Cockfight!

Credits: temporarybrand.com

A slot in the House of Representatives for sabong enthusiasts? Has the world gone bonkers? (Well, we all know it has, but I think there's this small speck of hope that it's gonna get saner soon.)

I was reading articles on Inquirer.net and i came across the story about a group who expressed their desire to run as a party-list in next year's National Elections. Alyansa ng mga Sabongero is particularly interesting since their aim is to represent and protect the interests of sabong enthusiasts! WOW!!! LIFE-CHANGING! SERIOUSLY????

Although, at some point, their argument makes sense. Our country is known for voting for people by their sheer popularity. Even if we all know that such people have no capability whatsoever to be given such a position. (Oh by the way, I'm still proud of General Santos City for not voting for that Boxer during the 2007 elections. Woot. Hopefully Saranggani does the same thing.) So having a party-list for such a specific and useless interest is not really surprising.

On the Inquirer's story, senators make fun of the idea. Sen. Lacson said that maybe the fighting cocks might as well form their own party-list too. “If they’re going to make a mockery of the system, we might as well go all the way.” Win!

Isn't the party-list system intended for marginalized sectors of our society? So sabongeros are marginalized??? And they actually have specific needs and rights that need representation in the country?

For me, the whole thing is just ridiculous.

You think they deserve a spot in the House?

Jetlag

She cancelled the jet that she ordered. If she pushed through with it, our country could have lost P1.2billion.

After receiving much flack for eating and drinking expensive things in New York and Washington D.C., while the rest of the country die of hunger, the decision to cancel the jet was a wise one. Cause if she didn't, ewan ko na lang talaga.

According to minion Press Sec. Cerge Remonde, the President will postpone catering to her "needs" even if the next President would actually be the one benefiting from it. The jet was supposed to be used for her travels around the world.

Arroyo has been receiving much criticism from sectors of the society for her alleged extravagant lifestyle of overseas trips and luxury dinners. If I were a hungry kid along Katipunan and I hear that the President is out of the country eating caviar and drinking champagne, I'd be angry too. And then you hear that she plans to buy a billion-peso jet while you can't even afford to build your own kariton is just adding insult to the industry.

Honestly, how can she take doing all those things when she know that majority of her country is living in despair?

Spending 2.78 billion pesos just for her foreign trips in just five years, 2003-2008? And we tell our people, that our country is in great debt and our economy is in bad shape? That we do not have enough money to provide proper care, health and education to majority of our people?

Heartless.

Good thing, she was wise enough not to purchase that jet. Cause if she did, she'll never hear the end of it.

Second in Command

So far, the ones making noise are the Presidentiables (i.e. Roxas and his padjak invading Friendster profiles, BF and his ridiculous online game, and the most disgusting political move known to man, Jamby and her yellow beads.

Not much is heard from people who are planning to run for the second highest seat in the bureaucracy - the vice presidency.

Currently, it is filled by former broadcaster Noli de Castro whose claim to fame is his Saturday show that specializes on anything related to the Halloween.

And this got me thinking, among all our politicians, who would actually qualify to become Second-in-Command?

Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan has already expressed his desire to run for the position. I will not vote for him though.

Buzz is rising on the possibility that Sen. Noynoy Aquino might actually run for the position. Ever since the late Pres. Cory Aquino's death, much talks have been raised regarding the Sen.'s plans for next year's national elections.

I think, Noynoy would make a good vice-president provided that he is second to the right President.

Who do you think would make a good vice-president?

Bloggers and Sen. Escudero

Image from HeaRty's Haven

We ate our food and waited. Past the chicharon, Coke Lights (yes, that's how the waiter called it), loads of laughter, magic tricks and chatter (we tried to figure out how much sisig can be bought from Gerry's with $20,000), it was finally our table's turn. It's 9:15pm.

Bloggers had the privilege of spending some informal time with Sen. Francis Escudero at the Club House of his political party in New Manila.

So there we were, seated on wooden chairs around the Senator. We knew what we wanted to ask but no one seemed eager to draw first blood.

Before we knew it, everyone's laughing and the conversation did not feel as awkward anymore.

The million-peso question was somehow a given: are you planning to run for President next year?

Sans pretense, he answers that he does want and plan to run for President. He said that he's running for two reasons - 1. he wants to prove that the younger generation can be entrusted to lead this country and 2. the younger generations are to suffer for the bad governance that the older ones are continually running.

He reinforces this by saying that he'd want to run while his still young and idealistic, because for him the government doesn't make one better but worse through time.

He also promised his wife that if he does lose next year, he'd stop politics altogether, saying that there must be someone else who can do the job.

An animated discussion followed regarding his choice for VP and Senators.

The night ended with a twisted fork on the Senator's palm.

The 2010 Presidential Elections is right around the corner and every one is running with their best foot forward.

"Tonight We Dine in Bobby Van's Steakhouse!"

