Furor Over The Spratly Islands

On March 7, 2008, I wrote about the Spratly Islands (Kalayaan Group) and a military fiasco.

Today, a lot of people are trying to act like experts in the law of the seas and territorial boundaries while the Chinese are saber rattling. Please check the video below but never forget what I have written about the Spratly Islands, a few years ago.

Strikers Stinking Sense of Logic

Following these people’s logic, I therefore recommend that the government start individually profiling and visiting them in their houses. I further recommend that the military bring heavy guns, send the ugliest and foul mouthed soldiers and talk them into not joining any protest from now on. After all, if we will follow the strikers’ logic. Intimidating them is simply part of the convincing process.

Hey GMA, I need a well deserved award for this. I’m so brilliant, Am I not?

For the past several years, strikers in this country have resorted to unlawful and highly unethical ways of getting their messages across. They use harassment and intimidation through the use of barricades, burning tires, metal spikes and even bodily harm to discourage public transport and even private vehicles from using the roads for the duration of transport and labor strikes. While this has not been very successful in Metro Manila within the last decade, the practice is very effective in the provinces where fear is easier to sow due to the lack of effective peace and order system.

The objective of transport paralysis, even through artificial means, is to project an image of strength to be able to force the government, whoever the president may be, to succumb to the demands of the strikers.

During one strike, a transport leader, when confronted over the radio about reports of intimidation, defends such move, calling it a part of their attempts to persuade drivers into joining them. If I may quote, he said something like, “Ang tingin naming dito ay bahagi sa proceso ng panghihikayat…”

WTF???

Coming from the same people who cry against violence, this system of intimidation is very ironic at the very least. If one will examine these militant groups, it will be easy to identify which ones are allied with one another. If one will closely observe their marches, one will easily be able to separate and group them together based on their methods, banners and slogans. Yes, the harassers are the very same people who cry against military and government abuse, intimidation, “hamleting”, violence, etc.

Following these people’s logic, I therefore recommend that the government start individually profiling and visiting them in their houses. I further recommend that the military bring heavy guns, send the ugliest and foul mouthed soldiers and talk them into not joining any protest from now on. After all, if we will follow the strikers’ logic. Intimidating them is simply part of the convincing process.

Hey GMA, I need a well deserved award for this. I’m so brilliant, Am I not?

These people, for all the validity of their complaints are as guilty of committing the same sins to the masses.

THE OPINION MAKERS AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE COUNTRY

Watching the news and listening to the radio, I can’t help but feel bad that the opinions of the people of this country are being shaped by the loudest and angriest voices, but not necessarily the most sensible people in this part of the world. In my not so humble opinion, TV and radio commentators should only be allowed to tackle issues that they are competent of handling. Otherwise, they are simply leading this country into oblivion.


LET'S TAKE FOR EXAMPLE, THE SUPPOSED RICE CRISIS

I cannot believe that leaders of some groups are spending so much time asking the government to admit that there is a crisis and angrily demand for subsidies even after such was already given. I also find it hard to believe that radio commentators and TV personalities give this people so much air time.

And this administration, wanting to score brownie points, announced a whopping P5 billion in rice subsidies. Despite that, the foul mouthed leaders of farmer groups, never to be satisfied with any move from any administration, angrily demands for more. Actually, what I heard from a radio interview made no mention of the government declared subsidy. They simply demanded (angrily) for subsidies, subsidies and more subsidies as the cure. Subsidy in the form of cheap fertilizers, cheaper seeds, etc? That’s very stupid, if one will analyze the issue.


LET'S GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT

At this point, all we have is a speculation of a crisis. As for the shortage, we’ve known that for a long time. Isn’t that why the government imports rice? But so far, rice can be found and we are yet to hear of empty shelves anywhere in this country. This freaking shortage is nothing but speculation until the stores start closing. When I last checked, all the retailers have goods to sell.

Declaring that there is a crisis, even when the supply is still sufficient simply leads to panic. Didn’t we just experience a hike in rice prices after the activists and the opposition declared that there is a freaking crisis? That's what we have now, a price increase. As for the stocks, it remains full.

And what is farmers' main basis for their LOUD DEMANDS for subsidies? They declare that there are a lot of them (rice farmers). In fact, they claim that they are the majority in this economy. Of course, that is not true. In fact, that is a blatant lie.


QUESTIONS

But before we continue, let me ask, where will the government get the money to subsidize them come from? Tsk tsk.. Agriculture contributes only 14% in this country’s GDP with rice comprising a small portion of that. If that’s the case, the government will draw the subsidy from the rest of the agriclurtural sector, the Services sector (which contributes 55%) and the industrial sector (31%). Is that fair to all concerned?

