong)... in College we pressed and were pressed... While we had our own issues before that we feel Campus Press Freedom was violated, more to say it's more than Repression per se but we have suffered almost all forms (from ignorant and angry teachers, etc.) yet I cannot imagine the "self-control" that we have to condition and impose on ourselves- perhaps because of the idea of fear, prioritizing first our Education/graduating, and some other or personal reasons, etc. Though we have our own share and differences in opinions, I am one with the Lorma Highlights for a variety of reasons; that LH is the only organization that is brave enough to do moral and social responsibility as the YOUTH exercising their DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM in an Academic Environment - that should serve as a breeding ground for the purpose of exercising such RIGHTS.

The role of the student paper does not have to reflect a distorted element of what is really happening to the Environment. This is just one manifestation of our Nation's current status, a picture of a derailed Nation suffering from major crises in the face of weakened leadership and spiritual dilemma. When the questioning mind begins to untangle human constriction, it is inevitable to stop it; for it is human nature to search for answers, to infer and discern TRUTH. We cannot further question when such ideas are more than visible to the naked eye and what a BLIND man can see nor feel with his breath. A man will die but not his ideas.

Though it is undeniable that the publication fee is the lifeline of the paper; SUPPRESSING its distribution is more than a GESTURE of authoritarian power- a kind of leadership that could kill human spirit and hope; ironic to the mission and vision of LC as an institution where it boasts its humble beginnings from a quiet peaceful barrio. The Administration's reaction is a pre-empted damage control.

We cannot deny the fact that CHANGE is inevitable and perfect TIMING is very important and crucial. This is a NEW WAVE of student Idealism taking its FORM. Anyway, there is more to this after College. The real world is not in Lorma and it is true that despite we see forms of injustices and sense of discontentment fired at us, we have to be reminded that this is not a PERFECT world... but at least they could have LISTENED. They should have listened using all their senses because we also CARE and there is a felt need for us to take action and work together. The article published is a clear picture of a desire to walk in a direction, a path to alleviate this sense of emptiness that the Educators and authorities have failed to fill-in because they too are in their own crises situations. The Student-Administration Dialogue is not enough to fill into the gaps; for democracy has no boundaries no matter theories have come out to define it. Lormanians are not IGNORANT and deserve to be respected. If the Academe is still in the DENIAL stage, let the STUDENTS move forward and take their coarse. Fight and stand up for TRUTH you believe in!

Why SUPPRESSION? Because Knowledge is Power so distort it. That's the idea. Whether it could be rationalized as some other way… the TRUTH IS OUT THERE.

Dirty, Sexy, Money

Saw this last Sunday. One of the most moving scenes; The element of conflict in it (the affair in particular) though not new is presented in a flavorful intriguing manner. It was also an intense moment when Letitia said on one of her conversations with Nick "Because I love him too..." referring to her husband Tripp.

This is just one amazing stuffs; I can't believe how a son (Nick) could bare the situation where the line of being personal and professional comes thinner and thinner. Yet, on my opinion... this is all about Nick's defenses on making up for his Dad. This is so appealing because this type of relationship does not always work well in most families. I love the implied meanings of every scene as well as the thought having some twists and what ifs later on.

Questions I wanna Know about RIZAL

Sa mga kumukuha ng Rizal's Life Works and Writings, may natutunan ba kayo sa mga sensational na pagsasalarawan ng kabataan ni Rizal? Sa paulit-ulit na pagrerecycle ng LECTURE nina Sir at Ma'am ukol sa pagiging kakaiba ni Pepe at sa walang katapusang pagyurak at sobrang OA na pang-iintriga sa di umano'y pagiging babaero ni Dr. JPR? Buhay pa kaya ang tanging LIBRO na tinuring nang Bibliya ng mga College studes sa library? o baka napudpod na ito karu-run sa photoopyiung machine para lamang may mapagrebyuhan. May katuturan pabang manatili sa curriculum ang patungkol kay Rizal? Gayong hindi naman epektibo ang pamamaraan ng pagtuturo nito. Gayoong hindi naman natin nakikita ang isang Rizal sa mga taong namamahala sa ating pamahalaan. Gayoong hindi naman natin naisasapuso ang pagmamahal sa bayan nating api. Simpleng analysis sa pinaka-importanteng pamana ni Rizal: ang Noli Me Tangere at El Filibusterismo; ni hindi alam, ni hindi maiksplika ng mabuti ng mga tagapagturo. Kung sa gayon, tatapusin nalang ang asignatura. Palalampasin na lamang ang kawalan ng buhay sa tipikal na dula-dulaan sa classroom. Basta matapos na lamang ang exams at makakuha ng pasadong grado... Ayos na?

