Baguio senior citizens group launches advocacy for responsible voting in 2010

Baguio City (10 September) -- Proving once more that senior citizens are still a driving force in nation building, the Blessed Association of Retired Person Inc. (BARP) launched in a forum last week its advocacy centered on "responsible voting" for the May 2010 elections.

First in their agenda is to encourage all young people, who will be eligible to vote come May 2010, to come out and register and exercise their right to vote.

According to Mr. Narciso Padilla, Media focal person of BARP and the president of the Baguio Elderly Association (BEA), a group composed of the five major senior citizen/retired persons associations in the city with about 22,000 members, their advocacy will start as a family affair, wherein each member will ensure that t he or she is registered and will be going out to vote responsibly. They will also ensure that their family members, from their children up to their grandchildren, will do the same.

In the same forum, BARP president Prof. Federico Balanag, stressed that their group is apolitical and hopefully with such endeavor and with the automation of the 2010 elections, the political system will change. "This advocacy will be funded from the BARP fund itself," added Balanag.

In line with the advocacy, BARP will be funding a "public address system - that will be going around the city for a mobile campaign. In addition, BARP is also planning to hook up with colleges and universities in the city, as well as in La Trinidad, Benguet, to conduct symposia to campaign for citizen's registration and responsible voting. BARP will also be hanging advocacy posters and will try to arrange with different baranggays for the same purpose.

In a related issue, BARP lauded government efforts to bring down the price of medicines, through the Cheaper Medicines Act. The BARP foundation has its own "Botika ng Bayan," wherein people, not only their members can buy cheaper and generic drugs. Balanag, however, stressed that at present they are encountering some problems in getting the supplies for their outlet.

Other officials who served as panelists during the forum were Board of Trustees members Jose Taguba, Tolentino Opiniano, Menchita Damoslog, Placido Abuan and Ret. Col. Conrado Gacad. 

Article by: Lito Dar 

Philippine Information Agency

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You know when your FILIPINO when . . .

You know when your FILIPINO when . . . (FIL-AM point of view )

your parents were born in the PI

you point with your mouth

you call "flipflops" slippers

you pronounce your f's with p's

you own a rice cooker

you know what TFC stands for

you have kareoke at every family party

you own a magic mic

you own at least one bootleg DVD

you have a collection of DVD's

you have been to the filipino store

you know how to dance, pito pito, spaghetti dance, & pamela one

when you line dance at every banquet party

you wear all your shirts that your tita's or tito's got you from the PI, as sleepware

you have an uncle or aunt that everyone calls "tito boy" or "tita baby"

you listen to slowjam like devotion, drop n harmony, one voice, etc

you eat fish, eggs, spam, cornbeef & pandasal for breakfast

your parents grow tomatoe's, green beans, & peppers

your family owes a toyota corolla or camry

you drive a honda civic and you like to soup up your car

your parents say "open or close" the lights instead of turn "on or off" the lights

you eat with your hands

you have a barrel man figure

you smell like filipino food when you leave your home

you use Jufran's Banana Sauce or Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce instead of ketchup

you use a tabo to take a shower with

you have eattin chocolate meat (di-nigga-one)

you ve had a family trip to holly hill in wisconsin

you go clubbing on asian nights

your parents always complain how much you are always out

you know what is in turon

you take a lot of napkins when you go out to eat

you take a camera everywhere you go and take lots of pictures

your mom or dad work at a nursing home

your always late (filipino time)

you have plants all over the house

you have a picture of the "last supper" in your kitchen

you go on a picnic and bring a banig

your parents compare your life here and their life in the philippines

your parents question you who, where, and why, everytime you go out

you know who manny pacquio is

you go somewhere and you see another filipino, you always ask yourself if you know that person

you have modeled or been to a car show

your tito or tita that you haven't seen , will always come up to you and say how big you are and ask you if you have a bf or gf

you have a big wooden fork and spoon hanging in your home

you've seen the movie "DEBUT"

you've attended or been in 15 cotilians

you try to get someone's attention by saying "sssssssst" or "hoy"

you mom gives you a paper towel to put on your back from all your sweat

your parents over exaggerate the time (ex:" hoy gising na ! its almost 12 o clock," when it is really 11:15am)

you have one or more alters in your home devoted to mini statues of mother mary and holy water...