It is a fact that prices increase every year. Our population also increases annually. Therefore, our demand for rice will keep increasing. Does that mean that the government should keep on allotting more and more money as rice subsidy?

Do we subsidize them til the end of our days? Aren't this farmer leaders ashamed to demand for dole outs?

My parents own rice farms making us a farming family, but damn us all! We’d rather force ourselves and everybody else to eat camote and bread than live on other peoples dole outs!


ANALYSIS

My dear opinion makers, never forget what will happen that as soon as the government stops subsidizing the farmers. They will die.

Stop the foolish subsidies and teach them how to increase their efficiency. Teach them the ways of high breed farming and other good farming practices. In addition, irrigate their lands and build them farm to market roads. It will further increase their yield and amplify their capability to bring their produce directly to the end users. That will not only increase the income of the farmers and decrease the rice prices; it will also annihilate the greedy traders in between.

These farmer leaders do not want to even think of helping their people. They are quick to reject the use of high breed rice simply because it will require them to buy seedlings every planting season. Never mind that it will greatly increase the net profits of the farmers. For them, the Holy Grail lies in government subsidies, subsidies, increased subsidies and never ending subsidies! Those leeches!

Give the farmers subsidy and let the rest of the country suffer. By the way, isn’t it that the rice farmers also eat rice?

With rice farmers comprising a mere 25% of the labor force and contributing only 14% of the GDP, what do they think will happen?

Will it be a good policy to have a happy 25% and a starving 75% of the population? Wait a minute, will subsidies make them happy? I seriously doubt it. These leaders do nothing but teach their people to complain.


SOLUTION

If the rice farmers really want to improve their welfare, they should develop their production methods. For one, it has been proven that high breed rice increases their net income. They should go all out for it. Never mind the traditional variety for it will not disappear. Its seedlings will always be preserved and used by specialty farms. There will always be a demand for it. Let the rich plant and pay for it.

As for the government, if it really wants to help its people, it should use the P5 billion in rice subsidies in building irrigations and roads. Farm-to-market roads in the lowlands cost less than a million pesos per kilometer; in the uplands, it is between P1.5 million to P2 million (per Km). The P5 billion will build 5,000 kilometers of roads in the lowlands and 3,000~4,100 Km in the uplands. Now, that will surely bring down the cost, not just of rice but all other things coming from the provinces.

The government should also allow the free for all rice importation and the reduction of its tariff to 3%. That will lead to lower prices and sufficient stocks. It will also force the hoarders out of business and everybody will be happy.


CONCLUSION

The solution is not in subsidies. A subsidy is nothing but a dole out. Once it stops, the farmers will die. There is a saying,

“Give a man fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you give him food for life”.

RISEN CHRIST, RISING GAS

As Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, oil companies join the festivities by pumping up the pump prices gas.

While I have never agreed with their pricing formula (from day 1), I will set aside that topic and for now, talk about another aspect-- how the world oil prices affected us within the past couple of years.

Comparing the prices of crude oil to the retail prices of downstream products (unleaded, diesel, etc.) in this country, we will notice that the movements of the two were not exactly parallel. As of May 2007, crude oil was being traded at the $65 level (per barrel) and at present, the price is moving from $96 ~ 110/barrel - it has almost doubled.

As for the prices of downstream products, I do not have the exact figures but an informal survey assured me that its increases are not even near that magnitude. The reason for such an anomaly is quite Obvious. The peso is stronger than it was 2 years ago and just recently, the tariff was reduced.

Imagine if the peso remains at the P50 = $1/level. The gas prices would have easily doubled and all consumer products should have risen catastrophically. But since the peso got stronger, the current price of commodities have not increased as much.

That is something that some people fail or refuse to realize -- things could have gotten a lot worse had the peso not appreciated. As a dollar earning individual, I, together with this country's OFW's and exporters have lost quite a lot within the last two years. However, I am thankful that my loss also meant lesser burdens for most of the 80 million citizens of this country. My ForEx losses meant lesser income for me but it also extended the life of a lot of people who are unemployed or underemployed - those who never had access to enough pesos.

SO IRRITATING, ISN'T IT?

Reading about the Spratly Islands today, I was reminded of that guy who writes mediocre papers in UP but thinks that he is Moses who can walk along the streets of Makati and expect the multitude to follow. He probably imagines himself as the bearded Moses who only needs to dip his stick into the ground for the Red Sea to part. Of course, it's not possible at all.

Anyway, why do I not trust the military to deliver us from evil, (amen)?

Read this piece about the Spratly Islands:

Southwest Cay Invasion:

Southwest Cay, known as Pugad island in the Philippines, as (南子岛) Nanzi Dao in China and as Đảo Song Tử Tây in Vietnam, is an island that belong to the Spratly chain. It was occupied by Philippine forces up to early 1980's only when Vietnamese forces were able to invade the island.

