Learning doesn’t have to be put on hold once classes end and summer sets in. Summer break is a great opportunity to break free from the four walls of the classroom and learn something new and exciting. Make your kids’ vacation count. Here are several summer workshops in and around the metro that you can consider for your kids this summer.

McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Workshop

McDonald’s Kiddie Crew

The goal of this annual 5-day summer workshop program is to teach kids the importance of discipline, hard work, teamwork, responsibility and sharing through art workshops, on-the-floor training, front counter, drive-thru, Lobby and other fun group activities (e.g. Personalize your own Scrapbook, Burger Making, Talent Workshop, Song and Dance: Kiddie Crew Theme Song, Do-the- Ronald, Dance Exercise).

The Kiddie Crew Workshop is open to children age 6-12 years old. Registration period is on-going until May 27, 2016. For a registration fee of P650, your child will get a t-shirt, cap, bag, I.D., apron, CD, artwork materials, pins/badges at the end of every activity, certificate and meals for 5 days.

Workshop is on-going by batches at all participating McDonald’s branches nationwide. Parent/guardian orientation and exact schedule of workshop will be given by the restaurant where your kid is enrolled.
For more information, you can visit McDonald’s Philippines website or Facebook page.

Jollibee Mini Managers Camp

Jollibee Mini Managers

This 6-day workshop is exclusive to Jolly Kiddie Club (JKC) members’ age 4-7 years old. The program aims to teach kids values like honesty, teamwork, and ability to listen and learn through fun activities like storytelling, drawing, arts and crafts, burger making, dancing, and more.

The workshop will run from April to May 2016. A child who is not yet a Jollibee Kids Club Member can pay the membership fee of P100 to join the summer camp. For a registration fee of P575, your child will get Mini Manger Uniform – 1 set, Camp kit (sling eco bag, reflection journal, art paper, bond paper, crayons, pencil, and envelope), name plate, certificate of completion, and snacks for six days.

For more information, you can visit the Jollibee Facebook page. You may also inquire from the Jollibee branch nearest you.

MILO Summer Sports Clinics

Milo sports clinics

MILO Summer Sports Clinics is an annual program that aims to encourage children to learn and enjoy sports. From an initial five sports clinics, it now offers 16 programs. Summer sport programs to choose from include badminton, basketball, football, karatedo, table tennis, golf, lawn tennis, touch rugby, bowling, gymnastics, swimming, triathlon, chess, ice skating, taekwondo, and volleyball.

MILO assures that training is handled by able and expert coaches and instructors who use the modern, scientific approach. The objective of the programs is to instill determination, discipline, teamwork, perseverance, hard work, respect, and confidence among its young participants.

To enroll your child in the MILO Summer Sports Clinics, you may follow the following steps:

1. Click the schedules tab on MILO website.
2. Select a sport for your child.
3. Pick your preferred venue and schedule.
4. Contact the organizer to find out the registration details.

For more information, you can visit the MILO website.

Ayala Museum’s Summer ST’ART Workshops for Kids

Ayala Museum Art Workshop

Ayala Museum, in partnership with The Department of Tourism and Faber-Castell opens its doors to kids age 7-12 to learn simple arts and crafts inspired by colorful Philippine Festivals such as:

• Quezon’s Pahiyas Festival – May 7, 201
• Cebu’s Sinulog Festival – May 14, 2016
• Davao’s Kadayawan Festival – May 21, 2016
• Aklan’s Ati-Atohan Festival – May 28, 2016

Location: Ayala Museum, Makati Ave. cor. De La Rosa St., Greenbelt Park, Makati City
Fees: P650 Registration fee per workshop / P4,550 Season Pass

Fee covers one (1) child. Guardians are admitted in the nearby waiting area only.

For inquiries and reservations, you may visit their website; call (02) 759-8288 local 35; or email santiago.mf@ayalamuseum.org. Look for Sofie Santiago or any Tours and Education Associate.

Kitchen Revolution’s Cooking Classes

Kitchen Revolution – Makati

Kitchen Revolution offers summer cooking classes to teach kids how to prepare simple but savory food and desserts. Tuesdays are focused on cooking savory food and Thursdays for baking desserts. The themes include Filipino, Japanese, pasta, pizza, cookies, chocolate desserts, cupcakes, and saucy desserts.

Cooking schedules are as follows: May 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31; June 2
Location: Craft MNL, unit 302, Pamana Languages Building, 926 Arnaiz Ave, Makati; inquire at 0917-894-5086 for Alabang classes.
Fee: P1,350-P1,600

For more information, you can visit the Kitchen Revolution website.

Sew Easy’s Summer Sewing Camps 2016

Sew Easy for kids

Kids and teens age 7 to 16 can get their hands busy this summer by joining Sew Easy’s Summer Sewing Camps. The five-day intensive program teaches students how to use a sewing machine and learn various sewing techniques that they can apply on age-appropriate projects.

There are three camps namely Little Kids (strictly for age 7-10), Big Kids (strictly for age 11-16), and Advance Kids (strictly for age 11-16, non-beginners).

Summer Sewing Camps are on-going. Next batch will be on May 16-25. It is located in Parañaque.

For more information, you may visit Sew Easy website or call 0919-999 4009 or (02) 475 6689.

The Archery Academy Summer Program

The Archery Academy

The Archery Academy Summer Program teaches kids nine years old and above about stance, form, scoring, and gear. Their summer program consists of 8 sessions with 2-hour classes each held every MWF and TTHS from 9:00am-11:00am and 1:00-3:00pm.

Third Batch
MWF AM and PM – May 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25
TTHS AM and PM – May 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26

Location: 5th Floor, Intrawest Centre, #33 Annapolis St., Greenhills, 1502 San Juan del Monte
Fees: Php8,500 for new students (includes basic gear) / Inclusions: 8 sessions, Beginner’s Package (arm guard, string, TAA shirt, finger tab), coaching, equipment rental, and range fee and Php6,500 for returning students / Inclusions: 8 sessions, coaching, equipment rental, and range fee
For more information, you can visit The Archery Academy website or call 0917-8037422.

Bounce Electronic Music & DJ School

Bounce DJ School

Summer is a perfect opportunity to enhance kids’ musical creativity. Kids can learn how to rock the dance floor with the Beginners DJ course or come up with their own original track with the Electronic Music Production Program. Prior experience is not necessary.

For more information about their courses and corresponding fees, you can visit Bounce Electronic Music & DJ School website or call (02) 403-3918 or 0927-7964791. It is located at the W Building on 5th. Ave and 32nd street in BGC.

Photos: McDonald’s Kiddie crew screencap from McDonald’s Facebook page; Jollibee Mini Managers screencap from YouTube; Milo Sports Clinics from Milo Philippines Facebook page; Ayala Museum website; Kitchen Revolution website; Sew Easy website; The Archery Academy website; Bounce Electronic Music & DJ School website.
—————————–
Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University. Rachel is a mom to a charming boy and married to an entrepreneur who has a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.

By now, Trump’s twin, the rich mom’s son, the little dark man, the ‘amgirl’ and all the candidates out there are on edge. Losing sleep. Having nightmares. So are their campaign people, the money bags and supporters. The voting public, too, are itching to get their hands on the ballots this coming Monday.

Not I and my barber Egay. May 9 will be just another haircutting day for him and a regular crossword puzzle-solving day for me.

Why would I walk half kilometer under the hot sun to a voting precinct and risk getting a heat stroke? Why, indeed, would my barber and I participate in an exercise we don’t anymore trust, don’t believe in and that offers us only between-the-devil-and-the-deep –blue-sea choices?

I and Egay don’t trust the Comelec. Back in 2010, now exiting – thank God – bsA predicted loud – and heard by the number counters in Intramuros – he’ll win by a margin of 5 million votes. He did and it was not because he threatened to lead a people power march ala Edsa 1 if he loses. In 2013, the unknown, erstwhile movie censor with a Philippine SSS card in one pocket and a US SNN card in another pocket was proclaimed by Sixto – of the ‘Ah, basta’ quip notoriety – a Senator with a whopping 20 million votes!

The IT guys – who should know – are saying and have been saying the smart machines of the Venezuelan sales rep have everything to do with everything wrong in the past two elections. Forget for a moment the sewer mouth and consider  the following: The loss and change of CF cards a couple of days  before actual voting, the more than average non-transmissions of voters results, the non-review and even the question of the non-existence of the source code, the receipt of voter results from other countries, the discovery of the ‘Antipolo voting machines’ and some voting machines dumped somewhere, the unvarying 60-30-10 voting results across all regions of the country, the haste in proclaiming winners with some 2 million votes still unaccounted for and other snafus and glitches. Which then Comelec headman Sixto says sheepishly he did not tell the public because he had solved them. Oh?

Present Comelec chief Andy is now saying the May 9 elections is going to be ‘transparent, efficient and accountable’ in response to negative perceptions about the work of the agency and they are working hard to plug loopholes and prevent glitches.

Andy’s assurance seems no assurance at all as Al S. Vitangcol 3^rd, CHFI, CEI, in his 3-part series  on  Election Fraud: The dark side of Automated Election Systems (The Manila Times,April 25, 26, 27, 2016) says that elections results with the AES can be ‘possibly’ tampered with. Minimum or none at all human intervention, he says, should be done  in the ‘delivery of electronic services’ to prevent ‘vulnerability’ and the chance for not-so-nice fraudsters to do their job.

Egay and I also don’t believe in – disdain – surveys. The legendary lawmaker Miriam laments that while she always tops surveys in universities she is not even included in commercial surveys. Sir Jose Sison (A Law Each Day, The Philipine Star, April 26, 2016) says surveys are ‘unreliable and harmful’ and my barber and I fully agree. Surveys, according to him, ‘…are not… public service projects… are conducted only as a means of conditioning the minds of the electorate… used as tools for protesting the results of the elections… and prevent the electorate from finding out who is the most qualified candidate…as they based their choice on who is winnable.”

Lastly, my barber and I look with dismay at the choices of candidates. No debates can alter the obvious that what we see are what we get. Not a pretty sight. Uninspiring to listen to.

Along the stretch of road I daily pass through on my way to the outskirts of our little barangay to buy a couple of newspapers and palaver with my street-corner friends are sprawled groups of old people, little children, girls and boys, even babies, who look they have not taken a bath for days and weeks, haven’t eaten a decent meal. Seeing them so simply breaks my heart. Now, if only one candidate would say with certainty, not promise, to build them shelter, places to stay protected from sun and rain, I might just change my mind, brave the harsh sun and the risk of a heat stroke and walk the half kilometer to our voter precinct and vote for that candidate. Even if he turns out to be the candidate who makes the blood of the missus boil with just the mention of his name.

Photo credits: www.linkedin.com

“I have no idea what I’m doing.”

That pretty much sums up how I deal with motherhood. There are a lot of sources of information available today, more than my mother and grandmother ever had access to. There are so many tricks and techniques on how to make a baby stop crying, what kinds of food to give a picky eater. The truth is sometimes I feel more paralyzed than empowered with all this information. All the articles look credible. All the listicles look valid. Yet my stomach tumbles up and down with fear, wondering if choosing “A” over “B” is indeed the better choice. Analysis paralysis.

I turn to fellow mothers for advice a lot of times, asking about bedtime schedules and discipline techniques. Advice from my own mother is also highly valuable, though sometimes I do have this complex of not wanting to ask her for fear of her thinking me not capable of mothering. I know it’s an issue of “looking good” and that lack of vulnerability is something I have to deal with too.

My bookshelf is crammed with how-to’s and references to understand my child better, and cookbooks for healthy kid dishes. I haven’t read through all of them. They’re sitting on the shelf, one book stacked upon the other, waiting for their spines to be cracked. I don’t think that’ll happen anytime soon.

Because even if there’s a lot I don’t know, I’m okay with it. I’m okay with discovering that my son eats more heartily when he has a Magnum side by side his plate of rice and pork. I’m okay with finding out the messy way (through lots of spit on my shirt) that my son doesn’t like mint toothpaste and prefers a strawberry-flavored one.

I have no idea what I’m doing, but I know I’m doing it well somehow.

I feel it in the compassion my son has. We were going for a swim one day, but I backed out because of a stomachache. “I wish I could massage your tummy to be better, Mommy.” Last night I had a migraine and was lying down on the couch. He quietly approached me and started massaging my head with his little fingers. After a few seconds of quiet kneading, he asked me, “Do you feel better?”

I see it in his leadership style – commanding yet nurturing. “Izzy, put on your slippers!,” he shouted, chasing after his younger cousin who was running around the home barefoot, concerned that she might step on a toy or a worm. “Let’s go everybody! We’re hunting monsters!,” he shouts out to the kids in the playground, rounding them up as they follow his lead, moving stealthily on the grass.

I hear it everytime he says “Please” and “Thank you”. I hear it everytime he prays. It hear it everytime he tells me “I’ll always miss you Mommy” – when he knows I’m just off to work.

Motherhood is tough. There are a lot of things you feel you could be doing better. You can easily beat yourself up about it too. Over time I’ve learned to go easy on myself. It came with accepting that there are a lot of things I don’t know. Surrendering to not knowing helped empower me as a mother.

When I’m asked for advice, from breastfeeding tips to book recommendations, I give my own thoughts but usually throw the question back to the Mom. “What makes you comfortable?” “What is your son into? Dinosaurs? I know a good book on dinosaurs, maybe he’ll be interested in it…” It’s enough to guide a fellow Mom, but not dictate what she has to do. I find that more liberating and more encouraging.

I have no idea what I’m doing sometimes, but I know that at all times it comes from a place of love. It’s a good space to be grounded in, especially when you see your child growing up kind, compassionate, and gentle.

Then it makes me think maybe I do have some idea about what I’m doing. I’ll just carry on – guiding my son with much compassion, nurturing him always from a place of love.

DISMAYADO ANG MGA MANYAKIS.

Sabi kasi Ni Aling Leni:

“Aangat lahat, lalo na ang mga nasa laylayan.”

Akala kasi ng mga tulo-laway,

“Iaangat ko ang lahat ng mga laylayan.”

*****

ISA KA BA SA TINATAWAG NI ALING LENI

na nasa laylayan?

Kung ganun….

BUMABA KA D’YAN!!!

Namboboso ka ‘no??

*****

PAKITANONG NGA KAY ALING LENI:
Sino ba itong mga nasa laylayan??

At kung iaangat mo sila,

saan sila mapupunta —

mula sa laylayan??

Seryosong tanong po ‘yan,

Aling Laylayan, este. Leni.

*****

SI ALING LENI NGA PALA

ang pinakamalaki ang campaign spendings

sa mga vice-presidentiables.

Lagpas P225 MILLION na.

Saan kaya niya nakuha ang ganun kalaking halaga?

Baka nagbenta ng laylayan, este, kaluluwa

sa mga jueteng lords.

Itanong natin ‘yan kay Gov. Lilia Pineda.

*****

PRES. BS AQUINO III:

“Ang masakit ho sa akin, 30th year ng EDSA eh.

Kung kailan tayo lumaya,

ngayon ang parang lumalamang

‘yung mga nag-aastang didikta.

Parang may mali yata dito.

Ano ba ang nangyari?”

IKAW ang nangyari.

#CluelessForever

*****

PNOY WILLING TO FIGHT DICTATOR DUTERTE:

“I’m willing to die to save my father’s legacy.”

Weh?

Nagpasagasa ka ba??

We’re still waiting po.

*****

PNOY”

“I’m ready to die for democracy.”

ATAPANG A TAO!!!

ABU SAYYAF:

“Pupugutan namin si PNoy pag nahuli namin siya!”

PNOY:

DYOK LANG!!!

Di na kayo mabiro!

Si Kris na lang kunin n’yo.

Single din ‘yun.

*****

SPEAKING OF PNOY…

Di ba’t bawal sa mga govt employees

ang mag-post, share, o mag-like

ng mga campaign posts

para sa kanino mang kandidato?

Bakit itong pangulo natin,

lahat ng pinuntahang graduation

at iba pang pagtitipon,

eh hayagang nangangampanya

para sa mga manok niya?

At panay pa patutsada sa mga kalaban?

So, pwede mong labagin ang batas

dahil pangulo ka at … gusto mo lang?

Aba’y…

MATINDE KA, SER!!!!

*****

PNOY: DON’T SETTLE FOR POPULAR BET

May amnesia ba ‘to??

Nalimutan niya na ba kung paano siya nanalo???

Naging popular

dahil namatay ang popular niyang mommy???

Magtrabaho ka na lang, ser!

Tama na ang pagkampanya!!!

Di ka namin sinusuwelduhan

para ikampanya ang mga manok mo!!!

*****

RORO AND THAT FUNNY SURVEY

Nabasa n’yo ba yung tungkol sa survey

kung saan nanguna si MARIMAR at ALING LENI?

Ang pangalan ng survery firm na yun ay…

D’ STRAFFORD.

Ano yun?

Patahian? O tatak ng brief??

*****

BAKA NGA PATAHIAN.

Doon ka pwede magpasadya ng kahit na ano.

Kahit na surveys.

*****

ANG NAKAKATAWA,

ang website ng D’ Stafford ay ginawa

noong April 14 lang,

a day AFTER sabi nilang sinimulan ang survey.

Pasok, Karen Canpenter!!!

♪ Desperado…. why don’t you come to your senses? … ♪

*****

GANYAN SILA KA-DISENTE.

