Filipinos are Heroes - AGAIN!!!

Please bear with my tarnished polish. :D

Hometown voting!

Above are evidences that I did exercise my right! I am proud enough to say that I am one step ahead of being a responsible citizen.

My bet may not have won, but I know my country did! Two major milestone for the beloved Philippines, the hopefully curtailment of GMA's power and the automated poll election! What can I say, Filipinos are winners!!!

It is all about moving forward. Noynoy may not be

my first choice, but I am committed to accept his victory and support him in this common endeavor - the move for positive change!

Now I hope that everyone of us will utter: Laban at sulong para check ang pagbabago!!! :D

Yes, to start off that positive change I need to get back to work! :P

G1BO: My Worries and Why I Will Still Vote For Him

I am for G1BO. Yes, I am not 100% assured that this country will be saved from the sinking boat of corruption, poverty, and failed economy. I have my own qualms on choosing my president. But what is good about it is that in these worries I have, I did find better answers to wrap my anxiety with hope for a better nation.

Here are my qualms and my pacifiers:

1. He is an Arroyo bet
If I will not vote him just because of the tarnished reputation of that little lady, then I am losing that one hope of having a good president. He may protect GMA, yes. He will protect her in a sense that he may let those accusations on her die down. But I am confident that he will not give in to other succeeding demands of Mrs. Arroyo. After all, I am a believer of moving forward!

2. He did not do good during Ondoy calamity
...if Noy just had passed a lot of laws, then maybe, just maybe, we have a better nation
...if Villar did not grab the lands of the poor, then maybe, just maybe, we have less people on the poverty line
...if Erap just did his job as a good president, then we will not be having an evil president
...if Gordon... hmmm I can't think of any for him! :D

My point is, all of them has flaws - others even have tremendous flaws that crumbled our nation.

3. He is too young and inexperienced in terms of leading the nation
In every political ads we see, they banner all the good things they've done. Xxx number of laws passed, xxx number of roads built, xxx number of health centers donated, etc. BUT, why are we still in this mess?

So I told myself, why not get a fresh face (not to mention, gwapo. lol!) to start anew? Yes, a fresh face backed up with "galing" and "talino".

4. He is just for the people's money
I am always a believer that the old rich are the ones who do not boasts, who do not salivate for "more" money. Be careful with the "new" rich. :D

5. He does not appeal to the masses
So?!

SULONG G1BO!!!

Kariton in the high streets of EDSA

It was probably the busiest hour for EDSA when I happen to capture a longer than usual kariton pitting against giant buses and awesome cars in this historic road of the metro. Without me asking the driver of the kariton, I know it is their mobile home. It strucked me. This is the classic example of the people whom the presidentiables are trying to win their hearts, their votes I mean. They are the stars... for now.

It led me to questioning once again how our economy, our way of life, our people and our government are filling up our nation. We have our elections, fine. Then what's next? What's next after those drama ads showing the poor and the miserable? Can we all have access to enjoy the priviledge of being a Filipino? Can this kariton have escorts just as like the politicians when they pave their way to EDSA?

In the high and mighty street of EDSA comes a kariton which is trying to get its right of way just like the other vehicles. Bad thing, I was not able to get a clear look at the stickers posted all over its front view. Whoever he/she is, what can you do to help this family?

the kid is the muse of the kariton! she should be in school, right? :(

what are all these garbages?! They may be garbages to me, but surely these are treasures for them.

Yet, what gave me a happy thought where the smiles that were painted on their faces. It is the thought maybe of the father who drives his "car" and at least, his home is safe with him, and the thought of the child of at least, she is riding their car, and she is not out in the streets looking for her parents.

I may not know what their real feelings are but I am happy to conclude that they welcome the sunshine with good vibes and the hope that they will surpass today's life's challenges.

And while I am here in a comfortable and air-conditioned room thinking of what good food to eat for lunch, I sincerely hope they are safe wherever their destination may be and that they may have humble food after a morning long walk and push of kariton.

And Gibo is put to TEST

At Don Bosco Makati around 3 PM

This is the time, unexpected events concerning the whole country that Twitter is of better help than Facebook. Tweople are up-to-date, concerned, and help each other even in the least way that they can do. Updates are more or less real time.

And this time also, where one of the presidentiable wannabee, "Gibo" Teodoro, who is the current National Disaster Coordinating Council head is put to test. But, sadly, Twitter is not his avenue for making his name a sweet music to the ears of the Filipino. And, definitely, his music is irritating to my ears.

Hear is the rundown of events that concerns GMA's bet for 2010. And, before you continue reading, this accounts for the happenings in Twitter that has a relation to Twitter ID @giboteodoro, whom Twitters construe as the real Gibo. This serves as my disclaimer.

In about past 2 PM, Gibo tweeted:
been constantly working w/ all depts since last night & will focus our efforts on the most critical areas.

Rain not as bad as ths morning but I still advise everyone 2 stay indoors, stock up on supplies, & pray 4 the safety of our countrymen

These tweets raised an eyebrow and to some, raised that ire upon reading the said tweets. The best tweet I read was telling Gibo, to stop tweeting and do his job right there and then. I can't help but laugh.

An hour or so after, @MLQ3 (Manuel L. Quezon III) tweeted:

Teodoro appeals to public to clear roads, use MRT/LRT and walk if necessary, Asks people stranded for patience.

Sec. Teodoro announces President authorized placing most of Luzon including NCR under state of calamity.

