con't... (message board 92)

Name:   Kelguy
Address:   Leyte, Philippines
Email:
Date:   11 Aug 2009

Thoughts on Education:

The Philippines Basic Educational System is very substandard and ranks at number 121 out of 122 "educationally rated" nations in the world. This is due mainly due to the simple fact that we have a K-10 Basic Education System vs K-12. We literally cheat or deprive every student out of 2 years of their much needed Basic Education. In other words we do not give students the basic life tools via education to deal with the tasks of everyday life that includes understanding of Government and what the real value of voting entails.

I have stated repeatedly in this and other forums that our teachers are under-paid and under-qualified. Education currently consumes a bit over 15 percent of our annual National Budget. If you do the math using a hypothetical life expectancy of 67 years that means 25 percent of the population "should" be in the Basic Education school system at any given time. Per DepEds' own statistics, 42 percent of the students that start Basic Education never complete High School. My thoughts are if 25 percent of the population "should" be in school, then we should dedicate 25 percent of the National budget to that process. It may be over simplification on my part but, if we do not invest in our own human resources and capital we can expect the current status quo for decades to come.

A little over 2 years ago 83 percent of the teachers were not even proficient in English but are now "mandated" to teach in English. DepEd now claims that number has been reduced to 78 percent via teacher re-education and attrition. The 5 percent improvement seems a bit questionable in just over 2 years.

Every year we hear the exact same routine from DepEd: "We need more classrooms, equipment and teachers!

SOLUTION: Fund and build an above average K - 12 education system via more classrooms, better qualified / paid teachers and provide all the learning / teaching materials necessary.

Investing in human capital is the only way out of poverty and over population. We either spend the money NOW to improve the Basic Educational system or spend more money later supporting the poor and less educated that have extensive needs while contributing substantially to our growing population problem.

My final thoughts on teachers is they are NOT employees of COMELEC and should never be part of the overall election process other than providing or hosting a polling place. Too many times I have seen teachers question ballots as poll workers that should never have been questioned. They are being used as political pawns in a much bigger game that leaves the teachers in the losers category. It is far past the time to end this practice.

Name:   Sailorjohn
Address:   US
Email:
Date:   11 Aug 09

Araw City Boy

First, I like to see someone actually come on here with an open attitude with no hatred shown. Thank you.

I too want growth for the Philippines, especially in Samar and Leyte. I see so much beauty there that is being destroyed because of many reasons for which I know you are aware of.

Your idea of the Philippine Government to solicit and encourage all Fil-Ams living in the US to contribute money each month to the government for the VIP treatment they get during their arrival and departure from Manila.

What VIP treatment are you talking about?

Have I missed something here?

I have not seen ANY special treatment given to ANY Fil-Am, foreigner that arrives and departs ANY airport with in the Philippines.

There are already departure fees in place that are supposed to pay for the security within the airport and ANY other so called projects. It seems that these fees for which are now php 750.00 for each person are too high as it is out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

I am all for ANY system that will actually take donations from Fil-Am's and put it to good use for thsoe within the Philippines that need it. But knowing how the so called government works today, this money would never find its way to those in need. It will just go into the pockets of ALL those with in the GOV't, LGO's and what ever is left, will not be enough to start any project or put food on the table of those in need.

Your idea is great and YOU are thinking outside the box to try and help your fellow Filipino. But I am sorry that it will not work till the people elect a Gov't that will be clean and actually work for the people and take care of the people vice stealing and grafting all this money away for themselves.

You my friend could be that leader that the people of the Philippines is looking for. You are thinking out side of the box for the better of the Philippines and it's people.

I hope that you keep thinking outside the box and provide ideas that someone might use to better those in need. Maybe you could start this locally at your airport as a start. But then, it will be up to YOU to see who will take control and manage this money. It is not an easy job to do, as money is the evil of those that want all of it.

Take care and be safe.

Name:   Pantaleon
Address:   Nijaga St, Calbayog City, Samar
Email:
Date:   Aug 10, 2009

I respect your opinion Araw City Boy, but how can you trust a government who is corrupt and cannot be trusted, whose program is a failure or the solutions are not correct like you want rice production, you declare land reform on rice and corn without assistance of Agriculturist and Vetmed for animals and ect. Look at Medical health care. Is Public health effective? Every Municipality have a Public Health Officers, Doctors, Nurse, Midwives, Sanitary Inspectors.,, same as other Department of the governments. What are they doing setting in their office doing what? Are they effective branch of government?

