bata, bata.... stay ka munang bata ha

Sa araw-araw na nakababad ako sa harap ng tv even when I’m on-line o kahit kumakain nakatutok pa rin sa tv, eto at may napansin na naman ako. Three adverts – actually four – pero I’ll concentrate on the three and tell you why I’d spare the fourth one. Eto yong mga advertisements using the storyline of young – I mean very young – flirting.

Safeguard Tawas Fresh shows a young boy na mukhang 10 or 11 yo draping his arms around a young girl na kaedad nya. Tapos pinapalabas na may B.O. si young boy. Si mommy ni young boy, pinagamit ng Safeguard si anak. In the end, nong akbayan ulit ni young boy si young girl, okey na. At si mommy, sabi nong ad, mukhang may naaamoy nang iba. Kinilig si mommy ha.

Then there’s this other pair of young boy and girl, mukhang hindi pa teeners, na dumalaw si young boy sa bahay ni young girl. Si young girl super kilig kaya sabi ni mommy sya na ang bahala. Naghanda si mommy ng spaghetti with Del Monte white sauce. Si young boy sarap na sarap. And as the little girl continues her giggling over the cute boy na nilalantakan ang carbonara ni mommy, si mommy naman tuwang-tuwa dahil nagustuhan ng future manugang nya ang spaghetti.

Itong ad ng isang milk ang mas matindi. Sa ad, siguro 7 or 8 years old ang pair of little boy and girl na bida. Super excited si little boy na inaantay ang pagdating ni little girl with her mom. Si mommy ni little boy, naghanda ng milk. Then pagdating ng mommy’s girl, hindi makita ni little boy si little girl. Yon pala, naka-hide sa likod ng mom si little girl. When shea appeared, the boy’s face lit up, sabay abot ng milk don sa little girl.

What’s wrong with these ads? Ha? Wala? Come on, think again. Really. Kasi something doesn’t sit perfectly in my ever-quizzical mind.

Cute nga yong mga ads pero bigla akong napaisip. Beneath the cuteness and linen-white cleanliness of the ads, merong mas matindi at delikadong message na dala itong mga ito. These are the kind of visuals na wala kang nakikitang violence or lewdness onscreen. But the idea it brings is far more lethal than naked bodies copulating. Lalo’t mga bata ang pinag-uusapan.

Why use these youngsters in a storyline tungkol sa love eh napakababata pa nitong mga ito? What message are we sending our youth – specially those in their very tender, highly impressive years? Na okey lang mag-flirt at that age? Na okey lang to think about crushes and puppy love instead of their homeworks, grades and memorizing the multiplication table? That mommy’s ok with it – in fact the ads show that the moms were condoning it with a smile!

Upakan ko muna yong mga ad agencies na tumira nitong mga campaign na to. Kung sino man ang nauna don sa idea, sa yo ang pinakamalaking NO from me. Don sa mga kumopya ng idea, dobleng NO NO ang ibibigay ko sa inyo. Wala na ba kayong maisip para gamitin ang ganitong istorya. Isama ko na rito kung sino man ang regulating body ng mga advertisement. Did you actually watch these ads bago nyo in-approve na i-ere? Coz if you did, I’m sure makikita nyo rin yong POV ko.

Some might say OA ako. Some might say I’m too uptight. But when it comes to protecting the kids, I’m sure parents will understand where I’m coming from.

Sinabi ko na kanina at uulitin ko – what message are we sending our very young tv audience? Sobrang distorted na ba ang social at moral values natin para hayaan natin itong mga commercials na ito na i-tamper at i-pollute ang malilinis at inosenteng pag-iisip ng ating mga kabataan? Why show them about flirting samantalang napakaraming pwede nating ipakita sa kanila na may matutunan sila. Na may mapupulot silang mabuti. Hindi yong makipag-landian ng ke babata pa. O kailangan ko pa kayong i-remind how powerful television can be pagdating sa impluwensya sa mga kabataan?

Bago ko malimutan, yong fourth ad na sinasabi ko hindi ko na isasama dito. It was the Nestea ad where a boy na mukhang 17 or 18 yo was online habang nakaupo sila sa dining table with the whole family. The boy gets a Hi and a smiley from his crush na girl. The family was ecstatic about it. Then the mom pours some Nestea into the boy’s glass sabay linya ng ‘show me some love’. Flirting pa rin.

Pero yon nga palalagpasin ko kasi talagang of age nang makipag-lablaban si bidang lalake. At sabi ko nga, hindi naman ako uptight. Kung pwede na, pwede na. But not on kids na ang dapat maging concern muna ay maglaro, mag-aral at ma-enjoy ang kanilang kabataan. Hindi ang pakikipaglandian. Tapos magtataka kayo kung bakit ang daming nag-aasawa ng bata at mataas ang teenage pregnancy sa mga kabataan ngayon?

the condom wars

Warning lang po:  I've maintained DS as GP as I can but this is the first time I'm gonna go PG sa aking posting.  Sorry but I have to do this.

There’s a war raging between PNoy’s government and the church. It’s all about condoms, contraceptives and the whole idea of birth control. Isang bagay na tinutulak ng gobyerno para tuluyang ma-implement. Na tinututulan naman ng mahigpit ng simbahan. At ako’y nauuta na naman dahil paulit-ulit na lang itong pinag-aawayan.

Actually napakadali sanang tapusin ng usapang ito dahil isa lang ang isisigaw ko – for the church to get off government’s back and let them do their thing. Pero syempre hindi pwede yon. Sa dinami-dami ng mga bagay na pinakikialaman ng simbahan sa pagpapatakbo ng bansa natin, I’d give this one to them. Dahil nga naman buhay ang pinag-uusapan dito. At sa mas malalim na pananaw, ang moralidad na mahigpit nilang binabantayan.

Sabi ng simbahan kasi, everyone’s got the right to live. Oo naman. In fact nakakahimagsik na mabalitaan na may 5th grader na namatay dahil tinamaan ng ligaw na bala dahil nagpaputok ang isang lasing. O kaya nasagasaan ng isang reckless driver ang isang graduating student, buntis na babae or isang tatay na nagta-trabaho para sa kanyang pamilya.

At mas lalong nakakainit ng dugo yong mga nagpapa-abort. Kasi buhay na talaga ang pinag-uusapan doon. May pintig na ng puso na involved. At sinuman ang kumitil ng pintig ng puso na yon, walang puso.

That is why I’m anti-abortion. But I’m pro-prevention.

Having said that, ito lang talaga ang tanong ko. Ano’ng right to live ang pinag-uusapan sa condom? Does that sticky liquid at the tip of that rubber have the slightest hint of a pulse? Does a drop of semen can actually scream ‘hey you stupid, don’t let me go to waste, I’m a future rocket scientist’? Wala naman ah. At that point, it is nothing but a natural secretion of the human anatomy. Parang jingle lang. Or pawis. So anong right to live ang pinag-uusapan doon?

