Makati...isang malaking Banyo...

Bad trip talaga yesterday...

Nagmamadali na nga ako maka uwi, with a birthday cake in tow for my son. Pero di ako makapagmadali kasi ang mga sidewalk sa Ayala Ave. are totally covered in tiles. E nag uuulan pa. Apat na beses ako nadulas... And now my left foot is blackened (sabi ng officemate ko nagka sugat sa loob..and that is blood inside) and hindi ko mai bend ang paa ko. There were a lot of people with me who were walking at a snail's pace because the entire Ayala Ave. sidewalk is a 'dulasan festival' of sorts. Hirap na nga akong maglakad before pa sa harap ng Enterprise kapag umuulan kasi madulas, naisipan ng Makati na pahirapan ako lalo by putting tiles on the whole Ayala Ave.

Akala ko kasi nakarecover na ang mga pinoy sa 80's phenomenon na 'basta naka tiles, sosy!!!' (with kasamang hiyaw ng "ahaaaay" sa dulo) nung nagaaral pa ako sa kolehiyo. Kaya nga mostly ginagamit ng designers e road bricks or other materials with a high friction rate even when wet.

Kaaaso meron n naman palang hang over ng 80's phenow movement. Kaya kailangan kong bumili ng sapatos na mas makapit dahil sa ginawa sa Ayala. Pero, dahil wala pang bonus, sa may Dela Rosa na lang muna ako dumadaan.

(Ay, naku...nasabi ko pa...baka Dela Rosa naman ang tadtarin nila ng mga tiles...oo yung mga mariwasa na pambanyo...para kahit maaraw, basag ang bungo ng mga naglalakad...put@#%in@)

The Red Dawn is Approaching...Wake up AFP!!!!

China recently took steps to ' “accelerate its transformation and modernization in a sturdy way, and make extended preparations for military combat in order to make greater contributions to safeguard national security”. They are now gearing up towards war... with the whole South East Asian nations.

The questionable purchase and retrofit of a former Soviet aircraft carrier by China generates concern with many countries. At a time where the region is divided on a particular island groups off the coast of Palawan.

Its common sense that national security involves defending its territories, established or disputed alike. This is proclaimed amidsts rising tension within the the Southeast Asian communities about the Spratly Islands, an area claimed to be rich in gas and oil. While neighboring countries stake claims to various islands near their territorial waters, China claims the whole island group as her own (if that's the case, the whole island of Luzon should also be inside China's territory, since their 'territory' reaches that far).

Its known that as other countries raced to fill their claims and populate them, China wasted no time in setting up military bases and increased naval presence (sometimes at the expense of the fishermen of Palawan...which is so much closer to the group of islands than China).

If China attacks, we cannot depend on the UN because China, as a member of the security council, has the power to veto any resolution the group of nation passes. So if the UN makes a resolution making China's attack on Philippine sovereignty illegal, China will just veto it, and the UN will do nothing.

So there's no one the Filipinos can depend to but themselves.

And here lies the problem. With almost the entire defense budget spent on the AFP, the Navy and Airforce are left with nothing but scraps to divide among themselves. Even though a lot of political analysts had expressed the need to further develop out naval and air power (also due to the fact that with a nation of islands, we need a larger navy and air force to defend our boarders), a bulk of that money, from taxes, are somewhat used to purchase weapons that 'happens' to appear in the rebel's hands...or to buy properties in the US (where generals and politicians can easily claim asylum and live in the lap of luxury. Yeah, you better claim asylum bitches, cause both Chinese and Filipinos will tear your heads off!!!). What will be left behind are the valiant soldiers that the generals and politicians use as cannon fodders and scapegoats.

I think this move by China is sparked by the growing cooperation and joint treaties with neighboring South East Asian countries for exploration and mining the resources of the Spratlys. And since China claims the island group 'all or nothing', expect a number of undocumented encounters between the countries within the South China Sea.

So beware, beware...the approaching Red Dawn.

Saan Patungo ang mga Kabataan.

Nanunuod ako ng TV nung isang araw at nabibigla ako sa mga naririnig ko: Gustong ibaba ang edad kung saan pwedeng litisin bilang kriminal ang isang bata.