It is good to give; if you know that it goes where it should be. A process of teaching the people how to fish, not just receiving a fish. We alway, hear the saying," don't give them fish, but teach them how to fish." Look at the government, and the religious groups or NGO's gawad kalinga, give them free houses what a noble cause. But are we really helping them to be independent and be able to stand on their own feet? Is our trust of helping right? In the province we just need inventory of projects and assist what we can have; like tourism, agriculture, small industry, fishing. Do we really have task force in every province to assist what we need, to be develop as community, from barangay, municipality, city, and as a province. What did the government do and our private sector. Are we provided with sense of security from our enforcement officer or we are afraid of them. Do we have freedom with responsibility? Or we are use of seeing abuse of power in every part of our life. Solutions is on our own hands. It start with our families.

Name:   Sailorjohn
Address:   USA
Email:
Date:   10 Aug 09

A. Morales,

I am sorry to say that your comment below is so off track. I am not part of the Republicans nor the Democratics. I used to be part of both till I gave up on the two party system. BOTH are full of promises and BOTH fail to meet those promises.

"Sailorjohn apparently is a full-blooded republican. You can see that in his stirring rebuke of Sankay."

I used MY vote for the person I think is the better of the two to lead America and I think in this last election, the two who were running in my opinion were not the ones I would have liked to be in the White House.

If there was one person for whom I had great respect for and would have voted for him, it would have been Gen. Colin Powell. HE is the one America and the world needs right now. President Obama as I said sounds to me like a used car salesman. I know MOST Filipinos have no idea what I am talking about when I say that. He talks a good story, but in the end what will we get? Tooooooooooooooo many Americans in my opinion voted with their idea that it was time to repair the problems between blacks and whites by voting Obama in. I can agree to some extent, but in the end was this the right time for this?

The US and the world are going through some hard times right now. Many fingers are pointing to both sides of the those in the Republican and Democratic parties. Do some research and YOU will see who started all these problems years ago. What is sad is that even in the US, those elected by the people, for the people FAIL to do what is right for the PEOPLE.

This is just not a problem in the Philippines. It happens in most countries in the world and as always, it is the people who are the ones who voted these leaders in to power.

As it has been said, it is the PEOPLE who need to stand up and take control by using their votes SMARTLY and elect the right person(s) to lead and work for the PEOPLE, not themselves.

Name:   Simeon Samarenio
Address:   Samar
Email:
Date:   10 August 2009

My dear Kababayans,

I am just thinking what is happening to the selection and the giving awards of national artists. Ms Cecille Alvarez, with all my respect to her, should have declined the award for reasons of delicadeza, if she has that thing, because she is with the administration in Malacanang. She may not have a direct hand in the selection process but, in all fairness, and to avoid any slightest hint or suspicion of irregularity of the bestowing of the said honor, she should have said "no, not this time, may be nest time when I am not connected to the administration in any way" because if she really deserves it, it will come again because we cannot hide a well-deserved award forever as gold will glitter even and can't be hidden always.

To Carlo Caparas, I say not this time for that bestowing of honor, mainly because he is connected also to the administration by cornering the teleplay for the lotto winners' lives played on television in the "ang pangarap kong jackpot" series, building up the image of GMA's so-called charity works, not his duty-work as a sitting president. Caparas and Alvarez should not force their awards as national artists... Mars Ravelo had so many of his komiks novels made into movies, Elena Patron, too, but they were not over eager for the award.... mahirap and hinog sa pilit... Do these artists have delicadeza?

Caparas said "kailan pa ako maging awardee, kung patay na ako?" Better-off dead to receive the award rather than alive and a kapal muks. So, for the decency of the Filipino, not necessarily the artists, decline the awards.

And hope you live to see and feel the real deserved-award. Magpakatoto-o tayo para sa lahat hindi para sa atin lamang!

Mabuhay ang Samar! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Name:   Kelguy
Address:   Leyte, Philippines
Email:
Date:   10 Aug 2009

In response to: Domingo de Ramos, Catarman, N. Samar but informative to all

Call this a bit of constitutional history and some personal thoughts. I personally think that CONCOM would be the best way to review or amend the 1987 Constitution.