your parents try to speak english and mixes it with tagalog

you have to fix the vcr, dvd, tv, or the filipino channel if it doesn't work

you bought bootleg clothing or purses from the philippines

you know what a sari sari store is

you have dyed your hair (gold, blonde, red, brown)

your career path is a nurse

you can dance, sing, & act

you gamble with your relatives (mah-jong)

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UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL PARTIES FOR DUMMIES

POLITICAL SCIENCE FOR DUMMIES

DEMOCRATIC
You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
You feel guilty for being successful.
Barbara Streisand sings for you.

REPUBLICAN
You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
So?

SOCIALIST
You have two cows.
The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor.
You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his cow.

COMMUNIST
You have two cows.
The government seizes both and provides you with milk.
You wait in line for hours to get it.
It is expensive and sour.

CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE
You have two cows.
You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows.

BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE
You have two cows.
Under the new farm program the government pays you to shoot one, milk the other, and then pours the milk down the drain.


AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do an IPO on the 2nd one.
You force the two cows to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when one cow drops dead. You spin an announcement to the analysts stating you have downsized and are reducing expenses.
Your stock goes up.

FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You go on strike because you want three cows.
You go to lunch and drink wine.
Life is good.

JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.
They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains.
Most are at the top of their class at cow school.

GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You engineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer, give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred miles an hour.
Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation per year.

ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows but you don't know where they are.
While ambling around, you see a beautiful woman.
You break for lunch.
Life is good.

RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You have some vodka.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You have some more vodka.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
The Mafia shows up and takes over however many cows you really have.

TALIBAN CORPORATION
You have all the cows in Afghanistan , which are two.
You don't milk them because you cannot touch any creature' s private parts.
You get a $40 million grant from the US government to find alternatives to milk production but use the money to buy weapons.

IRAQI CORPORATION
You have two cows.
They go into hiding.
They send radio tapes of their mooing.

POLISH CORPORATION
You have two bulls.
Employees are regularly maimed and killed attempting to milk them.

BELGIAN CORPORATION
You have one cow.
The cow is schizophrenic.
Sometimes the cow thinks he's French, other times he's Flemish.
The Flemish cow won't share with the French cow.
The French cow wants control of the Flemish cow's milk.
The cow asks permission to be cut in half.
The cow dies happy.

FLORIDA CORPORATION
You have a black cow and a brown cow.
Everyone votes for the best looking one.
Some of the people who actually like the brown one best accidentally vote for the black one.
Some people vote for both.
Some people vote for neither.
Some people can't figure out how to vote at all.
Finally, a bunch of guys from out of state tell you which one you think is the best-looking cow.

CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
You have millions of cows.
They make real California cheese.
Only five speak English.
Most are illegals.
Arnold likes the ones with the big udders.

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What Is Politics and Political Science in the Philippines

Political science is the study of governments, public policies and political processes, systems, and political behavior.  Political science subfields include political theory, political philosophy, political ideology,  political economy, policy studies and analysis, comparative politics, international relations, and a host of related fields.   Political scientists use both humanistic and scientific perspectives and tools and a variety of methodological approaches to examine the process, systems, and political dynamics of all countries and regions of the world.

Tinanong ni Junior ang kanyang daddy, "What is politics?"

Tinanong ni Junior ang kanyang daddy, "What is politics?"
Sabi ni daddy, "Politics is like this. Call me the President. Mommy is the Government. Yaya is the Working Class. Your baby brother is the Future and you are the People.
That night, narinig ni Junior na umiiyak si baby dahil dumumi ito sa diaper. Pinuntahan niya si mommy pero tulog. Pinuntahan niya si yaya at nakita niyang nakapatong dito si daddy niya.
Kinaumagahan during breakfast bigla niyang sinabi, "THE PRESIDENT IS SCREWING THE WORKING CLASS WHILE THE GOVERNMENT IS SLEEPING. THE PEOPLE ARE BEING IGNORED AND THE FUTURE IS IN DEEP SHIT."

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English Version Below: 

What Is Politics? A little boy goes to his dad and asks, "What is politics?"

