Sanctuary

If blogs had feelings... mine would feel abandoned

2012-01-13T21:58:00.001+08:00

It's exactly 23 months since I last posted here.
That's two years. Almost.
Blame it on Facebook.

Surely, I have a story somewhere that should be written.
In the time of social networking, it's so much easier now to just post an "update" to my status. Or post a photo album - which I trust blindly will do the story telling for me. Put a caption here and there, tag as many friends as possible. Click "like". Post a comment.

No more long emails.
No more blog entries.

Someday. I'll write you a story someday, or of one of the many lessons I learned in life since the last time we ever shared a good conversation. Or a meaningful email exchange.

In the meantime - you can check my Facebook page. Nah, just kidding. :)

Serendipitous Little Words of Encouragement

2010-02-19T13:02:00.001+08:00

Nothing really, just appreciating how you get the same message from unrelated people and in various ways. It's sometimes creepy - but it's also mysterious. And that makes it beautiful.

click on the image to get a bigger view

My Barcelona Story 2

2009-12-16T13:20:00.000+08:00

You cannot avoid the question, "How was the food?", when you have just come from a foreign country.

Unfortunately, I do not have much to say regarding the food in Barcelona.
For one, I brought my own food - my stash of instant noodles, bottled sardines. Not because I expected the food to be bad. I just expected it to be expensive. I ended up saving those Euros, but then you're shortchanged with the stories. :).

For another reason, my mostly Asian contingent was fiercely loyal to eating rice - and for all the other times that we had to eat in a restaurant - it was to be, without fail, a Chinese restaurant. And there was only one Chinese restaurant in the vicinity. So there we were, in Barcelona, eating Chinese.

Our room was also a recipient of left overs from restaurant meals by our other colleagues. Throughout the nine days that we were in Barcelona, we had more than enough food in our mini - ref. I actually ended up bringing food I brought back to the Philippines. That's a lot of food miles for those oatmeal packets. I still have not eaten them.

So I really couldn't say how the food was. We did try some. On our second day, we had our lunch in the hotel restaurant. It took around an hour (or maybe 2) before the food we ordered arrived. Lunch was also served at 1 PM, which was actually an hour early than their usual lunch hour of 2 PM. We started streaming into the restaurant at 12:00. We had to go back, of course, because there was no way lunch would be served at 12:00.

Two of my African colleagues ordered fish and rice, and chicken and rice. All of us agreed that they didn't look or tasted the 15 Euro each that they were worth. The one who ordered fish complained it was bland. The one who ordered chicken was so aghast at the "rice" part of his meal. It was probably a mound of just five tablespoons of rice.

I ordered paella (pork and seafood). I thought our paella tasted better. And my Asian and African colleagues kept on saying, "They don't know how to cook rice.", because the rice in the paella was what we would normally consider half done.

On our second to the last day, we did get to eat in a Spanish restaurant. We were with an Italian colleague who did the ordering for us. We had steak on a sizzling plate, which did not seem to taste any different from the steaks that I did get to eat before. (Although I did not eat much because it was medium - rare). And then we had artichokes - which tasted pretty much like - the banana "heart" (What is "puso ng saging" in English?) Except you don't have to struggle with fibers when you eat "puso ng saging".

I did get to eat in a "semi - Spanish" household on the night before we were to leave Barcelona. I say "semi - Spanish" because it was an American husband with a Catalan wife who have lived in the UK (and probably other places in the world) with multi - lingual children. We were served vegetarian lasagna, pomegranate salad, and cake. I'd say it was the greatest way to culminate my food experience in Barcelona. It was the best food I ate throughout my stay.

Worthy Undertakings

2009-11-30T12:08:00.000+08:00

"Indigenous peoples account for 5% of the world's population, yet they protect and care for 22% of the Earth's surface, 80% of remaining biodiversity, and 90% of cultural diversity on the planet. They are also among the poorest and most socially excluded people in the world. (World Bank, Social Dimensions of Climate Change Workshop Report 2008.)"

All This Talk

2009-10-01T15:09:00.001+08:00

The Russian Federation currently has the floor. And the Co-chair interrupted him to ask what he meant by BPOA - to which he replied "The Bali Plan of Action - it came out funny, somehow, generating laughs from the people inside the conference room. It was usually referred to as BOP or the Bali Action Plan. Australia is now speaking, chuckled when she said she would express the principles she had in mind in sixty seconds.

It's hard to be distracted, on such a time like this, actually. I have the bigger urge to listen to what the speakers are saying, rather than trying to write this - fearing I might miss something - something that will definitely be historical and worldwide in scope - and missed it because I was not paying attention.

It is already overwhelming being a spectator as all these talks go on. On some other circumstance, I would have been very cynical, having such an aversion to "so much talk." With the news of typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis that have recently rocked the world, this gathering of 4,000 people has become more real to me, and I am actually appreciating it, even the tedious process. As part of the delegation of an observer NGO representing indigenous peoples, I am even in more awe of the thought that what we are here for can make a difference on the lives of millions of people who have historically been marginalized, and are placed in a most vulnerable position, despite being least contributory to climate change.

There is yet more talk to happen, until deals are sealed at Copenhagen in December. Bangkok has its place in this process. And as I watch, I can only hope that "all this talk" will amount to something that people in here, including me, would be proud of.

News of Manila in Bangkok

2009-09-27T13:28:00.032+08:00

"There's a typhoon now. Floods all over this am. But seems to be fading." Got that as a text message, and just took note of it. Because the day was far from done, there was more to talk about, by this group of around a hundred indigenous peoples all over the world. I do not think the arguments became much hotter than the warmth of the Bangkok sun, and as I strained to listen, I was more concerned with those 34 pieces of translation equipment that my colleage and I issued to the participants. I had a lot on my mind. Including, how to get all of them back.

At the end of the day, in the restaurant, we finally had a chance to talk about the flooding in Manila, but we became engrossed on the bouquet of greens that was brought to our table - which happened to be my dinner.

The following day, the flooding in Metro Manila was all over the news. I finally got the details of the situation from the Bangkok Post paper that I picked up from the hotel. It did look bad. It looked even worse when I was finally able to view videos of the flooding.

Now, as the talks on climate change start here in Bangkok, many of the speakers, representatives of the different countries who are here to negotiate on what to do with the changing climate, have already expressed their sympathy for the disaster that has befallen the Philippines.

It feels strange being a recipient of these sympathies, and having to respond to people from other countries asking what the situation in the Philippines is now, when I have also been merely a spectator of the news that has come.

I feel that things are okay, because I have contacted family and they have assured me of their safety. But I know it is not, because when I watched TV this morning, the Metro Manila flooding is still in the news. "Worst flood in 20 years. " "A month's worth of rain, in a day." Tell me this is not climate change?

Counting Blessings 1 - Clear Sidewalks

2009-09-17T09:17:00.008+08:00

Walking my usual route to work, I became aware of a pleasant sight - a stretch of sidewalk I could actually walk on.

It's not a spectacular view, but in communities where there's not much parking space, it's quite often to see something like this:

As you get nearer the business area, the walkable sidewalks even become more scarce:

It could be worse, because sometimes, you can't use the sidewalk at all:

So I am thankful for that stretch of sidewalk. And although it can be annoying that sidewalks are used as parking spaces, or storage spaces, or whatever, I still like this part of Quezon City.

Favorite Places 1 - UP Diliman

2009-09-14T14:45:00.006+08:00

UP Diliman's welcoming trees.

I was born and raised in Baguio, and most of my travel experience before graduating from college was mostly in the Cordillera - where even if the roads seem totally dangerous, I was with family and relatives. And I felt safe. Oh, our high school class had a field trip to Zambales - a few years after Mt. Pinatubo erupted - and I brought home two lahar rocks as a souvenir - I still have them, gathering dust on the divider that my father made - but still there.

Anyway, the first time I was in (UP) Diliman, was probably when I needed to get my transcript of records, just before graduation. I was with college friends and it wasn't so bad. I do not remember having memories of fear, but then I don't remember much.

The next time I was there was summer of 1999 - for summer classes - at the college of Education. I was to become part of the second batch of volunteer teachers under the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod - Gurong Pahinungod Program, and the summer classes was part of our training. I guess for many of us who were there, it was a life - changing summer. I was blessed being there with the people I was with. Diliman became for me a friend as well. I relished every corner that I discovered. I delighted in the welcoming trees that seemed to give me a warm hug evertime the jeep enters the campus. I eventually, considered it home.

I remember how Diliman became my safe haven after that, when I didn't go home and instead chose to work in Manila. I would take the hour-long commute after work, to get from Sta. Mesa, Manila where I was teaching, just so I could have 30 minutes of quiet in the Diliman grounds.

Until now, almost a decade after, it is still one of my favorite places.

Finding Sunshine in Grey Skies

2009-09-12T10:00:00.004+08:00

Spent the last 10 minutes just trying to set up.
Fifteen minutes before that trying to open the door.

Realized I did not really know what to write about.
Checked out Twitter and decided I did not need another social networking site to log into.
I thought I'd write about the different people I saw while walking on my way to work -
A young boy with a plastic bag over his head, maybe some magic hat to protect him from the rain
With a cart of nice looking vegetables.
Had the urge to stop and look at his wares.
But moved on, thinking I don't know what sort of vegetables to buy, anyway. Having nothing in mind to cook.

Work Day Ramblings

2009-09-11T09:10:00.004+08:00

Time wasted so far: 41 minutes

Doing what: Downloading internet explorer for Windows vista

The nice thing about being in Metro Manila, as compared to being in Baguio, is that the day seems longer. When in Baguio, 8:00 PM is already very late, and it's likely that you'd like to be asleep by 10:00 pm then wake up the next day at 7:00 am. In Metro Manila, sleeping at 11:00 PM is normal and for some reason, your body wakes up at 6:00 am.

Time wasted so far, since last count: 8 minutes

Doing what: Waiting for windows internet explorer to install

Doing this because: Everytime I use the internet explorer that I have in my computer, it always suddenly closes, after I close a tab, for example, the whole thing just disappears - and it does not even go bak to the sites I was previously on.

It is hard to type without using the left forefinger. I cut myself yesterday trying to open a pack of mongo.

Comfort Room

2009-06-27T10:02:00.003+08:00

I surprisingly found comfort walking in the hallways of a hospital in this time of anxiety and tension.
It was familiar, the corners not daunting, the walls unimposing. But also maybe because, here, I had the experience of being cared for and of being assured safety.
Should it be strange, that a hospital incident could actually be pleasant?
Maybe.
When there are high hopes for the body's wholeness, and people who really care, then a hospital is a place of comfort indeed.

Horizontal Communication

2009-04-21T01:12:00.006+08:00

This girl gives us a smile - Clark Kent and I, in a later conversation, thinks she's one of those fund raisers, out to ask for money - asks us, instead, if there's anything that frustrates or bothers us about the world - and if we could write and add that to the list she's holding. Clark Kent writes: Buses running late.

Because Clark Kent is curious, she answers it's part of a class project. Members of their performing arts class were to position themselves in the different subway stops, and do what she just let us do. She explains it provides a way for people to talk to each other, and people get to have a glimpse of other people's minds by reading all the rest of the items in the list. Horizontal communication, I think that was what she called it.

Chloe, that was her name, then asked us if we could hand the list to another friend of hers in the subway station where we were going to get off. She said her friend will be easy to find - and we only need to look out for someone who's holding the same sign she was holding - "underground communication."

And we did see the friend, who was also named Chloe (and it was not part of their performing arts thing - they were just both named Chloe) - waving the sign frantically over her head when we got to the station where we were to get off. Chloe 2 gave us a warm thank you and generously obliged to have her picture taken.

We thought it was an interesting interaction.

One Warm Day

2009-03-10T10:34:00.006+08:00

One winter day
The sun decided to
Shine brighter
warmer
Such that the sky
Was blue
And the clouds high

Come join me
Watch the blueness
Of water and sky
While the wind is not yet chilly

Maybe we'll have enough of a conversation
To warm us
Even as the sun sets
Or the clouds turn dark

And just maybe
This winter will not seem so long
Anymore

A Valentine Realization

2009-02-14T22:31:00.010+08:00

I told a friend, when she bemoaned her being alone on Valentine's day, that it was a Hallmark invention and we don't have to go along with it.

The Wikipedia entry for Velentine's Day (see quoted below) all the more convinces me that in its modern context, it is a mere commercial ploy:

(Saint) Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The day was originally a pagan festival that was renamed after two Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines". Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester, Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. The popularity of Valentine cards in 19th-century America was a harbinger of the future commercialization of holidays in the United States.

The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas.

And although I claim to be totally unaffected by the occasion, I remember now how it's actually a pleasant childhood memory. Growing up in a culture where affections are not openly expressed, I remember that it was probably only during Valentine's where I was able to express "I love you" to my parents through hand made cards that we did as craft projects in school during the day. I remember cutting out red colored paper hearts and pasting them into quarter folded white bond papers. I took pride in being able to make my valentine cards as creatively as I could - mosaics from tiny heart pieces, heart shaped cards instead of plain squares, pop - ups, ruffles. Because I was not into childhood crushes, the primary recipients of my cards were my parents and my friends. I remember holding the cards for my parents on my way home and handing it to them knowing it was one of the very few ways I was able to show them my affection.

I think I stopped giving valentine cards to my parents when I got into high school, but I know I continued to do something special - small notes, hand made tokens, maybe - for my friends on Valentine's. I called it "heart's day" bent on my resolve to reframe it away from it's romantic associations and just to make it an opportunity to affirm and express affection to the people that matter in my life.

And then I grew old, or probably got busy - or probably all these technology has taken the place of hand made cards and hand written notes. Now that I realize it, I should make way again to the "hearts' day" that I used to have in my life, remembering also that there is a Divine Presence in my life that loved me first even before I was in existence, even before I knew the existence of love. Happy Heart's Day everyone!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning, great is thy faithfulness O Lord”. Lamentations 3:22-23

Missing Home

2009-01-26T23:30:00.003+08:00

Eternal summers

Afternoon rain showers

Drifting through my mind

Rays of sunshine

Warming me

Melting the cold icicles of snow

That covers my soul.

I dream

Of roadside conversations

And walking around small neighborhoods

Where people know each other

Exchanging looks

A nod of heads

They say,

“Oh you’re back”

“Since when have you been home?”

And I would say,

“It’s been a long time.”

I smile and look around me

It’s a cold winter day.

It’s been some time

I would say.

It’s been some time.

Rut

2009-01-20T05:47:00.004+08:00

I think
It's called
A rut.
Where I am.
It's like a black hole
But it's right where
I am standing
And it is sucking
All the life
Out of me.

It is watching
The stories
of Everyone
Around
Near
And far.
And wondering
Whatever happened?
To me?

It is.
A rut.
And I wonder.
How.
Is it?
That
I am here.

1340 1/20/09

First Snow 2009

2008-12-08T10:47:00.006+08:00

Snow came with the morning today. Our window provided a good view of the flurry. Watching snow fall is like watching the rain - but without the sound.

On our way home, we noticed the snowflakes that got caught on my coat sleeve.

It was delightful to see the snowflake and be able to discern its shape and pattern. We spent several minutes just trying to catch snowflakes on our sleeves (and bonnet and gloves), taking pictures of the individual snowflakes.

We tried to take photos as close as we can but our digital camera's macro function could not do a super macro. We had to make do. But we still had fun! And it was a truly amazing experience.

Boston to Baltimore Trip Notes - New York 1

2008-11-26T20:49:00.002+08:00

November 26, 2008

00:45, South Station, Boston

I'm sprawled on the floor in this part of South Station where people are supposed to take the buses out of Boston, supporting my back on a large concrete post that had an electric outlet – therefore allowing me to have my EEE PC plugged and charged. We have tickets for the Fungwah bus that leaves at 2 AM. We got ourselves to South Station at around 1230 AM – because we needed to make sure that we catch the last Red train that leaves Alewife, supposedly at 12:22 AM.

After getting off from the subway, we meandered through South Station – it being a major transportation platform – subway, commuter rail, buses to all directions – before finally getting to the bus gates. Getting as near to the boarding gate as possible, no matter how far from the departure time, is a lesson I learned from being left behind by the plane in Hongkong. I never forgot it: Get to the boarding gate first. And then maybe rest, or nap, or window shop – around the area of the boarding gate.

Getting to South Station and looking at the information screens – I realized I had so many choices of buses to take for New York. There was Lucky Star – which also had a trip for 2 AM. The other major bus lines – Greyhound and PeterPan had trips for early morning – but starting at 7 AM, I think. And there was Bolt, and Megabus. I could have tried to look at Lucky Star – it might have a cheaper ticket than the $25 that Fungwah charged - $10 more expensive than their regular rates. I guess I did not Google enough.

A security officer answers a question from a passenger: “No, taxis are the only way out now. The last T has already passed the station.” It is 00:58. About a half hour before, another security officer was going around asking passengers for their tickets – because only passengers with tickets – or those leaving after 12 AM - are supposed to be the only ones allowed within the area.

My alarm has sounded. Got to go. It is 1:22.

7:22 AM, Starbucks – Corner Delancey Street and Allen Street, New York

With the Chinatown buses (the general term referred to the cheap fare buses, having started operating from and to New York Chinatown) seating is always on a first come first served basis.

Make sure you “checked in” with the ticketbooth if you bought your ticket online.

Being sleep deprived, I tried to sleep during the trip from Boston to New York. For his wake up call, the driver blared loud music when we were near the New York bus stop. With Fung Wah, and I think with most of the Chinatown buses – there is no terminal – just a drop off point. You basically get out of the bus to the sidewalk. Much the same feel as going down at BGH Rotunda when coming from Metro Manila to Baguio City.

We arrived at around 5:00 AM! Our ticket for Baltimore was at 9:45 AM. So what do we do now?

“Get out of the way.” The first words I got from a New Yorker on his bicycle in a cold November morning. Still dark. Not the most pleasing welcome remarks.

The sun has not yet risen and it felt creepy walking in long tunnels – turned out we were walking in the wrong direction. But we eventually found Allen Street – the pick up “terminal” for the New York – Baltimore leg of our trip. Getting a sense of the location, the next thing to do was – find a Mcdonald's.

Funny as it may seem, fastfoods have become a sanctuary for travelers in that uncertain zone of killing time before the next bus schedule. But this particular Mcdonald's was not friendly to weary, sleep – deprived travelers. People were not allowed to loiter, so we had to pay to stay there by ordering a meal. Just as well, I was hungry and it would be breakfast anyway. The staff were not fastfood cheery though – no point telling you that you've just made their day just by entering their door. So this is New York, I guess.

Anyway, I made sure to consume the breakfast I ordered as slowly as possible. Logic: as long as there was food on the table, I had a right to stay there. We finally finished the one breakfat meal that I ordered and decided to have coffee in a nearby Starbucks, not because I am a fan, or that it is a habit – but we assumed it was a safe place where people can stay as long as they want and maybe even have free wifi access with their coffee order. Note to the uninitiated: Venti does not mean small. It is the size bigger than Tall.

So here we are. So this is New York. At least one street corner of New York. I have a good view and there are many interesting people to watch.

On the Whale Massacre at Faroe Island

2008-11-18T23:56:00.002+08:00

I am not really sure this is Sanctuary material, but I might as well put it here.

A friend of mine sent a forwarded message about a gruesome traditional activity that happens in the Faroe Islands in Denmark. It involves killing a lot of whales. Naturally eliciting a lot of protest - and therefore a lot of forwarded emails.

So, I checked with Google just to make sure this is not just some propaganda thing that wasn't based on anything.

I looked for videos and found one at Youtube. I did not even finish it (because it really was very bloody).

But with further reading, and consulting the ever reliable truthorfiction.com - it turns out the people in the Faroe Islands have some rationale on the activity - not as a rite of passage tradition as mentioned in the forwarded email - but as a communal activity to store food for the winter.

But the activity really is not for the squeamish - as a BBC correspondent/witness had put it.

Here's a link to the objective take on the issue: A Whale of a Killing in Denmark -Truth! & Fiction!

And here's an excerpt from the BBC article that gives another perspective: Faroes' controversial whale hunt

"What, I wondered, did they think of the attempts by animal rights activists to ban whale hunting outright?"

They had no doubts. With 800,000 pilot whales in the North Atlantic and with rarely more than 2,000 a year taken in the Faroes, the whale population was not under threat.

Had I, they asked pointedly, ever gone to an abattoir in my country and seen the industrial daily slaughter of thousands of farm animals?

Ironically, rights activists and Faroese do agree on one thing.

The recent discovery of high levels of mercury, insecticides and other toxins in pilot whales means that whale meat consumption may have to be reduced. Pregnant mothers on the islands have been counselled not to eat it.

Surely, my friends pointed out, rather than attempting to block a traditional and sustainable harvest, environmentalists would better focus their energies on preventing the slow poisoning of the seas, which in the long run pose a far greater threat to the whales, and to us all.
[End of Quote]

Anyway, not that I think there is no issue, I would not personally be involved in such an activity myself - I guess I just need to take a second look. This is also related to concerns for polar bear hunting in the Arctic. Extreme conservationists would call the practice evil, but on the other hand, they forget that it is a major source of food for many of the indigenous peoples in the Arctic.

And I guess in the web of life - humans are the ultimate predators - and we are just doing our job.

