"unfaithful"

Why must you be unfaithful,when her heart is true to you
you seek all days for pasture as she toils so hard for you
she who has given her all to you – you tend to ignore
she who has given her all to you – still you wanted more
she who shared with you all you have been through – joy and pain
she swallowed all her woe and left it be washed by the rain
she wanted you to be all that you could be and be great
that every time you went your way she always stood and wait
she has always been what you called home – shelter from the storms
she sticks with you through thick and thin – loves you above all norms
she has made your world her all but still you wanted more
she devoted her all to you but her you still ignore
she tried to do all things for you – beyond all she could do
so why are you unfaithful, when her heart is true to you?


He has built his world around you – are you not contented
He wears your ring and you wear his – where do you lay your head
You wander far from what he is - is his all not enough
you ran unto another's arms. Why – has your love dried up
he worships you with all he's got – you wanted something more
he gave you all he had to give – you knock on others' door
he built his world around you – you chose to give him woe
he stood faithful in all these years – still you want to go
he loves you so with all he is – loves you for what you are
he gives you all he's got to give yet still you wander far
will his love ever be enough for your fidelity
will he ever be enough for you to love him truly
he did all he could do for you – faithful – forever true
now why are you unfaithful when his heart is true to you?

-Orville "Chubby" Basas-

dilemma by samantha grace astronomia

it's his wish to fall in love again
to be with someone whose heart he can call home
to sit with and embrace when it rains
and to know that he's never alone

he is starting to fall,but he says it's not right
she can't be his but he keeps thinking of her each night
he can't understand how he got to feel this way
but it's her face he looks for everyday

he can't actually tell if it's infatuation or real
but his heart skips a beat every time she's near
he hates the fact that she reminds him of someone
that someone his soul knows and he loved deeply once

my friend i can't help you get rid of your feelings
because it's love we're running against to
for now just cope with whatever you're dealing with
and one day the right one will come where your heart will fall into

saManTha..^_~

untitled work by Samantha Grace Astronomia

how do you measure one's happiness?
is it on how you see them smile?
enjoy their friends' company for a while?
or party for tonic and gin and have a great time?

each day i get out of bed and do the usual thing
get out of the house and see the same faces
have fun with my friends
and hang out at different places

but when i come home at night, i look at the mirror
stare at the reflection looking back at me
i say I'm not happy
is this all I'm ever going to be?

I'm surrounded by a sea of people
and still feel alone
i can't find that someone
whom my heart yearns for

it'll be nice to have someone with you
to hold your hand kiss your forehead and slowly drift to sleep
that no matter how hard that tonic and gin hits you
you'll still have someone to hold so close and deep

to just sit side by side saying nothing at all
feeling each other breathe, hearing each other's heartbeat
to make you fall in-love over and over again
to make you feel that you are the most precious gem

he's not here, the one who holds my heart
he'll be with me soon but then again we'll part
i know when he comes I'll be happy once more
and i know that i love him 'till hell freezes over

so how do you measure my happiness?
it's when i feel my heart is looking for nothing else
but the one who completes my soul

saManTha...^_~

RAGE

Why you ask for verses of endearment
while this nation is fucked by an illegitimate president
open your eyes! Stick your head out of the window!
Be angry about her screwing with the Filipino.

For long time waiting, the Filipino rage
has once again taken center stage
A roaring sound of sweet profanity
spoken against outrageous tyranny

the, once thought dead, Filipino voice
has spoken out for freedom by choice
against the slaughter of Filipino soul
Stride by stride, this people reach it's goal

so cry, sob, moan and straight out be angry
march for the nation, Shout for your dignity
She has tramples us long enough to know
that she has overstayed her welcome. Now stand, Filipino

let us shout and shake the walls of inferno
let us tell the world that we are Filipino
Let us show the world that we will fight for the right
Let us show this bitch the people's might.

-Orville “chubby” Basas-

answers

How one begins to measure, the pain he has to endure
How is one to measure the love that he gives pure
How am I to tell you that I love you with my all
How can I make you comprehend, I am yours 'till all stars fall
How can I make you believe, your smile is my heroine
How can I say I'm reminded of you by all I have seen
How do I ask you to spend this life with me
How I want to reach out to you all across the sea
How do I show what I see my life to be
How can I tell you I can't see my life without you and me
How can I make you happy as what you do with me
How can I make you stay forever and share what we can be
How do I begin to tell you, you own my fidelity
How do I begin to measure how you made me happy

-Orville “chubby” Basas-

IF

If you ask him for a name
if you ask him for his thoughts
if you ask him for his game
and the battles he has fought

if you watch him do his deeds
if he shows you his demise
would you pick up all his seeds
and allow them all to rise

if he shows you his darkness
if he shows you your grief
would you stand with him in sadness
and give him your beliefs

if all he knows is his life
if all his truth is his way
would you want to be his wife
and stand him every waking day

another day goes by
another plastic syringe
another mad hatter's tea
and cigarette burns

if he tells you his name
if he tells you his thoughts
if he tells you his game
and showed the chaos that he brought

if he gives you his deeds
and trusts you with his demise
if he asks you to plant his seeds
would you advise him to be wise

when he shows you his darkness
will you lighten up his life
when he tells you of his madness
will you trust him with a knife

will you change him to be better
if all his truth is his way
will you cut him to be wiser
or by him, quietly stay

another year goes by
with all the syringe
of penny royal tea
and powder burns

if he can't escape his life
would you bother to ask him why
would you still want to be his wife
even though you know you'll cry

another Christmas comes
and no more syringe
no penny royal tea
as his casket burns

-Orville “chubby” Basas-

If life gives you lemons...

The times are rough. I could actually say it blows. It blows so hard that it sucks. It's getting harder to get by. Not to mention that humanity is deteriorating. It is the time I call "THE GREED AGE." Greed has taken over. Enough is never enough. If life gives you lemons, you make lemonade and sell it by the glass. If life gives you weed, you cut it and sell it by the bag. Everyone sees everything as profits.. Everyone is replacing the conventional pronouns with ones that is needed by their greedy principles. "He," "she," and "it" are replaced with "asset," "liability" and "profit". For big companies and corporations, the "Christmas season" as a time of giving is seen as an opportunity to promote public relations for more patrons and more profit. Everyone today is looking out for number one. It's all work for my needs. Sweat to provide for family. Toil for success. Do everything with everything life has given to be the best. People think that what life has given them is for them to be great. If life gives you lemons, right? A certain someone told me a slightly modified motto. "If life gives you lemons, add vodka, salt and chill." It's kind of funny but would be better for humanity. Let us drop the "make lemonade" part and just ring everybody up for a house party.

We could be heroes.

Our heroes must be turning in their graves. The principles that they fought and died for, the same principles that became the foundation of this republic is now just a thought. An insignificant speck in the minds of today's generation. The eyes that Jose Rizal's work has opened are now wide shut. Ears that reverberated with the cry of Pugad Lawin are hearing without listening. This once proud people built on activism is now passive, blind, deaf and dumb. Rizal gave his life for equality. He fought for the Filipino to be known as equals by any other nation. now the Philippines is one of the most corrupt countries. The Filipinos ignore this fact and moves on thinking that if they are not bleeding they would not fight back. Little do they know that we are being milked by an illegitimate president reducing our stature just like Spain has done long ago. Bonifacio fought for freedom, for democracy. But what is happening now? An illegitimate president is destroying our democracy, spitting in the face of this once proud nation. And we just smile and not mind it. The Philippines has a new oppressor replacing the Japanese, the Spaniards and the Marcos rule. She goes by the name of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She looks and talks like us. Maybe that is why we become passive. But I tell you, my fellow Filipinos, Race is not the enemy, it is the principle of the person and the persons personal agenda. The idea that she is a Filipino is but an idea. The Fact that she is a vessel of tyranny is a fact. Our veins flow with the blood of activism. Our history is paved by it. Our whole becoming is because our ancestors stood up and fought against terrorism. They died fighting for liberty, justice and peace. This country, our country, became a republic because we fought for independence, democracy and humanity. This whole nation was because of great individuals, heroes, who would not ignore injustice and corruption. The Filipino is Filipino because we would not take oppression lying down. Look at our history. EDSA revolution, propaganda movement, HUKBALAHAP, kataastaasang, kagalanggalangang katipunan ng mga anak ng bayan, magdalo and many others have fought for what is right and what is for the Filipino nation. We should be fighting for these same things regardless of who or what the tyrant seems to be. I am not calling out for a revolution, (though it is badly needed) but I am calling for consciousness. Filipinos! Open your eyes! You are being cheated out of your rights and your motherland. I am not pointing out that we should be taking to the streets,(though it is not such a bad idea) but I am pointing out the lack of wanting to. What bothers me most is the principles of heroes are being studied in school, colleges and universities but somehow, the seeds are not growing in the minds. These oppressions have happened before, Why are we not screaming at the top of our lungs in Pugad Lawin? We are mocking the Lives, Works and Death of our immortal heroes.

who wants to live forever?

