wicked princess

2007-08-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

PECHURE PEECHURE!!!

Posing posing...

(from the top: rom, trina, jen, dianne, josh, eugene)

San kami patutungo?!

(from left: tin, josh, dianne, trina, mayette)

Blow the candles!

(from left: bern, tin, dianne, jen, mela, yeye, karl, rhoda)

All work and no play makes us dull but still great human beings. hehehe....photo was taken during Trina's birthday. after weeks of dreaded and sleepless nights in preparation for our midterms.nakapagpost uli ako.

2007-07-15T06:26:00.000-07:00

THE CLASSMATES

kami ay mga bata pa...=)

This picture was taken during our first few days in school (June 15 or 22 ata)...daming naka-red. being with them is such a blast! from class to late night out dahil walang prof. fun fun fun. thank you for the ride rhoda! belated happy birthday!

2007-06-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

IAN and DIANNE..

amidst the ordeal, he never left me! lots of love for both of us! i am lucky to have someone like him in my life... loving, caring, supporting and protecting me. love is indeed always patient and kind.

2007-06-21T23:39:00.000-07:00

wala akong maisip na title para dito. gusto ko lang magsulat. mahirap magbiyahe kapag malayo ang bahay mo. nakakapagod. mahirap din sumakay pag gabi na. pero masaya naman dahil alam ko na ang ibang parte ng Maynila at paano sila puntahan. sana ay pumayat na ako. hehehe. adik. sana ay malagpasan ko ang anumang pagsubok na aking nararanasan at haharapin.

2007-06-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HAPPY JEN AND LAWRENCE!

i hope your relationship will continue to grow. waah, jen we have something in common pala in terms of long relationship. more love to both of you!=)

2007-05-01T00:23:00.000-07:00

Nakita ang mga ito sa blog folder ko at hindi ko pala na-post kaya kahit april 19 pa ang mga date ay napagdesisyunan ko na i-post pa rin. Better late than never.

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GUSTO KO NG DSL, SMART BRO O BROADBAND! (April 19, 2007)

Dahil sa blogmania..na ngayon ay natutunan na rin ni Ian kasi nainggit, gusto ko na talagang magpalagay ng dsl, broadband o smart bro. kahit ano sa tatlo basta mayroon. Para naman naayos ko ng maganda ang blog ko. Ang hirap naman kasi magayos ng matino Kapag globelines lang ang gamit ko. Naiinggit ako sa blog ni ian…ang ganda..dinaig ako. Gusto ko rin ng may music at may u-tube..aahhh!!!!
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HONORARY SPEECH (April 19,2007)

Yehey! Cum Laude ako! All my hard work paid off. I thank God for giving me this wonderful blessing/bonus. Words are not enough in describing the happiness I am feeling right now. Even though I, together with my family, is experiencing a big challenge right now concerning my dad’s condition, God still gave me a spark of hope and good news.
There are so many people I want to thank for helping me achieve this. Marami kayo including my friends in UP, my sisses, relatives, Ian, Pau…everyone. As in! most especially, I would like to extend my gratitude to my family. I offer this great achievement to them especially my mom and dad who never ceases to love, support and guide me. Pinalaki niyo ako ng mabuti and I hope you are proud of me. Iyon lang ang gusto ko po.

2007-05-01T00:18:00.000-07:00

changes...i need changes...

too many harsh words have been said. my true emotions i continuously suppress.i need changes. wish i have the strength to say it. don't want it to get any worse...that's why i need changes.

2007-05-01T00:14:00.000-07:00

Matinding lungkot aking nadarama. ang nais lamang ay maibsan ito sa tuwina. umaasa na darating ang panahon, na ang mga katanungan ay mabibigyang tugon.

2007-04-26T04:30:00.000-07:00

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)

2007-04-26T04:27:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-04-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-04-11T06:15:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-04-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

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…

2007-04-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-04-07T19:26:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-07T02:24:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-02-18T01:30:00.000-08:00

Eleksyon na naman....the game finally began

parang kailan lang ng nagkaroon ng isang napakaruming eleksyon. ngayon eleksyon na naman...kawawa naman ang taong bayan...hindi pa rin kasi nagyong nareresolba ang matinding pandaraya na naganap noong nakaraang presidential election noong 2004.

and now, the game had started already. yep! what is really disappointing this coming election is the fact that many of the candidates are still traditional politician. pabalik-balik na lang sa pulitika. sayang naman at konti lang ang mapagpipilian. oh well, i am not gonna vote naman this may eniweiz. un/fortunately i got sick and had no time to go to COMELEC. but if i am gonne vote this May (the month of my birthday) these are the people who i will vote:

chiz escudero (oooh....papa chiz! always grace under pressure)
allan peter cayetano (magaling! magaling! magaling!)
manny villar....(hindi ko alam pero ang aura niya ay parang sa aking ama...magkamukha sila)

wala na akong maisip...