Southwest Cay is in the northern edge of the Spratly chain. It is within North Danger Reef which also contains the Philippine-occupied Northeast Cay (Parola Island), Vietnamese-occupied South Reef and unoccupied North Reef. Southwest Cay and Northeast Cay are just 1.75 miles away from each other. Each island can actually see the other within their respective horizons.

The invasion took place when all the Philippine soldiers guarding the island of Pugad left the island to attend to the birthday party of their commanding officer who is based in nearby Parola Island. Allegedly, some Vietnamese officials managed to send some Vietnamese prostitutes in Parola, labeling it as "a present to the Philippine commanding officer for his birthday and as an effort of Vietnamese soldiers to befriend Philippine soldiers guarding the Spratly chain." Philippine soldiers never expected that Vietnam will do a foul play especially because the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia are already mapping a joint venture in the disputed islands. Vietnam's tactic proved to be effective because all soldiers in Pugad island left for the party. After the party, the returning soldiers were surprised that hundreds of Vietnamese soldiers are already setting tents in the island. The Vietnamese flag replaced the Philippine flag flying in the pole created by Philippine soldiers themselves. The soldiers returned to Parola immediately for fear that Parola is the next target. After higher-ups of the Philippines were informed about the situation, they instructed the troops based in Parola and Pagasa to stay on red alert status. Malacanang officials, headed then by President Ferdinand Marcos, discussed the situation thoroughly for the following weeks. It had been apparent that most of the officials want to attack Pugad to reclaim it. However, after an intelligence report came stating the Vietnam has already built a huge concrete garrison after a few weeks, the officials dropped the plan and tried to resolve the issue diplomatically. However, this approach eventually died along the process making Pugad a Vietnamese-occupied island up to this day.

--From: Wiki

So embarrassing, isn't it? It's a part of the golden history of our country's armed forces. Let's just acknowledge and learn from it. If the military leadership cannot lead itself, why trust them to lead us?

Just to remind the military mutineers, like Trillanes and those riding in his popularity. We all have our own roles in this society. Let us focus in what we can do best and not dip our fingers in areas where we are not good at. If your soldiers do not have guns because your commanding officers are selling it, give them military justice. If your general is joyriding in the medevac chopper while your wounded personnel are dying, do what you have to. But by no means should you blame it on the president and try replacing him/her for it will not take out your problem regarding your phony commanding officer and the free loading general. Get your bearings straight, clean your muskets and stop leaving the life of a rich man.

By the way, whatever happened to that businessman that you and your armed goons threw out of his property?

63 YEARS AGO, TODAY

DESTRUCTION EVERYWHERE

This day marks the liberation of Manila from the Japanese Imperial Army (1945). A month prior to that (03 Feb 1945), the battle started with a push of a combined US and Filipino troops towards the UST campus which had been turned into an internment camp for American and Filipino prisoners of war and political detainees. Capt. Manuel Colayco, a USAFFE guerrilla officer, became the first known casualty of the campaign that netted thousands of people from both sides dead from the fighting and massacre that happened within the period.

"Countless government buildings, universities and colleges, convents, monasteries and churches, and their accompanying treasures dating to the founding of the city, were decimated. The cultural patrimony (including art, literature, and especially architecture) of the Orient's first truly international melting pot - the confluence of Spanish, American and Asian cultures - was eviscerated. Manila, once touted as the "Pearl of the Orient" and famed as a living monument to the meeting of Asian and European cultures, was virtually wiped out."

Today, 63 years after that heroic day, the country is once again short of heroes. Corruption is the word of the day. The country is ranked as among the most corrupt in the world and the incumbent president is perceived as the most corrupt.

In desperate search for heroes, UST was probably duped in elevating into hero status, a man who's testimony in a big time corruption scandal, if properly analyzed, leaves much to be desired. Admitting to no wrongdoing but only a few (when cornered). He spends more than $10,000 a year in green fees alone (golf), spends a lot more in many luxuries, finances the hobnobbing of some of his kids with the elite few, but maintains several other (hidden) kids in the poor sections of the city.

They say that history is written by the victors. But with the information age at hand, let's see how history will judge Jun Lozada. Was the oldest school in Asia right in elevating this man into a hero? Or were they duped by a scheming and corrupt gangster who turned whistle blower when he failed to get his cut from both sides?

And the battle rages...

A lie, repeated often enough, will end up as truth.

- Dr Paul Joseph Goebbels
Hitler's Minister of Propaganda (1933-1945)

I am very busy these days but I can’t help but dish out some thoughts regarding the brouhaha called the NBN Scandal. An assortment of witnesses is coming out one by one and seems to be dishing out bombs distributed over time in order keep the public talking about it. Looking at it in terms of warfare, what we are seeing here is a prolonged bombing strategy intended to soften the targets before launching the final assault. This campaign is reminiscent of the last two wars in Iraq.

