Lie to Me

When I was in grade 4, my mom caught me lying about a school project.

During my juvenile years, I would lie to save myself from trouble.

"No, I wasn't the one who broke the glass."

"I wasn't the one who started the fight."

"I swear I didn't know it was yours."

Lies. Lies. Lies.

And now that I'm 21 (and yes, I'm old since I will be turning 22 in three months time) such lies are just plain ridiculous. Oftentimes, telling the truth would keep you out of trouble more than lying. And I learned that the hard way. Ask my parents how.

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Our generation is very familiar with a lot prominent people both here and overseas who have lied in more ways than one.

Who can forget Sen. Miriam Santiago's infamous admission of lying combined with her laughter during the Erap years?

US Pres. Bill Clinton and the whole Monica Lewinsky brouhaha. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."

And then there's Erap and GMA. 'nuff said.

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One of the shows that I am currently obsessed with watching is Lie to Me. And this show is just made of awesome. Its premise is that, even if people desperately try to hide emotions, their micro-expressions (errr facial and gestural and even tone of voice) can give them away.

Dr. Cal Lightman (played Tim Roth) is the world's leading deception expert who studies facial expressions and involuntary body language to discover not only if someone is lying, but why. When someone shrugs one shoulder, rotates a hand or raises the lower lip, Lightman knows he's lying. Based on the real-life scientific discoveries of Paul Ekman, the series follows Lightman and his team of deception experts as they assist law enforcement and government agencies to expose the truth behind the lies.

Watch it!!! Errr, well download it first haha :p

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I wonder, would the embarrassment that is Mikey lie the way he did, if it was Dr. Lightman in front of him?

No More Padyak?

Mar Roxas backed out of the race.

Well, armed with his padyak, the probablity of him winning the race was slim.

Last night, in a room packed with microphones and rolling cameras, Roxas announced that he is supporting Sen. Noynoy Aquino as the Liberal Party's (LP) leading man for the May 2010 National elections.

ABS-CBNNews.com published his full statement:

Country above self. Bayan bago ang sarili.

Iyan ang habilin ng aking lolo, President Manuel Roxas.

Our nation is in trouble. Leadership is bankrupt. Institutions are in disarray. People are hungry.

Noynoy Aquino and I share the same outrage over the mess we are all in, the same way we share the solution-clean, honest, selfless public service.

Marami at matindi ang mga problema ng bansa. Kailangan nating ayusin. Matindi ang kalaban. We need a determined force for good far stronger than the festering evil around us.

We need to fight just as our own fathers fought dictatorship, and just as both died believing that good will conquer evil.

Noynoy and I want to make a difference, but we also know that we need to unite to achieve what we want.

I am the President of the Liberal Party.

It is within my power to preside over a potentially divisive process or to make the party a bridge for the forces of change. I choose to lead unity, not division. Bilang pinuno ng aking Partido, magdedesisyon ako.

Mahal ko ang Partido Liberal. My grandfather founded it. My father led it during the most difficult times of Martial Law. Sa harap ng peligro, sa kabila ng napakaraming tukso-hindi siya sumuko.

He inspired me-to stay the course, to fight the good fight, to pass the test of true character. To believe.

Over the weekend, Noynoy and I had many long conversations... Masinsinang usapan. We agreed: Let us forget about ourselves for a moment. This is not about us, this is about our people and our country. This is about our common dream. The dream of our parents.

But let us not remain a country of dreamers. Tama na ang pangarap. Gawin na natin, ngayon.

Today, I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010.

Noy has made it clear to me that he wants to carry the torch of leadership.

The passing of our beloved former President Aquino has reawakened a passion among us. I acknowledge this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dream: Good will triumph over evil.

Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko. Maniwala man kayo o hindi, ginagawa ko ito para sa bayan, para sa inyo. I do this for unity in support of change. And if that means that somebody must make the sacrifice, it must be me. Ako na.