Ano?

Alam ko na maraming pasaway dyan pero ganun ganun na lang ba ang solusyon?

Pagkatapos ay napanuod ko naman ang ibat ibang balita kung saan ang mga bata mula 10 taon hanggang 15 taon gulang na nagiging magnanakaw, holdaper, pusher, and worst of all, rapist-killer.

Sa ibang krimen, ginagamit lang daw ng mga sindikato ang mga bata kasi mababaw na parusa lang ang maipapataw sa kanila dahil sila ay mga bata. In some cases, hindi na sila kinukulong sa presinto...pinapauwi o pinapaalis na lang agad.

pero sa tingin ko, tamang gabay habang sa paglaki ang tamang daan para maituwid sila. At sa mga sindikato na tinarantado ang kinabukasan ng mga batang ito, kailangan sila ang hagilapin ng batas.

Kailangan tandaan na ang kabataan ay dumadaan sa sinasabing 'formative years' kung saan nahuhubog and kanilang pagkatao. Kapag mali ang nakikita nila mula sa mga matatanda na gumagabay sa kanila, at tinatanggap ito na tama, ang kanilang sense of right or wrong ay nagbabago.

At ang mga batang naging biktima ay kailangan padaanin sa isang mabisang rehabilitation program, hindi sagot ang pagkulong sa kanila kasama ang mga hardened criminals sa kulungan.

5 milyon? me parte ba kami dyan?

Ano na naman itong nababalitaan na binigyan ng gobyerno ng Pinas ng halagang 5 milyong piso ang MILF. At para daw ito sa Leadership training institute.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....

Naiputan na naman sa ulo ang gobyerno at ang taong bayan.

At sinasabi ng MILF na di ito ginamit sa pagbili ng mga dagdag na armas at bala na gigitil na naman sa mga kawawang magiting na marino at sundalo ng Pambansang Sandatahang Lakas.

Sabagay, mga ang mga nasa taas lang naman ang nakikinabang sa mga milyon milyon na kinakaltas buwan buwan sa mga pinaghirapan ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan, kaya wala silang pakialam. Yang mga general na yan na maraming ari arian sa ibang bansa (lalo na sa 'Tate), kasi kapag sinalakay na tayo ng Tsina, sila ang unang unang lilipad palabas ng bansa.

Ilang beses pa ba uli magpapaloko ang gobyerno, ilang magiting na sundalo pa ba ang masasawi, ilang milyon piso pa ba ng pinaghirapan ng taong bayan ang kailangang masayang bago sila magising na TINATARANTADO lang sila.

At yang peace talks at ceasefire na yan...habang naniniwala kayo na sumusunod sila sa patakaran at mga napagusapan, bigla kayong padadalahan ng pugot na ulo ng turista, international journalist, sundalo...o kaya biglang lulusubin ang isang bayan, isang himpilan ng pulisya, isang firebase ng militar o marino. Kung isang damukal ang break away groups na yan (ayon sa kanila), what is the use of talking peace to a minor faction of that group.

Kaya na nga hindi na nila lilisanin ang pagiging hukbo ng mga bandido kasi nagiging 'cash cow' nila. Bakit ka nga naman maghihirap sa pagsasaka, pagtratrabaho, pagpapabuti ng antas ng lipunan...basta me baril ka at masamang hangarin, pera agad.

Its Just How It Is (Too Weak to Defend the Philippine Republic)

Recently there are a lot of blunders, issues and cover-up concerning our politicians and military officials. They are always in cahoots with regards to issues of election fraud, disappearance of activists, misappropriation of government funds, and the like. Covering each other as the need arises. And with a feeling of gratitude, will turn and cover for the other as well. Careful in making sure that all the money and the power is kept in their small circle of 'kumpares' and 'kumadres'.