--- Excerpt of the forwarded message:
>
> DENMARK: WHAT A SHAME!!!
>
> This happens in Denmark

>
> DENMARK: WHAT A SHAME, A SAD SHAME.
> THESE PICTURES HAVE TO BE SEEN AROUND THE WORLD. THERE IS NO WORSE BEAST THAN MAN!
>
> This brutality happens every year, Dantesque, bloody slaughter in the Faroe Islands, which belongs to Denmark .
> A country supposedly 'civilized' and a EUROPEAN UNION country. For many people this cruel practice is unknown, how insensitivity.
> This bloody slaughter is just to attend Moz to 'show' entering adulthood! It's absolutely incredible that nobody dares to do something to prevent this
> barbarism that is committed against Calderon, an intelligent dolphin who has the peculiarity of approaching people out of sheer curiosity.

Autumn's Coming

2008-10-04T01:08:00.001+08:00

I took a walk from the apartment to the Kendall Square station.
20 minutes
The whole length of Third Street.
Passing through blocks
And trees by the wayside

I would hear my feet
When they touch the concrete sidewalk
Already dotted with
Wonderfully fallen leaves
An exclamation
My thrilled feet
In spite of my four dollar thrift shop rubber shoes
Singing
"Beatiful! Beautiful!"

Wearing Mufflers in August

2008-08-21T00:00:00.001+08:00

I loaded the laundry at the basement.
Then mulled whether I should return a phone that I bought spur of the moment yesterday
While I washed the dishes.
And reminded myself that I had to go back to the sink to wash the pans which I left to soak.
I opened the computer supposedly with a purpose,
But wandered to my emails
And saw a string of new mails
From my husband.
Who is sitting a few feet away from me.

It was chilly since yesterday.
I am wearing a muffler made from a shawl
From Cambodia
A gift from a former officemate.

I am made aware again of the passing planes
and the constant whirring of machines around me

It is a quiet morning
Except for all these whirring
And our clicking keyboards.

Splashing at Fountains

2008-08-20T11:01:00.002+08:00

I watched as the kids played with glee while water spouted from the concrete ground.
It was one image that I definitely do not get to see a lot at home.
What with our concept of "init at lamig" or "basa at tuyo."
But not all Filipinos are afraid of playing in the rain, aren't they?
I am quite sure playing in the rain was one fond childhood memory I have, somewhere tucked in the recesses of my brain - which has forgotten some things.
I am certain, however, that people from the Philippines associate being wet in the rain with danger - necessitating a warm shower immediately after.
Are we afraid that the water is dirty? That it contains "germs?"

But we don't get to see kids from the Philippines playing in fountains. Our fountains are not meant to be interactive. Here, I think the water is definitely dirty.

Seeing the kids playing by the fountain, even if it is not something that I get to see at home, made me miss home.

Letter to Hotaru on Overflowing Thankfulness

2008-08-01T23:10:00.003+08:00

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

-Galatians 2:6-7

Dear Hotaru,

There are many things that apply to me in Galatians 2:6-7, and especially in my current context. I had an essay title running in my mind even before we got here - “Yet again, in transition.” It was supposed to highlight how, yet again, my life gets to be in transition. And in a time when I feel I would like to be settled and rooted. I feel that I've had my share of moving around and seeing places and going yet again to a new environment does not excite me anymore.

But Paul's letter to the Galatians has something for me in that area – to “continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him.” I have sort of attributed the waning of my spiritual life to the many geographical moves I have made. I felt that if somehow I could live in a place for at least five years, I could find myself a good local church where I could build relationships, get involved in ministry, and grow in the faith. Here, I am reminded that I am to continue to live, to be rooted, to be built up – in Christ. I should know what that means, and I could possibly come up with a very spiritual affirmation of its significance in my life. But I use the next line in the verse to explain how the seemingly simple concept of continuing to live in Christ, being rooted and built up in him, is to me at the moment a practical mystery. “Strengthened in the faith as you were taught” - shouldn't this bring me back to my rationale of why I want to get rooted and settled down? Oh me, of little faith! So I conclude with that, and proceed to “and overflowing with thankfulness.”

At this particular time of the month, it is really hard to be thankful for me. At this time of the month, I am worried. I have been worried even before we got here. Here, I am reminded of thankfulness. I realize that I have not been very thankful lately because I have been worried.

It is so hard to be encouraged so quickly by a verse when you are struggling with faith, recognizing that you have been taught – but your faith has not been strengthened. And it is not because I moved so much, I guess. I have not taken it to myself to do my part to be rooted, to be built up, to be strengthened in faith. I have limited God to geographical comfort zones - “If I could just stay long enough in one place, I would probably have more faith.” And realize quickly how such a bad excuse it is.

I am reminded that faith can only grow when it is used. This is my little step of faith today – thankfulness. I may not be overflowing with it right now – but I'll get to that. “Count your blessings one by one...”

One by one.

You, included.

Yours,

Kulibangbang

How-to forward emails appropriately

2008-07-28T20:55:00.005+08:00

I stumbled upon a blog by a Don Kishote which he actually got from an email that was sent to him by a friend. I am not an email forwarder, and I have to admit that I do not really open forwarded emails even from friends - except when I really don't have anything to do.

Anyway, when I do get to read a forwarded email, I check it with http://truthorfiction.org/ or http://breakthechain.org/. I have made it a point to call the attention of the forwarder to make sure they first verify information that they forward. And that long list of previous recipients is really annoying - and also dangerous - because it becomes a great source of email addresses for spammers. So think about it first when you forward email because there are two things that you might be doing:
1. You are perpetuating the spread of lies and untruth.
2. You are putting your friends at risk by exposing their email addresses.

Below is the post for those who don't want to follow the link.

Pasabilis: How-to forward emails appropriately

Every time you forward an e-mail there is information left over from the people who got the message before you, namely their e-mail addresses & names. As the messages get forwarded along, the list of addresses builds, and builds, and builds, and all it takes is for some poor sap to get a virus, and his or her computer can send that virus to every e-mail address that has come across his computer. Or, someone can take all of those addresses and sell them or send junk mail to them in the hopes that you will go to the site and he will make five cents for each hit. That’s right, all of that inconvenience over five cents!

How do you stop it? Well, there are several easy steps:

(1) When you forward an e-mail, DELETE all of the other addresses that appear in the body of the message (at the top). That’s right, DELETE them. Highlight them and delete them, backspace them, cut them, whatever it is you know how to do. It only takes a second. You MUST click the ‘Forward’ button first and then you will have full editing capabilities against the body and headers of the message. If you don’t click on ‘Forward’ first, you won’t be able to edit the message at all.

(2) Whenever you send an e-mail to more than one person, do NOT use the To: or Cc: fields for adding e-mail addresses. Always use the BCC: (blind carbon copy) field for listing the e-mail addresses. This is the way the people you send to will only see their own e-mail address. If you don’t see your BCC: option click on where it says To: and your address list will appear. Highlight the address and choose BCC: and that’s it, it’s that easy. When you send to BCC: your message will automatically say ‘Undisclosed Recipients’ in the ‘TO:’ field of the people who receive it.

(3) Remove any ‘FW :’ in the subject line. You can re-name the subject if you wish or even fix spelling.

(4) ALWAYS hit your Forward button from the actual e-mail you are reading. Ever get those e-mails that you have to open 10 pages to read the one page with the information on it? By Forwarding from the actual page you wish someone to view, you stop them from having to open many e-mails just to see what you sent.

(5) Have you ever gotten an email that is a petition? It states a position and asks you to add your name and address and to forward it to 10 or 15 people or your entire address book. The email can be forwarded on and on and can collect thousands of names and email addresses. A FACT: The completed petition is actually worth a couple of bucks to a professional spammer because of the wealth of valid names and email addresses contained therein. If you want to support the petition, send it as your own personal letter to the intended recipient. Your position may carry more weight as a personal letter than a laundry list of names and email address on a petition . (Actually, if you think about it, who’s supposed to send the petition in to whatever cause it supports?&nb sp; And don ‘t believe the ones that say that the email is being traced, it just aint so!)

(6) One of the main ones I hate is the ones that say that something like, ‘Send this email to 10 people and you’ll see something great run across your screen.’ Or, sometimes they’ll just tease you by saying something really cute will happen. IT AINT GONNA HAPPEN!!!!! (Trust me, I’m still seeing some of the same ones that I waited on 10 years ago!) I don’t let the bad luck ones scare me either, they get trashed. (Could be why I haven’t won the lottery??)

(7) Before you forward an Amber Alert, or a Virus Alert, or some of the other ones floating around nowadays, check them out before you forward them. Most of them are junk mail that’s been circling the net for YEARS! Just about everything you receive in an email that is in question can be checked out at Snopes. Just go to http://www.snopes.com/

Its really easy to find out if it’s real or not. If it’s not, please don’t pass it on.

So please, in the future, let’s stop the junk mail and the viruses.

TiongSan Harrison On Fire

2008-04-03T09:22:00.004+08:00

April 2 was not a good day for TiongSan Harrison.

BUHAY AMERIKA

2008-03-23T22:21:00.008+08:00

This got forwarded to me.
Sharing it here.

-----

Original message from Aizon:
HAY BUHAY AMERICA TALAGA
A friend named "Maeng Ni" posted this.
Lahat ng sinabi niya nakakatuwa at totoo.

Akala ng mga tao na nasa Pilipinas kapag nasa America ka akala nila madami ka ng pera. Ang totoo, madami
kang utang, dahil credit card lahat ang gamit mo sa pagbili mo ng mga gamit mo. Kailangan mo gumamit ng credit card para magka-credit history ka,
kase pag hindi ka umutang o wala kang utang, hindi ka pagkakatiwalaan ng mga kano . Pag wala kang credit card, ibig sabihin wala kang kapasidad magbayad.

Akala nila mayaman ka na kase may kotse ka na. Ang totoo, kapag hindi ka bumili ng kotse sa America
maglalakad ka ng milya-milya sa ilalim ng init ng araw o kaya sa snow. Walang jeepney, tricycle o padyak sa America .

Akala nila masarap ang buhay dito sa America . Ang totoo, puro ka trabaho kase pag di ka nagtrabaho, wala kang pangbayad ng bills mo sa kotse, credit
card, ilaw, tubig, insurance, bahay at iba pa. Hindi ka na pwedeng tumambay sa kapitbahay kase busy din sila
maghanap buhay pangbayad ng bills nila.

Akala nila masaya ka kase nagpadala ka ng picture mo sa Disneyland , Seaworld, Six Flags, Universal Studios at iba
pang attractions. Ang totoo, kailangan mo ngumiti kase nagbayad ka ng $70+ para makarating ka dun, kailangan mo na naman ang 10 hours na sweldo mong
pinangbayad sa ticket.

Akala nila malaki na ang kinikita mo kase dolyar na sweldo mo. Ang totoo, malaki pagpinalit mo ng peso, pero
dolyar din ang gastos mo sa America. Ibig sabihin ang dolyar mong kinita sa presyong dolyar mo din gagastusin.
Ang P15.00 na sardinas sa Pilipinas $1.00 sa America , ang isang pakete ng sigarilyo sa pilipinas P40.00, sa
America $ 6.50, ang upa mo sa bahay na P10,000 sa Pilipinas, sa America $1,000++.

Akala nila buhay milyonaryo ka na kase ang ganda ng bahay at kotse mo. Ang totoo milyon ang utang mo. Ang bago mong kotse 5 taon mong huhulugan. Ang
bahay 30 taon mong huhulugan. Ibig sabihin, alipin ka ng bahay at kotse mo.

Madaming naghahangad na makarating sa America . Lalo na mga nurses, mahirap maging normal na manggagawa sa Pilipinas. Madalas pagod ka sa trabaho. Pag dating ng sweldo mo, kulang pa sa pagkain mo. Pero ganun
din sa ibang bansa katulad ng America .
Hindi ibig sabihin dolyar na ang
sweldo mo, yayaman ka na, kailangan mo ding magbanat ng buto para mabuhay ka sa ibang bansa.

Isang malaking sakripisyo ang pag alis mo sa bansang
pinagsilangan at malungkot iwanan ang
mga mahal mo sa buhay.Hindi pinupulot
ang pera dito o pinipitas. Hindi ako
naninira ng pangarap, gusto ko lang
buksan ang bintana ng katotohanan.

Letting Go

2008-03-14T22:42:00.001+08:00

I lost my cellphone recently.
It slipped out of my pocket (I can see it all in my mind), while I was on a taxi, on my way home.
I cried a little over it. I was hoping to use that phone for a very, very long time. It was a favorite. I got that phone with a purpose. I needed a phone that was compatible with my palm, and it turned out the phone was already a model that was out of production.
I took the effort to go through every store in Greenhills just to look for it.
And I found it.
And loved it.
And then lost it.

It was funny, but it was the same feeling I had when I was looking for my palm. It felt like I was looking for an antique item. They were not the latest fads, and the store sellers might have found it weird that I was looking for items that were not very popular anymore.

Anyway, because modern life dictates that I will need a cellphone in order to continue living, I went off to the second hand cellphone shops one rainy afternoon when the queue for my jeep ride was rather long.
I went from one shop to another asking if they had phones less than one thousand pesos. They thought I was asking for a model.
But I eventually made a six hundred peso purchase.

I miss my old phone.

It takes a while to get used to a downgrade. But I have this intention to hold on to my P600.00 prize, as a sort of punishment (my previous phone was the fourth phone Clark Kent and I lost between the two of us in just a year), or look at at this way - a reminder - that it was just a thing.
My friends were very nice about it when I told them about my loss.
"Di bale adda kasukat na nga maymayat." (It doesn't matter. It will be replaced by something better.)

Hey, I got a text message.
My P600.00 phone works. That's all that matters, right?

Sigh.

Bangladesh Impressions

2008-01-30T13:59:00.000+08:00

16:12 Mon Jan-21-2008
Dusty. And rundown. That would be the adjectives for my first impressions on Dhaka. But it's also - familiar. It's like what I felt when we were in Aceh - like being in some area of home.
Rickshaws- that would be the image I will have for Dhaka.

10:23 Tue Jan-22-2008
The sound would be - constant honking.
It's morning. At the rooftop restaurant of Ambala Inn. It's cold, actually. Like Baguio's morning chill these days.

00:35 Wed Jan-23-2008
The people do rise at the arrival of a king.

I commented how the people here- the Bengalis, actually, all seem to look the same, and how that makes me appreciate the diversity of Filipinos. I was looking at the different faces of the CHT indigenous peoples I'm working with and remembered how I was so surprised, when I met them for the first time, that they didn't look like the Bangladeshis I had in mind. I look at their faces again and smile, they look so much like Filipinos.

13:29 Wed Jan-23-2008
Oh, and crows. A new found friend said there are two things that you can see in Bangladesh. People and the black bird. Apparently, the government forbids the killing of the birds. Some say when you attack a bird, all the other birds attack you back. They're everywhere. Like pigeons in other parts of the world. Only they're not the kind of birds you play with and feed in the park.

23:42 Thu Jan-24-2008
A garbage sorter singing on a street side garbage heap.

Sudipto, Nmong, Achok, Mathura, Mrinal, and other heroic and admirable Adivasi brothers. Oh yes, and the Bengali consultant, who's making sure everybody thinks indigenous enough. We had dinner at his apartment. He has a German wife with a dragon collection. She had many interesting things to say about dragons. Their driver, jackie, gave us a lift home then picked us up again the following morning so we could get back to work.

The hotel restaurant cook who regarded us as friends when he learned we were Filipinos. He would come to our table with a Filipino greeting, and other Filipino phrases. He had worked in Kuwait, some 9 years ago, and he was the only man and only Bangladeshi with a bunch of women Filipino overseas workers. We had dinner at the hotel restaurant tonight, and he told us he gave us more servings than what should be. He started asking about our husbands, then commented how Filipino wives work so hard. He began naming his Filipino friends, asked us another time if we were going to come back to Bangladesh, then offered if we could take the boy waiter beside him with us back to the Philippines. Or we can give him our address and he could send the boy, then we give him a job.

17:55 Fri Jan-25-2008
Roller coaster rides - whatever mode of transportation it may be. But the most scary is the rickshaw. It's like you'll topple after every bump. The CNG crisscrosses like it does not share the street with another thousand CNGs and rickshaws and cars, and people, who even jostle with the wheeled machines at intersections.

Dhaka, Bangladesh Notes

2008-01-19T09:53:00.001+08:00

We're going to South Asia! [It's a work thing though... so either that adds or lessens the hype, depends on you. :)]

I did not try to listen much on the 'stories' and advice that went around the office regarding this trip. First, because I said I would like to spare myself the expectations, and second, the comments made it seem like the place was not worth a visit. As in, "be happy if you didn't get a visa" kind of comments.

Anyway, I realized I needed the information for the very wise purpose called preparation. So now, I'm trying to scour the net for "tourist" information on Bangladesh. But I did not really need to go far. I didn't even google yet. I went straight off to Lonely Planet and found some good stuff from the forum threads. It's nice when people share their own stories.

I still need to find out about the current weather and what clothes to wear though... I should get back to that now.

I hope to write more later.

Cheesy Love Poems 1

2008-01-09T09:45:00.000+08:00

I do make these kinds of stuff. I even made a whole booklet with one guy as an inspiration. I compiled all the cheesy stuff I made, did some effort to deliver the stuff to him (I never really knew if he got it), then disappeared from his life ( I think we both disappeared from each other's life - but it's not as if we had some sort of connection). He was one of the best images I ever fell in love with.

This one is not for him or about him. But it's cheesy. I thought you might want to have a read and share a chuckle.

01.09.08
Para kay Superman
(Habang nalulunod sa kalaliman ng kanyang pag-iisip ng mga bagay-bagay maliban sa akin)

Wala naman talagang
patutunguhan
Ang pag-uusap na ito
Dahil pareho tayong
Nakatingin sa kawalan

Ikaw lang pala

Dahil
Pinagmamasdan kita

Pilit umaasang
Nangungusap tayo
At may ugnayan
Sa ating katahimikan

Ngunit magkahawak man tayo'y
Hindi kita maramdaman
Hindi kita kasama

At dito
Sa kung tawagi'y "tayo"
Ako ay mag-isa

Culture Shock

2007-11-29T22:53:00.000+08:00

I added a new continent on the list of places I've been to.
It's a wonderful opportunity - not quite expected, and quite beyond my wildest dreams - although it's not actually a dream.
I guess I've traveled enough already that traveling to new places does not really come as a surprise. I'm just glad to be around.

Anyway, somebody flew me in to one of those northern countries that didn't ratify the Kyoto Protocol, but which accounts for almost half of the greenhouse gas emissions that's' causing global climate change....

I'm supposed to be on holiday.

It's funny because I have quite determined that work for me was like attending school. Right now, I feel like I'm missing my classes.. and I'm a little worried on how I would catch up.

So anyway, I'm here. And it's been great.

Except that I can't get over feeling unwell about all the excess and over-consumption that I see around. And frustrated that I can't seem to do anything about it... not even talk - for propriety.

Or I'm probably not supergirl.

See you around.

Going to Market

2007-11-15T17:42:00.000+08:00

Despite the chaos that is associated with it, I find it pleasant passing through the Baguio marketplace - or probably any market place.

I guess it presents for me something that is not in other places where I was during the day - a point of human contact with all the complexities that are in the many stories of the people that are either just passing by, like me - or who are there for a purpose.

In Baguio, the market is small enough such that there is a strong chance you would bump into someone you know. And you see other people bumping into other people that they know, it makes you smile somehow - here, the world is indeed small.

But there are also various other dramas in the market. Little and big kid vendors that go around insisting that you need another plastic bag even if you don't. Vendors with competing sing-songy voices calling you out. Buyers of varying character... there is so much life, so much color in the market. And so much evil too -- cheating, stealing... people clutching their bags tight on the lookout for snatchers. Policemen hover. Drunken men pass by causing trouble.... These are also part of life, and part of the colors of the market.

You got to try watching people sometimes when you pass by the market...

Bokawkan Road Traffic and Country Music

2007-11-12T12:36:00.000+08:00

I was muttering how I had made the effort to go to the office very early and I was rewarded with a queue for the jeep at the jeepney turning point and very slow traffic at Bokawkan.
The young jeepney driver was playing country music and after a while, I actually found myself having a pleasant ride, if only I cast my eyes away from the front window that showed the long line of cars, trucks and jeepneys.. and just listen to the music.
It was actually nice.
But I still ranted about the traffic when I got to the office. :)

Muslim-Christian Dialogue Summer PRogramme

2007-11-08T09:31:00.000+08:00

THE PEACEMAKERS' CIRCLE FOUNDATION, INC.

and the U.P. INSTITUTE OF ISLAMIC STUDIES

* *

with the support of the

U.S. EMBASSY Manila

are pleased

to announce the launching of its

INTERFAITH

PEACEBUILDING

INSTITUTE

on

*April-May 2008 *

through its

pilot programs on

* *

MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE

FOR NATION-BUILDING

This is a live-in capacity-building program composed
of three progressive
training modules that will run for five consecutive
days. Each module is
designed to help prepare peace activists and
would-be
practitioners/ promoters of Muslim-Christian Dialogue
for the endeavor of
building mutually respectful and harmonious
collaborative relationships
between Muslims and Christians in grassroots
communities, and helping to
enable them to participate in promoting social
change.