To you Noy, I say: I began the campaign to sow the seeds para sa pagbabago at reporma. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership.

Hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Noy. I will stand with him.

At sa aking mga kababayan, sa mga nagtiwala sa akin: Mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Mahal na mahal ko po ang ating bayan. Hindi rin tayo maghihiwalay. Itutuloy natin ang pagbabago sa ating bansa. Itutuloy natin ang laban para sa reporma!

Kay Noy, at sa aking mga kababayan: Country above self! Bayan bago sarili!

Hindi ko kayo pababayaan! Lalaban tayo!

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And so we wait for Aquino's official announcement if he will run the race that Roxas and his padyak backed out off.

Two questions though:

1. Now that he's backed out, would the Roxas-Sanchez Nuptials still commence? Or is the whole thing out the window now? Including the Wowowee stunt of crying on national TV? Or is it true love?

2. If not for Pres. Aquino's death (I do not mean any disrespect), would Aquino have the same influence as a politician as he has now?

The Embarrassment that is Mikey

Whoever Atty. Guzman is, he has a lot to answer the moment his plane lands. Well that's because his client told the whole country, that if we have a problem regarding his so-called wealth reflected on his Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SAL) we should ask the good attorney.

Yesterday, in one of Philippine TV's finest moments, my Econ professor by the name of Winnie Monsod showed Unang Hirit viewers how the Congressman who thinks that there is no dignity in eating at turo-turos, also thinks that Filipinos are stupid enough to believe all the rubbish his mouth speaks.

Watch the videos below and see how Mikey Arroyo desperately tried to evade Mareng Winnie's upfront questions.

If Arroyo cannot fully explain the discrepancies of his own SAL, how is he able to represent his province properly? And by saying that his worth that ballooned in his short span of "public" service, that is much questioned by critics, was earned through various gifts and donations for him, would not that tantamount to bribery, especially since he is a public official and law states that such cannot accept gifts either in cash or in kind?

R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees states under section 7 that:

(d) Solicitation or acceptance of gifts. - Public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.

I applaud Ma'am Monsod for fearlessly interrogating the embarrassment that is Mikey Arroyo. Thank God your Econ exams weren't as tough as your questions for him.

What we need are politicians who are transparent and accountable to the people they serve. Not the likes of Mikey.

Seriously, did he think we'd believe that he doesn't fully own that California beach house?

Willingly Yours

By now, you probably know that Wowowee is one Philippine facet that I am not proud off. I even went to the extent of saying that "it's one of the suckiest shows on local telly ever!" in one of my blogs.

Recent political developments rumors suggest that the infamous host of the show by the name of Willie Revillame was asked Manny Villar to run for senator under Villar's slate.

A more recent political rumor surfaced that the infamous host might actually run for vice-president instead! And I see humongous neon "WTF!!" signs floating all over your heads. Right?!?!

Juan Country's blog says that during a conversation between Kris Aquino and Revillame during an episode of SNN, the latter dropped hints of the possibility that he might actually run for the second highest position in the government.

It's bad enough that Revillame might run for a Senate seat, why make matters worse by running for VP? And what scares me the most is that Filipinos might actually vote for him.

And if he does win, our country will become a laughing stock of the international community. And we'll never hear the end of it.

"The country that voted for a host of one of the lamest shows not just in Philippine shores but in television history worldwide."

Would you want that? I don't think so.

Bagong Sigla's Apokalipto

Whoever this guy is, his video is made of AWESOME!

Gratitude for Sale

For the whole image, click here: GMANews.tv

I have a plan, I will visit Baguio. Maybe, just maybe, I'd find tarpaulins all over the city thanking me that I visited the city. But then again, I do not have the funds to pay for those tarpaulins. Unlike our dear President.