Let’s take two couples for example. Yong isa gumagamit ng condom. Yong isa, hindi. But both are trying to be responsible people, preventing unwanted pregnancy knowing that they don’t have the capacity yet to bring another life into this planet. Pero kailangang mag-sex. And that is inevitable.

So, dahil yong isa ba ay gumagamit ng condom, he deserves the condemnation of the church? Eh yong isang tinapon lang ang semilya sa good morning towel? Okey lang dahil hindi sya gumamit ng condom? O baka naman pati good morning towel pag-diskitahan na rin ninyo?

Well, let me guess, ito marahil ang isasagot ng simbahan sa ganyang tanong: Pareho silang iko-condemn to hell coz they shouldn’t be practicing sex in the first place. Ay teka, mga Father, both couples po are legally married. Ayaw pa lang magka-anak dahil nagbabayad pa ng mga utang dahil sa mahal na kasalang nangyari sa simbahan ninyo!

O sige, for argument’s sake, hindi na lang kasal. Mag-BF/GF pa lang sila pareho. Sasabihin ninyo siguradong malaking kasalanan yan dahil hindi pa pala kasal nagse-sex na. Oo nga naman. Pero Father, other than that, meron pa ba kayong maipapayo to these people except praying 30 Hail Marys?

I’m sure ipapasok na ninyo yong second argument ninyo. And that is the very low morality, kung meron pa mang natitira, sa lipunan natin ngayon. Totoong-totoo naman at walang makikipag-argue dito. Kahit saan ka tumingin, kahit hindi sa aspetong sekswal, isa na ang moral values sa pinakamahirap makita sa ating society. Dahil ba sa madalang na tayong mag-simba? Dahil ba sa hindi na tayo nagdadasal? Hindi na tayo nagbabasa ng Bible. In short, we are no longer practicing our faith kaya yan, ang baba ng moral values natin.

Siguro. Pero maitanong ko lang (believe me I didn’t want to go as low as this but I wanted to drive home a point)… Ang mga pari ba na na-accuse of sexual offense, hindi sila nag-dasal araw-araw, hindi sila nag-rosary oras-oras kaya natukso pa rin sila? What I’m saying is, sila nga, people who have tried to live the life of sainthood, natutukso pa rin, bumibigay pa rin, how much more kaming araw-araw na exposed sa ‘kamunduhan ng sanglibutan’?

Sex is sex. At this day and age, kakaunti na lang ang taong may matibay na posisyon at determinasyon not to engage in it - premarital or otherwise. Kung meron man, they can hold on to it only for as long as they can. But it’s not gonna be forever.

Sakit na ito ng lipunan. Television is bombarding us with shows suggesting sex. Movies are showing it even bolder. Even printed materials are all screaming sex. And well-known people, kahit politicians are already careless about their sexual activities. Hindi na sila natatakot na makasira sa kanilang mga career ito. Or whatever effect it will have on people who look up to them. In fact, parang proud pa sila for the world to know that they have several kids to prove their infedility.

Yan ang katotohanan ngayon. The bitter, ugly truth that we have to face. Na dapat hanapan ng solusyon, hindi pikitan ng mata at ipag-pasa-Dyos na lamang. We have to do something about it. Gawan natin ng paraan. Pag may nagawa nang paraan, doon natin samahan ng dasal. (O di ko pa rin kayo nakalimutan ha!).

Inasmuch as you wanted to uphold the morality of your flocks, you have to wake up and face reality. And the truth is, hindi na ganon ka-effective ang simbahan sa pagpapalaganap ng moralidad. In fact, you have lost your grip a long time ago. At ngayon, sa pagkakaligaw ng landas ng inyong herd, they are suffering from one huge dilemma.

Poverty. Sexual diseases. Over population. Mga baby na pina-flush sa toilet. Iniiwan sa lansangan at kung saan-saan. Kahit sa eroplano.

If the church can really devise one comprehensive solution to these problems, then by all means go. Go, go, go. Pero kung wala kayong isasagot kundi ang taimtim na pagdadasal, pagro-rosary at paglalakad ng paluhod sa Quiapo church, then, sisigaw na nga ako - tantanan na ninyo ang gobyerno!!!

Let them do what they think is necessary to address these problems. Dahil sa totoo lang, napakaraming problema ang mabibigyan ng solusyon if we put population explosion at bay. May pag-asa tayong umunlad. May pag-asa tayong mabawasan ang crime rate. May pag-asa tayong mabuhay ng may kaunting dignidad.

Hindi ba kayo naaawang makita ang mga batang musmos, barely taking their first steps and yet nangangalkal ng basura para lang may makain? If you can’t do something about it, then let the government try their thing. Kung hindi man ninyo suportahan, then lay off.

Wag yong pati si Noynoy na naging sunod-sunuran sa inyo all his life, ite-threaten ninyo ng excommunication. Wag ganon. Threats are unbecoming for men of God like you. Mga sanggano at terorista lang ang gumagawa ng ganon.

Sa usaping ito, I’m giving my support to Noynoy (as if sa haba ng sinabi ko hindi pa rin malinaw yong part na yon!). Kung hindi nagawa ng ibang Pangulo dati dahil sa takot sa simbahan, I hope Noynoy can do it. It’s something that should have been implemented ages ago. It could have been more effective noong hindi pa talamak ang cancer. But late as it may be, it’s better than not happening at all. Who knows how grim the picture can be 10, 20 years from now.

a sympathy... an appeal

After the tragic hostage-taking in Manila yesterday, all fingers are now pointing towards the uniformed men of the Philippine police that handled the botched operation. PNP themselves admitted having committed a few mistakes during the 12-hour drama. Mistakes that resulted to the death of 8 innocent Hongkong tourists.

As a brother or a son, I apologize to the families of the victims and offer my deepest condolences. I can’t imagine how painful it is to lose a family member in such a senseless fashion. I share the grief and even the anger that comes with it. And I know that no amount of consolation can take away the pain these families feel right now.

But with this offering of sympathy comes an appeal.

An appeal to the Hongkong people to understand that I, like many other Filipinos, was also ashamed of the way the situation was handled by a few incompetent policemen whose actions projected a shattered image of the entire Filipino police force for the whole world to see. Though I can assure you that these men are but a few inept officers out of a generally competent law enforcement agency. And that there were other better, more qualified men in uniform who should have handled the situation and could have made a difference in the outcome. But bad luck had it that those officers were given the role that they are so ill-fitted to tackle.

I also felt the frustration you and your Chief Executive felt when it looked like nobody was taking charge of the situation. Most probably, I was also asking the same questions you were asking.  I was also feeling the dismay you must have felt as we watched the situation dragged on for hours.

I hope you’ll understand that just like you, I also feel enraged. Though for different reasons. Yours is out of the senseless killing. Mine is from the fact that a lone hostage taker can potentially bring down the good relation between our countries. With Hongkong black listing the Philippines and branding it as a place none of your citizen should step into. It’s nothing short of telling the whole world that whenever foreigners go to Manila, they will also be held hostage. But I’m sure you all know that that is not the case. And that it's an unfair retribution for one man's crime.