Then what about the people? Those diligently work and support the government and the military with taxes from their wages and manpower in the form of themselves, their sons and their daughters. The people are the ones working for them yet it is they who act with treason and play on the public's trust. The people are being beaten down until there is no more will left in them for a better life, just the desire and need to make it through the day. As a lower middle working class citizen, I have felt this way a lot of times. Times that upon hearing news about the billions of pesos of taxpayers money are used to ascertain their grip on power, to get their kicks, or simply just to get their way so they can amass more money and power, my will to fight slips away. I just have to work so I can earn something to feed my family. I closed myself up and cared about nothing else.

The fund from the taxpayers are immediately diverted into the coffers of the politicians, political aides and corrupt military officials who, as one blogger stated, in an event of an invasion by another country, are the first ones to escape abroad with their ill-gotten wealth. Its seems that patriotism, like chivalry, is already dead...especially to those in power.

Its every person for themselves up there, to cover-up for themselves. Proudly beating on their chests while shouting here and there about protecting the motherland, the people, and their families, while the soldiers and commoners are used as cannonfodders for their own gain.

Osama Bin Laden's Demise

Last May 1 (or May 2), 2011, US Navy SEALs infiltrated a mansion within the boarders of Pakistan. A firefight ensued resulting multiple casualties for the target area. One of the casualties is renowned Al Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden.

It is said that the leadership of the said terrorist organization is de-centralized to enable it to go on even after one of the leaders are liquidated, it still deals a big blow to the organization as the figurative head of the group is now dead.

Even after the announcement from the US government, other governments go on heightened alert as they expect a retaliation from the group. Even if the said mastermind of the Sept.11 attacks on the US is out of the picture, a greater fear looms over the people as they expect the worst to come. As it seems, its better to have a gorgon with a leading serpent to bring order to the lot, than a beheaded lead serpent which causes the others to strike more randomly and by their own will. Now the 'War Against Terror' will have to concentrate on weeding out the rest and tying up loose ends.

What stole the headlines from the 'victory against terrorism' are news and bits from around the world claiming that the picture took by the US government is a fake...looking like a photo shopped version of a previous public photo of Bin Laden.

One angle aims at the premise that since Bin Laden took a shot to the head, the actual corpse cannot be shown to the public due to the degree of damage sustained is too grotesque.

Some ask why did the Navy buried the body of Osama at sea almost immediately although the death of Saddam is widely documented in media and in the net.

To their defense, the US government said that they are respecting the Muslim tradition of burial after 24 hours of death, since no country would accept the corpse of the most wanted terrorist on the planet (did they ask Pakistan?). In a lighter sense, if this is true, its good to see that the US is starting to accept that there are more different cultures out there that should be respected even though it does not align with their own view of what the world should be.

Now back to the issue of if Osama Bin Laden is really dead.

As I was discussing with my wife, I have a theory; That the SEALs actually caught up with Osama. And since Osama is no longer the direct head of the terrorist network, he then strikes a deal with the US government to turn in the other cells of the network, effectively weakening it, in exchange for his life (or a condo in Detroit, like the one indicated in the Facebook parody way back).

Lessons from our History Seems Left Unlearnt

If there are a few things I learned from watching TV during the lenten season, is that human kind is selfish by nature. It is the leading factor from which all major decisions which affect the flow of history is derived from. From various investigations through history, both local and abroad, is that the famous acts from the past are laden with glorified accounts of themselves, hiding the ominous deeds that has been done leading up to the famous event.

One case in point, the first Republic declared by the Filipino revolutionaries. The formation of the Philippines' first Republic is laced with backstories of deceit, trechery and murder just to keep themselves and their cronies in power. The people in position back then sorround themselves with loyal dogs and yes-men, and eliminate those who lead and exemplify noble ideals which are gaining popularity. Since those rising new ideals and exemptional personalities pose a threat to their hold on power, they are ordered to be executed, murdered or branded as traitors to the new Republic. This is not far from the ideals and tactics maneuvered by Senator Palpatine of the StarWars franchise to further his power and grip on the goverment, leading up to the formation of the Galactic Empire. Its also no wonder that the Philippine goverment is like this since it started its roots in this manner.

Maybe you are wondering, 'I don't remember reading about this in the history books'. According to the research and interviews done by GMA-7's 'Unsolved Cases' with various historians, these are the foundations on which the First Republic was built on.