* *

*Module I*:

INTRODUCTION TO MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN DALOGUE

(April 20-24, 2008)

*Module II*:

BUILDING BRIDGES OF MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING

(April 27-May 1, 2008)

*Module III:*

GRASSROOTS MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIP- BUILDING

(May 4-8, 2008)

* *

The program is free-of-charge (inclusive of board
and lodging at the
University Hotel in U.P. Diliman for Modules I and
II). Thirty (30) Muslim
and Christian participants will be selected from the
military/police forces,
local government units, non-government
organizations, the academe, the
religious sectors, and the media. Commitment to
attend Modules I and II are
requirements for selection. Invitations to apply for
the program will be
sent out by November 15, 2007.

Anyone interested may send name and contact details
to The Peacemakers'
Circle through: e-mail address:
peacemakerscircle_ uri@yahoo. com; fax number
920-4618; or contact Orlan at telephone number
920-7622. *Thank you!*

Program Secretariat:

THE PEACEMAKERS' CIRCLE FOUNDATION, INC., Rm. 105
PhilDHRRA Partnership Center,
59 C. Salvador St., Varsity Hills 1108, Loyola
Heights, Quezon City, MMla.

Global Xchange Program Applications for 2008

2007-10-18T13:47:00.000+08:00

GET READY FOR THE MOST CHALLENGING

SIX MONTHS OF YOUR LIFE!

Nine young Pinoys. Nine young British.

Six months. Living and working together 24/7.

Two countries. Outside your comfort zone.

One life-changing experience.

Are you up for it?

Global Xchange gives young people from the Philippines and the UK a unique opportunity to live and work together, develop and share valuable skills, and make practical contributions to disadvantaged communities in both countries faced with challenging situations.

You can be one of the nine Filipino volunteers of the 2008 Global Xchange Programme.

18 – 25 years of age (must NOT be younger than 18 or older than 25 between March and September 2008)
Male or female
Medically fit to undergo an active 6-month volunteer work
Completed at least high school or secondary education
Willing to do fundraising
Willing to live and work with a British counterpart in a modest accommodation in a host family setting within a disadvantaged community in the Philippines and in the UK
Flexible, open-minded and with a genuine commitment to learning
Sensitive to the needs of others and can work within a team
Can commit a minimum of 6 months (consecutive) to do 3 months of volunteer work in the Philippines and 3 months in the UK, and time to attend preparatory training

The following requirements are downloadable from www.vsobahaginan. org.ph.

Application Form
Personal Reference Form
Professional Reference Form
Parental Consent Form

Important reminders:

You can send your Application Form via e-mail to gxp.fv@vsoint. org or via fax to 02-3762160. The other requirements need to be submitted by regular mail at: Global Xchange Programme Secretariat- VSO Bahaginan, Unit 505 Pacific Corporate Center, 131 West Avenue, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Please indicate the code (GXP Application – Your Surname) in the subject line of your e-mail or outside the envelope for regular mail
Personal and professional reference forms should be sent in sealed envelopes
Please use the cover letter of the reference forms to inform your referee about Global Xchange

Deadline for submission of application is on November 18, 2007. Only applications received on or before the closing date will be screened. Short-listed applicants will be invited to an Assessment Day scheduled in November 28/29, 2007. Training and fundraising activities start in January 2008. Exchange proper will commence in March 2008.

For inquiries, please send an e-mail to jayneil.ancheta@ vsoint.org or call 02-3746450 local 12.

“GO COUNTRY IN BANAUE”

2007-10-03T18:32:00.001+08:00

“GO COUNTRY IN BANAUE”

The annual Oktoberfest celebration sponsored mainly by the San Miguel Beer Corporation will be held in Banaue with the purpose of enhancing tourism in the said municipality. The Ifugao Provincial Government in partnership with the Banaue Hotel & Banaue Youth Hostel and the Local Government Unit of Banaue prepared series of activities with the “Go Country in Banaue” concert featuring professional folk and country bands and the winner of the weekly amateur folk and country band competition as the focal event.

The said celebration will start off with a massive information drive on the first week of October in the different colleges and universities, local government units, other concerned agencies, and business establishments through a caravan to be participated by the sponsors and participating agencies and establishments. The caravan would be traveling to the northeastern part of the Cordillera and some municipalities of Nueva Vizcaya to encourage local bands to audition for the weekly competition. Winners will have a chance to be featured as front acts during the main concert aside from the cash prize that they would be receiving.

The “Go Country in Banaue” concert differs in that it will be presenting country songs which is the music genre of the Cordillerans aside from their indigenous music. This activity primarily aims to discover and develop local talents in the entertainment industry. It also aims to promote Banaue and the Banaue Hotel as the future premier destination of the North by institutionalizing the Oktoberfest celebration as part of the annual activity of the province.

Local amateur bands interested to join the weekly competition may contact the resident manager of Banaue Hotel, Ms. Ma. Zenaida Quinahan at the following numbers: (074) 386-4087 or 09184441931. Tickets for the “Going Country in Banaue” concert which will be held on October 27, 2007 at the carpark of the Banaue Hotel can be bought from the following ticket outlets:

Reference: Robie Halip

You Know You're From Baguio If... - Add to the List!

2007-10-01T14:27:00.000+08:00

Help build up the 2nd list of "You know you're from Baguio If.." (If you're from Baguio, you've probably already received the first list in your email. Now here's your chance to add to the list.)

Click on the link below, press edit at the top of the page, and then add your thoughts:
http://mybaguiodreams.com /community/index.cgi/You_Know _You%27re_From_Baguio_If_.. .Part_2

Check out the other "activities" that you can also do at the Baguio Comunity Encyclopedia in www.mybaguiodreams.com.

Pass on and invite your friends to join the fun. :)

Sanctuary: My Baguio Dreams is Out!

2007-10-01T14:16:00.000+08:00

Sanctuary: My Baguio Dreams is Out!

My Baguio Dreams is Out!

2007-10-01T13:50:00.000+08:00

Inquirer.net
Breaking News / Infotech

Baguio's centennial memories placed online
By Vincent CabrezaNorthern Luzon Bureau
Posted date: September 29, 2007

BAGUIO CITY -- Everyone's fond memories of the summer capital will be collected for posterity online.
A firm that has been advocating Internet technology-based approaches to education, has opened a website that is dedicated to old Baguio recollections, in honor of two centennial celebrations coming in the next two years.
The only city built by the American colonial government at the start of the 20th century will commemorate its centennial on Sept. 1, 2009, while the Teachers' Camp, another US colonial-era institution, has marked 2008 as its red-letter year because of its 100th anniversary.
The online diary acts as a Baguio "wikipedia" for www.mybaguiodreams.com, which is administered by Elmer Soriano, president of Thinklab.
A wiki is a program that allows anyone to contribute entries to an online encyclopedia.
Soriano said his Baguio community encyclopedia allows every resident to build up a definitive history of Baguio, using anecdotal accounts as foundation for illustrating how Baguio was generations before 2007.
The city was designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, and was established in 1909 by a city charter drawn up and reviewed by top American lawyers of the period.
Soriano said he set up the site after realizing that almost every generation has a story or two to tell about visiting Baguio.
It had always been easy to get Baguio's frequent celebrities to share a nugget or two about the city.
President Macapagal-Arroyo, a perennial visitor, often recounts how husband Jose Miguel Arroyo courted her in Baguio.
Mr. Arroyo's family owns a Baguio vacation house, which is a stroll away from the presidential Mansion, where Ms Arroyo spent her vacations with her father, the late former President Diosdado Macapagal.
"There seems to be so much talent in Baguio, but it seems that this talent is not harnessed to help build up the city. We have bar topnotchers, chess whizzes, top bands… so much energy in Panagbenga (the annual Baguio Flower Festival), but for the rest of the year, it is as if that energy goes down," Soriano said.
"I thought it would be wonderful if we were able to harness all that creativity, passion, talent on a weekly or even daily basis," he said. "I think that as we approach our centennial, it would be great if we could re-enchant the next decades by articulating our dreams and by unlocking our collective imaginations, then creating the city that [we] hope for."
Even tragedy breeds lasting Baguio stories, Soriano said.
Former senatorial candidate Sonia Roco, the wife of the late Sen. Raul Roco and who survived the 1990 earthquake here, could not help but return to the city to overcome her trauma.
Mrs. Roco's last public visit to the summer capital was during the campaign period this year, and it led her back to the Nevada Square, the site of the hotel she was staying in when the earthquake struck on July 16, 1990.
This early, the website has been receiving contributions "from strangers," Soriano said.
He said they are drawn to key themes posted by Thinklab.
It marked out categories for the interesting taxicab names, and "the best place to bring a tourist friend."
But it is a profile ladder called "You know you're from Baguio, if…" which has intrigued online contributors.
Like American host and comedian David Letterman's "Top 10 List," this item has been receiving humorous and nostalgic responses, Soriano said.
One entry poked fun at the fact that in the 1970s, the only grocery store known to residents was Sunshine Grocery, and that school supplies could be bought only from CID Educational Supply, which has since broken up into smaller supply stores, all named Cid.
Entries also refer to the city's social history.
Some contributors said a person grew up in Baguio if his or her idea of a walk was strolling up and down Session Road for hours.
The central business district used to be limited to the road spanning the city market and Luneta Hill, where the Pines Hotel once stood. Nowadays, it is the SM City Baguio that looms over the city.
Another entry defines a Baguio old timer by the fact that he or she effortlessly speaks English with "no colegiala" twang and would never wear Baguio-labeled bonnets or shorts in public.
Soriano's site also offers a chance for residents to discuss Baguio's future.
Photographs comparing today's Session Road to European streets have been posted, apparently to ignite discussions about a proposed pedestrianization of downtown Baguio.
Session Road businessmen are opposing the proposal of former city architect Joseph Alabanza to convert Session Road into a pedestrian mall with trees and outdoor cafés.
Soriano also linked up galleries of top Baguio destinations, as well as the music video "Suntok sa Buwan," performed by the band Session Road. The video shows clips of old Baguio.
He said he has no personal advocacy regarding how Baguio could evolve.
"I just believe that if more people get engaged in the discussion, the best ideas will simmer to the top… The [Baguio online] community takes a life of its own," he said.

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Poetry, Passion, Politics and F. Sionil Jose by Clarice "Melon" Bautista

2007-07-31T14:49:00.000+08:00

I think I am a fan of Melon, a very admirable friend of mine. I have posted many entries with her as a reference -- and I did so without permission. But here, I do it again. :)

_________________

Poetry, Passion, Politics and F. Sionil Jose by Clarice "Melon" Bautista

All ye poetry lovers and poets alike should shoot me but wait.
Having been trained in Journalism school not to mince words and master the 1H and 5Ws in writing, I used to really believe poetry was a waste of precious time. It couldn’t say things as they are and as straightforwardly as possible and it hides true meanings in figures of speech such as allegory, hyperbole, simile, to mention a few.
The next thing I knew, I confused it with prose. Thus, the more I stuck to the journalistic canons, that of the ABC in expressing, and not impressing as I was told: Accurate, Brief and Concise. Period.
I just couldn't get it. Say for instance, if a guy thought a woman is pretty and her eyes are beautiful, why compare her to a flower and her eyes to the moon, the sun or the stars?
Why waste so many words?
And I also hold this now not-so-secret assumption in my mind and I am deeply sorry now that this may sound hilarious yet offensive to some: the men, specifically, those who appreciate, write or read poetry to the love of their lives (e.g. friend, fiancée, wife or mother) must be gay. What I mean is that, why accessorize the simplest ‘I like/love you’ with so many adjectives?
Or if you ever feel mad, sad, or glad, why can’t you say it clearly?
Then I began to associate it with going to an opera concert where all notes are sung in falsetto which to me, at first, was another completely incomprehensible art form.
Until I obtain a copy of the lyrics of the Three Tenors Pavarotti, Carreras or Domingo, I would be truly certain they were, in fact, singing and not hyperventilating. (Now I plead guilty of malicious mischief vs. Classical Music so I could still post bail, plea bargain, or maybe, just maybe, the judge would be kinder and only allow me to render community service, by sweeping the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ halls with a G-Clef tied to my neck for a year in between flats and sharps!)
Or, so I assumed.
And how I laughed at the theatrical way the words (they can dance, scream, sigh, smile or laugh, they say) are crafted and the rhymes sounded.
Not that all poetry should rhyme I learned later.
I also notice that compared to the other literary pieces, it is one with the ever two, three, four or five-stanza way of presenting itself on paper---and with lots of spaces, too. How does one in his or her right senses but read it with rise and fall of eyes, nose, tongue and voice?
Now you can picture why I liken it to theater this time.
Like theater, poetry, to me then, lives in a completely make-believe world on-stage which can only be recited by a few aficionados and not really anchored on reality and something that I can truly say is empirical.
It is like art for the sake of art- meaningless, only aestheticized (pardon for the improvised term) words that do not accomplish anything substantial, except, amuse a limited audience for a brief time. (Am sure legions of Art lovers/enthusiasts, dead or otherwise, would like to hang me in a gallow like Saddam for crimes against Humanities :)
Call me a complete idiot or barbaric but that was before my ‘Eureka' moment, my ultimate enlightenment.
I admit I graduated from UP’s Humanities Division and supposedly the bastion of everything about the Arts and Letters but I think that shut-eye (as ever the Sleeping Queen) and a closed mind (and heart, mostly) got the better of me during my Arts Appreciation classes better known as Humanities I & II in college and even prior to that in high school as the integrated MAPE (Music, Arts and Physical Education).
Well, I had my share of nursery rhymes taught by my mother as early as I was two years old. But those are, of course, very elementary and memorized I did just for the sake of the candy or the cents after my repartee.
How devastatingly and despicably a disservice could I ever be?
To a dignified form of expression that has saved more souls than I never thought possible, here, please accept my deepest, sincerest, humblest apologies. Lest I die and be forever etched in infamy as persona non grata of my generation and those long reposed in their graves-grandfathers , grandmothers and great guardians of humanity and all its history.
My journey to poetry appreciation began when I got to know passionate (and deeply political) men, who, surprisingly, loved poetry that they can bite a bullet at one point.
Am talking about, for one, Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero.
Rizal, a man of many talents, whether with words or with handiworks and who donned many hats during his lifetime - poet, sculptor, engineer, agriculturist, polyglot, youth leader, eye doctor, writer, debater, martial artist, teacher to name a few, for me, next to Christ, wrote the best ‘Adios’ charge to go about doing good.
I began researching on many valiant men, who, were at some point shaped or influenced by a poem --- or a lyrical taunt/encouragement using the fiercest, most moving words that fueled their heroic acts (Nazareth’s Christ, America’s Col. Sullivan, Ireland’s Michael Collins, Scotland’s Sir William Wallace).
Voila, I was in fact, discovering one of my life’s greatest frights!
These men, whose hearts were bigger than their heads, had such appetite for the poetic expressions, were actually objective realists!
Add to that the Samurai warriors of Japan, who, aside from their ‘bushido’ (the Warrior’s Code), simultaneously learn about poetry, crafts, literature, sword-making, among other things.
That got me into thinking, poetry, indeed is a language of passion (tantamount to sound character), of power (equal to positive influence/example) , and of politics (to lead by servanthood) that shaped—and it still does, the history of nations.
It is not after all, just flowery words or unintelligible mumblings.
And in his advanced years, I have my very own octogenarian living hero of Philippine Literature whom I fondly call, Sir F. Sionil Jose* to thank for!
He opened up my eyes to a better grasp of such great poets such as Robert Frost, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and Robert Browning—men of deeper thoughts and wisdom and armed with words even mightier than the sword.
This, my Filipino generation truly groans for a Renaissance first, a Revolution next!
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* Tears At Twilight – An Interview With Francisco Sionil Jose is published in the 2nd issue of the Unbound -Start Thinking Magazine. You may avail of copies at the B-Room, Crossroad 77, Mother Ignacia Cor. Scout Reyes Sts., Quezon City or you may address e-mails to inquiries@thinkunbound.com .

Philippines: State of the Nation Address July 2007

2007-07-28T10:37:00.000+08:00

I got this from the mail. I am refreshed by my friend's response: Hope for our country --- in spite or despite of _____.

"Happy" reading anyway.

-----------

Hi!

At the end of the day, we are still Filipinos!
No ifs, no buts, no excuses...

Praying this inspires us to outdo ourselves (not always the "government" to outgive itself).

Clarice "Melon"