Manila, just like Hongkong or any other place in the world, is a modern civilization playing host not only to normal and decent citizens but to some bad seeds as well. And Mendoza’s madness is an isolated case that should not be used to generalize a population that is known not only in Asia but the whole world as warm people with wide, warmer smiles. After all the sensational headlines about Mendoza are gone, I want you and the whole world to remember that we are still the same caring and God-fearing souls you knew. And that's the way we'll always be. 

the road ahead

(note:  this is a re-hash of the posting that disappeared when i changed the theme.  just updated it a bit to make it current)

Noynoy is now officially the 15th President of the Philippines. He was inaugurated the other day at the Quirino Grandstand in front of a sea of yellow shirts sported by his supporters. Judging from the number of people who attended the rites, P-Noy is enjoying a rockstar popularity that shoul inspire a newly-elected official like him. 

Obviously there's a huge expectation bestowed upon this 50-yr old bachelor who enjoys a legacy left behind by his parents - President Cory and the iconic hero Ninoy. Now, it's his turn to step into the limelight and prove to the world that he's more than just Aquino by birth.  And that he will uphold that family name by leading the country better than the past (specially the most recent) Presidents did.

When I heard his speech, my first reaction was big words, big promises.  sana matupad kahit kalahati. Siguro naman hindi nyo ako masisisi for being pessimistic about this.  At siguro hindi lang ako ang nagsabi nito.   

But all my pessimism aside, gusto ko ang ginawa nya sa kanyang speech.  Mas effective dahil Tagalog.  Nauunawaan ng lahat, lalo ng masa na siyang main target nya na makaunawa ng mga pinapangako nya.  Departing from the usual flowery, abstract promises made by past Presidents in their inaugural speech, mas detalyado ang ginawa nyang speech.  Details that might prove to be his stumbling block later on. 

Bakit naman kamo?  Sa sobrang detailed ng mga sinabi nya, parang sinasabi nyang bibigyan ko kayo ng bahay na 3-bedroom, two t&b, painted in bright yellow na kasing-tingkad ng gown ni Kris, may patio at may picket fence.  What if after 6 years, ang naitayo nyang bahay ay two-bedrooms lang, may patio at picket fence nga pero ang pintura ay kasing-pastel ng yellow na suot ng ibang Aquino sisters?  Then people will say he didn't keep up to his promise? Sasabihin isa syang failure?  Honestly, I don't want that to happen.   

We should all remember na lahat ng bagong Pangulo, kahit saang bansa, at the start of his term is always seen as the face of change. Pero pag hindi na-meet ang pagkalaki-laking expectation, lalo na at pinangako pa ng uupong Pangulo, sasabihin he’s one ineffective President. Obama is just one example. Gloria herself was my face of hope back then. Ang kaibahan lang, Obama is doing his best. Gloria did something else.

I’m not a hardcore political pundit but I think there are many things Noynoy has to overcome to prove his mettle. Napakaraming IFs na naka-kapit na parang talaba sa pwestong inupuan nya. And he will only be hailed as a success at the end of his term if he can overcome these IFs: 

(He has already addressed most of these things in his speech, and I'm glad hindi nalalayo ang ideas ko sa mga bagay na ni-recognize nya as major issues that his administration need to tackle. Wala lang ako nong wang-wang part!)

1. If the number of Filipinos living in dire poverty goes down. Ito ang pinakamalaking challenge ni Noynoy. Dahil kahit hindi natin tingnan ang statistics, we cannot deny the fact that poverty is the biggest demon haunting most of the Filipino people. Homeless people dying in the streets like flies. Families living in dumpsters. Hungry children, beggars, and everybody else who live a life devoid of any dignity.

2. If he can turn around the Philippine economy and make it one of the strongest in Southeast Asia like it was before. Something na pinagyabang ni Gloria na porke 7% daw ang growth rate ng economy natin. Talaga? Nasaan? Where are the companies and manufacturing plants that buoy up that robust economy? Na dapat nagpo-provide ng trabaho sa mga tao para magkaroon ng disenteng buhay instead of committing suicide out of desperation. Pinoys need a real economy, not the economy of the haves where the previous administration so short-sightedly trained their eyes upon.

3. If he can curb, if not, eliminate corruption in the government. Just like poverty, it’s one plague that has already crept into the Pinoy society. Kaya lahat ng umupo sa gobyerno, ang tingin ng tao, gusto lang magpa-yaman. But more than the impression, it is the crippling effect of corruption that Noynoy has to eliminate. Ilagay ang pondo sa dapat paglagyan, hindi sa bulsa ng kung sino. When this happens, doon lang talaga mag-uumpisa ang pagiging effective ng kanyang gobyerno. Dahil doon lang makakapag-provide ang gobyerno ng maayos na mga kalsada, enough classrooms, better health services and many other basic services na hindi kayang i-deliver kung ang pondo ay binulsa ng magnanakaw.

4. If he can solve the many problems that he inherited from the previous government. Kung totoo ang report na wala na halos assets ang Phlippine government dahil naibenta na lahat, saan kukuha ng pondo ang Aquino government para ma-implement ang kanyang mga programa? Taxes? If he goes this way, maaga syang hahatulan ng taong bayan na kuba na sa laki ng EVAT.

5. If he can find a solution to the longest running conflict in Mindanao. Although it’s one complex problem that many Presidents has already tried solving. Ad failed. I don’t know if he’s got any aces up his sleeve to improve the situation down South. Nakaka-lungkot lang isipin na Pinoy sa kapwa Pinoy pa rin ang naglalaban doon. And the innocents, if not dying, are deprived of a peaceful life in their very own homes.

6. If he can crush organized crimes that victimize mostly the hard-working population. Particularly drug rings that just keep on wasting many lives. Nakakalungkot isipin na kahit sa mga liblib na probinysa, heinous crimes are being committed because of people who are addicted to drugs. The Aquino administration should be firm and resolute in chasing these drug lords. Hindi yong huhulihin ngayon, bukas nakalaya na. And go for the root, hindi yong mga small time pushers lang. Nip it on the bud. Drug addiction is one evil we should eliminate from this society before we can even talk of improving the lives of the populace.

7. If he can win over the Armed Forces. Medyo hindi maganda ang start nya for openly criticising Bangit’s appointment. He should be very careful when dealing with the men in uniform. He needs them as his allies, not his foes. He wouldn’t want coups threatening his rule like it did his Mom’s. He should be wise enough to realize that as the Commander-in-Chief, he needs to wield command and respect from these men to back him up and allow him perform his duties uninterrupted.