Mortality. How does one escape it? How does one begin to accept an imminent fate? But what is mortality? Most know it as death. Others believe it is the end and some believe it is the beginning of something new. Others even tend to wonder if the spirit can die. Some believe that the body is just the vessel for the spirit. once the body dies the spirit is left to move on. Some believe that at the death of the body, the spirit dies with it. I believe something else.

I believe that death is simply a part of life. An unavoidable hump in the path on which we travel. Death, in some way, is a way to end our misery and possibly give misery and woe to others. We, or rather, our body dies as we live. day by day the body grows weaker. The more years we live, the easier the body crumbles. And the way we live our lives is the way we die. As I recall, I think it was Snoop Dogg that said: "we live by the gun so we die by the gun." We die not by our weapon of choice but by the way we chose to live. But that's just the body.

I also believe that there is a spirit. I do believe in ghost, but that's not the spirit I am referring to. And I believe that the spirit lives on as the body dies. The "spirit" I believe in is the essence. One's spirit lives on as long as he and his work is remembered.

Immortality is given to the mind. Not the body. As I believe John Lennon is alive as long as I and countless others sing his songs and adopt his views. I believe that Jose Rizal lives as long as there are writing as he did with principles based on his.I believe that Martin Luther King and Malcolm X will live as long as their dreams are shared and experienced by the young.

The dead poets will be immortal in every hungry young poet's words. The buried musicians will live in the notes of every aspiring musicians song. The revolutionaries live in the minds of the people who survive on their victory. The villains and war lords will live in the minds of the oppressed. The lovers will live in the hearts of the loved. The writers will be reborn every time their writings are read.

One's spirit will die if he stands in the bleachers just to applaud. The spirit will be buried if one chooses to be a voyeur. So get up and make something. Leave a legacy. Leave a mark. Write, sing, rhyme, fight for something, love and be loved. Our work is something that death cannot conquer. Live life and work for life. Appreciate beauty and make beauty. Take a stand for the what you believe in. Our work will be our lives.

So, who wants to live forever?

-Orville "chubby" Basas-

Truth about us

GREED - Embedded in the inner-most DNA of humanity. A part of humanity. No other creature on earth has it etched in its core. It is present from when we were born and cultivated in our early childhood. It starts with possession. The time we recognize something to be ours is the time we nourish the seed and drown out the principle of a shared universe.

"WHAT IS MINE IS MINE"

In infancy, we are trained to recognize what is ours and not ours. We open our minds to the fact that "what is mine is mine" and what is his is his. We begin to build our world. A world all on our own. "My parents," "my toys," "my food," "my world." We begin to thrive on our possessions and perceive our world revolving around us. His world revolves around him.

"I WANT ONE"

In the toddler years we cultivate our traits in owning. We love what is ours. We shew them off. We are proud of what is ours. My world is the greatest, but his world has a tower. I want one. Not so much for the tower but the toys and everything we don not have. We cultivate another trait - Envy. I want what he has got and I want it better. We nag to get one and plead for it.

"IF YOU WON'T GIVE IT, I'LL TAKE IT"

As we grow older, we tend to adopt the principle: "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." So we take matters in to our own hands. I want a shirt like his only better. my parents wouldn't buy me one so I'm going to save my allowance for it. Good idea, huh? To feed one's greed by getting one's own hands dirty. But what of the others who can't save? they follow the mantra: "if you won't give it, I'll take it." Too bad for the one he's going to take it from.

"TIME"

By our adolescent years, we overcome the greed for material things. It is replaced by our nagging greed for attention, affection, understanding and time. By this time we start growing hair and start to feel love or blinded by infatuation. Crush stage. We confuse admiration for beauty as love. Then we tend to try ans impress our crush. We get envious of the people who has her attention. This is the part where we go down on a slump and figure out what to do to win her attention and affection. Then we turn to change everything about us for her to notice. One day you come home pissed because she did not notice you. Your parents are shocked by your expression and the way you look. Then you go and say "why can't you understand me?!" Greed has taken a new form. And it will again evolve in time.

"GROWN UP"

By the time we get over our pathetic teenage philosophies, we discover something we really want. Liberty. Freedom. A chance to do what we want. But this is not liberty from greed. By this time our greed is growing with us. We take all the stages of greed we have had and put it all in a ball and paint it green. We want to do what we want but in order to do so, we must have "de niro," "money," "the green," or "the bills." "What is mine is mine and I want more so if you won't give it, I'll take it, in time, what is yours will be mine." And most think that money is the root of all evil, but if you think about it, greed is.

"END"

Even to our death bed, we are never content. WE would say "I wish I had more time." As I see it, we can never be content.

Greed is a part of man. It is the truth. The sad and horrid truth.

humanity

the world has just witnessed the savagery of man.

Call it whatever you may want. Terrorism, heroism, war or whatever. I call It the slow decay of humanity. The attack on the Taj Mahal is not the first nor is it the most savage. But the thought of people killing for something that could be settled if the, oh, so proud leaders would just sit down and talk how to settle their difference. War is not the answer. And to fight oppression with oppression is utterly dumb. One of the gunmen said they were fighting against the oppression based on religious difference and Territorial war that I have no idea how it started.

it's mind boggling how any one would think that making a bigger bang would get everyone to understand their side. it's quite stupid to think that destruction and death of the innocent is noble. they may think that they are doing it for a greater cause which I'm not really sure who's side is the greater cause. I guess it all depends in the point of view, but still, the ends douse not justify the means. they might think that they will be seen as martyrs and heroes as time would pass, but they are and will seen by the kins of their victims as savages and killers.

they will go down in history that feed the cause of two nations to go up in arms to annihilate each other. and I fear it may be the birth of another world war.

so cry.
cry not for the dead for they are heroes.
cry.
cry not for the Taj for it makes it more historical.
cry.
cry not for the scared and orphaned for they will fight evil.
cry.
cry not for trouble for it will only make us stronger.
but cry.
cry for humanity for it is slowly dying.

Savage

"Savage"

"A couple of radio deejays who were engaged in banter suddenly turned solemn and could not find the words to express their shock and revulsion at what had just happened. What had happened was the massacre at Mumbai wreaked by, well, most of the witnesses referred to them as mere “kids” or “boys,” no one possibly older than 25, who went about their business without thought or compunction. At the time the deejays talked about it, the first wave of news was just streaming in, with all its images of carnage and, it seemed at the time, a city in flames.

"True enough, words fail to describe the horror of the event. And even more the kinds of emotions it brings out in us. It was all the two deejays could do to take in the enormity of it. “How can anyone do this?” one of them asked. “It’s just totally mad,” the other replied. And they went on to talk about the utter perversity that informs acts of terrorism. And as acts of terrorism goes, they said, this one ranks high up there.

"You can understand the sentiments. Anyone who saw the news that day, particularly those who have Indian friends or kin in India, would have been speechless at the savageness of it. Some things are simply alien to human conduct, and despite India’s often bloody history and the savage rituals of its arcane cults, a monstrous thing like this happening to it in this day and age boggles the mind. Particularly when India, like China, is well on its way to becoming an economic power to go with its being an ancient civilization.

"Truly you have to wonder how people can be so lacking in human empathy that they can gun down men and women while they go about their daily lives, laughing, loving, wondering what meal they would prepare for their families when they get home. Many of those who died were in the platform of a station waiting for their trains to arrive.

"Horror amid normality, extraordinary mayhem amid ordinary life, the sudden visitation of death amid the fullness of life—all these have been known to happen. Disasters do that. A train wreck, a violent earthquake, or a vicious hurricane, does that. But for human beings to do that, willfully, deliberately, methodically—that is the truly horrific thing about it, the lack of passion or emotion with which the killers killed, like the Nazis gassing the Jews in the gas chambers wondering how many lamp shades they could make with their hides—you stand in absolute disbelief in the face of it.

"Terrorists do the terrifying things to try to send a message to their presumed oppressors. Which is that, “Anything you can do, we can do worse. Any act of atrocity you can commit, we can make more atrocious.” But at the very least, the problem with that logic is that it doesn’t sell with the victims, who are the innocent. It not only doesn’t sell with the kin of the dead, who can only call on heaven to rain upon you the worst evils to be found in hell, it doesn’t sell with the public who cannot possibly find anything in common with you to bind them to, or make them sympathize with, your cause. Acts of terrorism do not weaken the enemy, they strengthen them.