GMANews.TV reports in an article entitled "Arroyo government sponsors thank you's to itself" published today, that Philippine Information Agency (PIA) chief Secretary Conrado Limcaoco Jr., received a memo from PIA Cordillera Director Helen Tibaldo with the subject “Tarps for Presidential Visit.” Notice that PIA is under the Office of the President.

The memo is thanking PIA for their preparations for GMA’s visit from August 28 -29. At the third paragraph of the memo, it states “For our part, we would like to request for the printing of the tarps along the route with the following suggested messages.” It then lists down at least five messages that the tarps would contain. All of them, expressing thanks to our dear President for her work and dedication from different sectors of the Cordillera community. But something’s fishy about these sectoral groups. They are groups that are “amorphous” in nature. Go figure.

Both parties have confirmed that a memo was sent but both did not comment on the contents of the said memo.

And I wonder, did she have to buy all these tarps just so she can assure herself that she is actually doing something for the country? What’s your take?

The "First"

And since my personal blog has become a weird mix of blog entries, I created this blog that would be totally dedicated to all my political brain farts. :) no more entries that are political in nature interspersed with the awesomeness of day-to-day living or other brain whack experiences. So read up, maybe, just maybe, you'll find my thoughts bearable to share to other people :)

"Politics of God" 2.0

This morning, before going to work, I had a very interesting discussion with my parents. I shared to them how disliked Eddie Villanueva. And they were quick to tell me that I should not be careless with the words I exhale on my blogs. So here I am, writing a version 2.0 of yesterday's blog. And this time, I'd have basis with things that I'd write.

I was 10 years old when the 1998 Presidential Elections happened. I barely remember anything from that year. But I do remember that among the leading Presidentiables then were Jose de Venecia and Erap Estrada. We all know that the latter won. And we ousted him three years later. This morning I learned something new. Apparently, Villanueva was a part of the scene as well. He "prophesied" that JDV would win the elections. According to Villanueva, JDV was the God-mandated next President of the Philippines. He further adds that de Venecia "was ordained by the Divine providence to fulfill his vision for the Philippines as a great nation for God. The glorious prophetic vision of God for the Philippines is for it to become prosperous and we cannot turn traitor to God's calling and mandate." The same year, Erap Estrada was sworn into Presidency.

Fast forward six years later, the 2004 Presidential Elections happened. This time, Villanueva announced that he too will run as President, against political giants GMA, FPJ, Panfilo Lacson and Raul Roco. He was widely supported by the Christian community. Well-known celebrities like Connie Reyes, Donita Rose and Piolo Pascual endorsed him. Even my family campaigned and voted for him (I was not registered then). He said that God called him not just to run as President but to become the country's leader. Common knowledge would tell you that that he lost that war. In fact, out of the five, he placed last.

What happened after disappointed a lot of people. NationMaster, an online political encyclopedia, wrote: "When he lost the election, a lot of his followers were disappointed with him because it took him so long to concede victory to the elected incumbent President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, despite his having run so far behind. So many followers expected that his reaction would be totally different from the other politicians but to many he was seen to be singing the same melody with them." I don't think I need to expound what those words meant.

In an article entitled Villanueva supporters break away from BPM - written by Edu Punay, published May, 22, 2004 on The Philippine Star - BPM source said that they "don’t understand why he can’t concede when he’s not even in the close second or third spot of the race." But Villanueva coutnered with "I was well-advised by my close friends to concede... but I just can’t because this is my commitment to the truth." And my question for Villanueva is, what truth is he committed to?

In another article entitled Bro. Eddie's brethren say he should concede - published June 24, 2004 on The Philippine Star - was a clear indication of the loss of support for the religious leader. A group of pastors and bishops yesterday told religious leader Eddie Villanueva, who came in last in the presidential race, to stop mixing religion and politics, labeling his campaign tactics "a perversion." One of them, Reynaldo Carillo told Villanueva, "You did not hear the voice of God. You should accept the reality that you lost. If God really called you, God will support you."