Ganyan sila kadesperado.

*****

SA SOBRANG DESPERADO…

Nanawagan na si MAR ROXAS

kay Sen. GRACE POE

na sila’y mag-usap

para talunin ang #1 sa survey.

Akala ko ba siya raw ang Flavor of the Month

ngayong May?

ANYARE??

Natunaw?

*****

ANO NA NGA ULIT ANG FLAVOR NG ICE CREAM NA YAN?

Ampalaya.

Or RO-RO.

ROCKY ROAD (na hindi tuwid).

*****

MAR ROXAS:

“Grace, mag-usap tayo.

Sabihin mo lang kung saan at kailan,

at darating ako.

“This is for unity. This is for our country.

This is for our future.”

Akala ko ba,

WALANG DRAMA??

Eh bakit sa media ka pa nag-announce?

Bakit di mo na lang tinawagan??

Sheez.

*****

SEN. GRACE POE:

“Nagulat ako sapagkat magkaibigan kami ni Sec. Mar.

Madali naman akong maabot,

pwede naman akong tawagan,

pwede akong i-text, pero…

dinaan niya sa media.”

Baka awan ti load, manang!

*****

BAKIT NGA DINAAN PA SA MEDIA?

Palagay ko… it was a desperate

CRY FOR HELP.

Pasok, Rick Astley!!!

*****

SABI NAMAN NG ISANG ANALYST,

ginawa ito ni Mar at PNoy

para kung talagang matalo nga sila,

may masisisi sila:

si Grace Poe.

Ayun!

Boy Sisi move pala ‘yun!!!

*****

REACTION NI MAR SA SAGOT NI POE:

“Uulitin ko, mahalaga ang mga bagay

na nakataya sa usaping ito: demokrasya,

ekonomiya, trabaho, kapakanan ng ating bansa.

For these and so many reasons,

di tayo papatinag.

As before: this is a fight worth fighting,

this is the good fight!

Tuloy ang laban! Ipanalo na natin ito!

Ganern?

Ang tanong…

PAANO???

*****

ANO ANG IN-OFFER NG PALASYO KAY POE?

Sabi ng post ni Peter Tiu Lavina:

“The Palace is negotiating with her lawyer through frat lines.

The offer sheet reads like a final wish

from a truly desperate man going to jail soon:

1) Refund all expenses

2) P500M

3) 3 cabinet posts except ES

4) 10 Usecs

5) 15 presidential appointees
Malacanang is deaf. It has not heard

the lady senator saying ‘Hindi ako aatras.’”

Ayuuuuun!!!!

*****

PNOY:

HUWAG IBOTO SI DUTERTE!

Akala ko ba ayaw n’yo ng dictatorship?

Bakit dinidiktahan n’yo kami ngayon

kung sino ang DAPAT naming magustuhan??

*****

NOONG MAY 4, MAY LUMABAS NA PETITION

na nananawagan kay Sen. Grace Poe

“to make the ultimate sacrifice.”

Pinapababa si Poe para manalo raw si Mar.

Kinabukasan, May 5, may isa pang petition

ang lumutang.

Nananawagan naman ito

para bumitiw si Mar in favor of Poe.

Eto ang win-win solution d’yan:

MAGBITAW SILA PAREHO!!!!

*****

SERIOUSLY THOUGH,

kung si Sen. Grace Poe ang bababa,

hindi lilipat ang boto niya kay Mar.

Poe fans also want change,

not a continuance of a failed government.

Galing na mismo ‘yan sa bibig ni Poe.

So, bababa kaya si Mar…. ULIT???

Ayaw ni Ate Koring!!!

*****

KAHAPON, UMAMIN  SI PNOY

na  nilalalkad n’ya nga

ang pagkakaisa ng mga kalaban ni Duterte

para talunin ito.

In short…

ayaw niyang mag-wheelchair!

*****

PNOY:

“I am trying to get all of these different voices together

and in that sense, perhaps help our candidate

get together and have that united front.”

THREE DAYS before Election Day???

Natulog ba kayo sa pansitan?!!!

*****

SA FINAL MAJOR SURVEY

bago mag-eleksyon,

lamang pa rin si Duterte with 33%.

Sinundan siya ni Poe with 22%.

Tapos, si Poe ang gusto n’yong bumaba??

Aba’y, sinuswerte!!!

*****

PNOY:

“Instead of thinking what should we do

if everything he says is exactly

what he intends to do, why dont we remove

that threat or problem or insecurity

by uniting the 70 and defeating the 30?

The whole point is, any of two of them unites,

if it’s Mar or Grace that unite,

we have more than 40 percent.

That defeats the 30 percent.”

Eh, di inamin n’yo ring si Grace Poe ang inyong…

PLAN B.

*****

DAGDAG PA NI PNOY:

“I’m trying to get all of the different voices

of different sections together.

Doing so would present a united front.”

I’m afraid it’s too late in the day for that, sir.

Your wheelchair is waiting for you.

Don’t worry.

Yellow siya.

At polka dots pa.

Para masaya!!

*****

MAR ROXAS:  WE’LL CORRECT PNOY MISTAKES

Nyek! Paano yun?

Eh isa ka po sa  maraming MISTAKES na ‘yun.

*****

AT ANO ANG NANGYARI SA “ITUTULOY KO….”?

Mukhang hindi n’yo na rin yata nababanggit

ang mga katagang “TUWID NA DAAN.”

Hindi na ba bumebenta?

*****

SABI NG MGA KALABAN NI DUTERTE,

bumaba daw ang stocks dahil nangunguna ito sa surveys.

Tapos, nag-mock election

doon MISMO sa Stocks Exchange.

Sino ang nanguna?

Alam n’yo na ang sagot d’yan.

*****

NAKITA N’YO BA ANG ANTI-DUTERTE AD

na pinagawa ni Frog Trillanes

at inere sa ABS-CBN kamakailan lang?

Yun bang may mga bata pang ginamit?

YUN ang desperate move.

*****

SAAN KUMUKUHA NG BUDGET

si Frog Trillanes para sa ganitong ad???

Yan siguro ang DAPAT pa-imbistigahan.

*****

SABI NI TRILLANES WALA SIYANG PAMBAYAD

sa campaign ads niya, di ba?

So, saan nanggaling ang P20 MILLION

for this anti-Duterte ad??

Does it rhyme with AD?

Like ABAD?

*****

NAKAKUHA NAMAN NG TRO

si Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano

para sa anti-Duterte ad na ito.

Si Cayetano ang kasama ni Trillanes dati

sa demolition job versus VP Binay.

Talagang walang permanent friends in politics.

Only permanent interests.

Haaaays.

*****

NASA TOPIC NA RIN LANG TAYO

ng black propaganda laban kay Duterte…

May tanong ang isang kaibigan sa FB:

“NAGTATAKA lang ako, sinasabi na

si Digong daw ay maka-NPA.

Pero bakit ang mga kaliwa na “open secret”

ay kaalyado ng mga NPA

ay Amerikanang kandidato ang sinusuportahan?

Gulong gulo na ako kasi di ba itong

mga makakaliwang ito

ay galit na galit sa Amerikano?

Eh bakit Amerikana ang isinusulong nilang

maging Pangulo ng bansa?

Nasaan na ang isinisigaw ninyong

Imperyalismo ibagsak!

Burukratang Kapitalismo Ibagsak!

Pyudalismo ibagsak?!”

Meron po bang nakakalam ng sagot

sa tanong niya?

Comment lang po.

*****

NAGLABAS NA PALA NG ANNOUNCEMENT

ang Iglesia ni Cristo.

Si Duterte at Marcos ang susuportahan nila.

At naglaway lalo si PNoy at Mar.

*****

BAKIT BIGLA YATANG TUMAHIMIK ANG PALASYO

matapos ang announcement ng INC?

Shhhh…. may nagwawala raw dun!

*****

ANG GRUPONG EL SHADAI NAMAN,

si VP Binay ang inindorso.

Alam n’yo na sino ulit ang naglaway.

*****

DALAWANG TULOG NA LANG

Election Day na.

Sa mga botante,

ihanda ang listahan ng iboboto.

Magdala ng tubig.

At magpasalamat na tapos na

ang anim na taong kalbaryo.

*****

AT KUNG HINDI MAN KAYO BOTANTE,

okay pa rin na magsallita ng inyong

opinyon tungkol sa mga isyu.

Huwag kayong maniniwala

kay DANIEL PADILLA.

Nabayaran lang ‘yun,

umepal na!!!

*****

SABI NGA NG ILANG NETIZENS:

Eh bakit ikaw (Daniel Padilla),

di ka naman marunong kumanta,

kanta ka pa rin ng kanta??

BOOM!!!

*****

AT KUNG SUSUNDIN NATIN

‘yang kabobohang idea  ni Daniel Padilla…

bakit ginamit nila ang mga bata

sa anti-Duterte ad?

Eh di ba hindi rin botante ang mga ‘yun?

So, sasabihan ba natin sila ng…

SHUT UP NA LANG KAYO, KIDS?

Ha, Danie P?

Kumanta ka na lang.

NOT.

*****

HABANG SINUSULAT ITO

ay ginaganap ang ang iba’t-ibang

miting de avance o rally ng mga kandidato.

Sina Roxas-Robrero ay nasa Baclaran.

Sina Poe-Escudero ay nasa Plaza Miranda.

Sina Binay-Honasan ay nasa Lawton.

Sina Santiago-Marcos ay may street party

sa West Triangle sa Quezon City,

habang sina Duterte-Cayetano

ay nasa Luneta kung saan ang damo

ay kinalbo ng kalbong gobyerno.

Saan ka dadalo?

*****

HABANG SINUSULAT ITO AY GINAGANAP

ang iba’t-ibang miting de avanse

PHOTO CREDITS:

MAR ROXAS: www.equalizerpost.com

GRACE POE: www.newsflash.org

JEJOMAR BINAY: politics.com.ph

MIRIAM SANTIAGO: www.miriam.com.ph

RODRIGO DUTERTE: www.ucanews.com

PHOTO URLs:

MAR ROXAS:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VYfjJMfPnyI/VmV5gp0KwUI/AAAAAAACBlo/nXTelynHlX4/s1600/Tacloban.jpg

GRACE POE:

http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/00001/0001020179.jpg

JEJOMAR BINAY

http://politics.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/sdasdxc.jpg

MIRIAM SANTIAGO:

http://www.miriam.com.ph/uploaded_images/IMG_3906-756848.jpg

RODRIGO DUTERTE:

http://www.ucanews.com/uploads/2015/12/1449048585.jpg

(end)

We are literally a fragmented nation; a people of disparate ideals. Our definition of help that of doling alms, not uplifting through education; and of tolerance keeping injustice isolated outside the realm of our clique, our religious beliefs. In a nation dying to be perceived as strong, the power to borrow commandeers all agendas. Peace becomes an afterthought: a moribund concept, consequently brushed aside.

Peace has become such an abstraction that we merely encounter it in hypothetical situations, like beauty pageant question-and-answer portions, and parodies of such. It is a matter perceived alien and laughable.

But in reality, it isn’t so. Peace has a blueprint.

Bluntly stated, concrete steps to peace are: (1) equitable distribution of wealth and economic opportunities, (2) better access to education, especially the marginalized and the women sector, and (3) interfaith dialogues.

Senator Gringo Honasan stated that the main cause of crime is poverty. By ensuring that everyone gets their fair share based on their work excellence, and stepping away from job contractualization, we show the disenfranchised a way out and the working class a means of prospering.

Sometimes greed exploits poverty.

Recently, the Abu Sayyaf has beheaded another hostage, a Canadian. Several more foreigners have been forcibly taken.

But peace gets to answer right back.

US military man, Col. Jim Linder, told Smithsonian.com, that to wage peace in Jolo, the camp of the terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf, people must be pulled out of the battlefield. They have done this through the building of roads, and providing needed social services.

We can call them gateways to peace.

DPWH-ARMM On the road reviews various infrastructure projects by the government.

The Polloc Port, being ARMM’s largest seaport, was rehabilitated and upgraded recently with the help of Governor Mujiv Hataman. It is a major export-import focal point for consumer products and petroleum. It also serves as entry point to the other islands of the archipelago, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Also in the works is a circumferential road in Lake Dapao, where people board boats to get from one place to another. The lake is considered to be the most breathtaking in Mindanao. It is also seen as a tourist magnet for Mindanao, currently a stop for those traveling from Cotabato to Marawi, where resort residences could be built. With the said road, it will be more accessible to Lanao, Region 9 and 12.

But the inception of roads does not always mean they are built.

While the Manilenos and Cebuanos are busy bickering among themselves, they do not intend on breaking away from the Philippine flag entirely, which is what the Moro National Liberation Front intended, given leeway with the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Abandoning allegiance to Philippine patrimony in a general manner of speaking and specifically, the creeping expansion of the “opt-in” clause is what led to the failure of the bill. The opt-in clause lets municipalities, cities, provinces and other geographic areas to request to join the Bangsamoro at any time.

Rappler’s Angela Casauay, on the evolution of the BBL, presented opposing views: Senator Miriam-Defensor Santiago on the unconstitutionality of a parliamentary autonomous region, and former Chief Justice Hilario Davide on its allowability within a local government unit.

The technical side of issues fails to grasp the human element.

How will we know how Muslims live or how Mindanaoans are in real life if we do not talk with them, if those from Manila have no inkling of what they experience day to day? Interfaith dialogues do not start with debates. They start with us listening to the Muslims and Mindanaoans. The failure to be fully informed and aware of what goes on in Mindanao, as well as how people there think, is what keeps us from peace.

One proof of this is asking ourselves what we know of the history of Mindanao aside from what we hear of wars and songs of wars about the place. We have heard so many bad things about them, but have we bothered finding the common misconceptions about them, especially the Muslims? In Christian communities in Mindanao, the Christian children find zero difference with their Muslim playmates.

In the noise of conflict, we are left with reminiscences of peace – hard to grasp, and still harder to attain.

Pining for peace and quiet, what do we get? A gazillion distractions. Myriad contradictions for whatever it is we desire. Want to relax at home? Suddenly the neighbor drills a hole in the wall for the 100-inch TV for their videoke sessions. This mystical resistance percolates into any and all attempts at peace, from simple quiet solitude to nationwide peace.

It does seem that all hope is lost.

But then, we have a secret weapon as the strongest deterrent against any terrorist organization or mustard poison gas.

Education, and its lovely postulate.

Education leads to peace. With it, we are able to run after that which enamors us. Access to education in all social classes reveals that we will live dignified, fulfilled lives. The higher a girl is educated, the more she knows her place in society as that walking alongside the men, not behind them. Education shows us a way out, so that we can choose not to play the confidence game, so that chivalry and philanthropy is still a choice available to the Filipino and can be done without any lurking agendas.

Now the election comes to a denouement. Some are fearful, prophesying impending economic doom, but still more are willing to risk it, because the rewards are exponentially greater – progress, in a big, inclusive way.

Know that voting in the election is not the end game of democracy. Rather, it is the ability to go after that which makes you happy. Should you have the capacity to create meaningful jobs, you are already considered a peacemaker. Heaven reserves a special place for you and your family.

Please remember that all of us have the capacity to work for peace through education. And the classroom setting is just a small piece of it. Let us put ourselves out there. Be with the people, listen to them, talk to them, encourage them. Sure we’ll encounter pilferers who ask for consultation fees even though they weren’t able to fix our vehicles or gadgets, but are still many good people out there.

Educate the people on how to land jobs. Yes, contractualization is an issue, with only a tiny percentage of skilled workers getting regularized. But they still do. Education is about bringing out what the person already has. You shall be their confidence Viagra. A pat on the back and a shout of ‘Fight!,’ and you would have done more good than the quintessential traditional politician.

It is suggested with much brashness that we seek out the people who need our help, who want that help, and in doing so, we take out the bullet from the gun, render it powerless, and provide that abstract commodity integral to peace – happiness.

(Author’s note:   Unless otherwise stated, The Philippine History, Culture & Tradition facebook forum, government websites, and an individual highly knowledgeable on peace requisites.     Much obliged to them all.)

Photo credits: bible.org.ph

Tapos na ang national and local elections. Ang tanong: may friends ka pa ba? Dahil nga limang presidentiables at anim naman para sa bise presidente ang naglaban-laban, nahati rin sa lima o mahigit pa ang mga Pinoy. Marami ang nagsasabi na itong 2016 elections ang pinaka-divisive sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Isa sa factors ng divisiveness na ito — bukod sa pagkakaroon natin ng divisive president — ay ang social media. Kung meron kang “manok” sa mga tumakbo sa top two positions at mahilig kang mag-post ng mga balita o memes tungkol sa kanila, malamang meron kang kaibigan – sa social media man o sa tunay na buhay – na hindi sumang-ayon sa iyo. At kung ikaw yung tipong mahilig pumuna o manira sa mga kalaban ng manok mo — tiyak nabawasan din ang mga kaibigan mo. Maraming magkakaibigan – at kahit magkakamag-anak — ang nagsolian ng kandila. Some even burned bridges. Sana’y ma-realize ng lahat na ang susi para maiwasan ang ganito ay…. respeto. Irespeto mo lang ang choices ng iba. Huwag kang urot. At huwag kang mapangmata at palamura. Ganun kasimple.

TAGUMPAY BA?