"At the very most, it hides the oppression and atrocity of the enemy by making your own oppressiveness and atrociousness the only thing the world can see. Some acts are just too savage, too unspeakable, for words. The Abu Sayyaf beheads several soldiers, and the world forgets the atrocities of the government in Muslim Mindanao, or indeed the atrocity that is government’s treatment of Muslim Mindanao. And why not? The sight of the headless and mutilated bodies of human beings is a blinding spotlight that turns everything around it dark.
Which is deeply tragic because the oppression and the atrocity of those that stoke the fires of terrorism are very often real enough. Terrorism strengthens its enemy not just physically but morally, by blotting out that enemy’s oppression and atrocity, rendering its enemy free to commit oppression and atrocity anew, this time in the name of fighting the very thing it spawned. An atrocity that is visible will always command the world’s attention while an atrocity that is invisible will always be overlooked. A carnage wreaked barbarically will always horrify while mass murder wrought civilized-ly will always mollify.

"It’s human nature, but a sad commentary on it. Because as has been asked in poetry and song and the wailing of the bereaved, is there really any moral, philosophical, ethical, religious, conceptual, rational, goddamn difference between murder wreaked from the skies, as Graham Nash puts it in a song, and murder wreaked on the ground?

"Murder wreaked from the skies is in fact more mind-boggling in quantity, if not in quality. You do not see the “perps,” as law enforcement agencies call them in movies, nor do the “perps” see their victims (they are just bleeps on the radar screen), but the results of their actions are just as grim, just as blood-spattered, just as inhuman. Just look at the sight of the mothers and fathers sobbing out their grief from the scattered remains of their children after US warplanes bombed out an Iraqi hospital during the first days of the invasion.

"What makes the Mumbai massacre doubly terrifying is the method in the madness, the willful, deliberate and methodical way it was carried out. But as willfulness, deliberateness, and method go, can there anything be more so than the destruction of homes and the annihilation of civilians wrought from decisions made in war rooms, the “perps” armed only with consoles like those to be found in gaming arcades? Yet seeing the one, we are at a loss to find words to condemn it, while not seeing the other, we are at a loss only to find the words to grasp it.

"It is human nature, but truly a sad, sad commentary on it."

-Conrado de Quiros-

Fort

"FORT"

you, who has been with me through my ups and downs,
you who stayed with me through the smiles and frowns
you who shared all the joy and fears
you who bore with me in the laughter and tears
you whom when I nagged, lent me your ears
you who stuck with me through all these years
you who lifted me up in my darkest hour
you who owns the smile of such great power
you who fuels my every desire
you who's kiss takes me higher
you who held me down when I felt like screaming
you who calmed me down when I felt like pouncing
you 'round whom my world revolves
you whom with my love evolves
you who I give all I could muster
you who could make the sweetest day sweeter
you who in my thoughts thrive
you who keeps this poet alive
you who keeps my world to turn
you for who, every night I yearn
you with whom this artist learns
you for whom, after all these years, the flame still burns
you who have done so much for me in only four years time
you whom I love so great but this artist ran out of rhyme

-Orville "chubby" Basas-

x

how was it?

how was it? (life of a pot head)January 31st, 2007 by chubbykins
how was it that life came ti this???
A long time ago… well actually it was just a few years short of a decade. there was a boy in sophomore high school…to tell you frankly this boy has been a pot head for over a year now.
In school he had a world of his own. An island if you will.
no close friends. He had himself and himself alone. but come to the outside of his school and he had affiliations that a child of fourteen shouldn’t have. he was friends with potheads, drug dealers and a hand full of asses that liked to see head rolls…
this was his life. nothing to worry about tomorrow but where to get the next joint. until one of his pothead friends introduced him to a pothead girl.
yeah,they hit it off great. four months latter this girl was already developing a baby.
the most hatefully part of this story
within that four months of pregnancy, this couple still drank, smoked pot andhad an average of eight hours of sleep in three days.the fetus couldn’t take the fatigue.
this guy was ready to start a new, once the kid was born.
this guy was ready to stand on his feet to raise a family.
he was excited.
on the Fourth month, in a disco bar, his girl goes up to him sobbing…mumbling out "may dugo" (I’m bleeding). at first he couldn’t understand…then the girl said that when she went to the toilet, chunks of blood came out of her…this guy was outraged!
how was it!?
how was it that I hope to start a better life, it blows up on me!?
this guy walked out on her and started walking home. it was raining cats and dogs that time. two in the morning, walking in the rain for two kilometers. he had to bite the side of his mouth to keep his teeth from chattering.
he had hoped for a better life for his child.he had hoped he would be a father.he had hoped to struggle for his baby the way his dad struggled for him and his siblings.
two weeks latter, a mutual friend of theirs said she was leaving.headed for Laguna.no. he didn’t hate her.he loathed her.
how was it that it came to this?
how was it that his hopes would have to burn in front of him?
after this event, one of his pothead friends, "boner," came to him with a little less of ten grams of "poor man’s cocaine."he declined on the offer for two reasons; he was still in grief and most of all, he didn’t like the white stuff.after school he went to "boner’s" apartment, with all the other pot heads.when they entered the room, "boner" was lying on the couch face down.they woke him up to no success.it was then that they realized an empty sachet, a piece of aluminum foil and a lighter on the side table…
they checked his pulse to understand.O.D.boner had an over dose.it was then that they were in panic. they called the cops, called "boners" mom and split the scene.
all of his friends split the city. he stayed behind to finish his studies.
it was then that he discovered religion. he found new Faith through a non-government religious organization. but that’s another story.

scream

scream as loud as you can…February 1st, 2007 by chubbykins
scream as loud as you can
for the ears that hear you are deaf
and the only hand that reaches out to you
is the hand with a sign of rejection.

Have you ever had pain? pain particularly in your head. you get it, oh, so suddenly that you stop on whatever you’re doing just to concentrate on not concentrating on the pain?if you do, then you’ll know what I’m talking about. it’s either a migraine or your demons.
if it’s just a reluctant headache then good for you. but for those who truly been through what I’ve been through, thanks for sharing the pain. and just an advice…be careful…it could kill you.
for those WHO don’t know what I’m talking about, here’s a little insight.I used to be an ignorant teenager bent on the vanquishing liquor, Tobacco and cannabis sativa.my pains were built by my past. my anguish is my consequences for my blissful but ignorant days… my demons.
every time my eyes would hurt, I could see demons tearing each other up to pieces.yup… there’s more than just one.my demons were my personalities when I was on pot, in withdrawal syndrome and my reformed life. and they’re tearing me up to pieces.anywhere I would run to they we’re there. in church, in school even in the comforts of my girl’s embrace…I couldn’t escape.
but let me take you back before these pains. let me take you back to someone who helped me see myself and my unborn child. a lady who made me understand. made me a better man. I won’t put down her name ‘coz’ she knows who she is.
see, all my life as a member of a religious organization, I’ve been praying for a gift that would balance me and my service to my God. ‘coz back then I was serving others, but it was no more fulfilling than watching reruns on cable T.V. fore I was alone.and god sent me the answer- "my gift would be delivered by someone who is most unlikely to say yes to a relationship within the organization."and my lady was delivered.I tried talking to her to make her a close friend. I told her my past. all the misfits, potheads, drug dealers and assholes that I was friends with. I told her my story with my unborn child and death of "boner." and she gave me the sweetest reaction I have ever got from my story(how was it? life of a pothead). she said "so what?"she didn’t care what I was. and all she cared about was now.after that, I started to fall in to a whirl of confusion. I was falling in love.
now loving someone, I thought my life would be much better now. which was correct. but my demons were now more ravage. my pains were more frequent. my attacks and flashes more violent.but I’ll stand firm. I’ll be stronger now. I have something to live for now. I have a lady who promised me theta she’ll hold me down and won’t let me drift away.I won’t break. I have my "anchor."
my demons were stubborn. they wouldn’t let me go. I was like a captain of a ship on its maiden voyage, hearing the songs of the sirens calling me so I would crash into the jagged rocks.but my ship will not move. I was anchored down.
I was sure, with all my heart. I love her. but she wasn’t sure of what she was feeling. but I didn’t care. I didn’t then I don’t care now. fore there ’s nothing that can take away my love for her. not even her.
we were always together. up or down. at first I didn’t give a damn for the people that was saying we were too much of displaying affection. not until the my elders did, our elders.
I thought I found an organization that would understand me. but they didn’t. I was wrong to put too much trust in them. I gave them all of me and they just smacked me down…I was enraged.
I was holding them in contempt right when I heard this. I thought them hypocrites. in doing so O judged them… falsely for I incorporated great leaders in the word "elders."I was wrong.in my rage I held myself in contempt. I decided to give everything up. my leadership, my service, my passion and my time. but then she came nd told me not to let go, fore she was still holding me and she isn’t gonna let go.I decided to hold on to my service. then everything in the organization changed. no more hassle for me. no more iron hands and everyone I was hoping to lead started to fade away.long story short. my decision was stupid.
I needed help, so i asked my unborn child.all that "machete" told me was stand firm. I don’t get it. I’m being attacked from all sides and my foundation is crumbling. how can I stand firm?I asked "machree" and then this rare Carlos Santana song played on air.
hay now, all you sinnersput you lights on, put our lights on…‘coz’ there’s a monster living under my bedwhispering in my earand there’s an angel with her hand on my headsaying I got nothing to fearthere’s a darkness deep in my soulI still got a purpose to serve.so let your light shinedeep in to my homeGod, don’t let me lose my nerve
so I guess I should ask these same people to help me huh??how in the world could I do that?
no matter how hard I scream, their ears are deaf. even though they reach out for me, their hands are marked with rejection.