Cory Aquino first signed Proclamation No. 3 Declaring a National Policy to Implement the Reforms Mandated by the People: http://philippines-archipelago.com/politics/documents/1986_proclamation_3.html

Then there was a Constitutional Committee CONCOM commissioned in 1986 via Proclamation No 9 consisting of 50 appointed members (see history below) that did their best to put together a working Constitution. The sad thing is they finished work in only 4 months and 10 days. In the end 47 members attended for the final draft vote with 45 of them approving that final draft. The 1987 Constitution was approved by 83 percent of the national voters on 23 Jan 1987. It seems like it was hastily done and the people/voters were anxious for anything other than Marcos. My thoughts are that the CONCOM hurriedly plagiarized all of the previous Constitutions while looking historically vs looking at the present and forward. We now should realize that it is time to re-review our 1987 Constitution even if the end result is to solidify its current content. At least everyone can say that it was reviewed and end the calls for Constitutional change. I believe that once there is a leagal CONCOM or CON-ASSY that a few well deserved changes will be put forth for a "House of Congress" i.e Congress and Senate vote by the necessary approval margins.

In addition to my previous examples of protectionism there are many things that they should have done in regards to education and family law. Per the existing Civil Code of the Philippines a man has a very distinct advantage over his spouse with regards to family rights vs making an "equal" conjugal union. Property rights when it comes to land are exploited by the State via politicians even though Government Bureaus and Agencies clearly have the responsibilities for administrating those State rights. You even noted that in your post. The LGU Code of 1991 is good but could also use some "fine tuning" I could fill several paragraphs of other possible changes but in the interest of time and space will refrain from doing so.

Just a brief time line: (Full text not posted) http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Pool/1644/aquinoadmin.html

THE FRAMING OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

In April 1986, President Aquino issued Proclamation No. 9 creating a Constitutional Commission to draft a new constitution as provided for in the Freedom Constitution. The members of the Constitutional Commission (CONCOM) were appointed by President Aquino on May 26 from a list of persons nominated by various groups and individuals. They represented all sectors of Philippine Society – education, labor, agriculture, business and industry, youth, military women, mass media, cause-oriented groups, cultural minorities and the religious sector.

The members of the Constitutional Commission were: former Speaker Jose B. Laurel, Jr., former Senators Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo, Decoroso Rosales, Ambrosio Padilla, Domocao Alonto and Lorenzo Sumulong; former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion, former 1971 Constitutional Convention delegate Napoleon Rama, U.P. Student Council President Chito Gascon, Ateneo University President Father Joaquin Bernas, S.J., Bishop Teodoro Bacani, sister Christine Tan, Rev. Pastor Cirilo Rios, and economist Bernardo Villegas. President Aquino also included five former KBL members namely, former labor Minister Blas Ople and former MP Teodulo Natividad.

The Commission formally opened its session at the former Batasang Pambansa building in Quezon City on June 2, 1986. President Aquino addressed the opening session. Former MP Cecilia Muñoz Palma was elected president of the Constitutional Commission.

Heated arguments took place regarding the controversial RP_US Military Bases Agreement (MBA), land reform and foreign investments. A walk-out was staged by several commissioners in protest against the approval of some economic provisions to which they strongly objected. One commissioner who walked out was Lino Brocka, a well-known film director. After 11 days of debates and revisions of provisions, committee hearings and provincial consultation, the Constitutional Commission finally finished its work. On October 12, 1986, the commissioners approved by a vote of 45-2 the draft of the new constitution and signed it on October 15. The said constitution was submitted to President Aquino on the same day. Commissioner Jaime Tadeo and Jose Suarez voted against the new constitution.

Name:   Samar Leyte Beach Resort
Address:   Brgy San Antonio, near Basey, Samar (across Tacloban City)
Email:
Date:   August 9, 2009

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Name:   Araw City Boy
Address:   Palapag, Northern Samar
Email:
Date:   August 9, 2009

To: Sailor John (USA), Sangkay, Tony Boy Morales, Kelguy, Domingo de Ramos and other Patriotic Filipinos:

All your opinions are refreshing and valuable to me in particular. For a change, readers like me, would really appreciate it very much, if anyone of you can provide innovative ideas on how to really improve the economic growth of our country.