Its no secret that the revolutionaries of the Katipunan, the group who stood in arms against the Spanish rule, was divided into two factions. The Magdalo faction which was represented by the leader who rose up from the masses and formed the Katipunan, Andres Bonifacio, and the Magdiwang faction lead by the military juggernaut and tactician Emilio Aguinaldo. During the later years, after Bonifacio inducted Aguinaldo into the Katipunan, the former's campaign was less successful than that of the latter. The competition between the two for troops, supplies, arms and support lead to a rivalry that almost ended in a bloody duel one fateful meeting. As the strength and campaign of the Spanish became more stronger and more brutal, the two decided to meet with the leaders of the Katipunan to talk things out to combine all their effort for the revolution under one commander, called the 'Supremo'. As Emilio thought that he cannot get rid of Bonifacio from the Katipunan, also due to the fact that he help create the organization, Aguinaldo then changed the agenda of the meeting to the formation of a revolutionary goverment, elect the officials, and disband the Katipunan. A move that let Bonifacio have no say in since he is in an engagement with the Spanish army somewhere else. Distraught by the events that unfolded without his knowledge, Bonifacio established his own revolutionary goverment. Instead of conducting talks to unite two magnificent groups into one banner under the new Republic, Aguinaldo branded him a traitor and ordered his capture and execution.

Aguinaldo also did the same for the rising idealist Gen. Antonio Luna during the Philippine-American war. He was a pharmacist turned general and tactician who led many victories for the revolutionary goverment. As Luna was gaining popularity, their ideals clash because Luna's ideals are deeply rooted for his love of the country and the people, same as Bonifacio's. Aguinaldo then fell into a swirl of paranoia as he began thinking that Luna, with his energy, ideals and vibrance, would come to replace him as the head of the Philippine Republic. This was furthered by Aguinaldo's cronies who just fueled his paranoia. So instead of choosing to side with people with the right ideals, he choose to sorround himself with loyalists who says yes to everything he said. So Aguinaldo sent a telegraph to Luna, under the impression that there will be a conference of all the field generals, luring him to a pit of soldiers who hate him, and was assasinated. Some historians believe that this was the first ever State sponsored assasination. From then on began the downfall of Emilio Aguinaldo and the First Republic which he dragged along with him.

Stories like these not only our history and honor look pitiful, but also gives the background story on why our goverment and politicians functions in the way they do now.

Is Registering you Laptop or Cellphone the Solution for Cyber Crimes?

Hinihikayat ng NBI na dapat i-register ang mga laptop para kontra cyber crime. Para ba talaga sa pangiwas cyber crime o dagdag annual registration fee? Sa Pilipinas ko lang yata narinig ang ganitong panukala, the same way that you can only find elevated U-turn slots in the Philippines.

You don't find them in other countries because its clearly not the solution.

they don't do this in the US or Japan. The NBI is eying the wrong solution to a problem which other countries already has a solution to...and it doesn't involve registering your laptop...or cellphone...or other storage media.

mangyayari nyan pati CD-R King lalakad na rin ng registration pag bumuli ka ng gadget sa kanila...just like buying a gun

Why not undergo a study first, instead of blaring to the Senate that there is a need to register all media and portable devices to the goverment.

Sad and lonely

Nakakalungkot isipin na ang mga taong pinagkatiwalaan natin sa pag protekta ng ating bansa at pamayanan, sila pa nagsisimula ang katarantaduhan.

Ganito na lang ba mangyayari palagi?

At kapag me pumapasok sa eksena na babaguhin at tutuwirin ang sistema, kinukuyog ng masasagsaan ng pagbabago.

Sa dami ng kaso ng pulisya at ng militar ng Pilipinas, me paraan pa kaya para maisaayos ang lahat at manumbalik ang paniniwala ng mga tao sa kanila?

Random Ideas for the Air Force

Lets face it, our Airforce don't have the capabilities to protect our skies against the top war machines of neighboring nations such as Singapore (which sports an F-16) or Vietnam (with their SU-27s) or Japan (and their locally made Mitsubishi F2), but partnership with our neighboring nations and security agreements with the US ensure that we don't need to.