-Orville "chubby" Basas

high (sex, drugs and rock&roll)

sex……
..as it is said, it increases life by 10 minutes…it leads to orgasm…a result of to much muscle tension, movement and leads to an explosion ofnerves thus making it relax and the nerves and blood are hyper in ordersupport need of adrenaline and oxygen to the now exhausted muscles.thus giving you a one to two-minute high…and as they say, sex is better than drugs.
drugs……..
and I’m talking ’bout illegal drugs.it takes you to another world with kaleidoscope sequence.it makes you light and fluffy.it gives you the drift to cope with the changes in the environment.due to its hallucinogens, you see the world differently. due to its chemicals,it makes your nerves slow and stops the you from feeling pain.it stops you from feeling tired. it gives you that extra boost to go that extra mile.it would last for 30-24 hours depending on your dosage.and by the time your high runs out you’d be looking for more.thus, making it addictive. it makes you stupid fore it slows down your nervesespecially the ones to your brain.by the time you realize that your life has gone to hell, you’d be toodependent on it that you wouldn’t be able to leave it.this is your brain on drugs… "!@#$%^&*(_?><.,/":2#$@&%$*&*%^&" in plain English… fucked up!

rock and roll……….
its the best thing that I’ve tried so far…its like a Valium that lowers your emotion.when you feel depressed, music gives you theriff to channel those emotions.it gives you the time to cope with realityor stand your ground.it’s like ecstasy that heightens your energy.it gives you the boost to to take another step.it brings you zen. it makes you more in touch with your emotions.it gives you patience.it calms you down.when your mad, you could pick up a guitar andplay your angry riffs.when your depressed you could play yoursad songs.if your confused, you could play a lullaby.it would last for about the whole day.and it too, is addictive.
therefore, I conclude that music is the best thing thatbrings me high. and it feels great.

-Orville "chubby" Basas-

"one Good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain." -Bob Marley

Reality

"REALITY"

"Is it realy like this missing somebody?
but you know he’s just there?
Is it realy like this missing somebody?
you see him through the clothes that people wear?"

"When you feel nothing inside
this hurt you feel, you need to hide
People are so happy, with them you ride
sadness, what you realy feel…
you lied"

"The day I came it changed your life
You said you fell in love…whatever! so did I"
"That Sunday night I had to do
To change some things for me and you
I thought this journey will end so fast
But I was wrong, It’s meant to last"

"Here we are starting again
A love that began I don’t know when
Sorry I changed your ways
sorry I made your saddest days"

"I never meant to hurt you bad
I wish that loneliness you never had
Time will pass, I’ll love you still
Be there for you, I surely will"
-from the unpublished works of
Samantha Grace Astronomia--

father

"nothing can bring greater joy to a father than his child/children…"
the first time I heard that phrase, I thought it was far from the truth…
I heard that long ago from a movie, I forgot the movie but I committed that phrase to memory.
I had been faced with the situation of loosing a loved one. I was about to be a father. I was excited but the would be mother went too much on celebrating and we ended up with a miscarriage. I thought to myself, if I had a child, my mind would be at peace… it would be a chance to think and act for someone else rather than myself. that situation proved that phrase to be true.
I am, what you may call, a big disappointment. I’ve been in college for three years now, but ’till today, I’m still a freshman. my father told me to get my priorities straight. yes, I am a disappointment, but my father loves me. I can’t explain to you the smile he has when I do something right. again, proving the phrase true.
"nothing can hurt a child more than the father…"
I heard that phrase from my girlfriend… just a few moments ago.
my girlfriend is somewhat in trouble these days. for one thing, her grades are getting low. and she has a 40% chance that she’ll be deliberated and found wanting. her father doesn’t forget these kinds of things so easily. right now,she says, that her father barely talks to her. they barely even make eye contact. and that hurts her. proving this phrase true.
I know someone that told his daughter " I can forget you."( now this part is contradicting the first phrase) his daughter is hurt and scared of doing what she wants. she’s even to scared to pursue the profession that she wants. thus making this phrase not only true but lacking. we should ad fear to the phrase.
"I can forget you."
can he??? can he just forget his first born? could he just disown his daughter and forget about her?
If I had a say in this, I would probably be ranting. It’s not right. it’s impossible. a father’s joy are his children. the father gets mad, gets owned by the moment, but no father can turn his back on his children. if he does, I don’t think he’s worthy to be called father. a father is the pillar of the family. and if he turns away, he’s just another sperm donor.
but what about what hurts the father?
really, should we talk about that???
"I will not bury my son… my son will bury me!"-john Q
what hurts a real father is loosing his child… I’ve been hurt as a father. and probably be hurt again. but there is no reason for a father to forget his children. if that happens, he’s just the man from whence the sperm came from.

boondock saints

June 11th, 2007 by Orville "chubby" Basas
boondock saints is a movie released back in 1999. it’s a tale of two ordinary irishmen placed in an extraordinary situation and came up on top.

two irishmen who killed a couple of russian mob sindicates in self defence was awaken in their sleep to a revelation. "destroy those who seek evil," "so that all good may flourish."
what follows is a seriese of vigilantizm. they hit mod bosses and lowlifes alike. the best bit is that they pray before they hit their mark.

the prayer goes, "and sheephaerds we shall be. for thee , my Lord, for thee. power hath decended forth from Thy hand, that or feet will swiftly carry out Thy command. so we shall flow a river forth to Thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. in Nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti."

the last bit was, they were going to kill the Italian mob boss right on his trial. they ended up with the cops and the FBI helping them to get in the court room to carry out their mission. they came and sought out the evil. irishmen out to act on the cry of the public for the execution of crime.
now the public is divided in views of what to think of them. heroes or murderers. but what hit me was the cermon in the first part of the movie…

" we shall all fear evil men. but there is a greater evil we should fear. it is the indifference on good men."

if you think about it, I would see these irishmen as saints for just one thing. they do not ask for your weak, poor, hungry or tired. it is the corupt they ask for. it is the evil that they sought out. they are simply loving and hear the cry of the oppresed. although it would sound crazy killing people for they think they’re carrying out God’s command but the the thing is, they delivered more justice in that one week than the FBI in a year…

"and sheepheards we shall be
for Thee, my Lord, for Thee.
power decended forth from Thy hand
that our feet will swiftly carry out Thy command,
so we shall flow a river forth to Thee,
and teeming with souls shall it ever be.
in Nomine Patri, et Filli, at Spiritus Sancti."

Charlie

Charlie
January 15th, 2008 by Orville "chubby" Basas

how my life has changed over a few months… life has gotten me to a higher pedestal…
it started as a dream. to be something for someone’s sake. now that dream is slowly coming to an end and beginning to be reality.

my dream was to be a father. to be a thundering velvet hand. to teach what I learned about the facts of life. to come home and let my worries be washed away by a little frolicking angel. to loved and be loved. someone to give butterfly kisses to…

someone to run to me and show me what she can do. someone to make me smile just by her whimper. someone I could hope to be better than me.
and by God’s hand, this dream is coming true…

she’s about six months now and she’s a bundle of joy. and this little angel can wipe away my frustrations, fears and exhaustion… she’s the best thing that ever happened to me and my love.
charlie makes me strive to be better for her. charlie lights up my life. charlie makes me think twice before I do something. charlie makes me want to live. charlie makes me strong. charlie makes me courageous. charlie makes me feel. charlie is my little babby girl.

19 year old earth angel

on worsening corruption: a call for change

On worsening corruption: a call for change

In the “Philippine daily inquirer, Nov. 20, 2008, A15,” a paid advertising was published. It called out for support for the five bishops' call for a “radical change.” Well, here's my version.

Yes! The time for Radical change is NOW. The time to rebuild this country's economy and fix the social and political flaws. But you could prepare for “ a new kind of governance” all you want but to change our leaders does not change who we are.