Teodoro announces basically all of Luzon including Metro Manila under state of calamity, gov't resources being mobilized.

I personally hit the keyboards with extra force while retweeting. I can't help but put sarcasm on my statements as I find the update so useless. Telling people to clear the roads, at this hour where the whole Metro Manila was turned into a Manila Resort, is like telling the people that we are all dumb! Who would get out of their houses with their cars battling with the flood? Ugh, Filipinos are more intelligent now, in case Gibo doesn't know. And WALK? Can you possibly risk your life in the middle of the windy and stormy day walking? These, to me, is yelling at people - HEY! SAVE YOURSELVES! DON'T LET THE GOVERNEMNT DO IT FOR YOU!

I know he is doing his effort, but in trying times like this, people don't need such updates.

And lesson learned? Beware of twitter power!

_________________________________________________

It's already like seven hours of non-stop raining in the metro. This time, this time i just can't be more pissed off knowing that my friends, my close friends are experiencing such hardships. Yes, hardships not just to physically get out of their way and be in the comforts of their home but more importantly, my friends who are miles away. Emotional attacks are killing them, having that uneasy feeling of not knowing how their family members are. A friend of mine is in Qatar, her folks are in Montalban, Rizal.

We cannot contact her family through the phone, may it be celphone or landline. Her dad is in the office right now, safe. But we have no news where her mom is. Worse, their house was finally eaten by roaring Ondoy. Roof now became a basement.

Can you just imagine how she is currently feeling, at this very moment? Have you had experiences the feeling of helpless? She is a good daughter who has nothing else in her mind but to give her parents a much more beautiful life. With this, she braved all the way through Qatar to seek a better paying job. She wants to help her family. She is helping our government. SHE DOES NOT DESERVE THIS.

I have never been as in rage with the government as this. You cannot have a better airport? Fine. You cannot solve the everyday traffic? Still fine. You cannot provide better education and health care? Bitterly still fine.

BUT, you cannot save people's lives in a scenario that is so common in Philippines? It is not about because it is unforseen, or the heaviest rainfall of all time - IT IS ABOUT BEING READILY PREPARED. Securing a million rubberboats cannot drop your stolen money to a significant level. In simple terms, BARYA lang yun.

Why can't we have readily available relief goods? Why is it that the seemingly best option now is to ignore the government and we, the citizens just hold hand in hand and help to the best of our capability?!

When Noynoy flashes the L sign

I know I laid down my unstarted pieces in mind. And I know too well also that I am dead tired after battling with flood, heavy rain, and traffic going to QC for some business appointments. Add up the short sleep and endless waiting I had earlier.

But I just can't help it when the news that filled my ears was the official announcement of Noynoy as one of the hopefuls for the 2010 presidentiables. I felt the need to pour out my insights on this hottest news of the moment.

I have long conceded to the drama of Philippine politics. As how I describe my political views in facebook, it is, for me, a waste of time. Call me a useless citizen, you can't get my fist on your face. But this one had captured my Filipino heart once again.

Noynoy's decision to finally tag his name as part of the list of candidacies for president is, for me, a pre-mature decision. This is the highest post in the governement of Philippine Republic! No, don't get me wrong. I am not against him as running for the seat, what I am against at is the fact that the decision was like a spur-of-the-moment thing. I was suggested to run as president... hmmm.... I'll go on a retreat... then ola, I am announcing my candidacy. I think this is an insane move! I am not trying to project a "know-it-all" image here since I admit I have not done extensive research on the life of the "hottest" man in town.These insights are just plain practical observation.

Have they (him, friends, sisters, supporters) considered:

1. his capability as the highest leader of the country?
2. the country needs not just a person who will unite the opposition slash coalition blah blah blah, what we need is a bold, decisive, and truthful one. Will Noynoy play the best leader there is?
3. that yes, what the countrymen clamor for should be taken into consideration (I'm talking of the claims that people are asking him to run). But, have they thought that this might just be a heightened feeling just because of the "emotional" pour out during the succeeding events concerning his parents?
4. Filipinos are leaders of "ningas kugon" club. What is hot today, will surely not be as hot the next day.
5. Noynoy's desire to really "reform" the country, and not just because he felt the responsibility is being passed unto him?
6. that Filipinos may just be interested in him because of his sister's super famous image and bubbly remarks?

Simple yet very vital considerations for his candidacy.

On the other side of the coin, I am also crossing my fingers for this significant turn out in our history.

1. The family's image of being a simple one (except for Kris of course) is a positive factor in the overall scenario. These four sisters' personal roles stir up my curiosity that what they want is very noble. And what struck me most? Kris' telling the media that to avoid that so-called utang na loob, they need to work hard for Noynoy's campaign. Holding everything to be true, this is a starting point of getting rid of all those nasty decisions brough about by utang na loob.

2. Choosing the lesser evil would be better (I think). I don't know his achievements, mush as I don't know his bullshit tactics. I would go for that one rather than those who deliberately claims as a spearhead of a good project and desperately refuses obvious misconduct and stealing of people's money.

3. Having parents who both marked the history as nationalistic and honest people, I think it plays even a little part in igniting the guilt once you think of a wrong doing.

And what practical tips I can shed?

1. That Kris should stop overshadowing his brother. She talks more giving an impression that he is a weakling.

2. Noynoy should do an effort of improving his total image. A one that is well suited for a president.

Whatever the continuation of this saga is, I only have one cliche hope. That at the end of the day, Philippines and the Filipino people will be in a win situation.

God bless the Philippine Republic. =)