Dad says, "Well son, let me try to explain it this way: I'm the breadwinner of the family, so let's call me capitalism. Your Mom, she's the administrator of the money, so we'll call her the Government. We're here to take care of your needs, so we'll call you the people. The nanny, we'll consider her the Working Class. And your baby brother, we'll call him the Future. Now, think about that and see if that makes sense,"

So the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what dad had said.

Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him. He finds that the baby has severely soiled his diaper. So the little boy goes to his parents' room and finds his mother sound asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he goes to the nanny's room. Finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the nanny. He gives up and goes back to bed. The next morning, the little boy says to his father, "Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics now."

The father says, "Good son, tell me in your own words what you think politics is all about."

The little boy replies, "Well, while Capitalism is screwing the Working Class, the Government is sound asleep, the People are being ignored and the Future is in deep poo."

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You won the P100 MILLION 6/45 LOTTO!!!

6/45 Jackpot prize today is P100,000,000.00!

This was written at a lottery outlet along EDSA. The queue was long and people from different ages were standing in line waiting for their turn. The crowd was diverse. I saw some men in barong tagalog, some in straight ironed polo and slacks , some were in their very casual attire and all are hoping to win the jackpot prize of P100 million. I'm sure those in the line are already dreaming were to spend the P100 million if they win.
Years ago I was against the establishment of lottery in the Philippines. But as of today, I agree with the argument that lottery proceeds are beneficial. This cause I saw during the recent disasters like typhoon Ondoy.
If you are the lucky person to win the P100 million, what will you do with all that money?

PCSO Spreads the charity virus... Details below.

by Robert E. Roperos

Butuan City (4 September) -- Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Agusan del Norte Field Office is in the final stage of preparation for the upcoming nationwide medical, dental, feeding and information-gathering mission on Sunday, September 6, as part of the effort to "spread the charity virus" nationwide.

Dubbed as '100 percent in one day', a number of doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, health workers, medical professionals and concerned Filipino citizens from the government and private sector leave the comforts of their home to perform the biggest act of charity in the country.

The charity mission aims to cover all of the country's 41,995 barangays.

In Caraga Region, PCSO is setting up media center in Butuan City and Surigao City aimed to feed live coverages in the national television. Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Gym is set for Butuan's media center while the San Juan Gym in Surigao City will be the venue for Surigao del Norte.

According to PCSO-Caraga Lottery Operations Officer Gloria Ybañez, a total of 1,310 barangays throughout the region will benefit from the mission. "This number of barangays comprises 60% of the total number of barangays in Caraga," Ybañez said.

In the Infotext program where the IMAP guidelines will be implemented, the mission aims to serve 1,310 beneficiaries throughout the region - or 100% of the beneficiaries.

Also, Ybañez said that during the event, PCSO is targeting for a 100% registration of "Kaibigan ng PCSO" volunteers which was launched in the city on May, 2009. "This is the continuation of the PCSO Caravan and Kaibigan ng PCSO launching last May, 2009 where hundreds of volunteers throughout the region were able to register. So, for those who are still interested to join as PCSO's kaibigan (friends), this is their last chance to have their names registered," she said.

For Agusan del Norte, PCSO has assigned 12 venues for the medical-dental mission. For the whole region, a total of 77 venues were set for the mission.

In the feeding program, children from Agusan del Norte, Province of Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte as well as sick elders are expected to benefit the program.

The nationwide medical, dental, feeding and information-gathering mission highlights the 75th year anniversary of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). (PIA-Caraga)

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Philippine 2010 Presidential Elections

Funny campaign antics from traditional politicians are airing over television networks. Here are some of them according to viewers and critics:

1. Villar - "Akala mo petiks yun pala hinde! akala mo conyo yun pala laking tondo..." this is a good advertisement worth hundreds of millions. Senator Villar started campaigning two years ago. He helped stranded OFWs come home and documented those helping events. Now he has a touchy and proactive commercial showing how he was helping the ofws. Nice strategy of give and take. Philippine 2010 presidential election aspirant. Overcooked adobo.

