Yolanda, Janet and Miriam

(photo: manila standard today.com)

Good thing Miriam came.

On November 7, 2013, most of Northeastern Mindanao waited for the arrival of Yolanda. She was forecast by the weather bureau as a Super Typhoon. Classes were cancelled in all levels since the authorities abide to the warnings from the higher ups. The decision left all of us stationed in our homes contemplating on our safety.

Janet then was aired on national TV at ten thirty or so. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee decided to subpoena her for an investigation in aid of legislation. People sat in front of the TV and started to see what could have been a lukewarm investigation. The looming threat of Yolanda was forgotten for some hours as a surge of confusion and wrath simmered over the seemingly-lying Janet.  The social networking sites were populated by the comments of the netizens on how Janet looked – guilty!

It was bland, the proceedings…especially her answers. Her manners were sometimes corrected by the PAO lawyers provided for her. Her face, sans make up, revealed an impassive expression.

Then, the storm came…not Yolanda but Miriam.

I started to have some kind of an adrenalin rush when she started her lecture on “the right against self-incrimination”. It was loud and clear and lawyerly. She then said to Janet: Let me look at you. As an RTC judge, we were trained to know whether the witness is lying or telling the truth by just looking at the expression! There was some sort of a religious awe which enveloped the session hall as she continued ranting on legal matters and all. I got a good laugh when she queried: AND, WHO ARE YOU? Referring to the PAO lawyers…

Some were irked with her seeming personal vendetta over Senator Enrile which she seems to insinuate as the godfather of the Pork Barrel Scam. But even with such innuendos, she still sounded credible and reasonable.

I take the senators’ words on the fact that that was the time when Napoles could air her side. That avenue could clear her from the accusations bombarded to her. But with her Hindi ko po alam, Wala and the long silence, the people had their judgment on her. For how could Benhur Luy and other whistleblowers recount the details of their transactions while she feigned innocence on the matters discussed? Selective amnesia?

Whatever happens, the people are still raging about the plunder committed by the so-called public servants. After all the money shelled out by simple workers through income tax, value-added tax and expanded value added tax, we have the right to seethe with fiery storm inside our midst. We are even compelled to go to the streets and flood the social media with our opinions… After all, this is still a democratic country, right?

For now, we are still holding on with our collective prayers that Yolanda would not harm us. As a country, we are already castigated with political storms which are making poverty somewhat like a natural calamity.

Slap, Kick, Shout and Stab

     

      Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently reported to have helped 3,471 women in especially difficult circumstance (WEDC). Many of them suffered physical injuries totaling 1,091 cases. And according to ABS-CBN, 7 out of 10 learners in public schools are victims of violence (abs-cbs.com.)

             

          Domestic violence has been an issue feared to be discussed by our somewhat conservative society. There were even instances that some women consider wife-beating as a norm in a married life.

            

           Students, especially those who come from dysfunctional families, would often inflict violence and become bullies to other learners. The “different” brood of learners is often the victims of their outbursts.

              

                But when communication technology became pervasive, the knowledge on the evils of violence against women and bullying became pressing issues in the workplace, schools, homes and generally the society. R.A. 9262 a.k.a. Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004 and recently R.A. 10627, Bullying Prevention Act in Schools became the legal bases of the prevention of the thriving of such evil.

           

             For years now, I have been doing Anti-VAWC campaigns. I was able to stage two dance recitals focusing on the theme. I often inject this theme even to the pieces I choreographed which were showcased in the National Arts Festival sponsored by the Department of Education. But then, some audiences still like to laugh rather than to think. There was even a feedback that the dances looked “heavy”. Of course, violence is depressing not entertaining. But dance as an art form could also be a medium of that social issue…

             

                  My thesis in graduate school was on the viability of the implementation of Anti-VAWC activities in the secondary schools of two clusters. The result showed that there are minimal activities done by the schools to address violence against women and children…

             

                 I recently finished reading Nicholas Sparks’ “Safe Haven”. I read the book for one day even if my eyes are blurry nowadays. The focus is on a woman’s struggle to live her life away from a violent marriage only to be hunted by the culprit. Physical, psychological, sexual and economic abuses were graphically described in the book I was able to empathize on the pain Katie experienced. Sparks was able to give hints on the cause of Kevin’s anger but then again, violence is not just understood but stopped.

            

                I guess most of the kids were bullied when they were young. I experienced that as well. But I have always been someone who would try to dig deeper. Of course I got hurt but I remembered asking all the while: What made them do such things? Eventually, I got the answers in psychology classes I attended and books I read. Most of my childhood bullies are still in the dark of who they are supposed to be.

