MANNY IN MAKATI?! (April 21, 2007)

What the hell is Manny Pacquiao doing in Makati City?! His presence just showed how desperate Lito Lapid and his constituents are in order to win and takeover the leadership in my residing city. I mean, yeah, it is undeniable that Manny Pacquiao is one of the greatest Filipino boxers not only in the country but in the world as well. I won’t argue with that. But what shocked me is how he answered all his previous interviews regarding his campaign for congressperson in Mindanao. Enough Manny please! I just want to see you inside the ring but not in the session hall of Congress wherein fame is not necessary at all when it comes to making and promulgating laws. Halatang tuta ni MADAM! pero ngayon mas naging palaban na si Manny sa pagsagot sa mga batikos sa kanya ukol sa pulitika.

Manny Pacquiao was interviewed today at TV Patrol World regarding his presence in Makati City. he was there to help Lito Lapid campaign for mayoralty together with the other candidates like Erwin Genuino and Anthony Genuino who’re running for 2nd District congressperson and1st district councilor respectively. Oh by the way, these two persons (the first one being linked to Anne Curtis) are sons of Ephraim Genuino, the Chairman of PAGCOR, who has allegations of graft and corruption. There were even allegations that he used the funds of PAGCOR to finance the campaign of GMA in 2004 and I won’t be shocked at all if the same allegation would emerged in the campaign of his two sons.

Going back to Manny…in his interview he said these words that pissed me off a lot! (not the exact sentences but the same thought)

“Si Binay ay walang puso sa mga mahihirap. Makasarili siya.”

I am not pro-Binay or anything but , as a resident of Makati City and a student who had conducted a study (thesis actually) regarding Makati City and Mayor Jejomar Binay, I feel like that I must say something and negate the impeccable stupidity of the boxer who knows nothing of Makati City (at least in my own point of view).

It is not true that Mayor Jejomar Binay has no compassion for the poor. Binay grew up in a less fortunate family having been orphaned at a very young age. The things/activities he did during his college years would show how brave he is in fighting against the oppressive government of the Marcos Era and other popular issues like the Vietnam War. Clearly, Binay is a true UP student at heart. After graduating law at UP Law, he became a human rights lawyer who’s actively involved in giving free service to the poor including the victims of the Marcos Period. His strong integrity led to his imprisonment several times. There’s still many things to say but it would be better if you, especially Manny, would just read his biography as well as my thesis Chapter Four.

Now, let’s go to Binay’s Administration in Makati City. Makati had gone a long way since he came to office. He was able to make a drastic change in Makati City during the post-Marcos era. Makati was bankrupt after Marcos but Binay, the OIC then in 1986, was able to formulate plans to bring up Makati once again. This marked a continuous development and improvement in Makati City. The improvement is very obvious.
Binay’s Administration was able to provide the basic needs of the people through social services projects. Among these are:
1. The Yellow card or the Makati health Program which is being given to all bona fide Makati City residents wherein they are able to get free or discounted medical treatments and medicines in the hospitals in Makati City.
2. The free educational program in Makati City- everything is free except for the miscellaneous. One is to one ang ratio ng books and ng students. Each school has a well facilitated classrooms/laboratories/computer rooms etc. Everyone is given free school supplies and others are able to receive free shoes as well.
3. Blu card or the Senior Citizens Card- Makati is the only city that provides FREE not 20% discount to all the senior citizen movie goers. They are also able to receive cash allowances twice a year, birthday cakes, could go on field trips in the country and many more.
4. Infrastructures-continuous beautification of the city is present. Reconstruction of old school and other public buildings are undertaken.

There are so many things to say but might as well read my Chapter Five.

Now…maybe there are still allegations that Binay is a corrupt official (hey, lahat naman ay corrupt. In the Philippine politics, its inevitable na ata) but it is undeniable that he was able to make Makati City one of the finest cities in the world and the richest city in the Philippines. He’s a good politician because he knows what are the issues that should be addressed at once. the concrete proofs of his programs in Makati City allowed Mayor Binay to gain the trust and belief of the Makati residents in him (at least most of them). This was shown in the surveys being conducted and also in my thesis. In fact, his political leadership gained him the honor of becoming the FOURTH BEST MAYOR IN THE WORLD.