Ang mas mahalagang tanong ay: Successful naman ba ang halalan? Depende ‘yan sa kung sino ang manok mo. Kung maka-Rodrigo Duterte ka, malamang kuntento ka na sa results. Wala naman kasing duda na milya-milya ang lamang niya sa mga kalaban niya, di ba? Kung pasok din ang manok mo sa pagka-senador, malamang okey na sa ‘yo ang naging halalan. Pero kung si Bongbong Marcos ang manok mo sa pagka-bise presidente, malamang nanggagalaiti ka ngayon dahil sa recent developments na may kinalaman sa pagbibilang ng mga boto. Babalikan natin ‘yang topic na ‘yan sa bandang huli ng artikulong ito. Balikan muna natin ang tanong: Successful nga ba?

FOREIGN OBSERVERS IMPRESSED DAW?

Kung ang Comelec ang tatanungin, siyempre, matagumpay ang halalan. The day after the elections pa lang, panay na ang high fives nila at panay puri na sa sarili, di ba? May dapat naman daw silang ipagyabang: na-impress daw kasi ang foreign observers sa elections natin. Sabi ng Smartmatic (na siyang nag-provide ng technology and vote counting machines o VCMs), tinuturing na tayong role model ng ibang bansa pagdating sa automated elections. Sabi ng chief executive officer nila, ang 2016 elections daw ay isang ”landmark with the largest ever manufacture and deployment of vote counting machines, making this a truly historic moment.”

Pero kung babasahin mo naman ang buong report ng foreign observers, hindi naman ganito kabulaklak ang papuri nila. Sinabi lang nila na ang elections “were generally orderly and peaceful.” In fact, pinuna nila ang mga sumusunod: may mga unauthorized assistants sa voting precincts, harassment of voters, vote buying, sirang VCMs, unsecure voting rooms and procedures.

MAKATI BUSINESS CLUB’S REACTION

Naglabas din ng statement ang prominenteng Makati Business Club patungkol sa katatapos na elections. Ito ang bahagi ng kanilang statement:

“The Commission on Elections deserves much appreciation for its management of a process, seen by many as highly credible, clean, and honest. We note that last minute changes in procedures, delays in logistical preparations, glitches in the Vote Counting Machines during election day itself, and the usual controversies presented significant challenges, which we believe Comelec adequately addressed. Indeed, automation is the way forward given the improvements since 2010, and the refreshing practice of losing candidates conceding early to the apparent winners, demonstrating dignity in the face of defeat, and the apparent winners showing humility in victory, should be commended.”

PAPURI NG DEP ED

Pinapurihan naman ni Education Secretary Armin Luistro ang public school teachers at iba pa nilang personnel na nagsilbi sa nakaraang elections. Ito naman ang nasabi niya tungkol sa Comelec: ““They did their work exceedingly well. I think that the minor problems are isolated cases and can be recorded for improvement of the system.”

CAMPAIGN OVERSPENDING

May mga pumuna naman sa Comelec sa hindi nito patas na pagtingin o pagbusisi sa mga campaign spending ng mga kandidato. Naalala n’yo ba na tinanggal sa pagka-governor ng Laguna si ER Ejercito dahil “he exceeded the campaign expenses allowed by law”? P19 million daw ang lagpas niya sa limit.

Para sa tumatakbong president at vice-president, ang campaign-spending limit ay: P543,638,440 bawat kandidato. Mula February 9 hanggang March 31, 2016 pa lang, eto na ang gastos ng mga kandidato:

PRESIDENTIABLES

Binay = 334.8M
Poe = 331.4M
Roxas = 157.8M
Duterte = 110.3M
Santiago = 0

VICE-PRESIDENTIABLES

Escudero = 236.1M
Robredo = 225.1M
Cayetano = 172.3M
Marcos = 42.8M
Trillanes = 38.9M
Honasan = 120k

Sa dami ng ads nila noong 2015 at lalo na nitong April hanggang first week of May, 2016, imposible naman yatang walang lumagpas sa limit. Pero mukhang walang pakialam dito ang Comelec. Wala naman kasing nasita, di ba?

TALAMAK NA VOTE BUYING

Nabanggit nga ng foreign observers ang laganap na vote buying noong elections. Alam na naman nating lahat ito, di ba? Campaign materials na may nakasingit na pera. Naka-ugat na yata talaga ang pagbili at pagbenta ng boto sa ating lipunan. Paano mapupuksa ito? Sa ngayon, dasal na lang talaga. Tanong n’yo pa kay Alma.

VOTER TURNOUT AND TRANSMISSION RATE

Sa 54.4 million registered voters, mga 40 million ang bumoto noong May 9. Ito ay 81.62%, ang pinakamataas sa kasaysayan ng Philippine elections. Pinagmalaki rin ng Comelec na noong Monday (Election Day), at 10:50 p.m, “the transmission rate for 2016 elections was already at 74 percent. In 2010 and 2013 of the same time, the electronic transmission was at 17 and 23 percent, respectively.” Babalikan natin yang transmission rate na ‘yan mamaya.

VOTE COUNTING MACHINES AND PRECINCT FINDER

Meron tayong kababayan na hindi nakaboto dahil nagloko ang vote counting machines sa presinto nila. Yung iba ang nagtiyagang maghintay hanggang sa mapalitan ang mga defective VCMs, pero yung mga iba ay umuwi na lang dahil sa inis – at sa init. Anu-ano ang mga naging problemsa sa VCMs? Ilan sa mga nabanggit ay ang mga sumusunod:

1) Hindi gumana o nag-malfunction dahil sa sobrang init ng panahon
2) Technical problems
3) The machines rejected some ballots
4) Some machines did not issue receipts
5) Replacement machines took long to arrive
(mahigit 150 machines ang kinailangang palitan).

May mga alegasyon din sa social media na mali daw ang lumabas sa resibo kesa sa binoto nilang kandidato. Ang mga ganitong reklamo ay pinangakong iimbestigahan ng Comelec. Pero nagbabala rin sila sa mga gumagawa lamang ng pekeng complaints. Kakasuhan daw nila ang mga ito.

Isa pang dahilan ng delay noong mismong Election Day ay ang hindi gumaganang Precinct Finder ng Comelec. At may mga angal din na hindi naman daw updated ang mga ito. Maging ang radio personality na si Gerry Baja na nag-check ng kanyang voting precinct ay nadismaya dahil ang nakalagay sa record niya ay ang luma pa niyang precinct.

QUICK COUNT

Hanggang ngayon, ang nakikita nating mga numero ay galing sa partial, unofficial counts. Pero ang quick ay biglang naging squeak count nitong mga nakaraang araw.

Nagkaroon daw kasi ng ilang problema. Ang mga tanong ng dating Comelec commissioner na si Gregorio Larrazabal: Ano ang talagang problema? Nasaan nanggagaling ang sanhi ng delay? Bakit hindi nababasa ang ilang SD cards? Wala bang tech support para sa mga naglolokong computers?

Ang suggestion ng ilang kampo: Itigil na ang partial, UNOFFICIAL count, at simulan na ang OFFICIAL count. Para nga naman walang nang kalituhan.

BONGBONG VS LENI

Kung wala nang kwestion sa pagkapanalo ni Duterte, tuloy pa rin naman ang bakbakan sa pagka-bise presidente. Sa unang araw kasi ng bilangan, lamang si Marcos kay Robredo. Pero ang lamang ni Marcos ay nagsimulang lumiit ng mga 9pm ng May 9. Pagdating ng 3am ng May 10, lamang na si Robredo. Kaya maraming maka-Marcos ang nagsabing “Natulog kami, lamang si Bongbong, paggising namin, lamang na si Leni.”

PLAN B AND COSMETIC CHANGE.

Naglabasan din ang maraming conspiracy thories: papanalunin si Robredo, ii-impeach si Duterte, at tuloy ang ligaya ng Liberal Party. Dinetalye din Rigoberto Tiglao ang “Plan B” na ito sa kanyang column.

Sabi ng kampo ni Marcos, pinalitan daw ang script ng computer program. Sagot naman ng Smartmatic at Comelec, “cosmetic” lang ang pagbabagong ginawa: pinalitan lang ng Ñ ang ? . Balik-tanong ng Marcos camp: Bakit kailangang palitan? Importante ba ‘yon? Sagot ng Smartmatic at Comelec: It won’t change the count at all.

Pero galit din si Commisioner Rowena Guanzon at gustong papanagutin ang Smartmatic: “They breached protocol and should be held liable.” At iimbestigahan daw nila ito — maging ang kanilang sariling mga tauhan.

COMELEC REASSURANCE

Kahit pa may reassurance mula sa Comelec chairman mismo na hindi naman naapektuhan ng “cosmetic” change ang bilang ng mga boto, hindi ito gaanong nakatulong dahil 1) nabahiran na ng pagdududa ang bilangan mula nang mabunyag ang pagpapalilt ng code — kahit na sabihin pang ito’y “cosmetic” lang. 2) ang chairman ay pinsan mismo ni Pangulong BS Aquino III — at siya rin ang nag-appoint sa kanya.

RECOUNT

Hindi mahalaga kung ikaw ay maka-Bongbong o maka-Leni. Ang mahalaga ay dapat WALANG bahid ng pagdududa ang resulta ng eleksyon. At maaalis lang ang lahat ng pagdududa sa pamamagitan ng isang recount. Computerized na naman ang elections, di ba? So, hindi naman siguro matatagalan ang isang recount. At kung matagalan man, okay lang. I-postpone na lang ang proclamation para sa vice-president. Ang importante, sino man ang manalo sa dalawa, ito’y walang bahid ng pagdududa. Yun lang ang paraan para matanggap ng sino man sa dalawa ang pagkatalo.

At please lang, sipain n‘yo na yung nagpalit ng ? to Ñ. Nangengealam eh!

PHOTO CREDITS:
RODRIGO DUTERTE: www.forbes.com
BONGBONG MARCOS/LENI ROBREDO: news.abs-cbn.com

URLs:
RODRIGO DUTERTE:
http://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/515843932/960×0.jpg?fit=scale
BONGBONG MARCOS/LENI ROBREDO:
http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/regions/leni-robred-bongbong-marcos-031816.jpg’

National artist series 1: Celerio, De Leon, Jose, and De la Rama
National artist series 2: Amorsolo, Valera and Joaquin

The Order of National Artists is the highest national recognition given to Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts (Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film, Broadcast Arts, and Architecture and Allied Arts).

The following outstanding individuals were named National Artist in their respective fields.
Rolando S. Tinio (March 5, 1937 – July 7, 1997)

Rolando Tinio

Rolando Tinio was a brilliant playwright, poet, translator, actor, critic, and teacher. He is best remembered as a great stage director. He embarked original insights into various scripts. According to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA), Tinio took on Teatro Pilipino after staging productions for the Ateneo Experimental Theater. He revived traditional Filipino drama through different old theater forms such as the sarswela.

Prof. Emeritus Antonio O. Mabesa shared his fond memories of his good friend Tinio in an interview. Tinio is the only person he knows who sews costumes while directing. Prof. Mabesa said that Tinio designed and constructed costumes in his production. They became the closest of friends in television and film productions directed mostly by Joel Lamangan.

In the play “Ang Lalaki sa Pisngi ng Buwan,” Tinio wrote a role tailored for him in which he was nominated Best Supporting Actor. He said that Tinio began losing grip of his strength while filming the “Sarah Balabangan Movie”.

Prof. Mabesa remembers calling Tinio to tell him about the successful premiere of his last screenplay “Bayad Puri”. The ailing playwright was pleased to hear good news. He passed away that same afternoon.

Tinio’s excellent works include the following:

• Poetry: Sitsit sa Kuliglig, Dunung – Dunungan, Kristal na Uniberso, A Trick of Mirrors
• Film scripts: Now and Forever, Gamitin Mo Ako, Bayad Puri, Milagros
• Sarswelas: Ang Mestisa, Ako, Ang Kiri, Ana Mar
• Komedya: Orosman at Zafira
• Musical: Larawan

Rolando S. Tinio was awarded National Artist for Theater and Literature in 1997.

Ildefonso Paez Santos, Jr. (September 5, 1929 – January 29, 2014)

Ildefonso Paez Santos, Jr. was more popularly known by his shortened name IP Santos. According to NCAA, he was the pioneer in the practice of landscape architecture. Fellow architects and academe referred to him as the “father of modern Filipino landscape architecture.” He worked on parks, plazas, gardens, and vast outdoor projects.

“His designs took inspiration from the Filipino celebration of free flowing, positive, maaliwalas space. He understood and accommodated Filipino physiological, behavioral and social needs in providing shade, creating opportunities for friendly seating and the sharing of food and laughter in his public spaces,” as partly stated in the citation for the National Artist award.

Aside from being an exemplary architect, IP was an educator and mentor who helped establish the first four-year undergraduate degree program in Landscape Architecture in the University of the Philippines and developed the degree to a Master degree program in Tropical Landscape Architecture.

IP introduced Filipinos to a greener way of shopping by incorporating landscaped walks, fountains and sculptures in shopping areas. One of his great contributions in modern Filipino landscape architecture was the seminal public landscape in Paco Park.  His recent projects include Tagaytay Highland Resort, the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas, and the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Imus, Cavite.

Ildefonso Paez Santos, Jr. received the National Artist for Architecture in 2006.

He passed away on January 29, 2014 at the age of 84.

Lamberto V. Avellana, (February 12, 1915 – April 25, 1991)

The director for theater and film was considered as one of the pillars of the Philippine industry. He was first recognized as a director for his plays in Ateneo de Manila, where he finished Bachelor of Arts degree in 1938. He put up the Barangay Theater Guild in 1939 with the help of his wife, Daisy Hontiveros, who starred in numerous UP plays. Members of the said guild included Leon Ma .Guerrero and Raul Manglapus.

Avellana was dubbed as “The Boy Wonder of Philippine Movies” as early as 1939.

Carlos P. Romulo, then president of Philippine Films, motivated Avellana to try directing films. His first film “Sakay” was named best picture of 1939 by critics and journalists.

He also won the Grand Prix at the Asian Film Festival in Hong Kong for “Anak Dalita” (1956) and Best Director of Asia award in Tokyo for “Badjao”.

Avellana was the first filmmaker to be featured in the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival for his film “Kandelerong Pilak”. He also directed the films “Sergeant Hasan” (1967), “Destination Vietnam” (1969), and “The Evil Within” (1970) which were released internationally.

He was proclaimed National Artist for Theater and Film in 1976.

Francisca Reyes Aquino (March 9, 1899 – November 21, 1983)

Francisca Aquino

Francisca Reyes Aquino is the pioneer of Folk Dance. She was dubbed “Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing”.

Aquino started doing her research on folk dances in 1920 by visiting remote barrios in Central and Northern Luzon. Her 1926 thesis called “Philippine Folk Dances and Games” opened the eyes of the Filipino people to never-been-recorded forms of local celebration, ritual and sport.

Her work as supervisor of physical education at the Bureau of Education in the 1940’s gave her the opportunity to teach folk dancing to younger Filipinos and help them appreciate their cultural heritage. In 1954, she was awarded the Republic Award of Merit by the late Pres. Ramon Magsaysay.

Aquino published several books including:

• Philippine National Dances (1946)
• Gymnastics for Girls (1947)
• Fundamental Dance Steps and Music (1948)
• Foreign Folk Dances (1949)
• Dances for all Occasion (1950)
• Playground Demonstration (1951)
• Philippine Folk Dances, Volumes I to VI.

Lucrecia R. Kasilag (August 31, 1918- August 16, 2008)

Lucresia Kasilag

She was a celebrated composer, educator, and performing and cultural and arts administrator. People fondly referred to her as “Tita King”. Kasilag was the first to combine Filipino ethnic and Western music. She blended indigenous Filipino instruments with Western orchestra in her award-winning “Toccata for Percussions and Winds, Divertissement and Concertante,” and the scores of the Filiasiana, Misang Pilipino and De Profundis.

The prolific composer is behind more than the 250 compositions for orchestra and chamber which included:

• Love Songs
• Legend of the Sarimanok
• Ang Pamana
• Philippine Scenes
• Sisa
• Awit ng mga Awit Psalms
• Fantasie on a 4-Note Theme
• East Meets Jazz Ethnika

Kasilag was deeply involved with the Cultural Center of the Philippines during the Marcos Regime. She acted as special consultant of the Office of the President for three years under the term of President Corazon Aquino according to NCAA.

Lucrecia R. Kasilag was given the distinction as National Artist in Music in 1989.

Photos: Tinio screencap c/o YouTube; IP Santos from NCAA website; Lamberto Avellano from NCAA website; Lucrecia Kasilag c/o WikiPilipinas, Public domain; Francisca Reyes Aquino c/o WikiPilipinas, Public domain.
Video c/o YouTube.

We know her by many names and titles…  Virgin Mary, Blessed Mother, Madonna , Our Lady, Star of the Morning, Queen of Heaven and Earth, Cause of our Joy, Mother of Mercy.

But for us, Filipinos, we have an endearing term… Mama Mary, our quintessential mother. By the Joyful mysteries of the rosary we recite, her utmost qualities comets mind.

In the Annunciation we see her innocence,  deep faith in God and unquestioning obedience. At the age of 14 which modern days consider as the start of teen age rebellious years, she was engaged to Joseph who was way more senior than she was. Biblical scholars place his age between 80 to 90. Good enough to be her grandfather. She had every reason to rebel but marrying an aging carpenter is not even the major issue.