Yes! Corruption is bad for everything. True, corruption does worsen everything but the government is not the only ones responsible.

Yes! Corruption has become a moral and social cancer, but it is not a cancer that the leaders has spread. It is the kind that grew from the individuals as individuals. We know for a fact that we ourselves are corrupt and unjust in one way or another, but what have we done to be accountable? Did we turn ourselves in? Did we want to stand in trial? Were we jailed? I can not understand why we demand judgment for politicians but refuse to be judged ourselves. Is that equality in judgment? If we seek equality and justice, be ready to stand trial.

“The time for national transformation is NOW where all of us must do right as citizens...” As human beings. “Doing right by our conscience, the law, the people and country is a sacred duty...”

“A commitment to reform requires COURAGE” not only to speak out against other's wrongdoings but to admit OUR wrongdoings, stand accountable for all our actions and do something about it. “It starts with self.”

I call on all of humanity to demonstrate their being “human” and have the COURAGE to use the REST of your natural born lives to do what is right. To put ourselves before judgment and endure the sentence. To put humanity, love and peace above greed, power, politics and self.

“We can no longer afford to do nothing” In calling for a corruption free government, change, real change, must come from ourselves NOW!

Humanity, in desperation, can no longer bare our self annihilation.

Look not on the faults and crimes of others, if you wish to change the world, look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, “am I human?”

To scrutinize the deeds and misdeeds of others but consciously hide your every fault is not righteous, courageous nor is it justice. This kind of actions will not change the world nor uproot corruption. It will simply change the officials, their name, voice, height, face and fidelity (if any) to truth.

I call on all the self righteous(that includes me) judgmental and ignoramus to be, ourselves, accountable for our past crimes and injustice.

It's about time that humans adopt humanity.

_Orville "chubby" Basas

twisted metal coffin

there they were. Enjoying the ride. Trusting in God's grace and the driver. Juan lights a cigarette and puffs on it savoring. everyone on the vehicle was chatting. Juan's mind wanders. He likes the wind in his face and the fast lane. He thinks about what he would see in the place they were going. He thinks of all the fun he was going to have. Beaches, caves, reefs, amusement parks, towers and more.

Then everything goes blank. His sight frozen on the dashboard. He felt nothing. He no longer hear the other voices. All he could hear was the sound of metal crunching as it was twisted and bent. His instincts kicked in but he was frozen by the uncertainty of what just happened.

His hearing returns, but only hears sighs of pain and cries of disbelief.

The elegant bus they were on was called "Pinas" and the train that hit them was called "reality."
"Pinas" was now reduced to a chunk of twisted metal.

Juan regains his thoughts. Pinned down on his chair, he checks to see if everyone was alright. Every one was either dead or dying.

Juan checked the driver's seat but the driver was no longer there. All that Juan could see were a bag of 105,000 euros, empty bottles of liquid fertilizers priced P.728M, a few dead journalists and lefties and a CD with the writings "garci."

Juan stared at the twisted metal that imprisoned him. He thought if this were going to be his coffin. Juan started to talk out loud and asked himself, "Why did I let that four-foot monkey drive?"

Radical change for the Philippines

"if the good bishops sincerely want radical change, if they really want to uproot corruption, why are they barking up a single leader?"

-Pompeyo S. Pedroche

"The day we feel about the theft of P728 million, which comes from our blood, sweat, and tears, the way we feel about the theft of our wallets and cell phones is the day we start rewarding the just and punishing the wicked. The day we wake up to the fact that the theft of 105,000 euros is related to a child not being able to go to school as cause is to effect is the day we stop having Senate hearings on corruption and malfeasance.
Stop and smell the roses? Stop and smell the gutter!"

- Conrado de Quiros

These are painful truth. Radical change is impossible for one person. Although a person could attribute to change the world. But we have to see the grand design of this tapestry. Each of us is just a single thread. If one is to change, the change would be unnoticeable.

This country has changed presidents a few times already and it seems that they never could never sing in the right key. Now why is that? Maybe it's because we're not playing the right notes. We complain and protest about these "traditional politicians" but have we ever stopped to protest our selfish and dumb outlook?

The truth is, If GMA would step down, (though I doubt that power hungry impostor would) we will still end up with our same selves Looking out for number one. And after GMA is out of the picture, what next? Another politician is going to take her place and we're gonna end up finding another reason not to like him/her.

Most people nowadays are like this, "as long as it doesn't hit me directly, I could live with that." Really? This is our government. The point is this is OURS. We are directly affected because it governs our country, nation and all that. And it is yours.

To change the way we are governed, we should first be changed ourselves. If we are sick and tired of the oppression, lies and corruption, why do we think it's only by the government? Do you not lie to get yourself out of trouble? Do you not sneak an extra minute in your cigarette brake? Do you not keep the extra pesos that the jeepney driver gave you by mistake? Do you try and look for the person who drops their 20-peso bill? Do you not leave your food wrapper lying around after eating in a fast food joint? Do you not download mp3 through the Internet for free? Do you not refuse to give up your seat on the LRT/MRT for another? Do you say you are a student to avail the jeepney fare discount even though yo are not? Have you never cheated in an exam or game in your whole life?

If you answered no to all of these,(be honest) maybe you should be the president then.

I'm not saying that the president is a good person. Fuck it, she's a monster. But if we want change and get rid of corruption, then let it begin with us. Let's not be selfish. Let's not be ignorant of the laws and actually abide by them. Let's not be corrupt. Let's be honest as we want the government to be. That means to stand and be accountable for all the wrongs you have done and not be sore if we are not recognized y the good we have done. But be content with the fact that you are doing the right things, for the right cause in the right ways. So unless we get rid of the traditional Filipino attitude, our hopes to get rid of the "trapo" will remain a fleeing illusion to be pursued but never attain. And the hopes of the Philippines that is free from oppression, corruption and war will be a dream that cannot come true.

-Orville "chubby" Basas

all we are saying...

let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with us.
Who in his or her right mind would say no to peace talks?

I know of a B!tc# who says no to peace talks and still thinks she is a leader.
I know of a B!tc# who calls her self a president and aspires to be recognized by a REAL president.

She kills for power. She uses her subordinates as pawns in her money laundering, vote buying, cheating elections, and oppressing the people. She poses like she cares for her country and people but could care less for anything that goes on but her power. everybody knows she is behind a lot of killings. everybody knows she is behind fertilizer scams. everybody knows she cheated in the elections. everybody knows she is behind every political turmoil that goes on during her stolen term. but nobody has enough evidence, or those who has got payed off or got killed.

why would a leader deny to talk peace with a part of her country?
is you stupid? the only choice you have to preserve the Peace and the lives of civilians.
the peace talks is a good way to prolong the ceasefire and lower the casualties.
it's almost Christmas and if your ignorant tactics continue, we would end up with a lot of wakes this Christmas.

look past the religion. they are still a part of this country. peace is a universal entity. but then again, so is indifference.

"Lord, that I may see" Luke 18

"Lord, that I may see you." Luke 18:8

Today's Catholic Gospel struck me really hard. I came across it after reading an article in the "Philippine Daily Inquirer" about the Catholic church opposing the passage of the House Bill 5043.
The article said that the CBCP has come out with another pastoral letter opposing the proposed bill.

The article stated the "killer amendments" of the church against the proposed bill such as "to limit the family planning option to natural family planning methods; delete or slash the appropriations for reproductive health and family planning; discard reproductive health and sexuality education; and remove the provision on humane ans non-judgmental medical care for women suffering post abortion complications." the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, as the article stated, will also "be coming out with its own curriculum based on church teachings.

but the CBCP's "killer amendments" are, in my opinion, utterly stupid and contradictory to what they supposedly teach.

First the limitation of family planning options. Like today's "Gospel," "lord, That I may see you."
Leave us the freedom of choice. show us where your God resides and let us choose which path to take or how to take it. In your "limiting," you obscure our sight that we could not see what He is showing us. (and not necessarily showing you) In your restrictions, you are stopping us from knowing the truth. and is that not the attitude that the Pharisees possessed that led to the Crucifixion of the Christ? Hypocrites!

Next there is the deleting of the appropriations for republic health and family planning.
"receive your sight, Your faith has saved you." Do not deprive us from receiving our "sight." Leave us to receive what is given to us. Give us the chance for a healthy life and well planned family.

Then there is to "remove the provision on humane and non-judgmental" care.
Even outside the Catholic community I think it is a universal thought. Who are we to judge and prosecute? And who are we to ignore the needing? I know that church is aiming to punish the guilty (by law of man) and a particular section on the proposed House Bill 5043 section 3 m states to be compassionate to the sinners. Which would be more Christ like than prosecuting.
To condemn a life does not revive the life taken.