Remember that our Airforce has mainly a dual role of giving support to our Army and Navy. Provide air support in the incursions of the Philippine Army against the insurgents and bandits, as well as complement the Navy in their operations of ensuring our sovereignty on the seas around our archipelago.

But sadly, the our Air Force is greatly under equipped, given the large area they have to respond to. So I came up with a few random thoughts about augmenting the Philippine Air Force's inventory.

I'm okay witht he planned increase spending for equipment like UH-1's and C-130's because they provide logistical support for all branches of the armed forces, as well as quick response vehicles in the event of a natural disaster.

To support the Army with air support, we need a high speed aircraft for strafing runs or precision ordinance delivery. The story of a humble wooden wonder used during World War II comes to mind; the De Havilland Mosquito. In a documentary, it was said that majority of its components were made by piano makers and wood craftsmen. Considering we have a lot of those manpower available (Taytay alone is home to a lot of these craftsmen) and the resources, and with today's development in laminated plywood and artificially strengthened timber, I feel that there is an opportunity on the following that example. Given enough support for local development, its a short to medium term answer to augment the Air Force's current inventory.

As for its support role for the Navy, patrols and reconnaisance can be provided by unmanned drones. If you look at YouTube, there are a lot of jet powered RC plane designs that shows a lot of promise. Mount them with flight and observation cameras and you got yourself a survaillance platform that saves on fuel and can be maintained with off the shelf parts and components. You can also arm them with a M249SAW or 2.75 rockets and you have a weapons platform that is capable of intervening if needed.

I hope the powers that be in the Armed Forces realize that research and development are also needed within their ranks to enable the fighting elements of their forces a chance to get the job done and get back home alive.

The Problem With Enforcement

After being a victim of 'huli-dap' for 2 times now, it makes me wonder about the 'public over the police and the military' clause of the 1987 Constitution.

To make it plain and simple...they have the guns...which are more powerful than words...or swords for that matter. Guns that, this is the ticker here, has been paid for by my taxes and authorized by the branch of the government which swore to protect me. I see everyday the real 'cops on the street' with their authority backed by the national government and their gun, which in turn gives them full power over the people. No where to turn to because they all start to look the same, even innocent, good-looking, well-kept cops can surprise you. If you mistakenly report to a cop who, by any chance, is on the take...you are good as dead.

And don't around preaching with those pro-gun or anti-gun sentiments. Its a matter of choosing between the fork in the road...as one leads to good, there is also a lot which sways to evil. Its human nature which we can't do anything about.

There is no real enforcement of the clause in the Constitution. Because when the authorities start to move, you are already dead....salvaged...rubbed out...what ever you want to call it. Public opinion only sways the police to act on reports of abuse only when the act is already done, and the damage is done. There is no real measures to prevent it. And don't go whining around that its hard...or its impossible...or its too troublesome. Hey, so is earning a days keep which 40 t0 45% goes to them.

For Filipinos, its all about power...and power is not such a good thing...they are not used to it. When they grab a hold of it, they never want to let go. Like the phrase I heard once "Power is like the microphone in a karaoke, once you grab hold...you will never let go".

And trust is a commodity that should be sparsely used.

The Insolence of the few outweighs the nation of many

The whole world was held aback in the events that transpired last Monday, August 23,2010...a day that will go down in infamy.

By now everyone is familiar with what has transpired at Quirino Grandstand, the place where just a few weeks before, the Filipinos celebrated a new era of hope and change with the inauguration of the 15th president of the Philippine Republic.

I will not go much into the details on how the hostage drama went down, you must be filled to the brim with the gory details...courtesy of the coverage of the international news community. But I want to focus on the effects and the response that followed afterwards and inject a few opinions here and there.