The unwavering belief in her Creator was put to the test when Angel Gabriel announced that she was about to conceive not because of her husband-to-be Joseph’s doing but with the power of the Holy Spirit. How on earth can a teener explain her immaculate conception in an era where women were stoned to death when they get pregnant outside marriage? She must have quivered at the thought but she still surrendered her free will and obeyed, “Be it done to me according to thy word.”

And she was rewarded by Joseph’s protection. After he was enlightened by the angel that his son was of God, he chose to spare Mary from exposing her secret and be shamed in public. He still went on to marry her.

She was the epitome of compassion. The second Joyful Mystery gives us a glimpse of how Mary put others first before her own comfort. She was around 6 months on the way when she learned that Elizabeth was also heavy with child. She made it a point to visit her cousin despite the distance no, not in the comfort of riding a bus, train or plane. She probably  had to weather heat, rain and sandstorms riding a donkey and negotiating rough terrain. Any conceiving woman in her right mind would prefer the comforts of home than risk losing her baby in such a strenuous travel. But she dismissed all that and went to the aide of her pregnant cousin who must have been having difficulty because of her old age.

She never complained. She had to go through a lot before the third Joyful mystery on the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ ever happened. Imagine traveling far and wide just to have their family registered by the census, getting into labor and knowing not where to go. Nobody could accommodate them when she was about to give birth. The inns and houses of Bethlehem were full of migrants who travelled like them just to be listed by the government. She ended up bringing forth Jesus in a stable with all the stinky animals. I, myself, shudder at the thought of delivering my own babies at home in the hands of a comadrona but Mary quietly dealt with the possible dangers of giving birth in open air.

Wise men and shepherds gave homage to the little Christ. She deserved all the praises after all she had been through but she did not mind being shoved away from the spotlight, giving way to accolades for her god-child, the King.

Right after Jesus came into the world, her family had to move around again and escape the wrath of King Herod who ordered the killing of all male infants for fear that he would be replaced. Again, Mary suffered in silence.

The worse pain parents could ever endure is the death of their child. Oral tradition has it that Joseph was given a glimpse of Jesus’ suffering. He could not take it so he asked God that he be taken away before this ever happened. He was said to die of injuries after getting into an accident while building the governor’s house. Mary was left alone to witness the gruesome killing of her son on the shameful cross. It was a good thing that God granted  her the grace to see him live again after his resurrection.

This is the character that our Mama Mary is made of so despite being called idol-worshippers by Christian Protestants, Catholics choose to hold her dearly on a pedestal, remember her goodness as they venerate her statues, pictures and novenas, and celebrate their endearment through different festivals.

December 8 is when we remember her conception, the Annunciation on March 25, her assumption into heaven on August 15 but the most celebrated  are the festivals of May.

Dedicating the month of May to Mama Mary could be attributed to her canonical coronation by the Church on May 1, 1920. Filipino Catholics celebrate it month-long, dubbed as Flores de Mayo or Flowers of May.

This is the time when townsfolk gather colorful flowers and decorate the Church as token of thanksgiving to the Holy Mother for her intercession to have rains starting to come after the dry season.

Each 31 days of May celebrate Mary’s “virginal virtues, with children sprinkling fragrant petals as they march down the Church aisle.” This they call Alay sa Birhen (An Offering to the Virgin).

Afternoons are spent with the congregation of the local community praying the rosary, after which they share homemade delicacies over friendly chats. (Flores de Mayo and Santa Cruzan Festival, www.philippinecountry.com).

The Santa Cruzan takes center stage during the May Festivals. Historically, this is the dramatization of Emperor Constantine the Great’s Search of the Holy Cross. Its modern secular version is quite a far cry from the original story where the daintiest damsels of the town parade in their gala gowns, celebrating beauty at its best.

After much of the fanfare over the procession of  local princesses, the statue of Mama Mary trails behind making a quiet statement of the courage, compassion and deep faith in God that she lived and breathed… the qualities that make a true Queen.

Photo credits: www.forums.catholic.com

Ngayon, ipinagmalaki natin sa mundo na ang Pilipino ay nais ng pagbabago. Nais natin ng mamumunong tatayong Itay at Inay na tinutugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga anak niya sa disiplina, at di lamang sa kuwalta. Sa mandato ng tao, makikita natin ang halaga ng gabay sa esprit de corps ng Pilipino. Na kung saan, ang kanilang pangulo ay literal na kaya silang puntahan sa bahay at tampal-tampalin kung sila ay hi-hithit ng ipinagbabawal na gamot. May malasakit at ihahatid sila sa kanto, upang makasakay nang mabilis, at makabiyahe na may dangal. Sa ganitong paraan, makarating sa paaralan o opisina na handang-handang higitan ang dating marka o quota, upang mas lalong lumaki ang kita. Tunay na maging kasiya-siya ang buhay nila. Ito po, ang demokrasya.

Lamang, nakaka-bahala na ang mga naghanap ng pagbabago, ay sinubukan din ilagay sa puwesto ang angkan na sanhi ng malawakang kurapsyon at pagyurak sa karapatang pantao noong Martial Law. Ang tangi lamang nilang argumento ay di mamanahin ng anak ang kasalanan ng ama. Malinaw naman na ang anak ay walang bahid ng pagsisisi sa karahasan at pandarambong na ginawa ng ama. Ang mga namatay ay itinago sa mga kathang kuwentong ‘maunlad na ekonomiya,’ ngunit masdan ang kasalukuyang pamamahala nila, pagkat wala namang maipagma-malaking mahusay na ginhawa sa nasasakupan.

Ang katangian ng mga taga-Norte pagdating sa pagtingin sa pinuno ay halintulad sa mga mamamayan ng North Korea – blanko ang mga mata, parang pastulang baka na walang muwang sa patutunguhan nila.

Paano humantong sa ganito?

Ang kahirapan ang sanhi ng kawalan ng interes sa pagkatuto. Ang bunga nito’y kawalan ng pakialam na magkaroon ng isang opinyon na tunay na pinag-isipan ang lahat ng aspeto ng isang paksa. Ito ang puno’t-dulo ng panganib na naka-amba ngayon, tahimik na tangkang binubuksan ang pinto gamit ang susing kinupit.

Ang kahirapan na tanging argumento ay ang kamangmangan ay kapantay ng ka-alaman, dahil ito ay garantiya ng demokrasya, ay siya nga namang nakawi-wiling argumento ng mga tamad.

Ang kahirapan na nagwasak ng institusyon ng pamilya – higit pa sa pangangalunya, higit pa sa diborsyo – na ninakaw ang panahon ng magulang sa anak, nagtulak sa gurong inang mag-katulong (Aviv, R., The Cost of Caring, The New Yorker, 11 April 2016), at sa padre de pamilya na magwelding sa Saudi Arabia – ang siyang tumayong magulang, barkada, tropa, sa mga binatilyo at dalagang may dating kung manamit, at maraming baong pera ngunit pagala-gala sa kalsada. Mga maki-kinang na taong-grasa.

Kahirapan na karamay sa kalungkutan, kahirapan na inagaw ang apoy ng mandirigma sa kanilang mga mata. Ang tanging natitira na lamang ay kawalang-bahala, pagsunod sa uso, at gamit ang makabagong telepono, pagkuha ng litrato pang-yabang sa madla.

Saan na napunta ang respeto sa sarili, muna, at ikalawa, bunga ng una, at mas mahalaga, ang sa kapwa?

Ang mga munting pangyayari sa buhay natin ay ipinapakita ang mas malaking katotohanan. Ang mga pang-araw-araw na nangyayari sa atin ay indikasyon ng mas malaking katotohanan, opinyon ng mga anthropologists na pinagta-tagni-tagni ang mga kaganapan noong panahon ni Hitler at holocaust (Ochs, Elinor and Capps, Lisa, 1996). Ang mga maliliit na kuwento ng pang-araw-araw na buhay natin ay siya mismong kabuuan ng katotohanan.

Ang pagbabasa ay naging puwersahang kaalamang dapat matutunan. Asan ang kaligayahan dulot ng pagbabasa? Nahan ang Pugad Baboy ng ating kamalayan? Ninakaw na rin sa atin, tila. Marunong magbasa ang dukhang kabataan, at karamihan ng mga bata sa ating bayan, ngunit ang paggamit ng mga datos at aral na minemorya upang buuin ang kasanayan, ang pagkakilala sa sarili, at ng kanilang prinsipyo, mithiin, at lugar sa pamayanan, ay sadyang kulang, sadyang wala, diyata.

Ang pagpapahalaga ay sa pampalipas oras, at pagkatakot sa mga sandaling hindi nakikiliti ang namanhid na pakiramdam ng mga batang inip na inip. Subalit halos di mapilit magligpit ng pinaghigaan. Ang pagka-gumon sa paglilibang ang nagdikta sa kanilang landas tungo sa kawalang muwang sa lipunan. At sa sandaling hindi na nakikiliti sa mga makabagong laro, litrato, at palabas ang kanilang isipan, saan na sila pupunta?

 Wala kasi ang magulang, nangibang-bayan. Hindi nga naman mabubuhay ang anak sa disiplina lamang. Kalahati ito, at kasing halaga, ay ang sustento.

 Ganito sa pamilya, ganito sa pamayanan, ganito sa pamahalaan.

 Ngunit alin ang mahirap, magpadala ng sustento, o magpalaki nang tama?

Huwag mawalan ng pag-asa.

Ang magulang na Overseas Filipino Worker, sa pagkakaroon ng mga taong magpagkakatiwalaan at susuporta, magiging maayos din ang pagpapalaki sa anak. Nariyan ang kamag-anak, simbahan, paaralan – kung saan magkakaroon ng mabuting kaibigan, guro, at magulang ang mga bata (Parenas, R.S, quoted by Taylor, A.R., Parenting in Filipino Transnational Families, UNF Digital Commons, 1998).

Sa pagkawala ng gabay, dahil sa kahirapan, dahil ang mga magulang ay itinaya ang kaligtasan sa dayuhang lugar, papaano na ang mga bata? Saan sila pupulutin kapag sila’y nasa wastong gulang na, at marunong sumulat at magbasa, ngunit ang sarili ay di kilala? Papaano mapapanatili ang pag-unlad ng ekonomiya, na kahit ang mga may mataas na pinag-aralan ay napapa-nganga?

Mag-umpisa muna tayo sa mali-liit na bagay. Bilang mga kaibigan, kapatid, at kasama sa simbahan at mga institusyon, bigyan natin ng panahon na turuan nang tama ang mga bata. Wala ang kanilang magulang, kaya ang obligasyon ngayon ay sa atin. Sa ating malasakit sa anak ng iba, ang balik nito ay sa ating mga anak rin, sapagkat ang mga batang kilala ang sarili at lugar sa lipunan ay kailanman hindi maaaring gamitin ng kung sino man.

Lalo na sa mga maitim na balak na wasaking tuluyan ang kinabukasan ng bansa, para lamang sa kapritso.

Di kailangan ng puso para kumita at gumasta ng kuwalta. Pero lubhang may malaking puso ang gumagamit ng kuwalta sa pagkatuto ng mga bata sa kanilang sarili, sa wastong edukasyon, at sa lugar nila sa lipunan, sa wastong pakikipag-kapwa tao, na unang ipinapakita ng mga nakata-tanda sa kanila.

Nais ninyo ng pagbabago?

Maging magulang muna, sa lahat ng bata.  

Photo credits:  thepoc.net

Twins

People find twins, particularly identical twins fascinating. It’s difficult not to stop in your tracks when you see two people who look exactly alike. Then you realize, they are twins and there’s nothing wrong with your eyes. Young twins are so cute because their parents often dress them in the same kind of clothes.

Popular Pinoy celebrity twins include Richard and Raymond Gutierrez, Jinkee Pacquiao (wife of boxing champ Pacman) and Janette Jamora, Jaja and Boom Boom Gonzales a.k.a. JaBoom Twins (mainstays of the defunct “Magandang Tanghali Bayan”), Cassandra and Maverick Legaspi (daughter and son of Zoren and Carmina), and Joj and Jai Agpangan (stars of Forevermore).

Story of a mom of twins

Anita shares how having twins changed her life forever …

It took seven long years before Anita and her husband were blessed with a child of their own. It was not an easy journey. At first they didn’t mind the seemingly petty jokes thrown at them by family and friends about not being able to produce a baby right away. They would often laugh along and say that their little blessing will come at the right time.

As the years rolled by, the jokes turned to deep concern. Although their loved ones meant well, Anita found their worrisome tones and unsolicited advice deafening. She remembers making excuses to avoid attending get-togethers and special gatherings. At that point in her life, she felt saturated by words of concern, encouragement and well wishes. Anita just wanted to be left alone.

Despite the heavy feeling, Anita and her husband didn’t stop praying. They offered novenas to saints for their intercession. Their prayers were answered when they least expected it.

Anita said that the moment she and her husband learned that they were having twins, their hearts rejoiced. God gave them not just one but double blessings!

She says that being a mom to identical twin girls, named Allison (Allie) and Anastasia (Ana) is the best thing that ever happened to her. It’s like getting a double dose of happiness and love every single day.

Anita admits there were challenges along the way. Having twins meant spending twice than what an average family spends on a new baby. Their twins were born prematurely so they had to stay longer at the hospital than expected. Shopping for things was always multiplied by two.
Taking care of two babies was exhausting. Anita feels like a supermom as she recalls the double feeding, diaper changes and cleaning up. Even crying was in unison so it took twice the effort to soothe them.

Anita says that the joy of having twins definitely outweighs the challenges. Life is twice as beautiful she says when her twins were born. It’s heartwarming to simultaneously see them smile, hear them laugh, and feel their touch.

When the babies were a little bigger, Anita and her husband brought them along to different places. Needless to say, they were instant stars wherever they went. People were drawn to the cute babies wearing the same clothes.

“Are they twins?” strangers would often ask even though it was obvious. Anita didn’t mind answering the same question over and over. It felt good seeing people’s captivated faces.

Anita recalls that there was a time when a friend asked her, “Were they conceived naturally?” At first, she was clueless about the question. Her friend was quite embarrassed when she asked if she took fertility drugs. She answered, “They were conceived naturally with the help of faith.”

She realized that in this day and age, there are higher chances of having twins with the help of fertility drugs. Anita points out that she has nothing against fertility drugs especially if they can help couples who are having a difficult time conceiving.

One of the wonderful things about having twins is enjoying the milestones twofold. Anita says that the twins developed at a close rate. Anna walked first and after a few days, Allie followed. Allie’s first word was “Da-da” while Ana first uttered “Ba-ba”. It was a delight teaching them simple movements like the classic“close-open” and “beautiful eyes”.

Allie and Ana are now nine years old. They have a special bond that perhaps only twins can understand. Their closeness doesn’t come as a surprise. After all, they began their lives sharing a womb. When they came out, they shared almost everything.

Allie and Ana experience different things together. They are a tandem when it comes to doing good deeds as well as naughty ones.

People have a tough time telling Allie and Ana apart except for their parents. They look exactly the same including hairstyle and manner of dressing. They don’t have any distinguishing marks to differentiate them. Allie and Ana even sound the same. That’s what makes them the perfect partners in crime.

Despite their identical appearance, Anita and her husband know that each daughter is unique in her own way. Allie is more active. She likes playing sports and spending time outdoors. Ana prefers quiet time at home. She would rather spend the afternoon reading a book or engaging in arts and crafts. Allie is more outspoken. She is not afraid to say what she thinks and express what she feels. Ana is more reserved. It takes a while before she warms up to people she just met. She is more relaxed among people she already knows. Ana needs a little coaxing before she agrees to join an activity. Allie, on the other hand, is always eager to be part of the action. She would most likely raise her hand to participate in an activity without hesitation. During parties, Anita would often see Allie encouraging her sister to join the games. They make a good tandem because they always end up winning a prize.

Anita is used to the twins looking out for each other. She remembers Allie getting upset at one of their playmates when she refused to lend her toy pots and pans to Ana.

When Allie broke the lampshade by accident and began crying, Ana felt so sorry for her that she pretended that it was all her fault.

Anita and her husband will always be grateful for their twins. They look forward to seeing them grow and develop into beautiful individuals.

Photo from Pixabay. Public domain.
—————————–
Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University. Rachel is a mom to a charming boy and married to an entrepreneur who has a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.

Kung may isang bagay na dapat tayong malaman sa pulitika dito sa atin, ito ay ang kahalagahan ng branding maging sa pangangampanya. Ayon kay Josiah Go, founder ng lehitimong direct selling business na Waters Philippines, ang “Change” na ipinagkalandakan ng ating paparating na presidenteng si Rodrigo Duterte ay mas may hugot kaysa “Daang Matuwid.” Sumablay ang Daang Matuwid, dahil hindi naramdaman ng masa ang suporta mula sa administrasyon, at ang paghihirap ng manggagawa sa pagpila sa istasyon ng tren. Huli na nang mamalayan ito ng mga alipores ng administrasyon, sanhi ng pagkagulapay nila sa surveys at kalaunan, sa eleksyon. Mahalagang malaman natin, mga kababayan na maliliit na negosyante, na ang pagtangkilik ng masa o ng nakararaming Pilipino, ay ang daan sa ating pag-asenso.