            

           In the end, it would be peace and harmony that we would like to have in this life. The violent persons will continue to be there as long as violence breeds in the family. Let us make concerted efforts to stop making violence a culture in our homes.

(photo: tayloredreviews.wordpress.com)

Of Claustrophobia and Diabetes

                                          (remate.ph)

That's the price of democracy.

Politicians and public servants must now realize that whatever they do, there's public scrutiny and public opinion. Sec. Mar Roxas and even President Aquino are being castigated on the seemingly VIP treatment of Janet Lim Napoles. People are wondering on the breaking of protocol on Napoles' surrender and the president's act to escort her to the Philippine National Police. 

ZTE-NBN whistle-blower Jun Lozada aired his side and on behalf of the others who divulged scams. For him, the president is being unfair on his treatment towards them... 

But that's their job, according to the DILG Secretary. He has to ensure the safety of Napoles and the president underscored this fact to him as well. Because what critique would be there if they won't do something and would lead to the harm of Janet? Roxas continued. Of course, that would also be the case when they got indifferent with the situation.

According to sociologists, there are persons in our society who could be considered as YACKERS. They would react on the situations and air their opinions directly. Out from these, the concerned will then answer back to justify their actions. Then, the two sides are presented in the open. The others on the sidelines who listened to both sides could then make a stand of their own. And that could be helpful in the development of a deeper understanding of the social issues and trends.

Feelings are touched; egos are either boosted or depleted; relationships are broken... there are even times when darkness lingers. But again, that's part of the democracy we have been enjoying too!

So what's the point?

There would be reaction without an action taken; no ricochet when a trigger was not pulled; no ripples without a stone thrown...

I am diabetic and also claustrophobic. I won't do something that could send me to a small room with iron grills with the media and others lingering outside waiting for a scoop.

What Pork Is and Isn't

                                                          (photo: equalizerpost.com)

They were the informed ones. 

The people who went to the Luneta to air their rage against the Pork Barrel were the ones who saw the invites from the social networks. Most of them have Facebook accounts so with Twitter and other links to the web. The reason why they went there was the fact that they understood the situation and their anger must be addressed.

James is from Casa. He would sometimes help in the nearby lechonan so to have some allowance for school. He then catches up with his classes when he has the fare. Inside the classroom he is threatened with the square root of 175 and cowers on the thought of measuring the distance of waves between troughs. When his Araling Panlipunan teacher posed the question for their assignment: Abolish the pork or not? He answered: Maa’m waya nay ako trabaho kun ya nay lechonon!

Pedro is from Tabon-tabon. He tills the land which is not his. His constant companion is the carabao which helps him with his daily tasks. His vocabulary is limited to WAT and NAY for eight hours daily. If a reporter from ABS-CBN would interview him on the plowed mud for effect: Kailangan pa ba natin ng PORK? We are sure that Mr. Pedro will say: WAT? And his carabao would energetically proceed to its plowing.

These two persons are just the representatives of the Filipinos who are not so concerned about the social climate since they are so busy existing. How could the mind think with an empty stomach? There is a bunch of people who do not understand the importance of going to the freedom parks and raise their arms in protest for something vague to them. The government must have a mechanism of informing the public on the basic principles of governance.

Most of the townspeople are not aware of the roles of the legislators. When asked if they know the roles of the local SB members, they will answer in the affirmative yet their answers are being clouded by that patronizing “help” coming from the elected officials rather than that of the common good. That’s the reason why the PORK of the representatives fell on the patronage system. Most of the people are unaware about how it must be spent.

Of course, we must not encourage the PDAF to have a lengthy stay. We need politicians who are accountable and transparent enough on what they’ve done with taxpayers’ money. We are outraged with how the Napuleses are indulging on the comforts of The Ritz… But we need to awaken our companions as well. Our battle cry will be loud enough if the rest of us are the informed individuals.

Without the necessary information, the rest of the people would resort to asking for help, bringing prescriptions, begging for some amount for the burial and hospitalizations of loved ones and continue voting those politicians whom the common tao think could HELP him.

With such mindset, the representatives and senators would then say: Where would I get the money to help the poor if not from PORK?

When Bigots Dominate

                         (photo: entervrexworld.wordpress.com)

Tactless is not funny.