2. Roxas - very famous for his "padyak padyak padyak" commercial although many has doubts if he rode a padyak before. Very vocal and speaks the PI language. Although he tried projecting himself a masa based, many hardly believes. 2010 Philippine election vice president aspirant. Hilaw na adobo.

3. Puno - "kung maganda ang puno, maganda ang bunga" Wahaha! ok. Commercial ads linked with his DILG department. Philippine 2010 elections Presidentialble ,Senatoriable.

4. De Castro - "bakit di natin subukan ang PAG-IBIG ni kabayang Noli". VP Noli has kept his silence and nobody knows at the time of this writing what are his political plans. He said before "it's the presidency or nothing". So it remains to be seen. Commercial ads linked to his Housing department. Half-cooked adobo.

5. Teodoro - NDCC chairman and Secretary of Defense. Tough looking and straight forward. However, he seems to have issues walking in the mud during the typhoon ondoy. He had full media exposure during typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng. 2010 Philippine elections presidential candidate. Adobo with lesser soy.


6. Binay - "ganito kami sa Makati, sana ganito rin sa buong Pilipinas". OO nga ganun sila sa makati, ganun nga, oo ngaaaa... However, makati is only a small city. It cannot be compared to the diverse regions of the country. Philippine elections 2010 presidential candidate. Adobo without bawang.

7. Fernando - "Political Will" He has the image of a tough MMDA chairman. many middle to upper class individuals living in Metro manila loves him because of his beautification ( pinkish ) campaign. However, it seems majority of the masa doesn't. Philippine elections 2010 presidential candidate. Adobo without sibuyas.

8. Estrada - "tatakbo ka pa ba (then side view look)". Well, of all the presidentiables, he has the biggest legal problem. I believe he can help more on the background. Philippine elections 2010 presidential candidate. Half eaten adobo.

9. Legarda - A powerful woman handling the climate change issues. Has strong character. However, it seems that Filipinos are tired of having a woman president. Women have the  tendency to change their minds easily. Philippine elections 2010 presidential candidate. Adobo in the refrigerator.

10. Escudero - The choice of the youth. However, since he became a senator, he slowly drifted to silence. He came to power as a young and dynamic politician but seems to be drifting slowly into traditional politics. 2010 Philippine Elections presidential candidate. Uncooked adobo.

11. Aquino - "the yellow ribbon man". He maybe the son of political icons, but he is not them. He still has to prove himself. He maybe the most popular candidate now but popularity is not the basis to win.  I agree with  video blogger Word of the Lourd, e kung si Kris na lang kaya? Ingredients for adobo still in the market.

As to who will be the best presidential candidate, that will depend on their programs, plans and active political campaign. Remember, the new generation of voters are now thinking.

Senatoriables will soon follow.

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From The Wisdom Of Manoling... Sad But True

Spreading A Bad Virus...

I was watching the commentary show of Manoling Morato last night aired at NBN 4. One particular discussion  that caught my attention was when Manoling fearlessly said that part of the blame in seating Senator Jamby Madrigal was actress Judy Ann Santos. He said that it was a mistake for Judy Ann Santos to endorse Senator Jamby Madrigal although he understood that the actress did it for a living.
I woke up this morning still thinking of Morato's argument and he was right on the aspect of endorsement for a living. Many politicians seek the active involvement of showbiz and sports personalities in their campaigns. One example is indeed Senator Madrigal who undoubtedly won because of Juddy Ann's endorsement. This coming 2010, I'm sure the former will run again but will not get the celebrity endorsement of the latter.


Senators of this Republic rely strongly on advertisements and endorsements. However, during the 2007 national elections, the people showed a new generation of voters. They voted for Senator Trillanes and Senator Honasan who had no millions to spare. The new generation somewhat believe that by voting those who oppose the government and the system has a better chance to deliver the needs of the common people. I cannot say for now if the people were wrong in voting for Trillanes and Honasan.