Then the CEAP is coming out with their own curriculum of "sex-ed" based on church teachings. Well, I hope that the church teaches what sexual harassment is. And puberty. And lust not as a sin but a natural occurrence in an adolescent body. And view an erection as natural and not necessarily "evil." I hope the church knows exactly what a nude body looks like and how to treat a person of the opposite sex.

I actually find it ironic. to think that a group of celibates that took vow of celibacy making a lesson plan about sexuality and sex dos and don'ts.

I hope Edcel Lagman, author of the proposed HB5043, and CBCP have a sit down and Lagman could shove those "killer amendments" up theirs.

And these words are coming from a teenage parent. Think about it.

-Orville "chubby" Basas

body and soul and death

body and soul?
is it separate?

when the body dies does the soul die with it?
frequently asked questions. don't deny it but even you have once asked yourself that under your breath.
but what is the answer?
are they two separate accounts molded into one being?

some believe that when the body dies, the soul lives on and others think we all die when the body dies.

if the body dies then our soul lives on as a spirit or a ghost drifting astray in this empty world. some believe the souls are reincarnated. or recycled into other beings.
let's dwell on this.
ghost. many people say they saw ghost or spirits among us. 'though I have my own accounts of ghostly apparitions too many to mention. is it possible that the all mighty creator, some call God and others call Allah, allows these poor souls to wander among the living? why would an all seeing all, merciful and all powerful creator do that? but to understand Him is not what I am trying to say.
there may or may not be ghosts, it is for one to see for oneself. but to die is what I'm questioning.

when our body dies, does our whole being die?

NO! I refuse to believe that a person can die. the only time I believe that a person, both body and soul, can die is when he or she is forgotten.

like Vincent Van Gogh, who still lives as his works are praised and appreciated and thus he is remembered. like William Shakespeare who still thrives in the theatre and every one's poetic side.
like the Dads and Moms that their children and grandchildren remember when they hear her favorite song.
like John Lennon who's views are still rampant in the minds of both the young and the old.

I believe that the body dies and the soul lives on in your works, legacy, thoughts, in what you have made and done.

our soul is forever etched in the things we have accomplished. forever branded in the minds we have influenced. forever present in the songs we have sung. forever there in the hearts we have touched.

in a song written by Paul McCartney after John Lennon passed, "and you are with me now, for you are in my song."

--Orville "chubby" Basas

"happy christmas"

"happy Christmas"
so this is Christmas
and what have you done?
another year over
a new one just began

and so this is Christmas
I hope you had fun
the near and the dear ones
for old and the young

a very merry Christmas
and a happy new year
let's hope it's a good one
without any fear

so this is Christmas (war is over)
for weak and for strong (war is over)
for rich and the poor ones (war is over)
from the world that's so wrong (war is over)

and so happy Christmas (war is over)
for black and for white (war is over)
for yellow and red ones (war is over)
let's stop all the fight (war is over)

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

war is over
if you want it
war is over...
http://www.imeem.com/people/WcxY-Rr/music/Gn2GYvPG/john_lennon_yoko_and_the_plastic_ono_band_happy_christmas/
--John Lennon

how I wish it were.
how everybody hopes it is really over.
and not just the war, but the whole thought of being different from each other.

fool on the hill

fool on the hill

Day after day,Alone on a hill,
The man with the foolish grin is sitting perfectly still,
And nobody wants to know him,
They can see that he's just a fool
But he never gives an answer
But the fool on the hill Sees the sun going down,
And the eyes in his head,
See the world spinning 'round.

Well on his way, head in a cloud,
The man with the thousand voices talking perfectly loud
But nobody ever to hears him,
or the sound he appears to make
and he never seems to notice
but the fool on the hill Sees the sun going down,
And the eyes in his head,See the world spinning 'round.

and nobody seems to like him
you can't tell what he wants to do
and he never shows his feelings
But the fool on the hill Sees the sun going down,
And the eyes in his head,See the world spinning 'round

and he never listens to them
he knows that they're the fools
they don't like him
But the fool on the hill Sees the sun going down,
And the eyes in his head,See the world spinning 'round
--Sir Paul McCartney

I just started humming this from the tom of my head...
I didn't notice I was humming it till I saw myself in the jeepney's mirror swaying my head.
then I actually started thinking if there is a fool on a hill somewhere.
someone laughing at the state of the Philippines. someone that the state has ignored but actually knows just what to do because he has a wider perspective than us.

if there is, I hope he'd come down and kick us all in the but so we could wake up.

house bill 5043 (RH bill)

when I was in the jeepney enjoying my ride home from school, I noticed a big banner. It said some thing about yes to whatever and no to RH bill. ( I really couldn't remember the yes part)
then I thought about the RH bill. what is the RH bill? it is the house bill 5043. “Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008“. and apparently, a lot of people are protesting against the passage of this said bill. and why the hell not? the catholic church protest the passage. oh, come on! have the church actually read the bill? it is not anti-life as you so ignorantly put it. it promotes responsibility as a parent and as a human being. oh, yeah, the Catholic church leaders doesn't see themselves as parents and human being.
have you guys ever thought that the bill is to promote this country? maybe you did maybe you did not. but to petition it not to be signed is not for the church. from what I have learned from school is that the church should have nothing to do with the state. and the church is not God.

for those of you who don't understand, the church thinks artificial contraception should be promoted and thinks the cure for overpopulation is abstinence.
why would they say that? from what I've seen in my days round a certain catholic church and a seminary, students and priests alike have condoms in their wallets. not that I've seen them use it but by the next time I saw them fondling their wallets again, the three piece condom pack has only 1 left. and if they don't like the artificial part, why do they still frown upon euthanasia?
are not the people on life support artificially living?

if we, the people of the Philippines, follow abstinence, it would take more than 50 years till we see results. because not all the people in this country are Catholics. and not all the Catholics attend mass or listen. and not all the priests are are practicing abstinence.

some people actually think that this bill promotes abortion. of course it doesn't. it promotes women reproductive health. and a better tomorrow.
just think about it. if you do practice abstinence and have only two children, do you really think that the rest of the country would too? your two children will be forced to go to school and stand inside the classroom because the students are just too many. they will grow up and graduate and crawl their way to unemployment because there just too many applicants that are more qualified. then you will find your children living under the bridge because there are simply a lot of people living in every land they see. and all because you artificial contraception was not promoted.

for those of you too confused with what is going on and for those blinded by the Catholic church, decide for yourself. here is the full content of House Bill 5043.

I highlighted in red what I think is a good step. and in blue what I thought could harm. and in black as original context.

HOUSE BILL NO. 5043

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL POLICY ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008“.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State upholds and promotes responsible parenthood, informed choice, birth spacing and respect for life in conformity with internationally recognized human rights standards.

The State shall uphold the right of the people, particularly women and their organizations, to effective and reasonable participation in the formulation and implementation of the declared policy.

This policy is anchored on the rationale that sustainable human development is better assured with a manageable population of healthy, educated and productive citizens.

The State likewise guarantees universal access to medically-safe, legal, affordable and quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices, supplies and relevant information thereon even as it prioritizes the needs of women and children,among other underprivileged sectors.

SEC. 3. Guiding Principles. - This Act declares the following as basic guiding principles:

a. In the promotion of reproductive health, there should be no bias for either modern or natural methods of family planning;

b. Reproductive health goes beyond a demographic target because it is principally about health and rights;

c. Gender equality and women empowerment are central elements of reproductive health and population development;

d. Since manpower is the principal asset of every country, effective reproductive health care services must be given primacy to ensure the birth and care of healthy children and to promote responsible parenting;

e. The limited resources of the country cannot be suffered to, be spread so thinly to service a burgeoning multitude that makes the allocations grossly inadequate and effectively meaningless;

f. Freedom of informed choice, which is central to the exercise of any right, must be fully guaranteed by the State like the right itself;

g. While the number and spacing of children are left to the sound judgment of parents and couples based on their personal conviction and religious beliefs, such concerned parents and couples, including unmarried individuals, should be afforded free and full access to relevant, adequate and correct information on reproductive health and human sexuality and should be guided by qualified State workers and professional private practitioners;

h. Reproductive health, including the promotion of breastfeeding, must be the joint concern of the National Government and Local Government Units(LGUs);

i. Protection and promotion of gender equality, women empowerment and human rights, including reproductive health rights, are imperative;

j. Development is a multi-faceted process that calls for the coordination and integration of policies, plans, programs and projects that seek to uplift the quality of life of the people, more particularly the poor, the needy and the marginalized;

k. Active participation by and thorough consultation with concerned non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs) and communities are imperative to ensure that basic policies, plans, programs and projects address the priority needs of stakeholders;

l. Respect for, protection and fulfillment of reproductive health rights seek to promote not only the rights and welfare of adult individuals and couples but those of adolescents’ and children’s as well; and

m. While nothing in this Act changes the law on abortion, as abortion remains a crime and is punishable, the government shall ensure that women seeking care for post-abortion complications shall be treated and counseled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

a. Responsible Parenthood - refers to the will, ability and constraint of parents to respond to the needs and aspirations of the family and children more particularly through family planning;

b. Family Planning - refers to a program which enables couple, and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have the information and means to carry out their decisions, and to have informed choice and access to a full range of safe, legal and effective family planning methods, techniques and devices.