For example, maybe a rough idea, is for our government to solicit and encourage all Filipino-Americans (Fil-Ams) living in the States to contribute a minimal of One Dollar a month to the Philippine government, in exchange for VIP treatment afforded to our Fil-Ams during their arrival and departure at our International Airports, which I feel is very important to them. With the estimated 2.5 millions of Fil-Ams now living in the United States, it translate to 2.5 Million dollars/month contribution, or Thirty (30) Million dollars a year, roughly equivalent to about 1.5 billion pesos/year contribution to our economy. Imagine, what this amount could do to help build our infrastructure projects, and for the improvement towards our country's Health and Education welfare.

Please, all of you guys, consider this a challenge. Think of other practical ideas best for our country, or maybe in further support for the acceptance of the above initial idea.

Thank you, and May God Bless us All!!

Name:   A. Morales
Email:
Date:   8-9-09

Sankay v. Sailorjohn

While I agree with Sankay that President Obama is good for the Philippines and the rest of the world. We should not rest our hope on him. He is the president of the USA and not of the Philippines. He will advance the interest first and foremost of the americans than of any other nation. So, we should take care of our business here with honor and dignity.

Sailorjohn apparently is a full-blooded republican. You can see that in his stirring rebuke of Sankay. But to his credit, he is right when he said that the Republican Party is not merely composed of white anglo-saxon americans. There are also some colored people in that party though not as numerous as those belonging to the Democratic Party. Alan Keyes and Condi Rice are among them. Colin Powell, another high profile African-American, used to be a Republican but decided to back Obama in the last election. After all, the Republican Party is the grand old party of Abraham Lincoln---the great emancipator of the African-americans.

I agree that Obama's re-election will be decided on how well he handles the economy. The American economy is shrinking every single day compare to that of China which is slowly becoming the newest economic powerhouse. As to whether Obama will resuscitate the American economy still has to be seen.

The recovery of the American economy will have tremendous effect on the Philippine economy because the United States is still our biggest trading partner. But, we should focus more on how we can benefit on the rising power of the Chinese economy. I am astonished when I look at the increasing number of Chinese visiting the Philippines due to their increasing purchasing power, we should prepare ourselves for a tectonic shift in world affairs. For tourism, our country is strategically located to offer our beautiful islands so our Chinese friends can spend their yuans here. After all, China and our nation have been trading partners long before the Westerners grabbed our freedoms and imposed their sovereignty over our islands.

One thing I know, Obama will not favor the re-imposition of martial law in the Philippines. After all, he is a progressive liberal who will not allow oppressive regimes to curtail basic human rights. Since Sailorjohn dismissed Jimmy Carter as merely a "peanut president," I'd like to remind our fellow filipinos and Sailorjohn that it was Jimmy Carter who was responsible in pressing Marcos to allow Former Sen. Ninoy Aquino to go to the US for his medical procedure and thereby allowing him to seek political asylum. For that, we owe a great deal to that "peanut president." And, because of that pressure from the "peanut president" and that of the Vatican, Marcos officially revoked martial law in 1981 although the revocation was merely on paper. It was Ronald Reagan, Sailorjohn's partymate, who pressed Marcos to agree on a snap presidential election due to the growing anti-Marcos sentiments of the filipinos in the US and in the Philippines. In 1986, an oppressed nation showed the whole world how to make a peaceful revolution that is now called "People Power." The US helped make the transition bloodless when it "kidnapped" the Marcos family by flying them out of Malacanang to Clark and then to Hawaii. For that, we should thank Ronald Reagan. So, the US presidents whether democrats or republicans will only respond when the people of our nation would do the first move. Jimmy Carter listened to the filipinos and saw the violation of the rights of Ninoy when he pressed Marcos to allow Ninoy, despite the latter's death penalty, to go to the US for medical treatment. Ronald Reagan, Marcos's dependable ally, only responded to the clamor of the people for change.

To some extent, while we continue to hammer the point that our country is independent, it should be tempered with a little bit of a reminder that we could only be independent if we truly show to the rest of the world that we are worthy being independent. We have proven that in 1991 when our Philippine Senate defied all pressures to extend the Military Bases Agreement. We did that with dignity and honor that no longer will we be under the armpit of the US. While most pro-military bases cited the economic benefits, our Philippine Senate focused more on the moral aspect and our sovereignty as a nation.