State of the Nation Address: SONA 2007

|Written on July 23rd, 2007 by nick | Posted in Government |

Philippines, July 23, 2007 - The following is verbatim copy of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s State of the Nation Adress for 2007. Held in front of the 14th Congress with Manny Villar as Senate President and Jose De Venecia as the speaker of the house for the fifth time.
Thank you. Thank you very much Speaker De Venecia, Senate President Villar, other newly elected leaders of both Houses, congratulations to you, Senators and Congressmen and Congresswomen. Vice President De Castro, former President Ramos, Chief Justice Puno, our host Mayor, Mayor Sonny Belmonte, other government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, ladies and gentlemen.
We meet here today to inaugurate a new Congress after a fresh election. I congratulate every elected official, from municipal to provincial to Congress on hard fought and successful campaigns.
Tapos na ang halalan at pamumulitika; panahon na para maglingkod nang walang damot, mamuno nang walang pangamba maliban sa kagalingan ng bayan, and to govern with wisdom, compassion, vision and patriotism.
Hangarin kong mapabilang ang Pilipinas sa mayayamang bansa sa loob ng dalawampung taon. By then poverty shall have been marginalized; and the marginalized raised to a robust middle class.
We will have achieved the hallmarks of a modern society, where institutions are strong.
By 2010, the Philippines should be well on its way to achieving that vision.
With the tax reforms of the last Congress, and I thanked the last Congress, we have turned around our macroeconomic condition through fiscal discipline, toward a balanced budget. Binabayaran ang utang, pababa ang interes, at paakyat ang pondo para sa progreso ng sambayanang Pilipino!!! Maraming salamat ulit sa nakaraang Congress.
We have been investing hundreds of billions in human and physical infrastructure. The next three years will see record levels of well thought out and generous funding for the following priorities:
First, investments in physical, intellectual, legal and security infrastructure to increase business confidence. Imprastraktura para sa negosyo at trabaho. Isang milyong trabaho taon-taon.
Second, investments in a stronger and wider social safety net - murang gamot, abot-kayang pabahay, eskwelang primera klase, mga gurong mas magaling at mas malaki ang kita, mga librong de-kalidad, more scholarships for gifted students, and language instruction to maintain our lead in English proficiency. Dunong at kalusugan ang susi sa kasaganaan.
Third, investments in bringing peace to Mindanao; in crushing terrorism wherever it threatens regardless of ideology; and in putting a stop to human rights abuses whatever the excuse.
We pay tribute to the fearless fourteen who were savagely massacred at Tipo-Tipo trying to pursue a peaceful and progressive Philippines. We will not disappoint their hopes. We will not waste their sacrifice. We will not be swayed from the course we have set in this conflict for peace with justice throughout our land.
We have created a Philippine model for reconciliation built on inter-faith dialogue, expanded public works and more responsive social services. These investments show both sides in the Mindanao conflict that they have more at stake in common; and a greater reason to be together than hang apart, including being together isolating the terrorists.
Imprastraktura ang haliging nagtitindig hindi lamang ng kapayapaan kundi ng ating buong makabagong ekonomiya: mga kalsada, tulay, paliparan, public parks and power plants.
Last year I unveiled the Super Regions - Mindanao, Central Philippines, North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, Luzon Urban Beltway and the Cyber Corridor - to spread development away from an inequitable concentration in Metro Manila. Hindi lamang Maynila ang Pilipinas.
The Super Regions was not a gimmick for the occasion but the blueprint for building a future.
In Mindanao, our food basket, I said we would prioritize agribusiness investments. And I am happy to see that the latest survey in June shows the hunger rate has sharply gone down nationwide. We have done that.
The Departments of Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, and Environment and Natural Resources will devote 30 percent of their program budgets to Mindanao. DAR will move to Davao.
Dapat maging daan sa tagumpay sa agribusiness ang reporma sa lupa. Done right, reform will democratize success, as Ramon Magsaysay and Diosdado Macapagal envisioned. We must reform agrarian reform so it can transform beneficiaries into agribusinessmen and other agribusiness women.
Sa gayon, dadami pa ang mga tampok na magsasaka gaya ng mga nagwagi ng Gawad Saka, sina Ananias Cuado ng Comval at Demetrio Tabelon ng Butuan; at Nelson Taladhay ng Sultan Kudarat, pangunahing agrarian reform beneficiary ng 2007. We also have outstanding farmers from the other superregions, like Joseph Fernando and Heherson Pagulayan, Nestor Bautista, Joseph Lomibao, Arturo Marcaida, Peter Uy, Arturo Pasacas and Glenn Saludar.
Sa anim na taon nagtayo tayo at nag-ayos ng patubig para sa isang milyong ektarya sa buong bansa - pinakamalaki sa matagal na panahon.
Magtatayo tayo ng mariculture o palaisdaan sa dagat. Isa rito ay ilalagay natin sa Sibutu. Hiling ito ni Nur Jaafar.
Para sa buong bansa naglaan tayo ng P3 billion para sa tatlong libong kilometro ng farm to market roads. Sanlibong kilometro sa Mindanao. Gawa na ang tatlong daan.
The road and RORO network has cut the cost of bringing agribusiness products from Mindanao to Luzon. A 10-wheeler used to pay P32 thousand from Dapitan to Batangas. Now it pays P11 thousand. Fresh fish that cost P20 thousand a ton to move, now travels at P14 thousand.
Construction is criss-crossing Mindanao: Dapitan-Dakak to bring Cely Carreon’s paradise closer to civilization; Sibuco-Siraway- Siocon-Baliguian ; Dinagat Island Network, a baptismal gift for Glenda Ecleo’s new province; the 66-kilometer Manay-Mati section of Davao-Surigao; and Maguindanao- Lebak, Sim Datumanong’s brainchild when he headed DPWH.
We want better airports, new bridges and ample energy for Mindanao’s rising economy.
The Dipolog and Pagadian airports will be improved by year’s end. Also the Cotabato airport. No doubt eagerly awaited by Au Cerilles, Rolando Yebes, Digs Dilangalen, Ros Labadlabad and Victor Yu, and Mayors Evelyn Uy and Sammy Co.
Last July 10 we inaugurated the P1.7 billion, 900 meter bridge in Butuan, built on the initiative of Mayor Boy Daku Plaza, near the P4 billion second-generation flood control project that we also built. The first was built by my father after the great Butuan flood of the 1960’s. Kailangan ipagtanggol ang kapaligiran at mamamayan sa sakuna.
In Agusan del Norte, I hope Edel Amante will be happy with our plans to pilot micro agribusiness in Jabonga.
On July 8, Ozamis Airport opened, bankrolled partly by Leo Ocampos, Aldo Parojinog and Hermie Ramiro’s congressional fund. Now, that’s the kind of pork that has good cholesterol.
At that occasion the MOU was signed for the Pangil Bay Bridge that will connect Ozamis to Lanao del Norte and Iligan. As urged by Bobby Dimaporo, I declared Mt. Inayawan Range a protected nature park. On Mayor Lawrence Cruz’s recommendation, I instruct DPWH to build the Iligan Circumferential Road.
In 2001, we opened a solar plant in Cagayan de Oro. Still, Mindanao faced a 100-megawatt gap by 2009 out now a 210-megawatt clean coal plant in Phividec will fill that gap. We count on Oca Moreno and Tinex Jaraula to continue providing a good investment climate.
We thank Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Migz Zubiri for sponsoring the Biofuels Law in the last Congress. We now have 160 thousand hectares of jatropha nurseries in Bukidnon and 30,000 in General Santos. Jatropha is a 100% substitute for diesel, with only 5% of its emission.
Mindanao’s energy challenge lies not in generating power but in power lines. Terrorists target transmission towers. We must resolutely apply the Human Security Act. This act was first filed by Johnny Enrile in 1996, 3 years after the first World Trade Center bombing, 4 years before the Rizal Day bombing and 5 years before 9/11. He ably crafted the final Senate version with Senate President Manny Villar and Nene Pimentel.
Let’s now go to Central Philippines, our tourism super region:
* We protect its natural wonders and provide the means to travel to those wonders.
* For Boracay, the leading overall destination, the Kalibo Airport is now international with an instrument landing system as we said last year. Next is an P80 million terminal on request of Joben Miraflores.
* The Aklan-Libertad- Pandan Road, waiting for Japan to approve the contractors, will connect Boracay to the nature park we declared in Northwest Panay Peninsula. We are improving other Panay roads and building the road from the Iloilo Airport which we inaugurated in Santa Barbara to Iloilo and the Metro Radial Road that Mayor Jerry Trenas asked for when we inaugurated the airport, Art Defensor conceived the airport when he was governor, Governor Neil Tupaz midwifed its delivery when we inaugurated the airport, I said …
* Iloilo connects to Guimaras via Jordan Wharf. We thank Congress for the P900 million oil spill calamity fund to save the environment of Guimaras. I thank once again the previous Congress. It is back on its feet. The other side of the island will connect to Bacolod soon because we started building the Sibunag RORO Port last May on recommendation of Governor, now Congressman, Rahman Nava.
* Bacolod-Silay Airport, near the nature park we declared in Northern Negros, is completed and just awaiting the access road requested by Monico Puentavella.
* We awarded the contract for upgrading the Dumaguete airport as I reported to George Arnaiz last week.
* Boracay investors are expanding in Palawan, whose Tubbataha Reefs we declared a nature park. After the Puerto Princesa-Roxas Road last year, we opened Taytay-El Nido in March. The P1 billion Taytay-Roxas section is ongoing. San Vicente airstrip and Busuanga Airport are under construction. And Mayor Hagedorn is reminding us to work on the Puerto Princesa terminal.
* Under construction are airport aprons of the surfing edens: Governor Ben Evardone’s pet project in Guiuan and Lalo Matugas’s home town in Siargao.
* A 100-megawatt energy gap looms in the Visayas in 2009. The Korea Electric plant in Cebu will plug in 200 megawatts only in 2010 so there’s a one year gap. Meantime three power barges will supply 100 megawatts and the Panay diesel power plant will increase its run from 70 megawatts to 100.
* In Central Cebu, we proclaimed a nature park. From Cebu, the top destination for foreign tourists, they can easily radiate to other destinations. Optimism is infectious, and opportunity irresistible. Progress follows progress. Someone, even government, just has to get it started.
* Going south, Cebu connects to Tubigon and on to Ubay, Jagna and Panglao through the Bohol Circumferential Road that we inaugurated last May 9. The local government has acquired 85 percent of the land for the international airport on Panglao Island, now a tourism destination of its own.
* Ubay links to Maasin RORO Port which was completed last October. Now I hope there will be more divers for Mian Mercado.
* Jagna RORO Port opened last May 9. It will connect to Loloy Romualdo’s Mambajao in November, and on to Guinsiliban, the gateway to Mindanao.
* Going north from Cebu City, we take the North Coastal Road to Daanbantayan which was recommended to us by Gwen Garcia. Heavy traffic will ease when the P1.2 billion Mandaue-Consolacion Bridge opens. This will be good not only for Malapascua tourism but also for Nitoy Durano’s industrial city of Danao.
* Daanbantayan, Benhur Salimbangon’s home port, connects to Naval, Maripipi, or Esperanza, which started construction last May. We aim to finish all three RORO Ports next year.
* Esperanza will link by road to Aroroy in 2009. I’ll be there with Lina Seachon and Tony Kho for the inauguration. Please invite me.
* Last May, I switched on the lights of Masbate in a Palace ceremony. But the long-term solution will come next year when a new power plant will serve half a million customers on the beautiful but isolated island of Masbate.
* From Aroroy we can go to Claveria, whose RORO ramp is under construction. On to Pasacao where RORO operations started in 2002. That’s Bong Bravo of Claveria. This brings us to Bicol, including Mt. Isarog Park.
* Mt. Isarog feeds the Bicol River. For the next three years we are funding the Bicol River Basin and Watershed with the World Bank at $15 million for irrigation, flood control and water conservation. For Bicol, we have given P7 billion for the Bicol Calamity and Rehabilitation Effort, that is the biggest one-time calamity fund release in our history. At last, Bicol is getting its rightful share.
And, so is the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle:
* We are building 1,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads; 200 are done. Ngayong tapos na ang election ban, pinapaspasan ang trabaho para sa nalalabing target.
* Halsema Highway from Mount Data to Bontoc and the Tabuk-Tinglayan Road are being built. If you look the chart, there is something incomplete in between.
* So that the Cordillera LGUs can build more of their much-needed roads, I ask Congress to require companies to pay directly to the LGUs their share of the natural wealth. I hope, Governor Dalog hears that.
* Nagtatayo tayo ng mga paliparan para sa mga produkto ng agribusiness.
* Noong 2005 nagka-airport sa Baler. Sunod ang airport sa Casiguran. At kalsada sa pagitan.
* There were no takers in the bidding for to upgrade the Batanes runways so ATO will get it done before the end of the year with the support of DPWH and Governor Telesforo Castillejos.
* Joe de Venecia and Mayor Nani Braganza are asking for an airport in Alaminos. Will do.
* The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority and the private sector expanded the San Vicente naval airstrip, so we don’t have need to build Lallo.
* Sa Lallo naman mayroon tayong inaprobahan na agribusiness ecozone. Ang mga agribusiness ecozone ay payo ni Pangulong Ramos. Chief Justice Puno, I am happy to see you here. It is the first time that a Chief Justice attended.
* The Tarlac-La Union Toll Road will be advertised for private sector BOT bidding this August.
* Poro Point’s international terminal started construction early this year. The Bagabag airport is being lengthened. We are spreading the cheer across the political spectrum from Vic Ortega to Caloy Padilla. Inuuna ang bansa, at itinatabi ang politika.
* Some towns in Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Isabela are included in the geo-hazard mapping we have done for 700 cities and towns all over the country to protect the environment.
* The Bangui Bay Wind Power Project which was put up when Bongbong Marcos was governor, is now expanding. Sa paggamit ng hangin, nababawasan ang kailangang langis sa enerhiya.
And now the Luzon Urban Beltway, our top magnet for industry and investment:
* This quarter we start the P5 billion Mt. Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project that will protect San Fernando City, Sasmuan, Guagua and my home town Lubao from flooding.
* The Subic-Clark- Tarlac Express Road is in its final stages. This first-world road will cut travel time between Clark and Subic from two hours to 30 minutes. Gagawa tayo ng interchange sa Porac, bayan ni Lito Lapid.
* Last Thursday with Dick Gordon we inaugurated the container port that will make Subic together with Clark one of the best international service and logistics centers in the region.
* Clark airport got its approach control radar in April. It now has 50 international flights and 50 cargo flights a week, the second busiest after NAIA. We want more airline service centers there. Now, speaking of NAIA, I’m sure everyone wants to know about NAIA Terminal 3. The ceiling that fell wasn’t the only thing in danger of falling. There are more serious dangers from construction and structural defects. We cannot risk the grim consequences of a major earthquake. But NAIA is accelerating the remediation, completion and opening of the terminal. Public safety comes first.
* Since public safety comes first, I ask Congress to create the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
* Last year, I said we would connect North and South Expressways through C-5. Ginagawa na ang C-5 bandang Katipunan. Kausap na ang UP para sa bagong daan patungong Commonwealth, na kasulukuyang pinapalapad at North Avenue. Sa kabilang dulo ng Mindanao Avenue, binibili na ang lupa para sa bagong daan mula Barangay Talipapa hanggang Malinta at tuloy sa NLEX. Sana bumawas ang trapik pa-North Manila.
* We just broke ground to continue the Skyway up to Alabang. In a year the fast train from Caloocan to Alabang will be serving thousands daily. From Alabang to Santo Tomas the South Luzon Expressway is currently being widened. And by March, Ricky Reyes SLEX will reach Batangas Port.
* The Coastal Road to Bong Revilla’s province is finally under construction. * Our investment in vital infrastructure is already bearing fruit, such as the $1-billion Hanjin shipbuilding facility, said to be the largest in the world, and the $1-billion Texas Instruments microchip plant in Clark. Maging ex-OFW at ex-tambay kapwang nakahanap ng trabaho sa mga malalaking puhunan na ito.
* As we build industry, we must ensure people have clean air to breathe. We have closed 88 firms for polluting the environment. Gaya ng sabi ko, una ang kaligatasan ng publiko.
* We proclaimed a critical habitat within the coastal lagoon of Las Pinas and Paranaque.
* Maynilad’s new owners have invested P7 billion to bring clean and, at last, running water to Paranaque, Parola and elsewhere. Manila Water did a similar P2 billion project for Antipolo.
* Gumagawa tayo ng septage tank sa Antipolo sa halagang P600 million na maglilinis ng sewage bago ito dumaloy sa mga estero, gaya ng tinayo ng Manila Water sa Taguig at sa San Mateo.
* Matapos ang maraming taong usapan, ang ating administrasyon ang nakapagsimula ng Flood Control Project sa Kalookan, Malabon, Navotas at Valenzuela (CAMANAVA).
* On energy, Luzon needs 150 megawatts more by 2010. This is covered by the 350-megawatt, $350 million expansion of the Pagbilao plant by Marubeni and Tokyo Electric, part of their $4 billion that constitutes the biggest Japanese investment in Philippine history.
* We count on the Governor Raffy Nantes and the people of Quezon to somehow to reduce the cost of electricity. I ask Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act for open access and more competition.
The Cyber Corridor encompasses centers of technology and learning running the length of all the super regions, from Baguio to Clark to Metro Manila to Cebu to Davao and neighboring areas.
The Philippines ranks among top off-shoring hubs in the world because of cost competitiveness and more importantly our highly trainable, English proficient, IT-enabled management and manpower.
IT ability won for Warren Ambat of Baguio City High the most innovative teacher and leadership award in Cambodia last February, topping contestants from 70 countries, congratulations to our contestants, women.
Information technology will help the BIR bring in more taxes in the coming months. Its Revenue Watch Dashboard will monitor revenue collections in real time from the national level down to the examiners. The LGU Revenue Assurance shares information between the BIR and the LGUs to uncover fraud and non-payment, before heads would roll per Danny Suarez’s Attrition Law.
While our strength in contact centers is well-established, we are now focused on growing the higher value-added services, including accounting, legal, human resources and administrative services.
And, so that no Taiwan tremor can cut off our cyber services from their global clients, PLDT and Globe are investing P47 billion in new international broadband links through other regional hubs for redundancy in our cyber space.
The business services sector has become the fastest growing in the economy providing 400,000 jobs compared to 8,000 in 2000. By 2010 the forecast is one million jobs earning $12 billion, the same amount remitted by our overseas Filipinos today.
On Safety Net and Education
Last year I said that in today’s global economy, knowledge is the greatest creator of wealth. Mahusay na edukasyon ang pinakamabuting pamana natin sa ating mga anak. Yun din ang tanging pamana na ayon sa batas kailangang ibigay sa bawat mamamayan.
This year, we are investing more for education: P150 billion, P29 billion more than last year.
And, last year government and private sector built 15,000 classrooms instead of the usual 6,000.
Noon, isang libro bawat limang mag-aaral. Ngayon, tig-isang aklat na bawat grade schooler.
One third of our public high schools now have Internet access, with private sector support.
We have a scarcity of public high schools but a surplus of private high schools. So instead of building more high schools, we give more high school scholarships - 600,000 scholars this year.
For College, we launched a P4 billion fund for college loans, to increase beneficiaries from 40,000 to 200,000.
And for teachers, we have created more than 50,000 teaching positions. But we have to improve their training.
Benefits, too. Salamat, dating Senador Tessie Oreta at dating Congressman Dodong Gullas, na di na kailangan ng mga guro maghabol sa Maynila ng sweldo at pension. Pinoproseso na sa rehiyon sa regionalization ng payroll.
Teachers and all other national government employees get a raise effective end of this month.
Sa TESDA, bukod sa mga sariling kurso nagbibigay ito ng mga scholarship sa vocational schools: P600 million noong isang taon, P1 billion ngayon. May P1 bilyon pa ang DOLE.
We are investing P3 billion in science and engineering research and development technology, including scholarships for masters and doctoral degrees programs in engineering in seven universities. Upgrade know-how and learning, and Filipino talent is unbeatable.
Proof is biochemist Baldomero Olivera of the University of Utah who was named Scientist of the Year by the Harvard Foundation.
In the International Math and Science Olympiad 2006 in Jakarta, Robert Buendia of Cavite Central School and Wilson Alba of San Beda Alabang won the gold. Congratulations, guys. Six Filipinos bagged the awards at the Intel Young Scientists Competition in New Mexico last May: Ivy Ventura, Mara Villaverde, Hester Mana Umayam and Janine Santiago of Philippine Science High; Melvin Barroa of Capiz National High, congratulations, Melvin; and Luigi John Suarez of Benedicto National High. Congratulations naman. Last week Filipino students topbilled by Amiel Sy of the Philippine Science High dominated the Mathematics
World Contest in Hong Kong. Congratulations, Amiel. Congratulations Philippine Science High School. Earlier this month Diona Aquino of the Presidential Management Staff won with her team from UP the Youth Innovation Competition on Global Governance in Shanghai.
Ito ay malaking kunsuwelo sa atin. We have spent more on human capital formation than ever in the past. Why? Because if government of the people and by the people is not for them as well, it is a mockery of democracy.
May malaking pag-angat ang kalagayan ng maralita, gaya ng trabaho, pag-aaral at pagamot. Look at the chart on new poor fare.
Sa unang pagkakataon, gumastos ang Philhealth ng higit P3 bilyon sa paospital ng maralita.
Noong 2001 sinabi kong hahatiin natin ang presyo ng gamot na madalas bilhin ng madla. Ngayon sampung libong Botika ng Barangay ang nagtitinda ng murang gamot. Ang paracetamol na tatlong piso sa labas ay piso lamang sa Botika ng Barangay. Ang antibiotic na binibenta ng mga pangunahing parmasya sa P20 ay P2 lamang.
Kaya sa isang survey, halos kalahati ang nagsabing abot-kaya ang gamot, kumpara sa 11% noong 1999.
So we can spread this even more, I ask Congress to pass the Cheaper Medicines Bill that was almost enacted in June. Almost is not good enough. Let’s help Mar Roxas, Ferge Biron and Teddy Boy Locsin give our people meaningful, affordable choices, from abroad and here in the Philippines.
I also ask Congress to pass legislation that brings improved long term care for our senior citizens. Asahan natin si Ed Angara.
Si Noli de Castro na isa pang kampeon ng senior citizens ay namumuno ng ating programa sa pabahay. Congratulations, Noli. The low interest rates for housing are unprecedented. Naglaan ang Pag-IBIG ng P25 billion na pautang, six times the amount when we started it in 2001. P50 billion pa ang ilalaan hanggang 2010.
On Terrorism and Human Rights
We fight terrorism. It threatens our sovereign, democratic, compassionate and decent way of life.
Therefore, in the fight against lawless violence, we must uphold these values. It is never right and always wrong to fight terror with terror.
I ask Congress…I urge you to enact laws to transform state response to political violence: First, laws to protect witnesses from lawbreakers and law enforcers. Second, laws to guarantee swift justice from more empowered special courts. Third, laws to impose harsher penalties for political killings. Fourth, laws reserving the harshest penalties for the rogue elements in the uniformed services who betray public trust and bring shame to the greater number of their
colleagues who are patriotic.
We must wipe this stain from our democratic record.
Ngunit pangunahin pakikibaka pa rin para sa karapatan ang pagpapalaya ng masa sa gutom at kahirapan.
Together with economic prosperity is the need to strengthen our institutions of government. Let’s start with election reform. We have long provided funds for computerization. We look forward to the modernization of voting, counting and canvassing.
We can disagree on political goals but never on the conduct of democratic elections. I ask Congress to fund poll watchdogs. And to enact a stronger law against election-related violence.
We must weed out corruption and build a strong system of justice that the people can trust. We have provided unprecedented billions for anti-graft efforts. Thus the Ombudsman’s conviction rate hit 77% this year, from 6% in 2002. We implemented lifestyle checks, dormant for half a century. Taun-taon dose-dosenang opisyal ang nasususpinde, napapatalsik o kinakasuhan dahil labis-labis sa suweldo ang gastos at ari-arian nila.
Firms who were asked for bribes in taxes, permits and licenses dropped from one-third to one-half. Contract bribes are also down. Graft won’t be eliminated overnight but we are making progress.
In Conclusion
What I have outlined today is just a sampler of our P1.7 trillion Medium Term Public Investment Program. How will we fund all these? P1 trillion from state revenues, with tax reforms and firm orders to BIR and Customs to hit their targets. P300 billion from state corporations. The balance from government financial institutions, private sector investments, local government equity and our bilateral and multilateral partners.
Our new confidence and momentum for progress have imbued our foreign relations, with the ASEAN Summit last year and the coming ASEAN Regional Forum, with increased assistance from our allies and with continued support for our peace and security efforts in Mindanao.
We were able to strengthen our economy because of the fiscal reforms that we adopted at such great cost to me in public disapproval. But I would rather be right than popular.
Our fundamentals are paying off in huge leaps in investment. Anim na milyong trabaho ang nalikha sa anim na taon, most in sustainable enterprises. Sa lakas ng piso, bumagal ang pagtaas ng bilihin.
It is my ardent wish that most of the vision I have outlined will be fully achieved when I step down. It is my unshakeable resolve that the fundamentals of this vision will by then be permanently rooted, its progress well advanced and its direction firmly fixed with our reforms already bearing fruit. All that will remain for my successor is to gather the harvest. He or she will have an easier time of it than I did.
They say the campaign for the next election started on May 15, the day after the last. Fine.
I stand in the way of no one’s ambition. I only ask that no one stand in the way of the people’s well being and the nation’s progress.
The time for facing off is over. The time is here for facing forward to a better future our people so desperately want and richly deserve.
Uulitin ko: Hindi ako sagabal sa ambisyon ninuman.
But make no mistake. I will not stand idly when anyone gets in the way of the national interest and tries to block the national vision. From where I sit, I can tell you, a President is always as strong as she wants to be.
Pagpalain tayo ng Diyos at ang dakilang gawaing hinaharap natin. The state of the nation is strong. Inyong lingkod, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas.

Smart Bro Ought to Be Sued

2007-07-16T23:01:00.000+08:00

That's probably the most polite way I could put it.
(Believe me, other victims suggest far more violent means).
If you're not yet a subscriber, it's not worth your thousand, really.
At least dial-up allows you to send email.
For Smart Bro --- and the nerve it has to proclaim itself "Pambansang Broadband" -- a simple email with a 600 KB attachment takes 4 hours! As in 4 hours! to send!
I wish to say I am glad I am not alone:
The Smart Wifi Chronicles
Is Smart Bro Broken?