c. Reproductive Health -refers to the state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. This implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so, provided that these are not against the law. This further implies that women and men are afforded equal status in matters related to sexual relations and reproduction.

d. Reproductive Health Rights - refers to the rights of individuals and couples do decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children; to make other decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence; to have the information and means to carry out their decisions; and to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.

e. Gender Equality - refers to the absence of discrimination on the basis of a person’s sex, in opportunities, allocation of resources and benefits, and access to services.

f. Gender Equity - refers to fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits and responsibilities between women and men, and often requires. women-specific projects and programs to eliminate existing inequalities, inequities, policies and practices unfavorable too women.

g. Reproductive Health Care - refers to the availability of and access to a full range of methods, techniques, supplies and services that contribute to reproductive and sexual health and well-being by preventing and solving reproductive health-related problems in order to achieve enhancement of life and personal relations. The elements of reproductive health care include:

1. Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition;

2. Promotion of breastfeeding;

3. Family planning information end services;

4. Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications;

5. Adolescent and youth health;

6. Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections (RTIs), HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmittable infections (STIs);

7. Elimination of violence against women;

8. Education and counseling on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health;

9. Treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers and other gynecological conditions;

10. Male involvement and participation in reproductive health;,

11. Prevention and treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction; and

12. Reproductive health education for the youth.

h. Reproductive Health Education - refers to the process of acquiring complete, accurate and relevant information on all matters relating to the reproductive system, its functions and processes and human sexuality; and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy and gender roles. It also includes developing the necessary skills do be able to distinguish between facts and myths on sex and sexuality; and critically evaluate. and discuss the moral, religious, social and cultural dimensions of related sensitive issues such as contraception and abortion.

i. Male involvement and participation - refers to the involvement, participation, commitment and joint responsibility of men with women in all areas of sexual and reproductive health, as well as reproductive health concerns specific to men.

j. Reproductive tract infection (RTI) - refers do sexually transmitted infections, sexually transmitted diseases and other types of-infections affecting the reproductive system.

k. Basic Emergency Obstetric Care - refers to lifesaving services for maternal complication being provided by a health facility or professional which must include the following six signal functions: administration of parenteral antibiotics; administration of parenteral oxyttocic drugs; administration of parenteral anticonvulsants for pre-eclampsia and iampsia; manual removal of placenta; and assisted vaginal delivery.

l. Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care - refers to basic emergency obstetric care plus two other signal functions: performance of Cesarean section and blood transfusion.

m. Maternal Death Review - refers to a qualitative and in-depth study of the causes of maternal death with the primary purpose of preventing future deaths through changes or additions to programs, plans and policies.

n. Skilled Attendant - refers to an accredited health professional such as a licensed midwife, doctor or nurse who has adequate proficiency and the skills to manage normal (uncomplicated) pregnancies, childbirth and the immediate postnatal period, and in the identification, management and referral of complication in women and newborns.

o. Skilled Attendance - refers to childbirth managed by a skilled attendant under the enabling conditions of a functional emergency obstetric care and referral system.

p. Development - refers to a multi-dimensional process involving major changes in social structures, popular attitudes, and national institutions as well as the acceleration of economic growth, the reduction of inequality and the eradication of widespread poverty.

q. Sustainable Human Development - refers to the totality of the process of expending human choices by enabling people to enjoy long, healthy and productive lives, affording them access to resources needed for a decent standard of living and assuring continuity and acceleration of development by achieving a balance between and among a manageable population, adequate resources and a healthy environment.

r. Population Development - refers to a program that aims to: (1) help couples and parents achieve their desired family size; (2) improve reproductive health of individuals by addressing reproductive health problems; (3) contribute to decreased maternal and infant mortality rates and early child mortality; (4) reduce incidence of teenage pregnancy; and (5) enable government to achieve a balanced population distribution.

SEC. 5. The Commission on Population (POPC0NI). - Pursuant to the herein declared policy, the Commission on Population (POPCOM) shall serve as the central planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring body for the comprehensive and integrated policy on reproductive health and population development. In the implementation of this policy, POPCOM, which shall be an attached agency of the Department of Health (DOH) shall have the following functions:

a. To create an enabling environment for women and couples to make an informed choice regarding the family planning method that is best suited to their needs and personal convictions;

b. To integrate on a continuing basis the interrelated reproductive health and population development agenda into a national policy, taking into account regional and local concerns;

c. To provide the mechanism to ensure active and full participation of the private sector and the citizenry through their organizations in the planning and implementation of reproductive health care and population development programs and projects;

d. To ensure people’s access to medically safe, legal, quality and affordable reproductive health goods and services;

e. To facilitate the involvement and participation of non-government organizations and the private sector in reproductive health care service delivery and in the production, distribution and delivery of quality reproductive: health and family planning supplies and commodities to make them accessible and affordable to ordinary citizens;

f. To fully implement the Reproductive Health Care Program with the following components:

(1) Reproductive health education including but not limited to counseling on the full range of legal and medically-safe family planning methods including surgical methods;

(2) Maternal, pre-natal and post-natal education, care and services;

(3) Promotion of breastfeeding;

(4) Promotion of male involvement, participation and responsibility in reproductive health as well as other reproductive health concerns of men;

(5) Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications; and

(6) Provision of information and services addressing the reproductive health needs of the poor, senior citizens, women in prostitution, differently-abled persons, and women and children in war AND crisis situations.

g. To ensure that reproductive health services are delivered with a full range of supplies, facilities and equipment and that service providers are adequately trained for reproductive health care;

h. To endeavor to furnish local Family Planning Offices with appropriate information and resources to keep the latter updated on current studies and research relating to family planning, responsible parenthood, breastfeeding and infant nutrition;

i. To direct all public hospitals to make available to indigent mothers who deliver their children in these government hospitals, upon the mothers request, the procedure of ligation without cost to her;

j. To recommend the enactment of legislation and adoption of executive measures that will strengthen and enhance the national policy on reproductive health and population development;

k. To ensure a massive and sustained information drive on responsible parenthood and on all methods and techniques to prevent unwanted, unplanned and mistimed pregnancies, it shall release information bulletins on the same for nationwide circulation to all government departments, agencies and instrumentality, non-government organizations and the private sector, schools, public and private libraries, tri-media outlets, workplaces, hospitals and concerned health institutions;

l. To strengthen the capacities of health regulatory agencies to ensure safe, high-quality, accessible, and affordable reproductive health services and commodities with the concurrent strengthening and enforcement of regulatory mandates and mechanisms;

m. To take active steps to expand the coverage of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), especially among poor and marginalized women, to include the full range of reproductive health services and supplies as health insurance benefits; and

n. To perform such other functions necessary to attain the purposes of this Act.

The membership of the Board of Commissioners of POPCOM shall consist of the heads of the following AGENCIES:

1. National Economic DevelopmentAuthority (VEDA)
2. Department of Health (DOH)
3. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
4. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
5. Department of Agriculture (DA)
6. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
7. Department of Education (DepEd)
8. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
9. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
10. University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI)
11. Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAFI)
12. National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPQ
13. National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW)
14. National Youth Commission (NYC)

In addition to the aforementioned, members, there shall be three private sector representatives to the Board of Commissioners of POPCOM who shall come from NGOs. There shall be one (1) representative each from women, youth and health sectors who have a proven track record of involvement in the promotion of reproductive health. These representatives shall be nominated in a process determined by the above-mentioned sectors, and to be appointed by the President for a term of three (3)years.

SEC. 6. Midwives for Skilled Attendance. -Every city and municipality shall endeavor to employ adequate number of midwives or other skilled attendants to achieve a minimum ratio of one (1)for every one hundred fifty (150) deliveries per year, to be based on the average annual number of actual deliveries or live births for the past two years.

SEC. 7. Emergency Obstetric Care. - Each province. and city shall endeavor to ensure the establishment and operation of hospitals with adequate and qualified personnel that provide emergency obstetric care. For every 500,000 population, there shall be at least one (1) hospital for comprehensive emergency obstetric care and four (4) hospitals for basic emergency obstetric care.