Name:   Sankay
Address:   Germany
Email:
Date:   Aug 8 2009

Mahal kong mga Kababayan,

Everytime I remember the EDSA Revolution in favor of the late Cory Aquino, I feel proud of the cooperation of the Filipinos. They left their families and work to join the peaceful revolution to cry for change to a better government. At the same time, I admire the leaders who organized the Mega march. This rally for freedom has been a model for other countries, I think.

After 23 years, most Filipinos have not realized their dream for a peaceful Philippines. Sometimes, I dream of same leaders or other nationalistic Filipinos that they lead also in the same manner but in productive cause. For example, a revolution to plant fruit bearing trees and culture marine products like lobsters, Shrimps and Milkfish. Hence, the produce be processed for export. Every Filipino can join in this campaign. The Phil. is endowed with rich natural resources. Planting trees do not need college Diplomas. International market? The 11 Million Filipinos worldwide as initial importers.

Let's accept the fact that after 23 years, if the rally to work on our natural resources has been started in 1987, the Mango, Jackfruit, Mangosteen, & others are already bearing fruits 15 years (if 10 yrs growing period is considered). How mnany thousands of Hectares of idle land has the Phil. today? How maany hundreds of thousands Coastal and Rivers are untapped? Well, we can start all over again the campaign not only political but also the economic side led by dynamic Fil. leaders.

Ironically, most political leaders are also big landowners. They can also make use their productive lands as pilot projects to prove the Voters as to their sincerity to lead and help the poor. Lands of public domain can be donated to the Barangays.

May the Almighty God guide and bless us all!!!

An iyo Sangkay!!!

Name:   Ruth P. Galindo
Address:   A-32H La Naval Road, Sangley, Cavite City, Philippines
Email:    ruthpgalindo@yahoo.com
Date:   August 8, 2009

Maupay nga adlaw han mga taga Leyte labi na ha San Rafael nga mga maghusay ngan an mga taga Samar nga batch 97 ha Leyte Normal University.

Name:   A. Morales
Email:
Date:  08-07-09

Re-living the spirit of Edsa

Watching the funeral of former Pres. Cory Aquino reminded me that we should be proud being Filipinos. Twenty three years after the first Edsa Revolution, we are still poor but we have the most precious commodity in our disposal – freedom. While we do not wisely use our freedom, we are still free and I hope that our generation will repay whatever Cory has sacrificed to the cause of freedom by using the gift of freedom to uplift the lives of our fellow Filipinos.

Cory Aquino, despite her flaws as a leader, must be thanked by the Filipino nation for giving all that she can offer to a nation that was bankrupt economically and morally.

Looking back, we have to let the spirit of Edsa guide our collective efforts to move our country forward. Let us do these simple things:

1. Do not sell your vote for whatever amount. Consider it your responsibility to uphold the dignity of your vote.
2. Be honest at all times. Integrity is more precious than gold.
3. Do your part. Cleaning your own yard, making sure that you dispose your garbage properly, study hard if you are a student, do your best if you are a worker, etc.
4. Respect the law. Following the simple traffic law will constantly allow you to follow rules and regulations naturally. Stop the habit of short-cutting and short-changing.
5. Be proud that you are a filipino. Read back the stories of Lapu Lapu, Dagohoy, Rizal, Bonifacio, Ninoy Aquino, Washington Sycip, Tony Meloto, and other Filipinos worth emulating. Speak highly about the positive things that these people have contributed. Be proud of our rich cultural heritage.

Cory said in one interview: "I thank God that He made me a filipino." Can we say that too?

Name:   Domingo de Ramos
Address:   Catarman, N. Samar
Email:
Date:   August 5, 2009

In response to the Post

Kelguy, Leyte

Thanks for the lesson in our Philippine Constitution. I guess it's high time that the study of our Philippine Constitution should be made mandatory for graduation, either in High school or in College, to increase awareness of our people, of their given rights and privileges vested upon them by our constitution.

Pardon me for my ignorance, but did someone ever fully explained our current constitution to grassroots level, prior to its final passage and adoption?

During the period from sixties, seventies and eighties, almost all of the entire Island of Samar, particularly Northern Samar was subjected to logging activities by influential political cronies, and political leaders itself in Manila, with or without the consent of the inhabitants. The entire Island of Samar almost vanish into the ocean, from severe environmental degradation. Is this what our patriotic, political leaders and intellectual giants, the framers of our constitutions, envisioned that wanton cutting of our trees, will contribute to the greatness of our country. Even lately, an influential logging company has been granted by DENR another 20 to 25 years to contune logging operations in all parts of the island. Thanks to the relentless, peaceful intervention of our local and civic minded and religious leaders, logging has been temporarily suspended. For how long, we don't know. Is this what our constitution guarantees?? "Survival of the fittest"!!!