8. If he can contain Kris. Ganon ba kahirap sawayin si Kris para mapasama sya sa malalaking IFs ni Noynoy? I think so. Hindi pa rin matigil si Kris sa pagbibitaw ng kung ano-anong salita that just puts Noynoy in bad light. Even if she’s already given up her showbiz work, hindi pa rin paawat ang bunso nila. Ayan at two days before the inauguration of his brother, nakaw-eksena pa rin sya, telling the whole world that her marriage is over.  Pati sa pag-a-appoint ng mga tao sa kung ano-anong pwesto, nadadawit pa rin sya. Now, more than ever, is the time for her to get some level of maturity that will allow her to control her tactlessness.  Tactlessness that could prove detrimental to the Presidency specially now that she's privvy to a lot of issues of national concern.  Kaya dapat magpakatino na sya.  She should let her big brother do his thing.  She should let him prove to the Filipino people that he is his own man.

9.  If he can find support from the splintered group of the upper and lower houses, both of which he doesn't have the majority.  Laking sakit ng ulo yan pag may gusto syang gawin tapos ibabasura lang ng legislative and executive bodies. It could kill any useful and fruitful ideas he has dahil lang sa hindi maipasa ng nag-babangayang honorables.

Ilan lang yan sa very obvious problems that Noynoy is about to face. With only 6 years to do his job, wag na tayong umasa na lahat yan mabibigyan ng solusyon ng Aquino administration. Afterall, sya mismo nagsabing hindi sya si Superman.

Aside from that, nandyan pa rin ang mga magagaling at nagmamagaling na epal who will oppose just for the sake of opposing. Marami tayong ganyan dahil sobrang dami ng matatalino sa Pinas. Ang problema lang, ginagamit ang katalinuhan mostly for their own interest and not for the sake of our dear country.

But as a Pinoy who doesn’t give up hope, I pray that Noynoy really has the supernatural powers to solve all the problems our dear country is suffering from. Sana nga sya na yong matagal na nating hinintay na Pangulo na magbabangon sa ating bansa to become one of Asia Pacific region's powerhouses.

More than anything else, sana magkatotoo na yong matagal nang sinisigaw natin na magkaisa na tayo para sa pag-unlad.  Let's unite once and for all and support P-Noy in his march towards the straight path of progress.  If not, the road ahead will be very bumpy for P-Noy. At magtitiis pa rin tayo sa lubak-lubak na kalsada ng kawalang asenso.

the birds and the bees... and the books

Kris: I did it for Baby James. Headline ng mga dyaryo ngayon. Asus! Ikaw talaga Tetay two days na lang moment na ng brother mo and yet ayaw mo talagang patalbog! Ibigay mo naman kay Noy ang spotlight! Ah well, hindi ko na sasawsawan yang paulit-ulit mong pag-iyak sa tv. I’d rather spend my (and my friends’) time in one of the hottest issues these days. And that is the raging war between Education officials and the Church about sex education. Napakagandang topic kesa sa mga ka-dramahang Tetay kaya let me dip my sawsawerong finger in this very sawsawable issue (hihihi)!

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Team Sex Ed ba ako o Team Church? Sex Ed syempre, walang kakurap-kurap. And I’d say shame on you church people for being so high-handed on this issue. At nag-file pa kayo ng kaso sa mga education officials? Bakit? Malaking kasalanan ba na turuan nila ang mga kabataan ng mga bagay na dapat matagal na nilang nalaman?

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Linawin ko lang: I ‘m not in any way connected to any education official. Ni wala akong kilala sa kanila ngayon. But they earned my respect because of this. At least, they’re trying to address the plight of our teen-agers particularly the students who are left on their own to figure out the myth of the birds and the bees. Something na wala namang ginagawa ang simbahan dahil hanggang ngayon, this subject is still taboo and can never be discussed in the presence of the priests and nuns or else you’ll get punished with 32 Hail Marys.

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But hey, wag na nga tayong magpaka-plastik. Gone are the days of Maria Clara. Ni hindi na nga kilala ng mga kabataan natin kung sino sya. And at the onslaught of the cyber age, we have no choice but to face the inherent problems it brings. Isa na doon ang mababang moral values ng kabataan who will engage in anything that young bodies and minds find exciting. Lalo na ang sex. And we have to face it head-on by educating our youth.

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Children of more advanced countries are being taught about the reproductive organs as early as grade school. Bakit sa atin hindi pwede eh high school na? Nire-regla na nga ang mga babae hindi pa nila alam kung ano yon. Tinutubuan na nga ng adam’s apple ang mga lalake hindi pa nila alam na pwede na silang makabuntis. Why don’t we address that ignorance by educating them.

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And educating them is far from condoning these acts. Hindi porke tinuturuan mo ng sex ang mga bata, you are encouraging them that it’s right to do it. Sa pagtuturo nga ipapaabot sa kanila yong message na hindi ito isang hobby. Bagkus, ito ay isang gawain na may kasamang mabigat na responsibilidad. Only then will these youngsters realize the true meaning of sex.

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Dahil hindi na rin natin pwedeng itanggi na ang mga kabataan ngayon ay maaga nang gumagawa nito. Sa dami ng social factors na kinamulatan at ginagalawan nila from their peers to television and the internet. Ayan nga at kahit 13 year old na mga bida sa teleserye paghahalikin. Ang mga soap opera karamihan ang tema puro sex. Kahit sa mga variety shows, puro hubad na dancers ang makikita mo. Billboard na nga lang ni Belo puro hubad din ang mga model.

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So let’s not turn a blind eye on this issue and pray that it will simply fade and go away. Kahit maghapon tayong mag-rosaryo, hindi ito mawawala. We need to do something about it. Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa, remember?

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Hindi ba kayo nanghihilakbot everyday na may nababasa tayong fetus na pina-flush sa toilet? Ng mga baby na nilalagay sa kahon at iniiwan kung saan. Ng abortion clinics na na-raid. It’s simply mortifying. And if we don’t do anything about it, statistics will just go up.

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A definitive solution to this is for our youth to acquire a strong sense of understanding and knowledge about sex. Para makaiwas sa teen-age pregnancies. Pati na ang unplanned/unwanted marriages dahil karamihan sa mga magulang, pag nabuntis ang anak, ang agad na solution ay ipakasal ang babae at lalake kahit gaano pa sila kabata. And that only lead to bigger problems, worse situations later on.

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If we do not educate them, we are just allowing ignorance exacerbate the already ugly situation. Hindi kasi alam ng kabataan ang dapat nilang malaman about sex. All they know is mag-date, mag-motel at gumawa ng bagay na sa kanila ay masarap. Paano mong pipigilan yon if they do not know and understand anything about it?

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By educating them, we can make them understand things that, at best, will give them the wisdom to avoid sex. Or, at the least, make them practice safe sex kung hindi talaga maiwasan. And they can only do that if they are informed. If they are educated.