Kung may isang bagay lamang tayong dapat matutunan sa takbo ng showbiz dito satin, ay ito ay ang kapangyarihan ng masa, ng mga mahihirap, para i-angat ang isang di kilalang starlet papunta sa super-stardom.

Hmm.

Kayo ha.

Naghihintay na kayo ng blind item.

Tsk.

Bago tayo mag-tsismisan at magtuloy-tuloy sa usapang tunay na walang patutunguhan, subukan muna natin tanungin tungkol sa branding ng produkto sa negosyo ang mga walang kamuwang-muwang. Bakit, bihasa lamang ba ang may karapatang marinig? Si maharlikang BeBe Memes (maharlikang BBM) lamang ba ang maaaring humakot ng trolls? Huwag tayo ganyan, social oppression yan. Bigyan ng karapatan!

Heto si Aling Ising. Mayamang matrona. Makalansing ang kasuotan. May kalansing din tila sa isipan. Ang tindig, Melanie Marquez, ang hitsura Joey Marquez. Atin siyang kapanayamin.

“Itch not Ising, call me IC. Ano tanong mo, hijo? Packaging, wat da pack? Neber herd, neber wheel! Eww. Grows hah!”

“Ayokong-ayoko yang mga masa-masa na ganyan, juice colored. Galing nako jan! Iniwan ko na’ng buhay ng mga walang sinabi. Ang gusto ko, itong peanut butter ko, whorl class. Lahat ng buong world, sasakupin ko. Monaco, Scarborow, Marlborow, lahat!,” kumpas ng braso’t kamay pa-korteng bilugan, mga sampung ulit, habang nagsasalita.

“Dapat seamless ang disenyo ng botelya, tas uso dapat, yung green, green climate. Dash it, dash d tren. Alam mo kasi, hijo, wala na ang masa, federalism na tayo, tatanggalin na lahat ng economic tarpaulins. Dapat kaya natin makipag-compete. Parang pagpapa-botaks lang yan. Ako, maintenance botaks na ko, kitamo, oh – ang kinis ng kutis ko, di ba? Mahirap na. Yung binatilyo kong jowa, iiwan ako nun, kapag nakakita ng mas makinis. Buti na lang mapera ako. Maghanap siya ng ka-edad niya na milyonarya. Gudlak. Ha!”

“But enaf of me, I’ve had enaf of mayself. Sabi nga nung biznes mentor ko na may chains ng talipapa sa loob ng mga bigating malls – we have to be forward looking. Forward lang ng forward. Pag lumingon ka sa pinanggalingan mo, purita ka! Hihihihihi! Hngoinrrrk!”

“Kita? Aanhin ko naman ang kita kung mukha naman akong dukha sa harap ng mga amiga ko sa parlor, di ba? Dapat bongga ako palagi! Bongga sa alahas, sa pananamit, sa jowa, sa kotse, sa bahay, at sa negosyo, bongga! Yung kita, saka na yun. Importante bongga! Kaya dapat pulido ang packaging ng peanut butter ko, pang-mayaman, para mayaman din ang bibili, sino ba yang mga dukha na yan, may pambili ba sila? Wala!”

Iniwan na muna natin ang bruha. Sinusog naman natin ang pink na pink na opisina ni Menandro. May-kayang silahis. May tindig ni Joey Marquez. May hitsura ni Joey Marquez. May puso ni Melanie Marquez. Gambalain natin si ateng.

“Call me Minnie, kuya,” sabay byutipul eyes at himas pababa sa braso ko. ‘Packaging? Ahaay! Pak na pak! Sure, sure, chika tayo, dali!,” ang nagku-kumiliting kumpas ng mga daliri niya.

“Alam mo naman aketch, simple person lang. Charot! Noon, nag-home service ako, manikurista. Ang chaka chaka koh, nakaka-azar! Super dami bakekang sa mukha. BWAHAHA!

Nag-seminar ako sa soap-making, and then, ayun, ok naman sha. Inumpisahan ko sa bakokang ko sa fez. Tas nang gumana, gumawa na akwoh, tas join join family, janakis, ganorn. Una binenta ko 15 pesos, at eventually, nag-click, kasi trulaloo sold out ako sa product ko.

Dibah, ikaskas ko ba naman sa sarili kong fez, at makita nilang wala na kong bakokang, sino ba naman hindi buy nun, di ba?”

“Kaso ang chaka, kasi binabalot lang namin sa plastic yung sabon. Effective nga, chaka naman, eh di chaka pa rin di ba? Kaya nagpunta ako sa opisina ng isang branding expert. Pero, koya, clarify ko sa kanya, dapat within budget.

At ang budget ko, kung tataas man, hanggang Php20 per soap lang. Ok naman, mga Php17.50 xa now, pero super ganda ng packaging. Colorful, like a rainbow, with glitters, tas maraming pink hearts, my favoriiite!

Gustong-gusto ng mga customers ko sa parlor, palengke, at sa may saklaan. At ang maganda nito, proud na sila mag-refer. Binibigyan ko nga sila ng bonus pag-nag-refer eh! Malapit na ako apply for a direct-selling business of my own. But first, magkaka-branch na kami sa mall! Hay naku! Thanks to my bakokang face talaga! Hahahha!”

Heto naman si Mang Ato. Naulayawan nating naglalasing mag-isa sa kalsada sa tapat ng bahay nila sa kasagsagan ng init. Marami pa tayong oras para sa production, kaya tukain na natin yan. Reliable source yan. Loyal customer. Against all odds ito, susuporta sa produkto. Branding o wala. Kitang-kita naman sa namumungay na mga mata niya oh.

“Hik! Attorney na lang itawag mo sakin. Attorney talaga ako. Maaga natapos hearing ko, kaya heto, nagpapalamig. Packano? Gin ba kamo? Heto na lang, tagayan kita ng gin. Maupo ka. Maupo. Dini, parini.’

“Hah, bashta kapag nakikita ko misis ko, nais ko mag-inom. Kahit ano. Pero paborito ko talaga itong marka-dimonyo, iba pinagsamahan namin nito. Di ako iniwan nito kahit kelan. Pag nag-iba ng hitsura? Markang bading? Haha. Nagpapatawa ka yata. O sige. Kahit. Kahit pa. Bibili pa rin ako. Maige nang bading kaysa misis kong hukbalahap. Hik!”

“Bababa ang stocks ng gin? Eh ano naman ngahyorrrn? Hnggrrng? Hik! Kahit magkano pa abutin niyan, mag-i-istock pa rin ako. Sampung kahorrn! Mapera ako. Marami nagpapanotaryo sakin dun sa bangketa sa may Recto. Wala ko pakialam kay Buterte. Matapang siya? Abugado ako, panyero! Hik! Ako ang batash! Bastash! Hangriniiig mongrrrh?! Hik!”

“Hah? OO, HONEY! ANDIYAN NA! Ano? Nakaligo ka na? Sige, uubusin ko na lang itong 1.5 litro kong marka dimonyo, aakyat na rin ako! Tsup-tsupee!”

Marubdob na pasasalamat kay May-i Guia Padilla, Managing Director ng Metapixel Media and Design, na siyang nagpaunawa ng fundamentals ng branding, upang maayos nating mailahad sa mambabasa.

Photo credits: www.filipiknow.net

n

TWO DAYS AGO, DUMEPENSA SI PNOY

sa mga batikos na kulang siya

sa empathy (pakikiramay, pakikiisa)

sa buong anim na taon ng pamumuno niya.

Sobra naman kayo!

Marunong namang
mag-empathize ang pangulo…

sa mga businessmen at mga bilyonaryo.

*****

IN SHORT, MANHID DAW ANG PANGULO

sa kalagayan ng mga mahihirap.

Manhid ba talaga?

Baka naman nakatungga lang

ng anesthesia.

Tagay pa!

*****

PNOY:

“Paano ba dapat ang reaksyon ko doon?

Pinagsasabunot ko ‘yung natitira kong buhok

at sasabihin ko, ‘Ano ba ang gagawin natin dito?’

Nakatulong ba ako doon?

Dapat ba na noong hinarap nila sa akin

‘yung problemang iyan,

nag-iiyak na lang ako?

Dapat ba nagdadabog ako doon?”

Ahem…

hindi ba’t ‘yung nga po

ang laging ginagawa mo?

*****

PNOY:

“Ang palagay ko, ang punto ko,

hindi ako tumayo dito para mag-showbiz,

tumayo ako dito para gampanan

‘yung papel ng isang pinuno.”

Ayuuun!!!

So… para kay PNoy,

ang pagpapakita ng empathy

at pag-alam ng kalagayan ng mga mahihirap ay….

SHOWBIZ??

Hmmm.. very revealing statement, no?

*****

SO, PARA KAY PNOY

ang isang pinuno

ay hindi dapat nakiki-empathize

sa kanyang mga “boss”??

Kaya naman pala.

Salamat po sa paliwanag, ser!!!

Klarong-klaro na!!!

*****

UMAASA RIN SI PNOY

na ipagpapatuloy ni incoming president

Rodrigo Duterte

ang mga nasimulan niya.

Paktay!

Ipagpapatuloy ni Digong

ang lahat ng kapalpakan niya???

*****

NANINIWALA RIN DAW SI PNOY

na hindi matutupad ni Duterte

ang mga pinangako niya noong kampanya.

Eh, ‘pag pinagpatuloy niya

ang mga nasimulan n’yo…

siguradong hindi nga niya matutupad

ang mga ipinangako niya!

Sheez.

*****

NAAALALA N’YO ANG SABI NI PNOY

last week na bababa siya na taas ang noo

dahil marami raw siyang maipagmamalaki:

6.9% growth in GDP (first quarter),

ang pinakamataas daw sa buong Asia.

Ganun pa man, sabi ng Ibon Foundation,

tayo naman ang may pinakamalalang

unemployment rate sa buong Asia

(5.8% noong January 2016).

So, ano nga ulit ang pinagmamalaki natin?

*****

SABI PA NG IBON FOUNDATION,

ang legacy na maiiwan ng PNoy admin ay:

1) Exclusionary economics (sila-sila lang)

2) Antipeople neoliberal policies (Di makatao)

3) Elite governance (Para sa mayayaman)

4) Deepened subservience to foreign interests

at the Filipino people’s expense.

Boom!!!

*****

TAPOS NA ANG OFFICIAL COUNT NG HALALAN 2016.

Tapos na ang paghihintay natin.

Ito ang pinakamabilis na bilangan

na nakita natin sa history ng Philippine elections.

At kung nasa bakod ka ng mga natalong kandidato…

ito na rin ang pinakamabilis na…

dayaan.

*****

ANG MGA NANALONG SENATORS

(votes in millions):

1. FRANKLIN DRILON (LP) – 18.607
2. JOEL VILLANUEVA (LP) – 18.459
3. TITO SOTTO (NPC) – 17.200
4. PANFILO LACSON (Ind.) – 16.926
5. RICHARD GORDON (Ind.) – 16.719
6. JUAN MIGUEL ZUBIRI (Ind.) – 16.119
7. MANNY PACQUIAO (UNA) – 16.050
8. FRANCIS PANGILINAN (LP) – 15.955
9. RISA HONTIVEROS (Akbayan) – 15.915
10. SHERWIN GATCHALIAN (NPC) – 14.953
11. RALPH RECTO (LP) – 14.271
12. LEILA DE LIMA (LP) – 14.144

MASDAN ANG LISTAHANG IYAN.

Iyan ang patunay na ang mga Pinoy ay…

masokista.

*****

NUMERO UNO SI PORKLIN DRILOINK.

Bakit???

Dahil ba malaki siya at kitang-kita agad??

Bakit???

*****

HANDA NA BA TAYO

SA ISANG PACMAN SA SENADO?

Or rather,

handa na ba tayo

sa ABSENCES ng isang Pacman sa Senado?

You know.

*****

THIRD TRY NI RISA HONTIVEROS ITO.

Third time lucky.

Feeling Pia Wurtzbach na ba siya ngayon?

*****

SI LEILAN DILIM-AH…

bakit nakasabit sa laylayan ng senado??

Ahh…. alam ko ang sagot dito.

Dahil…

maganda ang boses niya.

Isang pong “I love you” d’yan, ma’m!!

*****

SI RALPH RECTO NA NAGPAHIRAP SA ATIN

sa pamamagitan ng VAT na ‘yan….

bakit nakapasok pa rin??

Kasi nga…

MASOKISTSA TAYO!

*****

SA PRESIDENTIAL AT VP RACE NAMAN…

Tama raw ang prediction ng mga Dilawan:

Ang mananalo ay ang RO-RO.

ROdrigo-RObredo.

*****

SA PAGKA-PRESIDENTE, NO DOUBT

na si Rodrigo Duterte ang nanalo.

Pero sa pagka-VP naman,

naging mahigpit ang laban.

263,473 ang mga boto

na sumabit sa laylayan ni Aling Leni.

*****

PERO SIYEMPRE

hindi naniniwala dito

ang mga suporters ni BBM.

May mga claims ng dayaan.

Ballots were pre-shaded daw.

Nakakapagtaka at improbable daw

ang 3.3 milloin na undervoting

para sa vice-president post.

Hindi raw tugma ang numero ng mga bumoto

sa numero ng mga binilang na boto.

Meron daw 700,000 votes na unaccounted for.

*****

WE COULD GO ON AND ON…

pero ang pinakamatindi at damning argument

ay ang pag-revise ng server script

ni Marlon Garcia ng Smartmatic.

Defense nila: para lang daw palitan ang ? ng Ñ.

Sabi ng kampo ni BBM:

How sure are we na walang IBANG nabago?

Malamang na maghain ng protesta

ang kampo ni Marcos matapos ang PROCLAMATION

ng mga nanalo sa Lunes.

Karapatan naman nila ‘yon.

At dapat ang maging resulta

ng imbestigasyong gagawin

ay katanggap-tanggap sa lahat.

Kung hindi…

forever tayong mumultuhin ng isyung ito.

*****

PARA SA DETALYADONG EXPLANATION

ng cheating claims, basahin ang sinulat

ni ex-Congressman Glenn Chong

na pinamagatang

Overly Simplistic, Erroneously Deceptive.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/glenn-chong/overly-simplistic-erroneously-deceptive/1212846852081761

*****

SPEAKING OF PROCLAMATION…

Totoo bang hindi raw dadalo si Digong

sa sarili niyang proclamation sa Lunes???

Ito ang umugong a few days ago.

If so, this will be a first.

Mabibigla pa ba tayo

sa takbo ng mga pangyayari

sa kampo ng incoming President Digong?

He is an unconventional president,

di pa ba obvious ‘yon?

*****

PERO KAHAPON, SINABI NI

incoming Justice Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre

na mukhang hindi naman daw iisnabin

ni Digong ang Congress proclamation.

AGUIRRE:

“I believe that he might… I believe so.”

Yun o.

Hindi pa rin sigurado.  lol.

*****

SPEAKING OF AGUIRRE…

Sinabihan ni Digong si Aguirre na

wag santuhin kahit na sino sa DAP scam.

Kahit pa si Pnoy.

Paktay kay PNoy ka.

Pwede kaya mag-plead ng insanity?

*****

NOONG MARTES, SINABI NI DIGONG

na ang mga pinaka-corrupt na

government agencies ay ang:

LTO, CUSTOMS at BIR.

Nagbiro pa siya na ia-abolish niya

ang mga nabanggit na agencies.

At naihi bigla si Kim Henares.

Tapos, kinasa ang baril.

Afraid.

*****

DU30 WANTS MANDATORY  DRUG TESTS

for all policemen and drivers.

Balak itong ipatupad mula July 1.

Kaya pala may sale daw

ng droga ngayon.

Clearance sale.

Going-out-of-business sale.

*****

MADALING ARAW NG LUNES, MAY 23,

dito sa Pilipinas

nang tanghaling Best Actress

ang ating pambato sa Cannes Film Festival

na si JACLYN JOSE.

Ang pelikula?  MA’ ROSA,

tungkol din sa bentahan ng droga.

Droga sa tunay na buhay.

Droga sa news.

Droga sa pelikula.

Sana nga masugpo na ‘yan ni Digong.

*****

PERO SA MGA PRESS PEOPLE SA CANNES,

naunang tumatak sa kanila

si MARIA ISABEL LOPEZ

dahil sa pagparada nito ng kanyang

emerald green gown

na napakahaba ng train.

Takaw-atensyon talaga.

At sa hilera ng cast ng MA’ ROSA,

si Maribel lang ang kumaway-kaway

sa press people.

Baka akala niya Bb. Pilipinas ulit  ‘yun!!!

*****

SABI NG ISANG TWEET:

Na-Maria Isabel Lopez kayo!

Ito yung agree lahat na parepareho kayo –

tapos pagdating ni bakla — kabog kayong lahat!

*****

BAGONG DEFINITION NG STANDING OUT:

Ako talaga yung Maria Isabel Lopez

sa crowd na puro Andi Eigenmann.

*****

AT DAHIL D’YAN… MAY BAGONG TITLE NA

si Maria Isabel Lopez:

Queen Mother of Aura!

*****

SAMANTALA…. SA ISANG MADILIM NA SULOK

ng isang kwarto….

may isang Reyna rin

ang nagte-take notes

at nag-iisip na ganito rin ang gagawin niya

sa susunod niyang birthday.

Kilala n’yo ba siya?

You know?