If I have the time, I view Jessica Soho's magazine show in GMA every Sunday. Aside from its entertainment quality, I would always be fascinated with the featured food, people and events there. I always appreciate the capacities of those researchers and writers in finding human interest stories... A lot of times, I also find the "usual" stories being told in unusual manners.

I am not anti-poor. (In fact, I am poor myself.) But I dislike the theme of heralding something banal as art via the presentations of the so-called "madlang people". The success of Showtime is explainable since the concept of making the show accessible to anyone is a good one. But then, there's Vice Ganda.

Ok, the comedian is successful due to his quick punchlines and funny side notes. Gays copy the way he looks for he is the embodiment of celebrating the uniqueness of the LGBT (lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender) community. It's a strong feature of the millennial generation - where everybody is accepted for who he or she is.

Yet, we are still anchored on the universal values. Even if we are into the most democratic society, we still value respect. Also, we believe that success does not entail using others just to be IN. That could lead towards selfishness to the highest degree.

Vice Ganda gave side comments on the candidacy of Nancy Binay. A lot followed suit. The issue was the lack of experience of the latter. But to decide that Binay could not perform legislative tasks because of inexperience could be prejudice. This was not underscored during Loren Legarda's candidacy when she pole-vaulted to become a politician from being a broadcaster. Yet she proved to be one of the senators who wins the heart of the people based on the survey results.

Then, the most horrifying thing that Vice Ganda the comedian did was when he made fun on Jessica Soho. He focused more on the physical aspect of the multi-awarded newscaster (her being plus size, etc.) rather than her capacities as a person. And that could be out of way since he is making fun out of someone who is respected in her field - an intellectual one...

It would be OK for him to be called ugly and horse-faced because he accepts these things. Also, he made self-humiliation as comic. But then again, that would be another story if you cross certain lines. Why only focus on Jessica Soho and not Teddy Boy Locsin? It would be a very interesting situation since Locsin could make irony and satire so hilarious the literati would die laughing when he'd air his side via Tedditorial.

So what's the thing to learn here? Simple. Make fun out of situations not on people. Gone are the days when differently-abled persons are sources of ridicule. The fact that Vice Ganda as a homosexual is being accepted by his madlang people (which is not the case decades ago),  he must shy away from making fun out of Jessica Soho's weight.

If he insist, we would call back the bigots and let him be screamed: BAYOT BUAAAANG!

Creating Ripples

 (photo: nice-cool-pics.com)

You'll get tired when you persistently pursue something without a game plan. Ok, there are things like serendipity and luck but the main game must be well-planned. The effect whether you got it right or the antithesis of the aim is also different. Pro-active people see this as a win-win situation. Even without the aimed outcome, the lessons learned are worth the while. Anyway, there is a future ahead. But the reactive ones will find more things to find fault with...

After the brouhaha of the past election, you sometimes wonder what would become to those who burned their bridges. Are their lives the same? You accepted long before that your life is a continuum of service. You find meaning of spending your time, treasures and talents in building the capacities of others and extending yourself to those whom others consider as the least, the lost and the last. Your friends find your world boring that they continued to lead a life of their own. And that's it. We are here to find the real MEANING of our existence.

You respect people's views. There are those who lambast others and there are those who empower. One way or the other, they probably find meaning on their actions...

* There are those who spend a lot of time with their families, with their children. You were elated to hear from a mother who told you that she has to spend the precious time with her children because when they reach adolescence, their social needs would heighten and they would choose to be with friends rather than with her. She is maximizing her time with them to build a strong foundation of care, love and affection. Her intentions and deep analyses on parenting are things MEANINGFUL to her.

* You were informed that an acquaintance is trying to become a full-time FB person. He would spend his vacant time looking at the timelines of his friends, viewing pictures, giving comments, liking shout outs and even putting a fight on his convictions. That's his way, anyway. His virtual flights are MEANINGFUL to him rather than the real persons around.

* Your friend is trying to climb the corporate ladder to prove himself, another is spending most of his time in his religious community, one is cajoling his high school friends to build a foundation to help young and deserving students, another is trying to find faults of others by spreading vile rumors, some immerse themselves to books to gain more knowledge... they find MEANING on these.

In the end, we are all the same. It is only our knowledge and wisdom that separate us.

For now, you need to confront the inner you. Your intrapesonal intelligence must be honed so that you could confront your insecurities, wants, needs and capabilities. Doing this leads to maturity. What matters most is YOU and how you influence and affect the persons/things/situations in your ecology. Armed with the universal values, you could never go wrong.

Let us create ripples!