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Kaya sa halip na mag-file ng kaso ang simbahan, what they should do is to support this campaign. Dahil sa totoo lang, sex ed in schools will only do 1/3 of the works. Dapat talaga kasama ang simbahan in waging war against this. Sa halip na makisawsaw sila sa pulitika na hindi naman nila dapat ginagawa, why don’t they focus on uplifting and improving the morals of the youth. Instead of wasting their time in areas they should not even delve into, gumawa sila ng mga activities sa simbahan that would educate and encourage young people to be responsible towards themselves. Lalo na pagdating sa sex.
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But aside from the schools and the church, may isang aspect na kailangang-kailangan din ang participation sa Sex Ed. The family itself. Moms and Dads should involve themselves lalo na kung meron silang teen-age kids. Wag daanin sa puro sermon. Wag daanin sa paghihigpit at pagpaparusa. More than anything else, ang kailangan ng mga batang ito ay ang tamang paliwanag at impormasyon sa mga bagay na nahihiya silang itanong. Dahil kapag sa iba sila nakakuha ng impormasyon at nagkataong mali ang natutunan nila, mas malamang kesa hindi, mapahamak ang bata.

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In short, educating our youth about sex is not just a matter for the schools to deal with. It should be a three-pronged approach where the school provides the hard facts, the church the moral guidelines and the parents the much-needed love, care and understanding to the perplexed, worried and even traumatized young minds confronted with the facts of sex.

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In the larger scheme of things, it is knowledge that will kill any monster being perpetuated by ignorance. Denying the youth the much-needed education is just like keeping them in the dark. And darkness is where evil lurks.

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(pls check out the latest poll on the left panel of this blog and vote about this issue)

on the homestretch

This is entirely my observation but I’m sure a lot of you will agree: Kung ang pagpili ng magiging next President natin ay ibabase ko sa mga taong nakapaligid sa mga leading candidates today, walang mananalo sa kanila. Most of them, lalo ang mga frontrunners ay may kanya-kanyang nega factor na naka-kabit. Mga taong hindi nakaka-tulong, instead nakakabawas ng boto na dapat nilang anihin.
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Coz if we are to live by Jose Rizal’s wise words, semplang ang karamihan sa kanila. Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who are, remember? It’s their association with certain individuals that could make or break their winning chance. Here’s why.

Noynoy. A few postings back I said that Kris maybe Noynoy’s ace but she could also be his achilles’ heel. Dahil nga masyadong controversial si Kris. Back then, I said I wouldn’t take it against her dahil ganon na sya talaga even before Noynoy got into the Presidential race. Kaya lang sana, nag-effort sya kahit kaunti to stay away from bad publicities, kahit during this campaign period lang. Just to let the spotlight focus on Noynoy’s campaign. But the bratty Kris just can’t. Para syang mauubusan ng air to breath if she’s not in the news. She always wants to hug the headlines. From her scandalous ‘suguran’ issue, to that catfight with Ruffa, her reportedly harsh words for Ch2’s newsteam (which is ironic dahil home network pa nya) and her latest callous remark about Noynoy’s detractors. Kaya hindi ko na lang iboboto si Noynoy. For Kris’ sake na rin. Kasi baka pag naging Presidente si Noynoy, talagang hanapin ni Kris ang mga nanira sa Kuya nya at pagsasaksakin. Ayaw ko namang makulong sya. The Philippine entertainment scene will not be the same without her.

Villar. Manny, manny, money. Whether you’ve really risen from poverty or not, hindi issue sa akin yon. Although I must say nakakairita na minsan ang sobrang pag-gamit mo sa mga batang lansangan in your campaign jingle, patatawarin pa rin kita. Coz I like you. Nakikita kong isa ka sa mga ‘pwede’ among your competitors. But that iota of likability flew out of the window when you started associating yourself with Revillame. The guy who sells himself to the public as someone who is pro-poor, maka-masa, maka-mahirap. Which I don’t buy. And I know a lot of thinking, wise Pinoys don’t buy either. Ano’ng maka-mahirap sa ginagawa nya? He’s simply giving away the money of the sponsors and tv station he works for. But he’s not so good in hiding his contempt. Look at his unguarded moments and see how he truly disdain these poor ‘amoy-araw’ people. And for you to associate yourself with that kind of person, you can’t blame me for thinking that you’re of the same breed. Mga manggagamit ng mahihirap for their own advantage. Dahil dyan, wawawa ka sa akin.

Gibo. A close friend of mine turned green just a couple of weeks back. Nasa dyaryo rin the other day that Ruffa turned green along with other celebrities and familiar names. Hmmm.. dami yatang naggi-green revolution nitong homestretch na ang campaign period. Well, hindi masama kung si Gibo ang manalo. He has one of the best qualifications kung ikukumpara sa mga kalaban nya. But again, there’s one thing that bothers me. It’s his association with the current government. Di ba’t sya ang official candidate ni Gloria. And even if he tries so hard to distance himself from Malacanang, nakatatak pa rin sa noo nya ang bendisyon ng Administrasyon. Unfortunately, because of the plummeting popularity of Gloria, that blessing reads more like 666 instead of boosting Gibo’s powers. Sigurado ba tayo na pag nanalo si Gibo he can steer clear of Gloria’s maneuverings? Just the thought of Gloria extending her influences in Malacanang beyond her term is sickening.

Bro Eddie. It’s his religious group that will soon prove to be his biggest stumbling block. Kahit sabihin pang 100% ang boto sa kanya ng kanyang mga alagad, gaano ba karami ang JIL members sa Pinas? Mas marami ba compared to the member of INC na siguradong hindi sya susuportahan? Mas marami ba kesa sa mga Muslim brothers natin who would rather vote for a candidate with a more ‘neutral’ religious affiliation? Mas marami ba kesa sa mga thinking, well-informed and highly analytical Pinoys who know that religion takes an evil form when mixed with politics? Di ba mga fathers and archbishops?

Jamby. It’s her lack of association kaya hindi ko sya iboboto. Sinumpa na sya ng mga fans ni Juday dahil sa kawalan nya ng utang na loob. Kinalimutan nyang nong unang beses syang tumakbo sa Senate, kumain sya ng alikabok. But when she got Juday’s endorsement, ayan napwesto sya. Nagka-amnesia nga lang. And I’m sure kahit poster nya iniiwasan ng mga sundalong sinigaw-sigawan nya sa Tanay when the 40 health workers were arrested. At siguradong pag nalaglag ang passport nya, hindi na nya makikita dahil susunugin ng mga taong hinawi nya nong nagpa-renew sya ng passport sa DFA. At dahil maka-kalikasan daw sya, hayaan ko na lang na mga punong kahoy ang bumuto in her favor. Let nature take care of her. Kahit pa buhawi, lindol o tsunami.

Gordon. JC. Sino pa ba… ewan. Hindi ko na sila pag-aaksayahan ng panahon.

Kay Erap na lang ako.