Binay is not like Manny at all. Si Manny, namimigay lang ng pera,bigas..etc..in short balato Kapag nananalo siya believing na nakakatulong siya sa mga mahihirap. But what he doesn’t realize is what he is giving every time he wins is just for a short time. hindi mapapakinabangan ng matagalan. Kapag naubos na..wala na. Binay, on the other hand, tumutulong ng tama. Alam niya ang pangangailangan ng tao..basic needs. And he is promulgating programs that would help ease the expenses of every family in Makati City. kahit na may mga loopholes pa rin and problems sa mga programa at least nailunsad ang mga ito, tinutugunan ang mga pagkukulungan at patuloy na napapakinabangan.
Putting it in the context of a famous quotation:
“Si Manny provides fish to a person while Jejomar Binay teaches a person how to fish.”

I guess tama nga ang sinasabi ng mga tao na nagbibigay ng kanilang opinion tungkol kay Manny..makakasira talaga sa kaniya ang pagpasok sa pulitika. Nakikita na nga ngayon eh sa aking opinyon.

Vote Wisely Y’all!

(ang mga nailahad sa post na ito ay pawang opinyon ko lamang na aking karapatan gaya ng nakasaad sa ating Saligang Batas o 1987 Philippine Constitution)

Note:

Pasenysa na at ngayon ko lang naposts ang mga artikulo na nasa baba. ginawa ko yan habang nagbabantay at nagaalaga sa aking pinakamamahal na ama sa Makati Medical noong nakaraang linggo. gusto ko pa rin ipost kahit matagal ko ng nagawa.

DAD IS BACK…BUT…

Dad arrived from Dubai here in Manila last April 12 at 10:00 pm. I was so excited to see him again and I can’t wait to spend time with him. When I fetched him at the airport I couldn’t believe what I saw. I tried to hide my tears but my tears just kept on flowing. I am used to seeing my dad strong and powerful that when you see him his aura is intimidating already. But at the airport, my dad seemed so different. Just different. He was in wheelchair and he had to use crutches to support his knees in order to walk. Due to his difficulty in walking, dad said that he couldn’t come to my recognition day because of the venue. I just wished that he would be there during my graduation. The next day, April 13, my dad was confined at Makati Medical Center here in Makati wherein his doctor is based. Seeing my dad seemed helpless made me weak and poignant. I couldn’t bear seeing my dad like this. But I have to be strong for my siblings.

When I went to the hospital yesterday afternoon, my dad and I had a heart to heart talk. He was not mad at all when I flunked the law entrance exams. He said that it was a good thing that I was able to experience those failures because it would help me how to accept defeat and become more mature as a person. Dad said that he has always been proud of me and my brother. His words made me realize that I shouldn’t be disappointed and continue to dream. Dad also said that we will continue to pursue our dreams no matter what.

In my dad’s present condition it amazes me that his spirit is still high and is very optimistic. He is very determined and strong-willed to be healed and become well again. Dad’s dreams for us, his kids, encouraged him to fight his condition and to undergo treatment no matter how painful it is. He said that he still has so many dreams and plans for us and other people that he wants to fulfill. My dad is so strong and became a better person.

This morning, dad underwent a procedure known as lumbar. He was pricked by a needle in his spine to get fluid samples. This would determine his sickness. After few minutes, the finding was he has multiple sclerosis. It is a sickness in the nerves wherein some of dad’s nerves had hardened causing him to have difficulty in walking. It made his knees weak and numb at times. According to doctors, we need a minimum of 450k for the procedure excluding doctors’ fee, medicine and hospital accommodation. Dad has to undergo 5 procedures causing 90k each. That is the cheapest. In total, we need a minimum of 500k-1m for his treatment. But doctors assured dad/us that he would be healed.