In the case of Senator Jamby and Actress Judy Ann, history will say that it was Judy Ann Santos who cooked the adobo. It was full of spices and aroma that nobody can resist. But at the end of the day, the person who paid the cook ate the adobo with a smile. This will surely happen again this coming 2010 election.
In related issues, I agree with Senator Mirriam Defensor Santiago when she said the Department Secretaries who are using the peoples money for useless infomercials are full grown hypocrites. So many have I seen that if you digest the meaning of the commercial, it is plain and simple "I'm running for senator this 2010 election, I'm using your money for this commercial, vote for me". Thus, I believe that the new generation of voters will not vote for these cabinet secretaries but will instead vote for those who are in the "private sector". One reason is that the voters know, at least, that the candidates in the "private sector" are using their own money to buy endorsers and ads. Also, the new generation will not likely to vote for people involved in showbiz. Their history precedes them.
Going back to what Manoling said, he was right. Celebrity endorsers are partly to be blamed for the misfortunes that this country suffers. About the Philippine Senate, I still believe that the best senate ever was during the senate presidency of Teofisto Guingona who said no to the extension of American Bases in the Philippines. That Senate, had the brightest minds and the biggest balls of them all.

Today...Sigh... Sigh... and another Sigh...
-Adobo

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2010 Cordillera Elections (Sinu Ibutus Mu)

Its been a while since I've written something on Cordillera politics. Since 2010 election is upcoming, I will dedicate a part of this website to Cordillera politics covering Baguio, Benguet, Mt. Province, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Ifugao. A poll for voting on each province will also be presented. A simple forum will also help in discussing the credentials of candidates and their platforms /programs. This will aid/help us in finding the right candidate to vote.

In line with this, I am appealing to those who read this article to post/reply on this article the possible candidates running in a particular province or municipality so I can add them in the polls list.

Thank You

-Adobo

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My Tribute To The Military Heroes During Disasters

To the Philippine Military, Navy and Special Departments... Thank You 

You deserve it, a perfect adobo for you heroes. When disaster strikes, the AFP, especially those in the lower ranks are deployed to help in rescue and relief of victims. Despite being short equipped with emergency gadgets, they make ways to serve those who are in need. My tribute goes to those who are in the field, the foot soldiers.  Those who face danger when others run, those who keep the peace when others take advantage and those who sacrifice their life just to save another, Thank you.
We have seen how the Philippine military and navy help in disasters during the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy. In Laguna, two soldiers died but they were able to save 600 lives. According to their squad mates, they are just doing their job and will not hesitate to save those who are in danger even if they die. Such a patriotic statement. 


Below is a news article on the two soldiers that sacrificed their lives for others.

Two members of the Philippine Army had perished in separate occasions over the weekend while participating in rescue operations for the victims of tropical storm “Ondoy" in Laguna province.
A statement from the Philippine Army said Pfc. Venancio Ancheta died Saturday in Barangay Tunhac in Famy, Laguna, after saving 20 citizens from possible drowning in raging floodwaters caused by the storm.
“His heroism [serves] as an inspiration for the whole Philippine Army and, in particular, his teammates who continued the mission and rescued another 600 civilians in Famy, Laguna," the statement said.
Ancheta perished after he was severely struck by a log while bringing a drowning man to safety. His body was found by the Disaster Relief and Rescue Unit of the 16th Infantry Battalion the next day.
Ancheta would be given departure honors on Wednesday, September 30, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani at Fort Bonifacio, according to the statement.
Another Army fatality, Cpl. Adriano Regua, was leading rescue efforts in Barangay Nanguma in Mabitac, Laguna, when he was killed while trying to save a militiaman who was also part of the rescue mission from drowning.
The militiaman he was trying to save also did not make it, the statement said. Their remains were found on Sunday along the Manila East Road.
"[Regua] led his team well, as they were able to save 200 residents in the area alone even at the cost of their own lives," the statement read.
The statement noted how Regua performed his duty as a soldier in Laguna while his own family was in danger in Tanay, Rizal.
Military rescue teams took Regua’s family to safety.
Five members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary also passed away while conducting rescue operations in Laguna. They were identified as
Joel Hernalin, Erineo Olaguer, Pedro Falcon, Florencio Dequino, and Artenio Descotido. 
MELISSA DE LOS SANTOS- GMANews.TV

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Hungry Crowd mobs distributors of 'Ondoy' relief goods

Typhoon Ondoy: Aftermath 


More bodies found as Pasig flood caused by 'Ondoy' subsides
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Crowd mobs distributors of 'Ondoy' relief goods