Name:   Yul
Address:   921 W Brown, WA 99301
Email:    yulsaba@yahoo.com
Date:   August 04, 2009

Hello to all Filipinos and igkasi ko waraynon. Please support our very own Natasha Saba Roper.

Please support my niece sa quest niya to become a Micrastar in Australia. Here is the link to vote: http://www.australiasnextmicrastar.com.au/  Her name is Natasha Saba Roper. Her mom is waray-waray / Filipino.

You can vote as many times as you want, click vote under Natasha's photo and then, a form will pop up you don't have to fill out the form, just refresh it and vote again. Thank you for your support.

We can all vote until Thursday. Madamo nga salamat.

Name:   Mano Olin
Address:   Brgy. Sulangan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Email:
Date:   3 August, 2009

A yellow ribbon to remember

I was merely a few meters from the ‘entablado (stage) that from all the looks of it seemed to have just been built recently judging on how all the timber used appeared. It was strange that I could still smell the freshness of the wood despite of these things happening outdoor. There were people on the stage talking of all sorts that I can not make sense of what they were saying. Turning my head from left to right and beyond, I could see the great masses of people that have gathered for that occasion that I thought was the biggest one I’ve ever seen in my life.

Lahat na yata ng tao sa buong ka Maynila-an at karatig pook (suburbs) have gone out and left their homes to attend this rally. That saying in our vernacular language that, “hindi mahulugan ng karayom ang kalsada dahil sa dami ng tao“, holds true to what was exactly happening that afternoon.

The two prominent city bridges (Quezon & Jones) had seemed to serve like a ‘funnel’ that day for people streaming and coming from the Quiapo church and Plaza Miranda areas and descending from these bridges either to the street of Arroceros (from Quezon bridge) or down and past the central Philippine Post office if one had walked and took Jones bridge from the other side. All this massive number of people that had taken the whole two lanes of these streets were all heading to just one destination.

They were walking close to each other that the entire length and width of the streets seem to look like just a can of sardines (sinar-dinas kun baga ha aton ha Samar) because of their enormous number. Nonetheless, everyone seem to be in a jovial mood that afternoon. One thing conspicuous however, from these marchers were those yellow coloured little banners that they waved to motorists that already had been stuck to their vehicles as all vehicular traffic had virtually stopped. Yellow ribbons, hats, t-shirts (with the black print photo of Ninoy) were just some of those you could see from them.

Earlier on to this story, we decided to walk instead on our way to this huge meeting. Reaching that higher part in front of the old Congress building, ‘tip toeing’ and craning my neck to get a glimpse of the crowd behind us, I could only see the heads of this great mass of humanity that seem to look like matchstick heads seemingly wriggling on a slow forward motion. Remembering that scene now had reminded me few years ago when I was talking to an American who said that it is quite hard for him to recognize and remember Filipinos because Filipinos have just one colour of hair – black.

The occasion of this hugely attended assembly by the way was the ‘miting de avance’ of the political party ‘Laban’ that catapulted Mrs. Corazon Aquino to the presidency of the country.

Bringing back my attention to what was happening on stage on that early afternoon were those faces familiar to the crowd like Freddie Aguilar and some other invited guests in the entertainment industry who volunteered their services for this political rally. Freddie Aguilar for his part and as expected, sang together with the crowd the patriotic song “Ang bayan kong Pilipinas”. This particular song has in its lyrics all what is there – from the country’s distant history and the people’s aspiration for independence from foreign rule and that willingness to die if necessary to preserve its freedom. This song had likewise been the favorite hymn not only of the various militant groups that were fighting against the tyrannical rule of the Marcos years but also by all ordinary citizens whenever they are involved in mass actions.