Jasmineflower, kung nabubuhay kapa...
1. Did Rizal really wrote the retraction before his execution as claimed by the Jesuits? What is the role of Masonry in our National Hero's Idealisms?
2.Do you believe that Andres Bonifacio should occupy Rizal's place as National Hero? Did the Americans have a hand on deifying Rizal because of his non-violent approach to Independence?
Last but more to come...
In one of the theories in "pop culture"
3. Do you believe that Rizal's illegitimate children are Adolf Hitler and Yuriko- who have been linked to World War II? What happened to his child with Josephine Bracken: Is it true that the only offspring portrayed in movies was indeed a stillbirth?

Pinatigil ang Pagdistribute ng LH tabloid

This is getting exciting and intriguing. LH people, let the "tabloid" be circulated. Students already paid the publication fee. Besides, students know these issues before you even came up with it, LH acted as their voice since the authorities concerned seems inadequate in giving information that may shed light to these issues. Lahat po ng impormasyon, be it good or bad ay karapatan ng mga estudyanteng malaman. With regards to the authenticity of the reports, estudyante parin po ang bahalang huhusga niyan. It only shows that when an issue is PRINTED implies more than a CONFIRMATION of an issue/s. It only shows how powerful a pen is and what level of LH integrity has. "Wala po sa history ng LH na hindi na-circulate ang diyaryong pang-estuyante." Ang LH ay pag-aari ng estudyante. Do not be intimadated. "Bakit kasi pinakita niyo ang bomba?" Arrrgh! I'll give you a fact, the Black issue was supposed to suffer the same fate but the President said that it is against Law to stop its circulation. (Meaning, he is totally aware of the Law and we respected him more out of that statement. Out of that sincerity that he showed to us, we did our best to become more responsible student journalists.) Since that was a different situation, I would suggest the board to keep things cool. Listen more and be united. (Do not resort to CEGP bara bara ok but listen to whatever they could advice. You don't wanna end-up like UCC right? ). This is time to lay your cards. Remember, no one should be sanctioned because of this (there is no specific sanction in the LC handbook as to press issue is concerned (this is not about the writer/s, this is about the issue/s) since we are governed not by such law but by Freedom of the Press and by CJA). So, if your case reached the conduct board and Admin, Challenge them to make their own press statement to counter your issue/s. No matter what the impact is at stake against LH. You hold the TRUTH (is with evidence and witnesses) you believed in. It is only a sphere that can't be demolished by LIES. Allow them to REACT, compose yourselves and LISTEN. No one should even think of resigning. I am also encouraging you to publish a supplemental issue/position paper. What about the puppet Student leaders? Allow the non-puppets to get involved also. This is not about LH in the first place, it's about students' issue and the Admin's IMMEDIATE ACTIONS to such problems. Sa mga taga-Admin po, hello po. Ma'am Ano, Sir Mainggang, Ma'am Magpali et al. : napapanahon na po na lawakan natin ang ating pang-unawa at isipan ukol sa mga naturang bagay. Huwag po nating ituring na bata at pasaway ang mga Kolehiyalang naghahanap ng kasagutan at kaparaanan. Ito po ay isa lamang sa mga ebidensya na ang bansang Pilipinas ay humaharap sa pang-ekonomiyang krisis. Ang pagpigil sa sirkulasyon ng isang dyaryong pang-estudyante ay pagyurak sa karapatan. Ito po ay isang moral at sosyal na responsibilidad ng LH. Hayaan po ninyong gawin ng LH ang dapat. Ang dapat ay maaaring hindi tama para sa lahat, pero sino po ba ang nakakaalam ng tama para sa lahat kung hindi ginawa ang dapat? Pulsuhan po ninyo ang sangka-estudyantehan at tanungin po ang mga sarili... lalung-lalo na po ang mga guro at pangkaraniwang empleyado. Ito po ay nagpapakitang gising po ang kamalayan ng Lormanian. Kesa pigilan ang isang bagay na maaaring nakakatakot, harapin po natin ng sabay-sabay ang problema at matalinong solusyunan ang mga ito.