In the Dessert Storm, General Norman Schwarzkopf ran a month long bombing campaign while flanking his forces deep into Iraq in a final strategy called the “Hail Mary” that lasted only for 100 hours. During the campaign to oust Saddam, the US rained hell on Iraq before sending in the troops using a basically the same strategy now very popularly known as “Shock and awe”.

In the Philippines today, what is happening is a variation of the two campaigns except that the public is only seeing the propaganda aspect of it. Like an audience in a stage play, they are only seeing what the directors are showing. The bigger play is happening in the back stage.

In one side of this campaign, witnesses are lined up, dates are set, bombs timed and things are being set into motion. With Durano’s revelation that Lacson’s chief of staff is a close friend of Lozada’s brother and that they have been planning this since August, I am not at all surprised that this things are happening. And if that is the case, the street protests, withdrawal of support and possible military component is probably being worked on.

Of course, there may be truth to the allegations against GMA and corruption may actually be taking place. But one thing that we should never forget is that stalwarts of the Estrada led opposition, Escudero, Lacson and now Cayetano et al. are the ones leading the charge in the senate, the others are in the streets and one of the godfather’s, Erap has started to come out to lead the attack.

Let us remember that in contrast to GMA, Erap has been convicted of widespread corruption. Having spent only 880 days in Malacanang, he was he was proven guilty of having amassed P4,097,804,173.17 or P4.6 million per day. That is discounting the other charges that the prosecutors decided not to pursue, being so confident of winning a conviction in the first two cases.

Last weekend, the opposition Godfather Erap, bragged that none of the government dealings of his regime was ever tainted of corruption. With the media replaying this statement again and again, the public is being made to believe that this is true. This part of the strategy is nothing new, it was a theory so effectively used by Hitler, through Joseph Goebbels.

But what are the facts? Isn’t it that Erap was guilty of:

1. misappropriating, converting and misusing for his gain and benefit public fund in the amount of ONE HUNDRRED THIRTY MILLION PESOS (P130,000,000.00), more or less, representing a portion of the One Hundred Seventy Million Pesos (P170,000,000.00) tobacco excise tax share allocated for the Province of Ilocos Sur under R.A. No. 7171, in conspiracy with co-accused Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang, Alma Alfaro, Eleuterio Tan a.k.a Eleuterio Ramos Tan or Mr. Uy, and Jane Doe a.k.a. Delia Rajas, as witnessed by Gov. Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson, among other witnesses; and
2. (c) directing, ordering and compelling the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) to purchase and buy a combined total of 681,733,000 shares of stock of the Belle Corporation in the aggregate gross value of One Billion Eight Hundred Forty-Seven Million Five Hundred Seventy Eight Thousand Fifty Seven Pesos and Fifty Centavos (P1,847,578,057.50), for the purpose of collecting for his personal gain and benefit, as in fact he did collect and receive the sum of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY NINE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P 189,700,000.00), as commission from said stock purchase; and

What do the two statements mean?

a) He took P150 million out of the P180 M of tobacco taxes.

b) He used the SSS/GSIS money for gambling purposes in the stock market. In Pilipino- “Ipinang sugal ang pera ng gobyerno”

There are so many other things that Erap is guilty of, here’s the court decision to enlighten us all. That is one big problem. If GMA is a plunderer, the opposition which is trying to oust her, is by itself led by a confirmed and unrepentant plunderer.

Isn’t it strange that they are also asking for the ouster of the mandated successor, the Vice President (VP)? They allege that since he is not lifting a hand against her, he should be taken out, as well.

Logic dictates that the VP’s silence is the most proper thing to do. With him about to benefit from the president’s downfall, any attempt for him to lead the opposition will make him look like a power grabber. One thing should always be remembered. Even if we have doubts to the VP’s ability to lead the government, he is and should be the successor, should anything happen. That is a truth that is as clear as the sun, which the opposition is trying to shield our eyes from.

The opposition is taking out the VP because he is no puppet of theirs. What they are doing is nothing but an attempt to bring back the old days. When the first order of the day was to persecute political opponents and reward friends, pardon convicted criminal friends, a hero’s burial for the Apo at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, etc, etc...

The best strategy for the people is to be vigilant and keep on sending crooks to jail, while awaiting the likes of Mar Roxas and the younger ones to become ripe. Hopefully, by 2010, they will be. Let us be careful in believing the opposition, they’re as tainted as the people they are trying to depose.

One thing for GMA, though… Take heed! The people is running out of patience. The end is near… As Shaekespeare once wrote,

"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances.."