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

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Power Of Wang Wang Sirens

Philippine symbol of importance... "the wang wang"

Grabe! To those residing in manila, have you noticed the show of power being displayed by some individuals particularly those with luxurious cars? Yeah, I bet you noticed. I was in a public bus from MOA going to SM North EDSA, it was 4pm and traffic was building up so fast. And true to guess, the monstrous traffic came. 30mins passed, 1 hour passed, almost 2 hours  passed I was near SM megamall. Suddenly, a group of powerful men with loud wang wangs and motorcycle escorts were pushing other vehicles aside so they could pass. The VIP vehicle was a black Pajero with non goverment plates. I could see the other passengers inside the buss utter foul language towards the passing Pajero. We were patiently and slowly moving our way through the traffic just like the other public and private vehicles and here comes a private vehicle with motorcycle escorts pass us by. We were furious. Ang kakapal ng mukha! 100x to the max! Who are they to be given special privileges? So I decided to find a news clip or some materials on this matter. Instead, I saw the video below from Youtube. It explains it all.
P.S.: It was 6pm, may opisina pa ba ang government ng 6pm?

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?Pepeng? leaves much of N. Luzon in the dark - Nation - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

Pepeng leaves much of N. Luzon in the dark - Nation - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

Shared via AddThis

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Early Election Ads and Political Gimmicks

What does it take to be voted?

Name recall? Popularity? Looks? All these are just part of a large arsenal of political gimmicks that politicians practice. Some gimmiks that you can see almost every corner of this country are congratulatory gestures from aspiring and current politicians. Examples are as follows:
1. Happy Fiesta! FROM COUNCILOR PAPOGI (VOTE 2010!)
2. Happy Festival! FROM VOTE MAYOR PAPOGI
3. Congratulations to the Graduates! VOTE FOR ME! VOTE FOR ME! COUNCILOR PAPOGI
4. Happy Anniversary! FROM GOVERNOR PAPOGI
5. Congatulations for Passing the Board/Bar Exams! FROM VICE MAYOR PAPOGI
6. Condolence FROM COUNCILOR PAPOGI
7. Congratulations for your 5th death anniversary (?), hehehe VOTE FOR ME 2010

Kidding aside, these gimmicks are actually ( il )legal as far as early electioneering is concerned. Furthermore, there are Senatorial and Presidential candidates who started their campaigns as early as three years ago. Evidently, you can see and hear their commercials on tv and radio stations. Now, if senators and department secretaries can do their expensive early political TRI Media campaigns, what hinders the local politicians to do the same? Besides, should their be prosecution, the law applies to everyone, right? That would mean filing cases against the entire government structure from the powerful barangay captain up to the vice president. So, cutting the story short, every aspiring politician can actually do their political ads and campaigns as early as right after an election because the law against such practices is practically useless. And if the law can be implemented, who will implement and prosecute the government? Only POLITICAL WILL can answer this dead end question. Sad but True.

Let me ask you this, if your ulam every morning, lunch and dinner is adobo everyday, will you get angry and curse the one preparing your food for wanting you to die early or praise that person for preparing adobo everytime of the day? On the other side of the story, if you will see election ads from a politician everytime you go out of the house and back home from work 366days in a year, will you get angry? Praise the politician for his face everyday? Or masusuya ka rin? Just a question.

I call the younger ones as "THE NEW AGE GENERATION OF VOTERS", a generation of intelligent, non-traditional, more aware and informed voters. And this is good news... very good news. Regardless of political ads, posters, tarpaulines and gimmicks of aspiring politicians, still, the voice of my new age voters will prevail. They can see beyond the paid media ads and campaigns. They can be "hired" but they can't be bought! ( gemays! mayat mayat ayus ayus! )

- Adobo

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Eulogy to the late martyr Bishop Alberto Ramento

Eulogy to the late martyr Bishop Alberto Ramento, D.D, 
by JC delos Reyes


SOLIDARITY
PHILIPPINES
Email add.: jcdelosreyes@ymail.com

In his last homily moments before his brutal assassination, El Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero as he reflected on Scripture proclaimed…“one must not love oneself so much as to avoid getting involved in the risks of life that history demands of us...those that fend of danger will lose their lives. I do not believe in death without resurrection...if they kill me, I will be resurrected in the Salvadoran People."