Jose Rizal 1861-1896

When Money is not Enough

Sunflowers for Alfred Roy on Emancipation of Mimi

Since she began reinventing herself as a recording artist, Mariah never fails a dedication to his Dad. Her music is her soul. Despite the not so good atmosphere with Virgin, she managed to make it through the storm. What 's so special about this song is her undying exaltation of a figure that shaped a woman-child presentation of her self. A majestic voice trying to survive in a hip-hop dominated era. Despite the supreme utilization of voice ingenuity, it merely re-introduces Mariah as the voice behind before she became the Diva now. Mariah simply is doing her own.

Everything Fades Away (Mariah Carey)

This is dubbed as one of Mariah's rare songs. This is what I call "Pure Mariah sound" before she decided to make that crossover with other genres. This song brings out the soulful voice as it was expressed in her similar work like "Can't Let Go" from her Emotions album. I find her voice experiments and back-up vocals classic. This is a manifestation of her roots as a musician- pure soul. It is one of the justification of a standing ovation from her performance in the Grammy's.

Campus Journalists as Change Agents

Before we tackle some points battled by student journalists this morning, let me raise a question to you writers: “Why do you write?” It’s an elementary question isn’t it? But this question may have different answers from you mainly for the reason- not everybody is writing for the campus paper. Some of you are just here because of the fact that you are readers and as part of the writer-reader relationship, we are here to convey understanding on some issues faced by campus journalists today.

Filipino journalists, like Filipino politicians and policemen, draw the wildest mix of sentiments among the citizens. There are those who hold journalists with great owe and reverence, and others who view journalists with great contempt and derision.

We must open or minds to the struggles of campus press freedom. Though thousands of students in the country still suffers from violations of this democratic right, the Campus Press, being the voice of the students, must find way to battle censorship, intimidating and punishing Editors and writers, holding back the funds for publication or shutting down the publication, to have a publication, council and organizations.

But we can not have a direction to achieve our goals for Campus Press Freedom, if student journalists do not even have organizational objectives. We are faced by the tragedy that “Student writers, just write without a Purpose”.

Know your Purpose

The Campus paper is a breeding ground for student leaders and advocates for better conditions in the educational system and in the entire society. These are the reasons why student writers should uphold a high standard for writing meaningful and quality articles for publication. It is not mainly to “Express Oneself” as journalism is defined in high school nor attack the student council for allegedly being Puppets of the School Administrators-but to promote awareness and involvement of students in all aspects affecting them in the educational community.

How can student writers be catalysts of change?

1. Know the Culture of the students

Students from this institution display distinct norms as manifested in their language, habits, or student life when compared to other institutions in the city. Of course, there’s that certain brand you have for DMMMSU, iba naman ang tatak ng UCC, AMA, at iba pa. Sinasabi nila ang UP may Fernando Poe, Sr, yung oblation, ang UST may ST. Thomas, ang Ateneo may Santo din, isali mo na ang iba pang Catholic Schools, pero ang AMA daw sino ang kanilang modelo? Siyempre, meron din, si Jolina…What I’m saying, we do not need to write according to the standards of the big schools using the coño language of la Salle or the trying-hard pa-effect of the emerging tag-lish na madalas gamitin ng mga showbiz chikadoras kung hindi rin naman kakagatin ng mga readers natin. It’s a fact, Ilocanos are hard to please and always on the go, like the old brand “Kuripot”, the articles should be substantial and informative equipped with a language that does not require them to scan pages of Webster and Oxford. Write something that could make student lives productive. To achieve this, make a simple survey on their interests or expand your knowledge and apply the principles of development journalism and investigative journalism. Write about issues that primarily affects students, add spice not only plain news on school events, hot issues confronting middle-adult readers, tuition fee increases, problems faced by teachers and even non-academic personnel to name a few. In this way, you could revolutionize to facilitate an interesting content of the paper.