Three days before the infamous Le Cirque, the same band of bandits politicians led by PGMA ate in another restaurant, as reported by the Washington Post. But this time they spent less since their tab only reached $15,000. That would be P720,899.00 in our currency. The dinner that took place in Washington's Bobby Van's Steakhouse was attended by PGMA and about 65 other people. According the Washington Post's column entitled Heartburn Over Two Big Meals written by The Reliable Source, "the group took over one of the restaurant's private rooms and dined on lobster, steak and fine wines; at the conclusion of the meal, an unidentified woman opened a handbag stuffed with cash, counted out bills and paid the $15,000 tab -- which included a generous tip."

The administration has already received much criticism for their lavish spending of a million pesos in a posh restaurant in New York, and now it will receive more since this story is now fast-circulating online.

Critics say that, PGMA should be investigated by the Ombudsman for supposedly violating R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Section 4 states that "Public officials and employees and their families shall lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form."

What do you think? Is it okay for you that PGMA and her entourage ate such "extravagant" meals?

Wine and other Expensive Things

Picture this: a girl drenched under the rain. Rummaging through a black plastic bag, hoping to find a half-eaten chicken leg. Finding none, she seeks shelter under a closed bank's roof. Then multiply that by the number of bank roofs, garbage bags and street children that the metro has. Now, imagine the President in a posh restaurant overseas with her entourage of 20+ followers. And their tab hits close to a million pesos.

In her recent visit to the United States to meet Pre. Obama, PGMA and her minions went to Le Cirque, a class-A, French restaurant in New York.

And yes, the image above is a detailed account of what they ordered and how much they spent for it.

$19,866.00 = P993,300.00 ($1 = P50)

And guess why the bill bloated to that amount? Oh hello there bottles and bottles of champagne! ($5,610.00 = P280,500.00)

A million pesos that could have been spent for education.

A million pesos that could have helped rebuild typhoon-destroyed barangays.

A million pesos that could have cured sick children.

A million pesos that could have been allocated for food for our hungry countrymen.

A million pesos that were spent despite children who are not able to go to school.

A million pesos that were spent lavishly while the whole country is trying its best to stay afloat.

A million pesos that were spent while parents are not able to provide proper health for their children.

A million pesos that were spent without regard for their hungry countrymen back home.

Oh, the audacity.

And, by the way, the country paid for that bill. Yet, the country's still hungry.

Shameful

I've always thought that the political ads that are obviously in preparation for the national elections next year, are just plain disgusting. BF's humongous tarps spreading across the metro and the small ones across the country even if we all know that his jurisdiction stops outside Metro Manila. Mar's padjak TVC. Villar's Akala Mo campaign. So far, it was an even playing field. Until Jamby Madrigal came along. Having announced that she too will run as President, all hell broke loose. And so far, what she did is the most shameful and disgusting campaign move I've seen. Seriously.

Facebook user H Appy Feraren narrated her experience while waiting for the late Pres. Cory Aquino's cortege at the South Super Highway, entitled Shame on you Jamby Madrigal!

Now that we’ve remembered, relived and recreated the spirit of ’86 let’s make sure this yellow ribbon doesn’t get tangled up in other people’s political campaigns.

Subtle electioneering IN A FUNERAL?!?! SHAME ON YOU. Do not ride on Cory’s wave to pursue your vested interest. The people who waited in the streets weren’t there to see you! The revolution doesn’t belong to you, phony politician, it belongs to the people. And what makes you think you could get away with such a dirty trick? Cory’s lasting impression of sincerity, humility and honesty is now the benchmark of what leaders are supposed to be. You think people don’t see through you? The respect we have for Cory is not something you acquire with falsity (or through endorsement from Judy Ann Santos) it is earned. How dare you pose as someone offering sympathy to the Aquino family while you think about the votes you’re going to get come election time.

As I waited for the cortege (news networks’ new favourite word) along the South Super Highway, my mom and I bought 2 yellow umbrellas from this street vendor who was also selling nuts. And then as we paid, he pulled out something from his pocket – a yellow beaded bracelet nicely packed in a small clear plastic bag. Upon handing it over to us, he said: “Eto o, bonus para sa inyo.”Of course my mom and I were pleased and were all “awww how sweet.”Until I actually looked at the bracelet and saw a little tag with the name and photo of Jamby Madrigal.

I called out to him and asked, “O bakit may Jamby Madrigal itong bracelet na ito” and when I looked at the vendor for an answer he had already walked away.

Maybe an hour before this incident, I saw her car passing by the growing sea of people. Window open, flashing the L sign and strangely enough, a cameraman in front filming the people. My mom started shouting “Transparencyyyy!” and then I looked at her asking if I could put up my middle finger and my mom looked at me and said I should just shout transparency, accountability or good governance. In other words “BOOOOOOOO!!!!” And then the two of us just started shouting BOO JAMBY!!!