You will only be remembered only for your exit, for your entrance happened a long time ago.

Lozada, please come clean

I'm really pressed for time and I never had the chance to read and edit my posts. Here it is. better late than never. Post Edited.

In an episode of the apprentice, Donald Trump said something like,

“In my books, there’s nothing that ranks higher than a comeback”.

In the Philippines, a former president of a government corporation and whistle blower Jun Lozada is trying to present himself as a person out to come clean while admitting ONLY to SOME guilt. That, for me, falls short of a real conversion. And with the way his exposes are coming on piece meal basis makes me start to have serious doubts on his credibility. Should he fail to completely admit to his guilt, it won’t be long and he will end as one discarded puppet in a stage play entitled “The world”.

Lozada baby, with your "Probinsyanong Intsik", "Moderate your greed" and other quotable quotes. I have a few quotes that aptly describes you.

"Putang Ina, Pare!" "Tang Ina" and Kabig "from both sides, pare!"

That's you, Jun Lozada. Listen to the tapes that you admitted was you on the phone.

Moderate pala, ha?

MORE OFW'S WANTED IN ITALY

Call it brain drain or whatever you may want to. But since I was born, I've never really seen life improve in this country. So for those wanting to increase their success probabilities, go and find your fortune, my sons!

From its quota of 3,000 which was alloted on 2006, Italy has given the Philippines an additional 2,000 making the new total of 5,000 Pinoy OFW's that will be allowed for 2008. The employees which will be allowed covers

1. Caregivers
2. Construction
3. Domestic helpers and
4. Dependent work in general.

The ambassador to Italy says,:

"Filipinos can now enter other work sectors in Italy aside from domestic work as long as there are employers willing to hire them."

The PDI added,

"The application of the interested employees is done through the Internet.

Interested employers may use their own personal computers or avail of the services, for free, of the accredited employers associations, and labor unions in order to submit requests to accede to the established quota."

WHY I WILL NOT JOIN THESE PRESENT CALL FOR GMA'S RESIGNATION

I don’t like GMA.

However, there are several factors that I think will be the source of blame should GMA not be forced out by these ongoing calls to resign. Here are two:

ISSUES & LEADERS' CREDIBILITY: They blame her for the Glorietta blasts, multiple scandals, sham impeachment process and tainted electoral mandate.

Well, the Glorietta blast is now turning out to be an accident but these guys were so quick to and still continue to put the blame on her. Let me see. Isn’t this turning out to be a case of the boy who cried wolf? Isn’t it that nobody believed in the boy afterwards? Dudes, if I were GMA, I'd simply say, blame it all unto me!

Furthermore, isn’t it that one of the big leaders of this group is confirmed to have led the installation of bombs all over Glorietta 3? Antonio Trillanes, remember? As for most of the other cases, there isn’t solid evidence GMA was behind it, except for the Garci Tapes which the opposition was unable to effectively use against her. During the Garci Scandal, they had their chance BUT THEY FAILED. This is so unlike the Jose Velarde accounts that effectively made the people rise. If my recollection serves me properly, there was no real leader during the first few hours of EDSA 2. We were just a group of people lacking a leader at the dark corner of Ortigas avenue, after the Couples for Christ decided to assemble in the area. There were no lights, sound system, program, food, etc. It was only much later when a semblance of an organization took shape.

MOTIVE: Why are they are dragging the Vice President into this mess? This for me, shows the real motive behind the call. Noli de Castro isn’t among them and a GMA resignation will mean that the opposition will still be without real power. By dragging the Vice President into the call for resignation, the real motive is becoming very clear. These opposition members merely want to grab power for themselves. They are not doing this because they think that GMA is a crook and her resignation is good for this country. They claim to include Noli de Castro in the call for resignation because he supposedly benefitted from GMA’s cheating of the 2004 elections and up to now, he continuous to support her.

Well, well, well... Isn’t it that these opposition leaders also benefitted from Erap’s graces during his term and up to now, they continue to support him? If that’s the case, since Erap was not merely accused but in fact, CONVICTED OF PLUNDER, should they also resign their posts and go to exile?

Despite my hatred for GMA, I will not join these present calls for her resignation. I fought and sacrificed hard just to be able to get Erap and his cohorts out of the corridors of power. I am not about to help these people go back. What we want is a move forward and not a return to the vdark ages.

GMA, if indeed guilty will have her day of reckoning. But never will I work to get the Erap’s boys back!

For the meantime, the people want the Jose Velarde money! WHERE IS IT?

PINOY REMITTANCES CONTINUE TO RISE

A Canadian client once told me that Filipinos are very remarkable.

Of all the immigrant races in North America, they are the only ones who send money back home.