2. Develop a plans to improve on the aspect of

- Writing Styles

There are few who could write effectively in both English and Filipino. Some writers prefer to write in English, coming up with more mess after arriving in a final draft, only to find out that it is not better or otherwise far worse than the other write-ups. Use the language you can utilize at ease and easily understood by your readers. Editors are faced with this example because they often have this reporter who has a long track of wrong grammars, misspellings and getting around the bush beats. Are there too much or too little information? All you have to do is to write all the facts of the story and organize them according to importance, date, etc. Write simple and appropriate words. Be a reader as well- reading is the key to writer’s block. In this case, you will be able to absorb the energy of how other writers let their ideas flow. Experiment by using variety of styles. Hence creative writing will be improved as well as critical thinking develops. The IBC format or the Introduction, Body and Conclusion is not new in writing. However, this is a trend in English Examinations today.

- Publication and Layout

Have you seen students crumpling your newspapers in front, tearing the pages samantalang kaka-release niyo lang, kabibigay mo.E nataon na sinulat mo yung pinunit? You’re first reaction, siyempre dahil normal ka naman eh magagalit ka but it should not just move you, you should figure out bakit? Was the article poorly written? Or most of the time, hindi maganda ang layout at presentation eh hindi Makita yung picture? Even if the school publication has the best writers in the city, if the presentation particularly the type-set is not clear, it has also a big-bang on the readers. Layout artists are there not just to arrange, place graphics or do the typeset but a certain standard must also be followed. Hindi dapat pinagtatabi ang mga hindi dapat sa layouting sheet. Editors as well and advisers must find ways to improve publication and layout presentation. Computer Application programs are now trends in publication. There are loads of free wares and these do not require long-term training since computer application programs could be self-studied. The only problem is the equipment and the financial resource. Expand your readers using the Information Superhighway or Internet, with it, you could convey information to other students to provide a gateway for communication to other students and writers here and abroad.

3. Editorial and Staff Development

Skills training in seminars, symposiums, small group, chat/ e-mail could be acquired through a variety of sponsors. These opportunities should be part of the publications action plan for the year. Of course, these opportunities should not be exclusively for those in the higher positions of the publications organizational chart. There should be a criteria whom to send in this affairs. Since, a publication is faced by problems concerned on the availability of funds; it must allow a shared decision-making by editors and staff.

Decision-making is a critical and productive activity within the publication, issues facing conflicts of interests could be discussed in this matter. It can not be denied that some students are part of the publication and other organizations in the campus. However, priorities should be set and discussed in order to have balance for both. There might be instances that confidential information is fed. Hence creates problems confronting this issue. With this, the publication should strengthen its policies and guidelines to avoid this conflict.

4. Affiliate in Organizations that Promotes the Interest of Campus Press

There are but few Organizations on the interest of Promoting Campus Press with a variety of Ideals. The Publication officers must study and seek more information about these organizations because some are just using Campus Press for the interests of politicians and certain groups which do not contribute to the real essence of true democracy and upholding student rights.

5. Know the issues facing Campus Journalism and its development

- Campus Journalism Act or RA 7079

- Academic Freedom and Commercialization of Education

- Cases in the Suppression of Campus Press Freedom

- Ethics in Campus Journalism

Campus journalists, students must continue to serve the best interests of the students and the people. Let us defend and assert the rights to free speech, free expression and free press.

portions of speech by
Karen Michelle P. Calacal, RN
former LH, EIC
during the 2nd Journalism Seminar-Workshop
College of Technology
held at Apilado Hall
DMMMSU-MLUC, San Fernando City
August 18, 2004
published with permission.