there!

hypothetical lang... if a day would be given wherein killing people is not a crime or a sin there are three people who i would definitely kill! (make that two kasi dun sa isa marami ng papatay)

1. the miniscule woman living in a white palace
2. the devil (ang demonyo)

2007-02-10T03:04:00.000-08:00

I'm Back...Finally...

finally, i am here again...its been months since i had written in my blog. to be honest, i even forgot my password and username and had to think of it for like an hour....there...toxic as always..thesis and stuff plus planning ahead of what to do...i am really not into blog and stuffs but because of the great influence of nea, febbie and the ever magandang diwatang miguel (who was absent awhile ago in our class) i decided to maintain this blog...
luv yah all mga bading! mwuah!

2006-10-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

OOH LALA!!! MONEY MONEY MONEY…MONEY!
(Public Budgeting: The Concept of Budgeting as a Political Choice)

By: Djoanivie Jomare A.Junasa

Diamonds are Girl’s Best Friend

Money has been the talk of the town. Watching the reality television show The Apprentice lead by Donald Trump, the business tycoon in the U.S. with a very weird hair, would justify this. It is inevitable in every human’s life to talk about money. When talking about money, the phrase “Diamonds are girl’s best friend” catches everyone attention. Just like diamonds, money has become every individual’s best friend. It has been an important part of human’s life. This is because everything that a person needs in terms of material things (for some it can include non-material as well) needs money. Thus, people have to work hard in order to earn lots of money. The more the merrier a person seems to be. However, aside from having a difficulty to earn money, it is way much more difficult to budget the money a person has. An individual must possess the ability of wise-spending and be wise in budgeting in order not to be short of cash. These abilities are not inherent and require a strong self-discipline. Money is used in order to buy everything that an individual needs, from one’s necessities to his or her luxuries. Basic needs of a particular individual are always on the top priority list when it comes to budgeting. One must stretch his or her income in order to buy everything that he or she needs. If an individual is unable to budget accordingly money he or she has at hand, then greediness and temptation will enable the individual to do illegal acts making the quotation “Money is the root of all evil” justifiable. Money has not only been an important or necessary part of an individual’s life, it is also an imperative part of the bureaucracy or the different bureaucratic institutions.

Bureaucratic institutions need money or what is commonly known as fiscal budget in order to perform the functions obligated and assigned to them. A bureaucratic institution must ensure that each of its programs will have enough budget in order to promulgate its projects. Having enough fiscal budget is essential in order for an institution to function properly. Projects promulgated by the bureaucratic institutions are vital in order to address the needs of the people or its constituents. Without enough funds, a particular project might not be implemented and there would also be possibility that it will fail. Thus, bureaucratic institution has to budget properly the funds given or what it has. Allocating budget is very crucial and needs a lot of time before it is finalized. In the Philippine bureaucracy, the national government’s budget came from the taxes of its citizens and other multinational companies or enterprises, profit gained from its properties and companies, and also debt from foreign and domestic enterprises. Understanding and studying the fiscal budget in the Philippines is so nerve-wracking and intricate. In the UP Manila students’ lingo, it is dreadfully nose-bleeding, believe me. Studying public budgeting would enable one to be more aware of the loopholes and the discrepancies in the fiscal budget of a particular institution.

Public finance is the income and outgo of governments in the pursuit of national objectives. It involves five major processes which are the: 1) the formulation of fiscal policy, 2) the generation of revenue from taxation and other sources, 3) the expenditure of funds through the national budget, 4) public borrowings and 5) accountability. These processes can constraint or accelerate development in the country. National budget serves as the epitome of a state’s goals. It formulates measures on how to attain its objectives through revenue raising, spending and borrowing activities of the government. Fiscal and monetary policies in the Philippines were organized in lieu with the structural adjustment programs. Former President Ferdinand Marcos even issued P.D. 1177 in order to prescribe the budget process and provides for the automatic appropriation of the debt service. This decree served as the main guidance in the fiscal process until today.

Is Philippines a Debt-free Nation?

Leonor Briones mentioned in her article “Fiscal and Monetary Policies as Constraint to development” that the Philippine government claimed that debt crisis in the country is already over. There are three indicators which posit the said statement. These are: 1) total debt stock as a percentage of the Gross National Product (GNP) and as a percentage of exports has been reduced; 2) the share of concessional debt to total debt stock has increased; and 3) foreign exchange reserves have reached a comfortable level. However, these measures devised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) do not actually reveal what is happening in the country. Philippines’ debt in both foreign and domestic enterprises continues to increase rapidly through time. At present, it was said that Filipinos are paying Php40,000 each because of the over-all debt of the country which now exceeds to trillion of pesos. What a pity!