*****

DRIVER LUMUTANG

Manyak na driver na nanghipo ng pasahero

lumutang sa police station para pabulaanan

ang bintang sa kanya.

Akala ko lumutang…

sa ilog.

Sayang.

*****

PHOTO CREDITS:

RODRIGO DUTERTE:  www.marriageandbeyond.com

LENI ROBREDO: www.imgrum.net

BONGBONG MARCOS:  www.politics.com.ph

JACLYN JOSE:  www.emirates247.com

NOYNOY AQUINO: www.exposure.ph

PHOTO URLs:

RODRIGO DUTERTE:

http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Rodrigo-Duterte.jpg

LENI ROBREDO:

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s320x320/e35/13183353_1537138429926853_901044929_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTI1OTM3NjY5MzkzMjIzNzg4OQ%3D%3D.2

BONGBONG MARCOS:

http://politics.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/politiko_features41.jpg

JACLYN JOSE:

http://cache.emirates247.com/polopoly_fs/1.630807.1463977543!/image/image.jpg

NOYNOY AQUINO:

http://exposure.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Aquino-4-1024×571.jpg

There’s a magic to penpals that’s simply unmatched these days. It’s a nostalgic mixture of patience, stationery and a lot of imagination. Think of the thrill of receiving a letter in the mail after weeks of waiting, giggling at the international stamp on the envelope and the loopy penmanship of a friend you’ve never seen. Imagine the anticipation of opening the envelope, carrying a scent from another part of the world. The best part of all would be the stories of this faceless friend, luring you in with every stroke of her handwriting. Sometimes there were pictures in the mail, more often though were none. So as they’d tell stories of how school went and the town where they live, playful scenes fill your head. The best part of having penpals is building relationships with those few friends over time. You’d start off with several penpals and end up corresponding with a key few, the ones you have a chemistry with. Then you make friends for life. There is a magic to penpals, and it’s one that stays with you through the years.

Friendship over Stamps and Stationery

My penpal days started when I was around 5^th grade. I was subscribed to a Barbie Club (yes, the doll), and they released newsletters every now and then. One section of the newsletter would be a Penpal Corner. It listed the names, ages and Manila addresses of several girls who wanted to correspond over mail. In this day, that would be unthinkable. Think of the privacy issues! But back in the ‘80s, that was less of a problem. I remember it was summer vacation, and having a penpal seemed like a good way to beat summer boredom. So I picked out a few names, wrote to them, had my Mom take care of postage, then waited. Two responded in about a week’s time, and there began my fascination with forming friendships over stamps and stationery.

Over the next years I’d reach up to 120 penpals. Letters would arrive at home everyday and I’d feel the same thrill everytime I’d open a letter. Penpal mail was the highlight of my day after long hours at school. A bunch of letters would arrive everyday, prompting our mailman to ask, “May nakatira bang artista dito?” (Does a celebrity live here?)

There was Felicia from Chicago was fascinated with Madonna. There was Kevin from New Hampshire whose reserved personality could be seen in his small penmanship. Amy from Illinois was one of my prettiest penpals… I was in awe of her blonde hair and blue eyes. There was Stephanie from Missouri. There was a lovely girl from Spain whose name I’ve forgotten. From Manila there was Theri from Project 4. These are just a few of the names I remember.

It was through Stephanie I learned what a French kiss was. She had decided that in one letter to me she would detail what she and her ‘secret’ boyfriend would do. My young self was appalled and amused at the same time. I learned more about generosity from Peggy of Pennsylvania. She sent me stickers in every mail, and I would save them all up, not wanting to mar the lovely shiny gifts. 

Winding Down

When the demands of highschool life kicked in, the amount of time I dedicated to writing letters waned. Soon I was in touch only with a very few, until that number died down to zero in college. I stored my penpals’ letters in a huge box and stored it in a closet, to be untouched over many years. I wondered from time to time what happened to my friends from around the world, apologizing silently for not having written back to some, accepting quiet apologies in case some were sending theirs.

Google was my friend many years later, when I began wondering what ever happened to my friends. I’d put in whatever names I’d remember, but more often than not the search would come out empty. Perhaps most of them had gotten married and changed their names.

I wonder about Nina, my penpal from Yugoslavia. We had stopped corresponding years before the war started in her part of the world. She had told me of her love for the music of Joe Cocker. She had frizzy reddish-brown hair and was so pretty. I wonder about the young man from Lithuania, who had shared a picture of himself in uniform. I wonder about Stephanie the French kisser and what new romances she had that followed. I wonder about Peggy and her mountain living in Pennsylvania. I wonder about Kevin, if he still finds himself unattractive. I wonder if Nicholas is the same Nicholas I see in entertainment news. All correspondence with these friends didn’t last for more than two years, but their impact on my young teenage life was unparalleled. 

Penpals on Facebook

There are three penpals I still stay in touch with now. Anna from California, Stacey from Canada, Spaska from Bulgaria. We had started writing to each other when we were twelve, thirteen. We are now in our late thirties and continue to stay in touch with each other. It was a mix of having found each other over the Internet, staying in touch over email, then transitioning to Facebook. We don’t write to each other personally now, but we get a grasp of how things are going in each other’s lives through Facebook updates. A simple “like” is all it takes to know you’re still connected.

Sometimes I wonder if I still have the energy to maintain this kind of relationship. But times have really changed, and I’m not as confident to share my personal mailing address as openly as before. That was also part of the magic of penpals from way back – the unspoken trust you had in each other, the quiet respect for privacy. 

It’s so much easier to make new contacts now. There’s the Follow button on any social media platform that you can click to create a new relationship. There’s a magic to penpals that just can’t be captured even in today’s more connected world. It’s the magic of friendship built over patience, stationery and a lot of imagination.

So you’ve got a whole pile of magazines at home and don’t know what to do with them. They probably came into your home through subscriptions or random purchases at the supermarket. You could also have been passionate about an interest like running or cooking, hence the pile of runners’ magazines and cooking magazines at home. But with magazines available on tablet, you’ve opted to flip the pages digitally instead. What can be done with magazine back issues? Before you throw them out or have them recycled, here are some ideas that you can explore.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! Sell them at a garage sale – or give them for free! You may have exhausted all that you could learn from those back issues, but other folks may still learn from them. If you invested quite a lot in the magazines, you can sell them at your next garage sale. Back issues are generally loads cheaper. Now if you really want to dispose them, give them away for free! Simply put them in a box labeled “Take one!” and watch your customers grab your magazines.

Recipes never go out of style. Read back for recipes. Cut out the recipes and organize them in a clear book or your recipe box. You could also post the cut-out recipes on your refrigerator door. It beats having to refer to the magazine again and again for the recipe. You can cut out recipes and compile them in a scrapbook. This makes for a perfect gift for your foodie friend who loves to cook.

Your back issues may be dated, but they can help you with your future! Prepare a vision board. A vision board is a blank canvas where you can post pictures of things you dream about – a dream house, a dream vacation, your dream family, a dream career. A vision board is visual. It is also best seen everyday so you’re reminded of those dreams of yours. You can use back issues of your magazines to fuel that vision board. Scour the magazines for items or images that can be part of your vision board.

Save on having to buy wrapping paper by using magazine pages to wrap gifts instead. Spot pretty pages, tear them and put them aside. You can use them to wrap your pretty packages during birthdays or holidays. Pages can also be made into ribbons, not just the wrapper itself. It’s a creative way to give a gift!

If you’ve got really old magazines, why not make a vintage magazine gallery wall in your home? Vintage ads can add a quirky touch to your home. Choose articles that connect with you. Cut out print ads that amuse you. Go vintage all the way by choosing pages with content specific to that time period – shoulder pads for magazines from the ‘80s, the grunge look for magazines in the ‘90s. Your vintage magazine gallery wall can be themed. If they’re all fashion, wouldn’t they look great gracing your bedroom? If they’re all music and entertainment, they’d make a great accent for the family room.

Where is one place you can always find magazines? At waiting areas of doctor’s clinics. Why not donate your magazines to your doctor’s office? This way they can update their own magazine stash and you give patients something new to read too. You can also consider donating your magazine back issues to the school library.

To give your magazines another life, why not pass them along to family and friends? Chances are one of them would love some new reading material! This is great especially if you can’t let go of your magazines. At least you can keep them in the family!

.

On March 10, 2016, a young news desk editor was instructed to do a story to honor JovitoSalonga on the day of his death and line it up as one of the headlines. With apparent reluctance to put the piece on Salonga among the top stories, she asked, “Who is he?”

It is bothersome how the young generation does not have any inkling about the greatness of our history and the prime movers of Philippine democracy.

Despite the dark side of the Martial Law years, this was the period when nationalism shone its brightest. This was the time when civil servants really served the public for a good purpose and not for the greasy pork. These were the likes of Lorenzo Taṅada, Jose Diokno and yes, Jovito “Jovy” Salonga.

Salonga was a great Senate President known for his humility, simplicity and righteousness. He walked his talk even if it meant putting his own life on the line. This he did, not just once but many times for the love of country and service to his fellowmen.

Long before his fame… his humble beginnings honed his character and deepened his patriotism.

Born to a Presbyterian pastor and a market vendor, he had to strive to finish school. He sold ice drop in the market as a young boy and later had to work as a proofreader in his eldest brother’s printing company to support himself through college and law school. He quit his job in his last year at the College of Law at the University of the Philippines to prepare for the bar exams but World War II broke out. His dream to be a lawyer had to wait.

At the age of 21, he joined the underground movement against the Japanese invaders. He was captured by the Japanese Military Police in Pasig in April 1942 and was tortured in the presence of his own father. He was then subjected to more torment as he was transferred from one prison to another.

On June 11, 1942 he was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor but was pardoned a year after during the Foundation Day of Japan.

Salonga was a battle-scarred soldier who refused to give up the vision of an independent country. Scarred but not broken, he managed to top the bar examination n 1944, when he and Jose Diokno both got the highest grade point average of 95.3%.

He took his Master’s degree in Yale University and Doctorate at Harvard in 1949. He was offered a faculty position but he refused. He wanted to be part of rebuilding his nation from the vestiges of war.

Back home, there were more battles to fight against injustice and oppression.

In 1961, he was encouraged to run for Congress by Vice President Diosdado Macapagal who was then the president of the Liberal Party. He won, representing the second district of Pasig while beating the dominant rich politicians of his hometown.

At the Lower House, Salonga was appointed to the chairmanship of the Committee on Good Government. He relentlessly conducted inquiries in aid of legislation on graft and corruption and recommended filing of charges against erring government officials and employees.

During the Martial Law years, he took the road less traveled in the practice of law and became a human rights lawyer. Salonga and his law partners, Sedfrey Ordoñez and Pedro L. Yap defended pro bono political detainees both known and obscure. He, himself, was imprisoned for seven years.
For his well-documented exposés against the Marcos administration, Salonga was hailed as the “Nation’s Fiscalizer” by the Philippines Free Press in 1968.

On August 21, 1971, he was critically injured at the bombing in Plaza Miranda during the proclamation day rally of the Liberation Party. Nine persons perished. He survived but lost his hearing, an eye, fingers and a shrapnel was left stuck in his aorta.

After the EDSA Revolution, President Corazon Aquino appointed Salonga as Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which was tasked to investigate and recover the alleged ill-gotten wealth of ousted President Ferdinand Marcos and his cronies.

He topped the senatorial race three times in 1965, 1975 and 1987 despite meager resources.

During his stint as senate president in the 9th Congress, former Senator WigbertoTanada attested to the Senate’s finest hour under the leadership of Salonga. This is the time “when we found the soul, the true spirit of this nation because we mustered the courage and the will to declare the end foreign military presence in the Philippines.”

He was warned by well-meaning friends that if he pursued his stand against the RP-US Military Bases Treaty, he may hurt his bid for the presidency.

Salonga was resolute, “No matter. That is an insignificant consequence. In times of great crisis, our martyrs and heroes offered their lives that our people may become truly free. After walking through the valley of the shadow of death twice in my life, titles and positions do not mean that much to me anymore. What is more important is to be of real service to our people with or without any position in government.”

His persistence bore fruit with 12 to 11 votes to oust the American military presence in the Philippines.

Victory was sweet but short.

His financial backers in the business sector withdrew their support for his presidential campaign
In December 1991 he was ousted from his position as President of the Senate based on the allegations that he used his position to boost his chances of becoming the President of the Philippines in the coming 1992 elections, obstructed the priority legislations of the Aquino administration and neglected administering the Senate. He was succeeded by Senator Neptali A. Gonzales.

He lost the 1992 presidential race finishing sixth among seven candidates, losing to Fidel Ramos, Miriam Santiago, Ramon Mitra, Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco —- and even to Imelda Marcos, the widow of the so-called dictator, under whose rule he fought abuses.

Salonga’s accomplishments are far too many to mention. As a lawmaker, he successfully legislated pro-people and patriotic bills including the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R.A. 6713)”, the “Anti-Coup d’état Act (R.A. 6968)”, the “Anti-Plunder Law (R.A. 7080), the State Scholarship Law, the Disclosure of Interest Act, the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the Act Defining and Penalizing the Crime of Plunder.

After his retirement from government service, he continued work in public service through organizations raising political consciousness and citizens’ participation in governance as well as promoting justice and patriotism like Kilosbayan (People Action), the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation (Heroes’ Memorial), and BantayKatarungan (Sentinel of Justice).

Probably, the greatest legacy he ever gave the Filipinos is fighting for what is right no matter what the cost. As he aptly puts it, “If the supreme cost of courage is to suffer defeat without losing heart, the greatest test of faith is to suffer loss without giving up our vision for tomorrow of a free, independent just and progressive Philippines.”

Truly, JovIto Salonga is the epitome of a man of substance. He was more than a mere political figure, he was a statesman worthy of emulation. Definitely deserving of the headlines.

Photo credits:  www.juice.ph/

MULA NANG PROCLAMATION NOONG LUNES,

lagi nang nag-usap sa utak ko sina

ME 1 (ayaw kina Digong at Leni) at

ME 2 (gusto sina Digong at Leni).

ME 1: Ano ba yang si Digong?!!!

Sarili niyang proclamation, dinedma niya?!!!

ME 2: Wala namang legal implications ‘yun eh.

Hindi naman bawal, di ba?

It has happened FOUR TIMES before.

Saka he’s making a statement:

He’s not beholden to the legislative branch.

ME 1: Nakokornihan daw siya sa mga ganyan.

Pakisabi nga sa kanya na president-elect siya!

He must act like one!!!

At dapat sundin niya ang traditions and protocols.

ME 2: Eh hindi nga siya ‘yung typical trapo, no!!!

I’m sure mas marami pa siyang babaliing traditions.

Kakaiba nga kasi siya, di ba?

Di ba we want REAL change?

He IS real change!

ME 1: Change? Change mo mukha mo!

KKK din di ba si Digong?

Kaklase, Kaibigan, Kababayan?

Ang mga in-appoint niya sa cabinet

at iba pang positions, mga cronies n’ya!

ME 2: Mali! Hindi niya KKK sina Leonor Briones,

Benjamin Diokno, Rafael Mariano, atbp.

Pero, tama ka!

KKK nga raw ang gusto ni Digong:

Kalidad, Kwalipikasyon, Kakayahan.
M1: Eh sina Cesar Dulay, Perfecto Yasay Jr.,

at yung mga taga-Mindanao?

M2: Syempre, ang pipiliin niya ay yung mga taong

pinagkakatiwalaan niya

at kilala niyang makaka-perform.

At saka ano namang masama kung taga-Mindanao?

It’s about time na mabigyan din sila

ng pwesto sa gobyerno.

Mga Pilipino rin naman sila, di ba??

ME 1: Wushuuu!!! Nationalism pa more!!!

Tignan natin kung may kalidad nga

ang mga ‘yan!

ME 2: Tama! Bigyan natin sila ng pagkakataong

patunayang ang kakayahan nila.

ME 1: Balik tayo sa proclamation…

Dahil sa ‘di pagdalo ni Digong…

Yan tuloy, naging bida sa proclamation

si Aling Leni.

Nasolo niya ang limelight.

ME 2:  Weno naman ngayon?
Kasalanan n’ya ba ‘yun?

Ginusto n’ya ba ‘yun?

Hindi naman niya sinabi kay Digong

na huwag um-attend, di ba?

ME 1: At bakit ang daming pala ni Aling Leni???

Bakit ang dami niyang applause???

Pati sa proclamation ba naman, may hakot pa rin???

.

ME 2: Hindi hakot ang mga ‘yan.

Supporters talaga niya ang mga ‘yan.

They like her simplicity.

They went there to support her.

At buti nga, hindi siya nag-yellow.

Just shows na hindi siya beholden to her party.

.

ME 1: Wushuuuu!!! Hindi beholden???

Eh di ba’t dinaya nga nila ang bilangan

para pag nawala si Digong,

si Aling Leni ang papalit???

ME 2: Masyado kang dramatic.

You watch too many movies.

Conspiracy theories pa more!!!

Patunayan n’yo munang may dayaan nga…

then file a protest.

Hindi yung ngawa kayo ng ngawa.

ME 1: Ang dami kayang proofs ng dayaan!!!

Nakita mo ba yung mga post sa FB???

ME 2: Wag kang maniniwala sa lahat ng posts.

Syempre yung iba d’yan imbento

o exaggeration lang.