I am utterly disgusted by you, Ms.Madrigal. And to you other filthy politicians, behave yourselves because we are all watching you, even if you’re supposedly Cory’s “favorite” mayor. Genuine democracy is People Power and everything Ninoy and Cory stood for. It also means that now, whenever there’s a phony claiming he or she is there to protect Cory’s legacy, we will be able to speak up and act with the same fearless fervour we had before.

You know sometimes I wish I could march in the government offices with a magical broom that can sweep away all the dirty politicians we have in this country. A giant clean up, but this time not just for the environment but for our government. Haha, imagine if we could really do that? I'm already writing down the names of the people I'd attack first with my magic walis!

So, before you file for candidacy (a bit too late though in this case) think again. Actually, good luck! The people have remembered.

SHAMEFUL. DISGUSTING. PATHETIC. DESPERATE.

The Traffic that was Worth It

As I've blogged earlier, some friends and I had an awesome roadtrip to Alabang last Wednesday. I texted Minneli that I think we should leave Ortigas really early since we might encounter SLEX traffic due to Pres. Aquino's burial. So we agreed to meet up by 7am at GCF. But we all know what happens if things are planned at such an ungodly hour. :) Regardless, we left GCF at 7:45am. Lo and behold, there was no traffic, so we arrived at Alabang really early. After the whole day rest, we headed for home.

And the traffic that we tried to avoid earlier that day, materialized that very afternoon. It was just really bad. It was moving but on such a turtle speed. Right after the Sucat exit was this:

And this went one til forever. The fence separating the express way and the service road was filled with supporters, by-standers and merely curious people, all waiting to see the arrival of Pres. Aquino's coffin. People even climbed roofs and billboards just to be able to catch a glimpse of the President before she was laid to rest at the Manila Memorial.

All these, to have a last look at the former President who was a vital instrument in restoring democracy for the Filipino people. And despite the traffic, no temper rose, because we all understood that what was going on was historic. What was before us was once in a lifetime. This was traffic that I didn't loathe to experience.

This was a President that the Filipino people loves because of her dedication. This was a President who fought despite threats for her life. This was a President who proved that "the Filipino is worth dying for." This was a President who had the people's interest at top most priority. No, she isn't perfect but she does deserve credit.

And in all honesty I ask, is the current President capable of such things? Would Mikee and Luli feel the same support the Filipino gave Noynoy and Kris, if it were them at the same circumstance.

I highly doubt that.

The first three photos are my shots using RJ's camera except the last photo which he shot. :)

On the former President's Death

In 1983, EDSA was filled with Filipinos who are mourning the death of the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino. 26 years later, the streets are once again filled as people mourn the death of his wife, former President Corazon Aquino. Both the Senator and former President are icons of democracy as both fought to restore the freedom that we lost for 20 years under the Marcos regime.

The mood yesterday here in Makati was weird. Hundreds of eople flocked the streets. Some people mourned while others seem to have forgotten why they were there in the first place. A group of students from some computer college kept screaming whenever anything passes by. Such a mockery to the solemnity of the event. A politician was successful in campaigning for himself as people rushed by his side to have their photos taken with him (HINT: he's running for a coveted position next year and his home base is where our office is)

We waited for two hours, just to witness the passing of the late President's coffin in front of us.

The feeling felt surreal.

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Carlos Celdran's Tweet regarding the Philippines was spot on: "carlosceldran is wondering why someone always has to die in order for The Philippines to galvanize. We're really morbid like that."

And that got me wondering. Are we so desensitized by our country's problems and issues that it took us Aquino's death to realize that we have to wake up and do something about it?

I hope not. I still believe that the democracy that the Aquinos fought for, gave Filipinos a voice, and would include the civil responsibility of being vigilant in protecting our rights as a country.

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In my discussion earlier with office mates, we agreed that Pres. Aquino is probably the most famous contemporary Philippine president post-Marcos era. No she ain't perfect, but at least she isn't as notorious as the last two that were in position.

I wonder, would people fill the streets and mourn the same way if it were PGMA?

Personally, I wouldn't.

Yellow Ribbons

She is an image of democracy having toppled a 20-year dictatorship.

She fought a dictator, armed with a hand shaped like an L.

She was the first woman President in Asia.

She survived six coup attempts.

She is Corazon Aquino.

And yesterday, she passed away.

The country lost a leader who fought hard to regain freedom lost.

We lost an icon. A public servant. A fighter.

We lost a hero.

Mrs. Aquino became President right after the People Power in EDSA in 1986. And she was regarded as the hope that would bring our torn country back on its feet.

In 2001, our country ousted a President through another People and mistakenly appoints the VP, thinking that she too would bring the country back to its feet. Boy, were we all wrong.

I don't think I can say the same things for PGMA.

That she is an image of democracy, an icon, a public servant and a hero.

I don't think she reflects even the slightest glimpse of all four characteristics.

I think Mrs. Aquino deserves a National Hero status :) well, that's just me.