UCPB remittance business up 14%

Trillanes in times of panic

Leaders are supposed to lead and not create misunderstanding, panic and violence. This is most specially true during times of uncertainty.

The good senator Trillianes was quick to accuse the GMA administration as the perpetrator of the Glorietta blasts, barely 4 hours after the explosion. His lawyers followed it up with pronouncements that the jailed senator has evidence to support his declaration. But yesterday, the National Police Chief Razon announced that when they interviewed Trillianes (last Saturday), the Magdalo spokesman admitted that the Friday outburst was only a political statement…. SUSMARYOSEP!

My extreme disappointment at Trillanes is not without basis. The Philippine government spent PhP2 million to send Trillanes to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) where he was taught a lot about how to become a RESPONSIBLE public SERVANT.

Last Friday's pronouncement was far from being responsible. Tsk tsk.. It sounded a lot more like, sowing disinformation with the intention to create panic, terror and uprising against the government.

Senator Trillanes, have you wasted the people’s investment on you?

You know, fish vendors borrow P5,000 to be used as working capital from the friendly “Bumbay” and pays it back in daily installments (from the profits of their trade). I call the “Bumbays” friendly because they are the only reason why a lot of small entrepreneurs are still alive to this day.

If Trillanes is the kind of output that the Filipino people will get from the 2 million, it would have been a lot better if the money was instead used for microfinance. That way, the money would have fed an additional 400 fish vendors and their families. That is certainly a lot better than using the money to nurture somebody who recklessly blames people without basis.

Trillanes, your only saving grace at this point, is to deny that you made that statement (to Razon) and present solid evidence.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES SLUR: SO THAT WE WILL REMEMBER WHAT WE ARE NOT

Hopefully, this will be a closing post regarding the unfortunate Desperate Housewives fiasco. Let me start by illustrating how the offended parties feel by quoting what other blogs have to say.

The first is Michelle Markin's, being one of the most read blogs in the world. An American born to Filipino parents, she's often quoted as having not so many nice things to say about the Philippines but she sided with us on this one. True to form, there was sarcasm against Filipinos but in regard to this issue, here's what she wrote:

(Quoting a portion of the ABC apology) “There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines.”

" Well, of course there was. They should have stopped before that weasel cop-out."

Neil Kramer, in his usually funny style, narrated how a Pinoy doctor felt,

"I immediately called my family doctor, Dr. Mark Guinoo, a 1985 graduate of Manila Medical School, to hear his reaction. He was stunned.

“When will the negative stereotypes ever end?” he said.

Dr. Guinoo has truly been a lifesaver to me. Last year, during a bout with pnemonia, he prescribed “Dr. Scholl’s Foot Lotion” for me, and three months later I was cured.

ba-ba-boom!"

The Defamer, in an article tagged as "INSENSITIVITY DEPARTMENT" says,

"We're confident that ABC, an organization that's becoming more painfully aware of the power of poorly executed jokes to hurt each day, will rise to the occasion and go beyond the obligatory apology it's already issued, taking the protestor's suggestion of a donation to heart. Expect the humbled network to issue another press release shortly, announcing a generous, conciliatory gift of $1 million to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center Dance Center, proving their commitment to promoting the healing power of the performing arts."

I remembered this old post that reminds us of what Filipino medical Professionals are not. Having worked so hard to gain acceptance and acquire a solid reputation as caring people, an attempt to demean them is naturally deemed offensive. A few pages ago, I clearly stated that Filipinos are not as bad as the health worker in the video.




Going back, the ABC network has apologized. And if they are going to accordingly edit that episode, may I ask everyone to put an end to the complaints.

Let's move on, as vigilant as before, knowing fully well that allowing anyone to intentionally disgrace us is something that will become regrettable in the end.


This post ends here. No need to click the "Read More!" link for now. Thanks

A SIDE LIGHT TO PACQUIAO - MORALES II: let's see how the Philippine National Anthem will be sung

The National Historical Institute has spoken with the GMA - 7 to remind Kyla how to properly sing the national anthem.

Several of the past singers bastardized the anthem but got away with it because they sung it offshore-- Susmaryosep!!!!

I hope it's sung properly this time. In this country where a lot of things seem to be wrong, the least that we can do is start by properly singing the "Lupang Hinirang".

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: ABC NETWORK APOLOGIZES FOR THE RACIAL SLUR

"The producers of Desperate Housewives and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offence caused [by the insulting remark] in the season premier," ABC Network said in a short statement of apology obtained by ABS-CBN North America News Bureau.

ABC Network added: "There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines."

There you have it, they apologized. Of course, it was done after realizing that Filipinos are not going to let it pass. Mga kababayan, there may have been overreactions, just like some of the anti Malu Fernandez comments. However, had you kept silent about it, would they have taken it back? Nah, I don't think so.