When I heard it I cried. I am deeply worried for my dad and my siblings. I hugged my dad in bed. My tears were pouring out. He comforted me and said that everything will be okay. His current illness is not critical compared to his aneurism in 1999 wherein he had a 50/50 chance. Dad said that I must be strong and he is not worried at all because he knows that he would be cured. The problem right now is where to get that big amount of money. My mom and dad were talking on where to get that kind of money and other alternatives possible for dad’s treatment.

As of now, I’m still here in the hospital taking care of my dad and hoping that everything would be okay. I am praying that he would get well soon before leaving this end of April in order to continue working in Dubai.

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IF YOU GUYS ARE WONDERING HOW COME THE DATE OF MY PREVIOUS POSTS ARE ALL THE SAME..SYEMPRE I DID THEM ALL AT THE SAME DATE THROUGH MY BROTHER’S COMPUTER WHILE STAYING WITH MY DAD HERE AT THE HOSPITAL (MAKATI MEDICAL CENTER). WALA NA KASI AKONG MAGAWA. MAY WI-FI DIN DITO SA 9TH FLOOR KASO MAY BAYAD.
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THINGS I WANT TO DO THIS SUMMER (4/14/07)

Summer is now here…super init na nga eh and I almost had a heatstroke yesterday (April 13). Malapit na rin ang graduation and recognition. Kaya ngayon, I am gonna list down all the things I want to do this summer.

1. Spend time with my dad
- he’s in the hospital right now for medication and I miss him so much.

2. Outing!!!
- pinayagan na ako ng dad ko kaya wala ng magagawa si mommy. Yipee!!!

3. Job hunt
- ooh…fun fun fun…have to find the perfect work for me.

4. Start Working
- ayan, ‘pag may nahanap na akong work, sana makapgsimula na ako sa mid-may.

5. Celebrate my debut (21 at 21) kiddie party style
- I’ll be turning 21 this coming May 21 and I want it to be like a kiddie party. Plan ko nga sa Mcdo or sa Jabee.

6. Read read and read
-natapos ko na ang mga libro ko sa bahay kaya eto bumibili na naman ako ng mga panibagong mga libro. Sinisimulan ko ito sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasa ng Memoirs of my Melancholy Whores.

7. Magpa-connect ng broadband, DSL or Smart Bro
- first step ito para lagi akong updated sa internet and siyempre para maayos ko na ang blog ko. Hehehe..mas tipid din para sa akin (nacalculate ko na ang gastos).

8. Ayusin at laging i-update ang blog
- dahil ito sa impluwensya ni nea pati na rin ng ibang kaibigan ko (Pebi, Miguel at Jerick).

9. mamili ng mga corporate attire
- love love love. Dapat talagang mag-shopping ng damit para sa work.

10. Spend time with friends, sisses and people I love
- namimiss ko na silang lahat at gusto kong makabawi sa kanila ngayong bakasyon dahil nagging toxic ako noong mga nakaraang buwan/taon.

11. Visit my grandparents, cousins and relatives in laguna
- miss ko na sila pati ang lugar naming sa laguna kung saan tahimik at masarap ang simoy ng hangin dahil walang pollution.

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AGE ISN’T HOW OLD YOU ARE BUT HOW OLD YOU FEEL…(4/14/07)

I’ve been reading this book by Gabriel Garcia Marquez entitled Memoirs of my Melancholy Whores for weeks already. If I was reading it continuously, then I could finish the book for about two-three hours since it the novel has 140 something pages only. Memoirs of my Melancholy Whores is about an old man who is celebrating his ninetieth birthday. For his birthday celebration, he decided to call the owner of a prostitution house, Rosa Cabarcas, to hire a virgin lady. He never got married and at his age, he is still working as a columnist for a newspaper in Mexico. He named his birthday gift Delgadina, a 14 year old virgin girl who is always tired because of work in a factory and in her home.

In the book, the old man (his name was never mentioned) said that Age isn’t how old you are but how old you feel. I have theorized two meanings for this saying.