The late Doy Laurel the vice presidential candidate of Mrs. Aquino was wearing a white polo shirt that afternoon that I remember clearly now that in one part of his speech he had these words to the crowd; “ You may be wondering why we are using this makeshift ‘entablado’ for this afternoon’s occasion and not the Luneta (Quirino) grandstand on my left, as he glanced momentarily to where it is as he continued, “days before we tried to get a permit from the government agency responsible for such permits to allow us to use the grandstand but our request was turned down, now, in the days to come and in the event that it is our time to be in government and they ask us for them to use the grandstand for their own purposes, we would most willingly let them use it” These words of Doy Laurel met tumultuous and deafening applause accompanied by wolf whistles from the crowd that continued for quite a while. At that point I thought to myself that the signs are evident that the days of the Marcos reign are nearing its end.

Then came the ‘the icing of the cake’ the most awaited part of that afternoon’s proceedings, the speech of the reluctant politician – (the late) – Corazon Aquino who were in her usual yellow dress and ubiquitous black rimmed eye glasses. When she was finally introduced, there was this thunderous applause that seemed to have reverberated even to the farthest stretches of the Malate area. Talking about the event to some young friends the day after, who just listened from a radio broadcast in the lobby of the Manila Hilton on that afternoon during that rally, they told us that they could hear the applause, and the loud drumming sounds and whistles not from the radio but all the noise were actually coming from outside of the building.

To our estimate, the distance between the Manila Hilton hotel and to where the meeting (the spot where the stage) was held was more or less a kilometer away. The government did not let its crony (not ‘crazy’) media cover a live broadcast and instead downplayed the size of the crowd that attended that rally, when its morning papers had on its front pages the next day an aerial photo taken from a helicopter showing the great masses of people marching (by an estimated size between 20 to 25 thousand people) that had virtually filled and taken over the streets to attend that gathering. Below the photo was a caption that says, AN ORDINARY SUNDAY CROWD. This caption as I believe until now, had added to the many past blunders, (nagsi-sinayop na gad siguro at nga administrasyon hadto kay nalilisang na gad siguro nga ihahak-lin na hira han mga ta-wo) miscalculations, misjudgments and indiscretions that led to the eventual downfall of the Marcos government. For it was not simply to insult and taunt the intelligence of the person who read the paper that morning, but it was more on the part of the publishers and management of the paper to ridicule and be contemptuous to the organizers of that rally. The manner by which Mrs. Aquino’s delivery of her speech lacks that kind of polish and subtleness that you can hear and expect from seasoned politicians. Because for all what she stood at that moment was to bring back the faith of her impoverished people to a new government that would turn around things for the better. She stood there not for her own personal glory for she was dragged to this political maelstrom because of her husband’s assassination. We all know this.

Then came that part of the program – the singing of the song “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree” which we all know has been the stirring point and had served as inspirational song shortly after the death of her husband Ninoy Aquino. I found it hard to believe at that moment how the unifying effect of this song has on everyone gathered that early evening (the rally lasted for several hours). Along M. H. Del Pilar and on the other side streets, you could see people watching the rally far enough and those who were on top of some of the buildings singing along with the main crowd. Those men, women, young and old and from all walks of life that were on the streets were dancing while singing. A cabbie driver that stood next to me left his taxi cab on one of the stalled vehicles and was clapping and singing. Everybody and everything around were just in euphoria.

Even the trees near the stage were swaying as some street kids had climbed up these trees before and rocked it to the tune of the song. As Mrs. Aquino was singing along, she looked up to these swaying trees – and perhaps moved by this sight she paused momentarily and then smiled. It was hilarious.

We went home that night with all these memories that until this time I can still remember and now I’m able to write and share this with you now.

Mrs. Corazon Aquino could now be well in her way to that universe that has also been home to so many good people.

POST SCRIPT

It only dawned on me several days later after that event why my group and myself were able to get surprisingly close to the stage during that rally. It was because people who came ahead to the site had kept a distance from the stage fearing that a bomb could be thrown similar to what happened years ago during the Liberal Party meeting at Plaza Miranda that killed people and maimed some of the senatorial candidates during that time.

Hesus Maria Hosep, kun nahinabo ine, magi-ging na-wara Mano Olin ako!!!

A-adi pa gad ako.

Amo la, an iyo Mano Olin

Name:   Rex B. Cool
Address:   New Zealand
Email:
Date:   Aug. 2, 2009

On election, corruption, and so on…

Most of those who post here have the same dark impression on the governance of Gov. Mila Tan and her family. There may be truth on their abuse of power but as an ordinary Samarnon what can we do?