Due to the horrendous debt Philippines has, Filipinos are suffering a lot. The basic needs of the citizens are not being met by the Philippine Government. Economic and social development services are being sacrificed in order to pay the debt, actually the interests of the Philippines’ debt. This can be exemplified in the annual decrease of the budget for education as well as the degradation of the health services in the country. The government could not even provide cheap medicines for the sick Filipinos making the country one of the most expensive sellers of medicines in the world. Debts of the country are not actually being paid, only the interest is being paid but the debt still remains the same. It is even more painful if the Philippine peso devaluates making the country’s debt augment.

If the Philippines is a debt-free nation, why such thwarting services are being provided to the citizens of the Philippines? The presence of rotten eggs in the bureaucracy even worsens the situation of the country. These dirty politicians even embezzle money from the so-called “kaban ng bayan” for their own sake. There is even an increase in the number of Filipinos below the poverty line and numerous citizens could not even find employment in the country forcing them to go abroad.

To Tax or Not To Tax…That Is Just one of The Questions

Philippine Government has continuously adopted several measures or institutional reforms in order to compensate with the economic development and address the economic problems in the country. It also goes with the fact that institutional reforms or measures are adopted for the government to generate more funds and allocate a bigger budget. Having more funds would enable the government to pay its debts and provide adequate funds for its projects and programs. Department of Budget and Management has strongly recognized that institutional reforms must be conducted particularly in the public financial management and public administration. Institutional reforms would enable the government to manage properly its priorities and its finances that would contribute to economic growth. There are two sources of revenues of the Philippine Government. These are the tax and non-tax collections. Institutional reforms were introduced in the tax administration, procurement, medium term expenditure framework, organizational performance indicator framework, contingent policies, rationalizing the budget execution process and in accounting.

Just months ago, RVAT was already implemented in order to increase the revenue of the government. Instead of paying ten percent in the commodities one is buying and in the other services individuals now pay twelve percent. The increase in the VAT makes people’s lives more miserable. It decreases the disposable income of every household and even led to the downsizing of companies offering lesser job opportunities to the people. But increasing taxes are not desirable and is not the solution in the nation’s public finance problems. Institutional reforms are very much viable. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is now becoming stricter in terms of collecting taxes in order to compensate and get what it has loss. Stricter implementation of rules would allow the government to address the problem of deficits and acquire more funds for the nation’s projects and programs. Procurement process was also reformed to minimize and further eradicate corruption in the public sector which is also, as mentioned earlier, a cause for the losses of public funds. Medium Term Framework (MTEF) was introduced in order to ascertain the sustainability of government’s economic plan and expenditure program. The Organization Performance Indicator Framework (OPIF) was introduced to stimulate government institutions to deliver exceptional services and programs at a low cost but with a high quality. Accounting reforms are desirable as well in order for the public budget to be more transparent.

Government has No Business in Business

Another measure taken by the Philippine Government in terms of economic and fiscal reformation is the privatization. In the Philippines, privatization was based on “the principle of promoting private initiative, (which) means that the government should withdraw from those areas where the private sector is sufficiently capable of providing the service or product.” It was perceived as the solution in the different problems haunting the government. Built-Operate-Transfer (BTO), joint venture, management contract, lease purchase, securitization and disposition through scale of physical and other assets are the measures used by the government in order to encourage privatization. It was said the privatization had resulted to a fiscal success in the country which contributed to a “financial turnaround from the deficit to surplus in 1994-1995”. But this did not last longer because the following year, 1995, the state was once again encountered a deficit.

Privatization is NOT the solution to the financial problems in the country. Allowing the private enterprises to manipulate the different companies would further deteriorate the services the government MUST provide to its people. It would increase the prices of the commodities and services Filipinos need which would hinder them to accumulate the goods and services due to its high cost. Encouraging privatization is PREPOSTEROUS. This would further decrease the quality of services people must acquire. It would also enable the government to be free from its responsibilities to its people. It would further weaken the role of the state and the government itself. Besides, people must get what they had contributed in the form of taxes the basic needs which government is obligated to do so. The state should be liable to its people and return to them the corresponding services and benefits they had given and continue to give.

