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.

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

Binay for president?

MANILA, Philippines—He may be attempting to do a Barack Obama, but presidential aspirant Jejomar Binay may end up being a John McCain instead, said a ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats official.
Lakas vice president Heherson Alvarez said Binay’s close association with former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada would be a “heavy burden” in his bid to succeed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2010.
US pundits believe Bush was partly responsible for the defeat of his fellow Republican McCain, despite the latter’s trying to distance himself from the vastly unpopular leader during the campaign.
“It can happen easily with Erap on his back. There will be the heavy burden of trying to explain the Erap factor on his back,” Alvarez told reporters in Malacañang.
Binay, the mayor of Makati for 19 years, declared his intention to run for President at a rally to mark his 66th birthday on Tuesday. The comparison with the African-American US President-elect is apparently because of Binay’s dark complexion.
Alvarez said Estrada’s popularity has been tarnished by his conviction for plunder. He said the pardon granted to Estrada by Arroyo didn’t mean that no crime had been committed.
“Obama was a breath of fresh air, Binay is too identified with the status quo,” he said.
Alvarez, the presidential adviser on global warming and climate change, said Lakas was not taking Binay’s presidential bid seriously at this point.
“He has to prove his mettle as a serious contender,” he said.
Alvarez said his party was still in the thick of deliberations for its standard-bearer in 2010. He said a recent discussion on the matter produced nothing.
But he made it clear that discussion have so far centered on the presidential candidate rising “from our own ranks.”
He gave no names, but the Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte and Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority have been mentioned before.

-Christian V. Esguerra

--binay has turned Makati around. Makati is beyond compare. I'd choose to live in Makati than anywhere else in metro Manila. Regardless of his acquaintances, he could turn the Philippines around. unlike that parasite Gloria that calls herself the president.--

GMA Ratings

according to an article on the Nov. 13, 2008 Philippine daily inquirer, GMA ratings were still 'rather low.'
but I tend to disagree with the headline as I see it to be quite general.
If I were to rate Gloria Makapagal-Arroyo, in a scale of 1 to 10, ten being the most corrupt, she is a certified 20. she would have the highest rating in the illegitimate presidents. Just an opinion but I think she's beaten Marcos in the illegitimate presidents hit chart. At least Marcos had the balls to own his crimes. Gloria couldn't even address her extrajudicial murders.

But in the issue of popularity, it's no surprise that her ratings are low. I'm actually surprised that she was able to gather 34% for performance and 31% trusts her. I would sooner trust the pedicab driver to drive me safely than trust her to run this country. I would sooner applaud a monkey playing the drums than admire her playing the people.

but I would applaud her for one thing. and that is her thought that Defensor-Santiago could be one of the International Court of Justice. not for courage nor audacity. but I applaud her for her sheer stupidity and their (both Defensor-Santiago and Arroyo) actions even though they're handicapped.(brain damaged.)

reacting to the article "GMA Ratings 'rather low,' I actually burst into laughter. with the rumored coup, the churches call for radical change, impeachment cases and bloggers uniting against her, does anybody really think her ratings would get any higher?

Our economy looks like shit, political killings and abductions, fertilizer scams, red tape, high crime rates, unresolved Mindanao conflicts, poverty, hunger, over population and God knows what else. the Philippines is in a spiral downfall. and if Arroyo is the president (though I doubt it) she would have done everything to prevent it. but all she has done so far was prevent her downfall and feed her greed for money and power in the expense of the people. she is a blood sucking parasite that is sucking the Filipinos dry.

-Orville "chubby" Basas