As expected, the Filipino people as a whole was blamed for the event, especially by the Chinese and the HongKong nationals. This went as far as 2 OFW's in HK losing their jobs as 'retribution' for what has happened, job placements cancelled, transactions ceased. And as if Filipinos are not stereotyped and maltreated enough in HK (as experienced by my friends who went there on a holiday) but now it gotten even worse. I understand that the whole nation is in mourning. It was truly an unfortunate event. People has become irrational due to their raging emotions, looking for someone to blame for the incident, looking for answers. But to blame the race where the antagonist was from is a bit...racist, to say the least. Its like as if the Filipino people pooled in their resources, and sent in the former chief inspector after the tourists.

And when you point out this logic, they change their stance. They say that it is the anger towards the ineffectiveness of the police, the Philippine government and the insensitive people to went out their way to have their photos taken with the bus. They are right. What they did is terrible, almost like celebrating the events that occurred there. For me, they should have respected and thought about the the feelings of the victims. And yes the police who were tasked of pacifying the situation was ill prepared and uncoordinated. But isn't it more productive to voice your qualms to the group of individuals in question, rather than diverting your anger to the ones who were not involved, doing their best day by day to survive and give a better future for their families? Its like the child who was beaten by their parent because they were scolded by their boss or superior.

And its only now that the government begins to review their crisis management protocols. Should they have been prepared for that all this time? With all that interaction with various crisis management agencies from abroad? What have we, the working class, have been paying taxes for all this time?

Special groups within the police force should always be working on their tactics and techniques to combat the ever evolving criminal elements. Its not a question of equipment but mental preparedness and conditioning. If you look at the SWAT in New York, who has a Filipino sergeant with them, the are continuously honing their tactics. With the repeating training, their movement becomes second nature to them. I admit, I have lesser experience on law enforcement, but it seems I have more tactical knowledge just by watching videos released by international military and law enforcement agencies.

There are a lot of factors that contributed to the events that transpired that fateful day. But blaming the whole race for it justifies the adage; "the person is wise, but people are panicky and ignorant".

Lest this be a lesson to all sides concerned as not to repeat its occurrence.

Lament of an Ordinary Techie

Woe is our country...

We were part of so many technological revolutions during the 60's and 70's but they ended up being bought by foreign companies. Now these contributions, discoveries and innovations by scientific Filipino minds end up as back alley urban legends and heresays.

So far back in technology are we that vital systems that should have been focused on by the goverment are now reliant on the goods provided by multinational or foreign companies at huge expense.

We can't blame those inventors. For as the common 'masa' knows, there is no concrete goverment science program for technological development. Those mostly funded are aimed at the agricultural sector's use...and improving those kitschy items in life that is culturally identified as Filipino. These are well ang good, but it only focuses on the short-term, immediate need of the people as a whole.

There were a lot of programs for self-reliance funded before by the goverment. Programs for the scientific and technological development of our country...but these programs died out because it was overwhelmed by the political bickering machine. I saw an inventor being interviewed on TV once and was asked why not bring his invention to the proper goverment agancies for further development and funding? He said that it was not the priority of the agency that time because they were too busy looking for the optimum design for pots and pans.

How sad.

So much focus was given to their own personal agenda and ways to hold on to power, that the reason that power was given to them in the first place was lost.

Now we are a race of people without respect from our 'allies'. We can be likened to an orphan child in the streets begging for technical and financial handouts. 

But I do give mad props to the 'end-users' who make do with the limited assistance that trickled down on them from above...like our country's Armed Forces. Instead of crying and whining, they augmented and converted a lot of surplus equipment that was left to them. I heard of stories of how outdated equipment and vehicles were outfitted to suit the present needs of their mission. Going through surpluses and scraps from their stockyards and upgrade these outdated machines to so they can accomplish the task given to them.

I wonder when will the powers that be wake up to the reality that there is more to goverment than getting a quick buck (or a billion bucks) and high nosing with the public.

I can only dream...

Practice run for the polls? With prizes in store!!!

Going to Megamall last Saturday, this ice cream stand near Chinabank is giving out stubs for a chance to win dvd players and other electronic gadgets. Among usual data you fill up the coupon with, you also fill up the blank for which presidential bet you are going to vote for this coming election.

And among all the transparent plastic ballot boxes, Noynoy Aquino is filled to the brim. Followed by Manny Villar, and the other bets with almost the same contents.