Public Budget is a PUBLIC DOCUMENT

The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Makati, which is our case’s study, needs budget in order to perform its functions, duties and responsibilities accordingly. Sangguniang Kabataan Federation is composed of chairpersons from the different barangays. The SK of each barangay has its own budget or funds which is the ten percent of its barangay’s tax. Thus, each SK has different annual budget. The SK with the highest budget in the Makati City is Brgy. Bel Air with an annual budget exceeding fifteen million pesos (Php15, 000,000.00). One percent of the each SK’s budget goes to the local government while another one percent is allocated to the National Youth Commission (NYC). Aside from the general funds of the barangay, SK also acquires funds from contribution and the conduct of fund-raising programs. Article XI, Allocation of SK Funds, of the 2001 Katipunan ng Kabataan and Sangguniang Kabataan Constitution and By-Laws is stated as follows:

Section 1. The budget submitted for review to the Pambayang, Panlungsod and Panlalawigang Pederasyon should include allocation for the following with their prescribed percentages:

1.1. Green Brigade ----------------------------------10%
1.2. Livelihood-----------------------------------------10%
1.3. Capability-building------------------------------10%
1.4. Anti-drug abuse campaign--------------------10%

Section 2. Fifty-eight (58%) percent shall be allocated by the SK for the following concerns:

2.1 Education Services and Moral Recovery Program
2.2 Health Services and Adolescent Reproductive Health Program
2.3 Disaster Coordination and Calamity Management
2.4 Sports Development Activities
2.5 Community Immersion
2.6 Infrastructure Projects
2.7 Legislative work and development
2.8 Other Development Programs vital for the youth

Section 3. Annual Dues. 2% of the SK Fund in the barangay shall automatically be appropriated for annual dues. Out of the 2%

3.1 in case of the Barangay SK’s in the municipalities or component of cities:
40% goes to the Pambayang Pederasyon
20% goes to the Panlalawigang Pederasyon
30% goes to the Regional Council
20% goes to the Pambansang Pederasyon

3.2 In the case of the Barangay SK’s in the Highly Urbanized Cities and Independent Component Cities:

50% goes to the Panlungsod na Pederasyon
25% goes to the Regional Council
25% goes to the Pambansang Pederasyon

The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation plans for it budget annually. There are also meetings being conducted in order to plan and to assess the projects of the federation and the different barangays. The SK Federation is also responsible for the over-seeing of projects of each barangay and its approval. The institution is very particular in terms of the budget or funds needed in the project proposal of each SK. The SK must ensure that everything it will need down to the tiniest detail is reported and included in the proposal. No other materials should be added. In terms of the funds of the SK, each barangay must exhaust all its funds for the year and if a particular SK is not able to exhaust its funds, its remaining funds would not be transferable or be added to the next year’s funds. Though these informations were provided by the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, the said institution was not cooperative enough in giving viable informations.
Public Budget is a Public Document. Yes, that is my stand. However, the spokesperson of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation refused to provide a copy and even write it in a sheet of paper the budget of the SK Federation and the SK barangay per se. The SK Federation’s spokesperson stated that these documents are confidential which is very much contradictory to what it should be. Analyzing the document she showed, a large amount or percentage was provided for the leadership programs of each barangay followed by sports development programs and the sing and dance contests held every summer. Although a large amount is being spent to its leadership programs, these programs are not known to most of the youth in the Makati City as evidenced in the one of the thesis conducted in the said sector. The most popular is the Sports fest which has an annual budget of almost Php55, 000.00. The spokesperson did not even show these funds are being spent or any proof of its imbursement. The SK is also not allowed to conduct any infrastructure activities in its corresponding barangay. This is contradictory to what is stated in the Article XI, Allocation of SK Funds, Section 2 of the 2001 Katipunan ng Kabataan and Sangguniang Kabataan Constitution and By-Laws. With a large amount being allocated to the SK, it will build up curiosity among the people on how the said sector spends its budget. It will also makes everyone wonder why the SK federation refuses to show the documents concerning its budget and expenses when these data should be public documents and the people have the right to know them.

Conclusion:

Overall, public budgeting is a very crucial process. The Philippine government must learn to device ways on how to increase its finances or funds in order to provide all the needs of the people. Fiscal issues usually arise and must be addressed immediately. There are several measures available in order to solve fiscal deficits and other problems. In my own opinion, it is not erroneous to advocate for reforms in the fiscal budget and process in the Philippines. But the state must adopt the most viable measures that would enable the citizens to benefit from it instead of suffering from it. It must formulate strict measures in addressing the ill-actions in bureaucracy such as the graft and corruption which degrades the public institutions in the land. The Philippine government must learn to prioritize what should be prioritized. It means that the necessities of the people should be in the top of its list. Education and health services are just two of the most essential needs that the government or the present administration must allocate a higher budget. Providing the basic needs or the commodities of the people at a low price and of high quality will enable the state’s citizens to be more productive and the society more conducive for living. Having productive and satisfied citizens would later enable the government to be more prolific and be better and well-developed state. If this will happen, Filipinos would finally learn to trust its government and the officials or people who are representing them.