But this is one really big screw up.
Sigh.

I'm not supposed to rant here -- swear. But it was just so stressful. Sorry

I hope Smart cleans up its act.
Sigh.

Of Rainfalls and Flower Floats

2007-03-07T21:47:00.000+08:00

It has started to rain here in Baguio. Quite early, my folks think. Last Sunday was the year’s first rain for me. We were being treated to a meal at Baguio Country Club then and it was wonderful watching the rain while enjoying the ambience of what still makes people from the lowlands or all over come back to Baguio. A Korean movie Clark Kent and I recently watched had this line: “Does the rain fall in drops or in threads?” It seemed like the rain was falling in threads during that time, but what do you think?

Baguio Country Club had its Flower Festival entry float parked front of the main entrance. It was pleasantly surprising to see that the flowers used for the float were not yet wilted or dried --- the cut flowers have actually lasted the week or more since they were tacked, glued and arranged to make what was one of the more eye-catching floats during the parade --- although it cannot be helped to compare it to Cinderella’s Pumpkin Coach – because there was indeed a Horse (although not real) attached to a carriage like structure. I’m surprised that it didn’t win any award in the float contest though.

More next time.

Ciao.

Of Health and The Baguio Flower Festival

2007-03-06T21:17:00.000+08:00

Hi Igan,

I’ve been reading through your blog and I celebrate with you for the last pair of meds that you have to take. Hurrah! Here’s to good health!
However, I’m in the middle of a cough and colds spell, actually - my second in a span of two weeks. It got me concerned because it might mean my immune system is weakening – I’m having infections right after I get rid of them. Not very good indeed --- and it’s always unpleasant to have the virus. I’ve been taking my own advice of water therapy – that is drinking lots of water --- and, although it is not my practice, as I try to avoid taking in medicine as much as I can – I took a cough capsule in the hopes of having relief for the night -- I still haven't gotten it though because I'm still barking like a dog every now and then as I write this.
I ought to be writing you more stories --- quite a pity because there are stories to tell and I just don’t take the time to sit down and write. Just recently, for example, The Baguio Flower Festival was held (It ended last Sunday, March 4) and Baguio was quite in a flurry of usual activities --- parades and trade fairs etc. I’m getting tired though, so I guess I’ll have you in on the details next time -- how' that for "bitin." :)

Ciao.

Ground Hog Day

2007-02-09T11:32:00.000+08:00

It's been colder here in Baguio than it was in December or January --- Recently, Benguet farmers requested for a state of calamity to be called because frost has destroyed their crops... However, it gets very hot during the day.

I have just recently learned of America's Ground Hog Day, a day to determine whether winter will last six more weeks or if spring will come early - depends on whether a certain groundhog (and did you know, i recently learned that's the woodchuck) could see it's shadow during that day. Apparently, the ground hog (Punxsutawney Phil, officially) saw it's shadow this year.

And I learned of an old movie that goes by the title of that American Holiday -- tells the story of a man who lives the same day over and over until he becomes a transformed person in the end.

Anyway.... I got a nice read in my mail recently: Paradigm Shift. Get it from:
http://sanktuwaryo.blogspot.com/

Have a nice midweek.

Third Culture

2006-11-24T13:24:00.000+08:00

I was chatting with a friend of mine, and we were updating each other of our locations - although she has been in Mindano for most of her life except for the time she was in Baguio for her studies. So I told her that I am currently based in two places, after having just arrived from a short stint at Aceh, Indonesia, and she said, "a, okay...one migration to another...mabuhay ang mga Third Culture Pips."
I had an inkling on what she meant, but asked her anyway:

clarice: third culture...those who have had experiences with migration...you don't belong to the original nor the present...you create one that is distinct...that's how sociologists term it... it is coined mostly for children of diplomats and missionaries...i think everyone who goes through migration tend to be like that...
LNR: like OFWs... yup.
clarice: ye...

Clark Kent had this idea that the millions of Filipinos abroad - OFWs especially, should have for themselves a separate province - their belonginess to that province is not geographically determined but defined simply because they are outside the Philippines.... a Third Culture - a new Philippines, maybe?

The Filipinos in Banda Aceh would sometimes gather to celebrate some occasion - a despidida, a birthday - and anybody Pinoy is invited - doesn't matter if you know the host or even know what the event is. Just be there, because you are Filipino - and it's a Filipino gathering.

It's nice - when just being Filipino - becomes reason for celebration.

The Count of Monte Cristo

2006-11-03T14:18:00.000+08:00

I found a student report that I did not a few years back for Philippine Institutions 100 (P.I. 100). I remember this class well because we had a professor who was quite a character. He was known to pick on his students - and he could be mighty insulting, offending people on purpose. He would lock students out when they are late - or tell them to enter through the windows. He would require us to don formal during our class reports but would ridicule us in front of the class while we stood awkward and uncomfortable in clothes we would never have worn on a school day. He let us memorize "Adios Patria Adorada" as our Finals requirement. Our class and many classes before us expressed hate for him during out of class discussions -- but I'm pretty sure we were very fond of him. Professor Ventura was one of those things that made our UP Baguio life, life at UP Baguio (does that make sense?).

I did a summary on the third part of the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Here was how I wrote it:

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO
by Alexandre Dumas
Part III

A SUMMARY

The climax of Edmond Dantes' revenge had commenced. Caderousse, in his attempt to burglarize Monte Cristo's house, is betrayed by his own unwise choice of associations. The dagger was planted by Andrea himself, and Caderousse died believing in God's power upon Edmond's revelation of himself.

Fernand Mondego ended with his reputation thwarted. Abandoned and disowned by his wife and son, he confronted Monte Cristo only to come face to face with his worst fear. After knowing Monte Cristo's identity, Fernand puts a bullet in his head.

Villefort, whose house had become the house of death, proved that his wife was the murderer. He was also put into public humiliation when Andrea revealed the truth about his ancestry. Villefort went back to his residence and witnessed the death of his wife and son. The prucureur du roi, upon knowing the identity of Monte Cristo, ended up mad.

Danglars and his family parted ways. His reputation reduced to that of a bankrupt banker, he escapes from society hoping to acquire a considerable amount of money that does not belong to him. He is purposely taken into captivity by Monte Cristo's own band of bandit friends. In an irony of ironies, brought about by the death of some innocent lives at the course of his revenge, Monte Cristo forgave Danglars and revealed himself. Danglars was allowed free.

The Count of Monte Cristo concludes with the concept of a new beginning. The treasures are now in the hands of Maximillian Morrel and Valentine. Edmond Dantes, the Count of Monte Cristo, left with a new life, and a new love accorded to him by Haydee.

“He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must have felt what is it to die, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life... Live then, and be happy.... and never forget, that until the day when God deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these two words – wait and hope.” - Edmond Dantes, The Count of Monte Cristo

Tourist Information Center

2006-10-31T18:27:00.000+08:00

So, I'm from Baguio - and because I am from Baguio, my non - Baguio friends expect me to know much about the place - like where to go, where to stay, how much, etc. etc.
I'm a bad source for tourist information though, because I hardly go to the places where tourists frequent here in Baguio. In fact, I hardly go out.
But the latest query I got was this: "Where's a good dormitory-type place to stay in Baguio?"
My friend's office was to have a team building activity of sorts and because I'm from Baguio I should know this kind of stuff.
Fortunately, I've had a little experience on this. I have three recommendations, all good places, all accessible, all at the range of 150 to 250 per person per night

The venue of choice for large group lodging is Teachers' Camp - but you would have to make reservations in advance because it's usually fully booked during the peak months. Contact numbers below:

Teachers' Camp
Superintendent
Baguio City
074-442-3517; 442-6032

The Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (PBTS) is also a treat to be lodged in - it has the pine tree laden ambience that Baguio should have. It's compound is not as expansive as Teachers' Camp - but it might just be the right amount of space one needs for a short quiet walk in the woods. There are many amenities within the compound - including a gym, a tennis court, and a cafeteria with indoor and outdoor tables. The outdoor tables are actually very nice - opening into a veranda and the compound's greenery for the view. Call 074-445-6063 for inquiries.

Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary is a tourist destination in itself with it's ecopark and trail. Taking what is called a "Cosmic Journey," one may follow a trail that begins with the creation of light and ends with the habitation of humans into communities. Anyway, it's a nice place to be when you're in Baguio - but the lodging facilities are limited and the price slightly more expensive. The male and female dorms are around twenty beds each, I think. (074)442-4602 is the number to call.

There's my contribution to my friend's question. That should add to my good Baguio citizen points. :)

Oh My Gulay!

2006-10-29T20:01:00.000+08:00

That's the name of a new vegetarian restaurant here in Baguio which is making quite a wave as I saw it featured on cable TV a few days back - although it's also co - located with VOCAS - the art gallery -- you really can't distinguish the two. So the best description for it would be an art gallery cum restaurant, and I think it's also a performance venue because of the presence of a stage - like structure on one area - and enough floor room for gong playing and community dancing.
It's one of them new stuff that's quite refreshing to have because you get to have somewhere new to take your tourist friends coming up from Metro Manila. But the place is also genuinely nice because it has a real "Baguio feel" to it.
What's more interesting is, the place is associated with Kidlat Tahimik (Eric de Guia, the artist and film maker) - whether as owner or conceptualizer - but a lot of the items are from the artist's Baguio house that was burned a few years back.
The restaurant and art gallery is located at the top of La Azotea in Session Road - that's five floors up, so you just keep walking the stairs until you get to a grilled gate that opens up to more winding stairs made of scrap wood and materials.
The -BER months are a nice time to be in Baguio - if in case you come up - this is one place worth the visit - while it's not yet cramped.

Gary Granada and His War with McDonalds

2006-10-26T18:27:00.000+08:00

This has been circulating in emails - and you've probably received it too, but I'm posting it anyway. It's funny how this has escalated - but we cheer Gary on. :)

Forwarded Message:

My Personal Ordeal with the Arrogant Managers of
McDonald's

5 seconds

My name is Gary Granada, I am a Kaalagad
volunteer, and I need 5 seconds of your time to help
reduce the use of styrofoam in fast food chains.

What was meant to be a nice and simple Saint
Francis Day motorcade-march to McDonald's turned out
to be a nightmare. We were rudely treated by
McDonald's, to put it mildly. Weeks before, we
already sought a dialogue with them to reiterate our
concern for their reluctance to reduce their use of
styrofoam, despite their pledge to seriously attend to
it during our dialogue in 2002! (Jollibee said the
same thing, and while we are not satisfied with their
response, at least they made some effort to shift to
other packaging and serving materials.) We wrote to
them, went to their office, made follow ups, waited
for a response. The most we got from them was 'you
wait for our call'. They never called, never wrote
back, but verbally said they will assign
representatives to receive our motorcade's
representatives.

When we got there, their representatives turned
out to be the Citibank Building's security detail.
Ill-mannered and impolite, they told us that they were
told by McDonald's that they were not expecting us.
One of our staff went up to their 17th floor office to
find out whether they were willing to sit down and
talk matters. Told to tell us to wait, we waited.
The giant that it is, the bosses of McDonald's
apparently regard little children, nuns, mothers,
priests and concerned consumers as their employees. We
asked how long we were supposed to wait and got no
straight answer. Finally they sent word for me to
come up, just me, no one else. I thought these people
must have seen too many spaghetti movies, perhaps they
thought they had a hostage crisis. I was led to a
conference room that could easily sit six or seven
people and was greeted by two bright boys.

Think about it. Naglakad kami papuntang
McDonald's, at pagdating namin doon, wala man lang
bumaba para kausapin kami ng maayos. At pinatawag ako
nitong dalawang batang managers!

It occurred to me that there were far more basic
issues that plague McDonald's than styrofoam. Like
common courtesy. So I explained to these rich young
rulers that the courteous thing to do was to go down,
greet the delegation and ask how they may be of help.
I even asked them where they were schooled, because in
the public school in an obscure town where I came
from, they manage to teach such things in Grade One.
Their bloated bright brains must have taken up the
space that was meant for their ears. It felt like
talking to an electric fan.

Meanwhile I insisted that somebody from
Greenpeace, the Ecowaste Coalition, Franciscan
Movement for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation,
and the JPICC of the
Association of Major Religious Superiors of the
Philippines (our partners in the activity) be present
as well. They said they can only accommodate three
people at most. Fine. So I said I and our staff will
go down and we will send three people up. But at the
lobby, the three representatives we sent were barred
by security people from proceeding, again upon
McDonald's instructions we were told. It looked
hopeless.

We decided to wrap up the program when out of
nowhere a condescending woman materialized and
introduced herself as the media relations officer of
McDonalds. She said 'Why don't you go to Jollibee
instead, they're number One.' To which Father Ben
Moraleda replied, 'We did, and at least they are doing
something.'

On the side, irked by her audacity, Fr. Ben
quipped, 'And please take that hand of yours off my
shoulders, I don't like you.'

And all that commotion for a very simple and very
reasonable plan: that McDonald's reduce the use of
styrofoam by 50% within one year. McDonald's has once
again demonstrated its arrogance and incapacity to
appreciate the sincere and constructive efforts of
common folks to protect our environment. Unlike them,
we do not make money doing what little we can to help
make things a little better for everybody.

5 seconds, that's all I ask of you to help reduce
the use of styrofoam. Sa mundo ng mga mayayabang,
papansinin lang nila tayo kung tayo ay maninindigan.
Take 5 seconds to think twice before choosing where to
dine or order food.

WHEN YOU HAVE A CHOICE, DON'T CHOOSE MCDONALD'S

I feel sad for that woman and those two young
managers. So young, so successful, so ahead of their
game, so privileged; so rude, so arrogant, so lacking
in character, so bland. And I have since stopped
wondering why their burgers taste the way they do.

--------~~~---------

It will take a bit longer than 5 seconds, but it
will go a long way if you can email this page to
friends. Thank you~

GARY GRANADA

From: Gary Granada garygranada@yahoo.com
To: Dinah Fuentesfina dinahf@gmail.com

Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 4:14:43 PM
Subject: McDonald's hires PR agency to invite Fr. Ben Moraleda and Gary Granada

On the evening of October 17, I got a call from Ms.
Bonjin Bolinao. She said McDonald's was sending a
letter to Kaalagad, inviting us to a dialogue. She
also asked me if it were possible to indicate in my
website that McDonald's already sent a letter to
Kaalagad (we received the letter the following day).
I promised her that I will publish her letter in my
website (http://garygranada.com). I believe the only
way we may have an honest to goodness dialogue where
public concern is concerned is for the public to know
the facts. So I'm publishing and circulating this
letter, as well as my reply to Bonjin, in fairness to
everybody.

If you haven't yet, please read for a backgrounder
http://garygranada.com/5%20seconds.htm

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

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

16 October 2006

KAALAGAD
Attention:
Fr. Ben Moraleda, Spokesperson
Mr. Gary Granada, Volunteer

Dear Fr. Moraleda and Mr. Granada:

On behalf McDonald¢s Philippines, we would like to
invite you to a dialogue with senior McDonald¢s
representatives on Thursday, October 26, at 9:30 AM at
Top of the Citi restaurant, 34th floor, Citibank
Center, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.

McDonald¢s would like to discuss with your group their
efforts in addressing the various issues that you have
raised. They would also like to formalize their
commitment to your cause of reducing the use of
harmful substances in the quick-service industry.

Thank you for your attention. Please confirm if you
are available on the said date and time. Should you
have further queries, please contact Mr. Stevie
Martinez at 889-8332 loc. 131 or 0918-9258163.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

HCN Bonjin Bolinao
Managing Director
DDB Phils.
Ad Verbum PR

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

And here is my reply to her letter (thru e-mail):

19 October 2006

Dear Bonjin,

I just read your letter dated 16 October, 2006. Thank
you for the invitation. Because we are a consultative
community, Kaalagad is currently consulting its
members and staff as well as our partners in order to
come up with an appropriate collective response.

Offhand, I would like to share with you my personal
view. (Kaalagad is drafting its official position.)

I am of the opinion that your letter is insincere,
insensitive and mercenary. It is insincere because
you write as though October 6 never happened. No
mention of the incident, no need for apology, no need
to explain why McDonald's acted the way it did.

It is insensitive because you picked a venue which is
one elevator ride from McDonald's's bosses' office,
while we have to commute all the way to Makati from
Quezon City. To add insult to injury, you picked the
very same building where we were harassed by your
security people and shabbily treated by your managers.

It is mercenary because I see PR written all over the
page. It is not even signed by McDonald's but by an
ad agency. We are not a 'market' that your college
advertising textbooks may have taught you to regard.
We are not a 'segment' of the market that you can
simply 'sample', 'profile' and 'contain' if need be.

Don't treat us like we are a PR problem. I cannot
take this veiled insult sitting down. So, to cut the
crap, I will excuse myself from any possible dialogue
with you or your client.

I have a very simple, doable and straightforward
suggestion to you though. Why don't you and
McDonald's use everything within your enormous
financial and media clout to discredit what I am
saying:

DON'T BUY MCDONALD'S BECAUSE:
1. McDonald's is arrogant - don't make them more
arrogant.
2. McDonald's uses styrofoam - don't encourage them
further.

I urge you to publicly discredit those two statements.
And I shall be very happy, even eager, to be
discredited and proven wrong if you really mean what
you say. Show proof in all your stores and offices
that contrary to what I am saying, McDonald's is a
humble giant that puts public welfare above profit.
That way, we all win!

I will publicly broadcast those statements. I know it
sounds laughable for I can't even afford to pay for
one column-centimeter of news item. A little-known
folksinger versus a transnational ad agency of a
transnational megacorporation is a like playing chess
blindfolded with one rook less. On the other hand, I
believe there are lots and lots of people who simply
seek goodwill and solidarity. And I suspect many of
them are fond of spaghetti and brewed coffee.

This will be the last time I'll write to you regarding
McDonald's, hell I don't get paid for writing letters
like you do.

Lastly, please do not take this letter as a personal
affront. Like you said over the phone, we have common
friends. I hope we are on the same page then, for
instance, in taking the illegitimate Arroyo government
to task over the specter of state-sponsored summary
executions and brazen political opportunism that has
become the norm in this country.

Tell you what, I hang out at Conspiracy (Visayas Ave,
Quezon City, across Shell, beside Equitable Bank,
landline 4532170). My favorite singers Cooky Chua and
Noel Cabangon (who by the way once did a commercial
for McDonald's) perform there. Our mutual friend
Conrado DeQuiros is a regular. You might want to
check the place out. Please let me buy you a beer, no
scripts, no agenda, but as real persons in a real way.

Sincerely,

Gary Granada

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

To help collate comments on the McDonald's issue,
please log on to the

PHILIPPINE CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM

http://garygranada.com/cgi%2Dbin/phpbb/

CLICK Institutions

CLICK McDonald's

Or go straight to the topic:

http://garygranada.com/cgi%2Dbin/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=5

Thanks~

And please forward this information if you find it
relevant and appropriate, salamat po~~

Google Talk Glitch

2006-10-21T05:04:00.000+08:00

My colleague and I had to do some work when our office internet suddenly decided not to run. We had to do an emergency run to the nearest 24 hour internet cafe downtown. We gave a little sigh because things were already running - we had all our web tools up - Pbwiki, gmail, yahoo messenger, msn messenger, and google talk. I didn't have to do urgent work and my colleague said it's ok to leave her there.

I decided to go back to the office and try to have the internet up again. We had left the wires and computers in disarray because the customer service representative from SMART (and it took them 30 minutes before picking up the phone) asked me to disconnect and connect some wires, etc., which I obediently did - but with no results (thus the run to town).
So I did go back to the office - put the wires back where they used to belong, arranged the computer paraphernalia very orderly around where they were situated on the table - pressed buttons and clicked icons and voila! We have internet running in our office again!
I informed the situation to my colleague and we agreed that she can come back after finishing some tasks. She said she'll also need to delete our files saved in the terminal she used and clear the internet cache. Security measures, so to speak - but things just didn't run as smoothly. First, although the files in the terminal were deleted, she realized later on that her flash disk was missing - and it was most probably left in the terminal where she was working. Isn't that ironic. She's taking it very well, actually - had it been me - I would have agonized to high heavens. Later on, one of our colleagues who was working on another location sent a message saying she was receiving strange messages from my first colleague's google talk/chat account. I said, "I am quite sure it's not coming from her, because she's right beside me now."

It took us some figuring out, and we literally experimented to prove our hypothesis - google talk does not sign out automatically when you sign in on another terminal. In fact, you can sign in one account in three different terminals and they would all be running (that was what happened to us). If you had one recipient for your messages that person would receive all the messages that are being sent from three terminals. My colleague had not been able to sign out of google talk from the terminal in the internet cafe. When our other colleauge sent a message to her, the next person who's working on the terminal would notice the message "bubbles" that appear when a message is received. The next person happened to be two rowdy boys who seemed to have enjoyed toying with the features of google talk -they sent voice mails (which were not very nice), interacted in the chat windows, received my voice call (I was hoping we could ask them to look for the flash drive and keep it so we can come back for it in the morning - but then, they said it was nowhere - although it's quite dubious if they are telling the truth) and we were supposed to be at work!