Wala kasing nega kay Erap. His wife is a respectable lady senator herself. Si Jinggoy respetado rin. Besides, Erap is such a strong personality himself and he will not allow his alipores steal the limelight from him. But that doesn’t mean walang nega sa campaign nya. Not the people around him at least. But it’s Erap himself. Why? Sus katulad ka rin ba ng karamihan ng Pinoy na madaling makalimot. The Boracay mansion, the jueteng scandal. Ang iced tea na hindi kinakain, ‘iniinom po yon’. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa nakakalimutan that it was Erap who made me march on to Edsa. But on second thought, meron tayong dapat ipagpasalamat kay Erap. Dahil sya ang naging dahilan kung bakit nakita natin ang tunay na kulay ni Gloria. Kaya dapat siguro iboto ko si Erap. At dapat ikampanya ko sya para manalo. Sa isang kundisyon. That he will do exactly what Gloria did to him. Aba, di hamak na mas maraming isyu ng kurakutan sa present government kesa sa gobyerno ni Erap. So dapat lang na kasuhan nya ng mas matindi si Gloria. At dapat, walang bargaining at pardon sa bandang huli. Payag kayo?

So 5 days to go at botohan na. Ewan kung anong mangyayari. Ayan at palpak daw ang mga PCOS na gagamitin. Kaya maraming nagsasabing may failure of election na mangyayari. Wag naman sana. Kailangan na natin ng pagbabago. Ngayon. From real Presidents. At hindi galing sa mga taong nakapaligid sa kanila.

comedy of errors... not

Nong dumating ako ng NAIA last Thursday, I saw some mediamen waiting for somebody at the arrival area. Mismong doon sa may baggage claim area nakasalubong ko ang grupo. Akala ko nai-tip sa mga showbiz programs na uuwi ako hehehe. But when I realized that some of the men ay mukhang mga pulis kahit naka-plain clothes, sabi ko ‘ay for sure, hindi ako ang hinahanap nitong mga ito’. Siguradong may isang taong involved in something na nakasabay ko sa flight.

True enough dahil two days later, nakita ko sa news na kasabay ko palang dumating ang isang OFW from Doha na ang pangalan ay Jason Aguilar. Sabi sa report, he was mistaken for Jason Ivler, yong bumaril sa anak ng isang Malacanang official last November in a road rage. Jason Aguilar Ivler pala ang kumpletong pangalan ng suspect na sabi ay naka-takas na raw ng Pinas. At itong si Jason Aguilar na taga-Calumpit, Bulacan, ang napagkamalan kaya dinampot at nakulong pa ng 7 days sa Doha.

I particularly remembered the guy dahil nasa parehong section kami nong aircraft. Napansin ko yong bonnet nyang may fire blaze design and I said to myself “ano ba itong si kabayan, hindi naman kalamigan eh nagpapaka-japorms”. Nakita ko pa rin sya sa baggage claim area. Never did I know na kawawa pala ang sinapit ni kabayan.

I just finished watching his interview sa ANC. Doon nya kinuwento ang nangyari sa kanya. The soft spoken, mild manner guy said that all he wanted is to know kung ano ang nangyari at sya ang nadampot at nakulong. Gusto rin daw nyang mag-apologize ang mga may kasalanan. Hindi naman daw nya gustong may maparusahan. A simple apology is what the guy is asking for.

Ang problema, hanggang ngayon, wala naman daw umaamin kung sino ang may kasalanan sa wow mali na nangyari. Nobody among the government agencies are owning up to the horrible mistake. May mga nag-ooffer naman daw ng tulong tulad ng OWWA at POEA. Pinapangakuan sya ng trabaho and other stuff. Obviously to appease him. Pero walang sumisigaw ng mea culpa.

Sino nga ba ang dapat managot sa ganitong klase ng kawalang ingat? Whose carelessness and stupidity took away Jason’s dignity? Sino ang may pakana na ilagay sya sa isang sitwasyon na wala syang kaalam-alam?

Sa tingin ko hindi isang government agency lang ang may kasalanan dito. It could be a series of irresponsible actions ng iba’t-ibang opisina na basta na lang sumige ng sumige at hindi man lang nag-check kahit ng picture nong tao. The wanted criminal would obviously be tisoy dahil anak ng isang foreign diplomat. Eh si Jason na taga-Bulacan ay talagang Pinoy na Pinoy ang mukha. Pero ayon at basta pina-dampot sa Qatari police, pinakulong at pina-deport ng Pinas. Traumatized yong tao at sabi hindi na raw muna sya maga-abroad.

Ang masakit nga nito, nawalan ng chance ang kabayan nating tahimik na naghahanapbuhay sa Doha. His plans destructed, his dreams shattered. Pero wala man lang umamin sa mga culprit. Dahil alam nilang definitely, heads will roll dahil sa kamaliang ito.

Walang kumikibo. Walang umiimik. Parang stop dance ang labanan. Ang unang pumiyok syang nangitlog. O talagang dedma lang ang mga hinayupak, lalo ang mga nasa Malacanang dahil nobody nobody but you lang naman si Jason?

Wag naman sana. Dahil kung talagang tinuturing nilang Bagong Bayani ang mga OFW, then they just did one of their heroes some great injustice.

he said, she said

I’m sad dahil ded na si Patrick Swayze who gave me some of the films I enjoyed like Dirty Dancing, To Wong Foo and most specially Ghost where I laughed and cried and fell in love. Sad din ako coz Roger Federer lost his cool in the US Open at nanigaw din ng umpire (what’s wrong with the US Open by the way? first it’s Serena then Roger? Hmmm). Ayun, talo din sya and Martin del Potro became the new US Champ. It’s also sad that unethical reporters twitted Obama’s remark about Kanye West just for the sake of sensationalism. Kakainis sila huh.

Pero ang mas nakakainis at nakakalungkot, ang nangyayari sa Philippine Senate.

Bakit? Just look at Ping Lacson using his privilege speech para tirahin si Erap. Mudslinging at its finest.

Bago kayo mag-react, let me explain. Hindi ako maka-Erap and I’m not cringing from whatever Ping is ‘divulging’ against him. Wala akong pakialam kahit anong pasabog ang gawin nya tungkol sa jueteng at kung ano-anong pag-abuso daw ni Erap sa power. Hindi yon ang pino-protesta ko.

Ang pino-protesta ko, ginagamit ang isang oras ng Senado para sa mga ganitong kababaw na purpose. Bakit hindi ang problema ng bayan ang i-discuss? Bakit hindi ang kakulangan ng pagkain, gamot, pabahay at iba pang basic needs para sa mahihirap? Bakit hindi gamitin para makapag-dala ng bagong ideas on how to stop corruption, poverty and social inequality sa Pinas? Bakit hindi mag-speech para i-encourage ang kapwa Senators to do their best to serve the country?

Dahil ba sinabing privilege speech gagamitin na kung saan gusto? Kahit sa kababawan? Kahit sa mga pang-sariling motives? Kahit sa demolition job at character assassination ng isang tao? Bakit?