That's the price of liberty -- blood, sweat and tears. We are a nation because our forefathers fought for it. We will continue to become one for as long as we continue fighting for it.

I remember an accounting professor who once said, "Zealously protect your grades. Do not let any dumbass professor give you anything lower than what you deserve. Any failure to do so will become very regrettable, eventually." Looking back, it was just a grade in a minor subject, but he's right. A failing grade will become a permanent mark that will haunt you every time somebody looks at your transcripts.

In the same manner, had the Filipinos done nothing, that remark would forever have been etched in the minds of those who watched and will view that episode even after we are all gone.

Zealously protect your country. It's the only one that you have. But may I remind everyone, a little bit, to watch your actions for it defines you as a person. Do not overreact.

"Can I check those diplomas 'coz I just want to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines.

PS:

1. I was blog hopping when this piece caught my eye. It's not written by a Filipino, by the way. "There have been many high-profile cases of bigoted and offensive remarks coming from Hollywood, including the Michael Richards' n-word rant and Isaiah Washington's homophobic insult. However, the Desperate Housewives comment is different. The hateful remark made against Filipinos was written into the script! It wasn't just a heated rant or an off-handed insult. The comment went from the writers to the editors to the actors, which says to me that no one felt this was insulting or problematic… and that's a problem!"
2. By the way, there's an online petition that has generated 40,059 signatures as of this writing.

This post ends here. No need to click the "Read More!" link for now. Thanks

TOUCH ME NOT

The Fortune Cookie wrote and mentioned that he’s been wanting to blog his views about the Philippines but there's this newly acquired US citizenship that makes him feel having lost the right to do so. I was tempted to immediately write back that his new citizenship should not hinder him from trashing what's wrong in this country. However, a few things made me rethink what I wanted to say.

Let me start by thanking him for being so considerate. The note speaks well of him and shows possession of something that a lot of people don't -- Class. Now, here is my take regarding the matter.

Is it legal for him to do so? Foreigners may be welcome in this land but are they allowed to participate in our political exercises? Pacquiao’s promoter is a Harvard educated lawyer and he did not endorse the Pacman’s candidacy because of restrictions that, being a lawyer, he knows so well. And even if Philippine laws allow such kind of participation, the US government may have something to say, on the contrary.

Besides, don’t we all get irritated/insulted when friends and/or relatives (who are in town for a visit) criticize our country as if there’s nothing good about it? I swear.. I wanted to throw some of them out of my car, a few times.

Therefore, this is my position, en este momento.

Holders of dual citizenships may criticize and say anything they want. After all, they are still half Filipinos. Foreigners may also say their piece. Their experiences with us will help us improve ourselves.

But may I gently and very humbly ask those who already gave up on their citizenship, those who have turned their backs, to please refrain from criticizing anything Filipino. A lot of us who are still here feel insulted when you talk trash about the traffic, our roads, the weather and anything else. You may have forgotten that we are a good race but we don't take intrusion too kindly.

We treat visitors very well, our excellent interpersonal relationship skills made us a sought after source of medical professionals, domestic helpers, etc. but never forget that you have ceased to become one of us. Besides, you have left us already. Others may even refer to your move as abandonment but I will not go that far.

Let me just ask you very gently, to please back off.

As liberal economists would have it, “Laissez nous faire.” (leave us alone)

If I may borrow the words of a resurrected Jesus Christ and a novelist Jose Rizal, they said, “Noli me tangere” (Don’t touch me)

This post ends here. No need to click the "Read More!" link for now.

LUPANG HINIRANG

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491
AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE CODE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG, ANTHEM, MOTTO, COAT-OF-ARMS AND OTHER HERALDIC ITEMS AND DEVICES OF THE PHILIPPINES

"...a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) nor more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court:"

Watching "Jessica Soho Reports"(not Imbestigador, as I earlier wrote) and their feature today confirms what I have written in this site regarding the proper rendition of the Lupang Hinirang. It turns out that the composer, Don Julian Felipe got mad whenever people committed mistakes whenever they sing the National Anthem.

Well, Geneva Cruz, Regine Velasquez, Jenny Bautista and several of you who knowingly tried to be fancy with the National Anthem, it's your turn to apologize. Under the law, you deserve some jail time.

Watch "The Jessica Soho Reports"...

This post ends here. No need to click the "Read More!" link, for now.

Postscript: Christian Bautista's small blunder

"This topic is something that I find very irritating because some of our good for nothing/copycat artists are doing nothing but copy the "Star Spangled Banner" for the whole world to see."

Christian Bautista's apology more than made up for his blunder of forgetting a couple of lines in the Philippine National Anthem. As I commented in another blog, forgetting some lines is nothing worth more than a few laughs. His apology (its probably on You Tube) spoke of his shame for having forgotten the lyrics of the anthem of his country (that he so much loves).