I thought that was stupid of google (yes, we have our responsibilities, yes) - but still, yahoo messenger did it better - because we're humans - we forget things. If I forgot to sign out of yahoo after I left a place, I could look for a PC where I am, sign in, which signs me out from the other terminal, and then sign out from where I am so I can sleep soundly at night because I'm certain no stranger is sending offensive messages to my friends from my account.
Anyway, I was finally able to tutor our new boy "friends" on how to sign out from the account. That was some glitch.

TEXT UNWISE

2006-10-18T03:28:00.000+08:00

October 17, 2006

I’ve been saving this TEXTWISE card that I got last August, so I could complain about it. It seemed like a good idea – you get to send text messages to numbers abroad at only five pesos – but it was actually P7.50 because you have to pay P2.50 to the local telco which you are registered with every time you text. So I got myself registered for the TEXT WISE services on a SMART number that I was using (I wonder if things were different if I had used my GLOBE number instead).

So I got this message welcoming me to Textwise! And telling me save my Textwise number (which was 378 for SMART) and wait for further instructions. I was then told to register the number of the person I was to text abroad – and I got a message that I successfully did the registration. Now here comes the tricky part: I started sending messages according to instructions and everything was fine. I get a message that my message was sent and the amount of my remaining balance. The thing is, the Textwise system informed me that my messages were sent, but my intended receiver has received zero of my messages – as evidenced by his non-response. And I did ask if he received any messages from me during the past two days, and it really was zero.

So I took the effort to call the Textwise customer service – and it was not very simple because I had to have this passcode so I could have a landline transaction, because apparently, the inquiries I have been sending to the mobile numbers stated for customer service concerns was not responding to me. I was finally able to talk to a Custormer Service Representative who told me they would have to check with their Technical team and that I can check after two days by calling them again! Of course I wasn’t able to call back, but seemingly the next text messages I sent to customer service were received because I got messages (and it was in mixed English and Filipino in the common tone, not formal – so there was actually a human being pressing the keyboard responding to me, which was nice.) So this message said that their system really confirms that my messages were being sent and the problem might probably lie in the telco of the number I was sending to abroad. And that’s it. My problem did not get solved – and I ended up with a card that I bought, thought to have used, but was useless anyway. After a month, I received a message that my card had expired. Thanks, anyway. I have now thrown the card away.

INVESTING ON INVESTING OFWs

2006-10-18T03:24:00.000+08:00

PLDT and /SMART conducted an orientation of sorts for people for their SMART Bro Computer Station – Pangkabuhayan package last August 9, 2006.

Upon entering the venue, I was surprised that the participants that were already there and that were streaming in were women – that didn’t seem to look like serious business people that I expected. In fact, they looked a lot like simple housewives – and there were a lot of them.

When the program finally came to a start there were already around 60 persons in the room, a handful of which were men – and many of the women, it turned out were returning OFWs from Lebanon.

It was funny when the guy from SMART’s marketing department started talking about their product. The objective of the event, I guess, was to encourage the women to take up businesses, or to improve their businesses by availing of the SMART Bro Pankabuhayan package and the PLDT Internet Café Plus franchising offers – and I think it was also an orientation for possible sales agents of these products (I didn’t get to finish the program – so I really didn’t get to the part of the internet café plus and the sales agents’ orientation.) So the SMART person, with all his enthusiasm as a presentor was trying to engage the audience - albeit vainly. He was obviously trying hard to connect, and it was quite laudible, but he has had his booboos. First, he or a presentor before him said, in a sort of scoffing manner, “Who sends mail through the post these days?!” When the women were asked how they communicate with their loved ones while they were in foreign lands, all of them answered they send postal mail. Only three to four people raised their hands when asked if they send emails, and a woman beside me whispered to her companion, “We don’t even know what that is,” when the presentor asked what the internet was for.

Anyway, at some point the audience warmed up a bit, and the speaker did not seem too dejected anymore.

So, among the information I got from sitting halfway through this supposed orientation (I thought it was an orientation for people who have already applied), was the PGMA Training for Work Scholarship Program where people can avail of scholarship coupons to train for Call Centers or Medical Transcription when they pass certain assessment tests. Welding and butchering are also offered – all for the purpose of improving the livelihood of people.

TESDA was one of the major players in the event. The women OFWs were contacted through previous TESDA organized activities. It’s good that companies are targeting OFWs to be investors, rather than just consumers. The millions of pesos from OFW remittances and hard earned savings can be put to better use than buying the latest cell phone or the most fancy jewelry. OFWs also need to be given alternatives in terms of business opportunities. For most, the sari – sari store becomes the most convenient option – but they end up as one sari – sari store among the rows of sari – sari stores that are already in their barangays.

I didn’t get my Pangkabuhayan package from SMART Bro even after I have submitted my application and necessary documents. It took too long. I did get a Smart Bro regular service though – it was impressively quick. Twenty-four hours after application and payment of fees, the installation team was calling me. That didn’t seem like something that happens in the Philippines, but it did.

Birthing Lupang Hinirang

2006-10-15T04:37:00.000+08:00

A Campus Crusade for Christ – sponsored event last August 29, 2006 at University of the Philippines - Baguio.

I was glad when Alex asked me to include it in my prayers – that Christians are actually taking it among their agenda to include patriotism among the things that they should be concerned about.

FIRST TIME IN EUROPE

2006-10-05T10:56:00.000+08:00

092206
I read from somewhere that if you've been to Europe once, it is likely that you'll be able to visit it again.

Acutely aware of the doodad of a purchase that Superman did to fly me to the UK, I am nonetheless grateful.

I like going places. I like going places with someone even better. London and the parts of Britain I've been to were awesome. As I gaped at castles, cathedrals, works of art, I felt it was almost unfair that Europeans had things for thousands of years. There's always a sense of wonder for a certain location, the human achievement, the work of nature - and I remember places for feelings they evoke. Having traveled considerably, however, the sense of wonder becomes default - after a while places to me become familiar. The feelings blur and places as they are are just places. Streets are just streets and corners are just corners.

The Best Airport in the World

2006-09-14T17:28:00.000+08:00

Which is what the Hongkong International Airport claims itself to be...
A lot of Asian countries have something best or most or something to claim - some of them so frequent in so many places, you wonder which one is telling the truth.
But the HKIA is not so bad (Not that I agree it's the best airport in the world - I wouldn't know).
It's supposed to be a shopper's paradise.
We're window shopping around.
We're still in the airport because we missed our connecting flight.
Funny.
There were these comfy reclining chairs...
And we overslept.
The gate where we were supposed to board was at the other end of where we were.
So we're still here.

Doodading

2006-09-14T13:48:00.000+08:00

I left for the airport, not really skipping.
When I filled the Philippine departure card, I noted how such bad taste it was that a public document should contain an advertisement for a private company (Smart Telecom).
My spirits picked up while waiting for boarding.
I got amused with the Cathay Pacific Filipino stewardess who spoke with a tone like a woman on the street - your boisterous neighborhood kumare.
Felt well enough to want to ride the luggage trolley - but it was not allowed. The Hongkong airport has a roof like the wings of the Wright brothers' plane.
There's suddenly a line of people behind me. They also want to use the courtesy internet service.
So I have to go.

Using Low Cost Airlines 101

2006-09-13T15:55:00.000+08:00

1. A Philtranco bus/ shuttle has a regular schedule to and from SM Megamall and DMIA at Clark. The fare from SM Mega costs 300. There are four trips according to the boking andcreservation office of Philtranco - 6am, 7am, 11am, and 12 pm. There was an 1130 trip, however, when I arrived at the waiting area for the shuttle at SM. Reservations are recommended and can be made by phone at 851-8077 to 79. There were a lot of available seats though. I rode the 1130 am trip even when I was reserved for 12 pm. I thought I'd rather be early. There are no signages at the waiting area and no Philtranco personnel. I only got to confirm that I was at the right spot from the SM guards and from the other people who were already sitting at plastic benches when I arrived. The waiting and pick up area is located behind SM Megamall Building A, right across BPI and Watsons. It is along the same line as a row of FX taxis parked and waiting for passengers. The whole trip from SM Mega to DMIA took more than an hour and a half but less than two hours.

2. DMIA has an outdoor waiting area located at the far end of the building right beside the road corner and the sidewalk with street lights. This road is also where departing buses of Philtranco and Partas park and wait for passengers. Tickets for these buses may be obtained at tables set up by the bus companies at the arival area. Partas catersvto passengers that go to Northern Luzon, particularly Laoag. Passengers going to Baguio are dropped off at the Sison, Pangasinan stop of Victory Liner. Passengers pay separately for each bus line. The ticket obtained at the airport pays for the Partas trip from Clark to Sison.

Women's Section at the MRT

2006-08-28T20:00:00.000+08:00

I got to ride the MRT today. It was a nice surprise that there's finally a women's section in the MRT.

I always thought that was necessary and it's nice to finally see it implemented. At least someone is thinking somewhere out there where the powers are.

I visited friends today... and felt what it means to "come home."

Homecoming, of Sorts 2

2006-08-24T15:31:00.000+08:00

The Partas bus dropped us off at the Victory Liner station/ stop over at Sison. I thought that was convenient - at least the way Partas was able to arrange it.

It was raining when we got to Baguio. And that was three weeks ago. It's still raining now, although I heard a flicker of sun has finally come to my beloved hometown. Six weeks previous to my arrival it was already raining - everyday!

One guy said it was "deppressing" and that two more weeks of that will make him crazy. Two weeks of rain in Baguio made arriving in Quezon City quite refreshing. Although I love the rain, really - but it's weather that makes you want to stay home - and I had "business" to attend to.

There was a slight sense of disorientation when I was trying to look for a place. I actually got lost and got stressed trying to orient myself. Watching TV wasn't so disorienting. It's like you haven't left at all. Same shows, same TV personalities. Same drama formats.

So I'm back.

Now, what's next?

Homecoming, of Sorts

2006-08-23T19:31:00.000+08:00

I’m back.
At least back in the Philippines.
I arrived at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport at Clark on an Air Asia flight from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport - Low Cost Carrier Terminal (KLIA – LCCT). I had to spell that out because the words are a story in themselves.
Clark Kent and I spent the night at the airport. Like camping. We figured to buy a sleeping bag instead of staying a half night in a hotel. It was fun. Company matters though. The last time I did that (staying overnight at the airport) at the KLIA – LCCT, I just sat on one of the chairs through the whole night. I tried lying down on the rows of chairs… but I got up every now and then anyway.

Partas and Philtranco buses are already waiting at the Clark airport. There are attendants right before the exit doors and arriving travelers can ask information from them or make arrangements. The Partas buses go to Laoag, Ilocos and it’s probably the Philtranco buses that go to Manila. After buying a ticket from the attendant, I sat at the waiting area. Someone calls out that “Yung mga sasakay ng Partas, nandito na po ang bus” and that was my cue to drag my luggage to the bus. Passengers are allowed to bring the trolleys up to where the bus is.

I sat with a returning OFW from Singapore who came in from a Tiger Airways flight and who was also going home to Baguio.

Detachment in Process

2006-08-02T12:33:00.000+08:00

My body was psyched to go see museums around Banda Aceh today. However, I have to do some of the dirty work that comes with travel, so here I am in an internet café checking for flight schedules. This is research work, really.

Music is playing overhead but they seem to have their playlist on shuffle I get a dose of hard earsplitting rock for five minutes and then a slow, mellow ballad after, and then a hip hop number. I suspect that this combination plus the insecticidal lotion I have on my arms and hands to ward off mosquitoes are giving me a headache.

Mobility 2

2006-07-26T11:15:00.000+08:00

So... anyway, like I said, I now take the labi - labi... which is also cheaper because a bechak ride costs me at least 7,000 Indonesian Rupiah (roughly equal to 40 Philippine Pesos)... and that's when I take the bechaks that park at the market place where the drivers already know me and know where I'm going. If I take a bechak across the street when the market bechak drivers are not around, I give them 7,000 Rupiah but they complain saying it costs 10,000. I insist on the price that the other drivers give me but end up feeling bad that I had to argue with the driver. There's a certain dilemma that comes with it and I could justify my actions with the sense of justice as a rationale --- first I know that I can go ahead and give the Rp 3,000 difference and save both me and the driver the trouble of getting into an argument, on the other hand, it would not be fair to the honest bechak drivers who bring me to the same place and from a farther origin at a lesser price. Add to that, the labi - labi costs me only Rp 2000! (And that applies to the whole ride no matter how far you came from) Although if I take the labi - labi I can only go as far as the stretch of the main road... because I do not know which labi - labi goes along the exact route where I'm supposed to go.
It’s fine though because I get to walk. And that’s what I have been doing. I take the labi – labi, get down at the end of the main road where I cross a rotonda and take a ten minute walk to the office. It’s a good thing I do not pass too many people during the morning when I walk because a woman in shades does not seem to be a familiar sight – men, especially, seem to have that instinctive reaction to say “Hallo!” – and repeatedly even if you ignore them. I’ve started not to give it much notice. I have also started to listen to Stephen Covey on an mp3 player as I walk and that gives me another thing to concentrate on apart from minding the vehicles when I have to cross the road.
However, this routine would have to be short lived as this is my last week. It’s not so bad though... I’ve found a quiet stretch of a neighborhood street that I like; I walk with less fear, intimidation or indignance; I used more than two types of public transport system! This last one is a highlight... I think I associate my familiarity with a place when I have already figured out how to get around using the public transport system. At least, I got around.
Have a nice commute.. wherever you’re going. J

Mobility

2006-07-25T11:00:00.000+08:00

I've acquired a new routine these past few days. Previously I would take a "bechak" - the Indonesian counterpart for the Filipino "tricycle" -- that mode of transportation where a sidecar that makes up the passengers' seat is attached to a motorcyle. The bechak has a very different side car though because it has a foldable roof. When it's folded down, a passenger can be thrown straight forward when an accident happens because there are no barriers at the side and front. The tricylce is also primarily made up of metal and encases the passenger to allow some greater feeling of safety and at least three persons can sit inside.
Anyway, I take the bechak from the basar or market which is very near my neighborhood. I have taken to own that term now - "neighborhood" - just last night when I was walking home, I actually felt familiar enough with a stretch of the place to call it mine, although I thought it was sad that I did not get to have friends from the neighbors (meaning the other houses outside our compound) - which are not many because there's really not much of a stretch of houses in our place - and even if there are, the houses are either walled or empty. We have enough "neighbors" though who we're acquainted well enough with - our housemates who occupy the other rooms in our house, our landlady and her grand daughters, the guys from the photo studio beside us, and the guards, occupants and other employee's of Clark Kent's staff house just across the street. We usually go neighboring there.
Anyway, and this is my second anyway, I started riding the "labi-labi" - this time the Indonesian or maybe Aceh counterpart to the Filipino "jeepney" or more appropriately the Visayan "multi-cab."
I know I said anyway the second time already, which means that I should have a long one coming - but I need to start looking that I'm doing work... so I'll describe my new means of mobility.. up next.

Ciao. :)

Reorientation

2006-07-10T16:09:00.000+08:00

I took the morning off today. I did some housework to unclutter the space where I am to spend some time thinking of what I planned to do the weekend that passed that I did not get to do. Or just plain ask myself what I am supposed to do today, or for the rest of the month for that matter. In fact, I placed the calendar on a very conspicuous position so I could be made aware of the passing of the days. I don’t know, but when I looked at today and the weeks after it before the month ends, it seemed like so many days.

I have a pile of readings I wanted to read – but I’m really wanting to give purpose to my day, I placed them aside and thought I should write. Writing will probably do me better. When I am merely quiet, I can spend hours without anything running consciously through my mind. It’s like staring into blank space. My only achievement in that case would be having stayed quiet. Stillness has its own benefits. This moment, however, I want my brain to churn out ideas, or goals, a purpose for living, at least for this day or this week, or this month. An article about old people in Japan that I read a few weeks back had this quote from one older person: “People are happy as long as they have a goal.” It was pure wisdom. It also means that if I don’t come up with something, I am one unhappy person. I have to smile to that, or maybe chuckle, which I just did.

I had some scripts in mind, after a moment of thought. But there is one goal that could sum up whatever it is that I’ll end up doing. It was something which a newfound friend of mine said after a send – off meal --- “Just enjoy.” I think that’s what I’ll do.

Bumming

2006-07-06T15:59:00.000+08:00

I am not employed now. I resigned. Just before July kicked in. However, I still go to one organization where I have volunteered my services, but I did not offer to put in a full day despite my freed up schedule.

It’s not a story worth telling – because it’s tiresome. But I have more time now, albeit no cash. Time, however seems to be running the way I want it – fast. Before we know it, our bags are packed and we’re ready to go. I’m almost in a rush to leave, actually, because I need to see my dentist.

Could you believe a toothache could actually motivate one to want for home?

The soul needs a physical excuse sometimes. And it takes advantage of opportunity when it comes.

Newsworthy

2006-07-06T15:58:00.000+08:00

Clark Kent and I have been frequenting a restaurant set up at the World Food Programme – it was one of our best finds – nice food with generous servings and the ambience was homey enough we spend at least an hour there just soaking up the opportunity of eating comfortably outdoors. We’ve been going there so frequently the cooks already know us – greeting us or saying thank you in Filipino. It’s also the one place where we get to read newspaper.

We’ve been very impressed with the Jakarta Post – which is the English daily made available at the WFP restaurant. We would take our time to read through the pages and exchange articles, because we sometimes read different sections of the newspaper or different issues. Lively discussions would sometimes follow an article we’ve shared reading. We’d look for articles about the Philippines, and often we would see some picture and caption featured or some other item in the business section.

It was nasi goreng seafood dinner at WFP yesterday (Wednesday), and as our ritual we dug into the newspapers. A Filipino writer was in the opinion section – Neal Cruz of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. He wrote of caregiver openings for Filipinos that GMA was able to facilitate on her visit to Spain. Clark Kent read the article first and said “Ang pangit naman ng article na ‘to (This article sucks!)” after the first few paragraphs. I uttered the same comment when I got my turn to read.

In his attempt to criticize GMA, Neal Cruz in his article ended up degrading the thousands of caregivers that are working overseas sending precious dollars to our wobbling economy. He had successfully expressed how, to him, the caregiving profession was without dignity.
I’m sorry I don’t have the article with me now to quote some lines, or to give the exact title and date. His point, really, was to challenge GMA to create jobs for Filipinos in the Philippines, and not to gloat on finding “humiliating” jobs for Filipinos abroad. It was a good point – but he sort of bungled with how he said it, he ended up hurting countless OFWs instead of jolting GMA and her administration. At least that was how I felt, and I am not even a care giver.

Rained

2006-06-19T16:38:00.000+08:00

It's a nice rainy day. Although I really couldn't see the rain because as I type this I'm cooped up in an office. I could hear it though and there's a cold, damp, grayness inside that makes you feel the rain even if you cannot see it. It's nice. It's a nice time for coffee.

Intricate Thailand 2

2006-06-02T10:18:00.000+08:00

Hello Kulibangbang and Clark Kent,

Thank you very much for your e-mail.
I'm now sending you the full name of Bangkok city that you wanted to know. This is now 100% complete:
KRUNGTHEP MAHANAKORN AMORNRATTANAKOSIN
MAHINTRAYUTHAYA MAHADILOKPHOP
NOPPARAT RACHATHANIBURIROM UDOMRATCHANIWES MAHASATAN
AMORNPIMAN AWATANSATHIT SAKKATHATTIYA WISSANUKAMPRASIT.

I hope that you will go back to Thailand again.
With warmest regards.
Charlie

Back to Work

2006-05-23T10:11:00.000+08:00

Seutui, Banda Aceh

Our boss decided to have us go home today since it’s a Friday.

I have a boss now, yes. I have started to formally work and be a part of the reconstruction and rehabilitation work here in Banda Aceh. My CV got to a small Irish NGO that’s doing rehabilitation work for sports facilities all over Aceh. I thought that was pretty cool that someone had taken the task of giving attention to these community facilities. Most of the more than five hundred NGOs here both local and international have given attention to building or rebuilding houses, clinics, hospitals, schools, and government offices. Things have just begun though so there’s that awkward, chaotic phase of trying to put things to a start. Since the project is also funded by the UNDP, so there’s that funder – contractor thing that could be quite stifling depending on how things are going. The guys that are working with us seem to be cool though – at least from the few meetings where I have met them. The first time I joined a meeting, I was quite surprised how they seemed so open, and they seemed quite sincere in providing support in coordination and ensuring a lot of feedback.

There’s supposedly a lot of field work in the sports facilities rehabilitation project. Our male colleagues however have the impression that I was hired for office work. Which is fine – there’s work that needs to be done at the office anyway – and I have opportunities to do low intensity field work, that is, “kaladkarin,” just a part of the entourage. I think I also have to understand that it’s also probably awkward to have a woman dealing with heads of villages who are men. I have yet to hear that our office is transacting with a woman village leader. I was able to attend three community meetings during the initial phase of discussions and in all those instances I was the only woman in the group and I wasn’t even in proper attire. At some point, I think that I was invisible, somehow.

I’ve had frequent walks to and from the office already. There is now a familiarity with the place and I now have my geographical comfort zones. I think, however, that I have developed a growing fear of the men in the places where I walk. I did not get used to the cat calls and whistles, uninvited hellos and the “psst-pssts” (we thought that was exclusively Filipino, we were wrong) and the ogling brought by my obvious mark as a stranger. There are many gentle men that I have met from the locals and nationals… but still, some reason, including the awareness of this culture’s bias on gender must have affected me. It’s not so bad.