Walang factual basis.

ME 1: Aber, paano mo ie-explain

na lumamang si Aling Leni ng higit 100,000 votes

kay BBM — sa mismong balwarte

ng mga Romualdez — ang Leyte???

ME 2: Hindi proof ‘yan ng pandaraya.

Ibig sabihin lang, nagbabago na ang panahon.

At hindi na solid ang hold ng mga Romualdez

sa Leyte.

ME 1: Ano’ng masasabi mo dito sa post

ni Glenn Chong, na siyang nagsimula ng petition

para magkaroon ng recount

ng VP elections?  Sabi niya:

“I fight not for any one person.

I do not care if it is a Marcos

or the devil who gets cheated.

Cheating is intrinsically evil.

It must be stopped at all cost [sic]

otherwise more than 100 million lives

and future will suffer.”

ME 2: Agree naman ako diyan, di ba?

Ang sinasabi ko lang naman,

consolidate all your evidences and witnesses,

then present them to proper venues.

Hindi ‘yung ngawa kayo ng ngawa sa FB.

Hayaan n’yo yung sinasabi n’yong nadaya

ang maghain ng electoral protest.

ME 1: At may lumutang pa ngang IT experts, di ba?

Saksi daw silang may dayaan talaga!

.

ME 2: Tangek! Kung totoo ang sinasabi nila,

bakit di sila magpakilala??

Bakit balot na balot ang mga pagmumukha nila?

Bakit para silang mga holdaper???

.

ME 1: Siyempre, takot na balikan sila!

At syempre ayaw nilang masira ang buhay nila..

ME 2: At saka di ba sinalungat na ng NAMFREL mismo

ang sinasabi ng 3 whistleblowers na ‘yan?

Sabi ng NAMFREL na walang dayaang nangyari.

ME 1: Basta, may dayaan talaga!

You can’t convince me na walang dayaan!!!

Obvious na obvious na nagkadayaan talaga!!!!

Di n’yo na mababago ang isip ko!!!

Mandaraya ‘yang Liberal Party!

Kaya pala nag-number one si Drilon!!!

ME 2: Panalo na si Aling Leni.

Tanggapin na natin ang pagkatalo.

ME 1: Panalo??? Panalo sa pandaraya kamo!!!

Ano’ng sabi niya sa source ng campaign funds niya?
Dahil daw sa lugaw???

ME 2: Exagg ka naman!

Fundraising ang tawag doon.

Malay mo, talagang maraming milyonaryo

ang gusto siya ang maging VP.

ME 1: Wow ha!!!

Millions para sa lugaw???

ME 2: Hindi lang naman lugaw.

Huwag n’yo namang ipagdiinan na ‘yun lang

ang ginamit nila sa fundraising campaigns nila.

ME 1: Basta nandaya siya!!!

Sabihin mo kay Leni Lugaw na

hindi pa tapos ang laban!

At hindi magtatagumpay ang plano

ng Liberal Party.

Makukulong ‘yang mga Dilawan na ‘yan!!!

ME 2: Galit ka, Koya??

ME 1: Oo galit talaga ako!!!

Mga mandaraya!!!

ME 2: Kalma lang!

Gusto mong lugaw?

ME 1: Balik tayo kay Digong…

takot daw sa multo sa Malacañang?
Akala ko ba matapang siya?

Duwag din pala!!!

.

ME 2: Tangek! Joke n’ya lang yun.

Di nga siya naniniwala sa mga santo…

sa mga multo pa kaya!!!

ME 1: Joke na naman???

Ganun na lang palagi?

President na siya sa June 30.

Dapat matuto na siyang

magsalita ng CATEGORICAL statements!

ME 2: Give him time.

I’m sure magbabago rin siya.

ME 1: Baka yung sinabi niya kabagi

tungkol sa extrajudicial killings

ng mga journalists,

sasabihin din niya later na….

biro lang???

Sheez.

ME 2: Na-misinterpret lang si Digong.

Ang gusto n’ya lang namang sabihin:

“Kung may inagrabyado kang tao,

at kung mamamatay ang nakatapat mo,

malamang patay ka…

kahit sino ka pa man — journalist o hindi.”

At saka sabi n’ya naman

KARAMIHAN ng journalist — hindi LAHAT –

ay involved din sa corruption.

ME 1: Sige, ipagtanggol mo pa!!!

You can NEVER and SHOULD NEVER

justify extrajudicial killings!!!

Murder is murder!!!

Killer talaga yang Digong na ‘yan!!!

At hindi nag-iisip bago magsalita!!!!

ME 2: Basta ako, gusto ko yung

straightforward way

ng pagsasalita niya.

ME 3 (Ingleserong Pilosopo):

Stop it, both of you!!!!

I’m trying to concentrate.

Here’s food for thought:

For one to be objective

about political issues,

one has to be a schizo

and listen to all

the voices in one’s head.

That’s the only way

one can weigh

all the sides of any issue

and be objective.

ME 1 and ME 2:

May tama ka!

At nagpalakpakan sina

ME 4 to ME 9.

PHOTO CREDITS:

LENI ROBREDO: www.facebook.com/ThePhilippineSTAR/

RODY DUTERTE: www.facebook.com/ThePhilippineSTAR/

BONGBONG MARCOS:  av.wordpress.com

CARTOON: www.clipartoday.com

PHOTO URLs:

LENI ROBREDO:

https://scontent.fmnl4-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13312811_619039194916432_40544175361730184_n.jpg?oh=9ef22e57fcd59ec198a4afbb5671155a&oe=57D2DFD1

RODY DUTERTE:

https://scontent.fmnl4-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13339725_619037654916586_5557918416978518876_n.jpg?oh=c8229d721ab1dfb1034cf20071e3e49b&oe=57DFA458

BONGBONG MARCOS:

https://scrawnymanfrommanila.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/bongbong-marcos.png?w=660

CARTOON:

http://www.clipartoday.com/_thumbs/034/T/Thinking_6_tnb.png

o

The Roman Catholic Church is being vilified for going against population control, which many think to be an archaic frame of mind. Sweeping statements were uttered by the incoming administration in response to the church, and one would wonder how peace can be attained with such discord, a month before Malacanang Palace is vacated.

Having been converted to the Evangelical Christian faith at age 7, I was fretful at having to endure Catholic celebrations as a teenager. There just wasn’t any getting around it. You would have friends from other faiths who would invite you to their churches and fiestas and whatnot. Trouble is, the strong fragrances, the enormity of the saintly statues and the place of worship itself traumatized me so, because they were the very reasons that we converted. As a handful minority, and mocked at being so, I grew somber whenever called upon to exercise such duties.

But we asked for change in the elections, did we not?

For change to occur, we must go beyond ourselves, and try to understand and look for commonalities with the other faiths. Not to convert, debate or disillusion, but to unify.

During the Renaissance, an art movement predominantly spurred by the Catholic faith, and which produced a menagerie of religious images and sceneries, Michelangelo was the foremost artist, unparalleled in his mastery of the human form, both in paintings and sculptures. His contribution to art cannot be doubted. It is time we looked at religious images with new, and hopefully, at the very least, respectful eyes.

Mogi Mogado, a Filipino who migrated to Canada, and the sculptor of St. Julia Billiart, for the Catholic School of the same name, said that he felt at peace on the tormenting winter’s night, while he would chip away and inch by inch, form the image of St. Julia Billiart from a plaster slab.

A self-taught sculptor, former president of the Philippine Artists Group in Canada, and a parish leader, Mogado took it upon himself, during the forbidding winter months in Markham, to devote his craftsmanship and skill to a higher calling. That was to shave and slice away to produce magnificent religious images. First, he finished San Lorenzo Ruiz, and for this winter, he carved an image of St. Julia Billiart.

The product of good will always be good. If Mr. Mogado found peace in the middle of the blizzard, just like Jesus calming the storm, would that not mean that these images serve a higher purpose – that of bringing them closer to God, and Him giving them peace?

If we should judge, let us judge Catholics according to the merits of their faith. If not, then we become the oppressors ourselves, while we cry for equality and temperance.

If non-Catholics do not give them a chance, we would not know that St. Julia Billiart devoted her life to “steadfast commitment to the Catholic faith, self-sacrifice and charity for the children and the vulnerable, and life-long Bible catechism and teaching (Galicia, B., Balita Newspaper, 1 May 2016).”

Besides, even the Catholic school council member Jonille de los Santos was in awe that the image looked “pleasant and compassionate,” for the children to see the representation of her giving spirit. Art has that capability to immortalize the spirit.

Do we not also erect images of our national heroes? Is that really far off from what the Catholics are doing? Respect is reverence, and the penultimate expression of that is remembrance. We remember our heroes through the gigantic sculpture of Rizal in Luneta, and also of the common folks who went to the first Edsa Revolution (People Power Monument by Eduardo Castrillo).

Representation.

In the same vein, the Bible, like a religious image, is a representation of faith. It tells us of the ideological description of creation. Even the exacting scientific minds attempt to reconcile seemingly opposing ideologies, like the scientific method and the creation story.

George Lemaitre, the first scientist who proposed the Big Bang Theory, was a priest and a member of the Pontifical Academy of Science, Vatican (Morgan Freeman, The Story of God, National Geographic documentary).

Kindly consider that old civilizations did not have paper on which to record their history or their beliefs, neither would they see that forthcoming as paper would decompose. They needed something incorruptible, preferably material that would connote immortality. That is why they use stone. The Mayans recorded their creation story, their Bible, so to speak, in stone. Would this be irrational?

If belief in the immortality of the gods was present, then would it make sense that we would choose the most immortal of substances available to us to represent them? What could be more immortal than the mountains, than the parent rock that made up those mountains?

We have scientific evidence that certain human predispositions, or beliefs, are inherited, and the more heritable the attitudes and beliefs, the more they influence the way we act (DeAngelis, Tori, Are Beliefs Inherited?, American Psychological Association, April 2004).

Paganism. If you think about it, most, if not all pagan civilizations and beliefs, look to the stars. Even the Big Bang Theory was conceptualized by looking at the stars. In that respect, please realize that we are not that different, whether we believe in the Big Bang Theory, or Jesus. Whether we admit it or not, our beliefs today were shaped by our Kapitayan animist ancestors.

Unity. All religion is wistful for it. And yet, we would despair at the thought of converting from our beliefs. I am a unique individual, but part of me is in you, and part of you is in me. Only by knowing the other, will I have full knowledge of who I am. In that regard, my being circumspect is invalidated, if it was done without first gaining full knowledge on why you think you are right.

Let us discover the merits and the good in all the other religions and faiths.

“Vahdat al vudut” – unity in existence, by the Arab mystical philosopher who grew up in Spain, Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi.

“My whole existence is you” – Hinduism

Unity is peace and peace is heaven, and we long for unity and heaven in the afterlife.

Can we not attain peace while living here on earth?

Photo credit: www.theodysseyonline.com

NGAYONG ARAW NA ITO GAGANAPIN

ang engradeng 12-hour victory party

para kay incoming president Rody Duterte.

Gagawin ito sa Crocodile Park sa Davao City.

Bakit naman doon pa, of all places??

Baka kasi maraming buwayang darating.

*****

“DU31: ONE LOVE, ONE NATION”

ang title ng thanksgiving party na ito.

Mahigit 100,000 ang tinatayang dadalo.

Sabi ng reports:

“Duterte and his family are expected

to make an appearance at the event.”

EXPECTED TO…?

Hindi “WILL attend”?

So, hindi sure??

One word for you:

PROCLAMATION.

*****

UIPDATE:

Siigurado na raw na darating si Digong

sa  thanksgiving party.

Ang di lang tiyak ay kung ano ang gagawin niya:

Kung mag-ii-speech, kakanta, o ano pa man.

Baka…

sisipol?

*****

BAWAL DAW ANG INHALERS SA PARTY.

ito kasi ang ginagamit ng mga “rollers”

(party drug users)

na pampa-enhance ng “tama.”

Ayun!

Kaya pala nagkalat ang inhalers

noong CloseUp Forever Summer concert.

Akala ko, marami lang ang may sipon.

*singhot*

*****

VICE GANDA:  “DUTERTE’S VICTORY PARTY

IS A CELEBRATION OF HOPE”

Teka… bakit may umeepal na naman??

Eh kasi…

Hindi pwedeng umepal d’yan si Kris.

So, ‘yung proxy na lang.

*****

NAG-USAP NA NAMAN SINA ME1 AT ME2:

ME1: Ano ba yang Digong na yan???

May topak yata yan eh!

Napanood mo ba yung latest presscons n’ya?

Panay na naman ang mura.

Nagpapalusot pa sa mga kabastusan niya!!!

ME2: Pero bumawi naman siya sa huli, di ba?

Sabi niya, pagdating ng June 30,

magkakaroon daw ng “metamorphosis.”

Ibig sabihin, magbabago siya.

At least, may acknowledgment

ng kamalian niya, di ba?

Aware siya na may mga taong ayaw

sa choice of words at gawi niya.

Di tulad ng iba d’yan, di ba?

Ayaw umamin?

ME3  to  ME9:   BOOM PAN**!!!

******

METAMORPHOSIS BA KAMO?

Eh, di isama na rin natin ang

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

para kumpleto na ang biology lesson!

*****

ANG MGA INAWAY NI DIGONG LATELY:

Drug lords

Leila De Lima

Mexico

United States

Australia

Singapore

Commission on Human Rights

Catholics

Journalists

United Nations

atbp.

Sabi tuloy ng isang netizen:

Ang pusa ko na lang

ang hindi niya inaaway.

Baka naman takot lang

magsumbong si Muning.

Miao!

*****

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING?

During a presscon in Davao,

when GMA-7 reporter Mariz Umali

was asking incoming president

Rody Duterte a question…

sumipol si Digong

at kumanta pa ng…

“Malayo ang tingin…”

Naging war zone na naman ang social media.

May mga nagalit kay Digong

for violating an ordinance of his own city.

Meron namang nagtanggol sa kanya

at sinabing palabiro lang talaga ito.

Nagkamurahan na naman sa internet.

Ang civilized natin, ‘no?

*****

NAG-REACT SIYEMPRE ANG HUSBAND

ni Mariz Umali na si Raffy Tima.

Sabi nito sa FB account niya:

“Catcalling my wife is wrong in so many levels.
I expected that from a Mayor Duterte.

I know his reputation well enough

not to be shocked by it, but that does not make it right.

For someone who espouses leadership by example,

catcalling anyone in a press conference

with all cameras trained on him defies logic.

Then again, thats Mayor Duterte.”

Masama rin ang loob niya sa mga naroon

dahil nagtawanan pa sila

imbes na sitahin daw ang maling asal ni Digong.

Masama rin ang loob ng ibang reporters dahil…

hindi sila nasipulan.

May favoritism??

*****

ANO NGA BA YANG DAVAO ORDINANCE NA “YAN?

“Davao City Ordinance No. 5004

penalizes sexual harassment on women,

which includes kissing or embracing someone

against her will  and  cursing, whistling

or calling a woman in public with words

having dirty connotations or implications

which tend to ridicule, humiliate or embarrass

the woman such as ‘puta’, ‘boring,’ ‘peste’, etc.”

Yown!!

So… kasali ang whistling!

*****

ANO ANG DEFENSE NI DIGONG DITO?

“Do not presume that you are the one

[who I catcalled].

It belongs to the person. I may look at you (whistles)

but I would look at that woman there.

Because if you do that, especially if I whistle in public,

you are speculating whether you are the one.

It needs to be a cajole, cajole in, (whistles)

‘Mare, ang ganda mo.’

There has to be something like, really, inviting the…

sexual undertones.

Kung mag-whistling lang ako,

[preventing] that kind of thing is intruding

into constitutional grounds.

Freedom of expression.”

So, lusot na ba?

Depende ‘yan sa inyo.

Kung anti-DU30 kayo,

eh hindi lusot ‘yan — EVER.

Kung pro-DU30 naman kayo,

maliit na bagay ‘yan.

Hindi na dapat pinalalaki pa.

Away ulit kayo!

Para civilized ulit kayo!!!

*****

ANO NAMAN ANG REACTION

ng tagapagtanggol ng mga kababaihan —-

ang GABRIELA?

Sabi ni Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan:

“If you are calling the attention of this reporter,

you could have used the other way…

We have to accept that our President is different

and he is working under a

cultural way of communicating.

Ganoon naman talaga ang mga Bisaya.

They are sarcastic. We exaggerate.

We make fun, pero accepted naman talaga.

It’s just a manner of speaking

but not the thought, it’s not the content.”

Ahhh.. I see.

Teka… bakit parang nagbago ang tono

ng taga-GABRIELA???

Errr…. si Ilagan po kasi ay tumakbo

bilang councilor sa Davao City

sa ilalim ng partido

na itinatag ni Digong noong 2001.

Yown.

*****
TANUNGIN NGA NATIN

ang mismong sinipulan na si MARIZ UMALI.

Ano ba ang reaction niya dito?

“Inisip ko na lang na I must understand

na baka palabiro lang itong si

President-elect Duterte based from how I know him

o kung ano yung alam ko doon sa mga coverages

sa kanya ng ibang reporters.”

She is not expecting an apology daw.

So…

sino ulit ang na-hurt sa pagsipol??

*****

LESSON:

Para sigurado, huwag na sumipol.

Mag-PSSSST na lang kayo.