If ever there will be election in 2010, a reshuffle might as well occur, - that is Mila Tan for Congress, Sharee Tan for Governor, and her brother for Catbalogan mayor.

In the above scenario, hatred from those who oppose the leadership of the Tan family would reach a boiling point but the election result will still be in the favour of the Tan family. Sad to say, but this is the reality in Samar. I have witnessed election in the business centre of the Philippines, namely Makati City, but I have not seen the open vote buying practice being done the way it is in our island.

We want to change the governance in Samar? Let’s face reality. We need a neophyte candidate who is honest, down to earth, a strong commitment to serve the people and mostly, with a lot of money. The candidate should match the gear of the Tan dynasty otherwise he/she will be on the losing end.

Let’s say that our neophyte candidate wins, would he/she;

• Prioritize projects which will help eradicate poverty instead of getting back the millions he/she spent in the election?
• Impose to the local Department of Education on the insertion of a subject to change the mindset of the Samarnons regarding election?
• Fire out government employees either friends or relatives who practices corruption?
• Penalize contractors who build government projects not in accordance to the proper standard?
• Penalize those companies contributing to the devastation of Samar environment?
• Etcetera and etcetera

Well my fellow Samarnons, I don’t see any candidate or any person in Samar who is willing to do the above few points.
But we need not lose hope. We the people of Samar can make that change possible through our honest votes!

Name:   Engr. Romualdo D. Saises
Address:   Las Navas, Northern Samar, Philippines
Email:   saises_knights@yahoo.com
Date:   08-02-09

SAMAR ISLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AS PROPOSAL

I am inviting everyone to join me in discussing my proposal for the development of Samar. Secretary Gabriel Claudio is the man of President Arroyo. Let us convince him to assist us for this proposal. I will be in Catbalogan with other Gugma groups for a healthy discussion on August 23, 2009. My cell no. 09217350724

Engr. Romualdo D. Saises
Municipal Engineer

Name:   Sankay
Address:   Cebu City
Email:
Date:   01 Aug 2009

Philippines has no external enemy so therefore there is no need for American supposedly protection. It is this supposedly American protection that Filipinos have and are still suffering as a result. Our country is limited in dealing with all the countries in the world including American adversaries because of America is here and intervening. It is this American protection that our leaders prefer to serve the American interest instead of our Filipino interest. Unfortunately, it is an American interest to have a sitting pro American leader in Malacanang so that American interest is well served even at the cost of Filipino sovereignty.

Most Filipinos might readily accept the American intervention only with billions of economic compensation but there is zero economic aid even during the Marcos dictatorship and instead only billions of military aid comes in every year for many decades that is used to control the Filipinos in order to serve the American interest of using our territory like the prepositioned military supply and other secret activities to propel American military might here in the Pacific. As a result, not only Filipinos always are poor as you see us today but also we are dying from assassination, forced disappearance and chaos from saturating the country with American military hardware. There are so many firearms that AFP personnel sell them at black market price to the NPA and MILF. There are more firearms than farm machineries, there are more bullets than fertilizers, and there are more bombs than fishing boats. This is what the American legacy over the Filipinos. Stop this military aid so that GMA will choose the path to peace and reconciliation.

Filipinos want peace, reconciliation and unity after the many years chaos of American sponsored Marcos dictatorship but the path to peace is harder because of GMA . If there is no American intervention such as American military aid then GMA would be have no other choice but choose the path to peace and reconciliation and cooperation.

Filipinos are one family and our internal problems can only be solved by us Filipinos alone without outside help like American military aid to the AFP. The American military aid is prolonging the instability and chaos by giving more energy for GMA to resort for more confrontation instead of cooperation.

Name:   Pinoycaver
Email:   trexpelunker@yahoo.com
Date:   August 1, 2009

Our democracy icon, Corazon C. Aquino, has passed away at 76.

Former President Corazon Aquino, who swept away a dictator with a "people power" revolt and then sustained democracy by fighting off seven coup attempts in six years, died on Saturday, her son said. She was 76. See complete story on www.pinoycaver.blogspot.com

May you rest in peace Tita Cory. Thank you for bringing back our democracy in the Philippines. Thank you for sweeping out the dictatorship in our country, thank you for your 'great concern' you have showed to our fellow Filipinos and thank you for praying and supporting our whistle-blowers of corruption that is, up to now, fighting against this repressive administration...