Villanueva's prophesy of being "called" by God to be the leader of the country was toppled by landing fifth on the Presidential race.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 says (and yes I am quoting the Bible)

21"You may say yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?" 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him."

On the basis of Villanueva prophesy for JDV and his own prophesied presidential bid in 2004, in contrast to the verse above...

FAIL.

"Politics of God"

The title of this blog, he says, is what his campaign will be all about. Eddie Villanueva proclaimed recently that he will run for President at the May 2010 Presidential elections. I was reading Carlo Ople's blog - JuanCountry - when I came across his blog on Villanueva's bid for Presidency. And my blood pressure shoot up to it's highest level.

When that pastor from Cebu claimed that Villanueva is the "David of this Generation," one thought came to mind "WHAT THE HECK?!?!?!!!!!"

And I quote Ople's blog:

"The pastor boldly declared that Brother Eddie is the “David of this Generation”. He goes a bit further, saying that Brother Eddie is God’s anointed one and that he will be the one to set the Filipino people free. In his message, the pastor also calls on the people to rally behind Bro. Eddie and to support him in whatever way and form they can. He talks about building an “army of change” from all corners of the Philippines which will destroy the machinery of old politics and will bring about the freedom of the country.

In response, you could see the thousands of followers raising their hands, crying, and shouting praises to God.

A Dangerous Promise
What’s wrong with what happened last night? Personally I find it to be worrisome because they’re painting Bro. Eddie to be a messiah of sorts for the Philippines. What’s also alarming is that they’re zeroing in on God and the paradise that the country will become instead of talking about a concrete platform of governance."

Notice the lines that I put on bold. As much as I do believe that only God can flip this country around, we are also in desperately need for "a concrete platform of governance" that I don't think Villanueva has.

What irks me the most is that he claims that he was "called" by God to run.. AGAIN. Sounds utterly disturbing. Cause he claimed the same thing in 2004. Christians believed him, so they supported and voted for him. And when he lost, he staged a rally claiming that he was cheated out of Presidency. Didn't he think that maybe it was God who did not want him to win in the first place? And that only FPJ has the right to claim that he was indeed cheated out of office?

I will not vote for you Villanueva. Not next year, not ever.

And I think Ople's challenge for Villanueva was spot on:

If Brother Eddie does push through with his candidacy, I have this one appeal. Do not use the name of God in vain. This is a political arena, and you should talk about your political agenda. If you really believe you can bring about reform and change, then explain how you will do it and don’t just say big words like “righteousness”.

Yes Villanueva, MAY PAG-ASA PA. And you're NOT IT.

The Tip-ping Point

I hate giving tips. Especially to waiters/waitresses who are of the Slowpoke kind. Or whenever I see the service person's face that s/he seems to hate what they're doing. Such people do not deserve an extra bill in their pocket. I bet they cheated on the "Pleasing Personality" test. So when I read on GMANews.TV that the infamous President spent P6 million on tips during her US visit, my first thought was "dengggg, those service guys are lucky! The President gave them 6million in total when she can't do the same thing for her countrymen."

Albeit the controversial meals of Gloria, the woman and her entourage still had the guts to spend P6million - SIX-FREAKIN-MILLION-PESOS - on tips for those who served them during the 6-day US trip. This is according to a breakdown of expenses provided to GMANews.TV by the Palace's deputy executive secretary for administration and finance, Susanna Vargas.

They spent $66,000 = P3,300,000 in Washington DC and $59,000 = P2,950,000 in New York. ($1 = P50)

WHERE THE HECK DID THEY GET ALL THAT MONEY?!?!?!??!

Maybe they'd use another scapegoat Congressman to claim that they paid all that. Or maybe Mikey Arroyo would say that there is more "dignity" in tipping that much than eating in turo-turos or McDo.

Quick question: IS THIS TAX-PAYERS' MONEY?

And I close my ears, so as not to hear the truth or lies that they would answer.