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!

I am Trash

                                                           (photo: pinoy-ofw.com)

I am a tree. Lots of politicians claim that they are environmentalists. In fact, they publish and report stories that they plant similar species like me. But look at what they've done - they are nailing on me and others their political campaign materials. They use wooden sticks, tarpaulin and papers which are so dirty to look at. I feel the pain every time they hammer me with their lies and propaganda thwarted as platforms.

I am a wall. My owners painted me to look dainty. But with the election season, the supporters of the candidates are irresponsibly pasting on me the faces of their bosses. Some of them are using Photoshop concealing the malice on their faces and others failed to cover the wrinkles of greed and selfishness. The industrial paste would become stains on me - lingering memories of broken friendships and family feuds.

I am a stage. I like to think that I am a very important part in the being and becoming of the community members. On me would be the programs staged for the common good. The artistic presentations happen on top of me which, I know, could develop the cultural sensitivity of the audience. But I really hate it when those liars use me. Their filthy intentions reek down to their shoes. During political rallies, they often hurl each other with insults and smear each candidate with the formulated gossips and the like.

I am a microphone. My purpose is to amplify the words of the speakers for the audience to hear. But with the forthcoming elections, I really dream of befriending different brands of mouthwash. For how could I endure the breaths of those who brainwash innocent people? How could I not long for a breath of fresh air when the usual words are given? How could I endure the spits coming from the mouths which have toxins that would eventually kill the dreams of the majority?

I am a pencil. I will be used during the polls. I pray that my lead will shade the right circles with the corresponding candidates. Even if I am only worth three pesos, my role is so great that the future billions of pesos and millions of Filipinos depend on the shades with the names beside them. I know that these are important things in shaping my country.

I am a voter. No amount of money could convince me to vote for someone who would hurt trees, scatter trash, intrude on private walls, stage lies, and give stupendous speeches!

I KNOW HOW TO USE MY PENCIL!

Queen of All Media

 

(kirasukebe.deviantart.com)

I am Kris. A lot of people like me for I grace their living rooms on week days and give them things which I think are intelligent. They like the way I look that's the reason why I am hounded by the different multinationals to endorse their products. A lot like the way I talk as well... I could hear lots of  them copying my accent and the colloquial I introduce would always be hits.... Love love love!

Even if my acting is the same: catatonic with twisted eyebrows, they like my films. My characters resemble the same from Sukob to Mano Po but they like me. My films are all-time hits. I could not sing but I have sold millions of albums just by collecting my favorite love songs. Some critics call the songs mushy but they reached the platinum status!

 I judge a reality show even if I don't have the credentials. A lot of judges are like that, aren't they?

I am the Queen of All Media! One of my best friends is Friendship Ai-ai, the Comedy Concert Queen... so with Zhing, Zsa-zsa, the Divine Diva! At least I belong to the circle of the Superstar, Star for All Seasons, Diamond Star, Mega Star, Jukebox Queen so with my friend Manny, Ang Pambansang Kamao!

My sisters love me. Every time that I would mess up with my love life, they come to the rescue. When I had my thing with Phillip, they lifted me on their shoulders. Josh was accepted freely in our family. When I divulged my STD on national TV and that I was profusely bleeding due to Joey's infliction, you sympathized with me. You cried with me....

When I started to frequent the arena where the PBA is done, you cheered with me. You approved of my happiness, right? James became the apple of your eyes as the right husband for me. And when Baby James was born, more endorsements came. Some guys even copied the hairstyle of my son, ha ha ha!

Then, that hag Vicky caused a lot of trouble when one of her masseuses flirted and had an affair with my James. I hated it, I hate her. I hate James that my son was then called Bimby!   

Now, when James wanted to rape me, you believe that he wanted to rape me, right? How could he say that THERE IS NO MORE SPARK? My skin is maintained with moisturizes which could feed a small community, my hair could send students to college... and he tells us that he doesn't have a thing for me? Ha ha ha...

Thanks for my sisters who come to the rescue once more. And thanks to you for taking my side. It was true that I was really hurt that I cried OUCH! OUCH!

I am Kris. And my brother has three more years.

Remember: Love love love!