First, the saying could pertain to the age itself. This made me think at my present stage. I’ll be turning 21 next month (May 21) and I’ll be graduating in college next week (April 24). Thinking about my age makes me feel I’m getting old already. People say I look too young for my age and they couldn’t believe how old I am whenever I tell them my real age. But still, until now I feel like I am a teen-ager. There are so many things that I still want to do. And being a teen-ager is a lot’a fun! At the age of 20 turning 21, my mindset is that I am not that old and I haven’t had my debut yet. Kc daw lalaki ako kaya 21 pa ang debut ko. Anyway, what the old guy said is totally true. If you feel that you are still young then you would look young and would not care how old you are.

Second, the saying could also mean that love comes anytime no matter how old or young you are. This message was clearly depicted in the book when the old guy fell in love with the 14 year old girl at the age of 90. When you’re in love, age doesn’t really matter. What matter is your intimate feeling towards the person. And when you are in love, you feel like you’re young and lively. Eweness, I’m so mushy! But its true. I believe in it though.

Anyway, people should read Memoirs of my Melancholy Whores and you’ll learn a lot of things about life and love. I haven’t finished the book yet but it made me understand stuffs.

THE SHOCKING NEWS…

Lenten Season had passed already and news about the topsy-turvy and filthy Philippine politics are now on air again. The stupid campaigns of most of the politicians irritate me every now and then. Why don’t they come up with a campaign ad that would explain their platforms for the voters to understand well what their plans are and they would ought to do if elected. Anyway, right after a week of commemorating Jesus’ death and rise from death, two shocking(?) news were reported. Let me share my thoughts regarding these issues.

1) MIKE ARROYO’S ILLNESS

Yup! That big fat old greedy man beside the current illegitimate president was reported sick and was brought to St. Luke’s for operation. The findings, aneurism (don’t know if my spelling is right). His sickness was similar to my dad’s although my dad’s was in the brain and his is in the heart. Luckily, my dad’s case was one of the very few successful cases in the Philippines unlike the cases of FPJ and former NBI Director Wycoco. I know how crucial the operation was and the recovery. There is really no assurance that you could totally recover from it and the operation to be successful even if you’ve spent like almost a million bucks for the operation, treatment and stuff.

The funny thing is, I don’t feel any sympathy for him and his family. I think he just deserves it. I believe in the law of karma you know. It is pay back time for all his horrendous deeds against the people of the Republic of the Philippines. I don’t believe that he has nothing to do with the current suppression of freedom in the country today. I don’t wish that he would get well. By the way, stop making his case a sorta kind of big issue. C’mon media! You must focus on the realms of the society today like the political killings and other severe political and social issues that hound the entire Philippine society.

2) CHAVIT’S PLANE CRASHED

Ampf! When I learned the news I don’t know how to react. But it kept me wondering, was this one of his desperate moves in order to win the sympathy of the Filipino voters. A part of me..oops..let me rephrase that. The whole part of me does not want to believe that the crash was purely an accident. Judging it from the videos and photos shown in the news television, I just couldn’t comprehend how he was able to survive with just slight bruises in that kind of crash. Oh please…the crash site was dreadful! His bruises were not even that visible. If the crash was really an accident oh well..tsk..tsk..tsk..sayang naman! But if it is a planned strategy to win votes for the upcoming election then…I was right all along! Oh and another, if he did this on purpose, c’mon! Filipinos are not that stupid to vote for him noh!

There, just my thoughts to these shocking news.

PERFECT RED SHOES

I tend to have “shoagasm” whenever I see the perfect pair of shoes. That’s why I could totally relate in the film of Cameron Diaz wherein her sister shops for shoes whenever she is sad or depress (in her shoes ata title nun). Kaya lang, finding my perfect shoes have never been easy. Gaya ngayon. I have so many restrictions kasi. One of my restrictions is the heels. I kinda love and hate high heels. I super love heels ‘coz it makes you look more lady-like and more feminine. Syempre, secret weapon din yon. But I just couldn’t wear super high heels, like 4 inches ang taas, kasi I’m not used to wearing heels naman. I just wear them during special occasions. Second, I want a strappy one of course so I am assured that one of shoes would not go off. Third, I kinda want a closed one. Lastly and the most important one, I want a pair shoes that is comfy and would make my feet look beautiful. ah basta…PERFECT FIT! That’s my ideal perfect shoes.