Requiem

The mind is depleted

Because his soul is immoral

The eyes are blinded

Because they fear the truth

The casket is open

For the fearful will shed tears

The DEVILS cheered

For they shall steal

The minds and bodies of the youth

The Ideologies die and perish!

Basilan was claimed by its people that it has earned its temporary peace when the American troupes joint forces with the Filipino soldiers in response to the Balikatan Exercises-2 Though the said move is condemned by militant groups and opposition because of its unconstitutionality, still the puppet government led by GMA exercised its underground powers and claimed victory using the slogan for Anti-terrorism. When America was threatened in the September 11, 2001 attack, our government took the scenario for granted. Analyzing both sides, America and the Philippines had that symbiotic relationship or parasitism: President Bush called upon the Nations to eradicate terrorism, Philippines responded, now the Americans are here to indirectly interfere again in our National sovereignty. It is remembered that the American bases left a scar among the Filipinos- the chemical wastes, the Americians, the many victims of sexually-transmitted diseases, etc. We owe a lot in exchange of a so-called Economic Free Zone popularly known as Subic and in response to an image-build-up of TRAPOS in the government. The Filipinos has been claimed to be blinded by the puppet regime expressing numerous promises on development and National progress. This is a clear implication that history just repeats itself because we Filipinos fail to correct our values thus the same exploitation of our Natural resources and our Integrity as a nation moves like an artificial food chain.

There is so much to question. Shall we say that the Filipinos chose to sell themselves to the foreigners in exchange for a greener pasture in the freedom land- green card, business opportunities, career…Or shall we blame the unique value called Filipino Hospitality wherein we give more than what we have? Or that hospitality has already been corrupted in the sense that we resort to it because we expect so much from the foreigners. That is a senseless idea! How could we gradually entrust our own security to these people where in fact they are the one’s who badly needed us? It must be clear that we are just being cheated by the provisions of the inhumane Free Trade policies!

That is why we can not blame the numerous pirates (those that imitate goods from music , clothing to the basic commodities) because on the other hand there has been no fair competition. The so called technological innovations by the Filipinos has doomed us in terms of Science and Technology

Though we have the brains- the government did not took the risk of resorting to funding these technological innovations because they want to appease the agreements made by the foreign business tycoons! On the other hand, they would express that “we have no fund for these” were in fact we have spent almost billions for a centennial celebration.

We need to correct on the value of hospitality. Our government has been cuddling the cronies of the late dictator and the many graft and corruptors. What more could we get but a massive economic sabotage, a high inflation, brain drain, low cost of living and the like. Let us correct the value on Filipino Hospitality.

So This Is What You Call Celebration?

Filipinos always find reasons to celebrate things. Christmas and New Year Celebrations are not merely traditions that changed lives but these actually resulted into serious matters as to the development of new values embraced by many.

It is a fact that these merriment could mean: family reunion, truce or cease fire, shopping time, business opportunities for those who make decors and others. It is actually a fever signaling a cancer in which its real essence has been blurred by parties, concerts, crimes, families torn apart and other social sicknesses.

These events rationalized as the celebration for the birth of a King is in reality taken for granted by business tycoons, religious fanatics, politicians, etc.

Political Scene

It was January when it marked a so-called restoration of Philippine Democracy against a government that seems to be following a coarse of this Nation’s dark history. But what the heck? This is just one of the events that blinded the youth for them to believe that they have indeed the power to restore something for the future of a torn nation- The Philippines. We could recall the many “mahihirap” who went on rallying not because they have to fight for their principles. These people went there because “they were paid by politicians” who had their own political motives. Others were there for exposure to Media or let their names be written in the History. Let us face this overused scenario, Idealism seems to have no face anymore and if it does, it is not that pure and honest because that Idealism was paid by power-hungry Elites! To Ninong and Ninang: “Diyay pascuak tapnu ibutos kaytu manen.!”