Well, you can't make this into an actual estimate of what's going to happen in the coming polls, but it can be considered as an indicator of things to come. 

And with all the money pulled into this election, why not pool in some money from the candidates and offer prizes like this soft ice cream stand in doing. Like a home partner thing...

A few thoughts from Typhoon Ondoy

The material damage caused by the typhoon translates to more spending for repair and relief, even  with money spent from overseas. In turn, it may be enough to stimulate the economy. Think of this as a positive, unexpected side-effect. Its not that I am glad that the typhoon destroyed some P20 billion in damages... I too lost all my belongings in the flood, except for my bag and cellphone, but with all this spending going on to aleviate the situation of the victims, the market might be brighter as the people recover from this tragedy.

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With all the diggings, excavations and so called improvements on the metro sewage system. With all the headache it all gave the motorists and pedestrians alike. You would expect them to work properly when a typhoon came.

Espana River (formerly Espana, in front of UST)  is an exemption. Kahit may umihi lang na kabayo dun, flooded na agad.

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Its surprising to know that, despite being a country which is always pelted by monsoons and typhoons, the central agency concerned with dealing with the relief efforts (the National Disaster Coordinating Council, or NDCC...the FEMA of the Philippnes) has an annual allocation of only P1billion. And as Ondoy hits the country, there is only P24million left, with still hundred of families trapped in submerged houses.

What da fack are they thinking, with such a menial allocation?

Maybe they're busy diverting allocations for their pork barrel, the only part of the National Budget which gets the fastest approval.

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Watching the news the other night when there was a press release from SSS (Social Security System)  that people can avail of their calamity fund. The spokesperson said 'you can get your loan within 1 to 2 days'.

HAH!!!!!!!!!! 

I have two officemates who applied for their loans and it took 2 years before he could claim his loan. Not to mention the additional 1 and a half years for the ID. You could get those things done at SM for 2 hours.

And the common phrase at the counter: "Offline system namin e, di ma access ang records at di ma process ang loans". When you come back week after week, they say the same thing. They must check again with their computer and software supplier...it looks like they were sold millions of pesos worth of techno-scrap.

Death of an Icon: Corazon Aquino

One sunny monday afternoon, the main thouroughfare of Makati's Central Business District was closed off. Traffic rerouted, and vehicles were jammed to a standstill. All for the the funeral march of a simple housewife. A woman who, despite having no previous experience in politics, rose to become the president that led and united the people of the Philippines to stand against a dictatorial government and take back the freedom which rightfully belongs to the people.

Amidst the rain of yellow confetti, pouring from the building rooftops, passed the remains of the woman that led the country into a non-violent revolt that ended the 20-year reign of then President Ferdinand Marcos. A revolt that became an inspiration to many citizens around the world.

She also managed the transition of a government seemingly plunged in chaos. Bringing order to the anarchy of the bureaucracy, righting the wrong within the system to serve the needs of the citizens it was instituted to protect.

The passing of such a revolutionary leader makes us reflect at the current state of our so called democratic government. Covered in fake, empty promises, filled to the brim with lies and deception, bent on excuses rather than responsibility, wrapped up into a filthy concoction with a modern, dynamic packaging courtesy of their handlers and PR managers.

A void is now present within society not because of the passing of the person, but the passing of a true public servant. A type of person the Philippines seriously needed within the high ranks of the government.

Violence by the West

I found this simple phrase of reality:

"The West won the world not by the superiority of its ideas or values or religion but rather by its superiority in applying organized violence. Westerners often forget this fact, non-Westerners never do." 
                              - Samuel P. Huntington

nuff said

...And History Repeats Itself...

Once again, our country is trampled upon...

It seems 'Nicole', the girl in the Subic rape case, is retracting her accusation of Lance Corporal Smith. Suspicions from members of the public and the goverment flare as this statement came from the corporal's laywer...not Nicole's. And it came after the much publicized, but hushed, travel of Nicole to the U.S. This came at a very convinient time for the U.S. as the bill which will nullify the Visiting Forces Agreement is in the works at Congress.