Kaya lang today, I had a difficult time looking for the perfect red shoes. I always dream of owning a red shoes and now is my chance because I have a reason to buy one. My mom and I walked in the mall for hours and we still couldn’t find that perfect red shoes. I saw naman my perfect black shoes that would look nice for my office work (if ever)and other stuff. Glamorous, stylish and comfortable. Just right for me. But it is too expensive. The price? Secret. Basta its expensive na and I have been thinking for hours if I should buy that perfect black shoes tomorrow. Investment na rin yun. Anyway, going back to that perfect red shoes, I was not able to find it. There was this quite perfect red shoes but the heels were so high, 4 inches, and I’m kind afraid to walk using them. I’m not used to wearing shoes that high noh. Baka mamaya, tapos na ang seremonyas di pa ako nakakaupo. It would take me like 49 million years to go to Manila from Makati using that shoes. I’ll buy that pag sanay na ako magsuot ng heels. Napagsarhan na kami ng mall and wala akong nabiling shoes.

Tomorrow, round 2 for my search for the perfect red shoes. ibang mall naman ang target ko. Hope I could find the one. Hehehe…

DATE WITH MY MOM

I felt the holy week just today. I guess, I must’a say that it is a holy day for me. Eniweiz, it wasn’t supposed to happen at first because Ma’am Jinky, one of the professors I am working with in the research, texted me last night asking if I could come to her house today at 2pm. Since I have already set this day with my mom I declined and told her that I couldn’t because it’s family day. There…kailangan ko lang mag-assert ng onti just to make this day free.

My day with my mom started of with attending a mass at Baclaran church (small letter ang church coz it refers to a structure). For the first time after so many months/years (I really can’t remember when was the last time I attended a mass), I went to church and actually attended and finished the mass. Yippee!!!! Clapclapclap!!! Thumbs up for me! I was sorta sleepy and making hikab every now and then. Then suddenly, the sermon of the priest just hit me. It was an enlightening and interesting one as well. there was this feeling that father was an aktibista and well-informed of what is happening in the government and in the US-Iraq War. fun, fun, fun! I never heard a sermon like that in my entire life even during the mass in my previous catholic school. Oh diba, outspoken si father. He’s not afraid that people would react violently against what he was saying kanina. as a whole, my church day was inspiring and it answered some of my questions and removed my hesitations.

After going to church, my mom and I went to Ayala. YIPEE!!!! Its Shopping time for me! We searched and searched relentlessly for the perfect dresses that I am gonna wear in the recognition and commencement exercises. I texted my dad first in order to inform him of the budget for my recog and grad shopping galore. Syempre dapat may go signal niya ang aking paggastos ng malaki so I could have an assurance na may reimbursement if sumobra sa budget ko. Hehehehe! Ganun talaga ‘pag wala pang trabaho. I first bought my recog dress upon the approval of my mom. My mom was like the one shopping for me kanina and continuously giving me dresses and super plunging neckline (hello! Siya may boobs ako wala!) that I couldn’t wear. She was kinda insisting me to buy those kind of clothes. Gusto daw niya akong makitang girlie and stuff. Okay lang naman sa akin. The problem is, baka di ako makarating ng buhay sa pupuntahan ko. Next stop, we bought my grad dress which is one of my best bargain ever. It cost a thousand bucks but it was for 50% sale. Yipee! See, patience lang yan and dapat aggressive. We next searched for the perfect shoes ( I will have another blog for this). Unfortunately, we weren’t able to find it. napagsarhan na kami ng mall.(I was surprised that the mall in ayal closes at 8pm, ang aga naman) kaya we went home na. oh by the way, we had dinner pala in one of our favorite restos, it was nice.