The Family that Prays together, stays together

We salute the Filipinos for their spirituality. We salute the people who maintain the holy traditions like the Misa de Gallo, after which enjoying the aroma of a cup of coffee and puto-bumbong. Hail to all the families who maintain a yearly tradition of having their get together party and have a new version of feuds regarding on their inheritance… This is the new version of the “matibay ang bigkis ng pamilya”.

But there are families that remained happy in the cold streets. There are children who knock at the car doors selling sampaguita or singing a rough tune of Christmas carols for a penny. There are children maltreated for not bringing anything for their gambling and drunkard parents. How happy thou art fighting in front of the lechon and a bountiful banquet!

Good Luck and Mega Sales

Estrada has been removed from office! Who took the jueteng presidency? Hmmm, jueteng is IN again. “I even saw the collectors near a popular institution when I went home to Lingsat (tsk!tsk!tsk! definitely not Lorma!)”. According to a reliable source, it is only in La Union where these illegal gambling is revived!

“Nagbukas ang popular na shopping mall sa bayan. Guess what? Their security guard is so… as in binukitkitan pa ang bag ko and attempting to open pa my wallet! (Di ba Jen?) Heck, see how scrupulous people are. I was even in my uniform that day enjoying a window shopping.” Says one student.

Mall owners wont be putting security precautions like that if shoplifters are not… Christmas sale is greatly driving people crazy! The sale sign actually is an effective stimuli in luring passersby. Unluckily, one student was mistaken as a shoplifter!

Game shows are truly hitting the ratings and paving a new craze for “sugadors” who make use of their telephones, internet and celfones (high-tech gambling!). I hear the famous lines: “sure ka na ba?” “You’re the weakest link, goodbye!” “Is that your final answer?”. Is there any way to earn money through actual hard work and not relying on that so-called luck?

Teaching Strategeezzz?

What’s wrong with the lecture method in exchange of handouts photocopied by…? Despite of this recent scenario that we have the technology like that of the “Online ED.”, many instructors are still up to the tradition of “employing dictation, board, projector, etc.” Suddenly, there is an emergence of that so-called handouts! Popular ba? Whew! Call it an advantage because students don’t have to develop “kalyo” in their fingers while they let their Panda danced on their beautiful Sterling notes. (Nagpromote pa akech!) Advantage because students will somehow be enticed to read in advance on topics and all they have to do during the discussion proper is to ask questions or take a pre-quiz. On the part of the professor, it is a lot more advantage. Why? Ahem, he/she does not have to exert more effort in dictating(bawas pa siya sa risk ng throat problems) and “tipid pa sa chalk at white board marker”. Mind you! Kaya kumita na naman ang mga may-ari ng photocopiers dahil nadagdagan na naman ang kanilang selling factor! Tsk tsk tsk!

I’m not against handouts or any improvements in teaching strategeezz. However, if these topics are explained well by instructors then there is no question on its emergence.(Mabilis nga naman ang discussion di ba? Kaya nga malaking tulong para hindi na magmake-up class during the night?) At least kahit gumasto ang student, may malaking benefit ang pagpapa-photocopy ng handout. It is even cheaper than buying books and help save time when you research in the library because it is actually an outcome of many references. According to a boardpasser, it helped him a lot during his review kasi naka-simplify na ang reading material? Kaya lang, it’s up to the student to really scrutinize kung ang handout ay merely copied, recycled, wrong grammar, etc. in order to find out kung updated pa ang material at may mataas na significance sa pag-aaral.

Resolutions

We are observing Christmas and New Year celebrations annually and yet the transformation that we are actually aiming is too ambitious but like a turtle! We crave for many things like progress in terms of economy and uniting our family but have not started from the basic that is within our selves. The Filipinos are known to be “Maka-Dios”, a very important value. Very few are living with this, it is something so difficult to maintain. Yet, if we have the will power to stop anything detrimental to our being, then good, for it will not only benefit ourselves but the others as well. Let us not wait for another New Year to come with new list of new years resolutions turned out to be unresolved. Let us remember the very reason why these celebrations exist and became a part of our culture.