As Inquirer.net puts it, ' If Nicole is retracting her sworn statement, why is she going to the homeland of the one she aggravated?' The plot thickens...

There are also talks of Nicole's family recieving P100,000 as reparation for 'damages'.

Just as 'Nicole' became the unifying symbol against the VFA, and gave courage to other rape victims to step forward and go after their aggressors... what do we think of the situation now?

Once again, the U.S. imposed their weight around and trampled the justice system of a weaker, dependent nation. Its just the same because our goverment still aims to please the U.S. whatever happens...even at the cost of her constituents.

The Evil Empire

Certain events and articles led me to some thinking. Why would some first-world nations step in and meddle in the domestic affairs of third-world nations. If you step back and see the big picture, they are only protecting their consumerist lifestyle as these so-called 'worthless' third-world nations affect them in a way.


Why you ask? As a logic expressed by Masamune Shirow, first world nations depend on the muscle of the third-world nation to support their need to consume more. Since the salary is lesser, the companies tend to make more money since they will then charge 500% for the product made in the 'slave nation'. Also, resources are cheaper. So the 'master nation' consume the 'slave nation' in every aspect. And as Masamune Shirow's logic says, "...when the slave nation rebels, the master nation starves then dies..."


With this logic, they do everything to protect their lifestyle. This includes preventing the slave nation to better themselves and increase their status as a nation. They may step in sometimes to provide 'humanitary assistance', but that assistance is rooted or connected with an aspect of the master nation's needs. Like better roads to industrial sections that feeds their need to consume, military assistance to prevent the overthrow of a so-called democratic goverment which they installed. And if it's truly made as a social project, it is turned into a loan package which the slave nation has to pay.


This may appear as a symbiotic exchange, but in reality, the slave nation becomes dependent on the master nation and their need to develop and improve themselves burn out.

The Warmonger

Current events state nothing but conflicts, may it be on a regional scale or a global one. Goverments with no regard for human life and factions who act childish and quick to enforce on the premise of war. Whats frightening is that a new study of the recently undisclosed works by Nostradamus states that the coming decade would be the stage of the third great global conflict (see 'The Nostradamus Code: Third World War").


If you divulge into the matter, religion and ethinicity was the basis of previous conflicts. The common idea of "since you don't believe or belong in what I belive or belong to, your kind must die" was that era's creed. But in this age of social maturity, why does this credo still stand?


As goverments and factions are born from a need to cater to its people, these bodies are still composed of human beings. Beings who are affected by inert values such as pride, greed and selfishness, all of which are primal in nature. And with our era, born from previous eras of philosophy, enrichment and self-development, our kind is slowly revereting back to its primal form. Since the strict, rigid dogmas are challenged by taboos which are recently being accepted in the name of freedom and individuality, we are gradually being reduced to slaves of our own primal desires. As sons and daughters from previous generations of challenging dogmas become adults and infiltrate the powers that be, their views, values and peeves are forced to the masses. Their own selfishness and greed are turned into law and official stands. With the help of law bending psychopaths that twist the truth, their interpretation and self-intrest laden concoction of mental poison is force fed to the people to further their own goals.


The thirst for power is also furthered by a certain master-minion mentality present in all goverments. The 'master', who has the mental capacity for devicing plots and convincing ploys, looks for the 'minion' to do his work. The 'minion' I refer to are not loyal followers who believe in causes or anything. They are the mental-institution rejects who find the orders of the master as something to satisfy their urges. They are the gun-toting yahoos who view that God put people in this planet to serve as moving targets in their shooting range called Earth.


The leaders of these warmonger nations are so funny, acting all tough and bullish. They are nothing more than actors playing a role of a soldier, or playing dress up to rally up their brood or nation into conflict. If they are really that tough, make them face the enemy at the frontline, along with the poor soldiers who they send to their early deaths to. Then we'll see.


The lessons learned from the wars of the past are always being forgotten. The 'why's and 'how's of previous global conflict can give the answer to todays conflict. But as always, human primal nature succeeds. Gone are the days of war based on honor and rights. Now its just plainright greed.