Overall, I had a great time. its been decades since my mom and I bonded and went out together. But syempre, there are still parts of my life/thoughts/experiences (many of them) that I couldn’t share with her. Not just now coz I know she’ll never understand.

WAS THERE A HOLY WEEK?!?!

I don’t think I was able to celebrate Holy Week or have time to take a rest and just relax. Really…I’ve been working really damn hard for this research thing with my two professors for the past few weeks. I had plans for holy week. I planned to meditate, relax, spend time with myself and contact the people I know and make muni-muni of course. But my plans did not progress. I HAD TO WORK! Hey, don’t get me wrong the professors I am working with. I do like what I am doing but it was completely exhausting. I’m into research and stuff. Waaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, at least I am doing something and keeping myself busy. Working with them would also add another info in my resume. But, I hope they would pay me double for working super hard this holiday.

Aaawwww…..i envy my friends who are just making the most out of this holiday.
Luv ya’ll! Mwuah!

Boink!!! Sad..sad..sad… (April 5,2007)

These past few days had never been easy for me…yup! I was so excited and nervous because the result for Ateneo law will soon come out (april1 daw but it was released on april 2). Then suddenly, learning from a friend of mine that I didn’t pass the exam made me feel like soooooo stuuuuppppiiiiidddd. In short, engot. Iyon ang sabi ko nun sa sarili ko, if I would not pass this exam, engot na ako. My friends, nea, pebi, migz, Ralph and Jerick also told me na if I wouldn’t pass the exam, it means we’re not that rich daw. Well…actually we’re not that rich naman talaga. So there…

I cried out so hard because my mom got mad at me. My dad, he’s sad and disappointed I guess. I have to see pa his reaction when he comes back from dubai (that's few days from now). I was very frustrated. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what my plans are. After failing for the second time (the first one was in UP law) i feel like I don’t know where to go already. I just wished I should have passed the exam. And failing for the second time hit me hard..rock bottom ika nga. The feeling was horrible. I never failed in my academic life since I don’t know when until now.

Eniweiz…I want to be in law school in order for my parents to be proud of me. They dream this for me and in my own way passing a law school would help me repay them. second, I dream of being like jejomar binay and ma’am chicky arumpac. Ma’am chicky became my inspiration for pursuing this new dream for me. She made it look so easy and fulfilling. Binay, on the other hand, made me realized how this profession could help many people (he’s a human rights lawyer) and that’s what I want to do. I saw this while working on my thesis. I want to be like him, I want to be a human rights lawyer. I want to be someone who helps those people who have nothing making it intricate for them to achieve justice. I know what that feels like. I know the feeling of being unable to defend yourself and fight the horrific doings of the people/person around you. I want to be that voice to those people who are mute. Lastly, I want to be a lawyer because people are expecting it from me, my family, relatives, friends and many more. I know it is wrong to allow them to pressure me but because of them I was able to implant in my mind that I could be one.

But because of my second failure, I couldn’t pursue this dream. Sometimes, I ask the man above if this is really not meant for me. Failing the Ateneo exam made me think the condition I had when I was about to take that exam and so with the UPLAE. Then I remember, I wasn’t focused then. That was the time I learned my dad got terribly ill in dubai and no one was taking care of him. That was the time when I was in doubt if I want to be a lawyer or pursue law for that matter. I was more into the masters degree and pursuing MA international studies (my other dream). I was confused and totally out of focused on what to do. And now, I don’t know if I would still pursue this law thing dream.

Eniweiz, I’m still waiting for a sign.slowly I am recovering. Thanks to my family, friends, sisses and everyone. Besides, this is a new experience for me. My academic performance had been stained already. But its okay. At least I’ve experienced what it feels like to flunk in a subject or any exam. I know God has a better plan for me. I just have to be patient and think thoroughly what to do next. I still dream of pursuing law but I don’t know when. But one thing is for sure, I won’t give up on this dream.