Dahil ba if it is done outside the privilege speech, it would mean multiple counts of slander? Eh di ginagamit pala yan as protective shield. So what do you call it? Cowardice maybe one. Opportunism is another. Dahil ayan nga at may libreng isang oras ka na nakikinig ang mga Senators sa iyo. Libre pa at nakatutuok ang nationwide tv sa iyo. Heck, it couldn’t get any better than this, di ba.

So sige, abusuhin mo na. Tirahin mo na ang gusto mong tirahin.

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But of course we can find better ways to make use of this 60 minutes instead of barking like mad dog.

Dahil kung talagang ganon at may ginagawang kabulukan ang isang tao, then bring him to court. Idaan sa legal process. Kung talagang tumanggap ng jueteng payola, dapat tumindig as witness during the impeachment. Ilabas ang mga ebidensya. Wag idaan sa trial by publicity.

Ang nangyayari kasi, magpapasabog kuno. Sasagot ang kabilang kampo. Magkakahulan back and forth. All the time syempre naka-tv at dyaryo. Pag-uusapan ng buong bayan for a few days. So sikat ang nagpasabog. Damay din yong inaakusahan kuno. Laging in the news.

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Tapos magsasawa ang mga tao. Move on na naman sa panibagong controversy. So kung publicity hungry kang tao at gusto mong laging bida sa primetime news, hahanap ka na naman ng panibagong controversy para pasabugin. Making yourself no longer a Senator but rather a showbiz figure.

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All along, anong nangyari? Wala. It only feeds the hunger of a population that is so addicted to soap operas. In the end, ang vision ng mga tao, blurred na. And the line between reality and drama can no longer be distinguished.

Like Ping, ilang ‘pasabog’ na ba ang ginawa ng mga Senator na yan. From Joker to de Venecia to Santiago. May naparusahan na ba? May nakulong na ba? Pinagpipistahan ng bayan ang mga sinasabi pero hindi naman nakatulong para ma-solve ang mga problema ng bansa.

Kaya sana, the Senate will make use of their time on what they are supposed to be doing. Hindi yang ganyan. Daldal ng daldal walang kinapupuntahan. Tapos papatulan ang pag-iimbestiga ng mga kung ano-anong allegations. Senate is for legislation. And it should command one of the highest form of respect from the public. Leave the soap operas to the artistas and tv networks.

liars go to hell...

(hiniram ko lang yong title kay raoul)

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a congressman being lectured by a tv host (buti na lang it's winnie monsod) regarding transparency, saln disclosure and in general, the law on national television? this is what you get when you lie to your teeth.

vulgar and excessive

you should notice by now na isa sa mga hilig ko is to dine out. ke with my family pag nagbabakasyon ako or with friends dito sa jubail at nakakarating pa kami ng khobar. in our situation, it's nothing short of a guilty pleasure - something na parang big deal na na nagagawa namin - given the social, cultural and religious restrictions that we are combatting in this place. eto lang ang ilan sa mga very few things na pwede naming gawin para maka-relax at makalimot sa mga problema at pressures ng trabaho.

the thing is, ang pinang-babayad namin sa aming dinner, ke simpleng burger and fries hanggang sa medyo mamahaling steak platter, pinag-pawisan at pinag-hirapan namin.

sadly, we can't say for certain na ang ginastos ng mga magagaling nating politician sa new york ay galing nga sa sarili nilang bulsa. yes, this posting is all about the overly extravagant dinner ng party ni arroyo sa new york na binisto ng new york times at ngayon ay pinaka-malaking issue sa pinas.

marami ang umaalma dahil sa dinner na ito. at hindi ako magpapa-huli. makiki-sama ako sa pag-condemn ng kawalan ng sensitivity ng mga magagaling na pulitikong ito na naglustay ng isang milyong piso para lamang sa isang hapunan.

nagagalit ako dahil sa dami ng nagugutom sa pinas, ayan sila at nagwawaldas ng malaking halaga para lamang sa mga sarili nilang tyan. i'm mad because what they did made us look like a bunch of fools once again in the eyes of the international community. nagmukha na naman tayong mga low-class social climbers. naghihikahos na bansa pero nagkukunwaring sosyal pagdating sa new york.

nagagalit ako dahil pupunta ang isang batalyong pulitiko natin sa amerika para mangutang ng bilyones na babayaran ni juan dela cruz and yet gagastos sila ng ganon.

hanggang kailan aabusuhin ng gobyernong ito ang bayan ni juan?

a bad chip off the block

As far as Filipinos are concerned, Chip Tsao is the villain of the day. His article enraged a lot of Filipinos from the domestics that he berated to the mediamen and politicians alike. And I wouldn’t be far behind. Of course I’ve got some patriotic spells too just like this stupid writer so it’s my duty to defend my country which he unceremoniously disrespected.

So he has no problem if Russians or Japanese will kill them Chinese and invade their land?. Boy that was an outright admission of cowardice, low self-steem and un-patriotism. Contrary to what he claims to be.

But if it’s the Philippines who will lord it over, he’s fighting back. Why? Because he sees Filipinos as a mere ‘nation of servants’! And he can only fight back if it’s ‘small fry’ he’s up against? Whatta prick!

But before I jack up my blood pressure unnecessarily, let me step back and say one thing: this Chip Tsao is obviously a nut case. He’s either psychologically incapacitated, mentally ill, or just plain and simple whacko.

For him to lecture his housemaid about politics and geography is pathetic. To think that Louisa has a degree on international politics. I could only assume it’s Louisa who should do the lecturing.

And for him to think of ‘hostaging’ these domestics should the Philippines pursue it’s claim on the Spratlys? That’s what I meant when I say mentally deranged.

So as I took a step back and regained my composure (together with some objectivity), let me send out some messages here:

To the UNCHR: Please look into the plight of Louisa and other domestic helpers here who, according to this Chip Tsao, are being indoctrinated and made to shout “China” whenever they hear Spratlys. This is obviously a violation of human rights and should be investigated. Punish the violators specially this bad Chip.

To the publishers and editor of HK Magazine: Wake up you guys. For an article this toxic to be published in your magazine, you must be sleeping.

To the Philippine Government: Pull out Louisa and save her from this obviously dangerous monster. She must have been suffering a lot by now. Give her back the dignity so ruthlessly taken away from her by this abusive employer. On a grander scheme of things, improve the Philippine economy so that Pinoys would no longer have to go to HK and other countries. You can start by stopping graft and corruption and serving the Filipino people in it’s truest, selfless sense. Not just your own pockets.

To my fellow Pinoys in general: Sure we all have to be angry whenever things like this pop up. But we should aso think instead of just reacting. Think about things that we can do to wipe out the contempt and disrespect in the hearts of Teri Hatchers, Jimmy Kimmels and Chip Tsaos and the likes. With our talents, skills and innate warmth, we sure can win over these devils.

And to Chip Tsao: If you really are patriotic, then don’t take foreigners into your domestic staff. Take someone from your own country. Afterall, there are many jobless men and women in the obscure provinces of China whom you should be taking into your employ. With that, you can truly be a patriotic ass.