As for me, what is more serious and even criminal, is in attempting to be fancy with the Philippine National Anthem despite specific provisions in the law specifying how it should be sang. The National Anthem should be fast (a brisk march). After all, it's a marching song.

This topic is something that I find very irritating because some of our good for nothing and copycat artists are doing nothing but copy the "Star Spangled Banner" for the whole world to see.

Notice the way the Americans sing the last line? They stretch it sooo beautifully,

O'er the laaaaand of the freeeeeee, ....and the hooome of the braaaave!

Now, the Pinoy copycats have the nerve to copy it right before the Americans. Notice how they sing our last line..

"Ang mamatay naaaaaaang daaaaaaa hiiiiil saaaaaa yoooooo"

There's this one who failed miserably and even added, "Mabuhay Pacquiao!!"

Kadiri!

GOODBYE, ABE!

Dear Abe,

You have just announced that you are resigning.

Well, it was only a matter of time after your political party’s electoral defeat. There’s turmoil in your house (party), you lost the majority in the upper house, four of your party mates went down due to scandals and now, your popularity is down to 30%. Last year, I never thought that this would happen to you. But good riddance, it did.

As a non Japanese, I SHOULD NOT REALLY CARE but I DO.

Our problems are bigger and your affairs are supposed to be separate from ours. However, SUCH WAS NOT THE CASE and much of it is BECAUSE OF YOU. You are the willing leader and poster boy of historical revision. HOW DARE YOU OFFICIALLY DENY THAT OUR COMFORT WOMEN EXISTED? After the sufferings brought upon the innocents by your soldiers, you dare proclaim that there is no evidence that your soldiers systematically enslaved and raped women in your “Comfort Houses” It’s a good thing that you went down.

Is this your first time to see this types of photos, Abe? Your guy beheaded a Pinoy boy. he could have become a great President of this country, who knows?

Perhaps, now that you are leaving, the healing can begin anew. After you disrupted it with your !@#$% declaration. I hope, your children's textbooks will start talking about your real role in the war. I also hope that your successor will have a better stance regarding this issue.

Real reconciliation starts with an acceptance and a humble request for pardon. It is followed by forgiveness and reconciliation. After that, all parties can start to move forward. Your predecessors did just that, but you reversed it Good riddance you’re out.

SAYONARA!

THE PROPER (and only) WAY OF SINGING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ANTHEM

SECTION 50. Any person or juridical entity which violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) nor more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court: Provided, That for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed: Provided, further, That in case the violation is committed by a juridical person, its President or Chief Executive Officer thereof shall be liable.

********

The Philippine Flag and its national anthem are silent witnesses to the sacrifices of the Filipino forefathers for this country's liberty, self determination, etc., etc.
During the American reign, the flag was even prohibited and it took 12 years of bitter struggle before it was allowed again.

"...I wish to be tolerant, and when the army authorities told me that such tolerance would be of evil results in the future, I answered that we should not be very exacting because the Filipino flag symbolized an ideal bathed in blood and tears.".

- Governor General James. F. Smith

THE BOY IN THIS PHOTO IS BEING BEHEADED

It is therefore a big act of sacrilege and criminality to desecrate the flag (and the anthem), the way ignorant people are doing now. I wonder how people who sing on international television (e.g. The Pacquiao fights) were able to blatantly afford prostituting our national anthem and get away with it.

----

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491
AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE CODE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG, ANTHEM, MOTTO, COAT-OF-ARMS AND OTHER HERALDIC ITEMS AND DEVICES OF THE PHILIPPINES

SECTION 36. The National Anthem shall always be sung in the national language within or without the country. The following shall be the lyrics of the National Anthem:

Bayang magiliw,
Perlas ng Silanganan...

SECTION 37. The rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.

SECTION 38. When the National Anthem is played at a public gathering, whether by a band or by singing or both, or reproduced by any means, the attending public shall sing the anthem. The singing must be done with fervor.

As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor. At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing their right palms over their left chests. Those in military, scouting, citizens military training and security guard uniforms shall give the salute prescribed by their regulations. The salute shall be completed upon the last note of the anthem.

The anthem shall not be played and sung for mere recreation, amusement or entertainment purposes except on the following occasions:

SECTION 48. Failure or refusal to observe the provisions of this Act; and any violation of the corresponding rules and regulations issued by the Office of the President, shall after proper notice and hearing, shall be penalized by public censure which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation.

SECTION 50. Any person or juridical entity which violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) nor more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court: Provided, That for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed: Provided, further, That in case the violation is committed by a juridical person, its President or Chief Executive Officer thereof shall be liable.

KILL EVERYONE OVER TEN!