The Most Reverend Alberto B. Ramento, D.D, a man for others, a man of God, seemingly embraced the demands of the gospel and found meaning in Christ's suffering outside his ‘comfort zone’. He was the Bishop of the poor peasants and farmers as he promoted worker’s rights in Tarlac and Cavite. In every forum he sought and fought for the truth, denouncing massive cheating, electoral fraud and government corruption. His concern for the victims of extrajudicial killings and their families was noteworthy as he denounced the apathy and indifference of the government to solve it.

Not only was he a social prophet, a herald of God but a good shepherd as he stood by the poor and the marginalized. This ‘principled engagement’ with the people and his desire and struggle for a fullness of life they deserve characterized the life of Bishop Ramento.

Solidarity Philippines, a movement pro-actively advancing the Social Justice Agenda of the Church has found a martyr, a model whose life…and death will stand as a witness on how a true and faithful Christian ought to live…where social concern and love for one’s neighbor is not only a pastoral priority but a defining characteristic of our Christian faith.

The same faith, the same conviction, the same love for the poor and the oppressed, the same ministry, the same life, the same death, the same martyrdom, Bishop Ramento, like Romero will be resurrected in the Filipino people.

With praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty!

JC delos Reyes
Lead Animator

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The Power Of Facebook

When Emotions Come In...

While reading some random posts by some  friends at Facebook, I came across the article posted below and it was steaming hot with comments. I can't help but see what the fuzz was all about. After reading the main article and hundreds of comments/replies, I can say that Sen. Gordon was prosecuted and judged as guilty without defense. The main argument in the article may be true since most politicians need exposure and to malign and judge one's person caused by emotional outburst is understandably a part of it. Sometimes circumstances change the flow originally planed. As in this case, The Senator did not reach the said barangay because he was in another barangay distributing, sad to say.
The problem came because of the political word called "protocol", even if not sanctioned by the political person subject of the issue (assuming). Following protocol is a sign of respect to authority. It is a way to please one person rather than follow the immediate clamor. I think part of the blame is on the Staff of Senator Gordon and the Barangay Officials, they like to be patted on the back like a nice cute little doggy. At the end of the day, the political figure they are representing got all the blame. And so it happened.
On another story, there are hundreds of claims that Barangay officials are actually gaining from the reliefs. Using their authority, they are personally setting aside goods more than what they needed. This caused some organizations to make ways to distribute the relief goods directly to the people.

The video clip shown by GMA news gave me an impression that people in the affected areas are really dying of hunger. The video clip was magnificently edited in slow motion to show that even elderly and pregnant women fought their way into the large crowd just to get a kilo of rice and some cans of sardines. We KNOW for a fact that media companies, in order to get much attention should focus on the emotional aspect of the report, and so they did focus on slow motion one elderly woman who fought her way against a thick and hungry crowd just to get her one plastic bag of relief goods. I was emotionally touched. It was like watching a video clip from the hungry countries of Africa.
Now here comes the politicians. They are going to relief areas and  evacuation centers. I appreciate them trying to give help but I do not appreciate them bringing their own media team to document the giving of reliefs. They are a bunch of plastics walking around. The real heroes in this disaster are the common Filipino people, those who volunteer, those who give their share in any manner with all their heart without expecting something in return.
Going back to the article written below, I agree that the Philippine political system remains the same. However, with the help of new technologies like Facebook, Twitter, texting, etc the people can help regulate the old political practices. Modern advances in technology can help the common Filipino to moderate the political system and finally, the new generation of voters are now more exposed, more aware, and are thinking. The new generation of voters are "rebellious". They are clamoring for change in the corrupt system and they can vote candidates at will. We saw this effect during the 2007 National elections. Politicians beware: the new generation of voters are THINKING!
On the other side of the story, it's too bad that this negative issue was focused on Senator Gordon. I'll give the good man a break in this one because as compared to most of the senators, at least he was doing something relevant. He was supervising his National Red Cross, going around helping and giving relief goods. To the other Senators, I assure you, even with your millions, you will have a hard time winning in the next elections.
Anyway, read the story below and with the arguments above, give your own opinion.