I have also volunteered for a childrens’ INGO on an ECD project with the ECD advisor. Things seem interesting, especially since the end goal is to have a system in place – which makes every little task valuable. Even the filing and the researching that I’m supposed to do is worthy enough contribution to what could be a big contribution for Indonesian children. Of course, I’m probably just trying to perk myself up – give meaning to things, etc.

So there, I got myself something to do for the next three months that my husband and I are supposed to remain here. I remember a note posted in one co-worker’s desk back in the Philippines. She was hired to do some stuff with coordinating and fixing or whatever for a major program. It’s a good reminder. “Make a difference.”

Intricate Thailand

2006-05-22T09:35:00.000+08:00

Dear Charlie,

How are you? You might remember us as Roby’s friends from the Philippines. It has been two weeks since we had that tour of Ayutthaya with you. I thought I should send you this email lest you think that we forgot about you – which of course, we didn’t.

We’re back in Indonesia now. Back to work and the routines of our current life. Just recently, we had another look at the pictures we took on our trip to Thailand. It was nice to remember all the magnificent places we’ve been to. It was hot and you’re right to say that after a while we’ll get bored with seeing temple after temple after temple. Still, till the last place where we went, we were very impressed. In Ayutthaya, for example, the ruins and the history behind them was something we really appreciated. It was a testament of the grandeur of Asia – for centuries. I believe the people of Thailand have a certain pride in having established kingdoms even before the western countries colonized other Asian countries. It must also be a source of strength for you as country to know that.

Before we left Thailand, we had a tour of the Grand Palace in Bangkok and the indoor Lying Buddha. It was amazing just looking at the intricate and elaborate details inside and outside the buildings and the structures. They were very beautiful and I could only imagine all the time, energy, and money that were used to complete them. More amazing, I guess, is how many of the things we saw were built even before the advent of technological advances or machines, for that matter. It was quite overwhelming but it was proof of human capacity and how else can you not wonder at what greater capacity there could be in the Divine.

We must not have thanked you enough. It was really great just knowing you and hearing your stories and your explanations about the things we saw or even the things we haven’t seen. I hope you already remembered the missing words in Bangkok’s full name. We hope, too that more people will get to know you. You are part of the nice memories that we have of Thailand.

We hope to have a chance to meet again in some way. But until then, we wish the best for you and your family.

Your friends,

Kulibangbang and Clark Kent

Singapore's Little Acts of Kindness

2006-05-03T12:07:00.000+08:00

Singapore’s Little Acts of Kindness

This has been coming late, actually. It was more than two months ago when Clark Kent and I passed by Singapore – each of us coming from two different ends of the world.

I came from Malaysia, in one of Air Asia’s cheap flights from Clark/ Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. I took the acquaintance of my seatmates and I stuck to the Boholano Girl who was going back to Kuala Lumpur (KL) as a Jazz Singer. We had to sort our luggage at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) – she had to look for luggage she left behind, I had to look for a place to leave my luggage behind. It was originally intended that Clark Kent and I should meet at KLIA, but some schedule changes happened at the last minute so we had to meet at Singapore instead.

I stuck to my Boholano friend, as it was my first time in Kuala Lumpur. I thought it a blessing that I happened to share a seat with someone who could help me around a strange and new place. We rode the thirty minute express train to KL from the airport, but I had to find my own way now to the terminals leading to Singapore. The information desk at the train station was open, but the trains to where I want to go have left and the next train will be the next day. I thought I could sleep in the bus instead, having made my internet research, so I took the option of looking for the bus station. I did get myself to the bus station successfully and I waited around an hour more before the bus left at 11 pm. Because it was a six to seven hour trip, the bus had to “stop over” at a half-way point. Apart from that, however, we had to go down at immigration checkpoints – one for leaving Malaysia, and the other for entering Singapore. I left my research notes at KLIA and my working knowledge of what to do was left to merely following the lead of my fellow passengers – and our bus driver’s questioning statements when I wasn’t going down the bus when all the others have already left – He did not notice, I think, that I did not understand any word he said – except that I knew I was supposed to do something. I took a while in the checkpoint entering Singapore – not because I was smuggling illegal items – but because I thought that was the end of our destination. I realized later, after I followed the exit signs that the bus I was riding had left me – and I was not yet in the terminal where people going to Singapore should get off.

So there I was at Woodlands, at four am and no Singaporean dollars. I decided to find my way farther into Singapore from Woodlands. I did not want to get into the other buses who were coming in when the driver who said he would get me in his bus asked me how much I will pay. But first, I needed to get myself dollars to get around.

I walked to the exits leading to the Woodlands market. Because it was still four am, there were barely any stores which were open. I had to find a place to sit and I need to have a plan. The money changers at the market, I was told, will open at seven am. I set my counter to three hours and tried to sit, walk around, and think. At around six forty-five am, a money changer opened. Good thing I had extra Malaysian Ringgit with me – because they don’t change US Dollars. Now I had the money to get by. While I was sitting and watching, I noticed that there was a bus station right in front of the market. The plan was for me to get myself to Queen’s Park – because that was where the bus that left me was supposed to go – and then go to the Chang Mi Airport from there – where I was supposed to meet Clark Kent – through yet unclear mechanisms. He was flying in from London, and the only means we could communicate was through our Globe roaming mobile phones – and we could not use that as leisurely as we want to, no, we could not afford to use that as leisurely as we want to. There were only two messages I sent, in fact. One that said I’m lost in Woodlands, and the one that said, “I’m going to meet you at Chang Mi Airport, wait for me there.”

I took my time at the bus waiting area observing the people and trying to find a friendly face to ask. I got myself near someone who looked like he was a student, and therefore, pretty fluent in English. I assumed. The script was, “Which bus number goes to Queen’s Park?” And then, when I get there, I take the MRT to Chang Mi. Throughout our conversation, I guess he was interested enough to ask what I wanted to do at Queen’s Park. Knowing now that my ultimate goal was to get to Chang Mi, my friendly Singaporean friend (who did speak English quite well – and Chinese too), suggested to take another bus instead – which would go to the central bus terminal and from there take another bus that would lead straight to the Airport. Now that was information I needed coming just at the right time. It turned out too, that my friend is taking the same bus. But I did not stick with him this time, not wanting to burden him with having to take care of a stranger. When I got inside the bus, I did not have coins and I did not have a bus card, and I did not know what to do because there was no one else to follow who was in the same situation as I am. I tried to pay when I got down the bus, but the bus driver couldn’t take paper money and just let me down. That was a free ride I did not expect – and the driver did not holler or grunt at my ignorance – but rather smiled and let me off with a wave. How nice, I thought. How nice.

Now, when I got down, I already had a plan. Find the bus that goes to the airport – but I have to find change for my money first. I thought I’d give a thank you wave to my friend before I proceed --- but he found me first and volunteered to accompany me to have my money changed – and then walked me to the place where I was supposed to wait for my bus – and he was already two floors away from where he should take his own bus! Talk about hospitality! I could not do more than thank him profusely --- and I did not even get to ask his name. That was more than nice. More than nice. I think I had the best things to say about Singaporeans during those hours. But there was more.

Clark Kent and I eventually, and quite Providentially, met and found our way around Singapore. There were a few days to spend and it was a weekend. Sunday came and we thought we’d look for a church to attend. Because we were staying at the Inn at Temple Street in China town, I searched for the nearest church from the many maps of Singapore that we had.

Fairfield Methodist Church was only a few blocks away and the walk towards it was already interesting. We were running slightly late, however, because the English service should have started at eight thirty am. When the service was over, a man came over to us and asked if he could minister to us for a while. There was nothing to lose, and a few minutes of fellowship would not hurt. Mr. Chan Siew-Long found us a table and brought drinks. After the initial introductions, where we stressed we were only visiting and leaving the following day, he proceeded to tell us of the things they were doing at Fairfield – particularly, the Yong-En Care Center. Then we got interested. Fairfield’s heart for China Town so impressed us – especially the hidden poor rarely seen in affluent Singapore, we were asking more questions than we expected. Here was the church at work.

Mr. Chan was seemed also genuinely interested in us. Knowing we were just visiting, he knew the chances of seeing us again or of us going back to Fairfield would be closer to zero than anything. We were not dismissed however, instead we were given pointers on where to visit, a very interesting peek on Singaporean society, and knowing that we were Filipinos, directions on where the Filipino church was located and the schedule of their gatherings. Before we left, we were invited to have a look inside the church premises. The location itself was already a treat to us because the church building was culturally and historically significant in Singapore. We were lighthearted as we left, encouraged and inspired by the example of Fairfield. Now that was something nice. Nicer.

Singapore is impressive in itself. Its growth from a simple merchant trading port to a world-class economy is already an amazing story. People sometimes talk in disbelief of the discipline that the Singaporeans exhibited in their economic journey – but it is a story much envied by peoples and nations – especially its Asian neighbors.

I left Singapore with memories of grand structures, spic and span boulevards, awesome public shows and displays – things which I have taken many photos of. But I will also remember the things which I wasn’t able to catch with my camera. Little acts of kindness. Great little acts of kindness.

Reflections From Lamnga

2006-04-24T18:39:00.000+08:00

As we approached the community center or meeting place, Nova, our interpreter, thought that only a few people came. We were supposed to meet the older people in this community. He had previously informed us that we were coming in as foreign teachers from one of the local universities in Banda Aceh. There was a seeming discomfort about the notion of taking in false identities using a legal institution but it was the most convenient way to do things at the moment. Apparently the academe invites more trust and introducing ourselves as a non-government organization (NGO) might prompt an expectation of aid. Something we do not really want to happen. Geoffrey, the overall coordinator of this Indonesia meeting, had sternly warned us the day before “not to promise anything” when we reach the community we were supposed to visit today.

Our team of five took off our sandals and followed Nova’s lead as he did the traditional greeting formalities. A sort of handshake, taking both or slightly touching each others hands and pulling your right hand back to touch your nose or your chest. There were initially twenty women inside, so there was already much hand clasping and touching and greeting. When the formalities were about to taper off, the men came from the other entrance of the meeting area, but the women from our team seemed not so sure of the appropriateness of doing the same greeting towards them. Nova and the other male member of the team did the customary greetings.

As we sat down, more and more older people came in until we ended up to around forty women and twenty men. The men were on our left side and the women were on our right. Some of the men sat on the middle of the room, facing the other men, creating a sort of wall between them and the women. The community leader or “katchi” had not yet arrived but we decided to go ahead with the introductions and the supposed purpose of our visit. Nova had to sit down while talking to one side, stand up, walk to the other side, sit down again and talk, and then he’d have to stand up, get back to our side of the circle of people and interpret the responses and comments. He is not a local of the place, and in fact had apprehensions on the people’s response because he was originally from one area of the country that was generally disliked by the local population because they seemed to have a hoard of government power among them. His feelings were unfounded when the meeting progressed, but he had difficulty since there were only a few in the group who knows Bahasa Indonesia. The Acehnese language was considerably different from the national language that another translation was required. There was one woman doing the interpretation for her group, and the men seemed to understand, nodding their heads as Nova spoke. It was only when the katchi, a handsome man in full traditional garb in his mid forties, arrived when the men started giving responses at length.

About a hundred families from the community were lost to the tsunami. The two hundred sixty families that are now living in the community in Lamnga have “barracks” as their homes for the moment. It is not a relocation site, however, since the people have already been living there before the tsunami. Barracks are temporary housing units that can house five to ten families. A single structure is divided into several doors so each unit is relatively private. The toilet and bath facilities are communal, and water sources are from water tanks donated by various international NGOs. The government owned water company had already installed pipelines but water has yet to be distributed from them. The nearest health facility is three kilometers away, and a clinic was to be set up in the camp. A children’s center was right beside the community meeting center where we were congregated. There is also a nearby school for older children. Education seemed important to the older people as their children and grandchildren all went to school, until college.

When the old men were asked what they do during the day, they said they do not work, but include among their hobbies watching soccer on the soccer field within the camp. Chit chatting and getting together was also a daily activity. They are currently living with their families and so most of them do not cook. The three men, who raised their hands when they were asked who among them cooked, were the ones who were living alone. Only six women in the group claimed they were living alone. The women plant, fish, and look for food to sell during the day. They do the usual household chores as well, including cooking. Although originally fishermen and farmers, not many go out to the sea anymore. Fishing is done in water trapped from the sea, and therefore not requiring boats and other fishing implements. The responses to their daily activities generated a stifled chuckle from our team as we figured the men chit-chat while the women fish, plan, and cook.

The number of older people who came to the meeting was a general surprise for the team. Highly cooperative and organized, they came to the meeting through the katchi’s mobilization. There was no formal organization in the community. I wondered if the meeting was something fun for them, as older people, knowing how the psychosocial interaction is very important, and whether there were similar meetings that happened before.

When asked when a person is considered old, they responded that fifty was considered old, when one cannot work anymore. Before the tsunami however, even those who were fifty were economically active. The tsunami has rendered, somehow a weakening effect, but probably not physical. One of their responses, as interpreted, was a “loss of spirit.” It was probably not generally the fear of another tsunami that does not lead them out to the sea anymore. Nova said it was more a sort of despair, that no matter what they do, no matter how they pray, their families cannot come back anymore. There was seemingly a lesser purpose to living when everything that you had been living for had been washed away. With the influx of external aid that came pouring to Aceh after the tsunami, I think that it is the spirit that also needs healing. The people’s resilience will manifest even without international NGOs helping them, but the trauma of the tsunami has not only affected their livelihoods, their health, their social protection rights, but most of all their hearts and spirits.

Looking at the older people that were all around us, we appreciated as a team how they did not seem desperate or depressed. The session did not become a wish list meeting and some of our team members actually had the impression that the older people we talked with were seemingly happy. They did not even scramble for the meager fruits and water that we brought with us to supposedly share with them. Not expecting their high turn out, each person could only be given a piece of fruit. The men took the role of serving as they distributed the fruit, to the women first. The others waited patiently for the items to be handed to them. Some of the men did not even get to have anything, but there were no complaints.

Issues of older people cannot be ignored. It is easy to ask organizations why they do not include older people among their agenda, and we probably know the answers as well. I think the better question to ask is “how can older people’s issues be included in organizations’ agenda?” It is less threatening and allows for less defensive responses. It is also asked in another perspective – that older people’s issues can be included in the agenda, because they should be, we just need to find a way.

The visit to Lamnga was too short to know the older people and the community well enough and come up with conclusions. Maybe someday HelpAge, or its partners, can go back and take more time to make friends. To listen to older people’s stories and what they have to say. To capture wisdom. To impart appropriate new knowledge. To assist them live life anew. To help them in their healing. But then, older people already know how to do these themselves, sometimes though it only takes a little collective action, a little twitching of the arm, a little pushing and pulling.

I hope that Lamnga’s older people will one day find the stronger of themselves – helping each other and other communities in their capacities as caregivers, healers, educators, and leaders. Because they can.

Letter From Banda Aceh, April 2006

2006-04-15T12:40:00.000+08:00

April 2006
Dear Hotaru,
Singing from the nearby mosque is being played on the PA system – for all men to hear. Everyday is like that here in Banda Aceh. Five times a day, starting at five am, the prayers are blared from the speakers. Where there are no speakers, they are played on the radio so you could hear it anywhere you are. After a week of being here, I’ve gotten used to waking up in the mornings because of the prayers. Later this week, I think I have succeeded in sleeping through it, awaking only on the last few minutes before the place returns to the silence that rightfully belongs to the dawn. I manage to go back to sleep. There are several loudspeakers not all broadcasting the same thing and it becomes noisy sometimes. But I have to appreciate how you could not go through the day without being reminded to pray. Everything stands still at one to three pm on Fridays here. People stop, literally, and spend the afternoon in prayer. The expats around have to make sure they get to places where they ought to be, because the local drivers would have to excuse themselves at one pm.

Before we moved to a rented room, I have been spending most days this in the staff house where Clark Kent is assigned. I couldn’t yet manage to go out far by myself because I still haven’t figured the public transport system, and not many people speak English. I also add, as an excuse, the heat. It’s warm and I have to wear long sleeved shirts or blouses. It’s also not easy to go around. Banda is sort of like first class rural Philippines. Banda Aceh is quite a big place though. Not something you could readily tour by walking around.

No job offers came in the five weeks since I started sending out applications, so I guess the job hunting was not as easy as people said it would be – what with the multitude of NGOs that are here. But then, efforts have shifted to transitioning and turn-over work to the locals so job openings for organizations are mostly for locals. I’m shifting to offer my services as a volunteer instead, since it’s already off-timing to start work when Clark Kent’s contract is almost about to finish.

Clark Kent and I temporarily stayed at one of their office’s staff houses. It’s a nice big house with nice big rooms, each with its own bathroom. There’s a garden outside and some fountain-like structure inside, although it’s not working. The owner must be pretty rich. There are quite a lot of houses like this around. I think it was the week before when we had a tour of some of the houses in other areas – also relatively large houses. Some of the Indonesian staff from Clark Kent’s office, knowing we were looking for a place to rent, wanted to help us look around. People were actually willing to move out of the houses they were occupying so they could rent them out to expats ---- at gold mine prices. The influx of international NGOs here has created some sort of gold rush. It is very disturbing for me. This whole rebuilding and rehabilitating Banda Aceh thing is very disturbing for me. It has been a year since the tsunami. During that time, hundreds of people came and are still coming, millions of dollars were spent and are still being spent…. And yet there are still 60,000 people living in tents in the areas affected by the tsunami. This does not include the area where I am. Or where I see most of these foreign samaritans are.

We are now staying in rented room across the staff house. This one belongs to a nice widow whose husband died recently. Five granddaughters whom she has taken care of herself live with her, and one of them is about to graduate from medicine. She would always invite me to come visit her because she knows I stay alone in our room and she’s wanting company because she’s alone during the day. We’ve had some very interesting conversation.
Except for the occasionally disturbing thought that I am not producing a personal income with my time, I’ve been appreciating this time of not having to be tied down formally. I get to have a lot of quiet time. I still don’t have God’s answer on the other purposes of why I am here – including, for example, my contribution to society… but I have learned enough of God that there is also purpose in waiting. So for now, I wait. And try to make my soul ready.

I hope all is well for you this time, wherever you are.

Write me.

Kulibangbang

Dress Code

2006-01-12T21:19:00.000+08:00

It's amazing, how one pair of shoes, or one blouse, or even a clip on your hair could change everything about you. Power in small details.

--
http://mahiwagangbaul.blogspot.com
http://findingsupergirl.blogspot.com
www.hirayalibraries.org
www.neoversity.com.ph/courses/

Blues of Permanent Employment

2006-01-12T12:00:00.000+08:00

Should I be glad, I wonder, that I am not embroiled in government office politics. Tenure, position, promotion, etc. I think it takes people away from the real job... and it's sometimes sad how these things become the issue.

Sickening. It's sickening. I think that is what I feel.

Jealousy Pill

2006-01-03T13:40:00.000+08:00

Wrote this not recently... so it's old emotion. Just for the archives.

There is a cure
To my pain
If I could
Fall
For you
As I did for him
If I could
Whisper
Your name
With a fondness
As I would
His
If I could
Touch
With the same
Tenderness
The works of your hands
If I could love you
As he did
Because
You will
Never
Go away
And it reduces me
And it hurts
But if
I could love
You
If
I could.

The Daily Commuter Vol. I Issue 1

2005-12-07T11:11:00.000+08:00

I was in the FX this morning, on my way to work, when an architectural student of UST boarded from somewhere in Quezon Avenue. I assumed she was an architectural student because the label in her uniform read “UST College of Architecture.” I couldn’t help steal glances at her because she was so beautiful. White, smooth skin. Brown eyes and long eyelashes. Moles scattered in the right spots. Lips with just the right fullness and color and parted really nicely while she glanced about at the road. Hair that fell in just the right places. It’s amazing to see beautiful things. It never fails to make me praise the Creator for his brilliance. Amazing, too, how I have forgotten my own physical insecurities while I’m writing on this and focusing instead on the creation and the Creator.

Music Therapy

2005-11-30T14:46:00.000+08:00

I've been trying to pep myself by listening to classical music since yesterday. I started with googling for midi files for Pachelbel's Canon, but I figured variety will do me more healthy.
Right now I'm savoring the collections from Midisite.

Tortuous

2005-11-25T11:48:00.000+08:00

I know that I can make this day just pass by...
I can wait for time to crawl,
And I will flinch in every way as it does,
But I know
I can let it go that way
And I know
It will torture me
At the end of the day.

The Daily Commuter

2005-11-24T11:15:00.000+08:00

Now, how does that sound?
"Digests of a Girl on the Road"
Or something like that.

The morning's almost over. I have successfully spent five minutes for "official work."
I'm keeping this window open in case some thought pops up and I need a distraction. Like I'm not already distracted.

I am totally blank.
I think, that I have lost all abilities for analysis, if I ever had them.
Why am I bashing myself now?

Maybe I should change my title to: "Stuck"

The Daily Commuter headline for today was supposed to be a story on one of the children-vendors that sell rags and flanel cloth along the EDSA - Quezon Boulevard Area.
I shall hope to write something about it some other time.

I have waited for lunch. And it has come.

I have successfully made a rambling.