Hindi bawal sa batas ‘yan.

Psssst!

(Yan ang tawag sa baby pusit).

*****

KA PAENG MARIANO OF ANAKPAWIS

was named Agrarian Reform Secretary

by incoming president Duterte.

At nalaglag ang panga ni PNoy.

Paktay na ang Hacienda Luisita!

*****

9 NA MAGULANG IKINULONG

sa pinaigting na “Oplan RODY”

o “Rid the Streets of Drinkers and Youth.”

ME1:  OA naman! Di pa nga nakakaupo si Digong eh!

At saka bakit ngayon n’yo lang ginawa ‘yan?

Eh matagal nang ordinansa sa siyudad n’yo yan??

ME2: Ok yan! Ngayon, ginaganahan na

ang mga awtoridad na ipatupad ang ordinances

dahil inspired sila sa pagbabagong darating

at sa pagdating ng lider na may political will.

Sabihin n’yo yan dun sa 9 na magulang!

*****

SLOGANS NG PAST AND FUTURE PRESIDENTS:

FERDINAND MARCOS:

Sa ikauunlad ng Bayan, disiplina ang kailangan.

CORY AQUINO:

Tama na! Sobra na! Palitan na!

FIDEL RAMOS:

Philippines 2000

JOSEPH ESTRADA:

Erap para sa mahirap

GLORIA ARROYO:

Strong Republic

BENIGNO AQUINO III:

Kung walang kurap, walang mahirap

Tuwid na Daan

RODRIGO DUTERTE:

Tunay na pagbabago

Change is coming.

EMMANUEL PACQUIAO:

You know.

*****

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

FROM TWO SMART LADIES

This one’s from Chiqui Ortiz Dingcong:

“The anti-Duterte groups are itching to say ‘I told you so.’

I think what shocks and irritates them is that

we now have a President who talks straight to them,

instead of effin’ with them like all the past presidents.

He’s not apologetic, and tells it as it is.

Sure he lacks GMRC and sometimes make me cringe

with his crassness, but as long as he is doing his job

to improve our nation and our lives better,

then i will keep my mouth shut

instead of worrying about every word

that comes out of his mouth.”

*****

AND THIS ONE’S FROM MJ REYES:

“Oo nga, bastos sya. Oo rin, gusto ko siya.

Dahil sa kanya ako nakakita ng konting pag-asa.

Dahil sa kanya ako nakakita ng

tunay na malasakit sa kapwa.

Ngunit huwag kayong mag-alala

dahil nananatiling bukas ang aking mga mata –

handang sumuporta sa maayos na pamamahala

at handa ring pumuna at tumuligsa

sa tamang panahon, sa tamang kadahilanan.

I chose to choose my battles.

I shall fight at the right time

and for the right reasons.

For now, hintayin muna natin siyang maupo.”

*****

ANG WISH KO LANG:

Sana hindi biguin ni Digong

ang mga tulad nilang hopeful

sa pagbabagong inaasahan.

Dahil kung mabibigo sila,

mabibigo na naman ang Pilipinas

sa pinili nating mamumuno sa atin.

Sabay-sabay tayong mag…

*cross fingers*

*****

ITO LANG PO ANG MAIPAPAYO KO

kay Digong at sa mga nakapaligid sa kanya:

Huwag na po muna kayong

magpa-presscon.

Hindi naman po kayo required to do so.

Binibigyan n’yo lang ng rason ang mga haters n’yo

na tirahin ang bawat salita ninyo.

Less talk, less mistake.

Itanong n’yo pa kay Lito Lapid.

*****

NOTE: I wrote the item above

A DAY BEFORE Duterte’s head executive assistant

Christopher “Bong” Go announced that:

“Sa ngayon wala nang presscon

para wala nang mali.”

Aha!!!

Mr. Go!!!

Sinilip mo ang notes ko, no?!!!

*****

PHOTO CREDITS:

RODRIGO DUTERTE:  ohtorch.com

DAVAO CROCODILE PARK: https://ronamaesuperaferraren.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/crocodile-park-davao/

RAFFY TIMA  AND MARIZ UMALI: trendingblog.net

PHOTO URLs:

RODRIGO DUTERTE:

http://ohtorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/duterte-art.jpg

DAVAO CROCODILE PARK:

https://ronamaesuperaferraren.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/crocodileparkbanner-1.jpg

RAFFY TIMA  AND MARIZ UMALI:

http://trendingblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/raffy-tima-dismayed-over-duterte-catcalling-his-wife-mariz-umali.jpg

back to school

The opening of the new school year is just around the corner. Most public schools are set to start classes on June 13, 2016. Many private schools will also start within the next few weeks except for a few that moved their school opening to August 2016.

With the upcoming school year opening, the Department of Education (DeptEd) re-launched its yearly nationwide Brigada Eskwela during the last week of May 2016.

Brigada Eskwela was first implemented in May 2003. The purpose of Brigada:

• To practice shared governance
• To bring the spirit of education to the community level
• To utilize local resources to improve public schools

“The annual Brigada Eskwela is our version of modern ‘bayanihan’ where all sectors pitch in to make sure that our schools are clean, safe, disaster-prepared and conducive to learning when students troop back to the schools in June,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said.

Last week, Mommy Gigi received a message from her son’s former class adviser who is currently teaching in a public school. The adviser asked for donation in cash or in kind in line with Brigada Eskwela 2016. Mommy Gigi didn’t hesitate to help in her own simple way. She and a fellow mom donated a few cans of paint. When Mommy Gigi delivered the paint to the school, she saw how busy the teachers, staff and students were in cleaning, repairing and repainting the school premises.

The DepEd is encouraging the community to support schools in preparing for the new school year. This year’s theme “Tayo Para sa Paaralang Ligtas, Maayos, at Handa Mula Kindergarten Hanggang Senior High School” aims to unite Filipinos by working together to ensure a better future for the next generation.

Schools are not the only places that are busy preparing for the opening of classes. Homes are also bustling with activity in anticipation of the new school year.

The start of a brand new school year is both an exciting and challenging time for young children and their parents. It is a mixture of eagerness and nervousness. With the right preparation and optimism, parents can help their kids feel more confident about going back to school.

Here are some simple tips to help prepare your child for school.

Talk to your child about the upcoming school year. Have a casual talk with your kid about school and what he/she thinks it will be like. Ask your child what he/she is looking forward to. Find out if he/she is unsure, worried or afraid about something.

Common worries include:

• Who will be my new teacher?
• Will my new teacher be nice?
• Will I see my old classmates again?
• Will my new classmates be kind to me?
• Will I fit in my new school?
• Will I make new friends?

Listen attentively. Give your child your undivided attention. Never downplay your child’s fears. Keep in mind that back-to-school worries can be stressful for a child. Tell your kid that it is normal to be nervous about the first day of school.

Focus on the positive side about school. Talk about exciting opportunities like making new friends, learning new things and discovering a lot of exciting stuff. Share your own memorable and fun experiences about school.

It may also help to role play with your child, especially if you have a young one. Role playing can be a fun activity for your child. It may seem like playing but it can help prepare your child to be more confident about the first day of school.

Don’t miss the school orientation. It is advisable to attend the school orientation to learn about the school’s latest developments, programs and services. School orientation gives students and parents an overview of what to expect for the whole school year and what the organization expects from them in return.

Linda, filed a leave to attend her daughter’s parent orientation day. She wanted to be properly informed about the academic calendar and schools rules and regulations, particularly campus safety.

Orientation day is vital for new students to familiarize and old students to reacquaint themselves with the campus premises, school culture, rules and regulations, and school personnel. Orientation is a good time to ask questions to clarify confusing or gray areas.

Attending the school orientation is an opportunity for parents to meet other parents and students to meet fellow students. It’s a chance to develop camaraderie, begin a community, and build lasting friendships. Meeting other students and co-parents can help reduce the stress especially for new students and parents.

Take your child with you when you shop for school things. One way of involving your child is to bring him/her with you when you buy school gear and supplies. Shopping for school things can be fun and exciting. Give your child an opportunity to choose his/her own bag, lunchbox, notebooks, pencil case, and other school basics while keeping your budget in mind. Allow your child to buy a little extra like additional cute erasers, pens, bookmarks, or stickers to decorate his/her notebooks.

Take your child to meet her new teacher before school officially starts. A young child, especially a student transferring to a new school may be preoccupied with the thought of how his/her new teacher will be like. Erase your child’s fears by arranging a casual meet and greet with the teacher or adviser. This may be arranged during school orientation but you may also request another meeting especially if there are many students.

A chance to meet the teacher before formal classes begin can help a child feel more at ease about the first day of school.

Arrange a tour around the school. Take advantage of the school’s open house so you can take your child around the campus. Walk around with your child and show him/her the classrooms, library, cafeteria, gym, playground, restrooms, and other important areas inside the school. If you’re not familiar with the school, you can arrange for a tour with the school administration.

Get back into the routine. Make the transition from summer vacation to school days less difficult by helping your child gradually ease back into the daily school grind. Establish a school dry run by setting the alarm clock early and going through your normal school day activities. Re-establish school routines at least one week before the start of the new school year to give your child time to be ready for school. This kind of practice can make the first day of school run more smoothly.

Photo from Pixabay. Public domain.
—————————–
Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University. Rachel is a mom to a charming boy and married to an entrepreneur who has a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.

Kapag sinabing Independence Day o Araw ng Kasarinlan o Araw ng Kalayaan, ano ang mga pumapasok sa isip mo?  Malamang ang watawat o bandila,  sina Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Emilio Aguinaldo, atbp., ang Katipunan, ang Cry of Pugad Lawin,  ang Pact of Biak-na-Bato,  and Malolos Congress, atbp.  Pero ano ang unang ginagamit para ituro  sa atin ang nationalism – mula sa pagkabata?

ANG FLAG CEREMONY

Bata pa lang tayo, pinapa-memorize na sa atin ang Pambasang Awit (“Lupang Hinirang,” pero hanggang ngayon ay marami pa rin ang nag-aakalang ang title nito ay “Bayang Magiliw”).   Noong araw, sa flag ceremony ay tatlo ang kailangan mong i-memorize:  ang “Lupang Hinirang,” ang “Panatang Makabayan” at ang “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.”  Sa ganitong pagkakasunod-sunod din ito kinakanta at nire-recite.

Ang tatlong ito ay pinapa-memorize para i-instill sa ating murang utak ang nationalism o patriotism.  Pero, sa totoo lang, dahil robotic o rote ang memorization natin, hindi naman talaga natin nauuwaan ang ating sinasabi o kinatanta.  Hindi ko matandaan kung inanalyze o hinimay namin sa klase ang ibig sabihin ng panata at mga kanta.  Kung itinuro man ito,  obviously ay hindi tumatak sa isip ko.

At palibhasa’y alam ng teachers ko na ako ay nag-aaral ng piano noon (mula 7 taong gulang), ako lagi ang tinatawag para magkumpas.  Kailangan kasing alam mo ang iba’t-ibang klaseng tempo: 2/4, 3/4 o 4/4.   Ang “Lupang Hinirang,” bagama’t ang original tempo nito ay 2/4 o martsa, ay inaawit noon sa 4/4 na tempo.  Ang “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” naman ay 3/4  o waltz tempo.

Sa pag-lead naman ng “Panatang Makabayan” ay hindi nangangailangan ng musical ability. Kailangan lang magaling kang mag-memorize.  At nag-iba na rin ang wordings nito mula noong 2001.

So, limang estudyante ang pupunta sa may flag pole area para sa flag ceremony.  Ang dalawa ay siyang magtataas ng watawat habang kinakanta ang “Lupang Hinirang,”   Isa ang magkukumpas.  Isa ang magli-lead ng recitation ng “Panatang Makabayan,” at ang huli ay siyang kukumpas para sa “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.”

Ngayon daw, hindi na pinagkukumpas ang mga mag-aaral.  Ang mga guro na ang nagrerelyebo para gumawa nito.  At kadalasan, meron nang background (recorded) music silang sinasabayan.  Hindi na rin 4/4 ang tempo nito kundi  2/4, dahil ang Pambansang Awit natin ay sinulat gamit ang march tempo, o 2/4 beat.

At bukod sa “Panatang Makabayan,” nire-recite na rin ngayon ang “Panunumpa sa Watawat.”

Pero ngayon, ang pagtutuunan natin ng pansin ay ang pinakabida sa lahat — ang Pambansang Awit at ang kontrobersiya sa TAMANG pagkanta nito.  Ikaw ba, tama ang pagkanta mo nito?

For contrast lang, saglitan muna natin ang national anthem ng U.S. of A.

STAR SPANGLED BANNER

Sa Amerika, pwedeng-pwede i-interpret ang kanilang “Star Spangled Banner” sa kung ano mang genre o style nila gustuhin — pwedeng gawing jazzy, bluesy, rap, pop, country, o kung ano naman ang gustuhin ng kumakanta.  Matatandaang nag-Top 40 pa ang version ni Whitney Houston noong 1991 (nag-peak ito sa #20).  Noong 1968, nag-#50 naman ang recorded version ni Jose Feliciano noong 1968.  Recently naman ay pinuri at nilikbak (mixed kasi ang reaction) ang madamdaming live interpretation ni Lady Gaga.

NO ROOM FOR INTERPRETATION

Dito naman tayo sa Pilipinas. Hindi pwede ang mga ganyan!!!

Kung natatandaan ninyo, recently ay nagkaroon ng ilang controversy sa pagkanta o pag-interpret ng “Lupang Hinirang” – lalo na kapag kinakanta ito ng mga sikat ng singers bago nagsimula ang laban ng Pambansang Kamao na si Manny Pacquiao.  Pinuna ng National Historical Institute (NHI) ang tempo ng pagkanta nila.  Dapat daw kasi ay 2/4 ang tempo. Ibig sabihin, hindi pwede ang mabagal o stylized rendition. Hindi pwedeng lumihis sa “tamang version.”

Sabi sa Republic Act 8491 o ang Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines,  dapat daw tugtugin o kantahin ang Pambansang Awit “in accordance with the musical arrangement of its composer, Julian Felipe.  Pwedeng makulong ang sino mang hindi wasto ang pagkanta.  Sinasaad din sa batas na ito na dapat ay “with fervor”  (maalab, madamdamin) ang pagkanta ng Pambansang Awit.  Paano kaya nila susukatin o malalaman kung ang pagkanta ay “with fervor” o wala?  Hmmm.

At kung susundin nang literally ang batas na ito,  dapat ang Pambansang Awit ay ipe-perform sa salin ng isang pianista o isang brass band, dahil yun lang ang mga versions na ginawa ni Julian Felipe.  Isa pa, ang original version ay nasa 2/4 tempo, kumpara sa makabagong 4/4 tempo.  Kung susundin ang original tempo, at sasamahan ng lyrics, siguradong magkakabulol-bulol ang kakanta.

MARTIN NIEVERA AND JOEY AYALA

Noong 2009, binalak idemanda ni Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr.  si Martin Nievera dahil daw sa maling pagkanta nito ng Pambansang Awit sa Pacquiao-Hatton bout sa Las Vegas.  At kahit na raw sa Las Vegas siya kumanta, ito raw ay ipinalabas ng live sa Pilipinas, kaya liable pa rin daw si Martin.  Pinag-apologize ng NHI si Martin dahil sa pangyayaring ito, pero sabi ni Martin, wala siyang dapat ihingi ng apology dahil nagustuhan naman daw ni Manny Pacquiao (ang kumuha sa kanya para kumanta) ang rendition niya.  At “in good faith” naman daw ang pagkanta niya.  Sagot naman Barzaga:  “good faith” is not a valid defense in such a case because the only question is whether there has been a violation of the law.

Marami pang singers ang nalagay din sa alanganin dahil sa “maling interpretation” ng Pambansang Awit.

Noong 2013  sa live performance ng folk singer na si Joey Ayala sa TEDxDiliman, kinanta niya ang Pambansang Awit nang paputol-putol, habang nagbibigay ng suggestions sa pagbabago ng ibang elemento nito dahil sa iba’t ibang dahilan:  maling bigkas o syllabication, pag-angkop ng lyrics sa mga nota ng piyesa, atbp.  Kumalat din sa internet ang video ng live performance na ito.  Maganda naman ang intention ni Ayala at kilala siya sa kanyang pagkamakabayan, kaya siguro hindi naman siya pinarusahan ng NHI.

PENALTIES

Kapag napatunayang nagkasala ka, ang  multa mo ay P5,000 hanggang P20,000 at pwede pang makulong nang mahigit sa isang taon.

Nang pumutok ang Martin Nievera controversy noong 2009, nag-suggest sina Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño at Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel na i-amend na ang batas na ito para naman hindi na maparusahan ang mga artists kung “mali” ang kanilang interpretation.

At dahil sa napaka-strict at masasabing unreasonable rule na ito, minsan tuloy, mapapaisip ka:  Eh bakit pa sila pinakanta ng live? Bakit hindi na lang pinatugtog ang plaka o recording ng Pambansang Awit?  At paano kung inaantok pa ang mag-aaral at dahil dito ay mabagal ang pagkanta niya ng Pambansang Awit, pwede ba siyang dakpin ng NHI?

Kaya mga kids, huwag aantok-antok habang inaantok, ha? Dapat bibo (hindi bibe ha?). At dapat… with feelings.

PHOTO CREDIT:  newsinfo.inquirer.net