-Adobo

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From Martin Cervantes's Notes

BECAUSE OF THE COMMENTS I'M GETTING THAT WHAT TRANSPIRED is a FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION, i dare anyone to tell that to my FACE personally and I have A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT CAN VERIFY THE DETAILS OF THIS STORY.

To think the deluge of volunteerism support and the “Bayanihan” spirit of the Filipino has somewhat made me believe that this country is indeed worth figthing for, someone destroys it for me. Here’s my story.... On September 30, 2009, our company decided to volunteer with various efforts around the Metro as a genuine act of helping out those who have been ravaged by Typhoon Ondoy. I was placed under the group to support the mission of the Philippine Red Cross in Quezon City. Call time was at 8 am sharp and we got to the Evacuation center by Novaliches at around 10 am. As we were briefed what to do, we also initiated a system to keep things in order because of the number of people. At around 10:45 we were ready and so was everyone else because they’ve been there since the early part of the morning but we were informed by one of the PRC staff on site, we couldn’t give out the goods yet because “protocol” dictates that the PRC chair....Mr. Dick Gordon was going to visit and deliver some sort of speech or at least hand out the goods. We were infomed by a certain Ms. Torres that this was how it goes...we reasoned out with her that the people were lined up already and OBVIOUSLY hungry waiting for so many hours as it was. We also asked if the goods were from MR. GORDON and we were told it was donations to the Red Cross. So we kinda hinted ….we can give it then! But wait we did, by around noon, no word from the DICK and people were getting rowdy saying “Ibigay nyo na! (Give it already!) The number of people was increasing and we knew the goods provided to us would be gone in an instant. It was only a small container van of Air 21 that housed the goods and I’d approximate there were at least a 1,000 people on site.

At this point, my fellow colleagues were exasperated at what was going on. WE COULD STAY THERE the whole day to help out and make sure the people there would at least be spared from any further hurt (if losing a house wasn’t hurtful enough) by doing something significant, instead we were made to wait doing nothing just because someone wanted to use the program for his political gain. I mean, the bag only contained rice, canned goods and noodles…would it be so DIFFICULT to give this away already??!!! We were wearing our company shirts…so it looked like WE WERE THE ONES DELAYING the damn operation.

The Barangay Captain got a hold of the mic and told the people “Maswerte tayo na tayo ang pinuntahang Barangay, hinihintay lang natin ang mga panauhin natin, kaya’t wag kayong mag tampo” (We’re lucky to be the Barangay that will be visited, we’re just waiting for our guests, so don’t fret).
At almost 2 pm, I don’t know what happened but the Brgy. Captain suddenly asked all Senior citizens and pregnant women to make a new line (from the original lines) and then he started to instruct us to give out the goods…and that’s when all hell broke loose. Obviously the people in the original line weren’t too happy with the situation…even if…the idea was noble.
In the end, the stubs to claim the relief goods were more than the relief goods themselves…and I could see a lot of upset people at what had just happened….oh and the clincher of it all…..DICK MOTHER(*@#$!%^) GORDON DID NOT SHOW UP. He wanted this obviously to be a POLITICAL event for him and then decided that maybe it wasn’t worth showing up for after all.
I can’t believe that a time like this when ORDINARY people are coming together, POLITICIANS REMAIN THE SAME…AND I can only PRAY MR. GORDON that you be granted some sort of WISDOM (OR BALLS) to DECIDE WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO. Don’t go on making PROTOCOLS that are STUPID AND INANE especially in times like this….people have lost their loved ones, their houses, basically everything they have and you still have the GALL to use this to YOUR Advantage.
Believe me, if you ever run for office, I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR YOU and I hope everyone who sees this blog does the same thing. It’s funny a week ago on ANC you told viewers that the reason why we’re in a rut is because our government does not have a CLEAR SYSTEM….so please EXPOUND to me how your PROTOCOL of overseeing the distribution of relief goods was more of SYSTEM rather than a POLITICAL STUNT.
DICK. I honestly believe your name suits you quite well.

Author: Martin Cervantes's  Notes
Source: Facebook, Multiple Posts and thousands of comments.

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