Office Work

2005-11-23T11:04:00.000+08:00

For the past few days, most of the stuff I've been doing was copy/cut-paste text from one document to another. My forefinger is already sore from doing the task. I'm typing with my forefinger raised and using my middle finger to type the keys assigned to the forefinger on the QWERTY keyboard. I think I have pressed the backspace key, probably twice, more than I did the correct keys.

Lethargic

2005-11-16T13:58:00.000+08:00

I somehow have the feeling that I'm wasting government money during the past days that I've been reporting to work.
This "ability to work without supervision" that I have bravely put in my resume does not seem quite accurate with my outputs in my current job.
How, indeed, do the things I'm doing at the moment contribute to making the world a better place for children?
There must be some self motivating mantra in here that I can use.... I can not go on like this.

Eksena sa Jeepney

2005-10-21T13:54:00.000+08:00

I had this written when I was getting dramatic over my transportation boboos. I was supposed to add how drivers could also be very vulnerable - always at risk of having a passenger who is a robber or a hold - upper (is hold-upper a real word? or is that just Filipino English?), passengers who do not give the appropriate fare, or passengers who do not give their fare at all. And there are many stories about drivers' nightmares too.
Anyway, I got lazy. So I was not able to put the revisions that I wanted.

090105
Eksena sa Jeepney

People don’t care anymore... so it seems. And there is no better place to demonstrate this than in a public utility vehicle. Jeepneys, buses, FXs, taxis.
I usually try not to stress myself by hurrying to work in the mornings, but there are many days when one needs to rush and every split second is precious. But that is not what I wish to speak about.
I arrive here at work, more sad than indignant. I had been, during the past weeks observing how the public utility vehicle has become such a place of mistrust. A few examples:
A person asks if the jeepney will pass into a certain area where she wishes to go. The driver does not respond but allows the person to get into the jeep anyway. The person directs the question again to no one in particular, and the jeep moves on. The jeep was not going to the place where the person needed to go. I had to ask the woman again where she was going and told her to transfer to the other jeep plying that road.
I get into an FX from the Quezon Avenue and EDSA Highway intersection with the intention of going to Morayta. I gave a hundred and the driver gives me back seventy pesos. I was quite sure there was an injustice there (I allow myself to be corrected), so I asked the driver if the fare from the Highway to Morayta was really P30, in the hearing of my co-passengers. He said yes. My co-passengers remained silent. I got out still feeling overcharged and the feeling was intensified by the thought that the FX I rode in had the name, “God’s Resource” and the driver was tuned to a Christian radio station.
I get into an FX again, on my way to work. I get down at the boundary of Quezon City and Manila City, the landmark more popularly known as “Welcome Rotonda.” I paid twenty and expected at least a five peso change. Some drivers charge fifteen to that place from where I get in, but the charge ought to be only ten. I let it off when the driver charges me fifteen because I still think that it’s reasonable given the jeepney driver charges the same amount even with his less comfortable vehicle. The driver did not return my change immediately so I asked him for it during a traffic lull, repeating where I got in and where I was to get off, in the hearing of my co-passengers. He gave me a ten peso change, for which I was thankful. I then proceeded to take Nicholas Nickleby from my backpack and whiled the ride reading. I got quite engrossed, such that when I looked up from my reading, I was already at the railroad crossing at Vito Cruz. I was way far off from the landmark! I looked at the passenger in front of me and he avoided me with a knowing look. Nobody, not even my seatmates gave me a signal, and it doesn’t have to be awkward doing that because all they have to say is, “Miss, Welcome na.”

I appreciate the time when I was going to SM North from UP and there was a bunch of boys with me on the jeep. I sometimes have the habit of sleeping in jeeps when the route is familiar and long. I was surprised when I received a sharp tap on my knees. One of the boys took the effort to wake me up before they left. We were the last passengers on the jeepney. I somehow expected people to take such little gestures of social responsibility.

And the drivers also have their own share of horror stories.

But there are still greater reasons why the public utility vehicle is probably the most mistrustful place in the Philippines. Ask anybody who has been held up twice in an FX. Or someone who, while in an FX, witnessed a robbery going on at the jeep in front of them. Ask someone who would rather take the long route of hopping on the LRT and then on the MRT, only to avoid getting into a jeep or FX at ten in the evening. Ask anybody who sends text messages while his or her cell phone is still halfway inside his/her bag never fully exposing it.

For many people it is not already strange. Filipinos put up with little injustices and inconveniences as long as it does not happen to them. But it is very sad. If we cannot feel safe within our public utility vehicles, how can we feel safe in our country, I wonder.

Blessed!

2005-10-10T17:55:00.000+08:00

The cleaning lady at our office came bursting in the conference hall where we and my office mates were having lunch. Quite agitated, most of us were afraid she brought in some terrible news as she held a newspaper in her hand and almost out of breath from emotion.

But it turned out to be an excited expression of happiness.

Her daughter was in the list of passers in the recently concluded licensure exam for teachers. She was so happy almost to the point of tears everybody in the room could not help but be jubilant with her.

Manang Vangie's daughter will probably become a teacher soon. Maybe then she would be able to take her family out of poverty. But Manang Vangie also rests hope on something else - and she is quite sure of it, so she says. Her daughter had come home after the exam declaring she would pass it - because she had the prayers of her church brothers and sisters and because the Lord has told her so. So Manang Vangie declares she will soon be rich with as much faith as her daughter showed. She had already sent ninety entries to the Nestle Christmas raffle promo, and she could feel it that she would win.

Some chuckle and go along.

But there was no doubt she was very happy today. Her daughter has just made her proud, and she's proven how God does take care of her and her family.

God bless them indeed.

FX Political Science 101

2005-10-07T09:25:00.000+08:00

The driver of the FX I rode this morning has probably learned much from the radio programs he had been listening to. He made his own political and social commentaries while the radio anchor rattled on in the background. The other two passengers in the front seat were accommodating co-discussants.

Basically, it was Gloria. The radio had just announced some recent news related to a Gloria program.

“Plastic talaga.”

“ E ngiti nga ngiting aso na e.”

“Sinungaling na nga, ang galing pang magpalusot. Kababae niyang tao, di na nahiya.”

The driver did most of the talking. Mentioning how corrupt the government is already.

“Nung panahon ni Marcos kasi, isa lang nangungurakot. Si Marcos lang. Ngayon lahat na.”

That’s why, he said, the proposed budget has reached the trillion value mark. He thinks the President is trying to pay off the political debts she accumulated and the E-vat is also probably one of those means. He would never join any of those rallies, he continued. “Pero pag meron na yang E-vat na yan, sasama na talaga ako. Ang hirap nang magpagasolina. Linggo – linggo tumataas ng singkwenta.”

“Ang problema kasi sa gobyerno natin dalawa ang namumuno. Si Gloria at si Ramos. Makikining yung isa sa mga advisers niya, sasabihin niya dun sa isa. Tapos sasabihing di puwede. Wala talagang nangyayari.”

The conversation dwindled after some time. I couldn’t remember now how far it went. I had to get down. Taking note that the driver charged me five pesos more than my usual fare with other FX taxis and that his taxi had no name on the side. It was an interesting ride, nonetheless.

I guess the passengers had their share of live radio that morning. “Taxi driver commentaries” are sometimes entertaining but they are also the voice of the people.

Maybe the President should consider riding the public transport system more frequently.

Repackaged

2005-10-06T12:52:00.000+08:00

October 6, 2005

While leaving the house this morning I was told how I already look like a government employee – which I am – at the moment and not the community organizer that I used to be. My beholder and I both wrinkled our noses on the thought. Not a bad thought, actually. This is, after all, the current show and I have my costume to wear.

The curtain’s up.

Jeepney Sin

2005-10-05T09:00:00.000+08:00

Here's attempting to start being "engaged" with this blog.

It has been quite a while.

While the jeep I rode this morning was waiting for more passengers before taking off, a girl in long hair, short skirt and lots of make-up and jewelry got in and started rummaging her bag pockets. She found some loose change, which she placed in her coin box (because it was not a purse) and some loose paper and other bits of litter, which she promptly and unashamedly threw at the space behind the driver's seat and the passengers' seat. She got down at an area fronting a government office, which is probably where she goes to work.
The Philippines is not made filthy by the uneducated. It is the educated who do not care that makes this country so deplorable.

Poor Man's Lunch

2005-09-26T09:40:00.000+08:00

092305 200 pm

I just finished a Jollibee spaghetti for lunch. I watched a man in slippers waiting for the rain to stop, before he could continue walking to wherever, I do not know. But he was already drenched by the looks of him. His feet and bag he carried already mudied.

I almost cried, while I finished my last spoonfuls of pasta and saw him pass a glance at the colorful posters and the food on the customers' tables.

He was not a beggar.

I find less heart for beggars, I think.

I cry that the working man, he that makes an honest toil, has to be poor.

Yahoo! for Good
Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

Help Build a Community Library

2005-09-22T10:32:00.000+08:00

Dear Friends,

Last September 20, the Metro section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer featured a story on a notable project. I have included along with this email a copy of the article and links to the article's online version at www.inq7.net (http://news.inq7.net/metro/index.php?index=1&story_id=50715 ).

The project is called "Aklatang Pambata" - The Narcissa Abiad Community Library at Paltok, San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City. The article tells much about what you need to know about the project... but there's more that needs to be done - particularly with the fund support to at least finish the renovations.

Fund raising is an awkward task, but it has to be done. I am personally asking for your assistance in this endeavor. The project accepts personal or corporate contributions through the following coordinators that are listed below. Please feel free to contact them on how you can send your contributions. You may also access the project blog at http://aklatangpambata.blogspot.com for more information.

The vision of the project is to pave the way in the establishment, development and improvement of community-based libraries in the country. The mission is to make children appreciate the value of reading; to make teachers, parents and community members partners in promoting reading in children; to be a model community library that can be replicated in other areas; and to make a community of readers.

Your contribution will help make this a reality. Help build communities. Help build a library.

Thank you.

Eleonor Baldo-Soriano

Project Assistant

Hiraya Center for Community Libraries

Aklatang Pambata - Narcissa Abiad Community Library Project

+639275363698

+63-02-928-7898

eleonor@lakan.net

Aklatang Pambata - Narcissa Abiad Community Library Project Coordinators:

Alistair Troy B. Lacsamana

Aklatang Pambata Project Coordinator

College Librarian II, UP College of Engineering

O: 9818500 local 3109

M: 09178290925

E: troybdude@yahoo.com

Ma. Lourdes Vargas
Asst. Professor
UP Integrated School, College of Education and UP Open University
University of the Philippines-Diliman
Mobile #: 0920-897-1333
Email: dedettejvargas@yahoo.com

This story was taken from www.inq7.net

http://news.inq7.net/metro/index.php?index=1&story_id=50715

Old house with a new role
First posted 00:24am (Mla time) Sept 20, 2005
By Julie M. Aurelio
Inquirer News Service

IT WAS AN OLD HOUSE, A Bahay-na-bato on a corner lot, 29 Mendoza Street, Brgy. Paltok, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. Engineer Edward Abiad and his family were moving away, but his mother, Narcissa, did not want to sell the house. She wanted to convert it into a community library where the children of Paltok could learn to read and read well.

Now, through the efforts of Laging Pahinungod, a volunteer organization of the University of the Philippines Diliman, Narcissa's long-cherished wish is coming true.

The Aklatang Pambata will soon be Paltok's own community library. The University of the Philippines Interior Design Class 179 is designing and renovating the ground floor of the Abiad house.

Built in the 1930s, caretaker Eduardo Estrella said the Abiad house was originally a vacation place for the family. Bahay-na-bato structures Estrella said, were common until after World War II.

The ground floor was designed as a "silong" or shed, while the second floor served as living quarters. Films like "Tanging Ina" and "So Happy Together" were shot on the second floor.

Edward entrusted the house to Estrella as they were members of the same UP Diliman fraternity, Beta Epsilon.

Community project

"The idea is to set up a library and to make it a community-based endeavor," said Alistair Troy Lacsamana, Laging Pahinungod member and the project's overall coordinator.

The community was involved in planning, getting the books, sourcing funds, as well as recruiting volunteers. Secondhand textbooks, he said, were solicited from the Cartwheel Foundation.

Pahinungod wanted Aklatang Pambata to be a model community library that could be replicated in other parts of the country.

Prof. Lourdes Vargas of the UP Integrated School and one of the project's major players said people who heard of the project, also wanted to start libraries in their areas.

In July 2004, Aklatang Pambata got 25 boxes of used textbooks from the Cartwheel Foundation. Lacsamana said they hoped to get more children's story books for story-telling sessions.

The Aklatang Pambata, he added, would also be a reading tutorial and resource center.

Two elementary schools will be the main beneficiaries of the library: the Bayanihan Elementary School and the Paltok Elementary School.

Even before the ground floor's renovation, story-telling sessions were organized.

One session had children of elementary age as story-tellers.

Important

Sharon Betan, mother of one of the child storytellers, said having a community library was a worthwhile endeavor. "Reading is very important, and to have a community library would really help enhance the reading skills of children."

Her daughter, Sierra, was a finalist in a story-telling competition sponsored by the National Book Development Board (NBDB). The other story-tellers were Nelson Capila Jr. and Czarelle Guerra, winners in the NBDB contest.

The three are Grade 5 students at the UP Integrated School. Capile and Guerra told stories in Filipino: "Ang Mahiyaing Manok" and "Ang Batang Ayaw Maligo," respectively. Betan's story was "Bruhihi, Bruhaha (Mrs. Magalit)" in English.

"It seems that the children find stories in Filipino more amusing," noted Vargas.

Asked if his school had story-telling activities, a boy named Lorenzo said: "Hindi po. Binebentahan lang kami ng libro pero walang nagkukuwento." (No. They just sell books but no one ever tells stories.)

Lacsamana related they did not have enough money to sustain the renovation.

The Interior Design 179 class estimated the renovation costs at P1.2 million. The class had collected only P280,000, so they are looking for sponsors.

The volunteers are also coordinating with the Sangguniang Barangay and kagawad for support to the project.

Vargas said they were not worried about lack of volunteers. "People always come to help. And I am encouraged by those who eventually stay on to help with the project."

The Laging Pahinungod now has 40 volunteers.

Despite the obstacles, the group remains optimistic.

"I always get a different sense of satisfaction and fulfillment when I see that the children are happy," said Lacsamana.

Learning The Trade

2005-08-31T10:28:00.000+08:00

I have been quite distraught during the past few days. I have not been able to do work. I have been successfully flipping through papers and opening files but without much achievement in terms of outputs. In my case, at least a coherent paragraph that would consist a policy paper.

I have been agonizing on what to do or why I could not think or even simply comprehend the research reports I have been reading.

Today, I came to work with a renewed sense of motivation... I planned to change strategies and look through models, being seemingly lost and inexperienced that I am now.

Of course, Google was a savior. Again. . Search words: policy paper child. First on the search results: National Center For Children In Poverty.

Already, I found some good material that I hope to learn from.

Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

Work Notes

2005-08-30T16:44:00.000+08:00

http://www.ualr.edu/iog/format.html#PA

POLICY ANALYSIS PAPER FORMAT

The final policy analysis paper should be approximately 30 pages in length. The executive summary is especially important. The required format for the paper contains the following sections:

Title Page

Executive Summary

Table Of Contents

Background of problem

Description of problem situation

Outcomes of prior efforts to solve problem

Scope and severity of problem &emdash; quantify the problem

Assessment of past policy performance

Magnitude of Problem situation/Symptoms

Justification for the need for analysis

Problem Statement

Definition of problem

Identification of major stakeholders, their goals and objectives and positions with respect to problem

Identify criteria measures/indicators to be used for evaluation

Policy Alternatives

Identification and description of alternatives

Evaluation of alternatives with respect to the criteria

Project the outcomes for each alternative

Identify constraints, tradeoffs, and political feasibility of each alternative

Forecasted Effects and Analysis of Each Option

Outline impacts of each policy

Assessment of the positive and negative impacts

Comparison of Options

Evaluate (Rank) different options based on the different goals

Cost/Benefit Analysis

Other models

Recommendations

Description of preferred alternative(s)

Outline of implementation strategy

Establish provisions for monitoring and evaluation

References

Appendices

Tables, graphs, and other exhibits not suitable for the body of the paper.

Hope.

"All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

- Romans 8:25(NKJV).

http://findingsupergirl .blogspot.com

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I Was Once a Scientist....

2005-08-30T14:04:00.000+08:00

... or at least I tried to become one - no I pretended to be one. Just to survive the rigors. And eventually concluding molecular science was challenging, very challenging... but it was not the piece of cake I can have and eat.

I did a thesis on an actin-binding protein called coronin in Acanthamoeba healyi - I am quite sure you do not care what that is, but it's a one-celled organism that you can find everywhere. It sometimes causes keratitis in contact lense wearers.

Too bad the paper cannot be readily accessed online... but the biblio entry goes this way:

Acanthamoeba healyi: Molecular cloning and characterization of a coronin homologue, an actin-related protein
Experimental Parasitology, Volume 110, Issue 2, June 2005, Pages 114-122
Eleonor T. Baldo, Eun-Kyung Moon, Hyun-Hee Kong and Dong-Il Chung

.... you can read the abstract, though.

I also did a stool survey. It was more fun and rewarding, because I get to talk with street kids and give them deworming tablets. But the sample size was too small to make a significant contribution to prevalence surveys. The Korean Journal of Parasitology accepted my study as a "brief communication." The article can be viewed online for free.
Bibliographical entry goes this way:

BALDO ET, BELIZARIO VY, DE LEON WU, KONG HH, CHUNG DI.
Infection status of intestinal parasites in children living in residential institutions in Metro Manila, the Philippines.
Korean J Parasitol. 2004 Jun;42(2):67-70

That was my short stint as a scientist - in complete lab get-up and all. But that was just once. So call it a past life. :)

(Why don't I have formatting buttons in my create post window? I'm typing plain text and can't even post a picture!)

Hope.

"All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

- Romans 8:25(NKJV).

http://findingsupergirl .blogspot.com

Notes at Work

2005-08-30T09:58:00.000+08:00

I found this three days after I first reported to work. I think these are the tasks I should be doing... I say 'found" because wasn't given a formal orientation and turn-over and I literally found these notes from the stuff left by the former occupant of the table I'm now using..

Research and Development Policy Analysis Process

1. Study results and recommendations of the study.
2. Define the problem: What specific problems does the study address?
3. Review of related literature:
a. Related laws (local and international)
b. Related studies
c. History of the issue
d. International experiences
4. Review and analysis if existing laws and programs.
5. Summary and initial analysis of the study
6. Concept paper for the round table discussion for specific issues
7. Round table discussion: Feedback of implementing agency on the study and initial analysis. (The R and D team finds it necessary to conduct a meeting among agencies concerned to input possible policy innovations.
8. Further analysis
9. Final policy paper to be distributed to the concerned agencies, WB and ADB
10. Two to three page summary for popular form
11. Round table discussion of specific policies to be recommended to the Board.
12. Meeting with Regions
13. Publication of Policy Paper in CWC website
14. Dissemination of the study to the Regions.

Playing with Ate Connie's Phone Camera

2005-08-26T11:36:00.000+08:00

Lights around Hotel Dominique.

Barangay Maitim, Km. 55, Aguinaldo Highway,

Tagaytay City, Philippines

Excerpt: Pambie's "Surrender" Song

2005-08-26T11:26:00.000+08:00

Chorus:

Today is a day of surrender.

I hang limp of my defenses and embrace YOUR many graces.

Surrender is the loveliest way to die.

It may strip me of the countless masks I have been wearing.

On my knees my contrite heart is weeping.

I painfully surrender to live in YOUR arms.

Street

2005-08-26T11:23:00.000+08:00

August 18, 2005

On an FX bound for Taft

A kid defecates on the sidewalk.

His mother and siblings are on a mat not far from him.

The automobiles run along the highway.

Indifferent.

How can a mother allowe her children to live on the street?

It does not even support the argument of survival.

An organism that wants to ensure survival will seek the least harmful environment.

Crunch Time

2005-08-18T18:37:00.000+08:00

I'm cramming.
And it's supposed to be a long weekend.
Quezon City Day tomorrow. We're allowed to take part of the festivities which means we get to have a holiday.

But...
I'm cramming.

Comfort Zone

2005-08-15T22:44:00.000+08:00

The airport has become to me a familiar place already. Not because of the frequency of my flying and going to different places, in fact, the last time I rode a plane and that was after more than a year - was when I went to Boracay with my husband.

I have seemed to include among my love expressions, picking up or sending off a friend or a family member who is coming back or leaving the country.

It is also a sacred place - the airport. If you will only see the rituals that are constantly performed with each van or carload of people and baggages, with each announcement of a plane arriving or boarding.

Sometimes, it is so beautiful, you feel like hugging each arriving passenger or each relative or friend that is left behind.

Bon Voyage.

Welcome Home.

--
eleonor@lakan.net
www.neoversity.com.ph/courses/
http://communitylibrary.blogspot.com/

Meaning in Meaninglessness

2005-08-15T09:23:00.000+08:00

A sense of meaninglessness is okay.

As long as it doesn't last more than it should.

A sense of meaninglessness for some becomes opportunity for reflection,

a desiring for wisdom, which,

when sought,

can be found.

www.neoversity.com.ph/courses/
http://communitylibrary.blogspot.com/