Oh boy, whatta way to start April huh!

the continuing saga of the flying shoes

it's been a week since george w bush ducked for life when he was attacked by a shoe-throwing iraqi reporter but it looks like media hasn't gotten enough of it. not yet anyway. news channels are still running follow-up reports regarding the incident.

today, what's riding in the popularity of that rather awkwardly funny but definitely embarassing incident is the shoe-making factory in turkey who claims that the pair of shoes that flew bush's way was one of their products. and they are not just riding on it, they are cashing on it.

the manufacturer say they received orders for 370,000 of model 217. a quantity that is more than what they have produced for a good half of the 10 years that they are in the shoe-making business.

my first reaction is that it is understandable if the orders are coming from within the arab region who has the strongest sentiments against the american president. but if we will believe the manufacturer's statement, he was getting large orders not only from the arab region but all over the world, united states included.

if that is the case, it looks like it is not just the iraqis who sees bush as a villain. being unpopular is one thing. being hated is another. and being humiliated in front of the world is an entirely different story. what a sad way to exit a post that is supposedly the most powerful in the world.

gaya-gaya puto maya!

Sa kapapanood ko ng news, I saw this report last week tungkol sa mga nangyayaring rally sa Greece. There’s this girl na may hawak na flowers at isa-isang binibigyan ang mga naka-hanay na police. And I thought to myself “naku wala kayong originality, eh unang Edsa revolution pa ginawa sa Pinas yan noh”.

Ganon din ang naisip ko a couple of weeks ago sa ginawang people power revolt ng mga Thai. Which led to the toppling down of their Prime Minister. The second PM na nasibak since Thaksin Shinawatra. People power na ginaya din nila sa Pinas. O di ba ganon tayo ka-trend-setter.

But it doesn’t end there. May bago na namang ginagaya ang mga ulupong. Yong Cha-Cha ni Gloria! In case you haven’t heard, Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is gathering signatures to support his intention na magtagal pa sa presidency beyond expiration of his term. Ang katwiran nya, kailangan pa raw sya ng kanyang bayan. The difference here is that mas vocal sya sa gusto nya. Hindi tulad sa atin na tahimik lang si Gloria and it’s her wards na nagpapasimuno ng lahat.

And not only Venezuela huh. Dahil pati ang Russia, gusto na ring sumayaw ng Cha-Cha. Medvedev wants to cling to his power too. Gusto ring baguhin ang kanilang batas para hindi sya mapatalsik pagtapos ng takdang oras nya. Kaya nag-aalburoto rin ang mga Ruso. Ay sus, mga gaya-gaya talaga! Polka ang isayaw nyo para mas orig noh!

What do we get out of this? Simple lang. It all comes down to greed. Hindi nakuntento sa kung ano ang binigay sa kanila. Ng Diyos at ng boto ng mga tao. They want more. Chance to serve the country? Hindi siguro. Personal motives? Mas malamang.

At any rate, ano naman kaya ang susunod na gagayahin nila na inumpisahan ng Pinas? Hmmm…

Ay meron pala. If you still remember, we made history again earlier this year because in the list of 10 most corrupt government leaders published during the UN anti-corruption conference in Indonesia (you can go back to my article entitled hall of shame under label I’m shouting here), naka-2 out of 10 tayo! No 2 si Marcos at No 10 si Estrada.

Yon, hindi pa nagagaya ng ibang bansa. They gotta work hard para ma-duplicate ang record na yon. Sino kaya ang makakagaya!

sticky fingers... again

Here are a few stories that grabbed the headlines the past few days. And here I go dipping my fingers on them once again.

Pacquiao wins by a TKO
So Manny won again. Ok, I was wrong and so are the three others who voted in my on-line poll here in Dantespeaks (thanks to the four people who voted – arrgghhh! Hahaha). But do you know why dela Hoya lost? He got distracted by that girl who sang the star-spangled banner. What the heck is she wearing? Was she told that it was a boxing match, not a stag party? And, she’s lucky she’s not singing the Philippine national anthem. Otherwise she’ll be violating the Philippine constitution. Not only with her attire but her murdering a patriotic song. I can’t imagine hearing Lupang Hinirang RnB version!

Honda pulls out of Formula 1 Racing
Honda blames it on the crisis. Other F1 teams are also mulling the same idea according to news reports. Thank heavens they’ve finally come to their senses. In fact, I’d say you don’t need a crisis like this to stop this snooty, elitist F1 racing. It’s one of the very first things these politicians should stop whenever they are talking about depletion of the fossil fuel, carbon emission, global warming, renewable energy and all that stuff. And while we’re at it, let’s include all other races like Moto GP, Powerboat races and anything that guzzles up precious gasoline for useless purposes. Stop the wasting and think about leaving the future generations with something. Race camels instead. Or go to the Philippines and try racing padyaks along the train rails.

The OJ Simpson sentencing
I saw it live on BBC. And I almost smashed the tv with the remote control when OJ started putting on a show – pleading his case with cracking voice and teary eyes and all – all for the benefit of the judge and everyone watching the telecast. But his acting sucks. If he was able to pull a fast one on the jury that tried him some 13 years ago, this time, his charm, luck or whatever ran out. With a sentence of up to 33 years, he will be ready for a retirement home if he ever gets out of jail. As Judge Glass put it, he’s both ignorant and arrogant. A dangerous combination that finally put him where he deserves to be.

Ploning to the Oscars
I do hope and pray that Judy Ann wins her battle to bring Ploning to the Oscars. She deserves it. Seeing her exert such effort to raise funds for Ploning’s campaign, I sincerely hope she makes it. It will be another source of pride for Pinoys aside from the already pompous Pacman. We should have made it to Oscars a long time ago with the Brocka and Bernal films. Though I think people behind those films didn’t have the drive and the dream that Juday is showing now. Good luck Ploning.

500,000 jobs lost in US in November alone
Reports say that in the past 11 months, 10 million lost their jobs in the US. Really alarming. I pray that our fellow Pinoys in that side of the world are not hit badly by this crisis. And, without sounding insensitive, I was glad I chose the barren deserts of Saudi Arabia over the fabled land of milk and honey. I’m lactose intolerant.

Poop for coffee, anyone?
Al-Jazeera featured a report by their Manila correspondent Marga Ortigas about coffee beans that are as expensive as gold. These are coffee beans picked from the droppings of civets (say sivuts... and in tagalog, alamid) in the mountains of Malarayat. According to Marga’s report, civets eat only the sweetest coffee beans although it looks like their digestive system cannot grind the beans itself. The beans were gathered from their poop and, whatever chemical process it goes through inside the civet’s intestines, becomes a much-sought coffee sold around the world. A 50-gram bottle costs as much as 300$ making the poop-gatherer rich! Well, if only the snooty socialites who drink this coffee saw where it came from. Haha!