SEC. 8. Maternal Death Review. - All LGUs, national and local government hospitals, and other public health units shall conduct maternal death review in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the DOH in consultation with the POPCOM.

SEC. 9. Hospital-Based Family Planning. -Tubal ligation, vasectomy, intrauterine device insertion and other family planning methods requiring hospital services shall be available in all national and local government hospitals, except: in specialty hospitals which may render such services on an optional basis. For indigent patients, such services shall be fully covered by PhilHealth insurance and/or government financial assistance.

SEC. 10. Contraceptives as Essential Medicines. - Hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, injectables and other allied reproductive health products and supplies shall be considered under the category of essential medicines and supplies which shall form part of the National Drug Formulary and the same shall be included in the regular purchase of essential medicines and supplies of all national and lord hospitals and other government health units.

SEC. 11. Mobile Health Care Service. -Each Congressional District shall be provided with a van to be known as the Mobile Health Care Service (MHOS) to deliver health care goods and services to its constituents, more particularly to the poor and needy, as well as disseminate knowledge and information on reproductive health: Provided, That reproductive health education shall be conducted by competent and adequately trained persons preferably reproductive health care providers: Provided, further, That the full range of family planning methods, both natural and modern, shall be promoted.

The acquisition, operation and maintenance of the MRCS shall be funded from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of each Congressional District.

The MHCS shall be adequately equipped with a wide range of reproductive health care materials and information dissemination devices and equipment, the latter including but not limited to, a television set for audio-visual presentation.

SEC. 12. Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive Health Education. - Recognizing the importance of reproductive health rights in empowering the youth and developing them into responsible adults, Reproductive Health Education in an age-appropriate manner shall be taught by adequately trained teachers starting from Grade 5 up to Fourth Year High School. In order to assure the prior training of teachers on reproductive health, the implementation of Reproductive Health Education shall commence at the start of the school year one year following the effectivity of this Act. The POPCOM, in coordination with the Department of Education, shall formulate the Reproductive Health Education curriculum, which shall be common to both public and private schools and shall include related population and development concepts in addition to the following subjects and standards:

a. Reproductive health and sexual rights;

b. Reproductive health care and services;

c. Attitudes, beliefs and values on sexual development, sexual behavior and sexual health;

d. Proscription and hazards of abortion and management of post-abortion complications;

e. Responsible parenthood.

f. Use and application of natural and modern family planning methods to promote reproductive health, achieve desired family size and prevent unwanted, unplanned and mistimed pregnancies;

g. Abstinence before marriage;

h. Prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other, STIs/STDs, prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and other gynecological disorders;

i. Responsible sexuality; and

j. Maternal, peri-natal and post-natal education, care and services.

In support of the natural, and primary right of parents in the rearing of the youth, the POPCOM shall provide concerned parents with adequate and relevant scientific materials on the age-appropriate topics and manner of teaching reproductive health education to their children.

In the elementary level, reproductive health education shall focus, among others, on values formation.

Non-formal education programs shall likewise include the abovementioned reproductive Health Education.

SEC. 13. Additional Duty of Family Planning 0ffice. - Each local Family Planning Office shall furnish for free instructions and information on family planning, responsible parenthood, breastfeeding and infant nutrition to all applicants for marriage license.

SEC. 14. Certificate of Compliance. - No marriage license shall be issued by the Local Civil Registrar unless the applicants present a Certificate of Compliance issued for free by the local Family Planning Office certifying that they had duly received adequate instructions and information on family planning, responsible parenthood, breastfeeding and infant nutrition.

SEC. 15. Capability Building of Community-Based Volunteer Workers. - Community-based volunteer workers, like but not limited to, Barangay Health Workers, shall undergo additional and updated training on the delivery of reproductive health care services and shall receive not less than 10% increase in honoraria upon successful completion of training. The increase in honoraria shall be funded from the Gender and Development (GAD) budget of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

SEC. 16. Ideal Family Size. - The State shall assist couples, parents and individuals to achieve their desired family size within the context of responsible parenthood for sustainable development and encourage them to have two children as the ideal family size. Attaining the ideal family size is neither mandatory nor compulsory. No punitive action shall be imposed on parents having more than two children.

SEC. 17. Employers’ Responsibilities. - Employers shall respect the reproductive health rights of all their workers. Women shall not be discriminated against in the matter of hiring, regularization of employment status or selection for retrenchment.

All Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) shall provide for the free delivery by the employer of reasonable quantity of reproductive health care services, supplies and devices to all workers, more particularly women workers. In establishments or enterprises where there are no CBAs or where the employees are unorganized, the employer shall have the same obligation.

SEC. 18. Support of Private and Non-government Health Care Service Providers. - Pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof, private reproductive health care service providers, including but not limited to gynecologists and obstetricians, are encouraged to join their colleagues in non-government organizations in rendering such services free of charge or at reduced professional fee rates to indigent and low income patients.

SEC. 19. Multi-Media Campaign. - POPCOM shall initiate and sustain an intensified nationwide multi-media campaign to raise the level of public awareness on the urgent need to protect and promote reproductive health and rights.

SEC. 20. Reporting Requirements. - Before the end of April of each year,the DOH shall submit an annual report to the President of the Philippines, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on a definitive and comprehensive assessment of the implementation of this Act and shall make the necessary recommendations for executive and legislative action. The report shall be posted in the website of DOH and printed copies shall be made available to all stakeholders.

SEC. 21. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are prohibited:

a) Any health care service provider, whether public or private, who shall:

1. Knowingly withhold information or impede the dissemination thereof, and/or intentionally provide incorrect information regarding programs and services on reproductive health including the right to informed choice and access to a full range of legal, medically-safe and effective family planning methods;

2. Refuse to perform voluntary ligation and vasectomy and other legal and medically-safe reproductive health care services on any person of legal age on the ground of lack of spousal consent or authorization.

3. Refuse to provide reproductive health care services to an abused minor, whose abused condition is certified by the proper official or personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or to duly DSWD-certified abused pregnant minor on whose case no parental consent is necessary.

4. Fail to provide, either deliberately or through gross or inexcusable negligence, reproductive health care services as mandated under this Act, the Local Government Code of 1991, the Labor Code, and Presidential Decree 79, as amended; and

5. Refuse to extend reproductive health care services and information on account of the patient’s civil status, gender or sexual orientation, age, religion, personal circumstances, and nature of work; Provided, That all conscientious objections of health care service providers based on religious grounds shall be respected: Provided, further, That the conscientious objector shall immediately refer the person seeking such care and services to another health care service provider within the same facility or one which is conveniently accessible: Provided, finally, That the patient is not in an emergency or serious case as defined in RA 8344 penalizing the refusal of hospitals and medical clinics to administer appropriate initial medical treatment and support in emergency and serious cases.

b) Any public official who prohibits or restricts personally or through a subordinate the delivery of legal and medically-safe reproductive health care services, including family planning;

c) Any employer who shall fail to comply with his obligation under Section 17 of this Act or an employer who requires a female applicant or employee, as a condition for employment or continued employment, to involuntarily undergo sterilization, tubal ligation or any other form of contraceptive method;

d) Any person who shall falsify a certificate of compliance as required in Section 14 of this Act; and

e) Any person who maliciously en ges in disinformation about the intent or provisions of this Act.

SEC. 22. Penalties. - The proper city or municipal court shall exercise jurisdiction over violations of this Act and the accused who is found guilty shall be sentenced to an imprisonment ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months or a fine ranging from Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) to Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court. If the offender is a juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the president, treasurer, secretary or any responsible officer. An offender who is an alien shall, after service of sentence, be deported immediately without further proceedings by the Bureau of Immigration. An offender who is a public officer or employee shall suffer the accessory penalty of dismissal from the government service.

Violators of this Act shall be civilly liable to the offended party in such amount at the discretion of the proper court.

SEC. 23. Appropriations. - The amounts appropriated in the current annual General Appropriations Act for reproductive health and family planning under the DOH and POPCOM together with ten percent (10%) of the Gender and Development (GAD) budgets of all government departments, agencies, bureaus, offices and instrumentalities funded in the annual General Appropriations Act in accordance with Republic Act No. 7192 (Women in Development and Nation-building Act) and Executive Order No. 273 (Philippine Plan for Gender Responsive Development 1995-2025) shall be allocated and utilized for the implementation of this Act. Such additional sums as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall be Included in the subsequent years’ General Appropriations Acts.

SEC. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health shall promulgate, after thorough consultation with the Commission on Population (POPCOM), the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), concerned non-government organizations (NGOs) and known reproductive health advocates, the requisite implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 25. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 26. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, Orders, issuances, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 27. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

what do you... no blue!

-Orville "chubby" Basas